# Chapter 128
Kane had recovered smoothly and was now able to live a normal daily life. It meant it was time to leave ‘Alice.’
“Kane, what will you do after meeting Alice?”
Alex asked while replacing the bandages wrapped around his hand to prevent further injury.
Kay, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly stiffened. Then he fell silent for a moment.
“Is there… no way for me to live here?”
He knew it was greedy, but he didn’t want to go overseas. Partly because it was a foreign land, but somehow he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was running away.
He had just made up his mind. To try to change things, even a little. Of course, although the laboratory was gone, its remnants still remained.
Everything wasn’t over yet. That’s why he didn’t want to leave as if fleeing right now.
“If you want, I can create a new identity for you.”
Alex could easily understand what Kane wanted. Kane was the type whose expressions revealed everything, even if he was passive.
At what was essentially permission to live here, Kane’s eyes sparkled. Through his shaggy bangs, eyes filled with expectation could be seen.
“I heard there are still many sick children.”
“You want to help them?”
Alex let out a small laugh at Kane, who was speaking with a slightly excited look. Realizing he had been too hasty, Kane quickly averted his gaze and nodded.
“Yes, since I have knowledge from when I was a researcher, I think I can help a little.”
It wasn’t wrong. Except for a very small number, all of Peace’s researchers were either dead or in critical condition. However, researchers’ help was needed to treat the test subjects.
Having more researchers who could assist with treatment was a good thing. Alex spoke, remembering what he had heard from Ben.
“As it happens, Ben-ssi said he’s creating a ward for treating test subjects…”
“Really?”
Kane jumped up, clearly showing his desire to participate.
“How about working there, if you’re okay with it?”
“That would be too generous, but…”
His bright eyes darkened again, and Kane began scratching his hand. Alex naturally stopped him by holding his hand.
“What if I end up hurting them instead?”
It was a habit born from anxiety. If someone who evokes bad memories from the past is nearby, they might still suffer even if they receive treatment.
That’s why Kane couldn’t help hesitating. He wanted to help them, not cause them pain.
“Then should we look for somewhere else?”
“…”
“I’m worried because there are many urgent patients right now, but if Kane can’t do it, there’s no choice.”
Alex continued speaking as if testing Kane, who was conflicting. Kane, who had been anxiously biting his lips, seemed to have made a decision at Alex’s last words and clenched his fists. His eyes, filled with firm resolve, stared at Alex.
“No. I still want to work there.”
It was the answer he had been waiting for. Alex gently stroked Kane’s head as if to say he had done well.
“I…”
“Ah, sorry. The habit just won’t go away.”
Alex quickly withdrew his hand, belatedly realizing what he had done. Even with Kay, he wouldn’t stroke him so recklessly, but for some reason, his hand keeps going to Kane.
“It’s fine. Rather, I wanted to thank you for helping me in so many ways.”
He had done it before, but this would probably be the last time. That’s why Kane wanted to express his gratitude once more.
If it weren’t for him, Kane would still be miserably suffering. But thanks to Alex, he was able to change. Plus, he even arranged for him to do the work he wanted. For Kane, even bowing a hundred times wouldn’t be enough.
“Is this why…”
“Pardon?”
Kane tilted his head at Alex’s incomprehensible murmur. Alex, who hadn’t even noticed that he had spoken aloud, waved his hand.
“It’s nothing. More importantly, I was grateful too.”
He was a pure person. Perhaps that’s why he wanted to comfort him a little as he struggled.
Because people like Kane blame themselves rather than others. Alex thought as he looked at the bandages wrapped around his hand.
Just when would these hands become clean? He hoped Kane would be okay as soon as possible.
* * *
Melia couldn’t understand. Why was everyone acting like nothing happened? Zenon was a spy. Death would be the natural punishment, yet no one was trying to kill him.
“Fenil, don’t you hate Zenon?”
So Melia decided to ask directly. She suddenly visited Fenil’s house and urgently spoke without even greeting her.
“There are things in life that can’t be helped.”
Fenil, who was momentarily perplexed, soon wore a gentle smile. She had anticipated Melia would visit. Ever since she was paired with Zenon, all sorts of questions must have been tumbling inside her.
