Episode 420
At first, I thought about just hiding it.
‘The Lee Jae-heon these bastards know is someone who is willing to get involved with Song In-myeong for their sake… so he must be annoying in many ways. ‘If I find out that I am the only one who approaches Song In-myeong and tries to rip off something, it will be more troublesome than I can imagine.’
But there was also a problem with hiding it altogether.
‘Now that this has happened, I want to use Song In-myeong again.’
Although Lee Jae-heon is not a very clean person, there were many things that Song In-myeong did not like. Nevertheless, if you were to ask whether this rejection was worthy of being described as ‘disgust’, it would not be true. He’s just an awkward bastard to have around. I hated it just that much.
Therefore, Lee Jae-heon did not want to dispose of Song In-myeong like this. Song In-myeong’s flexibility, which was unusual for a resident of this soft world, was so appealing to Lee Jae-heon that it was a waste to dispose of it.
If he found out his true intentions, he would first come after Seo Jang-hwa to slit Lee Jae-heon’s head, so he couldn’t reveal it, but Lee Jae-heon guessed that Song In-myeong’s presence would be quite helpful in his future plans.
“…I’m sorry for causing you worry, but I thought this would be much more efficient.”
Therefore, I thought it would be a good idea to steadily increase contact with Song In-myeong from now on. One way or another, for creatures who have been together for a long time, some kind of rapport was bound to be formed, even if the bond was difficult. Lee Jae-heon wanted to form some kind of relationship between Song In-myeong and other survivors through himself. I might hate it, but I hate it so much that I’ll just kill it. How many times in your past life have you tried sending missions by tying them up with enemies? Apart from the pain of not having a conscience, it will be worth doing.
In order to do so, there was no need to hide the fact that ‘Lee Jae-heon’ was trying to contact Song In-myeong, even if he did not promise to look after the third edition. I had to be a bit annoying, but it was something I could tolerate.
―Jaeheon Lee, please stop talking about efficiency….
“There is no reason to think too negatively, is there? Song In-myeong cannot kill me. I’m an ugly duckling because I belong to this party. In the same vein, you can’t harm me carelessly. And, nominally, I am Song In-myeong’s customer. In other words, I am A and he is Eul. In the current situation, there is no one who can approach Song In-myeong more safely than me.”
―…Can you say that in front of Jeong In-ho? Even in front of Ha Seong-yoon?
“I’m saying this because I’m Detective Hong Gyeong-jun. At least, if you are a detective who has been chasing Song In-myeong for a long time, you will know how big of an opportunity this is. How many people has that bastard killed so far? How many bereaved families are left behind? “There are quite a few people who want Song In-myeong to be torn to pieces. Am I wrong?”
―Unlike the underworld, in reality, murder cannot be justified for any reason.
“I wonder if it is any different from the other side of the world… That is why Song In-myeong must be held under the authority of the law. And Song In-myeong is not living under the law. Because there is no law in the shadows. Who can bring Song In-myeong, who has no intention of leaving such an absurd extraterritorial jurisdiction, to the realm of the law? “I don’t think there’s anyone else who can do that other than me.”
―…Only in cases like this is Cheongsan Yusu….
“Detective Hong Gyeong-jun, this is not that extremely dangerous or painful. You might hate it, but it’s not even a sacrifice, it’s just a quick conversation. The risks are lower than anyone else’s, but the gains are much greater. Another advantage is that I can dig much deeper than the position of other police officers like you.”
-Did you set this up with me from the beginning? From what you’re saying, it doesn’t seem like you’ve been thinking that way for a day or two, but I’m becoming more and more suspicious.
“That can’t be right.”
―’Is that possible?’
“Honestly, you guys seem to be overly worried about anything I do. Hey, I’m a 42-year-old adult male. This means that he is a strong adult with a solid background. In fact, it doesn’t make sense for you to be worried about me.”
―You’re saying you’re even considering the fundamental problem? Why are people so crooked?
“so.”
Jaeheon Lee asked after finishing his long talk.
“What’s the problem?”
―…There are many things I want to say, but first of all, I feel guilty for deceiving Lee Jae-heon’s mind and body, my conscience as a police officer, and the countless bereaved families left behind by Song In-myeong…. “Uh-huh, write.
”
-You only interrupt me when it’s disadvantageous.
“All you have to do is close your eyes for a moment. “Isn’t it funny if you hate me so much now that you have already argued with me in the first place?”
―….
After a short silence, Hong Gyeong-jun spoke in a calm voice.
-At that time, I didn’t know it would turn out like this.
“What.”
―Jae-heon Lee… I didn’t know he would be this worried.
“That far.”
Lee Jae-heon, who had reflexively cut off Hong Gyeong-jun, opened his mouth after briefly understanding the situation, saying, ‘What did I just hear?’
“Who are you. Hong Kyung-jun doesn’t say things like that.”
―Jae-Heon Lee, you can roughly understand what kind of image Hong Gyeong-Jun is inside you.
“Have you lost your mind after visiting the other side of the world? “It’s strange that he wasn’t a character like this.”
―It may be presumptuous to say this, but who am I to worry so much?
“First of all, I guess not.”
―Jaeheon Lee?
“No, why is it because of me? “It’s unfair, isn’t it?”
-I knew right away that you had no conscience, but…
“What did I do?”
-You did a lot. I think that if I organize it into documents, a thesis will come out easily. Now that I think about it, Ha Seong-yoon also said that he would like to write a research paper on Lee Jae-heon. Have you done so yet?
“Let’s stop here for now. “Because the topic has gone too far to the side.”
