Chapter 94: The Unraveling Trap

Determined to claim Sa-yoon, Han Do-hoon approached him with meticulous care. Jin Sa-yoon, however, was intensely guarded, revealing no openings to those around him.

His temperament was sensitive and inscrutable; even direct advances or persistent presence failed to yield an opportunity.

‘Perhaps I should simply invoke the charge of ‘Irregular’ and arrest him first?’ Han Do-hoon had entertained such thoughts amidst the stagnant situation. ‘Wouldn’t it be simpler to apprehend him first and then investigate whether he’s an Irregular?’

It was a rather tempting proposition. If Sa-yoon, an Irregular, were isolated and placed under Han Do-hoon’s sole responsibility, he could be monopolized forever.

Just as Han Do-hoon wrestled with the skepticism of dedicating such effort to an Irregular, a being not even human, Jin Sa-yoon slipped out without authorization.

This was an opportunity to uncover why Jin Sa-yoon was hiding his identity and persisting within the unit. Han Do-hoon tracked him.

What he witnessed was Jin Sa-yoon, weeping alone in the rain.

‘Why is he crying?’

Confused, Han Do-hoon extended an umbrella toward him. Yet, Jin Sa-yoon rejected his kindness and walked alone into the downpour, a stark contrast to Han Do-hoon’s expectations.

The Irregulars Han Do-hoon had encountered were invariably unstable and selfish. But this one seemed different. This one was…

Just like a human.

He swayed precariously, burdened by the rainwater that filled him, yet he strained to stand as his own pillar, enduring with arduous strength.

Irregulars were monsters. They were like Rain, devoid of emotion, pests that deceived humanity and shook their very foundations. Yet, Jin Sa-yoon, crying piteously and pretending to be alright, appeared as tragically human as any person.

From the moment that realization struck, Han Do-hoon found himself unable to maintain control. His mind screamed warnings: ‘He’s an Irregular. He’s the same as Rain.’ Yet his gaze frantically devoured Jin Sa-yoon.

The chaos only intensified after Jin Sa-yoon finally granted Han Do-hoon access.

A body that could intertwine without restraint. A mind and pleasure that grew clearer with every touch. Sa-yoon was an unparalleled drug. Returning to a time without him was unimaginable.

The entirety of Han Do-hoon’s life until then felt void, like a film marred by static. Instinctively, Han Do-hoon recognized his situation.

The Esper, who had suffered in agony his entire life, realized he had found his Guide. Sa-yoon was an Irregular, and a rare Multi-Esper among them.

He was a highly dangerous and difficult-to-control type of Irregular. Ordinarily, Han Do-hoon would have seized the opportunity to arrest Sa-yoon the moment he lost consciousness.

Instead, he made a decision without hesitation. This person had to be his. He vowed to keep him forever, never to relinquish him to another.

He would slowly set traps to possess him completely, believing this choice would be the wisest he had ever made. Han Do-hoon’s prediction proved correct.

A single day spent by Jin Sa-yoon’s side was more vivid than the entire year without him. Sa-yoon was a wave, dragging Han Do-hoon like a tsunami and casting him into the deepest depths.

With every touch, his thirst intensified, and his obsession deepened. Han Do-hoon smiled outwardly, approaching Jin Sa-yoon calmly and courteously.

He acted harmlessly, like a gentle deer, to ensure Sa-yoon wouldn’t flee, drawing ever closer. Each moment Jin Sa-yoon allowed him a small space by his side, Han Do-hoon was ecstatically joyful.

Each time, Han Do-hoon was swayed to a pathetic degree. His primary duties had long been forgotten. Han Do-hoon sought only the opportunity to monopolize Sa-yoon.

He endured by making excuses, claiming he would proceed once Sa-yoon was brought to the battlefield under the pretext of his high rank. In the interim, he needed to gain Jin Sa-yoon’s complete trust.

For if Jin Sa-yoon realized Han Do-hoon had seen through him, he would flee. Han Do-hoon had to ensure he would willingly run into his arms.

Everything proceeded smoothly according to Han Do-hoon’s plan. Sa-yoon slowly seeped into Han Do-hoon’s life. His demeanor softened, and he began to rely on Han Do-hoon.

Now, all that remained was to obtain proof of Sa-yoon’s trust in Han Do-hoon. The wait was not long. The Daejeon terror incident presented Han Do-hoon with an opportunity.

Normally, he would have swiftly eliminated any rampaging individuals and resolved the situation, as that was the most rational approach.

However, Han Do-hoon waited amidst the burning pillars. He consumed his life force within the inferno, hoping for Jin Sa-yoon, who might not even come.

His gamble succeeded. In that hellish space, where his life was slowly burning away, Sa-yoon revealed his true identity to Han Do-hoon with his own lips.

The moment Sa-yoon cast aside his ring and embraced him within the pillars of fire, a deep smile etched itself onto Han Do-hoon’s lips.

