“Their base is in… Italy?” I am checking the data that Cube presents to me. It seems to be true. The last time I played with Cheok Jungyeon as a police officer, I put a bug on him.
I have Cube analyze where the Chameleon Troupe’s base is by extrapolating from Jungyeon’s most frequent location via satellite. “But where in Italy? Maybe an abandoned factory, huh? Hmmm…”
“What do you need their base’s location for?” Yeonha asks me as she takes Evandel from my arms. The little girl has fallen asleep maybe due to boredom.
“Who knows? Maybe we might have a use for knowing it in the future.” I leave Yeonha’s containment area and head to the [Control Room]. I have this nagging feeling that something dangerous is about to occur. I feel uncomfortable not doing anything.
Watching the duels does alleviate me a little bit, but there is this annoying feeling that I should do something. But, I shouldn’t be reckless. “What do we know about SS Anne, the cruise ship?”
[It is a publicity project by the government of Korea with the theme of humanity conquering the seas once more. However, the truth is the SS Anne is simply a commercial ship that travels around the coasts of the Korean peninsula to host parties for VIPs across the world.]
The ocean has been the most dangerous place of all on planet Earth since Outcall. The monsters that hide from within the depths, the hidden dungeons, and the underwater mysteries that have never been explored in the novel are something that I dare not challenge.
It is simply not because of a lack of information. It is just common sense which I learned from the classes while attending the Veritas Class lectures. I might not look like it, but I am actually a student who studies and learns.
“I should visit this cruise ship…” Though I have come inside already as Savant, I’d like to come as Hyon Hyung. “Nah~! I will be too suspicious. I am not even someone of high status…” I am sending Rachel a message, hoping she would be open to doing an infiltration mission.
***
Hajin and Suho sit side by side on a comfortable sofa. The two of them are waiting in a lobby, while they wait for Nyaun to finish talking to her grandpa.
It has been half a day since the three of them fainted from over-exhaustion.
“Sigh…” Suho sighs.
Hajin remains quiet, playing with his smartwatch. He is actually conversing with Hyon through an online game. It is a good covert method to hold secret conversations that won’t leave any traces on their own devices.
“Rachel will be coming as a backup if something happens.” Hajin shares to Suho.
“Sigh…” Suho sighs again.
Hajin proceeds to explain why Rachel will be coming. “In case any incident occurs, Rachel will be a great help to us. Her abilities can change the terrain and will be a great boon if we are put in any dire situation where we will need an escape.
“Sigh…” Suho sighs once more.
“What? Do you have… a problem?”
“Ha-ha-ha… No, I am doing fine.” Suho laughs dully, obvious that he must be feeling something. Hajin doesn’t care anymore as he returns to fiddling with his smartwatch.
That is when. “Sigh…” Suho sighs again.
“What is it? Tell me.” Hajin is getting annoyed.
“What? No, there is no problem.” Suho smiles. “Sigh…” And then sighs once more.
“Is it because I… broke your sword? It is just a training sword...” Hajin realizes this might be the case.
“…cheater.” Suho gives him a stink-eye.
Hajin didn’t back down. “You started it first.”
Suho recalls cutting Hajin’s gun. He suddenly laughs at the thought of being reminded that it is he who started it all along. Hajin similarly laughs, realizing all is fair in war, and there is no foul play on even destroying the other party’s weapons.
“I am sorry, Hajin… It ended in a draw.” Suho apologizes to Hajin.
“What is there to apologize for?” Hajin is feeling inwardly guilty, thankful that Suho kind of forgotten Hajin shooting bullets at Nayun's sword. Maybe the adrenaline kind of made the memory hazy for Suho.
Meanwhile, Suho feels guilty for a different reason, realizing that he has become a stumbling block to his friends’ romance. “Your bet with Nayun is that if you win in all of the competitions you participate in, she will become your girlfriend. I... am sorry for that...” He rubs his nose, feeling shy about the topic.
“There is no need to apologize. You are a warrior. You fight. You save. It will be a dishonor to you if you do not fight to your fullest. You are the rank 1 cadet after all, and the protagonist of the story.”
