Rainbow City

“I want to live in a world without Adam, with you, Major. I don’t know anything about a sense of justice. I just don’t want to be left trembling with anxiety like I was today when you disappeared without a word, and I don’t want to live a life where every minute feels like an hour until you come back.”

Seokhwa slowly calmed his increasingly rapid breathing. His head kept throbbing, so he took another sip of water. This feeling was reminiscent of the high fever he had suffered when bitten by Adam. Could it be that he was showing symptoms of infection? But apart from a slight fever, he felt fine.

“Still, I can’t do it Dr. Seok’s way.”

His voice seeped in low.

“From now on, I’ll do it my way.”

Usually, they barely argued, but today he especially did not want to. What could he possibly say to someone who had just killed their own subordinates? Seokhwa just leaned his aching head against the car window.

Maybe he would feel better if he got some sleep. Or should he tell him about the fever? He glanced at him slightly but ultimately couldn’t bring himself to speak. As the jeep jostled and his head bumped against the window, he just reclined the seat and lay down straight.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, I’m just going to get some sleep.”

Kwak Soohwan reached out and gently stroked Seokhwa’s face. Seokhwa closed his eyes following the touch and didn’t open them again.

***

Red cherries hung from a tree that reached his waist. He picked a few and ate them, watching ants march in a line toward their anthill. It triggered a cruel impulse, and he thought about stepping on them, but he knew more would just scatter away.

Choi Hoeon, as if he had a bright idea, brought boiling water and began pouring it into the hole. The ants hurriedly swarmed out, trying to escape the hot flood.

“Master, what are you doing?”

“Ah, you’ve arrived, Lieutenant General Lee Yeontae. As you can see, I’m exterminating pests.”

Those who had visibly sided with the First or Second Masters were all either expelled from the city or met their deaths.

When the Adam infection crisis broke out, Lee Yeontae believed Seokhwa’s words and aired a broadcast stating that the vaccine distributed by Eden Paradise was the problem. Despite expecting the new Master to say something, Choi Hoeon kept Lee Yeontae by his side instead. Perhaps it was because Lee Yeontae didn’t belong to any faction.

“Do ants die when you pour hot water on them?”

“Not all of them. The ones inside are unharmed.”

“Then the pest control won’t work properly. I’ll fetch some insecticide.”

“Lieutenant General, isn’t it fascinating?”

“Yes?”

Choi Hoeon’s residence was about ten minutes away from the Yeouido Shelter. It was where the First Master used to reside whenever he came to Seoul, but the garden looked much more well-kept than before. The trees had flourished with leaves, providing natural shade.

“These ants must have thought it was divine wrath. Imagine, hot rain. How startled they must have been.”

“Haha. Do ants really think like humans?”

So are you saying you’re a god? Concealing his true feelings, Lee Yeontae forced a laugh.

“There are plenty of people lazier and thoughtless than ants in this world. See how I became the Master through a vote. Isn’t it strange? Now everyone thinks there was never anything wrong with the vaccine distributed by Eden Paradise. The old leadership of the city abandoned its citizens, and it was none other than Eden Paradise that rescued them.”

Lee Yeontae was one of the few who knew Choi Hoeon was a Serpent. However, he kept silent. Even if there were problems with the vaccine from Eden Paradise, it was Choi Hoeon who was wielding the cudgel now.

The purpose of making Eden Paradise the state religion was probably to unify religion and power. Strangely, Choi Hoeon didn’t seem to have grand ambitions to monopolize power. The First Master had been even more ruthless in wielding the power I possessed.

“Eating such delicious fruit makes me miss my younger brother. He must have gone through all sorts of hardships.”

Choi Hoeon often mentioned his younger brother, but Lee Yeontae didn’t know who he was.

“Going all the way to Russia to make a vaccine, isn’t that impressive? That’s why I can’t let go of my brother.”

Internally, Lee Yeontae swallowed his surprise at the mention of making a vaccine in Russia.

