Episode 181
Ever since he gained his eyes, there was ‘something’ that Ha Seong-yoon could see in Lee Jae-heon.
“…Hmm.”
It was a man wearing a uniform that appeared to be a police uniform.
Ha Seong-yoon instinctively knew that there was some kind of relationship between him and Lee Jae-heon, but there was no way to confirm exactly what it was. Of course, Ha Seong-yoon in the last episode was missing a screw, so it seems like he asked Lee Jae-heon out loud, but the current Ha Seong-yoon wasn’t broken that much.
This was especially true because the story was expected to be a sensitive topic.
‘What these eyes showed was only things that were particularly close to death.’
Therefore, when Lee Jae-heon brought up the topic of ‘ghosts’, Ha Seong-yoon naturally thought that he would talk about the police officer he was seeing. Although the various eyewitness accounts told to Lee Jae-heon were not made up, the one that could be most definitely confirmed was that man. Ha Seong-yoon was guessing that it was some kind of ghost that had attached itself to Lee Jae-heon.
However, although Lee Jae-heon knew about the man’s existence, he did not seem to know that it was right next to him. Even though we talked about ghosts, we never once brought up the story about that pale police officer. Thanks to this, Ha Seong-yoon also became cautious about mentioning it.
‘No matter what you think, he’s dead.’
Didn’t Jaeheon Lee himself say that, and no one else? I mean he died. If we recall the rare violent reactions Ha Seong-yoon showed in the last episode when he arbitrarily stabbed him, the man who was already dead was no different from an object of disgust to Lee Jae-heon. This means that Ha Seong-yoon, whom we had only just met, was not someone who could be spoken about carelessly.
But apart from that, I had a question.
“What influence did that person have on Jaeheon Lee?”
At least it was easy to predict that it wouldn’t be positive.
“…I don’t know. “This is the first time I’ve ever heard of such a ghost being attached to me in the first place…” “
Well, it seems like even Lee Jae-heon himself doesn’t know. First of all, it wasn’t clear, but it seemed like the police was right. “Sometimes they are holding a triple baton or a firearm.”
“Guns? “Are Korean police allowed to carry firearms these days?”
“Normally, Taser guns are used. I know that in some cases it is possible to possess it if you have permission. I’m not sure either. But the uniform he was wearing and his demeanor seemed that way.”
“Do you think that person… had a bad influence on the manager?”
In response to Jeong In-ho’s question, Ha Seong-yoon nodded willingly.
“I have a bad impression.”
“…Are you kidding?”
“It was quite serious.”
Ha Seong-yoon was a very talented doctor, but he was also a great doctor who often volunteered overseas because he knew it. If we recall that he usually went to the battlefield and treated soldiers, the ‘impression’ that a doctor named Ha Seong-yoon spoke of did not simply mean that the appearance was bad. This means that it can be quite a basis. These days, places where wars occur are usually areas with poor security.
He continued, recalling the police officer he occasionally sees in Lee Jae-heon.
“It’s a view of people as tools.”
And Jaeheon Lee has a strong tendency to view himself as a tool.
“Can’t you feel it?”
“…Then….”
“I think the reason Jae-heon Lee’s common sense is so distorted may be due to that man. You also reacted very sensitively to Ha Seong-yoon’s remarks last time…”
“Why did you touch me like that again? The person who is already going crazy. “When will you have time like that again?”
“If you look closely, Jeong In-ho is not normal either. “Well, how many of us are sane?”
“It’s really persuasive for Ha Seong-yoon to say that.”
“I know that’s a sarcastic remark in some way.”
The previous ‘Ha Seong-yoon’ asked that.
“I wonder.”
“…yes?”
“Is it made that way? From whom did you learn such an unanswerable spirit of sacrifice? Was that person also a survivor of the underworld? Or those people?”
“Are you crazy?”
“I’m just repeating what I said back then, so why don’t you use your words nicely? “Already, patient Lee Jae-heon’s mouth has become quite rough these days, and this old doctor feels really bad.”
“How old are you?”
“That is correct.”
Ha Seong-yoon’s characteristic soft laugh came out.
“And I asked, why did it have to be Jeong In-ho?”
“….”
“I’m curious as to why you chose In-ho Jeong out of the options for the next one. Ha Seong-yoon asked, “If you teach that person everything you know, if that person has a sacrificial spirit as great as yours and becomes as strong as you… will you die then?”
“You’re crazy.”
“It’s different from who I am now, right?”
One of his blue eyes sparkled with an alien color.
“And I asked again. “I asked who told you to do that.”
“…That…”
“I asked if that person died after leaving you behind. What did I inherit from him and what is it that made me so strong or weak and why did I go crazy? Where did it start and why did that person choose Lee Jae-heon…” “
….”
“Ha Seong-yoon was convinced that that man had destroyed Lee Jae-heon.”
Ha Seong-yoon narrowed his eyes once again.
“I am similar now.”
He was sure that the pale man in the police uniform had broken Lee Jae-heon and rebuilt him.
He was wearing a uniform that was a shade of black and navy blue and was wearing a belt designed to carry a firearm. Was he quite tall? The shoulders were broad and the hands were thick. I wanted to take a closer look at the pattern on the uniform’s shoulders, but other than the fact that it was a subtle gold color, I couldn’t really see it. It wasn’t that clear of an image.
“The last question I asked was whether I was correct in assuming that the person was dead.”
“…So.”
“Are you curious about the reaction?”
