Chapter 33: Slave Hunters (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 33: Slave Hunters (3)
Lee Cheong-hyeon jumped up, startled.
‘How did he find me?’
Cheong-hyeon had considered the possibility that they might look for him if he didn’t return home on time. It was just a thought, though.
He never actually expected someone to come and catch him. How could anyone find a person in the middle of Seoul without even a single phone call?
What was even more terrifying was Kim I-wol’s incredibly calm reaction upon discovering him.
‘So you really were here?’
Those words implied that Kim I-wol finding him wasn't a coincidence. That fact was even more horrifying.
Cheong-hyeon desperately wanted to break the tension by asking, ‘Hyung, did you work at a private detective agency before becoming a trainee?’
But he couldn't. The expression on Kim I-wol’s face as he looked at him was, quite literally, ominous.
From the moment they first met, this teammate who had come for him possessed a singular aura.
Whether it was eerie or just cold—or perhaps a chilling mixture of both—one look at that face dripping with frost made anyone think, ‘Ah, this guy is something else.’
When Kim I-wol stood still with a blank expression, he carried an intimidating weight that made everyone, except perhaps Choi Je-ho, hesitate to approach him.
The only thing that made him somewhat accessible was his surprisingly odd personality, which contrasted with his appearance. Facing Kim I-wol one-on-one was no easy feat.
Cheong-hyeon even felt a sense of respect for his friend, Kang Gi-yeon, who did voluntary practice with this hyung every day.
For Cheong-hyeon, facing Kim I-wol—who had traveled an hour by bus just for him—was bordering on pure terror.
He had run away without a word to the company that had placed him in the debut team.
And if he returned, he would have to face the situation where his own shabby first creation was being discussed as their debut track.
Everything felt far too heavy for Lee Cheong-hyeon. It felt like taking an exam that never ended.
That was why he chose to run.
He fled while harboring terrifying thoughts—imagining that he’d be dead if caught—to a degree that, in hindsight, seemed irrationally extreme.
“Lee Cheong-hyeon!”
He heard his name being called from behind.
‘I’m sorry, hyung!’ Cheong-hyeon shouted internally.
It was an impulsive act, unlike his usual self. He had momentarily forgotten that Kim I-wol, who had the best physical stamina among the trainees, would have no trouble catching him.
After blindly sprinting up the hiking trail, Cheong-hyeon was finally caught by the arm twenty minutes later at a mountain spring halfway up.
The grip on his arm was so strong that he had to bite back a groan of pain.
“Cheong-hyeon.”
At the same time, he heard Kim I-wol’s voice from a much closer distance.
If there had been a hint of urgency before, this time, his voice was saturated with nothing but pure, palpable anger.
Just as Cheong-hyeon was thinking, ‘I’m gasping for air, but is this hyung not even winded?’—as if his previous grip hadn't been his full strength—Kim I-wol tightened his hold on Cheong-hyeon’s arm and asked:
“Is being an idol a joke to you?”
The words that came out of Kim I-wol’s mouth were something Cheong-hyeon hadn't expected at all.
‘What’s with this kid’s face?’
I thought to myself as I looked at Lee Cheong-hyeon, whom I had finally managed to pin down.
I was being dead serious, but he just stood there with a look that said he had no idea what was going on.
‘Does he not realize how dangerous this could have been?’
Of course he doesn't, which is why he’s just staring blankly like that.
My chest felt tight. I really needed to start taking my stomach protectants again.
I calmly went through my mental list of "Top 30 Sceneries to Imagine When in Need of Inner Peace" before questioning him.
“What were you thinking, running around a mountain? What if you got a scratch on that Gold Face of yours? Get your head in the game. Have you even thought about the fans who will one day laugh and cry over a single high-definition photo of you, feeling full without even eating?”
As long as he possessed a face like that, Lee Cheong-hyeon needed to realize the impact of his own appearance.
I wasn't a lookist, but the world certainly was.
‘Do you know how many comments said they’d forgive Spark for anything just by looking at Lee Cheong-hyeon’s face?’
Not everyone in the world would overlook a controversy involving Spark just because of his face. However, it would at least make a fan hesitate before leaving. In that sense, preserving Lee Cheong-hyeon’s face was essentially working for the good of the team.
I had to take three deep breaths to keep my temper from exploding. My head throbbed.
Here I was, racking my brain from morning till night just to ensure a smooth debut.
It had been a long time since I felt this lack of cooperation from those around me—not since Department Head Nam suddenly moved my desk right in front of the restrooms for no reason.
I tried my best to remind myself that the boy in front of me was still a minor and likely very distressed, being at the eye of the storm.
Only then did my boiling anger subside somewhat.
“You’re... not mad because I ran away, right?”
“I’ve already caught you, so why would I be mad about you running?”
To someone like me who had survived years at Hanpyeong Industry, this didn't even count as slacking off.
“I’m not not mad. It’s about the level of having my lunch stolen?”
