Chapter 80: Concerns (2)
“…Are you serious?”
“I’m serious. So choose.”
Hae-ryeon, without hesitation, responded to Hyeon-yul’s question.
“Why are you doing this?”
Hyeon-yul felt it was unfair.
Weren't injuries incurred during missions an unavoidable part?
It was that kind of mission in the first place.
Holding this hostage and shaking it didn't make sense.
“It’s your body, Mr. Hyeon-yul, but it’s also Black Eagle’s asset. It’s natural to be concerned.”
“I can proceed with the mission. Didn’t I show you?”
“Brother, you’re stubborn.”
Ji-hwan quickly chimed in.
When Hyeon-yul looked at him, Ji-hwan quickly turned his head and pretended to be doing something else.
“I know how well Mr. Hyeon-yul carries out missions, how amazing he is. Didn’t I ask Mr. Hyeon-yul to join Team 3 on the spot after seeing his power? Right?”
“That’s true.”
“If you don’t want to be excluded from the mission, get treatment and……”
“Team Leader. I clearly said I carry my own dedicated first aid kit. Even if the teacher treats me, it’s not much different from the measures I take.”
Hae-ryeon, seeing Hyeon-yul’s and Ji-hwan’s reactions, confirmed that this part was lacking.
Then it needed to be fixed right away.
“Alright. Then shall we set a standard?”
“What kind of standard are you talking about?”
“I felt like my standard was lacking. Let’s find another way. What do you think is appropriate, Mr. Hyeon-yul?”
“I can continue the mission even if I get hurt.”
“That’s not allowed. Even if Mr. Ji-hwan gets hurt, he steps back. This is fair for everyone.”
“That’s right.”
Ji-hwan nodded.
He then pointed to himself with his finger.
“I also couldn’t go out about twice after injuring my arm. I was so happy… Ahem. Anyway, that’s how it was.”
Ji-hwan, who had been talking excitedly, quickly let out a dry cough.
“…Ah, is everyone like that?”
Hyeon-yul asked cautiously.
He was wary with his eyes.
“It’s like that for everyone. It’s not just for you, Mr. Hyeon-yul. However, since I can’t help but consider Mr. Hyeon-yul’s physical condition, the standard is a bit higher. So, let’s aim for a result that satisfies Mr. Hyeon-yul, me, and everyone else.”
“……Then, if my stomach is pierced, I’ll go to the teacher.”
Hyeon-yul spoke while thinking.
“Has your stomach… ever been pierced, no. You don’t have to say.”
Hae-ryeon was about to ask but then stopped.
It was obvious it would only bring back bad memories.
Wasn't there anything?
“Up to scratches. I’ll understand that much. Piercing is not allowed.”
“Alright.”
Hyeon-yul immediately agreed.
In short, it meant as long as it wasn't pierced.
Hae-ryeon strangely narrowed her eyes.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something you don’t like?”
“No. It’s just that you accepted it so readily, it’s a bit suspicious.”
“It’s not suspicious.”
“Right?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“Alright. Then Mr. Hyeon-yul can leave work, and Mr. Ji-hwan will have to stay.”
“……Really?”
Ji-hwan reacted as if he couldn't believe it.
“Team Leader.”
“Yes?”
“Can I work more?”
“……Huh?”
Hae-ryeon’s pupils shook violently.
Why was he like this?
Why was he like this?
“Why… is he saying that?”
Hae-ryeon felt like she was about to break out in a cold sweat.
“The task of finding villains last time, I’ll do it briefly before I go.”
“Ah, that?”
Hae-ryeon finally understood.
Hyeon-yul had once done the work of filtering out villains by looking at company logos or emblems.
She had changed it so that it could be done at any time.
“It would be good if you do. I also have something to give Mr. Hyeon-yul.”
“To me?”
Hyeon-yul was wary for now.
“The experiment site data.”
Hae-ryeon spoke, glancing slightly at Ji-hwan.
Ji-hwan had also been a test subject once.
“Thank you.”
“No problem.”
“Then, I’ll go to work.”
Hyeon-yul bowed his head first and went outside.
After he left, Ji-hwan stealthily approached and asked.
“Is there anything I can help with?”
“Mr. Ji-hwan is fine. You’re still tired, aren’t you?”
“Still, I have to overcome it. I’ve already been to the experiment site several times.”
Ji-hwan confidently puffed his chest a couple of times.
“Still, I’m concerned.”
“Then I’ll ask Brother.”
“Mr. Ji-hwan.”
Hae-ryeon was smiling brightly.
Strangely, Ji-hwan felt his throat go dry.
“Yes?”
“Did you forget you have a mission?”
“…No. Um, couldn’t I take a moment to relax while drinking some water?”
“Unfortunately, you have to go right now.”
“Right now? Without even a glass of water?”
“Yes, right now. It seems the managers can’t restore the site by themselves. You’ll have to put in some effort.”
As Hae-ryeon pointed to the door, Ji-hwan let out a deep sigh.
Restoring the place villains had messed up was White Sparrow’s job.
