"Tell me what you’ve done, right now."

Saying it like that makes it sound like something’s been done to me.
It makes me feel weird.

"I haven’t done anything."

"Brainwashing?"

Han Sihoo kept throwing wild accusations.
Brainwashing, seriously?

Well, I can understand why he’s suspicious. When a childhood friend suddenly starts acting strange, it's natural to think something’s wrong.
But I didn’t just suddenly become strange, did I?
I’ve been like this for a long time; he just didn’t notice.

"I simply prescribed her the appropriate medicine."

"...Drugs, huh."

"Sometimes, when a patient’s condition is severe, you have to administer narcotics. Right, Miss Seoa?"

"Yes."

I am a severe case.
Without the drugs, I would’ve quietly died alone.

[99 hours 45 minutes]

The effects of the medicine were still strong.
I felt happy.
It felt like all of my senses were on fire.
Everything in front of me looked like a fun movie, and even the air, smelling of smoke, tasted delicious.

"You bastard."

Han Sihoo bit his lip.

He couldn’t attack recklessly, probably because I was here.
It must have been jarring for him to be in a standoff and suddenly have a hostage situation.
Though, I’m not really a hostage.

"If your friend was that precious to you, you should’ve protected her better. Now you’ve learned a lesson through this experience."

Yeah, you should have protected me better.

"......"

Han Sihoo has this belief that he can protect everyone.
A very protagonist-like conviction.
But he abandoned his childhood friend.
Why?

If he’s going to protect everyone, why did he throw away Yuseoa?
Was it because he got tired of me?
Or maybe he just found it too bothersome.
I’m the only friend who remembers him from when we were kids—so why couldn’t he protect me?

"Oh, that’s right. You said I wasn’t even your friend anymore, didn’t you? Well, that explains it."

Five million won, and we cut ties.
So, we’re not friends anymore.
Han Sihoo stuck to his beliefs.
He really is the protagonist.

"Let Seoa go right now, or else—"

"Haha, as you wish."

The doctor’s hand released my shoulder.

So what if he let go?

The situation didn’t change much.
I just stood there in place, not moving.

It’s funny.
Does Han Sihoo really think I’m on his side?
Does he think I’m a hostage brought here by the doctor?
That’s ridiculous.

"I’d love for you two to have an honest conversation, but unfortunately, it seems like Miss Seoa is having some difficulty speaking due to the medicine."

The doctor commented.

"Shut up."

Han Sihoo was still under the impression that the doctor had done something to me.
Does he think I can’t speak because of the doctor?

"Heh."

A strange laugh escaped me.
For some reason, I couldn’t speak properly, as if my tongue were twisted, like when you’re drunk.
But if I really tried, I could probably get the words out.

"Seoa, come over here."

Han Sihoo called to me.

"Huh?"

"Yes, Miss Seoa. You can go to Sihoo now."

"Okay."

I answered and started walking toward Sihoo.
With every step closer, the murderous intent inside me grew.

"Miss Seoa, do you remember what I told you?"

"Yes~"

That’s right.
It’s all the protagonist’s fault.
If I kill the protagonist, I can keep getting this medicine.

I have to kill Han Sihoo.
I have to.

How?

By becoming an Awakener.
By taking the medicine.

It’s too late to worry about addiction now.
If possible, I want to live my entire life high on this drug.
Who cares if I get labeled a drug addict?
I don’t care what people think.

I’m so happy.
I want to kill Han Sihoo.

I feel this strange sense of omnipotence.
Of course, it’s impossible for me to actually be omnipotent, but I feel certain I can do things I never imagined before.

"Han Sihoo."

I stopped walking for a moment and called his name.

"...Seoa?"

"Do you like being the only protagonist, huh? Haha!"

I tried to suppress my laughter, but I couldn’t.
I’m having so much fun.
Have I ever felt this exhilarated since coming to this world?
My senses are so heightened that it feels like I can even read other people’s minds.

Well, maybe not their thoughts, but I can sense their emotions.
Han Sihoo was clearly anxious.

"Seoa, you’re acting strange because of the drugs. Let’s go. If we get you treated, you’ll be fine."

But I’m already getting treatment?
And I’m perfectly normal.
More than fine—I feel amazing.

"...I’m completely sane."

My mind is clearer than it’s ever been.
Everything I see, hear, and feel is sharper than ever.

And all I want to do is kill the person standing in front of me, Han Sihoo.
He’s been irritating me for a while now.

I feel like I can fight him.
I can kill him.

Would I really be stupid enough to rush at the protagonist with my life on the line?
You can call me a fool if you want.
But I’m enjoying the rush of my heart beating faster, ready for a fight.

It doesn’t matter if he’s an Awakener or the protagonist.
As long as I have this drug, I can do anything.

Can I really kill him?

Even though I’m under the influence, my mind is clear.
I won’t act foolishly like the Yuseoa from the novel.
I can fight properly.

"Seoa, snap out of it."

Han Sihoo stood firm, holding his sword steady.

I wish I had a weapon like that.
A strong, cool weapon.

What I admired was the protagonist who wielded a great weapon and cut down his enemies.
Not the miserable Yuseoa.