The nearby outpost of Eden Paradise collapsed, and the reason for coming was to report the news of the vaccine distribution from the temple. And the central figures were Seokhwa and Kwak Soohwan.

“Have you received the report already?”

“Not only the report, but also the declaration of war.”

Choi Hoeon picked a few more cherries from the cherry tree and handed them to Lee Yeontae. The burst cherry juice stained Lee Yeontae’s hands messily.

“You looked pleased, as if your brother had treated you well. Were you jealous?”

The Master put a cherry in his mouth and rolled it around.

“They all suggested changing the schedule in Seongnam. What do you think, Lieutenant General Lee?”

“It could be dangerous… if Major Kwak Soohwan comes, that is.”

“Right? I didn’t expect Major Kwak Soohwan and Dr. Seokhwa to take such a proactive stance. It’s unexpected.”

The Master nodded.

“So this time, I intend to visit first from this side.”

He pointed to the burst cherries in Lee Yeontae’s hand and said affectionately.

***

Dawn was breaking. They were now about 3km away from the research institute, and Kwak Soohwan was lost in thought while driving.

He hadn’t lashed out at Seokhwa. Sacrificing oneself for others was far from his values. If shedding blood was necessary for the world Seokhwa desired without Adam, he would create rivers of blood, and even in front of Seokhwa’s eyes, he could gradually smear Choi Hoeon’s flesh, bit by bit, brother or not. There was no doubt he could bring about the pain of not being able to die even if one wished to, until the bones were exposed. And it would have been the same for anyone other than Choi Hoeon.

The research institute, abandoned for over a decade, was overgrown with vines and weeds. As Kwak Soohwan was the first to arrive, he looked at Seokhwa while the engine was off. Seokhwa’s face seemed even paler under the faint light.

“Dr. Seok.”

It certainly wasn’t just because of the light. Seokhwa, half out of it, was pouring cold sweat from his forehead. When he called Seokhwa again, he only groaned softly. When he touched his forehead with his hand, he realized the fever was higher than usual. Why is this happening suddenly?

“Seokhwa, snap out of it. Huh?”

Kwak Soohwan sprang from the driver’s seat and moved to the passenger seat. Unable to take Seokhwa into the disorganized building, he embraced Seokhwa and laid him down on the back seat. Dipping a towel in water, he began to remove Seokhwa’s uniform. First, the fever needed to come down. He wiped Seokhwa’s dry arms, armpits, and chest with the towel. The once cold towel quickly warmed up against Seokhwa’s fever. He continued to dab Seokhwa’s body with the towel until the fever subsided, pouring fresh water again and again.

“…I’m cold.”

The lips turned blue and trembled. Kwak Soohwan prevented him from unconsciously reaching for the uniform to cover himself.

“Hold on a bit. We need to bring the fever down first.”

Kwak Soohwan’s method of dealing with the fever was proficient, having dealt with it occasionally. But every time felt like swallowing a fireball. Perhaps it would have been better if I were the one in pain.

“…I think there’s a problem with the vaccine.”

Even in this state, he tossed and turned trying to pull himself together, fearing there might be something wrong with the vaccine.

“It’s just occasional fever, like usual. It’s okay.”

While tapping Seokhwa’s body with the towel, Kwak Soohwan simultaneously gave him a massage. If he had indeed suffered from the Adam virus after being injected with its blood, by now, he might have gone insane. But what Seokhwa injected wasn’t the Adam virus.

Kwak Soohwan had long decided he would never let Seokhwa expose himself to Adam’s blood to reassure people. He didn’t plan on leaving it that way.

“Sorry.”

He didn’t mention the truth about exchanging Adam’s blood with his own. He just massaged Seokhwa’s legs and arms as the fever began to subside.

“Why are you sorry, Major?”

The weakened voice approached Kwak Soohwan as if to comfort him.

“Just sorry for everything.”

There had been a time when he had given Seokhwa a blood transfusion in Russia, and everything was fine then. So he felt relieved, but now he was the idiot who couldn’t endure his own temper and drove without even looking at Seokhwa. Still, he wouldn’t lie about it. They had different ways of thinking, Seokhwa and he, so perhaps he could get away with this.