‘Lee Jae-heon’ answered ‘Ha Seong-yoon’s question.
“He’s smiling with a rather angry expression on his face. “They said he was dead.”
The picture engraved in my eyes was still vivid.
“I said he died with the happiest smile in the world.”
“…How do you want me to react?”
“Just listen. I’m just sharing what I know.”
There was no other purpose than just predicting what Jaeheon Lee might do in the future. Ha Seong-yoon is also a doctor, so he does not carelessly reveal other people’s past for personal purposes. However, Lee Jae-heon’s case was extremely exceptional.
Ha Seong-yoon rolled his eyes and continued.
“It’s my personal opinion, but Jaeheon Lee doesn’t have much of aversion to being controlled, but he gets fed up when he feels like he’s being oppressed. If you really want to be specific, it’s like being tied up somewhere…”
“Wouldn’t anyone be fed up with that?”
“The severity is severe. A person who reacted calmly to all similar or higher-level comments seemed to be particularly sensitive to the situation of being ‘tied up’. Does anything come to mind? “Jaeheon Lee, who thinks of himself as a tool, or the man in the police uniform.”
“What do you want to say?”
“I think there is a genealogy here too.”
Ha Seong-yoon continued speaking with a smile.
“Before In-ho Jeong, there was Jae-heon Lee. Before Jaeheon Lee, that police officer. Before the police, someone else… is given the role of protecting and leading those who flow into the underworld. Then, when it feels like you’re about to die, you somehow pass on your role to someone in particular. “Really somehow.”
“….”
“Looking at it, it doesn’t look like you really missed the guess, does it?”
“…There are things the manager usually does…”
“Then that also explains the sensitive reaction that Jaeheon Lee showed and the angry yet smiling face. The police officer who died with a very happy smile on his face. How happy would you be if you died, taking on all your burdens? At least I think so.”
“I won’t deny it.”
“I don’t really care, Mr. Jeong In-ho.”
Ha Seong-yoon said to Jeong In-ho, who was staring at me with only the corners of his mouth neatly raised.
“Hanging out with Song In-myeong could be very bad for the manager’s mental health.”
“….”
“You don’t deny this either?”
There was no way I didn’t know.
They didn’t even try to keep me from knowing in the first place. It was clear that Jeong In-ho wanted at least Ha Seong-yoon to know how things were going. If a problem arises with Jung In-ho, Lee Jae-heon is next, and Ha Seong-yoon is next, but Lee Jae-heon is like that, so it was an inevitable choice.
Jeong In-ho, who lightly touched his smooth curved lips with his hand, quickly answered.
“I was just surprised that you didn’t stop it. The Ha Seong-yoon I know now… I felt like he was going to stop me for some reason. “Because you are a good doctor.”
“Ah, it’s a sweet treat to hear. What a good doctor. You are doing something unbecoming. “There’s nothing I can’t understand why he became like this, but it’s refreshing to see him gradually changing.”
“Please tell me the main point.”
“Nothing will change if I ask, but… do you think you’ll regret it? “The truth is, it doesn’t matter what In-ho Jeong thinks or what answer he gives.”
“….”
“You will regret it.”
At that, the corner of Jeong In-ho’s mouth twitched for the first time.
It was a satisfactory response.
“I want to stop it if possible. I don’t know exactly what you’re planning, but I don’t think the current situation where you are calmly talking to Song In-myeong will result in a comfortable and peaceful outcome. Then, the manager, who was trying hard to keep his sanity, could go crazy like last time…”
“We will take steps to prevent it from happening like that.”
“Right now, In-ho Jeong doesn’t seem to be feeling any pressure or nervousness about saving someone’s life. In the past, at least until the last time, you struggled to the point that it was almost obsessional. However, even if the outcome turns out to be the worst, I cannot stop In-ho Jeong now. I know that. “That’s why I came this far, too.”
“Do you regret it?”
“There wasn’t a moment I didn’t regret. I regret every moment, reflect on the turning points where I could have done better, and dream of a happier future. “Maybe I could have remained a better person and a better doctor.”
“So you’re saying I’ll regret it too?”
“Don’t be angry, you young and stupid friend. “I know that your case and mine are different.”
At that moment, Ha Seong-yoon couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“But… no matter what, Jeong In-ho is still Jeong In-ho.”
“….”
“Just like Ha Seong-yoon, no matter what he does, you are also a dreamer who dreams in vain of being a good kid in the end. “Even though I know it won’t happen, I can’t help but envy and yearn for it.”
“…That could be possible.”
“So you will regret it. “But we are different in that respect.”
Ha Seong-yoon adjusted his glasses and continued.
“If I go back, I will repeat the same thing, but Mr. In-ho Jeong will not do that.”
“…That’s bullshit.”
“Because you always want to change.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Not like me.”
Yes, now I feel like I can finally understand what ‘Ha Seong-yoon’ said. These are the words that Lee Jae-heon uttered when he got very angry and lashed out at the man who stabbed him in a sensitive spot.
I recited the words as if they came to me by chance.
“Ah, this is additionally… this is the story Jaeheon Lee mentioned.”
“….”
“They said the world chose In-ho Jeong. “I’m saying that Lee Jae-heon chose you because you are the main character and the chosen one.”
Ha Seong-yoon asked with his tightly closed mouth.
“Do you have any guess?”
“….”
the protagonist answered.
“…no.”
“yes.”
“I do not know.”
“okay.”
So that means this is the correct answer.
It seems that there is a god in this world after all.
