Chapter 86 - Take Care

Chapter 86 - Take Care

The news was in an uproar.

[Pop Star Elina Vincent Awakens as a Psychic During Tour]

[Manipulates Massive Steel Structures… Estimated to be an Omicron-Level Psyker]

[Agency Remains Silent Amidst Plummeting Stock Prices; Lead Producer Merkin Beats Missing]

[Resurfacing Controversies Over Responsibility: Growing Criticism on Psyker Regulations]

[Elijet Fan Club Issues Statement in Support of Elina: 'We Will Always Stand by Her.']

[From Pop Star to Psyker—What's Next for Her?]

"Hmm…"

Jin lowered his device after scrolling through the endless headlines about Elina.

Lying down with his hands clasped behind his head like a pillow, he stared at the ceiling with a slightly sour expression.

Reading articles that rehashed the same content under different titles, coupled with the endless war of words in the comment sections, was more exhausting than actually engaging in an argument.

But that wasn't the only thing that irked him.

There was one more thing—

Why isn't there anything about me?

Hold on a second!

Jin had a conscience.

He hadn't done it for attention, after all.

His fight hadn't been about protecting someone else.

It's not like he wanted to go around saying, "I fought so hard, give me some credit!" He had no intention of spouting useless self-praise.

Still, it felt a little unfair that things were this quiet.

Fine, forget about me.

But what about the D'Andre guys?

They saved so many people!

A long sigh escaped him. Tsk tsk.

To be fair, there were a few articles mentioning the person who had fought against the rampaging Elina.

But the witnesses were all rambling nonsense.

They couldn't clearly distinguish between performance and battle, so the story never gained traction.

Not that it matters.

There's always at least one person with a mechanical eye.

In a world where no secrets lasted long, it was only a matter of time before footage started spreading.

For now, everyone's attention was just fixated on Elina.

And Jin decided he wouldn't dwell on it.

He let out a drawn-out yawn, only to see a shadow fall over his face.

Glancing sideways— Oh, here we go again.

Without sitting up, he spoke.

"What?"

"Uh… I, um…"

Elina fidgeted, her fingers twisting together uncertainly.

Jin sighed.

"Already?"

"…Yeah."

"Ugh. Sit."

As Jin sat up, Elina's face brightened.

She immediately dragged over a backless chair, sat down, and placed her hands out expectantly.

Without hesitation, Jin took them.

A transparent flame flickered between their joined hands, rising like a heat mirage.

It burned without malice, spreading nothing but warmth.

Elina, her eyes quietly closed, placed her free hand over Jin's.

Two hands, clasping another.

A flame blooming within.

It looked almost reverent.

Meanwhile, Jin was stifling another yawn.

Ugh, such a hassle.

The problem had started the first time he shared his heat with her.

Now, she came to him whenever she wanted warmth, like a puppy extending its paw.

What am I, a living heater?

Jin eyed her delicate hands wrapped around his and thought bitterly.

If her fans saw this, they'd lose their minds.

Their beloved muse, holding hands with a guy.

And that guy… picking his nose with his free hand.

Blasphemy!

Definitely a sight deserving a mob beating.

But Jin didn't care.

As a fan of Elina the Singer, he wasn't particularly interested in Elina the Person.

Yet, he didn't pull his hands away.

Because he understood better than anyone how crushing mental instability could be.

That's why he continued feeding his mana into the flames, despite the constant yawns.

As exhaustion and irritation mixed in his mind, Jin thought—

Whatever, let's look on the bright side.

At least I leveled up my mana circuit to Level 5 last night.

Good chance to refine my white flame control too, I guess.

Jin cranked up his forced optimism—something his hometown folks called "Won Young-sik thinking."

"...Thanks."

Seemingly soothed, Elina gave a small bow before retreating to her seat like she was fleeing.

Jin watched her silver-gray hair sway as she left and thought—

She'll be back in less than an hour.

And sure enough, his bad feeling never missed.

"…Hey, Jin?"

