“I’m an S-rank hunter! An S-rank hunter, I tell you! Release me immediately!”

Chae Soo-hyun’s frenzied screams filled the psychiatric ward, echoing down the halls. Other patients, worn out by her incessant shouting, covered their ears.

Normally, other patients might have been shouting too, but Soo-hyun’s madness had everyone cowering.

“I’m S-rank Hunter Chae Soo-hyun! My boyfriend is Baek Ji-hoon! Baek Ji-hoon! If you don’t release me right now, I’ll tell Ji-hoon oppa, and he’ll take care of you all!”

“Have you administered the medication?” “Yes, we’ve given her sedatives up to the limit... It seems like the meds don’t have much effect on her. Maybe it’s the S-rank hunter resilience; she seems to be fighting them off with sheer will.” “Is the straitjacket secure?” “Yes, it’s sturdy. I wouldn’t worry about it.”

The doctor and nurse looked at her with a mixture of pity and bewilderment. They had been called in after a series of reports about her disruptive behavior.

“Should we muzzle her?” “Let’s observe for now. Usually, that’s only for patients who seem suicidal. But Soo-hyun doesn’t look like she’s about to harm herself.”

The doctor shook his head.

“Sob... sob... Please, just bring me Ji-hoon oppa. Just this once...”

As she struggled, the bed rattled beneath her weight.

“What’s she even going on about?”

The doctor finally took an interest in what she was shouting.

“Baek Ji-hoon...? You mean the hunter that’s all over the news these days?” “Yeah, he’s her supposed boyfriend. She claims everything will be fine once she contacts him. She’s even threatened to wipe us all out if we don’t let her go.”

“Her delusions are getting worse.” “Yeah, she was already pretty bad before she came here...”

The doctor clicked his tongue, eyes filled with regret.

 

“Hmm... Baek Ji-hoon, huh?”

The doctor had no choice but to meticulously observe and analyze his patient.

“Why does she keep bringing him up?”

He had dealt with a variety of patients over the years, though this was his first time treating a former hunter.

Reviewing the documents, he mused.

“Nothing in her records directly ties her to Baek Ji-hoon... She did spend a short stint at Blue Guild with him, but... this doesn’t match her story.”

The doctor searched for more information on Baek Ji-hoon.

‘Apparently, he’s been dating Hunter Cha I-seul, his childhood friend, after reconnecting.’

It seemed like there was no connection at all.

“Well, it’s best to verify anyway...”

 

“Hello.”

A surprise visit from the doctor from the psychiatric ward.

‘What’s this about?’

“I’m the primary physician for patient Chae Soo-hyun.” “I see... What brings you here?”

The mention of Soo-hyun’s name made me flinch. She had nearly wrecked my life. Thankfully, I had emerged stronger. Now, as ID Paraparis, I was wealthier than ever, farming S-rank items and preparing for my wedding with I-seul.

‘Is she trying to drag me back down?’

I couldn’t help but feel a hint of caution.

“As her primary physician, I need to clarify a few things...” “Go ahead.” “Patient Chae Soo-hyun—formerly Hunter Chae Soo-hyun—constantly claims that you are her protector, boyfriend, and future husband. We need to determine if this is a case of grand delusion.”

He spoke with a tone of utmost respect, reflecting my changed status. Nowadays, people were eager to be in my good graces.

‘She’s totally lost it.’

It felt like Soo-hyun was clinging to me as if I were her last lifeline.

“Surely... that’s not true? I don’t know much about hunters, but she and you don’t seem like a match.” “Exactly. During her brief time at Blue Guild, we barely interacted.”

I smiled. Ironically, the past that Soo-hyun had tried to erase only benefited me now.

“That confirms it. It seems she’s suffering from severe delusions. It’s not uncommon for some female patients to claim they’re marrying into wealthy families.”

“Oh, I see. Unfortunately for her, there’s no truth to it. In fact, I’d like to show you something.”

“Something?”

I laid out evidence of Soo-hyun’s Succubus antics on the table.

“I’m forced to reveal her actions, as she keeps stirring up trouble.”

A warning.

She needed to stay silent, or else.

“Gasp...”

After hearing my explanation, the doctor covered his mouth.

“Did she really...?”

“Yes. She used her power to ensnare men in a way that was almost inescapable.”

‘I should know. I was one of them.’

“I plan to release this to the press. If you could inform her of this and convey my letter, that should keep her quiet.”

“Ah... Yes, I understand.”

 

“Patient 218, Chae Soo-hyun.” “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!!”

She reacted wildly, thrilled to hear her name called. She writhed, causing her bed to creak under the restraints.

“The doctor has a message for you. We reached out to Hunter Baek Ji-hoon, just as you requested.”

“Gasp!!! Aaaahhhhh!!!”

‘I knew it! I knew Ji-hoon oppa would come through! I knew it!’

Soo-hyun let out a shriek of joy, as if she’d finally achieved her long-awaited wish.

“You’re all dead once I get out of here!”

“Please calm down and watch this.”

The doctor turned on the TV.

[ We have shocking reports on Chae Soo-hyun, the former S-rank hunter expelled from the Hunter Association. Allegedly, she used her Succubus abilities to seduce over 500 male hunters, stealing their points in the process... ]

The news ran through her misdeeds, one by one.

“What... What is that?!”

“This is just a reminder of what you’ve done. Sometimes seeing things can help bring clarity to patients with delusions.”

The doctor shook his head sadly.

“No, no, no! That’s not true! I didn’t do that! That’s a lie! Aaaaahhh!”

Soo-hyun thrashed in her straitjacket, desperate to escape the reality being presented to her.

“What the hell?! Who ratted me out?! Aaaaahhh!”

Her screams echoed, but no one came to help.

“Also, Baek Ji-hoon confirmed there was no truth to your claims.” “What?! No! We dated! We’re going to get married, and Blue Guild will be mine! Ji-hoon oppa’s money is my money!”

“Still not seeing reason, I see. Maybe this will help.”

The doctor showed her the letter I had prepared.

The message was clear: if she continued to make noise, I would expose everything she’d done. She’d lose any remaining hope of ever reconnecting with me.

‘Wait...?’

Her mind raced.

‘If I behave, maybe Ji-hoon oppa will come back someday. If I cause a stir, he’ll cut me off for good...’

She realized that her actions might sever any remaining connection.

‘Right. I’ll stay quiet.’

Suddenly, she fell silent.

‘What? Did the letter really calm her down?’

The doctor raised an eyebrow, perplexed.

“Doctor, I’d like some medication. I’ll stay quiet.”

Though she was on the brink of losing it, she decided to keep her composure, clinging to the faint hope that Ji-hoon might one day come back.

 

“Hyung, are you really going to see her again someday?”

Hyung-seok asked, looking worried.

“Are you kidding? I just wanted her to shut up. She’ll probably be in there forever, clinging to her delusions.”

“Knew it. And what about the victims?”

“We’ll have Hunter Lee Ye-ji heal them. We need to keep up our image as Korea’s top guild.”

“Got it! Understood!”

He left with a grin.

As Blue Guild’s vice-guild leader, I had ascended quickly.

It had been a whirlwind, but I’d made it here.

‘Good things come to those who endure.’

Thinking of my future, I allowed myself a smile.

‘Time to start planning the wedding...’

I would erase the ghost of Chae Soo-hyun from my life for good and live happily.

The blue sky felt even clearer than usual.