Nearby Awakened individuals weren't exactly scarce, yet the boy's response, immediate and without rest, drew questioning glances. Understanding the silent query, his eyes sparkled with mischief.
"I thought you might show up for this rift."
"And that's a reason?"
"Yeah. It's nice to see your face."
Might as well recharge my energy this way if I can't properly rest, what can you do?
The voice that flowed from the crimson lips was surprisingly embarrassing. Noticing something amiss, the driver cleared his throat loudly. Kang Sihyun stared at the boy, who had become markedly gentler and more approachable with age, particularly since 'that incident.'
By now, a sense of order had been established, but immediately following the appearance of the Gulra, South Korea was in utter chaos.
Thousands died, and the cities were filled with the cries of those who had lost their families. The Irregulars poured out, and by the time the Association had rallied Awakened individuals to support, simultaneous rifts had opened nationwide, necessitating frantic efforts from the Awakened.
Despite their best efforts, casualties were inevitable, leading to furious protests in front of the Association. The ground of the Association, stained with the blood of the people, still hadn't faded.
Even Ruth cursed upon hearing that Gulra had appeared in America, and the survivors gradually organized themselves to combat the Irregulars. It took a full month to eliminate all the Irregulars that had emerged on the day of the apocalypse.
This ordeal had changed the children, especially Yoo Seowoo, who had witnessed his aunt's death.
After a solemn remembrance, he began to brush off any insults with a smile and remained silent even as people berated him for the lives he couldn't save.
He no longer spat out cynical and harsh words as before. He became gentler, more friendly, and smiled more, but to Kang Sihyun, he seemed like someone who had given up on something. That's why Kang Sihyun could no longer be harsh to him.
Closing his eyes, he could still envision the boy, facing the cold winter wind with a pale expression. Seeing Yoo Seowoo's vulnerability made resisting him impossible.
Before he could draw boundaries considering the feelings Yoo Seowoo might have had for him, Kang Sihyun felt he had to save the boy who seemed to have chosen him as his final sanctuary.
Yoo Seowoo was, knowingly or not, very adept at manipulating these sentiments, leaning his head against Kang Sihyun's shoulder as if sleepy.
The weight of the boy leaning against him was substantial. Though it was heavy and uncomfortable, Kang Sihyun said nothing, simply turning his gaze outside the window. They were already near the rift, with no time left for idle chatter.
As the vehicle stopped and people from several cars disembarked, arming themselves, Kang Sihyun and Yoo Seowoo did the same.
Holding his staff, Kang Sihyun focused intently on the black rift that was still calm, awaiting the Irregulars' emergence. A static order came through the earpiece.
["It's a Catastrophe-Class Irregular 'Fire Ant'. They will swarm out in large numbers, so focus on preventing them from crossing the boundary rather than annihilating them. Healers, please start by setting up barriers."]
A member of the Redem Command Team instructed. Kang Sihyun surveyed the gathered faces, familiar from two months of working together, and frowned.
The situation was dire.
There were about twenty people, but he was the only healer. He was alone responsible for setting up barriers across this vast area.
At school, the scarcity of healers and buffers wasn't as noticeable, but in the guild, the reality was stark. Healers were not just rare in words but in actuality.
Considering the most healers he had worked with in a team was three, despite having fifty people, the current situation was grim. Kang Sihyun confirmed once more that he was indeed the only healer present and sighed.
Reluctant to proceed alone, he couldn't just ignore the situation. Delaying would only extend the period of overwork and irritability among the Awakened, making it better to finish quickly.
Fortunately, this was the first rift of the day, so he hadn't expended any mana yet.
After estimating where to set up barriers from the operation map displayed on his bracelet, Kang Sihyun took a deep breath. His blue eyes narrowed.
"I'll use about half my mana setting up the barrier, so keep that in mind during combat."
"I'll try not to rely on you too much."
Even dealing with tens to hundreds of ants per team, Yoo Seowoo didn't promise complete coverage, warning to stay vigilant. Though his voice was gentle and lacked urgency, Kang Sihyun nodded, transferring mana through his staff.
