My Strange Savior - Chapter 137

Chapter 137

Gia’s small hands covered her parted lips.

 After a moment of surprise, Gia quickly moved her fingers over the touchpad, regaining her composure.

“Yeah… the antidote.”

“Fortunately.”

Kalion, too, seemed tense, as the firm chest behind him rose and fell noticeably.

As Gia turned her head, Kalion’s chin came into view and from how hard he’d clenched his teeth, his jaw had turned into a walnut.

Gia gently touched her surroundings as she leaned back. On a metal table in the corner, Gia’s silver tongs lay with small silver vials arranged at regular intervals.

“Just a moment.”

It was a device that maintained the temperature of the medicine and served as a syringe. Conveniently powered by solar energy, Gia could quickly recognize what it was for using the half-filled antidote.

Gia, wearing gloves nearby, lifted the vial. The silver table seemed to be a charging dock, as a small LED screen on the side of the cylinder blinked green. After confirming it was fully charged, Gia leaned towards where the antidote was.

Since she wasn’t going to take the antidote right away, she had to carefully transfer it into another container.

Pulling the handle of the drawer under the touchpad, a palm-sized drawer came out. Gia placed the silver vial inside the drawer.

Gia closed it again and moved the glass box to the opposite side. Without asking any questions about Gia’s actions, Kalion, who silently watched, listened as Gia continued the explanation.

“We can’t let any foreign substances in. I’m trying to transfer it into the vial in a sterile condition. In simple terms, it’s to prevent things like dust from getting in.”

“I see.”

After explaining quite neatly, Gia inserted her hand into the box shaped like a glove. When she opened the groove on the bottom of the glass box, the silver vial she had initially put in was revealed.

Pulling the end of the silver vial, the lid opened, revealing tiny acupuncture needles inside.

With the needle still inserted into the medicine bottle containing the alpha antidote, Gia snapped the back. Instantly, the blue liquid began to be sucked into the vial. The blinking LED screen indicated that the content was being charged.

Ding.

After confirming the completion message, Gia turned the back of the vial clockwise. The original needle disappeared, and dozens of tiny needles popped out instantly. Finally, Gia closed the lid and took out the silver vial again.

“It’s done.”

“Isn’t it too early for the injection now?”

As if unsure why she was going through all this trouble, Kalion asked with wide eyes.

“There’s still… something left to do.”

“Ah…” 

Without knowing what that remaining task was, Kalion swallowed his words.

It’s not too late to take the cure, whose outcome is uncertain, after they capture Morrison. If the antidote worked and turned her into an ordinary human, dealing with Morrison would be entirely Kalion’s responsibility.

Gia didn’t want to step back, leaving it all to Kalion. There was no guarantee that this antidote would be effective.

“But…”

“Kalion, I’m fine.”

Knowing Gia’s attempt to sound cheerful with a face that was anything but, Kalion closed his lips.

“The day must be nearly over; instead of sleeping rough, let’s stay here for the night.”

“Here?”

“Yeah.”

Gia put the antidote in the pocket of her belt.

In one half of the divided pocket were three halves of the antidote, and in the other half were alpha antidotes meticulously crafted by David.

Gia, who made an effort to dispel the constantly overwhelming negative thoughts, took off her gloves and pulled Kalion towards her.

“Let’s go. Aren’t you curious about the shelter’s interior?”

Unable to ignore Gia’s efforts to change the subject, Kalion responded.

“I am curious.”

* * *

Kalion’s expression as he walked along with Gia held a sense of astonishment. 

He never imagined the interior would be this spacious. Seeing this, the civilization of the world she lived in seemed trivial. Building and living in a house deep underground was something Kalion found difficult to comprehend.

Despite descending deep underground, the air wasn’t stale, and the temperature remained constant. Kalion’s eyes, following Gia, darted around. While the previous laboratory bore signs of a hasty escape, this place showed no traces, as if no one had ever lived here.

“It seems people lived outside after all.”

Gia, too, gazed around in wonder, finding the surroundings unfamiliar like Kalion.

“When I lived here, the shelter was packed with people. I couldn’t even dream of having a private room.”

“I see. It’s amazing.”

“What is?”

“The air, the temperature… the fact that they can be maintained at a constant state.”

“Oh, that. I roughly know about that. There are machines powered by solar energy. They automatically handle air circulation and temperature maintenance.”

“I see.”

“Yeah. By the way, it’s empty here.”

The rooms, attached like chicken coops, felt completely unused. Upon opening the door and entering, two bunk beds were on either side of the walls, and a door that seemed to lead to a bathroom was visible.

To prevent dust from settling, the beds were covered in white vinyl.

