The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low

Chapter 288

Sa-young took three steps back. The hands pouring out of the void seized Nam Woo-jin and Jeong Bin.

And then—

Rip.

A sound like paper tearing filled the room. The pale hands were slowly tearing the two men apart. The torn areas glowed with a golden light, and other hands moved to patch the glowing spaces with their own forms. Where eyes were removed, new eyes took their place.

“……”

The hands moved with meticulous precision. One hand tore away a part, another filled the void with something new, and yet another stitched the seams together like a needle and thread. Nam Woo-jin and Jeong Bin were being literally reconstructed.

It was a grotesque sight.

When the two men were fully reassembled, their forms complete, a distant murmur began to swell. The scent of old books and wood, the slightly stale air—all of it settled back into place. The world began to move once more.

Nam Woo-jin and Jeong Bin slowly opened their eyes. Without so much as a glance at Sa-young or Uijae, they walked off somewhere.

Only after the two disappeared from view did Sa-young realize he had been holding his breath. He gasped for air, his throat tightening as he exhaled shakily. Wiping his face with his hand, he processed what had just happened. Asking Nam Woo-jin for help was clearly not an option anymore—it would only lead to a repeat of this nightmare.

Then what can I do? What can I possibly do for someone who can barely stand being near me?

Sa-young carefully propped Uijae against the bookshelf, draping his coat over him like a blanket. Squatting down in front of him, he studied his face. Uijae’s ashen hair seemed to glow white under the dim light.

This world’s Cha Uijae was mutating.

Now it was clear. The reason why this world’s Uijae had met such a hollow and swift end. He had chosen death himself. Because he didn’t want to become a monster. Even though he was terrified of dying.

You should have told me.

You should have said something.

Sa-young’s mind spun with thoughts that weren’t entirely his own. But instead of arguing with the unwelcome voice, he quietly agreed. Cha Uijae was stubborn, foolish, and, above all else…

Uijae’s tear-soaked lashes quivered. Slowly, he opened his swollen, bloodshot eyes. But those dark pupils didn’t meet Sa-young’s. They roamed aimlessly through the air, searching for something unseen. He fidgeted with the coat draped over him before murmuring,

“…Are you there?”

“I’m here,” Sa-young replied quickly.

Only then did Uijae’s gaze shift slightly toward him. His face was etched with exhaustion. Uijae raised a trembling hand to wipe his tears but winced in pain. His fingertips must have been stinging. They were in terrible shape—if he had clawed any harder, his nails might have come off entirely.

Sa-young pulled out a fresh pair of gloves and a red recovery potion.

“Give me your hand.”

Uijae obediently extended his hand. Sa-young placed it on his own palm and poured the potion over it. He didn’t care that his gloves were soaked; the potion began to heal the frayed skin on Uijae’s fingertips.

“The other hand.”

The second hand was treated the same way. Though the torn skin mended, the potion couldn’t restore his broken nails. That would take time. Sa-young gently rubbed Uijae’s hand with his thumb before letting go.

As Sa-young finished cleaning up the potion bottle and started to stand, Uijae mumbled,

“Stay with me.”

“……”

“Don’t go anywhere….”

With that, Uijae closed his eyes again. Before long, soft, rhythmic breaths escaped him as he drifted into sleep.

Now you’re the one telling me not to leave? Sa-young thought, suppressing a chuckle.

He sat down, propping one leg up as he rested his chin on his knee.

“…Okay,” he murmured, closing his eyes.

“I’ll stay.”

***

"Let us pray."

A soft voice spoke, echoing through the long chapel crowded with people. Everyone was dressed in white, their heads bowed and hands clasped together in reverence. Gaeul, caught up in the atmosphere, also clasped her hands and bowed her head, though her drowsiness made her eyelids heavy. She stifled a yawn as best as she could.

‘I’m so tired… Damn cultists.’

Ever since staying at the Prometheus headquarters, Gaeul had been forced to attend these so-called morning prayers. At precisely 5:30 AM, someone would barge into her room and drag her to the chapel, leaving no room for resistance. Starting at 6:00 AM, the cult disguised their brainwashing as prayer sessions.

"Human strength is infinite. We are capable of anything. Brothers and sisters..."

The soft voice came from behind a white curtain. It was likely the "seer." Occasionally, a shadow would flicker behind the curtain—a silhouette of what seemed to be an adult male. Despite having been here for quite some time, Gaeul had yet to catch even a glimpse of this revered figure. Every request to meet him had been firmly denied.

The soft voice continued.

"Recently, the number of cursed beings has increased. However, they are unbelievers lacking in faith. Do not fear them. Believe in humanity’s strength. We must save the world."

