D.I.O

Chapter 291

Im a genius, Boram. You know that, right?

Uh, yeah, of course. But a test subject for a biological experiment?

Do you think Im lying? Look at Taewoongs face. Go back to Father and ask him yourself. When I was young Father drugged me- no, wait, was it Mother? Anyway, ask them if they know what happened after I was drugged and dragged away. They ripped open my skull with scalpels and pierced my brain with needles. No matter how much I cried out in pain, no one offered help or comfort. They referred to me as an inhuman mutant - Subject Number 21. They conducted all sorts of experiments on me. I also saw countless other children die after undergoing similar tests.

Yongnos deep-seated anger and hatred, which he had suppressed by keeping himself busy throughout the day, burst out like a rushing flood.

Borams face turned white, and Taewoong couldnt keep a straight face either.

As they were from a relatively powerful and affluent family, Boram and Taewoong had already obtained Level 3 artificial spiritual pathways. Yet, even so, they still couldnt put up a fight if Yongno decided to kill them. After all, Yongnos real body was essentially in the middle levels of the Master realm.

Finally, Taewoong spoke up.

Im sorry.

What? Youre sorry? Youre saying that youre sorry? Hahaha! Hahaha!

Yongno burst into laughter when he heard Taewoongs apology, which seemed like a quiet sigh.

Words of apology or remorse were of no use to Yongno anymore. Through no fault of his own, his own trusted family members had thrown him into the depths of hell.

Recalling that time was so horrifying and agonizing that Yongno had to have his memory sealed to preserve his sanity. Right now, he could accept and process that experience because he had trained as a high-ranking mage and martial artist, but if he were an ordinary person with a reasonable mind, it wouldnt have been strange if he went mad or bat-shit crazy.

However, Taewoong continued.

I was I was scared so scared.

Irregulars were usually born in a world where the stage of civilization was far below their level. In these circumstances, it was normal for others to accuse an Irregular of being a devil or an alien. This was why nearly all Irregulars suffered horrible deaths at the hands of the people from their world. Talented individuals were precious, but it must also be understood that humans, and most other species for that matter, had an instinctive fear toward those who acted or thought differently.

Unless they were born in a transcendent species that evolved to the highest order, like the dragons, Irregulars, with their innate genius and talent, wouldnt be seen in the same light as their peers. So, of course, Yongno was considered an abnormal existence since childhood.

If Taewoong had been around the same age as Yongno, or even younger, he wouldnt have felt that Yongno was so unnatural.

In fact, Boram had met Yongno a few times when he was young, and she didnt particularly remember him as exceptionally weird or talented. She always just chalked Yongno off as [a younger brother who was outstanding for someone his age].

However, Taewoong was six years older than Yongno. Both Taewoong and their parents had no choice but to live with the knowledge that Yongno was utterly different from them.

Yongno began copying other peoples words just three hours after his birth, and in three days, he developed language skills sufficient enough to carry a conversation.

Physically, he grew so quickly that he could run before he was three weeks old. It was unbelievable for anyone to think that he was a normal kid.

At the time, Father was a lieutenant general in the army, and he had many connections, but he couldnt even make the time to throw my first birthday party. Instead, he was concerned that outsiders would consider it weird for a one-year-old to be the same size as a kindergartener, with a vocabulary that would impress even adults as well.

At that time, Yongno greedily learned everything he could and ate more than a fully grown adult.

He showed a regular growth rate once he reached the size of an elementary schooler, but that was only because his development was centered around his mind from that point forward.

Even though Earth didnt possess any spiritual pathways, Yongno showed early signs of being a life force user.

And the older you got, the more you despised me and everyone around you. It was impossible to slap your head or tell you to quit acting like such a know-it-all. It sounds ridiculous, but when you were a child, you were strong enough to overpower five or six older kids without even breaking a sweat, Taewoong said.

Undoubtedly, Yongno was Seokwoo and Mirans youngest child, but the apparent sense of alienation that his parents felt towards him made it difficult for even them to get close to him.

In addition, Yongno didnt limit or hold himself back. Of course, he didnt advertise or openly talk about his genius qualities, but he also didnt feel the need to hide the things he could [obviously and easily] do.

