#88
Baek Sa-jin’s lips moving felt like an eternity. Ha-seong and Do-hyeok stared intently at him.
“Yeah, that’s right. I’m the culprit of the incident from 10 years ago.”
At those words, both Do-hyeok and Ha-seong visibly flinched. Woo-bin, who had been wearing a devastated expression as if in shock, was the same. Ha-seong swept his bangs up, feeling dizzy as if his head had been hit by something.
Was that bastard really the culprit who caused that artificial gate incident 10 years ago? Of course, the fact that the memo was found at the crime scene was evidence that he had some connection to that incident. And further, the thought that he might really be the culprit.
But this gets solved so easily? It was such a simple matter?
“Say it again.”
While Ha-seong was lost in serious thought, Do-hyeok had already risen from his seat and approached him.
“I said say it again.”
What’s with him suddenly acting like that? A completely different expression than before appeared on Do-hyeok’s face. No, aside from that, it was an expression Ha-seong was seeing for the first time too. A face so cold it was overflowing with murderous intent. Only then did Ha-seong recall a past conversation.
‘I lost something precious because of that bastard.’
The words he had said when they held hands. At that time, he had vaguely thought he must have lost family in that incident, that he was seeking revenge, but Dal-pyeong’s story revealed that wasn’t the case. But anyway, judging from what he said then, Cha Do-hyeok clearly harbored considerable antipathy, ill feelings, and hatred toward the culprit of that incident.
“Didn’t you hear? I said the incident from 10 years ago was caused by me.”
Do-hyeok’s eyes became even more fierce as he approached him further. Then Woo-bin quickly stood up and grabbed Ha-seong’s arm.
“Ha-seong-ssi, you need to stop him.”
“Baek Sa-jin?”
“No. Cha Do-hyeok. If you leave him alone now, he’ll kill him.”
Woo-bin shook Ha-seong’s arm with a somewhat serious face. Ha-seong swallowed nervously as he watched Do-hyeok’s behavior. Looking down at him with a murderous expression, he soon grabbed Baek Sa-jin by the collar and lifted him up. It was completely the opposite situation from before.
Baek Sa-jin, who had a larger build than Cha Do-hyeok, was helplessly lifted up by his grip strength. The chair he had been sitting in tumbled over with a loud noise. And then Ha-seong saw it. Something was rising from Cha Do-hyeok’s other hand.
“That crazy bastard.”
Sharp flames formed the shape of a sword. The blazing fire was reflected in Baek Sa-jin’s black eyes. Whether he was surprised by this situation or overwhelmed by seeing hunters’ skills right before his eyes, he froze in place. And just as Do-hyeok’s eyes flashed and he swung his sword toward Baek Sa-jin.
Clang-!
The sound of the blade hitting something rang out as sparks flew.
“…Hey hey, take it easy, will you? Are you trying to destroy this whole place?”
Ha-seong, who had approached them in the nick of time, quickly grabbed Baek Sa-jin’s collar and pushed him back while putting up a shield in front. Ha-seong’s shield, which wouldn’t easily get scratched even by S-rank monster attacks, had blackened burn marks and cracks all over it.
Looking at it, Ha-seong realized. Cha Do-hyeok’s attack just now had really been with all his might. Yoon Woo-bin’s words that he would kill Baek Sa-jin if left alone weren’t an exaggeration.
“Move.”
But Ha-seong didn’t move. Rather, as if opposing those words, he pushed Baek Sa-jin further back.
“Otherwise, you’ll get hurt too, hyung.”
Looking at Do-hyeok expressing his sincerity with his whole body, Ha-seong snorted.
“Stop talking bullshit and you stop.”
But Do-hyeok silently created a flame-wrapped sword once more.
“I said stop.”
Ha-seong’s face also became increasingly menacing. After checking Do-hyeok’s movements once, Ha-seong exchanged glances with Woo-bin on the other side.
“I’d prefer if you didn’t block my way.”
Do-hyeok glared fiercely at Ha-seong as he watched Woo-bin seemingly trying to take Baek Sa-jin outside to evacuate him. It seemed like that bastard had lost his reason due to emotional arousal right now. He was like a robot moving on the single emotion of revenge.
“Originally, when a junior is about to go down the wrong path, you need at least one person to stop them, you bastard.”
“I told you. I won’t go easy even on you, hyung.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for.”
Then Cha Do-hyeok swung his flame sword at a speed faster than light. Ha-seong’s shield shattered and he stepped back.
“Last warning. Stop. I can roughly guess what’s made you lose your mind, but don’t you know it’ll be more of a loss if you kill that bastard here?”
Seeing Do-hyeok readjust his grip on the sword, Ha-seong let out a deep sigh.
“Think carefully, Cha Do-hyeok. That bastard has accomplices. We need to catch the accomplices’ tails too, and we need him to find out the whole truth of the incident. You son of a bitch.”
“…”
But Do-hyeok only approached Ha-seong further. He seemed to be in a state where he couldn’t even hear words. Baek Sa-jin’s admission that he was the culprit of the incident from 10 years ago seemed to have become a kind of fuse. Ha-seong had overlooked it. He hadn’t known the extent of the revenge Cha Do-hyeok harbored.