If faith alone could solve everything, how nice that would be.

Gaeul tightened her clasped hands. Though confined, she had learned about the outside world through Minggijeok, who occasionally snuck in to update her. News about Gayeong working on the vaccine had reached her ears, as had the horrifying truth: humans were mutating into monsters. The white monsters emerging from the erosion dungeons had once been human.

The white golems I saw in that dungeon…

Were they all human too? The thought of those shattered golems churned her stomach. Gaeul grimaced. Meanwhile, the soft voice continued its relentless sermon.

"Brothers and sisters, always keep faith. Our brethren are working tirelessly to resolve this curse. In the meantime, don’t forget to wear your masks..."

What’s this, a flu advisory?

"...Now, let us strive diligently in our respective places."

A round of applause erupted as the congregation stood. Gaeul, moving automatically, joined in the clapping. What’s it like to get a standing ovation for spouting the same nonsense every day?

Ivan took the microphone.

"Ah, ah… Before everyone leaves, please make sure to take your masks…."

Gaeul intended to skip the mask distribution and return to her room, but the crowd swept her along, leaving her in line to receive one. She didn’t particularly want to face Ivan but found it impossible to slip away unnoticed. Eventually, she found herself face-to-face with him.

Ivan beamed.

"Ah, ah. You’ve attended again today. A very good… good attitude."

"Yes…."

"Miss Yoon Gaeul may not need a mask, but still… Please take one."

"Thank you…."

Stuffing the white mask into her pocket, Gaeul asked, "By the way, what’s Gayeong been up to? She hasn’t visited recently."

"Brother Gayeong is… busy. Important research, you see…."

"I see…."

"Is there anything you’re uncomfortable with?"

Ivan tilted his head quizzically. Gaeul took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Her original plan had been to stay longer and gather as much information as possible. Surely there were things she could only learn from within. But...

I can’t keep waking up at 5:30 AM every day, even on weekends!

Besides, to help J, she needed to dream longer and more frequently. Prometheus's rigid schedule and constant disruptions made that nearly impossible. She tapped her slipper against the floor in irritation.

"No, it’s nothing… I just wanted to tell Gayeong something."

"If you tell me, I can…"

"Um…"

Feigning hesitation, Gaeul lowered her gaze.

"Sorry, it’s kind of… sensitive. I’d rather tell her myself."

"Ah, I… see."

Ivan’s eyes darted around as he considered her words. Taking advantage of his distraction, Gaeul scanned the room—and froze.

What?

Amid the crowd, she glimpsed a familiar school uniform. Her school uniform.

High school students come here?

She didn’t even wait to process the thought.

"Sorry, I need to step out for a moment!"

"Huh? Wait, but—"

"Excuse me, sorry!"

Pushing her way through the crowd, Gaeul chased after the fleeting glimpse of the uniform. People called out behind her, but she paid no attention. The familiar uniform appeared and disappeared amid the sea of white robes, slowly growing closer.

Finally, she reached out as hard as she could.

"Wait!"

Her hand grabbed the arm of the uniformed student.

The student turned around, revealing a face she knew all too well.

“…Oh? Gaeul? It’s you, right? Gaeul?”

"……."

"Hey! Do you know how worried I’ve been? You stopped coming to school! So this is where you’ve been!"

Gaeul muttered in a trembling voice.

"…Minji."

Her friend. Minji smiled brightly, taking Gaeul’s hand in hers. Gaeul stared at her, unable to find the words. Something about Minji’s face seemed off—it was unusually pale.

Before Gaeul could speak, a cold hand rested on her shoulder.

"Happy to see your friend? Worth bringing her along, isn’t it~?"

A playful, almost singsong voice whispered in her ear. Her entire body turned cold. She didn’t dare look back. The hand on her shoulder smelled faintly of blood.

The person leaned in, their breath tinged with the metallic scent of blood and chemicals.

"Ivan said you were looking for me? Missed me, huh? Perfect timing—I missed you too. I even brought your friend here. Feels like fate, doesn’t it?"

"…Gayeong."

Gaeul slowly turned her head.

Gayeong stood there, smiling brightly behind her round glasses, her hair tied up neatly as always.

"I need your help."

Behind Gayeong, soldiers in military uniforms lined up in formation. Gaeul glanced back at Minji, whose face was blank with confusion.

Gayeong leaned close and whispered, "You’ll cooperate, right?"

"What… do you need?"

Gaeul prayed her voice didn’t betray her fear.

Gayeong’s smile widened.

"Dream for me."

"……."

"Keep dreaming. Until I find what I need."