Melia spoke with anger to Fenil, who spoke lightly.
“If Kay hadn’t been revived, then Zenon would have killed Kay. And you still forgive him?”
This time it was only possible because Haylen had the ability called Revive. It was nothing short of a miracle.
Originally, Kay would have been discovered by Peace and killed.
Kay’s identity being discovered by Peace was because Zenon, as a spy, leaked information. So how could they forgive Zenon?
She knew that the reason Kay died was due to the limitations of his regeneration ability. But if it weren’t for Zenon, he wouldn’t have died so futilely there. No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t forgive Zenon.
“The more you think about ‘what ifs,’ the more endless it becomes. Anyway, it ended well, so isn’t it okay?”
“Am I… too young to understand?”
Melia simply couldn’t agree with Fenil’s words. Just because it ended well doesn’t mean Zenon’s status as a spy disappears. She seemed too calm. Is it strange that she herself doesn’t understand? But—
“I trusted him…”
Melia clenched her fist so tightly that her nails left clear marks on her palm. He was one of the few beings she considered precious. Though he was playful, he was considerate, and though he seemed light-hearted, he was sincere. But as long as he was a spy, the Zenon she thought was precious no longer exists.
More than a sense of betrayal, the sense of loss that the Zenon who existed in her memories was gone was greater. Perhaps that’s why she couldn’t forgive him even more. He should have never been caught. Then she could have treated Zenon as before.
But Zenon was not only a spy, he also put Kay in danger. This way, she couldn’t pretend not to know.
Melia felt as if the current him had taken away the past Zenon. Her eyes, turbulently fluctuating, settled.
“You don’t have to forgive him.”
Fenil smiled bitterly. She didn’t intend to force Melia. But as a result, she ended up burdening her.
“Forgiving Zenon was my choice. Melia, you should make your own choice.”
Everyone’s thoughts are bound to differ. That’s why each person should reach the conclusion they think is right.
She knew why Zenon became a spy, and how much he regretted it. Perhaps that’s why Fenil could easily forgive Zenon.
But Melia was different. She hadn’t heard all the truth from Zenon yet, and she might not want to understand. Fenil intended to respect whatever decision Melia made.
Melia fell into an unresolved dilemma. The answer didn’t come easily. Since this was the first time she had experienced such a situation, she didn’t even know which conclusion was the right one.
“…I won’t kill him now.”
There were countless unknowns, but one thing was clear. She didn’t want to kill Zenon.
So for now, she couldn’t reach any conclusion beyond this futile one.
“Yes, that’s a good choice.”
Melia, who had been watching Fenil’s reaction, opened her eyes wide at the warm touch that settled on her head. Then she looked up at her.
Fenil had forgiven Zenon. So she thought she wouldn’t like her choice. But Fenil smiled kindly instead.
“Aren’t you… going to say anything?”
“It would be silly for me to interfere with your choice.”
“…”
“And your inability to forgive Zenon isn’t because you’re young, but because you trusted him that much.”
She thought Fenil might have overlooked it. But Fenil had been listening to her words without missing anything. Though she had known her for a long time, Fenil was still a mysterious being to her.
She seemed to be just watching everything, but in fact, she was more deeply involved than anyone. A person who seemed cold yet was warm. That’s why she ends up telling Fenil anything. When talking with her, she realizes there are other answers.
“It’s the same for you.”
Fenil had trusted Zenon too. Then shouldn’t she also be unable to forgive him?
“Some people can forgive because they trusted, and some can’t forgive because they trusted.”
“Is that how it works?”
To Melia’s question, Fenil responded with her characteristic hearty laugh.
“That’s how it works.”
Fenil’s words still didn’t quite resonate with her. She had never thought deeply about such things. She had just followed orders.
She had never properly thought about such complex relationships, nor felt the need to. When she followed orders, everything was already resolved. Even if conflicts arose, it was just a matter of whether to let live or to kill.
But she had a feeling that later, she would be able to understand what Fenil had said.
“I see.”
That’s why Melia could nod at Fenil’s words.
