TL/Editor: raei
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".......You, do you know Dice?"
"..."
Song Soo-yeon knew she couldn't deny it.
Tryno's question wasn't a question, but a confirmation.
He had done a lot of thinking during his ti in hiding.
"...."
Instead of responding, Song Soo-yeon chose silence.
She didn't feel the need to make excuses anymore... but she also couldn't bring herself to say that she had no connection to Jung-gyeom.
"....I see, so that's how it is."
Tryno burst out laughing.
"It was all because of you, b*tch. We fell into this abyss because of you, the reason our lives are in danger, it's all because of you..."
"..."
"You rat... I should have killed you, and the man you claid to love... Or was that a lie too?"
Tryno's ntion of killing Jung-gyeom ignited Song Soo-yeon's anger, and she didn't hold it back.
This was the second ti Tryno had threatened Jung-gyeom's life.
"...The real rat is you, hiding here."
Tryno's fist twitched.
But Song Soo-yeon didn't stop.
"All that tough talk, and look at you now. Hiding away in a deserted building."
For so reason, she wasn't afraid of him.
Was it because all this was for Jung-gyeom?
Or because Tryno had beco so pitifully weak, now a shadow of his forr self.
Either way, Tryno wasn't as frightening as before, and he couldn't maintain his imposing presence.
He looked like a thug about to crumble any mont.
Song Soo-yeon continued.
"....Yeah, Tryno. You're right. I know Dice."
"...."
"He's been looking for you... Mister has suffered too long. So, I... want to end it today. To ensure Mister doesn't suffer anymore."
"Is that why you accepted my invitation?"
"Of course, idiot. Why else would I co to see you."
".....Hmm."
Contrary to his expected rage, Tryno's reaction was indifferent.
He relaxed his clenched fist and sighed.
For a mont, it seed like he had given up.
Tryno said,
"Whatever. It's easier for since you're not denying anything."
Then he stood up, throwing off the coat that had been concealing him.
Song Soo-yeon imdiately understood his intentions.
Tryno was getting ready for battle.
He intended to use Song Soo-yeon's life as leverage for negotiation.
At this, Song Soo-yeon couldn't help but laugh.
"...Hah."
It's strange sotis.
It wasn't that she didn't think it was dangerous, but it felt almost surreal how close she was to the darkness of the world.
When she wasn't by Jung-gyeom's side, the world's misfortunes seed to pour down on her.
He was like a large umbrella.
She still rembered the ti he first appeared and solved her problems.
By his side,she never felt such misfortunes.
So, it was strange.
How can these two vastly different worlds exist?
It felt as though heaven and hell coexist.
"Is it funny?"
Tryno stirred.
It was the first ti she heard the voice of his heart.
'Are you, of all people, looking down on now?'
Hearing that petty, narrow-minded heart of his, even the fear she had was gone.
Song Soo-yeon steeled her resolve.
She rembered why she had walked into this place in the first place.
It was because she wished Jung-gyeom would no longer have to fight.
Since she was the cause, she wanted to be the one to resolve it.
Song Soo-yeon still rembered her dream.
Jung-gyeom, defending her, dying right before her eyes.
She hadn't forgotten the faces of Tryno and Solace, coldly watching over Jung-gyeom's dead body from the other side.
...She wanted to prevent such a future, even if it ant dying.
Capturing Tryno would an such a dream wouldnt co to pass.
Tryno would disappear, and Jung-gyeom wouldn't have to live as a villain anymore.
She mustered her courage, took a breath, and looked at Tryno.
It was a strange feeling.
She had an inexplicable sense about her powers.
Just as she had instantly known how to use her power when she awakened it.
Sotis, she can sense who she can and cannot influence with her power.
For example, she felt that she could never control Solace, no matter how hard she tried.
A kind of imnse energy surrounded her.
The sa for Jung-gyeom.
She didn't feel it when hadn't revealed himself as Dice... but after he revealed his true self, she realized she couldn't control him.
She felt that she could turn anyone, especially those without powers, into puppets, and that it was easier to manipulate unstable people than those who were emotionally stable.
Depending on the ti and situation, even those with abilities can be controlled.
Tryno was once one of the villains she thought she could never control.
But for so reason, that was not the case now.
Perhaps because she had decided to fight in place of Jung-gyeom.
Or because Tryno is disturbed.
Or because he lacks his forr energy.
It was much easier to face him than she expected.
Thinking of Jung-gyeom, Song Soo-yeon opened her mouth to shake Tryno.
"Laughable."
"....You need to be taught a lesson."
"Tryno, I haven't said it till now... but my ability isn't so much 'control' as it is 'extraction.'"
