# Chapter 30
The long battles continued one after another. When there wasn’t fighting, they walked continuously. Lee Hwan’s ability shined when hunting flying monsters. The bullets from his weapon, with trajectories twisted by his power, hit the hawks without fail.
When a monster with flame resistance didn’t immediately burn or explode and fell to the ground, Jade would pin it down with telekinesis, and Taesung would slice its head with his shield blade.
Crack—the sound of a skull breaking was crystal clear. Honestly, it was a sound that made his knees weak. Somehow Lee Hwan felt like the back of his head, which had already healed, was aching again.
Lee Hwan moved resolutely to take down the last flying monster, then prepared for the final battle.
Sensing the vibrations, a group of squirrels gathered and leaped down from the rock face, almost as if flying. Lee Hwan twisted the space below the cliff, dropping monsters in all directions, and after confirming Jade’s position, he launched backward while firing his dol-peung.
Pubeong!
Pang!
The monsters that had rushed in urgently all exploded and flew away. But behind them, more squirrels swarmed in. Lee Hwan turned his head to give a signal, and in sync, Taesung unleashed his ability…
Hwaaak!
Pueong- gugunggung-!
The flames writhed and licked within the confined space.
Everything burned, shattered, and turned to ash. Burning monsters ran in all directions, trembling as they melted, and in an instant, the surroundings grew so hot that sweat flowed.
“Heok, phew…”
It was successful. Lee Hwan quickly faced forward and closed his eyes until the situation calmed down. He knew his eyes glowed brightly whenever he used significant power.
Fortunately, since his eyes were on his face, Taesung couldn’t see his light whether he was in front or behind. But it never hurt to be cautious.
When the spatial control was released and surroundings became quiet, Lee Hwan finally exhaled deeply and lifted his eyelids. Since he’d withdrawn his ability, the light in his eyes would have faded long ago. Moreover, this time Taesung had fried the monsters to a crisp, so he thought he’d see less blood.
And then.
‘!’
As Lee Hwan’s eyes slowly opened, instead of charred monster carcasses, Taesung’s face was right in front of him.
Dark eyes that seemed to peer inside his mask.
As Lee Hwan tried to step back in surprise, a towel was extended to him. He fumbled as he accepted it, swallowing his thanks internally.
“You definitely pull your weight.”
Despite the understatement, Lee Hwan didn’t respond. He just stiffened, bringing the towel under his mask, merely pretending to wipe away sweat.
‘…Is it over?’
He thought they would have to pass through several more paths, but looking around, that had been the gate’s final battle. The mountain path, which had grown somewhat hotter, curved ahead before ending at a solid cliff.
Only then did Lee Hwan relax and shift his gaze back to Taesung. Despite his expressionless face, he showed a certain satisfaction.
Lee Hwan vaguely thought that, unlike the first day, Taesung probably wasn’t disappointed in him.
“That watch, all tracking and connections have been cut, so it’s safe to use in everyday life.”
Taesung bluntly stated in a low voice, nodding toward Lee Hwan’s wrist. Looking at it now, while it was clearly from the Naru assault team, it didn’t have any corporate markings.
He’s giving this to me? Something this expensive?
It was an unexpectedly friendly gesture before entering the gate. Momentarily tempted, Lee Hwan pondered briefly. Was this an invitation to stay in contact? Though his voice was still rigid…
Lee Hwan unconsciously nodded and clutched the rolled-up towel. He did so completely unthinkingly, without even considering whether it was good or bad. As if entranced.
Come to think of it, even before the regression, when Taesung approached him like this, Lee Hwan was easily persuaded. Sometimes Lee Hwan thought he was like a siren.
“Seems like we’re wrapping up. Let’s leave the byproduct collection to them and head out.”
Jade approached from behind and spoke. Taesung nodded once without answering and looked at his own wrist. Lee Hwan also reflexively checked his watch.
‘Four hours… ten minutes.’
The battle had ended earlier than expected. Though he knew it was largely due to his own significant contribution, amid the satisfaction of having performed well, Lee Hwan felt an inexplicable regret.
‘Maybe we should have taken more breaks in between.’
The longer they spent together, the higher the probability of his identity being discovered, yet a sentimental attachment kept holding him back.
Once they left this place, Taesung would become the pursuer again, and he would be in the position of using stealth to avoid the aggro of a madman. That made him feel sad and regretful.
While Lee Hwan was hesitating and regretting on his own, Taesung approached and extended his hand. Lee Hwan instinctively tried to pull back before looking up.
‘…A handshake?’
Since the regression, the priority had been to avoid Taesung’s outstretched hand. Moreover, Taesung still had an expression devoid of any warmth. These unexpected reactions kept confusing him.
