Chapter 58: Shh (2)
I didn't know such a mission would fall this quickly.
But considering the scale, it was indeed urgent.
Usually, villains associated with such cults were crazy about expanding their influence, so there was no telling how much it would expand.
It was a critical issue that needed to be dealt with as soon as it was known.
However, because it was difficult and the mission period was long, no one preferred it.
—Your team discovered it, so give it a try. That's how you grow, Hae-ryeon.
Do-jin’s words echoed in her head.
So spiteful.
Ever since taking Hyeon-yul, he would act mean like this once in a while.
As Hyeon-yul’s silence continued, the other team members also gradually began to gauge his reaction.
Everyone knew that Hyeon-yul particularly loved clocking out.
Hae-ryeon approached Hyeon-yul and immediately continued her words.
“Instead, if you finish this mission, you can basically rest for about two days on paid leave, and you’ll get an additional bonus plus extra vacation days.”
“That part is good, though.”
Shin-woo nodded his head several times.
As difficult as it was, the reward was indeed good.
But it was difficult.
“So, to summarize that mission, does it mean we have to stay there?”
Hyeon-yul emerged from his thoughts and asked.
At first hearing, he thought it was a very unreasonable mission, but upon dissecting it slowly, there was no mention of staying up all night for 5 days.
“That’s right.”
“If I can slip out in the middle, may I?”
He needed to meet Jeong-min for check-ups.
There had to be time to go to him.
“You can use the Eagle. If there’s a situation where you can’t use the Eagle… which is unlikely, but anyway, if something like that happens, Mr. Ji-hwan will enable you to come here. As you may have seen, Mr. Ji-hwan can manipulate space. Of course, it’s not publicly known.”
At Hae-ryeon’s words, Ji-hwan raised two fingers to make a V sign.
“Usually, I’m known as an ice magician.”
Ji-hwan shrugged.
When he first met Hyeon-yul, he had pretended it was ice magic too.
“But here, I do want to give Mr. Hyeon-yul a choice regarding this mission.”
Hae-ryeon said seriously.
She had various thoughts, but this mission didn’t suit Hyeon-yul’s physical condition.
That part caused continuous worry.
“It’s alright, Team Leader.”
Hyeon-yul read Hae-ryeon’s hesitation and spoke first.
No matter the flaws in his body, it wasn't to the extent that he couldn't proceed with the mission.
If he started getting hindered like this one by one, he could be excluded from other missions too.
In the first place, this issue was something he should handle himself. Hae-ryeon didn't need to worry.
“I know you’re concerned. However, I already have countless experiences with stakeouts for missions.”
“I know. However, I hope you don’t misunderstand. I tend to exclude people from missions based on suitability or unsuitability for the task. That doesn't mean you’ll be completely excluded from other missions because of this. I’m just acknowledging Mr. Hyeon-yul’s unique circumstances. It’s an issue I can’t help but consider as a Team Leader, right?”
Hae-ryeon spoke calmly to Hyeon-yul.
It was a part where she had to be careful about what Hyeon-yul was thinking and how her words could be distorted.
“Then, do they provide food there? Can I sleep there too?”
“Of course, that’s possible.”
“Then, it’s fine.”
Hyeon-yul nodded.
This much was acceptable.
The conditions weren't bad either.
“Are you really okay…?”
“Yes. Just being able to eat and sleep is fine.”
“……Hyeon-yul.”
Na-yoon called Hyeon-yul with surprised eyes.
“Yes, Nunim.”
“You… have you ever not been able to eat or sleep during a mission?”
No way.
But she wanted to know.
What if she made a mistake?
This was a fact that absolutely needed to be known.
“Yes.”
Hyeon-yul answered curtly.
A brief silence fell.
Hyeon-yul met the gazes focused on him and continued his words.
“It’s usually like that there. It’s not particularly pitiful for me, or anything like that.”
That was all he could say.
“I think I understand why Hyung left.”
Ji-hwan empathized.
A place that doesn't give food and prevents sleep.
“A place like that just needs to go bankrupt.”
His voice rose instantly.
“That’s right. It needs to go bankrupt.”
Hyeon-yul also deeply empathized.
“Then, today, let’s do something that will make many villains go bankrupt.”
Hae-ryeon got up from her seat, walked to the desk, and brought back a stack of papers.
“Will there be many?”
“No. Not many.”
Hyeon-yul familiarly picked up the pen on top of the papers.
