Chapter 57 - Shh
13 min read ·
* * *
Sunlight streamed down as Hyeon-yul opened his eyes. He stared blankly into the light. Today was the last day he would spend in this little house.
Lying beneath a thin blanket on a floor without even a mattress, he stretched his hand toward the sun. The hill outside was brutally steep and the rooms were cramped, but he'd liked this place because sunlight could reach it. He felt no particular regret at leaving. He just wanted to remember the warmth.
Hyeon-yul sat up and looked around. There was nothing he needed to prepare; he could simply move everything into his darkness. At a thought, his possessions disappeared into the shadows one by one. Every item was something he needed. He kept putting things away until eventually he just swallowed the whole lot at once.
‘...I suppose I do have quite a lot of stuff.’
How had he lived like this all this time? He'd never paid any attention to it, but now he finally understood why Jeongmin had kept saying the same thing whenever he visited.
—Hyeon-yul! Tidy up this place, will you? Clean it up!
‘Where am I supposed to put everything in the new house?’
He'd never learned how to organize a home. Perhaps he should buy a book. Hyeon-yul was getting to his feet while considering the question when he suddenly turned his head. The warmth slowly drained from his gaze. He walked toward the sound he'd detected and heard a key turning in the lock.
“What brings you here so early, Doctor?”
Jeongmin jumped when Hyeon-yul appeared out of nowhere.
“...Why are you awake?”
“I simply woke up. Isn't it rather early for you?”
Hyeon-yul examined him. The climb to the house appeared to have been difficult, and the doctor was covered in sweat.
‘He hasn't slept.’
One glance at Jeongmin's face told Hyeon-yul what had happened. The test subjects he'd rescued yesterday had died. It couldn't be helped. Several days had passed since Asan's death, and without the financial support that kept the experiments running, there had been no way to maintain their condition. They'd barely been breathing when Hyeon-yul found them.
‘Perhaps I shouldn't have brought them to him.’
He'd done it on the slim chance that someone like him might still be out there, but all he'd accomplished was to cause Jeongmin more pain.
‘I'll be more careful next time.’
“Hmm...”
Jeongmin hesitated. Hyeon-yul seemed to have guessed the truth. He'd wanted to conceal it, but that wasn't easy. When a test subject died, the body turned to ash and disappeared. Not even a trace remained. Their creators had been so cruel that they denied their victims even the dignity of a final resting place.
“You said you were leaving today. Have you packed your...?”
Jeongmin controlled his expression and peered inside, only to release a long sigh.
“There's nothing here?”
“I've put it all away.”
“Have you eaten?”
Hyeon-yul was about to answer, then watched the doctor's face. He hadn't given food much thought. Had he even planned to eat?
“Where's the new place?”
“Here.”
Hyeon-yul took out his phone and gave him the address. Jeongmin stared at it, then looked up the location. After examining the neighborhood from several angles, he smiled in approval.
“First things first. Let's get something to eat.”
* * *
“Doctor.”
Hyeon-yul glanced sideways at Jeongmin before speaking.
“Hmm? Want something else?”
“No. I've had enough.”
“When somebody treats you, it's polite to at least have a coffee with them.”
“Actually, there was some rather important information I heard yesterday.”
As soon as he heard that, Jeongmin pulled the car to the side of the road and stopped. He immediately removed the memory card from the dashcam.
“...What is it? Have you been found out? Or did you get into trouble with someone?”
His urgent questions tumbled out one after another.
“Nothing like that. Yesterday, at the experimental facility I visited, I met one of the people carrying out the research.”
“You met someone...?”
“Yes. He claimed the empire created the powers people possess.”
—The empire created the powers we now take for granted.
That was exactly what the man had said. Hyeon-yul wasn't sure about the rest of it, but he thought Jeongmin should know. Nobody cared more about experimental test subjects than the doctor.
“Powers...? You mean the abilities people are born with?”
“Yes. I'd understood that they appeared naturally, but apparently that's not the case.”
“...What?”
“Given that these men were directly responsible for the experiments, and that they asked how many people had to be sacrificed before everyone could obtain powers, there is one possible conclusion.”
—How many sacrifices do you think it took before everyone could possess those powers? How could you call something of such value ignoble?
Jeongmin's face turned white as Hyeon-yul recounted the words.
“...The empire was conducting experiments too? The empire?”
“I can't say for certain yet. I expected the news would shock you, but I thought you should know.”
“...Nothing happened to you, did it?”
Jeongmin stammered and grabbed Hyeon-yul by the shoulders. If the claim was true, it meant the empire might target Hyeon-yul itself. After all, he'd been created in pursuit of greater, more perfect power. He was the product of appalling madness.
“I don't understand what you mean.”
“Haven't the Black Eagles put pressure on you? Haven't you noticed anything suspicious? Anyone following you or keeping an eye on you?”
“No. I was cautious myself because of the period when I worked for villains, but according to the team leader, the empire actually welcomed me.”
“...Hah.”
Only then did Jeongmin breathe out. He covered his face with both hands, furious yet again at how little power he had to protect Hyeon-yul.
“You'll leave marks on your glasses.”
