Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Farewell to Downtown
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The news feeds were blowing up.
“Mm...”
Jin stared at the topic utterly flooded with Elina coverage before setting his terminal down.
He lay back, cradling his head in his interlaced hands like a pillow, his gaze toward the ceiling vague and conflicted.
Articles recycling the same old takes with tweaked headlines, comment sections erupting in text wars—it all felt more exhausting than the actual fight.
But that wasn't the only thing getting under Jin's skin. There was one other thing—
Why the hell is there nothing about me?
Hold up a sec!
Jin does have a conscience.
It wasn't like I did it for myself anyway.
Not some noble fight to protect anyone. Which is why I have zero intention of whining about how hard I fought or spewing empty flattery.
But even so, this level of radio silence kinda stings deep down.
Fine, whatever for me.
But Drandre's crew saved a ton of audience members.
An involuntary “Aigoo, tsk tsk” slipped from his lips.
Truth be told, it wasn't like there were zero articles if you dug around.
Every now and then, there'd be a mention of the guy who squared up against the rampaging Elina.
Problem was, all the witnesses were rambling incoherently.
They just couldn't tell where the performance ended and the fight began, so it never caught fire.
But that's fine.
In a crowd like that, you think there's even one without a cyber-eye?
This world's got no secrets in any sense of the word. Videos will leak out eventually on their own.
For now, everyone's eyes were glued to Elina.
And Jin decided he wasn't gonna give it any more thought.
“Yawn~”
As he stretched out a massive yawn, a shadow fell across his face.
A quick side-eye—here she comes again.
Jin spoke without even sitting up.
“Why?”
“Oh, uh...”
Jin let out a deep sigh at the sight of Elina fidgeting with her fingertips.
“Already?”
“...Yes.”
“Sigh. Sit.”
As Jin propped himself up, Elina's face lit up instantly.
She dragged over a backless chair, plopped down, and stuck out her hand.
Jin grabbed it like it was routine.
At the same moment, transparent flames flickered up like heat haze.
The blaze burned without any hostility, offering only cozy warmth.
Elina closed her eyes in silence and laid her other hand over the back of Jin's.
Both hands clasped tight around someone else's.
Flames blooming from within.
The scene almost felt sacred, but Jin was busy stifling a yawn.
Ugh, such a hassle.
Was lighting her up that one time a mistake?
Now she showed up whenever, pawing at him like a puppy begging for pets.
What am I, a space heater?
Jin eyed the pale hands enveloping his own.
Fans would lose their minds at the sight.
Their muse holding hands with some guy.
While said guy picked his nose with his free hand.
...Blasphemy! He deserves a beatdown.
Whatever. Jin was just annoyed.
He was a fan of “singing Elina,” not much else.
The reason he kept holding on? He knew better than anyone how brutal mental instability could be.
So he'd been burning mana like kindling non-stop.
Hence the endless yawns.
Jin mulled it over with a face mixed of irritation and exhaustion.
Fine, think positive. Last night I leveled Mana Circuit to 5.
Might as well grind Pure Flame proficiency while I'm at it.
Like his hometown folks called it, the positive spin circuit—Jin cranked it for all it was worth.
“...Thank you.”
Had her heart finally settled?
Elina bowed her head and scurried back to her spot.
Watching her silver-gray locks sway, Jin thought,
She'll be back in under an hour...
And sure enough.
Sad premonitions never miss.
“Um... Jin?”
“Ah.”
What saved Jin from two straight days of human-heater duty was none other than Q.
Q.
City Government Special Forces, Law Enforcers operative.
Colonel's adjutant. Gravity mage.
Clicks his tongue a lot.
Won't give real name.
He showed up at the hospital with the same stern mug from Jin's mental notes.
Cocked his head at Jin's gaunt look and offered a greeting.
“Long time.”
“You're here?”
“Rough injury? You look wrecked.”
“...Too much crap happened. I'm beat, for real.”
Jin hauled himself up with effort.
Side effect of running mana 24/7.
Dark circles like pits under his eyes as he eyed Q.
Meanwhile, the leech—not, Elina's skin glowed with health.
Even her fractured cheekbone had knit back perfectly under Mama's care.
Back to that face everyone knew and loved.
Jin, though? Sick of looking at it.
Whatever.
“This is Q. He's handling your escort.”
Jin relaxed as Q gave Elina a curt, professional nod.
Handover to City Gov was inevitable anyway. Better a familiar face than some stranger.
Luckily, Colonel Harrison had happily dispatched his adjutant after the call. Sounded like things wrapped smoothly on their end.
As Elina prepped to leave, Jin and Q traded a few words.
“Face Collector? Any leads?”
“Loud.”
“Ah, sorry.”
Q spoke as Jin scratched his neck awkwardly.
“Gone dark after Mute Town. Doesn't show his face much, so probably laying low. We're on our first break in years too.”
Jin gasped.
“...Hold on. First downtime in years, and I made you...”
“Yep.”
Short affirmation. Jin dropped to his knees on the bed.
“Sorry...!!”
Stealing a soldier's personal time?
And via connections, no less?
Couldn't argue even with a blade to his throat.
