Transformation or Death

Chapter 165

Not in My Right Mind

Water was sprayed into the air. Droplets catching sunlight sparkled and gathered, falling downward. Their direction was directly above Han Jae-jung’s face.

Chwaaak.

The cool water stream tapped against tightly closed eyelids. Water entering the respiratory system obstructed breathing, and evaporating water stole body heat. Most of all, the pain of being doused with water was enough to flee from sleep.

With recovered consciousness and a rising headache, he opened his eyes.

“It’s cold, you bastards....”

“Oh, you didn’t die?”

“You’ve awakened.”

The first thing he saw upon waking were hateful faces. The villains’ unique grotesque appearance staring intently was uncomfortable.

Han Jae-jung pushed back his wet hair and let out a deep sigh.

“Whew... Wake me up normally, you crazy bastards.”

“No, you should’ve woken up appropriately.”

Archer threw the bucket he was holding. With a clang, the bucket that was just full of water rolled on the floor.

“By the way, I objected.”

“This bastard is betraying me?!”

Hearing loud voices immediately after waking was torture. Han Jae-jung pressed his forehead and let out a painful groan. This headache wasn’t just because of that.

“How many hours was I unconscious?”

“Not very long. About an hour?”

“Really not much sleep....”

Han Jae-jung let out another deep sigh. Water droplets falling from his hair lowered his body temperature, while conversely, his heart began beating quickly to warm his body. He ignited his determination.

“I’ll definitely kill that bastard....”

Killing Paradox who made a fool of me was his only thought.

“Hey, what was that guy? He looked seriously dangerous. Why do you hang out with such dangerous guys?”

“You’re also a dangerous guy.”

“Ah, is that why it’s romantic. The thrill of deliberately breaking through dangerous places....”

“Romance is bullshit. I don’t have that.”

He tried to rise but staggered. Jason grabbed Han Jae-jung’s arm.

“Ick, be careful.”

“Yeah... Thanks.”

“But is it real? That... Your lifespan has been reduced even more....”

Han Jae-jung looked at the belt.

[...It is true. The current guardian’s expected lifespan is exactly 30 days.]

“Ha, this is driving me crazy....”

Since he had already heard the information from the villain, the belt’s confidentiality seemed meaningless and revealed his remaining lifespan. He didn’t want to believe it, but hearing it made it unavoidable. ṞA????OꞖÈS

Remaining lifespan: Thirty days. Exactly one month.

Too short a time to call the life of a twenty-something.

Not enough to master even one thing, too brief to develop a hobby.

My luck is truly messed up.

With a complicated heart, he repeatedly performed a dry face wash.

“From that reaction, it seems true.”

“It’s genuine.”

“Who would’ve thought they’d actually reduce his lifespan. More importantly, how could that Paradox guy even control the beast....”

Jason and Archer also had to acknowledge it seeing his reaction. His remaining lifespan was short. During Han Jae-jung’s dry face wash, silence descended.

Soon, he lowered his palm. Lifting his face heated by friction, Han Jae-jung opened his lips.

“No, this is an opportunity.”

“Are you crazy?”

“No, this guy isn’t in his right mind either.”

The more negatively he thinks, the more disadvantageous it becomes for himself. Rather than being submerged in despair, he’ll go mad with positivity.

“Anyway, I didn’t know the day I’d die. I was thinking I could die tomorrow without recourse, but now I know the exact date. Not only that, but a clear method to extend my lifespan was also presented.”

It was essentially a life he’d already died once before.

‘No, it’s a life I’ve died twice.’

When Virgo formed a group to launch an attack, once, and then when he became a villain and tried suicide, twice. He had already experienced having his breath cut off multiple times as a matter of course. But he’s still standing here, barely alive.

In fact, this life is like a bonus. So even if he dies tomorrow, there’s nothing to regret. It was something he wasn’t supposed to receive in the first place, but he got it additionally.

‘Ah, I’m positive. Yes, this is an attitude towards life.’

[I’m sorry, but can I call you a crazy bastard instead of a Guardian from now on?]

Since I’ve gained this life, I should use it effectively.

“From now on, I’ll focus on killing the Scorpion.”

The Scorpion was already dangerous in the original story. As one of the three beasts using the power of the galaxy, it caused many casualties. It was an enemy that needed to be dealt with anyway.

And on top of that, he can gain additional lifespan? What could be better than this?

Han Jae-jung suddenly jumped to the window and shouted.

“Paradox, you motherfucker, thank you-! Thanks to you, I might extend my lifespan-!”

And then he laughed heartily.

He knew full well that this was Paradox’s purpose – to make him burn with determination. But he couldn’t help but go along with it. Survival instinct comes before disgust.

Han Jae-jung pointed his finger, which was previously pointing at his own eye area, to the Archer’s eyes.

