Rainbow City

The boy hooked his index finger and mimicked gouging out his own eye.“In the Mother System control room.”At last, Kwak Soohwan let out a bewildered laugh. He had wondered how someone without eyes managed to crawl up from there, but it turned out there was more than one of them.That day, descending to the second basement level of the Yeouido Shelter, he had seen a quickly moving figure. In hindsight, it couldn’t have been the eyeless one moving so fast.“That was you?”“You shone a flashlight on me right away. I was surprised too. We wanted to save our brother that day, but it was impossible. He knew his death was near.”This was something Seokwa couldn’t have known. On that day, Seokwa had been on Dangsan Island. But he understood now that they, like Wonho and Choi Hoeon, had suffered. They were test subjects and victims.“Why did you impersonate us?”The boy put his hand into his coat. Kwak Soohwan shielded Seokwa behind him and drew his gun. What the boy took out, however, was a vial.“Your brother handed over something similar that day, didn’t he?”‘This is the last one from the lab. No more pain for us.’The vial received that day had been broken during the fight with Choi Hoeon.“What is it?”“It’s the final evolved Adam virus. Its lethality rate is 99 percent within ten minutes. It can be mass-produced too.”“You plan to become the next Choi Hoeon with that?”Seokwa approached the boy, calming Kwak Soohwan with a nod.“You overcame the virus, didn’t you?”Seeing Seokwa alive confirmed it for the boy. Even without Seokwa’s answer, he handed over the vial peacefully.“This belongs to Dr. Seok. It’s the final evolved Adam virus extracted from his blood by Dr. Choi. This really is the last one.”The boy stepped back, noticing Kwak Soohwan’s ongoing suspicion.“Please let the upper echelons and citizens of the City know about us. Let them know about the children who died as test subjects. All mutants were created by the City, yet now they’re being oppressed again. We’re not all carriers of the Adam virus. But if it were known that we were test subjects, the current government would have secretly eliminated us. To them, we’re dangerous elements. The City hasn’t changed; it still hides the most important truths.”After Choi Hoeon’s death, Seokwa thought they were finally free from Adam. But hidden beneath it all were these test subjects and mutants, forced to live in hiding.They were not citizens, had no power, and couldn’t reveal themselves. If they did, they would be erased from existence, becoming forgotten outcasts.Their reason for impersonating us was clear enough.Seokwa glanced up at the second floor of the hall. Broken and shattered chairs were scattered around, and a few children could be seen on the balcony. They were survivors who had escaped from the underground shelter Choi Hoeon had created.“Are they all mutants?”“Yes. We acknowledge that gathering believers like Dr. Choi Hoeon was wrong. We thought you both were dead and couldn’t forgive the City. No one told the real truth. They even hid the fact that you, Dr. Seok, were the vaccine developer.”So they mixed the truth with rumors.If they hadn’t returned from Russia, what would have happened? Would they have lived happily without knowing any of this?The weight of the vial in Seokwa’s hand felt immense. If they had remained isolated, the City might have been enslaved once again by the virus left by Choi Hoeon. And from Russia, they would have despaired, unable to find happiness.Kwak Soohwan took off his cape and draped it over Seokwa’s shoulders, who was wearing only a suit jacket.“Major Kwak, should we proceed with Plan B?”“If Dr. Seok wants it.”What about them?He asked with his eyes.“We must protect them.”***Seokwa sought out a broadcast station that transmitted across various regions from Seoul. It was owned by Emperor Penguin, and Lee Heechan was unaware of this fact.Their first plan, if the meeting succeeded and Paradise turned out to be remnants of Eden, was to mobilize Moongil’s unit and Kwak Soohwan’s comrades for a mass arrest. Seokwa mentioned that the likelihood of this plan being executed was low unless the couple was taken.The second plan involved Seokwa making a direct broadcast.If there were impersonators, the real ones had to appear to expose them. This required revealing that Seokwa was the vaccine developer and disclosing much of what the City had kept secret to prevent chaos.Lee Heechan, responsible for the City’s stability, would not let this slide. She might have known more about the Paradise cult’s inner workings, given her lack