Episode 126
Jeong In-ho knew very well that he could not be a good person.
There was something his parents asked me for every day. Be a good boy. Become my son who listens well and doesn’t break down inside. That wish, too desperate to be called brainwashing, consumed Jeong In-ho’s entire childhood.
But that wasn’t why he started yearning for goodness. Rather than a wish that had been ripped open and crumpled in my ears, it was closer to a longing that was engraved in me because I knew I couldn’t have it. I did it because I was sure I would never have it in my life.
But what was the shock when I saw that part of the person I despised?
“There was such fruit.”
“It’s a fruit that resembles a glass bead… and has a very strong scent.”
Jeong In-ho glanced at the detective who was listening to me and continued speaking with a straight smile on his face.
“It wasn’t poisonous even if I ate it.”
“I guess that means it doesn’t look like something that would happen in reality.”
“Ah, detective, I guess you found something too?”
“We also discovered something in this lake… that is, a small lake. “We have to go deeper.”
“Exactly which side of the bridge is it?”
While talking, Jeong In-ho felt uncomfortable inside.
‘…Am I still suspicious?’
Jeong In-ho, who had experienced a future that has now disappeared, knew what suspicions Hong Gyeong-jun had about me. He must have been thinking that the serial killer that police officer Kim Yeon-woo had seen might be him.
But I couldn’t say to that, ‘I’m not the criminal you’re looking for.’ Even though they had a serious conversation ‘in the past’ because they couldn’t stand the absurdity, Detective Hong Gyeong-jun couldn’t trust Jeong In-ho in the end. To be honest, he was not a great person that anyone could trust.
How absurd it was when he looked at his deceased colleagues, including Kang Min-ah, with a look that seemed to ask if Jung In-ho had murdered them. If Jeong In-ho had been a little more distracted, he might have ripped his collar.
“Now that I think about it, it seems like Jeong In-ho knows that kid from yesterday.”
“….”
“Can you tell me a story?”
Yeah, I hated this.
“…Probably the manager told me.”
Even as he said that, Jeong In-ho guessed Hong Gyeong-jun’s intentions. Perhaps they wanted to check whether it was exactly the same as the testimony that Director Lee Jae-heon gave to Hong Gyeong-jun. He was so suspicious that it was annoying.
And as expected, Hong Gyeong-jun nodded.
“I heard that Jaeheon Lee was not in good condition at the time. “I want to hear testimony in a calmer state.”
“You can do that.”
Jeong In-ho continued speaking while maintaining his usual smile.
“Whenever I have time, I go for a walk around the neighborhood. “I’m just going to run a few laps…”
The story didn’t get very long. Hong Gyeong-jun was quite cautious and calm for a person who was very suspicious, so he did not interrupt him and even nodded and agreed with him occasionally. Even if the situation wasn’t like this, Hong Gyeong-jun would have been a pretty good listener.
Jeong In-ho described the situation at the time and calmly told the story.
“…The manager suddenly asked me to leave the position. I followed him out of the room, talked for a bit, and then parted ways. “And we met again the next day when I went to work.”
“….”
“This is all I know about the child I saw then.”
Hong Gyeong-jun nodded his head slightly and tapped his fingers. I don’t know if he knew it but couldn’t change it, or if it was a habit he hadn’t noticed before, but it told me that he was in quite a bit of trouble.
He stopped his fingers and opened his mouth.
“You are definitely an unusual person.”
“…Who are you talking about?”
“Jaeheon Lee and Inho Jeong.”
After listening to Hong Gyeong-jun’s words, Jeong In-ho suddenly realized one thing.
“The manager is a special person.”
This suspicious detective trusted Director Lee Jae-heon and no one else.
‘why?’
Why Lee Jae-heon?
In-ho Jeong was sure that if he suspected anyone, it would definitely be Director Jae-heon Lee. Even if you exclude the self-interest that I have personally accumulated up until now, I could not help but think that way.
I’ve said something like that before. If a situation arises where I need to do something, I will do it without hesitation. There was no way that Director Lee Jae-heon, who said that and frequented the secret world, would not have done something that betrayed humanity. Even if the foundation is based on one’s own sacrifice.
And Jeong In-ho feels that Hong Gyeong-jun has the ability to point out people who would commit such unethical acts very well.
‘It was probably along the same lines that they doubted me from the beginning.’
To be honest, yes. Jeong In-ho was out of his mind right now. Even he couldn’t imagine what he would do if something went wrong.
But what about Manager Lee Jae-heon? Why did you place your trust in this person named Lee Jae-heon?
“You said you work for the same company. “May I ask where it is?”
“Ah, I go to Oseong. “It’s the planning team.”
“You work for such a large company. envious.”
The person speaking wasn’t particularly bragging, and the person arguing with him didn’t seem particularly envious. Nevertheless, In-ho Jeong and Gyeong-jun Hong were able to have a smooth conversation. This is because the masks they wear around each other and the valley of distrust were so thick.
“Yes, he is the manager of the Ohseong Planning Team….”
“….”
Jeong In-ho noticed that Hong Kyung-jun was showing quite a bit of interest in Manager Lee Jae-heon.
And it didn’t seem like he was particularly interested in picking out suspects.
‘so why?’
The ‘Manager Lee Jae-heon’ that most people in the company, including In-ho Jeong, knew was nothing more than an old man with a silver spoon and a parachute. Even if I told you the rumor about this now, I wouldn’t believe it, but I didn’t know why I was interested in Lee Jae-heon.