Head hung low.
Q smirked at the genuine apology.
“Forget it. Rest feels off to me anyway.”
“What kinda... terminal illness is that?”
“Keeps my mind at ease.”
Workaholic. Clinically, hyper-adaptation syndrome.
Jin's face twisted. Fully immune himself.
Peace in work? Unthinkable.
“Anyway...”
Q glanced at Elina hugging Mama, then continued.
“Just an estimate, but you took down an Omicron-class psyker clean. Must've been rough.”
“Eh, happened somehow?”
“......”
Q went quiet at Jin's nonchalant shrug, eyes fixed on Elina approaching.
“Colonel asked me to relay: offer still stands.”
“Told him no interest in going career military.”
“I'll pass it on.”
Elina reached them.
“All set.”
Q nodded.
“This way.”
“...Ah, wait.”
“...?”
Elina stopped Q mid-turn, gestured for a sec, then looked to Jin.
“Hey, Jin.”
“What? Did it ten minutes ago. I'm seriously wiped now. Can't do it. For real.”
Words that'd spark misunderstandings, but Elina just gave a faint smile.
She rummaged in her pocket and pulled something out.
“A card?”
Jin twirled the handed-over card as Elina explained.
“Keycard for Gilliat Hotel. Made 'em for tour stays... Won't need it awhile. Use it instead?”
“Ooh.”
Jin had a long trip ahead anyway.
Hotel voucher? No polite way to turn that down.
“Thanks. I'll put it to good use.”
“...My contract's a total mess. This is all I can give right now. Sorry.”
“What do you mean nothing? Pretty sure I got like a hundred signatures.”
Some even personalized for his contacts, with heartfelt messages spanning lines.
Especially ones Drandre would love.
Elina stared as Jin chuckled, picturing the burly linker's face.
Till he tilted his head her way, reflected in those clear eyes.
“Why?”
“Thank you. For putting up with my whining... It gave me the courage to keep going.”
“T-that right?”
Jin rubbed under his nose at the unexpected gratitude.
Elina stepped in, arms wide, and hugged him tight.
Then whispered soft,
“I won't forget the warmth you lent me.”
“......”
How could he just stand there?
Screw it—mood struck. Jin sparked flames in his palm with his drained mana and patted her slender back.
Ugh, dizzy.
She pulled away slowly, shadows heavier under his eyes. Jin waved her off.
“Take care.”
“See you next time.”
She smiled back, finally turning to Q.
“Let's go.”
Jin watched from the window as they boarded the escort vehicle and shouted,
“I'm checking out too!”
“What?! Hold o—...”
Before Mama could finish, Jin vaulted the windowsill with nimble grace.
“Don't follow!”
“Crazy bastard!”
The healer who'd chased after leaned out, gaping at the fifth-floor jumper.
And saw.
Him charging toward a nearby eatery.
“...Total psycho.”
Belly stuffed, Jin's first stop was Drandre's office.
“Jin!”
“Boss!”
Not just Drandre and Hooker greeting him—Greg was there too.
“You made it?”
This crew might as well be family.
Anyway, they lit up like kids at Christmas over the signatures with their names and thank-yous—like priceless treasures.
Jin, satisfied at the over-the-top joy, wrapped up with a quick goodbye.
“Heading out. Hit me up if anything. Solo intranet works too.”
Drandre tried to shove food at him—refused!
Busy. Punk life never stops.
Straight to Anecdote, no breather.
Handed out signatures there too.
(Lukewarm reactions here...)
Chatted during the lull.
Naturally, all about the Rotation.
“Ten days to go till tomorrow. Nailed the timing?”
“Psh, who do you think I am?”
Hand cupped to ear, expecting “future Solo King”—but Kalifa just smirked.
“Never pegged you for a festival guy.”
Jin dropped his hand.
“Got stuff to scope out.”
“Whatever. Make it count.”
“You know it.”
His confident grin prompted Poh to chime in.
“Won't be seeing you for a bit.”
“Aw, gonna miss me?”
Bartender didn't deny it. Jin snickered mischievously at him.
Would've loved to chat more on the way out, but customers were packed today.
Not randos—solos waiting on briefings.
“Whoa.”
The Lv2 solos spotted Jin first, greetings exploding.
Gonna cramp their style. As Jin geared to dip, Kalifa handed him an envelope.
“Here. Prepped ahead.”
Knew what was inside from the smell alone.
He looked up, touched. She said,
“Come back safe.”
She herded the solos toward the briefing room.
Jin waved to Poh and slipped out, watching her heels click away.
A few steps later.
He paused to soak in the street scene.
Sticky smog blanketing the sky, neon signs casting cold shadows in place of sunlight.
People hustling to destinations, the cacophony of crowds with places to be.
Something cracked in his chest.
A faint split, like frequencies out of sync.
A voice filtering through.
Come back.
Jin's lips twitched faintly.
Bittersweet, knowing he had a place to return to.
But just for a moment.
Shook it off, pulled his terminal, dialed.
“Jeki? Jenny with you? Nah, not that—for a while...”
Jin Evernight's moment of departure from Downtown for the Rotation.
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