Chapter 66: The Price of Sacrifice

“I don’t know about anything else, but I know this for sure: no one survives in this world just to be sacrificed.”

Those words, spoken by Han Do-hoon, had persistently lingered in Sa-yoon’s mind. The idea that one survived alone only to be sacrificed someday struck him as profoundly bleak.

A nagging itch on his fingers made Sa-yoon scratch the back of his right hand. Even as he scratched the skin beneath his glove until it bled, the stifling tightness around his fingers refused to subside.

Finally, Sa-yoon ripped off his glove and flung it aside. The white glove fell onto the dirt, and in the shifting light, he drew out a resplendent silver ring.

“Sacrifice, heroes… everyone just talks about things they don’t truly understand.”

Such concepts were utterly meaningless in this world. They were merely constructs, invented by the afflicted for their own self-satisfaction. Myeong-ah, who had vowed to become a beacon of justice since childhood, was dragged away as a test subject for selfish individuals, her whereabouts now unknown.

Ultimately, it was all just utter nonsense.

Sa-yoon slipped the ring into his breast pocket and approached Han Do-hoon. As they continued their lengthy conversation, Han Do-hoon’s complexion had gradually paled. His limit was fast approaching.

“Mr. Han Do-hoon.”

Sa-yoon called out his name.

He had no idea what the future held. Yet, he knew that if he didn’t act now, he would regret it until the day he died. Besides, Han Do-hoon liked him; he wouldn’t betray him.

‘Ah…’

Watching Han Do-hoon, Sa-yoon’s chest felt perpetually constricted. He was uncontrollably angry at the man who seemed intent on dying alone, yet he couldn’t bring himself to leave. Even when the Director tried to dissuade him, Sa-yoon remained, observing Han Do-hoon’s deteriorating state.

It was only then that he truly understood. He liked Han Do-hoon just as much as Han Do-hoon liked him. That was why he constantly sought to be by his side.

Sa-yoon cupped Han Do-hoon’s cheeks with both hands. The moment Sa-yoon’s bare skin, now free of the ring, touched him, Han Do-hoon’s eyes trembled.

“Open your mouth.”

Before Han Do-hoon could utter a word, Sa-yoon pulled his head closer. Tongues entangled, and the instant their mucous membranes met, Sa-yoon’s vision blurred. It was an aftereffect of the guiding. If it manifested so immediately, he would surely pass out after the guiding was complete.

It was the first time he’d found himself laughing in the face of impending doom. Sa-yoon slipped his hand between the open buttons of Han Do-hoon’s shirt. The sensation of his skin against his own was electrifying.

Like parched earth swallowing rainwater, Sa-yoon’s energy was rapidly siphoned into Han Do-hoon.

Perhaps it was because Han Do-hoon was conscious. This was undeniably different from when Sa-yoon had guided him during the first terrorist attack. Sa-yoon’s eyes curved as he watched color return to Han Do-hoon’s face. The image of Han Do-hoon in his sight slowly began to blur.

“I was worried we’d have to have s*x amidst the fire. But it seems we won’t have to go that far…”

“Mr. Sa-yoon.”

“Just pretend you don’t know. If possible, after you’ve subdued that child, take care of me too…”

Sa-yoon tapped his own chest, where the pocket holding the ring was.

“You have to put it back on properly.”

‘Then, I’ll see you later.’ With those final words, Sa-yoon embraced Han Do-hoon with all his remaining strength.

Han Do-hoon caught Sa-yoon as he collapsed. Sa-yoon’s face was deathly pale, his lips trembling and devoid of color.

Vitality surged through Han Do-hoon’s previously empty body. The thirst he had constantly felt was now completely quenched. It was a profound satisfaction he had never experienced with any other guide.

Sa-yoon… static… static… report…. Damn it….

The communicator clipped to Sa-yoon’s waist buzzed with static. Han Do-hoon carefully laid Sa-yoon on the cleanest patch of debris, tapped the device a few times, and pressed the communication button.

“Director.”

You damn fool! You said you’d report every hour, but it’s already been three… Huh? Han Do-hoon. Is that you, Do-hoon?

‘God, Buddha, good heavens.’ The Director invoked every deity’s name as he prayed.

Are you okay? Did everything get resolved? What about Sa-yoon? Are both of you unharmed?

“I’m fine. The rampaging child also…”

After Sa-yoon guided Han Do-hoon, the precarious balance of power between the rampaging boy and Han Do-hoon fractured. Han Do-hoon, with his guide now in his arms, swiftly subdued the boy who had given him so much trouble.

Han Do-hoon watched the boy he had just suppressed. Seeing him twitching in the middle of the open field, it seemed he wouldn’t die.

“…is alive. However, his recovery will likely take some time.”

Han Do-hoon gently placed Sa-yoon’s unconscious head on his lap and stroked his hair.

