Chapter Text
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
It's been a week since Felix started working in the cafe. Wooyoung’s business started blooming like crazily because of Felix. Every day customers come by to the cafe because they were drawn to Felix’s sunshine personality and also drawn to how good the coffee has been lately.
Wooyoung was starting to get suspicious about what Felix could have possibly added in any coffee that made it so good, even Wooyoung loved it.
It seems that Felix has been on the net, pondering how people get coffee to taste good with caffeine. But eventually, Wooyoung realized Felix didn’t add anything. Or just add extra sugar or espresso or even milk for a better taste.
Felix’s daily life: he always goes home alone and gets bored because Jisung won't arrive until midnight, which is sad because how can Felix spend time with his bestfriend?
Well, he has a new friend next door, Seungmin, who is in college and unemployed. Felix was introduced to video games by Seungmin and became obsessed, so Seungmin and Felix became game buddies.
Felix gradually got used to his new life, but his heart was always thinking of his mother and, of course, that fucking Hwang Hyunjin, who has been appearing a lot recently.
According to Wooyoung, Hyunjin has been visiting the cafe every day for the past two years, so it was normal, but it became worse when Wooyoung mentioned that Hyunjin's gaze is always fixed on Felix. Like the predator has its eye on prey.
When Felix arrived home, he lay down on his bed and gazed up at the ceiling, wondering. “Mom…”
“I wonder if my dad is also watching me.” Felix sat up, muttered, and grabbed his phone to receive the message from Jisung.
[Hannie One]:
Dude what the fuck. Look at this!
[Attached the link to the article.]
Felix clicked on the link to find the news with the headline. More Disappearances: 11 people reported missing.
So, what the hell? He reads the paragraph about how people have been disappearing and how it is linked to the monster who has broken in. They discovered a blood trail that was instilling fear in the public and families who had lost loved ones.
Felix realized the missing report's location was only five miles from his apartment. He scrolled, and his thumb became stuck on Hyunjin's image with the quote, “I will find and capture those monsters so they will face the consequences of their actions.”
Felix takes a slow, deep breath and exhales. This man has bothered him so much that they have barely interacted. So he returned to the conversation with Jisung.
[Me]:
Shit, this is fucking scary. I mean, I definitely didn't do that.
But monsters can breach?
[Hannie One]:
I know it wasn't you! They found the blood that belonged to monsters. All my whole lab coworkers are freaking out.
Also, I texted you this because I am curious about something.
What power can you wield other than environmental?
[Me]:
Darkness tentacles I can do shadows moving. I can disappear into the darkness.
OH! I also can see anything in thirty kilometers. Meaning around 18 miles in range.
[Hannie One]:
Holy, that means can you like… I mean, it sounds creepy, but
Can you see anything strange in the street?
Felix paused, maybe he could do it since he was holding back since twelve, so he hoped releasing the power would avoid being detected.
Felix turned off his phone and closed his eyes, trying to see. Felix's vision shows the outside of his apartment.
The streets flashed past.
Buildings.
Alleyways.
Streetlights.
Those moving cars. He can see hundreds of people walking on the street with laughs and chats.
Then Blood. Lots of blood.
Felix's eyes widened when he noticed the different face that was distorted and growling. He could feel his heart pound. He took a deep breath to calm himself down. He couldn't believe that his power had found a monster in the darkness.
Holy shit.
Felix stood up and walked to the balcony, trying to pinpoint where he saw the vision. He is unsure, but he remembered the convenience store nearby.
Should Felix risk it or not? But fuck, he couldn't keep letting people disappear. The monster has breached to simply take people. Felix only wants a new life.
Felix decided to go out and find it, which was a bad idea, and Felix was willing to do it. He took his jacket and cap before leaving the apartment. He entered the elevator and pulled out his phone to text Jisung about the monster.
He received a message saying it was a bad idea and Felix should stay out of it. But Felix couldn’t stay out of this. So he apologized in a message.
Felix walked through the lobby outside to the street, turned, and bumped into someone. Felix stumbled, but he felt someone reach for his wrist.
Felix looked up with wide eyes and realized it was Hyunjin. That fucking stalker!
Behind Hyunjin, there was a group of men who appeared to be hunters.
“Be careful where you're going. Barista…”
Felix blinked, then quickly pulled himself together. His cheek slightly flushed from embarrassment, and he rubbed his wrist.
