However, no matter how much I thought about it, with my rough sensibility dulled by countless battles, I could not figure out where I had made a mistake. As a result, he stopped talking at all afterwards. Yoo Geon, who was otherwise quiet, became even less talkative.
How can I make my brother feel better? Yoo Geon frowned slightly and was lost in thought. However, he did not have the talent to appease the other person or the speaking skills to calmly end the argument, so all he ended up saying was a dull apology.
"Sorry, bro. "I was wrong."
Heesung tossed and turned in the blanket as he received the apology that was handed to him without a change in his expression.
"no. I behaved badly again. "On my subject."
"Next time, let's start by going to the convenience store in front of me. "I'm not going to fight mutants, I'm just taking a short trip 5 minutes away."
"And what if you suddenly get sick? Just like the old days... … ."
"are you okay. Runaways don't happen that easily. Then, all the awakened people wandering alone on the streets, people who are crazy about wanting to die."
"Okay, later. "I'm faster than that."
The person curled up on the bed eventually pulled back the hem of the blanket he was covering. The face of a young man who appeared to be in his mid to late 20s was revealed. His complexion was pale, like that of a sick person, and he was sweating profusely.
"Please guide me. "I couldn't even sleep and kept waiting for you."
Yoo Geon wasn't cruel enough to keep nagging while the other person was in so much pain. He may not know it from others, but he owes it to his older brother. Yoo Geon, who was examining Hee Sung's complexion, blinked slowly. He didn't seem to have changed much on the outside, but the expressionless face that had been there until a moment ago relaxed a little.
"Not so bad?"
"I think I'm going to die."
"Since when has it been like this?"
"It was like that a while ago, when I was on a mission. "If you show that you're sick, you'll get scolded even more."
"So you continued to suffer alone?"
Among the awakened people who suffered from pain all their lives, Heeseong was in good condition. He is a level F with the least side effects, and he has a dedicated guide by his side at all times. Nevertheless, the reason he groans and cries out every time is because he is naturally sensitive and weak to pain.
"Yoogun. Oh, I was wrong. Sorry. So, please help me get better."
Heesung cried, his parched lips trembling. He is now almost 30 years old, but at times like this, he looks younger than my younger brother. Yoo Geon sighed softly and placed his knees on the edge of his bed. Heeseong rolled up the blanket and spread his arms as if he had been waiting. A long hand wrapped around Yugeon's back, highlighting his dry, skeletal structure.
The brothers fell as one lump. The cheap mattress creaked under the weight of two adult men. At first glance, Yoo Geon smelled the cool breeze outside. Hee-seong traced down Yoo-geon's arm, found his bare hand under his sleeve, and squeezed it. It was instinct. Guiding through clothes is significantly less efficient.
Yoo Geon slowly patted his older brother, who hugged him tightly, as if to comfort him. Soon, a soft warmth spread through the blood vessels and nerves of his entire body. It was the special ability of those called 'guides', guiding.
"Huh, haha."
The sharp pain that was going through my mind gradually subsided. Heesung let out a groan of satisfaction without realizing it. My body trembled intermittently as if I was reaching climax.
I always felt this way, but guiding was like a drug. In reality, awakened people who could not find a compatible guide took drugs as a temporary measure. Of course, it wasn't much better than receiving real guidance, but I was able to forget the pain for a few hours.
He fights for his life, covered in mutant blood, hurriedly inserts a needle into his forearm before the side effects occur, and goes hunting again to earn money for the medicine. If you live like that for just a few years, all that remains is evil and madness. It was nothing special on this floor.
Hee-seong was afraid that he would become like that too. He didn't even have the courage to do drugs. So he became even more obsessed with his younger brother. When he first appeared as an awakened person and showed signs of runaway, it was Yoo Geon who risked his life to save him. He still can't forget the horrifying feeling he felt when he lost his temper and raised his fingernails to tear the raw flesh of his little brother. From that day on, Yoo Geon has been his lifeline.
"I'm sorry, Yugeon. Sorry."
Heesung's heart relaxed as he felt a sense of peace rising, as if he were surrounded by puffy clouds. The truth that had been buried deep inside came out without me even realizing it.
"What are you sorry about?"
"I know you're being bullied because of me. That person called me and encouraged me. Cursing and hitting."
Hee-seong's arms entangled Yoo-geon's waist. Yoo Geon hugged his brother's back and leaned his forehead against his hard shoulder, his bones standing out. A dry smile spread across his bruised and bloody mouth.
"The old bastard is telling me to crawl, so I have to crawl. "I'm telling you to be pissed, but you should be pissed."
"still… … ."
"it's okay. "I don't mind."
"You're going through something like that and I can't do anything. I keep making mistakes. You're talented, so if you had worked with another hunter instead of me, you wouldn't have gotten into trouble and you would have made a lot of money. "If only I wasn't there."
"do not say that."
"Yoogun. Me, I am there. Would it be better to just be weak? Then there will be less burden on you. Other than me, all other hunters do it too… … ."
"I told you not to do it."
Yoo Geon suddenly cut off Hee Sung's continued rambling. Contrary to the blunt tone, the guidance still flows warmly and circles Heesung's entire body.
