Episode 157
“….”
Lee Jae-heon, who was quietly pretending to be asleep, quietly got up from his seat after confirming that the breathing sounds around him were evenly distributed.
There was only one reason.
‘I can’t sleep at a time like this.’
This was because this night was very important in terms of probability.
It was around this time that Lee Jae-heon acted like he was crazy in the previous episode, and it was also around this time that the abandoned dog monster attacked. Of course, the monster was not attracted to the fish intestines like in the last episode, but it was true that the fish was grilled, so there was a good chance that the monster would come this way.
Lee Jae-heon silently rolled his eyes and looked at Jeong In-ho, who was sitting near the bonfire.
“….”
“….”
Judging from his stern expression and stiff body, it appears that the protagonist also had similar concerns as Lee Jae-heon. The context may be different, but I guess I had the feeling that today would be a turning point.
‘Well, he’s not a great man who would say he would be on watch for no reason.’
We may have felt foolish for falling asleep without a wake-up call during this time. Of course, Lee Jae-heon left it alone, confident that he would be the first to wake up if a problem arose, but wouldn’t the story be different from the protagonist’s perspective? Tonight was dangerous, so he must have taken various factors into consideration and decided to stay on alert.
Lee Jae-heon gave him a wink at his venomous gaze that became increasingly fierce as he remained silent.
“….”
“…Ah.”
It seemed like he realized why Jaeheon Lee was silent.
‘You can’t mess with the settings.’
Now he was holding bright red lake water in his mouth.
In the previous deal with the green algae monster, Lee Jae-heon asked for ‘freedom in dreams’ and the monster wanted new prey for him. Looking at the context, it seems like they probably wanted a skeleton, not food.
Anyway, the important thing was that now he could die or show other actions at will in his dreams. As the actions and results in the dream bring about visible changes outside of it, it also meant that it was an excellent environment for Lee Jae-heon to carry out this unusual role play in the future.
“Let’s go together. “It’s quiet nearby, so there won’t be any major problems for a while.”
“….”
“You should never be alone.”
Jaeheon Lee was quietly listening to Inho Jeong’s voice that continued quickly. It occurred to me that I had somehow managed to make my voice quiet enough not to wake the others. He looked so nervous.
‘Actually, tonight will be a difficult night for that guy.’
It’s still a guess, but it was around this time that Song In-myeong accidentally killed someone, ‘Lee Jae-heon’s’ symptoms suddenly worsened, and a monster stray dog chased them. Even if Jung In-ho changed Lee Jae-heon’s mind or rescued the two survivors immediately after returning, there would be anxiety that something might have been missed.
In the meantime, Lee Jae-heon’s actions of going to vomit blood may have seemed quite creepy. Of course, it is a very different behavior from before, but in any case, the symptom of hemoptysis did not disappear immediately after ‘Jaeheon Lee’ woke up.
As he quietly waited for the protagonist, Jeong In-ho, who had skillfully created a torch, approached Lee Jae-heon.
“Don’t go too far.”
“….”
I just nodded silently.
‘It’s close… but I’m still holding on to my sanity at this level.’
In fact, when Lee Jae-heon woke up, the protagonist should have immediately realized why ‘Lee Jae-heon’ woke up. Doesn’t Jung In-ho know everything that happened in the last episode? Nevertheless, the fact that I didn’t notice it right away meant that I was buried in the thought that ‘it shouldn’t be the same as last time.’
Of course, it seems like he is trying to calm himself down in his own way, but this further solidifies the idea that we need to pay more attention to the protagonist’s mentality.
Lee Jae-heon, who stopped at a place not too far away, vomited.
“Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu her she her she she she
she
she her it it it it it it it it her her it it it offering
… it is] okay?”
Lee Jae-heon coughed and shook his head slightly.
‘Do you fucking look okay?’
I felt sick.
This was because he was not just holding water in his mouth, but was completely submerged to the point of drowning. Fortunately, I would like to praise the green algae monster for killing me painlessly at the right time.
The act of spitting out something in my stomach was very disgusting and painful. Isn’t this a situation that deviates from basic human physiology in the first place? I can’t breathe because I’m vomiting, my stomach is churning, and blood rushes to my head, making me feel dizzy. It wasn’t something a human would do.
However, it wasn’t difficult.
“…I’m going to die like this.”
I’m just a little tired.
“…Do you really have to say that in front of me?”
“I made a mistake.”
“….”
“…cough ugh… my throat hurts.”
Lee Jae-heon unconsciously scratched his neck and lowered his hand as he felt bloody scabs getting stuck on his fingernails. Lee Jae-heon’s expression naturally became nervous as he looked at his red-stained fingertips.
Jeong In-ho, who was watching Lee Jae-heon, let out a calm voice.
“Do not.”
“….”
“If this is going to happen, why on earth are you wearing a bandage? It’s going to burrow into it and cause further damage. “It’s meaningless, isn’t it?”
“It was a mistake.”
“How many more times do I have to say it…”
Jeong In-ho, who continued talking with a smile, soon closed his mouth. In the meantime, it was disgusting that the curve of the lips did not disappear, but Jaeheon Lee just looked away. It was because I felt the main character’s efforts to somehow get his mentality together.
Jeong In-ho, who seemed to have barely come to his senses, slowly opened his mouth.
“…sorry. “I suddenly got angry.”
“it’s okay.”
