The Meeting of Two Heroes #2
Sehwa brought Yuria to my hotel room. It was almost comical how quickly they’d grown close after meeting only recently.
“Yuria Elenar. Sehwa told me about you on the way here. Ah, since you were watching through the reconnaissance drone, I suppose you heard our conversation as well?”
Yuria approached and offered her hand. Come to think of it, this was the first time I was meeting her in my Song Jihyeok form. I needed to keep my expression under control… expression management.
Right now I had to play the part of a man who was both dumbfounded and furious at Sehwa’s reckless behavior.
“Song Jihyeok. As for the conversation… I ended up overhearing it whether I wanted to or not.”
I shook her hand with a perfunctory grip, then fixed Sehwa with a hard stare. It was a silent rebuke for spilling information to Yuria and for intervening without thinking. Sehwa fidgeted, then apologized.
“I’m sorry I didn’t listen… But she’s definitely not a bad person. I swear it. I’ll even vouch for her.”
“Vouch for her? Is that really something you should be saying?”
“Sorry…”
“I’m starting to regret bringing her. We can never be exposed. And what did I tell you? I said not to barge in recklessly, didn’t I? Why did you release your transformation again? Were you always this careless?”
I didn’t actually enjoy scolding Sehwa. But after being too lenient lately, this was necessary to discipline her for constantly acting like a contrarian.
“…..”
Sehwa twiddled her fingers. She wouldn’t have had anything to say even if she had ten mouths.
Yuria glanced back and forth between us before offering her own apology.
“I’m sorry. Even after receiving the offer, I shouldn’t have come. It seems I’ve made a mistake. But once you hear the full story, I believe you’ll want to praise Sehwa instead.”
“What story?”
“The story about the gates… where they came from and what purpose they serve.”
“And I’m supposed to simply believe you, Miss Yuria?”
“You don’t have to. But I’d still like you to listen. Whether you believe me or not is entirely up to you, Jihyeok.”
“Ha… My head hurts…”
I pressed my thumb and middle finger against my temples, rubbing firmly. Sehwa approached cautiously and took my hand.
“I’m sorry… I’m really sorry… But I truly had to help somehow… No, not just help. I had to meet her. I felt like I couldn’t let the chance pass…”
“Never pull something like that again. Listen to what I tell you.”
“Yes! I’ll listen no matter what! I’ll even stake you on it…”
“Stake me? Are you joking right now?”
“No… I promise…”
I sat the oscillating Sehwa—bouncing between energetic and dejected—down on the bed, then guided the awkwardly standing Yuria to the sofa by the coffee table.
“Shall we sit?”
“Yes.”
Yuria, seated across from me, wet her lips with her tongue. The gesture was unbearably seductive. I wanted to make that beautiful mouth say Daddy! I like it! I love you!
When I remained silent, Yuria spoke first.
“Um… There’s someone helping me… He said he would reach out to the Beast Slayers. But it seems I ended up meeting you first.”
“You mean Mr. Kim Taegon?”
Yuria flinched in surprise.
“How did you…”
She quickly accepted it, realizing our technological capabilities.
“I suppose that makes sense. You managed to find and tail someone who barely left her house…”
“In truth, this should be considered an incredible coincidence. Mr. Kim Taegon and I are business partners. The topic of the gates came up while we were drinking. I won’t go into detail, but… that’s how I began monitoring you.”
“I… see…?”
Yuria’s expression darkened. Hmm… I’ll have to be extra careful when meeting her as Kim Taegon.
I continued.
“And unless we contacted him first, he would never have been able to find us.”
“…. Meeting Sehwa today really does feel like fate. This will be a long story…”
Over the next three hours, Yuria spoke about Erandel, the gates, and her own past. I already knew every detail, so it was excruciatingly boring, but I listened attentively until the end.
“…. That’s everything. Tyrat is definitely lurking somewhere on Earth. We must find him and eliminate him before the gates can open again.”
I’m strutting around in the open, though… Hehe…
“So the Beast Slayers’ ultimate objective is to locate Tyrat and destroy him.”
“Yes. Only then will peace return. That is also my personal goal. Please let me join the lab. I promise I’ll be of great help. I possess information on physical capabilities as well as the monsters he deploys.”
Sehwa stared at me, her eyes practically shouting Accept her already. Of course I would accept. But I couldn’t make it too easy.
“The lab isn’t under my direct control. There’s a doctor in charge. I’ll speak with her and give you an answer.”
“…. Yes. Please… please put in a good word. I’m begging you. Tyrat is…”
Yes, you must want to rip me to shreds and kill me. But you’ve already fallen into my hands. That will never happen.
“Understood.”
“My contact number is 01—”
“I already have it. I gathered all the information during my investigation.”
“Ah, I see…”
“For now, your current identity is far too risky, Miss Yuria. The government isn’t watching you yet, but once you’re flagged it will be difficult to avoid suspicion. You’ve been lucky so far. I’ll prepare a completely clean new identity for you. I’ll keep your name, so don’t worry about that.”