“I… don’t know about that…” Suho doubts it. Everything about regression, this world being fiction, and that he is a hero. “I abandoned Akatrina, I am not a Hero.” That at the very minimum is true. This world being a lie is pretty much easy to rebuttal as he feels alive and real— that much should be enough proof of his existence too.
With regard to regression, he doesn’t know, but he feels like it won’t matter to him.
“No, you are wrong,” Hajin speaks to Suho from his heart. “It is not the past that determines whether you are a hero or not, but your future. I trust you Suho.” To Hajin, even his words sound nonsense, but he is not one who is good at talking— that's within Hyon's realm.
What Hajin is certain though is that Suho’s action in the future will befit a Hero.
Chae Nayun enters the lobby with a stupid face in half disbelief and half something maybe awkwardness, confusion, reluctance, and excitement. The chaotic emotions in her heart are evident for all to see.
“What is it?” Suho voices his confusion, feeling terrible to see a friend like this.
Chae Nayun unloads her worry and cusses at her grandpa. “That old geezer!? How dare he? What is he thinking? He must have gone insane! Agh… This is…” She continues for five more minutes on her tirade until she calms down.
Hajin prepares her a cup of tea by summoning a tea set from his Stigma, while Suho peels an apple he finds in the vicinity by using his magic power. The sight of the two working together makes Nayun blush. “Ugh… what do I do?” Nayun sips on a cup of tea that Hajin brews. “Are you always bringing that tea set with you?”
Despite lacking her sense of taste, Nayun can still enjoy the tea of its aromatic smell.
“Yeah, I have been practicing tea-making lately.”
“Why?”
Hajin remains silent, not keen on sharing his reason. He knows that Nayun has lost her sense of taste, and he wants to make up for it through tea. Suho cuts the apple in his hand equivalently and lands it on a small plate. Nayun picks up a slice and eats one. Hajin does the same.
“Your apple tastes delicious, Suho,” Hajin smirks, teasing Suho.
“Ugh… You should avoid being around Hyon too much…” Suho flinches at Hajin’s low jab.
“So what did your grandpa tell you for you to swear so much?” Hajin asks out of pure curiosity. They are in the most delicate part of Phase 2, and now, they should be preparing to arrange the meeting with Chameleon Troupe.
Nayun blushes a second time, being reminded of her grandpa’s words, and when her eyes land on Hajin, she just feels more shameful. “He told me to pick a fiancée from between the two of you, or else he will force me out of Cube.”
Suho coughs violently as he is midway through sipping his share of tea.
Hajin frowningly contests the realness of Nayun’s words. “Why?”
“I will tell you why.” Chae Joochul enters the lobby. His long white hair reaches his shoulder. Though he is old, his physique remains solid, and his back is straight.
***
Chae Joochul doesn’t know how to feel happy or proud of seeing his granddaughter becoming so much stronger. But he knows, he should feel these emotions. That alone helps him realize to treasure Nayun more, though some aspects of it are for materialistic and pragmatic reasons.
He enters the lobby where Nayun and two others are staying. Because Nayun doesn’t seem to come to a decision yet, he needs to give her a little more nudge.
He might not feel love anymore, but he can still prioritize Nayun. “It is a proposal from which the two can benefit well. The ‘power’ that both of you have shown, Kim Hajin and Kim Suho will be a great threat to the Evil Society. You Kim Hajin especially must be on the higher spot of people the Djinns want to have revenge. If any of the two of you is engaged to my granddaughter, you will have my clan’s protection. Now, Nayun, choose.”
“You!? What is your problem? I still hate you!” Nayun shouts at her grandfather. She hates him for many reasons. The Kwang-Oh incident. The hiding of her big brother’s devilization from the past timeline, and a lot of things.
When Nayun is young, she likes and loves her grandfather so much she cannot imagine hating him, but after experiencing all of the hurt she has to go through, her perspective of her grandfather has changed. Their last ‘talk’ last time after Nayun regresses has left a bitter taste within the family too.
Nayun feels conflicted for many reasons right now. Besides her is Kim Hajin who is ‘namely’ the victim of the Kwang-Oh incident. After learning Hajin’s true nature as an otherworlder and author of TRH, she realizes he has no connection to the Kwang-Oh incident.
