Rainbow City

At the rustling sound, Seokhwa looked up to see Kwak Soohwan trying to feed him jerky.

“Hey, aren’t you mad?”

“Why should I be mad?”

“I said some shitty things.”

“Words… can’t be shitty.”

Fair point. Kwak Soohwan chuckled and opened his mouth to receive the jerky, and Seokhwa also took out the remaining strip and began chewing. As they filled their bellies as best they could, Kwak Soohwan’s anxiety grew.

He picked up the radio and sent a signal.

“Commander Cha, do you copy?”

Whether it was within receiving range was uncertain, and the response was just static, clicks, and pops.

“Anyone else besides Commander Cha? If so, respond.”

[Roger, Team 1. We’ll connect you to Commander Cha.]

Team 1, quite a distance from Commander Cha, had to serve as a relay.

“Tell them to return and wait until I give orders. Detach from the pursuers, and if necessary, eliminate all trackers.”

[Team 1, copy that.]

It took about five minutes before the radio crackled again.

[Team 1, message delivered. Captain, Team 2 has also detached from their pursuers. Our team is now in position for standby…

]

Thunk! It was the moment when a bursting sound was heard. Kwak Soohwan slammed on the brakes abruptly, bringing the jeep to a halt. Seokhwa also clearly heard the dull thud that came through the radio.

“Team 1, what just happened?”

He raised his voice into the radio, but there was no response.

“Major.”

Seokhwa also swallowed dryly.

“Respond, Team 1. Report the situation!”

Crackle, click, crack. A discordant rhythm, as if someone was pressing and releasing the button on the radio, repeated a few times before falling silent. It was when Kwak Soohwan was about to speak again.

“…Long time no see.”

A voice tinged with laughter began to flow through the radio.

“Greetings from Choi Hoeon, Master of Rainbow City.”

Seokhwa’s hand on his thigh trembled. The fact that the radio had fallen into Choi Hoeon’s hands meant that Team 1 was in danger.

“Hmm? Was there a traffic accident over there? Why no response? Ah, it’s a traffic accident on our end. I thought they were elite soldiers, but these guys are nothing special. Unfortunately, there aren’t many folks worth using in the city.”

Kwak Soohwan grabbed the radio wires, tore them, and threw them onto the floor of the jeep. Pressing his hands over his eyes, he breathed in deeply, as if calming his anger, then swallowed it without a word. He started driving towards their destination again. Seokhwa wanted to ask if Team 1 soldiers were safe. The answer should come from Choi Hoeon, but it wouldn’t be wise to mix words with him. With Choi Hoeon being as cunning as a snake, Kwak Soohwan must have restrained himself and rendered the radio useless.

“It’ll be okay.”

The conventional reassurance was also a self-reminder for Seokhwa.

“If you can’t kill the enemy, you die. That’s always been the way.”

The speedometer surged upward and then leveled off. The engine of the jeep roared, and except for a brief stop to refuel, the wheels never stopped turning. By the time the long summer sun had set, they could leave the city’s managed area. Roads and forests blurred into one, making it even hard to tell where the path was.

The direction could be guessed with a compass, but the endless forest seemed like an impenetrable jungle. Outside the slightly open window, the constant chorus of frogs filled the air. The lush foliage, now tinted in darkness, sprawled like unruly hair against the backdrop of night.

Kwak Soohwan turned on the high beams to secure visibility. Two deer dashed into the darkness as soon as the intense light hit them. Apart from the frog chorus, the sound of running water could be heard from somewhere. As Kwak Soohwan ascended the hill, he briefly stopped the car and surveyed the surroundings. Turning the steering wheel to the left and trampling through the dense grass, surprisingly, a valley with a waterfall came into view.

After becoming a controller, perhaps about a year later, there was an occasion when the Second Master issued an order to deal with the rebels. When they caught the person designated by the Second and interrogated him, it was obvious at a glance that he wasn’t a rebel.