Do-hyeok went beyond creating a sword with flames to having fire begin to burst around his body. He was so angry that he couldn’t even control his own power. Only now did he feel it. How heavy Cha Do-hyeok’s desire for revenge was. That whatever he had lost in that incident must have been more precious to him than anything else he could exchange it for. Ha-seong only fully realized this after seeing that appearance.
“Ah, really.”
But even so, he couldn’t let that bastard rampage like this. Do-hyeok quickly kicked off the ground and leaped up. It was a tremendously formidable speed that even overwhelmed Ha-seong. Seeing him charging at him fiercely, Ha-seong didn’t dodge and stretched his hand to the side.
[Using trait, telekinetic skill ‘Psychic Magnet’ (S).]
Following Ha-seong’s gesture, a bookshelf on one wall came along and struck Do-hyeok hard. The blade that had been aimed at Ha-seong quickly changed trajectory toward the rapidly approaching bookshelf. The bookshelf split in half and was engulfed in flames. Ha-seong took that opportunity to move further back and block the door. He could have left this room while that bastard was fighting.
Anyway, since the fighting space was narrow, it was quite a tricky battle. If he wasn’t careful, this entire east building might collapse. Ha-seong quickly racked his brain. What method was there to suppress Cha Do-hyeok’s flames charging like a bulldozer while also reducing damage?
“…”
Ha-seong quickly racked his brain, then slowly adjusted his stance. Then he silently rushed toward Cha Do-hyeok. Do-hyeok showed no sign of panic and swung his sword greatly at Ha-seong charging straight at him. But just as the sword approached right in front of his nose, Ha-seong suddenly ducked down to the floor and avoided the attack. Not stopping there, he knelt on one knee and placed his hand on the floor.
[Using trait, plant skill ‘Entangling Roots’ (S).]
Then, centered on where Ha-seong placed his hand, tree roots slowly emerged and rushed straight toward Do-hyeok. Honestly, this skill didn’t have very good compatibility with Do-hyeok. Because plants burn well in fire. But it didn’t matter if it just created a little gap. The tree roots Ha-seong summoned began to climb up Do-hyeok’s body little by little, starting with his ankles.
But as Ha-seong expected, due to the flames surrounding Do-hyeok’s body, the roots began to burn helplessly. However, Ha-seong didn’t stop and continued casting the skill. He summoned more roots, competing with quantity and blocking Do-hyeok’s movements.
And it seemed to work, as Do-hyeok’s movements, which had been consistently swinging his sword in resistance, began to be blocked little by little.
‘Now’s the time.’
Even competing with quantity, those roots definitely wouldn’t last long. So he had to act quickly. When Ha-seong lifted his hand from the floor and leaped forward, rushing at Cha Do-hyeok again, he who had been struggling with his feet bound fell backward helplessly.
“Ugh.”
Do-hyeok let out a short scream and fell backward, and Ha-seong climbed on top of him. The flames surrounding his body remained, and the roots Ha-seong had summoned were slowly burning away.
“Damn hot. Aren’t you hot?”
Since he had climbed on Do-hyeok’s body, those flames were consuming Ha-seong too. But it was somewhat bearable. It was probably because Cha Do-hyeok’s momentum had died down a bit.
“…”
Do-hyeok silently stared at Ha-seong who had climbed on top of him. His eyes were still rolled back and he didn’t seem to be in his right mind. It seemed like he had completely lost his reason while breathing flames, unable to control his power. However, the atmosphere was a bit different from before. Do-hyeok fixed his empty eyes on Ha-seong, seeming to be chasing and searching for something.
But Ha-seong could vaguely tell. The person this bastard was facing wasn’t himself. He was just seeing someone through him. Do-hyeok raised his flame-wrapped hand and touched Ha-seong’s cheek. Ha-seong bit his lip at the slightly stinging sensation.
“I missed you.”
For a moment, Ha-seong flinched. Cha Do-hyeok’s expression and voice he was seeing for the first time. A voice full of frustration, hatred, and above all, affection.
“…What are you saying.”
Ha-seong felt a strange feeling as he grasped Do-hyeok’s hand that was touching his cheek.
“Sleep for now.”
[Using trait, water skill ‘Calm Sea’ (S).]
At that moment, water filled the entire room. Right now, Cha Do-hyeok couldn’t control his flames, that is, his emotions, which had led to this state. If his power continued to rampage and this state persisted, those flames would definitely affect Cha Do-hyeok himself.
The rising water was soon covering Ha-seong and Do-hyeok. It was a simple plan. To extinguish fire, water attribute was best. Of course, this skill had the risk of filling the entire space where the caster was with water, but there was no choice. Among the water attribute skills Ha-seong had, this was the only quiet attack that wouldn’t destroy this building.
Still, fortunately, it was effective. Due to the water pouring in helplessly and his body being subdued by Ha-seong, Do-hyeok’s flames were gradually dying down. As his power disappeared, Do-hyeok lost consciousness or passed out.
“…”
Ha-seong stood up while holding Do-hyeok in his arms and stuck his face above the water surface that had risen to the middle of the room. Do-hyeok was sleeping in Ha-seong’s arms, breathing quietly.
“Stupid bastard.”
Ha-seong released the skill and held Do-hyeok even tighter in his arms.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