of action despite the broadcast station being taken over.Emperor Penguin had reorganized all shelters and completed an epidemiological investigation of Choi Hoeon’s data. Realizing they couldn’t handle it alone, they might have summoned Kwak Soohwan and Seokwa from Russia. The final evolved Adam virus they held was extracted from Seokwa’s blood by Choi Hoeon.Whatever the case, Seokwa had already made up his mind.Under orders from Major Kwak Soohwan, Moongil’s unit seized the broadcast station, and Emperor Penguin’s heir, Lee Chaeyoon, approved the broadcast. The station’s producer, pale-faced, trembled uncontrollably.Kwak Soohwan adjusted Seokwa’s tie as he sat in front of the microphone.“Are you ready?”“I won’t falter now.”“Should I do it instead?”“Then, shall we do it together?”Kwak Soohwan brushed Seokwa’s hair back with his hand.“You look handsome, our Dr. Seok. What if you attract a lot of admirers?”Listening to his joke, Seokwa wiped his sweaty palms.“Don’t worry. I’ll do my best.”“I always believe in you.”Seokwa neatly arranged the materials he had prepared on the table.Kwak Soohwan made sure no one else was left in the newsroom to avoid any issues during the broadcast. The cameras were already rolling, so broadcasting was just a matter of pressing a button outside. If soldiers, acting on the orders of the noble families, stormed in after seeing the broadcast, a full-scale conflict would be unavoidable.Kwak Soohwan smiled reassuringly at Seokwa from outside the transparent booth. His habit of smiling like a mask even in serious situations was helpful now. Oddly enough, he felt more nervous than Seokwa did.Seokwa, who also gave a faint smile, took a deep breath.[Ready.]“General, isn’t this going to cause a big problem? What if I lose my job?”The PD hovered anxiously over the broadcast button.“I told you, I’ll take full responsibility.”Kwak Soohwan sent the PD away and brought his lips to the intercom mic connected to the booth.“Honey, are you really ready?”[You can start.]The PD abruptly returned to Kwak Soohwan’s side.“Ugh, seriously… You said you’d take responsibility, so I guess I’m just being coerced, right? And it’s not just pressing a button. We need to flash an emergency alert. If we’re doing this, we might as well boost the ratings. Anyway, I’ll take it as you taking full responsibility.”The PD, as if unwilling to compromise his artistic spirit, took his place in front of the broadcasting equipment.“Fine, just do it.”Nodding, Kwak Soohwan spoke to Seokwa through the intercom.“Dr. Seok, we’re starting in 10 seconds. Please get ready.”As the PD displayed the emergency alert, the countdown began on the teleprompter in front of Seokwa.Seokwa watched the numbers decreasing on the teleprompter, focusing his mind. Soon, it reached 1, and the broadcast ON sign lit up. The PD outside gave a thumbs-up, signaling the start.“Good evening. I am Dr. Seok, the chief researcher of Rainbow City. I am here to share some truths that the citizens deserve to know. I earnestly ask you to listen until the end.”Seokwa greeted and looked at the camera. He had already organized his thoughts, so he just needed to articulate what he had prepared. There was no need to be nervous. Despite countless people watching him on screens, all he saw was Kwak Soohwan outside, his savior and the family who showed he wasn’t alone.“I graduated from the Jeju Island Learning Center and was assigned to the Yeouido Shelter immediately after. There, I became the chief researcher studying mutants and the Adam virus. You might have heard rumors about me. That I am the host of the unique mutant Adam virus.”Seokwa unwrapped an Adam kit, showing it was a new and untampered one.“The Adam kits that citizens use were developed by me. There are no illegal modifications in these kits.”He sequentially pricked his finger with all three kits. He waited for all three to show negative results before continuing. Even if some still didn’t believe him, there was nothing more he could do.“As you can see, I am not the host of the unique mutant Adam virus. Nor am I the host of the seventh Adam virus. The Adam virus vaccine currently distributed was also developed by me. You can trust its effectiveness. Before developing the vaccine, I had to leave Rainbow City, chased by the old masters who opposed the development of a cure. Upon leaving, I found that the United Nations had long since collapsed, and the old masters were using Adam to maintain their regime. It took me a long time to realize my own mistakes. During my absence, the newly appointed master, Choi Hoeon, conducted human experiments and spread a new Adam virus, pushing the city into chaos. The connection to Eden is the truth that everyone knows.”Seokwa moistened his increasingly dry lips once before continuing.