A Terminal Healer Needs an Obsessive Maniac-Chapter 136

It seemed that in the distant past, Ryu Seo-Ha’s “world from his previous life,” which had belonged to the Baek Wing faction, had for some reason transformed into the “Abyss,” now under Black Wing control.

‘How much time would it take for the terrain to change so drastically…?’

The thought that even the seas could dry up and the geological composition could alter was a stark reminder of the immense power higher beings possessed. Still, it was strange that the orphanage building managed to preserve its form so well.

Of course, traces of civilization weren't entirely absent in the description of the Abyss from the original story. But a sign, old as it was, sticking around like this was rare.

‘It almost feels as though someone deliberately left traces behind.’

Ryu Seo-Ha couldn’t shake the suspicion that had been lingering since he started seeing the surreal landscapes that connected to Choi Kang-Hoo’s dreams. Along the way…

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

Startled, he turned at the sudden voice that dropped into his ear. Choi Kang-Hoo, looking slightly younger than the lover in his memories, had approached unnoticed.

For a brief moment, Ryu Seo-Ha thought he was seeing the "current" Choi Kang-Hoo. Surprised by the sudden use of formal speech, he could only stare, and Choi Kang-Hoo, wearing a mysterious smile, exaggeratedly shrugged his shoulders.

"As your guardian spirit, I should show some respect, shouldn’t I?"

Guardian spirit? Before Ryu Seo-Ha could fully grasp what was going on, Choi Kang-Hoo handed him a small stone, forcing it into his hand, and pulled him by the arm, plopping down on the old orphanage sign.

“So, what’s today’s future intel?”

Still stunned by Choi Kang-Hoo’s abrupt demand for information, Ryu Seo-Ha could only let out a small chuckle. The casual manner in which he requested information—despite their past guarded interactions—was almost absurd. But it wasn’t unwelcome.

<Consumption of Monster Meat>

As Choi Kang-Hoo read the words scrawled on the ground, his expression turned somewhat sour.

“I’ve already had my fill of that tough and bloody meat.”

Without the benefit of a fire skill, he had grown accustomed to chewing on raw, blood-dripping meat just to survive. Despite his slightly disgusted response, Ryu Seo-Ha silently manipulated the system, pulling up the preset background details he had prepared.

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A few hours later, the corpse of a freshwater fish-like B-rank monster, a Bigtooth Carp, that Choi Kang-Hoo would soon hunt for food near a stream to the south, fell from the air. At a glance, it looked almost like a regular fish, with no immediately distinguishable traits.

<Indigestion>

After giving Choi Kang-Hoo enough time to examine the freshwater monster's appearance, Ryu Seo-Ha wrote another key phrase on the ground.

“You’re saying I’ll get indigestion if I eat that?”

Choi Kang-Hoo’s puzzled reaction was understandable. Thanks to his [Devouring] trait, he hadn’t once experienced something as common as a stomachache.

<S-rank Monster Larvae>

The issue was that the Bigtooth Carp carried the larvae of a rare S-rank monster, the Giant Clam, on its body. These two species, which would later be revealed to have a symbiotic relationship, helped each other reproduce, an extraordinarily rare case in the entire monster ecosystem.

“…It’s too powerful for me to handle with my current abilities?”

As Choi Kang-Hoo double-checked, Ryu Seo-Ha nodded. At this point, Choi Kang-Hoo had no way to consume an S-rank monster raw without consequences. Pointing again to the tiny larvae, no bigger than flying fish eggs, clinging to the fish’s scales, Ryu Seo-Ha underlined the danger.

<Do Not Eat>

Naturally, upon finding the Bigtooth Carp in the wild, Choi Kang-Hoo would be tempted, especially since fish seemed far more appetizing than blood-soaked raw meat. But the moment he gave in, it would lead to serious trouble, leaving him vulnerable and exposed.

“Got it.”

Even without a detailed explanation, Choi Kang-Hoo readily accepted the warning. It was proof he had grown used to trusting Ryu Seo-Ha’s information.

“So, is that all for today’s updates?”

Ryu Seo-Ha, about to continue manipulating the system to visualize the next danger, was taken aback by Choi Kang-Hoo’s unusual tone. He glanced up, noticing the dark shadows under Choi Kang-Hoo’s eyes, the weariness etched on his face.

“If not, could we rest for a moment?”

Before Ryu Seo-Ha could respond, Choi Kang-Hoo lay down at his feet, stretching his long limbs and closing his eyes completely—something he had never done in his 22 years of life, at least not in front of Ryu Seo-Ha.

“Instead of just watching, why don’t you lie down too?”

His voice was soft, almost drowsy, making the suggestion feel more like a sleepy mutter.

Faced with this unexpected scene, Ryu Seo-Ha hesitated, torn between the need to warn Choi Kang-Hoo about the dangers ahead and the gentle tug on his arm that urged him to lie down beside him.

"Just for a minute."

Choi Kang-Hoo’s voice, whispering as though pleading, sounded heartbreakingly sad. Ryu Seo-Ha closed his eyes, feeling the rhythm of a clock ticking in his mind as the moments passed.

Choi Kang-Hoo’s deep breath signaled he had drifted into a peaceful state. His chest rose gently, and for the first time, his face looked at ease.

“I’ve always wanted to lie down like this, even just once.”

The dark circles under his eyes and the stubble shadowing his jaw suddenly weighed heavily on Ryu Seo-Ha’s heart. He wished he had found a way to prevent Choi Kang-Hoo from being dragged into the Abyss sooner—regret washing over him in waves.

“Under a clear sky, without a single worry.”

The soft murmur, combined with his serene expression, tore at Ryu Seo-Ha’s heart.

“Here, no matter what happens, we’re safe.”

In the real world, there was nowhere Choi Kang-Hoo could rest like this, so at least in this dream, Ryu Seo-Ha allowed him a respite. He carefully enveloped Choi Kang-Hoo’s subconscious within the safe zone he had quietly expanded.

[Status: Remaining lifespan 75 days, 8 hours, 12 minutes]

Even if it cost him some of his remaining life...

‘Because that’s the promise I made.’

Without hesitation, Ryu Seo-Ha manipulated the system to remove the time limit and adjusted the surrounding environment, making it resemble the master bedroom of the Hannam-dong mansion.

He ensured that no nightmares would disturb Choi Kang-Hoo and that his consciousness wouldn’t be expelled from this peaceful world. All the while, thinking intensely about how he would find a way to recover the lost lifespan.

<Goodnight.>

With those final words softly traced by his hand, Ryu Seo-Ha gently nestled into Choi Kang-Hoo’s embrace, closing his eyes. The warmth of the moment quickly calmed his anxious heart.