Under Creature Chapter 15.1

“Why are you worried about him? More importantly, you… you know who A is, don’t you?”

As Yigeom narrowed his eyes, he answered sullenly.

“I’m not telling you. You said my choice wouldn’t change whether I told you or not.”

“…Sorry.”

Yigeom offered a curt apology. It was clumsy, but sincere.

Even though they caught the culprit, it was only the tip of the iceberg; all it meant was that they were free from the machine’s threat. Retaliation would continue until the other Blood Hunters were caught.

Seo Dohyun had even broken off the alliance with the Vigilante Corps for Latter’s safety. And yet, wasn’t Yigeom walking into the tiger’s den himself?

He had even brainwashed Seo Dohyun every day, telling him not to do anything dangerous or reckless on his own, especially not to risk his life for Latter. Now that he was the one doing it, he felt ashamed and embarrassed.

“I’ll handle this on my own. In a way that won’t harm Latter.”

“You getting hurt. That is harm.”

“You know my ability. I’ll just watch safely from a distance and only step in when I think A is in real danger.”

As Yigeom explained his plan to reassure him, Seo Dohyun threw back a snarky, one-word reply.

“Right.”

Yoon Yigeom was a soft-hearted person. The Vigilante Corps would have both Lee Juyoung and Jin Geonwoo, whom he had gotten close to during the alliance. If he watched from nearby, a situation would undoubtedly arise where he would have to intervene.

In the first place, he didn’t like the premise of stepping in when things got dangerous. Does he think he’s some kind of relief pitcher? Even if he did step in, how much would the situation change?

“What can you do by stepping in? Do you think that will change anything? Is it going to rain on that day or something? There’s nothing you can do. So don’t go.”

“……”

“They’re all people who can take care of themselves. They’re not babies who need you to wipe their runny noses for them. Gyeom-ah, to be blunt, can you even wipe your own nose by yourself?”

Yigeom didn’t answer for a long while. He mulled something over.

He admitted it. Seo Dohyun wasn’t wrong.

Whenever an incident had occurred until now, it had luckily rained, and even when it didn’t, they got through it together with Seo Dohyun’s ability.

‘It’s not like I’m anyone special.’

Once he became convinced that A was Kang Taeha, he got excited and his judgment clouded. Still, he couldn’t help but worry.

After what happened to Jooseungtae, he’s the only friend I have left.

I can’t lose him too. I just can’t.

As Yigeom hesitated, Seo Dohyun loaded his fury into each and every syllable.

“Yoon Yigeom. Why is it always him first for you? Do we mean nothing to you?”

They had all grown fond of each other; they were all precious people. Why would he say something like that? Yigeom frowned.

“Everyone is precious to me. But he’s the one in danger right now. If you guys were in danger, I’d act the exact same way I am now.”

The very reason he was hesitating now was because he was worried that if he participated in the operation as a member of Latter, it would be taken as the official stance of Latter as a whole.

If news spread that a member of Latter, which had broken the alliance, had joined the Vigilante Corps, there would be more retaliation. He could count on Seo Dohyun being fine, but he didn’t want Seo Doa, Cha Jewoo, or Namgoong Sanha to be endangered by his actions alone.

But to just leave Kang Taeha… His head throbbed, not knowing what to do.

Amidst this, the clueless Seo Dohyun asked.

“Then let’s decide right here. A or us, who comes first?”

“Suddenly? Why decide something so childish.”

“Choose. Who’s number one. Stop acting all vague and just pick.”

“…Hey. Why are you trying to rank people? You know this conversation is getting weird, right?”

Yigeom grumbled that he was getting annoyed. The situation only grew more hostile, and the conversation showed no signs of ending. The car had been parked on the shoulder for a while now.

“I do rank them. It’s a tangible, meaningful result. For me, Latter comes first. No matter what happens, Latter is the priority, and if you asked me to rank people within it, I could. For now, I’ll just say that I’m at the very bottom. Now it’s your turn. What about you?”

Seo Dohyun tilted his head as if to say, go on, talk your way out of this one. Yigeom’s expression hardened grimly.