“To stop Choi Hoeon, the noble families and soldiers united to fight, and the city gained its current freedom. Some say that all mutants should be controlled and confined. However, the city’s freedom was also earned through their sacrifices. Most of the mutants, including myself, in the city today are children created through genetic editing. Children who could have been born as normal people were forced to become test subjects. Those with issues were disposed of, while others were used as experiments. Mutants are not monsters; they are victims born out of the city’s human experimentation. I am not pleading for their sacrifices to be acknowledged. I just hope that incorrect records are not left for future generations. One of the reasons I decided to broadcast was because of a religious group impersonating me and General Kwak Soohwan. Do not be deceived by Paradise; it is the work of impostors. Also, I reiterate that there are no issues with the vaccine. Citizens should take the vaccine without worry. It is the way to be completely free from Adam. Thank you for listening.”Seokwa bowed his head again.There was a thud as his forehead hit the microphone, but fortunately, the broadcast had already switched off.Seokwa, who had spoken at length without stumbling, felt like collapsing with his head on the desk. However, he gripped the solid wooden desk and stood up. Kwak Soohwan quickly came into the newsroom to support him.“You did great.”“…Thank you.”Seokwa insisted he was fine and stood on his own.Outside, soldiers stationed in Seoul and Kwak Soohwan’s colleagues were clashing. Orders for the arrest of Seokwa and Kwak Soohwan had been issued for occupying the broadcasting station and airing an unauthorized broadcast.They glanced at each other. This had been anticipated. However, they couldn’t foresee the ensuing turmoil. For now, they complied with the arrest to prevent their colleagues from getting hurt.***The city council was in uproar for nearly a week.Opinions were divided between those who believed it was too harsh to arrest people who had rendered great services and those who thought they should be properly punished for causing societal unrest.During this time, instead of being detained, the troublemakers were sent to Jeju Island thanks to Lee Heechan’s consideration. Jeju was being redeveloped with native residents and new settlers. Instead of staying in an ordinary house, they were accommodated in a converted hotel, now the Jeju Shelter.As soon as Seokwa arrived at the shelter, he locked himself in the lab to measure his physical condition. He took his temperature every hour and collected blood samples to find traces of the Adam virus, but to no avail.Both Seokwa and Kwak Soohwan’s cells showed no infection to any of the security level 3 viruses (like norovirus or encephalitis) designated by the shelter. To reconfirm immunity to the Adam virus, exposure to the virus would be necessary, but there were no samples left in any shelter.The samples they had might be the last ones. However, Seokwa never opened the vial. Curiosity as a researcher should not be exercised in this manner.In all his examinations, he even collected his own sperm and found the number of active sperm had increased significantly. They were also exceedingly active. He wondered if there was an issue like varicocele but found nothing wrong upon examination. Whether this was a result of the high fever he had suffered or an effect of the Adam virus remained unknown.Seokwa could only assume that, like Kwak Soohwan, his body had transformed to become immune to various viruses.Though he was born a test-tube mutant, he had naturally mutated, which could be considered evolution. Yet, it was somewhat unfair that he hadn’t gained super strength or the ability to fly.“While the outside is chaotic, are you so relaxed, not worried at all?”A genetic engineering researcher residing at the Jeju Shelter approached him warmly.“It’s fine. Things will work out somehow.”“Still, public opinion isn’t bad. There are protests everywhere because people feel the council deceived them while claiming to guarantee citizens’ right to know.”“Is that so?”Seokwa pushed the microscope away and stood up.“Thank you for talking to me. I’m going to get lunch.”