Shrrrk—the metal wings folded with a rustling sound.
Je Hyuno landed on the roof holding a backpack with several carabiners attached.
Only one ring had survived and remained hanging from his metal hand.
Having succeeded in bringing the backpack back safely, Je Hyuno set it down and tilted his head.
“Lieutenant Colonel.”
Kwak Hanmuk, who had been waiting on the roof while eating potato chips, brushed the crumbs from his hands.
Mo Haein, standing beside him, merely exchanged a brief, silent greeting before picking up the backpack and descending the emergency stairs.
She intended to deliver the items to Lee Gaon quickly.
Kwak Hanmuk gave Je Hyuno a concise report.
“During the underground-zone boss battle, Han Goyo’s irises turned gold. Captain Mo Haein reported the same symptom earlier, and it was identical to what I witnessed in the Yellow Zone.”
After a brief silence, a rough voice emerged.
“Just gold?”
Je Hyuno raised his goggles onto his head, revealing his eyes.
“Or the same color as mine?”
Kwak Hanmuk studied the vivid golden pupils within the dark purple irises for a moment, then answered with certainty.
“They were the same color as your pupils, Lieutenant Colonel Je.”
Having seen it twice, he could not have been mistaken. There was one difference, however.
“But in…