#079
#9
A series of loud noises echoed.
Bang-! Bang! Bang!
Car horns blared from all directions. The roads were completely jammed with cars pouring out onto the streets to escape, unable to move an inch.
“Honey, I think we need to get out of the car and run.”
At Dad’s words, Mom turned around with a hesitant expression.
“We need to go quickly.”
Dad spoke again with a determined voice.
Eunseok anxiously watched people abandoning their cars one by one and running away through the car window.
“Okay. You carry Minseok. I’ll carry Eunseok.”
Mom said as she unbuckled her seatbelt.
Dad and Mom got out of the car and immediately opened the back doors. Dad took his older brother, and Mom took Eunseok. Then they started running.
Eunseok, clinging tightly to Mom’s neck, blankly stared at the terrifying scene visible behind the screaming people running. Terrifying monsters were rampaging between collapsed houses and shops. Monsters came running, crushing cars with thunderous steps, trampling those who fell behind. People who had been screaming just moments ago were flattened, spraying red blood.
“It’s okay. It’ll be alright, Eunseok.”
Mom kept whispering as she ran behind Dad. But Eunseok, looking back, could clearly see the monster rapidly approaching him.
The monsters got closer and closer. Compared to the speed of the huge monsters, the desperate pace of the running family was woefully inadequate.
The monster’s creepy eyes fixed on Eunseok. Its huge foot rose into the air.
“Mom-!!”
All Eunseok could do was cry out for his mom. Mom looked back, hesitated for a moment, then threw Eunseok to the side. When Eunseok, who had flown through the air and crashed to the ground, opened his eyes, he saw his mother’s white arms and legs crushed under the giant monster’s foot.
“Honey!!”
Dad turned back and cried out as if wailing. Eunseok froze in place, his gaze locked with the monster’s eyes.
Dad ran over and grabbed Eunseok’s hand.
“Eunseok. Run!”
Eunseok floundered, almost being dragged along by his father’s hand.
“Mom-!”
His older brother’s wailing voice sounded like a dream. And the next moment, there was a thud, and Dad’s movement completely stopped.
Dad’s head was gone. The headless body slowly fell forward. No, his brother’s head was gone too. The headless bodies of Dad and his brother rolled lifelessly on the ground. Eunseok fell to the ground still holding his father’s hand, blankly staring at the ground.
Eunseok thought this was a dream. And like in many dreams he had before, he thought he would soon become a cool transformed warrior and defeat the monsters. If he fired his laser gun wildly, all the monsters would die. But no matter how long he waited, in this dream, Eunseok did not transform into a strong and cool warrior.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The giant monsters kept passing by Eunseok, chasing after the fleeing people. Eunseok shot at the monsters with the toy gun he was tightly gripping. But no bullets came out, and he couldn’t hurt the monsters.
Finally, Eunseok crawled on the ground and squeezed between his fallen father and brother. Their bodies, stained with red blood, were still warm. Eunseok tightly hugged their bodies and closed his eyes. He thought if he stayed like this and opened his eyes again, Dad, his brother, and Mom would be back.
His consciousness slowly rose to the surface. Before opening his eyes, Eunseok instinctively explored the surrounding sounds. A quiet air was circling. And, a faint familiar body scent could be sensed.
As he lifted his unusually heavy eyelids, a familiar ceiling came into view. Turning his head towards where he sensed a presence, Choi Hanseo was there.
“Ch…”
He tried to call out the name, but no voice came out. Eunseok frowned and cleared his throat. His throat stung.
“Your voice probably won’t come out well. Don’t force yourself to speak.”
Choi Hanseo said, reaching out to touch Eunseok’s forehead. His hand felt very cool on Eunseok’s forehead.
Ah, I have a fever.
Eunseok only then realized that his body condition wasn’t good.
Come to think of it, next to Choi Hanseo was an IV stand. He could see the IV line hanging down connected to his arm.
“Hunter Ji Taeuk can heal wounds, but he can’t cure exhaustion or body aches.”
Choi Hanseo explained.
The memory slowly revived, having been engulfed by the dream he had just before waking up.
The unleashed Choi Hanseo was a monster with almost infinite stamina and energy. He kept embracing Eunseok over and over again. Even until the moment Eunseok, who had been confident in his stamina, passed out from exhaustion, Choi Hanseo was still moving passionately.
Damn…
Eunseok cursed inwardly. Not only did he pass out unable to endure during sex, but now he was exhausted with body aches. There was no shame like this shame.
Unlike Eunseok, who was shaking with shame alone, Choi Hanseo looked in a better mood than ever before. His already good skin seemed to be glowing, and his eyes were filled with deep satisfaction and a sense of liberation.
Choi Hanseo gently held a water bottle with a straw to Eunseok’s lips. Being thirsty, Eunseok obediently took the straw and sucked the water. As the cool water entered his fevered body, he felt a bit better.
Eunseok, taking his mouth off the straw, let out a long sigh. Choi Hanseo gently wiped his wet lips with his thumb.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
Choi Hanseo asked kindly. He now looked as soft as a bear happily stuck in a honey pot.
“Didn’t you… think about stopping at some point?”
A heavily hoarse voice barely leaked out, perhaps because he had drunk some water. Choi Hanseo gave a soft eye-smile that was almost burdensome.
“I warned you beforehand, didn’t I?”
Indeed, Choi Hanseo had given a warning. It was Eunseok himself who had told him to come at him. In the end, Eunseok gave up on retorting.
“Show me your watch.”
When Eunseok demanded, Choi Hanseo obediently showed his wrist. Blue. The number was even hitting zero. Even Eunseok, who wasn’t completely familiar with this side yet, could roughly understand how incredible it was for an S-class Hunter’s number to hit zero.
“I’m glad you woke up. I was worried I might have to leave without seeing you wake up, as I need to go out soon.”
“Did something happen?”
“Well… things have gotten a bit complicated.”
An annoyed look appeared in Choi Hanseo’s eyes.
“Is it about the Russian Hunter’s death becoming an issue?”
“That’s right. Despite dying while trying to kidnap a guide from another country, they’ve officially raised a complaint about it. Well, I guess they’d be desperate after losing one of their only three S-class Hunters.”
“Then shouldn’t I go too? I’m the one who killed Ivan.”
At Eunseok’s words, Choi Hanseo tapped his lips with his finger as if to say stop.
“I can’t throw you into such a troublesome situation. Let’s say I killed Ivan. If they find out you killed him, they’re likely to insist on having you as compensation.”
“But then you…”
“No Hunter wouldn’t go berserk if their guide was kidnapped. They’re just trying to get something out of this, so if we handle it moderately, there shouldn’t be any problems. Don’t worry.”
Choi Hanseo lightly stroked Eunseok’s cheek and stood up from the chair. Eunseok grabbed Choi Hanseo’s wrist as he was about to turn away.
“Where’s the location?”
“I called them to the main conference room. I can’t be away from your side for too long.”
“Then let’s go together.”
“Eunseok.”
“I want to go together. I’m the victim, after all. My testimony as the victim could help the situation.”
Choi Hanseo stared at Eunseok for a moment. Instead of waiting for an answer, Eunseok used his arms to prop himself up on the bed. His arms trembled, clearly showing he had been exhausted. He felt like he had become a pathetic weakling.
“Can you walk?”
Choi Hanseo asked as he supported Eunseok to stand up. Even with the support, his legs trembled slightly.
“I’m the kidnapping victim, right? Showing this weakened state should be effective.”
Choi Hanseo let out a soft sigh as if he couldn’t dissuade him, then started walking, holding the IV stand in one hand and supporting Eunseok with one arm.