“Why so much hurry?” Hyunjin asked as he leaned closer, Felix could smell a cedar scent. Maybe cologne?
“I—I uh…” Felix stammered, doubting whether to tell the truth or just brush it off. But Felix sees that Hyunjin is on patrol to find this monster. Maybe he could at least tip off without making it more suspicious.
Felix finally admitted the half truth. “Um. I had just left the convenience store to go home when I heard noises. I didn't think much of it until I realized the noise wasn't normal and decided to investigate.”
Hyunjin watches, his gaze hardening.
“I can show you!” Felix caught Hyunjin's wrist and unexpectedly drew Hyunjin away. Hyunjin lost balance and allowed himself to be dragged. The men exchanged confused glances before following their leader.
“Sir?
“Are we following the civilian?
“Sir?”
Felix could hear the men calling out to the leader, and it seems Hyunjin is actually following him without any doubts.
All Felix thinks is my cover is about to get blown up, but I can’t risk letting the monster take more lives.
Finally, Felix found one sewer near the convenience store he saw in vision. He turned to Hyunjin and pointed at the sewer.
“The noises. Can you hear it?”
Hyunjin's expression remained unchanged as he gazed at the sewer. Then he finally raised his hand, signaling the men to inspect the sewer. So the men obeyed and quickly marked the mark and escorted the other civilian away.
Felix wanted to see, but Hyunjin turned to Felix. “The noises were barely noticeable, but I could hear them too. Thank you for reporting this to me.”
Felix glances behind Hyunjin to see the men climbing down. Then he looked back to Hyunjin and gave a small nod.
Hyunjin added, “What is your name?”
“Lee Yongbok.”
“Huh, Korean name too? This name is old, you should change the name to make it easier to write on the report.”
“You...!” Felix clenched his fist, knowing Hyunjin was purposefully provoking this barista. He reminded himself to not blow up. Then he said. “My dad gave this name.”
Hyunjin stiffened, then looked away and cleared his throat. “Your name is wonderful.”
Felix rolled his eyes; after all, this culture is still thriving in Gaoshi. Which is a good thing because he can learn more about the culture where his father grew.
Hyunjin signaled the half of men to follow and escorted Felix out back to the apartment and handed Felix a business card.
“Here. Call me any time if you spot anything unusual.”
The fuck? I am supposed to fucking avoid you.
Felix only smiled and nodded, accepting the card. FUCK!
Felix is watching Hyunjin when he turns back, and the men murmur softly about how Hyunjin is looking at Felix.
“YOU WHAT?!” Jisung stares at Felix in disbelief. “WHY DID YOU GO OUT? YOU RAN INTO HYUNJIN, AND THAT MADE IT WORSE!”
Felix scratches his ear. “I heard that monster was just D-grade.”
Jisung facepalms.
“Anyways. Tomorrow is the weekend. Can we like hang out?” Felix changed the subject
“Erm…” Jisung hesitated, which made Felix raise his eyebrows in suspicion.
“What? WOW, YOU DON’T LOVE ME ANYMORE?” Felix places his hand over his chest dramatically and whines. “FINE I WILL ASK SEUNGMIN!”
“N—No, it's not that…” Jisung waved his hand, trying to explain. He feels so awkward and flustered. “I… Um… I have a date.”
Felix stares at Jisung for a long time. Date? Like that fairy tale, Jisung found a book and explained how people are couples through dating and getting to know each other before becoming boyfriends/girlfriends.
“So… That means you are about to get a girlfriend?” Felix asked curiously.
“No… It’s… It is a guy.”
Oh
Ohhhhhh Jisung like a boy.
“So… You are what…”
“Yeah, I am bi.”
“What's bi?”
“Bisexuality. I like girls and boys.”
“Ohh… Bi means two in root word… That makes sense…”
Jisung facepalmed again. He knows Felix grew up in an unfamiliar environment, and he was worried that Felix would dislike it, but he can see Felix is becoming more interested in it.
So Jisung opened his phone and scrolled in the gallery. Before showing Felix the image of him really handsome with a cat-like expression, his hair was slicked back with glasses. He was wearing a lab suit and glasses.
He appears to be focused on the microscope, while Jisung is smiling broadly and holding up the peace finger.