It’s better to crush everything that stands in the protagonist’s way.
I never cared for the tragic childhood friend story anyway.
I want to be the protagonist.

So...

Dear drug,
Please grant me a sword as well.

And then, a sword appeared.

Shing!

A black sword materialized in my hand.
Ominous black energy swirled around it.

"What the...?"

Han Sihoo was shocked.
He must’ve been amazed to see a sword just appear in my hand.
Would he believe me if I told him the drug gave me this sword?

"Black magic...?"

Han Sihoo muttered something under his breath.

"Haha, it seems like Miss Seoa wants to fight you, Sihoo. I’ll leave you two to it while I go take care of the others."

The doctor said and then disappeared somewhere.
He must’ve gone to deal with the academy people who were following Sihoo.

I swung the sword created by the drug.
The blade blended perfectly into the dark evening landscape.

Slash.

I swung toward the spot where Han Sihoo had been standing a moment ago.
What I ended up cutting was an unfortunate sapling.
Did the academy staff plant it?

It didn’t take much effort to slice through it, which means the sword’s cutting power is amazing.

"Yuseoa, put that down."

"Heh."

Slash.

This time, the sword sliced through a mound of dirt.
I’ve never learned swordsmanship, let alone proper combat.
And I lack the physical ability to wield a sword properly.

But it doesn’t matter.
The drug will solve everything.

"As long as I have the drug."

"Huh?"

"It’s fine."

The black energy enveloped my body.

This must be what they call magic.

The color of magic varies from person to person.
Since I took black medicine, black magic surrounded me.

It’s the basic power that all Awakeners can wield.
The biggest difference between regular people and Awakeners.
Even the sword in my hand is made entirely of magic.

What happens when magic covers the body?
According to the novel, it enhances physical abilities.

Crack!

The sword grazed the base of a tree.
My stance is awkward, but I’m faster now.
I saw Han Sihoo’s face darken.

"Haha!"

The doctor was right—fighting does make everything more fun.
Maybe because this is a military-grade stimulant, the effects are incredible.
The synergy with the Awakener drug is also perfect.
My body craves the fight.

Clang.

Han Sihoo blocked my sword effortlessly.
Even though I’ve enhanced my strength with magic, I’m still being overpowered.
Is it because he’s the protagonist?
Or maybe because Yuseoa has no experience in fighting.

"Sorry, bear with me a little longer."

Han Sihoo slammed the hilt of his sword into my arm.

Crack.

"Huh?"

I heard the sound of my arm breaking.
Did it really break?

I dropped the sword.
The sword I lost flew through the air and stuck into the ground.

Thud.

I was pushed to the ground, a small cloud of dust rising.

"Haa..."

Even falling feels good.
The pain was transformed into another wave of pleasure in my brain.
I should’ve passed out when my arm broke, but I could still laugh as if nothing happened.

"I'm sorry."

"Haha."

"I should have realized when you started acting strange."

"Hahaha."

Honestly, it wouldn’t have mattered even if you had noticed back then.

None of it matters anymore.

All I can think about now is wanting more of the drug.

[83 hours 12 minutes]

Using the drug’s power must have consumed a lot of time.
It probably didn’t help that Han Sihoo shattered my right arm.

I’m torn.
If I keep fighting, the drug’s effects will wear off.
But if I kill Han Sihoo, I’ll have a lifetime supply of the drug.

"Haha, it’s not over yet."

My resolve to kill Han Sihoo reignited.
Even if the drug’s effects diminish a bit, it doesn’t matter.
The joy of fighting is overwhelming.
It feels like fireworks are going off in my brain.

Shing!

Magic extended from my still-functioning left hand.
A smaller, sharper sword appeared this time.

"Grr!"

The protagonist twisted his body to avoid the blade.
He was close, but he dodged my attack with no problem.

"So, are you going to break this arm too?"

I looked at my barely movable right arm as I spoke.
If both of my arms are unusable, I guess I’ll have to wrap bandages with my teeth.

"......"

"No?"

So, you’re not going to break it?
Well, that’s good for me.

"Put the sword down. We don’t have to fight at all."

The protagonist stepped back a little as he spoke.
It doesn’t look like there’s a reason to fight.
To be honest, I’m so out of it from the drug that I can’t even think straight.
But the murderous intent is still burning inside me.

"Hahaha."

Holding the sword in my left hand, I advanced toward Han Sihoo.

I know.
With his skills, Han Sihoo could cut down anyone at this distance.
But he’s not cutting me down.

It’s not because he can’t kill.
Han Sihoo has killed people before.
He just can’t bring himself to hurt his childhood friend.

"Sorry... I’ll save you soon."

He’s talking nonsense.
If he really wants to save me, he should just die by my hand.
As long as I have the drug, everything will be fine.

"Are you going to give me the drug?"

"Huh?"

"No, you’re not."

Then there’s no reason for me to stop fighting.
We’ll finish this properly, protagonist-style, with swords.

Han Sihoo looked at me, confused, as if he couldn’t understand.
Why is he looking at me with such guilt in his eyes?

I pity everyone who hasn’t experienced this feeling.
If anyone else had tried this drug, they’d understand me perfectly.

"-Sihoo!"

A woman’s voice.
Looks like the spectators have arrived.
How annoying.