Chapter 89: The Lunatic Who Stormed Headquarters for Answers

“Jung Lee Chae! Come out! You think I’ll let you go like this?! F*ck—come out!”

Haejin kicked the door, screamed until his throat bled. Then—his eyes landed on the half-collapsed wall where he used to wait for Lee Chae.

The neighborhood had been hit too—wall crumbled, debris everywhere.

“…Did he die in the attack?”

That’s why the imprint vanished? Panic flashed— but he shook his head. No. He’d feel it if his deeply imprinted partner died. Impossible to be unaffected.

Then—a voice.

“Who are you?”

A man eyed him strangely. Haejin grabbed the lifeline.

“I’m a friend of the family that lived here.”

“Ah. The awakener university son. You’re his friend? The whole family moved out in a rush today. He didn’t tell you?”

“…What?”

“Don’t know details. But yelling won’t help.”

The man tsked and walked off. Haejin stood frozen, then vaulted the wall. Kicked in the front door— empty house, not a single piece of furniture.

He collapsed on the floor. Couldn’t believe it.

“He… left? Without a word? My Chae wouldn’t…”

Death would’ve been final— but leaving meant he could bring him back.

Next day—eyes bloodshot from no sleep. Body sluggish without post-battle guiding, but Haejin couldn’t stop searching for Lee Chae’s signal.

Last location: not far from headquarters. Then suddenly—imprint severed.

Too weird. Like someone deliberately cut it…

Door opened—Jin-woo.

“I know you said leave you alone, but headquarters emergency call.”

Haejin laughed coldly.

“Lee Chae’s gone—why would I care about battles?”

As an S-rank meant to protect citizens, unforgivable words— yet no guilt. Jin-woo understood the pain but spoke as a friend.

“I get it. Find him first—no matter what. But if you neglect duty to search, do you think kind-hearted Chae would praise you? Think future. Don’t assume you won’t find him— plan how to bring him back after. Smart guy acting dumb.”

“F*ck.”

Haejin stood. Jin-woo’s logic sounded twisted but was right. He’d definitely get Lee Chae back. But if Lee Chae learned he abandoned people to search— he might hate him and run again. That thought moved his body.

Jin-woo clapped his shoulder.

“Do the battle first—then we search together. I’ll help.”

They left for the site. Even heading to fight, Haejin felt alien— prioritizing duty over desire to avoid Lee Chae’s disgust. Unimaginable before.

Jung Lee Chae… what the hell did you do to me?

No answer.

The “emergency” battle ended pathetically fast. Didn’t even need upper-ranks. But Haejin’s body felt wrong— not today’s fight, but yesterday’s strain without guiding, plus running around searching.

Jae-hyung frowned at his face.

“Hyung, you okay? Even non-contact guiding…”

“Why would I get guiding from anyone else when my guide’s gone?”

Jae-hyung hesitated, then,

“You need health to find him. How will you search like this?”

“I’m fine. Manageable.”

He pushed worried Jae-hyung away— then dizziness hit. He collapsed.

In the haze, Lee Chae’s face crystal clear.

Dream— Lee Chae clung to his shoulders, crying. More, more—don’t stop. Voice vivid as reality. Haejin bit the imprint spot, excited. Chae-ya, love you so much I could die. Whispered, examined the mark— flower gone. Why? Their imprint wasn’t weak enough to vanish.

Anger—pinned Lee Chae down. Where’s our mark? Who did this? Did you really betray me?

No matter the question— only one answer.

Stay healthy. And I love you.

No explanation for leaving, no “I hate you,” no promise to return. Why?

He realized—he was dreaming. Like the Kelvetero battle— Lee Chae’s dream words had been the hint.

Stay healthy. And I love you.

Common lover words— where was the clue?

Lee Chae fading from his grasp. He screamed don’t go— and woke.

Grabbed phone instantly. Last message from Lee Chae.

[Hyung, stay unhurt and healthy always. And I love you.]

Exact same as dream.

Back at Legion— Jae-hyung carefully,

“Still no word from hyung-soo-nim? Phone’s off…”

“He’ll be back soon. Must have reasons.”

Jae-hyung swallowed more words. Haejin calmly retraced events.

Imprint and registration → mother’s subtle pressure → new cleanup chief from headquarters → increased calls/meetings/battles → imprint severed near headquarters.

Picture clear.

“…F*ck. I took him to battles to keep him close— and they did this during one short meeting?!”

Never imagined.

Fog lifted. He stormed out—straight to headquarters.

Lee Chae’s message looped.

Hint—I know. But what does it mean? What did Mom say to make him leave with those words?

No answer.

“WHAT?!”

He slammed steering wheel, cursing— still couldn’t decode.

Parked, called Kim Jung-mi.

“Where are you?”

—Long time no call from son—and that’s all?

“Lots to say. Coming in person.”

—I’m in office. Come.

Five minutes flat. She tsked at his rushed entrance.

“No manners for an S-rank… Sit.”

“Not here for lectures. Where’s Jung Lee Chae? That’s all I need.”

She crossed arms at the table—like she’d expected.

“I said sit.”

“Tell me where he is first.”

Face twisted murderously—warning. Thinking she’d stolen Lee Chae, rage hit peak. But her lips stayed sealed.

“Regret whatever happens next.”

“Your threats don’t work anymore.”

Everything in room levitated. He growled through teeth,

“Last warning. Short and sweet. Where is Jung—”

“Fool. He gave up exclusive guiding for a civil-service badge. What’s so great about him?”

Haejin laughed icily. Exactly as predicted—not surprising.

Lee Chae—who’d glowed like he owned the world just joining Legion— abandon everything for a badge? Believe that crap?

Too pathetic to even attack. He lowered floating objects.

“Jung Lee Chae isn’t like you. Thinking that lie would convince me… Director Kim’s gotten old.”

Her eyes sharpened. He didn’t care—spat his piece.

“Wanted to solve nicely, but no cooperation— so from now on, I’ll use every means to get my guide back. Hope you don’t regret today’s choice.”

He turned to leave.

“Cha Hae-jin!”

She shrieked his name neurotically— but he walked out like he heard nothing. Final, absolute rejection.

Kim Jung-mi swept hair back, biting her lip.

She’d never abandon her precious son who’d fulfill her ambitions.

The real storm was just beginning.