Chapter 12 - Let's Put It in Writing (2)

* * *

'I have to get this right.'

Hyeonyul drew a breath. Along with negotiating his salary, he needed to establish solid terms across the board.

After studying his expression, Haeryeon looked a little sheepish.

"I said that so confidently, but it's a bit ridiculous to discuss your employment contract on your third day, isn't it?"

"No. I've been waiting for this."

Still rigid, Hyeonyul spoke carefully.

"I'm glad to hear that. Normally, we should sign it right away, but here we observe people for at least three days, or as long as two weeks. To judge their character. I hope you don't take offense."

The Black Eagles were special-duty civil servants. The outcome could vary depending on who became a Black Eagle, so assessing a person's character was unavoidable. Hyeonyul was no exception.

No matter how many times Haeryeon combed through his records, she found no record of him killing civilians. His missions had been cleanly executed, too. Even if she wanted to investigate further, there were far fewer records of Hyeonyul than of other people. Now it was time to trust her own judgment.

'... I knew it.'

Her words sent a chill through Hyeonyul. What would have happened if he'd rested when Seoyul and Nayun told him to?

"I'm not offended. In fact, I agree. I want to work here without any trouble down the line."

"Then I'm glad."

Haeryeon smiled and held out the contract. Hyeonyul focused on the paper.

"These are the Black Eagles' standard terms. All the benefits listed in the recruitment notice apply exactly as stated. Read it and tell me if there's anything you'd like to negotiate. I can't speak for other places, but we'll genuinely do our best to accommodate you."

Listening to her, Hyeonyul took the employment contract. His heart raced, utterly oblivious to the occasion. Just as she had said, every benefit he had seen was listed.

'Stay calm.'

He reined in his trembling emotions. In this game, whoever lost their composure lost.

"Will all of this be honored as written?"

"Of course. We work for the Empire. Whenever you work overtime, you'll receive paid leave without exception."

"... And if that isn't honored, is it also correct that I'll receive additional pay?"

Haeryeon happened to notice his hands trembling around the contract and fought back a rising laugh. Was he really that delighted?

"That's right. Two and a half times a day's pay. What good is saying sorry? We should show we mean it."

Money was the best way for an employer to apologize. Of course, the amount had to be enough to convey that apology if both sides were to avoid hard feelings.

"I've added some more benefits I think you'll like to those terms."

Haeryeon took another employment contract from her drawer and passed it over.

"...?"

Hyeonyul froze. More than this?

'... Why is she doing this? What is she planning?'

He was beginning to grow wary.

"I've added clauses guaranteeing you time for treatment and covering your medical expenses. Take a look."

When Haeryeon tapped the paper, his eyes moved. He looked at it as though it were something unfamiliar, like a child reading for the first time. Everything she had just said was written there.

"..."

He couldn't believe his eyes. How much had he agonized over this? He had gone hungry countless times, too.

"I know you're strong. I've seen it myself. But the aftereffects of what you endured as a test subject were worse than I thought."

With Hyeonyul's consent, a physical examination had been performed. Haeryeon had learned about his condition through medical consultation. Simply put, his body could not survive a single day without medication.

The medication he currently took was so potent that it was practically poison to an ordinary person. Only drugs that strong allowed his body to function. Perhaps the most fitting description was that repeated experiments had warped his entire body.

The medication was extremely expensive, and with no living test subjects, there were no subsidies for it, either. Money was the leash the villains had used to bind Hyeonyul.

"I'm fine as long as I take my medication."

He wasn't flustered. He merely gave his familiar answer. It was his own body; he knew it best.

"Right. That's what I heard, too. I also heard that, besides the medication you're taking, you need regular hospital visits for injections."

"I'll make sure it doesn't interfere with my missions."

"I'm not trying to put pressure on you. You're doing well."

"..."

An uncomfortable expression appeared on Hyeonyul's face.

'Is he flustered?'

Haeryeon tried to read his expression. His expressions were subtler than other people's. She had heard that this, too, was a side effect of the drugs.

"We'll have a thicker, sturdier uniform made for you. I've ordered something to cover your face, too."

She looked at his gloved hand.

"Did you get cut?"

How had she known? Hyeonyul merely filed that away and answered.

"I've administered first aid."