Gia grabbed the end of the vinyl and tore it open. The beds were clean as if brand new.

“We can sleep here tonight. Want to take a shower?”

“Huh?”

“Come here.”

Gia forcefully grabbed Kalion’s hand. Reluctantly, Kalion’s large body followed hers.

Upon opening another door in the room, bathing facilities were prepared. Kalion tilted his head at the sight of the unfamiliar bathing setup.

“Hot water should come out, probably.”

As Gia turned the silver handle, water sprayed from the shower. After a moment, hot water poured out, filling the bathroom with steam.

“It’s amazing.”

“It’s nothing special.”

Gia explained the shower facilities and other amenities to Kalion. After urging him to wash up, Gia closed the door and left the bathroom filled with the sound of water.

Steam rose, covering the mirror. Kalion ran his hand through the mirror.

In the spot his hand had touched, a face with an expression so hardened it seemed terrifying was reflected.

Only after Gia left did the strength drain from Kalion’s body. His armor hit the cold floor with a thud as he sank down.

Kalion’s face, which he had kept hidden from Gia, revealed the despair that lurked beneath. Despite Gia’s assurances, Kalion lacked confidence. What if the cure she possessed was nothing? What if it had no effect at all? How should he handle it?

He might truly become like the figure in the video Gia had seen. The fear of possibly losing his loved one overwhelmed him.

As the spreading steam mimicked fear seeping in, dread crept subtly, tightening around his throat and stealing his breath.

Kalion gritted his teeth, swallowing the overwhelming emotions that threatened to overflow. He supported his elbows with his raised knees and covered his face with his palms.

Fearful that any trace of his uneasy emotions might leak out, fearing that the emotions he unintentionally let slip might turn into negativity and stick to him like a relentless nightmare, Kalion mumbled, sealing his lips with his hand.

Absolutely not.

He knew better than anyone the emotions Gia was suppressing and enduring. So, even if he had to stand tall, he had to watch over her from behind. To ensure that she didn’t feel anxious, to make it seem as inconsequential as possible.

Kalion roughly grabbed his hair.

‘Gia, I won’t let you go.’

A firm determination to find a way somehow penetrated Kalion’s crimson eyes. Unbeknownst to Gia, he was making various efforts to find the elusive sorcerer with mystical powers. Even a straw would be crucial for Kalion.

In this situation, he felt even more desperate.

Could the medicine made from the dragon’s heart, believed by the emperor to grant immortality, also work for Gia? If it could cure his illness, wouldn’t Gia be an exception? Kalion’s eyes, busy not to miss even a small glimmer of hope, moved frantically.

“Finished washing up?”

Kalion soothed his dry throat at Gia’s lively voice from outside.

“Not yet…”

Before Kalion could finish his sentence, he heard the sound of something being placed at the door.

“I’ll leave two towels in front of the door.”

“Alright.”

As Gia’s footsteps faded away, Kalion rose from his spot. It wasn’t time to despair like this. 

Hurrying to finish the shower in case Gia was waiting, Kalion reassured himself.

Upon opening the door, neatly folded towels caught Kalion’s eyes. Drying himself, Kalion, still wearing a thin tunic, searched for Gia. His eyes, anxiously scanning the small room for his unseen lover, trembled nervously.

Droplets of water fell from his uncombed hair, wetting his shoulders. Kalion, as if indifferent, moved around busily, searching for Gia’s trace.

“Gia?”

As no response came, Kalion’s heart pounded frantically. What if… A disturbing thought prompted Kalion to quickly step out into the corridor.

Though he hadn’t vomited violently, Kalion still rolled as if his breath might give way at any moment. Whether it was water or cold sweat, it moistened his tunic.

“Gia.”

The call for Gia’s name grew louder. Kalion rushed through the corridor without even putting on his shoes. His frantic eyes, searching for Gia, shook intensely. Anxiety painted Kalion’s face pale.

“Kalion?”

Far away, Gia blinked at Kalion, holding a tray. Unharmed, with no signs of injury, his intact lover’s appearance finally anchored Kalion’s heart in place.

“Why… why.”

Kalion approached Gia in quick strides. Water droplets falling from his hair obscured his vision. Despite the veins standing out on the white of his eyes, Kalion didn’t blink.

“No, it’s not. It’s all right. That’s enough.”

A momentary, terrifying thought fragmented Kalion’s mind into minutes, nurturing fear in his heart. Was Gia unable to bear it and maybe considered leaving alone, even contemplating death?

It was the first time such a terrifying emotion had occurred since his birth. In contemplation, Kalion pulled Gia’s shoulders with rough movements. 

As he embraced her tightly, the dishes on the tray tumbled down with a clatter.