Chapter 110: The Ghost of the Past

Still, they were Espers; they would manage to get out on their own. Sa-yoon gestured to Min Da-hyun.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes. You two, hurry up too. Don’t just stand there gawking!”

At his words, the other Air Rains, who had been staring blankly at Sa-yoon’s ability, quickly sprang into action. Having outmaneuvered the Esper unit, Sa-yoon and his companions stopped in the dense woods of the back mountain and crouched low.

Fortunately, they had evaded direct confrontation, but waiting idly was not an option. They needed to rendezvous with Kang Tae-han, who was fighting on the opposite side. To do that, Sa-yoon had to scan their surroundings.

The moment Sa-yoon closed his eyes, a massive, deep green dot instantly consumed his eyelids. Before he could even open his eyes, startled by its sudden approach, a powerful grip seized his throat, making him gasp as he crashed against a tree.

“Ugh…”

“Who are you?”

He had heard that voice only once before, but it was unforgettable. His throat was constricted, making breathing difficult. As he struggled for air, Sa-yoon squinted, seeing Han Do-hoon standing before him.

‘Why was Han Do-hoon, who should have been on the battlefield, here?’

Sa-yoon stared at him with vacant eyes. Standing on the dark forest path, Han Do-hoon alone seemed to exude the scent of sand, like a cactus withered under the sun.

Thankfully, it seemed Han Do-hoon had come alone as backup, for no other unit members were visible. Sa-yoon stretched out his hand, lifting a section of the ground near Min Da-hyun and his companions, who were a few steps away, and forcefully pushing it outward.

“Run!”

“Brother!”

“Go to Brother Tae-han. Hurry. I’ll hold them off here.”

Without waiting for a reply, Sa-yoon erected a thick wall between himself and Min Da-hyun’s group. The ground, like crumbling concrete, regenerated into a solid barrier. Watching this, Han Do-hoon forcefully jabbed Sa-yoon in the abdomen with his other hand.

“Cough, ah… Ugh…”

Sprawled on the ground, Sa-yoon coughed, spitting onto the dirt, the impact reverberating through his insides. He was a brute, relying solely on strength. Clutching his throbbing stomach, he painfully pushed himself back up.

“That ability. Whose is it?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

Meeting Han Do-hoon’s gaze, Sa-yoon perceived the confusion swirling in his eyes. The gaze that had been so devoid of emotion, so parched, now wavered.

“No. That can’t be.”

Murmuring to himself, Han Do-hoon advanced towards Sa-yoon, then pulled off the hood that deeply shadowed his face. His white hair shimmered under the moonlight. Han Do-hoon frowned at the unusual sight, then reached for Sa-yoon’s mask.

For some reason, Han Do-hoon’s movements were not swift. Sensing a hint of hesitation in his actions, Sa-yoon twisted his body, batted away Han Do-hoon’s hand, and rolled away.

He clutched the mask, which had been slightly dislodged by the violent movement. He could sense Min Da-hyun and the others safely retreating into the distance.

“It seems you were quite resentful about being slammed into the ground last time. If you’re going to fight, then fight properly. I’ll humor you.”

Sa-yoon challenged him boldly. In truth, he didn’t believe he could defeat Han Do-hoon. Yet, he had to try now.

Sa-yoon took a stance, clenching his fists, resolved to buy as much time as possible against Han Do-hoon. He had to hold out until everyone had safely escaped to the next refuge. But it was useless. As if mocking Sa-yoon’s resolve, Han Do-hoon closed the distance without warning.

Before Sa-yoon could even gasp, Han Do-hoon was upon him, grabbing him and pinning him to the ground. Then, with a tearing motion, he ripped off Sa-yoon’s mask, which had been pressed against the dirt.

The cool night air touched his skin. Sa-yoon instinctively knew his face was exposed to Han Do-hoon and tightly shut his eyes.

‘Why does this bastard keep obsessing over other people’s masks?’ If he was some pervert who enjoyed looking at the face of the person he was hitting, then a shock was surely coming, and Sa-yoon braced himself.

However, the anticipated impact never came. After a brief hesitation, Sa-yoon squinted open his eyes.

Beneath the bright full moon, he saw Han Do-hoon’s silhouette, pinning him down and looking down from above. Han Do-hoon’s face, backlit by the moonlight, looked utterly sorrowful.

“Jin… Sa-yoon?”

His voice sounded as if tears might fall at any moment. Han Do-hoon reached out, as if disbelieving, and touched Sa-yoon’s face. His touch was gentle and cautious.

The gaze that had been so mechanically indifferent now took on a human hue. It was like a machine regaining its heart. Sa-yoon, finding Han Do-hoon’s appearance pathetic, glared at him with contempt.

Han Do-hoon had killed over a hundred Rain and Irregulars. To act human now was repulsive. Moreover, Jin Sa-yoon was already dead, wasn’t he?

