Chapter 2
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Firefighter's Prayer
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'Star, are we in big trouble?'
I know regret always comes too late, no matter how quickly it hits.
'No answer, just flickering away like an asshole.'
Knowing that doesn't make the regret any less bitter.
There's a line like that in the book I'm reading lately.
Something about how "regret" doesn't just mean lingering attachment or disappointment over past actions? My brain's too dull to remember the details.
'Lingering attachment and disappointment over the past... that counts as regret too, right?'
Looking at this new-model suit and Quadron, I wondered if I was the only one feeling this way.
The way my comrades gently caressed the silver-white suit and helmet, the gleam in their eyes as they gazed at the shiny red Quadron... it all said the same thing.
It sucks.
If we'd had gear like this back then.
If it had come just a few years earlier.
No one would have died.
There would have been fewer sacrifices.
Probably true.
I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I'm not clueless either.
Since that accident, two guys from our center had gone to join their brothers in the afterlife.
Would they really have chosen that if they didn't want to live?
"Jingle bells, jingle bells..."
Hum that tune, and the pilot in the cockpit turned his head.
"Lifting off now. Buckle up and put on your helmets."
What's some civilian pilot done to deserve working on Christmas Eve?
I pressed my forehead to the watch on my left wrist. An old metal watch, treated like a relic these days, that a senior had gifted me when I got promoted to senior firefighter.
'Please, let no one die.'
This habit of praying started after that accident.
I usually keep my distance from them, not getting too chummy, but I don't want to lose any more of my people.
They're my brothers too.
It's not like I keep my distance because I hate them.
I suited up in the integrated gloves and helmet, then gave a thumbs-up.
Soon, a clear voice came through the helmet's earpiece speaker.
- Lifting off. Might feel queasy.
Whiiiirrr-.
Vrooooom-.
The firefighting squad's signature red Quadron blasted off amid red flashes and sirens.
- Weather's bad, so we'll fly low and slow. ETA to scene: three minutes.
- Whoa, seriously?
- What was that, sir? Three minutes slow?
- Senior, did the pilot really say three minutes?
- On Christmas Eve, with rush hour traffic, it'd take thirty minutes by fire truck...
The squad members' voices buzzing in my helmet were electric with excitement.
I felt a quiet thrill building too.
Vrooooom-.
As the Quadron straightened into flight, the star's blinking slowed.
'Star, you gonna behave and stay put today?'
Keep shining all you want—I won't whine about the pain. Just stay still.
We've been roommates in my head for years; grant your big bro this one favor.
'I don't want any more regrets.'
I rubbed my gritty eyes and peered out the craft.
The dark sky dumped fat snowflakes.
Vrooooom-.
The snowflakes hitting the Quadron whipped into four vortexes trailing us.
It was the mixed-use high-rise that served as a landmark in the district.
Thick black smoke billowed skyward. The ferocious flames threatened to melt the concrete building.
'Holy shit.'
Now I knew why the emergency response center had scrambled the Quadron—and why the star was blinking.
The second those flames jumped to the apartments, it'd be a massive disaster.
No place to land.
As the Quadron hovered over the boulevard, the squad leader barked orders.
- All squad members, rappel down to the street-.
"No time. Lower the craft more—we jump."
The star's quickening flashes, the scene below... everything screamed urgency.
Interrupting him made the squad leader hesitate.
I had a feeling I knew why.
And I wasn't the only one.
- In case of civilian property damage, compensation comes from the firefighter support fund set up by Sein Group's chairman. It's in the Quadron support contract.
- Then let's go with Captain Kim Jang-gun's call. Pilot, please.
The pilot's confident tone emboldened the squad leader.
- Dropping fast. Grab the seat handles.
The suit's joints had dampers built in. In simple terms, they dispersed body weight and impact.
So you could jump from this height without injury. In theory.
- Altitude now: eight meters to ground. Obstacles prevent further descent.
- Squad, jump!
Thud-. Thud-. Thump-. Crash-.
I said no injury, not a graceful landing.
- Urk-!
- Ow!
- Oof, Dad!
Seeing squad members belly-flop, trip, or roll made me clench my jaw to stifle a laugh.
'You little punks, making me soft.'
Always showing gaps, looking clumsy... it's hard not to grow fond.
Even I, with the worst coordination this side of the planet, rolled a few times and popped right up.
'How many inside?'
Beep-.
Building X-ray blueprint and likely rescuee positions transmitted to helmet mask screen.
- Captain Kim Jang-gun.
"What."
I'm not the captain.
They started calling me that once I began keeping my distance.
Just a convenient nickname, like Dr. Kim, Player Park, Pro Lee.
- Your team taking point, right?
"Obviously."
The squad leader knew my track record well. And the fact that it came with an inexplicable gut instinct no science could explain.
No one would believe me if I told them about my gut.
'This way? No? Then here?'
Most civilians had evacuated in the early stages of the fire.
But we check, check, and check again.
