Uijae wrestled with the book for a long ti but ultimately gave up. Sotis, even overwhelming strength couldn’t solve a problem.
If I can’t read it, I’ll need to find soone who can. He sat back, listening to the rhythmic hamring echoing nearby, lost in thought.
Soone who wouldn’t question too much…
Sa-young and Honeybee were out of the question. The mont he asked them to read it, they’d start interrogating him. Instead, he began recalling the faces of people he’d t here.
The first to co to mind was Jeong Bin. But Uijae quickly shook his head. Jeong Bin was too busy, and if he noticed Uijae’s vision problems, he’d surely inform Nam Woo-jin.
Next was Nam Woo-jin, but Uijae dismissed the thought just as quickly. That guy? Not a chance. Nam Woo-jin’s thundering reprimands were enough to silence both Uijae and Sa-young. He rolled his eyes.
Yoon Gaeul? She might help if I convince her…
However, Gaeul here was deeply concerned about J’s health. If she found out about his condition, she’d drag him straight to Nam Woo-jin.
And then I’d end up confined to the infirmary again…
The thought of being locked up with Sa-young in a hospital room made him shudder. The risk was too high.
Hong Yesung might be an option, but he’s too far away. No way I’m going there alone.
The whimsical Minggijeok and Romantic Opener weren’t part of the Wave Guild since it didn’t even exist here. That left him with nobody reliable. As Uijae ruminated on his narrow social circle, a snide voice interrupted his thoughts.
“What are you doing lazing around here? Must be nice. Everyone else is working themselves to death.”
He looked up. The salty scent of the sea reached his nose. Mackerel strolled toward him with a casual gait.
“You’ve really piled up the books here. Picking up a new reading habit?”
Mackerel rifled through a nearby shelf, making faint shuffling noises. Uijae propped his chin on his hand and responded lazily.
“Can’t leave the area, so I might as well do sothing. What about you?”
“What else? Nourishing my soul, of course.”
“No other tasks?”
“Tasks? I’m dedicating myself to vaccine developnt. Being a test subject isn’t exactly a walk in the park, you know.”
“Vaccine developnt?”
Uijae tilted his head in curiosity. Mackerel replied with a tone full of derision.
“They’re working on a mutation vaccine. You know, sothing to reverse human mutations. The doctor’s been at it non-stop. Don’t tell you didn’t know?”
“…”
A mutation vaccine. A cure for humans who’d turned into monsters. This tiline was deep into the mutation crisis. If they managed to develop a vaccine here…
We could use it in the real world.
A lightbulb seed to go off in his head. Wasn’t this the point of learning from the mories of those who failed? Gripping Mackerel’s ankle suddenly, Uijae felt the coldness of his skin, like holding a fish.
“How far along is it?”
“The vaccine? It’s not that simple. They’re far from completion.”
Mackerel answered nonchalantly, continuing to leaf through a book. Uijae tugged on his ankle slightly, making him stumble.
“Whoa! What’s with the pulling?”
“Co here for a mont.”
“Are you a gangster or sothing?”
“I need your help.”
“I already told you, I’m out of the intel business.”
“You owe your life.”
“‘Owe’? You pulled out of the water against my will! Shaless…”
“Doesn’t change the fact I saved you. No ti to argue. Hurry.”
Grumbling, Mackerel crouched in front of him, the salty sll of the sea mixing with the sharp scent of cigarettes. Uijae handed him the book he’d been holding.
“First, tell what this book says.”
“This is random… Where’d you even find such an old book?”
Mackerel flipped through the pages. The sound of turning paper grew faster until it felt like he was skimming. A faint breeze brushed Uijae’s hand. Finally, Mackerel replied indifferently.
“It’s blank.”
“…What?”
“I said, it’s blank. Just a small notebook, probably misplaced on the shelf. Finding this is impressive in its own way.”
Uijae took the book back. The one he’d seen at the Seowon Guild had been full of indecipherable writing. Every inch was covered in strange symbols.
Was I mistaken?
