Return

Flicker, flicker.

I blankly opened my eyes. Gray-toned modern interior, walls lined with occult books. Han Yujin realized she was back in Jeong Gongbeop's officetel.

"...I did it."

I made it out! From that insane horror story!

Han Yujin clenched her fist—

"Aaaahhh...!"

—then grabbed her arm without thinking.

What the hell! Why does it hurt so much!

Like riding a junkyard bike off-road for hours—pure agony!

"Why?!"

Tears welling up, she rummaged through her memories. Finally, the mad parcel rollercoaster flashed back, revealing the pain's source.

"You're awake."

A low, gravelly voice. Han Yujin jolted, trying to sit up. But waist-searing pain made her scream "Ack!" and flop back down.

"Don't push it. Cracked ribs or shocked muscles, probably."

A massive man sat on the sofa, leg crossed. Rolling up his bloodied dress shirt sleeves. His exposed forearms were covered in minor cuts, but his bandaging was rough yet skilled.

"...Lee Kanghyeok?"

Han Yujin rubbed her eyes.

Why the hell is this guy here?

"Why are you here? This is... Jeong... I mean, my friend's officetel?"

"Who knows. Delivery mishap, maybe."

Lee Kanghyeok smirked, lip curling. That scarred face made it impossible to tell if it was a smile or a threat.

"Delivery mishap?"

"Yeah. Someone cranked the conveyor to max speed. Brakes wrecked, coordinates glitched."

Her final memory flashed: Fleeing anomalies, maxing the control panel herself.

"Ah."

Han Yujin shut her mouth. Culprit was me. Can't even argue this one.

"The others are here too."

Lee Kanghyeok nodded toward the room's corner. Yoo Se-rin lay sprawled unconscious; Kruru was wedged under the sofa, butt sticking out. What kinda pose is that? And the sealed chest with the lady's daughter.

...Why'd that come here?

Finishing his bandage, Lee Kanghyeok stood, his huge shadow engulfing Han Yujin. She flinched instinctively, hand sneaking toward summoning her money bag.

If he goes near the chest, we fight.

She was ready. Knew his weaknesses from the story. Her path had drained his power max. She'd anticipated this.

Spotting her tension, Lee Kanghyeok chuckled softly.

"I want it, sure."

Hugging the chest, Han Yujin growled.

"Can't give it. Got a promise."

"A promise."

Lee Kanghyeok's expression turned odd.

"Acting just like the anomalies in the story."

"No idea what you mean, but no."

He raised both hands.

"Relax. Not taking it."

"...Huh?"

"Promised, didn't you? Cooperate in the story, I'd let you live. I keep my word."

Lee Kanghyeok pulled a tattered notebook from his pocket and waved it.

"Plus, fragment info alone boosts my contribution points. That's enough."

Right then—

Beep-beep-boop. Door lock disengaging.

The front door burst open.

"......"

Jeong Gongbeop stood there. Convenience ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠store bag in one hand, briefcase in the other. His eyes scanned the room.

Messy living room, mystery woman on the floor, black-haired girl under the sofa, tense Han Yujin sitting up. And the giant man in the center.

Jeong Gongbeop's glasses glinted coldly. The convenience bag hit the floor with a thud.

"Manager Lee Kanghyeok."

Ice-cold voice. Lee Kanghyeok slowly turned to face him.

"Long time no see, Team Leader. Or should I say Jeong Gongbeop now?"

Oh. What. They know each other?

Han Yujin felt the urge to grab popcorn, but the vibe was too murder-y.

"Why is Manager Lee Kanghyeok here?"

His usual tone. But the air felt freezing.

Lee Kanghyeok shrugged casually.

"Sorry for barging in without permission, but circumstances forced it. Emergency landing. Emergency landing."

"Emergency landing?"

"Yeah. Parcel got misdelivered."

He nodded at Han Yujin.

"Thanks to that kid's heroics, we all crashed here."

Jeong Gongbeop's gaze shifted to Han Yujin. Worry, relief, confusion mixed.

"You okay? Hurt anywhere?"

"Ah, yeah. Alive, anyway. Ribs ache a bit."

"Did he do anything?"

"Uh, not yet?"

Lee Kanghyeok looked exasperated at her reply.

"Told you, I'll pretend I don't know you."

"Hmph. How can I trust that?"

She slinked behind Jeong Gongbeop, peeking out.

"Scary."

Her face ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was deadpan calm, making a vein pop on Lee Kanghyeok's forehead.

Little more poking and something fun might happen.

Something between these two, maybe.

Calculated trolling. But—

"Anyway. This is my property. I'd appreciate it if you left."

Jeong Gongbeop politely issued the eviction.

Aw, lame.

Han Yujin pouted as—

"Fine. Got an excuse now. 'Forced retreat after running into Jeong Gongbeop'... Paperwork sucks, but plausible."

Lee Kanghyeok nudged the passed-out Yoo Se-rin.

"Han Yujin. You're the craziest bastard I've met. And the most capable."

"...Compliment?"

"Yeah. Why I'm not picking a fight now. Looking forward to your growth and the next round. Loved how you hit the logistics core. Rulesets like that? Priceless."

He looked genuinely pleased.

"Just one warning."

"What?"

"Research team might prioritize hunting you now. They exploit anomalies and phenomena... Details from Jeong Gongbeop."

Jeong Gongbeop stared silently. His usual chill, but screaming get out.

Lee Kanghyeok chuckled.

"Hope next time isn't as enemies. Or join my team. I'll take good care of you."

"Pass. Hate black companies that don't pay OT."

"Fun."

Lee Kanghyeok turned to leave without fuss. Passing Jeong Gongbeop, he whispered:

"Don't overprotect her. She's way stronger than you think. Worry about your own trauma instead."

"......!"

Jeong Gongbeop's shoulder twitched.

Lee Kanghyeok left a sly grin and exited, slinging Yoo Se-rin over his shoulder like luggage.

"Ugh... Manager... Easy..."

"Shut it. Prep your incident report for debrief."

Thud. Door closed.

Heavy silence filled the room.

Jeong Gongbeop stared at the door, then sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. His fingers trembled faintly.

"......Hoo."

He picked up the fallen convenience bag. Triangle kimbap, cup ramen, hot bar inside.

"Didn't know what you'd like. Grabbed these for now."

He spoke casually, but Han Yujin saw it. The shaky eyes, the flicker at "team leader."

This guy's got baggage too. Best play dumb here.

Right now, she needed hot broth to wash away the exhaustion.

"Eyelids too heavy. Craving something soupy."

"Understood."

Jeong Gongbeop headed to the kitchen for ramen. Han Yujin trailed after.

Couldn't hold back:

"So, what's the deal with Lee Kanghyeok?"

Han Yujin here. I'd say I held back a lot.

Without turning:

"Peel off whatever's under your eyes first. That's why they feel heavy."

Huh? Han Yujin touched under her eyes.

"What the—"

Thumb-sized Heteromorphic Crystals dangled from both eyes, gleaming with a brilliant light she'd never seen!