noveldrama
Chapter 275
Chapter 275
The grass rustled softly. Before long, something peeked out from the bushes.
“Cluck, cluck?”
A glossy body with beady black eyes. It was none other than **Kkokko**, Hong Yesung’s companion. Kkokko tilted its head as it gazed at Sa-young and Honeybee. Honeybee frowned, pointing at the bird.
“Wait, isn’t that Hong Yesung’s chicken?”
“Looks like it.”
“Why is it suddenly popping out now?”
“Maybe it came to greet us.”
“Oh, sure. When I threatened to burn the mountain, it didn’t show even a feather. But now?”
“Maybe it didn’t want to talk to you.”
“There’s not a single thing about it that I like!”
Despite Honeybee’s grumbling, Kkokko approached the mat where Uijae was bundled in a coat, peering closely. After inspecting him from every angle, Kkokko spread its wings wide.
“Cluck! Cluck, cluck!”
“What’s it saying?”
“Do I look like I’d know?”
“Do you even know anything?”
“More than you.”
Golden eyes locked with purple ones, sparks practically flying in the air. As the two tightened their grips in silent tension, Kkokko shook its head and let out a deep sigh.
“Cluck…”
“Did it just sigh?”
“Seems like it.”
“Unbelievable! Even its attitude is just like its master. Hey!”
As Honeybee shouted in frustration, a faint cough echoed from beneath the coat. All movement—Sa-young, Honeybee, and Kkokko—froze.
Sa-young knelt down, inspecting Uijae’s face. Though it wasn’t entirely visible, the slight furrow of his brows behind the gas mask lenses was clear. Sweat dampened his temples and neck, and his breathing was labored. Gently, Sa-young picked him up. His body was burning hot.
“…”
Had Uijae ever been this sick before? Sa-young could recall moments: coughing up blood, collapsing, feverish spells. But the memory didn’t compare to the reality of seeing him like this now. Sa-young was too afraid to apply pressure, holding him carefully as if any wrong move might risk his life.
Meanwhile, Honeybee, carrying the Romantic Opener, shouted at Kkokko.
“Your master sent you, right? There are two people here who need help. At least find us somewhere to lay them down. You can manage that, can’t you?”
“Cluck.”
Kkokko flapped its wings as if to say, “Follow me.” It led them deeper into the forest. Without hesitation, Sa-young followed the pale silhouette. He trusted that lives wouldn’t be toyed with.
---
They walked for a while until a faint mist began to surround them. Eventually, a long fence appeared, with towering pine trees and rising smoke beyond. Kkokko tapped at a gate adorned with golden threads and talismans. The gate creaked open slowly, revealing a spacious dirt yard and a solitary hanok. A bright-red fire burned fiercely inside a corner furnace.
“…”
The hanok showed no signs of life. It didn’t seem like anyone lived here. Kkokko confidently marched in, using its beak to open sliding doors on either side of the veranda. Inside each room, thick bedding had already been prepared.
“Cluck.”
“One for each room. I’ll take this side,” Honeybee said.
“Alright.”
Carrying the Romantic Opener, Honeybee entered the opposite room. Following Kkokko’s guidance, Sa-young carefully laid Uijae down on the bedding. He adjusted the pillow beneath Uijae’s head, removed his shoes, and covered him with the blanket. His hands froze, though, when he noticed Honeybee bustling around in the adjacent room through the open door.
Sa-young stood and locked the door firmly. Then, with the utmost care, he loosened the gas mask’s straps and lifted it off. Uijae’s sweat-soaked, ash-gray hair clung to his forehead. His face was flushed red with fever, and soft, wheezing breaths escaped through his slightly parted lips. Sa-young brushed the damp hair back gently.
“…”
Uijae’s eyelids fluttered, and his unfocused eyes slowly opened. He blinked a few times, squinting, before his lips moved weakly.
“Sa-young…”
“Yes, it’s me.”
“Where are we…?”
“We’re where Hong Yesung lives. Rest for now.”
Sa-young cupped Uijae’s cheek with his gloved hand. After shifting slightly, Uijae leaned into the touch. Even through the glove, Sa-young could feel the heat radiating from his skin. Slowly, Uijae’s eyes closed again.
“Cold…”
“…”
“Sa-young.”
