Summons

Prometheus causes the awakened to mutate.

After the Day of Change, the awakened begin to mutate.

Though the conclusion is the same, the process differs. The former has a clear cause, while the latter is nothing more than an unfounded rumor. However, sometimes, the root of a problem lies within the rumors.

Lee Sa-young stared intently at the black figure riding atop the massive whale. Indeed, Cha Eui-jae's hair had lightened compared to three months ago. Lee Sa-young flicked his fingers and asked,

"What causes the mutations? What's behind it?"

The younger Mackerel clapped his fingers together, as if he had been waiting for this.

"That's exactly it. After the Day of Change, the awakened start to mutate! Why? How?"

Then he shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

"There's nothing. The most important part is missing. But there's evidence and results that the awakened have mutated, right? People have seen it with their own eyes, and there are pictures."

"…"

"So, people began filling in the blanks themselves to create a plausible story. The system's curse, the awakened's sins, someone's revenge, and so on… the repertoire is quite varied."

The stories might sound laughable to those who know the truth. But this wasn't a matter to be taken lightly. Fear without a solid basis can paralyze a person's mind. Lee Sa-young tilted his head. The smile disappeared from the younger Mackerel's face, the pale blue light casting shadows across his features.

"Maybe that's why the rumors are spreading so quickly. Hunters who are in tune with these things have probably heard it at least once— about the awakened mutating. Some hunters actually believe it. Right, hyung?"

"Y-yeah."

"Man, some idiot even came to us asking what he should do if he mutates, begging us to tell him how to prevent it."

For a moment, Lee Sa-young wondered if the Awakened Management Bureau hadn't intervened. But he quickly dismissed the thought from his mind.

The Awakened Management Bureau is a conservative public institution. They wouldn't act recklessly, and even if they tried to address the rumors, a half-baked explanation would likely only cause more confusion. They hadn't even fully mapped out the drug distribution channels, after all.

The younger Mackerel started playing with his brother's hair.

"We know it's nonsense, but the vast majority don't. The rumors have smartly tapped into the anxieties of people since the Day of Change…"

"…"

"The awakened may be strong, but their numbers are tiny compared to civilians. They can't afford to ignore public opinion. J's recent actions helped keep things under control for a while, but now things are getting worse."

Lee Sa-young tilted his head. Prometheus. They wanted to prevent the apocalypse through human power. Unfortunately, his memories of being dragged to their labs and experimented on weren't clear. Only a vague sense of the experience remained.

"If your brain forgot, that means it was a great shock. Don't push yourself too hard."

Jung Bin, back when they were living in the mountains with Bae Won-woo in a remote cottage, had told him not to force himself to remember if it was too difficult. But Lee Sa-young stubbornly pieced together his fragmented memories. What he had dredged up from those foggy recollections was;

—"Hopefully, the experiment we did on you succeeds. Right? You're good at enduring pain, aren't you? You've held up well so far."

—"If it succeeds, humanity will take a big step forward in fighting against the apocalypse. With our own strength!"

A strangely familiar woman's voice and a seething, overwhelming rage.

While Lee Sa-young was lost in thought, the younger Mackerel was busy teasing his brother by taking off and putting on his glasses.

"What's their goal?"

"Well…"

The younger Mackerel blew a bubble with his mouth, which floated into the air. He took his brother's glasses and mumbled,

"Considering the group's tendencies… probably to sow distrust toward the awakened and hunters."

"…"

"I couldn't say it earlier because you were in front of me, but it's obvious why they've targeted J. When you think of hunters, you think of J. Even people who don't like hunters recognize J's achievements, don't they?"

"…"

Lee Sa-young only lifted his head after hearing J's name. The younger Mackerel continued rambling.

"The first awakened, saved the country, dealt with the West Sea Rift, came back alive when everyone thought he was dead, took down a whale when it seemed like everything was doomed again, defeated monsters like Hong Gil-dong. Do you know how many stories there are of people claiming J saved their lives?"

"Aha…"

"As long as J is standing tall, you won't be able to fan the flames of distrust against hunters."

Yeah, J sure has been busy while I've been asleep. Lee Sa-young suppressed the sarcastic remark that tried to bubble up.

In truth, Cha Eui-jae wasn't the type of person to sit quietly and do nothing just because someone told him to. It was in his nature. As long as he was alive, he had to do something. He'd get anxious if he stayed idle. He couldn't rest, no matter how hard he tried. A man born to live loudly— that was Cha Eui-jae.

'Would he have been quieter if he hadn't become a hunter?'

An image of Cha Eui-jae in a school uniform floated up in Lee Sa-young's mind. Carrying a large backpack to school, studying in class, taking naps, eating lunch in the cafeteria, chatting with friends. Lee Sa-young's brow furrowed. No matter what scene he imagined, people always swarmed around Cha Eui-jae.

