The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low

Chapter 273

Finally, someone who actually understood him! If this went smoothly, he wouldn't even have to worry about penalties! He was so relieved, he could hardly keep the tremble out of his voice.

"So… how much time do I have left?"

But Nam Woo-jin’s face turned even grimmer. He let out a sigh deep enough to shake the earth and replied in a low, somber voice.

"I’d say it wouldn’t be surprising if you died within a few days. Honestly, it’s a miracle you've lasted this long. Just hope your abilities return soon."

Nam Woo-jin was a miracle worker!

Uijae clenched his fists tightly under the thick blankets. He couldn’t risk showing his excitement, or Nam Woo-jin might get suspicious. After steadying himself, he flashed a calm smile, much like Jeong Bin’s.

"Remarkable, really."

However, Nam Woo-jin suddenly shouted.

"Stop pretending you’re fine!"

Huh? Uijae blinked in confusion. Nam Woo-jin stormed around the room, pacing furiously, then pointed a finger straight at Uijae, shouting again.

"How many times have I told you? This attitude of yours is the problem! Acting like your own life means nothing!"

"Um, well…"

"A willingness to sacrifice? Throw it away! Start living selfishly! Stop roaming around! And what in the world possessed you to dive straight into the whitened sea? What would you have done if you mutated?"

"…"

"Do you even understand that without your abilities, you’re basically a civilian? That means you’re just as vulnerable to mutation!"

"Uh… yes…"

"Ugh…"

Nam Woo-jin took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair, glaring at Uijae with unwavering intensity.

"As your doctor, let me make this clear: until you’ve recovered, don’t even think about leaving this room! You stay right here in this hospital room! And if you step outside, I’ll have Jeong Bin drag you back here, got it?"

Damn. Uijae tried to sit up quickly.

"But I really…"

However, his frail body had no intention of cooperating. His vision swam.

"Ugh."

He gripped his head, leaning back against the soft pillow. Nam Woo-jin scoffed as if to say, "See?"

"Look at you! I’m not about to watch you throw your life away by wandering around outside. Stay put!"

With that, Nam Woo-jin stormed out of the room, leaving Uijae no chance to plead for mercy with his best "doomed man" acting skills. He clutched his pillow, shaking in frustration. Just then, he heard someone snicker.

"Rare to find myself agreeing with Nam Woo-jin…"

It was Lee Sa-young. He wore his usual gas mask and coat instead of a protective suit. Uijae pushed himself up on the bed, his arms trembling like a newborn fawn.

"How much did you hear?"

"Oh… just from the part where you’re terminal."

He’d heard everything. Well, that was convenient. Uijae gave him a serious look, trying to convey his determination.

"Good, then. We need to get out of here. There’s no time to waste sitting around."

"Oh?" Sa-young fiddled with the filter on his gas mask, a trace of amusement in his voice.

"Planning to escape together, are we?"

"Exactly. There’s no way Nam Woo-jin’s letting me go."

"I like it. Best thing you’ve said since you got here."

Sa-young pulled a variety of items from thin air and stacked them neatly on the edge of the bed: rings, gloves, jackets—a whole array of things. Just looking at them, Uijae could tell they were valuable. He stared in surprise.

"What’s all this?"

"I raided the Hunter Market. You’re vulnerable to poison right now, so I got items with immunity."

Each item had an anti-poison effect. Uijae gave Sa-young a skeptical look.

"Did you… acquire them legally?"

"Legally."

"And where’d you get the money?"

"There are ways."

Not entirely believable. But he didn’t have time to question it. If Sa-young was being cooperative, now was the time to escape. Uijae tossed off the blanket and quickly shrugged off his hospital gown, revealing his scarred torso. Sa-young folded his arms and tilted his head.

"Pretty bold, aren’t we?"

"We’re short on time. Got a shirt?"

"Here."

Sa-young handed him a black turtleneck. Uijae put it on in one swift motion and got up from the bed. Sa-young’s hand supported his arm as he steadied himself. Though he felt a bit dizzy, it was manageable. Sa-young handed him black pants next.

"Uh… should I turn around?"

"Isn’t that obvious?"

"We’ve seen it all before."

"No, we haven’t! Not all of it!"