“Is that how you define your relationships with people?”

After all the time Latter has spent together, you can rank them? You can? Do you even think about the people who’d be hurt to hear that?

“It’s efficient. It’s better than hesitating like you are now when an unavoidable situation comes up. Yoon Yigeom, say it. Is it us, or A.”

“You’re really….”

“I’m not trying to pick a fight. Whoever is first, I won’t get angry, and I won’t be disappointed. The reason I’m asking now is to help you with your decision. Think, and then speak. And then decide. Whether you will join this Vigilante Corps operation or not.”

Yigeom abruptly sank his back into the car seat and rubbed his dry face.

“Hah, I’ve always been annoyed by everything you say.”

He continued to mutter.

“I wondered why, and I think it’s because you’re mostly right. Because you say the right things in an infuriating way. No, maybe it’s just that the truth is always hard to hear. Of course, some of it was just annoying because it was genuine nonsense.”

“So. Is it the former or the latter right now.”

“The former.”

“Simple. Then decide.”

Yigeom delayed his answer for a moment and took a deep breath. He was genuinely getting angry. That even in a situation like this, Seo Dohyun was ranking people and obsessing over efficiency.

In a situation where any human would naturally agonize, Seo Dohyun, who was not a machine, moved according to a pre-planned sequence.

The fact that he could rank priorities in Latter probably didn’t mean that the people lower on the list weren’t precious. The number of beings Seo Dohyun considered precious was absurdly small, and in the first place, he had placed himself at the very bottom.

It must mean that he valued Latter more than his own life. And he had actually put that into practice.

That’s why he couldn’t do it. Yigeom couldn’t. Because he wasn’t a machine. Because a person can’t always act in pursuit of efficiency. Because sometimes, you want to follow your heart.

“I… I don’t know.”

“How frustrating. Did I ask a difficult question?”

“Yes, it’s difficult. Extremely. If you asked anyone else, they would have all answered the same way I did. Still…”

As Seo Dohyun said, the tide of the battle wouldn’t change much just because one more person joined the operation, and they were all people who could take care of themselves.

Especially A, wasn’t he the one who had maintained that Vigilante Corps? He surely wouldn’t fall easily.

‘They’re all stronger than me.’

He will definitely come back alive. He will. He has to, so…

“Hah, Seo Dohyun, you win. I admit it. I was just being stubborn.”

“So what’s your answer?”

At his attitude of needing a firm confirmation until the very end, Yigeom threw up both his hands in surrender.

“I won’t do it. I’ll just have to pray that the Vigilante Corps’ operation is a success.”

Only then did Seo Dohyun’s stiff expression relax, and he let out a light laugh. Then, as if to make up, he spoke in a joking tone.

“Yeah. To be honest, I would have been hurt if you had put A first.”

“Huh. Can a machine get its feelings hurt? Didn’t you say a moment ago you wouldn’t get angry or be disappointed?”

“I never said I wouldn’t get hurt.”

“Disappointment, hurt. Don’t they mean the same thing.”

“If you say so, I guess they do.”

Yigeom burst into a hollow laugh at the whatever-you-say response.

And so, the two of them ended their day by stopping by the Vigilante Corps and handing over the culprit they had caught.

🦅࿐

Kim Hyungkyu knocked lightly on the locked door.

Knock, knock-

Without waiting for an answer from inside, he opened the door with a short, “I’m coming in.”

It was A’s office. Kim Hyungkyu approached A, who was reading a document, and reported the newly updated information.

“Latter just brought in one of the culprits behind the recent retaliatory attacks.”

For A, who had been cooped up in the Vigilante Corps for the past few weeks, Kim Hyungkyu had taken on the role of a mother bird, bringing him news, updates, and information from the outside world.

Literally, a mother bird.

He delivered his meals on time and helped him use the Vigilante Corps base like his own home without any inconvenience.

“With an ability to manipulate iron. After confirming, we immediately fitted him with an ability-restraining device and sent him to the detention facility.”

After Kim Hyungkyu finished speaking, A gave a silent nod.

It was the signal to leave. But Kim Hyungkyu didn’t leave; he hesitated for a moment before speaking as if he had made up his mind.

