Chapter 5 - I'm the New Recruit (2)

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* * *

"... Little brother? You look awful, and that's not just your complexion."

Sinu patted Hyeonyul on the back. All they had done was ride a black eagle here, yet the man looked like he was dying. His sudden dry heaving the moment they arrived had caught Sinu quite off guard.

'... Oh, right. I had that.'

["Sinu. If Hyeonyul looks sick after riding the eagle, give him this."]

Sinu had a bottle of medicine Haeryeon had given him to look after Hyeonyul. He had wondered what it was for, but now he understood.

"When we get back, I'll ask them to adjust the eagle to suit your physical condition, little brother."

At Sinu's unexpected remark, Hyeonyul paused in the middle of accepting the bottle, wondering what he meant. Then the reason occurred to him.

'... Oh, I need to be in working order if they want me to work, don't I?'

How many workplaces failed to make even that accommodation? At least this one was saying it would.

'This really is my dream job.'

What incredible benefits. How many people had worked themselves to death at villain-run companies because they couldn't take a single sick day? Hadn't he himself killed a superior after countless arguments over a day's sick leave?

They even pretended to care about him and had given him uniform-like field clothes that were far more comfortable than they looked. Once again, Hyeonyul resolved to stay here until he died.

"Are you nervous because it's your first time?"

Sinu spoke up to help ease Hyeonyul's nerves. Hyeonyul only answered after drinking the liquid in the bottle.

"No. I went on a bomb-disposal mission with the Team Leader."

"The Team Leader did that...? That doesn't sound like her."

Hyeonyul didn't know why Sinu's expression had stiffened, but he immediately continued.

"I volunteered. I brought Shin Daeho's head, but you could have thought it was a fake."

"Oh. You must be pretty strong, then?"

Sinu's smile widened. He looked full of curiosity. Just how strong was he?

"Strong enough not to get killed by someone else."

"Good. That's really good."

Sinu was pleased. Most people possessed some kind of power, whether magic or psychic abilities, but fewer than one might expect could use it properly in the field. Many who supposedly had magical powers could do no more than produce a bright light. Given that, it was hardly surprising that the Black Eagles were perpetually short-staffed.

He was already immensely grateful for another recruit, and this one was powerful, too. If there was a god, it felt as though his prayers had been answered.

"Little brother. Anything you want to ask before we head to the mission site?"

Sinu asked with a broad grin. First, he explained how to operate the smartwatch.

"Who was the man who spoke to me before we boarded the eagle?"

Hyeonyul recalled the stern-looking man.

["So you're the one."]

His cold eyes and displeased expression had made it seem as though he were looking at an unwelcome guest.

"Team Five's leader. Don't worry about him. He's a bit frosty, but he's always like that."

Sinu approached Hyeonyul, intending to drape an arm around his shoulders, but Hyeonyul stepped back. Seeing his wary eyes, Sinu felt awkward. Perhaps he had been too friendly right from the start.

"This smartwatch says 'On Mission.' Can another mission come in while it's in this state?"

Having secured a safe distance, Hyeonyul asked his question. He wanted to know whether work would pile up.

"No. Missions are assigned at random only when you're not on one. We don't have enough people to pick and choose our assignments."

"Do we go alone?"

"Mostly. So you have to be strong if you don't want to die."

With that, Sinu turned away. He started walking, then glanced back as if inviting Hyeonyul to follow.

"When an incident occurs, a manager goes to the scene at the police's request, conducts the preliminary investigation, and checks the surrounding area. Their work stops at investigation, so a manager dying like today is quite rare."

That was useful information. Hyeonyul followed without a word.

'That would make them resent me even more, wouldn't it?'

They had worked so hard for the Black Eagles, only for someone with a villain background like him to turn up. Wouldn't it feel as though they were working for a villain?

'That aside, the managers' attitudes still get on my nerves.'

He was sizing up how to deal with them.

"If you're uneasy about information a manager brings back, you can check it yourself. That's up to you."

"But if they do everything, what do the Black Eagles do?"

Did they simply order the managers around? No matter how many times he considered it, Hyeonyul couldn't deny that the White Sparrows were a subordinate organization to the Black Eagles.

"We do the most dangerous work, don't we? Facing the villains ourselves."

Sinu's smile faded a little. He had no intention of belittling the managers' work, but investigating a crime scene and confronting the criminals directly were different things.

"Now check your mission."

At his words, Hyeonyul lowered his gaze and operated the smartwatch. He had been told that detailed mission information usually arrived during the eagle ride. A large screen appeared, like a projector image. Only the person wearing that smartwatch could see it.

'He said it was magic, right?'

Even knowing that, it was fascinating to see the map appear automatically. It showed a large, densely packed apartment complex. The location turned red, while the surrounding area was shaded a lighter red.

"Remember, the redder an area is on the map, the more likely it is to contain villains," Sinu casually reminded him.

"I haven't forgotten."

Hyeonyul answered as he read the mission summary.

「*Incident Start

—A group of criminals disguised as delivery workers split up among the apartment buildings and began murdering residents simultaneously, starting on the top floors.

