Chapter 77
After hearing the whole story, both Yu Hyunjae and Go Hankyul wore ambiguous expressions. Go Hankyul was the first to break the silence, forcing a cheerful tone.
“Hey, yeah. I was shocked too when I saw you bleeding like that. You should take a break from training until you’re better.”
“No, I’m really fine. They said I respond well to medication.”
“That’s not the point. Just rest. It’s not like your Rank 1 status is going anywhere.”
Yu Hyunjae stayed silent. It was probably his way of agreeing. Besides, since he knew I’d been given a death sentence, it made sense he wouldn’t be thrilled about me training. I scowled slightly as I packed my afternoon class textbooks, avoiding their company for no good reason. They were right, but I still wanted to show Yu Hyunjae that I could live just fine in Korea for the remaining month. At the very least, I didn’t want to appear weak in front of someone who was leaving to come back stronger.
[Chanhee, are you paying attention in class?]
The text came just as the bell for fifth period was ringing. Since I couldn’t be sure whether Han Jaemin’s words and actions were within the realm of what I knew, I couldn’t bring myself to leave my phone behind. As usual, I checked the message but didn’t reply, shoving it back into my bag. Ding. A second message notification sounded. The preview read:
[Come to the first-floor chemistry lab after fifth period.]
I frowned involuntarily. The word “come” implied he was already there. A chill ran down my spine. I shot up and strode toward where Yu Hyunjae was sitting.
“If I don’t come back by the end of this period—”
“……Huh?”
“Come to the first-floor chemistry lab.”
“What the hell…?”
Before he could finish, I kicked open the door and sprinted down the hallway. Hey, Yu Chanhee! Where the hell are you going during class? I heard the teacher’s voice behind me, but I ignored it and bounded down the stairs three at a time. The chemistry lab door was firmly shut, but it opened easily. Since no class was scheduled, the inside was dim. I stepped further into the spacious lab and began searching every corner.
“Chanhee!”
Yu Hyunjae’s voice echoed from the entrance. I turned to face him.
“Why did you follow me?”
“You expected me not to?”
Yu Hyunjae closed the lab door and walked toward me without hesitation.
“What’s going on? Tell me.”
“……”
“Are you going to hide it again? Lie to me?”
“……Han Jaemin told me to come here.”
“Han Jaemin? You’re still in contact with him?”
“I’m not. He just sent me a one-sided notice. I came because something might happen.”
“What if someone’s lying in wait here to kidnap you? What then?”
“……I—”
“Why are you so reckless? You should’ve told your dad or a teacher.”
What if that teacher is one of Han Jaemin’s people? The only ones I could trust right now were Yu Hyunjae and myself.
“……Yeah, I misjudged.”
My easy admission softened Yu Hyunjae’s expression slightly. As my thoughts cleared, everything felt off. No matter how many spies were planted, this was a school—a Ranker training school with tight security. Even Han Jaemin couldn’t just waltz in and out. And if he somehow did, I shouldn’t have come.
“I guess I’ve got some useless hero complex.”
Yu Hyunjae slowly scanned the area.
“So all he said was to come here? No other details?”
“Yeah. I haven’t even seen Han Jaemin’s face since my dad started cooperating.”
“Let’s get out of here. It’s dangerous.”
The unlit chemistry lab was cluttered with various lab equipment, making the pathways complex. As I finally reached the entrance and grabbed the doorknob, I realized the door was locked.
“What? Is it locked?”
“Yeah. It’s locked. We’re trapped.”
Yu Hyunjae naturally placed his hand over mine. I subtly pulled back, letting go. He yanked hard on the doorknob. It wasn’t going to open.
“Should I break it down?”
“Break the door?”
“Or call a teacher. Your phone works, right?”
“I only have the phone Han Jaemin gave me.”
Yu Hyunjae pulled out his own phone and searched for the special instructor’s number. With class in session, there was no chance of an answer.
“Should I call the special instructor?”
“No.”
My immediate response made Yu Hyunjae look at me.
“The special instructor might be one of Han Jaemin’s people.”
I told Yu Hyunjae everything as honestly as I could. Keeping secrets from him at this point seemed pointless.
“What?”
“Remember what Joohyun said? About the special instructor suddenly taking me to Hansung Hospital? To the Mana Research Center.”