“How about we get Latter to participate in this operation after all?”

Even if they broke the alliance, they might agree if asked, given the bond they’d formed. Seo Dohyun might not, but Yoon Yigeom next to him certainly seemed soft-hearted.

Moreover, he was well aware of Seo Dohyun’s track record when he was with the Vigilante Corps. Having him would definitely be a help to the operation. It might even end smoothly.

A stared intently at Kim Hyungkyu, then moved the hand holding the ballpoint pen and wrote on the paper.

It was a firm refusal.

Latter is not allowed. Absolutely not.

🦅࿐

On the day the Vigilante Corps was set to strike Adam, Yigeom and Dohyun went to Busan to visit Iryeon.

Even after getting confirmation that he wouldn’t go on the operation, Seo Dohyun must have been anxious, as it seemed his plan was to stick right by Yigeom’s side today to keep an eye on him. Yigeom agreed to go to Iryeon, since he had a weapon to buy anyway.

The plan was for a day trip, so instead of the entire Latter crew, the two of them decided to move quickly.

Yigeom had been thinking of buying a gun in Iryeon.

His ability was more of a support type. One that grasped the overall situation from afar and provided support- or to be more specific, it was long-range.

Previously, he carried a knife he had bought from Iryeon, and currently, he carried one made by Namgoong Sanha, but considering his ability, a gun seemed better than a knife. Although the bullets were consumable and expensive, it would be helpful at a critical moment.

He could ask Namgoong Sanha to make him a gun, but it would take time to manufacture, and there was no harm in having one ready in advance.

“Yaaawn-.”

Yigeom let out a long yawn in the moving car.

“Did you go to bed late last night?”

“It just kind of happened.”

“What were you doing?”

“Just…. this and that.”

He had stayed up late reading books borrowed from the Association and even conducting his own experiments. Yigeom mumbled in a sleepy voice.

“There’s something I need to test, but I can’t do it alone. You need to help me later.”

“Okay.”

Just as he was about to drift off to the sound of Seo Dohyun agreeing without asking any questions, Yigeom’s eyes shot open again.

Seo Dohyun was driving; the person in the passenger seat shouldn’t be so inconsiderate as to fall asleep. He forced himself awake and asked the question he hadn’t gotten to.

“I couldn’t ask last time, but how do you know A’s identity?”

“I don’t?”

“There you go again. You said you knew before. You even asked me if I would skip the Vigilante mission if you told me A’s identity.”

“That was a bluff. Did you fall for it?”

Seo Dohyun replied leisurely with a smile. Yigeom was so dumbfounded he was at a loss for words. His attitude clearly screamed that he knew, but Seo Dohyun didn’t seem to have any intention of making his lie convincing.

“If you don’t want to tell me, just say so. I won’t ask.”

It was ridiculous how both Seo Dohyun and Kang Taeha were hiding an answer that anyone could figure out. Weren’t they just playing dumb?

“How did you find out, Gyeom?”

Yigeom spouted whatever came to mind, not caring anymore.

“No, actually, I don’t know either. I was just pretending I knew. Bluffing, like you.”

“For a bluff, you seemed pretty serious.”

“The same goes for you, you know.”

The day A holed himself up in the Vigilante Corps was the same day Kang Taeha stopped contacting him after they went to the Western restaurant and then a movie.

And after today, he would probably be able to see both A and Kang Taeha as if nothing had happened.

It had to be that way.

🦅࿐

Upon arriving at Iryeon, Yigeom and Dohyun immediately checked out the displayed weapons.

“Can I see this one?”

“Yes. This one’s magazine holds up to 6 rounds, and when you’ve used all the bullets… like this! You can detach the head and use it as a knife.”

The employee shrugged, asking, “Cool, isn’t it?”

When the head was detached, a hidden blade emerged. It was a weapon that could be used as a gun, and as a knife when needed.

‘Is this like a Swiss Army knife?’

Yigeom took the gun the employee handed him to examine, assembling and disassembling it a few times before asking.

“But doesn’t the head get hot right after firing? How do you hold and detach it then?”

