By Zephyria The fire was quickly extinguished. The aftermath was swiftly cleaned up, and the park, once a scene of utter chaos, soon fell silent.
Whispers suggested that a piece of machinery responsible for the Comfort Zone’s lighting system had fallen due to age. It wasn’t a common occurrence. A significant incident had occurred, enough for someone to take responsibility and step down, but people quietly kept their mouths shut.
It could have become a major accident, but fortunately, it fell on empty ground, resulting in zero fatalities and only a few minor injuries.
It was unknown why the building’s fire prevention system hadn’t worked properly. However, no one openly questioned the reason for an accident that ended without major issues and was caused by the city’s own mismanagement.
Instead, as if to avoid the topic, attention turned to Mu-hae. Jin Mu-hae, caught in a sudden barrage of camera flashes, concealed his embarrassment beneath a composed expression.
Despite being caught up in this chaotic situation, Mu-hae was more concerned about Joo-oh.
He kept squinting beside him. It was reassuring that he no longer seemed frightened, but Mu-hae needed to make it clear that he couldn’t pretend to sleep standing up in a place like this.
“Don’t take pictures of this person.”
Damn it. Of all days, this mess had to happen on the day he brought Joo-oh out with his face exposed. Mu-hae took off his coat and covered Joo-oh’s head with it.
He found this absurd attention burdensome. Jin Mu-hae knew better than anyone that the accident would have been resolved without any significant casualties even if he hadn’t intervened.
But at the same time, Mu-hae realized this was a stroke of luck and an opportunity. As had been the case recently, fortune had struck again.
The two were now on their way to the Jaegang District office. He knew all too well how arrogant those involved in public affairs could be, especially for someone who had lived outside the formal residential areas his entire life.
“I’m Jo Ga-woo from the Jaegang District Office’s Secretary’s Office.”
As the man in a suit extended his hand, Mu-hae almost raised his eyebrows involuntarily.
He’s been shaking hands with guys in nice clothes a lot lately. It was a positive thing, but it felt strange.
“The Central is entirely responsible for the Dome ceiling management in the Comfort Zone, but since the accident site is in our Jaegang District, we need to cooperate and sacrifice for the city.”
The man glanced sideways. He was pointing to the reporters gathered in front of the district office outside the window.
As soon as he heard the first words, Mu-hae knew they were trying to cover up the problem with the park’s shelter. In return, they would offer decent compensation and try to silence the two of them.
Not a bad deal. With profit in sight, the already sharp mind of the mercenary was racing.
“Those in public service must have been taken aback by the sudden accident.”
The citizens were the ones who suffered and screamed, but neither the secretary nor Jin Mu-hae mentioned it because they were unaware.
“However, after checking, it turns out you’re not a citizen of our Jaegang District but reside outside.”
“I just came to visit. My companion insisted on seeing Jaegang District.”
“You rescued someone while on a mission outside… This isn’t your first time saving someone’s life, is it?”
“……”
“And there’s no record of common theft or assault outside the formal residential areas.”
An obvious attempt to flatter him. By now, Mu-hae was beginning to see their purpose.
The man quietly studied Mu-hae’s face, gauging whether he properly understood their intentions and whether he was intelligent enough to comprehend and cooperate.
“As a citizen of Goryeo City, it’s only natural to abide by the rules and laws.”
“You’re a young man who sets a good example.”
“I’m just diligently doing my part as I’ve learned and been taught in Goryeo City.”
Teacher Jung had explained to him countless times how this damn city worked. Teacher Jung never spoon-fed him anything, so Mu-hae had to think and question to figure it out himself.
“We occasionally see it. A smart young man who doesn’t lose his integrity despite being in a difficult environment due to unfortunate events around him.”
Having heard the insincere answer, the man added an equally insincere compliment in a satisfied voice.
Then, he formally shifted his gaze to Joo-oh, who was rolling his eyes beside him.
As if he had been waiting for it, Joo-oh raised both thumbs and said in the most pleasant voice,
“Jin Mu-hae is kind. He listens well. He even carries luggage for grandmothers passing by.”
That never happened. Regardless, the person from the secretary’s office didn’t seem to have any intention of verifying the truth.
“Oh, dear. I’ve received an urgent call. Please have some refreshments and wait for a moment. I won’t be long.”
The man got up without even pretending to nudge him. His eyes showed that he had obtained everything he wanted with just a brief conversation.
He had probably planned everything while Mu-hae was on his way to the district office.
Jin Mu-hae pretended not to notice the plan, which seemed to benefit him without any apparent drawbacks, and quickly jumped on board.
And in the wait that followed, which lasted much longer than the addendum that he wouldn’t be long…
“I want to eat this every day.”
Joo-oh was humming as he devoured the refreshments. It was amazing that not a single crumb of the snacks stuck to his munching lips.