He felt the core vibrating near his heart as he delicately managed the vast mana
, establishing a solid barrier within a kilometer radius of the rift. As he predicted, it consumed exactly half his mana.
"The barrier is set."
[Good work.]
[The rift is opening in 3, 2…]
After finishing his brief report, the calm voice of the command team echoed in his ears. The black rift trembled violently as if about to explode, and soon, at least hundreds of ants surged out.
Chattering jaws, the ants spewed heat as they charged at the Awakened individuals, like a red tide. The command team ordered caution against burns of second degree or higher upon skin contact.
["Focus on reducing their numbers while searching for the leader. Report immediately upon finding it."]
"Damn, when do we have time to report!"
One of the Awakened fighting the ants shouted, and Kang Sihyun, silently agreeing, swung his staff. He intended to conserve mana and protect himself, but the sheer number of ants was too great for Yoo Seowoo to handle alone.
Water erupted, pushing back the advancing ants. Utilizing the water created, they continued the standoff, with Yoo Seowoo awkwardly apologizing for not being more helpful.
"You're doing enough, just focus."
Each flash of aura sliced through the ants' waists. If this wasn't helpful, it would be a deception. The Fire Ant was classified as a Catastrophe-Class Irregular not for the strength of individual ants but for their overwhelming numbers. They could manage the swarm by dividing the team, so Kang Sihyun persisted using his staff as a blunt weapon until an ant jumped onto his shoulder and bit into his flesh.
Crunch.
The burning pain pierced through his combat uniform. Had it been regular fabric, his flesh would've been torn away.
"Tch."
Kang Sihyun shook off the pain, swatting away the ant and using a simple heal. As the ants attacked more fiercely, Yoo Seowoo quickly cleared them away, buying time for Kang Sihyun's healing. Each movement left a trail of platinum aura.
Thanks to Yoo Seowoo, Kang Sihyun completed the healing before the heat spread, sweeping away the ants with a water barrier. Then, an unpleasant sensation overwhelmed him.
Chatter.
Ants had breached the Awakened individuals' defense line and were gnawing at the barrier, attempting to escape.
Thanks to sharing senses with the barrier, Kang Sihyun realized this and reported to the command team. His foresight in sharing senses proved invaluable.
Although it was good to catch the crisis early, the mental strain doubled, feeling as if veins in his brain might burst from the tension.
"Damn, how long will this take? Eh?"
The strain began to show on those in combat, their voices weary. It wasn't an endless battle against a swarm of ants. As Kang Sihyun considered stopping, a shout came from within.
"We found the leader!"
The command team responded immediately.
[Assassination team, move out.]
New faces, not seen when searching for the healer, moved swiftly through the swarm. Kang Sihyun's gaze, almost involuntarily, shifted to the center of the melee.
Amid the red ants, a dark aura drew elegant lines, the most skilled movement among those gathered to combat the rift.
Then, with a whoosh, a flash of red light in the center and the wind struck his face, the moving ants fell in heaps, their trembling ceasing. They looked like puppets with their strings cut.
[Leader eliminated.]
The report of the assassination team's success came through the communication device. People admired the boy who made the report, including Kang Sihyun.
Turning fully, Kang Sihyun watched the boy wiping sweat amidst the ant corpses. The situation was similar to one a year ago, but the boy looked more merciless and tired than before.
Ban Haru.
The boy wiping sweat with his black half-gloves turned his gaze toward Kang Sihyun.
Their eyes met, red against red, and Kang Sihyun nodded in greeting. Haru's eyes widened briefly before returning to normal. Watching Haru approach, Kang Sihyun frowned at Yoo Seowoo leaning on him, claiming tiredness.
"Stand up straight."
"I couldn't sleep, you know."
"Who told you not to sleep?"
"I did my best to protect you, and you treat me like this?"
Feeling slighted….
His voice was faint and thin, as if carried away by the wind. Kang Sihyun glanced at the tired boy and sighed.
If he had known, he would have regretted meddling in the first place.
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