13 years have passed since the mutant attack on Hwangan Bridge. In the meantime, the brothers lost their parents and their peaceful lives. All he got was a blood-stained childhood and a dilapidated room.
After the catastrophe, the existing order collapsed. Power soon became justification and logic. Some awakened people, intoxicated with their own strength, looked down on non-awakened people as if they were second-class citizens. The government even made teenage children wear uniforms and gave them rank badges, as long as they were of high rank.
It was a time when mercy and compassion for the weak disappeared. The number of people who died while hunting mutant species or from being hunted by mutant species every day could be counted on two hands. The few welfare facilities were filled to the brim with newborn babies who lost their parents due to sudden accidents. There was no time to feed, clothe, and put to sleep even boys over the age of ten.
Yoo Geon and Hee Seong also had to go out and work to earn money for food. Fortunately, one of them was an awakened person and the other was a guide. Thanks to having the means to earn a living, they had a much less miserable growing up period than non-awakened children.
"brother."
Yoo Geon, who was staring into space while holding his brother's back, wondering what he was thinking, suddenly spoke up.
"uh? "Uh, huh."
"Let's just finish our next mission and rest for a while once we get paid."
"what's the matter? Are you mad? My, I… … . Because of an accident again?"
As soon as Yoo Geon finished speaking, he left his seat and stood up. His eyes followed him as he headed toward the kitchen, shaking unsteadily. Heesung was always like this. Even though he shouted all kinds of harsh words at Yoo Geon and got on his nerves, he immediately became discouraged and watched him. Like fear of being abandoned.
"It's not like that. We also need to rest sometimes. "I went to my parents' grave, and my brother also practiced going out alone."
After some hesitation, a weak answer came.
"okay."
"Shall we eat and drink coffee?"
"huh."
"My brother always says that. "I can't cook well even after 10 years, but I can make coffee really well."
It was an awkward word to call reconciliation or comfort. But it was enough to soften the rigid atmosphere.
"It did… … . "It's strange that a kid who doesn't know taste and has no sense only drinks coffee."
An unconscious smile spread across Heesung's lips, as if he was thinking back on the years they spent together. Yoo Geon also rolled up her sleeves and smiled visibly.
"Wash up and come out. "I'll prepare dinner."
* * *
On a night when smoke and fine dust covered the sky and there were no stars or moon, hunters gathered at an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city. A few years ago, a large gate opened in this area, devastating the surrounding area and leaving the entire industrial complex abandoned. Since then, this factory has been used as a forward base and hideout for hunters.
Until now, humanity has lost quite a bit of territory in this way. The area where mutant species appear has become a dead zone that ordinary people cannot enter, a hunting ground for hunters, and a defense line that must be defended by espers.
"ha."
Someone was cleaning the equipment and sighed as the ground fell. The blade of a special combat knife made from a mutant by-product glowed in the dusky moonlight.
"I have to pay my daughter's school fees this week. Now, a middle school student goes to seven different academies? My whole spine is going to fall off. "My wife, who has gone to the afterlife, will wail when she sees me."
"What? "Are you bragging that you have a daughter now?"
"Why on earth is she asking me to stop attending academy classes for each subject? Do you know how hard your father works to make money by breeding mutants? "Back in my day, I studied well even if I didn't go to academy."
"What kind of thing is 'When I was there?', that's bullshit. I fell asleep sounding like an old man who does today and tomorrow. I heard all kids are like that these days? If you don't do that, you won't be able to keep up. "They say it's a lot tougher than ours because a lot of universities are closed."
Famous hunters whose names are known to the public seem to be treated as celebrities, but they are F-class people who are busy talking about themselves and ordinary people of Korea. The story of gathering in a gloomy abandoned factory and preparing for battle means educating children and preparing for college entrance exams. It was a strangely black comedy-like scene.
"No, no. I think everyone's memories of the time when they held pencils instead of guns and knives are so long ago that they come and go. There were only two types of people who went to multiple academies. Either he's a guy who rolls his eyes because he wants to be first in the whole school, or he's a complete nerd. My daughter also inherited my genes, so she will definitely not be the former. "Then the only sad conclusion is the latter."
"okay? Let's see. hey! Baby. Back guide!"
The arrow suddenly returned to Yu Geon. A pitch-black tactical vest with a leather holster for holding a pistol, and a thick-soled walker. He was wearing so-called 'work clothes'.
"… … ."
Yoo Geon, who was sitting on a logistics box taller than me and waving his feet meaninglessly, just blinked his eyes without any expression. The middle-aged men who were talking noisily beckoned him.
"Are you coming? kid. "Please come here."
Instead of answering, he jumped out of the box. All eyes were focused on him. The reason Yugeon was called by titles such as kid or baby was because he was much younger than other hunters, not because he was small. In terms of height alone, it was rather large. He stood out among men of his age whose foreheads were gradually widening and flab was gaining on his sides.
"At least here, the ink on your ID card has dried the least. Even if we just talk amongst ourselves, we won't get an answer. You say it once. "Did you actually go to multiple academies?"
