By Zephyria 
“I didn’t say I was leaving you behind.”
“…….”
“What is the problem now?”
The absurd part was that after setting such a mood, the boy would stubbornly shut his mouth whenever he was asked for the reason.
A sudden sensation, like something scratching down his spine. This was definitely a feeling he had only experienced while wandering through dangerous areas on commissions from the Company.
Considering the mysterious nature of that boy, Mu-hae realized once again that the chills that had pierced his heart until now were all survival instincts.
Fortunately, Joo-oh stopped stubbornly insisting after a while. Though he kept his mouth shut and glared, he stopped threatening to do things Mu-hae would hate, such as tearing down walls or talking to just anyone.
However, the feeling that he hadn’t actually given up left Mu-hae feeling vaguely uneasy. Mu-hae pushed the meat sandwich a bit closer to him and handed him a full glass of milk.
“Hmph.”
Despite the snort, he accepted the food readily. Fearing that the damn sandwich might multiply again, Mu-hae kept a close watch to make sure he wasn’t secretly stuffing it somewhere.
“Put it in your mouth. Your mouth.”
“Hmph.”
Sure enough, as one hand holding the sandwich slid slowly beneath the table, Mu-hae quickly tapped the table as a warning.
Looking embarrassed, Joo-oh raised his hand and devoured the bread. It was simply amazing how he took huge bites, yet the sauce that stained his hands never seemed to touch his lips.
Meeting Park Tae-sun was, in truth, a burdensome task. If one possesses the power to easily overpower others, it is often the case that people with quick wits are harder to handle than ignorantly strong mercenaries.
Furthermore, those people all had a certain vibe similar to Teacher Jung, which made Mu-hae strangely inclined to be polite. He realized belatedly that this was simply the way people in central spoke.
“I’m really going to order whatever I want.”
“Just eat enough so you don’t look strange. We’re in the middle of central.”
“Then I’ll order it after Jin Mu-hae leaves. Something expensive.”
“……Sigh. Do whatever you want.”
The meeting place was a high-end restaurant in the heart of central. When Park Young-chan made a reluctant face, Mu-hae wondered why, only to find out it was a place that served course meals.
The dining time alone would take about an hour and a half. If tea were included, one could stay even longer.
It was obvious that this was a deliberate attempt to tie him down. A clever and burdensome tactic to ensure he couldn’t end the conversation early and leave, even if he was displeased.
“You said it wouldn’t take long.”
Mu-hae tried to ignore the grumbling Joo-oh. No matter how much he explained the shifted plans, from the boy’s perspective, he was just a scoundrel who had brushed him off with lies.
Hoping he would stay quiet, Mu-hae stroked his hair lengthily. Though Joo-oh continued to let out all sorts of dissatisfied sounds—tsks, hmphs, and sighs—his protruding lips retracted the moment Mu-hae rubbed his cheek a few times.
“If you stay quiet, I’ll touch you more later.”
As he whispered softly, the gaze full of discontent seemed to soften slightly. Only then did Mu-hae feel relieved and tap the order pad filled with various lunch menus and desserts.
The part about keeping Joo-oh nearby was truly not a trick. He had left him at a cafe just one block away from the restaurant.
Even if it wasn’t a distance where he could watch or hear, the boy seemed relieved once he had confirmed the location.
As he buttoned his coat and stepped forward, his well-fitted suit trousers hugged his legs with elasticity.
[Gru-mal]
The restaurant, located on an upper floor of a skyscraper, felt like a different world from the moment he entered.
He had experienced similar luxury before. The high-end hotel he had stayed at with someone else’s money when he went to Bay City.
Unlike other businesses, there was no bell ringing or flashing lights upon entry. There were no mechanical greetings; instead, a real employee, dressed neatly, approached silently.
“Table 5. 11:40.”
When he mentioned the reserved seat he had been informed of, he was guided to a private room enclosed on all sides.
Whether some device had been installed in the ceiling, it was a room with a window that looked exactly like the real sky.
Mu-hae took off his outer coat and handed it to the employee, sitting down as if he were accustomed to such places. On the set table lay a piece of high-quality paper with a subtle scent of grass.
[The nature of a peaceful day, captured on today’s plate.]
The tips of his hair swayed minutely, as if a gentle breeze were blowing. It seemed they had integrated external scenery from the distant past into the interior design.
‘……Is it just a hologram?’
Knock, knock.
While staring blankly at the ceiling, he heard a knock at the door and quickly lowered his head. The employee who had guided him had returned to bring another reserved guest.
With a slide, the door opened and Park Tae-sun entered. Upon seeing the person seated at the table, he approached with a smile on his lips.
“It has been a long time. I heard you’ve been quite busy.”
“You look even healthier than the last time I saw you.”
Park Tae-sun took his seat, offering a stiff greeting. Seeing his chest rise and fall slightly, it seemed he had been savoring the very faint scent of grass that filled the room.
“It’s an interesting place, isn’t it?” he asked jokingly while wiping his hands with a warm towel.
It was a comment one could have responded to without thinking, but because his eyes were quite serious, Mu-hae instinctively looked around the room once more.
