(Point de vue: Yun Seo)
I had never seen Jae in such a state.
His whole body was trembling.
Even when he wasn't moving anymore.
He kept his eyes closed with an almost painful force, as if opening them would risk sending him immediately back to the top of that tower.
I gently ran a hand through her hair.
– It's over…
My voice was calm.
I wanted him to believe it.
But he no longer seemed to hear.
Her fingers gripped my sleeve.
So strong that his joints turned white.
He was breathing rapidly.
Too fast.
With each breath, his shoulders heaved like those of a man being chased in a nightmare.
Jun Ho crouched down next to me.
– Is it going to be okay? ...what do I do….
– we must help him
I nodded slowly.
Yes.
I knew it.
This tower will complicate our journey.
…
Footsteps.
Lenses.
I looked up.
Ji-Yunwoo.
He approached.
His face seemed blank.
Or perhaps simply lost.
For a second...
I felt my fingers hesitate.
Then...
I remembered.
"Never let him find a place among them again."
Seo Hwan's voice echoed in my memory with terrifying precision.
"You won't have to invent anything."
"He'll do the job all by himself."
"You just need to push slightly."
I lowered my eyes.
I hated that feeling.
From the beginning…
I followed his orders without thinking too much about it.
I was just thinking about doing my job.
I never imagined it would go this far.
I would really enjoy this adventure…
I don't want to go back to hell.
I knew what would happen if I disobeyed.
Ji-Yunwoo slowly extended his hand towards Jae.
Before even thinking about it...
My body moved.
I interpose.
His hand remained suspended in the void.
I saw his gaze waver.
Just one second.
Then he removed it.
- Sorry...
The words came out almost against my will.
I didn't even know who I was apologizing to anymore.
To him.
Or to myself.
…
Nobody was speaking.
The silence was very awkward.
Jun Ho regarda Ji-Yunwoo.
Then me.
He frowned slightly.
As if he could sense something.
Without being able to put a name to it.
Jae, for his part, continued to tremble.
– I'm going to fall...
he murmured.
–No.
– oh...
His voice broke.
– I'm falling…
I gently tightened my hand around hers.
– Look at me.
He shook his head.
- I can't…
I felt my throat tighten.
This suffering...
She made me feel guilty.
Just like the tears that were welling up in my eyes.
I'm sorry .
I just wanted to erase my karma.
…
A slight vibration against my wrist.
I discreetly lowered the sleeve of my jacket.
The watch was hidden.
No one could see the screen.
One single message.
Continue.
I immediately closed the window.
I didn't even need to look at the name.
Seo Hwan.
Always him.
Even when we couldn't see him.
I discreetly raised my eyes.
In the distance...
Among the survivors.
A figure was observing the scene.
Immobile.
Arms crossed.
His face remained perfectly neutral.
Like that of a man simply witnessing an experiment.
Our eyes met.
Barely a second.
He made no sign.
No smiles.
Nothing.
Yet...
I understood that he was satisfied.
…
Ji-Yunwoo stood a few meters away, not knowing what to do, not understanding why no one was speaking to him.
Isolation is more effective when it seems natural and deserved.
Gradually.
Until he finally came to believe that he no longer belonged there.
…
Jun Ho finally broke his silence.
– That…
I turned my head.
– Is everything alright?
I answered without thinking.
- Yes.
Then I added quietly:
– just find something for this fever or just shelter away from here.
He hesitated, he seemed lost and indecisive.
– Are you sure?
- Yes.
He nodded and then moved closer.
He put Jae's arm around his shoulders.
Jae refused to open his eyes, he had completely let go, becoming difficult to move.
He clung to me like a terrified child.
Then...
I slowly turned my head.
Ji-Yunwoo was still there.
Alone.
Completely alone.
He didn't even follow us.
As if her feet had become too heavy.
A new vibration.
I didn't need to read.
I closed my eyes.
A strange sense of guilt was growing in my chest.
Because deep down...
Ji-Yunwoo hadn't done anything yet.
And yet...
We were already condemning him.
While he remained motionless in the middle of the camp…
Someone, in the shadows...
He was simply waiting for the perfect moment to come and extend his hand to her.