Chapter 20. I Got It! (2)
“…So, the villain attacking the bus was a coincidence?”
Hae-ryeon concluded after hearing the full story.
“That’s right.
What’s important in this incident is the villain’s actions.
He was in the middle of building his career.”
At Hyeon-yul's words, accompanied by a nod, Hae-ryeon asked, a question mark seemingly appearing on her face.
“Career…? You mean the career I know?”
“Yes.
Just like here, villains need a career to transfer to other companies.
As you know, companies run by villains look no different from regular companies on the outside.
In fact, some of the people working there believe they are real companies.”
Not everyone hated the Empire, so this was the camouflage the villains chose.
They created various affiliates to make ordinary people naturally go through the process of becoming villains, absorbing them into their forces.
In this process, they didn’t shy away from any method, be it brainwashing or using drugs, if necessary.
Moving step-by-step through affiliates as if creating test subjects, ordinary people completely transformed into villains could finally come to the headquarters.
“A recruitment notice targeting experienced villains has been posted.
To satisfy those conditions, incidents like today might happen more frequently in the future.”
As Hyeon-yul continued without hesitation, Ji-hwan just darted his eyes around and smiled.
‘How does he know all this so well?’
He laid out the details one after another as if he himself had been a villain.
‘But he’s a newbie…?’
Ji-hwan still didn’t know the person named Hyeon-yul well.
He had heard things from Shin-woo and Na-yoon, but honestly, it wasn't information but rather content related to how to approach Hyeon-yul naturally.
Judging solely by those text messages, Hyeon-yul was the type you shouldn't approach directly, so he hadn't spoken to him since the bus.
Seeing Hyeon-yul's satisfied expression, he thought this was the right answer.
But now, it was even harder to figure out what kind of person he was.
“Last time, I told you, Respected Team Leader, that the Poison King was planning a major incident.”
Hae-ryeon nodded at Hyeon-yul’s question.
“Right, you did.”
“Seeing that there's even a recruitment notice, the information about a major incident occurring is certain.
Because of the villains trying to get into that company, that place might become a scene of carnage.”
“That place? Do you know where it is?”
Words suggesting he knew the location slipped out.
Hae-ryeon felt her mouth go dry at Hyeon-yul’s unfamiliar approach.
It was as if he was looking at villains from a villain’s perspective.
“It’s the festival.”
At Hyeon-yul’s words, Ji-hwan tilted his head.
“Hyung. How can you be so sure?”
“I’m a former villain.”
“……!”
Ji-hwan’s eyes widened at Hyeon-yul’s short and simple answer.
‘Ji-hwan didn’t even hear the rumors.’
Hae-ryeon smiled awkwardly at Ji-hwan’s gaze asking for an explanation.
“He came in through special recruitment.
Mr. Hyeon-yul caught Shin Dae-ho.”
“……Hyung!”
Ji-hwan called out strongly to Hyeon-yul again.
Seeing his moved expression, Hyeon-yul furrowed his brow.
“That’s totally difficult! I barely scraped by to get in.
Big sis Na-yoon also came through special recruitment, you know?
Did you know?”
“…Yes. I know.”
“There are already two people in Team 3 who came through special recruitment.
…Ha. Being a member of such a team is just too fantastic.”
Ji-hwan looked like he could float away into the sky with joy any second.
Strong people were always good.
‘……He wasn’t quiet after all.’
Hyeon-yul looked at Ji-hwan warily.
To think he was just pretending to be quiet.
“Anyway, what Mr. Hyeon-yul is saying is that one of the villains put out a recruitment notice, and other villains, upon receiving that notice, caused incidents like today’s to meet the conditions, right?”
“Yes.”
“If the festival is going to be the venue for the recruitment, then the easiest place to access would be the security company, right?”
“That’s correct.
At least, that’s what I think.”
Hae-ryeon sucked in a breath at Hyeon-yul’s confident reply.
“Who is that villain?”
“It’s the Poison King.”
Ha.
Hae-ryeon burst out laughing.
The Poison King was a big shot.