Black Eagle would come only for tasks they couldn't handle there.
They usually asked magicians.
“This is why magicians are tired.”
“Cheer up a little more. You’ll probably be able to leave work in about 2 hours.”
“…That’s exactly when I get off work. I’ll cheer up.”
Ji-hwan headed outside with a face that showed no energy at all.
Hae-ryeon smiled brightly at his retreating figure, then gathered her documents and went out.
「Seung-yoo, hello.」
Seeing the cell phone that had suddenly popped up, Seung-yoo, who was about to get up, was startled and then stared blankly at Hyeon-yul.
This wasn't the company; it was his own home.
How did he know this place?
Unable to hide his surprise, he knelt.
“…You’ve arrived?”
「Surprised?」
“I was surprised.”
「I’ll just say a few words and go.」
「There was something I couldn’t tell you back then.」
「Are you angry because I came at dawn?」
“Not at all. You can visit anytime. Please tell me anything.”
Seung-yoo bowed his head respectfully.
Any words were fine.
No, the fact that he came to visit like this meant he trusted him, didn't it?
「You’re digging into Poison King’s background right now, aren’t you?」
“Yes. I received orders to find out who is behind Poison King, so I’m starting by looking for what he’s hiding.”
「Smart.」
Hyeon-yul praised him.
To do even the parts he hadn't mentioned.
“Not at all! It’s something I naturally have to do…!”
Seung-yoo’s voice trembled.
A thrill rose in his chest at the fact that he had been acknowledged.
「Find out if Poison King has hidden or traded any drugs.」
“Understood. I will look into it.”
「Aren’t you curious about the reason?」
“I told you I would follow any orders.”
「Take what you want.」
「Kill if it’s annoying.」
「You know well, right?」
“Yes. I know very well. Isn’t that the first thing you learn in this line of work?”
「But I, for one, don’t like drugs.」
“From now on, we will not handle drugs. If we see any, we will confiscate all of them.”
「Alright. Confiscate them and gather them separately. I’ll give the disposal orders.」
“Understood.”
Hyeon-yul was about to leave when he suddenly remembered what the villains had been chattering about regarding him.
「I hear I’m famous these days?」
“Of course! That’s how it should be. That’s how it must be.”
The more Seung-yoo spoke, the more the corners of his lips rose.
The idea of not becoming famous was nonsensical.
The fact that he had killed the executives sent shivers down his spine, and he even felt a sense of respect for the fact that he had captivated everyone’s hearts at once.
All factions would now kiss the ground beneath his feet.
It had to be that way.
‘I’ll make it that way. I will…!’
Seung-yoo clenched his fist tightly.
「It felt good.」
In reality, he was indifferent.
He felt no emotion.
Those who followed him, the factions, they were all just illusions in the end.
The moment they found out who he was, they would surely turn their backs, so why would he like it?
「You’re Worrying about how to answer if they ask who I am, right?」
“…How did you know?”
「Then, speak simply.」
Seung-yoo waited.
He waited and waited to see what he would say.
「The one who will be your master.」
Hyeon-yul left some plausible words and then asked.
「The data?」
“……Please wait a moment.”
Seung-yoo was so dizzy he felt faint.
‘He himself said it. He himself said it. He himself… said it!’
Seung-yoo’s eyes glinted with intensity.
He was the one who would stand above them.
The one who would drive out the emperor in the Empire and sit on that throne.
If not, none of this made sense.
Why he had placed him in this position, why he was organizing other factions, why he had set his sights on Poison King.
All of this was just a process towards that position.
“If it’s not too presumptuous, how should I… refer to you?”
Seung-yoo asked cautiously.
He wanted to know.
This, he had to know.
Hyeon-yul thought for a moment, then threw out something casually.
To give them what they wanted, wouldn't this be enough?
「King.」
A deep smile settled on Seung-yoo’s face as he saw the message.
A strong tremor arose.
‘…The King himself referred to himself.’
Kkadeudeuk.
Seung-yoo bit his nails, suppressing his surging laughter.
Before going to bed, Hyeon-yul examined the data Hae-ryeon had given him.
It was organized with surprising meticulousness.
It was so obvious how much care had been put into it.
‘Does it mean it’s worth this much?’
Hyeon-yul thought for a moment and slowly moved the mouse wheel.
He squeezed his eyes shut tightly for a moment, counted to three, and then opened them again.
For back health and eye health, a proper posture, a large screen, and an appropriate distance were very important.
Hyeon-yul, who had opened his eyes again, stopped his hand while checking if there were any overlapping places with the ones he had visited.
‘……Ah, I’m going to die from overwork again at this rate.’
That thought suddenly occurred to him.
He had come this far with the determination not to die from overwork, but many things had happened, and he himself was also causing trouble.
This wasn't good.
He quickly turned off the computer and slowly walked to bed.
As he looked at the ceiling, a thought came to him.
‘Am I being impatient?’
Lifespan was something no one could predict.
Some said that his current period was the prime of his life, the time when flowers bloomed, but those words didn't apply to him.
‘Or have too many things blown up?’