“Ah.”
Yu Hyunjae nodded in understanding. I gave up on opening the door and stared at the phone in his hand.
“Maybe we should text someone like Go Hankyul instead.”
“Got it.”
Yu Hyunjae tapped away at the screen and sent the message. I slid down against the wall.
“I’ll let you know if I get a reply.”
“Thanks.”
Silence settled between us. Not long ago, just sitting alone with him in the dark lab would have made me happy. But now, he was the one drawing the line. I hung my head, fidgeting with my hands, before blurting out a question.
“How’s the study abroad prep going?”
Yu Hyunjae hesitated before giving a short, “Yeah.”
“Are you… really going?”
It was a stupid question, even as I asked it. He nodded, still staring at the floor.
“If I don’t go, nothing will change.”
He was right. If he didn’t take action, his life would remain stagnant.
“What kind of person are you?”
His sudden question caught me off guard.
“Not Yu Chanhee. The real you.”
“……Me?”
“Yeah, you. What’s your name? How old are you?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
“Yeah. I don’t know. Anything. I can’t remember.”
It was a natural question, and I answered naturally, but it struck me as strange and wonderful that we’d reached a point where we could have this conversation. Even the system seemed to agree, staying silent instead of flagging this as a “violation of plausibility.”
“I just… woke up, and I was me.”
“When was that?”
The question of when was genuinely hard to answer. Was it the playroom where I played with seven-year-old Hyunjae? Or the graduation season when I left Hyunjae outside the door and talked with my father? If I died now, would yesterday become the start of my life?
“I don’t know.”
“……I see.”
“It’s not a lie. I really don’t know.”
“I’m not saying I don’t believe you.”
I hurried to defend myself, and Yu Hyunjae replied calmly.
“I’m just curious. About you.”
“There’s nothing special.”
“We’ll see. I don’t think so at all.”
“……Why?”
“The first time I felt something new for you, I thought you were someone incredibly strong and upright. It was almost like I was programmed to like someone like that—it felt inevitable.”
I was glad it was dark. Otherwise, my burning ears would have given me away.
“I was really confused back then. But… as time passed, my heart settled. Like I’d finally returned to where I belonged.”
“…….”
“My past life felt like something forced and uncomfortable, and this one feels real. Isn’t that weird? But it’s all because of you.”
“……Yeah, it’s strange.”
Even though my existence has only made your life more miserable.
“I’m not going to England just to get stronger.”
“Then why?”
“It’s just… there’s a way for us to live together over there.”
“There is?”
“Yeah. That ritual you did. The one where you summoned Dohyun hyung.”
“…….”
“I looked into it like a madman. Who came up with that skill? Who wrote it down? Why don’t most people even know it exists?”
“……Did you find an answer?”
“Yeah. The person who wrote it down—their younger sibling is a teacher at that school.”
“……What?”
“There’s a lot I need to ask.”
I felt a mix of gratitude and bittersweetness toward Yu Hyunjae for tracking down all that information. After a long silence, I stood up.
“Should I turn on the lights? It’s too dark.”
“……Yeah.”
“Why didn’t we turn them on earlier? Where’s the light switch in here?”
“Left side of the door.”
I fumbled in the dark until I found the switch. There seemed to be multiple switches, each controlling different sections of lights. I flipped the first one. The nearest fluorescent light flickered on. Only then could we see each other’s faces. Yu Hyunjae’s face was slightly flushed. I pretended to look away and flipped the second switch. This time, the light right next to us turned on. Then, from somewhere, a clicking sound began. At first, I thought I’d misheard, but the rhythmic mechanical noise grew louder. I looked around and said,
“Do you hear that?”
“Yeah.”
Yu Hyunjae also scanned the area. The source of the sound was the switch. As I took a step closer, Yu Hyunjae suddenly shouted,
“Chanhee!”
Before I could turn, he grabbed me and hurled us both as far away as possible. The moment my body hit the floor, a deafening explosion erupted, centered on the switch. The door and wall collapsed, and chunks of cement embedded themselves in my arms and legs. Yu Hyunjae’s back was already soaked in blood.
“……What the hell was that?”
We panted, staring at each other. It was clearly a deliberate explosion.
