Chapter 34
Chapter 34
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Trauma
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The spot swept by the enormous wave was eerily quiet.
The massive debris that had been about to crash into the ceiling disintegrated into grains of sand and scattered into the air. Even the flames were pushed back and extinguished.
In Siwoo's arms, Chaei lay unconscious, cradled against him.
Her limp limbs hung powerless, like a doll's.
But even in her unconscious state, the hand clutching at Siwoo's clothes was clenched white-knuckled.
As if determined never to let go.
'To think it was to this extent.'
The power she had just unleashed was beyond imagination.
Though only for a moment, matter itself had decomposed at her command, defying the laws of physics.
That was undoubtedly S-rank. No, a fragment harboring potential beyond even that.
"President! Are you alright!"
Choi Minseok came running through the dust.
His full-body armor was scorched and scratched to hell, but fortunately, no serious injuries were visible.
He checked on Siwoo and Chaei before letting out a sigh of relief.
Siwoo nodded and glanced behind Choi Minseok.
"You didn't kill him, did you?"
Behind Choi Minseok sprawled Red, the red-haired man, his limbs twisted grotesquely.
His face was caved in, barely recognizable.
"He's still breathing. Plenty of questions left for him."
Choi Minseok's voice was icy cold.
He grabbed Red by the collar and shook him roughly.
"Talk. Where's K-21? Where's Kim Yunseo!"
"Ku, heh heh..."
Red laughed mockingly through blood-flecked foam.
Even unable to open his eyes properly, his arrogance remained unshaken.
"Stupid... bastards..."
"Where is she, I asked!!!"
Kwachik!
Choi Minseok's fist slammed into Red's solar plexus.
Ribs crunched audibly.
But Red only groaned in pain, refusing to speak.
Instead, he muttered in mockery.
"Go find her... Even if you search your whole life... you won't..."
Choi Minseok frantically rifled through Red's pockets and clothes.
Nothing turned up.
"Talk. Please, just talk...!"
Choi Minseok's hands trembled emptily.
His enemy was right there, yet his wife's whereabouts remained a mystery.
"Heh heh heh... Told you, futile..."
At Red's sneer, Choi Minseok cocked his fist again.
Murderous intent exploded; he looked ready to crush the man's skull.
But Siwoo gripped his shoulder.
"Enough, Minseok."
"But...!"
"Keep him alive, and we'll get the info somehow. Trust me."
Choi Minseok bit his lip at Siwoo's cool words and lowered his fist.
Frustration shook him to the core, but the man was right.
Things always worked out when he listened.
"Red, right? One bit of advice."
Siwoo stepped toward Red.
"What...?"
"Never. Absolutely never tell us. I beg you."
"...?"
"That way, you'll grasp just how grueling a path you've chosen. Pain worse than death awaits."
Siwoo smiled coldly before dialing the Association right away.
"This is Han Siwoo."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Soon, Association helicopters and special response vehicles arrived amid blaring sirens.
Before the collapsed factory rubble, the agents couldn't hide their shock.
Red was bound in custom mana restraints and loaded into a transport.
Even as he was hauled away, he glared at Siwoo, muttering something unintelligible.
The staff buzzed with excitement over capturing an S-rank villain alive, but Siwoo's face remained impassive.
"Over here!"
Paramedics rushed up with a stretcher, and Siwoo gently laid Chaei down.
"Riding along?"
"Yes."
Siwoo boarded the ambulance with her.
As it sped off, only Chaei's ragged breaths through the oxygen mask filled the cramped space.
Mingled with rhythmic beeps, the anxiety mounted.
Siwoo gazed at her pallid face.
'Heart's Eye.'
⚔ STATUS ⚔ 📛 Name: Lee Chaei ⭐ Rank: B-rank 💫 Potential: S-rank (Damaged) ⚠️ Notes: Permanent potential damage / Severe trauma Siwoo's eyes narrowed at the words on the blue data window.
'...As expected.'
It was just as he'd thought.
Her rank was B.
Not S-rank.
That was her realistic ceiling now.
'Too late, after all.'
Siwoo wasn't particularly shocked.
She was already in a state where keeling over from the experiments wouldn't surprise anyone.
That overwhelming display earlier? Likely her final flare-up, burning through her potential.
"Permanent potential damage" confirmed it.
She might never wield that power again.
'What a shame.'
Even more so considering her ability's possibilities.
A power that bent reality to her words.
Properly nurtured, it could've elevated her to the pinnacle.
But the vessel was shattered.
Siwoo swallowed his regret and leaned back.
At least she was alive. That had to count for something.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Chaei's condition was dire.
Reawakening had mended her body, but the mental scars ran deep.
"Patient! Please don't move!"