We always keep unreported, unconfirmed victims in mind.
[Sir! Fire Safety Center! Close your eyes, relax your body! Breathe through your mouth only!]
One, two... Every time we found a rescuee, we slapped on a rescue breather. Then a squad member would carry them out one by one.
'Second floor? Or third?'
I kept prodding my gut.
Another habit from after the accident.
Like giving shape to my unique intuition?
Truth be told, it's more accurate to say I'm asking the star. My gut got honed from years of enduring it.
'This way? Got it!'
Hit it right, and a chilling buzz shoots through my head.
It's yes-or-no only, but it helps. Cuts down agonizing at forks in the road.
While others comb every inch, I zero in on where rescuees are hiding based on my gut.
'This way? Okay!'
Drawbacks: worsening headaches, bloodshot eyes. But no reason not to use it.
What wouldn't a firefighter do to save lives?
- First floor clear!
- Second floor rescues complete!
Nothing beats the relief of hearing the floors I cleared have no one left.
- Captain Kim Jang-gun?
"Hold up. Third floor..."
Super suspicious.
First and second floors were infernos choked with toxic gas, but no flames on the third.
Beep-. BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-.
Mask screen border flashing red with warning tone.
Ambient temperature abnormally high.
"Who's got the thermal imager?"
- Senior Kim Jang-gun! I do!
Ah, the kid right behind me has it.
- Squad, assist Captain Kim Jang-gun.
Not necessary, but whatever.
Squad leader's the squad leader.
The guy with the thermal swept the area at a good pace.
- Senior! Here!
I rushed over at his shout.
The monitor confirmed my hunch.
'Jesus...'
A low-temp shape was writhing far off, cooler than surroundings.
"Good job. Scan for more."
- Yes, sir!
I bolted straight for it.
Third floor: central hallway, ending in a big office straight ahead, with large ones left and right.
- Bro, south office flames too intense! Can't contain!
- Contain it! Whatever it takes! Shut up and fight!
- Spreading west!
- Block the west! Someone tell the chopper to get lost!
- Fuuuck, if it was rain instead of snow today...
I sprinted on, their firefighting shouts like background music.
Glancing mid-stride, my left was the south office. Deeper in, toxic gas and flames encroached from the south.
'Rescuee sir's in the office dead ahead at hallway end!'
So west?
I've known my directions since kindergarten!
Not bragging.
Just feeling good.
'Yeah, stay put.'
The star's blinks were noticeably slowing.
Variables dropping one by one.
'How to extract.'
Can't just bust the door open.
My helmet's short-range scanner said as much.
'Monster inside.'
Heavy footsteps approached from behind—seven sets.
'Seven?'
Nailed it. Tingling chill in my head.
My delusion navigator tech is peaking; time to think upgrades.
Star's almost stopped flickering—feels great.
- Senior, this is the last one inside.
"Upper floors?"
- Empty.
Perfect. I nodded.
Now, quick plan and execute.
"Go up top, drill vents from above. Small holes, multiple—not big drill bit. Victim's probably on emergency breather; buys time."
Not just breather—Quadron gifted that buffer too.
"Finish drilling, then haul ass. Roger?"
- R-Roger, six!
Stammering the shorthand? Guess he's shocked I gave a long order.
I could picture the squad grinning under their helmets.
'Yeah, I'm glad to see you punks too. Ramen and water after?'
A few squad members pushed through smoke back down the hall.
- Captain Kim Jang-gun, what's up?
An outside senior who'd overheard commed in.
"Gotta vent gas."
That much, and he'd get it.
The ones behind me saw it live on mask screens—no need to explain.
Vortex swirling inside the trapped office.
Unvented hot gas causing pressure imbalance, spinning wild.
Screeeee-.
Still sucking air through gaps like a pissed-off whine; black fluid streaked the windows.
Sudden influx now? Wakes the fire dragon.
'Bet a senior got got by that bastard.'
The thing that stole my brothers' lives.
Frail firefighter me vs. fire dragon? Suicide.
[Sir! Can you hear me! Fire Safety-.]
I'd switched on the helmet's external speaker to reassure when...
Creeeeak-.
Oh shit, door opened itself.
No no, sir, bad move?
Star's blinks sped up—so fast it looked constant.
'Argh, damn it! Was a good day!'
Whooooosh-.
Air sucked viciously into the open door. Gale-force enough to stagger me.
Smoke cleared: rescuee sprawled on the floor. Managed to crawl to the exit, yanked the handle with his jacket.
I grabbed his collar like ripping a weed, hurled him behind me.
Feels hefty—must eat well.
Sorry lady, collar-grab sucks, but beats dying.
"Catch! Run!"
If time allowed, I'd carry bridal-style. But no time for that.
Firefighters never have enough time.
That damn time.
Fucking time.
In this pinch, my dumb brain squeezed out one idea.
'Even in the fiercest flames...'
I stepped boldly inside.
Muttering the prayer from my senior's book.
'Grant me the power to save one life...'