“It’s a relief it’s just lunch and not chewy cold noodles...”
“What pissed me off is that you were running around a mountain without any safety gear. If you had just followed me quietly, we could have sat down at a horizontal negotiating table.”
Just as I was about to regret my long-winded, agitated rambling, Lee Cheong-hyeon muttered.
“I’m sorry.”
It was a completely deflated apology.
I hadn't known him for long, but he didn't seem like the type to act like this. He must have been truly driven into a corner mentally.
‘It’s better to... talk rationally.’
My heart didn't feel great about scolding the kid, especially after finding out what happened with Jeong Seong-bin being pressured by a grown man.
No matter how good my intentions were, it was hard for a younger person in Korean society not to be conscious of an age gap.
In the end, I suppressed my frustration and decided to change the mood first.
“No. I knew you wanted to be alone, so I’m sorry for coming to find you so unilaterally. But I came because I was worried, so I hope you don't find it too uncomfortable.”
At my words, Lee Cheong-hyeon gave an awkward smile.
It wasn't that he was trying not to be uncomfortable; it seemed more like he was forcing himself to act okay because he hated the atmosphere of being scolded.
“I was going to stay for just thirty more minutes and then leave. But since I’ve been caught, I guess I have no choice. What a shame, what a shame!”
With that, Lee Cheong-hyeon stood up from the bench and brushed off his pants.
“Then stay for the thirty minutes.”
“Huh?”
“You can go back after you’ve finished your voluntary practice. Since you’re already late, you might as well finish playing hooky for as long as you planned.”
I checked to see if anyone nearby needed the seat and then sat down next to where he had been.
Lee Cheong-hyeon glanced at me and sat back down awkwardly.
“Why are you walking on eggshells?”
“I got caught skipping practice, so of course I have to.”
“You skip practice and then walk on eggshells? That’s an extra penalty for being cheeky.”
When I looked at him, Lee Cheong-hyeon swallowed hard.
I kept my gaze fixed somewhere on the cityscape unfolding below the mountainside and asked.
“Are you really that worried, even after writing such a good song?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon asked back.
“How did you know?”
I didn't bother answering that.
I didn't feel the need to explain the step-by-step process of how I reached that conclusion, nor did I think it was an important detail for him.
Instead, I decided to address the part he was likely most worried about.
“I understand being worried about what happens if it doesn't do well, but that’s not your problem to worry about.”
“Pardon?”
“There’s the difference between the digital and physical markets, the group’s brand recognition is important, and it changes depending on promotion and music show exposure... There are dozens of factors that affect performance. There’s no way the responsibility falls solely on the composer.”
This was something Lee Cheong-hyeon would agree with intellectually. His heart might be a different story, though.
It was a proven fact through countless cases that even if talented members bring a great concept, they can't even make an appeal if the song isn't attractive.
Furthermore, Lee Cheong-hyeon was someone who had never missed a beat in music or academics since he was young.
Among people who have always excelled, many feel an intense pressure to perform.
Because they’ve never failed, they are terrified of failing.
They might be high-spirited normally, but suddenly become very conscious of others' opinions. They are bold when showing off something they’ve already been recognized for, but become excessively timid in areas where they are challenging themselves.
Just by looking at that, I could easily grasp Lee Cheong-hyeon’s disposition.
“Of course, you’ll care. But even if the results aren't great, no one is going to pin the blame on one person. I won't tolerate anyone taking the fall alone.”
I frowned instinctively just thinking about it.
However, realizing that more wrinkles would only lead to more money deducted from my settlement for aesthetic shop appointments, I quickly smoothed my brow.
“It’s difficult. Until recently, I only had to think about answering you when you asked how much progress I’d made.”
“Well, if you’re that worried, I can hold persistent feedback meetings just like when I check your progress.”
“Wow. Just imagining it makes me feel drained already...”
Lee Cheong-hyeon rubbed his arms.
‘I’ve felt this since last time, but he seems incredibly weak to negative evaluations.’
When he took his work to the A&R team, I thought he didn't have any aversion to that kind of thing.
But I suppose as a creator, he couldn't help but care about the evaluation.
No one receives only praise in life. Naturally, humans grow by receiving criticism or pointers at least once.
However, for Lee Cheong-hyeon, this ‘criticism’ seemed to have a significant impact.
To others, it might seem like a case of ‘being afraid of the maggots so you don't make the soy sauce,’ but what people value varies wildly.
Just as some people are deathly afraid of maggots, poor evaluations might be that kind of existence for Lee Cheong-hyeon.
It wasn't an entirely incomprehensible feeling.
“It’s not like the guys or I are experts anyway. At most, we’d just be talking about our impressions, right?”
“I suppose... so. Hmm.”
An indescribable expression flickered across Lee Cheong-hyeon’s face. But he hid it immediately.
I kept my eyes on the top of the tallest building at the foot of the mountain and said:
“What’s there to be drained about? You’re always good at what you do.”