"Ah."

For two straight days, Jin lived the miserable life of a human heater.

The one who saved him?

None other than Q.

Q.

A special forces agent from the City Government.

A member of the Lawbringers.

The Colonel's aide and a gravity magic user.

Constantly snarky.

Refuses to reveal his real name.

He arrived at the hospital with his usual stoic expression, only to frown at the sight of Jin, looking utterly drained.

"It's been a while."

"You're here?"

"Were your injuries that bad? You look awful."

"…Too much has happened. I'm exhausted, man."

Jin struggled to sit up.

A direct result of burning mana around the clock.

His eyes, sunken and shadowed.

Meanwhile, the leech—no, Elina—looked practically radiant.

Her fractured fibula had fully healed, thanks to Mama's treatment.

She had returned to her usual stunning self.

Jin, on the other hand, was sick of even looking at her.

Anyway.

"I'm Q, assigned to escort you."

Jin felt relieved watching Q offer a businesslike greeting to Elina.

If she had to be handed over to the city government anyway, wasn't it better to have someone familiar take her rather than a stranger?

Luckily, Colonel Harrison had agreed without hesitation, promising to send his adjutant.

It seemed like things had gone smoothly with the city government.

While Elina was preparing to leave, Jin and Q had a brief casual conversation.

"The Face Collector—any progress?"

"You're too loud."

"Oh, my bad."

As Jin scratched the back of his head awkwardly, Q replied,

"He disappeared after Mutetown. No trace since. He's not the type to show up often, so he's probably lying low again. That's why we finally got some time off after years."

Jin gasped.

"…Wait. So after years of non-stop work, I made you—?"

"Yeah."

At the short confirmation, Jin immediately fell to his knees on the bed.

"I'm so sorry…!"

A soldier forced to give up his personal downtime?

And the guy who stole it using connections?

There was no excuse for this.

Jin dropped his head in shame, but Q only smirked at his sincere apology.

"Forget it. Resting feels unnatural to me anyway."

"What kind of… is that a terminal illness?"

"I just feel better when I'm doing something."

Workaholism—also known academically as maladaptive hyper-adaptation.

Jin, someone entirely immune to such a condition, frowned deeply.

Finding peace in work?

Impossible.

"Anyway…"

Q changed the subject, glancing at Elina as she shared a hug with Mama.

"Even if it's just an estimate, you managed to subdue an Omicron-level Psyker. That couldn't have been easy."

"Well, it just kind of happened."

"…"

Q was silent for a moment at Jin's casual response.

Then, watching Elina approach them, he spoke again.

"The Colonel asked me to pass on a message—his offer still stands."

"Not interested in a military career."

"I'll let him know."

At that moment, Elina stopped before them.

"I'm ready."

Q gave a nod.

"Follow me."

"…Ah, wait a second."

Q turned back, and Elina gestured for a moment before shifting her gaze to Jin.

"Jin."

"What? You asked ten minutes ago. I'm exhausted. I seriously can't."

Anyone listening would have misunderstood the conversation, but Elina simply smiled.

Then, after rummaging in her pocket, she pulled something out.

"A card?"

Jin took the card absentmindedly, spinning it in his fingers.

"It's a keycard for the Gilliot Hotel. I got it for my tour, but I won't be using it anytime soon… Would you take it instead?"

"Ohh."

Jin had a long journey ahead, after all.

A hotel pass?

No reason to refuse.

"Thanks. I'll use it well."

"…My contract with the company is a mess, so this is all I can offer for now. Sorry."

"What do you mean? I must've gotten at least a hundred signed photos from you."

Some even had personalized messages for acquaintances—carefully written, heartfelt words.

Especially the ones for D'Andre, who would probably love them.

As Jin chuckled, picturing the thick-faced linker's reaction, Elina watched him quietly.

Her clear eyes stayed on him until he finally noticed and tilted his head.

"What?"

"Thank you. For putting up with my selfishness… Thanks to you, I found the courage to keep going."

