By Zephyria People often make mistakes.
The more solid the hierarchy of a group, the more likely they are to overlook the possibility of optical illusions within its structure.
It is commonly thought that the head of a research institute, a higher education institution, is in a far higher position than the head of an academy that teaches children, but from Central’s point of view, the two are essentially responsible for similar positions.
The CEO of a Company, who has been pushed out to a general residential area, is also, in principle, no different from a senior executive at Central headquarters.
Such obvious truths are often ignored and forgotten under shabby exteriors. In that sense, the slums of Goryeo City were the perfect place to move around out of the public eye.
The famous pleasure district, Sakdal. Everyone knows that there is a manager there, but only a few people are aware of his status.
However, what he possessed was not merely illegally occupied influence, but ‘authority’ condoned by Central.
―Push that side over.
―Jaegang District is saturated, so they’re getting squeezed. We need to filter out the guys who can’t come to their senses and drop them down below.
The manager of Sakdal, Cheong, plays an important role in the story of “La Vida Blue.”
He has no outwardly revealed information about his family, friendships, past, or origins, but he was a properly set-up NPC with a personality that would liven up the game.
Cheong was a capable, cunning, and jaded man. He was always obsessed with things that interested him.
However, because the place where he stayed in the story was a collection of all kinds of human beings, most issues did not attract his attention.
Was that why? By the time he appeared in the story, he was a little starved for dopamine.
―Even old men go into the bellies of thorn wolves, so why can’t young guys go in? Put him in. If he comes out alive, I’ll forgive the interest.
A little… a lot.
So, about 4 years…?
―If he comes out backwards, I’ll cut his debt, so tell him to crawl hard.
In Chapter 2 of the main quest, Jin Mu-hae becomes increasingly famous as he handles a number of major requests and announcements. In game system terms, his exposure increases.
Cheong, who is sensitive to information, could not have been unaware of the rumors circulating among the mercenaries. He pays attention to Jin Mu-hae as a simple game, and discovers suspicious parts in his actions.
Sparkle. His interest is ignited. From then on, Sakdal and Cheong interfere with Jin Mu-hae’s path and make a mess.
Depending on the choices made after that, he may become a simple bystander, an obstacle, or a helper.
Of course, even if the branches diverge, it doesn’t have a serious impact on the ending…
Cheong was as charming as he was annoying as an NPC. If you couldn’t attract him, you had to prevent him from becoming hostile to keep your mind and body at ease.
No matter how the story goes, Joo-oh can cover it. Still, if there was an opportunity, it was more beneficial to the story to get Cheong’s help.
That’s because Cheong is capable, and Jin Mu-hae, who has become real, has handicaps unlike when Joo-oh played.
He cannot see the light of the shining game guide. Hint signs will not appear in front of him, and if he gets scratched somewhere, he will bleed.
Also, Cheong happens to be an NPC with favorable feelings. If his favor is high, things will be easier, and the real Cheong will probably like the real Jin Mu-hae.
‘Because the living and breathing Jin Mu-hae is really warm and handsome.’
So, isn’t it a good thing?
“Haha.”
Joo-oh, who had just woken up, rolled around on the mattress and recalled the main quest.
He was a little excited at the thought of meeting Cheong soon.
No matter what other people think, Joo-oh didn’t dislike the NPC Cheong very much.
“Jin Mu-hae. This feels weird on my head.”
“Don’t touch it. If it gets messed up, I’m going to throw it away.”
“Even if you throw it away, I’ll follow you faster.”
“Your tone too. Just say it like you practiced. Don’t say weird things.”
After the meeting at the bus stop, Jin Mu-hae tried to talk to Gu-reum a few more times.
Gu-reum always answered with a distorted voice. Even though she had already revealed her appearance, she was thorough.
And surprisingly, in just two connections, Jin Mu-hae roughly guessed the amount of information she had grasped.
The feeling of ‘Oops’ she felt in the middle of the mechanical sound.
―I’ve been tricked again, you scammers.
Joo-oh was the only one who heard her muttering among the sizzling sibilants.
Joo-oh didn’t tell Jin Mu-hae about it and thought to himself, ‘Was there such a line?’
―’Return flight’ is not a group that collapsed halfway. Even if it’s not a perfect organization, it’s made quite a bit of progress.
‘Quite a bit?’
―There may be differences in perspective, but almost to the end. It collapsed just before pulling the lever, so some guys are left with regrets.
Whatever the situation, he was already a consultant who had joined. Gu-reum easily explained the story that Mu-hae had not been able to figure out.
Then, before the crucial information, she proposed a deal as promised.
