The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low

Chapter 136

"...A whale?"

Uijae pressed Sayoung’s head gently against his chest with the hand that had been patting his back. A sweet scent filled the air.

The whale, stark white and enormous, had leapt from the sea. From its appearance alone, it didn’t seem like a monster, but Uijae couldn’t be sure. There was too little information. Was it a hostile creature or merely one of the life forms lingering in this desolate, ruined world? Or perhaps...

"...Hyung," Sayoung whispered.

The soft murmur snapped Uijae back to reality. By the time he looked up again, the whale had already disappeared beneath the ocean's surface. The surroundings were once again still and quiet, as though the whale had never appeared. Uijae sighed softly and responded.

“Yeah, Sayoung.”

"...Are you okay?"

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

"...Really?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Sayoung slowly let go of Uijae’s clothes. Uijae patted Sayoung's back a couple more times, gently pushing him away. Sayoung’s face was paler than usual, a few strands of hair stuck to his forehead, wet from sweat. He muttered, his voice faint,

"I... I tried to wake you up, but you wouldn't wake up."

“...”

“I kept calling your name, but you didn’t wake up… I thought…"

Sayoung's voice trailed off into a dazed murmur, his violet eyes unfocused, staring at nothing. A dark, shadowy aura flickered in his gaze. Then, he roughly rubbed his face, cursing under his breath.

"Damn it..."

"I'm fine. Calm down," Uijae said softly.

"Ugh..."

Sayoung clutched his chest, his breathing becoming labored. He was gasping, his shirt crumpled from his tight grip. But this wasn't just irritation or frustration—it was something deeper.

‘You can't even save us! What kind of hero are you?’

The memory of someone screaming in anguish echoed faintly in Uijae's mind, though he couldn’t recall exactly who it had been. He bit down hard on his tongue, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth. The way Sayoung was acting now reminded him all too much of those Hunters he’d seen break down, their mental endurance depleted. And J had seen many like that.

...Far too many.

Sayoung’s breathing quickened, his body bent forward, trembling. His breath became shorter and shorter, his chest heaving violently, the veins on the back of his hand bulging. He was hyperventilating.

Uijae quickly scanned the surroundings using **Tracker’s Eye**. Yun Gaeul was still in the same spot he had seen her earlier. From the way the flames flickered and the lack of movement, it seemed she wasn’t seriously injured.

Good.

Grinding his teeth, Uijae cupped Sayoung’s face with both hands.

“Sayoung, look at me.”

“...”

“I’m here.”

“...”

“Lee Sayoung!”

But Sayoung’s violet eyes were still lost, unfocused, scanning the empty air instead of Uijae. His already pale face had turned an alarming shade of blue. Uijae felt a chill run down his spine.

Damn it. Is it because of those memories?

He acted on instinct. Climbing onto Sayoung’s lap, Uijae used one hand to support the back of Sayoung’s neck and the other to cover the hand gripping his shirt, massaging the tense, blood-engorged veins. Sayoung’s head tilted backward, his mouth hanging open, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

Was the sweetness of the memory dungeon too much for him to bear?

Or maybe it was just an excuse.

The scent in the air was sweet, and, before he could stop himself, Uijae...

Soft lips met his.

“...”

Uijae tilted his head slightly, letting the warmth between their lips spread. He exhaled slowly, pressing more air into Sayoung’s lungs. After taking in another breath, he repeated the process, breathing life into him. Gradually, he felt the grip on his shirt loosen.

After what felt like an eternity, Uijae opened his eyes.

Sayoung’s violet eyes were no longer lost. They focused solely on Uijae, filled with clarity.

“...”

“...”

Uijae slowly pulled back, letting go of Sayoung’s lips and releasing the hand he had been holding. But just as he did, a large hand shot out and grabbed his wrist, their gazes locking.

Uijae spoke first.

"I told you, I’ve got skills."

“...”

"I’m not one to lie like some people."

Sayoung’s warm hands slid between Uijae’s fingers, pulling him closer. His strong arms wrapped around Uijae’s waist, and the violet eyes in front of him gleamed fiercely, filled with desire. His lips, now flushed red, parted as he whispered sweetly, as though tempting him,

"Not yet."

"..."

"Just a little more."

"..."

Lee Sayoung.

Cha Uijae’s only…

And…

Uijae leaned in, allowing the parted lips in front of him to welcome him. Their tongues intertwined, the wet sounds filling the quiet air around them. Every time Sayoung’s tongue touched the roof of Uijae’s mouth, his body shuddered.