The medical team swarmed her, hooking up IVs and checking vitals.
"Uwaaaah!!!"
A bloodcurdling scream tore through the ER.
Chaei snapped her eyes open from unconsciousness and seized up.
"Don't come near! Get away! Stay back!"
She flailed wildly, like a cornered lunatic.
The IV needle triggered lab horrors resurfacing?
To her, everyone was terror incarnate.
Beep-beep-beep-beep!
The heart monitor flashed red, shrieking warnings.
She yanked out the IV herself and scrambled to the corner.
Blood soaked her gown from the backflow, but she ignored it, trembling and vigilant.
Like a trapped wild animal.
"Calm down! We have to treat you!"
"No! I won't! Stay away...!"
The staff hovered helplessly, unable to approach.
Then Siwoo parted the curtain and entered.
"It's alright."
At his voice, Chaei—growling beast-like from the corner—whipped her head around.
Her frantic pupils locked on Siwoo.
Bloody suit.
Impassive face.
The warm gaze fixed on her.
It was him.
Her savior. The only one who'd dragged her from hell.
"..."
Miraculously, the convulsions ceased.
She who'd seemed ready to savage the staff staggered up and lunged at Siwoo.
Warak.
She crushed into his waist, burying her face in his chest.
Her grip on his clothes turned knuckles white.
As if she'd never release him again.
"Don't go... don't leave me..."
The moment she nestled in, her heart graph normalized.
Tremors faded; breaths evened.
The medical team gaped.
Siwoo patted her back awkwardly.
He'd heard of this.
A form of imprinting.
Like a hatchling seeing its first sight as mother, those snatched from death's brink latched onto their rescuer as ultimate sanctuary.
After a long while, confirming Chaei settled, Siwoo headed for the door.
"Be right back. Bathroom break."
As he gingerly turned the knob.
"Hup... hup...!"
A guttural gasp from behind.
Siwoo startled and turned.
Chaei.
She'd slithered from the bed to the floor, dragging the IV stand to the door.
Terror in her eyes, she clutched his pant leg.
Don't go. Don't abandon me.
Please don't go.
'...'
Siwoo gazed at her.
'No helping it.'
He sighed deeply.
Abandoning the bathroom, he slumped back into the chair.
Only then did her breaths steady.
Clutching his hand tight, she drifted off.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 2 AM.
Confirming Chaei in deep slumber, Siwoo slipped from the room.
Extricating his hand took thirty minutes.
He headed for the terrace.
Cold night air scoured his lungs.
His mind churned.
Kim Yunseo missing, Chaei a wreck.
"Want one?"
A clear voice piped from behind.
Turning, he saw Lee Jia.
She held two iced Americanos, beaded with condensation.
"...Jia?"
Not Yaeun or Minseok—how'd she know?
Siwoo didn't pry.
"Thanks."
He took one naturally and sipped.
Caffeine sharpened his fog.
"You okay, President? You look beat."
Lee Jia leaned on the rail, concern etching her face.
Moonlight paled her skin.
Her eyes brimmed with worry and sympathy for him.
"Yeah, just... used to it."
Siwoo shrugged it off.
Silence settled.
Night breeze filled the gap.
Lee Jia glanced ward-ward, then ventured carefully.
"...Planning to contract her too?"
Siwoo's hand stilled.
He eyed the clinking ice, lost in thought.
"Dunno. That's my dilemma right now."
"Huh?"
Her eyes rounded.
She'd assumed special affection kept him vigilant.
Dilemma?
"Quitting feels off—she's a reawakener. But B-rank for a contract..."
Siwoo scowled.
"...So, rank's the hang-up?"
"Obviously. Mentally shaky too—dungeon-ready?"
"Ah..."
Lee Jia brightened oddly.
Relief-smile, she toyed with her cup.
No womanly view on Chaei. Relief.
"Good... I mean, got it."
"Hm?"
"Nothing. Why not ask her straight? What she wants."
Lee Jia gazed softly.
"She might need someone polling her will now. Dragged around plenty, I'd bet."
Siwoo nodded.
Solid point.
"True. Her call, then."
He binned the empty cup.
"Thanks, Jia. Cleared my head. Heading in."
"Take care, President."
Siwoo waved and descended to the ward.
Lee Jia lingered on the rail, eyes tracing his fade.
Cupping flushed cheeks, she murmured.
"If I got hurt... he'd hold me too, right? Yeah. He would. Definitely."
Envy, jealousy, anticipation swirled on her face.
Then, midway down, Siwoo paused.
Quiet night air?
Her faint mutter reached him.
'Hm?'
He cocked his head.
No inkling.
'Did I say that?'
Memory scan: no such sappy line.
Misheard.
Siwoo shrugged and walked on.