DP Episode 115

Episode 115

SAU team members began gathering one by one under the temporary tent.

“Great work, everyone.”

“You all worked hard…”

It was the early hours of dawn, the sky just beginning to brighten. With the rescue operation nearing completion, it was time to prepare for their return.

“Baby, are you holding up okay?”

Yeong-gyo, removing his helmet and brushing back his sweat-drenched hair, spoke as he loosened the belt of his combat uniform. Min-geon tapped Yeon-woo on the shoulder and sat down beside him. This had been a grim operation, with the number of casualties far outstripping the survivors they had managed to rescue.

“Baby, when you get home, don’t think about anything and just rest.”

“You did well today, Baby.”

“Don’t dwell on the deceased. Think about the people you saved today. It makes things feel a bit easier.”

The team members, knowing that Yeon-woo likely felt a deeper sadness for the residents he had known for years, each offered words of comfort and advice as they passed by.

“If only gates could pick and choose people, huh? Imagine if one opened in a prison full of criminals. All the bad guys would be wiped out in one go.”

Yeon-woo, who had remained silent, responded briefly to Min-geon’s remark.

“…It’d be better if gates just disappeared entirely.”

“Ha… yeah, you’re right. That’s the best outcome,” Yeong-gyo said with a hollow laugh, echoing Yeon-woo’s sentiment as he walked past.

For the SAU members, no matter how desperate or harrowing the rescue missions were, they inevitably became routine, just another part of their job.

But for someone out there, this was the moment their unending nightmare had just begun.

✽✽✽

【Injured: 51 │ Deceased: 67】
【Injured: 54 │ Deceased: 68】
【Injured: 59 │ Deceased: 73】

The red numbers on the rescue site’s digital board flickered on the living room wall.

“I called the hospital earlier. They said it’s not life-threatening. Sun-ae is okay too.”

The warm scent of water lingered in the air. Seo-joon, who had been staring at the beige art wall of the empty living room, turned to look at Yeon-woo emerging from the bathroom, damp from his shower.

Yeon-woo approached and lightly parted the edge of Seo-joon’s robe, inspecting him closely.

“Are you hurt anywhere from the field today?”

“If only gates could disappear,” he had said.

Seo-joon stared blankly at Yeon-woo’s lips, then abruptly turned, pulling his robe shut. His own body, fully exposed beneath the robe, felt utterly revolting to him.

He wanted to disappear, to hide in a place where those bright blue eyes could never find him.

“…I’m fine. Take care of yourself, Yeon-woo.”

Because his existence itself was disgusting.

Too grotesque and horrifying to be reflected in Cha Yeon-woo’s fairytale-like, beautiful eyes.

“Lieutenant, why are you avoiding me today?”

Yeon-woo cupped Seo-joon’s face as he tried to turn away.

“Please look at me for a moment. I need to make sure you’re okay.”

Yeon-woo tilted his pale, innocent face to force eye contact. Seo-joon gasped sharply. A shiver of dread shot through his body, like lightning, and goosebumps prickled his skin.

“Lieutenant, your body is still—”

“You’re nothing but a disaster inflicted on humanity by a god.”

Smack. Seo-joon’s hand shot out unconsciously, knocking Yeon-woo’s hand away.

“……”

A tense silence settled between them. Seo-joon stared at Yeon-woo, wide-eyed, shocked by his own reaction.

“…Ah.”

Yeon-woo blinked slowly, confusion and hurt welling in his eyes.

“…I’m sorry, Lieutenant.”

He neither stepped back nor reached out again, leaving him awkwardly apologizing. His eyes wavered, unsure and hesitant.

“I startled you by touching you all of a sudden. I’m sorry.”

“…No, it’s not your fault, Yeon-woo… Yeon-woo…”

Seo-joon stammered, his words tangled and confused as he ran a hand over his face, stepping toward Yeon-woo.

“I’m sorry, Yeon-woo. I wasn’t startled, really…”

“I wish you’d just disappear, Lieutenant.”

“……”

A sharp, grating noise scratched at Seo-joon’s skin. He struggled to focus, his mind whirling as he tried to make sense of what Yeon-woo was saying.