“Want some water?”

Seokhwa nodded hesitantly.

Kwak Soohwan supported Seokhwa’s lying body and gently brought the water to his lips. He exerted minimal force on his arms to avoid choking Seokhwa as he swallowed the water. After Seokhwa managed to swallow the water, Kwak Soohwan helped him put on a white shirt. Once the fever subsided to some extent, wrapping him in a thin blanket would prevent further suffering.

If there was a god, he was truly malicious. He brought someone who was the exact opposite of me, to fall gracefully. It pained me every time Seokhwa was sick, but still, just breathing by his side was enough for me. I wished he wasn’t in pain, but if he was, I hoped it would be only in front of me. Thinking that Seokhwa might suffer alone without me was truly heartbreaking.

“Wanna have some soup?”

At best, it was just instant soup to be shaken in lukewarm water. If they were in the city, there would have been no problem with the rations. Just as Seokhwa felt sorry, Kwak Soohwan felt the same.

“I’ll have some in a bit.”

Seokhwa curled up, indicating he needed more rest. Kwak Soohwan sat with the back door open, looking outside. Seokhwa’s bare feet touching his back still felt warm. He sensed Seokhwa burying his face in the sheet, perhaps trying to hide the sounds of his suffering.

It wasn’t like this back in Russia. He had mingled with people, but he had never felt this miserable. Coming back to the city made him realize painfully that he had nothing. While Choi Hoeon enjoyed everything as the Master, he couldn’t even afford a single fever reducer and had to watch his own people suffer.

What’s so great about being a Master? Kwak Soohwan scoffed. He had been closer to the leadership than anyone else. Power was undoubtedly good, and those bundles of bills meant nothing to him. But if those things could become a shield to protect his people, he would take and possess them.

signals started coming through the CB radio.

Kwak Soohwan rose and reached for the radio.

“No need to join. We’re heading to the Second Master from now on.”

He used to think he didn’t need justification, but not anymore.

***

Since the nationwide Adam infection outbreak, the population of Rainbow City had decreased significantly, but there were no threats to its existence. Survival instincts are the most primitive and innate behaviors of humans, so those who survived, no matter how Adam danced, somehow managed to survive. The country they established, realizing the importance of community through early survival instincts, was Rainbow City.

Even after enduring prolonged indoctrination, there were those who didn’t believe the City would help them. Most of them, about 460 days ago, locked their doors after hearing the radio broadcasts. They waited for the soldiers to come and restore order while enduring with emergency rations and stored water. But even they belonged to some extent to the affluent class. Those who couldn’t secure provisions had no choice but to venture outside, and they either got infected outside or were killed in good condition at the shelters the City provided.

Watching all these events unfold from Udo, the Second Master was convinced of one thing. That if they let go now, they wouldn’t know when their necks would be on the line. There were clearly two Masters responsible for the Adam infection outbreak. No matter how mighty an army they commanded, the citizens’ resentment would soon manifest itself in the Master vote, given the many deaths.

The Second Master wanted reform, not revolution. The First Master wanted to maintain the status quo and transfer power, and to the Second, the serpent that the First Master saw was ambiguous in its desires.

When it became clear that Choi Hoeon was siding with the First, the Second fled Udo and went into hiding. His only hope, Seokhwa, could only hear about Seokhwa moving to Russia with Kwak Soohwan.

“It’s impossible to infiltrate as Mother.”

The steward guarding the Second was full of frustration.

“It’s like having my child taken by the enemy. Look here, Kang.”

“Yes, Master.”

He had repeatedly told them to drop the title of “Master,” but they didn’t listen, and now he was tired of correcting them.

“What do you think Choi Hoeon wants?”

