Chapter 40 - Before the Storm (4) (2/2)
“Cycle…”
The fifth cycle was for humanity.
The fourth cycle of the peaceful period was over, and as expected, the monster was soon to be out again.
The cycle starts tomorrow at 4 in the morning.
At the same time, it’s time for Team A to take over Europe.
Il-hyun was the first one to go into the cycle, and he was very nervous about it.
When he knew nothing about it, he would’ve passed without thinking. But now, after he learned the truth, he was more scared of how many people would die and get hurt if he rejected going into the cycle.
Upstairs, Lee So-yeon came down when he heard Il-hyun and Ghost’s voice.
“Oh, you’re back? Tomorrow, put your eyes on it in advance. You may need to leave at dawn.”
“Yes.”
When Il-hyun answered, Ghost stretched his hands in the air and covered his laptop.
* * *
“Well…”
Il-hyun woke-up. He covered his body with a blanket to keep himself from shivering.
After checking the clock, it was past 3 in the morning, and it was close to 4
.
He looked at his small receiver that should always function when dispatched.
He didn’t have to wait in advance because he could contact the others every time an incident occurred. He couldn’t sleep and decided just to wake up ahead of them.
After leaving the room, he felt that someone had already awoken ahead of him.
He wants to joke around and pretend he was an intruder. He noticed the person was in the balcony attached to the building, and not outside of his room.
When Il-hyun went to the balcony, he encountered Lee So-yeon sitting on a chair in the chilly night air.
“Are you up?”
“I’m feeling the wind.”
A small watch and a bottle of wine were placed on the table, a glass in her hand.
Her sword leaned at an angle on the wall.
“Would you like to drink together? It’s difficult to get drunk, but it’s okay to drink in moderation.”
“Thank you.”
Il-hyun picked up the cup and went to sit beside her chair.
Lee So-yeon drank in her cup.
She then poured the wine into the glass. Vivid red color flowed down to fill the cup.
Il-hyun liked its sweet taste. He now felt a little warmer.
“It’s going to be difficult now. The cycle is back. Each gate will be dangerous because it’s not like the other gates you’ve encountered before.”
It looked as if nothing’s happening to the world, but behind the feigned oblivion, were the calamities that are yet to come.
In this cycle of uncertainty, members of governments around the world have begun emergency work.
The Awakeners who were on vacation in Aegis, also returned home to form a new team.
Citizens slept peacefully without knowing anything about what’s to come.
The clock overlooked the movement of the table.
It’s now 4 in the morning, and time was running toward the next cycle.
There was a minute left.
Il-hyun swallowed his saliva.
And finally, the fifth cycle came.
The time’s hand points to 4 o’clock.
Click.
Il-hyun heard a small clock sound.
Small receivers outside his body were still quiet.
Lee So-yeon toasted the wine with him.
Looking down on the city, Il-hyun could see the light and people.
He thought this place is still peaceful.
There was an emergency on the other side of the globe.
This cycle, this time may differ from the expected pattern.
That thought of his lasted for a while.
Kaua!
The ground shook like there’s an earthquake.
A breathtaking emergency communication came from the receiver in Il-hyun’s pocket.
– Activated in the Northern City, at the center of Madrid, is a surprise gate! The rating is A5! Head toward it!
“It has started.”
Lee So-yeon picked up her sword.