“I haven’t disclosed the location anywhere, and I won’t ever tell, so please spare my life,” pleaded the man.

Kwak Soohwan looked at him and realized that the Second’s family had created a hideout over half a century ago. At that time, the laborers involved in the construction were either murdered or their deaths disguised as accidents. The man the Second ordered to be killed had barely escaped with his life, so Kwak Soohwan let him go instead of killing him. Of course, in exchange for sparing his life, he simply received the location of the bunker.

There were a total of three hideouts. As he had traveled all over the country as a controller, securing their locations wasn’t difficult. It was a place he had researched for potential future use, but he didn’t expect the Second to hide in the bunker to prolong his life.

“I’ll lock the car doors, so wait here.”

“Be careful.”

“Yeah.”

Kwak Soohwan kissed Seokhwa’s forehead. Getting out of the jeep, he threw the keys upwards out of habit, caught them, and then put them in his pocket, pulling out a pistol instead.

The valley was home to fish like trout and chubs, and the water was suitable for drinking. Despite the fish not being particularly tasty, it was still a suitable place for survival.

Using a flashlight, Kwak Soohwan shone it on the ground and swept the grass with his combat boots. If there were any traces of someone coming and going, the grass near the entrance would be trampled. The Second wouldn’t have escaped alone; certainly, one of the servants would be keeping watch.

“Bothering people.”

Kwak Soohwan muttered to himself. They said they would protect his safety, but instead, they made him do things.

Thud, thud, thud. Kwak Soohwan discovered a spot where the grass was flattened and kicked his foot against it. Instead of soil, his foot hit something hard. After clearing away the grass around it, he found a recess where he could put his hand into the circular metal plate.

Putting one arm on the ground for support, he firmly grasped the groove of the iron door with one hand and lifted it. There was no response, indicating that it was locked from the inside.

“After saving the swallow, it asked for the cherry,” he muttered.

The survivor had also been taught how to open the bunker door, but Kwak Soohwan found it difficult to do it alone. He shone his flashlight ahead and ran back to the jeep. Seokhwa’s figure was nowhere to be seen, neither in the passenger nor the driver’s seat. When Kwak Soohwan tapped on the window, Seokhwa, who had been hiding, popped up.

“You can come out. Let’s go together.”

“What about the stuff?”

Seokhwa pointed to the backpack.

“Leave it for now.”

Kwak Soohwan unfolded a protective vinyl sheet that matched the color of the forest and completely covered the jeep. Seokhwa, who had helped from behind, meticulously buttoned up his shirt while walking to the entrance of the bunker together.

“Is that the entrance?”

Kwak Soohwan pointed the flashlight in the direction, revealing a round iron door.

“Yeah. I’m not sure if he’s inside or not, but judging from the fact that the door isn’t open, it seems like he’s not there, or maybe he is.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know the Second’s intentions either. Hey, shine this on top for me.”

Kwak Soohwan handed the flashlight to Seokhwa. Standing upright, Seokhwa aimed the flashlight at the iron door Kwak Soohwan had mentioned. The door was firmly closed except for a groove carved on one side.

“Are you going to force it open?”

“Are you mistaking me for some brute who only relies on strength?”

“Being strong doesn’t make you dumb, it’s a good thing. But still, you shouldn’t get hurt.”

“After being on edge the whole time since coming down from the city, are you finally starting to relax?”

Kwak Soohwan took a deep breath, pretended to exert force to lift it, then exaggeratedly gave up.

“I can’t do it with just my strength.”

“Can I help?”

“Yeah.”

The groove was just big enough for Kwak Soohwan’s hand to fit in, so he pondered how Seokhwa could help. Soon, Seokhwa wrapped his arms tightly around his waist from behind.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to help you pull.”

Kwak Soohwan couldn’t help but burst into laughter for a moment. It reminded him of the time when he had promised to protect Oh Yang-seok’s residence and they had leaned on each other’s backs.

