Chapter 25. Why is This Here?
「Expulsion List.」
Hae-ryeon held out the list to Hyeon-yul.
“Take it, Mr. Hyeon-yul.”
Hyeon-yul momentarily felt his heart drop.
Was this what feeling dizzy meant?
‘Expulsion… list?’
Hyeon-yul felt like he was about to break into a cold sweat.
“Did I… do something wrong?”
“Huh?”
Hae-ryeon blinked, then lowered her gaze.
“No, no! It’s not like that, the incident involving you, Mr. Hyeon-yul, grew into the insider collaborator case, right?
It contains the findings from the group chat you handed over to Team Leader Ju-hyeon.
It’s absolutely not that!”
“…Ah. Excuse me.”
Only then did Hyeon-yul’s expression return to normal.
‘That was quite… dizzying.’
The one who needed to grab Hyeon-yul’s trouser leg, telling him not to leave, was none other than himself.
Hae-ryeon controlled her expression and summarized briefly.
“According to the investigation so far, 34 people, including 2 Black Eagles and White Sparrows, have been caught.
The identities clearly revealed are on the White Sparrow side.”
At first, she thought it was simply an incident stemming from dissatisfaction towards Hyeon-yul, a former villain.
She had anticipated that level of backlash.
But it wasn't such a light matter.
‘If it weren’t for Hyeon-yul, this case would have remained unknown.’
Why target Hyeon-yul specifically?
Various speculations went back and forth about that fact.
Hyeon-yul knew the faces of certain villains, and this was to prevent that.
Or, it was intended to intensify the conflict between Black Eagles and White Sparrows with Hyeon-yul at the center.
Whatever the reason, it couldn't be tolerated.
“What has been decided?”
Hyeon-yul requested the conclusion.
“Nominally, under the reason of internal chaos, they will be kicked out first.”
“There will be a gap in personnel, will that be alright?”
“Still, it has to be done. This is a result agreed upon by all team leaders.”
Thinking about the meeting, Hae-ryeon already felt a headache coming on.
It had been so intense, she felt like just using up all her vacation days.
“Mr. Hyeon-yul.”
“Yes, Mr. Team Leader.”
“Do you know what I find dizzying right now?”
“Is it the part about an insider among the team leaders?”
“Correct.”
Hae-ryeon let out a long sigh and swept her hair back.
“To expel that many people, we inevitably had to reveal the insider collaborator.
It’s a result obtained that way, so it’s a loss for us too.”
If there was an insider among the team leaders, they might have to bury the fact without knowing who it was.
They probably wouldn't leave more evidence in the future.
“Still, I believe what needs to be cut must be cut.
The sword swung this time might not reach the roots, but it’s the same for them.
Drying them out like this might be fine too.
Perhaps, within a month at most, they will submit their resignation, I think.”
Hyeon-yul spoke while examining the list.
Two Black Eagles.
‘It’s dangerous if these guys become villains.’
He was told he was the first to become a Black Eagle from being a villain.
But the reverse was common.
For the sake of the Black Eagle, the buds had to be nipped early.
“Mr. Team Leader. Why is one Black Eagle’s name crossed out?”
“He died.”
“Died?”
“There was a murder incident at a club, and the victim was that guy.
He was the Black Eagle we were chasing.”
‘Ah……. So the guy I killed last time was included.’
Hyeon-yul nodded, then glanced sideways at Hae-ryeon.
Is she not suspecting me this time either?
“Don’t worry. The same thing as last time won’t happen.
No one suspects you, Mr. Hyeon-yul.”
“Then, who is the one remaining Black Eagle?”
“The White Sparrows were easily identified, but tracking the Black Eagle turned out to be difficult.
I suspect it might be one of the team leaders.
Anyway, Mr. Hyeon-yul.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
At Hae-ryeon’s apology, Hyeon-yul looked at her with a hardened face.
Hyeon-yul felt uneasy.
What is it this time?
“I meant I’m sorry for getting you involved in something like this.
Getting swept up in gossip… it takes a toll on your mind, body, everything, right?”
Hae-ryeon’s gaze dropped downwards as she repeatedly clenched and unclenched her fingers.
Ah.
Only then did Hyeon-yul feel relieved.
“It’s alright, I’m always caught up in rumors.
It’s not something I wasn’t prepared for, and my existence will always be subject to numerous words, whether good or bad.”
He was a test subject who survived against extreme odds.
Just this alone naturally made things noisy.
Hae-ryeon’s gaze towards Hyeon-yul deepened.
It seemed like he was talking about someone else’s affair.
“I know I might seem strange. In terms of words, actions, and various other aspects.”