Shin Dae-ho was too.
Was there anyone who had gotten close to such high-profile villains in such a short time?
“You’re really amazing, Mr. Hyeon-yul.”
Hae-ryeon purely admired him.
How did he end up on her team?
Hyeon-yul had already told them about the company owned by the Poison King.
If they could just find the connection with the festival security company, they could sweep them all up.
Hae-ryeon looked at Hyeon-yul.
Perhaps because he had revealed everything, he looked incredibly refreshed.
“Respected Team Leader.”
Seeing the expression on Hyeon-yul’s face that suggested he was about to request something, Hae-ryeon guessed what he would say.
“…Yes.”
“May I be the one to catch the Poison King?”
Just as expected.
Hae-ryeon hesitated.
It was a question she couldn't answer easily.
“But hyung, aren’t you still on your probationary period?”
When Ji-hwan tentatively asked, Hyeon-yul gave a slight nod.
“I am on my probationary period.”
“You don’t necessarily… have to move, right? Isn’t it still a bit dangerous?”
Ji-hwan carefully tried to persuade Hyeon-yul.
Whether it was called a probationary period or a training period, it might have various meanings elsewhere, but here at least, it truly meant ‘take your time and adjust slowly’.
It was a protective measure for new Black Eagles because the faster they were deployed, the higher the chance of death became.
As proof, there were no salary cuts here either.
“The Poison King made me work even after quitting time and before starting time.”
Hyeon-yul’s words were laced with emotion as if chewing on anger.
The Poison King had initially said he would meet all his demands.
But in the end, there was no consideration.
It was just the same.
At the very least, he shouldn't have come in the evening.
If he hadn't joined the Black Eagle and had accepted the Poison King's offer instead, it would surely be him who would cut off that neck someday.
He was just doing it now.
“I believe that’s reason enough for me to kill the Poison King.”
Hearing the rather murderous words, Ji-hwan shut his mouth.
‘Woah, his grudge is… full, like someone constantly exploited by a black company?’
Ji-hwan subtly rolled his eyes.
He definitely knew not to touch this, whatever else.
“I’ll vote yes.”
Ji-hwan quickly agreed.
He had already seen the power Hyeon-yul possessed.
He was a newbie, but a skilled one.
He also had the boldness to take on villains.
Opposing it would be ridiculous.
“It’s nice to see you agree, but it’s a bit difficult for me.”
However, Hae-ryeon hesitated.
Sending someone on probation to kill a major villain was unprecedented.
As a team leader, she had to consider various things.
“This isn’t something I can decide right now.
I have to consider your life, Mr. Hyeon-yul.”
Hae-ryeon stood up from her seat.
Hyeon-yul’s gaze followed her.
There was no theory training today.
A temporary halt order came down because of the incident involving him.
They said it was due to concerns that the incident might escalate into a conflict between managers and Black Eagles, but it didn't seem that way to Hyeon-yul.
It felt more like they were trying to hide something.
“I’d like to tell you to go home now, Mr. Hyeon-yul, but unfortunately, there’s another mission.”
Hyeon-yul reacted strongly to Hae-ryeon’s words but quickly cooled down.
The missions he had received so far were emergency missions.
Those were just one type of frequently occurring mission; other types existed too.
He learned this in theory.
There were many, like search missions, protection missions, patrol missions, etc.
“Where should I go?”
“It’s very important, but it might end quickly.”
Hae-ryeon spoke, glancing sideways at Ji-hwan.
Ji-hwan looked dazed, lost in thought.
Tap, tap.
Hae-ryeon tapped the desk, and only then did Ji-hwan look at her.
“Yes, Respected Team Leader.”
“You can’t go alone during the probationary period.
Take care of Mr. Hyeon-yul.”
At Hae-ryeon's words, Ji-hwan made an 'OK' sign with his thumb and index finger.
“Of course. It’s the probationary period, after all.”
“And Mr. Hyeon-yul.”
Hae-ryeon opened her mouth cheerfully, as if she had been waiting for this moment.
“Yes.”
“Regardless of who was involved in this incident, they will all be fired.”