“Wow, I guess I shouldn't drag. You got this!” Felix chuckled, imagining how romantic Jisung’s date could be. “What is his name?”
“His name is Lee Minho.” Jisung puffed and was slightly excited. “So I will be gone by early morning, and I will be back by around 4 pm.”
Felix nodded as he noticed Jisung grab the note and write before sticking it to the refrigerator.
“This is groceries. We need a lot of vegetables, so hey, you can walk by on your way back. I'm having a date at Wooyoung's Cafe.” Jisung explained while pulling Felix close to his side. “I will also introduce you to him!”
Felix only smiled sheepishly and nodded. He will probably meet that Minho who seems nice, and he hopes this man treats Jisung nicely, better.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
The patrol on the border was quiet, every outpost guard was alert and stood taller. Hyunjin walked by keeping his eyes on guards, making sure they were not slacking off.
“General Hwang. I have the report you requested.” The voice called behind him, the short man ran behind Hyunjin.
Hyunjin turned his head towards it and nodded. He grabbed the files. “Thank you, Sergeants Bang.”
He opened the file revealing the profile along with information that was recent.
Lee “Felix” Youngbok
DOB: September 15th, 2055 (age: 20)
Origins: Unknown, claimed to be from Jade River
Occupation: Junior Barista in MapleStar Cafe (Wooyoung’s cafe business.)
Status: Alive and human.
Hyunjin's gaze was fixed on the profile. He should leave this young man alone, but something inside him tells him that he is not human. It is drawing him towards this man.
Hyunjin couldn’t tell if it was simply just doing his duty to protect this land from monsters.
Or
Obsession
Hyunjin’s jaw tightens.
He knows he needs to stop this strange feeling that is brewing inside him. It can impersonate humans. It's a young man with wavy dark hair and adorable freckles. Those damn rounded cat eyes and heart-shaped lips.
Hyunjin cannot catch this feeling. He just needs to keep eyes on this Yongbok.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Felix awoke alone in his apartment in the morning, took a quick shower, and went about his daily routine. Having breakfast with milk before cereal. It sounds strange, but he only wanted warm milk to have controlled sugar and keep it crunchy.
Then he went to change his clothes. Wearing the sweater that his mom made. It feels oversize yet comfy because Felix loves oversize clothes.
Okay! Time to go to the global market.
Felix made his way with the new bike he brought recently, riding down the street to the global market.
Felix has the sticky note and reads what they need. But he paused when he felt his spine shiver out of nowhere. This wasn't normal because he usually feels when someone is watching.
Felix subtly gulped and continued putting vegetables and fruits into the cart. His gaze shifted around the aisle to find anything suspicious. He finds nothing but just many people buying. walking by.
Felix realized that he shouldn't be alone. So he walked to the cashier and made a purchase before getting on his bike and riding down to MapleStar Café.
He no longer felt the chill; perhaps that person was just watching. Maybe a hunter? He now understands he is being stalked, maybe he bets it's that fucking Hyunjin.
Felix stopped in front of MapleStar Cafe, greeted his coworker, and discovered Jisung and new guy Minho sitting in a corner with a romantic scene. It was so cute that Felix shouldn't have interrupted, but it was too late anyway.
“Ah! Lix! Over here!” Jisung spotted Felix and waved for Felix to come over. “Minho. This is my best friend, Felix.”
Minho turned his head toward Felix with a small smile. Felix awkwardly walked to the table and bowed. “Hello. Nice to meet you—”
Felix stopped in mid-sentence, so Minho’s expression faltered.
His head felt… lightheaded?
He could hear a high pitch.
Minho’s eye and brow slightly twitched in sync along with Felix’s.
“Have we met before?” Minho finally spoke. Felix shook his head.
But they both felt uneasy with each other because their brains were telling them something. Felix could feel his nape goosebumps.
Jisung blinks and looks at them, confused, and feels a sudden sense of suspense.
“I think we need to talk privately.” Minho stood up, he looked at Jisung with an apologetic gaze. Jisung was confused, but he awkwardly nodded and waved.
Felix followed Minho to the back of the cafe and sensed something was wrong. But it was non-threatening, just awareness of new things.
“What are you?” Minho suddenly said, folding his arms.
“Sorry?”
“I said, 'What are you? I know you are not human.”