The steward pressed the center of his slightly broken glasses with his hand. When they fled from Udo to Haenam, they had no choice but to seek help from Major Cha. The Second was angry at Major Cha, who showed loyalty to Kwak Soohwan rather than him, but he couldn’t afford to be picky. Major Cha had played the role of a bluebird connecting Kwak Soohwan and the Second, and feeling like Kwak Soohwan had him on a leash, the Second found a hiding place again.

“Well, maybe now he’s determined to find and eliminate the Master.”

At the steward’s cryptic response, he chuckled and walked through the living room on both legs.

“I didn’t even think you’d be fooled, Master.”

The steward still seemed bitter.

“How could I continue to be elected as the Second Master? It’s all because of that First guy who fell for these two legs that have trouble moving properly. So Dr. Seokhwa probably couldn’t even tell that he’s my child.”

The Second thought. If Seokhwa wasn’t immune and was just a defect, he would have never revealed the truth.

He provided the genes, but he didn’t particularly have tender feelings, nor did he have any intention of playing the role of a father now. He just had a greater attachment to Rainbow City than anyone else. It was a city he had nurtured and grown for more than half his life, and even when the Alliance fell, he never faltered. The wavering of the leadership only instilled anxiety in the citizens, and even if a comet crashed into Earth tomorrow, the Second was confident he would maintain his composure. He was convinced he had better leadership qualities than anyone else.

“Master… There’s a light.”

The steward looked at the surveillance camera screen and was startled.

“What?”

“It looks like a military jeep.”

“Raise the security level to the maximum.”

“Yes, Master.”

The remaining rations in the underground bunker were now only about a month’s worth.

***

Seokhwa’s fever subsided shortly after leaving the scientific research institute. Perhaps it was because he had gotten some sleep, but he felt refreshed, although his body felt sticky from sweating.

“They say our troops are being followed?”

“I anticipated that much.”

He had certainly sent word to the unharmed troops to move to the Second Master. Since there could have been a mistake in overhearing due to the fever, Seokhwa changed the subject.

“Are we going to the Second Master?”

Looking at Kwak Soohwan’s profile, Seokhwa couldn’t read any emotions. He remained expressionless like someone devoid of any emotion.

“Do you know where he is?”

“Is your body okay?”

Kwak Soohwan, who was rambling, touched Seokhwa’s forehead. Feeling the usual warmth returning, Seokhwa relaxed and gripped the steering wheel again.

“Do you know where the Second is?”

Seokhwa asked calmly again, without showing any anger.

“There are three places we anticipate, so we should hope to find him first.”

“How do you know?”

Turning completely towards Kwak Soohwan with his belt still on, Seokhwa also knew about the news of the Second disappearing when he was in Russia. However, he seemed to have already guessed the Second’s whereabouts since then. Although Seokhwa didn’t think Kwak Soohwan shared everything with him, he felt a sense of emptiness.

“I know I’m not very friendly, but couldn’t you at least talk to me? Blaming him might just slip out. It would just stir up emotions unnecessarily.”

After a brief consideration, Seokhwa decided not to bring up that point anymore.

“I hope we find him in the first place, as Major suggested.”

He had to speak sincerely to avoid sounding sarcastic.

“We keep clashing after we returned to Rainbow City, you know?”

Kwak Soohwan seemed to be implying something, although Seokhwa didn’t want to.

“I wish you had talked to me about it too.”

He glanced upward for a moment before stopping the car.

“What should I talk about? I thought there was nothing good to talk about.”

There had been a few occasions before when he and Kwak Soohwan had discussions like this. It was during the investigation into the Oyang Dr. Seok incident. He avoided immersing himself in something and getting close to the truth. It was said to be for safety, but it was just avoiding the truth.

Although not explicitly expressed, there were several uncertain points, such as Kwak Soohwan’s father turning into Adam, and the sudden death of his mother. He had suppressed them because there was a more important purpose.

Considering the circumstances, one could suspect that his parents or his mother’s death, like the disposal of Oyangseok, were First’s schemes. But he was no longer of this world. If it wasn’t the First but someone else like Choi Hoeon involved…?

