Lost in Tomorrow

Chapter 20 - The Hunter and the Prey

Joon's pulse hammered in his ears. The static on the monitors had faded, leaving behind only Kyung's chilling words:

"You can't hide forever. I'll find you."

The room was deathly silent. No one moved. Even the air felt heavy, charged with an invisible threat.

Then Taejin cursed under his breath. "He's tracking us."

Rika spun toward the monitors, rapidly pressing buttons. "No, he shouldn't be able to—not from this distance."

Joon swallowed hard. "Then how did he—"

Before he could finish, the hideout shook violently. The ground trembled, dust rained from the ceiling, and the dim lights flickered wildly.

An explosion.

Taejin's eyes widened. "He's already here."

Joon's mind whirled. This wasn't just a warning—Kyung had found them. And he wasn't wasting any time.

Rika grabbed Joon's wrist. "Move!"

The Escape

The group scattered. Rika led Joon through a back corridor, while Taejin and the others grabbed weapons and headed toward the entrance.

The next explosion ripped through the hideout. The walls cracked, metal groaned, and a deafening roar filled the tunnels as part of the ceiling collapsed.

Joon barely dodged the falling debris. "He's bringing the whole place down!"

Rika cursed. "We need to get topside. Now!"

Joon followed her through the dark tunnels, his mind racing. Kyung was stronger than before. This wasn't just raw telekinesis—this was precision. He wasn't blindly destroying things; he was cutting off every escape route.

Joon clenched his fists. How do you fight someone who can rip apart the ground beneath you?

The answer came sooner than he expected.

As they turned a corner, a shadow blocked their path.

Kyung.

He stood in the center of the tunnel, his sharp eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. The air around him rippled with invisible energy, like reality itself was bending to his will.

"You've run far enough," Kyung said.

Joon's breath caught. This was different. Kyung wasn't just toying with him anymore. There was no smirk, no amusement.

This time, he was here to end it.

Mind Against Power

Rika stepped forward, one hand reaching for the knife at her belt. "I don't suppose you'll let us walk away?"

Kyung tilted his head. "You know the answer."

Without another word, he raised his hand.

The tunnel exploded around them.

Joon barely had time to react before he was thrown backward, crashing into the cold stone floor. The impact knocked the breath from his lungs.

Rika rolled aside, narrowly avoiding a chunk of falling debris. She sprang up, dagger flashing, and lunged at Kyung.

Kyung barely moved. With a flick of his wrist, she stopped mid-air.

Joon's eyes widened. She wasn't just frozen—she was trapped in a sphere of invisible force.

She struggled, eyes blazing with defiance. "Damn it—!"

Kyung's gaze shifted to Joon. "You're not strong enough to fight me."

Joon gritted his teeth. He could feel Kyung's power pressing against his mind, a crushing force that made it hard to think. But he wasn't going to give up.

He reached out—not with his hands, but with his mind.

Kyung's thoughts.

For a split second, Joon saw fragments—Kyung's memories, his emotions, his purpose.

A dark room. A voice whispering commands. A promise of power. A mission.

Then—pain. A sudden shock that sent Joon reeling, breaking the connection.

Kyung's expression darkened. "You're getting better."

He flicked his wrist—and the walls began to close in.

Joon's heart pounded. He's going to bury us alive.

Rika struggled in the air, her teeth clenched. "Damn it—Joon, go!"

Joon's mind raced. He couldn't overpower Kyung. He couldn't stop the collapsing tunnel.

But there was one thing he could do.

Distract him.

He closed his eyes and reached out again—not just to Kyung, but to everyone.

And then, he did something he had never done before.

He pushed.

A Mind Unleashed

The moment Joon's power expanded, everything changed.

He didn't just hear thoughts—he projected his own. His mind stretched across the tunnels, through the city, through the static-filled screens in the homes of the citizens.

Wake up.

For the first time, the people heard him.

For the first time, the city stirred.

And Kyung felt it.

His grip on Rika weakened. His focus shattered.

That was all Joon needed.

With a desperate burst of energy, he grabbed Rika and pulled her free.

She gasped, landing on her feet, eyes wide. "How did you—"

"No time!" Joon grabbed her hand and ran.

Kyung roared, his power surging. The tunnels trembled, but it was too late.

Joon and Rika reached the surface just as the entire underground collapsed behind them.

They tumbled onto the pavement, gasping for air. Around them, the city's lights flickered.

People stepped out of their homes, their faces dazed—as if waking up from a long sleep.

Rika turned to Joon, breathing hard. "What the hell did you just do?"

Joon didn't answer.

Because deep down, he knew.

He had just changed everything.

And Kyung wasn't going to let that go unpunished.

To Be Continued…