For the first ti, her thoughts about her ability.
Perhaps being able to hear inner thoughts was a result of forcibly extracting them.
"Control isn't the end of my ability. In fact, I can look into your innermost thoughts."
This was a lie.
Inner thoughts weren't always audible to her.
But that wasn't important.
What mattered more was shaking Tryno.
From what she had seen, Tryno's obsession with his power was unmatched.
It was enough to make an assumption.
Song Soo-yeon herself couldnt let go of the happiness Jung-gyeom provided.
Perhaps Tryno's manic obsession with power stemd from sothing similar as well.
She provoked Tryno even more.
"You act tough in every fight... but in reality, you were always scared. Its laughable how you pretended otherwise.
".....You....."
This too was a lie, but it was a statent that cunningly fit the situation.
Before a fight, it's natural for humans to feel nervous.
And nervousness and fear are two emotions hard to distinguish.
Song Soo-yeon could tell that Tryno, like any ordinary human, felt emotions.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be hiding in such a corner, avoiding Jung-gyeom.
She chuckled.
"Do you know why you're still alive?"
"..."
"Because when I ntioned this to Dice... he said its fine to catch you last.
At her words, Tryno raised his arm.
She matched the action and used her power.
Her eyes and hands began to glow purple.
Like with Riem, as her power took effect, Tryno staggered, clutching his head.
There was no explosion.
She hadn't completely controlled him yet, but it wasn't far off.
She might be able to capture Tryno in place of Jung-gyeom.
"Ugh...eugh..."
"Kneel, Tryno."
"Ugh...guuh..."
Tryno continued to shake his head, blinking rapidly, trying with all his might to stay conscious.
In that state, he stared back at Song Soo-yeon.
His hand moved slowly, lighting up and then extinguishing repeatedly.
At tis like this...side effects...
Song Soo-yeon knew he had been regularly taking drugs to enhance his power, especially more so after being severely beaten by Solace.
Severe side effects, huh?
Song Soo-yeon imdiately used the information, giving the impression that Tryno was completely in her hands.
Tryno gritted his teeth.
But closing his mouth didn't stop his inner thoughts from being heard, especially now, as he struggled and resisted.
"Tryno, do you know this?"
Song Soo-yeon took out a tracker from her pocket and threw it at him.
-Thud.
"You have less ti left than you think."
Fear crept into his blinking eyes.
It was evident even without listening to his heart.
Song Soo-yeon said,
"Dice is coming."
Tryno's inner thoughts churned.
'...Dice...?'
Song Soo-yeon responded to that thought.
"Yes, Dice."
'Is this the end?'
"It is."
-Bang!!
An explosion erupted from Trynos hand as his power surged uncontrollably.
Windows shattered, and the table beside him broke into pieces.
Then Tryno staggered to his feet. His final resistance began.
Song Soo-yeon realized she was gradually being pushed back.
Tryno's desperation in his cornered state was fierce.
He shook his head vigorously, realizing it was a battle of wills.
He said,
"I've changed my mind... I'll kill you... and then run away again."
But his words had no effect on Song Soo-yeon.
His feeble threats only served to dissolve any tension.
Song Soo-yeon's priority wasn't her own life like Tryno's.
It was Jung-gyeom's life.
She had co here risking her own life from the start.
She had never been afraid of death.
If there was one reason she could think of for fearing death... it would be parting with Jung-gyeom.
In his final monts, Tryno blurted out the wrong things.
Song Soo-yeon opened her eyes again, which now glowed a deeper shade of purple.
"Shut up and kneel."
Imagining her reunion with Jung-gyeom, she commanded.
---
---
Han Yoo-jung and Jung-gyeom were finishing their al.
Her mind was filled with the text Luna had sent earlier.
Tryno is approaching.
What did that an?
If she cared about Luna's well-being, shouldn't she tell Jung-gyeom?
But what if Luna is safe?
What if Tryno was only proposing they join forces?
There might still be so ti left.
She needed ti to change Jung-gyeom's mind.
He was still intent on turning himself in, that hadn't changed.
In truth, considering Jung-gyeom, she had to talk about Luna.
He was doing all this for Luna; Luna's safety was paramount.
If Luna got hurt, all of this would be aningless.
But Han Yoo-jung, couldnt bring herself to speak.
She realized she had been acting selfishly under the guise of caring for Jung-gyeom.
For the past few weeks, she had been acting solely for her own benefit.
She had behaved this way to create mories with him.
But now, she needed to make the right choice.
Han Yoo-jung moistened her lips and began to speak.
"...Gyeom-"
-Vrrr...Vrrr...
At that mont, her phone rang.