Phew.
Hong Gyeong-jun’s deep sigh was heard.
―…To get back to the point, I am against it. What Jaeheon Lee said is not wrong, but it is only logical and it is difficult to understand emotionally.
“You admitted out of your own mouth that you were emotional.”
―You know, I can’t stop Mr. Lee Jae-heon any longer.
It was a calm voice, but a deep sense of resignation was evident. In a way, it was recognition.
-I am a detective. I studied a lot and put in a lot of effort to catch criminals. Among the criminals I caught, Song In-myeong was a particularly bad guy. It’s natural for a detective to use every possible means to catch a guy like that.
“You are definitely more flexible than the underworld.”
In the behind-the-scenes world, Hong Gyeong-jun paid great attention to Lee Jae-heon’s safety. In reality, it wasn’t much different, but it was true that there was a difference in degree. This can be seen as the difference between a crazy person who goes beyond worry and harbors murderous intentions, and a person with common sense who worries but knows how to accept reality.
At Lee Jae-heon’s words, Hong Gyeong-jun could be heard slightly clearing his throat.
―Hmm… that was me at that time. I’m out of my mind.
“…Everyone understands this. “It’s not easy to come to your senses in the underworld, yes.”
―I always feel sorry because I am a person with many shortcomings.
Hong Gyeong-jun, who tried to shake off his awkwardness, continued.
―So, I cannot easily stop Jaeheon Lee. Because I know and recognize Lee Jae-heon’s abilities. As you said, it is also true that the efficiency compared to the sincerity put into our police department is outstanding. For the police, who are having a hard time finding a single spy, the information Jaeheon Lee provides will be of great help.
“Then…”
―But please. Jaeheon Lee.
Hong Gyeong-jun’s voice became firm.
―Please do not intentionally give up on yourself.
“….”
―Please.
Lee Jae-heon thought about those words and said as if he was disgusted.
“…That sounds unfamiliar.”
―Now that I see it, Lee Jae-heon also has a quirky side.
Hong Gyeong-jun clicked his tongue and continued.
―I don’t expect Jaeheon Lee’s behavior to change with just one word from me. They say that it takes a lot of time and effort to change habits or prejudices. I just said this because I wanted you to think of our concern when Lee Jae-heon reveals his evil intentions again.
“Huh.”
―Anyway, it is already a foregone conclusion that I will be criticized by other survivors. If you hear the story of how he and Song In-myeong caught the tail of the industry by collaborating with Jae-heon Lee, rather than swearing… would you be grabbed by the collar? I think that might be somewhat correct. Poor Lee Jae-heon will probably get his share of it too.
“…sorry?”
―No, I expected that much and accepted Jaeheon Lee’s suggestion. However, I can roughly guess the feelings of Ha Seong-yoon, who bought medicine at the pharmacy with Lee Jae-heon when he was in the secret world.
“He is a person who is embarrassed by the obscene behavior shown in the other world, so please don’t make fun of him too much.”
-I have no intention of making fun of you. It was just an objective fact and impression.
“How can objective ‘appreciation’ exist even if we don’t know the facts…?”
-I just wanted to ask you to do it in moderation. There are so many people who are worried, but Lee Jae-heon is a great person who easily ignores such things, so he has no choice but to show his concern as he is now, even as an accomplice.
“I am sorry.”
―Haha, so much….
Hong Gyeong-jun muttered softly and spoke in a faint voice.
―…Jaeheon Lee looks so much like that person.
“…I guess so.”
―How can I not see Jaeheon Lee’s death?
“….”
―You are cruel.
He left a short greeting.
―Have a good evening.
“….”
The phone call suddenly hung up.
“…Anyway…”
Lee Jae-heon muttered.
“I don’t feel affectionate.”
Feeling strangely uncomfortable, I loosened my tie.
I feel like I’m trapped on a remote island.
* * *
“Wow.”
Song In-myeong was impressed as he looked at the documents handed to him by the manager.
“Is it really there?”
Song In-myeong considers himself an artist. He was so obsessive that he could not forgive his own art for being distorted, but at the same time he respected the art of others.
He believed that art can appear in various forms at any time… but it could not be completely without prejudiced views.
For him, living, breathing work was something he had only recently come up with. To be fair, I may have some ‘friends’, but they are people who will be perfected through death. Therefore, even within the same industry, they were indifferent to fields where living people were products.
‘…If I had known this would happen, I would have stopped by the headquarters often. He must be looking for industry information from me and building up some connections. ‘I can’t believe I finally know this.’
A photo clipped together at the top of the document.
Song In-myeong muttered while looking at the cute doll-like child in the photo.
“…Jang Seo-ah.”
It was definitely the guy I saw in the other world.
“Can I make a deal with you with this?”
No matter how indifferent Lee Jae-heon was to his own well-being, he was not a self-harm addict. He can’t help but hate it when he’s sick, so he’ll get annoyed if Song In-myeong tries to get ‘ingredients’ from him. So, I planned to proceed with the supply of materials after gaining complete trust from Lee Jae-heon.
At this level, I wonder if they would at least pull out their claws as a compliment.
“That guy is secretly sure of rewards and punishments…”
Song In-myeong smiled and called the manager.
“Brother, it’s me. “Ah, I received it well, thank you.”
―….
“Huh? Ah haha! no. What are you talking about… You know I don’t like that. “Yeah, it’s not that big of a deal.”
Excited voices echoed through the hotel room.
“Can I bring a girl named Jang Seo-ah to the second part of the party?”
(Continued in the next part)
