DB Vol 3 Part 8
It was a voice completely devoid of fear. Normally, one hundred out of a hundred people who recognized Gye Yoon would be overcome with terror. A tiny fraction—those with the skill to actually stand against him—would be filled with vigilance. But no one, not even someone like Seo-na, had ever stepped in front of Gye Yoon so fearlessly for the sake of another.
Gye Yoon shifted his gaze to Won-woo, who still had not woken up. How on earth did they find someone like this and get them on their side?
“Since you know me, there’s no need for a long explanation. I’m taking Ji Won-woo with me.”
“What do you mean by that?!”
“No!”
Sang-cheon and Seo-na simultaneously flared up in anger. The look in both their eyes held the same thought: You’re doing this just to get guiding from Won-woo.
“Unless Won-woo personally permits it, I will stop you. No, even if he permits it, I will obviously stop him from going to the Gye Family.”
As Seo-na spoke firmly, Gye Yoon cast a cold gaze her way.
“By what right?”
“More right than you. At the very least, I am on Won-woo’s side.”
“And I’m not?”
You’re a member of the Gye Family. Seo-na clenched her jaw, unable to bring herself to say those words, before speaking quietly.
“This might be a prejudice against the Gye Family, but according to the information I have, the Gye Family has a history of massacring Guides once before.”
He heard Sang-cheon gasp. The information Seo-na brought up—the incident where the previous family head died during a rampage—was a horrific memory for Gye Yoon. Sang-cheon watched Gye Yoon’s reaction, but Seo-na continued in a resolute voice, refusing to back down.
“The Gye Family claimed they hurriedly gathered Guides whose Waves matched the previous family head because his condition was critical, but later, a surviving Guide testified. They were all kidnapped. I believe the accident involving the previous Gye family head was an unfortunate event. However, it is a clear wrongdoing that the Gye Family dragged in so many Guides and ultimately let them be caught in the rampage. To me, it’s a case that clearly shows the Gye Family’s perception of Guides; how could I possibly let Won-woo go there?”
Gye Yoon stepped forward with an expressionless face.
“What if that case was fabricated?”
“Every surviving Guide gave the same testimony.”
“And what if those bastards all told the same lie?”
“What on earth are you talking about? How could they all lie in exactly the same way?”
“It’s possible if their minds are controlled.”
At the sudden intrusion of a voice, the three people standing there startled and looked toward the source. Won-woo, who had slightly lifted his head, added in a low, cracked voice.
“That sounds like something the Esper closest to Ji Geun-oh would do.”
Facing the three people who were too shocked to speak, Won-woo looked up at Gye Yoon. Gye Yoon, who had been about to use his power to suppress Seo-na, was struck by bewilderment. Why is he so consumed by rage? Yet, contrary to his eyes which flickered like flames, Won-woo’s voice was calm.
“Am I correct? Were Ji Geun-oh and that Esper the culprits of the incident nine years ago?”
Ji Geun-oh. The name coming from Won-woo’s mouth sounded unusually distant today. Sang-cheon and Seo-na’s eyes froze at such coldness. On the other hand, Gye Yoon stared at Won-woo for a different reason. When the Gye Family spoke of the incident nine years ago, no one had believed them. No matter how much they cried out that it was unfair, only criticism and contempt returned.
Because there were witnesses to Ji Geun-oh’s instigation, where he claimed they were Guide murderers. People easily trusted his tear-filled acting. Yet now, even though Gye [unauthorized copy]Yoon [visit our site]hadn’t mentioned Ji Geun-oh’s name, Won-woo had identified him as the culprit on his own. Moreover, not only in his low voice, but the emotion filling his eyes was clear anger.
“Why are you so certain?”
When Gye Yoon asked back, Won-woo slowly closed and opened his eyes. It was likely because he lacked energy having just woken up, but in Gye Yoon’s eyes, that small movement looked like a fragile weakness that might break. For a moment, he almost reached out his hand before barely managing to restrain himself. Won-woo’s following answer was forceful, unbefitting of such fragility.
“Because Yang Cheon-hyo is Ji Geun-oh’s Esper.”
Sang-cheon and Seo-na were puzzled by the sudden name. Yang Cheon-hyo was a direct line of the Yang Family, which ruled the West. Specifically, the second son of the Yang family head. However, he was someone rarely mentioned to the public. Sang-cheon was so unfamiliar with him that he had to think for a moment before realizing who it was.