Still, it is sad for Kim Chundong.
“Grandpa, this is Kim Hajin. He is the only survivor of the Kwang-Oh incident. If you really prioritize the family first, then apologize to him.”
“Hey, Nayun…” Hajin is nervous as he is not even that ‘victim’ in essence.
Kim Suho understands the context, and that is why he chooses to remain silent. He wants to see how this will develop. Will the Immortal Chae Joochul really apologize? Suho tries to reach for his sword only remembering now that he doesn’t have any with him.
“I apologize. I will compensate you for your loss.” Chae Joochul bows 90 degrees to Hajin making the latter uncomfortable.
“Tsk,” Nayun clicks her tongue feeling indignant. “What are you even doing here?”
“…”
Chae Joochul raises his head coldly looking at Nayun. This didn’t unnerve Nayun. She only directs a scowl of her own. Chae Joochul realizes that he is not liked. He knows that he should feel sad, but even disappointment eludes him. “The Djinns will want revenge on Kim Hajin. I come here to protect my granddaughter and also try to kill whoever dares come. Because of my presence, one of the Nine Evils will come at least for their mission to succeed. Finding a possible groom for my granddaughter is also within my intention.”
Chae Joochul being straightforward and honest sounds strange to the trio.
“You should protect Hajin too,” Nayun demands. “And Suho.” She belatedly adds. Suho scratches his head feeling flattered that he is remembered, but he is not even being targeted.
“I will. The three of you have shown remarkable abilities that are threatening enough for the Djinn Society to die trying to assassinate all three of you. Kim Hajin, and Kim Suho, swear your allegiances to me, and you shall have my protection.”
“Stop being so calculative!” Nayun hatefully glares at her grandfather.
“Then you can only save one of them, granddaughter. Choose a fiancée. I will not take them in if there is no benefit to it.”
“AGH! FUCK! You know what, I like b-both of them! Yeah, I will want t-two h-husbands… I… I will convert to a different religion!” Nayun is blushing up to her neck.
Hajin facepalms and Suho suppresses a laugh.
“Their base is in… Italy?” I am checking the data that Cube presents to me. It seems to be true. The last time I played with Cheok Jungyeon as a police officer, I put a bug on him.
I have Cube analyze where the Chameleon Troupe’s base is by extrapolating from Jungyeon’s most frequent location via satellite. “But where in Italy? Maybe an abandoned factory, huh? Hmmm…”
“What do you need their base’s location for?” Yeonha asks me as she takes Evandel from my arms. The little girl has fallen asleep maybe due to boredom.
“Who knows? Maybe we might have a use for knowing it in the future.” I leave Yeonha’s containment area and head to the [Control Room]. I have this nagging feeling that something dangerous is about to occur. I feel uncomfortable not doing anything.
Watching the duels does alleviate me a little bit, but there is this annoying feeling that I should do something. But, I shouldn’t be reckless. “What do we know about SS Anne, the cruise ship?”
[It is a publicity project by the government of Korea with the theme of humanity conquering the seas once more. However, the truth is the SS Anne is simply a commercial ship that travels around the coasts of the Korean peninsula to host parties for VIPs across the world.]
The ocean has been the most dangerous place of all on planet Earth since Outcall. The monsters that hide from within the depths, the hidden dungeons, and the underwater mysteries that have never been explored in the novel are something that I dare not challenge.
It is simply not because of a lack of information. It is just common sense which I learned from the classes while attending the Veritas Class lectures. I might not look like it, but I am actually a student who studies and learns.
“I should visit this cruise ship…” Though I have come inside already as Savant, I’d like to come as Hyon Hyung. “Nah~! I will be too suspicious. I am not even someone of high status…” I am sending Rachel a message, hoping she would be open to doing an infiltration mission.
***
Hajin and Suho sit side by side on a comfortable sofa. The two of them are waiting in a lobby, while they wait for Nyaun to finish talking to her grandpa.
It has been half a day since the three of them fainted from over-exhaustion.
“Sigh…” Suho sighs.
Hajin remains quiet, playing with his smartwatch. He is actually conversing with Hyon through an online game. It is a good covert method to hold secret conversations that won’t leave any traces on their own devices.