“...I can just wipe them off.”
Hyeon-yul snatched the glasses away. Jeongmin lowered his hands and watched him carefully cleaning the lenses.
“Doctor.”
“...”
“You've already done more than enough. You've given me so much that I don't even know what to do with all these emotions.”
“You only become perceptive at times like this...”
“It was an emotion I could read.”
Hyeon-yul smiled and handed Jeongmin his glasses.
“They were my feelings, and I did those things because I wanted to. You don't have to repay me.”
“I was told I should repay you.”
“By whom?”
“My teammates.”
“They don't seem like bad people. I mean, they don't seem like people who would hurt you.”
“I think so too.”
Hyeon-yul surprised himself the moment he said it. Had he really let down his guard?
‘...Hmm.’
He wasn't sure that was a good thing.
“Oh, Doctor.”
“...What now?”
“About the welcome party. How perfectly do I need to prepare everything?”
“Isn't it your welcome party, Hyeon-yul?”
“That's right.”
“Then why... are you the one preparing it?”
Jeongmin narrowed his eyes. He immediately withdrew his earlier judgment that Hyeon-yul's teammates weren't bad people. Had they realized that despite his composed exterior, Hyeon-yul lacked certain common social instincts? Were they taking advantage of him? That was exactly what the villain-run companies had done. They had exploited him. Were the Black Eagles doing it too?
“You can't kill them this time, Hyeon-yul. This isn't like last time! You'll get into serious trouble!”
“I know that too. Don't worry, Doctor.”
“Then why are you preparing your own welcome party?”
“Isn't it simply an extension of a company dinner?”
Jeongmin let out a deep breath. Hyeon-yul had worked for villain-run companies since before reaching adulthood, forced to earn money for medical expenses and debts. Perhaps he was still slow to adapt because he'd never experienced the ordinary things most people learned growing up.
“...No, Hyeon-yul.”
“It isn't?”
“You don't have to do anything. Actually, why don't we buy a few simple gifts?”
“Why would we buy gifts?”
He knew people were happy when they received presents. He just wasn't sure the occasion was appropriate.
“Because it'll make them like you even more.”
Jeongmin beamed, as though he'd chased away his earlier worries.
“Why would that make you happier, Doctor?”
“Just imagining it makes me happy.”
“Is that so?”
“Shall we pick out gifts before we go? We should have time.”
“...What should I choose?”
“Leave it to me.”
Jeongmin took hold of the steering wheel again and drove off. Hyeon-yul had several questions, but the doctor was happy, so he let the matter drop.
* * *
Jeongmin took a deep breath in front of the door. Hyeon-yul's new home was excellent in every respect: location, nearby shops, and even transportation links. How wonderful would the inside be? The apartment building had been quiet throughout their arrival.
“Don't you live in an apartment too, Doctor? Why are you so nervous?”
“Because I'm happy. Aren't you happy, Hyeon-yul?”
“I am happy too.”
His expression barely changed, despite his words. Jeongmin, however, spotted the tiny change that was there. Hadn't the corner of his mouth lifted, just a little?
Hyeon-yul abruptly turned his head, and Jeongmin followed his gaze. Hurried footsteps came up the stairs.
“Wait! Wait a moment!”
The stairwell door swung open, and several people emerged.
“...?”
Jeongmin's eyes widened. There were three of them.
“...Do you know them?”
“They're my teammates.”
“What...?”
Jeongmin looked startled all over again.
“...When did you contact them?”
“They contacted me unexpectedly.”
Apparently Haeryeon had told them it was moving day, because the messages had arrived individually.
“They started messaging while you were looking at things in the store. It was getting difficult to answer them separately, but then I was invited into a group chat. They asked if they could come over, and I said yes.”
“...Hmm. That's good.”
After hearing the explanation, Jeongmin quietly patted Hyeon-yul on the shoulder.
‘Whoever organized that moved fast.’
They'd naturally invited Hyeon-yul into a group chat, and he hardly seemed aware of the significance.
‘You're the one who's stepped into hell now, Hyeon-yul.’
Amused by his own thoughts, Jeongmin greeted the other Black Eagles.
“Nice to meet you. I'm Lee Jeongmin.”
“Doctor, it's me, Nayun. You don't have to be so formal.”
Nayun pointed to herself, and Jeongmin beamed.
“Why haven't you visited since then?”
“That's why I'm here today. Surprised?”
“Surprised doesn't begin to cover it.”
“Doctor, this is Baek Shinwoo, and this is our youngest member, Ye Jihwan.”
“Oh, nice to meet you both.”
Jeongmin shook their hands as well.
“This is embarrassing to say, but please take good care of our Hyeon-yul.”
“Doctor, don't worry. Hyeon-yul is my little brother.”
“And he's my big brother, Doctor.”
Shinwoo and Jihwan grinned broadly, showing their teeth. Jeongmin regarded them fondly. He almost felt guilty for having entertained such unkind suspicions earlier.
“Hyeon-yul, open the door. We shouldn't leave guests standing outside.”
“Yes.”