Seo-na had heard the name, but she didn’t know his face. He might have been active in the past, but he hadn’t shown his face externally for a long time. There were even rumors that he was in a condition where he couldn’t leave the Yang Family estate. The only known information was that he was an A-rank psychic Esper. But Gye Yoon’s reaction was different. Though expressionless, his eyes gleamed darkly.
“Why does Yang Cheon-hyo’s name come up?”
To Gye Yoon’s question, Won-woo answered nonchalantly.
“Mind control is Yang Cheon-hyo’s specialty.”
What? The eyes of the startled Seo-na and Sang-cheon widened. Seeing their reaction, Won-woo [class="wm" style="opacity:0;font-size:1px;user-select:all;">Read on Read BL Novels]nodded as if realizing something.
“I suppose so. Since a psychic Esper’s ability becomes a weakness once it’s known, they intentionally hide their abilities or provide false information. What did Yang Cheon-hyo lie about his ability being?”
Seo-na searched her memory and informed him.
“Uh, I heard he can make people have the dreams they want while they sleep.”
“That’s a joke.”
A scathing sneer escaped Won-woo’s lips.
“Yang Cheon-hyo is one who manipulates thoughts. False instigation is Ji Geun-oh’s specialty. And the two of them are practically one body.”
At this information they were hearing for the first time, Sang-cheon and Seo-na were once again shocked like spectators, their mouths agape. Even though it was information Gye Yoon already knew, he raised an eyebrow as if it were surprising to hear it from Ji Won-woo. Then, a strange question flowed from Won-woo.
“Is Yang Cheon-hyo thoroughly hiding in the background here as well?”
“Here? Where else would he be?”
Gye Yoon asked indifferently, but his eyes became as sharp as blades. Won-woo met his fierce gaze head-on.
“Everywhere, in every world, they would do the same thing. Ji Geun-oh and Yang Cheon-hyo.”
Gye Yoon looked as if he had something to say, but Won-woo turned his gaze to check the darkened outdoors. He knew the three people before him were curious about many things, but he didn’t have the luxury to explain everything right now. In Won-woo’s mind, the word ‘Death’ he had seen at the Guide Center still remained, unerasable.
I cannot meet Aunt even here. This premise didn’t feel real. It felt as if his head had been hit with a blunt object and his thoughts had stopped. He had woken up from a long sleep, but he still couldn’t believe it. However, Gye Yoon’s words heard in his slumber just moments ago woke his frozen brain.
‘What if that case was fabricated?’
Fabrication, lies, hypocrisy. Won-woo knew the person who suited those words best. After a month, half a year, and a year of living with Aunt, his anxiety had decreased, but the fear that his father might suddenly appear and take him away still remained. Thus, Won-woo had searched for articles and information about his father with obsessive compulsion.
In doing so, he was surprised every time by articles that were completely different from those in the place where he originally lived. In his hometown, everyone regarded Ji Geun-oh as a great leader representing the Guides, and articles defending him poured out constantly.
But in the North, it was entirely different. Perhaps because Guides who wanted independence from Espers gathered there, Ji Geun-oh was a hypocrite here. His words, calling for the sacrifice of Guides while standing on the side of Espers, were condemned as his lies were revealed.
That great father, who had always been praised, was no different from a pimp who clung to the powerful and sold out Guides. At first, he was confused. But once stolen content-->style="position:absolute;left:-9999px;font-size:0;">[visit our site]he escaped the image unilaterally injected by the media, he became able to judge his father’s wrongs and rights.
And he came to know the reality of the Yang Family, who backed Ji Geun-oh. Won-woo knew one person who was inseparable from Ji Geun-oh. Yang Cheon-hyo. An Esper whose Wave matched so perfectly that the matching rate reached 100%.
These two were as similar in their malice as they were in their Waves. Won-woo was able to access proper information about what they had done in the North. Therefore, he could assert it here and now.
“If Ji Geun-oh and the Yang Family were involved in the previous Gye family head’s rampage, the truth of that incident must have been fabricated.”
“Um, did you happen to remember something? Like, something your father said about that incident?”
As Sang-cheon asked cautiously among the silent group, Won-woo shook his head.