After becoming Black Eagle, he had seen many things, and many things had happened.
He could see how small a fence he had been in when he was a villain.
He had been forced to be that way too.
―Don’t think about anything. I’ll do the thinking, so you just do as you’re told.
He had heard those words countless times from the bosses, and Shin Dae-ho was no different.
However, if there was a difference between them and Shin Dae-ho here, it was only the fact that Shin Dae-ho, as Poison King had mentioned, had not ordered him to kill ordinary people.
‘…Alright, alright. Morning and night have switched. This isn’t good for my health.’
Hyeon-yul tried to dismiss his thoughts and close his eyes, but his gaze shifted.
Jiiiiiing.
He flicked his finger and brought his cell phone.
“Yes, Teacher.”
<You’re not working again, are you?>
“I’m in bed right now.”
<Then before that?>
“I’m in bed right now.”
He heard Jeong-min’s sigh over the phone.
There wouldn't be any CCTV, but he wondered how he always knew so well.
<Hyeon-yul. What did I say you should do while changing medicine?>
“You said I should rest.”
He said that even the small change of switching medicine caused cracks in the body.
He wondered if real cracks would actually appear, but it was true.
<You know I’m not just saying it, right?>
“I know. That’s why I’m lying down.”
<I know what you want to do, but absolutely refrain.>
“Yes. I know.”
Hyeon-yul answered with a little more force in his voice.
“Just now, I didn’t want to die from overwork, so I lay down on my own.”
He added the latter part so Jeong-min could be relieved.
Wouldn't this be enough?
<The tremors are gone now, right? No, is your palm healed?>
“Yes, the tremors are gone, and as a result of checking my palm today, it has healed except for a very slight scratch.”
Hyeon-yul looked at his palm.
This too would heal today.
<If anything feels strange, tell me immediately.>
“Understood.”
<You have to tell me immediately, Hyeon-yul.>
At the repeated words, Hyeon-yul, forcibly keeping his slowly drooping eyes open, asked a question.
“Teacher, sometimes it seems like you don’t trust me. I feel this is quite contradictory in relation to the trust you mentioned.”
<Contradictory, my foot, it’s you who hides things that’s bad. Is this the first or second time? When was it, last time when you were a villain. Back then, you didn’t even say what mission you were doing, and you came back with your stomach pierced. When I asked, you said you caught a villain boss, but I clearly told you that day that I changed your medicine, so be careful…….>
Thud.
The cell phone in Hyeon-yul’s hand slipped down.
His breathing deepened.
<See? You don’t listen to me like this, so I can’t help but doubt you. Isn’t that right? ……Hyeon-yul? Are you listening? Hyeon-yul? Are you sleeping?>
A sound came from the cell phone, but Hyeon-yul didn't wake up.
<…He’s sleeping, he’s sleeping. He sleeps only when he hears my voice. Alright, sleep. Sleep. Don’t even dream, just sleep soundly.>
The call ended with an incredulous voice.
“…First, I would like to apologize.”
Team 1 Leader Ha Dong-woo bowed deeply as soon as he entered the conference room.
His belt seemed a bit tight, so he tensed his stomach.
“As a result of reconfirmation, it is true that all White Sparrows deployed on the mission were affected by mental manipulation. During the confirmation process, we did not recall everyone at once, but recalled them in shifts and erased the power that dominated their minds.”
He raised his head again and looked at everyone.
“You kept insisting it wasn’t true, but now that it’s a fact, you finally bow your head?”
Team 4’s Bong Hyeon-ho looked at Dong-woo with displeasure.
His eyes narrowed like a snake’s.
As a result of Team 3’s mission, it was revealed that a large number of White Sparrows deployed on that mission had been mentally dominated.
How was this different from a second insider incident?
At first, he hadn't believed it either, but after examining it with magic, he found that Hae-ryeon’s assertion was correct.
“You’d be there because of mental-type power, so what happened?”
Hyeon-ho continued to attack Dong-woo.
“If it hadn’t been for Team 3, the Nest might have been completely taken over. Please explain what happened.”
Dong-woo bowed his head deeply at the continuing words.
“Team 3’s newbie is quite something.”
Team 2 Leader Yang Do-jin chuckled heartily.
At that laughter, Hae-ryeon immediately looked at Do-jin.
“Scary, Hae-ryeon.”
“I know you’re not scared.”
“…Well, um, anyway, isn’t it fortunate that we found out now?”
Team 6’s Jeong Na-rin fiddled with her long bangs that came down enough to cover her eyes.
She had a lot of hair.
“That’s true. Unnie almost had a hard time, didn’t she?”
Team 7’s Ye Ju-hyeon fiddled with her cell phone with her thumb and glanced at Na-rin.
Na-rin lowered her head at those words.
She was quite embarrassed.
“Anyway, the reason I called you all urgently is not for anything else but because of a fact discovered through this mission.”
Hae-ryeon briefly looked at the empty Team 5 seat, then looked at everyone.
“They’re called former Black Eagles. Those who were kicked out have started to form groups.”