“Hold me tighter.”

He must have exerted some strength because he definitely felt his body being squeezed tightly. As he contemplated the sensation, Seokhwa seemed to be pulling back, adding more force.

“Should I push, too?”

“Are you kidding me now?”

“Yeah.”

As if to vent his frustration, Kwak Soohwan released Seokhwa’s hand and lightly nibbled his finger. Opening the closed iron door was simple. All they had to do was tie a string or rope to the ring inside the groove and pull it in the opposite direction. Just as he was about to shine the flashlight inside, they heard the sound of the metal ring turning under the iron door. With a creak, the once stubborn iron door opened effortlessly. Seokhwa, surprised, shone his flashlight inside.

“It’s been a while. Major Kwak Soohwan, Dr. Seok.”

He was the Second Master’s butler.

If he had been inside, he would have come out quickly. Kwak Soohwan thought about kicking him but seeing Seokhwa made him exercise patience.

“That’s fortunate.”

Found him on the first try. Although he didn’t say it, Seokhwa looked faintly relieved.

“The Second Master?”

“Yes. He’s safely inside.”

The butler began to descend the metal ladder.

After confirming that Seokhwa was holding the ladder properly, Kwak Soohwan followed suit and closed the iron door. Thanks to the ventilation, the air inside was not bad.

From the carpeted floor to the island-shaped kitchen and the camera screen monitoring the valley, the bunker, about a hundred square meters in size, was truly luxurious. And in the midst of it all, the Second Master, who looked much thinner and less imposing than before, was sitting in a wheelchair. His eyes seemed to contain a complex mix of emotions, as if unsure of what to say. The Second Master sighed several times.

Even though he was nestled in such a comfortable place, he had the demeanor of a refugee. Kwak Soohwan briefly passed by Seokhwa and headed straight for the kitchen.

“Here, Major Kwak Soohwan.”

The Second Master spoke without even greeting Kwak Soohwan, but he went ahead and opened the pantry. After taking out various items, he lit the burner, boiled water, and put instant rice inside. In one corner, there were freshwater fish that seemed to have been caught by the butler. Skilfully catching the slippery fish that tried to escape, he deftly gutted them with a jackknife. He removed all the innards from the wriggling fish and placed them straight onto the pan.

“What on earth are you doing now?”

The butler approached him with a furrowed brow.

“I-I suppose you should feed him first, right?”

Dr. Seok hadn’t even had a proper meal. Kwak Soohwan gave the butler a more intense stare than before.

“Major Kwak! How dare you speak like that?”

The butler asserted his authority.

“Do you want me to treat you like this at a time like this? If you have nothing else to do, you can at least flip some fish.”

Kwak Soohwan sprinkled salt on the fish he had cut open.

“Let’s eat.”

Seokhwa, who had been staring fixedly at the Second Master, turned his body towards the dining table. Although he wasn’t particularly hungry, he sat down on the chair, thinking there was no harm in eating what Kwak Soohwan had prepared.

The butler muttered that they had gone mad after returning from Russia. The Second Master, instead of using his hands to push the wheelchair, stood up from his seat with his own two legs.

“M-Master!”

It was more akin to a gasp of astonishment than a miraculous exclamation. Kwak Soohwan and Seokhwa stared at the Second Master standing on both feet without moving. Kwak Soohwan chuckled briefly and took out the freshly cooked rice, placing it on the table.

“Even if he hasn’t become a saint of the Garden of Eden and received salvation, it seems the fear of the First has finally prompted him to reveal his true self after all this time of pretending.”

No wonder he fled with those uncomfortable feet.

When Kwak Soohwan removed the lid, steam rose from the instant rice. It tickled Seokhwa’s chin and clung to his eyelashes. Seokhwa blinked to brush away the moisture and picked up his chopsticks. The fact that the Second Master’s legs were intact was surprising, but it didn’t elicit much emotion.

