Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Experiment Subject Record (5)
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With a deafening roar, the concrete wall right next to Siwoo exploded.
Before the debris could even scatter, a massive shadow burst out from the cloud of dust.
“……!”
Before he could react, someone's hand seized his throat.
Crack!
“Kugh…!”
Crunch. Boom!
The hand gripped his neck and slammed him straight into the opposite wall.
Siwoo's back crashed into it, cracking the surface.
Even with Choi Min-seok's Body Hardening skill active, his neck bones screamed in agony.
“Gack, gack!”
Siwoo gasped for air, grabbing the man's arm and trying to twist it, but it was useless.
It felt like being pinned under a massive mountain.
As the dust settled, the silhouette hiding the figure came into view.
A hulking build beyond human limits.
His bare, muscular torso was covered in grotesque tattoos.
A man with wild, fiery red hair growled like a beast.
His eyes were bloodshot red, like those of a mindless predator.
The man lifted Siwoo with one hand, baring yellowed teeth in a sinister grin.
His eyes gleamed with the thrill of a hunter who had caught its prey.
“Found you.”
His voice was rough and chilling, like nails on steel.
Killing intent laced his breath as it washed over Siwoo's face.
“You little rat.”
Siwoo's feet kicked futilely in the air.
The red-haired man tightened his grip, chuckling with delight.
Even with Choi Min-seok's Body Hardening maxing out his neck muscles' density, the grinding of his cervical vertebrae echoed in his ears.
Any longer, and his neck bones would shatter to dust.
The red-haired man, Red, admired Siwoo with ecstatic glee, flashing his yellow teeth.
“How's it feel? Hiding like a rat and finally getting caught.”
Chilly killing intent brushed his face.
Siwoo clenched his teeth instead of answering.
'Insight Eye.'
⚔ STATUS ⚔ 📛 Name: Red ⭐ Rank: S-Rank (-) 🔮 Potential: ??? 📝 Special Notes: Modified Human 'S-Rank?'
An S-Rank meant he was on par with Baek Chang-gi, or close to it.
And the "Modified Human" note seared into Siwoo's mind.
A monster that had artificially surpassed human limits.
'Well, still just a modified human.'
The corner of Siwoo's mouth twitched upward.
“Laughing?”
As Red retorted, Siwoo released his grip on the man's arm.
He reversed his grip on the tactical dagger in his right hand.
Stab!
Siwoo plunged the dagger into Red's forearm without hesitation.
The blade sank into steel-like muscle with a metallic clang.
“Huh?”
It was surprise, not pain.
As Red's gaze flicked to his arm, Siwoo pulled his legs up and rocketed his feet into the man's solar plexus.
Boom!
At the same time, he targeted Red's wrist joint, smashing down with his elbow.
“Grk!”
Red inhaled sharply and staggered back.
In that split-second shock, the vise-like grip on Siwoo's neck loosened.
Siwoo twisted free without missing a beat.
The moment he landed, he hacked up coughs violently.
A vivid handprint swelled red on the back of his neck.
“Cough, cough…!”
Siwoo rubbed his throat, dry-heaving.
Air flooding his lungs revived the sensation of being alive.
“Ha, not bad?”
Red casually yanked out the dagger from his arm and tossed it aside.
Blood trickled, but the wound was closing at a visible rate.
His regeneration was monstrous too.
“Thought your neck would snap. Tougher than expected.”
Red cracked his neck and advanced on Siwoo.
With each step, the concrete floor cracked and crumbled.
His overwhelming mass filled the narrow corridor.
But Siwoo didn't retreat.
Instead, he straightened his clothes and spoke calmly.
“You know something?”
“What?”
“Sometimes, beasts caught in traps delude themselves.”
“Looks like fear's messed with your head.”
Red grinned sinisterly, closing the distance.
The massive shadow loomed over Siwoo, ready to swallow him.
Siwoo steadied his breath and looked up.
His eyes held not prey, but a hunter's gaze.
“That's you right now.”
“...Fucking crazy.”
“Now, Choi Min-seok.”
The words had barely left Siwoo's mouth.
Rumble—!
The ceiling groaned.
Before Red could look up, an immense weight plummeted straight down.
Boom!!
The entire building shook like an earthquake.