"Your finger was stiff. I heard your bleeding doesn't stop. Are you all right now?"

At her question, Hyeonyul reached out. A first-aid kit emerged from the shadows, and he opened it. Haeryeon was impressed to see the contents neatly sorted by purpose.

"I have everything ready here."

He looked oddly proud, and she suppressed a laugh.

"Then is there anything else you need?"

"I can stay up all night if necessary. I understand there may be overtime. But please make absolutely sure you honor this clause allowing me to take paid leave afterward."

"Of course. If I don't, cut off my head. I'll give it willingly."

Haeryeon grinned.

"You shouldn't say things you'll regret. I really will do it."

"I figured that out when you brought in Shin Daeho's head. But that's how committed I am. I need to distinguish myself from the bastards who only claim they're different."

Seeing the resolve in her eyes, Hyeonyul smiled faintly. He rather liked that smile of hers.

"I'd like to be paid on time. I'd like to eat, after all."

'... Those fucking bastards! You have to feed someone if you're going to make them work!'

Haeryeon barely swallowed the anger threatening to surge up.

"Your pay will never be late. Never."

"I'd also prefer not to be suddenly sent on errands at night. Or called in to drive you home because you've been drinking. Or have my accomplishments stolen, or the clothes I'm wearing taken because someone thinks they look nice..."

As his requests poured out, Haeryeon finally understood for certain. Why he had come here. Why he had had no choice but to lop off Shin Daeho's head. Why he wanted to destroy the villains.

'I really want to buy him a drink.'

If she said that now, he would surely run away. Or perhaps he would look at her as though wondering why she would even say such a thing.

"Hyeonyul. Has anything been difficult for you so far?"

"The atmosphere is different from my previous workplace, so I'm adjusting."

"Right. The atmosphere is different. Is it... very difficult?"

Haeryeon stumbled over her words quite a bit. She intended to help however she could.

"I'm reading a book and making an effort, so even if my words or behavior seem unfamiliar, I hope you won't misunderstand them."

"A book...?"

"Yes. It's called '101 Ways to Make Workplace Life Run Smoothly.'"

The moment she heard the title, Haeryeon desperately stifled a laugh. He looked so brusque that the words seemed incongruous. But she was proud of him.

'He's making an effort.'

"And... never mind."

Hyeonyul had been about to ask her to pay him a little less attention, but stopped. It seemed an unnecessary request.

"As for clocking out... I'll be counting on you."

He hastily changed what he was going to say. He looked oddly bashful.

Haeryeon wanted to grab the dead Shin Daeho by the neck right then. How could anyone do that to a person?

'Die, Shin Daeho! No, you're dead already, but die again, you fucking bastard! And every last bastard Hyeonyul killed can die, too!'

Haeryeon smiled while inwardly unleashing a torrent of curses. Seeing him like this, she keenly felt that Hyeonyul had been far too merciful.

"Oh, Team Leader."

"Yes?"

"Is the company you're trying to find through Shin Daeho the place I just visited?"

"It's a bit shocking that it was an affiliate, but no, that's not the one."

"Could I borrow some paper?"

"One moment."

Haeryeon brought him paper and a pen, and he immediately drew the wineglass emblem.

"If you see a similar emblem anywhere, consider it an affiliate of Shin Daeho's. It could be placed unobtrusively by an entrance like a picture, or hung in a lobby like a painting. I think this might help you find the company faster."

Emotion washed over Haeryeon at his heartfelt gift.

"Hyeonyul... I'll treat you well. Don't leave. Keep working with us, all right?"

"That's my intention."

Hyeonyul smiled broadly. It was a surprisingly innocent smile for someone of his size.

"Then sign here and go straight to the hospital. Understood?"

"Am I off work?"

"Of course, of course."

"I'll do that."

Hyeonyul wielded the pen with a rather excited hand.

* * *

'... This feels like a dream.'

Leaning against the bus window, Hyeonyul gazed absently outside. The sun wasn't even setting yet. Being able to see the blue sky felt like a miracle. How long had it been since he'd felt this relaxed?

But the gazes stabbing into his back wouldn't go away, and they began to bother him.

'Someone always interferes just when I'm in a good mood.'