“When the outside air was clear and abundant, people were so obsessed with advanced civilization, yet now that they are given comfortable shelters, they seek things like this.”
“It does have a unique charm.”
“It is because humans tend to obsess over what they do not have. After enjoying everything available, they strangely begin to enjoy environments that do not exist in reality.”
Park Tae-sun placed the cloth over his lap and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. It was a topic that gave no hint of what he intended to say immediately upon meeting.
“That is why I wasn’t surprised when I heard that three people from central died while playing outside.”
“…….”
Upon hearing the following words, Mu-hae’s fingertips twitched slightly.
He was speaking of the accident that had occurred recently. The incident where the vegan society attacked them and Joo-oh went missing.
For a moment, the corners of his mouth almost quirked sensitively. Had he noticed something about the incident that central had covered up on its own?
If the reason for calling him wasn’t because of Park Young-chan, what information had he obtained and what was he planning to spout to create such a meeting?
“Ah, I didn’t mean to touch upon unpleasant memories. I simply thought Instructor Jin would understand.”
Tap. Park Tae-sun took out a small stick and unfolded it. What appeared on the folding pad was an entertainment schedule for someone.
The content suggested taking a VIP outside, but the detailed plan was completely different from the conversation he had with Park Young-chan.
“This is a plan I had an employee create two weeks ago. Doesn’t it look familiar?”
“It seems your child achieved quite a similar result.”
“Since he completed a route in a single day that would be impossible to discover through a short-term solo investigation, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call this marking his territory.”
Marking territory. Mu-hae managed to maintain a smiling face at the plausible metaphor.
His mind, which had been racing through concerns about the vegan society, the extent of their reach, and the possibility of the man before him being involved, finally calmed down and settled.
“I worry that he may have become a nuisance by interfering without permission.”
“Quite a significant event occurred, didn’t it? After that, I thought it was unfortunate that the connection wouldn’t continue, but receiving a signal first didn’t feel bad.”
Knock, knock. A small knock was heard during the conversation, and soon a cart carrying appetizers entered.
Whatever skill they had applied to the food, it was a dish that even Joo-oh would have admired for a moment instead of swallowing in one gulp.
“Since I’ve received help regarding my son, I should also reciprocate.”
“You don’t need to worry too much about it.”
“I’m sure he left those traces for that very purpose.”
“…….”
At the gesture to throw away such modesty, Mu-hae quietly nodded and picked up his utensils.
A terrine made of fish flesh melted softly in his mouth. It was light and savory; it suited his taste, but it was a flavor Joo-oh would have loved as well.
The vegetables wrapping the outside had a fragrant grassy taste. Joo-oh would likely eat it all without skipping anything, but he would probably only like the mousse inside.
“Actually, it doesn’t matter. Since I’ve made some leisure time using this excuse, I’d like to push aside my work for a while and just have a chat.”
The old man, having tasted the appetizer with satisfaction, sipped a warm drink and changed the atmosphere.
Then, he tossed out small talk about central, trending news, and the weather, before folding the pad back into his coat.
“Just as the outside weather is erratic, the air circulating these days seems unusual.”
“I visited Sakdal for work, and the atmosphere there was also quite different.”
“Indeed, the news I’m hearing…… Hmm, come to think of it, I don’t believe I’ve mentioned this to Instructor Jin. My second daughter works for the Councilors. Naturally, she encounters many stories, and there is information that wouldn’t be bad for you to hear.”
He might not have mentioned it, but it was a fact Mu-hae already knew. He didn’t feel sorry about it. Since it wasn’t exactly a secret, the man seemed to assume he already knew.
Just as Mu-hae was about to ask lightly what information it was, he suddenly flinched and put strength into his toes.
A chilling sensation brushed his heart, as if a sharpened blade had been pressed against his throat.
‘……!’
He almost bolted from his seat. If it had been a few months ago, he certainly would have.
Because he had attended uncomfortable gatherings in fine clothes many times, and because he was conscious that he was currently in the middle of central, he managed to limit his reaction to stiffening his body.
Although the anxiety that had gripped his neck vanished instantly, the sense of crisis just now was definitely not an illusion.
Even though he knew it was impossible, he instinctively turned his eyes to check the door.
“That child is nearly thirty-four, but perhaps because she resembles my late wife, she shows little sign of aging.”
“……If she resembles her father, she must be a healthy and wise person.”
“Not because she is my blood, but she is a child I can be proud of anywhere. She would likely be a very good match for Instructor Jin. People like us tend to become friends easily when we are of the same level.”
“You flatter me.”
While trying not to show his tension and playing along, his chest felt a chill once again.
A churning sensation that could only be described as such consumed his body. Feeling as if a gun barrel were pressed against his head, he couldn’t hold back this time and rubbed the back of his neck.
Thinking he was shy from the praise, Park Tae-sun gave a faint smile, while Mu-hae’s palms were sweating.
‘……?’
Following his instinct, he unconsciously looked up. The fake window installed in the ceiling showed only a peaceful sky.