It was around this time that Yongno intervened when a cute little girl, Eunhye, was being sexually assaulted and beaten by her stepfather. It was Yongno who saved her.

Although Seokwoo was a high-ranking military general, he couldnt entirely hide Yongno or his actions. No, to be frank, he found it impossible to control Yongno.

Yongno respected and listened to his parents, Seokwoo and Miran, to some extent, but he was never a child who dutifully obeyed their every word.

In addition, state officials approached Father and Mother, saying that you were special and needed to be managed by the state. If we knew youd become a living test subject for some twisted, inhumane experiment, our parents would have rejected their advances.

However, it was too late when his parents realized something was wrong. The [Institute] had an extraordinary interest in Yongnos genius, and an order came from [above]. Even with his high rank, Seokwoo couldnt do anything to stop them from taking his son away. He was forced to stand down and relent.

He seems to be telling the truth.

Though he didnt want to understand, Yongno knew Taewoong wasnt lying.

No, to be more precise, it didnt matter anymore for Yongno.

His father, Seokwoo, his mother, Miran, and his older brother, Taewoong Yongno knew, since long ago, that none of them were innately evil.

But

However

So, youre saying it wasnt intentional? None of you could do anything, right? So what? Now that everything has worked out, no matter what I experienced, should we conveniently forget about the past and only look forward to the future?

Even if Yongno had overcome that traumatic experience, he couldnt easily put aside the painful memories that destroyed his ego and the ten years of living in fear and ignoring reality.

Whoosh!

Murderous intent ran rampant, and a sharp aura and momentum began to emanate from Yongno as if a bundled-up ball of thread was finally unraveled.

Red light emitted from his left eye, and gold light from his right eye.

Im sorry.

Taewoong was completely overwhelmed by the oppressive aura and energy, but he continued to face Yongno without lowering his head. Yongnos gaze sharpened at this.

If youre truly sorry, then die.

Yongnos hand slowly descended toward Taewoong. The attack was slow, but the force behind the blow was tremendous. Taewoong felt the oncoming aura and energy of the strike but he didnt attempt to defend or run away.

No, Yongno, dont!

Boram screamed. Yet, Yongnos oppressive aura immobilized and restrained her entire body. And thus

Bam!

Without even the chance to scream, Taewoong collapsed to the floor.

Taewoong!

Boram ran to Taewoong before letting out a sigh of relief shortly after. Even though her older brothers face was swollen, she knew that was the full extent, a superficial injury.

Once Yongno saw this, he spoke to his sister.

Im sorry you had to see this, sis. You had nothing to do with it.

No, no. Im sorry, too. I should have paid more attention and cared more. Even though I knew something was wrong, I didnt act.

As he saw the tears welling up in his sisters eyes, Yongno smiled bitterly.

Yongno had no regrets about verbalizing what hed gone through, but he did feel a bit regretful that his kind, blameless sister would now carry a sense of guilt.

Tell him when he wakes up that hes been forgiven.

Oh, then-

However

Yongno cut off his sister and stated, There are things in the world that cannot be erased.

Seeing how Boram was lost for words, Yongno continued.

Tell them that they have no need to worry. I have no intention of interfering or meddling in any of their affairs, and I will not seek revenge. Lets just keep our distance like weve been doing up to now.

Sure. If thats what you want and what youre comfortable with.

Boram nodded with a sad expression. And after that, her figure, along with Taewoongs, disappeared. Yongno had teleported them out of his home.

Sigh.

Yongno let out a deep sigh as he looked at the empty spot where his siblings had been just a moment ago.

This issue had to be resolved at some point but still, that didnt make it any easier. Perhaps this was why Yongno had delayed seeing his family, even though he recently had some spare time.

The gap between him and his family was too wide and deep. Though they were family, there were things in this world that couldnt be covered up and forgotten.

Squeeze.

Suddenly, Yongno felt someone hugging him from behind. It was a sudden and unexpected action, but Yongno didnt bother looking back.

Good job.

Yongno sighed after hearing Eunhyes whisper in his ear.

Good job? I just acted hysterically and so unadult-like.

Good job.

No, I dont think-

Good job.

Yeah.

Yongno sighed as Eunhye continued to hug him tightly. And then, there was silence.