The Isolated Island (14)
He had hidden his face completely, revealing not a trace of expression — yet the words he spoke came out unfiltered, brutally direct.
Min Hajun had never really given much thought to Wind’s insistence on hiding his identity, but for some reason, at that moment, he couldn’t help feeling it was unfair.
He reads everyone’s fleeting reactions so easily.
He might act as though he doesn’t care about others, but Hajun knew he was more perceptive than anyone else — always quick to read the room and sense the smallest shift in emotion. He never went near anyone who showed even the slightest interest in him, and if someone so much as tried to start a conversation, he vanished like smoke.
If he truly didn’t care, he wouldn’t be able to read those cues so well. The way he absorbed only the information and mood he needed, then slipped away — sometimes it was almost admirable.
Hajun quickly smoothed his expression. He had no intention of showing his true emotions either.
“…Didn’t expect you to be the type to give advice like that. Doesn’t really suit you.”
“Well, normally it wouldn’t.”
“…”
He didn’t understand why that exception bothered him so much.
“I’ve got at least one friend, you know. Our ‘hero’ here must be new to this, huh? Let’s not do the obvious childish stuff.”
Hajun knew perfectly well that the emotion welling up in him was unreasonable — and that letting it affect him was unprofessional.
But even he couldn’t explain why it bothered him so much that Yooha trusted Wind deeply. In their line of work, finding someone trustworthy enough to rely on was nearly impossible. Finding someone with the skill to have your back was even rarer.
Wind’s a good ally, if nothing else.
His personality aside, his ability was undeniable. And when Wind was with Yooha, he seemed like an entirely different person.
Of course, that difference only made Hajun’s insides twist more.
“Then let’s both stop acting childish and just cooperate for now. Take your hand off me.”
Hajun brushed off the hand resting on his shoulder. Wind let it fall without resistance, shrugged, and took a step back.
“Sure. I’m honored you have so much faith in my skills.”
His tone was as sarcastic as ever, but Hajun decided it wasn’t worth reacting to. He let the words slide past him and walked quickly out the door without another glance.
Leaving Hajun and Iryul behind, Yooha stepped outside — where Suhyeok spotted her and ran over, his face lighting up.
“You’re out!”
Judging from that cheerful expression, things must have gone smoothly on his end too.
“So, you’re coming with us?”
“Looks like it. Not many people know this place as well as I do.”
He looked genuinely thrilled to be assigned to the search team — brighter than she’d ever seen him.
“I guess all the wandering I did was for this day.”
“Haha, lucky for us.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Ah — the others are eating now. Want to join?”
“That’d be nice.”
It seemed he’d originally come to fetch them anyway. As they walked, Suhyeok glanced behind Yooha a few times before asking,
“What about the others?”
“They’ll come on their own. One of them probably won’t eat anyway, so don’t worry.”
“Stomach problems?”
“Not exactly… it’s because of his ability.”
“That’s rough.”
Yooha didn’t bother explaining that Iryul had already had his fill — an excellent meal, in fact. The last thing she wanted was to talk about appetite in front of people who’d probably spent their whole lives eating monster meat.
Instead, she asked more about the team.
“The others you mentioned — they know the area well?”
“Yeah. We used to go on patrols together all the time.”
“So, that’s three of you including yourself?”
“Right. We were… pretty competitive.”
His grin radiated confidence; the eyes under his messy bangs gleamed with determination.
Good. That’s reassuring.
After walking a bit more, they arrived at a group of people gathered around steaming bowls of soup — apparently the meal of the day.
Suhyeok filled two bowls and led her toward two others already eating. Most likely the rest of the search team.
Yooha bowed slightly.
“Hello. I heard you both know the terrain well. I’ll be counting on you.”
“Same here.”
She sat down and started eating, briefly outlining their plan. The others nodded attentively.
“The most important thing — no matter what happens, don’t stray from us.”
“Got it!”
They looked a little nervous, but that was to be expected.
Just then, Hajun and Iryul appeared in the distance, keeping a noticeable distance between them.