"Th-That's a bit much."

Jin rubbed under his nose at the unexpected gratitude.

Then, without warning, Elina opened her arms and hugged him tightly, whispering,

"I won't forget the warmth you lent me."

"…"

Hearing that, how could he just stand there?

Screw it.

Jin, squeezing out the last dregs of his mana, lit a small flame in his palm and gently patted her back.

Ugh, dizziness.

With darkened eyes, he watched Elina slowly step back, then waved.

"Take care."

"See you next time."

Elina smiled and finally turned toward Q.

"Let's go."

As the two boarded the escort vehicle and departed, Jin watched through the window before suddenly shouting,

"I'm discharging myself!"

"What?! Wait—"

Before Mama could finish her sentence, Jin planted his palm on the window frame and leapt.

"Don't bother looking for me!"

"Are you insane?!"

A healer rushed to the window, just in time to witness a patient jump from the fifth floor.

And saw him sprinting straight toward a nearby restaurant.

"…What a crazy bastard."

***

Jin's first stop after filling his stomach was D'Andre's office.

"Jin!"

"Bro!"

As always, Dreandre and Hooker welcomed him warmly, but this time, Greg was there too.

"You're here?"

At this point, it almost felt like family.

In any case, once they received the autographs with their names and a note of gratitude, they held onto them like some sort of treasure, grinning with joy.

Seeing them happier than he had expected, Jin left the office after a brief farewell.

"I'm heading out. If anything comes up, just contact me. You can leave a message on the Solo Intranet too."

D'Andre tried to convince him to stay and eat something, but he refused!

Busy, busy.

The punk society waits for no one.

Without a moment's rest, Jin headed to the Anekdote.

As before, he started by handing out autographs—

(Though the reaction here was lukewarm at best.)

Then, taking advantage of a lull in customers, he struck up a conversation.

Naturally, it was about the Rotation.

"Just ten days left as of tomorrow. You really timed your departure well, huh?"

"Of course! Who do you think I am?"

Expecting to hear "the future King of Solos" in response, Jin cupped his hand around his ear, but Khalifa just chuckled.

"I didn't think you'd be interested in this kind of festival."

Jin dropped his hand and replied,

"Well, I've got some things to check out."

"Alright then. Whatever the reason, since you're going, do your best."

"Obviously."

As Jin flashed a confident grin, Po chimed in.

"Looks like we won't be seeing you for a while."

"Why? You gonna miss me?"

The bartender didn't say no, and Jin snickered at his reaction.

He would have liked to chat a little longer before leaving, but today, the place was particularly crowded.

Not just with any customers, but Solos waiting for their briefing.

"Oh?"

The moment they recognized him, the Level 2 Solos greeted him first, causing quite a commotion.

Realizing he'd just be in the way, Jin began gathering his things to leave.

That's when Khalifa handed him an envelope.

"Take this. I baked them in advance."

He didn't need to look inside—just the scent told him what it was.

Lifting his head with an expression of deep gratitude, Jin heard Khalifa's words.

"Take care."

Then, she turned and walked toward the briefing room, leading the Solos.

Jin watched her retreating figure, the rhythmic click of her heels fading into the distance, before waving at Po and stepping out of the shop.

He walked for a bit, then suddenly took in his surroundings.

The sticky smog that blanketed the sky, the neon lights casting cold shadows where sunlight should have been.

People moving forward, each heading toward different destinations, creating a mix of large and small noises.

For a moment, he thought he heard something crack inside his chest.

A faint, almost imperceptible fracture, like mismatched frequencies clashing.

And through that gap, a voice.

Take care.

Jin's lips twisted slightly.

The realization that he now had a place to return to left him with complicated feelings.

But only for a moment.

Shaking off the thought, he pulled out his terminal and made a call.

"Jecky? Is Jenny with you? Ah, nothing serious, just wanted to say—for a while…"

This was the moment Jin Evernight left Downtown to participate in the Rotation.