“Lieutenant…?”

“Yeon-woo, I’m so, so sorry…”

“Lieutenant, wait a moment. You don’t need to feel sorry. It’s just—just hold still for a second. Let me check on you. You don’t seem to be well.”

“You disgusting Lieutenant. You monstrous creature.”

Crash. A vase behind Seo-joon tipped over, shattering on the marble floor. Yeon-woo stepped forward, scooping him up before he could step on the shards.

“Lieutenant, look at me. It’s me, Yeon-woo. Look at me, Lieutenant.”

Seo-joon’s frantic, darting gaze finally settled on Yeon-woo. His breathing was erratic, but Yeon-woo’s whispered reassurances calmed him.

The warmth of skin against skin as Yeon-woo pressed his lips to Seo-joon’s quelled the storm in his mind. The cacophony of noises clawing at his senses faded, leaving behind silence and clarity.

“Are you okay now?”

Yeon-woo pulled back slightly, searching for his phone on the table.

“Let me call Dr. Kang. We’ll take a taxi to the center.”

“No! Don’t!”

Seo-joon grabbed Yeon-woo’s hand in panic. The second Yeon-woo moved away, the oppressive noise crawled back over his skin, threatening to pull him into a void.

“I’m fine. Please, just stay like this.”

His gray eyes fixated desperately on Yeon-woo’s lips, as though they were his anchor. Yeon-woo studied his face silently before speaking.

“…Let me clean up the broken pieces and make some porridge. You haven’t eaten anything today.”

“I’m not hungry right now.”

“……”

“I just want to sleep, Yeon-woo. I’m so tired…”

Seo-joon clung to Yeon-woo’s hand, his voice almost pleading.

“Let’s just sleep. I’ll eat after I wake up. Please… Yeon-woo, I’m too tired to eat right now.”

After a long moment of silence, Yeon-woo finally moved.

Lifting Seo-joon’s body from the sofa, he carried him into the bedroom. Once there, he removed Seo-joon’s robe and embraced him fully. Their bare skin pressed together, warm and reassuring.

Resting his cheek against Yeon-woo’s chest, Seo-joon closed his exhausted eyes.

“Yes, yes… He’s sleeping now. Yes, his fever has gone down quite a bit… Oh, really? Should I check again?”

Seo-joon’s eyes snapped open at the faint sound of Yeon-woo’s voice. He bolted upright and rushed out of the bedroom, snatching the phone from Yeon-woo’s hand.

The call with Kang Hee-min abruptly ended.

“Oh, Lieutenant? You’re already up?”

Yeon-woo, startled, looked at Seo-joon with wide eyes.

“Yeon-woo, what are you doing?”

“…What?”

“I told you not to.”

“Not to… what?”

“Don’t call Kang Hee-min!”

Seo-joon’s raised voice echoed through the living room. Yeon-woo flinched and pressed his lips together, his eyes trembling as a flush of red swept over them.

“I’m sorry. I was just worried about you, Lieutenant…”

“Just don’t. Please, stop!”

“…I’m sorry.”

Seo-joon stared into Yeon-woo’s tearful blue eyes and exhaled shakily. A wave of dizziness hit him, leaving his vision dark and his head spinning.

“…What have I done…”

“Yeon-woo, I…”

His heart pounded violently, as though it would burst from his chest. His erratic breathing only heightened the chaos in his senses.

“I’m sorry, Yeon-woo. I…”

“It’s okay, Lieutenant. It’s fine…”

Yeon-woo gently pulled Seo-joon’s robe over his shoulders and held him close.

“Don’t touch me, Yeon-woo. Don’t… please…”

Seo-joon’s trembling body seemed on the verge of breaking. Yeon-woo stroked his back soothingly, holding him steady.

“Stay in bed for now, Lieutenant.”

…Looking back, all the signs had been there.

Though the exact moment was unclear, perhaps it had all begun after Seo-joon returned from NASA’s research base.

Something had started to unravel.

An unknown darkness was consuming Seo-joon, and for Yeon-woo, who had never faced anything like this before, the first seeds of unease began to take root in his gut.

He had no idea how to deal with it.