Only then did Jin Mu-hae come to his senses and press his palms firmly against his eyes. He couldn’t help but find it absurd how a person could get caught up in such incidents every time.
Now, he was tired of asking Joo-oh how much he knew and what he was up to. It was true that since Joo-oh had been sticking by his side, he had been getting involved in all sorts of things.
With a stiff face, he turned to the side, and Joo-oh quickly averted his eyes, ceasing to rustle the snack wrappers.
Perhaps sensing the strange atmosphere, his munching mouth slowly stopped.
“It was a really loud noise.”
Without Mu-hae even saying anything, Joo-oh suddenly started making excuses.
“And, um, Jin Mu-hae could save them. So…”
“You just wanted to try it out?”
“Because I promised. That I’d help Jin Mu-hae.”
A faint confidence filled his mumbling voice. Hearing that made Mu-hae feel a slight headache.
Since when had he been interfering in other people’s affairs for this purpose? And how much of his involvement had there been?
His nape felt cold, and as he gritted his teeth, Joo-oh suddenly dropped the snack he was holding to the floor.
His gaze, which had wandered far away, anxiously began to scan Mu-hae’s face.
“Why do you think that helps me?”
“But Gu-reum…”
Joo-oh hesitated and trailed off with conflicted eyes.
Jin Mu-hae instinctively understood what he was about to say. Joo-oh must have been sitting nearby, listening to Gu-reum’s words about frequently staying at the Jaegang District’s secret hideout.
A huge accident that the entire city would know about. Surprisingly, there were no casualties, so there would be no repercussions, but the mistakes of each institution were intertwined, creating an incident where they could cover up the flaws and create a hero to divert attention.
It seemed Joo-oh thought Gu-reum had intended this accident.
“You’re starting to understand things now?”
When he tapped his temple, Joo-oh lowered his eyes. He hadn’t scolded him, but the usually lively guy looked strangely withered, even down to a single strand of hair.
“If you don’t like it, I won’t do it. I can not say it again.”
“……”
“It’s hard for me to speak properly, too.”
His red lips pouted as if to say he had been trying hard to talk to Mu-hae.
He seemed sulky that he had been working hard to help in his own way, but the reaction wasn’t good.
Only then did Jin Mu-hae realize his gaze was cold. At some point, he had been staring at him with a serious expression.
Had he been wary of him gradually becoming rational and thinking on his own? Even though he was the one who had forcibly dragged Joo-oh into the Return flight’s work.
“Jin Mu-hae.”
“……”
“Don’t leave me behind.”
Like when he was frantically tearing someone else’s boots, Joo-oh looked at Mu-hae with slightly dazed eyes.
Back then, he had just been annoyed by him clinging to him. But now, hearing the same words made his heart ache strangely.
“Don’t hate me.”
“I never have.”
“I like Jin Mu-hae.”
Now, he even put down the snacks he liked and was practically begging. Jin Mu-hae finally put his hand on Joo-oh’s head, which was hesitating.
As he formally ruffled his hair a few times, Joo-oh visibly relaxed. His lips, which had softened again, looked so soft and squishy that he wanted to press them.
In the end, Mu-hae turned away from the suspicions and questions he faced once again. After all, he had never suffered any losses because of Joo-oh.
As always, the immediate situation was more urgent than his troubled speculations about him. Joo-oh’s mysteries wouldn’t run away even if he put them off for a while.
“Just keep eating your snacks.”
Even as he said it dismissively, Mu-hae continued to stroke his dark, glossy hair.
There was no particular reason. He just found it worthwhile to see him smiling innocently.
A person’s reputation is fickle, fluctuating wildly with even a single rumor.
Moreover, if an article, even a small one, is published in a credible media outlet in Goryeo City, previous evaluations are packaged as if they never existed, creating a completely different image.
“A solid young man. Jin Mu-hae.”
“Shut up.”
Overnight, Jin Mu-hae had become a bright and promising young man who had been driven to the slums due to his relatives’ criminal records, but had grown up strong despite the difficult environment and saved people’s lives.
It was hard to believe the previous reputations of him being a huge guy, an impressive and ruthless guy, a capable but money-crazed low-life mercenary.
Thanks to the Jaegang District officials who were desperate to avoid responsibility, he had suddenly become the kind of talent Goryeo City wanted. The rewards came in an unexpected form.
[Jin Mu-hae/Citizen who rescued in ‘Park Fire’: Of course, I thought it would be dangerous. But my body moved first. Goryeo City is a precious place where I and my people live.]
As the rescuer’s courageous actions became known, the citizens of Jaegang District rushed to propose awards for him.
(Omitted)
On the 31st of this month, Jin Mu-hae will be granted formal residency in the district with the guarantee of the Jaegang District Mayor.
“Fuck.”
Recalling Director Gil, who had been chuckling at the interview content he hadn’t even done, Jin Mu-hae quietly cursed.