The Saint Wants to Rest - vanish into fiction

The geothermal heat of the Nevada desert in the United States was hot enough to melt everything. However, standing in the middle of it, Alexander Gray endured the heat as if it were nothing. It wouldn’t befit the name of an S-grade awakened one to crumble under this much.

At his feet lay the remains of a grotesque creature that, until moments ago, had taken the form of a “stranded civilian.” Its head, struck directly by the massive hammer, was crushed beyond recognition, and black smoke was evaporating from the gaps.

“Vile,”

Alexander muttered, wiping the black sap from his thick forearm. Through senses that surpassed human limits, he realized that this was only the beginning. Those things were already among us, seeping in while wearing the skins of those we trusted and relied upon.

“I agree. It really is vile.”

Jennifer, Alexander Gray’s assistant and a combat support hunter, let out a sigh and pulled out a communication device.

“Should we contact Mr. Yoon in South Korea for now?”

“That would probably be best.”

Currently, the person with the most information regarding the creatures called demons was Yoon Tae-gyeom. To be precise, it seemed to be his friend, Choi Jae-heon, but since they were such close friends, there was no need to distinguish between them. Yoon Tae-gyeom picked up the call almost immediately.

“It’s Alexander. I won’t make this long. Issue an emergency alert to the Awakened Management Bureau and all guilds immediately. It looks like those bastards are planning to make their move in earnest.”

—South Korea is already preparing. How about worrying about the U.S. instead of here?

“You’re not wrong.”

Alexander shrugged his shoulders and continued. He calmly explained the correlation between the demons he had witnessed and the Gates that closed without a sound. For now, that was enough. After delivering the information, Alexander handed the disconnected device back to Jennifer.

“Seriously. It’s horrific.”

Thanks to this, it seemed he would have to move without rest for a while. Alexander stretched his body and began to walk.

***

Yoon Tae-gyeom let out a sigh as soon as he finished the call with Alexander. His eyes were dark from not having slept properly for days, but sleep wasn’t the issue right now.

He contacted Choi Jae-heon, who was secretly down in Gangwon Province.

“Yo. Are you enjoying your vacation?”

—No.

At the blunt reply, Yoon Tae-gyeom clicked his tongue lightly. It seemed he still hadn’t fully reconciled with his younger brother. He should have kept his obsession in check.

—But what’s going on?

“It seems the phenomenon that occurred in Korea is happening in the U.S. as well. Gates suddenly opening simultaneously, and demons hiding by mimicking humans.”

—That’s a troublesome story.

“It certainly is. I think it’s about time you finished your vacation and returned. I feel like I’m going to die trying to fill your vacancy.”

Dangerous Gates were opening frequently, and two S-grade awakened ones were missing from the roster. He had been assigning them to provincial Gates in rotation for now, but manpower was still lacking.

—But Ian wants to rest.

I know. I know. Yoon Tae-gyeom rubbed his rough face with his palm.

“Just a little, just a little more rest before you come back, okay?”

—I’ll try.

The conversation ended there. After putting down his phone, Choi Jae-heon looked toward the pension where his brother was staying, out of habit. Fortunately, no new Gates had opened nearby, and it was quiet as access was controlled to prevent people from coming and going.

‘I hope Ian can be at peace, even for a little bit.’

Even if it was just for a moment. Just as he thought that, Ian, who had been lying on the sofa on the terrace, suddenly stood up. Then, he turned his head accurately toward the Pine Wind Wing where Vermouth and Choi Jae-heon were hiding.

“I know you’re all there. Why don’t you just come out now? Get here before I count to ten.”

Ian’s indifferent yet firm voice broke the silence.

Choi Jae-heon reflexively locked eyes with Vermouth, who was standing beside him. A silent conversation passed between them, and soon the two stood apart with expressions of distaste.

‘Why does it have to be with a guy like that!’

The mood was foul. In the midst of that, Ian’s voice could be heard clearly.

“One, two, three.”

Before the count of three even ended, the front door of the Pine Wind Wing burst open. Choi Jae-heon ran across the yard with the face of a guilty puppy, and Vermouth followed behind him with long strides, though he couldn’t quite hide an air of embarrassment.

“I knew this would happen.”

Ian pouted and glared at the two with narrowed eyes.

“Ian, well, Hyung really wanted to let you rest alone, but because of the timing… there could be unexpected dangers.”

“Lord Ian, I swore not to even cast a shadow, but I judged that leaving a Saint alone as a Holy Knight would go against my doctrine.”