She seemed to be talking about the insider.
The insider issue was intertwined with Hyeon-yul’s problem.
“They won’t be able to set foot here again.
Key personnel are all scheduled to go to prison.
If anyone approaches you, Mr. Hyeon-yul, to blame you for this or retaliate, I’ll fire them immediately, so just give them the middle finger.”
Hae-ryeon intended to apply pressure personally as well.
How dare they touch her team member?
Did they think she would stand by and watch?
“I hope this measure provides some comfort, at least.”
Hyeon-yul gave a faint smile at Hae-ryeon’s words.
Perhaps he liked this arrangement?
But Hyeon-yul was thinking something else.
‘Who said I’d let them go nicely?’
Killing the insider was the right thing to do.
That way, it would be clean.
‘…This is a big deal, how will the higher-ups view it?’
Hae-ryeon walked outside the building, lost in thought.
It was ambiguous to call them old-fashioned, yet also ambiguous to say they weren't closed-minded.
‘No. Why worry? I just need to push through.’
Hae-ryeon raised the corners of her lips, then looked behind her.
“You and Ju-hyeon, you two seem to be plotting something fun like this.”
Do-jin was smiling.
“There are plenty of fun things. It’s noisy here and there these days, isn’t it?”
“It’s a headache, right? If it’s a headache, come to me……”
“Team Leader Do-jin.”
Hae-ryeon looked straight at Do-jin.
Her eyes were sharp enough to suggest anger.
“Thanks for the advice, but that won’t happen.”
“There won’t be anyone badmouthing Seo Hyeon-yul, at least not in Team 2.”
“That, I appreciate.”
“So fickle.”
“He’s my team member.”
When she pointed it out specifically, Do-jin seemed annoyed and muttered 'Aish' under his breath.
“But why do you like Mr. Hyeon-yul, Team Leader Do-jin?”
Hae-ryeon had been curious all along.
He had shown favor from the very beginning.
“Looking at that guy’s eyes, I knew he’d become something big.
There are just things you see as time passes.”
Should he call it something you see with age?
Finding it hard to put into words, Do-jin pointlessly scratched his arm midway.
Because his eyes truly saw various things.
“Anyway, you see how the inside is already shaking because he came, right?
Seeing him burst the festering spots on his own makes coming to work enjoyable every day.”
Do-jin laughed loudly.
The inside naturally tended to get messy as time went by.
It felt like he appeared at just the right moment to save the Black Eagles.
“…So, Team Leader Do-jin.”
“What now, what is it?”
Do-jin stopped laughing and looked at her upon hearing Hae-ryeon’s suddenly heavy question.
In her deep brown eyes, there was only seriousness.
“Do you trust me?”
Because among the team leaders, he was the oldest, and though he pretended not to be, the person who cherished the Black Eagles more than anyone was Do-jin.
“Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
Asking if you can trust me.”
Do-jin looked down at Hae-ryeon, but his eyes were filled only with a deep gaze.
Hae-ryeon smiled gently at Do-jin’s expression, which was the same as usual.
“Team Leader Do-jin, your thoughts were correct.”
Do-jin didn’t answer.
Because he was accepting it matter-of-factly, as if he expected it.
But a short breath hitched belatedly.
An insider.
To think it was true.
“They say you hold onto regrets when you get old, but hearing that really annoys me.”
“Still, we’ll be able to catch them soon.”
Hae-ryeon tapped her own head twice.
Head commonly referred to the big shot.
Do-jin was startled and quickly scanned the surroundings.
He knew no one was there, but still, he barely managed to lower his voice and ask.
“…What?”
“Just as you said, Team Leader Do-jin, seems like a lucky charm rolled in.”
Hae-ryeon said lightly and walked forward.
Hearing that Hyeon-yul had achieved it, Do-jin couldn't help but feel regret.
He should have taken him.
He should have.
“So please help us out in today’s meeting too, Team Leader Do-jin.”
Hae-ryeon knew well how much weight Do-jin’s words carried, having survived as a Black Eagle for so long.