What are you talking about! We need to come get you immediately. Don’t move from there; just rest. I’m so relieved you’re both alive. Truly, so relieved.

The Director, his voice choked with tears, praised Han Do-hoon and Sa-yoon again before cutting the communication. Han Do-hoon looked around the now quiet surroundings, then felt Sa-yoon’s chest.

He pulled out the unassuming, flat silver ring and examined it. Contrary to its ordinary appearance, the inside of the ring was packed with numerous bumpy chips.

Han Do-hoon lifted Sa-yoon’s right hand. He kissed the fourth finger, which was slightly indented from always wearing the ring, and then slid the ring back on.

“Ugh…”

As the ring returned to its original place, Sa-yoon’s brow furrowed, as if sensing something. Han Do-hoon stroked the lightly groaning Sa-yoon again, then looked at the young boy lying prone on the field. He couldn’t leave him on the dusty ground.

“Ah.”

After carefully repositioning Sa-yoon and standing up, Han Do-hoon realized something and rummaged through his pockets. He opened the innermost slot of the multi-compartmented pocket on his waist.

He pulled out a small bottle containing several tiny, round pills. Pentosamic. That was the name written on the label.

Han Do-hoon deliberately dropped the bottle to the ground. It rolled, and he crushed it under his foot. The glass shattered, and the spilled pills were ground into fine powder. Just then, a gust of wind swept through.

The white powder vanished with the dust. Only after rubbing the ground until all traces of white were gone did Han Do-hoon sit back down beside Sa-yoon.

In the distance, a tank approached them rapidly, kicking up clouds of dust.

Behind the tank, a new sun rose like a halo.

The scorching sunlight made Sa-yoon open his eyes. He blinked, surveying his surroundings. It was a familiar hospital room, the infirmary set up in a corner of Dr. Jung Hyun-woo’s medical office.

He lifted his arm, revealing the tangle of IV lines attached beneath his short-sleeved top. He awkwardly flexed his wrist, disoriented by the unfamiliar sight.

“This…”

“Sa-yoon! You’re awake?”

The infirmary door burst open, and Jung Hyun-woo entered, shouting loudly. Though it had only been a few weeks at most since Sa-yoon had last seen him, Jung Hyun-woo looked noticeably thinner.

“I can’t…”

He wanted to greet him, but no sound emerged. Only after pouring the water Jung Hyun-woo offered into his parched throat could he finally speak.

“It feels like a long time.”

“It would. You’ve been unconscious for over two weeks, you know. You’re truly driving me mad, utterly mad.”

At Jung Hyun-woo’s words, Sa-yoon looked at the desk calendar beside him. He blinked, seeing the calendar flipped one page further than his last memory. It explained why the weather felt a little warmer; it seemed summer had officially arrived.

The last moments of his memory resurfaced: his strength rapidly draining from his entire body, losing consciousness as Han Do-hoon consumed his energy. In that final instant, he saw Han Do-hoon, his eyes wide with shock, supporting him.

Even recalling it now, the phrase ‘a crazy choice’ spontaneously formed in his mind, yet strangely, he felt no regret.

“Doctor. What happened?”

“What do you mean, ‘what happened’? What kind of person, worried about the aftermath, would pull a stunt like that?”

Without any explanation, Jung Hyun-woo recognized what had occurred the moment he saw Sa-yoon’s condition. It was a similar bio-wave pattern to when he had collapsed during the previous mission. Startled, he had rushed Sa-yoon to his own infirmary.

Yet, the one who caused all the trouble was asking questions as calmly as if inquiring about the next episode of a drama.

Jung Hyun-woo, looking utterly furious, tossed a stack of papers to Sa-yoon. It was the official report submitted to headquarters after the mission. Han Do-hoon’s name was listed as the author.

Sa-yoon slowly read through the report, scrutinizing every single line.

A rampaging individual, who lost their ego during manifestation, was controlled by Esper Han Do-hoon. Awaiting further response.

Later entry. Esper Jin Sa-yoon suppressed Class A Esper Go Chan-woo, who was rampaging. Subsequently, Sa-yoon fell unconscious due to the shock. Transferred to the treatment room according to Article 13, Paragraph 5.

The rampaging individual is scheduled for immediate transfer to the academy after treatment.

The report was concise and neat, much like its author. Although it included a long list of other specific details, nowhere was it mentioned that Sa-yoon was a guide or that he had guided Han Do-hoon.

After reading the report to the very last page, Sa-yoon let out a wry chuckle. It was a very Han Do-hoon-esque way of handling things.

“He’s loyal.”

“He’d better be. If he reported you in this situation, would he even be human? How many times have you saved his life?”

Jung Hyun-woo started to raise his voice but then lowered it, glancing around. He paced the room, seething with unresolved anger.

“What were you thinking, no, I already asked that before.”

Taking a deep breath, Jung Hyun-woo lowered himself to meet Sa-yoon’s gaze.

“Do you… like Han Do-hoon?”

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