Chapter 186 - Multiple Thoughts
"Well, no wonder I felt like coming to the bureau today. Must've been to meet you."
Song Jo-heon said with a hearty laugh after finishing the handshake. Cha Eui-jae also smiled, though it wouldn't have been visible. Song Jo-heon, looking down the corridor in front of the director's office, asked,
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"You came to see Director Ham, right? Did you just meet her?"
"Yes, I just saw her."
"You should've stopped by to see me too. I was so surprised when I heard you were back!"
"Were you only surprised?"
Without realizing it, Cha Eui-jae threw out a light joke with a bit of bite. But Song Jo-heon casually shrugged and responded without missing a beat.
"Of course I was happy too! I don't know if you're aware, but most of the first-generation Awakened have retired and gone into hiding. There aren't many people left to share old memories with."
"..."
A smile appeared on his fierce, tiger-like face.
"I'm really glad to see an old comrade again. Welcome back."
What kind of person was Song Jo-heon?
Most of the first-generation Awakened, who gained their powers right after the Day of the Rift, were naturally gifted with physical abilities. As a result, many had previously worked in physically demanding professions like soldiers, police officers, or athletes. Cha Eui-jae, who had been a regular student, was particularly unique.
Song Jo-heon had been a soldier, and they said his rank had been fairly high. When the Awakened Management Bureau was established, he had clashed with Ham Seok-jeong, who had been a police officer, over the position of director, but ultimately stepped aside on his own. People had murmured that Song Jo-heon should have been the director, but those rumors quickly faded. It was obvious that Ham Seok-jeong was more capable.
And to J, Song Jo-heon was...
'Honestly, I don't have any strong feelings.'
Back when S-grades were rare, not even A-grades were common. The problem was many, and there were few hunters, so the Awakened Management Bureau was constantly understaffed. There had been a certain camaraderie among those who worked together in those days. Facing life and death together naturally led to some level of bonding. But Cha Eui-jae had had very few direct experiences working alongside Song Jo-heon. Most of their interaction was through relayed orders.
'...What is this feeling?'
What was this awkward sensation?
Song Jo-heon rubbed his chin and stared at Cha Eui-jae.
"I wouldn't recognize your face because of the mask, but from what I can see, you haven't changed much. Well, except for your hair color."
"Really?"
"Haha, yes. My hair, on the other hand, is starting to turn gray. Oh, by the way... Have you heard about the General Assembly?"
"The General Assembly?"
"Yes, a gathering of the rankers to discuss various matters. The world's been quite chaotic since the Day of Change, hasn't it? I feel like you'd have plenty to talk about if you attended too..."
"J! There you are."
Just then, from behind Song Jo-heon, appeared Jung Bin with slightly disheveled hair, as if he'd hurried over. With a soft smile, Jung Bin politely bowed to both Song Jo-heon and Cha Eui-jae.
"Oh, I didn't know you were here too, Song Jo-heon-ssi. Were you in the middle of a conversation? I hope I'm not interrupting..."
"Oh, Jung Bin! Not too busy these days, I hope?"
"Haha, thanks to the guild leader's hard work, I've got some time to rest."
"Haha! So, what's brought you here?"
"I have an urgent favor to ask J. But if you were in the middle of a conversation, I can wait."
Jung Bin winked subtly at Cha Eui-jae from behind Song Jo-heon. It felt like a rope had been tossed down from the heavens just as the conversation was starting to wind down. Before Song Jo-heon could respond, Cha Eui-jae quickly spoke.
"Oh, we're just about done. Just catching up, right?"
"Oh. Right, of course. By the way, I hear you're working with the Pado Guild lately? Have you finally decided to join a guild?"
"No, not really. I'm just working with them for a bit."
"Haha. Well, I hope you'll consider our Samra Guild instead of a small group like that. We're structured, organized, and large. You'd be more than welcome."
Song Jo-heon pulled out a business card and handed it over.
[Guild Leader of Samra Guild, Song Jo-heon]
"Do visit us sometime. We'd welcome you anytime."
"Thank you."
"The Pado Guild, huh... Well, just don't get too close to that Lee Sa-young fellow."
At the sudden mention of Lee Sa-young's name, Cha Eui-jae looked up. For the first time since they'd met, Song Jo-heon's ever-friendly face showed a hint of concern. He rubbed his chin and sighed.
"He's such an impolite kid, perhaps because he's young. You can't read him at all... Don't get tangled up with him and end up in trouble. Be careful."
"Ah, yes..."
"Alright then, I'll take my leave. You two enjoy your conversation. Keep up the good work, Jung Bin."
"Thank you. Goodbye."
