Rank 0 of the Awakener Special School - Chapter 79

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Awakener Special School Ranking 0
Chapter 79
For a moment, her breath caught in her chest.
“…….”
Beneath the white blanket lay a small body, composed and still.
The face of a girl who looked exactly like her shimmered in the reddish light.
Thump.
Ji-u sank down beside the bed.
“Ji-hyo.”
“…….”
“Ji-hyo, it’s me. Your sister’s here.”
“…….”
The thin hand exposed above the blanket did not move at all.
As Ji-u’s eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness, she could see more and more of Ji-hyo’s condition.
And the better she saw, the harder it became to speak.
Ji-hyo’s state was far more terrible than she had imagined.
On the exposed back of her hand, bite marks—deep and rounded—were starkly visible, as if made by fangs.
The moment she saw those marks, the image of Ji-hyo from the Memory Card that day came vividly to mind.
And scattered across her body were traces of uneven wounds—those dreadful marks that bandages could not hide.
There were many.
Far too many.
“Does it hurt?”
A child whose new skin grew back so much faster than others, even when she fell or was cut.
But now—
“Does it hurt a lot?”
The days that wouldn’t heal
seemed to hover frozen on her body.
“Since she fell into a comatose state, her Core hasn’t been functioning properly. That’s why her Regeneration is…….”
So-young’s voice came from behind.
For an Awakener, a Core was one of the body’s functions.
That is, when entering a state like brain death or comatose—nearly vegetative—the Core could not perform its function.
Just as it was now.
“…….”
Ji-u’s gaze traced slowly up from Ji-hyo’s hand to her face.
Her eyes were closed, but her breathing could be felt—faint, rhythmic.
Yet that breath was so shallow it would be imperceptible unless one drew close.
– Has my sister ever once asked me if I’m okay, if I’m satisfied with my current life?
“I’m sorry.”
Ji-u gently grasped Ji-hyo’s hand.
Between the touching hands, a soft luminescence began to glow.
It was Ji-u’s Healing Core.
But that ability had a fatal flaw she knew all too well—a side effect where she absorbed the target’s wounds into herself.
It was happening now.
The bite marks on Ji-hyo’s hand faded as if erased by an eraser.
And just like that, they appeared distinctly on Ji-u’s hand in their place.
As if invisible jaws were tearing at her, the bite marks overlaid themselves onto Ji-u’s pristine skin.
“Miss…….”
So-young, who usually opposed Ji-u’s use of her Core vehemently, said nothing now.
She simply stood behind, quietly placing her hand on Ji-u’s trembling shoulder.
Using her Healing Core would not wake Ji-hyo.
And perhaps Ji-u already knew that.
Her Core could only heal external wounds and absorb pain—true cure was impossible.
But even so.
‘If only she weren’t in pain, even for a moment.’
Ji-u did not stop.
Without releasing the hand she held, she whispered to her sister.
“It’s okay.”
It’s okay.
Everything will be fine.
I’ll make sure of it.
* * *
After seeing Ji-hyo, Ji-u returned to her room with So-young.
“Would you like to eat something?”
“No, it’s fine. I’m not hungry.”
“Then how about this…….”
So-young brought some cookies from the kitchen, but Ji-u didn’t even touch them.
The untouched cookies remained in the bowl between them as an endless silence stretched on.
“Sister, I should go now.”
Ji-u stood up from her seat.
As she hurriedly gathered her bag, So-young suddenly spoke.
“Miss, would you like me to hide you?”
What?
Ji-u turned back, surprised.
“If you’ll just say the word, I can arrange a place where even the Chairman’s eyes—no one’s eyes—will find you.”
So-young gripped the sleeve of her robe tightly, tension evident, but her expression was grave.
Ji-u knew.
If she merely nodded, So-young would surely flee with her—overseas, anywhere at all.
But.
“What about Ji-hyo?”
“Ji-hyo would also—.”
“Sister.”
Ji-u cut off So-young’s words.
“You’ve already done so much for me.”
“…….”
“From here on, this is something I have to handle myself. That’s how it has to be.”
Ji-u turned back and quietly finished packing her bag.
Will things actually improve if I try?
That’s a thought that crosses my mind, it’s true.
Seeing Ji-hyo’s condition show no improvement only deepens the helplessness.
But… what if I do nothing?
What if I stay still, if I run—will that solve anything? No. It won’t.
“Since I’ve already begun, I have to see it through to the end.”
I don’t know what waits at that end.
But I’ve already left the cage.
Until the day I go back inside it again, I won’t stop spreading my wings.
Because now is the only time I can fly.
I’ll go as far as I can.
“When did you grow up so much?”
So-young’s murmur came from behind.
“You really are…….”
After muttering something indecipherable, So-young rose and quietly helped Ji-u finish packing.
Zip—
Ji-u closed her bag and spoke.
“Sister, now that I think about it, there’s something I want to ask.”
“Yes?”
“Did Ji-hyo get along well with the family?”
“Ji-hyo? Well… as you know, I’m her education supervisor, and most of the time I’m buried in the Research Institute or Headquarters.”
“So you don’t know?”
“I’m sorry. I could barely see Ji-hyo during breaks…….”
At So-young’s words, Ji-u fell silent in thought, then asked again.
“Then, while I was away, were there any rumors circulating in the family? Anything about me?”
“Rumors?”
“Yeah. Not about Ji-hyo. About me. About Seol Ji-u.”
“Hmm…… I don’t think I’ve heard anything particularly notable. Not many people know of your existence to begin with.”
“Is that so?”
“Why do you ask?”
“The Director’s attitude toward me seems to have changed subtly.”
“But you’re officially registered as ‘Ji-hyo’ right now, so wouldn’t that account for it?”
That didn’t feel like the reason…….
Still, there wasn’t enough information to draw a conclusion.
“Understood for now. If you learn anything else later, tell me anything you find out. Next break, whenever that is.”
Just as she was about to grasp the door handle.
“Ah, Miss…….”
So-young called her back.
She’d managed to call her, but now seemed uncertain, as if hesitating.
“What is it?”
“It’s just… that…….”
So-young dropped her gaze, faltering.
“Actually, while you were at Gaon, I’ve been looking into a few things too.”
Pause.
Ji-u stopped and turned back to face her.
“I’m not certain, so I was torn about whether to tell you, but… if you’re going back to Gaon, I thought you should know.”
So-young continued quietly, still with a note of hesitation in her voice.
“About a month ago, I went to the Separate Residence to check on Ji-hyo’s condition, and someone was already there. When I went closer, it was the Chairman. But…… there was another person as well.”
“Another person?”
“Yes.”
So-young’s voice grew even quieter.
“A student in a Gaon uniform.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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