I Became a Villainous Character with a Limited Lifespan

Episode 133

How long had it been like that? Seung-hyun, who had been spending time playing with the lump all day, looked around with the thought that this space seemed to be getting smaller and smaller.

‘I’m sure it was bigger than this at first.’

It was still a space where he couldn’t tell where it started and where it ended, but he had a strangely stuffy feeling. It also seemed like the time it took for the lump that had energetically ran to the end to return had shortened.

Since becoming aware of that, he started to feel stuffy inside for some reason.

Since opening his eyes in this place, he had never felt that his physical condition was bad. Rather than being bad, he had felt light, and he had never felt that his physical condition was poor.

“Sigh…”

Somehow it felt like his body was getting hotter little by little. It didn’t seem to be just a feeling, as the lump was sticking to his face to cool it down for longer and longer periods of time.

I guess I’m really heading towards the end now. Thinking that way, even though his body was getting worse, his mind was at ease. He thought all that was left was to fall asleep like that, but.

“…?”

The lump that had been sticking to Seung-hyun’s side cooling his face ever since his physical condition started deteriorating was nowhere to be seen. Finding it strange that the familiar chill had disappeared, Seung-hyun lifted his heavy body.

Could it have disappeared somewhere? Seung-hyun became a bit anxious and went to look for the lump. It was hard to move his body, but it didn’t take long to find the lump.

“…What’s wrong with you?”

Seung-hyun asked, knowing there would be no answer. The lump was limply lying on the ground without moving. Was it sick? Seung-hyun placed the lump on his hand with an uneasy heart, and was startled by the heat hotter than his own hand, almost dropping it.

It was showing the same reaction as him. The lump that had been lying as if dead twitched as if sensing Seung-hyun’s presence.

“You shouldn’t be sick. Why…”

There were no doctors or medicine here. Had the fact that there was nothing ever felt this bleak? Seung-hyun tried to find something even slightly cool, but there was no way.

‘If only my body temperature was lower.’

Then he could have cooled it down with his body temperature like the lump had done for him. Seung-hyun was discouraged for the first time that his physical condition was bad.

He didn’t want to part with his dear person anymore, so why was he experiencing this situation again? Seung-hyun started to cry with the lump in his hand, feeling frustrated.

If he had been alone, he wouldn’t have minded. Why did he end up being with this tiny thing? He couldn’t do anything for it, and he couldn’t even treat it kindly.

‘It would have been better if it had been with someone other than me.’

Before he knew it, the lump had become so hot that it hurt his hand, but Seung-hyun didn’t let go of the lump and just wrapped it more preciously and carefully. While examining its condition like that, shedding tears, Seung-hyun discovered a strange scene and doubted his eyes.

‘…Did I see wrong?’

Because of the tears that wouldn’t stop falling, he couldn’t see properly, so he might have seen something that wasn’t there. Seung-hyun wiped his tears and looked at his palm again.

However, just like a moment ago, he saw the lump start to ripple and melt as if being absorbed into his body. As if returning to its original place. Seung-hyun stared at his palm for a long time, unable to take his eyes off that sight.

“…I see.”

Perhaps because so many strange things had happened. Somehow it felt like his mind was being cleared up. What the identity of this tiny thing was. Why it ended up falling into an empty space with him, he thought he knew now.

It was an absurd possibility, but since such things had already happened several times, it wasn’t surprising. But he did think that this child would have been better off going to someone other than him after all.

“You had to come to someone like me of all people, unable to even see the world, and I realized it too late to even say anything good to you…”

If he had known from the beginning, he would have said at least some nice things. He didn’t know if it could hear or understand, but since he could share warmth, he would have hugged it more and doted on it.

He only realized when it no longer had the strength to endure and was disappearing into him. Even though he didn’t do anything for it, how much comfort and joy did he receive thanks to this small life form?

“…Maybe it’s for the best. I wouldn’t be able to become someone who can take responsibility for a lovely child like you anyway.” 