"I'm not sure."
"You don't know?"
"I've never really been to school, so there's no way I would know what an academy is like."
"ok?"
There was silence for a moment.
"My parents passed away when I was ten years old, and from then on, I learned the trade by shadowing hunters. "Of course I couldn't go to school."
Instead, I took online lectures. It was provided by the Ministry of Education for minors who could not afford to go to school due to their current positions. Even if it was a lecture, there was almost no compulsory factor in considering the circumstances of those who fight against mutant species every day, so even if you leave the room all day while watching the video, you can still complete the course.
Countless tragedies have occurred since Outbreak. There were too many people who lost parents, children, siblings, lovers, and friends to mutants. There were quite a few people who experienced loss and became obsessed with revenge and became hunters. Still, it was rare for a case to be treated this harshly.
"But my brother even earned a middle school diploma… … ."
Yoo Geon stopped speaking and slowly closed his mouth. Each of the men with a rugged look was looking at them with strange eyes. He even noticed that they seemed shocked by his remarks, but he couldn't tell exactly at what point. Are you surprised that you are more ignorant than you imagined?
"You bastard. Don't tell me in advance. "It makes people feel sad for no reason."
"Yeah, man. Even if you don't know trigonometric functions, relative pronouns, or anything like that, you can live a good life. Especially a guide like you, huh? If you guide properly and manage your partners well, you can make a lot of money. Baby, don't be discouraged and live. "Don't be ashamed to look at your parents in heaven."
"But why didn't you enter the center? If you apply as a guide, isn't it guaranteed that you will be accepted?"
Center refers to the awakened management headquarters. There are mainly middle-class awakened people from Class E, Class D to Class B. Grade F is not accepted as unqualified, and Grade A and S can earn a ridiculous amount of hundreds of millions by working as a hunter, so there is no reason to hang on to the salary provided by the government. As a result, middle-ranking awakened people mostly worked under the center.
"My brother is in grade F so he doesn't qualify, and I can't be apart from him."
"why? "You can give your brother another guide instead of you, right?"
"In the first place, there are not many guides who want to take on the F grade, but my brother refuses no matter what. "Because he doesn't like being touched by anyone other than me."
"Huh. "Baek Guide, your life is like shit in one way or another."
"Would you like me to give you something nice?"
Large hands roughly tapped my shoulders and back. He even gently handed out powdered medicine wrapped in paper as if to show kindness.
Unlike Hee-seong, Yoo-geon did not have a bad reputation among hunters. The reason why the manager punched and verbally abused Yoo Geon was to vent his anger at Hee Sung for causing damage. Even if he was an official member of the Order, day laborers who only received one day's wages had no reason to have any ill feelings towards him. However, he had no reason to protest, so he just ignored it after seeing him get beaten.
"That's it."
Yoo Geon pushed away the medicine bag held out in front of him. It was obvious even without looking at what was inside. It's probably a narcotic that makes you forget about pain and heightens excitement.
"Take what you give, man."
"still."
"What about your brother? "He doesn't do this?"
〈Yoo Geon. Would I just be weak?〉
Hee-seong's weak voice was heard overlapping like an auditory hallucination. Yoo Geon sighed and closed his eyes. A scar on the eyelid that is normally not visible was revealed.
"It's not like turning down something that an adult gives you. "You can just say 'thank you' and accept it, but nothing else."
The men who rolled around on the floor did not budge in response to Yu-gun's refusal. Instead, he smiled and handed me a bag of medicine. A rough hand overlapped Yoo Geon's hand wearing black gloves. As the gap narrowed, the acrid and acrid smell of cigarettes wafted from them. No, when I smelled it again, it was not a regular cigarette, but cannabis. It was also a low-quality product and had a terrible smell.
"And, huh? Since you received it, please do some service not only for your brother, but also for these older brothers."
"We're with the same guy, so what? It's not like it will wear out just because you give it a little something. Let's help each other."
Then, he gently rubs his bare wrists, which are slightly exposed under the gloves. It was a gesture with clear intent. Yoo Geon silently looked down.
The only time Yoo Geon guided hunters other than Hee Seong was when they were injured or their condition deteriorated to the point that it interfered with their mission. The level goes as far as giving a light hug. Those were the terms of the contract in the first place.
Some guides sold guiding for money. Desperate awakened people who were on the verge of going crazy or dying were their customers. Holding hands or hugging was the cheapest course, and as the price increased, petting and even sex were possible.
But it wasn't Yoo Geon. He was clearly a member of a combat group and a comrade who lived and died while performing a mission. He treats someone like that like a rental guide he paid for. If it were a place with strict rules, there would be a feeling of immediate disciplinary action.
Yoo Geon lowered his head slightly, lowered his gaze, and chuckled. Her eyes, which were full of cuteness, gently curved and her mouth opened. It was a friendly smile that was different from his usual impression.
"Living is such a crappy life."
However, the words that came out of his mouth were far from friendly.
"But do you really have to live like a dog?"
He twisted Yoo Geon's wrist and pulled it out. He casually tossed the medicine bag and stood up.
