Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Cabin (1)
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It seemed I’d come out in the opposite direction from the seniors. Even after slipping out of the auditorium, the hallway was mostly empty. Far off, I could hear the clamor of people pouring out, along with a low hum of voices.
Am I just going straight home like this?
If so, I’d have to hitch a ride with Yoon again. I stopped in the hallway, waiting for the guy peering at his phone. The cabin was plenty satisfying, but the lack of a car—or any convenient transport—was the problem.
I didn’t have a car, and I couldn’t even remember if I’d ever gotten a license.
What a weirdo I am.
As I was thinking that, Yoon approached.
“Stay put for a bit.”
He glanced around the hallway and pointed to a recessed spot where unused chairs were piled up.
“Sit there and wait.”
“…Do I really have to hole up in that corner?”
“There’s more than a few people who’d grab you and yap your ear off.”
Yoon explained as he watched me obediently head toward the dusty chairs.
“Get caught, and it’s a hassle.”
“Got it.”
Whatever the reason, I planned to listen.
I slipped into the shadows and sat down. Yoon left without further explanation. I leaned my head against the wall and let out a long breath.
Can I really pull this off?
Was my self-introduction just now okay? I wasn’t sure if I’d answered the questions well. Yoon hadn’t given any real feedback.
Can’t you at least give me some critique…?
I grumbled inwardly at my master’s curtness while pondering tonight’s dinner menu on the side.
That’s when voices drifted over.
“What the hell is this?”
The voice was laced with irritation.
“Didn’t we just recruit newbies recently?”
That’s about me.
My wandering thoughts snapped back.
I tensed up and instinctively pressed myself against the wall.
Footsteps were approaching. What if they spot me? The moment that thought hit, several sets of footsteps stopped right nearby.
I quietly shifted deeper into the shadows. Then, plastered to the wall, I craned my neck out just a bit.
I caught a glimpse of a blond head from behind.
That was the voice’s owner. I could see his mouth moving and closing, so I was pretty sure.
I couldn’t see the people opposite him.
The men stood in the hallway and started talking.
“And what’s that about? Calling out the Badgers just to hear some newbie’s intro?”
“But didn’t they do this before? This newbie’s definitely got something off about him, though.”
“Before, HR Director just called it formally. Not this much fuss.”
True. The second voice muttered in agreement with the blond’s point.
The blond owner of that head continued irritably.
“The Supreme Commander issuing orders to attend this crap? That punk has no idea of his own position.”
“Exactly, it’s embarrassing…. He must be bored lately? It’s been damn near five years since our last land reclamation.”
“Bored? How long ago was that Creature showing up at HQ?”
“By the way, why’s that newbie’s master Choi Yoon?”
“That’s the weird part.”
The blond pointed it out with a voice dripping malice. His tone carried clear hostility toward Ye-hyeon.
What? I held my breath, eavesdropping, and blinked. I thought they had a problem with me. But from the voices, they seemed to hate Ye-hyeon more.
To be precise, the blond hated Ye-hyeon to his bones.
Why? Because Ye-hyeon was the top boss? Or did they dislike his methods?
As I tried to guess the reason for the thick disgust, the blond snapped irritably.
“Isn’t that punk a parachute Ye-hyeon shoved in?”
Spot on.
To think he’d see through it so easily. I felt a mix of futility, fear, and resignation as I stared at the ceiling.
Of course. No way faking some papers would fool everyone that easily….
“That’s ridiculous.”
The third voice rebutted.
“Black Badger selection is brutal. Turning someone into a human weapon isn’t a joke. If it was really a parachute, the media would catch it and heads would roll. No matter how unqualified that guy is, he’s not dumb enough to pull that.”
“He was dumb enough to do it.”
“I hate the guy too, but he’s not the type to chase personal gain, right?”
“He goes easy on Yoon.”
The second voice, who’d been chiming in with the blond all along, pushed back.
Then the third, who’d rebutted, countered again.
“There’s a huge difference between giving Yoon leeway and shoving in a parachute. No reason to plant that newbie as a Badger in the first place.”
A low voice continued.
“The hiring reason’s as explained, but there’s gotta be issues elsewhere. Didn’t they say something about recovery problems? We’ll see what exactly when we watch. His skills too.”
“No way he’s normal.”
The blond, who’d started the gossip, scoffed.
“No normal guy would cause this much stir.”
From my view, the blond just hated Ye-hyeon and everything he did on principle. But he was backing into truths left and right.
Does this guy actually have insight?
The malicious voice went on.
“Not just skills—probably problems elsewhere too….”
Footsteps sounded.
The conversation cut short. People were drawing closer. Steady, orderly steps mixed with lazy, languid ones.
I caught the men—including the blond—clamming up, the footsteps halting in unison.
A familiar voice rang out.
“What.”
Yoon’s dry tone.
“What’re you staring at?”
“Seniors~….”
The next drawling voice was Ricardo’s.
“Long time no see….”
What’s up with Ricardo?
He’d come with Yoon, apparently. But the thought didn’t linger.
The gossiping group turned on the ones I knew.
“Hey. What’s with him?”