“No. But I know very well what kind of person Ji Geun-oh is.”
“How can you know him well when you don’t even remember?”
This time, Gye Yoon interrupted with a chilly voice. Rather than the fact that the words they wanted had come from Won-woo’s mouth, he was suspicious of why he had singled out his father and Yang Cheon-hyo. He claimed to have no memories, but wasn’t he asserting this because he knew something?
“I do remember being beaten and abused every day by that man I call a father when I was young.”
Sang-cheon and Seo-na frowned simultaneously, but Gye Yoon scrutinized Won-woo intently, as if searching for the truth.
“Just because someone treats their family poorly doesn’t mean they’re the same outside.”
“No, they are the same. People don’t change.”
Won-woo lowered his gaze and added softly, as if talking to himself.
“It’s so obvious how he would have run wild here.”
Here. Once again, a word defining this world came from Won-woo’s mouth. As if there were some other place besides this world. However, before he could ask the meaning, Won-woo’s small action caught his eye.
He was clenching his fists tightly. It was a rage that Gye Yoon hadn’t understood from the beginning. Now, he clearly revealed that rage in his eyes.
“Mr. Gye Yoon, you haven’t answered yet. Is it true that Ji Geun-oh was responsible for the massacre of Guides during the Gye family head’s rampage?”
“It is.”
When Gye Yoon answered dryly, Won-woo nodded and stood up. Gye Yoon still couldn’t believe that he trusted him so easily. Moreover, Won-woo wanted an explanation.
“If it’s alright, I’d like to hear the details of what happened then.”
“Won-woo.”
Seo-na, who had been watching, interrupted with anxious eyes. She glanced at Gye Yoon and warned in a lowered voice.
“I know well how you feel toward your father, but it’s dangerous to trust the Gye Family blindly. I don’t know if you heard, but the Guide Center suffered a major attack yesterday. The Ji Family announced that the culprit who attacked was the Gye Family.”
“That’s not true.”
“What do you mean? Do you know who attacked the Guide Center?”
“Yes, it was me.”
Seo-na froze, her mouth hanging open for once. Even though Sang-cheon had already heard it from Gye Yoon, hearing it directly from Won-woo’s mouth brought a second [visit our siteRead on Read BL Novelsstolen content-->style="font-size:0;position:absolute;left:-9999px;">]wave of shock. To think the words of the Gye brute were true.
“No, why on earth did you attack the Guide Center?”
When Sang-cheon asked, unable to hold back, Won-woo turned his dry eyes toward him. He looked as if he had no emotion, but on the other hand, he looked as if he were full of it. Otherwise, just looking into those eyes wouldn’t make one’s heart flutter like this. As Sang-cheon wondered, a slow answer came.
“I checked the information on the Guide I was looking for. So I blew up the server room to destroy the evidence. That’s all.”
No, that’s not all. The server room is the core of the Guide Center! Unlike the horrified IT talent, Seo-na just accepted it with a ‘right, I see.’
“But is the person Won-woo is looking for someone who shouldn’t be known?”
“No. They’re ordinary.”
Then why blow up the server room? Sang-cheon couldn’t bring himself to ask his benefactor and instead kept his mouth shut, shouting with his eyes. Fortunately, Won-woo noticed and gave an answer.
“I had already been caught infiltrating. Destroying everything to remove evidence is basic.”
He considered this such a natural thing that it had become a habit, [unauthorized copy]copy -->so he felt no further explanation was needed. However, none of the people here knew of this brutal ‘basic.’ Only Gye Yoon left a comment, a smile dancing in his eyes.
“You talk as if you’ve infiltrated enemy lines during a war.”
“Aren’t you the one currently at war with that enemy?”
As Gye Yoon’s smile vanished, Won-woo pressed him.
“Now, please explain. Did Ji Geun-oh and Yang Cheon-hyo induce the previous Gye family head’s rampage? While all the Guides were gathered?”
Why is that so important to you? Gye Yoon suppressed the urge to ask back and opened his mouth.
“That’s right. Twenty-five Guides died because of that.”
It was while Seung-wook was attending a reluctant drinking party when he heard that story. By his father’s order, he had followed him to play golf with a bank president, and it didn’t end in one day. Even on the evening of the second day, a woman who was the bank president’s daughter was sitting there.