"No matter how bad I learned it, it's not cheap enough to be sold for a bag of medicine."
Those who were dumbfounded by the unexpected reaction soon burst into laughter. I felt sorry for the bright blue baby having a hard time feeding his older sibling, so I tried to be nice to him.
"Fuck you, you idiot."
"This is not helping me understand the situation."
"hey. Is your liver overboard? "Are we funny because they ask us if we're coming as guides?"
At just the right moment, the heavy container door opened. A very depressed Hee-seong and the leader, who was holding his forearm like a detective arresting a criminal, entered together. It seemed like he had been called to a corner and shouted harshly.
Hee-seong, who was desperately rolling his eyes, soon found Yoo-geon. I don't know, but there seemed something unusual about being surrounded by murderous hunters.
"Yoogun!"
He shook off the leader's hand and ran. The leader glanced at him as if he was shocked. Just by raising his hand and pretending to hit him, I wondered if it was the same guy who was cowering so hard.
"Don't touch Yugeon. "Don't touch my guide!"
"brother."
"I will kill you all. Oh, the people who tormented us, I will do whatever it takes... … "I will rip you to pieces and kill you."
He looked exactly like my younger brother, with jet-black hair, tear-stained cheeks, and a skinny build, only taller. The overall impression was that he looked very weak, but I could feel the strange intimidation characteristic of a person pushed to his or her limit from his slanted eyes.
If this continues, won't that bastard Baek Hee-seong go crazy and go crazy? It's surprisingly scary when those corrupt and shady guys turn a blind eye. The hunters swallowed dry saliva. Their fingertips twitched, trying to gauge the timing to use physical force.
"Uh, huh? What are you doing now? Are you doing something else? Stop fooling around and get ready! "I'm not responsible if you fall over during a mission."
It was the leader's loud shout that broke the deadlock. In times like this, it may be a good thing that he is a person who is only interested in money and eats away at things. Several pairs of enemy gazes lingered on the two brothers and soon dispersed one by one.
* * *
I rode across a half-abandoned industrial complex in an old van that looked like it was only used for human trafficking. Upon arriving at the mission site, a gate large enough to easily swallow a logistics container caught my eye. People were gathered in front of it. These were hunters who gathered after smelling money.
Seeing as there were no espers in uniform and no access control signs, it seemed like the center was still quiet. It was worth it. Because all the information about newly opened gates and mutant species was money. You could make a lot of money by finding game and selling it to eager hunters before leaking it to the government or the media.
"I spent some money contacting the original discoverer. "I've invested all my business money into this one thing."
The leader has been repeatedly emphasizing for a few days now that this is a very important matter, and that if we do nothing this time, you will all die and I will die as well. Everyone was so shocked by the sound.
A look was exchanged between those who arrived first and those who arrived newly, assessing each other's level. However, the hunters were located on the outskirts of the metropolitan area, not in the center of Seoul where large orders were located.
"Did you come out to the night bar to spoon too? It seems like the rumor spread quite quickly in that short period of time. "Will that number be enough?"
The unfamiliar hunter looked the group up and down and asked with a suspicious look. The leader shrugged his shoulders calmly.
"Anyway, we are F-grade idiots. I won't go near the gate, so please share the large chunks among the other nobles. "We're just going to walk around and pick up scraps."
"It would be nice if you cleaned up the little things. Well, we're working together for one night, so that's right. Let's do our best."
Although the relationship was strictly based on self-interest, a temporary alliance was established. There was no need for tedious procedures such as self-introduction or strategy meetings. The hunters immediately surrounded the huge black hole in the middle of the asphalt road. Beyond that, the endless darkness trembled uneasily. It was a signal that the gate was about to open and mutant species were about to pour out.
The timing was just right. It seemed like the information the director had paid a high price for was valuable. If a new mutant species that did not exist before appears here, and if we can obtain a strategy for that mutant species, it is possible to take a large share as the leader said. Even if that weren't the case, the income from selling the corpses and by-products of mutant species would be quite good.
At first glance, the gate resembles a sinkhole created when the ground sank. However, unlike regular sinkholes, it was neither visible nor reflected light. Would this be what it would be like to see dark matter in the universe with the naked eye?
After Outbreak, many people studied the gate's principles and ingredients, but no one has yet discovered the truth. All I know is that it is a passage connecting 'this world' where humanity lives and 'the other world' where monsters appear.
The gate was the entrance through which mutant species constantly poured out. It was a gold mine and an oil field where oil was gushing out. But it was that dangerous. The unknown space beyond the gate is called the Pit. Not many people knew what was inside. In the first place, the number of people who crossed the gate and returned alive was small, and the few survivors did not easily speak out about what they had seen and heard. It's like he doesn't even want to think about it.
It is said that hunters are famous for being willing to do reckless things for money, but even so, no one would carelessly jump into the gate. At least I knew that my life was a waste. Thus, the unwritten custom became established that the lowest-level hunters would deal with mutants that happened to crawl out far from the gate, while higher-level hunters would hunt right in front of the gate.