Lee Hwan alternately examined his face and hand for a moment before extending his own right hand. Perhaps because he had just used his ability, Taesung’s hand was hotter than usual. Those long-fingered, thick-jointed hands firmly gripped Lee Hwan’s.
A strange warmth enveloped his palm.
‘This too… has been a while.’
Too close. Satisfying, but therefore dangerous. If he lingered and his identity was discovered, he could lose even this relationship.
Lee Hwan smiled bitterly and immediately stepped back after releasing the hand. Why? He felt it difficult to stay close any longer.
An inexplicable discomfort and slight trembling enveloped his body. Finally, Lee Hwan abruptly bowed as if he had urgent business.
“I’ll be going now. Call me for the next job, and I’ll come.”
Fortunately, his voice didn’t tremble at the end. Lee Hwan made a gesture of tapping the watch for formality’s sake before awkwardly turning around. Leaving Taesung, who was still watching him, behind, Lee Hwan quickly exited the gate.
* * *
His mind was full of scattered thoughts as he descended the mountain. Lee Hwan was biting his lips and clenching his right hand tightly.
Why was it only after giving up everything and attaching himself to Kang Dongha, only after completely covering his face, that he became somewhat closer to Taesung? Lee Hwan felt like he had finally fastened the first button with him only after ceasing to be Lee Hwan. It felt both hopeful and sorrowful.
At the same time, knowing that even this small interest would disappear the moment he removed his mask, Lee Hwan felt that even this bit of goodwill was like a mirage.
The world was teasing him. Perhaps it was all an illusion, making him think things could go back to the way they were, trying to distract him from his goal—preventing destruction and restoring Taesung’s memories.
When his thoughts reached that point, Lee Hwan’s mood sank again. There was no need to continue wavering. Taesung would eventually regain his memories anyway. Even if he had to stay away for now, if he kept working to save the future, they would come back together someday.
‘…Definitely.’
Finally, as he reached the road, he saw Kang Dongha waving and smiling in front of him. Lee Hwan frowned deeply.
Had he come to pick him up personally?
No. He came to check on Lee Hwan.
He could still feel those eyes observing him at every opportunity. Checking if anything had happened with Taesung. Whether something had gone wrong at Gate C-17, and whether anything had gone awry at today’s gate.
Seeing Lee Hwan immaculate without a single scratch, Kang Dongha looked momentarily anxious.
“Your nose is bleeding.”
Blood flowed through the hole in the mask below his nose.
Only when the belated penalty ruptured a weak blood vessel did a satisfied expression appear on Kang Dongha’s face, though he tried to hide it. As if he had hoped Lee Hwan had just been used as a convenient mercenary without hearing anything from Taesung.
‘…’
Lee Hwan hesitated as he went to wipe his nose with the towel he was still holding, then clutched it back in his hand. Instead, while blood dripped profusely, he put on his outer clothes that he had left in the car and stuffed the towel into the pocket.
“Give me tissues.”
“Why not just take off your mask?”
“Give me tissues before I take your head off.”
At the menacing tone, Kang Dongha searched the car with a terrified expression and tossed over some portable tissues. Lee Hwan stood there for a while, staining his white mask and tissues.
Now, this was reality, not pre-regression. Don’t forget what needs to be done. Lee Hwan thought as he felt the metallic taste of blood sliding down his throat.
It seemed he had been closer to Taesung than he realized. Close enough to feel regret at his absence, to keep forgetting the plan and gravitating toward him.
‘Well… I’ve never met a friend like him in my life.’
If soulmates truly existed, Taesung was probably his, Lee Hwan thought.
That night, he strangely had a fever. Arriving home, Lee Hwan threw his outer garment onto the bed and peeled off his dirty suit like a shell. Dust puffed into the air.
Throughout his hot bath in the bathroom, Lee Hwan’s mind was blank. Despite the warm air, he felt a bit cold and shivery. He couldn’t tell if his body was cold or his heart felt empty. Even the fragrant bubbles filling the tub couldn’t comfort his mind.
‘I’m not even hungry.’
Unusually, he had no appetite either. So Lee Hwan only left the bathroom after the bathwater had cooled and the room had become foggy from the steam. His hands were swollen, and only then did he clearly see the scratches and cuts.
After roughly drying off, Lee Hwan collapsed onto the bed without even covering himself with a blanket. Through his half-closed eyes, he saw the white towel that had slipped out of his clothes pocket.
‘…’
He recalled the hand that had given it to him. He remembered the eyes that had met his. The memory of when such things were so natural felt like it was caressing his heart.
Suddenly feeling soft inside, Lee Hwan grasped the towel and curled up. Along with the sensation of the fabric, his consciousness quickly faded.
