By Zephyria Buoooo….
The pure white whale raised its head and howled. The still atmosphere convulsed. Finally, the whale’s entire body emerged from the Whitehole, from head to tail. It swam leisurely through the air as if the sky were the sea.
Each time its tail flicked, the debris falling from the Whitehole shattered into pieces and scattered in all directions. Thump, thump…. The sounds of collision and breakage were clear even beyond the soundproof glass.
He rummaged through his pockets in a hurry. Fortunately, his phone was still in his pants pocket. He turned it on. The battery was low. Only two numbers. Ha-eun and Lee Sa-young.
Cha Eui-jae entered Ha-eun’s number and pressed the call button. The ringing tone continued tediously. Could the communication line already be cut? That couldn’t be. Just as cold sweat began to form on the hand holding the phone, the ringing stopped abruptly.
—…Uncle? Is that you, Uncle?
A whispering voice asked. Eui-jae squeezed his eyes shut. His hand trembled terribly, but fortunately, his voice did not.
“Yes, it’s your uncle…. Are you okay? Where are you now? Where’s Grandmother?”
—Grandmother is with me. Here… um…. They said it’s a shelter.
“A shelter? Where is this shelter?”
—I don’t know. A strange man with black glasses brought me here. He said he’s Uncle’s friend, is that right?
Only one person came to mind when he heard ‘black glasses.’ Seo Min-gi, who always wore sunglasses. The face of Min-gi Seo, making a nonchalant V sign with a blank expression, vividly came to mind. Eui-jae asked.
“Was that man wearing a black suit?”
—Huh? Yes. And his eyes looked like a panda!
…It was Seo Min-gi. The tension completely dissipated. Eui-jae replied with a voice mixed with relief.
“Yes…, he’s your uncle’s friend.”
At that moment, a rustling sound was heard, followed by a familiar voice.
—Excuse me. Hello? My name is Romantic Opener. Can you hear me? Do you remember me? You must be the person I’m thinking of, right?
Of course, he remembered. Although the last time he saw him wasn’t a pretty sight. Romantic Opener, who had been hanging on the seesaw like laundry, seemed to have recovered his health. Confirming the safety of Ha-eun and Grandmother calmed his agitated mind a little. Eui-jae pressed his forehead against the glass window and replied.
“Yes, it’s me.”
Romantic Opener sighed deeply.
—Oh…. I’ve been waiting like crazy. You’re finally back! Ha-eun and Grandmother are at the Wave Guild shelter. Min-gi Seo brought them there right after things went south.
“Is that place safe?”
—The Wave Guild members are guarding it, so it’s safe. You don’t have to worry.
“…….”
—By the way, has the Guild Master woken up….
Give it to me! Huh? Can’t I talk a little more? Give it back! After a small scuffle, Ha-eun seemed to have won the right. A cheerful voice spoke.
—I’m okay, Uncle! Grandmother is sleeping in bed too.
“…….”
—Uncle’s friend said. He said you had something urgent to take care of and went somewhere for a bit. Is that right?
“…Yes, that’s right.”
—Will it take long?
Oooooo…. The end of the whale’s tail brushed against a low building. The building shattered into pieces. Blue glowing eyes followed the whale.
“…Yes. A little long.”
—Uuuh….
Ha-eun, who had trailed off, answered bravely.
—It’s okay! You can come slowly. I’ll wait patiently.
“…Yes. Don’t leave there, and if you’re bored, ask the Hyung next to you to play with you. Tell Grandmother that Uncle is okay and sorry he can’t be there.”
—Okay. Uncle.
Eui-jae, without listening to the rest of her words, ended the call and took a deep breath. Then he asked the Basilisk Fang.
“…Is there a way to stop it?”
[Basilisk Fang’s Thoughts: This is different from Doomsday. It’s a problem caused by a world that should have disappeared remaining.]
[Basilisk Fang’s Thoughts: We just have to hold out until it disappears….]
[Basilisk Fang’s Thoughts: Master definitely said that.]
“…….”
But Lee Sa-young, who lived as a shackle, couldn’t hold on and disappeared. Or….
‘Tell him. Everything will flow to where it needs to go… tell him not to worry too much.’
Maybe he had even predicted that. For a clue, he needed to go to the Hanover Soup Restaurant and check the clock. Had the Basilisk Fang taken Eui-jae’s silence in a different way? The Basilisk Fang started to chatter loudly.
[Basilisk Fang’s Thoughts: Doomsday comes to those who think of it.]
[Basilisk Fang’s Thoughts: Do not be consumed by fear. Stupid human.]
[‘Basilisk Fang’ is comforting you!]
[Basilisk Fang’s Thoughts: Not comforting! Stupid thing!]
[‘Basilisk Fang’ is embarrassed!]
The Basilisk Fang began to thrash about in a fit of pique. It was better to be noisy than silent. Ironically, the Basilisk Fang didn’t suit a serious demeanor at all. Eui-jae turned his gaze away from the glass window and asked the Basilisk Fang.
“…Where did Lee Sa-young, your Master, disappear to?”