Seung-hyun said that and gave the lump a short kiss. If it felt like it was happy, he must have surely misunderstood as he pleased.

Seung-hyun embraced the lump slowly melting on his hand. He placed the lump closest to his heart that was beating fast due to the heat that had already risen as much as it could.

“Although I don’t deserve it… it would be nice if I could see what you look like at least once.”

Who would you take after? He hoped it wouldn’t take after him. No, seeing how affectionate it was, it would surely take after Jae-young rather than him.

“Next time, go find someone better than me, someone who can cherish a lovely child like you to their heart’s content. Be sure to…”

His heart that was already beating fast started to race as if it would burst. It was painful as if the lump melting into him was tearing at his heart, but it was okay.

“…I wish I could have been someone who could do that. I’m sorry.”

Now it really seemed like the end was approaching. The things he wouldn’t have minded if he didn’t know, the last moments full of regret and apology felt a bit sad.

‘…I want to see you.’

The face of the person he couldn’t even apologize to came to mind. In a life where incomprehensible things had been repeated several times, couldn’t a miracle come just one more time? Seung-hyun thought so and closed his eyes.

***

“His condition has suddenly worsened. The pheromone levels are too unstable.”

“The levels are changing too rapidly, so we can’t administer neutralizers.”

It was at dawn, 15 days after starting the treatment, that Seung-hyun’s physical condition began to deteriorate rapidly. The body that had been slowly falling asleep suddenly started to show big reactions.

The pheromone levels that were already a mess rose and fell in an instant, making it impossible to even choose the medicine to administer.

“His fever has risen too much. There are no beta doctors available right now…!”

“Even the recessive nurse who’s almost like a beta can’t go in.”

When Jae-young arrived at the hospital after receiving the news and rushing over, the hospital room was in complete chaos. There were no beta doctors on duty, so no one could touch Seung-hyun until Professor Kim arrived.

Unable to even properly diagnose the situation, some of the nurses were kicked out of the room and were urgently making calls. Professor Kim, who arrived in a hurry, entered the room in a messy state.

“Is he okay?”

As soon as Professor Kim came out of the room, Jae-young grabbed him and asked. Professor Kim took a step back, startled by how strong the grip on his arm was.

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

It must be a big deal. Professor Kim tried to ignore his aching arm and organized his thoughts. It was regrettable to say to Jae-young, who was in as much of a mess as he was, but as always, he had to fulfill his duty as a medical professional.

“…I don’t think this treatment will be effective anymore either. The current fever… is oxidation fever.”

“Oxidation fever?”

“It’s a symptom that rarely appears in traits, where the pheromone levels become unstable along with a fever in the process of completely oxidizing all the pheromones the pheromone gland has. Usually… it’s the last symptom that appears before all bodily reactions stop.”

It was a symptom that appeared only in people nearing the end, releasing everything they had and fading away like a fire going out.

“…Three days at most.”

Not everyone who experienced oxidation fever died, but among the cases where someone with an underlying disease like Seung-hyun experienced oxidation fever, there hadn’t been any other outcome.

‘Since he’s recessive, the time it takes to oxidize might be even shorter…’

It was a symptom that usually appeared only in dominant traits, so it was a bit surprising, but what was certain was that his life was completely fading away.

“…I will contact Executive Director Han.”

He knew that Jae-young was essentially Seung-hyun’s guardian, but legally, he had no relation to Seung-hyun. It meant that the role Jae-young could play was also over now.

“…”

Jae-young stood there as if nailed to the spot, unable to say anything. He had definitely heard everything he said, but nothing remained in his head.

It might be because he didn’t want to hear it, because he didn’t want to understand. He thought he had been preparing himself for 15 days, but when the situation actually came, he couldn’t think of anything.

“You can’t go in. The pheromones…!”

He just wanted to see Seung-hyun up close even a little bit. Jae-young approached the door of the hospital room as if possessed by something.