“Yes.”
“I… I’ll sleep now.”
“…Okay.”
With his thumb, Sa-young softly stroked Uijae’s temple and cheek. Soon, even breaths indicated that Uijae had drifted off. Watching him relax and fall asleep so trustingly, Sa-young whispered quietly.
“Sleep well.”
If time could stop here, Sa-young thought, he wouldn’t mind.
Conflicting desires churned within him—wishing for Uijae’s swift recovery yet wanting to keep him by his side just like this. Sa-young’s hand trembled slightly as he repeatedly gripped and released his hold on Uijae’s cheek. The sight of Uijae, helpless and relying on him, filled Sa-young with a deep satisfaction.
A sigh escaped his lips. Footsteps approached from outside, likely Honeybee’s. Before she could enter, he spoke, still seated by Uijae’s side.
“Don’t come in.”
The steps paused. A shadow fell across the paper door. Honeybee’s hands rested on her hips as her sharp voice cut through.
“Wasn’t planning to, anyway. Did you take off J’s gas mask?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I’ve got enough manners to respect that. I’ll go check around; you focus on taking care of him!”
Honeybee’s and Kkokko’s footsteps faded into the distance. Sa-young exhaled softly and rose to his feet, deciding to prepare a wet towel for Uijae.
---
When Uijae opened his eyes, the scent of old books surrounded him. He stood in what appeared to be a library filled with shelves upon shelves of books.
What? He was sure he’d escaped the hospital and moved somewhere else. Stretching his arms and bouncing lightly, he noticed his body felt fine—no heaviness or pain. Even his face seemed normal when he touched it. He was wearing the black mask associated with his J persona.
“Is this a dream… or did Nam Woo-jin drag me back?”
Doubt was necessary, especially when memory lapses were a possibility. Uijae pinched the back of his hand. It didn’t hurt.
It must be a dream.
Behind him, there was a sound. Whipping around, he spotted a student wearing round glasses, a school uniform skirt over athletic pants—it was **Yoon Gaeul**.
“Gaeul?”
The girl blinked, equally confused, before tilting her head.
“J? J?”
“What are you doing here?”
“Good question. Wait… huh?”
She touched her lips, glanced down at her outfit, and fidgeted with her skirt before looking back up at him with wide eyes.
“You’re the J I know, right? Not some fragment of a ruined world?”
Uijae examined her closely. Her attire and youthful face confirmed it—this was the Yoon Gaeul he remembered, not the adult version from the apocalyptic world. Rubbing his mask thoughtfully, he muttered.
“Seems so. Are you the Gaeul I know?”
“Yes. I think so?”
“Did you take the college entrance exam?”
“No, not yet…”
“Then you still believe in me?”
“Of course!”
Her eyes sparkled with excitement. Overwhelmed by the familiar warmth, Uijae spread his arms wide. Gaeul ran forward, and they embraced tightly. Though they couldn’t feel warmth or touch in this dreamlike space, the connection was undeniable.
‘If she came looking for me again, like before…’
Uijae broke the hug and gripped Gaeul’s shoulders.
“Can you deliver a message for me? To Hunter Jeong Bin.”
“A message? Oh… yes! I’ll try.”
“Sa-young, Honeybee, and I are trapped in a new type of dungeon after entering an erosion dungeon. Time must have passed in the real world.”
“I understand.”
“Tell them not to worry and not to send anyone else into the dungeon. It’s dangerous.”
“Is that okay?”
“Yes. Also, I’ve learned a few things here—about the apocalypse…”
“I’m listening.”
“There are stages to the apocalypse, and—”
Suddenly, Uijae felt his throat tighten. His eyes widened as his voice failed. Crimson bled into his vision.
---
[ERROR DETECTED. ERROR DETECTED. ERROR DETECTED.]
[UNAUTHORIZED INFORMATION.]
[WARNING]
[WARNING]
[WARNING! PENALTY IMPOSED.]
---
Countless red screens flooded his sight. Even in a dream, they were blocking him? Before Uijae could curse, an immense force hurled him away.
With a dull thud, Gaeul faded into the distance, outstretched hand vanishing from view.
---
Uijae awoke.
Darkness. Only darkness surrounded him.
He opened and closed his eyes. Opened and closed them again. Darkness remained.