As Uijae wrapped his arms around Sayoung’s neck, their chests pressed together tightly, leaving no space between them. Their hearts beat wildly, completely out of sync, but in that moment, Uijae knew for sure—this time, Sayoung could hear everything.

[The trait **Basilisk's Venom (S+)** has been activated.]

[Due to the effects of **Basilisk's Venom (S+),** you have developed resistance to toxins you have already neutralized.]

[Your detoxification speed has increased.]

[You will not suffer physical harm.]

[Detoxifying...]

There was no way an S-rank Awakened like Sayoung wouldn’t hear this.

Ignoring the system notifications popping up endlessly, Uijae closed his eyes again. When he finally pulled back, a soft chuckle escaped Sayoung’s lips.

“Well, it wasn’t a lie, was it?”

"..."

"Not at all..."

Sayoung let out a low, sweet sigh as if melting away. He lowered his head, placing a soft kiss on Uijae’s neck. Uijae looked down at Sayoung’s messy black hair, then rested his cheek against it.

A warm heat spread through both of them. In the stillness of the ruined world, Uijae closed his eyes, listening to the sound of their hearts beating.

Sayoung tasted sweet.

The soft ash underfoot crunched as they walked, leaving long trails of footprints behind them in the snow-like dust.

Uijae’s sharp blue eyes scanned their surroundings. The area with the strongest flames was still partially intact, remnants of a collapsed building. He stepped forward, peering behind a crumbling wall.

“Yun Gaeul!”

In a corner not yet covered by ash, a dark shape lay slumped. It looked like Yun Gaeul.

Uijae rushed toward the figure, the sound of her labored breathing becoming clearer the closer he got. The dark shape was an old, tattered black leather coat.

Carefully lifting the coat, Uijae revealed Yun Gaeul’s peaceful face, her eyes closed as if she were simply asleep. She was still dressed in her school uniform. When he placed a hand under her nose, he felt the soft warmth of her breath.

“Ah…”

Relief washed over him. He had known she was alive, but seeing it for himself and feeling her breath gave him true confirmation. Uijae gently shook her shoulder.

“Gaeul, wake up. Gaeul?”

“Mmm…”

Gaeul stirred, frowning in her sleep. Sayoung, standing beside them with his arms crossed, tilted his head.

"Maybe we should just slap her awake. It’d be quicker."

“Why are you always suggesting violence?”

“I woke Baewonwoo by slapping him.”

“And you’re proud of that?”

While Uijae and Sayoung bickered, Gaeul slowly opened her eyes, her movements sluggish.

"What…?"

“Ah, you’re awake?”

“J? Oh my god, J! You’re here!”

Gaeul screamed in surprise, jumping to her feet. But she stood too quickly, clutching her head and groaning in pain.

"Ugh..."

“Calm down. There’s nothing dangerous here. I checked while we were coming—it's just us.”

"Y-Yes…"

Still holding her head, Gaeul blinked at Uijae and Sayoung, then her eyes welled up with tears.

“I’m really sorry… hic, I can’t believe you had to come here because of me…”

"Don't think like that."

"But I—"

Gaeul pouted as she tried to hold back tears, then wiped her eyes roughly with her sleeve. Uijae crouched in front of her and smiled softly.

“Well, I’m just glad you’re safe, Gaeul.”

In that moment…

“...Hic.”

“…What?”

“HUUUHH…! I’M SORRY!!!”

Suddenly, Gaeul burst into sobs, her cries echoing through the ruins. Uijae looked at Sayoung in confusion. Sayoung smirked and shrugged.

"Looks like you made her cry, Hyung."

"...Me?"

"WAAAAAH!"

“Better comfort her. She’s not going to stop crying otherwise.”

Sayoung smiled as he nodded toward Gaeul. Uijae reached into his

 pocket, but then his eyes fell on the tattered coat. He stared at it for a moment. Despite its worn state, it seemed oddly familiar.

“…”

Where had he seen it before?

As Uijae absentmindedly fumbled with the coat, a memory suddenly flashed in his mind.

“Ah!”

He held the coat up toward Gaeul, who was still sobbing.

"Gaeul, look at this! Gaeul!"

“You’re not giving her that to wipe her tears, right? ...That’s gross.”

“Shut up for a second. Gaeul!”

“*Hic*...Yes?”

Gaeul, still sniffling, looked between Uijae and the coat in confusion. Uijae pointed at the coat, his eyes lighting up.

“This coat—wasn’t this in the memory fragment you showed me?”