Chapter 80 - Doubts (2)

* * *

“...Are you serious?”

“Completely serious. So make your choice.”

Haeryeon answered Hyeon-yul without the slightest hesitation.

“Why are you doing this?”

Hyeon-yul felt that the arrangement was unfair. Injuries sustained during a mission were sometimes unavoidable. Such risks were part of the job in the first place, so using them as leverage to restrict him made no sense.

“It's your body, Hyeon-yul, but you're also an asset to the Black Eagles. Of course I have to look after you.”

“I can continue carrying out missions. Haven't I already proven that?”

“Hyung is unbelievably stubborn.”

Jihwan promptly chimed in. When Hyeon-yul looked at him, he whipped his head away and pretended to be occupied with something else.

“I know how good you are at completing missions, and I know how remarkable you are. I saw what you could do and asked you to join Team Three right there on the spot, didn't I?”

“You did.”

“If you don't want to be removed from missions, then you have to get treatment and...”

“Team Leader, I told you that I carry my own emergency medical kit. Even if my doctor treats me, what he does won't be much different from the first aid I can provide myself.”

Watching Hyeon-yul and Jihwan react, Haeryeon realized that she had failed to establish clear enough rules in this area. In that case, she simply had to correct the problem.

“All right. Why don't we agree on a standard?”

“What kind of standard?”

“I think the rules I've set haven't been clear enough. Let's find another way. What do you think would be a reasonable limit?”

“I can keep working even if I'm injured.”

“That won't do. If Jihwan gets hurt, I pull him from the front line too. The rule applies fairly to everyone.”

“That's true.”

Jihwan nodded, then pointed at himself.

“I injured my arm once and couldn't go out on missions a couple of times. I was so happy... Ahem. Anyway, that happened.”

He had been talking cheerfully before hurriedly clearing his throat.

“...Oh. You do that to everyone?”

Hyeon-yul asked cautiously, wariness showing in his eyes.

“I do. I'm not singling you out. That said, your physical condition means I have to be a little stricter with you. So let's find an outcome that satisfies you, satisfies me, and satisfies everyone.”

“...Then I'll go to my doctor if something pierces my abdomen.”

Hyeon-yul offered the compromise after giving it some thought.

“Has your abdomen ever been... No. Never mind. You don't need to tell me.”

Haeryeon had started to ask but thought better of it. All she would accomplish was making him recall painful memories. There had to be some other standard they could use.

“Scrapes are the limit. I'll try to be understanding about those, but anything that pierces you is out of the question.”

“Very well.”

Hyeon-yul agreed immediately. In other words, as long as his body wasn't actually pierced, there was no problem. For some reason, Haeryeon narrowed her eyes at his ready acceptance.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something about the agreement you dislike?”

“No. It's just suspicious that you agreed so quickly.”

“There's nothing suspicious about it.”

“Right?”

“Yes. That's correct.”

“Good. Then you can go home, Hyeon-yul, and Jihwan, you'll have to stay.”

“...Seriously?”

Jihwan reacted as though he couldn't believe his ears.

“Team Leader.”

“Yes?”

“May I work a little longer?”

“...What?”

Haeryeon's eyes widened in alarm. Why was he acting like this? What on earth had gotten into him?

“Why... would you ask me that?”

She felt as though she might break into a cold sweat.

“I'd like to spend a little time on that task from before, looking for villains.”

“Oh, that?”

At last, Haeryeon understood. Hyeon-yul had previously worked on identifying which companies were connected to villains by examining their logos and symbols. They had since changed the task into something he could do whenever he had time.

“I'd appreciate that. Besides, I have something to give you.”

“For me?”

Hyeon-yul immediately became wary, uncertain what she might be planning to hand over to him.

“The information on the experimental facilities.”

As she spoke, Haeryeon glanced discreetly at Jihwan. After all, Jihwan had once been an experimental subject too.

“Thank you.”

“Don't mention it.”