“Rachel will be coming as a backup if something happens.” Hajin shares to Suho.
“Sigh…” Suho sighs again.
Hajin proceeds to explain why Rachel will be coming. “In case any incident occurs, Rachel will be a great help to us. Her abilities can change the terrain and will be a great boon if we are put in any dire situation where we will need an escape.
“Sigh…” Suho sighs once more.
“What? Do you have… a problem?”
“Ha-ha-ha… No, I am doing fine.” Suho laughs dully, obvious that he must be feeling something. Hajin doesn’t care anymore as he returns to fiddling with his smartwatch.
That is when. “Sigh…” Suho sighs again.
“What is it? Tell me.” Hajin is getting annoyed.
“What? No, there is no problem.” Suho smiles. “Sigh…” And then sighs once more.
“Is it because I… broke your sword? It is just a training sword...” Hajin realizes this might be the case.
“…cheater.” Suho gives him a stink-eye.
Hajin didn’t back down. “You started it first.”
Suho recalls cutting Hajin’s gun. He suddenly laughs at the thought of being reminded that it is he who started it all along. Hajin similarly laughs, realizing all is fair in war, and there is no foul play on even destroying the other party’s weapons.
“I am sorry, Hajin… It ended in a draw.” Suho apologizes to Hajin.
“What is there to apologize for?” Hajin is feeling inwardly guilty, thankful that Suho kind of forgotten Hajin shooting bullets at Nayun's sword. Maybe the adrenaline kind of made the memory hazy for Suho.
Meanwhile, Suho feels guilty for a different reason, realizing that he has become a stumbling block to his friends’ romance. “Your bet with Nayun is that if you win in all of the competitions you participate in, she will become your girlfriend. I... am sorry for that...” He rubs his nose, feeling shy about the topic.
“There is no need to apologize. You are a warrior. You fight. You save. It will be a dishonor to you if you do not fight to your fullest. You are the rank 1 cadet after all, and the protagonist of the story.”
“I… don’t know about that…” Suho doubts it. Everything about regression, this world being fiction, and that he is a hero. “I abandoned Akatrina, I am not a Hero.” That at the very minimum is true. This world being a lie is pretty much easy to rebuttal as he feels alive and real— that much should be enough proof of his existence too.
With regard to regression, he doesn’t know, but he feels like it won’t matter to him.
“No, you are wrong,” Hajin speaks to Suho from his heart. “It is not the past that determines whether you are a hero or not, but your future. I trust you Suho.” To Hajin, even his words sound nonsense, but he is not one who is good at talking— that's within Hyon's realm.
What Hajin is certain though is that Suho’s action in the future will befit a Hero.
Chae Nayun enters the lobby with a stupid face in half disbelief and half something maybe awkwardness, confusion, reluctance, and excitement. The chaotic emotions in her heart are evident for all to see.
“What is it?” Suho voices his confusion, feeling terrible to see a friend like this.
Chae Nayun unloads her worry and cusses at her grandpa. “That old geezer!? How dare he? What is he thinking? He must have gone insane! Agh… This is…” She continues for five more minutes on her tirade until she calms down.
Hajin prepares her a cup of tea by summoning a tea set from his Stigma, while Suho peels an apple he finds in the vicinity by using his magic power. The sight of the two working together makes Nayun blush. “Ugh… what do I do?” Nayun sips on a cup of tea that Hajin brews. “Are you always bringing that tea set with you?”
Despite lacking her sense of taste, Nayun can still enjoy the tea of its aromatic smell.
“Yeah, I have been practicing tea-making lately.”
“Why?”
Hajin remains silent, not keen on sharing his reason. He knows that Nayun has lost her sense of taste, and he wants to make up for it through tea. Suho cuts the apple in his hand equivalently and lands it on a small plate. Nayun picks up a slice and eats one. Hajin does the same.
“Your apple tastes delicious, Suho,” Hajin smirks, teasing Suho.
“Ugh… You should avoid being around Hyon too much…” Suho flinches at Hajin’s low jab.
