Episode 313: The Butterfly Dream

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…What happened after that, well. I don’t really remember.

When he came to his senses, black chains were tightly binding his body. Cha Eui-jae blinked, kneeling on the scorching floor. His eyes, nose, mouth, and throat— it was so hot and dry, it was hard to breathe. He gasped for air, looking around. Bright red flames surrounded him in a wide circle.

‘It’s hot…’

Sweat dripped from his chin. Ash and sparks floated in the air. Tick, tick. Crimson embers fell just in front of his knees and fizzled out. Cha Eui-jae looked up. Beyond the shimmering heat waves, three figures stood; Honeybee, Matthew, and Jung Bin. The sharp tip of a rapier was pointed squarely at him. Faint murmurs of conversation drifted through the heat.

“…He’s secured well, so it should be fine…”

“If he lashes out again…”

“As long as he’s bound by chains, he won’t be able to.”

Jung Bin stepped forward. Part of the ring of fire around them faded away. Uncharacteristically, he was covered in cuts, and his hair was disheveled. His right cheek was even visibly swollen. Jung Bin knelt on one knee and made eye contact with Cha Eui-jae.

“J-nim, do you recognize me?”

Cha Eui-jae slowly nodded. Even that took effort. Jung Bin pulled a handkerchief from inside his suit jacket and wiped the sweat from the back of Cha Eui-jae’s neck.

“Since it seems you’ve come to, I’ll explain. This is the Jongno 3-ga underground dungeon. After you exited the dungeon, you began rampaging. Honeybee tried to stop you, but judged it was too much to handle alone. So Matthew and I came after being contacted, and we subdued you.”

“…Rampage?”

“Yes. A rampage.”

Honeybee suddenly shouted.

“Rampage? More like a fucking meltdown! A full-blown fit!”

“Honeybee, watch your language.”

“Watch what? Hey, J! I’m grateful you busted us out, but going berserk the moment we came back? That’s not excusable. The researchers and even Ga-eul-ah were there, you know?”

“…”

“What the hell were you thinking, going apesh—”

Thmp. A large hand covered Honeybee’s mouth. Matthew quietly pulled her back. Cha Eui-jae’s mouth was dry. Every breath made his throat burn. It was too hot here… too dry. As his breathing grew more labored, Jung Bin gently held Cha Eui-jae’s chin to steady him. Then he let out a soft sigh.

“…Ah, is it too hot? I didn’t consider that. I was only thinking about restraining you… My apologies.”

“Is it really that hot?”

“Right now, J-nim is in a pre-awakening physical state. This kind of heat would be unbearable for an ordinary person. I’m sorry, J-nim. We’ll transfer you to the Awakened Management Bureau.”

Without much effort, Jung Bin lifted Cha Eui-jae. Being stripped of control over his own body was not a pleasant feeling. Being carried like a sack of cargo was even worse. Clinging to his blurry vision, Cha Eui-jae managed to ask.

“…Where’s Lee Sa-young?”

There was no response. Silence was the only answer. Cha Eui-jae clenched his teeth.