Black Badger

The Badgers and civilian staff who had been standing near Yehyeon turned to look back with puzzled expressions.

But Yehyeon ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) couldn’t pay attention to their reactions.

After setting the pad down, he walked straight toward Hilde as Hilde entered the office.

Only after Yehyeon came to a stop in front of him did expression return to Hilde’s face.

The man gave a faint, bitter smile.

“You barely slept.”

Only after Hilde spoke quietly did Yehyeon realize that he had used honorifics.

He went cold for a moment, then, realizing he couldn’t take back what he had already said, turned his head away.

Two secretaries, Dante, Aki, and Asil.

...Fortunately, people this could still be managed with.

“Sorry. The rest, submit it as a written report.”

He grabbed Hilde by the arm and pulled him out of the office.

Hilde allowed himself to be led without resistance.

Without saying a word, Yehyeon dragged him to the executive office.

It was the place where Hilde had stayed for a week back when he first appeared in the Portal Zone, when two Creatures had shown up near Center Core Headquarters trying to kill him. The media had gone wild over that incident, making it impossible to interview Hilde right away.

When they went inside, closed the door, and Yehyeon turned around, Hilde smiled faintly.

“It’s been a while. This place.”

“What happened?”

He asked while thinking that, if it came to it, he might have to go find that long-limbed Titan who had gone with him.

“Please tell me everything.”

Hilde reported only the key points.

As always, a clean report, without excess.

Yehyeon forced the man—who looked like he might stand up—to sit on the bed and made him report from there.

Even after the report ended, he continued staring down at his godfather for quite a while.

Three in the afternoon. A gentle spring breeze drifted pleasantly in through the open window frame.

The first to speak was Hilde, who had been watching Yehyeon standing in front of the bed.

“Yehyeon. You really need to sleep.”

“Don’t take any work calls for a week and rest.”

The moment Hilde spoke, Yehyeon snapped back to himself and issued an order.

Golden eyes filled with confusion.

Feigning ignorance, Yehyeon continued.

“I’m not assigning you any missions for two weeks.”

“What?”

Hilde tried to get up from the bed.

“Why? I heard the hostages haven’t been released yet—”

“Sit down. Anyone who returns from a mission is supposed to take time off for a while. You took the autonomic–sympathetic nerve training, right, from Yun.”

“I understand that, but isn’t two weeks too long? I’m not even injured.”

Yehyeon swallowed down the emotions that surged up in his chest.

He bit his lip, then pressed Hilde’s shoulder firmly to make him sit.

“You don’t know what kind of face you walked in with. Go rest. If it were up to me, I’d lock you in a cabin.”

Hilde’s eyes widened.

Still, it was a relief. It felt like the godfather he knew had finally come back a little. He never wanted to see again that expressionless face Hilde had worn when he entered the office.

The look Badgers injured by endless combat and loss often showed.

Hilde blinked and asked,

“Was my expression really that bad?”

“Yes. It was the worst. Hilde, I’ve lived on the battlefield since I was twenty-five. There’s no way I wouldn’t notice something being wrong.”

Hildebert gave a wry smile.

“Is that so. I thought I’d gotten a lot better on the way back. It’d be a lie to say I wasn’t shaken, but as time passed, I kept leaning more toward the idea that I really did help Eve.”

“Then are you saying you were in even worse shape before you came back?”

He thought he should contact the Titans, including Blackjack, and keep Hildebert confined to a cabin.

If he resisted, he’d just lock him in this lounge instead.

As he scanned the room, wondering what it lacked, Hilde spoke.

“I can shoot well now.”

Yehyeon stared straight at Hilde.

“You might be shocked to hear it, but... I think that was real salvation for Eve. Now.”

Hilde smiled faintly, beautifully.

That unique, pale smile.

Why was the world so cruel to this man?

Still, Yehyeon felt relieved that Hilde seemed to be trying, in his own way, to overcome Eve’s death. Throughout the entire report, he’d been worried that Hilde might not be able to hold a gun anymore.

But it was the opposite—he could shoot again. He must have pulled himself out of the pit in his own way.

And Yehyeon, too, believed that it would have been salvation for Eve.

Because he knew someone who wished for death more than anyone, yet could not die of their own will.

But this man truly needed to rest.

“So, Commander. About the kidnapping incident—”

“We’re trying to negotiate with the Titan side, so that’s enough about that. You won’t be taking missions for two weeks.”

It didn’t seem like pleading would work, so he crushed him with rank.

Hilde fell silent.

“And if something truly urgent happens, we’ll have no choice but to call you, so please rest in the cabin. If you don’t want to, we’ll lock you in my house instead.”

