Chapter 151: Adam (3)

Two years have passed since Adam’s encounter with Gale.

After burying his siblings and receiving training from Gale, Adam managed to significantly soothe his pain.

However, one thing remained unchanged.

His life’s purpose had shifted.

He was now determined to fulfill the dreams his siblings couldn’t achieve.

“...Such a foolish dream,” Gale revealed what was on Adam’s mind, but Adam was already aware of this truth.

“...”

“I know, Adam. There are many beast-like humans, but there are also many sincere ones like you. However, it’s the minority that ends up representing a group.”

“...”

“If a minority continuously presents the same facade, it eventually becomes the perceived identity of the entire species.”

“...I know. That’s why I want to be part of that minority.”

Adam thought about creating an influential group to build a good reputation, hoping it might gradually change the perception of his kind.

He was aware this might not be the right answer.

But it was the only struggle he could undertake.

Thus, to achieve this dream, Adam parted ways with Gale at the onset of the war.

He arrived in the nearest city, Barta, to look for someone who could help him.

He needed money immediately. The idea of earning some in a mercenary group crossed his mind.

If he could start his own mercenary group, he could also form a community of his kind.

An interesting rumor was circulating in Barta.

There was a member of his race causing trouble in the slums.

Having experienced firsthand how hard it was to survive in the slums, Adam became curious about this individual.

He inquired around, digging for information about this person.

“Ah, that trash of the slums. It’s a sad story.”

After asking dozens of people, someone finally mentioned feeling pity for him.

“Really?”

“His name is Berg, recently lost a loved one.”

“................”

At the mention of his name and story, Adam sensed a familiar scent.

It felt as if his younger brother was still alive.

...Of course, it was just a nonsensical tale concocted by Adam’s lingering attachments.

Adam would clear his mind through breathing and then, he asked.

It seemed like a good time to make use of the information.

“Where can I find this Berg?”

That was the beginning of Adam and Berg’s journey.

****

As Adam thought of Barta with Berg by his side, he was caught in a strange sense of peace.

Even as he continued to fight, he kept an eye on Berg.

It was fascinating to watch him.

Being with him felt comfortable.

...It was as if he could return to the self he was before losing his siblings.

Sometimes, Adam knew he was acting foolishly.

Even when sacrificing his comrades for a greater cause.

Even when relentlessly pushing himself.

Even as he thought only of ways to grow his group after the festival, he often felt like something within him was broken.

But with Berg by his side, that strangeness seemed to diminish significantly.

With Berg, he would drink during the day and sometimes just rest.

It felt like he was reclaiming the everyday life he wished to have with his siblings, through Berg.

Having another brother... brought great comfort to his heart.

In fact, it might have been right to stop whipping himself into action, to finally let go of his departed siblings, and to yearn for a peaceful life.

Watching how Berg lived, Adam began to wonder if he too could live a normal life.

But why now, did this peculiar feeling arise?

Why did it feel like he was nearing the finish line?

“Hyung!”

Berg sent a fleeting glance.

Adam could understand his intention just by that look.

Gale launched a swift attack, embedding his sword into Krund’s body, and with that strike, Krund flailed his arms violently, pushing Gale away.

As Krund pointed a finger at Gale, knocked back, monsters that the Head Hunter unit hadn’t dealt with sprang forth to attack Gale.

In that moment, Adam and Berg charged at Krund.

Berg moved towards Krund with reckless abandon.

Watching him, Adam thought that this might be the resilience of his kind his siblings wanted to show the world.

The courage to risk one’s life for comrades, even in the face of death.

The dedication to love one’s family, despite hardships.

The tenacity to stand up again, despite pain.

The purity of keeping promises to one’s spouse, despite suffering.

Berg was strong, even without physical strength.

Berg swung his sword towards Krund’s left arm.

Adam took on Krund’s right arm, up close.

It was an attack honed from facing the boss monster multiple times.

-Swish!

Berg was the first to slice through Krund’s left hand.

Krund’s left wrist was severed, and blood began to spurt out.

Adam plunged his sword into Krund’s right arm, pinning him down.

But Krund’s eyes were fixed on Berg.

Adam realized that Krund was preparing for something.

-Swish!

True to his suspicion, something sharp burst forth from the demon’s abdomen.

The attack headed straight for Berg’s chest.

Adam watched it all and smirked.

Now he understood the strange feeling he had been experiencing.

“...Not twice.”

Adam whispered to himself.

-Clack!

Adam forcefully pushed Berg away,

-Thud!

And took the strike himself.

*****

I was frozen, seeing Adam Hyung pierced through the abdomen.

Krund too paused, glaring at Adam Hyung.

Krund attempted to retrieve his attack from Hyung, but Hyung, with resilient grip, wouldn’t let him go.

“...Berg.”

After Adam Hyung strained to whisper, I snapped back to reality and aimed for Krund’s throat.

-Swish!

Blood spurted from Krund’s throat.

Krund staggered back, clutching at his neck.

His panicked eyes darted between his hand and neck...then fixed on me.

-Hissss...

Krund said something to me, but with his throat punctured, only air escaped, and his words were inaudible.