―I recently received a report of unpleasant movements in the private food sector.
‘Is it a hygiene issue?’
―Hygiene is none of my business as long as it doesn’t cause any problems. I heard that the ingredients coming in are smuggled goods that haven’t been taxed.
‘……That’s not my field.’
―That’s right. So go and see for yourself and give me your opinion.
It was an infiltration mission.
I don’t know why they’re asking for an opinion, not evidence, on a reported case.
Anyway, Jin Mu-hae became a contract inspector for two days according to Gu-reum’s wishes. The place of work was a warehouse area inside the production district.
It was a place where goods that had already been filtered once at the exit of Goryeo City came up and stayed.
For the first time in his life, Mu-hae wore neat clothes and styled his hair with hair products.
When he put on a jumper with the Goryeo City mark on it, Joo-oh, who was wearing a similar outfit, poked his head out and chattered.
“Jin Mu-hae looks good in it.”
“Why do I have to wear that too…”
A sigh burst out for a moment.
I understand that Gu-reum couldn’t know about Joo-oh’s condition, but still, did the two of them really have to go on an infiltration mission?
When I first received Joo-oh’s clothes, my eyes went completely white…
The only good thing is that, given the location, there wouldn’t be anyone there who knew Jin Mu-hae as well as they do here.
That fact alone greatly reduced the difficulty of the job. Mu-hae tried to think as positively as possible and let out a long, low sigh in front of the mirror.
“Checklist.”
“Yes, Sunbae.”
Joo-oh answered quite plausibly as he had practiced.
I felt it last time, but he showed unexpected talent in acting.
“When you go into the production district, no one will talk to you.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t open your mouth unnecessarily, and only answer properly as promised when you really need to.”
“I’ll do my best!”
Now that things have turned out this way, it’s a stroke of luck that Joo-oh has started talking so often.
Even though he looks too enthusiastic, at least he won’t be drooling and wandering around in the production district.
“Come here.”
Mu-hae reached out and patted and straightened Joo-oh’s shirt and jumper.
When he’s dressed so neatly, he really doesn’t fit in with a corner of the slums.
“I’m going to cover this outfit with a jacket when we go out. Don’t take it off until we get out of this neighborhood.”
“Will Jin Mu-hae too?”
“I’m going to change again and take my clothes with me, so you stay as you are.”
“Okay.”
There’s no more time to prepare. Mu-hae quickly put on a red jacket over his shirt, grabbed his bag, grabbed Joo-oh’s arm, and left the door.
Industrial District Da is where food-related companies are located.
All of the licensed cooked and semi-cooked foods in Goryeo City passed through this area without exception.
Tornado Fruits or Jiral Typhoon, which Joo-oh buys every time, had two factories in this area.
Gamna was the largest company among private food companies. They often produced food that may not be healthy but tasted good and spread it throughout the city.
“Jin Mu-hae. Gamna.”
Joo-oh whispered in a voice that was barely audible. It hadn’t even been a minute since I told him to calm down, but his eyes were already full of excitement.
Fortunately or unfortunately, he looked normal. Even if you knew what he was excited about, he looked very natural and unproblematic.
“Go back if you’re not going to help with the work.”
“Jin, no, I won’t, Sunbae.”
Besides, he quickly came to his senses. Surprisingly, the speed was fast.
From the moment Jin Mu-hae changed his clothes and put on non-prescription glasses, Joo-oh’s attention bounced around but often returned to Mu-hae.
“We’re not getting off here. We’re going straight through to Ma District.”
“Why is the warehouse so far away…”
“What’s far? It’s only 10 minutes by car.”
Joo-oh made a painful expression, then closed his mouth tightly and turned his gaze away from the window.
It was a will not to see the scenery passing by the Gamna factory.
I don’t know whether to be proud of this or be dumbfounded.
‘We’re not here to play.’
Mu-hae swallowed the words that had risen to his throat. Anyway, he was trying.
I decided not to spoil it, even if I couldn’t praise him.
Because someone nearby heard strange things…
‘He said he’s going to hit me. Is he scolding me?’
‘……What are you talking about?’
‘CEO Gil said… that you’re disciplining Joo-oh.’
‘……Excuse me?’
Damn it. It’s still dizzying to think about.
What flashed through my mind at that moment was the subtle atmosphere I had with Director Gil on the day I sent Joo-oh to the illegal trade.
Teacher Jung stopped talking when he saw Mu-hae’s horrified state, but…
It felt like a huge hole had already been made somewhere in my mind. The truth is, that wasn’t the only thing I had done to Joo-oh.