Felix's heart sank, his eyes grew wide, and he looked around to make sure no one was there, no camera watching. He looked at Minho, unsure whether to deny or not.
“What makes you think that?”
“Did you not just feel lightheaded or high-pitched?” Minho said, pointing to his head, frowning.
Felix blinked and now understood. It was mutual effects. Now he understood these effects happen when monsters meet other monsters, but it only happens when they are both stronger than normal.
Does that means Minho is?…
“Okay. I am not human, which means you are not human either.”
“Correct.” Minho said without hesitation that he is waiting for Felix to answer first.
“Okay, fine, but technically I am not a monster either. I am more like mixed.”
“Mixed?… That is impossible…” Minho’s eyes slightly widen. “There is no mix; all pure monsters can feel effects when they meet others.”
“My mom is a monster, and my dad is human.” Felix explained quietly, “So I was born with human form and blood. But I do have power like my mom.”
“So. You are SSS-plus?”
Felix’s eyes flicked to Minho. How could he not realize that? When monsters meet with effects, his mom is SSS-plus, so Felix could be SSS-plus. The effects only happened when they met either SS-Plus or even SSS-Plus.”
“I don’t know. What are you?” Felix asked curiously.
“I asked you first.” Minho deadpanned.
“Okay fine. I am the son of the Black Calamity.”
Minho stiffened, his eyes widening and his hands dropped down. Then he looked around again before sighing and answering, “I am Sea Abyss.”
What the fuck.
No fucking way.
“Does Jisung know about you?” Minho asked, tilting his head.
Felix nodded, and Minho’s breath hitched, so Felix added: “Does he know too?”
Minho shook his head.
They stared at each other.
“Okay, this is getting weirder.” Felix muttered, “But… Why are you here? And why are you trying to date my bestfriend!”
“D—date?” Minho choked out, his ear flushed redder. “I… Uh…”
Felix rolled his eyes and waved off. “Forget it.”
“Yeah… Anyways… I came here half a year ago. I was like… curious about humanity without violence.”
“And your disguise?”
“They are also my real form. I didn’t steal.”
“Okay, what the fuck? You still serve face cards. There is NO way.”
Minho shrugs with a tiny smirk, leans against the wall, and sighs.
“So… How is Black Calamity like?”
“She’s amazing. She took care of me.” Felix said softly with a faint smile at memories. “People are very scared of her. Well, Jisung is a little scared of her. But to me, she took care of me and made me clothes and a plushie.”
Minho listened, his expression softened, and he sighed softly. He took out a business card and handed it to Felix.
“If anything happened to her, call me. My… I am willing to do anything because my family knows her.”
Felix blinked, looking at the fancy designed card, he nearly thought it was a bank card, but he saw the number. He nodded and accepted the card and put it in his pocket. But something was in his mind thinking about Jisung.
“Hey… Will you tell Jisung, or do you prefer to keep this secret?”
“I think it's better for me to keep a secret. Just don't tell him.”
Felix nodded, he will keep Minho’s word because he understands the reason to keep it, after all, the secret can be heard soon. He knows he should be worried about himself in this city.
But he couldn't because he was only worried about his friends and his mother.
So they eventually made an agreement and returned back inside the cafe where Jisung was waiting. He spotted Minho and Felix, he waved. “What happened?”
Jisung found it suspicious that Felix and Minho nodded in unison because he knows no one would suddenly start acting like I know you or whatever.
Felix winced at Jisung's expression because he knows Jisung isn't dumb. Well, he can be a little dumb, but he isn't THAT dumb.
Felix knows Minho saw, and he looks at Felix then sighs, with a look of Okay fine, he's good at secrets.
“Anyways. I will be going home. I don't want to interrupt your lovely date!” Felix said, with wide smiles, and grabbed his groceries. which earns Jisung and Minho’s flustered expression.
Felix steps outside and walks down to his apartment with soft giggles at imagining how cute they look together! But he can't imagine Jisung not knowing Minho’s secret.
He mentally gasped that Jisung has half-monster bestfriend and future-monster boyfriend. Yeah, he can tell Jisung’s life is going to be a little bit wild.
Then when he reached his apartment, he felt something heavy. Like suspense crawling up his spine. It wasn't more dangerous, it felt familiar.
Mom?