-Whoosh!!

Then, Krund was suddenly sucked into a space that appeared behind him and disappeared.

Though it’s normal for life-and-death battles to end abruptly, I couldn’t accept Krund’s disappearance and looked around bewildered for a while.

The surrounding horde of monsters also began to scatter, as is common when their leader was killed.

I struggled to comprehend the situation that had just unfolded.

-Thud...

It was only after hearing that sound that I had to face a reality I didn’t want to accept.

Turning my head, I saw Adam Hyung, collapsed and bleeding out.

“.....Hyung?”

Adam Hyung managed a weak smile at that.

“...It’s over now, Berg.”

I hurried over to him.

Kneeling by his side, I grasped his shoulder.

It was unbelievable how much blood he was losing.

Especially since it was in an effort to save me.

It was a moment hard to accept.

Adam Hyung looked down at his hands and the wound.

Each time he chuckled, more blood spurted out.

“...It’s the punishment I deserve...after all, I’m not the only comrade who’s died because of me...”

I clenched my teeth.

And as I pressed down on his wound in his stead, I shouted.

“Baran!! Hurry over!!”

But Adam Hyung ignored my plea and continued.

“Berg, have I ever asked you this question?”

His face looked relieved, yet his complexion grew paler.

The more he spoke, the more anxious I became.

“Tell me later. Now is not the-”

“-What’s your dream?”

“.....Hyung....save it for later...!”

“There’s no other time but now, Berg.”

Yet, Hyung said so calmly.

“.......”

I was left speechless.

I, too, found myself looking down at my hands, pressing on Adam Hyung’s wound.

His blood was flowing between my fingers.

“...I guess not. We were careful with each other’s pasts...”

I felt nothing but a pressing urgency, disbelief that this was reality.

I wasn’t sad, nor did I feel like crying.

I just resented Adam Hyung for saying such things.

“....Somehow...not being able to fulfill my dream...feels relieving...or is it regret?”

Hyung wore a complex expression, groaning.

The arm supporting him grew heavier.

I couldn’t come to my senses with this change.

Time passed without me saying a word.

“...I had siblings, Berg.”

Adam Hyung suddenly shared with me.

I could tell it was a story from his past.

In his voice, as he shared, was a pain I had never heard before, making me feel a soreness I hadn’t been aware of until now.

“...One named Hanna with a beautiful voice, and another, Eis, who was adorable...”

I had always wanted to hear about his past, but I was just waiting for the right moment.

Yet, as he revealed his past like this, I continued to feel a sense of unease.

“...And then, there was Bergo, a brother too. The name’s similar, and he was the same age as you.”

My throat tightened, leaving me unable to speak.

I shook my head in denial of reality.

Yet, I couldn’t dare take my eyes off Adam Hyung.

“Actually...cough...I lived to fulfill my sisters’ dreams. It was a futile...dream, but it was all that was left for me...But recently, I started to think.”

“...”

“...What could have been Bergo’s dream? To have been a good brother to his sisters, to have been a good sibling to me...what did Bergo want to do?”

His eyes captured me.

“...What’s your dream...Berg.”

“............”

Should I answer? It feels like saying anything would signify a farewell, so I can’t bring myself to speak.

I didn’t even know what to say.

I had forgotten what my dream was a long time ago.

So, instead, I said,

Forcing my usual, everyday tone, as I always do.

“....Someone might think you’re dying, Hyung.”

But a quivering voice leaks through the smile.

Hyung, in turn, gives back the kind of response he always does.

“....Die....Why would...I...die.”

But why did that sound like a lie?

Hyung avoided my gaze with a smile in his eyes.

His speech was slowing down.

Many comrades crowded around us.

The head hunter unit, Gale, Theodore, Krian...and other soldiers as well.

Baran kneeled beside me, shedding tears.

“...Captain.”

Adam Hyung had become much paler.

I, who hadn’t taken my eyes off him, realized this difference all too late.

Adam Hyung struggled to move his eyes.

Even that seemed difficult now.

“...This...isn’t so bad.”

“........”

“...Feels like...dying like a hero.”

I found myself begging him.

“...Hyung...don’t do this.”

I whispered tightly holding onto him.

“.....Please.”

Hyung let out a faint smile.

His blood-covered hand, struggling to rise, touched my face.

“...My... younger brother...”

My face became soaked with Adam Hyung’s blood.

He weakly looked up at me.

“...........Hyung...I....”

His breathing appeared laborious.

These short words seemed like the last ones he could muster.

The rest of his message was entirely in his eyes, Adam Hyung holding it all.

We had spent so much time together that a mere look was enough to understand each other’s intentions.

But this time, it was excruciatingly difficult. I couldn’t decipher what Adam Hyung wanted to convey.

Perhaps it was because of my wavering heart, or maybe because this was a first for both of us.

As his vision blurred, Adam Hyung couldn’t even look straight at me.

The strength gradually left the hand touching my cheek.

“.........I...believe.”

With those words, still not fully understood by me, Adam Hyung closed his eyes.

-Thud.....

Soon, his hand also fell lifelessly from my face.

A long breath left him.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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