The Second Master approached and sat opposite Seokhwa.

“Your face seems to have been through a lot, Dr. Seok.”

“That magnificent Master of yours is enjoying rural life holed up in the shelter, while our Dr. Seok here has been suffering without proper meals.”

“Major Kwak, don’t speak so recklessly with your loose tongue,” the Second Master chided.

Kwak Soohwan grabbed the Second Master by the jaw.

“Kwak Soohwan!”

As the butler rushed over, Kwak Soohwan kicked him in the abdomen. The butler, clutching his stomach, groaned and retched.

“Don’t come at me if you don’t want to get hurt. If you knew how filthy I feel right now, you wouldn’t dare.”

The butler, with his uniform disheveled, couldn’t believe Kwak Soohwan’s actions. Though he wore a uniform, he was effectively a fugitive, not a Major affiliated with Rainbow City.

Seokhwa spread the juicy flesh of the well-cooked freshwater fish onto his chopsticks. He focused solely on eating as if nothing had happened. The butler stared in disbelief, and Kwak Soohwan pushed the Second Master back into his seat.

“Here, Major Kwak.”

Though his anger was still simmering, the Second Master called Kwak Soohwan in a weakened voice.

“I knew you’d come for me sooner or later.”

Kwak Soohwan poured canned corn into a disposable bowl. He placed it in front of Seokhwa and opened his own instant rice, roughly removing the lid. As they casually ate, both the Second Master and the butler seemed at a loss for words.

“They said they killed all the workers who built this shelter. They used me to try to kill the last survivor, but the truth is, I let him live. I didn’t want to dirty my hands, but ended up getting stabbed in the back.”

Kwak Soohwan lifted his chopsticks and pointed at the ceiling of the shelter. Killed all the workers? Seokhwa glanced at the Second Master with a contemptuous gaze, which the Second Master met with a stoic expression.

“If you sought me out to hinder Choi Hoeon, it would be wise to show some courtesy.”

“Well, I do need the Master’s help. Choi Hoeon killed First, and even tried to kill Second, so I had no choice but to hide. Besides, we need to reveal to the world that this guy here from Eden Hill is Choi Hoeon.”

He gestured towards his device.

“If I foresaw my coming, I also anticipated this. You represent legitimacy, and I represent power.”

“I suspected from the moment you claimed to protect me. That you’d use me to your advantage.”

“We’ve both done the same. Why?”

“Haven’t you also used me and Dr. Seok to your advantage? It was Second who tried to manipulate Dr. Seok into the Master’s seat.”

“Your insolence knows no bounds. It’s hard to see it as an attitude of cooperation. It’s more like coercion.”

Kwak Soohwan wiped away his fake smile and glared fiercely. Second showed no sign of change, demonstrating he was no ordinary old man.

“Then go ahead and kill me.”

“What makes you so bold?”

Second suspected that the rude remark had come from Kwak Soohwan, but it was clearly Seokhwa’s voice. Seokhwa was finishing his meal and drinking water. The water was clean and refreshing, but instead of savoring it, he felt a surge of disdain.

“You’re hiding to save your life. What did you do on the day the disaster struck? You couldn’t do anything when the disaster happened.”

The young soldiers of the City acted as shields and followed irrational orders. Second lived hidden inside here, but countless others died that day.

“I, until just yesterday, had no idea about the fate of the people I talked and spent time with. Major, you’ve been with them longer than I have. Why should better soldiers than those cowardly masters be the ones to get hurt first? Why should we observe such formalities?”

Second was less composed than when he was grabbed by the jaw. Now, Seokhwa was shaking the foundations of Rainbow City with his words.

“Dr. Seok, it’s not that I don’t understand the hardships you’ve endured. Still, I distinctly recall asking you to be my successor at that time. It was all for the sake of Rainbow City, and it’s you who refused and left,” Second lamented, attributing all the fault to them.