Hyeon-yul started to say something else, then recalled the various things he heard from Jeong-min and the advice from ‘101 Ways for a Smooth Office Life’ that it was better to resolve misunderstandings before moving on.
“No. Not strange at all.”
Hae-ryeon shook her head.
That was a lie.
There was no way he wasn't strange.
“As you might have heard from Doctor Jeong-min, due to drug side effects, I have impairments in various areas like my way of thinking, thoughts, and actions, and I am still undergoing treatment.
Though inadequate, I am trying to become more natural.”
Hyeon-yul looked straight at Hae-ryeon.
He knew it was better to say things like this directly.
“What do you like, Mr. Hyeon-yul?”
Hyeon-yul hesitated at the sudden question.
Such questions felt very unfamiliar.
It was a question he had never heard when he was a villain, and it was like the strange questions Jeong-min always asked.
“Since my senses are sensitive, I like doing small activities.”
“What kind of things do you like?”
Hae-ryeon just smiled.
“Knitting is good, and making accessories is also good.
I’m always thinking I want to raise a turtle.”
Though they were trivial words, Hyeon-yul looked quite pleased.
‘They’re all… things done at home?’
Hae-ryeon noticed one commonality.
“Yes. My senses are sensitive, so home is comfortable.
That doesn’t mean I have difficulty going outside though.”
“I know that… Oh dear. Mr. Hyeon-yul, would you perhaps consider moving?”
“…I’ve thought about it, but I don’t have the money to move.”
Hae-ryeon pressed her lips together firmly as if she had guessed.
A realistic worry was visible in Hyeon-yul’s gray eyes.
“Most of my salary goes towards interest on money borrowed for hospital bills and medicine costs, so it’s quite tight.
I considered taking assassination requests, but due to the highly irregular lifestyle, I chose to just starve instead.
Because I must always maintain my health.”
Hae-ryeon’s heart wavered every time she heard those words.
Did Hyeon-yul become a test subject because he wanted to?
It was the villains who made him a test subject, so why was Hyeon-yul bearing all the consequences?
It felt fortunate that he maintained this level of sanity, that he was only warped this much.
“Still, it’s a relief you’re willing to move.
I was thinking of applying for housing cost support.”
Hyeon-yul’s face showed shock.
Housing support.
Even the bridge of his nose tingled.
“Of course, there’s something you need to do before that.”
“…I’ll do it.”
Strength entered Hyeon-yul’s voice.
He knew it was bait offered to make him work hard, but Hyeon-yul had no choice but to bite.
“Mr. Hyeon-yul.”
“Yes.”
“We need to reissue your ID card, is that okay?”
“Is there a problem with my identity?”
“No.”
Hyeon-yul’s identity was clear.
However, based on the information Shin-woo provided—that Hyeon-yul’s age differed from reality and he hadn't attended school—it was a fabricated identity.
Judging by his expression, Hyeon-yul seemed unaware of this fact.
‘That person must have made it, right?’
Doctor Lee Jeong-min.
Villains liked people without identities, so it was unlikely the villain side made it.
Jeong-min was someone who had been with Hyeon-yul for a long time.
“When you become a Black Eagle, you normally go through this kind of procedural process.
You become a special person.”
Hae-ryeon smiled brightly.
It wasn't incorrect.
Since he was someone the Empire needed to protect, he had to be newly registered.
“And you have many gaps as a test subject, Mr. Hyeon-yul, right?”
“Yes, many.”
His childhood and adolescence were all spent as a test subject.
“We’ll record the fact that you were a test subject there.
Doing this will allow you, Mr. Hyeon-yul, to receive all the various benefits provided by the Empire.
Will that be okay?”
“Will I be officially recognized as a test subject?”
“Not a test subject, but a victim.
That’s how you’ll be recognized.
If you don’t feel comfortable, you don’t have to do it.
There are many other ways.”
“…If it’s recorded.”
“Yes?”
“Never mind. I’ll do it.”
“Mr. Hyeon-yul can choose a house under 18 pyeong owned by the Empire.
If you reside there for about 3 years, you don’t have to pay it back.”
“……”
Hyeon-yul’s lower lip trembled greatly, and a ripple appeared in his eyes.
Not even having to pay it back.
As if proving the saying that being treated too well breeds anxiety, Hyeon-yul suddenly opened his mouth with a question that welled up.
“Why… are you doing this for me?”
This wasn’t even in the employment contract.
“Mr. Hyeon-yul, you saved numerous people.
You will save even more people in the future.”
Hae-ryeon grinned slyly.
By capturing the Poison King, one pillar had collapsed.
It was just a shame that how many lives were saved wasn't visible to the eye.
“Honestly, I think Mr. Hyeon-yul could even become a noble.
How proud would I be then?”
