I Became the Drug-Addicted Childhood Friend

Chapter 7

"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.

"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.