He recalled Jung Hyun-woo’s sorrowful face, mentioning that Jin Sa-yoon, whom he cherished, was an Esper who had died due to Han Do-hoon’s betrayal.

“Move. You’ve got the wrong person.”

Seizing the moment of Han Do-hoon’s distraction, Sa-yoon moved. He bent one leg, kicked Han Do-hoon, and swiftly dodged to the opposite side. Han Do-hoon, though struck, rose as if completely unharmed.

They called him an S-class Esper. These were monstrous beings whose bones wouldn’t break even if rammed by a tank.

“Sa-yoon-ssi, no. That can’t be. He…”

“I don’t know what you’re muttering about. Why don’t you go write your diary at home? Don’t bother an innocent person. I guess I must really resemble this ‘Jin Sa-yoon’ person, but it’s unpleasant.”

The feeling was different from when Jung Hyun-woo had looked at him and sought Jin Sa-yoon. While being mistaken for someone else was never pleasant, it hadn’t bothered him greatly with Jung Hyun-woo. Now, however, it was the complete opposite.

To see an enemy and be reminded of the person they betrayed? And to call out to him with such yearning affection was beyond bad taste; it was horrifying. It was tantamount to deceiving the dead.

“If you want to see the guy you killed, go pray for his soul at his grave. Why are you tormenting a living person?”

“What?”

“You killed him, didn’t you? That Jin Sa-yoon.”

Han Do-hoon’s eyes changed. The gaze, colored with longing, turned monochromatic. Sa-yoon met his stare head-on, provoking him.

“That expression is really amusing. You killed him and then blamed it on the Air Rains, so it must have bothered you, huh? Your face looks absolutely dreadful.”

Sa-yoon knew that the Esper ‘Jin Sa-yoon’ was Han Do-hoon’s tender spot, yet he didn’t stop talking. They were going to clash anyway. He had to keep Han Do-hoon pinned here. The longer he dragged this out, the more time others would have to escape.

He trusted that if he could hold Han Do-hoon, their greatest force, here, Kang Tae-han would handle the other Espers.

“Or deny it if it’s not true.”

“Ah, right.”

A low voice echoed through the dark forest. Just then, a cold night wind blew between the two men.

“Yes. I killed him.”

Han Do-hoon’s voice dropped, chilling. It wasn’t because of the cruel words hurled at him; hearing words that daily tore at his own heart from someone else’s mouth wouldn’t change anything. His heart sank because a new fury was rising within him.

Han Do-hoon had killed Sa-yoon. By his choice, by his deception, he had driven Jin Sa-yoon to his death. But it was the Air Rains who had severed his life. And now they were mocking Han Do-hoon, mocking himself. The anger he had suppressed for so long surged.

“I will live to atone for my sins, so you must pay for yours too.”

The atmosphere around them shifted. Sa-yoon crouched, waiting. The current Han Do-hoon had many openings. His wavering emotions presented an opportunity to escape. As the moonlight was veiled by flowing clouds, casting shadows on the ground where the two stood, Sa-yoon pushed off.

‘I must escape now.’ With that thought, Sa-yoon dashed forward, but a powerful grip clamped onto his arm, and he was pulled back, tumbling to the ground.

Han Do-hoon, who had pursued and caught him, pinned Sa-yoon to the ground, pressing his foot onto his shoulder. Sa-yoon grabbed his foot with both hands but was helplessly crushed.

A sickening crack echoed—the sound of his shoulder bone breaking.

Gritting his teeth, Sa-yoon surveyed his surroundings and spotted a massive old tree. He pinpointed its coordinates and swung it directly at Han Do-hoon. The thick tree trunk moved in a way unlike psychokinesis, crashing down on Han Do-hoon.

Twigs and leaves rained down, and a circular wound appeared among the trees. Then, sparks flew around it, and the centuries-old tree instantly ignited and vanished. In the space where black ash scattered, Han Do-hoon stared at Sa-yoon without blinking.

His foot, still crushing Sa-yoon’s broken shoulder, pressed down with even more force.

“Even your ability is the same. It’s truly strange. You’re not that person, though.”

Han Do-hoon examined his own body, which remained unchanged despite having been so close to Sa-yoon for so long. He had been in contact for so long, yet there was no effect similar to guiding. He had the same face and used the same ability as Sa-yoon, but he wasn’t Jin Sa-yoon.

“If you’re not Sa-yoon-ssi, then what are you? What new trick are those Air Rain bastards trying to pull by bringing you here?”

“Kuh, let go. You murderer.”

“If this was a strategy to shake me, it succeeded. There’s never been a more effective attack than this.”

Han Do-hoon was laughing. He admitted to being wounded, yet he smiled brightly like a madman. His crazed eyes, reflecting the moonlight, gleamed golden.

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