"Haven’t seen the most important part, I suppose."

"Shut up."

"Don’t even think about punching me. You might break your hand."

Damn it. Uijae unclenched his fist quietly. He quickly changed into the pants. Sa-young had turned his back, but the occasional quiet chuckle was irritating. One by one, Uijae put on the items Sa-young had brought: rings, gloves, a jacket. It looked close enough to his original combat gear to feel familiar.

Uijae folded the hospital gown neatly and set it on the bed.

"I’m ready."

"Alright. Now, the final touch."

Sa-young took off his right glove, revealing his blackened fingertips, and extended his hand.

"Want to hold it?"

"…"

Uijae grasped his hand. It was the first time he’d held it with a glove on, but he could still feel a faint warmth through the thick leather. Sa-young studied his face carefully, then nodded.

"This should be fine."

"You’re sure?"

"If there was a problem, the glove would’ve melted."

Sa-young released his hand, then gently lifted Uijae, supporting his back and legs. A classic princess carry—the same position that had haunted Uijae’s nightmares. Damn it. How humiliating. Uijae shut his eyes. He heard a faint laugh above him.

"You’ve done this enough times. Get used to it."

"Shut up."

"Wanna wrap your arms around my neck? Going out the door will get us caught…"

Oh, so he planned to jump out the window? Fair enough—it was faster and more discreet. Uijae quickly wrapped his arms around Sa-young’s neck, realizing one drawback of wearing gloves.

'Sa-young’s hair is incredibly soft.'

He couldn’t feel the softness with gloves on. Almost instinctively, Uijae rubbed the back of Sa-young’s neck, missing the familiar texture. Sa-young’s hand, which had been opening the window, froze.

"…Hyung."

The faint sound of air hissing through the gas mask escaped. Huh? Uijae looked up. Sa-young murmured softly.

"Stop. It’s… distracting."

Though his face was hidden by the mask, Uijae could see his ear poking out through his hair—bright red.

'Oh.'

Oh, crap. Uijae quickly looked away, swallowing. Every sound seemed deafening: the gulp in his throat, the rustle of fabric, the click as the window’s latch was unlocked. He bit down on the inside of his cheek, resisting the urge to escape.

Just then, Sa-young sighed.

"It won’t open any further."

The sliding window wasn’t large enough for them to fit through, not even when forced open as far as it would go. And neither of them were small. Taking a deep breath, Sa-young suddenly turned back to the bed and wrapped Uijae tightly in his coat.

Their eyes met. Not a good sign. Uijae had a sinking feeling he knew what Sa-young was about to do. Under normal circumstances, it’d be something Uijae himself would do. He looked toward the window.

"…You wouldn’t."

Sa-young nodded without a word. Somehow, they communicated perfectly without speaking. Only at times like this.

Bundled up like a caterpillar in Sa-young’s coat, Uijae found himself lifted once again. He was too weak to resist. Sa-young held him securely, then—

**CRASH!**

The window and a chunk of the wall shattered like cookie crumbs. Uijae closed his eyes, watching the glass and pieces of wall rain down around them. And for a moment, he understood why people valued early education.

'Should’ve trained him better…'

He hadn’t trained him at all, but still, he regretted it. Cold air whooshed through the open wall. Without hesitation, Sa-young jumped through the hole and landed on the ground below, stable as ever. Uijae looked up at the white sky, then called out quietly.

"…Sa-young."

"Yeah?"

"Did it ever occur to you that this might be more noticeable?"

The sound of people murmuring grew louder and closer. The filter on Sa-young’s mask lightly bumped against Uijae’s forehead.

"Just doing it your way. How’s that?"

"…"

"Do you like it?"

No, not at all. Uijae squeezed his eyes shut. He heard Sa-young chuckling softly nearby.

"Now you know how I feel, huh?"

"…"

"Take this chance to learn some empathy."

No, thank you.

Somewhere in the distance, Nam Woo-jin’s

 furious yelling seemed to echo. Sa-young started running, Uijae cradled in his arms. The surroundings blurred as they sped by. Despite carrying him, Sa-young’s voice was perfectly steady.

"Where to?"

‘Screw it.’

Uijae tightened his hold around Sa-young’s neck.

"Let’s go to Hong Yesung."