Chapter 64: The Best Outcome

Even for Han Do-hoon, it was an arduous task to single-handedly subdue a rampaging A-rank esper and emerge unscathed. Controlling another’s abilities was exponentially more challenging than any other task. Each passing moment escalated the peril.

“How much time has passed since Han Do-hoon went in?”

“About five hours.”

Inside the pillar of flame, a volatile space occupied by two espers devoid of a guide, there could be no variables. Ultimately, it was a brutal battle of endurance.

Would the rampaging boy exhaust his strength first and perish, or would Han Do-hoon, who was attempting to control him, lose his grip on the situation?

Having just completed a major mission and without proper guiding, Han Do-hoon’s chances of defeat were alarmingly high.

“Director!”

Sa-yoon rushed toward the bustling Director, who was some distance away. The Director, his face flushed crimson, wiped sweat from his brow and looked at Sa-yoon.

“You’re awake. I’d like to ask how you collapsed, but this hardly seems the right moment.”

“What’s the alternative? Is there another plan ready?”

Sa-yoon pressed the Director, his tone bordering on accusatory. He trusted that a seasoned veteran like the Director would surely have a brilliant solution. Yet, Sa-yoon’s hopes were dashed.

The Director, who must have resolved more than five incidents of his subordinate espers rampaging, merely shook his head with a somber expression.

“There’s nothing but to wait. This… this is Han Do-hoon’s responsibility to resolve.”

‘Nothing.’ The Director’s resolute stance, having already made up his mind, sent Sa-yoon’s heart plummeting.

“Are we just going to give up like this? If that’s the case, we should at least find a way to help from the outside.”

“The rank of the person inside is too high for us to intervene from the outside. If we make a mistake, Han Do-hoon might rampage too, and then it won’t just be a problem for Daejeon.”

“So you’re telling me to just stand here and watch?”

“…Sa-yoon.”

The Director squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them again, gripping Sa-yoon’s shoulder with a firm gaze.

“Right now, the best outcome for us is for Han Do-hoon to die along with that boy.”

‘Why is that…’

‘…the best outcome?’ ‘Couldn’t Han Do-hoon subdue the boy and come out alive?’ Sa-yoon swallowed the words that had risen to his throat.

“If Han Do-hoon could have done it, he would have resolved it by now. The fact that he’s still holding out inside means subduing the rampaging esper isn’t easy.”

“Ah…”

“Even if he miraculously succeeds, Han Do-hoon will rampage next. And there’s no guide here who can control Han Do-hoon. You know about Han Do-hoon’s symptoms, don’t you?”

A rampaging Han Do-hoon. No guide could approach a Han Do-hoon who had lost consciousness and was running wild without a guiding control device. Even if they forcibly restrained him and attached a suppressor, the guiding efficiency would be low due to his rejection response.

The Director’s words were true. It was the worst possible scenario, where Han Do-hoon’s death was considered the best outcome.

“Han Do-hoon must have been prepared when he went in.”

“That’s absurd.”

Sa-yoon refused to accept it. There was no way someone would willingly rush into a death trap knowing they would perish, was there? They had to devise another plan from the outside. Surely, Han Do-hoon was struggling to hold on inside, waiting for rescue. So…

‘Is that really true?’

Sa-yoon’s frantic heart quieted. Had Han Do-hoon truly calculated his chances of survival before plunging into that place? If it were Han Do-hoon, he would have walked in on his own, even if he believed he would die, all to save more lives.

“Sa-yoon. It pains me too, but this is the best we can do.”

“I… I suppose so.”

Sa-yoon stared blankly at the pillar of flame. Because he was such a strangely sacrificial person. Han Do-hoon would have jumped into the fire again, knowing he would die.

“To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, we will evacuate the entire city of Daejeon starting now. We don’t know how far the rampaging esper’s final struggle will reach. You should quickly join…”

“I’ll stay here.”

Even though Sa-yoon knew the Director was right, he couldn’t bring himself to follow him. He felt as though he was seeing the phantom of Han Do-hoon, who had voluntarily entered that pillar of flame.

“You said you’d remove me from the cleanup crew. I’ll just stay here and watch the situation.”

“This is no time for jokes.”

The Director sternly reprimanded Sa-yoon, implying he understood his hardship but questioned if he really needed to be so stubborn at a time like this. Even as harsh words poured out, they didn’t seem to reach Sa-yoon’s ears.

‘What an idiot.’ He had felt it even when he spoke with Han Do-hoon, but Sa-yoon felt he might never truly understand him. Han Do-hoon was that kind of person.

“I’ll stay here and try to protect this area. Building a barrier will still reduce the damage radius, you know.”

“No. You just recovered after collapsing. I can’t lose you too here.”

