By Zephyria 275
Rustle, rustle, the grass swayed. Before long, something poked its head out from the bushes….
“Cluck, cluck?”
A glossy body with eyes like black beans. It was Cluck, Hong Ye-seong’s companion. Cluck tilted its head, looking at Sa-young and Honeybee. Honeybee pointed at Cluck, frowning.
“Wait, isn’t that Hong Ye-seong’s chicken?”
“Looks like it.”
“Why did it suddenly pop out?”
“Maybe it came to greet us.”
“When I threatened to set the mountain on fire, it didn’t even show the tip of its comb?”
“Maybe it didn’t want to talk to you.”
“Seriously, there’s not a single thing I like about it!”
Whether Honeybee was annoyed or not, Cluck shook its head back and forth, approached the mat, and examined Eui-jae, who was wrapped up in the coat. Then, Cluck spread its wings wide.
“Cluck! Cluck cluck!”
“What’s it saying?”
“How would I know?”
“What do you even know?”
“More than you.”
Golden eyes met purple eyes. Sparks flew in the air. Just as the two were about to clench their fists, Cluck shook its head and let out a deep sigh.
“Cluck….”
“Did it just sigh?”
“Probably.”
“It’s just like its Master, even irritating people. Hey!”
The moment Honeybee shouted again, cough, cough. A small cough was heard from under the coat. The movements of the two people and one bird stopped abruptly.
Sa-young knelt on one knee and examined Eui-jae’s face. His face wasn’t clearly visible, but he could see the corners of his eyes slightly distorted beyond the Gas mask lens. The hair around his temples and neck was soaked with cold sweat, and his breathing was rough. Sa-young carefully picked up Eui-jae. His body was hot.
“……”
Had Cha Eui-jae ever been this sick? It definitely existed in his memories. Images of him coughing up blood, collapsing, and suffering from a fever. But the memories and reality were so different. Sa-young couldn’t even dare to put strength in his hands, and he was at a loss, holding Eui-jae. He felt like a stuffed dummy. Because if he moved even slightly wrong, Cha Eui-jae’s life could be in danger.
Meanwhile, Honeybee, carrying Romantic Opener on her back, shouted.
“Your Master sent it, right? There are two sick people here. At least provide a place to lie down. You can do that much, right!”
“Cluck.”
Cluck flapped its wings as if telling them to follow. It was heading deeper into the forest. Sa-young followed the white shadow without hesitation. It wouldn’t play games with people’s lives.
How long had they walked? A dim fog surrounded them. Soon, an endlessly long fence, a towering pine tree beyond it, and billowing smoke came into view. Cluck pecked at the gate with the gold rope and talisman hanging on it. Creak, the door slowly opened. Through the gap in the door, a wide dirt yard and a quiet traditional Korean house could be seen. The kiln in one corner of the yard was burning red.
“……”
No sign of life could be felt from the traditional Korean house. It didn’t seem like anyone lived there. Cluck skillfully walked over and opened the doors on both sides of the porch with its beak. Thick bedding was already laid out in both rooms.
“Cluck.”
“One each. I’ll go this way.”
“Okay.”
Honeybee carried Romantic Opener on her back and headed to the opposite room. Sa-young carefully laid Eui-jae down on the bedding, following Cluck’s nod. He put a pillow under his head, took off his shoes, and was about to cover him with a blanket when his hand stopped. Because he could see Honeybee busily moving through the open doorway.
Sa-young firmly closed and locked the door. Then, with a gentle touch as if handling something precious and delicate, he released the fasteners of the Gas mask and lifted the Gas mask. Gray hair stuck to his forehead and a red face with heat rash appeared. Heavy breaths escaped through his slightly parted lips. Sa-young tried to keep his hands as light as possible and gently brushed back his wet hair.
“……”
He quietly watched as his eyelids fluttered and dazed eyes appeared beneath them. Eui-jae, who frowned and blinked several times as if his eyes were stiff, moved his lips.
“Sa-young….”
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Where is this….”
“Where Hong Ye-seong is. Rest for now.”
When he cupped his cheek with a gloved hand, Eui-jae, who had been tossing and turning for a moment, leaned his cheek against his palm. Warm heat was transmitted even through the glove. Eui-jae slowly closed his eyes.
“Cold….”
“……”
“Sa-young.”
“Yeah.”
“I…. I’m going to sleep for a bit.”
“…Okay.”
Sa-young only moved his thumb to stroke his eyes and cheeks. Before long, he could hear even breathing. The sight of him feeling relieved when he saw him, leaning on his hand, and falling asleep defenselessly was truly. Sa-young whispered softly.