"No matter what happens, stay calm. Don't break the battle line just because you're surprised or scared. Especially Bak Hee -sung is this chewy! Yeah, you, man. Get your mind straight. If I leave you out again, you'll really be in my hands this time."
"… … ."
"You're not answering?"
"I will provide proper cover. "It will never happen again."
Yoo Geon stepped in to replace Hee Seong, who was blue from nervousness.
"I don't expect to be able to beat up people who come out here at your level. At least be familiar with the characteristics and strategy. "You can make a lot of money just by selling that."
"yes."
"By the way, if you happen to find any dead bodies caught by other orders, take them with you right away. The one who took care of it first is the owner. It's not even a game, so what, no steals? Farming manners? Sick. "You know there's nothing like that in reality, right?"
His nagging continued. It was something he heard every time he went on a mission, but today it was even more powerful. A whispering sound was heard from behind Yu-geon, who was standing motionless.
"But what about S-class? "Wherever I look, there are only so-so people."
To low-level hunters, S-class awakeners were something that could only be accessed through TV or the Internet. At the Awakened Management Headquarters, C-level Espers were classified as high-level personnel, and at level A, they could take on executive positions. It was no exaggeration to say that an S-class person lived in a completely different world.
They say buildings can be blown away with a single gesture, mountains can be moved, and rivers can be created. They say they come and go in and out of the pit every day. There were all kinds of rumors, but few people actually saw their activities. Of course I was curious. But no matter how much I looked around, I couldn't see any S-class people with their noses out.
"I heard you definitely came."
"I picked up a rumor that wasn't even valid and went away."
"I said it wasn't a rumor! "It also appeared on the Hunter Community anonymous bulletin board?"
"Did I tell you to stop that damn community or not? "I would rather believe the promises of politicians during the election season than believe the rumors coming out of those places."
"It's real this time!"
The hunters walked away bickering. Suddenly, their appearance blended in with the others and became invisible. Yoo Geon also lined up and moved forward silently. But the story I heard earlier kept lingering in my head.
What does it feel like to be an S-class hunter? At the very least, there must be a very big difference from the life at the bottom, like Yoo Geon, who is busy earning a living every day. They say there are less than ten S-class people in the entire country.
There will be so much money that it will be meaningless to count the amount. With just one word or gesture, not only hunters, but also most high-ranking politicians, celebrities, and espers from the Awakened Management Headquarters will be on edge. Instead of the superiors who spew out harsh words and raise their hands whenever they see fit, there will only be subordinates who bend down to please them in any way they can.
A life where I have never bowed my head to someone and endured abuse, nor have I ever worried about next month's living expenses. If you live that kind of life... … . Will I be happy?
"Let's go together."
Hee-seong hurriedly followed him and grabbed his hand. Only then did Yoo Geon come to his senses. I was so lost in my thoughts that I forgot to take care of Hee-seong.
"Oh sorry."
"It's scary."
A weak tone uncharacteristic of an adult man who will turn 30 next year. Hee-sung's time still seems to have stopped on a winter day when he was 16, when the bridge collapsed and his parents' car disappeared into the river. But Yoo Geon had no right to feel sorry for him. He only pretended to be all grown up on the outside, but a part of him was forever tied to those legs as if he were ten years old.
Okay, maybe it wasn't a big deal earlier. He was probably just overly excited at the moment because his brother was worried about him. Rather, now is not the time to be preoccupied with other things. I decided to rest for a while once I receive the allowance this time, so all I have to do is finish my work safely today.
I hope tonight passes safely. Yoo Geon tried hard to erase random thoughts from his head. Heesung, who was cursing with wet eyes, and the hunters, who were talking about the S-class that did not appear.
* * *
As soon as the hunters were assigned a mission, they dispersed to their respective locations. Hee-seong and Yoo-geon were in charge of guarding the alleyway on the outskirts, far from the gate, and dealing with any mutant species that might try to escape toward the downtown area. It was clear that he had an intention to remove the troublesome person from afar and out of sight.
Yoo Geon leaned against a narrow alley and inspected the equipment. A pistol and a combat knife were his weapons.
Aside from his guiding ability, he was completely like an ordinary person. Neither fire nor ice came out of his hands nor did his physical abilities excel. So, if I wanted to stay safe in the hunting field, I had to take care of these things with me.
"are you okay?"
Yoo Geon asked, habitually tapping the hammer on the back of the pistol.
"what?"
A casual answer came back. He then stopped fiddling with his gun and raised his head to look at his brother.
"a moment ago."
"What did you do earlier?"
"Your brother was angry. "Before we leave."
"… … ."
"don't mind. "They made similar demands, but I refused them."
"Ah, ha, haha."
Heesung laughed hysterically. After he emerged as an awakened person and started working as a hunter, he was the older brother who got irritated every day and rarely smiled. There was something strange about him.
"What I said earlier wasn't empty."
"what?"
"They say we will kill everything that touches us…" … . "These are not empty words."
"… … ."
"I don't want to live like an asshole forever. Why should I do that? "I'd rather kill all those bastards and die myself."
