Even though she had steeled herself, Morae’s legs trembled as she faced the hunter on the brink of full berserk.
“I—I’m glad you came to a deserted place. I—I was worried someone might get hurt.”
Awakened beings one step from going berserk were like monsters left with only killing intent. Yet Kyeon Su-ho had fled here—away from reporters and crowds at the dungeon entrance.
He had sacrificed the rich hunting grounds full of prey to protect them.
Even while losing control, he’d clung to the will not to hurt anyone.
Thinking back, he had never once refused any mission given to him.
Despite his misanthropic nature, he had repeatedly stormed dungeons to save humans—and succeeded each time.
No matter how prickly his personality, he was still an awakened. Morae felt proud in that moment. She was so glad to be his fan.
“Even though I’m insignificant, I’m a hunter too. I know how hard you’re fighting right now.”
“….”
“Help is almost here—from the Ability Bureau. So please, hang on just a bit more. You can do it—don’t give up!”
At that, Kyeon Su-ho slowly straightened, rising from his crouch. His massive form overshadowed Morae, casting a giant shadow over her.
Their height difference was so extreme she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. Under that oppressive aura, she spoke:
“K-Kyeon Su-ho Hunter, are you alright? Do you know where you are?”
Despite the sliver of hope, Kyeon Su-ho didn’t respond.
Morae flinched and tried to step back, but he grabbed her by the throat.
“Urgh!”
He lifted her off the ground, her toes barely brushing the pavement. She struggled, grabbed in his death grip that throttled her air.
“K-Kyeon… Urgh!”
Despite her thrashing, his gaze remained cold. His grip tightened further, squeezing all the air out.
Her vision darkened from the edges inward. As she grew weak, her head swirled in haze.
Boom… her heart pounded in her ears. Soon the pain itself started to fade.
No… she couldn’t die here.
Morae raised her weak hand and grabbed his wrist. She felt the cold metallic casing of his device under her palm. Suddenly—
WHOOSH!
Time seemed to slow. His dark hair swaying in the summer breeze blurred in slow motion.
What… was happening?
Her vision snapped wide, and an astonishing sight appeared.
Within Kyeon Su-ho’s body, countless waves of energy had tangled into a chaotic mass.
This is…!
Every living being had its own wavelength. Morae’s job as a Tamer was to sense another’s wavelength, resonate with it, and influence it—allowing communication even without common language.
That’s how she’d spoken with a queen bee.
Detecting someone’s wavelength meant taming them was possible.
Until now, her taming had only worked on plants, insects, and small animals. That made sense for an E-rank. But a human…?
Seeing human wavelength was possible in theory—but not for her rank. Not without trying.
Yet she couldn’t stand idle. If she did nothing, she’d die.
Focusing her mind, she began.
Kyeon Su-ho’s wavelength was a disaster—more chaotic than a knotted tangle. The most dangerous spot was his heart. Around it, jagged spines of energy writhed wildly.
An awakener’s power stemmed from the heart. If she could quiet that, maybe his rampage would calm too.
She braced herself and grabbed his wrist again. Then she sent her strength inward.
Please… please…
Soft, tender energy—like a fragile sprout—coursed toward his heart, nudging at the tangled waves.
But they were too fierce. Her gentle resonance couldn’t penetrate.
After a few failed attempts, she changed tactic. She spread her wavelength across his chest, trying to envelop his heart completely.
As her gentle waves washed over his chaotic heartbeat—
WHOOSH!
Time returned to normal. Kyeon Su-ho’s grip loosened.
“Huh… gasp… gasp…”
Morae gasped, relief flooding her.
He hadn’t attacked her further. His hand remained on her throat, but the murderous intent had vanished—it even felt almost tender.
He tilted his head in confusion, as if wondering why he’d stopped.
Morae drew in a shaky breath and rallied her focus. Beads of sweat dotted her nose.
“K-Kyeon Su-ho Hunter, you might not remember, but… you once saved me before.”
Her voice cracked, but she continued. Taming energy quietly woven into her words soothed him.
“Right now, find calm. Take a deep breath. Think about what I say—an ant working hard, a humble dandelion, a sleeping cat, a cool breeze, drifting clouds, and…”
Her wavelength slowly merged with his. When their energies aligned perfectly—
Her vision blurred, then unfolded into another layer.
It’s me?
She saw herself—bloodied and held by him—through his eyes.
Before she could process it, wave upon wave of his memories and emotions flooded her.
It hurts…
Born awakened and restless even in the womb, Kyeon Su-ho had never known peace.
The more he used his power, the more pain he felt. Even lethal doses of suppressants barely helped.
Pain became his daily life. He was so exhausted he’d wished for death—yet he couldn’t stop, driven by duty demanded by everyone else.
“It hurt… so much… you almost went mad to survive?”
She wept quietly.
“I wish I could take your pain… give you a moment’s rest.”
No sooner she’d thought it than something dark and sticky poured into her through the skin where she touched him. Inky energy, spreading from her fingertips to taint her black.
“Ah…!”
A sharp, numbing agony surged through her limbs. His pain was transferring into her.
Her body trembled in violent spasms.
It hurts—it hurts so much!
Her flesh burned, her skull threatened to burst. She thought flesh searing alive might be less painful.
She clenched her teeth. The pain nearly erased her senses.
I can’t do this…
Her mind fractured as she prepared to give up taming—until she saw Kyeon Su-ho’s device.
It still glowed red.
He had endured that agony for 27 years without faltering. His courage dwarfed hers.
She no longer cared about taming. She just wanted to bear his pain—even if only a bit.
Morae forced her fading awareness back and reached deeper into his chaotic wavelength.
