Episode 310: The Butterfly Dream

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Three days had passed since the child was rescued. Gyu-Gyu had visited Prometheus’s chapel multiple times on his own, and fortunately, it seemed they hadn’t noticed the child was missing. Security hadn’t been tightened either. Maybe the test subject had come up with a good cover. Or perhaps the disappearance of a single child wasn’t worth their concern. It was impossible to know.

Nam Woo-jin had agreed to take responsibility for the rescued child. Jung Bin, Gyu-Gyu, Nam Woo-jin, and J were gathered in a small monitoring room. Watching the sleeping child through the one-way mirror, Nam Woo-jin said,

“People who undergo immediate mutation are usually civilians. Those who mutate partially… they’re mostly under the influence of the system.”

“But that child isn’t an Awakened, is he?”

“Globally speaking, don’t most Awakenings start from high school age or older?”

“That’s correct.”

“Well, if they’re too young, they might not be able to withstand the Awakening and just die. Seems like the system takes a lot into account. Let’s just call him a potential Awakened the system has marked.”

That made sense. Cha Eui-jae himself had Awakened when he was in high school. He nodded in agreement. Jung Bin tapped his arm and asked,

“Anyway… J-nim, you infiltrated and brought the child out safely… How about your results, Gyu-Gyu-nim?”

“Me?”

Gyu-Gyu twisted a strand of his hair in circles as he replied.

“It’s just a cult~ People praying, listening to the so-called Prophet, crying their eyes out, begging them to heal their kid, their friend, their other half.”

“…”

“Well, I guess they didn’t realize their loved ones were being used for human experimentation~”

Gyu-Gyu gave a crooked grin. Jung Bin, rarely showing displeasure, looked at him with clear disapproval before sighing and brushing his hair back.

“Understood for now. Gyu-Gyu-nim, can you continue infiltrating periodically?”

“Huh? You want to hire me? I’m expensive, you know.”

Gyu-Gyu formed a circle with his thumb and index finger. Jung Bin responded with a calm smile.

“You’ll be going anyway, won’t you? You’re a filial son. I’ll make sure to pay for the information.”

“Oh right. All the informants are useless now. So you want to use me~?”

“Haha. Of course not. It’s just that you’re so skilled.”

“Liar. I should charge you extra for being cheeky.”

Sparks flew behind their grins. Meanwhile, Nam Woo-jin, who had been getting a report from a boy who suddenly appeared, shouted angrily.

“If you’re going to fight, do it outside! Get out!”

“Aw, so uptight.”

Gyu-Gyu grumbled and shuffled out of the room. Cha Eui-jae sighed and grabbed Jung Bin, who was straightening his clothes.

“Um, Jung Bin-ssi.”

“Yes, J-nim? What is it?”

Jung Bin answered with a gentle smile. Cha Eui-jae hesitated for a moment, then asked directly,

“Is anyone on the team showing signs of mutation?”

“…Sorry? Signs of mutation?”

Jung Bin blinked in surprise. Cha Eui-jae quickly spilled his words like a rapid-fire gun.

“Like suddenly having white hair or skin, or growing scales, fur, or feathers on their body…”

“Hm, not that I know of… Do you know something?”

“…You should be careful.”

He couldn’t bring himself to say, “That person is going to kill you.” As much as he wanted to stay by Jung Bin’s side, opening the closed dungeon was the priority. Cha Eui-jae glanced sideways toward the wide-open door and added,

“Don’t be alone. Stay with someone besides your team.”

“…”

“Promise me.”

Click. The sound of dice clattering together echoed back, as if answering him.