Without turning his head, he covered his eyes. There were several passengers on the bus. Three of them kept stealing glances at him. Their gazes were not friendly.

'What are they doing?'

He moved his eyes to somewhere near the ceiling behind them. Instead of speaking, they were texting on their phones.

[Hey. Hey! Heyheyheyhey!]

[Are you sure that guy got on this bus?]

After sending the message, the sender flicked a glance elsewhere.

[Agonizing A: Isn't that him? The one with gray hair.]

'They seem to mean me, but they see gray hair?'

So that was what obscuring perception meant. Hyeonyul thought it was quite useful.

[Disappointed V: What are you talking about? He couldn't look that clueless. Stop staring. He'll notice everything.]

[Shit. We have to find him. Don't you know what he looks like?]

[Agonizing A: Would I be doing this if I did?]

[Disappointed V: Was he even on this bus in the first place?!]

[Aaagh!! I don't know! You guys said we should come!]

[Agonizing A: Hey, just get off. We were trying to find out where he lives, but this is a waste of time.]

Hyeonyul smiled faintly at the message.

'Why would they want to know where I live?'

There were two broad possibilities. One, to screw him over. Two, to kill him when his guard was down. Hyeonyul found it amusing.

'I'd been wondering why they were keeping quiet.'

Either way, he knew this sort of thing needed to be rooted out early.

'... What should I do?'

He thought for a moment. Unlike before, he now had restrictions. He might even be praised for killing more villains, but not for killing these people. If he killed them now, where would suspicion fall?

'Should I kill them one at a time?'

He would have to be more meticulous than before. After considering it, he quietly smiled.

'... No. I won't even have to do anything.'

Just then, the bus stopped. Hyeonyul looked beyond the open door. An unidentified power rippled over there. Something was coming.

The three rose almost simultaneously, and Hyeonyul slipped one hand into his pocket. Only one of them put their phone into a pocket. Hyeonyul's hand melted into darkness inside his own pocket and deftly took the phone.

He looked back out the window, then hurriedly stood at the sound of the bus doors closing. He walked over to the driver.

"You'd better pick up speed."

At Hyeonyul's quiet words, the driver nodded. He, too, was a White Sparrow. Perhaps the three from earlier were White Sparrows as well. As the bus accelerated, Hyeonyul returned to his seat.

BOOOOM!

A sound like an explosion came from behind them. Everyone looked that way, and Hyeonyul turned his head, too. A spectacular pillar of fire was rising roughly where the bus had been.

He covered his eyes. He could see the three burning in the fierce flames. They were burning very nicely, he thought.

'It's magic.'

He had never seen magic on such a scale. What villain was running rampant?

He lowered his hand and glanced at his smartwatch. It was astonishingly quiet. That meant someone other than him had gone. Only then did he look at the blue sky in relief. If any villain had interrupted his time off, he had no intention of giving them an easy death.

* * *

"... Hyeonyul."

The man let out a long breath and pushed up his glasses.

[Team Leader Oh Haeryeon: The explosion near the bus you were riding was magic.]

[Team Leader Oh Haeryeon: It looks like the Bomber's work. You're not hurt, are you?]

'That explosion was the Bomber?'

Hyeonyul replied.

[I'm fine.]

"Hyeonyul? Are you listening?"

"I'm listening."

"Who is it?"

"Someone I know."

Well, look at that. The man gave him a look that said exactly that, then decided to pretend not to notice.

"Anyway, I told you to be careful even with small wounds. You've always been good about that, so what's this today?"

"I administered first aid."

"Yes, yes. Excellent job. I don't know when you got hurt, but you did such a good job with first aid that the blood is pouring out. Isn't that right?"

The man lifted Hyeonyul's finger to show him. It was still bleeding. Having known him for so long, Hyeonyul knew there was no malice in the sarcasm. Lee Jeongmin. That was the doctor's name.

"Still, I kept my appointment today, didn't I?"

"Right, exactly!"

Suddenly excited, Jeongmin grabbed his own hair.

"... Wow. It's amazing even thinking about it again. Seriously. I thought my heart was going to stop! How long has it been? Hyeonyul—Hyeonyul himself—actually came on time! It's a miracle!"

"Then I'll lie down."

As Hyeonyul lay down on the bed with practiced ease, Jeongmin shook his head. He was no fun at all.