“Th-that……”
Do-jin started to say something but stopped.
These were the kids who would carry on the next generation; shouldn't he look upon them fondly?
“Yes?”
“You, you’re impressive.”
“I am impressive. I learned from watching you, Team Leader Do-jin.”
Hae-ryeon grinned slyly.
Hyeon-yul glanced sideways at Ji-hwan.
He thought he was noisy, but that wasn't it either.
He just walked dazedly, as if his soul had left him.
It might seem strange to others, but he knew this sight.
He didn't particularly want to ask.
“…Ah!”
As if recharged, Ji-hwan suddenly stopped walking upon realizing something and looked at Hyeon-yul.
“?”
Hyeon-yul moved his eyes.
“Looking back, your complexion wasn’t great when you rode the Eagle earlier, are you feeling unwell?”
He thought it strange how pale his complexion was right upon arrival.
Didn't he even get some kind of injection?
‘That was already 10 minutes ago.’
Hyeon-yul didn't bother voicing that thought.
“It’s just that the Eagle doesn’t quite suit me because I’m a test subject, but I’m fine.
It won’t affect the mission.”
Although the Eagle was fine-tuned as precisely as possible to match him, there were limits.
—Hyeon-yul. You know what condition your body is in because I keep telling you, right? The Eagle is magic, …I don’t know the exact principle either, but it keeps shaking your body, Hyeon-yul. Should I call it living motion sickness? Anyway, I’ll prescribe a new medicine, so bear with it until then.
Jeong-min said that from now on, adjusting with medicine was the only way.
Perhaps because it had been a while since he rode the Eagle, it was even more agonizing.
Hyeon-yul, walking ahead, turned his head.
He couldn't hear footsteps.
“……A former test subject?”
Ji-hwan stood there, utterly shocked.
“Yes.”
“Really?”
Ji-hwan looked strangely happy.
“Does that make you happy?
Because you must have been a test subject too.”
Ji-hwan was startled by Hyeon-yul’s words.
“To be precise, you probably weren't quite a test subject.
Did you go as far as the tertiary, no, the quaternary location?”
“…Do I look like it? Other people didn’t know.”
Ji-hwan fiddled with his hair, embarrassed.
He felt somewhat awkward.
“Other people wouldn’t know that the dazed state is a side effect caused by drugs.
If necessary, go see Doctor Lee Jeong-min.
He will help you.”
“…Hyung.”
Although the term ‘hyung’ still felt unfamiliar, Hyeon-yul answered.
“Speak.”
“Is it okay… to say I’m glad to meet you?”
He knew he and Hyeon-yul were different, but he felt a sense of kinship.
“It’s fine. I was also somewhat glad.”
Even when he searched the locations where experiments were conducted and brought people to Jeong-min, they all ended up dying.
This gladness wasn't false.
Jeong-min’s gaze poured down sharply, and Hyeon-yul operated his smartwatch to look at the mission.
A rough mission summary appeared there.
“……?”
Hyeon-yul doubted his eyes as soon as he saw the mission content.
Since it remained the same no matter how many times he looked, he turned his head to look at Ji-hwan.
“The mission… is this correct?”
“Surprised? You’ll be more surprised when you get there.”
Ji-hwan looked accustomed to it.
He was even smiling leisurely.
“Do we… have to go?”
“Of course. We don’t have surplus personnel, so if we receive it, we absolutely have to do it.
Let’s go!”
Ji-hwan shouted even louder.
“…Now, everyone. New friends have come to our kindergarten. Shall we say hello?”
Following the teacher’s bright and clear voice, Ji-hwan and Hyeon-yul appeared.
Unlike Ji-hwan who walked naturally, Hyeon-yul couldn’t relax his rigidly hardened face.
‘……This is the mission?’
The mission itself was ordinary.
A mission to protect this place from villains.
However, there was one problem.
“Hello!”
A greeting close to a scream flowed out powerfully.
Hyeon-yul felt even a cold sweat break out as he looked into the children’s sparkling eyes.
It was the first time in his life receiving such pure gazes.