seattlejaycees Chapter 109 : Chapter 109
Chapter 109 : Chapter 109
Chapter 109. Even When Defeat Is Certain (5)
Now that the noisy exchange had ended, everything was quiet.
Baek Ha-seong first destroyed the drone that had been watching him and Choi Yu-seong. He had left it alone to avoid revealing their cooperation, so now that the battle was over, it was of no use.
CRASH!
After destroying the drone with a small explosion, Baek Ha-seong turned his gaze back to Choi Yu-seong. He looked at the boy who was unconscious, still kneeling before him.
"I thought he was just stubborn, but he is quite tenacious, too."
To be honest, he had expected the boy to scream during that final blow. It was an attack meant to leave him barely alive, but it was certainly not something anyone should be able to just take. He never imagined the boy would grit his teeth without letting out a single cry.
"And he did not even collapse completely."
He was surprised that even though the boy had passed out, he had not fallen flat but remained on his knees. If this was not tenacity, what was? Consequently, Baek Ha-seong’s interest deepened, independent of the promise he had made to Choi Yu-seong.
"I wonder what makes him have to be so tough."
There is no one in this world who is tenacious without a reason. That is an eternal truth. Whether chasing wealth, seeking honor, or wanting revenge, people become tough when they have a reason.
"I know his goal, but since I do not know his reason, I cannot help but be curious."
He knew Choi Yu-seong was doing this to protect his friends. He had said as much himself, and his voice and actions were trustworthy. However, no matter how much he thought about it, the underlying reason remained a mystery.
"Well, it is not like I am going to obsessively try to find out."
It was true that he was curious, and it would be great if he could satisfy that curiosity. However, there was no need to go out of his way to investigate.
"It is probably a story I would not understand even if I heard it."
That is how it usually is with the reasons held by stubborn, tenacious people. It is something incredibly important to them, but it sounds completely incomprehensible to others. Even if I look at myself, it was the same.
'How many people would understand overturning an entire family for the sake of one person?'
There would be many other cases as well. People who kill their comrades in a Gate because of money, or people who crawl into their own graves knowing they will die because of honor. Would an ordinary person understand that? Such people are destined never to have their reasons understood by others.
"So, I will just let it go."
Besides, Choi Yu-seong himself had said it was a secret. Considering their future relationship, there was no need to go looking for trouble. Thus, Baek Ha-seong erased the curiosity from his mind and looked at Choi Yu-seong once more.
"I never thought things would turn out like this, though."
A thought suddenly occurred to him. When he first came here, it was out of simple curiosity. He had never imagined things would flow this way.
"Well, that is only natural."
Honestly, how could he have imagined it? That a 1st-year cadet would strike at his most vital point and demand a cooperative relationship. Unless one was a prophet, they would never know.
"To be honest, I still have my doubts."
He told Choi Yu-seong that he believed him, but that did not mean it was one hundred percent. The matter was too significant. A person who was responsible for him having no choice but to walk this path was supposedly alive. To believe that easily would be foolish.
"It is also true that I still feel uneasy deep down."
However, it was a condition he had to accept. The reason was very simple.
"It is the difference in desperation."
Had he not always dreamed of it? What it would be like if he could meet her one more time? What if he could enjoy daily life with her once again? That was how desperate he was.
"So I truly hope it is the truth."
It was true that he lacked absolute certainty, but what else could he do? He just had to believe. He had to believe that what Choi Yu-seong said was the truth.
"If it is, I will definitely repay him for it."
Yes. If it was true, he would reward him without fail. Favors and Grudges. Baek Ha-seong was a man who was very clear about those things. If someone enabled him to restore his lifelong wish rather than just resolving it, what reward would be too much? Even if it was something that required him to risk his life.
"Then I suppose I should handle the current matter first."
He had rambled on, but in the end, those were future matters. All of that was only possible if today’s events ended smoothly. Specifically, the "rescue of the cadets" that Choi Yu-seong had requested.
"I would not be in a position to make a deal if I could not even handle something like that."
Baek Ha-seong muttered to himself as he casually slung the unconscious Choi Yu-seong over his shoulder. He even went through the trouble of taking the boy's sword and tucking it into its scabbard at his waist. Normally, he would have just left him there.
"Setting the deal aside, there is something I like about him."
Had he not said it at the start? He happened to like fools. Therefore, he could afford this much petty consideration.
"Then shall we head out? It is a bit awkward with everyone staring so hard this way."
With those final words, Baek Ha-seong began to cover himself in white clouds once again. A few seconds later, after the clouds cleared, no one remained in that spot.
***
At the location where the cadets were gathered, the battle against the villains was still ongoing.
"Oh, no!"
A short cry from a woman rang out. The owner of that cry was Ju Ha-yeon. Considering the morale of the battlefield, it was a poor move, but she could not help it. She had just seen Choi Yu-seong get taken down through her Opening the Five Senses talent, so how could she not be agitated?
"I could not even watch any longer..."
Choi Yu-seong’s condition was already terrible. To confirm his life or death, she should have kept watching, but she simply could not.
"He was looking exactly this way."
She was certain of it. The fact that Baek Ha-seong’s gaze turned toward her was no coincidence. Thus, she had no choice but to hurriedly deactivate her talent.
"But..."
That did not mean the situation was over. She was not an ostrich; turning her eyes away did not make the event disappear. Moreover, even though he said he would stay behind, it was practically the same as her abandoning him. Just as Ju Ha-yeon was agonizing over her guilt and worrying about Choi Yu-seong, someone rushed over.