That is to say, Lee Jae-heon was neither a police official nor the suspect that Hong Gyeong-jun thought. I didn’t know what was at the center of that groundless belief, and I couldn’t figure out why he was interested in Lee Jae-heon in real life. I didn’t understand.
For such a suspicious person to believe so much in a very suspicious squire whom they have only just met…
“…He is a good person.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The manager is a good person.”
Can that really be considered complete faith?
“…It’s just that.”
Lee Jae-heon’s current condition was not very good. The situation was serious both externally and internally, and he even seemed to be losing his mind as to what the green algae monster had done to him. Just like the state of President Choi Jeong-man that In-ho Jeong had seen before.
‘No, it will be worse.’
At least President Choi Jeong-man didn’t vomit blood.
Although he and Ha Seong-yoon had not discussed Lee Jae-heon’s symptoms since the last conversation, Jeong In-ho expected it to be a reaction due to some kind of rejection. The only difference between Choi Jeong-man and Lee Jae-heon is that the former has surrendered himself to the will to kill, while the latter is struggling to suppress that instinct.
Also, that was not a reason to necessarily trust Lee Jae-heon.
Well, that person….
“….”
“…I’ll go this way. “Here is the fruit I saw last time. Would you like to come with me?”
“I will go with my group and pick the fruit we found earlier. “We’ll meet again at the bridge.”
“It would be better to have a few people fetch water.”
Lee Jae-heon was already a crazy person.
It did not trust people, but filled the void with its own pain. Anyone who looked at that tail from the side would not be able to come to their senses. Jeong In-ho, who basically did not like Director Lee Jae-heon, added this.
That kind of person ended up in the same situation as previous CEO Choi Jeong-man. I’m bleeding every time, as if I’m holding back hard, but I never know when the limit will come. Since he was a person who thoughtlessly did even the most difficult task of abandoning himself, he could easily harm others.
And Hong Kyung-jun wouldn’t know that.
“I’ll get the water.”
“…Ah, Boss Yoon.”
“Can I just wait at the bridge?”
Jeong In-ho stared with a strange gaze at Yoon Gar-ram, who gently rolled her eyes at him. I don’t know if it was because of his mood, but Yoon Garam had a strange resemblance to Ha Seongyoon.
Especially that smile that is one step removed from reality…
“Then, please ask.”
“I’ll also check the fish traps. “Take care, Mr. Inho.”
“Yoon Garam too…”
Jeong In-ho, who called her name without realizing it, blinked once and consciously changed his breathing.
“be careful.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
Yoon Garam, who must have felt uncomfortable, simply curled his lips and turned around. I vaguely realized that calling Noh Yeon-seok and Kang Min-ah was probably due to exertion of strength when pulling out the fish trap.
Jeong In-ho quietly looked at her back.
“….”
Suddenly, it occurred to me that a familiar spark seemed to be sparking in Yoon Garam’s steps.
It resembled the green plant that caught Manager Lee Jae-heon’s ankle at the flower shop. A self-destructive obsession that is so extreme that it burns itself out because it does not want to let go. It resembled the bonfire she always looked at.
Jeong In-ho knows that it is broken.
“….”
“Mr. Jeong In-ho, shall we go together?”
“…Of course.”
But Yoon Garam loved it….
“On the way, I also saw the monster that was said to have eaten Ha Seongyoon’s eyes.”
“Oh my gosh, your words have become harsh. “Are you tired?”
Ha Seong-yoon just smiled with his eyes closed, and it looked very similar to Yoon Gar-ram. Perhaps she learned that smile from Ha Seong-yoon.
Because that person admires you.
“Who is that thanks to?”
Because what you admire means you want to be like them.
Jeong In-ho was able to fully understand her.
“Aha, it looks like you’ve thought about what I said.”
“I can’t say no.”
A laugh came out.
It seemed like everyone had gone crazy. And in order to somehow survive while going crazy, you have to hold on to something, and even if that is ridiculous fanaticism, people become desperate.
Hong Gyeong-jun was like that, Yoon Garam was like that, and…
“I guess I’m crazy.”
Inho Jeong was like that.
Jaeheon Lee is not a person you can trust. Even though believing this even though he knew it was inefficient, as he said, in the end, doesn’t Jung In-ho believe him? The opponent is a half-monster who can even kill people and turn them into pieces of meat.
So this is fanaticism. It was a crazy act that was of no benefit to anyone, like comforting myself by praying to a god that didn’t exist.
In-ho Jeong believes in Jae-heon Lee.
“I think so.”
“until when?”
“I don’t know, but…”
If he’s alive, I think we’re not dead.
“I feel like shit.”
I don’t have to survive alone.
Even though Jeong In-ho realized that this was a ridiculous conclusion and fanaticism, he could not go back. At least Lee Jae-heon himself, if he were still alive, did not try to save them somehow. I didn’t think my faith would be so poor.
That’s how much Jung In-ho didn’t want to survive alone. I didn’t want to end up dying alone, looking at the pure white sky, in a slaughterhouse where I didn’t know when or who to kill, in a relationship where distrust and hatred were rampant. It was an absolutely terrible thing.
I didn’t want to do that.
“….”
“…I have to save that person.”
“how?”
“Somehow.”
It’s funny.
I tried to find out the cause of Hong Gyeong-jun’s irrational thinking, but in the end, all I found was his own flaws. Even after recognizing them, he couldn’t fix them.
I felt really crazy.
(Continued in the next part)