“Are you going to eat with the general again? We’d be disappointed if you’re avoiding us because you plan to leave soon. Everyone wants to mingle with you. You are heroes, after all. Thanks to you, I never thought I’d be able to take my kids camping.”“You’re exaggerating. I’ll be off then.”Despite Seokwa’s curt response, the researcher smiled warmly.After disinfecting his entire body, Seokwa left the lab at a brisk pace. It was already 2 PM. Lunch started at 12 PM, but lately, due to the increasing attention, they had been eating during quieter times. Kwak Soohwan must have already arrived at the cafeteria, making Seokwa anxious.“Honey, I’m here. Where are you going?”As he hurried through the corridor, Kwak Soohwan called from behind. Focused on the floor, Seokwa hadn’t noticed him.“Have you been waiting?”“I had some time to spare.”While Seokwa was in the lab, Kwak Soohwan was reorganizing the platoon at the Jeju Shelter. The military police were maintained to handle military crimes, and a security platoon was formed to take over police duties.Noticing the empty corridor, Seokwa held Kwak Soohwan’s hand. Their body heat blended, feeling as if they were one.“They say the old man is coming down the day after tomorrow.”“Don’t call him that.”“He is an old man. He’s on his last legs but still flying around.”“That’s a good thing.”“Aren’t you worried?”Seokwa looked up at Kwak Soohwan and slightly lifted the corners of his mouth.“About going to prison?”“If they plan to imprison us, let’s ask to be put in the same cell. I’d love that.”As soon as the elevator opened, a voice rang out.“Cut the crap. Prison? No way, I’m going to squeeze every bit out of you.”It was none other than Lee Heechan in a suit and hat.“Dr. Seok, do you happen to have a vaccine for baldness?”Lee Heechan tilted his head, pointing to his bald spot. It was a small coin-sized area. The long-awaited face-to-face greeting was overly intense.“If the human body were that simple, we would have already developed a vaccine for eternal life. Look at Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who had everything in the world and still desperately tried to live forever, only to fail.”Seokwa pulled Kwak Soohwan’s hand to stop him from reacting.“Be grateful I’m getting counseling to manage my anger. If you’re going to eat, I’ll join you.”“Ah, we were planning to eat outside by the sea.”“Were you?”“No, I just decided.”“Then I’m coming too, you punk.”Lee Heechan pressed the elevator open button and adjusted his hat.***The three of them chewed on sandwiches while looking at Jungmun Saekdal Beach. The wind was slightly less chilly than on the mainland, so their hands weren’t cold. The sandwich, a popular menu item from a local shop, was filled with finely chopped lettuce, homemade hamburger patty, cheese, and fruit sauce.It was too early for swimming, but kids were building sandcastles or jumping into the water and then scampering out as if bitten.“Now the mainland isn’t much different from Jeju.”Lee Heechan held his hat to keep it from being blown away by the wind.“I’m sorry.”Though they had spoken on the phone several times, this was their first face-to-face meeting. Seokwa sincerely apologized.Kwak Soohwan, thinking they had nothing to apologize for but understanding that it might ease Seokwa’s mind, took a big bite of his sandwich.“What are you apologizing for? We all used each other. Do you still have the last Adam sample?”Seokwa squinted against the wind before opening his eyes.“…I can’t give you that.”“I don’t need it either. Such dangerous things should be destroyed. That’s what I came to say. I trust you, Dr. Seok, but I’ve seen too many crazy scientists.”Lee Heechan managed a bitter smile despite eating a sweet sandwich.“Don’t worry. It will be destroyed.”Kwak Soohwan responded, standing in the direction of the wind to shield them.“Right, this must stay a secret among us. Those kids have been silenced, right?”“What mattered to them was having an adult who could guide them safely. I was probably the only person they thought of because Dr. Choi Hoeon likely brainwashed them to see me as their savior.”The surviving mutants from Paradise had recently been enrolled in a learning center recommended by Lee Heechan. They were currently separated from regular students but were being prepared to integrate into the city’s society.“Both you and I are cleaning up Choi Hoeon’s mess. Even in death, he causes trouble.”“It’s a transitional period.”Seokwa gave a faint smile to Lee Heechan.“You won’t be punished. But you’ll be under watchful eyes of those who aren’t friendly. You two handle that on your own.”“We don’t care who’s watching us.”Seeing the conversation winding down, Kwak Soohwan took Seokwa’s hand.