"I'm leaving this job as of tomorrow."

"Are you?"

At the same response as always, Jeongmin felt a little hurt.

"Aren't you going to ask where I'm going? We've known each other for so many years."

Before administering the injection he'd prepared, Jeongmin glanced at Hyeonyul.

He didn't know why, but ever since childhood, he had been fixated on the villains' test subjects. He wanted to save those people who were human, yet had ceased to be human. He had studied hard and become a doctor, believing he could realize his childhood dream. But that had been arrogance.

Whatever he did, the test subjects rescued from villains died soon afterward. He had devoted more than half his life to test subjects, yet had saved none. It was the moment everything lost its meaning.

When he was engulfed in despair, Hyeonyul appeared. A living test subject.

["... Save me."]

Jeongmin had thought those were rather arrogant words for a little kid.

"Where are you going?"

Then, as now, Hyeonyul had always brought other test subjects with that same expressionless face. Jeongmin didn't know how he brought them, but he would suddenly show up with one, or three or four at a time, leave them there, and depart. He had brought quite a number. They had all died, but Hyeonyul hadn't stopped.

Jeongmin, too, had never stopped, even when he couldn't save the test subjects. Because Hyeonyul was there. As long as Hyeonyul lived, he could cling to the hope that other test subjects might survive.

"Are you actually curious? You're not just asking because you feel you have to?"

At Jeongmin's sarcastic question, Hyeonyul smiled faintly.

"I was thinking about several things for a moment."

"What things?"

"What I should do if you're being forced out of this place, Doctor."

How could he not know that the hospital director was constantly trying to drive Jeongmin out? Even with subsidies from the Empire, test subjects weren't profitable. If he'd been forced out, Hyeonyul would have to kill the hospital director. That was what he thought.

"I'm a little scared you might actually do something, but I'm going somewhere good. The Black Eagles. You've heard of them, haven't you?"

Hyeonyul's expression froze at the answer. Recognizing genuine surprise, Jeongmin chuckled.

"Surprised? I was really surprised when they made the offer, too."

'Whose doing is this?'

Hyeonyul blinked in surprise.

"The Black Eagles are starting a support program for test subjects. I've been dealing with pressure to meet performance targets and all sorts of things at this hospital anyway. They're offering more money and promising to spare no expense on support. Honestly, how could I refuse?"

"You made the right choice, Doctor."

"It feels a little insulting hearing that from a kid so much younger than me."

"Doctor, I mean it."

"I know. I know."

"Congratulations."

At the simple congratulations, Jeongmin felt an inexplicable swell of emotion. Was he happy that the young test subject had grown so much, or that someone who had once been incapable of expressing emotion now put so much feeling into his words? Or was he simply happy that Hyeonyul was still alive?

"Oh, Hyeonyul. They say there's a Black Eagle who used to be a test subject. There's someone besides you."

'... That's me.'

Hyeonyul blinked, then smiled. Only then did he realize it was Haeryeon's work.

"Hyeonyul."

"Yes."

"Of course I'll still treat you when I go to the Black Eagles. It'll be a little farther away, but I've even gotten permission for you to come. You don't need to worry. I'll never give up on you."

"I haven't worried. You're the only one who cares about me like this, Doctor."

Caught off guard by his words, Jeongmin quickly turned away. Was today some special occasion?

"Your rehabilitation has... gone very well. I wonder whose handiwork that is."

All he could manage was a silly joke.

* * *

KNOCK, KNOCK.

At the knock on the door, Jeongmin tensed. That Black Eagle was scheduled to visit today. The Black Eagles commanded immense prestige. Merely meeting someone so difficult to encounter was an honor.

"C-come in."

Following Jeongmin's trembling invitation, the door opened. A man walked in. Team Three. That designation was visible in the air.

After a brief moment of surprise, Jeongmin immediately stood and bowed.

"Hello. I'm Lee Jeongmin."

"Doctor, it's me."

"... Pardon?"

Hyeonyul removed his smartwatch. The man from a moment ago was nowhere to be seen; Hyeonyul stood there instead. Jeongmin's eyes widened.

"...?"

"I'll be counting on you as always, Doctor."

Hyeonyul smiled faintly.