“So what did your grandpa tell you for you to swear so much?” Hajin asks out of pure curiosity. They are in the most delicate part of Phase 2, and now, they should be preparing to arrange the meeting with Chameleon Troupe.
Nayun blushes a second time, being reminded of her grandpa’s words, and when her eyes land on Hajin, she just feels more shameful. “He told me to pick a fiancée from between the two of you, or else he will force me out of Cube.”
Suho coughs violently as he is midway through sipping his share of tea.
Hajin frowningly contests the realness of Nayun’s words. “Why?”
“I will tell you why.” Chae Joochul enters the lobby. His long white hair reaches his shoulder. Though he is old, his physique remains solid, and his back is straight.
***
Chae Joochul doesn’t know how to feel happy or proud of seeing his granddaughter becoming so much stronger. But he knows, he should feel these emotions. That alone helps him realize to treasure Nayun more, though some aspects of it are for materialistic and pragmatic reasons.
He enters the lobby where Nayun and two others are staying. Because Nayun doesn’t seem to come to a decision yet, he needs to give her a little more nudge.
He might not feel love anymore, but he can still prioritize Nayun. “It is a proposal from which the two can benefit well. The ‘power’ that both of you have shown, Kim Hajin and Kim Suho will be a great threat to the Evil Society. You Kim Hajin especially must be on the higher spot of people the Djinns want to have revenge. If any of the two of you is engaged to my granddaughter, you will have my clan’s protection. Now, Nayun, choose.”
“You!? What is your problem? I still hate you!” Nayun shouts at her grandfather. She hates him for many reasons. The Kwang-Oh incident. The hiding of her big brother’s devilization from the past timeline, and a lot of things.
When Nayun is young, she likes and loves her grandfather so much she cannot imagine hating him, but after experiencing all of the hurt she has to go through, her perspective of her grandfather has changed. Their last ‘talk’ last time after Nayun regresses has left a bitter taste within the family too.
Nayun feels conflicted for many reasons right now. Besides her is Kim Hajin who is ‘namely’ the victim of the Kwang-Oh incident. After learning Hajin’s true nature as an otherworlder and author of TRH, she realizes he has no connection to the Kwang-Oh incident.
Still, it is sad for Kim Chundong.
“Grandpa, this is Kim Hajin. He is the only survivor of the Kwang-Oh incident. If you really prioritize the family first, then apologize to him.”
“Hey, Nayun…” Hajin is nervous as he is not even that ‘victim’ in essence.
Kim Suho understands the context, and that is why he chooses to remain silent. He wants to see how this will develop. Will the Immortal Chae Joochul really apologize? Suho tries to reach for his sword only remembering now that he doesn’t have any with him.
“I apologize. I will compensate you for your loss.” Chae Joochul bows 90 degrees to Hajin making the latter uncomfortable.
“Tsk,” Nayun clicks her tongue feeling indignant. “What are you even doing here?”
“…”
Chae Joochul raises his head coldly looking at Nayun. This didn’t unnerve Nayun. She only directs a scowl of her own. Chae Joochul realizes that he is not liked. He knows that he should feel sad, but even disappointment eludes him. “The Djinns will want revenge on Kim Hajin. I come here to protect my granddaughter and also try to kill whoever dares come. Because of my presence, one of the Nine Evils will come at least for their mission to succeed. Finding a possible groom for my granddaughter is also within my intention.”
Chae Joochul being straightforward and honest sounds strange to the trio.
“You should protect Hajin too,” Nayun demands. “And Suho.” She belatedly adds. Suho scratches his head feeling flattered that he is remembered, but he is not even being targeted.
“I will. The three of you have shown remarkable abilities that are threatening enough for the Djinn Society to die trying to assassinate all three of you. Kim Hajin, and Kim Suho, swear your allegiances to me, and you shall have my protection.”
“Stop being so calculative!” Nayun hatefully glares at her grandfather.
“Then you can only save one of them, granddaughter. Choose a fiancée. I will not take them in if there is no benefit to it.”
“AGH! FUCK! You know what, I like b-both of them! Yeah, I will want t-two h-husbands… I… I will convert to a different religion!” Nayun is blushing up to her neck.
Hajin facepalms and Suho suppresses a laugh.
