"Could it be the correct answer?"
My heart raced, and in an effort to calm the excitement, I took several deep breaths, trying not to get carried away by the hypothesis I had concocted.
As I scrutinized whether I was being overly speculative due to my excitement, my narrowed vision cleared, and the heat clouding my head gradually dissipated. Only then could I think more soberly.
Certainly, it was premature to definitively state that Adam and Eve were deities based on the information gathered so far. However, the assertion that they were related to a deity was a plausible one.
It was evident that following the traces of Adam and Eve would reveal more.
After a logical verification process, I massaged my still slightly numb back of the head. It was the first time I had pierced through the truth like a lightning bolt.
Had I received some sort of revelation?
Perhaps, frustrated by my inability to grasp the situation, the deity had decided to enlighten me, as if striking me on the back of my head, urging me to notice at last. With this trivial thought, I looked up Ruth in my contacts.
Although I was eager to embark on the search for Adam and Eve immediately, I lacked both the skills and the time. In Korea, gates were opening every hour, and dozens of people were dying. Venturing abroad would have to wait until the situation here stabilized.
Therefore, I couldn't act on my own, but I could seek assistance.
The help of Awakeners active abroad.
Fortunately, I knew a couple of people who could aid in such matters.
["Could you perhaps gather some information on Adam and Eve? As much as possible. More detailed than what's available on the internet."]
Given Ruth's wide network, he might be able to connect me with someone knowledgeable about Adam and Eve.
After checking the recipient list, I added another name. There was one person in Korea with extensive experience abroad and a broad network, although that one person happened to be Iha Hyuk.
["Redem Guild Leader"]
I hadn't exchanged personal communications with him since last summer. It had been half a year since our last contact, so I debated sending a greeting but decided it was unnecessary since we had seen each other when I was temporarily affiliated with the guild. I sent the message, addressing my concerns about Adam and Eve, then checked the bracelet that started ringing again.
It was about time for deployment, so I got up and changed into my battle gear. An unexpected message arrived just as I was about to head out.
["Good day, this is the operation team of the Korean Awakeners Association. The Awakener grade test for Mr. Kang Sihyun, which was postponed due to the national disaster in February, is scheduled for today at 4 PM. Please visit the association to register in the morning."]
"...Ah."
I had forgotten about the test.
To be active as an Awakener, one must undergo a grade test, but this quarter's new Awakeners couldn't do so due to the constant Irregular threats. Both the Awakeners and the association were overwhelmed, necessitating the test's postponement.
I vaguely remembered hearing it would be conducted in March, but I didn't expect a message as soon as it turned March 1st, especially at dawn.
Perhaps they were rushing to complete the tests today, as both Hamin and Geonu's phones also buzzed once with a notification.
Poor souls.
After being deployed to a major rift, Hamin and Geonu had only received a single day of short leave after a week of hardship. Today was their only day to rest, but they had to go for the test, which was unfortunate timing. I contemplated waking them up but decided to head out first.
It was still 4:30 AM. Even after returning from this deployment, it would still be morning, so I planned to wake them up then and head to the association together.
"Ah, Haru."
Upon arriving at the rift area and spotting a familiar face, I waved and approached him. He seemed to have responded to the call on his own, as he was alone without his usual companions.
"Is Seowoo still sleeping?"
"Yeah, hasn't woken up yet."
"Didn't he return yesterday morning?"
"Yep."
Must be exhausted.
Haru's voice carried concern. Recalling the boy who had gone without sleep for three days, I reassured Haru that it was self-inflicted.
"Did you manage to rest?"
"Just woke up. Haewoon returned, didn't he?"
"Yeah. Since he's a temporary guild member, they let him go early. Did you receive the association's message?"
"The grade test?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah."
"Good. Let's go together in the morning."
And bring the guys from your room too.
It seemed a good idea to have all six of us go together to register. I was checking my phone to confirm if Daun and Jihye had received the
message when Haru spoke up from above me.
"Do we really have to go together?"
"...Yes?"