“Sleep well.”
He wished time would stop like this. Lee Sa-young suddenly had that thought.
The desire for him to get better soon and the desire for him to stay by his side like this were constantly clashing. Sa-young kept trying to put strength into the hand that was cupping his cheek, then releasing it. He couldn’t keep his hands still.
The helpless Cha Eui-jae, the Cha Eui-jae who relied on him. The Cha Eui-jae who trusted Lee Sa-young.
It was more satisfying than anything else.
Sa-young let out a long sigh. He could feel Honeybee’s presence outside the door. He knew that he had to go out before she came in, but…. He couldn’t move easily. Sa-young gently touched Eui-jae’s cheek with a lot of regret. And he said towards the other side of the door.
“Don’t come in here.”
The presence that had been moving busily on the other side of the door stopped. A shadow was cast on the paper door. Honeybee had her hands on her hips. Her prim voice snapped.
“I wasn’t planning to anyway? Did J take off his Gas mask?”
“Yeah.”
“I know how to keep that much of a manner. I’ll look around, so you take good care of J!”
Honeybee and Cluck’s presence faded away. Sa-young sighed softly and got up. He thought he should put a wet towel on him.
Eui-jae opened his eyes. It smelled like old books. He was standing in a study full of books. What is this? He had definitely escaped from the hospital and moved to another place. Eui-jae turned his arms and jumped in place. His heavy and painful body was fine. He also touched his face. He was wearing J’s symbol, the black mask.
‘I have to doubt whether this is a dream or if I escaped and was caught by Nam Woo-jin.’
He always had to doubt. Because he might have lost his memory again. Eui-jae pinched the back of his hand tightly. It didn’t hurt. It must be a dream.
Then, he heard someone behind him. Eui-jae quickly turned his head. A student wearing round glasses and gym pants under a school uniform skirt. It was Yoon Ga-eul. Eui-jae tilted his head.
“Student Ga-eul?”
Ga-eul, who was looking around, also tilted her head with a bewildered face.
“J… J?”
“What are you doing here?”
“I don’t know? Uh…. Huh?”
Ga-eul touched her mouth, then looked down to check her clothes. She fiddled with her school uniform skirt, then lifted her head sharply and took a step towards Eui-jae.
“That, you’re the J I know, right? This isn’t a Fragment of the Destroyed world, is it?”
Eui-jae also lifted his hair. It was gray. Eui-jae carefully examined Ga-eul. From her clothes to her youthful face, she was definitely the Yoon Ga-eul he knew. The Yoon Ga-eul of the Destroyed world was an adult. He rubbed the chin part of his mask and muttered.
“…I think so? You’re the Student Ga-eul I know, right?”
“Yes, yes. I think so.”
“Did you take the college entrance exam?”
“No, not yet….”
“Then do you still believe in me?”
“Y-yes, of course!”
Ga-eul’s eyes sparkled. This can’t be! Eui-jae couldn’t contain his joy and spread his arms wide. Ga-eul quickly jumped in, and the two hugged each other tightly. Not that they could feel any warmth or sensation. Had Student Ga-eul come to find him in a dream again? Like when she had requested rescue before.
‘Then I should pass on information from this side….’
Eui-jae broke the hug. Then, after grabbing Ga-eul’s shoulders, he opened his mouth seriously.
“Could you possibly pass on my words? To Hunter Jung-bin.”
“Yes? Ah… Yes! I’ll try.”
“Lee Sa-young, Honeybee Hunter, and I entered an Invasion Dungeon and are trapped in a kind of new Dungeon. Quite a bit of time has probably passed in the real world too.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Tell them not to worry because I’ll find a way to get back somehow. And also tell them not to send any more people into the Invasion Dungeon unnecessarily.”
“Uh…. Is that okay?”
“Yes. And there are a few things I learned here, about Doomsday….”
“Yes! I’m listening.”
“There are stages of Doomsday―”
The moment Eui-jae was about to continue speaking, he felt like his throat was blocked again. Eui-jae widened his eyes. No sound came out. At the same time, his vision turned red.
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Numerous bright red windows filled his vision. No, they’re blocking it even in a dream? Before Eui-jae could grumble, a strong force repelled Eui-jae.
Thud!
In an instant, Ga-eul was far away. So far that he couldn’t even see Ga-eul reaching out her hand.
Then, Eui-jae opened his eyes.
“……”
He opened his eyes.
Opened. Closed. Opened. Closed. Opened. Closed. Opened.
Everything was dark.