Chapter 42
Judging by his actions, he seemed to know the gym’s layout completely. This gym had no back door, so everyone had to exit through the main entrance. Even after changing in the waiting room, they had to leave through the main entrance. Without even an emergency exit, the man was making these absurd threats because he needed to pass through here with Han Taekyung. Anxiety washed over Seo Igeon, leaving him unsure what to do. Cold sweat trickled down his spine. How could he save both Han Taekyung and the security guard? How could he hold out for 5 minutes?
While worrying about this, suddenly Han Taekyung elbowed the chest of the man holding a knife to him, grabbed his arm and twisted it. When the man dropped the knife, Han Taekyung quickly picked it up and staggered toward Seo Igeon.
“Don’t touch this man. He has nothing to do with this.”
“Han Taekyung! You need to escape.”
“No, not until we save that security guard. If I leave now, he’ll die.”
“Then what about you?! Won’t you die?”
“At least they want something from me, so they probably won’t kill me. Damn it. So now… the injection…”
“Injection?”
“The injection…”
Han Taekyung didn’t look good. Seizing the opportunity, the man in the black hood lunged at Han Taekyung, but Igeon quickly blocked his path and attacked. Fortunately, having fought on the rooftop once before, he could fight with less fear than before, but the problem was the knives they were carrying. He’d been taught never to rush someone with a knife, but given the situation, there was no choice. He just needed to hold out for about 3 more minutes. The head of security was also fighting to protect Han Taekyung, but they were clearly being overwhelmed.
“Ha, damn it. I tried to bring you nicely, but I guess that’s not happening.”
The man who appeared to be the leader wiped his mouth as he stood up and charged toward Han Taekyung. Igeon was already dealing with two men, and the head of security was in the same situation, making it impossible to protect Taekyung in the middle. Igeon shouted.
“Damn it!!”
Ignoring the man swinging the knife, Igeon turned his back and felt his back get slashed. He didn’t feel any pain. His only thought was protecting Han Taekyung. Before Igeon could reach him, the man in the black hood had already jabbed something into Taekyung’s neck. Igeon struck the man’s arm and sent him flying with a kick. Then, to prevent the fallen man from getting up again, he brutally kicked him, knocking him unconscious.
“Let me tell you, don’t touch this bastard.”
Whether they’d seen Igeon’s savage attack or not, the men in black hoods flinched and hesitated to approach. This made Igeon take an even more aggressive stance. He also grabbed the knife that was in Han Taekyung’s hand. Though he’d sworn never to threaten or attack people with weapons like knives, such promises shouldn’t be made lightly. No one could have predicted something like this would happen.
“Mr. Igeon!!”
At the head of security’s call, Igeon turned around to see police and other security guards rushing in. They swarmed in together, firing blank shots and beating the attackers with batons to subdue them. No matter how skilled these assassins were, they were helpless against the sudden influx of people. Igeon supported Taekyung to stand and moved away from the scene.
“Hasn’t 119 arrived yet?” [Note: 119 is Korea’s emergency services number]
“No, not yet, but they should arrive soon.”
We need to get this guy to the hospital quickly. Who knows what kind of injection he received—what if it harms his body? Igeon started to worry.
“Seo… Igeon…”
“Hey, are you conscious??”
Han Taekyung called Igeon’s name with labored breathing. He flailed his hand and grabbed Igeon’s clothes.
“Take me… to the pheromone isolation room.”
“What??”
Pheromone isolation room? Where is that? Oh, perhaps that one. The isolation room where they had the pheromone test during the university selection.
“Why there? You need to go to the hospital now. An ambulance is on its way. Or are you feeling really bad?”
“No, no ambulance. I can’t go to the hospital. Hurry.”
“You’re seriously injured right now.”
“Those bastards used a neutralizer. I’m going into rut.”
“What? Didn’t you say you were injected with some special drug?”
“Yes, but… I’m finding it harder to control now. This is my first rut, so I can’t guarantee… how this monster will behave… So you need to isolate me, Seo Igeon.”
Maybe it was because of what he’d said, but Han Taekyung’s pheromones suddenly surged. But the pheromones were too heavy. Feeling as if he was being crushed like sleep paralysis, Igeon realized that Han Taekyung wasn’t lying.
“Hospital, we could go to the hospital, and your doctor could give you suppressants again.”
“No. It’s too late.”
“Wait. Wait. Just hold on a little longer.”
“I’m holding on as much as I can. But it’s not possible. Seo Igeon… Seo Igeon… hurry up.”
“Okay.”
Igeon thought he should at least inform the head of security, but feeling Han Taekyung’s pheromones grow stronger, he realized they needed to get to the isolation room quickly. His instincts told him so. The moment this guy released his pheromones, many dangerous things could happen. Igeon hurriedly moved with Han Taekyung. On the way to the isolation room, he belatedly realized that taking a car might have been better, but they had already come too far, so they had no choice but to keep moving on foot.