Several of her friends, who had come out to see Seung-wook, were seated around her, and they cheered the moment he appeared. Seung-wook felt like a spectacle trapped in a zoo cage, but he couldn’t storm out of the place.
‘Just endure for three days. If only you endure, the company can be revived with the investment funds. If we want to be properly recognized by the Hong Family, we have to show that we can live well even without the favisit our sitemily’s help. I’m counting on you, my son.’
Seung-wook’s father was a good patriarch, but he had an inferiority complex regarding the direct line of the Hong Family. No matter how great an Esper Seung-wook was, that alone didn’t satisfy him. Perhaps because he lived being ignored since the Hong Family revolved around the direct line, he worked tirelessly to gain their recognition.
However, since his business skills weren’t great, the company was always precarious. Seung-wook was the only result his father was proud of, and Seung-wook, wanting to repay his father’s grace, had always acted in a way that deserved everyone’s praise.
I have to show a better side of myself for my father. Like an obsession, he adhered to etiquette and took on difficult tasks to raise his name at the Center. The more he did, the more his father grew proud of him and tried to show him off to people. Sometimes he felt like an exhibit, but he tried to accept that as the result of his efforts.
That was why, even when his father made requests that crossed the line, he couldn’t put his own feelings first. Even if weak humans, who would collapse if he just flicked a finger, regarded him as a spectacle. So he simply drank his alcohol in silence. But there was one more reason he wanted to storm out of the place that day.
—It’s definitely strange. They announced that the Gye Family attacked the Guide Center, but Ji Seong-hyeon called me a moment ago and went absolutely ballistic. He asked why I hadn’t spoken properly about Ji Won-woo. Isn’t it suspicious? The Guide Center must be in chaos from the attack, yet he’s suddenly this angry about Ji Won-woo. Moreover, since he still hasn’t found him, he threatened me, saying that if any contact comes, I must tell him unconditionally. But you know, I heard a strange rumor. That on the night the Guide Center was attacked, Ji Won-woo appeared there. Isn’t that strange?
His friend Geon-young had informed Seung-wook of the situation via text. Just as Geon-young suspected, Seung-wook found it hard to understand why Ji Seong-hyeon was suddenly obsessing over Ji Won-woo. With the attack on the Guide Center and Ji Dong-hyeon’s injury, he shouldn’t even be able to spare a thought for Won-woo, yet he was in a frenzy to find him.
Didn’t they say the Gye Family attacked the Guide Center? Surely the Gye Family didn’t take Ji Won-woo? Won-woo’s face wouldn’t disappear from Seung-wook’s mind. If he hadn’t been summoned to this place, Seung-wook would be searching for Won-woo right now. He knew a few places Won-woo might go. Damn it, if only it weren’t for this place.
“……Mr. Seung-wook. Esper Hong Seung-wook!”
At the irritable voice, Seung-wook looked up to see one of the male guests looking at him with disapproval. He was someone who had been jealous of Read on Read BL NovelsSeung-wook from the moment he first saw him as a C-rank Esper, having heard he was the son of a wealthy family. Since there were many of this sort, Seung-wook replied coldly.
“Do you have something to say?”
“I have a lot to say. You came to a place like this, yet you can’t just keep looking at your phone, drinking alone, thinking of other things, and acting like a damn fool by yourself. Do you know how much money you were paid?”
As Seung-wook’s expression froze at the word ‘money,’ the bank president’s daughter nudged her friend with a troubled face.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“What do you mean? I didn’t say anything wrong.”
“Apologize quickly. I’m sorry, Esper Hong Seung-wook. He’s barely clinging to C-rank, so I think he’s just jealous.”
When the bank president’s daughter apologized with a smile, the friend instead flared up.
“Who’s jealous? Hey, if I were an A-rank, I wouldn’t go around selling my face no matter how much money they gave me. Besides, this isn’t just money; there’s someone else providing under-the-table funds……”
“Someone else?”
As Seung-wook’s voice turned cold, the noisy interior fell silent. The friend, realizing he had made a slip of the tongue, shut his mouth tight, and the bank president’s daughter gave an awkward smile.
“Don’t mind him. He just said it without knowing…… Gasp!”
She gasped and stopped speaking. Her horrified gaze landed on her friend. Moisture was covering the friend’s face like a mask. Startled, the friend tried to push the water away with his hands, but it simply slipped through his fingers, remaining plastered to his face and choking him.
