The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low - Chap 273
Finally, someone who understands me has shown up. If things go well here, I won’t have to worry about penalties! I just wish he’d talk to Lee Sa-young too. My voice trembled with joy.
“Uh… how much time do I have left?”
But Nam Woo-jin’s face only grew darker. He let out a sigh that could sink the earth and replied gloomily.
“…It wouldn’t be surprising if you died within a few days. Honestly, it’s a miracle you’ve lasted this long. You’d better hope your powers return soon.”
Nam Woo-jin was a Hua Tuo
!
Cha Eui-jae clenched his fist tightly under the thick blanket. No, showing excitement would arouse suspicion. He cleared his throat and put on a gentle smile. Just like Jung Bin.
“That’s impressive.”
But Nam Woo-jin snapped.
“Don’t pretend everything’s fine!”
Huh? Cha Eui-jae blinked, confused. Nam Woo-jin started pacing the room frantically before pointing a finger at Cha Eui-jae and shouting again.
“I’ve told you over and over. That attitude of yours is the problem! Acting like your own life means nothing!”
“What? No, I—”
“The mindset of sacrifice? Toss it out! Live selfishly! Stop wandering around! And what kind of lunatic jumps into a whitened sea like that? What if you mutated?”
“…”
“Do you even know what it means to be like a civilian when you lose your powers? It means you’re just as vulnerable to mutation!”
“Yes, sir…”
“Hah…”
After venting, Nam Woo-jin ran a hand through his hair and pointed straight at Cha Eui-jae’s furrowed brow.
“As your physician, let me make this clear. Until your body recovers, don’t even think about leaving! Stay glued to this hospital room! If you step out, I’ll send Jung Bin to drag you back. Got it?”
Oh no. Cha Eui-jae hurriedly tried to sit up.
“But I—”
However, his feeble body had no intention of cooperating. His vision swam.
“Urgh.”
He clutched his spinning head and fell back onto the soft pillow. Nam Woo-jin scoffed as if to say, “See?”
“That’s what I thought! I’m not about to watch you cut your life even shorter by running around. Stay put!”
With that, Nam Woo-jin stormed out of the hospital room. Cha Eui-jae didn’t even get the chance to beg for mercy with his excellent acting skills. Left clutching his pillow in misery, he suddenly heard a mocking voice.
“Rare to agree with Nam Woo-jin for once…”
It was Lee Sa-young. He was dressed in his usual gas mask and coat, instead of a white hazmat suit. Cha Eui-jae pushed himself up on trembling arms, like a newborn fawn.
“How much did you hear?”
“Mm… from the part where you’re terminal.”
So, he heard everything. Well, that’s good. Cha Eui-jae locked eyes with Lee Sa-young, putting all his sincerity into his gaze.
“If you heard it, that’s a relief. We have to get out of here. There’s no time to waste.”
“Oh?”
Lee Sa-young fiddled with the filter of his gas mask, amusement evident in his tone.
“Are you suggesting we make a run for it together?”
“Of course, we have to. Nam Woo-jin definitely won’t let me go.”
“Not bad… Best thing you’ve said all day.”
Lee Sa-young rummaged through thin air, pulling out various items and stacking them neatly on the bed; rings, gloves, jackets— an assortment of high-end gear. Cha Eui-jae’s eyes widened.
“What’s all this?”
“I looted the Hunter Market. Since you’re vulnerable to toxins.”
Everything Lee Sa-young brought had toxin immunity effects. Cha Eui-jae stared at him with a serious expression.
“…Did you loot it physically?”
“Legally.”
“…Where’d you get the money?”
“I have my ways.”
Highly suspicious. But there was no time to doubt. With Lee Sa-young cooperating, this was their chance to escape. Cha Eui-jae tossed off the blanket and pulled off his hospital gown. His scarred upper body was revealed. Lee Sa-young folded his arms and tilted his head.
“Don’t you think you’re being a little too bold?”
“No time. Got a shirt?”
“Here.”
Lee Sa-young handed over a black turtleneck. Cha Eui-jae quickly slipped it on and swung his legs off the bed. Lee Sa-young steadied him by the arm. He was slightly dizzy, but it was manageable. Lee Sa-young handed over black pants and asked,
“Ah… should I turn around?”
“Obviously.”
“I’ve already seen it all.”
“You have not! I haven’t shown you anything!”
“Ah… not yet, anyway.”
“Shut up, seriously.”
“Don’t even think about hitting me. You might break your hand.”
Damn it. Cha Eui-jae reluctantly unclenched his fist. He quickly changed into the pants, all while Lee Sa-young, to his credit, turned away. Yet the occasional low chuckle was grating. Cha Eui-jae equipped the items Lee Sa-young had brought, the rings, gloves, and jacket. They resembled his old combat outfit, making them feel oddly familiar.