Yuria’s face brightened.
“As long as the name stays the same, that’s enough. Thank you for your kindness.”
“Do you have sufficient funds?”
“Yes. Uncle Taegon has been helping me a great deal.”
“Understood. We’ll contact you separately. No objections?”
“Of course not. But if you could reach out as soon as possible…”
“I’ll do my best.”
I rose and extended my hand. After we shook, I returned to the bed and began organizing my equipment. Taking the opportunity, Sehwa spoke to Yuria.
“Sister… I’m sure there will be good news soon. I guarantee it.”
No matter how much rapport they had built, this was still excessive. They had only just met, yet here she was acting like they were old friends.
“Thank you, Sehwa. I’m truly glad I met you. You’re wearing the same ring as Mr. Song Jihyeok. Is he your boyfriend?”
Yuria whispered the question into Sehwa’s ear. I can hear every word, you idiot. My hearing in a focused state surpassed that of any living creature.
“Yes… He’s my boyfriend.”
“You two look perfect together. Let’s meet again soon.”
“Yes, sister…”
The two women shared a long embrace before parting ways.
After Yuria left, Sehwa trotted over to me with quick steps.
“Jihyeok, why didn’t you accept her? You heard the whole story… Is it because of the doctor?”
“No. We don’t know whether that story is true or false yet. The list of monster—no, demonic beast—names sounded plausible, but still…”
“You don’t trust me? I told you. You can trust Sister Yuria completely. She’s definitely the compatible user for the new Device.”
I had been putting my laptop into the bag, but now I turned to look down at her. Sehwa gazed up at me with bright, sparkling eyes, then quickly lowered them. The way she was on the verge of tears looked like the prelude to another bout of spoiled behavior.
Meeting her eyes, I said, “This matter requires careful judgment. But don’t worry too much. Once I speak with the doctor, I think we’ll get a favorable answer.”
“Okay…”
“And from now on, if anything similar happens, I’ll handle it alone. My head is pounding because you told Yuria every little thing. You did well not to mention the Device, but… even so, I can’t simply overlook this.”
“No… I like being with you…”
Because you released your transformation without thinking, every gangster in the area is going to die, you know? Of course you have no idea. Though even if you noticed in your fallen state, you probably wouldn’t feel much guilt.
“It worked out in the end, but you were far too reckless. Involving you was my mistake.”
“From now on… I’ll really do better… I won’t act on my own again… Just this once… Please forgive me just this once…”
Sehwa looked ready to burst into tears. I sighed and pretended to relent.
“I’ll think about it, but for the time being I’ll move alone. Understood?”
“…..”
“I said, understood?”
“Ah, yes…”
“Let’s head back. To Seoul.”
Sehwa seemed frightened by my calm anger; she could only stare at the innocent carpet. I took her hand firmly and finished packing with my free hand.
Even through early checkout and right up until we got in the car, Sehwa remained dejected. She looked incredibly sorry. Well, after acting so impulsively, it was only natural.
After loading the equipment into the trunk and sliding into the driver’s seat, Sehwa offered me a straw. It was coffee.
“You’ll be driving for a long time… You can’t fall asleep…”
I took a long sip, swallowed, and said, “I could just set it to autonomous driving.”
My softened tone must have reassured her; Sehwa’s face brightened considerably.
“I’m truly reflecting on what I did. Please forgive me… okay?”
“I already forgave you. But…”
“You’re not taking back the part where you said you’d think about it, right? Of course I understand. I’ll stay quiet until you decide it’s all right…”
Good. At this rate she wouldn’t whine for a while.
I tapped my cheek with a finger. Sehwa’s shoulders lifted as she leaned in and kissed it, even making a cute sound. She seemed genuinely delighted. I let her kiss me several times with those loud smacks before gently pushing her away.
“Device charge level?”
“Eighty-eight percent…”
“You used twelve percent. I’ll have to recharge it on the way.”
It could even be called only twelve percent. I had increased the capacity enough.
Since I had met Yuria, it was time to arrange an introduction to the doctor… Once the doctor decided to admit her to the lab and issued her a Device, I would release an A-class monster. Astalot, the one radiating an aura of lethargy, would be a good candidate. It might be too much for Leona alone, but if Marcela and I created openings and Leona and Yuria attacked in tandem, they should be able to take it down.
Still, since it was an A-class monster, there was a chance they would sustain minor injuries… I would have to watch over them carefully.
“Jihyeok, aren’t we leaving?”
“Ah, right.”
“What were you thinking about?”
“Nothing much. Just reflecting on today’s events and planning for the future.”
“It might not be the right time to say this, but… I’m really happy I met Sister Yuria. She’s going to be an excellent colleague.”
Oh, she’ll be an excellent colleague all right.
Instead of answering with words, I gently stroked the back of her neck, then started the car. I activated autonomous driving mode and slid my pants down to my knees. Sehwa naturally lowered her face to my lap. I might as well replenish the twelve percent that had been consumed on the way back.