Screams erupted from all directions as people looked toward Seung-wook, the ability user controlling the water. Keeping his eyes on the bank president’s daughter, he asked in an angry voice.
“Who is the one providing the under-the-table money?”
“Esper Hong Seung-wook, please don’t do this…”
“I believe I asked who it was.”
The friend began to writhe, flailing his arms and legs in an attempt to shake off the water. At his agonized gestures, the bank president’s daughter cried out urgently.
“The—the Gye Family! The Gye Family requested it. They just asked me to stolen contentkeep Esper Hong Seung-wook detained for a few days… That’s all I know, really. I truly don’t know the reason…”
Before her pleading words could even finish, Seung-wook stood up. The Gye Family? Why of all people the Gye Family? As he stepped forward with a hardened expression, the sound of someone gasping for air—’Pu-ha!’—could be heard behind him as they were released from the moisture.
Gye Yoon’s explanation was brief, as if there wasn’t much to it. It wasn’t significantly different from the facts Sang-cheon and Seo-na already knew. There were some differences, but those were merely Gye Yoon’s conjectures without evidence.
“At the time, there were seven surviving Guides, and Ji Geun-oh hid them under the guise of protection. Since it was Ji Geun-oh who led the accusations against the Gye Family, if any schemes were played, it would naturally have been him.”
“That alone cannot be evidence. If you wanted the truth, you should have questioned those Guides again regardless of the cost.”
When Seo-na countered, Gye Yoon cast a chilling gaze toward her.
“And what if all those witnesses are dead?”
“…Dead?”
“The survivors who testified that it was a kidnapping by the Gye Family are all dead. All seven of them, in less than half a year.”
Seo-na asked with a stiff expression.
“Surely they weren’t murdered?”
“No, by all accounts, they were obvious suicides.”
As she fell silent, Gye Yoon shifted his gaze to Won-woo.
“And we believe they took their own lives because their minds were manipulated.”
The psychic Esper Won-woo had mentioned came to Seo-na and Sang-cheon’s minds. The psychic Esper, Yang Cheon-hyo. Won-woo remained composed as if he had expected this, but Gye Yoon scrutinized him obsessively, trying to catch even the smallest reaction.
“But there is no evidence. Do you still believe me?”
“I do.”
It wasn’t just words; genuine trust was reflected in Won-woo’s eyes. Thus, Gye Yoon asked without realizing it.
“Why do you believe me?”
“For personal reasons.”
“And it’s not because of that Guide you said you found at the Guide Center?”
Indeed. Who on earth was it that he went into the Guide Center to find, and even blew the place up to erase the traces? As Won-woo simply lowered his gaze and remained silent, Gye Yoon could not hold back and pressed him.
“Who is that Guide?”
Won-woo’s answer came after a long silence.
“Someone who has no relation to me.”
It was a very strange thing to say, but no one could demand further explanation from Won-woo. His eyes as he spoke those words could not have been more empty.
Won-woo could only answer that way. In this place, he had truly become a person with no relation to Aunt. Sang-cheon, Seo-na, and even Gye Yoon had become points of contact again, but Aunt had become someone he could never form a relationship with again.
Suddenly, this fact felt sorrowful. Strangely, instead of tears, a bitter taste rose unauthorized copystyle="position:relative;display:inline;">[unauthorized stolen contentcopy]from within. Feeling as though he might vomit again, Won-woo forced it down and looked back at the three puzzled people.
“I’ll explain about that person later. After we finish everything we have to do.”
What is it they have to do? For a moment, Sang-cheon and Seo-na wanted to shout ‘Run!’ However, the answer that came from Won-woo’s mouth was different. He looked at Gye Yoon and spoke briefly.
“I’m in.”
“On what?”
“The massacre.”
Won-woo’s voice was so calm that Sang-cheon and Seo-na wondered if they had misheard the word. However, Gye Yoon, who would never miss a sound, asked back while looking at Won-woo.
“Massacre?”
“Aren’t you taking revenge?”
Gye Yoon’s head tilted slowly to the side.
“Revenge. It’s a given for me, but you want to do it too?”
“The enemy of my enemy is my comrade.”
Just how much abuse did he suffer from his father? Unlike Sang-cheon and Seo-na, who felt pity, a dark light flared up in Gye Yoon’s eyes.