Cha Eui-jae neatly folded the hospital gown and placed it on the bed.
“All done.”
“Alright. Now, for the last thing.”
Lee Sa-young removed the glove from his right hand, revealing blackened fingertips. He extended his hand.
“Want to try holding it?”
“…”
Cha Eui-jae took Lee Sa-young’s hand, now gloved. He had always held Lee Sa-young’s hand bare, but this time, the thick leather muted the sensation. Lee Sa-young carefully observed Cha Eui-jae’s face and nodded.
“You’ll be fine. This is enough.”
“Are you sure?”
“If there were a problem, the glove would’ve melted.”
Lee Sa-young released his hand and, without warning, scooped Cha Eui-jae up, cradling him in the classic princess carry. The same position that haunted Cha Eui-jae’s nightmares. Damn it. This was humiliating. Cha Eui-jae shut his eyes tightly. Above him, a small laugh sounded.
“Not the first time. Get used to it.”
“Shut up.”
“Mm… Want to hold onto my neck? If we go out the door, we’ll get caught…”
Ah, so you’re planning to jump out the window? Sure, that’ll be faster and draw less attention. Cha Eui-jae quickly nodded in agreement and reached out to wrap his arms around Lee Sa-young’s neck. However, he soon realized one small downside to wearing gloves.
‘Lee Sa-young’s hair is so soft.’
The gloves blocked the sensation of Lee Sa-young’s silky hair. Cha Eui-jae found himself idly stroking the nape of Lee Sa-young’s neck. Lee Sa-young paused mid-motion as he reached for the window.
“…Hyung.”
A hiss of air escaped the gas mask. Huh? Cha Eui-jae looked up. Lee Sa-young murmured.
“Stop that. It’s distracting…”
Although the gas mask hid his face, Cha Eui-jae could clearly see his ears peeking through his hair. They were…
Bright red.
‘Oh.’
Oh no. Damn it. Aaah! Cha Eui-jae clamped his mouth shut and turned his head. Every sound felt louder than usual; the gulp of a swallow, the shifting of clothes, the clink of the window latch. Cha Eui-jae bit the inside of his cheek. Ah, he wanted to disappear.
Lee Sa-young let out a sigh.
“It won’t open further.”
The bottom-hinged window didn’t open wide enough for them to escape. Plus, neither of them was small enough to squeeze through. Lee Sa-young inhaled sharply and suddenly turned back to the bed. He stripped off his coat and wrapped it around Cha Eui-jae like a cocoon.
Their eyes met. This was ominous. Unfortunately, Cha Eui-jae could already guess what Lee Sa-young was planning. It was the kind of thing Cha Eui-jae would have done impulsively in the past. Cha Eui-jae glanced at the window and asked.
“…You’re not seriously—”
Lee Sa-young silently nodded. For some reason, they understood each other perfectly at times like this. Only at times like this.
Cha Eui-jae curled up in the coat like a larva, then braced himself as Lee Sa-young carried him again. He had no strength to resist. Lee Sa-young held Cha Eui-jae securely and—
BANG—!!
CRASH!
Kicked through the window and the surrounding wall. The wall shattered like a cookie. Cha Eui-jae watched shards of glass and debris fly before shutting his eyes. Now he understood why elders emphasized early education.
‘I should’ve taught him better…’
Not that he’d ever taught Lee Sa-young anything. Regardless, Cha Eui-jae regretted it. The cold wind howled through the gaping hole in the wall. Without hesitation, Lee Sa-young jumped through the opening. He landed on the ground below with a firm thud. Cha Eui-jae gazed up at the white sky before softly calling out.
“…Sa-young.”
“What?”
“Did you ever think this would draw more attention?”
The sounds of murmuring and footsteps grew louder. Lee Sa-young’s gas mask filter bumped against Cha Eui-jae’s forehead.
“I tried it your way. How is it?”
“…”
“Do you like it?”
No. Not at all. Cha Eui-jae shut his eyes tightly. Lee Sa-young’s faint laughter echoed nearby.
“Now you get how I feel?”
“…”
“Learn some empathy, Hyung. Might as well, while you’re at it.”
No thanks.
Nam Woo-jin’s furious shouting could be heard in the distance. Lee Sa-young started running, holding Cha Eui-jae close. The scenery blurred past. Despite carrying someone, Lee Sa-young’s voice was steady.
“Where do you want to go?”
‘Screw it.’
Cha Eui-jae tightened his grip around Lee Sa-young’s neck.
“To Hong Ye-seong.”
Hua Tuo, courtesy name Yuanhua, was a Chinese physician who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty. Historical texts, such as Records of the Three Kingdoms and Book of the Later Han record Hua Tuo as having been the first person in China to use anaesthesia during surgery. An American sinologist describes him as “many hundreds of years ahead of his time in medical knowledge and practice”.