He was used to paperwork, having done a lot of it.
“Alright, alright, my dear team members? The meeting ends here, follow Mr. Hyeon-yul’s example and slowly head off to your assigned missions.”
“……Yes. We should go. We have to go, but today, I’m a little, just a little envious of Hyeon-yul.”
Na-yoon got up from her seat and looked at Hyeon-yul with envious eyes.
She didn't want to work.
“Envy is losing. Hurry up and go.”
Hae-ryeon waved her hand dismissively.
Many people were waiting.
“I lost.”
Shin-woo shook his head and got up from his seat.
“I lost too.”
Ji-hwan looked at Shin-woo and nodded.
Shin-woo also nodded and bumped fists.
Na-yoon, shaking her head at the two, smiled towards Hyeon-yul.
“Hyeon-yul. I just said I was envious, so don’t take it seriously.”
“I know. I was also envious seeing you go home quickly.”
“Right? Don’t you want to finish quickly, go to a cafe, and chat? Ahh, my mouth is itching.”
“…?”
“Ah! Hyeon-yul, you like cake, right? I’ll send options in the messenger later, so tell me which one you like. Let’s go eat together. Well then, I’ll head off first.”
Na-yoon spoke quickly enough to make Hyeon-yul’s head spin, then waved and left.
“…….”
Hyeon-yul’s hand holding the pen stopped.
A plan had suddenly been set.
“Nuna. I want to vote too! The places Nuna recommends are all delicious!”
Ji-hwan excitedly ran after Na-yoon.
“Hyung. Not today, let’s meet at the cafe next time. I’ll be back.”
‘……One more?’
“The places Na-yoon recommends are really delicious. I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be back.”
‘Again?’
Hyeon-yul looked confusedly at Shin-woo’s retreating back.
He immediately turned his head to look at Hae-ryeon.
“…Even if you look at me like that, I’m going too. It’s amazing. Would Ju-hyeon grab Na-yoon’s pants leg asking her to take her?”
“That’s not it.”
“Then?”
Hae-ryeon’s eyes widened.
“Is it alright if I go with you?”
“Is there a reason why not?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then first, let’s go together and think about it afterward. It’ll definitely be fun.”
“This place is a bit… strange.”
“That’s how it is. Right now, the people who have my back are my teammates. Didn’t Mr. Hyeon-yul also protect all of us just a few days ago?”
Hae-ryeon chuckled.
Looking just like this, he seemed quite gentle.
“Are you talking about the poison released by the Poison King?”
“That’s right. Mr. Shin-woo, Ms. Na-yoon, and Mr. Ji-hwan all have no poison resistance. It’s normal not to have it, of course, but still, it’s unsettling and scary. In that sense, Mr. Hyeon-yul saved everyone, and that’s why everyone is happy.”
Pushing teammates into potentially fatal situations was something she just couldn't get used to.
She had to do such things every time, and suffered from guilt every time.
It was fortunate that thanks to Hyeon-yul joining Team 3, she could plan missions more diversely.
“Is that so?”
“That’s how it is, so let’s work.”
Hae-ryeon returned to her seat.
Hyeon-yul glanced at Hae-ryeon, then looked at the company logo printed on the paper and drew an X.
One page, two pages.
As the papers gradually piled up, Hyeon-yul quietly called Hae-ryeon.
“Team Leader.”
“Hm?”
“Do we find experiment sites often?”
“We don’t… find many. They are likely the most secret locations.”
“I will share the information I’ve found.”
“Uh…?”
Hae-ryeon blinked her eyes blankly.
What did that mean all of a sudden?
“Isn’t what was done at the experiment site more important than the fact that the site was there?”
“…It is important.”
Hae-ryeon swallowed dryly without realizing it.
Her heart was already pounding.
“There were several experiment sites I discovered, and I have the information obtained from there.”
“What were you trying to find?”
“Yes.”
Hyeon-yul rolled up his left sleeve.
REX—03333.
As soon as she saw it, Hae-ryeon’s expression grew heavy.
It was his number as an experiment subject.
Normally, one would erase it, but it was still engraved.
“I want to know who the bastards who made me are.”
As he was identifying the companies created by villains, yesterday’s events came to mind.
Those bastards who participated in the experiments.
“If you find another experiment site, will you let me know?”
“I will. I definitely will. No, I’ll check if this number exists at previously discovered experiment sites.”
“Thank you.”
“Is there any other information I should know?”