“Are you really going to join hands with the Gye Family?”
“If you don’t want me to, do it alone.”
Who would dislike it? He just couldn’t believe it. Honestly, he didn’t understand. Something he had longed for so much had suddenly happened, yet his mind grew cold.
“How could I dislike it. But you said a massacre?”
“Yes. Because it’s revenge.”
An uncontrollable smile played on Gye Yoon’s lips. Read on Read BL NovelsHe simply could not hide this smile. The other’s words were just too perfectly to his liking.
The surroundings seemed to fade to black, and only Won-woo remained in his sight. Only the sound of his breathing, his voice, and his small movements echoed in his ears. No, one of his own sounds mixed in.
His heart was beating fast. As the pulse quickened, he felt as if he were being sucked into Won-woo. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from him. In an instant, an uncontrollable, massive greed overwhelmed Gye Yoon. He wanted to possess this person. Gye Yoon suppressed himself, as if balancing one foot on the edge of reason.
“You speak of massacre quite easily.”
At Gye Yoon’s dry voice, Won-woo glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already approaching 9 PM.
“Yes, it’s easy for me.”
Of course it was. He had already done it once; the second time would be even easier.
“Ji Won-woo? Isn’t he your younger brother?”
A man in his thirties asked crookedly, carelessly tossing a photo of Ji Won-woo onto the table.
Normally, Seong-hyeon would have thrown a fit without hiding his displeasure, but right now, he was acting [Read on Read BL Novels]in his brother’s stead. Since [visit our site]he couldn’t miss this opportunity, he wore a smile that he thought looked attractive to the man before him. Especially knowing how highly his brother valued this man’s abilities.
“That’s right. He’s my brother. And he’s the one who made my brother like that.”
Seong-hyeon pointed his finger at his brother lying on the bed next to him. The Esper with a scar under his eye glanced at Dong-hyeon at his words.
“And so?”
It was a tone that suggested it had nothing to do with him, but Seong-hyeon could read the hidden meaning. Most people who were arrogant about their great abilities were similar to the Esper before him. Do you really think you can buy my abilities with money?
However, such people were the ones who loved money the most. Yet, these noble contract Espers never brought up money first. As if he had been waiting, Seong-hyeon held out an envelope.
“I beg of you. For the sake of my sincerity, please catch Ji Won-woo and resolve my brother’s grievance.”
The scarred Esper glanced at the envelope and picked it up. After checking the contents, he stood up and approached Dong-hyeon immediately. He wrapped his wide-open hand around the man’s head and pressed down firmly. Although he was gripping the patient’s head violently at will, Seong-hyeon’s eyes were instead filled with anticipation.
Because that Esper was an ability user who could read memories from within the last ten days. Then, as the Esper’s eyes staring into the air seemed to cloud over, the corners of his mouth twisted.
“I told you not to just swing a golf club all the time and get some actual exercise.”
Tsk, clicking his tongue, he pushed Dong-hyeon’s head away and turned around.
“What do you see?”
When Seong-hyeon asked, he simply shrugged his shoulders.
“Your brother is dangerous.”
“Ji Won-woo? I don’t know how my brother got beat, but that piece of shit is a pushover…”
“I said he’s dangerous. It’ll be hard to work.”
Only then did Seong-hyeon realize the other’s meaning and his expression hardened, but he soon put on a social smile.
“Then I’ll have to give you more danger pay. I’ll give you another envelope just like the one you received.”
“You call this sincerity, but you’re quite stingy.”
“…I’ll prepare two more.”
Only then did the scarred Esper smile with satisfaction and leave the room. Seong-hyeon glared at him, and once he had completely disappeared, he called out loudly for Secretary Yang.
“Mobilize the Guide Center Espers to support that guy. Catching Ji Won-woo is the absolute top priority. Got it?”
When Secretary Yang hesitated, Seong-hyeon noticed and frowned.
“Why aren’t you answering?”
“Director Shin is the one who knows the internal affairs of the Guide Center best, but he isn’t cooperating properly.”
Ah, so he doesn’t want to lose his spot to a newcomer? Or does he think his brother will wake up soon? Seong-hyeon looked at his unconscious brother once and lowered his voice to Secretary Yang.