“With your purchase, we provide an additional rubber grip and a pouch for storing the head.”

“Is that so.”

The storage pouch was made of luxurious leather. But if he had to carry around a rubber grip and a storage pouch just to disassemble the gun, wouldn’t it be better to just carry a gun and a knife separately?

‘Does anyone actually buy this?’

Sensing his thoughts, the employee quickly changed the subject.

“This is a weapon mainly purchased by ice-ability users. Would you like to see something else? If you give me some general information about your ability, I can recommend a suitable weapon for you.”

Yigeom hesitated for a moment before speaking. He was once again reminded of why guilds wanted to have Technicians.

To get a weapon perfectly suited to his ability, he had to tell a Technician his information, but he couldn’t trust a complete stranger.

‘This is a bit inconvenient.’

Namgoong Sanha would have made it for him without a hitch.

Yigeom spoke in vague terms.

“Clairvoyance.”

“Clairvoyance! Then how about a sniper rifle? This one is a bit tricky to maintain, but it has a long firing range and a fast rate of fire. Would you like to hold it?”

The employee handed Yigeom the rifle he had introduced and the one next to it, letting him compare their feel.

“It’s also lighter than other sniper rifles.”

“You’re right. What do you think?”

Yigeom handed the sniper rifle to Seo Dohyun, seeking his opinion.

“Looks fine.”

Seeing the positive reaction from both customers, the employee seized the opportunity and launched into a rapid-fire explanation.

“We’ll include a generous amount of ammunition with your purchase, and for an additional fee, customization is also possible! Of course, customizing will take about a day, but most customers who buy it get it done.”

“Customization?”

“We offer services like partial painting or engraving, as long as it doesn’t interfere with its use.”

Customization would be nice, but it was a lethal weapon, not for decoration, so his opinion was ‘is it really necessary?’. Yigeom fiddled with the firearm a bit more before deciding to buy it.

“I’ll take this one.”

“Yes! I’ll get it for you right away! You don’t need any customization?”

“No, that’s fine.”

“Then I’ll explain how to disassemble and reassemble it!”

The employee hurriedly took out a manual from under the counter, spread it open, and began to disassemble and then reassemble the firearm piece by piece.

Yigeom watched intently without looking away, nodding his head.

“Sir, do you handle firearms often?”

“No. I’ve always used a knife, but I thought I’d try one this time.”

“Hmm, it might be difficult to disassemble and reassemble it right after seeing it once, so I’ll include the manual for you. Try practicing often at home to get used to it.”

“Yes, here’s my card.”

After the payment was complete, the employee left for a moment, saying he would bring a new product from the warehouse instead of the one on display.

Yigeom looked around the interior of Iryeon, which had a completely different atmosphere since the new director took over. Then he looked at the spot where Seo Dohyun’s gaze had been lingering for a long time. It was the entrance where Bae Sangwoo had taken his last breath.

“…Seo Dohyun. Since we’re here, isn’t there anything you want to buy? I’ll buy it for you. Pick something.”

“Not really.”

“They have more than just knives and guns here.”

There were grenades, whips, and all sorts of weapons lined up. There were also luxury items besides weapons.

‘A ring?’

Wondering why a weapon shop was selling accessories, he went closer to take a look.

“Gyeom-ah, that’s a suicide ring.”

“…What?”

Startled by Seo Dohyun’s explanation, Yigeom jumped back. So it’s a tool to take one’s own life? They sell all sorts of things.

“People actually buy this?”

“Oh, of course. It’s one of our popular items.”

As he asked with a frown, the employee, who had returned with the new product, answered for him.

“This?”

“Absolutely. This is mostly bought by members of the Vigilante Corps. When you press the switch, an explosion occurs within a 1-meter radius, so if you’re fighting an enemy and think you can’t win, you just die together.”

“…I guess I can’t buy this as a gift.”

Who in the world would give a gift saying, ‘Here, if you think you can’t win, use this to kill yourself and the enemy too.’ For a moment, Yigeom thought of Kang Taeha and his face turned pale. He resolved to give Kang Taeha a different gift someday, when the day came that he revealed he was A.

