Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: New Phase (2)
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Going to a game store is always welcome.
But why on earth is Walker senior... He doesn't strike me as the type to play games.
I fell into brief confusion before quickly regaining my senses.
Thinking calmly, there was no law saying Walker senior couldn't enjoy games. All are equal before games.
I should thank him for asking and say I'll definitely go. But since it wasn't urgent, I decided to reply later as I lifted my head.
No matter how I thought about it, pound cake was the wrong answer.
“How about fruit? Shine Muscat? Or classically, an apple?”
“Agh, you little punk.”
Samuel turned to me with a tsk.
“Look at you, not listening to a word I say. Penniless as you are, what makes you keep trying to buy stuff?”
“You must not have heard. I made a fortune this time.”
“Huh?”
I told him the story of getting 30 million won from the doctor for tracking down Martin.
Samuel, who had been listening with wide eyes, burst into laughter as soon as I finished.
“Hey, you're adapting well and getting by.”
“Yessir. Thanks to you.”
“First weirdo to become a Badger like this since the founding, but glad you're doing okay, kid.”
What?
Since the founding?
“Were you here since the founding, by any chance?”
“Huh? You didn't know?”
Samuel, as surprised as I was, soon snorted with an "I knew it" look.
The doctor, who looked mid-40s at face value, shoved one hand into his gown pocket.
“Yoon must not have told you.”
“No, not at all.”
“That punk says too little even when he should talk.”
Yoon a punk?
It really didn't suit my master. I hadn't gotten the sense Yoon was young even in the Etak family. Despite being the youngest among the Etak men.
Ah, I was supposed to hear Yoon's backstory.
We made that promise while killing time at the salon. If I was curious, he'd tell me not just about being adopted at 12, but other things.
Plus, Ye-hyeon said he'd tell me everything. I felt a pang missing out on all those stories.
If it weren't for Jae-yeon, everything could have gone peacefully. I furrowed my brow recalling what happened before I lost my memory.
But I didn't lose the thread of the conversation.
“Doctor, if I may ask, how old are you?”
“Age this, age that. Just call me old man, kid. I'm about nine years older than Yoon.”
No way.
“Are you a Badger?”
“Body is. Think of it like John Mullen's case. Stubbornly refused Enhanced Body implant before the First War, but caved for the Second. Still don't get why they shoved one in me when I just wanted to be a doctor.”
I stared blankly at the grumbling doctor.
That meant he was mid-30s when war broke out. He'd seen it start clearly, survived the chaos.
I was definitely here before the war. But I didn't remember the war. Or that it ended.
What was I doing then?
Lost in thought, the doctor tapping his pad looked down at me.
After a short silence, he asked.
“You came in with Ye-hyeon. Seems you're tangled with the guy who rags him periodically. Thought it settled down last few years.”
“This has been going on for quite a while?”
Shocked, I asked back, and Samuel sighed—an affirmative in itself.
I was speechless for a long time. Even knowing how violent and cruel Jae-yeon could be. Yeah. Jae-yeon hated everything, including himself. But as far as I remembered, he never fixated on just one person like this.
If someone like that existed, they'd have died quickly.
Ye-hyeon must have been fated the same, but Colton's intervention stopped the kill. Something must have happened after Lee Ye-hyeon took commander.
Samuel sighed heavily at my shocked state.
“Don't know the guy myself, but don't get too deep. If you already are, be careful.”
“And the commander?”
“Discharged yesterday.”
Fast?
Surprised, eyes wide, Samuel snorted.
“You slept two straight days. Didn't know?”
“Whoa. That long? I felt totally fine.”
Actually, aside from head trauma and right shoulder injury, I was healthy.
Samuel gave a brief status rundown and said I could discharge in hours. First time hearing immediate discharge possible, a smile spread on my face.
He clucked his tongue watching me grin openly.
The stubborn doctor left without revealing his favorite to the end. Saying Yoon came two days straight, so he'd come today too. Back to me, bathed in autumn sunlight etching warm square patterns on the bed.