Yet the texture of this book was identical to the one in his mory. Where had things gone wrong? Hoping for help seed futile. Disappointnt crept in as Uijae rubbed the book’s rough cover. Mackerel stretched and stood.
“Well, if you’re curious, why not ask the doctor? He’s apparently read every book here. Who knows, maybe it’s his diary.”
“…”
“Mackerel! The Guildmaster is looking for you!”
A librarian’s voice called from a distance. Mackerel dusted off his knees with a sigh.
“Guess it’s ti for another checkup…”
Uijae leaned his head against the wooden bookshelf, closing and opening his eyes. It didn’t matter. Whether they were open or shut, all he saw was the sa blackness.
The numbers in the darkness ticked down relentlessly. Anxiety churned in his stomach. His heart pounded, sweat slicked his palms. Fear of helplessness crept up his spine.
Why now?
The sudden wave of dread shook him to his core, threatening to drown him. It was an unfamiliar yet strangely familiar feeling. Clutching his chest, Uijae struggled to breathe. His throat itched, and a dry cough burst out. He slipped a hand beneath his mask to cover his mouth, but the coughing only worsened.
“Wait a second… Are you okay?”
Mackerel’s alard voice reached him, but Uijae could only shake his head. His harsh coughing wet his palm with fluid. When he pulled his hand away, it was damp.
“…”
He heard Mackerel inhale sharply. Uijae tilted his head in his direction, his voice unsteady.
“Mackerel.”
“…”
“Don’t tell anyone about this, but… I need to ask you sothing.”
“…”
The liquid trickled slowly between his fingers and down his wrist. There was too much for it to be normal discharge, yet it didn’t sll like blood. Holding out his hand, Uijae asked hoarsely.
“What color is this?”
The sound of Mackerel biting his lip was all the answer Uijae needed. He turned his focus to the hamring rhythm in the background. The unease within him refused to settle. At that mont, a stark realization struck him.
This is my emotion.
At 117 hours, 43 minutes, and 12 seconds until his death, Cha Uijae felt fear.
“…Tell the doctor. He might have a solution.”
As Mackerel turned to leave, Uijae swiftly extended his leg, hooking his ankle and making him stumble.
“What are you—”
“Forget it.”
“What do you an, forget it? It’s not too late!”
“This… can’t be avoided.”
Uijae stood slowly. His legs trembled, his heart thundered so loudly it drowned out his own breath. Still, he forced himself to stay calm. Then, amidst the blackness, a white notification window appeared.
[Trait: Poker Face (B) activated.]
It had been a long ti since he’d seen such a system ssage.
The frantic beating of his heart subsided, returning to its normal rhythm. The trembling of his lips and eyelids ceased, and his ragged breaths evened out. The terror on his face behind the mask faded, replaced by an impassive calm. Quiet descended, bringing a sense of peace.
Or at least, it had to appear that way.
Uijae spoke in a detached tone. “Do you have a handkerchief?”
“…”
The faint sound of rustling followed, and Mackerel handed him sothing. Judging by the stiff texture, it wasn’t a handkerchief but a piece of his shirt. Uijae chuckled faintly.
“No need to strip just for .”
“…”
Wiping his hands clean, Uijae handed the cloth back. “Sorry, but could you burn this?”
“…Are you really okay?”
“Of course.”
“…”
“Don’t worry. I know my body best.”
Turning away, Uijae forced a resolute image—one of an unshakable hero. He had to be. Glancing back at Mackerel, who stood frozen, he raised a finger to his lips, gesturing for silence.
“Keep this a secret.”
“…”
“…That’s the price for your life and your brother’s.”
J’s figure disappeared behind the shelves. Mackerel clutched the edge of a bookcase, his voice trembling.
“Wait, you—”
“Mackerel! The Guildmaster is calling for you.”
An indifferent voice interrupted.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,” Mackerel muttered, casting one last glance toward where J had vanished.
As J walked away, he ignored the new system ssages flashing in his vision.
[Synchronizing current status….]
[100% synchronized.]
**[You have acquired a new
trait! Check it out!]**
[Poker Face (B) - NEW!
Perfect for concealing your emotions…
Even from yourself.]**
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