Chapter 97: The Price of a New Life

Of course, some nations refused to cooperate. Others, recognizing Rain’s intelligence, chose the path of coexistence.

Yet, all these nations ultimately fell victim to attacks by the Esper Alliance, which disguised itself as a terrorist organization. They were systematically erased from the world’s map.

The Esper Alliance, having brutally slaughtered countless people for standing in the way of their power, cunningly shifted the blame for all their atrocities onto Air Rain. Thus, Air Rain was officially branded a terrorist group.

Originally, Air Rain had been established as a human rights organization dedicated to fostering a world where humanity, Rain, and even Irregulars could coexist.

They rescued young Rain individuals, nurturing them until they reached maturity, and saved Irregulars from suffering horrifying experiments in laboratories. This group worked tirelessly, envisioning a future where humans and Rain lived in harmony, making them an ideal target for the Esper Alliance.

Sa-yoon sighed, watching Kang Tae-han deliver the truth.

‘It’s still hard to simply believe it.’

‘He must already know. He would have scanned me the moment we met.’

Sa-yoon offered a weary smile, a silent affirmation. He, who instinctively scanned strangers upon meeting them, would have instantly recognized the man before him, Kang Tae-han, as a fully matured Rain.

Kang Tae-han was a Rain who had reached maturity and gained intellect. Among the many types of Rain that metamorphosed into various species, he had grown into a human form, demonstrating an exceptional aptitude for interacting with humans, which led him to lead Air Rain.

A Rain who spoke and thought like a human. After scanning Kang Tae-han, Sa-yoon found himself compelled to acknowledge the veracity of his words.

‘We need your strength.’

‘That’s impossible. I’m struggling just to take care of myself right now.’

Indeed, Sa-yoon was utterly exhausted. His life had become an arduous struggle, where even walking straight felt like an immense burden. Kang Tae-han extended a hand toward Sa-yoon.

‘I’ll help you escape from that place. The upcoming summit is being arranged solely to bring you out.’

This was the true reason Air Rain had abruptly proposed a peace treaty: to lure Jin Sa-yoon to the battlefield. If Air Rain, burdened by false accusations, attempted to emerge into the light, the Esper Alliance would spare no effort in trying to eliminate them.

They would gather all their forces on the battlefield, resorting to coercive measures. And a chaotic summit venue would prove to be the most suitable stage for spiriting away a single person.

‘Hide alone near the summit venue. We’ll exert maximum pressure on the meeting. If you then feign injury from a Rain attack and conceal yourself, you’ll be declared deceased. After that, you’ll be free.’

Kang Tae-han held out his hand, never doubting that Jin Sa-yoon would accept. Sa-yoon desperately needed an escape, and Air Rain desperately needed his power.

No, Sa-yoon didn’t even have to fight on Air Rain’s side. Among the matured Rain, there was one with extraordinary prophetic abilities.

This Rain consistently spoke of Sa-yoon: an entity destined to stand at the pinnacle of both Rain and humanity, a hero who would resolve all conflicts and bring an end to all strife. That was the Jin Sa-yoon described in the prophecy—a crucial key that absolutely had to be with Air Rain.

‘You can die there as Esper Jin Sa-yoon and begin a new life. What do you say?’

After a long silence, Sa-yoon, who had been gazing at Kang Tae-han’s outstretched hand, finally nodded. Kang Tae-han beamed, as if he had just gained everything he desired.

Then, he placed a slender syringe into Sa-yoon’s hand.

‘Use this in an emergency. It’ll be useful for shaking off other Espers.’

Sa-yoon quietly looked down at the syringe, which contained a drug said to temporarily incapacitate any Esper.

‘Do you want a few more?’

‘No, one is enough.’

Sa-yoon carefully tucked away the syringe, and they parted ways.

Following that, everything proceeded according to plan. There were Rain individuals who willingly plunged into danger for the sake of the future, successfully cornering the Esper Alliance. They adequately threatened the airship carrying Esper Alliance members as it fled into the distance, waiting for it to move far away from Jin Sa-yoon.

However, disaster struck immediately thereafter. A massive explosion erupted centered around the summit venue where Jin Sa-yoon was hiding. The explosives, meticulously hidden to evade Esper detection, burst through the ground.

The powerful impact forced Air Rain to sacrifice the cooperating Rain individuals. Yet, they had no time to mourn their deaths. Jin Sa-yoon, barely found amidst the uplifted earth, was in critical condition. In truth, it was difficult to even say he was still alive.

Jin Sa-yoon was the last hope, designated by prophecy. They could not afford to lose him so futilely.

