81 Omen (2/2)

”Kuro, I saw one of my associate die in the last military operation I took part in. He always talked with a gentle tone. In my case, if I could save that person, even if I have to kill another human being, I will do so without a moment of hesitation. The people who remain next to me are much more important that the people whose names I don't know!”  Han said as his voice strengthened in volume.

”But…”

”But what? If you fall in danger amongst many people, I will protect you even if it means killing everyone. But I guess it won't be the case if I fall in danger in front of you? Then there is no reason for you to stand next to me anymore. If you can't fight, then forget everything and quit right now. You'll be able to find a use for your skill even if you don't fight.”

Han grilled Kuro in frustration. Han muttered many times silently to himself.

'Just quit everything, Kuro.'

Han decided to quit trying to convince Kuro to continue any longer. He rather hoped Kuro would stop everything. Han had a deep realization when Herald died. Witnessing an associate's death was horrifying. Witnessing a friend's death would be even more horrifying than just despair. Han hated to experience the despair of losing friends and family.

'It's okay to quit now.'

Kuro had endured all this time with the determination to not to fall behind Han. He was different than the other youths of Ark, he had no self determination. If he were to take his only source of resolve away, then Kuro would have to quit.

Bam! Bam!

People began to bang on the door. The executives seemed to notice something was wrong when Han's tone took a different direction.

Gggeeeee!

Han used his psychic power to block the door with the room's chair. The people observing the room outside stood in shock.

”Open the door! Han!”

The executives shouted outside. Han spoke as his eyes brightly glowed.

”Shut up! We're in the middle of a conversation!”

His voice had a chilling intensity that settled down to a person's bones.

”Han…?”

Kuro watched with large round eyes.

”I was wrong. You're not fit to fight. If you continue this route, even if you survive the war, you'll end up living the rest of your life in pain.”

Kuro was different from the other youths of Ark. His sensitivity didn't match this war scene. Han only came to realize after repeatedly experiencing real battle. It was a brutal path that Kuro wouldn't be able to endure.

”You will be punished for your actions.”

”What can they do to me? They'll just admonish me. I'm a psychic soldier who is capable of participating in actual battle. They won't let me sit and laze for punishment.”

As Han predicted, his actual punishment would be food limitations or solitary confinement.

”You're smart, so you only make calculated moves.”

Han tightly sealed the door with his psychic powers. He wouldn't be able to hold out much longer. The soldiers outside began to shoot their guns into the door.

”If I convinced you with idealistic words to follow me…, then you'll probably force yourself to get transferred into the third year. You won't be able to endure the third year with that kind of resolve. You'll get broken into pieces. Do you remember Kato? The squad leader who attempted suicide. When I went to visit him, he looked at me with the exact same kind of eyes as you.”

The door Han held down burst open. The executives suppressed Han as soon as they entered the room. Han obediently laid face down on the floor. They locked handcuffs onto Han's arms. They didn't need to resort to violence.

”Stop it!”

Kuro shouted hysterically. All the items in the room floated into the air. Psychic energy spilled from his irises. It was becoming extremely difficult to suppress his powers after gaining S rank powers. The tiniest emotional shift set a flood of psychic energy to manifest.

Flinch.

The executives who arrested Han observed toward Kuro. They understood Kuro's strength. His psychic strength could easily bat away a flying missile. If he wished, he could easily kill all the people in this room in a bat of an eye. He was a super psyker that would appear in only movies.

”…. Han convinced me. I will continue to receive treatment and training. When my condition recovers, I will transfer into third year. So please release those handcuffs.”

Kuro felt his blood surge with anger when the soldiers suppressed Han. Even if he must use his strength to kill others, he will save Han. He was shocked he had such anger and courage inside of him. If he thought about it carefully, he could only manage to block the missile because he was next to his friends.

If Kuro was alone, he would have fallen apart from pure fear.

Han who always stood strong had weaknesses as well. Kuro now had great strength to support him.

'I have the strength to help Han. I've always needed his protection but…, it's different now. I will become his friend who can look at him eye to eye.'

Han let off a bitter smile while watching Kuro. Happiness and sadness welled up at once. He shook off the hands which held his hand and walked out.

Chief of Staff, Alexander, stood at the corridor outside.

”Were you acting? Or is that your honest feelings?”

Alexander almost had a heart attack from Han's sudden outburst. The youth he sent to support Kuro was trying to do the opposite. Han was a youth who acted logically and sensibly. Therefore, he didn't think that Han would act in this way at all. This youth had never disappointed the instructors and sergeants, he was truly a model youth of Ark.

”Of course I was acting.” Han said matter of factly.

Alexander looked to Han with confused eyes.

”You can't tell me ahead of time?”

”It won't be believable that way. The shocked expression of everyone was amazing. I've completed my task, I'll be on my way. I haven't had my lunch yet.”

Han walked away. Alexander watched Han's back figure satisfied and a little fearful. Han already brought many youths of Ark into his side with his charisma. Whether it has been his honest feelings or acting, Kuro obtained courage once again thanks to Han's words.

'That's a very dangerous charisma.'

Alexander deeply ingrained Han's name into his mind.

Han had great strength in gathering people. He was like a bonfire on a cold winter night. People gathered around warmth, but at the same time he was burning himself to ash as well. At a glance, Han looked level-headed and logical, but he hid an explosive flame inside himself. He was prepared to burn himself at a moment's notice.