"…"

Ah, forget it. Lee Sa-young tilted his head back and let out a small sigh. His gas mask hissed as the air escaped. The younger Mackerel clapped his hands with a loud smack.

"Anyway, to summarize! Prometheus has changed its methods since the Day of Change. They used to distribute drugs and kidnap awakened ones to experiment on them…"

The screens surrounding Lee Sa-young lit up with a flood of text. All of it carried a similar message: "You are chosen", "Don't leave our future in the hands of the awakened", "Let's fight the apocalypse with our own strength…"

"Now, they're spreading rumors to change the thoughts and perceptions of civilians. The awakened are dangerous! We need to fight the apocalypse ourselves! Stuff like that. And they're also chipping away at J's reputation while they're at it."

"Utter nonsense."

"I agree. Oh, I've got more information, but what should I do with it?"

"Send it to the Seo Min-gi branch. I'll check it myself."

"Understood. Thanks for the good deal!"

Lee Sa-young turned his back. As he was taking off his glasses, the younger Mackerel asked,

"Oh, you're leaving already? Why don't you stick around for a chat?"

His steps halted. His black coat billowed behind him.

"J shouldn't be left alone for too long."

The younger Mackerel instinctively touched his ear. It almost sounded like there were two voices layered together. As he glanced at his brother to ask his opinion, Lee Sa-young had already disappeared. The older Mackerel removed his glasses from his brother's face and tilted his head.

"Th-that was strange…"

"You heard it too?"

"Y-yeah."

"It really feels like something must've happened during those three months… What's with him and J? When did they get so close? Ah, it's driving me nuts with curiosity!"

"Sh-should we call a reporter?"

"No, hold on."

The younger Mackerel rubbed his chin, his eyes gleaming.

"We've got to stop Prometheus from spreading these rumors anyway… Hey, listen, hyung. How do you put out a fire?"

"You pour water on it…"

"You make a bigger fire!"

The younger Mackerel hopped off the desk. The older Mackerel hurried to grab his brother's arm but was a second too late.

"I don't think that's…"

"No, this is the right way. Call the reporter, hyung! If you tell them it's a follow-up to the last article, they'll jump on it. Let's burn this up all the way to the Council."

"How, how are you going to manage this…"

The younger Mackerel grinned mischievously, scrunching up his face.

"What, you think we're gonna die?"

***

The tightly shut door opened soundlessly. A tall figure appeared through the sliver of light pouring in. Lee Sa-young entered as quietly as possible, keeping his movements subtle.

The screen still displayed a young Lee Sa-young, standing with a sour expression, though there was a slight difference— Bae Won-woo was beside him.

Cha Eui-jae was sitting on the floor, knees pulled up to his chest, his head resting on his arms. Quiet, rhythmic breaths escaped from him, signaling that he had fallen asleep.

If you're going to sleep, at least use the beanbag. Why do you always sleep in such uncomfortable positions?

Cha Eui-jae always did one of two things; either causing a commotion when left unattended, or curling up alone like this, looking utterly forlorn.

Lee Sa-young preferred when Cha Eui-jae was causing trouble. At least that made him feel alive. Lee Sa-young removed his gas mask, reached out, and gently lifted Cha Eui-jae's face off his arms. With a soft click, he removed the mask from Cha Eui-jae's face. His eyelashes and the area around his eyes were wet. Lee Sa-young let out an annoyed sigh.

See? You can't be left alone.

Using his thumb, he lightly wiped away the tears from Cha Eui-jae's eyes and then put the mask back on. He should have woken up by now with all this fuss, but strangely, he didn't. Lee Sa-young listened to Cha Eui-jae's steady breathing for a moment.

"…"

As long as you're alive.

Lee Sa-young took off his coat and draped it over Cha Eui-jae. Then, lifting him up, he kicked the door open and stepped into the hallway. The surrounding scenery began to shift and swirl, becoming increasingly chaotic. Amid the disordered scene, the gazes directed at Lee Sa-young gradually changed.

From shock, to disbelief, to curiosity, and finally, to the excitement of catching a big prize.

Just as he was about to leave the fish market, a shrimp floated through the air towards Lee Sa-young. The shrimp hovered by his side, its jet-black eyes staring up at him. Lee Sa-young tilted his head.

"What, taking pictures again?"

The shrimp's antennae wiggled frantically. Lee Sa-young let out a quiet chuckle.

"Go ahead."

"…"

"This time, make it undeniable."

Poof!

With a burst of cartoonish smoke, the shrimp vanished. Lee Sa-young, now fully immersed in the weight in his arms, walked out of the fish market. Soon after, strange shouts faintly echoed from within.

"We've hit the jackpot~!"