World Rank 0, Please Stop! - Chapter 69

“What the heck, why are you here?”

I asked Sung Ji Chan, startled.

Sung Ji Chan was grimacing like the hit place hurt. What a wimp. As if I even hit him that hard.

… The moment I thought that, I noticed Sung Ji Chan’s condition.

His whole body was covered in wounds.

“What’s this? Did I do this?”

I hurriedly examined Sung Ji Chan’s body. There were wounds and bruises all over his body. There was even a bit of blood splattered on his uniform.

No, no matter if I hit him with a weapon, could I really injure him this badly?

“It wasn’t you. I was already like this.”

Well, that makes sense. I let out a sigh of relief.

“What on earth happened?”

When I asked, Sung Ji Chan began to explain.

Up until a while ago, Sung Ji Chan had been fighting with guys from Haeseong High School. The path I saw him on this morning must have indeed been him going to a fight.

But today, the Haeseong guys were acting strange. The guys who would have normally stopped after a bit were fiercely attacking him as if their lives depended on it.

Sung Ji Chan, who was already alone and in bad condition from frequent fights recently, ended up running away. He wandered here and there looking for someone to help him, and eventually ended up in this neighborhood.

“I originally tried to contact Ban Ha Min, but he’s on a trip right now, you know.”

And Seon Woo Jin had a family gathering.

For those reasons, the only friend left that he could think of was me.

“What about Yoo Hee Na?”

“She’s not picking up.”

That’s odd. She’s the type to pick up Sung Ji Chan’s calls even if she were in the underworld. Maybe she went out somewhere.

Anyways.

“I feel a bit awkward saying this, but…”

I looked at Sung Ji Chan with pitying eyes.

“You really have a narrow social circle.”

“…”

Sung Ji Chan muttered to himself.

“To hear that from Lee Ju Eun. How humiliating.”

This jerk, he came for help but can’t even spare a thought for my pride.

‘The nerve of this guy.’

Anyhow, after hearing the whole story, I felt like I understood what had happened.

Sung Ji Chan hates going home, so his house was out of the question from the start. And since Lee Yeon Ho went on a trip with Ban Ha Min, the 2nd infirmary would be locked too.

Normally he wouldn’t have come to me, but with nowhere to go, no friends to help, and the rain coming down, he had no choice but to seek even someone like me. I got it.

“… I understand the situation. But what do you want?”

I looked at Sung Ji Chan up and down with suspicious eyes.

“Do you expect me to take you to my house?”

When I asked guardedly, Sung Ji Chan spoke with a wronged expression.

“Hey, is this how you treat a friend?”

“Since when were we friends?”

“Hanging out with Seon Woo Jin is making you more and more like him.”

How could he say something so cruel?

“Fine, just lend me an umbrella at least.”

I nodded and put an umbrella over Sung Ji Chan.

‘But seriously, what do I do now?’

Should I take Sung Ji Chan to my house?

He doesn’t seem like the type to cause trouble, but still, I don’t really want to let him in my house… Above all, my place is small. It’s a studio.

Right then, an epiphany flashed through my mind like lightning.

‘Wait a second, isn’t this exactly “that” situation?’

There was a scene like this in the original work.

A rainy day. The male lead collapsed on the street. And the female lead who discovered him while passing by.

The female lead takes pity on the male lead and personally brings him to her house.

Isn’t it dangerous to let a strange man you don’t know into your house? It’s just a cliche of that era. Don’t question it and accept it.

Anyways, the female lead takes care of the male lead and gains his affection.

The male lead learns that the one who picked him up is the school outcast, and his original interest in the female lead grows.

Thus, the seeds of their love slowly begin to sprout.

In other words, the current situation has the optimal conditions to create that episode from the original!

I looked at Sung Ji Chan and thought.

‘Let’s lay this bastard on the ground.’

Then Seol Yu Hwa will come and pick him up!

I know it sounds crazy, but I couldn’t miss this opportunity now that it had come.

With the plan set, it was time to put it into action. I tapped Sung Ji Chan.

“Hey, go lie down over there for a bit.”

“What?”

Sung Ji Chan furrowed his brow as if he couldn’t believe what he heard. I spoke again.

“I said go lie down.”

Sung Ji Chan stared at me as if at a loss for words. I felt the need to explain.

“Just listen to me for a second. If you hear this, you’ll be really surprised too.”

Before I could even explain, Sung Ji Chan was already surprised.

“Are you out of your mind?”

Ah, be quiet for a bit. You’ll definitely be thanking me later.

Contrary to my firm resolve, Sung Ji Chan made a determined expression as if he would never lie down on the ground even if it killed him. Well, I guess that’s natural.

But I can’t give up here.

‘Isn’t there a way to make him collapse?’

Seon Woo Jin somehow just taps people and they go limp.

But without such ‘advanced’ skills, I had no choice but to whine desperately. I pulled on Sung Ji Chan’s arm and yelled.

“Ah, just lie down!”

“No!”

“I’m serious!”

After bickering with Sung Ji Chan for a while, I got fed up and shoved him.

“Fine! Do whatever you want!”

Right then.

“Ah!”

Sung Ji Chan suddenly grimaced.

“What, why are you pretending to be in pain all of a sudden!”

“I’m not pretending, seriously, just a second.”