We never truly knew the truth. It wasn’t until we witnessed the collapse of the Alliance, which we firmly believed in since birth, with our own eyes that we realized it, didn’t we?

“Dr. Seok is proactive, that’s for sure. But dragging that weak body around everywhere is a burden for me.”

Kwak Soohwan spoke the truth to Seokhwa without any change in his complexion.

There was no falsehood in his words, and Seokhwa remained silent because there was nothing to refute. It felt like bitter poison was lingering in his mouth, more than anyone else, he knew he was a burden, but hearing it directly from him made his poisoned body ache.

“In my life, Dr. Seok is the top priority. So, I don’t want to see you suffering like this.”

All Seokhwa could say now was:

“I understand….”

I’m sorry. He trailed off with a faint voice.

Thud! Kwak Soohwan suddenly slammed the steering wheel. He struck it again and then gripped the wheel tightly with both hands. Not stopping there, he forcefully banged his forehead.

“I’m damn, why can’t I speak any differently? Just because I’m frustrated, Dr. Seok.”

He looked at Seokhwa with bloodshot eyes, turning his head.

“Every time you’re in pain, I feel powerless to death.”

He couldn’t even bring himself to say that now is better than before he met Kwak Soohwan. He knew how much pain he suffered every time he was ill, and today was no different. Seokhwa reached out and grabbed his arm.

“Let’s go. To the Second.”

In place of him, still filled with self-loathing, Seokhwa started the engine. The car’s engine started again.

***

When Kwak Soohwan first set foot on Russian soil, he made one promise to himself. At least let’s not make our Dr. Seok cold or hungry.

Even when he went into the mountains to live, he diligently hunted wild animals or firewood, and when he came down to the city with people, he received decent treatment.

To the people living in the settlement, Seokhwa was a clever doctor, a botanist, and a philosopher. After starting to communicate with them in Russian, he helped them as much as they helped him. They also received what they wanted from them.

They were able to use the virus research lab in Vladivostok, where they could meet inspiration over eighty. Inspiration introduced himself as a descendant of immigrants who had moved to Russia in the old days. What was peculiar was that Inspiration was an Adam virus immune.

One day, an eccentric old man who said his days were numbered and had been experimenting with all sorts of things on his body, whispered to Seokhwa while he was sleeping.

“What on earth did you create in Rainbow City?”

With wrinkled fingers, Inspiration poked Kwak Soohwan’s chest.

“Inspiration, these insane muscles were not made in Rainbow City, but by me, you know?”

He laughed like a flute while taking a sip of strong liquor.

“Have you ever been infected with the virus?”

“Why don’t all the inspirations I know seem to be out of their minds? If it weren’t for me being Adam, Rainbow City would have already been destroyed, and Russia would have been devastated. Do you think anyone could have killed me? Moreover, Dr. Seok would die without me. Look, you woke up a little earlier today, but you’re still not fully awake.”

Kwak Soohwan restrained himself from rushing over and hitting Seokhwa’s lips all over his face.

“Then don’t go back.”

“What?”

“Just stay here.”

“Haha, is this old man suggesting we have a family outing now?”

“You… ever had a high fever? After being infected with the virus.”

“…I’ve never been infected with the virus.”

“Think about it, Kwak Soohwan. You’re poisonous.”

He wanted to laugh at the nonsense, but the day he stabbed his father with a knife flashed by. Was the blood flowing in his vain hand only his own?

“There might be something you can guess.”

“Old man, there’s no such thing. And didn’t you hear what Dr. Seok said? I’m immune. No antibodies are produced in my blood.”

“So that’s why you asked what the hell that damn city made. Well, you wouldn’t have known either.”

He dismissed the words of the alcohol-soaked mad scientist. However, from then on, he occasionally recalled the day he lost his family. Memories of his father’s blood mixing with his wounded hand surfaced, but it was such a long time ago that the memory could have distorted. It was unreasonable to expose oneself to the virus just to confirm whether or not I was immune. What’s the difference between jumping off a high-rise building and dying anyway?