“How long do you want to live just cleaning up after me? I heard you’re from a prestigious Esper family. But you were ignored because you’re from a collateral line and a non-Esper. Don’t you want to flip your life around? This is your chance. Do you understand?”
Fortunately, Secretary Yang was quick-witted.
“I will mobilize all the Guide Center Espers we can use. However.”
Secretary Yang glanced at the lying Dong-hyeon.
“When the Chairman wakes up, won’t we return to our original positions?”
“I suppose so.”
Looking at his brother, Seong-hyeon grinned as if a funny idea had occurred to him.
“But he might never wake up.”
Who exactly is this person? Seo-na already knew Won-woo and had spoken with him several times, but this question surfaced again.
The person before her was completely different from the information Seo-na had heard. When he spoke of revenge and massacre so easily, it sounded as if it were something he could actually achieve, which gave her chills.
Before considering him a savior, Seo-na had already been captivated by his abilities—to the point where she could trust and follow whatever he visit our sitevisit our siteour site -->said. However, the current proposal was something that even Seo-na could not readily accept.
“You want us to go North with you?”
Unlike Seo-na, who asked back relatively calmly, Sang-cheon was so shocked he couldn’t even speak. Won-woo bowed his head to the two of them with an apologetic face.
“I’m sorry for surprising you.”
“No, I was surprised, but it’s not something to apologize for. But does this mean you’ve firmly decided to go North, Won-woo-nim?”
When Seo-na asked, Won-woo nodded yes. Belatedly, Sang-cheon pointed to himself in disbelief.
“But I… I have to go too?”
“Because it’s dangerous. The Ji family will track me, and they’ll eventually find out that I’ve been frequenting Mr. Hwang’s office. I’d like you to go with me before the Ji family takes action.”
But everything I have is here! Just as Sang-cheon was about to protest, Won-woo smiled.
“Besides, wouldn’t it be better to be by your beloved adopted son’s side?”
Love. As if he had heard the most terrible word in the world, not only Sang-cheon’s but also the adopted son’s expression soured. However, as soon as Won-woo looked back as if asking ‘Isn’t that right?’, the adopted son spoke hypocritically.
“Yes, I’d love to escort him to the very end of the North, where it’s coolest, deep in the mountains.”
“Not escorting your father back home?”
“…He’s very shy around strangers.”
“Still, I’ll be there, and if Gye Yoon-ssi is there, he’ll adapt well. That’s fine, right?”
Won-woo turned to Sang-cheon this time. Sang-cheon, who had been fuming at the filial piety of the adopted son trying to send him to a wasteland in the far North at minus 20 degrees, hurriedly smiled.
“It’s fine, ah, of course it’s fine! I’ll definitely stick right by my adopted son’s side. I’ll stick to him like glue!”
“That’s a relief. Then you’re coming along, right?”
“Right, since my adopted son is there, I… must… go…”
As the thunderbolt of moving realized hit him belatedly, the smile vanished from Sang-cheon’s face. He staggered as if in shock and collapsed onto the sofa, but no one paid him any mind. Won-woo now made a serious request to Seo-na.
“Please come with me. I absolutely do not mean for you to join in my revenge.”
“I know. You don’t look like that kind of person, and I’m not someone who would intentionally do something I’m reluctant to do. However, I still don’t trust the Gye Family.”
“I don’t need your trust.”
When Gye Yoon interrupted in a cold tone, Seo-na snapped back informally.
“I do. If the Gye Family is to be Won-woo-nim’s ally.”
Perhaps because of the hostile atmosphere between the two, Sang-cheon, who was collapsed on the sofa, looked up with worried eyes. He thought Gye Yoon might swear and attack Seo-na, but Gye Yoon simply asked back with an expressionless face.
“So you’re saying you won’t come?”
“I’ll think about it.”
Seo-na didn’t know it, but Gye Yoon knew how much Won-woo cherished her. Therefore, in the worst-case scenario, if Seo-na decided to stay, Won-woo might withdraw the plan. Since he couldn’t suppress her by force in front of Won-woo, he suppressed his own temper instead.
“If you want, I can pull some strings to officially transfer you to the North Center. You aren’t even properly hunting monsters here anyway, right? It’s different in the North. Whether you’re a mixed-blood, pure-blood, or the lowest of the low, they only care about the Esper’s ability.”