“Then I'll get to work.”

Hyeon-yul bowed and left the room first. Once he was gone, Jihwan crept closer to Haeryeon and asked her a question.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“It's fine, Jihwan. This is still difficult for you.”

“But I need to overcome it. I've already been to experimental facilities several times.”

Jihwan confidently thumped his chest a couple of times.

“I know, but I still worry about you.”

“Then I'll go ask hyung whether he needs...”

“Jihwan.”

Haeryeon was smiling brightly. Strangely, Jihwan suddenly felt as though his mouth had gone completely dry.

“Yes?”

“Have you forgotten that you have a mission?”

“...No. Um, couldn't I at least take a little break and drink some water?”

“Unfortunately, you have to go right away.”

“Right now? Without even one glass of water?”

“That's right, immediately. Apparently the managers can't restore the site on their own, so we need you to lend them your strength.”

When Haeryeon pointed toward the door, Jihwan let out a long sigh. Restoring locations damaged by villains was the White Sparrows' responsibility. Only when they encountered work they couldn't handle did the Black Eagles sometimes have to come and help, and mages were the ones they most frequently called upon.

“This is why being a mage is exhausting.”

“Just hang in there a little longer. You should be able to go home in about two hours.”

“...Just in time to clock out. Fine, I'll do my best.”

Jihwan headed out with a face that suggested he had no strength left whatsoever. Haeryeon watched him leave with a small smile before gathering her papers and heading out herself.

* * *

「Hello, Seungyu.」

Seungyu was halfway out of his seat when a phone suddenly appeared in front of him. He jumped in surprise, then stared blankly at Hyeon-yul. This wasn't the company office. It was his own home. How had Hyeon-yul found the place? Unable to conceal his shock, Seungyu dropped to his knees.

“...You've come, sir?”

「Did I surprise you?」

“You did.”

「I only have a few things to say before I leave.」

「There was something I didn't get to tell you last time.」

「Are you angry that I showed up so early in the morning?」

“Not at all. You're welcome to visit at any hour. Please tell me anything you wish.”

Seungyu bowed with impeccable respect. He didn't care what Hyeon-yul wanted to say. The mere fact that this man had come to see him in person meant he was trusted, didn't it?

「You've been investigating the Poison King, haven't you?」

“Yes. On your orders, I've been looking into what he's been hiding so I can discover who's backing him.”

「Smart.」

Hyeon-yul offered the compliment. Seungyu had even worked out the parts of the task that had never been spelled out for him.

“Not at all! It's only what I should be doing...!”

Seungyu's voice trembled. The simple fact that his efforts had been recognized filled his chest with exhilaration.

「Find out whether the Poison King has any drugs he's been hiding or trading as well.」

“Understood. I'll investigate.”

「Aren't you curious why?」

“I told you I would follow any order you gave.”

「Take whatever you want.」

「Kill anyone who gets in your way.」

「You know that rule, don't you?」

“Yes, of course. It's the first thing people learn in our world, isn't it?”

「But whatever else I might tolerate, I don't like drugs.」

“From this moment on, none of our people will handle drugs. If we find any, we'll confiscate every last bit.”

「Good. Collect everything and keep it separate. I'll give you instructions on how to dispose of it.」

“Understood.”

Hyeon-yul was about to leave when he remembered what the villains had been saying about him lately.

「I hear I've been getting famous.」

“Of course you have! As you should. It would be unthinkable otherwise.”

Seungyu's smile widened as he spoke. How could someone like this fail to become famous? The knowledge that Hyeon-yul had killed several high-ranking officers was thrilling enough by itself, and the fact that he had captured everyone's allegiance almost instantly only deepened Seungyu's admiration. Soon every faction would bow at this man's feet, and Seungyu would make certain that happened.

‘I'll make it happen. I will...!’

Seungyu clenched his fists tightly, determined to make every faction swear allegiance to his master.