“Haha, well, that’s true. And here is the sniper rifle you purchased.”

The employee also handed over his business card.

“I’ve packed as many bullets as I could, but if you run out, please contact me here. I’ll send you bullets via delivery at a cheap price!”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Thank you more. Have a great day.”

Even as they left Iryeon with the purchased gun, Yigeom kept hovering around Seo Dohyun.

“You’re really not buying anything? I said I’d buy it for you. Just pick anything.”

“That’s strange, Yoon Yigeom. Why do you keep trying to buy me something?”

“No reason… Just, a pure act of goodwill.”

“Goodwill. Nice.”

Seo Dohyun muttered dazedly, then laughed silently.

“Then Gyeom-ah. You buy me a meal. That’s all I need.”

Then he walked ahead.

“……”

Yigeom watched his back. For some reason, he looked bitter.

Did he get depressed coming to Iryeon after so long, reminded of Bae Sangwoo’s last moments? Yigeom was concerned about Seo Dohyun, who was unusually quiet today.

🦅࿐

The sound of clashing blades and the roar of something exploding came from all directions.

“Team 2, fall back! Team 1, move forward!!”

It was too chaotic and frantic to hear anyone’s commands.

Kim Hyungkyu gritted his teeth.

At first, he was sure they had the upper hand.

How did it come to this, how….

Adam had three leaders and thus, three bases. The one the Vigilante Corps had discovered was Choi Inha’s base, which they found by tracking the trail left by Choi Baekgil.

The person who had helped make this operation possible was a completely unexpected figure: Yeho’s Noh Jeonggyu. His ability was tracking, which he often used to pursue a target.

However, Noh Jeonggyu kept his mouth shut about the specifics of how he could use his tracking, worried that the true nature of his ability would be exposed.

It was quite unsettling, but in the end, it was true that he found Adam’s base, and it was understandable since no one would rashly reveal their ability to others.

In any case, they had made thorough preparations for this raid. More than anything, it was an operation they had meticulously designed, checking and rechecking everything. They had investigated the base’s interior beforehand and surrounded all the escape routes. All that was left was to catch the Blood Hunters one by one as they came pouring out. But Adam was Adam, it seemed.

As it became progressively harder to counter their erratic attacks, their advantage began to waver.

There were no fatalities among the Vigilante Corps yet, but there were many injured. The injured fell back for treatment while new members moved forward, repeating the cycle to maintain formation, but everyone implicitly knew this was ultimately a battle against time.

They were managing to hold on for now, but the number of injured would only increase. They had to resolve this quickly before that happened.

Kim Hyungkyu quickly racked his brain and devised a few strategies.

Either everyone engages at once, or they retreat now to minimize losses, or failing that, they could call for reinforcements.

The best option was to call for reinforcements, but the problem was where to get them. Most of their manpower was concentrated here, and if they added more personnel in the current situation, the Vigilante Corps base would be left empty.

They had to decide on something, anything, as soon as possible…!

‘Where did A go?’

The absence of a commander in such an urgent situation.

“Anyone! Has anyone seen A-nim!”

“I saw him going toward the bushes earlier?”

The bushes? Kim Hyungkyu quickly scanned the direction the member was pointing. There were only dense trees; there would be nothing if he went that way, so why? Was there something there?

As Kim Hyungkyu looked puzzled, the subordinate added.

“He seemed to have seen something and just went? He might have discovered something!”

A-nim must have a profound reason for everything he does! Kim Hyungkyu looked at his colleague, whose eyes were sparkling even in the midst of this chaos, and gave an order.

“Sumin. You take two more people, find him, and bring him back. You must.”

“Ah, yes!”

And so, he sent out a search party for A and continued the seemingly endless battle with Adam. It was then that Kang Yeseong, the master of the Spears Guild, grabbed Kim Hyungkyu urgently, his face pale.

“If this keeps up, the number of dead will only increase! Is there no other plan?”

“We have the upper hand right now. We’re going to push a little more.”

“‘Right now!’ you said. Right now! What happens later!?”