*Incident Progress

—A security guard noticed suspicious activity and reported it (currently under protection).

—The managers assigned to the area responded to the report and surveyed the surroundings.

—While issuing evacuation orders to the surrounding area, one manager was killed in direct combat with the criminals. A standoff is currently ongoing.

*Points of Caution

—Large numbers of criminals positioned throughout the apartment complex.

—Hostages present.

—Some hostages abducted and being transported (currently being tracked).」

"How do you usually handle hostages? Do we apprehend the villains first, or rescue the hostages first?"

Hyeonyul asked just to be sure. He needed to know the procedure, after all.

Sinu stopped walking ahead of him. Wasn't the answer to that question obvious? Yet Hyeonyul genuinely seemed not to know, as though his basic common sense had been warped.

"The lives and safety of hostages and civilians come first. The Black Eagles were created to protect citizens from villains."

"Understood."

Rescue the hostages and kill the villains. Very simple.

Hyeonyul put on a motorcycle helmet to hide his face. He offered no response to Sinu's expression, which seemed to ask why he was asking something so obvious. Why tell him that, though he remembered his previous life, well over a decade of experiments had ruined his memories, emotions, and common sense alike?

"Let's go."

He simply set off on the mission.

* * *

"... That's a shop, you know?"

Sinu offered a gentle reminder when Hyeonyul suddenly headed not toward the apartments, but toward a shop adjoining the complex.

"We need to check this side first. Mr. Baek Sinu..."

"You can call me big brother."

"How am I supposed to call you that when I don't know how old you are?"

Sinu took out his phone and proudly displayed his ID.

"Let's see yours."

He waved his ID around with pride.

Hyeonyul knew he was being drawn in, but something about it annoyed him. He displayed his own ID on his phone.

"My registration was late, so the age on my ID isn't accurate."

"I still look older, don't I?"

"That's hardly a good thing."

"Who cares? Being called big brother feels better than you'd think."

Sinu chuckled.

"I caught a glimpse—your birthday's in April...right?"

"Yes."

At Hyeonyul's sulky-sounding answer, Sinu covered his mouth. He couldn't laugh out loud. He had heard something from the convenience store over there.

'I wondered why he was coming this way. They were hiding over there.'

The corners of Sinu's mouth lifted. This recruit had especially good instincts. He mimed drawing something, and a sword appeared.

"Can I hold that, too?"

At Hyeonyul's question, Sinu extended his hand. Several swords floated up from his grasp.

"You can. Need one? Or is this what you meant?"

The swords vanished, leaving only two in Sinu's hands. Holding one in each hand, he hurled them toward the convenience store.

WHOOOSH.

They flew so fast it was hard to believe he had thrown them without putting his full strength into it. A fierce gust followed.

'... They passed through the window?'

Hyeonyul was slightly surprised. The glass he had expected to shatter was intact. What sort of power was that?

"This should be enough to keep me from holding you back, right?"

Sinu asked smugly, while Hyeonyul entered the convenience store.

Opening the door, he saw two unconscious people pinned to the wall.

"You didn't kill them?"

"That's how I do things. I don't intend to kill unless it's necessary."

"Then can I hold those swords, too?"

"Want them, don't you?"

Hyeonyul nodded at Sinu's question. They looked like well-maintained swords.

"You've got a good eye. Wait here while I clean up."

Sinu glanced around inside, then pointed at the checkout counter.

"I'll take care of that..."

"It's fine. You're the new recruit. Sit tight."

'... How can a new recruit sit around doing nothing?'

Hyeonyul sat down for the moment, but he was at a loss. Was this some new form of harassment?

'Could it be?'

While Sinu took the two people down one at a time and tied them up, Hyeonyul covered both ears with his hands. As his ears melted into the darkness, all sound briefly vanished. He gently closed his eyes.

He couldn't determine the locations with his ears alone. His eyes moved along with them. Countless sounds came from the apartments. He had no use for the other conversations. Amid the many exchanges, one caught his ear.

"... Those eagle bastards should be showing up soon. Get ready to run."

He couldn't hear the other party's words. Apparently, the man was on the phone.

"What? Kill them? Are you crazy? You think we're a match for the Black Eagles? I'm telling you, it's better to run! Ah, fuck it! Then you go kill those eagle bastards and help bring down the Empire! I'm shutting up and getting the hell out!"

'He'll die if he does that, won't he?'

Hyeonyul knew villains' methods well. Fleeing during a mission meant nothing but death. The man seemed to be a new recruit.

"A way out? Of course there is. If we've taken over the apartments like this, they'll think we have loads of hostages, right? So what'll they do? They'll bend over backward to rescue them, won't they? We run while they're busy. Fucking idiots...! There aren't any hostages left!"

Loud laughter rang out. Hyeonyul's lips curled upward, too. He removed his hands and looked at Sinu.

"Do your ears hurt?"

Sinu asked as he taped the enemies' hands and feet together.

"There are no hostages."

"What?"

