Chapter 86: The Lunatic Who Was Racing to a Trap

Lee Chae had felt uneasy all morning for no reason. His hands shook so badly he could barely hold the phone.

—N-now at the hospital… Lee-jung is okay, but…

“Which hospital? Tell me—I’m coming now.”

—It’s…

Before she finished the address, Lee Chae was sprinting out. Images of injured people from this morning flashed like they were right in front of him. Breath caught in his throat; legs turned to jelly—but he ran and ran.

He didn’t ask how bad or why. Couldn’t. One question and he’d collapse before reaching the hospital. Heart pounded so hard he thought he’d die of fear.

He’d seen the wounded with his own eyes— yet never imagined it could hit his family. He hated himself for being so naive. Vision blurred; he couldn’t see straight.

He should’ve waited for a bus, but couldn’t. He ran the whole way.

“306… third floor…”

Panting, he reached the room— and was blocked by unfamiliar men. High-rank guides by their clothes. Why here?

“Jung Lee Chae-ssi?”

“My little brother’s in there. Move.”

“Can’t.”

“Why? He’s my brother—let me in!”

They grabbed his arms. He yelled, kicked—nothing.

“At least tell me why!”

No answer.

“F*cking let go!”

Cursing didn’t work either. They held him like emotionless machines.

The door opened. Someone stepped out. Lee Chae froze, forgetting to struggle.

“Chief…?”

Headquarters meeting room—still endless empty talk.

“Go find the gate? That’s realistic?”

“Reorganize units first…”

“While people die? Who takes responsibility? Defend the capital…”

Useless arguments. Strange—awakeners who’d been competent in battle turned into this with power.

Bullsht. Wasting time like this?*

Haejin scowled. Sung Min-cheol spoke up.

“Honorable members, stop the off-topic debate. Shouldn’t we focus on current battles and possible future Lamia attacks?”

Polite—but blatant criticism. Politicians’ faces hardened. One answered,

“Didn’t Esper Cha Haejin fight Lamia? Form a response team under him. Thoughts?”

Everyone who’d been arguing suddenly agreed. Lamia scared them that much.

“We already decided that in the main session—just hadn’t mentioned it.”

“Exactly.”

Min-cheol looked reluctant but summed up.

“Then we’ll order Esper Cha to form the response team.”

Haejin snorted. He wouldn’t touch that garbage team for free. Patience gone, he snatched data from a familiar A-rank and stood. Min-cheol grabbed him urgently.

“Esper Cha, what are you doing?”

“You said form a team. Moving fast—what’s the problem?”

Tsks everywhere at his attitude. Haejin swallowed curses and left.

Straight to Lee Chae’s lecture hall—empty, class canceled. Weird. No contact?

Phone check—no messages, calls unanswered. He could find him anytime via imprint, but people needed saving first. He headed to Legion—better to act with members than wait for headquarters.

Plan included Legion’s one and only guide, obviously.

At the parking lot, about to open his car— text from Sung Min-cheol.

[Emergency Order – Beast-type variant in A-3 zone. Deploy immediately.]

A-3 was densely civilian—heavy casualties possible.

“F*ck!”

Haejin floored it without checking Lee Chae’s location. Called Jin-woo—gather espers, head to A-3.

Beside Kang-wook stood an unfamiliar woman. Lee Chae glanced—somehow familiar—then peeked into the room. The woman closed the door.

“Atmosphere’s not great for introductions. S-rank Guide and headquarters director Kim Jung-mi. You’re Guide Jung Lee Chae, correct?”

Shock left Lee Chae staring blankly. Silence—then she cleared her throat. He finally spoke.

“Yes… but why are you here?”

“Let’s talk somewhere quiet.”

“No.”

Flat refusal. He wasn’t leaving without seeing his brother.

He tried pushing past— guides grabbed his arms again. Kim Jung-mi said,

“If you want to see your brother, talk to me first.”

“Why should I? Even as S-rank guide, you have no authority over me outside combat.”

“I’m Haejin’s mother. Does that give me any right?”

Blood turned ice-cold. No wonder the face felt familiar.

So this is it.

The “force” Kang-wook mentioned—using his brother to separate them?

Thoughts raced, but Lee Chae chose words carefully.

“In that case, I apologize for the poor greeting. But my brother—”

“Don’t worry about him. Your mother’s inside, emergency handled. 1-person VIP room—as you see, we’re taking excellent care.”

Only then did Lee Chae notice the hospital name. Civilian impossible to even register—exclusive awakener VIP facility. Idiot… why didn’t I realize sooner?

He’d never imagined headquarters touching family. No preparation. Mind blank.

“Guide Jung?”

He desperately wanted inside, but fighting the guides was impossible. No choice.

“…Fine. I’ll talk.”

Kim Jung-mi nodded and walked ahead. Lee Chae followed heavily. They reached a lounge on the same floor. Wide table, sofa in center. She sat; he took the opposite side. Kang-wook stayed at the entrance, blocking traffic.

“No time—straight to point. Dissolve the imprint.”

Casual, like ordering coffee. Absurdity killed anger—Lee Chae just stared.

“I’m sorry. I can’t.”

She didn’t flinch—like she’d expected it. Silence—only her nails tapping glass table.

“You refuse even with your brother hospitalized? You really trust Haejin that much?”

Mocking smile— classic contempt for guides chasing high-ranks. Lee Chae answered calmly.

“Then you don’t trust your only son? Coming to me instead of him.”

She laughed loud—then cut it off, staring intensely. Overwhelming charisma. Lee Chae widened his eyes, remembering his promise to Haejin. She smirked.

“Not ordinary after all. If my son fell for someone too easy, my pride would’ve hurt. This is better.”

Lee Chae stayed silent.

She continued.

“Dissolve it. If you do it voluntarily before we force it, we’ll give your family a nice house, special civil-service hire for you, benefits equal to national hero.”

Mind-blowing offer— pre-Haejin Lee Chae couldn’t have stayed calm.

Now? Nothing replaced Haejin.

“No need for benefits. I’d like to know what ‘force’ entails—so I can prepare.”

She tapped the table again.

“Even I don’t know details yet. Depends on your choice.”

“So refusal brings trouble?”

“Likely.”

He’d never expected smooth sailing.

He stood.

“Thank you for caring. I’ll stay until a replacement— but looks like that’s unnecessary. Tell headquarters: firm no.”

He turned to leave.

“One last thing—”

Pitying face—fake.

“If Haejin hears we made this offer… it won’t end well. Sorry to say.”

“Threatening me?”

Perfect smile.

“If it upset you, apologies. Please understand a middle manager’s position.”

Zero remorse.

“I didn’t want apology. Just curious what happens if he finds out.”

Eyes turned sharp.

“The director holds power. And doesn’t favor her son. Want specifics?”

“…No. I get it.”

He left.

Not accepting didn’t change outcome. Telling Haejin or not—same result.

Until Kang-wook’s threat, he’d planned to tell Haejin everything. They tried to bribe me—I refused. Next might be threats.

But now—no. Better watch headquarters’ moves first, respond slowly. If Haejin knew, his rage could destroy him— mother wouldn’t let a student/esper run wild.

Chest ached sharply. He swallowed the sob and hurried out.

The real war had started— and the enemy was already holding his family hostage.