I knew that his mind was slowly wearing away. Even Yoo-geon sometimes thinks he might go crazy from his life of repeated slaughter while covered in the blood of monsters, but there is no way Hee-seong, who has always had a weak and sensitive mind, will be able to survive. So, I suggested that we just finish this work and rest for a while. I really just need to get through it safely this time, tonight.
"brother."
"Anything that touches me and my guide, I tear them to pieces so you can't even find their bodies… … ."
Heesung lowered his head and lifted his shoulders intermittently. Unrefined, gloomy words stammered out.
"brother!"
Hee-seong lifted his head in a daze at the firm voice. The eyes of her brother, who was about the same height as hers, met in the air. Both had black hair and black eyes, but Yoo-gun's calm eyes were significantly different from Hee-sung's, which were blurred and slightly out of focus.
"… … ."
Yoo Geon bit his lip and frowned as he tried to choose what to say next. He knew it in his head. He had to appease Hee-seong, as always. He had to lighten the mood somehow by talking about Heesung's favorite strong coffee and microfiber blankets, and the vacation he would get once this mission was over.
Until now, Yoo Geon has never once said anything harsh to Hee Seong, even as a joke. Because I know how hard it is for his brother to get through each day. As his older brother suffered from side effects that would never get better, he thought he had to work harder and do better to take care of him. Even if he happened to have an argument, he always apologized, saying it was all his fault, and clumsily consoled his older brother who was getting irritated every day.
But at this moment, for the first time, impulse triumphed over reason. Words that had never been said before came out freely.
"I am a younger brother before I am a guide."
"What does that mean?"
"Do you think of me as your younger brother, or rather, as family?"
Heesung's lips trembled in shock.
"Baek Yu-geon, you."
Heesung clearly looked hurt. He glared at Yoo Geon, filled with betrayal, as if he had heard something unimaginably terrible.
"How can you say that to me? How can I be having such a hard time... … ."
"brother."
"Okay, it's all my fault again, right? It's all because I'm not good enough, right? I understand what you mean. "Even you were on their side."
"It's not like that."
"You're just taking care of me because you feel sorry for me. Deep inside, you feel like you want to throw away this useless brother right away, right? You really… … "It's too much."
Yoo Geon opened his mouth to say something. And then it hardened.
"… … ."
I realized it too late. A long time had passed since the battle began, but no signs were felt. There was no sign of the mutant species that should have crawled out of the gate by now, nor was there any sound of other hunters fighting. There was so much silence everywhere. Like when I was lying in the middle of a bridge filled with nothing but dead bodies and broken down cars.
An old trauma rose up from beyond my memories. A chill spread down my spine. Yoo Geon forced his stiff head to move, neither outside the alley nor behind his back... … . He looked up.
The sky became dark. Originally, the sky was full of smoke and fine dust, so it wasn't very bright, but even the faint light created by the city's artificial lighting had completely disappeared. Something huge was overhead, completely obscuring it. It was too big to say that it came out of a gate that was at most the size of a large truck. Soon, the area near Yoo Geon and Hee Seong, as well as the surrounding streets, all became dark, as if there was a power outage.
I could catch a glimpse of its body through the thick darkness. It was like a star. Of course, I am not talking about the stars in fairy tales that twinkle beautifully in golden light. It was close to the surface of an old planet, where all kinds of elements were mixed and the temperature oscillated between melting everything and absolute zero.
Is that also a mutant species? A living thing, something we must hunt? Nonsense. It's impossible. How on earth did that... … . Instinctive fear and disgust were intense at the same time.
The thing that was swimming leisurely in the air, like a cloud carried by the wind, suddenly stopped. I knew it intuitively. Now its gaze was on Yoo Geon and Hee Seong. If you think you recognize the boys who were struggling on the collapsed bridge a long time ago... … Is this too much leverage?
"Ah, uh, uh, uh… … ."
Hee-seong's legs gave out and he fell down. I couldn't even scream due to the fear that went beyond the limit. He muttered like a crazy person.
"why… … . why? "Why, it's me again?"
Yoo Geon gritted his teeth and forced his cold, stiff limbs to move. He had to cover Hee-seong's mouth. It seemed like he had already been discovered, but there was no benefit in drawing any more attention.
"why… … "Wow!"
A strange thing happened. With a single scream, Hee-seong's eyes rolled back and only the whites were visible. He frothed at the mouth and collapsed on the spot.
"what's the matter. are you okay?"
Heesung, who had fallen to the floor and was shaking convulsively, stood up shakily. And she swung her arms with a scream.
"omg… … !"
Yoo-geon's forearm was cut long by a random attack. It tore through his thick clothes and tore his bare skin, drawing blood. No matter how competent he was, it was only by the standards of guides who had no combat skills. Likewise, even though Hee-seong was the weakest among the awakened people, he was still superior to ordinary people. He was caught off guard and had no choice.
An attack that bordered on a struggle followed. Yoo Geon leaned against the wall and collapsed as if collapsing. She had no feeling in her legs, as if she had accidentally cut a muscle or nerve.
"Ouch!"