"Then I'll go deal with the enemies. You should get moving too, Mr. Baek Sinu."

If both of them worked, they could clock out sooner. Hyeonyul checked the time. 1:26 p.m. It was still early, even though they had eaten lunch before coming.

"Hold on."

Hyeonyul was about to move, but stopped briefly at Sinu's words. Perhaps he had gotten too far ahead of himself. He looked at Sinu.

"I told you to call me big brother."

That again. If he didn't do it, Sinu would keep trailing after him like a tail.

"Big brother."

Hyeonyul made no effort to hide his annoyance.

"Good. Now tell me why you said there aren't any hostages."

"I checked."

"When? ... Oh, when you covered your ears? You can tell that way?"

"I can."

Sinu took that quite seriously, nodding several times.

"That's a useful ability. Now, sit here and wait."

There were no hostages. Sinu felt relieved at those words. It was as good as permission to run wild.

But the corners of Hyeonyul's eyes twitched. Sinu must have heard that he had been specially recruited, yet he was telling him to do nothing. Didn't that lead to [Exclusion from work —> Lack of ability —> Dismissal]? His head began to spin.

"Why do I have to wait?"

"Because you're on probation. You'll miss these moments later. There's no need to push yourself so hard from the start."

"... So you're telling me to get paid for doing nothing?"

"Well, pretty much. That's why I came along."

Sinu smiled, and Hyeonyul was stunned. He meant it. It was as shocking as discovering he had been reborn in another world.

Did that make any sense? Earning money while resting?

'If that were possible, would everyone complain about not wanting to work?'

Soon, Hyeonyul's gaze grew intent as he studied Sinu.

'... I almost fell for it.'

How could a job where you earned money while resting possibly exist?

'Does he want to get me fired?'

What would happen if Sinu told Haeryeon he had done nothing on this mission? He would be someone who had slacked off on his very first day. He would definitely get fired.

'Dangerous bastard...'

Why had he forgotten that people who approached with a smile were the ones he should beware of most? Hadn't that been how he had been taken in all this time?

"I'll leave you my card. Have something nice to eat."

Sinu actually set down a card.

It was bait. Hyeonyul was certain.

'Is he the biggest obstacle to my work?'

All he had to do was eliminate anything that interfered with his work.

"You don't have to look at me like that. I've got enough money to buy out the whole convenience store."

Concerned that Hyeonyul might feel uncomfortable accepting, Sinu spoke with even greater confidence, then waved and left the shop. Hyeonyul followed him out.

"Yes, thank you. Stay safe out there."

'He's already being so thoughtful.'

Unaccountably pleased, Sinu ran forward in high spirits.

'He's quite fast, and light on his feet.'

Watching Sinu's retreating back, Hyeonyul assessed how he should fight him. If he were to kill him, there was a chance his attacks would be blocked. He was someone Hyeonyul would need to study carefully.

'Then shall I get moving, too?'

It would be a problem if Sinu reported to Haeryeon that he had been slacking off. He had to do something, and there was something he needed to investigate.

—Some hostages abducted and being transported (currently being tracked).

That line from the mission briefing he had just read bothered Hyeonyul. Anyone could see it was a perfect recipe for overtime.

'I need to nip things like this in the bud.'

Hyeonyul covered one eye and one ear. He sought out the voice of the man who had been on the phone earlier.

"... Anyway, stay alert. Yeah, good luck."

He found the voice. Hyeonyul quickly moved his eye. Three people. And one more. Four in total.

Hyeonyul lowered his hand. He looked at the scissors that had caught his eye earlier.

'Not bad.'

He picked them up and smoothly melted away. The moment his view changed, he plunged them into one man's eye. As blood sprayed, he pulled his hand back and hurled the scissors in time with the approaching footsteps.

THUNK!

No sooner had the sharp sound of piercing flesh reached him than Hyeonyul vanished, appearing behind the man with the scissors embedded in him. He pulled them out and spread the blades apart. Using them like daggers, he slashed the man's throat.

"... Ghhrrrk."

Blood gurgled in his throat.

Hyeonyul shoved the man forward as a shield, spotted a hand reaching toward him from behind, and cut it off with the scissors.

SLICE.

"Aaaaargh!"

A scream erupted as the flesh was severed.

"Shh."

Hyeonyul approached him, covered his screaming mouth, and stabbed his throat. As he sank toward the floor with the corpse, he swung his hand behind him.

"... Guh!"

He stabbed the throat of the man approaching with a hand clamped over his eye.

Hyeonyul rose, looked at his target, and held up three fingers.

"... You fucking monster."

There was no other way to describe him. The target's hands trembled violently. As Hyeonyul approached without a sound, he backed away.

"D-don't come closer! Don't come closer!"

He dropped his phone mid-shout. Horrified, the target glanced down at it, only to see a pair of scissors thickly smeared with blood. His gaze followed the scissors upward.

"You've been working hard murdering people. Since you've gone to all that trouble, would you mind telling me where you sent the hostages?"

Hyeonyul asked with a glib smile.