“May I kill them?”
“……That, I can’t give you a definite answer.”
“Understood.”
“…Um, Mr. Hyeon-yul.”
“Yes.”
“I will sincerely try.”
“Thank you.”
Hyeon-yul bowed his head.
Maybe Hae-ryeon would be different?
He held onto that hope, just a little.
“Mr. Hyeon-yul. By any chance, the day you went to meet the Poison King. Did he say anything specific to you?”
“He did.”
“What?”
“He told me not to trust the Empire.”
—That’s why I’m kindly warning you. To get out quickly. The deeper you get involved, the deeper the regret will become.
“I thought that was something a villain might say.”
“Anything else?”
“He said he coveted me. Because I am a successful experiment subject.”
“……This must have been difficult for you to tell me.”
Just bringing it up must make anger surge.
There was no way he could make a proper report in this state.
“By any chance, is something wrong?”
“Last time, that guy scouted Mr. Hyeon-yul, right? I wondered if he spouted such nonsense again.”
Hae-ryeon clenched her fist tightly.
It seemed Hyeon-yul tended to shoulder everything alone.
It felt like he wouldn't speak up first unless asked like this.
“Even if such an offer comes, I will refuse it.”
“Right?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Good, work with that mindset.”
“But Team Leader.”
“Hm.”
Hae-ryeon looked at Hyeon-yul with sparkling eyes.
“When does the infiltration start?”
“…Tomorrow?”
“Understood. I will prepare.”
Hyeon-yul replied and went back to work.
He didn't want anything happening while he was briefly away.
First, it was right to silence one mouth quietly.
‘I should head there right after work.’
Hyeon-yul gripped the pen tightly.
‘For now, let’s catch them all.’
Hadn't he learned today that the investigation proceeds even if he stays put?
If so, the only path for him was to catch villains, and catch more villains.
As a hand suddenly popped out of thin air, the Poison King was startled.
“…Where is the location?”
Hyeon-yul grabbed the Poison King’s neck and demanded abruptly.
The Poison King looked at Hyeon-yul with startled eyes.
Hae-ryeon had stopped the Poison King’s poison from leaking out, but they seemed distrustful, as proper maintenance still hadn't been done.
The CCTV was naturally not working.
“……Ha.”
The Poison King let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded.
Where was this place?
Coming here while being a Black Eagle.
Wasn't he crazy?
That thought surged up to his throat.
“Are you dumbfounded?”
“If I ask, you should answer properly……”
Squeeze.
Force entered Hyeon-yul’s grip.
“I know you can regenerate. What do you think I will do?”
Hyeon-yul chose the fastest route.
The Poison King owned many places.
This was the same for other villains.
Like a multi-level marketing scheme, like an octopus's tentacles, they spread out countless companies.
Among them, only one was real.
Investigating up to that location was a waste of time.
Why do such a foolish thing when he himself was right here?
“By any chance, do you regenerate even if your neck is cut off?”
Hyeon-yul became genuinely curious.
A dagger was held in his other hand.
“Then, you… regenerate?”
“Yes.”
Hyeon-yul smiled.
“Made for experiments, isn’t that obvious?”
However, it's dangerous.
He didn't bother voicing those words.
“As you know, I will try it. If you die, it will just be unfortunate.”
As Hyeon-yul’s hand moved, the Poison King spoke urgently.
“Wait a moment!”
“Yes. Speak.”
“You, you don’t know what you’re doing right now.”
“I know very well.”
“Do you know the repercussions this action will cause?”
“Reducing the number of villains, what repercussions should I consider?”
Hyeon-yul tilted his head slightly.
“Do not condemn us as villains.”
“Ah, I heard the Empire created power. Is that why? Did the Empire wrong you?”
“…….”
The Poison King shut his mouth.
His eyes held surprise.
“Never mind. That’s not what I want to know. If you don’t want to die, start talking.”
Hyeon-yul looked at the Poison King and smirked.
No villain in the world would want their own head to fall.
Instantly, something glittering dug into someone’s neck.
They couldn't even scream.
Though the lights turned on quickly, a man wearing a rabbit mask stood there.
Shh.
Hyeon-yul raised the index finger of his gloved hand to his lips.
He held up his cell phone, making text scroll like an electronic display.
「Nod if you understand.」
Everyone standing there nodded their heads.
In the room were corpses, and staining the room was blood.
All the executives who were in the meeting were dead.
Who could refuse to surrender?