The Black Eagle was close to the only channel through which one could become a noble.
There would be no change in social status, but wouldn't it be great to become a symbol?
“A noble?”
“Oh dear, I kept you too long.”
Hae-ryeon checked her watch and was surprised.
“You have to stop by Doctor Jeong-min’s, right?”
“Yes. I need to stop by before the theory class.”
She wanted to let him rest, but the theory education was done together, so the schedule couldn't be changed.
“Anyway, think about it slowly and let me know.
Ah, Team Leader Ju-hyeon is checking the Poison King’s cell phone you gave her now, so I’ll let you know if anything comes up.
That’s all.”
Hae-ryeon indicated their business was concluded.
But Hyeon-yul stood there blankly.
“What’s wrong? Is there something you want to say?”
“There’s something I couldn’t tell you yesterday.”
“…Yesterday?”
As Hae-ryeon’s eyes widened, Hyeon-yul held out his phone and showed her the picture.
“The villain I contacted yesterday is known as the Gravity Magician or the Crimson Witch.
Shin Dae-ho called her Asan.”
“……?”
Hae-ryeon briefly held her breath.
The Poison King leaves, and the Crimson Witch arrives.
‘Really… is he some kind of villain catnip?’
She didn’t know why he kept encountering villains one after another like this.
Big shots weren't supposed to be met this easily.
Shin Dae-ho, Poison King, Crimson Witch.
In truth, without Hyeon-yul, no one could have approached that combination.
‘How is this a coincidence.’
Hae-ryeon screamed inwardly.
“After encountering the said villain, I inflicted a wound on her back.
I tried to use her subordinate to find out where they came from, but their loyalty was high, and they committed suicide.”
Hyeon-yul expressed regret after the report.
He wanted to get information related to test subjects, but the loyalty was abnormally high.
To think there was an idiot even more foolish than himself.
“Wait a minute, you inflicted a wound?”
Hae-ryeon was aghast at a different part.
Was he fearless?
“Yes. I inflicted a wound as a warning.
Though my arm was bent too.
A big shot truly is a different kind of being.”
Hyeon-yul spoke as if observing something fascinating.
Perhaps feeling his explanation was insufficient, he offered a supporting argument.
“It seemed like they intended to devour the power bases left by the Poison King and Shin Dae-ho.
I inflicted the wound to prevent the possibility of them growing into a larger force.
If there’s a problem……”
“There is a problem! You said you weren’t hurt?”
“Yes. I wasn’t hurt. It was merely bent.”
“Bent means broken!”
Hae-ryeon immediately looked at Hyeon-yul’s arm.
It looked strangely fine.
“I am quite resistant to impacts.
I was planning to go to the doctor now……”
“Hurry up and go! Hurry!”
Somehow, Hae-ryeon’s expression was dark.
Hyeon-yul wondered what mistake he had made and moved his feet heavily.
‘……Difficult.’
Human emotions were difficult.
Hyeon-yul wanted to look back several times.
But worried he might disturb her mood, he left without doing anything.
After confirming Hyeon-yul had left, Hae-ryeon finally hit her head on the desk.
Thump.
‘…Crazy. Really crazy.’
To kill the Poison King, one must be immune to poison.
The team leaders used to joke about it.
The fact that Hyeon-yul achieved it had huge repercussions.
Hyeon-yul himself didn't seem to realize it, but this was nothing short of a stroke of luck.
Immune to poison.
Easy to say, but was that possible?
‘But… he wounded the Crimson Witch too?’
The Crimson Witch was a magician.
Was there anyone who didn't know how tricky magicians were?
Just being a magician itself earned bonus points even in the Black Eagle.
‘…Did I set the bar too low?’
Hyeon-yul’s abilities were beyond imagination.
Since living test subjects didn't exist, there was no data showing their strength.
‘Strong. Too strong, even.’
The smile on Hae-ryeon’s lips gradually faded as she ran both hands through her hair.
That kind of strength wasn't good.
A sense of bitterness pointlessly washed over her.
—Knitting is good, and making accessories is also good. I’m always thinking I want to raise a turtle.
The words Hyeon-yul uttered seemed completely sincere.
‘…Villains ruined a person like that.’
If he hadn't been a test subject, wouldn't he have just lived as an ordinary person?
“…Doctor.”
Hyeon-yul looked at Jeong-min and opened his mouth.
Jeong-min’s voice, as he examined the X-ray, held a sharp edge somewhere.
“I’m listening.”
“Are you angry?”
“Hyeon-yul. What have I told you since you were young?”
Jeong-min asked, pointing at Hyeon-yul’s arm.
“You told me to take care of my body. I have been adhering to that continuously.”
“And such a person joined the Black Eagle?”