The thrashing stopped. The Basilisk Fang, which had been chattering so loudly, clamped its mouth shut. No answer came. Instead, footsteps grew closer. Eui-jae slowly turned around.
Lee Sa-young, with his head in his hands and a scowl on his face, was approaching with a pale face. A large hand reached out and grabbed Eui-jae’s shoulder, pulling him into an embrace. A hot warmth enveloped him.
A hoarse voice muttered.
“…If you went out looking like that….”
“…….”
“They would have immediately known you were the crazy brat…. Right.”
“…I guess so.”
He was still wearing a gray hoodie and jeans. Anyone who frequented the Hanover Soup Restaurant would know that the crazy brat and J were the same person. Sa-young, rubbing his hair against Eui-jae’s cheek, whispered.
“I’ll lend you some clothes. Wear them.”
“Yours will be a bit big, though.”
“We can roll them up.”
Sa-young released the arms that had been wrapped around his body and took Eui-jae’s hand, leading him away. His retreating figure felt new.
Lee Sa-young entered the dressing room and began to rummage through the neatly arranged clothes. After a moment, he handed over a plain black crew neck t-shirt. Just as Eui-jae grabbed the hoodie to take it off, Sa-young pulled out a suit of armor.
“I have armor too, should I give it to you?”
“Wearing something I’m not used to will only be a hindrance.”
“Uuuh…. I guess so.”
Eui-jae quickly took off his hoodie. His well-toned and sculpted bare body was revealed, but the first thing that caught the eye was not his firm muscles but the countless scars covering his upper body.
The scars came to life each time his body moved. It was the moment Eui-jae casually folded the hoodie and placed it on the drawer. Something hot and soft touched the back of his neck. Eui-jae stiffened. The lips that touched his neck parted slightly.
“…Aren’t you being too defenseless?”
“What? Hey, wait…. Ugh.”
Eui-jae unconsciously held his breath. The lips that had been tickling his neck were slowly moving down along his skin. A chilling shiver ran down his spine. It was a strange feeling. His lips touched a scar that was located on his prominent shoulder blade. A lazy voice was mixed with laughter.
“In front of someone you’ve even kissed….”
“Hey, this isn’t the time for….”
“Of course… I know that well.”
A sharp pain settled on his shoulder blade. Sa-young was gnawing on his flesh with his teeth. Eui-jae covered his mouth with his hand and swallowed the sound. Compared to the countless pains he had experienced, it was a ticklish level, yet the sensation was particularly vivid. Sa-young licked the shoulder blade, leaving a red tooth mark.
“Even if I tell you not to go, you’ll still go, Hyung.”
“…….”
“Still….”
A light kiss landed on the aching pain.
“You can run away if it’s too hard.”
“…….”
“Because I’ll always be waiting. For Hyung.”
Eui-jae turned around and stood facing Sa-young. Sa-young was smiling gently. The only success that Cha Eui-jae had finally achieved was shining in that place.
Eui-jae reached out and wrapped his hand around his soft hair and the back of his head, pulling him closer. Soft lips collided. Neither of them closed their eyes, their gazes fixed on each other. Whispers melted between their touching lips.
“I’ll be back.”
“…Okay.”
A small laugh was swallowed between their lips.
Lee Sa-young’s clothes were still a bit big on Eui-jae. A little finger with a black fingertip suddenly appeared in front of Eui-jae, who had rolled up his sleeves to his elbows. Lee Sa-young wiggled his little finger while holding it up.
“…….”
Eui-jae chuckled and reached out his hand. Little finger and little finger intertwined and then separated. But Cha Eui-jae’s hand was clutching something else. Hong Ye-seong’s teleportation scroll. The moment Eui-jae’s eyes widened, the scenery before him began to change. The last thing he saw was Lee Sa-young’s smiling face.
Sa-young waved his hand gently.
“Come back safely, Hyung.”
…And Lee Sa-young.
Was left alone in a house devoid of Cha Eui-jae’s warmth. He crossed the empty hallway and entered the bathroom. Click, he turned on the bathroom light. His face was reflected in the mirror. His pale face felt particularly unfamiliar today. Suddenly, the light went out.
And the moment the light turned back on.
Lee Sa-young, reflected in the mirror, was smiling with eyes burned pure white.
Staring straight at Lee Sa-young, who was frowning.
Sa-young leaned on the sink and lowered his head. His vision swayed dizzily. A stream of black blood flowed down from the corner of his mouth.
Lee Sa-young in the mirror tilted his head. He raised his hand and tapped his lips. Not only his fingers but also the back of his hand, and even the slightly exposed inside of his wrist. Everything was dyed black as if he were wearing gloves. His lavender eyes narrowed slightly.
A languid voice whispered.
‘I waited a little… because it’s Hyung’s business. Seeing you off is important. Promises are important too….’
“…….”
‘Then, now….’
“Ah….”
Veins stood out on the back of his hand. A stream of cold sweat ran down his temple. Lee Sa-young sneered.
“This is really fucked up….”
Thump—
The black body collapsed powerlessly.