Chapter 53

Tae-un answered with his gaze lowered.

"I have a sense that I'm flying, deflecting attacks, or adjusting something while imagining the situation I want. But as for what it is... I found out when Jin Soram ssi advised Ayoung to accurately grasp her ability, but I don't know the specific form of my ability."

"...Ah..."

So that's why he only wrote that it was some kind of numerical adjustment. Come to think of it, since he was so strong, Soram hadn't thought about it, but usually, one can't accurately grasp their own power from the beginning.

"Pressing down on the ground was also your ability, right? Just now."

"Yes."

"What were you thinking then? Let's break down specifically how you controlled the void wall I created."

"I didn't have any intention of controlling it. When the fire was approaching from above, I thought we should quickly defeat the mutants and descend."

Hmm. Soram brought his fingers to his chin thoughtfully. What is it? It's ambiguous...

"Also... when else did you use your ability? Ah, when measuring the ability strength and stabbing the sword into the target?"

"I think I thought it would be nice if the sword went further forward."

Han Tae-un covered the end of the sword handle as if pressing it down with his palm.

The more information he heard, the more question marks only increased in his head. It was even more confusing because it seemed that Tae-un himself didn't accurately grasp and use his ability in combat situations, but only recognized it to the extent of 'I wish it would be like this'.

No wonder the research lab had been wracking their brains for a month trying to figure out what kind of ability it was. Soram plopped down on the stairs next to the railing Tae-un was leaning on.

"Han Tae-un ssi, have you used your special ability any other time when you were with me? Other than combat situations."

Tae-un thought deeply and said,

"Before, when Jin Soram ssi snatched my dispatch order ahead of time, no, helped me."

"I heard everything before that. Why then?"

"Do you remember the situation where I grabbed you when you tried to leave at the end?"

"...Ah. Aah, right."

At that time, he was trapped in Tae-un's arms and couldn't move at all.

"What were you thinking then?"

"It's similar. I thought I should prevent Jin Soram ssi from leaving. ...It probably won't be of much help."

"Hmm, no. I think this might be a hint..."

There are several ways to keep the other person in that spot. One could immediately tie their feet on the spot, pile up surrounding objects to block their path, or even close the window they tried to go out through. However, Tae-un's ability chose to pull him towards his own body to achieve the goal.

Wait a minute.

"Uh... if you think of it as pulling in, and not pressing down but pushing out..."

Soram reached a conclusion.

"By any chance."

"Yes."

"What Han Tae-un ssi is adjusting... isn't it attraction and repulsion? Based on yourself."

If it was that, the flight ability could be sufficiently explained. Including the anecdotes of using his special ability so far, and even rapidly crashing the platform Soram had created to the ground just now.

Tae-un blinked his eyes.

"Ah."

And he looked at his own hand and bent and stretched his fingers.

"...Ah."

Seeing his expression as if he had realized a very great truth, Soram was dumbfounded.

"Isn't this just being a pure idiot? Why don't you know? If you listen and think about it, you can figure it out right away!"

"I might not have noticed. I've been seeing this ability since it was 3rd-grade strength, so I was confused..."

"Stupid! Fool!"

Tae-un asked with a frustrated expression.

"Did Jin Soram ssi know your ability from the beginning?"

"I..."

That's right. In Soram's first life, he even thought he was a psychokinetic whose ability level fluctuated depending on his condition until he died. And he blamed himself for his ability being even more erratic because he was mentally weak.

But in this life, he knew from the beginning. Therefore.

"I knew from the beginning."

"..."

"I knew since I woke up in the hospital after awakening at eighteen! You stupid kid!"

Whether this was a lie or not, Tae-un had no way to discern it. So what if he bluffed a little?

Hmph, Soram snorted and looked at Tae-un brazenly, and Tae-un frowned and tilted his head back. Why did I have to deal with... Tae-un muttered something resembling a complaint. It seemed like a joke, but afterward, he didn't look at Soram for a long time.

"...What's wrong?"

"I'm angry, so my head hurts."

"Wow, you can even say sarcastic things now? That's because someone who couldn't even properly grasp their own ability is overexerting themselves."

"..."

Tae-un's complicated gaze turned towards Soram. Soram very skillfully ignored Tae-un's gaze and looked around.

"It seems to have become quiet around here again. Let's go up."

No notable mutants were seen above the iron stairs. However, the flames were still surging fiercely.

As Tae-un lifted his body from where he was leaning, a low groan rang out from inside his throat. He seemed to try not to show it and suppress it, but he couldn't hide the long sighs. Soram, who was walking ahead, turned around.

"Are you having a hard time? I won't call you an idiot anymore."

"...It's fine. Do it if you want to."

"We can rest a bit more before leaving. I know it hasn't been enough time for your stamina to recover. Not only training but you also used a lot of strength when the technique exploded earlier."