“You maintained the position of Master, even pretending to be disabled. Was it for the sake of Rainbow City? No, it was for your own safety. You didn’t have the courage to confront First head-on, did you?”

As he spat out the truth relentlessly, Second’s face flushed red. To think he would try to outdo himself against the one born to provide his genes. Second, thinking it was a challenge from his own offspring, couldn’t gather the courage to save face and remained silent in frustration. The butler intervened, calming him down as he grumbled in anger.

“Dr. Seok, that’s absolutely not true. Second Master continuously opposed First, who dreamed of dictatorship,” the butler intervened.

“Enough of playing the spokesperson,” Kwak Soohwan intervened, setting down his utensils with a clatter.

“To capture the highly supported Choi Hoeon, we need solid evidence that this Eden Hill Serpent is him. We also need to expose the fact that the Adam Infection incident was orchestrated by the Serpent,” Kwak Soohwan summarized the matter. Second seemed relieved as Kwak Soohwan organized the matter, and he rose from the table. Though his legs were free, his muscles were greatly deteriorated. It was Second’s pride not to use a cane.

“Do you understand now? The power of the Master that you all speak of is nothing but an illusion,” Second said remorselessly, walking to the corner of the living room and removing the carpet. He lifted the handle attached to the wooden floor, revealing a small compartment from which he retrieved a document bag. It didn’t have a speck of dust, as it seemed to be a bag he frequently used.

Placing the empty dishes aside, the Master lifted the document bag.

“Indeed, the trap to capture Choi Hoeon is inside here. Once we lure him out and capture him, we can return to the dual Master system,” Second promised.

“I could kill you right now and take it,” Kwak Soohwan retorted.

“The one who needs justification is you, Major Kwak. The one with the power of influence is me, Second Master,” Second responded calmly.

“So, do you expect me to elect you as Master again?”

“If you want, would you take the role of First instead? I’ll gladly arrange it if that’s what you desire,” Second replied.

Kwak Soohwan exposed his teeth in a smile. It was amusing to see someone so confident that they could become the First Master if they set their mind to it.

“Was the Master voting that you conducted really fair?” Kwak Soohwan’s sarcasm silenced Second.

“Do you know, Dr. Seok? The most absurd thing when I first joined the military was the Master voting ballots. I distributed the ballots to the students, only to find out that they were already filled out. The soldiers had to choose the designated Master every time they voted. If not, they were labeled as rebels and got killed without even knowing it.”

Seokhwa couldn’t lift his head properly at those words. He himself had received a voting ballot once, but he ended up choosing the person designated from above. Back then, he thought that First and Second had to lead Rainbow City for people’s safety. Even the teachers at the Learning Center said that change and doubt were equivalent to hell. They said that they had to maintain the system because all the safety they had from Adam was thanks to the efforts of the leadership and the soldiers.

He had also contributed to neglecting Rainbow City.

“The Learning Center… had issues too.”

“I agree with that. The education system that made people loyal to Choi Hoeon,”

“No, even before that.”

Second sighed deeply. It seemed like he had gone out of the city and returned with strange ideologies.

“So, what kind of changes should be made?”

“Like a world without Adam. A form where there’s freedom and individual choice, not forced indoctrination. That’s the only way to prevent people like me from arising.”

“That’s truly utopian. Isn’t it just wishful thinking? Dr. Seok, you’ve survived all this time because the city’s system was stable.”

Second sneered sharply at Seokhwa.

“You survived because you were worth using.”

In response to Seokhwa’s remark, Second raised his voice as if giving a speech in front of citizens. He didn’t forget to slam the table.

“We have Adam as our worst enemy! If there hadn’t been control and management, would our city have been maintained!?”

“Then why did you use Adam?”

Seokhwa raised his voice slightly. Both Second and the butler were surprised, but Kwak Soohwan also widened his eyes. Seokhwa had never shown such emotions in front of others. He had restrained and endured it himself as much as his strength allowed.