"Ha-yeon! What happened?"
It was Kim Su-hyeok, who had run over the moment he heard her small cry. In the chaotic battlefield, it was a sound that could have easily gone unheard, but it seemed to have reached Kim Su-hyeok’s ears. It was not a strange reaction.
"Did something happen?"
Kim Su-hyeok knew that Ju Ha-yeon was checking on Choi Yu-seong through her Opening the Five Senses. Despite the chaos, Kim Su-hyeok had been keeping a close eye on her. He was just as worried about Choi Yu-seong, and since he was also worried about Ju Ha-yeon using that talent, it was a natural action.
"Did something happen to Yu-seong?"
Having rushed over, Kim Su-hyeok checked on Ju Ha-yeon first and then asked about Choi Yu-seong. Since he could not find anything wrong with Ju Ha-yeon, it must have been about him. Kim Su-hyeok’s question was urgent.
"..."
On the contrary, an answer did not come immediately. She could not help it. She was at a loss as to how she should answer. Think about it. It was Ju Ha-yeon who had actively stopped Kim Su-hyeok from going to Choi Yu-seong. In such a situation, how could she say she did not even know if he was alive or dead?
'A person should have some shame...'
She could not bring herself to speak. She did not even have a clue how to explain it. While Ju Ha-yeon hesitated with trembling lips...
"My, everyone looks busy."
A voice with a light tone drifted from somewhere. Hearing that voice, Ju Ha-yeon realized something. She no longer needed to answer Kim Su-hyeok’s question. The reason was simple.
"Could you stop for a moment and give me some of your time?"
A man with purple eyes was looking this way, speaking softly. Yes, there was no need to explain to Kim Su-hyeok because Baek Ha-seong himself had arrived.
"..."
Baek Ha-seong spoke in a soft yet light tone. One might wonder who would actually listen to those words in the middle of this melee. However, contrary to that thought, the entire audience became incredibly quiet. Was it because everyone here knew who Baek Ha-seong was? No.
"I... I cannot move..."
"Urgh. I... I cannot breathe...!"
It was because he had clearly asserted his presence through that light voice. The intimidation sent by an S-Rank villain in earnest was not something a cadet could withstand. As a result, with the exception of a few top-tier cadets like Kim Su-hyeok and Ryu Jin-oh, no one even had the courage to look him in the eye.
Finding that reaction acceptable, Baek Ha-seong finally spoke again.
"To be honest, I thought a few of you would be dead by now, so this is quite impressive. To think you fought this well."
"..."
"Still, you are not in good shape, so I suppose I have come at a good time?"
As he said that, Baek Ha-seong lowered Choi Yu-seong from his shoulder. Kim Su-hyeok was the first to react.
"Yu... Yu-seong!!"
Charred marks covered his entire body. Red bloodstains were scattered here and there. Anyone could see he was in a terrible state. Consequently, Kim Su-hyeok wanted to run toward him immediately, but unfortunately, he could not.
"I do not recall saying you could move."
Baek Ha-seong immediately stopped him. If it had just been words, Kim Su-hyeok probably would have lunged forward anyway. However, as Baek Ha-seong concentrated his intimidation on Kim Su-hyeok, even he could not easily take a step.
"Urgh!"
Even so, Kim Su-hyeok showed no sign of stopping. Think about Kim Su-hyeok’s nature. He is a man who would throw himself into danger even if a stranger were hurt. Would he stand still while his friend lay collapsed in that state? However, Kim Su-hyeok was eventually forced to give up on approaching because of Baek Ha-seong’s following words.
"It happens sometimes. Cases where everyone is forced to die because of a comrade's wrong choice."
"..."
"Well? If you are curious, you are welcome to test it."
How could he approach after hearing that? If it were Choi Yu-seong, who knew Baek Ha-seong well, he might have found a way to talk his way through it.
"I understand, so please do not touch him anymore."
To Kim Su-hyeok, Baek Ha-seong was just a villain. A heinous villain who had brought his friend to that state. Therefore, he had no choice but to stop, and only then did Baek Ha-seong stop his threats and continue.
"As long as no one makes a wrong choice."
"...Understood."
"Yes. Knowing one's place is also important."
Baek Ha-seong spoke as he stared deeply at Kim Su-hyeok.
"Well, it was not too bad. To withstand this much at your age is something worthy of praise."
"..."
"They say friends resemble each other, and you are similar in how stubborn you are."
Having said that, Baek Ha-seong took his eyes off Kim Su-hyeok. He did not have much time left. Of course, even if the instructors arrived, he was confident he could handle all of them himself.
"But there is no need to do that."
Thus, Baek Ha-seong spread his gaze across the entire crowd and spoke.
"There are faces here that I should probably remember, faces I met earlier, and faces I have not seen in a long time."
"..."
"And all of you possess such outstanding potential."
At Baek Ha-seong’s words, the expressions of Ju Ha-yeon and Oh Jin-eon hardened. Ryu Jin-oh’s brow furrowed. However, he continued speaking, unbothered.
"But you have to be alive to realize that potential."
However, his demeanor was now quite different from before. The gaze that had seemed soft was now freezing cold. The voice that had been light now seemed heavier than anything else. And in that shifted atmosphere, Baek Ha-seong made a declaration.
"So from now on, everyone shut up and stay perfectly still. That is, if you want to go back alive."