At least they didn’t start fighting again.
Thankfully, it didn’t look like they would. Hajun, at least, wasn’t the type to act like a child — not when he was the respected leader of a guild.
He took a bowl of soup for himself and sat across from her.
“What were you talking about?”
“I was just briefing the others who’ll be coming with us.”
“Ah. Pleased to work with you.”
He bowed politely. Moments later, Iryul plopped down beside Yooha.
“Annoying.”
“Watch your mouth,” she muttered quietly — thankfully quiet enough that no one else heard. Great teamwork so far.
Someday, I swear I’m going to sew that mouth shut.
Maybe then things would go more smoothly, and he’d even thank her for it.
Across from her, Hajun looked calm. Whatever they’d discussed earlier, it didn’t seem to have changed their plans.
“When you finish eating, we’ll head out right away,” Suhyeok said. “I’ve already packed everything.”
That was a relief. Suhyeok was meticulous — and judging by the supplies, he’d made sure to bring plenty of the crystals they were short on last time.
Hajun and Yooha quickly finished the hot soup. Meals like these weren’t for savoring — just to refuel.
“Shall we?”
As they stood, the rest of the team gathered their packs and prepared to depart. They each hung small glowing crystals around their necks and walked toward the edge of the village.
“Don’t be a burden out there!”
“Stay safe!”
Villagers called out encouragement as they passed.
“We’re not kids anymore!” one of the searchers shouted back, half-embarrassed — but the warmth of those voices followed them until the very edge of town.
“It’s nice — everyone seems close,” Yooha said quietly as they walked into the dark, the light of their crystals guiding the way.
“Well, the elders practically raised us,” Suhyeok replied with a small smile.
Maybe they weren’t as detached as she’d thought.
“…Like I said earlier — if things get dangerous, stay close to the three of us,” she reminded him.
That shared bond between the villagers strengthened her resolve.
This time, no casualties. No injuries. Everyone goes home alive.
But that resolve didn’t last long.
They were in danger almost immediately.
Damn it.
Without warning, several holes — each the size of a manhole — opened beneath their feet. Three civilians fell through before anyone could react.
It happened so fast that there was no time to prepare.
Yooha barely managed to grab Suhyeok as he dropped right in front of her. She caught his hand, but it was slipping fast.
The walls of the hole flexed slightly, as if they were made of living muscle — opening and closing rhythmically. Each pulse made their bodies sway harder.
And Suhyeok’s hand was slick with sweat; she could barely hold on.
“Hey! Where are you!”
Iryul’s voice echoed from somewhere above — distant, distorted.
Apparently, she and Suhyeok had fallen completely out of sight.
Did they save the others?
No — focus. Right now, only Suhyeok’s life mattered. If he fell, even if the bottom wasn’t too deep, he’d likely break something — and here, there was no hospital, no healer.
“Here! Over here!”
She shouted with all her strength, but her voice only echoed back at her, trapped in the hollow chamber.
It’s sealed at the top too. Great.
Her arms trembled violently. She was slipping. There was no way she could hold both their weight much longer.
She had one choice left.
“Suhyeok.”
“Y-yeah?”
“Grab my hands with both of yours.”
She felt him shifting below, trembling. She gritted her teeth and summoned every ounce of strength left in her. Her shoulders screamed.
“I’ve— got it!”
“Good. Tell the others not to worry about me — I’ll climb out on my own.”
“What?”
“When you get up, yell for Wind. He’ll catch you.”
Before he could answer, she timed her move with the next opening of the “lid” above them — and hurled him upward with all her strength.
He screamed as he flew up.
The momentum sent her plummeting downward in turn.
This is the only way.
One of them had to survive. And maybe, just maybe, both still could.
Though she couldn’t see the bottom, she kept her skill active, ready to land safely no matter what waited below.
Only the rush of air filled her ears — a steady whoosh.
Then—
Shhhk.
What was that?
A sharp, alien sound sliced through the air — something fast, cutting.
On instinct, Yooha turned her head
