26. That's even better

26. That's even better

When did it begin?

When did I start living according to everyone else's expectations?

There's a version of me reflected in every pair of eyes I meet—and if I'm not that version, it feels like everything might fall apart.

It was another hectic day on set, the same as always—chaotic shoots, a demanding director barking orders, and no room to breathe.

I have two younger sisters and a little brother. With our parents gone, it's been up to me to keep us all together. If not for my manager and this job, I wouldn't have been able to support their lives—the rent, the meals, the tuition. Even if the schools weren't the best, at least they could attend.

Recently, Yoo NaRi started working part-time. I told her to focus on her studies, but after a long talk, I gave in. She's smart, responsible—my pride. I'm sure she'll be fine.

But the world isn't fine. Not anymore.

The entertainment industry was never a field of flowers. It's a battlefield where you trade charm for survival, and popularity is both shield and curse. Jealousy is routine, malice is casual. And if you're the "it girl"? You become a target.

I had my share of haters. Enough of them that, with just a little push, someone was bound to cross the line.

And in the end...

I killed someone.

It wasn't someone I hated, nor someone who hated me—just a deranged stalker who tried to kill me. Still, the fact remains: I killed someone. No matter the reason, there's no turning back now. What matters most at this point is finding my siblings. I have to believe NaRi is safe, that she's taking care of DaMi and Jae Hee, just like she always does. She's dependable—strong, even when she pretends not to be.

Then I met Wan Dae Hyun, a man who called himself a prophet. With his help, I managed to avoid some major mistakes and steer clear of danger before it hit. But we weren't the only ones out there. There were others—lost, afraid—and I helped those I could, partly because it was the right thing to do, but mostly because that's what people expected from me. Maybe, deep down, I hoped someone among them would help me find my siblings, too.

But I was wrong. Instead of giving me strength, they became chains—expectations, demands, eyes watching my every move. And for some ridiculous reason, people started calling me saintess. Why? Who knows. Maybe they've all had their heads kicked by horses.

I'm just… tired.

NaRi! DaMi! JaeHee!

I'm sorry for being such a useless older sister. Instead of me searching for you, it's you guys who came looking for me. I'm really glad you're all safe and well. Thank you for coming for me.

After we reunited, maybe we could find some safe places to live peacefully. But the shackles just wouldn't loosen. I can't run, I can't escape, and I can't take the next step forward.

And just when you're already down—barely able to lift half your body—the world decides to kick you with full force. Or rather, it's not the world—it's this damn retarded scenario.

It's always easier to destroy than to build, and it didn't take long for everything to crumble.

Why did it have to come to this?

I finally found my siblings—so why should I care about them? They aren't my responsibility to begin with. They have limbs and heads just like I do.

Stop calling me saintess! Don't force your image on me!

With the station split in two, I don't have the power to hold everyone together. I had to choose a side and betray the others' expectations, shattering this persona they built for me.

And when everything was about to fall apart, I finally realized the truth:

It was never about their expectations. It was my own. The ideal version of myself I thought others wanted to see. Everything was just my own expectation.

I'm tired…

****

I spread the threads to form a spiderweb across both entrances—a striking, eye-catching barrier. As long as they were distracted by that, I could hide everything else. Behind this flashy web were the real traps.

This setup should hold the horde back for a while. Honestly, I wanted to cover the entire floor with thread, but I had to hold back—losing all my threads to a careless burn would be devastating.

After setting the first line of defense, I moved toward the blockage on the stairs. They were clearly wary, suspecting I might be trying to save the saintess. But once I focused on reinforcing the walls and avoided moving closer to Da Hee, their suspicion eased a little.

With that done, I returned to join NaRi and the others.

"Oppa," she called out in her usual tone, eyes curious. "What are you trying to do?"

Honestly, if I were in her place, I'd be confused too.

"Nothing," I said with a shrug. "Just a hunch."

"A hunch?"

"Yeah, you know, the tingling," I said, trying to make a Spider-Man joke. But NaRi just looked even more confused.

No Marvel in this world? What a sad childhood you guys must have had. I almost shed a tear.

"Could you help me?" she asked quietly, her voice heavy with reluctance. For NaRi, asking Chris for help was the last thing she wanted to do. Especially after everything he'd put her through just to reach her sister.

But there was no other way. She couldn't protect her little siblings and help her sister on her own. She didn't fully understand what had happened to Da Hee to break her like this, but she believed her sister would stand back up. She just needed time.

And that was exactly what NaRi always wished for — to be able to help her perfect older sister, to atone for at least some of her childhood guilt.

And finally, she would make them pay.

Chris replied, "I don't mind," but his words only weighed heavier on NaRi's heart, deepening her sense of debt.

"Do you really want to do it?" he asked.

His question felt strange — why ask something so obvious? Of course she wanted to.

"Have you ever killed someone before? We might need to cull half the population here," Chris added.

NaRi almost couldn't hold back a laugh at that. It was the brightest smile she'd shown since the scenario began.

"That's even better," she said cheerfully.

Chris was momentarily dumbfounded. Turning his attention away from NaRi, he said, "Actually, there's something I want to check. Is it possible to wait until midnight?"

"When the horde's attack begin?" NaRi asked.

"Yes," he continued without waiting for confirmation. "I'll protect DaMi and JaeHee while making sure no monsters get close to you or Da Hee."

His voice was calm and steady, carrying not even a hint of hesitation—as if he truly believed he could pull it off without fail.

NaRi glanced at Chris, then at her sister, Da Hee, and finally at those bastards..

She knew that if she waited until midnight, her chance for revenge might slip away. Some of them could escape before she ever got the chance. And even if she refused, she was sure Chris would still help her.

Yet… she clenched her fists.

Please wait just a little longer, Sis.

"All right," she said, finally agreeing.