The Vigilante Corps members followed orders without complaint since it was a command, but they were filled with worry and fear. This was even more true for Spears, which was merely an allied guild. It was understandable that Kang Yeseong was anxious.

Worried that information might leak, they had only been told the details of the operation today. It was a wonder he hadn’t fainted or run away. However…

“…We will maintain the current strategy. Kang Yeseong-ssi, please return to your position.”

There would be no changes to the plan. Kim Hyungkyu left behind the voice calling out to him and headed to another area that needed support.

The reason he was so insistent on the plan was partly because A was absent, but there was a core reason.

While planning this operation, A had repeatedly stressed it.

‘Keep this in mind. Even if I am not there, do not change this plan. That is the first condition. You must, you absolutely must, adhere to it.’

The operation was to surround the Adam base in a surprise attack, set fires inside, and then block and capture the enemies who came scurrying out like cockroaches to escape the flames with all their might.

It was a simple plan, if one were to describe it, and for that reason, it was difficult. Everyone was bound to be physically exhausted. True to their nature as a group that worshipped a snake-like creature named ‘Ser’, each one of them was as cunning and clever as a snake.

How long they had to endure, how long they had to maintain the formation, why A had given such an order, what the ‘first condition’ was – they had no idea.

From Kim Hyungkyu’s perspective, it seemed A had another plan that he was hiding even from his allies. This was the groundwork for it.

What on earth is A planning? Is it related to his sudden disappearance in this situation? It would have been nice if he had at least told me. I’m his right-hand man, for crying out loud, but I know nothing about him. Is this how Uncle Sangwoo felt?

Kim Hyungkyu ground his molars and swung his sword.

He simply couldn’t figure out A’s thoughts. Still, he was the one who had led the Vigilante Corps until now, so he must have some kind of plan this time too. He had no choice but to believe so.

🦅࿐

One of Adam’s leaders, Choi Inha, asked while tapping his foot.

“What’s the situation outside?”

“Still in a standoff.”

“A?”

“He’s disappeared. Kim Hyungkyu is giving orders now.”

“Is that so?”

For someone who had been ambushed, Choi Inha’s attitude was remarkably relaxed. As if he had known about the Vigilante Corps’ operation all along.

He tapped his foot again out of habit and asked his subordinate.

“The bait? Do you see him?”

“It seems he didn’t participate in this operation.”

“So that’s how it is.”

Choi Inha tapped the table with his index finger. The bait was a double-edged sword. It could help catch the fish easily, but the bait could also attract a shark, messing up the whole game and not just the fish they were trying to catch.

As Choi Inha remained silent for a long time, the subordinate cautiously spoke up.

“Shall we capture him now? He’s nearby.”

“Nearby? Where.”

“He went to Iryeon to look at weapons. It’s right nearby, so it won’t take long to capture him.”

“Ah, forget it. He probably went with Seo Dohyun. If they both come, things will only get more complicated.”

It was true, so the subordinate fell silent.

It was a shame the bait wasn’t there, but they were in a comfortable position as it was. There was no need to take a risk now.

Seeing them together, it was clear that if they captured him, Seo Dohyun would follow like a needle and thread. However, this stage was set to catch A, not for Seo Dohyun to run rampant. More importantly, confronting Seo Dohyun here could lead to even greater disaster.

Furthermore, his younger brother Choi Baekgil was a very competitive guy. He was in a coma now, but if he were to wake up, it was obvious he would look for Seo Dohyun first. He would surely go on a rampage, vowing revenge on the one who did this to him.

It wouldn’t be bad to leave Seo Dohyun for Choi Baekgil’s entertainment.

Of course, Choi Baekgil had lost twice before, but this time would be different.

‘Because we have that item.’

“Is Baekgil still not waking up?”

“No, sir.”

“Hmm, inject more blood into him.”

“Understood.”

The creature’s blood boasted excellent regenerative abilities. For that reason, they injected Choi Baekgil with blood once a week and also brought in a healer to treat him.

‘It’s about time he came to his senses.’

The wound from the detention center was so severe that it seemed to be taking time. His right eyeball, pierced by Seo Dohyun, would never function again as treatment was delayed, but Choi Baekgil probably wouldn’t feel much inconvenience.