A colossal roar erupted as the concrete floor caved in, exploding into a dust cloud.
“Gah?!”
Red's scream buried in the dust.
“What the fuck!!!”
Panicking, Red instinctively tried to evade the threat.
But he couldn't.
Something had mounted him, pinning him with brute force.
As the thick dust cleared, it revealed heavy full plate armor encasing a massive frame.
A giant of a man holding a tower shield as tall as a person in one hand.
“Y-You…! Why the hell are you here…!”
Red's eyes widened in horror.
“Then, I'll leave him to you.”
Siwoo dusted himself off and said indifferently.
Choi Min-seok's bloodshot eyes flashed through his helmet's visor.
“Yes, sir.”
His voice boiled up from the depths of hell.
He was fully geared for battle.
Like a hero come to slay a demon king—or a vengeful demon returned from the abyss—killing intent poured from him.
Siwoo turned without a backward glance and headed toward the operating room where Lee Chae-yi waited.
Behind him came Choi Min-seok's growling voice.
“I've been waiting for this moment.”
Choi Min-seok's gaze wasn't on Red's face, but the mark on his clothes.
The emblem of those who kidnapped and experimented on his wife.
“Urgh, grraaa!!”
Red thrashed to escape, but Choi Min-seok slammed his shield down on the man's head.
Thud—!
“I'll make you suffer exactly what my wife endured.”
The corridor echoed with Red's agonized screams and dull thuds.
Siwoo walked on silently, the sounds his backdrop.
Thud. Thud.
Heavy footsteps rang in the silent hall.
Siwoo clutched his throat.
The spot crushed by Red's grip burned like fire.
Swallowing sent tearing pain through his esophagus, laced with the metallic tang of blood.
Physical exhaustion begged him to collapse and catch his breath.
But he pressed on.
Bloody hand braced against the cold wall, he took step after step.
The clamor faded behind, replaced by the nauseating mix of antiseptic and blood.
'…….'
At the corridor's end stood the heavy iron door of Operating Room 1, where he had coldly turned his back earlier.
Siwoo's steps slowed noticeably.
He stopped before it, exhaling deeply.
Suppressing the guilt stabbing his lungs, he reached out with trembling hand and grasped the cold handle.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Bang.
The operating room door burst open.
Red emergency lights from the corridor seeped into the darkened space.
Siwoo gripped the doorframe, panting raggedly.
Torn clothes soaked in blood, disheveled hair, busted lip.
He looked less like a hero and more like a battered survivor.
His gaze turned to the operating table.
“…….”
She was there.
The jacket he had draped over her lay dusty on the floor.
Lee Chae-yi remained bound by leather straps, staring at the ceiling.
Dead?
No. Her eyes were open.
But they held nothing.
No fear, resentment, or sorrow.
Just gray emptiness, like the ashes of a burned-out soul.
Like a doll severed from the world.
Siwoo dragged his heavy feet to the table.
Lee Chae-yi didn't even turn her head.
No reaction to his presence.
As if she had abandoned all hope in everything.
Siwoo reached out with a trembling hand to cover her view.
And spoke in a hoarse voice.
“Sorry I'm late.”
Those words shattered the silence.
Lee Chae-yi's eyes slowly, mechanically shifted.
Her gaze met Siwoo's face.
A man returned covered in dust and battered.
The one she thought had abandoned her.
Standing before her again, looking like he had fought for his life.
'Ah….'
A faint ripple stirred in her ashen eyes.
Frozen time began to flow again.
Desperate will to live and relief welled up in the hollow gaze.
“Uh… ugh….”
A beastly wail leaked from her ruined vocal cords.
A scream born of inability to speak.
Siwoo picked up the fallen jacket, dusted it off.
And draped it over her again.
Warmth enveloped her.
Lee Chae-yi's ashen eyes blankly followed his movements.
Fresh tears welled over her dried tear tracks.
Tears she thought gone surged forth.
They fell, rippling her empty eyes.
Her lips moved silently.
'Save me.'
Siwoo nodded without a word.
He extended his bloody hand and began slicing through her restraints.
The snapping leather sounded like breaking chains.
“Let's go.”
Siwoo lifted her into his arms.
Lee Chae-yi buried her face in his chest and sobbed silently.
His heartbeat told her he was alive.