Heeseong, who was crying in pain, suddenly lowered his head and vomited blood. As if that wasn't enough, she hit her head on the wall and scratched herself to harm herself. She looked as if she couldn't bear the pain and was going crazy. He staggered out of the alley as if running away.
It was a typical runaway symptom. It appears in those who have just awakened or are on the verge of going crazy because they have not received guidance for a long time. The former was at least better. Because his abilities were still immature, he was able to calm him down easily. The latter was the worst. The Awakened One, who lost his temper and went on a rampage, squeezing out all of his remaining life, became much stronger than usual. The guide had to risk his life to approach and try to guide him, or he had to attack and subdue him with the risk of killing him.
But it was strange. Heesung did not just appear, nor did he not receive guidance for a long time. But why did it suddenly explode like it did 13 years ago? Are you panicking after reuniting with the monster that killed your parents in the past?
"Where did you hear that sound just now?"
"It was this way."
I felt a presence outside the alley. It seemed like others had heard the noise and came. A sound like the growl of an animal escaped from Hee-seong's teeth. The presence got closer and closer.
"no… … ."
Yoo Geon muttered like a moan. But my body didn't listen. Blood spurted out from the deep cut on my leg.
"This is Baek Hee-seong's direction. hey! Back Hunter. "What's there?"
"For some reason, I couldn't even see the mutant nose. "It seems like everyone is flocking here."
"It looks like they're fighting?"
Yoo Geon stopped breathing for a moment. Everything seemed slow because I was extremely nervous. Beep… … . A long tinnitus filled my ears.
Heesung moves shakily like a broken marionette. Familiar hunters appear around the corner. The first thing you see is the leader's face with a frown on his face. As is his habit, he opens his mouth to question Hee-seong. But Hee-seong, who is not in his right mind, cannot hear those words. He was out of breath, glaring at his colleagues with unfocused eyes, and swung his heavily bladed hand... … .
Kwasik! Hot blood spurted like a fountain into the air. At that moment, the world, which had been pitch black like a black-and-white silent movie, was broken into pieces. As if I had pressed the mute cancel button, horrendous noises that I had never heard before suddenly flooded me.
"Hey, man. Wake!"
"What are you doing… … Ahh!"
Something round and heavy fell from where it was originally attached. Thump, thud. The leader's head, which had been cut off cleanly from the neck up, was placed on the cold asphalt floor. Someone else's blood splattered on his face before he could even close his eyes. His arm was blown off and his leg was cut off. Heeseong was also covered in blood due to attacks coming from all directions. A desperate shout passed through the air.
Yoo Geon barely managed to raise himself up, placing his clenched hands on the wall. Before I knew it, the figure that had been hanging in the night sky had disappeared without a trace. It was like that 13 years ago too. He went on a rampage, destroying the entire wide bridge, and then disappeared in an instant. As if he had seen all the things to see.
Just a little while ago, I was talking with my brother. I apologized for being harsh earlier and tried to reassure him that he should finish this job well and return home safely... … . A fireball rose from inside the solar plexus. You're going to take my parents away from me, take my normal life away from me, and now take my brother away from me? And then disappear again as if nothing happened?
"help me… … ."
"Ugh!"
"Stop that bastard. Stop it!"
Yoo Geon pulled out the gun he was wearing in his holster with slightly trembling hands. In the meantime, his body moved steadily based on countless battle experiences he had accumulated. He raised his gun and aimed it straight ahead. But he couldn't figure out who to shoot. Hunters rushing towards him with the intention of killing his brother? Or the older brother who goes crazy and hurts people?
Just as Hee-seong was afraid of being abandoned by him, he was also afraid of losing Hee-seong. He was so, so scared of losing his only remaining family member.
"help! Fuck, someone please help me!"
Someone wrote something crazy. Yoo-geon's fingers, which had been as hard as stone, finally moved slightly. He moved his gun slowly and aimed at his target. And he gave strength to his index finger, which was on the trigger.
I felt a faint movement from the gate across the alley. The sound of a bird roaring its throat greedily, the sound of it crawling on the ground with its many legs, and the sound of it licking its lips with saliva dripping from a snout full of fangs. It was strange and yet so familiar. It was the sound of mankind's archenemy, a mutant species, climbing out of a black pit and looking for prey. The faces of the hunters, who were only focused on blocking Hee-seong, turned pale.
Chaos unfolded again. It was literally hell. The roles of hunter and prey have been reversed. Those who used to hunt monsters were now just helpless prey.
An insect-like mutant whose entire body is covered in hard shell and has blade-like thorns on its forepaws. It was not much different from what was predicted in advance. If everyone had pulled together their battle lines and responded calmly, the situation wouldn't have been so one-sided. But now there were variables. Due to Hee-seong's outburst, the power was reduced considerably. Even those who were sane were in a state of panic.
"I don't want to die, I don't want to die… … !"
"Ugh!"
There were very few people who were ready for battle and kept their positions. He was all caught up in extreme fear and was busy running away in a hurry. Drenched in his own blood and the blood of others, he threw away all the weapons and equipment he cherished.
"… … ."
Yoo Geon stood still with the gun pointed at him, then slowly lowered his hand. His head screams with a feeling of vomiting blood that he must go immediately to save Hee-seong and that he must protect him at the risk of his life... … . His body didn't move.