Sung Ji Chan held his forehead as if dizzy and staggered, making heaving motions.

And then.

Thud.

He collapsed on the ground.

“Gasp.”

What the heck, does this make sense?

How can he faint like this!

‘He’s not dead, is he?’

I cautiously approached the collapsed Sung Ji Chan and put a finger under his nose. Thankfully, he seemed to be breathing.

‘Now what do I do?’

Should I call 119 or something?

It was my first time seeing someone collapse right in front of my eyes, so I was flustered. Is it serious? The male lead can’t possibly die, right? No, but why did he collapse! Isn’t the male lead supposed to be invincible?

I called out in panic.

“System! System!”

[Did you call? ㅇ_ㅇ]

“Why did he suddenly collapse? Is he really okay?”

The system was silent for a moment as if pondering, then displayed a chat window again.

[He’s fine for now!]

What’s with that “for now”?

It sounded ominous even though it was clearly a positive statement.

Still, it was much better than hearing that something was definitely wrong. I let out a sigh of relief.

‘Anyways, it means nothing bad will happen to him right away.’

After worriedly gazing at Sung Ji Chan for a while, I made up my mind.

‘Well, it can’t be helped now that it’s come to this.’

Sorry, gangster boss!

This is all for your sake!

‘Just endure it for a bit.’

I grabbed the collapsed Sung Ji Chan and dragged him. Then I placed him on top of a garbage bag next to a utility pole.

Having finished all the preparations, I dusted off my hands.

‘Alright, perfect.’

Now I just have to wait for Seol Yu Hwa to come?

‘Let’s wait 5 minutes for now, and if she doesn’t show, I’ll call 119 just in case.’

If I stick around too close it might look suspicious, so I should watch from a bit of a distance. I looked around for a place to hide.

And shortly after.

Seol Yu Hwa finally appeared.

‘She’s here!’

I held my breath and waited for what would happen next.

As expected, Seol Yu Hwa stopped in front of Sung Ji Chan.

Based on her uniform, she seemed to have just returned from school. In other words, her “Seol Yu Bin” appearance.

Perm hair, round glasses, long skirt.

If I didn’t know Seol Yu Hwa, I definitely would have thought she was Seol Yu Bin based on that look.

Seol Yu Hwa stood still and stared intently at Sung Ji Chan for a moment. I couldn’t see her expression with her face obscured by the glasses.

‘Is this going well?’

I anxiously watched Seol Yu Hwa.

Finally, seeming done with her observation, Seol Yu Hwa moved. She set her umbrella down next to her and squatted in front of Sung Ji Chan.

And then…

Huh?

‘…She’s picking him up like that?’

Seol Yu Hwa lifted Sung Ji Chan up in a princess carry as if it was nothing.

‘Is this right…?’

I thought she would just drag him or support him.

I never imagined she would lift him up so effortlessly.

It seems like the guy and girl roles are reversed, but… well, what isn’t possible in the 21st century? I guess that can happen too. Let’s break away from stereotypes.

Seol Yu Hwa took slow steps while carrying Sung Ji Chan.

I watched as Seol Yu Hwa walked all the way to her house like that.

After a while, the two completely disappeared from view. Only then did I relax.

Seol Yu Hwa’s umbrella was left lying lonely on the street.

‘Phew, done.’

It seems like a total mess, but… anyways, I reproduced a scene from the original work today.

‘Still, I accomplished something today!’

Having successfully completed my mission of bringing the female lead and male lead together, I returned home in a great mood.

I’m a bit worried about Sung Ji Chan, but… he met Seol Yu Hwa, so he should be fine, right?

‘Time to wash up now.’

I was completely drenched from fighting with Sung Ji Chan without using an umbrella.

After a quick shower, I dried my hair and lay down on the bed feeling refreshed.

‘Should I rest a bit now…?’

Right then, the system appeared again after a long time.

[Good work today, Ju Eun. ^0^] [You were awesome today. ㅇ_〈]

Getting praised by the system. It feels like I did something I shouldn’t have.

[Why can’t you accept praise even when I give it! −_−+]

Because the things you like are usually nonsense…

The problem is that I actually went and did that nonsensical thing.

‘Did I go too far?’

I’m worried that I’ve assimilated too much into this romance novel world lately, doing crazy things like it’s nothing.

What’s more worrying is that those crazy things are working out unexpectedly well.

‘I wonder if I’ll keep doing this insane stuff even after I return to the original world.’

Hmm, I better exercise restraint after all.

Let’s not get too used to this kind of life.

[What’s wrong with this life! ㅠ^ㅠ]

You’re not really asking because you don’t know, are you?

“Well, whatever. I’m done for today so I don’t want to think about it anymore.”

I lay flat on the bed.

‘Still, it was a rewarding day after a long time.’

I helped Sung Ji Chan and brought the female lead and male lead together.

I wonder what the two are doing right now.

Seol Yu Hwa is probably nursing Sung Ji Chan, right?

I hope they fall in love soon.

Lying on the soft bed made me sleepy. I slowly blinked my eyes. Ah, so drowsy. Should I go to bed early today?

The system sparkled.

[Kya! You can’t sleep yet!] [It’s not over until it’s over! 〉ㅁ〈]

“What kind of ill-wish is that…”

Right then.

Huh?

My phone rang.

‘World Rank 0’