Surprised by Haru's reluctance, which I hadn't anticipated, I looked at him. My phone, taken out to contact Daun, remained unused in my hand.
"You don't want to go with me?"
"No, it's not that..."
"Then?"
"I just... wanted to go with you alone."
"...What?"
"I just thought it'd be nice to go, just the two of us, without the others."
I haven't had much time alone with you lately. He hurriedly added, as if making an excuse. Unsure how to respond, I was pondering when the commander's order came through the communicator, interrupting the brief peace.
"Let's finish the rift first."
No matter how accustomed I had become to dealing with Irregulars after two months of relentless activity, facing an Irregular directly was no time for complacency. Haru momentarily showed disappointment but prioritized correctly and gripped the dagger at his waist.
["Rift opening. 3, 2, 1…"]
The screech of Irregulars filled the air. Another tedious battle began.
***
The distorted rift wavered before vanishing from the world. The end-of-battle signal sounded through the communicator. Clang, the sound of metal objects falling echoed.
"Damn it! Just like yesterday, how many rifts are opening around Seoul today? Over 10 a day, is that even reasonable? Did someone spread honey around here?"
Frustrated by the daily grind of facing Irregulars, a man who had thrown his weapon away cursed. I pretended not to hear him and glanced at the corpses of the Irregulars.
With Irregulars rampaging primarily around Seoul, forcing people to flee to the provinces, most of those remaining in the metropolitan area were Awakeners.
Why so many Irregulars were attracted to Seoul was beyond my understanding, so I remained silent in the potentially volatile atmosphere. The influx of Irregulars in Seoul was not without reason, as I was there, attracting them. It was unfortunate for Seoul to become a battlefield, but relocating would have resulted in a similar situation elsewhere. Given that Seoul housed a large number of Awakeners and had been largely evacuated following Gula's appearance, staying here was the only viable option. Not to mention, the Redem Guild's headquarters was located in Seoul.
"Do we have any healers here? We've got injured people!"
Ignoring the man's complaints, a situation arose that required my attention. Although I was not the only healer present, my assistance was needed. I moved toward the source of the call, finding a man supported by a woman, bearing a long wound across his abdomen.
This was indeed the primary duty of a healer.
Despite being a Triple, I had been more frequently deployed in combat roles rather than as a support, momentarily forgetting to attend to my team members in assigned squads. Responding to the call, I assessed the man's condition and applied a healing spell. As I tended to one injured person, more came forward.
After aiding them, I received thanks and stepped away, furrowing my brow in annoyance.
"...It's like a pack of hyenas."
"You okay?"
I had treated twelve people out of the seventeen present. As healers at rift sites provide care without charge and are generally expected not to refuse, some exploited this, seeking treatment for even minor wounds.
Understanding their motivations didn't make the situation any less irritating. Acknowledging Haru's concern, I gave a slight nod.
"I'll adapt. What else can I do?"
"...I don't like it."
"Me neither."
Let's ignore them once we're official guild members.
Once someone turns 19, they can operate as an official guild member. With just a year to endure, I mentioned this, causing Haru to furrow his brows. He seemed to mouth something silently, which looked like "That's too long."
Despite his apparent disapproval, it was his concern over my well-being that had been more pronounced. Shifting the conversation, I recalled a matter I wanted to discuss.
"So, about the grade test you mentioned earlier... You wanted to go with just me, right?"
"Uh? Oh, ...yeah."
"And the reason was that we haven't spent much time alone together recently."
"Yeah. ...I might be mistaken, but it seemed like Seowoo and Hamin had more alone time with you."
Seemingly embarrassed by the topic, Haru avoided my gaze. His face reddened to the tips of his ears.
We were practically inseparable during the first semester of our first year.
I held back the comment that almost slipped out. The partnership had changed in the second semester, and now our rooms were different, leading to less frequent interactions. Haru seemed to miss those times.
Acknowledging the change, I finally spoke up.
"Then how about we plan a trip together when we're free, just the two of us?"
"...What?"
"Without anyone else, just you and me."
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