The Director’s words, already assuming Han Do-hoon would be lost, grated on Sa-yoon’s nerves.

“Just this once, indulge me. We’re both S-ranks, and it feels shameful for me to just run away without doing anything. I should at least put up a wall around the perimeter.”

Sa-yoon pushed the Director’s back.

“If it gets too dangerous, I’ll run. You know me. I’m quick-witted.”

“Ugh…”

The Director, frowning and pondering Sa-yoon’s stubbornness, let out a sigh. He knew well that this fellow, who usually flowed with easygoing charm, was difficult to sway once he dug his heels in.

“Report every hour. Don’t even think about doing anything reckless, and if it gets dangerous, run immediately.”

“Understood.”

Everyone had evacuated.

The tent where Sa-yoon had rested, and even the thick armored vehicles, had long vanished without a trace. The sun, which had barely risen, was now passing overhead and beginning to set in the west once more.

The entire world was bathed in red. He couldn’t tell if it was from the pillar of flame or the sunset.

As Sa-yoon watched the pillar of flame, he noticed a change. The height of the soaring inferno was diminishing. Instead, it was gradually expanding its reach, spreading sideways.

Devouring the already collapsed apartment complex, the flames slowly swelled and moved.

This signified that Han Do-hoon had lost control. Sa-yoon propped his chin in his hand, watching the scene unfold. Although it wouldn’t be much help, he had erected a protective barrier around the pillar of flame using the collapsed concrete debris.

But why was he still watching this scene?

Even though he knew he could simply run away, Sa-yoon couldn’t leave. It was because of a premonition that the sight he was witnessing would be the last memory proving Han Do-hoon’s survival.

Come to think of it, Han Do-hoon was truly a strange fellow. He acted as if he was more faithful to his desires than anyone else, yet he also seemed to cling to life less than anyone. Sa-yoon didn’t know how these two personalities coexisted, but that was Han Do-hoon.

Despite having spent so much time intimately, Sa-yoon knew nothing about Han Do-hoon. Just an eccentric who willingly lingered on the battlefield. A debauched and amoral man. Yet, at the same time, someone more righteous than anyone.

Mulling over the various phrases that described one person, Sa-yoon rose to his feet. Alone before the pillar of flame, he spoke aloud, almost to himself.

“Should I go take a look at his face?”

Before sending Han Do-hoon off for the last time, he wanted to see that handsome face of his. After all, there was a certain affection between them, wasn’t there?

While others couldn’t even approach the burning column, Sa-yoon could. Even within the pillar of flame, coordinates existed, and by moving underground, he could get close to Han Do-hoon’s position.

However, the interior of the pillar of flame was unpredictable from the outside. Even Sa-yoon’s body might not endure it for long. There was also a high chance he might only get burned without even seeing Han Do-hoon’s face.

A flicker of doubt arose, questioning whether seeing Han Do-hoon’s face was worth such a risk, but Sa-yoon still wanted to.

“It’s affection that’s the problem. Affection.”

What could he do? Han Do-hoon was the man who had slept in the same bed as Sa-yoon just the day before. He knew Han Do-hoon had willingly walked into his death, but it was hard to just leave him to die alone.

Even if their relationship was bound by a contract, still…

‘I can at least hear his last words, can’t I?’

Sa-yoon slowly stretched his fingers and walked toward the pillar of flame.

As expected, only heat could be felt underground, with little influence from the fire. Digging through the dry earth, Sa-yoon sought Han Do-hoon’s aura. Two energies emanated from the ground above. One belonged to the rampaging boy, the other to Han Do-hoon.

Both were still alive. Sa-yoon sighed in relief. He cautiously moved toward the life force slightly away from the center of the pillar of flame.

‘This should be about right.’

Reaching the spot where Han Do-hoon’s energy was strongest, Sa-yoon took a deep breath. Whatever happened next, Sa-yoon had to bear it. If the spot he broke through was a burning oven, he would have to escape immediately to survive. Sa-yoon dug the escape tunnel a little deeper for any unforeseen circumstances.

Placing a hand over his thumping heart, he steeled his resolve. The rhythmic beat of his heart eased his tension. With a determined mind, Sa-yoon squeezed his eyes shut, let out a grunt of exertion, and burst up through the ground.

“Hmph!”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Why wasn’t it hot?

As Sa-yoon squinted, cautiously surveying his surroundings, a familiar voice reached his ears.

“Why did you come in here?”

“Huh?”

It was Han Do-hoon’s perfectly normal voice.

Han Do-hoon’s eyes were half-closed. His arms hung loosely, and his uniform buttons were undone, revealing his chest. But that was the only change. His calm voice and impassive face remained exactly as they were.

📚 Also on NHV Novels

Female Body, Male Soul

DramaFemale ProtagonistGender Bender

Read Now →
Not interested