Kang Tae-han employed every possible method to save Jin Sa-yoon. Had it not been for the life-support treatment utilizing Rain’s unique abilities, he might have perished already. For a long time, Sa-yoon’s wounds were treated, and his shattered body was painstakingly repaired.

During this period, Sa-yoon, who lay unconscious, underwent profound changes. His jet-black hair had turned stark white, fading to a pristine, unblemished white like a snow-covered field. This transformation was a result of all his energy being diverted to his recovery.

Perhaps thanks to this, he had passed the threshold of life and death. However, Jin Sa-yoon’s consciousness did not return. No matter how advanced the medical technology, further intervention was futile.

From that point on, Jin Sa-yoon had to overcome his state and awaken on his own. Kang Tae-han had been patiently waiting for a miracle for several months.

Kang Tae-han spoke consolingly to the woman, who had finished her apple pie and was wiping her hands.

“It’s alright. I’m used to waiting, after all. An end will come someday.”

Compared to the time he had already spent waiting to meet Jin Sa-yoon, this was nothing. It had been a full three years from the moment he learned of Jin Sa-yoon’s existence through prophecy to the time he finally brought him here.

“Mother’s cooking is still excellent, isn’t it? I can’t help it. I’ll have one more.”

“Ah, I told you to leave some! Mom made that extra delicious especially for our guest.”

“Rather than someone who can’t even eat, I’m the one who’s at least earning my keep…”

Suddenly, a loud thud echoed from the upstairs, as if something heavy had tumbled down. The impact rattled the ceiling, causing Kang Tae-han to bolt upright from his seat. The bedroom was upstairs, and only one person resided there.

“Uncle. Could this be…?”

“Set the apple pie aside, neatly. It seems our savior has finally awakened.”

Kang Tae-han put down the apple pie in his hand and hurried up the stairs, taking two steps at a time. Reaching the second floor, he pushed open the half-ajar door.

“Jin Sa-yoon!”

As he had anticipated, Jin Sa-yoon, who had been confined to his bed for so long, was now propped up, halfway sitting. Still disoriented and blinking blankly, Jin Sa-yoon surveyed his surroundings.

His bleached white hair swayed gently beneath the light. Sa-yoon’s face, surprisingly serene, made it hard to believe he had been unconscious for such an extended period.

He seemed to have shed all worry, anxiety, and the deep-seated vigilance he had harbored for so long. After a prolonged moment of observing the unfamiliar room, Sa-yoon turned to Kang Tae-han, his parched lips parting roughly.

“Who… are you?”

These were the first words Jin Sa-yoon uttered after six months of unconsciousness.

The young man retrieved a box from a high shelf and hoisted it onto his shoulder. As he descended the ladder rung by rung, people below called out.

“Careful coming down!”

“I won’t get hurt with this much.”

Once he set the box on the ground, the onlookers, who had been watching with bated breath, let out a sigh of relief.

“That’s enough for today. You can move the rest tomorrow.”

“I’m still fine, though…”

“Someone take Seol-won away.”

“It’s fine. I can go back on my own.”

The young man, called Seol-won, who was Jin Sa-yoon, reluctantly removed his safety gear at the insistent words of the foreman. The name ‘Seol-won’ had been given to Sa-yoon after he lost all his memories, chosen because of his snow-white hair.

The name Jin Sa-yoon had become a secret known to everyone but Jin Sa-yoon himself. It was Kang Tae-han’s decision, made out of concern that Sa-yoon, whose body was not yet fully recovered, would be distressed by the complex reality.

“Be careful. You’re not well, you know.”

Sa-yoon had only moved about ten boxes, yet the foreman’s concern was excessive. Though strict with others, he was always gentle with Sa-yoon.

“Here’s some ice water.”

The woman waiting nearby placed a cool glass cup into Sa-yoon’s hands. Sa-yoon accepted the glass with both hands.

‘Everyone is so overprotective.’

Perhaps it was because he had suffered a severe injury two years ago and lost all his memories. According to others, it was an injury that had left him hovering between life and death for nearly half a year. The scars from that time still remained prominently on Sa-yoon’s stomach.

Sa-yoon, the recipient of this overprotection, actually found their worry burdensome. He no longer felt any pain. Despite his memory loss, everyone looked after him, and he had no worries about making a living, so he felt no particular discomfort.

Moreover, Sa-yoon was an Esper. He possessed greater strength than others and recovered quickly.

“Does your head still hurt these days?”

“It’s fine if I stay still.”

“Alright. Don’t overexert yourself.”

Another person, also overprotective of Sa-yoon, asked from nearby. Due to the lingering effects of his injury, Sa-yoon still couldn’t properly utilize his abilities. Whenever he tried to concentrate, his head would ache as if it were splitting apart, rendering him unable to do anything.

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