Chapter 349 - 349: I Think It Was Simply Luck

"Well, the wounds won't disappear just because I talk about them. Besides, when work gets busy, I forget about them," Evelyn replied as though it were nothing.

To her, what difference would talking about her old wounds really make?

"Then, do you need me to apply the medicine for you?"

How could Wise accept Evelyn's nonchalant attitude?

It wasn't good for her to neglect her own body like this.

Originally, he had intended to use the opportunity of applying the medicine to help heal her wounds, since close contact would make the treatment more effective.

However, when Evelyn heard his suggestion, her face flushed slightly, and she immediately shook her head.

"No need. I've always handled them myself. Besides, letting others see my wounds..."

She paused there and looked at Wise again. After a moment of hesitation, she continued.

"But... if it's only telling you where I've been injured, then I suppose there's nothing wrong with that.

"Yes, I want to know," Wise answered seriously.

"Then, alright."

Seeing his firm expression, Evelyn slowly removed her jacket and began recounting the injuries she had suffered over the years.

The falls during training, the bullet wounds from missions...

She listed them one by one. Most of those wounds had already healed significantly, leaving behind only faint pink marks.

Although she deliberately avoided Wise's gaze, a subtle warmth lingered in her eyes.

"May I touch it?"

"Wh-what?!"

Evelyn was caught completely off guard by his words.

"Cough, sorry. That was a bit presumptuous. Are there any other wounds, Evelyn, that still bother you occasionally? I can help you with them."

Wise did not act recklessly. After hearing his explanation, Evelyn, who had initially been surprised, fell into thought before eventually nodding, though her gaze remained slightly evasive.

With her permission, Wise reached out and touched one of her more prominent scars.

The moment their skin made contact, Evelyn felt a strange tingling where he touched her, followed by a warm current flowing through her body.

The comforting sensation stirred an unfamiliar emotion within her, but she pressed her lips together, trying to suppress it. Even so, a faint blush still appeared on her cheeks.

When Wise removed his hand from the wound, the pleasant sensation suddenly disappeared, leaving behind a faint sense of loss in Evelyn's heart.

However, before that feeling could last, Wise touched another wound, and the comforting sensation returned once again.

After repeating this several times, the wounds on her arms and parts of her back were completely healed.

The places that once bore scars had returned to their original state. Her skin became smooth and flawless, without a single trace of imperfection.

"These areas are all healed, but what about your other wounds..."

"Mmm... No, no need. You've already helped me a great deal. I rarely talk about these things, but... with your help, it doesn't feel as heavy anymore."

Evelyn, who had spent so long suppressing her emotions, accidentally let out a soft sound when she spoke again. To avoid making the atmosphere awkward, both of them silently chose to pretend nothing had happened.

"You're really strong," Wise said.

"Strong? Perhaps. But most of the time, I think it was simply luck. Although it might sound strange to say this, I don't dislike these scars."

"Why?"

"Because they are proof of every step I've taken in the past. The wounds I suffered and the blood I shed during those years... they all shaped who I am today. The person who can protect those I want to protect."

She paused briefly, staring at the sky before continuing.

"If I hadn't experienced those things, I wouldn't have gained my current strength. I wouldn't have been able to overcome those difficulties, and I wouldn't have the life I have today. I wouldn't have had the chance to meet Miss Yao... and you."

When she reached this point, Evelyn fell silent, her gaze fixed solely on Wise.

"How should I put it? These wounds that once reminded me that I was lucky have now taken on a different, deeper meaning. But don't worry... it's not pain."

[Ding! Target Evelyn: has increased her favorability toward the host by 2. Her current favorability is now 92. Additionally, 500 Emotional Value has been obtained.]

[Current Emotional Value: 43,600]

As their conversation continued, Wise also learned that Evelyn happened to have some free time today.

"In that case, would you like to go to Godfinger together?"

"Godfinger... What is that?"

Wise's invitation touched upon a blind spot in Evelyn's knowledge. After his explanation, she finally understood that it was the name of the arcade near the video store.

"Hmm, there used to be many stores like that, but they aren't as common anymore. I want to go. Actually, I've always regretted not being able to properly play when I was a child. With your invitation today, it's the perfect chance for us to go together."

The two took the metro to Sixth Street. However, as soon as they arrived at the station, Evelyn looked at Wise beside her with a slightly embarrassed expression.

Seeing her reaction, Wise asked, "What's wrong?"

"Miss Yao just messaged me asking where I was. I'm not good at lying to her, so I told her we were coming here to play. She started complaining on Knock Knock, saying that the two of us secretly went out to play without her, so I invited her to come along too. Is that alright?"

Evelyn seemed slightly guilty because of her sudden decision.

Seeing this, Wise naturally wouldn't be upset.

"Of course, it's fine."

"Good, then. But Miss Yao will probably arrive a little later, so let's go ahead first."

While passing by the toy store entrance, Evelyn even commented on the Bangboo statue beside it, finding its behavior of facing the corner extremely strange.

"Sixth Street is truly a magical place, with all kinds of nostalgic shops. This store, that music store over there, and your video store... It's amazing how nostalgic businesses can form an entire commercial district."

"Do you really like it here, Evelyn?" Seeing her expression, Wise couldn't help but ask.

She nodded and replied.

"Yes, I do. For example, the arcade. I've always been curious about what it's like inside. When I was a child... I could only watch others."

"You didn't have a chance to play when you were a child? How could that be?"

Wise was genuinely surprised after hearing that.

"Hmm... I haven't told you, have I? At that time, I had already been taken away by the Organization. Even as a child there, I had no right to be idle."

It seemed Wise's question had once again brought Evelyn back to those memories.

"Missions, training, missions, training. There wasn't much else in my life. Occasionally, while on missions, I would see arcades on the street and watch the children inside having fun. They looked so happy... unlike me. So I was envious."

"After I grew older, I started feeling awkward about going to an arcade alone, and eventually that desire faded. Later, when I finally realized it, there were hardly any arcades left in the entire city. So I'm really happy that you invited me here."

Evelyn was looking at Wise while speaking when a figure suddenly rushed over from a distance, wrapping an arm around each of them.

It was Astra, who had arrived late.

"Hmph, you two~ secretly dating without me, and just now you were whispering behind my back! I'm going to report you!"

Astra pretended to be angry, but the smile she tried to hide was impossible to miss.

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