“Huh? Igeon!”
Hearing a familiar voice, Igeon turned his head to see, sure enough, it was Sunbae Kang Yuhan. An omega near an alpha going into rut? This is bad.
“Sunbae! Stay where you are! Don’t come closer!”
Thankfully, Kang Yuhan, who had been approaching, stopped when Igeon shouted. Why is Sunbae here so early anyway? Hah.
“What? Why— Gasp, you’re bleeding— No, what’s wrong with Taekyung?!”
“Something came up. I don’t think I can do counseling today. Sunbae, please go back. Hurry and go back!!”
“But—!”
“Sunbae! I’m sorry, but I must go first. I’ll apologize later.”
Sorry to Kang Yuhan, but today there was no time to deal with him. Besides, since he was an omega, it would be even more dangerous if he stimulated Han Taekyung. It’s only because Igeon himself is an alpha that he can endure this situation.
“Just hold on a little longer.”
When Seo Igeon mumbled those words, Han Taekyung smiled slightly. It’s so painful and agonizing. He’d been injected with several drugs, and each time his excellent detoxification ability had helped him avoid the worst, but he never expected them to inject a drug that would neutralize his control. Were they planning to trigger his rut right there? It was truly chilling to think about how well-prepared they had been when they appeared.
They entered the building with the isolation room. Fortunately, there weren’t many people around. A security guard did approach but, seeing Han Taekyung’s condition, quickly helped them get to the isolation room, allowing them to take the elevator designated for the isolation room. Thankfully, as soon as they exited the elevator, the isolation room was right in front of them. Igeon sat Han Taekyung in the farthest corner and then sat down right in front of him. Finally, it felt like they would survive. Until now, he’d been focused solely on getting to the isolation room. Because of that, he’d been able to forget about his back wound and how exhausted he felt.
Seo Igeon checked Han Taekyung’s condition once more and quickly got up to close the isolation room door. He locked it securely, marked that someone was currently using the room, and then sat down in front of Han Taekyung again.
“Hey, Han Taekyung, are you okay?”
“Get… out…”
“What do you mean get out? How can I leave you alone like this? Anyway, rut doesn’t affect alphas. It’s okay.”
“Igeon. Please… get out…”
Han Taekyung’s voice deepened. It sounded somewhat like a predator growling. Igeon flinched slightly at this unfamiliar voice he’d never heard before, but he didn’t leave. Han Taekyung then used all his strength to push Igeon away. As he was pushed back, his back hit the wall, which hurt.
“Get out!!”
“Han Taekyung!”
“Seo Igeon, get out!! I said get out!!”
Why was he trying so desperately to drive him away? He was begging Igeon to please leave. When someone begs this desperately… when someone speaks like this, I should leave, right?
“Okay. I’ll leave. But I’ll be right outside the door. If anything happens, make sure to press that button. And people… I’ll bring them later. But if it’s urgent, you need to tell me.”
Han Taekyung nodded and curled up his body. Leaving him there, breathing heavily and panting, was truly difficult. But there was no choice. Reluctantly getting up, Igeon walked to the door. Just as he was about to press the button to open it, suddenly an enormous amount of pheromones spread throughout the isolation room. It was an incredibly potent pheromone. Almost breathtaking… Like air from another world rather than this one, the pheromone spread out, gripping Seo Igeon’s entire body. He couldn’t move. It was a frightening pheromone that made him want to run away immediately. Moreover, it was scary and heavy. If he stayed here like this, it felt like he would be crushed. How could such a pheromone exist? Is this what a dominant alpha’s pheromone is normally like? The pheromone that had spread out suddenly receded, only to explode again a moment later with even more intensity. I need to… escape. I shouldn’t be here. This isn’t something I can handle. His alpha instinct was sending warning signals. Feeling like he should kneel before Han Taekyung right now and say, “I surrender,” Igeon reached out to press the button.
“No.”
Just as he was about to press the button, a slightly larger white hand covered Igeon’s hand. Along with a chillingly low voice.
“It’s too late.”
That hand slowly caressed Igeon’s wrist and arm. Han Taekyung had often initiated both small and large skinship in the past. Running his fingers through Igeon’s hair was common, and pulling him onto his lap was nothing unusual. But this was different. The air as he stroked Igeon now made his hair stand on end. No way, it couldn’t be, right? This guy… has he lost it… Is he trying to kill me now? The pheromone was so fierce that Igeon would understand if Han Taekyung killed him right now. Was it unfamiliar because this was the first time he’d directly smelled another alpha’s pheromone like this? Igeon was equally confused.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