Hyeon-yul opened the door. Inside, a mountain of disorganized belongings lay piled everywhere. Jeongmin stared, then leaned closer to whisper to him.
“What's all that?”
“My belongings.”
“I can see that, but why...”
“I was planning to organize everything little by little.”
“Hyung, I'm really good at organizing things.”
Jihwan stepped forward naturally, pointed to himself, and grinned.
“And when it comes to tidying up, I'm unbeatable.”
Shinwoo rolled up his sleeves and approached the pile.
“I can help too...”
“Not you, Choo Nayun. You'll turn the place into a disaster zone instead of cleaning it.”
Shinwoo narrowed his eyes at her.
“What...?”
“Shinwoo hyung isn't wrong about that today.”
Jihwan nodded too, and Nayun's eyes drooped in dismay.
“...Jihwan. You're not supposed to take his side.”
“It's okay. Hyeon-yul can't organize things either.”
Jeongmin patted Nayun's shoulder as though he understood completely, then went inside. Only Hyeon-yul and Nayun remained standing awkwardly outside, looking at each other. Nayun offered a hand, and Hyeon-yul shook it by reflex. Wearing a strangely satisfied expression, she finally went in.
Hyeon-yul was thoroughly perplexed. He couldn't tell what she'd intended to convey, but followed everyone into his home.
Bright sunlight filled the room. Whatever else the place offered, that was why he'd chosen it. When Jeongmin had saved him, the first thing Hyeon-yul had seen was brilliant sunlight.
* * *
“...Did the move go well, Hyeon-yul?”
Haeryeon stopped her frantic typing and smiled as the team streamed inside.
“Yes. Everyone helped me.”
“I'm glad.”
“Team Leader, did something heavy fall on your head? Just look at your face. Do you look like a living person right now?”
Nayun examined the deep dark circles under Haeryeon's eyes. Something was wrong.
“Team Leader. You did go home... right? You're not about to tell us some kind of horror story, are you?”
Her eyes moved toward a napping cushion she'd spotted the moment she entered. Things must have been bad if Haeryeon needed that.
“...There were too many meetings. Everyone went home, then got called back in.”
“Ah... It's because of the Poison King incident, isn't it?”
Jihwan asked cautiously. The poison disaster was the only major incident to have occurred recently. The follow-up response would be handled by White Sparrow and the team leaders.
“That's right. Thanks to Hyeon-yul, we really, really did prevent a much larger disaster. Even so, the city was paralyzed, the higher-ups are blaming people, and we've been trying to predict what the villains will do next. Then we received some shocking news on top of everything else.”
“Shocking news? What was it?”
Shinwoo asked, unable to conceal his intense curiosity.
“It's still confidential. So that's all the interesting information you're getting for now.”
“That's mean, Team Leader.”
“What's mean about it? I haven't even been home! If I ever quit as team leader, I'll appoint Shinwoo as my successor. He's such a capable man.”
Haeryeon raised the corners of her mouth, and Nayun enthusiastically clapped her hands.
“I support that too, Team Leader!”
At those words, Shinwoo rushed to the break room and returned with an armful of energy tonics, which he set on the desk.
“My esteemed team leader. Please, please remain in your position for many years to come.”
“Sure. I'll think about it.”
Haeryeon giggled and drained one of the tonics in a single gulp, then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
“...Ah. Now I feel alive again.”
“Doesn't it take time for the medicine to take effect?”
Haeryeon stared at Hyeon-yul with exhausted eyes. He was so serious that she burst out laughing.
“I mean it feels that way. Just taking it makes me feel more energetic. Now, how about everyone sits down?”
She rose and gestured toward the seats. Everyone sat, and Haeryeon's footsteps grew heavier as she approached them.
“Okay, everyone. First, some sad news for all of us.”
She spoke very carefully, looking especially at Hyeon-yul. He had been assigned what should have been a simple mission today: look at corporate logos and suspicious symbols, then determine whether they were connected to villains. It was easy in principle, but he was the only one capable of doing it.
And now she had to tell him this. She felt as though she were committing a sin, while a chill ran down her neck.
“Remember when Hyeon-yul and Shinwoo investigated those companies?”
“I remember.”
“So do I.”
After hearing their answers, Haeryeon turned toward Hyeon-yul again.
“The investigation connected to that mission revealed that a villain is leading a village while acting as the leader of a religious cult. It's a fairly large settlement, and the residents and villains are so thoroughly mixed together that we can't tell which is which.”
Everyone except Hyeon-yul looked uneasy. Jihwan even squeezed his eyes shut as though something he'd been dreading had finally arrived.
“Our team has been assigned the mission.”
A collective groan of despair escaped everyone but Hyeon-yul.
“The maximum time limit is five days. We need to eliminate or capture every villain in the village and free the people. There's a strong possibility they've all been brainwashed by the hallucinogens contained in those snacks we passed along during the last investigation.”
After explaining the assignment, Haeryeon immediately looked at Hyeon-yul. He seemed somehow colder than usual.
“...Hyeon-yul.”
“Yes?”
“You might not be able to come home for... as long as five days. Will you be okay...?”
Her voice grew smaller and smaller. Her heart was already pounding violently.