Having finished his thoughts, Choi Inha commanded his subordinate.

“You may leave. Report if anything happens…”

CRASH-!

At that moment, someone burst the door open as if to break it down. Choi Inha’s eyes, which had instinctively narrowed at the unwelcome guest, widened.

“…You! You’re awake? Are you hurt anywhere?”

Speak of the devil. Choi Baekgil, who had just risen from his sickbed, came stomping in and asked.

“Yeah, I heard the gist of the situation. Forget the Vigilante Corps, Seo Dohyun. Where is that bastard Seo Dohyun right now?”

For someone who had just woken up from a months-long coma, he looked remarkably fine.

“I heard he’s nearby? Iryeon? It’s Iryeon, right? Open the back door. There are no Vigilantes there, right? I’ll go out that way.”

He seemed ready to go catch him at once, as if he had already heard the information on his way. A flustered Choi Inha tried to stop him.

“Uh, but you should rest a bit… Later. Go catch him when you’ve recovered a little more. Okay?”

The timing wasn’t right.

A few days ago, he heard the news that a Blood Hunter who was retaliating against the guilds allied with the Vigilante Corps had been caught by Latter. Despite breaking the alliance, they probably couldn’t just stand by and watch someone who had messed with them.

Furthermore, if Choi Baekgil headed to Iryeon and attacked Seo Dohyun, he would surely come here. It was already a tight situation trying to corner A alone. If the variable of Seo Dohyun was thrown in, it would only become overwhelming.

“…Hyung. Do you think I’m going to lose to him? You think just because I lost to him twice, it’ll happen again this time!?”

Choi Baekgil, unable to control his anger, threw a tantrum like a child. Choi Inha hastily shook his head.

“No. We have the item we prepared for this, and you’ll win this time.”

“Then what’s the problem!”

If Choi Inha, the leader of Adam, had one weakness, it was undoubtedly his younger brother, Choi Baekgil. He was helpful to their forces with his high-grade fire ability, but he was so free-spirited that he couldn’t be controlled. Not even by Choi Inha.

The other two leaders used to say that if Choi Inha ever fell, it would be because of his brother, Choi Baekgil. And it was true.

Choi Baekgil shouted as if he was about to storm Iryeon right away.

“You said I’d win this time! So what’s the problem? And what’s this item you prepared? Give it to me. Like you said, I’ll win and come back this time.”

“…Hah, fine.”

Choi Inha had no choice but to open the drawer and take out the item.

“A ring?”

It was a ring of a very common design. This was the secret weapon he had prepared? Thinking he must be seeing things since he just woke up, Choi Baekgil looked incredulous, but Choi Inha explained.

“It’s not just a ring.”

“A ring is a ring, what else could it be?”

Despite his reaction, Choi Inha replied confidently.

“Would it be easier to understand if I said it’s a ring that contains my ability?”

🦅࿐

Yigeom and Dohyun felt it was a shame to go straight back to Seoul after lunch, so they came to see the sea.

“There aren’t many people. I guess it’s because it’s a weekday.”

“Yeah.”

Just looking at the sea on a hot summer day felt cool. They sat on a bench with Seo Dohyun and watched the waves for a long time.

Just then, a call came from Jewoo, who had finished his school classes.

“Hello.”

—Hyungs, you went to Busan!?

“Yeah. You didn’t know?”

Yigeom immediately put the call on speaker.

—How would I know if you don’t tell me?

“Really? Did Seo Dohyun not tell you?”

When he glanced at him, Seo Dohyun shook his head, saying he hadn’t told him.

—Yeah. I heard from Seo Doa and found out today! Does Sanha hyung know?

“Yeah. We asked him to come with us, but he said he had plans today, so it’s just the two of us.”

—What, why didn’t you ask me?

“You have school today anyway. It’s a day trip, so just the two of us came, and we’re going back up tonight.”

—Hmph… okay. Buy me something delicious instead!

“Alright, alright.”

After listening to Jewoo’s whining, he checked the links he sent via message. It was a long list of things one must eat in Busan.