“Do I need to answer again?”
“Aah, fine. Don’t say anymore. My ears hurt.”
Jeong-min refused as if shuddering.
Perfect benefits and money.
What could he say when Hyeon-yul mentioned that?
It was the most urgent matter for Hyeon-yul.
When offered medical expense support, he had thrown both hands up and cheered 'Manse!'
“Doctor. I am always careful.”
“This?”
Jeong-min pointed at Hyeon-yul’s arm again.
There was a very faint bruise.
To others, it was a wound that would heal just by licking it, but not for Hyeon-yul.
This too had to be viewed seriously.
“My body structure is different from others, isn’t it. Even though my arm was bent by magic, it only resulted in a bruise.”
He might be strong against impacts, but weak against cuts because blood clotting was difficult.
Jeong-min merely applied medicine unsuited for a bruise and bandaged it elaborately.
“…Wow, your words have become quite fluent, haven’t they? To the point where one wouldn’t know who taught you.”
“You taught me, Doctor.”
As Hyeon-yul smiled, Jeong-min, who had been sarcastic, pointlessly shrugged.
It had already been 14 years.
Seeing him since childhood, Hyeon-yul had become more than just a patient.
“Anyway, what did you want to ask about?”
“Doctor. Do people dislike efficiency?”
Pursuing efficiency was Hyeon-yul’s way.
In other words, it was the same as saying they disliked Hyeon-yul.
“Who… Who dislikes you? Which bastard is it?”
Jeong-min raised his voice.
“There have always been many people who dislike me.”
“It’s because their eyes are weird.”
“It seems most people’s eyes aren't good.”
Jeong-min laughed loudly at Hyeon-yul’s sarcastic remark.
He even made jokes well.
Very commendable.
“Please answer.”
“Even if one prefers efficiency, it doesn't last forever. They might just not be in a good mood today.”
“…Ah.”
Only then did Hyeon-yul understand.
A fairly well-known villain had appeared, so it was natural she'd have a headache.
Wasn't Hae-ryeon a team leader?
With additional work piled onto her already numerous tasks, it was understandable she'd be annoyed.
‘So I gave her more work.’
Hyeon-yul could finally shake off the uneasy feeling.
“You should come back after the training.”
“Did the levels drop?”
“Yes. Looks like you need one injection today.”
“Doctor.”
Jeong-min raised both eyebrows at Hyeon-yul’s call and looked at him.
Hyeon-yul hesitated for a very brief moment.
What was he trying to say?
Seeing the uncharacteristic behavior, Jeong-min felt needlessly tense.
Was he sick somewhere?
“Now that I can receive medical expense support, I will repay your money first, Doctor.”
Medical expenses were too high, leading to debt, and when there was nowhere else to borrow from, Jeong-min had covered the treatment costs instead.
He always wanted to repay Jeong-min’s debt, but only now had it become possible.
“……You were worried about it all this time?”
Jeong-min asked in surprise.
“Yes.”
Jeong-min felt touched by Hyeon-yul’s answer.
“Forget it. I did it because I wanted to, so don’t worry about it.”
“Doctor. I receive a large salary now. There’s no chance of defaulting on the money either.”
“Hyeon-yul. I earn more here too. You should save that money, find a new house, and raise a turtle too.”
Jeong-min patted Hyeon-yul’s arm.
Everyone said he would die, but Hyeon-yul lived.
He endured.
He persevered with all his might and became an adult.
He decided to consider it the price for witnessing that process.
“That is my debt……”
“Oh, you’ll be late for training. Mr. Latecomer. Shouldn’t you hurry?”
Jeong-min pointed at the clock.
Hyeon-yul looked at the time and reluctantly stood up.
What did one say at times like this?
After thinking for a moment, Hyeon-yul smiled and said.
“I’ll buy you a meal.”
“Alright. I’ll be ready to eat something expensive.”
As Jeong-min smiled, Hyeon-yul also smiled, bowed his head deeply, and went outside.
Jeong-min took off the glasses he was wearing and covered his face with his hand.
That small child.
The child who knew nothing of emotions.
Had grown up that much.
‘I don’t know whose child he is, but he’s really damn commendable.’
No matter how much despair he faced, Jeong-min couldn't stop.
Because Hyeon-yul was alive.
“Ah, Doctor. Perhaps the festival……”
Hyeon-yul, who opened the door and came in, looked at Jeong-min and then spoke softly.
“My levels must not be good. I will pretend not to know.”
He wasn't unaware that Jeong-min sometimes cried when his levels were poor.
Hyeon-yul quietly closed the door as usual.
“W-wait a minute, Hyeon-yul! That’s not it!”
Jeong-min stood up from his seat to explain.