Chapter 94: The Lunatic Who Finally Chose War Over Despair

“I can’t take it anymore,” Hae-jin said, voice low and ragged. “If Lee Chae still hasn’t come back after everything I’ve done… something’s wrong. Something’s seriously wrong.”

“You crazy bastard—snap out of it.”

Jin-woo wrapped his arms around Hae-jin’s waist like a human anchor, refusing to let him charge out the door. Hae-jin had been unraveling since the disappearance, but today’s fake news—or rather the continued lack of reaction to it—had pushed him into daily meltdowns.

Jin-woo understood the pain all too well, but sympathy alone wouldn’t keep Legion afloat. He had a team to protect.

“So what’s the plan?” he asked, tightening his hold. “Storm headquarters and they’ll just hand him over with a smile?”

“F*ck—this is all bullshit.”

“Yeah, it is. But think, Hae-jin. If Lee Chae saw you like this, do you really believe he’d be proud?”

Yong-yong, listening from the corner, squeezed Jae-hyung’s hand so hard his knuckles went white. Jae-hyung pulled him closer, arms locked around his waist. Both trembled. Yong-yong kept shifting, clearly wanting to say something—Jae-hyung held him still, reading the room.

They ached for Hae-jin’s suffering and for Lee Chae’s silent worry, but they were powerless to fix it.

Hae-jin finally shook Jin-woo off, raking both hands through his hair. His lip bled from biting back the rage.

“Then what the hell am I supposed to do?” His voice cracked. “Sitting here doing nothing is driving me insane.”

Silence.

He clutched his chest like it physically hurt.

“I feel like I’m dying.”

“You’re not dying.”

“What if he’s really forgotten me? Five months… What if he’s moved on? Found some other esper?”

Jin-woo sighed, patting his back without a word.

“Lee Chae? Come on. If he were the type to move on that fast, he’d have left long ago.”

“Then why hasn’t he shown up? Fake near-death injury—no response. Acting like a thug—no response. Fake slush fund crime—no response. And the worst—the absolute worst—is not even a single message about my scandals.”

Classic pre-cry meltdown. Jin-woo dragged him into a private room before the rest of Legion saw tears. The guy was heavy as dead weight when depressed—ten times harder to move.

He dumped Hae-jin on the bed and caught his breath. Then an idea hit.

“Hae-jin, listen. Every insane stunt we’ve pulled for the headlines—no reaction. Time to switch tactics.”

Normal Hae-jin would have ignored him. Heartbroken Hae-jin was manipulable. Eyes widened—hook set.

Jin-woo hid his smile and baited carefully.

“You know Lee Chae—total model student. Think about what would actually impress someone like him.”

Hae-jin covered his face with both hands.

Jin-woo swallowed curses at the pitiful sight and waited.

“If you want him impressed when you finally meet again, stop the scandals. Take down Lamia first.”

“Lamia?”

“Yeah. A heartbroken hero who saved the world despite everything—who could say no to that?”

Hae-jin’s face lit up like a switch flipped. Jin-woo panicked internally—too easy.

Hae-jin shot upright.

“You’re right. Bargaining with hints is weak. Cut Lamia’s head, skyrocket fame, then crush headquarters. Image matters more to them than actual monsters.”

“Yeah, exactly—wait, crush headquarters? How’d we get there?”

Hae-jin looked at him like he was slow.

“You don’t get it? Say we kill Lamia—if Lee Chae still doesn’t appear? Think I’m doubting his feelings now?”

Then what were all those “what if he moved on” breakdowns about?

Speechless at the instant flip.

“Our Lee Chae isn’t fickle. He can’t show because he thinks he’ll burden me.”

You—

“So sure now? What about earlier panic?”

Hae-jin sighed dramatically.

“You’ve never been in love—how would you understand? Even ironclad faith has moments of fear. Get it? No, you wouldn’t.”

“Just sounds like barking.”

Hae-jin poked Jin-woo’s arm and left. He saw through the attempt to steer him responsible—but Jin-woo’s words had partial logic.

Lamia first—better leverage.