They didn’t have time to buy everything, so they decided to only stop by the places close to their current location.

Yigeom asked as he loaded the purchased food into the back seat.

“This should be enough, right?”

It was more than enough, overflowing even. Though Jewoo would probably finish it all in less than a week.

“Gyeom-ah, is there anything you want to eat?”

“Me? Not really. You? What should I get you?”

Yigeom asked, blinking. At that, Seo Dohyun gave a faint smile.

“Why do you keep offering to buy me things? Do you owe me something?”

“No… it’s just. You seem to be in a bad mood today.”

“Was I? Was it bothering you?”

“Your choice of words. It wasn’t bothering me, I was worried.”

“Ah.”

Seo Dohyun let out a short exclamation as if he had learned something new.

‘What’s with that reaction.’

“Are you really sick somewhere? Should I drive?”

“I’m fine.”

“Then why are you being like this?”

“It’s always strange to me that you worry about me. I can’t get used to it.”

What kind of nonsense was this. Yigeom grumbled sullenly.

“What, am I not allowed to worry?”

“It’s not that. It’s just that I killed you.”

“……”

“And yet, to see you worry about me makes me wonder if you’re a pushover, and it gets me thinking.”

Yigeom narrowed his eyes and glared at him. He still got angry thinking about their first meeting, but they had spent too much time together for that. Plus, Seo Dohyun had saved him many times.

If asked what he thought of Seo Dohyun now, it was closer to good. But that didn’t mean he had forgiven him. Human emotions are complex, and often one doesn’t know their own feelings. That was exactly how Yigeom felt right now.

Seo Dohyun murmured softly.

“Sometimes I regret it.”

“What?”

“If I could go back to that time, I would have met you in a more normal way.”

At those words, Yigeom let out a bitter laugh.

“You knew it was abnormal?”

“I didn’t know then, but looking back, it was my fault. Is it too late to apologize?”

Yigeom flatly rejected Seo Dohyun’s question, which was uncharacteristically anxious.

“Even if you do, I won’t accept it. Regret it for the rest of your life.”

“I will.”

When he immediately agreed, Yigeom looked surprised.

“Gyeom-ah.”

“What now.”

Seo Dohyun declared as if he had made up his mind.

“If I have to die, I’ll die for you.”

For a second, Yigeom’s pupils dilated. Then he muttered with a pale face.

“…Hey.”

“Yeah.”

“Get out of the car. Right now.”

Following Yigeom’s instruction, Seo Dohyun got out of the car in an instant without a word. Yigeom also kicked the car door open and jumped out, and at the same time, the front bumper was crushed by a huge impact.

Fwoosh-.

Flames flared up from somewhere, bright as broad daylight. Their opponent walked toward them with a leisurely gait.

“Long time no see, huh? Seo Dohyun.”

Choi Baekgil.

As if the damage he had sustained from Seo Dohyun that time remained, he wore an eyepatch over one eye, and flames blazed in both his fists.

“…Why are you here.”

Yigeom stumbled backward.

“I’m a lucky guy. As soon as I woke up, I heard you were nearby.”

“I know, right. It’s a new car. Already wrecked. How do you feel about wrecking it?”

Seo Dohyun muttered to himself as he checked his disfigured car. He seemed quite furious that it was wrecked when he hadn’t even had it for long.

And the battle between the two began in the blink of an eye.

Yigeom tried to step in and help, but there was no opening to intervene. Seo Dohyun was handling it well, as if he knew Choi Baekgil’s habits from their past battles. It seemed he would only get in the way if he tried to help.

‘But I can’t just watch… No, let’s just watch for now.’

The battle wouldn’t end with this one time, and if his prediction was correct, time would surely turn back. He could aim for that moment.

Until then, observation. Like Seo Dohyun, he decided to burn into his memory every single one of Choi Baekgil’s weaknesses and habits without missing a thing.

More importantly, he was on the verge of death that day, but he was alive after all. But why was he here? Nearby? Why? Isn’t Choi Baekgil part of Adam? If so… is Adam’s base nearby?

The Vigilante Corps was supposed to raid Adam today. Could it be that in this area…