I saw a dark sky without a single star and the ground turned into chaos. A thick despair welled up from my ankles. He was engulfed in the bloody smell that permeated him like a night fog, and only now did he realize it.
here is… … .
It is the middle of a deep, deep abyss that can never escape.
* * *
bang! The bullet hit her between the eyes of the mutant who was approaching, making her pitch-black eyeball shine. It succeeded in nicking the hard skin that covered her body, but failed to penetrate her brain. Yoo Geon gritted his teeth and took his stance again. I felt dizzy because the bleeding from the scratch from Hee-seong's fingernails had not stopped yet. However, the aim was accurate without any wavering.
This time, one shot in the mouth. Black and thick blood splattered out. The mutant writhed and struggled on its many legs. The shabby streets lined with abandoned factories became even more horrendous. Blood was sprayed like graffiti on the dull concrete walls, and the corpses of mutants and hunters were strewn everywhere like illegal waste. In the middle of it all, the black gate was quietly standing there with its mouth wide open.
"Kick, hick!"
A strange sound, like wind leaking from the mutant's throat, came out. The airway appears to be torn. But you can't be at ease. Not only were they extremely difficult to kill with ordinary weapons, but they often came back alive even when you cut off their heads and cut open their bellies.
The magazine was empty from the previous shot. Yoo Geon gave up the attack without hesitation and turned around. Heesung was lying on the floor, his entire body covered in blood. Because dozens of hunters attacked indiscriminately, the rampage was barely stopped, but the condition was very bad. His whole body was covered in wounds, and his limbs twitched uncontrollably after exerting too much force. Yoo Geon put his arm around his shoulder and supported him. As the weight was placed on his injured leg, the pain made his eyes dizzy.
"Ugh… … ."
I had to hide myself before the enemy came after me again. I took Heesung around the narrow, winding corner and entered the alley. Until you are confident that you will be able to avoid the enemy's attention for the time being. Hee-seong lay down on the flat ground, breathing heavily. And he himself sat down, leaning against the half-collapsed wall. But there was no time to rest well. There was something more urgent.
"brother. are you okay? "Can you hear me?"
"… … ."
There was no answer from Heesung. My breathing was becoming thinner by the minute. It was dangerous. The principle was to subdue the awakened person who caused the runaway as quickly as possible and take him to the hospital. Even with such prompt action, the survival rate was not high. Even if you are lucky enough to survive, the aftereffects remain and your body and mind are damaged.
"please please… … ."
Yoo Geon knelt in front of Hee Seong and quickly took off the bulletproof vest he was wearing. The lock part was soaked in blood and wouldn't open easily, so I tore it half off. Meanwhile, his hands were shaking and he fumbled several times. He lowered his body and hugged the unconscious person. Do your best to touch heart to heart. The blood that Hee-seong was covering also covered Yoo-geon.
"You can't die. Wake. wake up."
Yoo Geon muttered as if in a daze. In a departure from his usual calm tone, his voice shook to the point where it was pitiful.
"Is it because I spoke carelessly again? I made you feel bad... … . I did it wrong. Bro, I did everything wrong. So please."
He desperately tried to guide. Like the time he held his unconscious older brother and held on to him on a broken bridge. But even that didn't go as planned. This is because Hee-seong is in a near-dead state. Guiding was a means of calming abnormally sharp senses and maximizing the body's natural resilience. It was only a catalyst for healing, but could not be the healing itself.
"Keeeeek!"
The roar of this mutant species was heard. The guy was injured and heavily drugged. Since he ran away with the injured patient in tow, I assumed he would be caught up after a while, but I didn't expect him to be this fast.
"… … ."
Yoo Geon lowered his head and gritted his teeth. My unsteady breathing, as if I was going to cry at any moment, gradually calmed down. He slowly stood up, clasping his trembling hands tightly. Dark, sunken eyes appeared between haphazardly disheveled bangs.
The ammunition I was equipped with had already been used up. The gun became useless. Now all he had left was a small knife with a blade about half a span long. But he can't run away like this. Because there is a brother behind me who is losing his breath.
Even though the guide doesn't have any combat power, if he rushes in at the risk of death, he might be able to kill at least one of them. How many years have I been rolling on this floor? Once I made up my mind, my mind became cold surprisingly quickly. Soon, the ugly body of a mutant species appeared beyond the half-crushed electric pole. The mantis-like monster found its prey and howled happily. It was then.
Cooung. The world was distorted. thud. The air was heavy and it was difficult to breathe. It felt like a shapeless hand was squeezing my lungs. A moan that could not come out lingered in the back of my throat.
The first thing that happened was to the insect-like mutant species in front of me. No matter how many times I fired a gun, the healthy epidermis became distorted. So easily, like crumpling an empty aluminum can. Next, I could hear the sounds of my joints and digestive organs being crushed inside my body. Snap, pop, wagjak. Several legs twisted in different directions. It's entire body was crushed to life, struggling and going crazy.
"Quick! Kiek! Ugh… … ."