“By next month, return to Yeouido. The military will undergo a major reorganization. Kwak Soohwan, I’m talking to you.”“Get someone diligent and good instead of a reckless person like me.”Lee Heechan snorted.“Do you think a competent and diligent commander is better, or a competent but lazy one?”“I know the most dangerous one is incompetent but diligent.”He wiped the sauce from Seokwa’s lips with his thumb and didn’t forget to lick it. Lee Heechan didn’t frown at Kwak Soohwan’s display of affection but just took another bite of his sandwich.“Go on. Anyway, consider this month a vacation. Next month, I’m going to work you both to the bone.”Lee Heechan adjusted his hat and headed to his parked car, seemingly planning to return to Seoul immediately. Seokwa, holding Kwak Soohwan’s hand, headed to the sandy beach. Waves, carrying the wind, rose high. The sound of white foam crashing onto the sand tickled their ears.“What’s better?”Seokwa’s sudden question made Kwak Soohwan smile, knowing exactly what he meant.“Which do you think I am?”“…Competent but lazy?”“That’s right. A General should be competent but lazy.”Reflecting on why, Seokwa took another bite of his sandwich. Compared to the terrible bean sandwich he mentioned, this one tasted amazing.Indeed, if one is competent and diligent, they would try to handle everything themselves, likely due to a lack of trust in others. But with thousands of subordinates, it’s impossible for one person to manage everything. Even the most competent person has limits.Conversely, a competent but lazy person would make good use of capable people around them because they want to do less work and have more rest. Kwak Soohwan also entrusted tasks to Major General Cha and Moongil, believing in their abilities. Plus, having physical abilities beyond the ordinary was an added bonus.Seokwa found it fascinating that the sand underfoot felt lighter than before. He used to be out of breath and dizzy just from walking, proving that regular movement builds stamina.“Give me a piggyback ride.”Even though walking further was too much.Kwak Soohwan crouched down in front of Seokwa as if he had been waiting. Seokwa put the sandwich wrapper into the bag and hooked it around his wrist. He climbed onto Kwak Soohwan’s back, wrapping his arms around his neck as if he were falling forward. The plastic bag rustled against Kwak Soohwan’s collarbone. Without much effort, he stood up, supporting Seokwa’s legs with his arms.“It hasn’t been that long, but it already feels like old times.”The sensation of their bodies touching every time he spoke felt comforting.“Usually when I carried you like this, it was in urgent situations. Walking slowly like this feels strange. Do you know I still feel a bit tense, as if I might look back and see those guys chasing us?”“You’ll get used to it soon.”Seokwa buried his nose in the back of Kwak Soohwan’s head. The cool air threading through his hair felt refreshing and smelled pleasantly fresh.“What do you think of my hair? Seeing the Prime Minister’s hair earlier made me feel a bit sorry for him.”“Your hair is thick.”“Haha, yours is fluffy too.”Kwak Soohwan deliberately took a large loop around the sandy beach to delay their return to the shelter. Seokwa seemed to be drowsy, completely relaxing into him. He adjusted him once and started humming a song. The tune of “La Vie en Rose,” which they had listened to together, lingered in his ear.“When we return to Seoul, let’s buy a house. We’ll have a garden and line up stones in it. We’ll get a big bed and share a room. Do you prefer a spacious house or a cozy one?”“I like spacious.”“Noted. But if it’s too spacious, won’t you be exhausted just getting to the front door on your way to work?”That was an extreme scenario.“…Something moderately spacious.”Seokwa blinked, but his eyelids soon grew too heavy to lift. His belly was full, and the warmth made drowsiness creep in.“Should we drop by Dr. Seok’s place tonight? If there are any childhood photos, let’s bring them.”As he heard the voice fading away, Seokwa slowly drifted to sleep. For a moment, he thought he heard Adam’s wailing like a hallucination, but it didn’t prevent sleep from overtaking him. He pressed his cheek closer, no longer afraid of the vulnerable exposure of his back, and held on tighter.With Kwak Soohwan’s song blending with the sound of the waves, his heartbeat found a steady rhythm.When he had left his hometown and the first place of his memories, it had been with him. And now, as they returned, they were together once more.