Felix’s alertness was at its height as he hurriedly entered the lobby and rushed to the elevator, getting puzzled looks from his neighbors, who were not greeted by Felix.
Felix reached the top and saw the men in dark police suits standing in the hallway with yellow tapes on the scene as if it were a crime.
And it was at his apartment.
“Um. Excuse me, sir?” Felix walked to one of the men. “What’s going on?”
The one man glanced at Felix and pulled the radio mic. “We have Jisung’s roomate here.”
Felix gulped, and he placed his groceries down. Before he stood up to them. “What's wrong?”
“We have detected the suspicious energy from this apartment,” the other man said.
Suspicious energy detected?
Could it be… No, it's impossible; his mom is not in Gaoshi.
But why is something familiar here?
“So how long do I have to wait?”
“For an hour,” the man responded, which made Felix frown.
Felix couldn't wait long for an hour. So Felix knows this group got a warrant to search for the monster in possession. But would that mean they might detain Felix for this reason if they suspected Felix?
Felix could feel his heart start to pound at the fear of being caught.
Then a sudden loud bang and noises startled Felix, and he quickly took a peek to see the men holding the cage. It wasn't large but small.
“What's that?” Felix asked to look back to men. “Can I see it?”
The men exchanged suspicious glances before the rest of the group stepped out carrying the cage covered in special silk.
But Felix can see through silk with a special ability. He saw a bird.
Parrot. No, it wasn't a normal bird.
It was dark.
It's Black Calamity’s pet. His mom’s pet, Kyra.
Felix’s heart races with fear, he hasn't seen Kyra in a decade since she was set free to fly around. But why is Kyra back in his apartment? How did she get through security in the sky?
Is this sign?
“What are you going to do with it?” Felix asked, watching the men carry the cage to the box.
“We are going to keep this captive. Now you may go inside.” One man said so before removing the yellow tape and walked past Felix.
Felix couldn't move for a second he'd just seen Kyra but he'd lost her again.
After seeing Kyra being taken away, Felix suddenly feels dizzy. The hallway tilts even more, and the lights become painfully bright. The radio chatter sounds too loud. The officers' footsteps' echo was louder before disappearing into the elevator.
Felix should have gone and done something to save her.
But now why is everything so loud and bright? Was it fear of loss?
Now all he do is take his phone out and open contacts. He types the number he memorized, looking at card. He tapped the green phone symbol with a soft ring. He held phone to his ear.
“Hello?”
“Minho. They have my mom’s pet.”
“Oh fuck, pet? Like a monster pet? How did…” Minho’s voice trail off.
“I think my mom sent her pet to me to warn me about something. I need you to do me a favor.” Felix said quietly with shaky breaths, he glanced at the front door, seeing how messy the inside of the apartment was. “You worked in a monster lab. Right? Can you take over care of my pet?”
“Yeah… No problem. So, uh... Just letting you Ji is on way to home…”
“Thank you.” Felix murmured before hanging up. He needs to tell Jisung about Kyra.
“Hey Felix?” the voice caught Felix’s attention.
It was Seungmin, he was in the hallway as well. Seungmin seems concerned a little bit as he walks to Felix. “Are you okay?”
Felix hesitated for a moment and nodded.
Seungmin bit his lip for a moment. “That… bird. I saw it, it came to my balcony for a reason.”
“Wait, what?” Felix’s eyes snapped wide and turned to Seungmin.
Seungmin nodded, grabbing Felix’s wrist and pulling him back to Seungmin’s apartment.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
“General Hwang.” Sergeant Bang enters Hyunjin’s office with the file in his hand. “I have a new report.”
Hyunjin sips the whiskey before turning his chair towards Sergeant Bang and tapping on the table.
Sergeant Bang placed one file on the table before speaking: “The monster was caught in Lee ‘Felix’ Yongbok and Han Jisung’s apartment.”
“Huh. In their apartment.” Hyunjin slightly raised his brow. He took the file and opened it to find descriptive information of this new creature.
“This monster’s DNA has matched, it’s carrying the Black Calamity.”
Hyunjin’s finger stopped tapping on the table.
The Black Calamity’s DNA.
In Han and Lee apartment.
This can’t be a coincidence because Hyunjin’s guts have always been told something about Felix.
“Start the spy mission on Felix.”