24 - 8 - 3
Suhyeon gathered the thick manual books from the recording studio and headed home. The moment he arrived, he booted up his computer and began rapidly searching the news online.
As he scoured the headlines, Suhyeon recalled the conversation he'd had in the studio just moments ago.
"Do you trust me?"
Marvin hesitated at Suhyeon's sudden question before replying.
"I couldn't trust the old you for a second... but the you now? Yeah, to some extent."
"Thanks. Then from here on, listen carefully to what I say."
Suhyeon calmly recounted the incident at the pork belly restaurant a few days prior in detail. Marvin listened quietly, then asked once he'd finished.
"It's a tough story to believe... but someone's really targeting me?"
"I get it—hard to swallow. I felt the same. We're just popular idol group members at best, right? Kids might think idols are hot shit based on looks alone... but we know the truth. In this society, this industry, we're nothing but powerless underlings."
"Exactly. One bad news blip, and idols get buried that same day... That's why everyone claws to join a powerhouse agency that can shield them."
"That's why I didn't tell you sooner. There didn't seem to be much gain in targeting you. I was half-doubting it myself... until that Jenny girl showed up."
"Jenny? What about her?"
"You kept rubbing your head even after she left, right?"
"Yeah."
"It hurt, didn't it? If I'm right, when she stroked your hair saying she liked the style, she yanked out a few strands."
"Spot on. She was too rough—pulled some hairs right out. Couldn't snap at her in front of you guys, but damn, it stung."
"Think about it. Why would Jenny take your hair? Does she know some immortality elixir recipe? Or alchemy to turn lead to gold? Maybe voodoo?"
"That's ridiculous..."
"Of course. Only one thing left: someone needs it for DNA analysis. Jenny was just fulfilling a request."
"They're analyzing my DNA?"
"Yeah. And for all this to happen, there's one key prerequisite."
"What?"
Suhyeon paused, gazing at Marvin with warm eyes and a gentle tone.
"Are you adopted?"
Suhyeon snapped out of the memory mid-search upon spotting an intriguing headline.
"Know the enemy and know yourself, and you'll win a hundred battles. Finding the mastermind behind this is priority one... and tracing Marvin's bloodline is the simplest way. These incidents piling up lately? The culprit's likely among recent high-profile deaths or collapses."
Muttering to himself, Suhyeon scrolled through related articles.
"Let's see. Collapsed about ten days ago, age 82, acute heart attack—hospitalized suddenly. Left behind two sons and a daughter..."
Suhyeon pulled up more articles and read on.
"Of Chairman Lee Young-ho's two sons, the elder at 55 is married with three daughters... Oh ho, interesting. The younger died twenty years ago at 33 in a car accident—unmarried, no kids. This hunch is hitting hard."
After poring over every Lee Young-ho article, Suhyeon picked up the drumstick beside his computer—the cheap practice one Kevin had gifted him at the studio, saying to take it without worry.
To devise a strategy for resolving this, Suhyeon gripped the stick in his right hand and began tapping his left palm rhythmically. Moments later, he emerged from deep thought with a sigh.
"Whew. Best I can do for now. No matter the plan, the power gap is too vast. No choice—push forward with this."
Soon, Suhyeon had a Korean map open online, studying it intently.
"Even if it's minimal, I need the Water Qi Gathering Formation. That means securing a house or land near the DMZ to set it up... Then haul the gathered water here by car weekly and consume it steadily. Should yield some effect."
Staring holes through the map, Suhyeon murmured his decision.
"Gangwon Province looks best."
With online tasks done, Suhyeon grabbed the thick manuals from the company and headed to his study. His face bloomed with a fresh smile and faint blush—excitement for new knowledge.
The next morning, Suhyeon headed early to the YK building. In the practice room, only Gyeongbin was there; no other members.
"Morning, hyung. You're up early."
"Hey. Where's Seongbin and the Brits?"
"Seongbin's got a schedule—went straight there from home, skipping the office. The UK hyungs are probably at the company cafeteria for breakfast. Mom feeds me at home, but they've got no one."
"Got it. Gotta talk to Marvin quick—I've got to head out soon."
"Where to?"
"Promised a cameo in a movie today—gotta hustle."
"Cool, which one?"
"Genetic Mutation Sorcerer. Made a deal with Senior Yoo Ayoung—need to hit the set by lunch latest."
Just then, Marvin, Robin, and Kevin entered post-breakfast, greeting warmly. Suhyeon pulled Marvin to a corner for a private chat.
"Marvin, remember what I said yesterday?"
"Yeah, all of it."
"What's the most important part?"
"Act normal. Don't poke the snake by mistake."
"Copper statue startles the grasshopper. Don't act off, or you'll provoke them."
"Got it."
"Built a plan off what you told me. For now, avoid broadcast news or variety interviews—too risky. They could preempt or use it against us."
"Then what?"
"Feint and strike. Hit where they least expect."
"How? What do I do?"
"Nothing special—you just live normally, like I said. I'll handle the rest."
"Okay. I'm counting on you. Thanks, Suhyeon—this isn't even your mess."
"Hey! We're teammates—what's yours or mine? Trust me. Mind games like this? My real specialty. Oh, one more thing: You, Robin, and Kevin still sharing a place?"
"Yep—from arrival, all three of us in one house."
"Good—that solves one worry from last night."
"What worry?"
"Three guys together? Gotta have at least one fridge, right?"
"Fridge out of nowhere? We have one—barely used since we eat out."
"Perfect. I'll take care of the rest."
Soon after, Suhyeon departed for the Gangwon film set. Over three hours by car, he arrived at the Genetic Mutation Sorcerer location during lunch—no one in sight.
He headed to Yoo Ayoung's waiting room. Knocking and entering, he found the film's female lead, Senior Yoo Ayoung, and male lead, Senior Ma Dong-sik, eating lunch boxes with staff.
Spotting Suhyeon and waving hello, Yoo Ayoung jumped up, arms wide.
"Oh my! Suhyeon-ah, so busy yet you came all this way—thank you!"
"No big deal. Had business in Gangwon anyway—two birds, one stone."
As Suhyeon spoke, Yoo Ayoung closed in for a tight hug.
Hmm? What's with this auntie today?
Suhyeon awkwardly returned the embrace lightly, showing his delight, when his eyes met Ma Dong-sik's stare from across the room.
Massive build. But... why's his gaze dripping with hostility?
Ma Dong-sik's burly frame—forearms thicker than most women's waists—glared with raw enmity. Suhyeon racked his brain but drew a blank.
Then, seeing Ma Dong-sik, a figure from his past life flashed—Suhyeon grinned unwittingly.
That physique reminds me of the guy I fought before. Stonemason turned bandit, rose to chief escort. Wielded chisel and hammer like weapons, temper explosive as a fire-tailed wolf... Sharp Nail Fire Wolf Ma Gwi-yeom.
Ma Dong-sik, still glaring, finally spoke.
"Picked a good one."