“I didn’t mean to be so picky.”
“I understand.”
“I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be sorry.”
“….”
“In the first place, when you’re having a hard time, you become sensitive.”
At those words, Jeong In-ho’s smile twisted, and then he swept his tired face with one hand, as if he had no strength to control his expression. Every point that reminded him of previous episodes seemed like a landmine to Jung In-ho.
He took a deep breath and continued speaking softly.
“…Why do you keep doing this? I’ve been curious since last time. There seem to be some exceptions, but most of the time, you just wake up and vomit blood like this…”
“It’s not as dangerous as you might think.”
“Well, if this happened in reality and not in this world, we would have taken him to the hospital right away. This is a place where a lot of unrealistic situations occur, so isn’t this an attempt to convince you of it? “I don’t understand why they say it’s not dangerous.”
“But…”
“Hemoptysis is a serious symptom. Ha Seong-yoon also acknowledged this, but why are you trying to deny it to yourself? “Please let me know because I don’t plan on telling other people.”
It seemed like he might have followed me to ask this.
‘There are a lot of things I want to do.’
It was the same in the second episode, and it seemed like the main character was the main character. Even in the midst of hectic and mental breakdowns, he struggled and made plans to somehow change the future, making him the center and pillar of this world.
Of course, there was no way Lee Jae-heon wouldn’t have taken measures to deal with it.
“…I dream.”
He frowned slightly as if he had a headache and then straightened it again. It was a change that clearly showed that he was conscious of Jung In-ho, and the main character probably also seemed to confirm it.
Jeong In-ho blinked a couple of times and asked again.
“A dream?”
“Hmm, exactly. “It’s a dream of being killed by a green algae monster.”
“….”
“If I don’t die from that guy, I won’t be able to wake up.”
It was a new feeling to be able to reveal the excuse I had prepared since the second session. If I were to exaggerate a bit, I would say that it made me feel completely refreshed.
‘No, honestly, that’s not an excuse.’
This was almost telling the truth.
Of course, Jaeheon Lee had no intention of telling me about the convenience he felt of lucid dreaming. However, in order to tell a true lie, the ratio of 99% lies and 1% truth is important. Lee Jae-heon, who had lived almost half his life through propaganda and fabrication, knew that fact very well.
The important part here is what is 99% lies and 1% truth.
“Ever since the day I was dragged away by the green algae monster… I’ve had that dream. “As long as you sleep.”
“…That is….”
“Since this is a world where the mind is important, I think it may be a reflection of the shock I received from the green algae monster. “I don’t know the exact structure, but after dying like that, things like scars apply even outside of dreams.”
“…But you vomited blood.”
“….”
After hesitating for a moment, he continued.
“It was because I was a little… hurt in my dream.”
In the end, this is what matters.
‘Anyway, it’s not my fault.’
As long as this setting was maintained, there was nothing to be afraid of no matter how much truth was revealed.
Oh, what should I do? They say I didn’t do that on purpose. huh? Where did I have such a dream? Did I die because I wanted to be killed by a green algae monster? In fact, it is true that he died because he wanted to die, but the protagonist does not know that fact, so in the end, the lie becomes the truth.
“It’s my personal feeling, but once… I feel like I died and came back to life and recovered at the very least. Not only in dreams, but also outside of it. Even when I vomit blood, it feels like dead blood is coming out.”
“…They said he wasn’t dead at that time.”
“…When are you talking about? Last episode? Or last time?”
“Maybe last time… Ha Seong-yoon said that the manager was not dead. I said it was just because I heard a strange noise, but why was that? Like that…”
“….”
“….”
“…I’m sorry.”
Jeong In-ho slowly let out a trembling breath as he hesitated and apologized.
“…Why are you lying to me everywhere… really…”
“I’m sorry, Jeong In-ho. I’m really sorry.”
“How much should I trust? What can you believe? What did I do…”
He seemed to be trying hard to control his anger, but unfortunately, it did not remain as anger and soon transformed into something close to resignation. He closed his eyes once, opened them, held out one hand to Jaeheon Lee and asked.
“…Is there anything else you want to tell me?”
“…There are so many things I don’t want to tell you.”
“Just one right now.”
“….”
Lee Jae-heon patted his mouth as if to wipe his mouth, then immediately put his hand in his pocket.
“…I’m glad I can tell you this much.”
“…Yes.”
“I am sorry that I carried out the work alone.”
What Jaeheon Lee handed to Inho Jeong was none other than a small, round fruit. That all-purpose treatment that did its job well in the last episode.
In-ho Jeong, who received it, looked relieved.
“…Thank you for not hiding this.”
“What should I answer?”
“I think it would be best if you didn’t say anything. Last time I… “I was very upset because of this.”
Kuuk.
He lightly held the hand holding the fruit and continued speaking.
“…Do you know that if you eat the fruit, even your mental state will be transferred?”
“…I understand.”
“I gave my fruit to the manager.”
“….”
“I felt really dirty.”
Inho Jeong asked.
“Are you hearing hallucinations or something?”
“no.”
“….”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
In response to Lee Jae-heon, he let out a short laugh.
“okay.”
* * *
“Are you hearing hallucinations or something?”
“no.”
“….”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
Even though he couldn’t remember exactly, he suddenly felt angry.
Why do you pretend not to know what I vaguely feel?
“okay.”
Or maybe you really don’t know.
(Continued in the next part)