Real issue: Lee Chae’s reason. Regeneration fear unresolved—he’d run again or suffer.

Regeneration…

Rarely used—even if present. Risked guide’s life too. That’s why his father died untreated.

Foolish Lee Chae wouldn’t believe words. Needed undeniable proof.

Not hopeless. Way to ease his fear without it.

New approach: If he couldn’t come out—drag him out.

“Wait. I’ll make the ones who hid you bring you back to me.”

Meanwhile—Jae-hyung and Yong-yong, fleeing Hae-jin’s mood, hid and called Lee Chae.

Rang briefly.

—Jae-hyung-ssi… something wrong?

“No… just missed you. You okay?”

“Collateral! Eat meals! No skipping!”

—Thanks for worrying. I’m fine. Hae-jin hyung? No trouble?

Classic—Hae-jin first. Jae-hyung choked.

“Working harder than usual.”

And preparing to bring you home. Don’t know how long…

—Ah… good. Thank you. Without you I’d have withered.

Voice brighter. Jae-hyung bit lip.

Yong-yong blurted:

“Collateral, miss you! Come see soon.”

—Yeah… someday. Work calls—talk later.

Click.

Jae-hyung turned—Yong-yong teary. Sight made Jae-hyung want to cry too.

Damn headquarters.

Resentment deepened.

Five months since disappearance.

Hae-jin endured dying-level pain—executing plans step by step.

Could scour country—but wouldn’t. Power insufficient; they’d take Lee Chae again.

Priority: power.

In awakener world where “protect citizens” justified absolute authority—power meant numbers.

Grow Legion—untouchable giant.

Meeting room—original core members.

Hae-jin spoke.

“Look here.”

Eyes to massive screen—detailed plans.

“Legion’s future. Official guild showed me clear: how headquarters manipulates awakeners and citizens for their bellies.”

Firm voice, overwhelming presence—members’ eyes sparkled. Many lost loved ones to headquarters’ war-for-power policies.

“Agree. Those specifics?”

Jin-woo asked. Hae-jin nodded.

Members focused—Jin-woo summarized.

Plan: expand Legion, counter headquarters. Logical, relatable.

But Jin-woo knew truth.

To get Lee Chae back—and keep him.

Better than scandals.

Hae-jin continued.

“Trust me. Not throwing you to wolves. You stay students—no penalties.”

Members murmured—possible?

“That’s why I planned. We stay backstage. I’m rep—your names off core officers.”

New recruits for officers?

Disappointing—members erupted.

“No way.”

“Bad idea.”

Hae-jin calm.

“Who said new recruits?”

Faces twisted. Jin-woo voiced.

“Lost it? No new—guild can’t form. Rep + five officers minimum.”

“I know. Yesterday—met Frame guild executives secretly. Opposition politicians.”

Faces worsened.

“I know—trash too. So borrow names only.”

Collective relief.

“Scared me—thought real collaboration.”

“Thought expulsion.”

“Good though. They agreed?”

Hae-jin half-smiled.

“Acted superior—thought me easy. Showed a little crazy. Curious what?”

All avoided eyes—even Jin-woo shook head.

“No one? Shame—fun story.”

Jin-woo hurried.

“No details. Summary: official guild, no harm to us, fight as always but screw headquarters?”

“Smart Jin-woo. Yes. Not for money—but we fattened them long enough. Never helped us. Bastards.”

Agreement.

“Official—proper finance team, transparent. Key: ideology, not numbers. Legion espers—pure anarchists only. Understood? Objections—speak. Explain, persuade. Over half oppose…”

Curious pause.

Hae-jin bitter smile.

“…Disband Legion.”

Silence—explosion.

“No!”

“Disband? Hell no!”

“We follow captain forever!”

Eyes softened.

“Thanks.”

Looked at each.

“Won’t regret this.”

Lunatic declared war—Legion chose to burn with him.

No return.

But deeper—Hae-jin’s real war: win power, force headquarters to return his guide.

And this time—keep him forever.

The pieces were moving. End approaching—beautiful, brutal collision.