The blond’s voice.
“The newbie? And you’re his master?”
“Newbie, yeah. I’m his master. What else you curious about?”
Yoon replied indifferently.
He was consistently obnoxious. Not just to me—equally rude to everyone. Ami, the Supreme Commander aside.
“You, a master now? When’d you even recruit this newbie?”
“HR Director’s call.”
Yoon shot back in a bored voice.
“I’m more curious than you, so go ask him. You think I micromanage newbie hires?”
“You don’t even know when your own rookie was hired? The process was fishy too.”
“Not interested.”
Yoon lied as easily as breathing.
But no one would doubt him. It flowed like air, natural. Even the guys who’d been gossiping hard bought it and didn’t press.
Instead, the second voice—who’d backed the blond—asked.
“But why’re you in combat gear?”
“Hunting a Creature.”
Yoon’s voice stayed flat.
“Done talking? Move along.”
“Creature? What Creature? You only handle ones near HQ. Nothing now.”
“Probably off to catch a Butterfly.”
The blond cut in cynically.
“Since Typhoon’s heading home to the Commander’s place. Gotta hunt even ones you’d normally skip. Even if no real damage, use emergency personnel or whatever. Can’t have our Commander in danger.”
“You really love Ye-hyeon, huh.”
Yoon replied in an emotionless voice.
My master truly…. had a god-given talent for rudeness.
“No other Badger obsesses over him like you.”
Thud!
The blond must’ve slammed his boot on the marble floor.
The sound echoed off the walls. No one reacted.
A brief silence fell. Once the echo fully faded, the three grumbling men moved off.
I caught the receding footsteps, the blond’s final gritted words.
“Let’s see what kind of punk your rookie is.”
Why’s the heat splashing onto me?
“If he’s a rude asshole like you.”
Why at me?
No way I’m as rude as him. Didn’t you see my polite intro?
My mental protests stayed silent.
I just listened to the fading steps. Until smooth silence returned to the hallway, faint rain pattering outside.
They’re gone.
Even sure they’d left, I couldn’t bring myself to leave the shadowed nook. Felt like I’d overheard what I shouldn’t have.
Might as well crouch here till they come get me.
Ricardo’s head poked out.
“Gah, what!”
“What else….”
I startled at his sharp green eyes, jumping back. He narrowed them.
A signature lazy smirk tugged his lips.
“What’re you doing there~?”
“I told him to wait there.”
Yoon walked up.
He crooked his index finger at me with inscrutable cold eyes.
“Come out.”
“Got it.”
“Heard it all, huh?”
Ricardo grinned as I scrambled out.
I gave an awkward smile, rubbing my neck. The hallway was empty again. Just two tall men watching me.
Ricardo in pitch-black tactical gear, same as first meeting. Yoon in the same.
Black suited Yoon perfectly.
“Let’s go.”
My master ignored my wide-eyed stare and said his piece.
“Before Typhoon reaches the center of the house.”
“Yes. Uh…. So why’s Ricardo here?”
“Why…. Should I just go?”
This guy’s tricky too.
I flashed a sweet smile—Smile, Hildebert, smile.—to defuse brightly.
“Been too long without seeing you, Senior. I’ve been suffering.”
“Still got that silver tongue today.”
“Hey. Don’t step on it or we’ll be late. Let’s go.”
Yoon turned and strode off.
As always, no explanations, just long steps. I hurried after. Ricardo drawled a lazy “Yessir, Senior” and followed Yoon.
We headed silently to the underground garage. No familiar faces, straight to where the car I’d ridden in that morning was parked.
The black Lamborghini gleamed sleek and beautiful as ever.
The car peeled out the moment I shut the back door.
***
I couldn’t see a thing.
Torrential rain engulfed the car. I gaped at the chaos outside. Destination was close. But I started doubting if we’d make it.
This okay?
The windshield…. Visibility zero? Wind battering the car sounded bad too.
We gonna get swept away?
But despite my grip on the seatbelt, the car pressed on. Wheels spun, speed dropped gradually, but it kept going.
Plowing ahead like that, I sensed we’d hit a familiar road.
Memories all gone, the feeling of familiarity itself felt alien. But even through the blur, the surroundings oddly rang bells.
“That your cabin—?”
Ricardo broke the silence from the passenger seat, eyes closed till now.
His green eyes slitted open. I quietly followed his gaze.
In the pouring rain, a small silhouette. Cute against the massive one opposite.
My sweet home.
Seeing the house hit me with unfamiliar emotion. Longing? I sank into the feeling of coming home after a long day.
I let out a glad voice.
“Yes! That’s exactly….”
KABOOM!
A deafening roar—something flew through the sky.
A black silhouette vanished into the storm with a thunderous boom.
I watched wide-eyed as a shadow soared on the whirlwind.
What the hell?
“Your roof’s flying off.”
Yoon, at the wheel, said.
“Told you so.”
“…Huh?”
“Aw, man~.”
Huh?
“Poor thing….”
“…Hm?”
“Get out first. Don’t pass out getting hit by debris.”
Huh?
What’d you say? Get out?
….And what flew off?
That the cabin roof?