hotmtlnovel Chapter 108
Chapter 108
“Huff... Soo-ah, what happened to your face?”
Passing colleagues stared at Lee Soo-ah in shock. Her cheeks were swollen and red from all the slapping she had done to try and snap herself out of her strange behavior.
“Haha... It’s... nothing,” Soo-ah responded awkwardly, trying to avoid their gaze as she hurried away, her hands covering her cheeks.
‘What’s wrong with me... why am I like this...’
She had tried everything—slapping her cheeks, pinching her thighs, anything to bring herself back to her senses—but nothing seemed to work.
‘Huff... huff... Ji-hoon... I’m getting... excited just thinking about him... This doesn’t make any sense...’
Her body trembled as she struggled to control the overwhelming feelings that kept bubbling up inside her.
The image of Baek Ji-hoon refused to leave her mind, and she could feel her body heating up in response.
‘I need to get closer to Ji-hoon... Maybe then this feeling will ease...’
Knock, knock, knock.
“Yes?”
“Ji-hoon...”
“Yes?”
“Can I... can I just sit here for a while?”
“What?”
Lee Soo-ah suddenly appeared at my office door, asking if she could sit down. She looked tense and nervous.
“Why?”
“I... I was just passing by and needed to rest.”
“But why here?”
“Just because.”
“Alright, go ahead.”
I didn’t think much of it.
‘What’s going on?’
Soo-ah sat down at a desk in my office, looking noticeably shaky.
“Soo-ah...?”
“Yes...?”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes... I’m... fine.”
“You don’t seem fine...”@@@@
“I-I am...”
She was definitely trembling, though she seemed to be calming down a bit compared to when she first came in.
‘Huff... huff... What’s happening to me... Why am I like this?’
Soo-ah placed a hand on her chest, trying to make sense of what she was feeling.
‘I’m sure of it... Ji-hoon must have done something to me... Soo-ah, pull yourself together. You need to resist this, okay?’
She was doing her best to fight off whatever was happening to her, but it wasn’t easy.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Ji-hoon? Oh? Soo-ah, what are you doing here?”
Yoo Hana had come to talk to me but stopped in her tracks when she saw Soo-ah. Her expression quickly turned to one of annoyance.
“I... I was just resting for a bit.”
“Why are you resting in someone else’s office?”
“I was just passing by...”
“Hmmm...”
Yoo Hana gave her a suspicious look.
“Well, then I’ll rest here too.”
“Why?”
“Because Soo-ah is resting here.”
“Ugh...”
I let out a small sigh, feeling a bit annoyed by the interruption.
“Both of you, out.”
“What?”
Both Soo-ah and Yoo Hana were unceremoniously kicked out of my office.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Ji-hoon, I need to talk to you.”
Not long after, Soo-ah burst through the door again.
“Ji-hoon, I’m going to be direct. What have you done to me?”
“What?”
“What did you do that’s making me act like this? Why do I keep making mistakes around you!?”
“I didn’t do anything... You’re the one who keeps hugging me. If anything, that could be considered harassment, don’t you think?”
“What...?”
Soo-ah’s frustration was clear, but she hesitated, looking a bit flustered.
“Yesterday you hugged me, and today you did it again. You’re the one behaving strangely.”
“No... I just... Did you really not do anything to me? Are you sure you haven’t used some kind of ability on me?”
“I haven’t done anything.”
‘How am I supposed to explain this... “Actually, I’ve developed an Incubus trait...”’
I couldn’t exactly say that. She’d think I was completely insane, although it seemed she was already leaning that way.
‘She’s definitely resisting the Incubus trait...’
“Soo-ah, didn’t you say you don’t like me?”
“Yes, that’s right!”
“Then why do you keep hugging me? You’re sending mixed signals.”
“What? No! That’s not it...”
“If you keep doing that, I’ll have to assume you do like me.”
“No, I don’t!!!”
She had come in to confront me but ended up leaving, red-faced and flustered.
‘What am I supposed to do about this?’
This situation was getting complicated.
On one hand, I was gathering S-rank Hunters to clear S-rank dungeons and amass wealth. But on the other hand, it seemed that using my points on them was causing them to become increasingly attached to me.
Even if I used all my points to become an SSS-rank Hunter, it wouldn’t mean much if I had to do it alone. The scenarios had time limits, after all.
‘What am I supposed to do...?’
I couldn’t help but feel conflicted.
I was beginning to worry that Soo-ah’s obsession would only grow stronger.
“Hah...”
Back in her office, Soo-ah let out a deep sigh.
‘What’s happening to me... I need to resist this... I know I have to... but why can’t I get a grip...’
‘What about Yoo Hana? Is she feeling the same way, or is it just me?’
Soo-ah’s curiosity got the better of her, and she went to find Yoo Hana.
“Hey, Yoo Hana.”
“Yes?”
“There’s something I want to ask you...”
“What is it?”
Yoo Hana gave her a curious look.
“Have you ever felt like... you can’t stop thinking about someone? Like they’re always on your mind, and you just want to be near them?”
“What...?”
Yoo Hana looked at her, puzzled.
‘What is Soo-ah talking about...’
Yoo Hana thought briefly of Baek Ji-hoon. There were some moments when she felt a slight pull, but nothing overwhelming.
“No, I haven’t.”
Yoo Hana responded firmly.
‘Is it just me...’
Soo-ah scratched the back of her head awkwardly.
“Why? Is that how you feel, Soo-ah?”
“No! Of course not!”
Startled, Soo-ah quickly retreated to her office.