After patting Jung Bin on the shoulder, Song Jo-heon headed down the stairs. Jung Bin listened intently to the sound of footsteps until it completely faded away. Only then did he let out a small sigh and smile.
"He's gone."
Cha Eui-jae cautiously asked,
"So, what was that favor you mentioned?"
"Oh, that? It was just an excuse."
"What?"
"The director asked me to get you alone."
Jung Bin adjusted his disheveled outfit and awkwardly laughed.
"Though I didn't expect it to turn out like this. I hope I wasn't being rude..."
"No, you weren't... It was perfect timing, actually."
Cha Eui-jae glanced behind him. Ham Seok-jeong must have orchestrated this. Should he be thankful? Scratching his neck awkwardly, Cha Eui-jae replied.
"Honestly, we were almost out of things to talk about. You came at just the right time."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"Oh, and, by the way..."
As Cha Eui-jae looked at Jung Bin, who was listening attentively, he mumbled.
"The director said to get the house key from you."
"Ah, yes. The director entrusted it to me. Here, take it."
Jung Bin pulled out two keys from the inside pocket of his suit and handed them over. Cha Eui-jae took the keys. They were familiar objects, but they felt strange in his hand. A small rabbit keychain hung from the key to his aunt's house, and from his own key dangled a small plastic hero keychain, worn and faded with time.
"...Why didn't the director just give it to me herself? Why leave it with you?"
"I'm not sure... She didn't say much when she gave it to me either."
What had Ham Seok-jeong been thinking while holding onto these keys? If not for this moment, the keys might have remained forgotten in a drawer.
Just as Cha Eui-jae was fiddling with the keychain, a strong presence made itself known from below. Cha Eui-jae grimaced. It was a familiar aura, one he recognized instantly.
Jung Bin's smile grew slightly awkward, as if he'd sensed it too. Cha Eui-jae asked quietly.
"Was he supposed to visit today?"
"Um, no. As far as I know, he wasn't. Seems like a sudden visit..."
The presence was getting closer. Then, like a déjà vu, something dark appeared beyond Jung Bin. A hissing sound of air escaping followed.
"Seems like the two of you are having fun..."
It was Lee Sa-young, wearing a gas mask. Jung Bin quickly stepped aside, pressing against the railing to make way for him, then bowed his head to Cha Eui-jae.
"My job here is done, J. I'll be going."
"Huh?"
"Haha... I got called up during a meeting. Sorry about that. I'll see you later. Lee Sa-young-ssi."
Lee Sa-young gave a brief nod in response. Damn, say what you will about Song Jo-heon, but the man had an eye for people. According to Ham Seok-jeong, Jung Bin and Bae Won-woo had looked after Lee Sa-young for a while, but that clearly hadn't changed anything— he was as rude as ever.
Lee Sa-young held onto the railing and stared up at Cha Eui-jae.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming here?"
Ever since that day, the one with the Russian bear's head, Cha Eui-jae had been actively avoiding Lee Sa-young. His heart would beat too erratically whenever he saw Lee Sa-young's face. Sleep under the same roof as him?
'No way.'
But Cha Eui-jae didn't have a proper place to stay, nor did he have the means to find one easily, so he had ended up spending a few nights at a video room in the fish market, with Mackerel's help. Though he had half-expected Lee Sa-young to follow him there, for some reason, he hadn't. Instead, Lee Sa-young had just sent a message through Mackerel.
"One week."
A countdown, or something? It had been a little creepy, but Cha Eui-jae let it slide. He now stared at Lee Sa-young, who was still wearing that gas mask, and suddenly remembered something.
Come to think of it, today marked exactly one week since he'd escaped Lee Sa-young's house!
'Damn, this guy really sticks to his word...'
Swallowing hard, Cha Eui-jae clasped his hands behind his back. The keys in his hand jangled softly.
"There was no need to tell you I was meeting the Director."
"What's that in your hand?"
"House keys."
"...House?"
Lee Sa-young's voice dropped a tone. The hissing sound from his gas mask grew slightly more intense. Cha Eui-jae quickly added more context.
"Not a new house— my old one. The Director was looking after it."
"Who uses keys these days... Isn't it a passcode?"
"There was someone with the ability to control locks back in the day. I left it with them."
"Hmm... So that person's still alive, huh? The one who made it."
"What?"
Cha Eui-jae couldn't believe what he was hearing. Did this guy just say what I think he said?
As if to cut off any doubt, a chilling voice, void of humor, sliced through the air like a blade.
"If they die, wouldn't their ability be undone?"
"..."
"Then it'd just be a normal lock and key... You could call a locksmith to open it."
"You're insane."
The words slipped out before Cha Eui-jae could stop them. Lee Sa-young narrowed his eyes and took a step closer.
"Then who told you to leave in the first place?"