“...Alright. But I think you’re the one who should go home. Yehyeon. Since you’re already here, get some sleep before you go. Your dark circles are terrible, and the blood vessels in your eyes are completely burst.”

“Then you sleep in this bed, Hilde. I’ll sleep a bit on the bed next to it.”

“I’m not sleepy, though...”

Hilde argued that he’d slept enough on the flight back to Center Core. Yehyeon didn’t listen. He knew very well that sufficient sleep helped.

How to make this man rest.

After a moment’s thought, he said,

“If you don’t get some sleep, I’ll go back to work.”

As he said it, Yehyeon felt a flicker of fear. What if Hilde reacted like his father—Do whatever you want. It’s none of your business, and I’m not sleepy, so I’ll go?

Was he overestimating his own presence in Hildebert’s life?

But Hilde made a troubled expression, then nodded.

“Alright. Let’s take a nap, then.”

Yehyeon felt like he might cry.

***

Even though I’d slept like that, sleep still came the moment I closed my eyes.

I woke in the dim light of early evening.

That air unique to early evening, the kind you feel when you wake up after an indulgent nap...

Huh?

I realized the bed beside me was empty.

I sprang upright.

Sitting up, I groped for my phone. I lifted my heavy eyelids and stared at the blindingly bright screen until my eyes stung. Messages that had come in while I slept filled the display.

[Deltei: Did you arrive? I’m ordering groceries—anything you want to eat?]

[Igor: When you wake up, come to the Science Wing, Commander.]

[Yun: When you wake up, Science Wing.]

[Rose: Commander♡ Did you make it back to Center Core safely?] 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

[Yehyeon: I’ll head out first. Rest as long as you like before leaving.]

[Kairos: Let me know when you get off work. If possible, I’d like to head back together.]

Why the Science Wing?

And Yehyeon... he really didn’t sleep much before leaving.

I wanted him to sleep more, but it seems I slept like a log. A nap of one or two hours wouldn’t make dark circles like that disappear.

Clicking my tongue at myself, I entered Yun’s message thread.

Did Igor and Yun get into another fight?

I was about to message that I was coming now—

[Ba-ba-ba bam-paba! Ba-ba-ba bam-paba! Ba-ba-baba]

A call.

That ghost of a man. The moment I heard the Tom and Jerry opening theme—which I’d set to ring only when Yun called—I hit the answer button.

It seemed he’d called the instant the unread marker disappeared.

“Yes, sunbae.”

[Martin is booting up.]

True to form, Yun skipped any preamble.

[There’s something else to talk about, so if you’re up, come to the Science Wing.]

So he wasn’t actively fighting with Igor right now.

Knowing it was pointless to ask more, I got up from the bed without another word.

After tidying the room just enough, I hurried to the Science Wing.

I’d stopped by headquarters as soon as I arrived at Center Core, but before I could hear anything properly, I’d gone straight to sleep. I had no idea what was going on. I wanted to know how the kidnapped people were being treated, what results the rescue team had achieved—but judging by Yehyeon’s attitude, I wouldn’t be hearing any of that for a while.

The fact that there hadn’t been a single message from senior Black Badgers or my peers felt ominous...

Carrying that unease, I entered the Science Wing.

A familiar layout filled my vision.

Here and there, voices I was glad to hear burst out.

“Hilde! It’s been a while!”

“Oh, it’s Hilde!”

“Perfect timing! We’re about to power Martin up!”

“Let’s make some room. Do we have any spare chairs?”

“This time there won’t be a blackout for real, right?”

“We’ve prepared properly, so it’s fine.”

“If there’s another blackout this time, we’re dead. The Commander personally warned us—absolutely no power failure.”

“John, Yun. Boot sequence ready.”

“Hilde! Hurry, come here!”

“Aaah! John! Wait a second!”

Dee-ro-ring.

As I greeted the scientists and walked inside, a strange sound came from the center of where they were gathered.

Amid the scientists’ gasps, I saw an artificial intelligence rising with a zzziiing into the air.

A perfectly round sphere.

“Martin!”

The researchers raised both hands and cheered.

“Martin’s return!”

[Hello!]

Martin stopped at a moderate height, then spun in place.

[Was my power shut off? My memory seems to be cut. I feel more energetic than before—was I updated?]

“Maaartiiiin!”

Familiar faces reached out toward Martin, crying.

The people who had witnessed Martin explode when the portal opened in the Science Wing.

With reddened eyes, they stared up at Martin or burst into tears, unable to look away.

“Maaartiiiin....”

[I don’t know what happened, but please calm down, everyone!]

“Hhuuuh... huuuhhh....”

I’m glad everyone looks okay.

“I missed you, Martin!”