Jung-gyeom and Han Yoo-jung exchanged glances.
This was the second call during their alti.
Jung-gyeom had ignored the first as if nothing had happened, but with the second, he finally spoke up.
"...Check your phone."
Han Yoo-jung hesitated for a mont, then took her phone out of her pocket.
"......"
And then her heart sank.
The caller was Tryno.
Seeing Han Yoo-jung's crumpled expression, Jung-gyeom also frowned and urged her.
"Let see the phone."
"...Gyeom... This is... I an..."
Han Yoo-jung reluctantly turned the phone to show Jung-gyeom.
A montary sharpness appeared on Jung-gyeoms face.
"Answer it. Switch it to speakerphone."
Han Yoo-jung didn't want to answer the call at all.
She still had a week left to spend with Jung-gyeom...
She didn't want it to end like this.
She had a feeling that today, everything would co to a conclusion.
"Answer it, quickly."
Despite Jung-gyeom's urging, Han Yoo-jung had no choice but to press the call button.
She switched to speakerphone and placed the phone on the table.
"....Hello?"
Then, a woman's voice ca through.
Both of them imdiately knew who it was.
Jung-gyeom's fist clenched tightly. Fear appeared on his face.
It the first ti she saw fear on his face.
"......Luna?"
Han Yoo-jung cautiously responded.
Song Soo-yeon's voice followed.
"....Stella, is Mister there?"
"......."
"Tell Mister not to fight anymore..."
".....Yes?"
"I've captured Tryno."
Han Yoo-jung's heart sank, and Jung-gyeom abruptly stood up.
He snatched the phone and imdiately asked,
"Soo-yeon, where are you now?"
"....Mister. I miss you."
"Just answer . Where are you?"
"...You didn't get my text, I guess. Stella has my tracker."
Han Yoo-jung wanted to silence Song Soo-yeon.
Jung-gyeom must not et Tryno.
Not yet.
But in front of Jung-gyeom, she couldn't say such things.
Jung-gyeom turned to Han Yoo-jung and said,
"Give the tracker."
"...Gye...Gyeom."
"Hurry up and give it to ."
"...In my room... second drawer..."
Jung-gyeom then put the phone down and dashed to Han Yoo-jung's room.
And just as quickly, he left the hideout.
---
---
Song Soo-yeon focused on the commotion coming through the phone.
Han Yoo-jung was fidgeting restlessly, and Jung-gyeom was in a hurry.
-Bang!
The sound of a gate closing sowhere.
Jung-gyeom would be arriving soon.
"I told you not to go after Tryno!!"
But Song Soo-yeon was startled by the sudden shout coming through the phone.
"....What?"
"I...! I told you... to stop worrying about Tryno....!"
Song Soo-yeon couldn't understand why Han Yoo-jung was reacting this way.
However, Han Yoo-jung continued,
"...It's okay, even now, let Tryno go. Before Gyeom arrives...quickly, release him...!"
"...What are you saying?"
Song Soo-yeon wondered if Han Yoo-jung had developed so affection for Tryno.
Why would she be angry about capturing a villain Jung-gyeom was after?
Song Soo-yeon wasn't persuaded at all.
"...Whatever, I don't like it. I did this for Mister-"
Han Yoo-jung, trembling, interrupted Song Soo-yeon.
"If it's for Gyeom... release him now...!"
"....What?"
"You don't know what Gyeom's plan is, do you...? You don't know why I said I was envious of you, do you...?"
"..........."
"Gyeom negotiated with the Hero Association for you"
Song Soo-yeon's expression gradually turned into a frown.
She couldn't understand what Han Yoo-jung was talking about.
"What are you talking about...?"
-Swoosh...Thud!
A sound that split the sky followed by sothing heavy shook the building.
Jung-gyeom had arrived.
Song Soo-yeon focused on the sound and Han Yoo-jung's voice.
Han Yoo-jung said,
"If he hands over the entire Villain Alliance, they've agreed to pardon you."
"...."
It was astonishing news, but Song Soo-yeon still couldn't understand why releasing Tryno was necessary or how it was for Jung-gyeom's benefit.
"...Then all the more reason to keep Tryno captured-"
"But Gyeom has to turn himself in too."
"......What?"
A wind seed to escape her chest, leaving a feeble response.
-Crash!
A window sowhere broke, and soone entered.
Song Soo-yeon's eyes dully move to Tryno, who was kneeling on the ground.
Han Yoo-jung repeated her statent.
"...Gyeom... has to turn himself in too...."
Song Soo-yeon dropped the phone.
-Clop...Clop...
Her head creaked as it turned.
Jung-gyeom was walking in.
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