‘Finally, I’ve caught him.’

A Multi-Esper, both a Guide and an Esper. Han Do-hoon embraced the collapsing Sa-yoon, knowing instinctively that this person would be his salvation from the agony of incomplete guiding he had endured for so long.

Jin Sa-yoon, glowing with a brilliant golden light, was the perfect Guide, prepared solely for Han Do-hoon. The fact that Sa-yoon was an Irregular had ceased to matter long ago.

No, it was even better. Irregulars were beings that could not be released into the world. They were, in any case, destined to be dragged to laboratories and used to benefit humanity.

Originally, Sa-yoon’s future would have been the same. Han Do-hoon thought, ‘Now, I will confine Sa-yoon.’ He would imprison him where no one else could see or touch him, protecting him safely for life.

Instead of a predetermined dark future, he would safeguard him, cherishing him like a fragile glass vessel. Han Do-hoon believed, without a shadow of a doubt, that this would be a better future for Sa-yoon as well.

When he went to the Federation headquarters to report on the Daejeon terror incident, Han Do-hoon had already completed all his preparations. He would summon Sa-yoon to the battlefield, arrest him, and then escort him to the place Han Do-hoon had prepared.

For Han Do-hoon, extracting a single Irregular was a simple matter; afterward, they would live together forever in their own paradise. Of course, Sa-yoon would be officially declared dead, but he would live comfortably by Han Do-hoon’s side for the rest of his life.

This was also for Sa-yoon’s benefit. Han Do-hoon vowed to completely free Sa-yoon from the anxiety of being an Irregular.

He was certain Sa-yoon wouldn’t refuse. Sa-yoon trusted Han Do-hoon enough to entrust his very life to him, and Han Do-hoon believed he had him perfectly in his grasp.

‘I’m tired today. Let’s talk another time.’

Jin Sa-yoon avoided Han Do-hoon’s gaze. Sa-yoon was very wary. Was it just another instance of him averting his eyes out of embarrassment or awkwardness, as he often did?

But this was too sudden a change. Han Do-hoon, bewildered by Sa-yoon’s abrupt shift in behavior, approached him again. He was confident in his ability to slowly win him over.

He had no intention of giving up, no matter what, so he cautiously approached Sa-yoon again to prevent him from fleeing. However, Sa-yoon’s reaction was cold.

Was it wariness? Or a change of heart? It wasn’t a reaction that could be described with such simple words. It was different even from the wary gaze he had given Han Do-hoon when they first met.

This response, filled with contempt and hostility, forced Han Do-hoon to falter. An unpleasant sensation crawled up his spine.

‘I’m sorry. Something bad happened today…’

Sa-yoon’s strained attempt to act unchanged only solidified Han Do-hoon’s conviction.

Jin Sa-yoon was rejecting Han Do-hoon.

Why? Sa-yoon had laid bare his heart for Han Do-hoon to see. There should have been no hitch in the plan, so had something suddenly changed? Han Do-hoon’s tongue felt frozen; he couldn’t ask for a reason.

He felt like a fool. This was clearly his Guide. He was his, and Han Do-hoon had believed he held him perfectly in his hands, yet he had slipped away without a trace, like water that had briefly pooled.

Even though he felt it was unlike him, Han Do-hoon had no choice but to retreat. An Esper rejected by his Guide, he circled Sa-yoon helplessly, like a mermaid whose fins had been cut.

He knew time was running out, yet he couldn’t utter a single coherent word. Boarding the plane alone to the battlefield, Han Do-hoon recalled Sa-yoon, who hadn’t even come to see him off.

Where had things gone wrong? It wasn’t too late, even now. If he arrested Sa-yoon under the pretext of being an Irregular, couldn’t he still claim him?

During the long flight, Han Do-hoon was lost in a myriad of thoughts. With a hard gaze, he stared out the window, searching for various means to possess Jin Sa-yoon.

He listed several weaknesses that could be used to coerce Sa-yoon: his ailing parents, the reality of being an Irregular, his long-standing teammates. Should he blackmail Sa-yoon to keep him by his side?

Being soft-hearted and strongly responsible, Sa-yoon would eventually choose to stay with Han Do-hoon. It might not be as smooth a relationship as before, but it could bind him more firmly than anything else.

After more than ten hours of deliberation, Han Do-hoon reached a conclusion. He would wait one more time. Amusingly, he didn’t want Sa-yoon to hate him. It was a feeling he had never experienced in his life.

He hadn’t completely lost Sa-yoon yet. If there was even a sliver of possibility, he would recapture Jin Sa-yoon through peaceful means.

Now, Han Do-hoon had to admit it. Sa-yoon wasn’t the only one who had entrusted his life to him. Han Do-hoon, too, struggled without Jin Sa-yoon. He couldn’t go back to the past.

📚 Also on NHV Novels

Feelings of love

darkHealinglove

Read Now →
Not interested