“So cute! Still cute!”

“Hhuuuhhh!”

“It’s thanks to you! Because of you, we’re here right now!”

“Hhuuuuuuhhh!”

“Seriously, thank goodness... that you came back....”

“Hhhuuuaaaaaaahhh! Hhhuuuuuhhh!”

Among the scientists making a scene, I also spotted the ash-gray-haired genius towering over them.

John Mühlen, looking at Martin with a mix of pride, fondness, and relief—surprisingly human emotions.

Meanwhile, Yun, who had been looking up at Martin with his hands shoved into the pockets of his lab coat, turned his head and stared at me.

Nearby, Igor sat on a metal chair with his arms crossed.

Smiling, I walked up to my mentor.

“I’m glad Martin was revived safely.”

“Let’s go.”

Yun said what he wanted to say.

“We’ve seen the boot-up.”

Yeah. Fine. What would change if I argued?

Besides, there was no chance to talk to Martin right now. The scientists were swarming him one after another, trying to strike up conversations. I smiled at the sight of Martin spinning around, then followed Yun out into the corridor.

Igor stood up and followed behind us.

Huh?

What’s this.

Yun’s not saying anything?

There’s no way the two of them get along. And he wouldn’t just accept Igor following us.

We crossed the corridor and entered a lab on the opposite side. I still hadn’t grasped the situation by the time Igor slid the door shut.

What happened for these two to team up and call me here?

Once again, it was Yun who broke the silence.

The moment the door closed, he spoke.

“That brain couldn’t be moved anywhere else.”

A full-force straight pitch.

I stood there, completely speechless, as Yun continued in a low voice.

“No matter what we did, it was a situation that couldn’t escape that place. The moment even one electrode was pulled out, everything would have ended. She must’ve known that too—that’s why she asked you to shoot her.”

“...Igor asked you, didn’t he.”

“Go read the papers I dug through yourself if you want. I didn’t dress it up with lies just to comfort you.”

I couldn’t hold it in and let out a bitter laugh.

Right. He’s not that kind of person.

Suddenly, everything made sense. Igor had gone to Yun. That loyal subordinate must have asked him—was there a way to move Eve’s brain? If there had been, he would have hidden it. But Yun had reached the conclusion that there was no way, and that was why he called me here.

To comfort me.

I gave a dry smile and bowed politely.

“No. It’s fine. I don’t think I’d understand it even if I read them.”

Yun’s eyes narrowed.

“But hearing it said like this does make me feel lighter. Thank you, Yun.”

After thanking him sincerely, I shifted my gaze to the subordinate leaning against the lab door.

I met Igor’s sulky stare and smiled faintly.

“Thanks. For worrying about me.”

Some people might say this kind of self-rationalization is creepy.

Still, getting this answer from Yun eased my chest a little.

At first, the jellyfish-like brain had been a shock, and the hand holding the gun hadn’t felt like my own.

I hadn’t wanted to look in mirrors again, and everything had felt overwhelming. But now... well. As time passes, I find myself thinking more and more that what I did was salvation. And I wonder if it wouldn’t have hurt even more if I’d ignored her wish, tried to save her, and failed miserably.

Her desire had been so specific, after all...

It wasn’t that I couldn’t understand her feelings.

“I’m really okay now.”

I said it with a smile, but Igor didn’t move.

“I mean it, Igor. You went through a lot taking care of me when I was out of it that day. I’m a lot better now.”

“Hilde.”

Yun called my name.

“Yes?”

“If it were me, I’d never have killed her.”

My mentor smiled as he looked at me.

“Regardless of what the other person’s hope was, I’d prefer them to be alive.”

What the hell.

A chill ran down my spine.

I shot him a look of pure shock, but Yun didn’t even blink.

Instead, he added an explanation, leaving behind a faint smile.

“If it were the brain of someone I didn’t care about, I’d have used it for research or lost interest. If it were someone I did care about, I’d have done whatever it took to keep them alive as long as possible. I probably would’ve taken over that lab until I found a method. In other words, if you’d been the brain in the tank and I’d found you, you wouldn’t have been able to die.”

“That’s horrifying. Seriously. That’s not a joke—that’s genuinely terrifying.”

Knowing he meant it made it even scarier.

I shuddered. This must be his version of comfort... I know it’s Yun’s particular brand of comfort.

It’s not that it doesn’t help at all, but why is it so damn creepy?

Even Igor broke his poker face and looked at Yun like he was staring at trash.

Yun twisted his body after smirking crookedly at my horrified expression.

“If you understand, let’s go.”

My mentor casually tossed out one more bomb as he stepped into the corridor.

“Yehyeon told me to take you all the way home.”