「It feels good.」

In truth, Hyeon-yul felt nothing in particular. Neither the people who followed him nor the factions he supposedly controlled meant anything real to him. They would obviously turn against him as soon as they learned who he actually was, so why should he be pleased?

「You're wondering what to say if someone asks who I am, aren't you?」

“...How did you know?”

「Then give them a simple answer.」

Seungyu waited, eager to see what his master would say next. He waited and waited, hardly daring to breathe.

「Tell them I'm the one who will become your master.」

After leaving him with those suitably impressive words, Hyeon-yul asked another question.

「The information?」

“...Please give me just a moment.”

Seungyu felt so dizzy with excitement that he could barely remain steady.

‘He said it himself. He said it himself! He actually... said it himself!’

His eyes blazed with conviction. This was the man destined to stand over them all, the one who would drive the emperor from the throne and take his place. There was no other explanation for any of it. Why had he installed Seungyu in his current position? Why was he purging other factions? Why had he turned his hostility toward the Poison King? Every step had been part of his ascent toward the throne.

“If it wouldn't be disrespectful, may I ask what we should call you?”

Seungyu asked cautiously. He needed to know, and he had to get the answer right.

Hyeon-yul considered it for a moment, then tossed out the first thing that came to mind. That should be more than enough for the sort of answer these people were hoping to hear.

「King.」

A deep smile spread across Seungyu's face as he read the message. The single word reverberated through his entire being.

‘...The King named himself.’

Crunch.

Seungyu bit at his fingernail to suppress the laughter welling up inside him.

* * *

Before going to bed, Hyeon-yul looked over the materials Haeryeon had given him. They were organized with astonishing thoroughness. It was obvious how much care she had taken in preparing them.

‘Does she think this is worth going to such lengths for?’

Hyeon-yul considered the thought while slowly turning his mouse wheel. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, counted to three, then opened them again. Good posture, a large enough monitor, and an appropriate viewing distance were all important for protecting his back and eyesight.

When he opened his eyes again, he resumed checking whether any of the listed locations overlapped with places he'd visited before. Then his hand stopped.

‘...Ah. If I keep this up, I'm going to work myself to death again.’

The thought struck him out of nowhere. He had come this far because he had vowed never to die from overwork again, yet so many things had happened, and he had been taking on more and more of them himself. That wasn't good. He hurriedly shut down the computer, walked to his bed, and lay down.

Staring at the ceiling, another thought occurred to him.

‘Am I being impatient?’

No one could predict how long they would live. People sometimes called a particular period the prime of their life, the season when their flowers were in full bloom, but those descriptions had never applied to him.

‘Or have too many things happened all at once?’

Since becoming a Black Eagle, he had seen so much and encountered so many incidents. Only now did he understand how small and enclosed his world had been back when he was a villain. He had been forced to keep it that way too.

—Don't think about anything. I'll do the thinking. You just do what you're told.

He had heard those words countless times from his former bosses, and Shin Daeho had been no exception. The only difference between Shin Daeho and the others, just as the Poison King had pointed out, was that Shin Daeho never ordered him to kill ordinary people.

‘...Time to sleep. I've reversed day and night again. That's terrible for my health.’

Hyeon-yul stopped thinking and was about to close his eyes when something caught his attention.

Bzzzz.

He crooked a finger and drew his phone toward himself.

“Yes, Doctor.”

<You're not working again, are you?>

“I'm in bed right now.”

<Then what were you doing before that?>

“I'm in bed right now.”

Hyeon-yul heard Jeongmin sigh on the other end of the call. There was no CCTV in the apartment, so how did the doctor always seem to know?

<Hyeon-yul, what did I tell you to do while we were changing your medication?>

“You told me to rest.”

Even a small change in his medication could create fissures throughout his body, Jeongmin had told him. Hyeon-yul had once wondered whether his body could really develop cracks from something like that, but it turned out to be true.

<You know I'm not just saying that for the sake of it, right?>

“I know. That's why I'm lying down.”

