Chapter 45 (2/2)

”…!” There was a shape inside the smoke. The person turned towards him. It was Hee-chul.

”You're alive.” As he moved further and the smoke cleared, Kim Tae-hyun involuntarily cried out. Hee-chul had no clothes left on his body. No, to be precise, he had no skin or anything else. It was more appropriate to call it the charcoal silhouette of a person.

Red muscles were exposed between the blue and dark area. The suited man was lying collapsed at Hee-chul's feet. Tae-hyun a.s.sumed that he was caught up in the power of the explosion that he himself created.

”Hey.” Hee-chul didn't answer. There was no movement. ”Hey.” Kim Tae-hyun pulled out a gun. Keeping Hee-chul alive wasn't bad, but an opportunity like this was rare. There were explosions so he had pretty sound justifications for the deaths.

Although he didn't design this situation, he had caught the perfect prey on his fis.h.i.+ng line. If the suited person hadn't blown up the hallway, then Kim Tae-hyun wouldn't have received this chance.

”…”

… It was really for that reason. It absolutely wasn't because of the fear that he couldn't control this person. Kim Tae-hyun whispered to himself.

The moment he lifted his gun,

Chobeok.

Hee-chul turned around.

”…” He had confidence in his skills. He was an excellent shooter. Since he was always carrying a gun, Tae-hyun was able to bring the gun with him from the first floor. Of course, his shooting and firearms talent had a high level. There was probably no one better at shooting in Korea than him. But he couldn’t pull the trigger.

”That thing in your hand…” The distance between him and Hee-chul was enough. It was obvious that Hee-chul couldn't move properly with his burnt muscles. ”I’m not sure how to interpret it.” A steady voice came out as the mouth of the charred human body opened.

‘Pull.' The voice in his head said. But his body didn't listen. Was it because he was overwhelmed by Hee-chul's grotesque appearance? Those eyes? The nonchalant voice that seemed to see through him?

”If you don't answer, then it can't be helped.” Hee-chul declared. There was only one thing that Kim Tae-hyun could do. ”I'll be forced to defend myself.”

”No, I wasn't aiming at you.” The muzzle went down. With a calm expression, Kim Tae-hyun raised his hand and pointed to the body of the suited person. ”I thought he might have survived. Sorry. Your visual was so severe that…”

”…”

Kim Tae-hyun trembled. 'You can't kill me.' Kim Tae-hyun had the means to legally cover up this incident. Kim Tae-hyun guessed that Hee-chul wasn't crazy enough to dismiss society's rules. He was the type to handle things reasonably.

Chobeok.

Hee-chul approached him. No. Was his guess right? Those eyes. Why was he looking at Kim Tae-hyun with those eyes? ”If you come too close…” Ignoring Kim Tae-hyun's words, Hee-chul reached towards him.

”Ack!” Kim Tae-hyun reflexively raised his gun.

Teob.

Hee-chul read it perfectly. The palm of his hand completely covered the muzzle of the gun and stopped its movement. Despite the charred hand, Tae-hyun felt a strength that he couldn't cope with through the barrel of the gun.

Hee-chul extended his other hand. Kim Tae-hyun unconsciously gritted his teeth. ”… I would appreciate it if you gave that to me.”

What? Kim Tae-hyun stared at the hand that stopped right in front of his face. The palm of his hand was facing up. ”It looks like you have good medicine. Your wound is completely healed. If there is anything left then I would appreciate it.” Hee-chul seized the gun from Kim Tae-hyun's left hand. ”Please.”

Tell him that there was no medicine. Instead, Tae-hyun would give him the best first aid possible. While Kim Tae-hyun's head was talking, his hand was taking out a bottle. He couldn't pa.s.s this bottle over just like that. Just open the lid and give him a few drops. Kim Tae-hyun made this decision when…

Kung!

There was the sound of banging on one door in the corridor. Tae-hyun paused briefly. Hee-chul's hand eased the bottle away. ”Ah…”

”Thank you.” Tae-hyuk involuntarily let go.

”Deputy Manager-nim!” A door on the other side of the corridor opened and a group of people in black suits poured out. Among them were the remaining seven explorers, not including Hee-chul and the suited man. They happened to hear the sound of the explosions and came running.

”Okay… You…” The people in suits swallowed as they saw Hee-chul.

”Can you bring me something to wear?” Hee-chul said in a polite voice. Of course, the rest of his things had disappeared into his inventory. The men in suits looked at Kim Tae-hyun, who nodded. Some people quickly left to get clothes for Hee-chul.

”A lot… have gathered.” Hee-chul looked at the rest of the people after putting on his clothes.

”Sorry if I scared you… Instead of saying anything… I have something to tell all of you. For those who were aiming at me because I am a king…” New skin was covering the burn skin. Hee-chul's appearance was really grotesque. ”If you encounter me on the next floor then you should look elsewhere.”

Just like a demon from manhwa, Hee-chul spoke with a face that was half healed. ”I will recommend you to go straight down the nearest stairs instead of giving into your vain greed.” The sharks didn't panic at his words. Hee-chul didn't mean to scare them.

Hee-chul said one more thing. ”Of course, at the end of the day, I will also be the one going down the stairs.”

Most of the larger sharks took it as a declaration of interest. ”If you keep repeating this step and going straight down the stairs, then you'll be able to stay safe until the end.”

Hee-chul took the initiative.

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