“What did you want to see with these eyes?”

Eyes that see what others cannot, penetrating and capturing everything. The most important bodily organ supporting the Archer’s archery. That strange archery technique where arrows reach their target even in the opposite direction was possible because of these eyes.

But the technique was merely a secondary power. What was truly important was these eyes. Visualizing sound, smell, touch, everything. Its original purpose was, of course, seeing.

‘What did I want to see?’

Was it the romantic era he had always dreamed of? No. It seemed fundamentally slightly different. The Archer traced back his memories.

What did he feel in the era when he met Sky Polaris as a boy?

The answer still did not emerge.

It was quiet. Han Jae-jung was satisfied that no one was shouting like before. From his expression, he knew this advice was sufficient.

“This should be helpful enough?”

“Ah.”

“This is prepaid. Of course, I’ll help you more later. But now you need to help me.”

I’ll be more helpful. So save me. Han Jae-jung seemed to be saying this.

“Even a messenger can be a bit overwhelming alone.”

There was no hint of a draw in his eyes. They were burning only with victory.

He genuinely intended to kill one of the three beasts.

Han Jae-jung turned his steps away, leaving them still lost in anguish.

“Where are you going?”

The Archer, still looking troubled, asked.

“To the person who is my greatest support.”

Towards his only colleague, Han Jae-jung moved his steps.

***

Ippotranslation

***

“You... Know?”

Joo Ah-yoon asked, completely bewildered. Since when? How could you know something I didn’t? A slight jealousy arose. Then she felt disillusioned with herself for feeling jealousy in a matter of life and death.

“Ah, haha... Just, just a rumor. Well~ I overheard a conversation among villains. That Watcher, my rival, is somewhat, well, how should I say, not having much life left....”

Baek Ah-hee emphasized the word ‘rival’ as if definitively describing her relationship with him.

“I really, really! Just happened to hear it by chance. I don’t know much, but... Ah, why did this topic come up while talking about Jae-jung? I’m not sure either, hahaha....”

Laughing bitterly, she waved both hands. Behind Baek Ah-hee ‘s actions was not so much a request to ‘not press me’ as a consideration of ‘I don’t want to make you uncomfortable’.

She was internally sorry for knowing this fact before Joo Ah-yoon , who was closest to Han Jae-jung. However, she couldn’t carelessly share this information with others. Baek Ah-hee was also quite uncomfortable.

“I see... Yes... Indeed....”

Joo Ah-yoon nodded, agreeing. Seeing Baek Ah-hee claim it was a coincidence, it was certainly a coincidence. She knew at least that she wasn’t someone who would lie about such things.

‘...She must have suffered a lot too.’

Though trying to deny the truth about Han Jae-jung and Watcher, it was all too apparent. She used to hang out with Han Jae-jung frequently. She seemed to find vicarious satisfaction, pouring affection as if replacing a lost father or a non-existent brother.

‘She must have been brooding over her pain alone all this time.’

How much her heart must have ached when she heard the news of Han Jae-jung’s impending death.

‘Though not as much as I feel, she would have suffered in her own way.’

She was certain of her affection. Joo Ah-yoon was clear about this part.

“So, Ah-hee ....”

Joo Ah-yoon began to feel empathy and fondness for her. A colleague who knew the same truth. Someone with whom she could share secrets without any problem. How reassuring such a person was.

She smiled and subtly asked Baek Ah-hee ,

“Do you have any intention of helping that villain Watcher...? Since he’s your rival, you wouldn’t want such a futile end, right? So....”

“No.”

The response was a firm rejection.

“I won’t help.”

Joo Ah-yoon ‘s smile distorted. Her pupils trembled. The hand she had extended also shook.

She wanted to ask why, but her lips wouldn’t open. To have been so close and then leave him to die? It felt like a question had hammered her head.

‘Are all kids these days so two-faced...?!’

She had no time to feel disappointment, disillusionment, or betrayal. It was shocking. Other emotions were swept away by the shock, and she couldn’t feel anything else right now. Even if she saw Baek Ah-hee wandering in and out of a man’s house, living wildly at night, it wouldn’t be as shocking as this.

“He and I are clearly enemies. It would be rude to easily extend a sympathetic hand.”

The following content was even more shocking.

“Isn’t he a villain in the first place? Helping him would be nothing short of betrayal. Moreover, as rivals, we’ll eventually have to fight to the death....”

Baek Ah-hee smiled sweetly.

“If he dies alone, that would be great for me.”

Would this be the feeling of seeing a girl with an innocent smile in front of a corpse? Joo Ah-yoon felt horror looking at Baek Ah-hee .

‘Oh brother, this girl is crazy... Run away....’

She’s not in her right mind.

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