<I know there are things you want to do, but you absolutely have to restrain yourself.>

“Yes. I understand.”

Hyeon-yul put a little more force into his voice as he answered.

“I just decided to lie down on my own because I don't want to die from overwork again.”

He added that explanation to put Jeongmin's mind at ease. Surely that should be sufficient.

<Your hands aren't trembling anymore, are they? Wait, is your palm actually healed?>

“Yes. The trembling has stopped, and when I checked today, my palm had healed except for a very slight scratch.”

Hyeon-yul looked down at his palm. That last scratch would probably disappear before the day was over too.

<Tell me immediately if anything feels wrong.>

“Understood.”

<Immediately, Hyeon-yul. Promise me.>

Hearing the repeated warning, Hyeon-yul forced his increasingly heavy eyelids open long enough to ask a question.

“Doctor, sometimes I get the impression you don't trust me. I find that rather contradictory, considering what you've told me about the importance of trust.”

<What's contradictory about it? You're the one who hides things! It's hardly the first time, either. When was it? Back when you were still a villain. You went off on some mission without saying a word and came back with a hole through your abdomen! When I asked, you said you'd captured a villain boss. But I'd clearly told you that day to be careful because I'd changed your medication, and...>

Thud.

The phone slipped from Hyeon-yul's hand. His breathing slowed and deepened.

<See? When you never listen, how am I supposed to do anything but doubt you? Isn't that right? ...Hyeon-yul? Are you listening? Hyeon-yul? Are you asleep?>

Jeongmin's voice continued coming through the phone, but Hyeon-yul did not wake up.

<...You sleep whenever I start lecturing you. Fine. Sleep, then. Sleep. Don't even dream. Just get a really good night's rest.>

The call ended with the doctor's utterly exasperated voice.

* * *

“...First, I'd like to apologize.”

Ha Dongwoo, the leader of Team One, bowed as soon as he entered the conference room. His belt seemed a little too tight, and he sucked in his stomach as he straightened himself.

“After checking again, we confirmed that every White Sparrow assigned to that mission had been affected by mental abilities. We didn't recall them all at once during the investigation. Instead, we brought them back in shifts and removed the power that had taken control of their minds.”

He raised his head again and looked around at everyone gathered there.

“You insisted so stubbornly that nothing was wrong, and only now that the truth is undeniable do you finally bow your head?”

Bong Hyeonho of Team Four glared at Dongwoo in open distaste, his eyes narrowing like a snake's. Team Three's mission had revealed that a large number of the White Sparrows assigned to the operation had been placed under mental control. How was this any different from another insider-collusion incident? At first, he hadn't believed it either, but a magical examination had proven Haeryeon was right.

“They were stationed there because of their mental abilities, weren't they? How did this happen?”

Hyeonho continued pressing Dongwoo without mercy.

“If Team Three hadn't been there, the Nest might have fallen into enemy hands. I'd like to hear your explanation.”

Dongwoo lowered his head once more beneath the barrage of accusations.

“That rookie from Team Three is quite something.”

Yang Dojin, the leader of Team Two, let out a hearty laugh. At the sound, Haeryeon turned to look directly at him.

“You're frightening when you look at me like that, Haeryeon.”

“You aren't frightened at all, and you know it.”

“...W-Well, um, in any case, isn't it fortunate that we found out now?”

Jeong Narin of Team Six fiddled with the long fringe that hung far enough to cover her eyes. She had an extraordinary amount of hair.

“That's true. You nearly ended up in serious trouble, unni.”

Ye Juhyeon, the leader of Team Seven, glanced at Narin while moving her thumb across her phone. Narin lowered her head at the comment, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

“Anyway, the reason I've called you all here so urgently is because of what we discovered during this mission.”

Haeryeon glanced briefly toward Team Five's empty seat, then looked at everyone around the table.

“They call themselves former Black Eagles. The people who were expelled from our organization have begun gathering together.”