“I don’t need such conditions. I just need to confirm that the Gye Family won’t be harmful to Won-woo-nim. And I need to confirm the reality of you, who is called the brute.”
“That confirmation. Do it now, then.”
The moment Gye Yoon took a step forward, the wariness in Seo-na’s eyes deepened. In the murderous atmosphere, Sang-cheon looked at Won-woo, ready to flee if necessary. Won-woo, who had been lost in thought for a moment, belatedly defended Seo-na.
“Han Seo-na-ssi is right. It’s only right to go after sufficient confirmation and conviction.”
“Even so, I can’t let Won-woo-nim go first while I stay behind.”
“I’ll stay too. Until Seo-na-ssi is convinced.”
Seo-na was not used to showing emotion, so her expression was blunt, but her eyes wavered with emotion. style="position:absolute;left:-9999px;font-size:0;">[stolen content]visit our site-->Gye Yoon watched the communion between the two with a considerably unpleasant gaze.
It really felt bad. He wondered what on earth Sang-cheon and Seo-na were that he was so intent on bringing them along. It was as if those two were a higher priority than anyone else. His insides twisted with a jealousy he couldn’t ignore.
Thus, Seo-na, who had been moved by Won-woo, inadvertently turned her eyes and flinched upon seeing him. No matter how well Seo-na stood her ground, her spine chilled when an S-rank Esper emitted killing intent.
Instinctively, she moved closer to the safest place, beside Won-woo. That sight further upset Gye Yoon. Why do I even have to keep them alive? Gye Yoon agonized and asked one last time.
“Do you really have no intention of coming North?”
“I told you, I need to confirm if the North is safe for Won-woo-nim.”
That damn confirmation, fuck. Gye Yoon looked at Won-woo and suppressed his curses as much as possible. Then, he decided to use the information about Han Seo-na he had received from Chief Jung. According to the report, she had one hobby. Of course, he didn’t expect something like this to work, so he spoke carelessly.
“It’s safe. Why else would a famous webtoon artist work in the North? I heard they’re drawing some ‘Gracefully Mad Raging’ something or other.”
“Gracefully Mad Raging Jajinmori Swordmaster Eolssu?”
Even agreeing that it was correct felt like a shitty title. As soon as Gye [visit [stolen content]our [unauthorized copy]site]Yoon frowned and gave a short nod, Seo-na’s answer came.
“If the North is that safe, I’ll go immediately.”
“…”
Things went as he wanted, but Gye Yoon’s mood became even filthier. However, regardless of whether Gye Yoon’s mood became a rag, Seo-na and Won-woo were preoccupied for a while talking about that webtoon.
When Sang-cheon joined in, showing interest by saying, ‘No way, is it that great?!’, Seo-na’s eyes sparkled. Sang-cheon was someone who, by all accounts, had a 99% geek disposition. If recruited, he would be a fan capable of doing the work of a hundred people. However, there was someone who interrupted their friendly communication.
“If it’s decided, let’s move right now.”
Gye Yoon poured cold water on the mood as he checked a message that had just arrived from Chief Jung. There was information that Chief Jung had urgently reported.
“Gi An-seok has been hired by the Ji family.”
Seo-na, who knew the name, immediately hardened her expression, while Sang-cheon, who didn’t, looked bewildered. Gye Yoon’s gaze turned to Won-woo. He tilted his head, then as if something occurred to him, he uttered a single word.
“Ah, the rat?”
Everyone looked at him in surprise at the sudden nickname. Then, Won-woo gave an awkward smile.
“Isn’t that Gi An-seok’s nickname?”
At his question, Seo-na shook her head.
“You must have mistaken him for someone else. Gi An-seok is a psychic Esper who can read memories. He’s very skilled in tracking. The teleportation Esper who accompanies him also has considerable ability. Accordingly, his price is enormous. Gye Yoon-ssi is right. If Gi An-seok has moved, we must hide immediately. It’s best to scatter. If he’s on our trail, we’ll all be caught soon.”
Seo-na spoke urgently and turned away, failing to hear the words Won-woo muttered. Only Gye Yoon heard them. A voice that sounded somewhat amused.
“He is a rat.”
“You said he’s coming of his own accord?”
Enjoying the story? Support me on Ko-fi
Comments 0
You must be logged in to comment.
No comments yet. Be the first!