"No. It's alright."

"Han Tae-un ssi, in a situation like this, it's better to tell me in advance rather than hiding it and causing problems later."

"..."

Soram came back down the stairs and met Tae-un's eyes.

"It's not a stamina issue."

"Then?"

"...I think there's something wrong with my left hand. There's no problem moving it, but the pain is severe. I'll go to the hospital after destroying the dungeon."

"Your left hand? Are you hurt? I didn't see you getting injured during combat..."

Soram suddenly recalled something and grabbed his hand as if snatching it in front of his eyes.

Only the traces of the torn band-aid remained on his palm. It was the one Soram had attached a gauze to his palm and wrapped around it a few hours ago. And Tae-un had tightly grasped the tendril dripping with liquid with that hand to save Soram, who was being dragged to the mountain.

Soram pulled his hand a little more towards the brighter side.

"Fuck."

A curse escaped Soram's mouth when he saw the exposed wound. The area around the palm, which was split along the knife mark, had turned black. The parts that were properly rubbed on the knuckles had also turned purple, and dozens of black blisters had already formed next to the wound.

"...Is it poison?"

"It seems so."

"Why the hell did you do this!"

The sap that Tae-un had touched with his injured hand was painful even though he was wearing a protective suit.

Soram opened his water bottle. And he poured all the remaining water over his wound.

"Jin Soram ssi, what are you..."

He lifted Tae-un's palm and lowered his head. The parted lips widely covered the wound. The wound was forcefully sucked into Soram's mouth.

"Jin Soram, ssi."

Tae-un was startled and tried to pull his hand out, but Soram's hands held his hand and wouldn't let go. Soram lifted his head and spat out the blackened blood to the side with a ptooey.

"Ugh..."

And he put his mouth back on and sucked out the poison. He repeated this about five or six times, then removed his bloodstained lips.

"Try moving your hand."

Tae-un awkwardly bent and stretched his hand on Soram's palm.

"...It's fine. There are no symptoms of paralysis, and unless it's a venomous snake, plant poisons found in Korea are not highly toxic."

And I'm a 1st-grade awakener. Tae-un added.

Soram checked the delayed time and took out a new bandage from his pocket. When he unfastened the clasp, it became a fairly long bandage. He wrapped Tae-un's hand tightly with it.

A scar would remain, but this wound wouldn't cause Tae-un to face a serious crisis. Soram knew that too. Even though he knew...

"Since it's a dungeon, the toxicity must have been greatly enhanced. The proof is that it damaged Han Tae-un ssi's body, a 1st-grade, to this extent. If it were an ordinary person, they would have died."

The hand that was treating him began to tremble. Sweat pooled on the hand holding the bandage. The ghastly wound and the pooled blood swirled dizzily in front of him like ink dropping into water. Soram squinted his eyes hard enough to hurt the surrounding skin.

"...Ah, now's not the time, damn it."

Han Tae-un is safe. He didn't die saving me. He kept repeating it in his mind, but his startled mind didn't easily calm down.

With the experience of the 2nd and 3rd regressions, Soram's skills and composure in dealing with various rift incidents had improved. However, one thing, his mentality towards approaching death and disaster, had become increasingly weak.

This life, even if it was lethargic, was the most enjoyable of all his lives so far. He sometimes thought that he wanted to live a little longer like this, taking care of only those who sincerely cared for him.

The anxiety and impatience that this enjoyment might end right now.

Naturally, the strongest trigger for Soram was Han Tae-un.

Until now, whenever anxiety overwhelmed him, Soram had escaped through sleep. However, now he couldn't fall asleep by covering his mind in darkness, so he had to fight the suddenly rushing emotions alone.

"I'm fine."

Tae-un's opposite hand grabbed Soram's shoulder. When Soram lifted his head, the grip became a little stronger.

"I'm sorry for startling you. I didn't know you would be this surprised."

Tae-un awkwardly patted his back. Who asked for this kind of thing? Soram closed his eyes and let out a sigh through his nose.

"Don't ever do this again. ...I told you before, I'm the strongest in this team, so don't save me."

"..."

He regulated his breath and slowly calmed his pounding heart. Only then could he put down Tae-un's hand.

"Let's go to the hospital first when we return."

"Has your surprise subsided?"

"What surprise? I was just annoyed that a 4-month rookie weaker than me did something unnecessary and got hurt."

Instead of answering, Tae-un held out his remaining water. Soram was too angry to refuse, so he snatched the water bottle and gulped it down.

"Han Tae-un, you stupid, foolish bastard, damn goody two-shoes, a bear with terribly no tact."

"..."

"Phew..."

Soram threw away the empty water bottle and turned around abruptly.

"Let's go up. We have another reason to destroy the dungeon faster."