***
Yoon found me at the perfect timing.
He barely reacted to my awakening. Master loaded me into the car wordlessly and headed home. Right shoulder injury means no proper training, so handle desk work first.
I didn't ask what. I'd find out going.
Instead, in the car, I asked something else.
“Do you know what Samuel likes?”
Yoon answered curtly.
“Booze.”
“Aha. Likes liquor like whiskey?”
“Drinks anything.”
Heavy drinker, got it.
Decided on whiskey or wine, fiddled with phone left-handed.
Slowly replied to people. Told Shu definitely going. Set dinner date with Tom and Hessi. Told other seniors I woke fine. After replies, searched liquor gifts.
But car stopped before picking.
Familiar place.
Ah... Cabin complete.
“Gonna blow it up?”
“Thought about it, but better you live there.”
Why!
Whipping head around shocked, Yoon said flatly.
“Inspected thoroughly. Nothing special.”
“Isn't the fact Jae-yeon built it special enough?”
“True, but no guarantee demolishing fixes things nicely.”
Real talk.
That existence would rage if I dared demolish his gift cabin. Better leave till it collapses.
Staring vacantly at master, sighed, surrendered to reality.
Master roughly patted my left shoulder as I muttered okay.
“Chin up. Quitting fast is better.”
“Depressed, send me home.”
“That's your home now.”
I didn't go to my house—Jae-yeon's cabin gift—but Yoon's house.
Still didn't know why Yoon dragged me back here. But used to his unexplained actions. Used to vast house too, so when he sat me on sofa and vanished, I lounged enjoying soft cushions.
Till master returned with thick book.
“Here.”
“...What's this?”
Thrust it out, took reflexively.
No explanation still, but meant to show, so flipped pages without hesitation.
Opened purple hardcover, realized album not book. Neatly arranged photos like Ami organized.
Mouth agape, looked up at Yoon.
“Can I look?”
“You were curious.”
Lord!
No clue why such kindness, but accept first.
Didn't refuse unexpected gift, opened first page.
Burst laughing at first photo.
Intense start. Front: sullen Yoon, looking ~10, holding tiny Ami.
“Frowning since 10?”
“Think it was different then?”
Yoon replied indifferently, sprawling on opposite sofa.
“Listened less though.”
Enjoyed photos happily.
Kid Yoon and Ami pics. As he said, no expressions. If any, frowning or sullen.
Low activity unchanged...
Ami often blurry, probably hyper.
Most kid shots: Yoon chasing Ami. 4yo Ami running hard. 12yo Yoon chasing. 5yo Ami falling. 13yo Yoon sighing. 6yo Ami ice cream all over face. 14yo Yoon pitying glare.
Choi Hyun-jun, Choi Hyun-young occasional, not often. No Choi Hyun-seok. Hated adopted sibs apparently.
Choi Hyun-young dotes only on Ami obvious. Choi Hyun-jun keeps distance.
Fun pics of those four awhile.
Then familiar face popped.
“Ye-hyeon!”
Same school uniform as Yoon.
“Same high school?”
“Yeah.”
Master dryly.
Saw gentler, younger Ye-hyeon, Yoon beside. Summer shot. Bleak playground rusty bars, white short-sleeve summer uniform. Yoon held Capri Sun one hand.
Ye-hyeon ice cream cone, wrist bruised purple.
Smiling warmly, brow furrowed reflexively.
“Lee Seung-hyun did that too?”
“How do you know Lee Seung-hyun?”
Yoon sharp.
Realized master didn't know I knew him.
Looked up caught off-guard, faint crease on Yoon's brow.
But no immediate grill.
Man eyed dissatisfied, waved hand.
“Whatever. Save it for later batch. Keep looking.”
No idea what, but obeyed.
Known faces now five. Pics chronological, people in out. Yoon-Ami-Yeon trio, Ami with peers, Yoon pointing PC to Choi Hyun-jun explaining.
Yoon smirking down at wailing Ami.
Green army uniform.
“What's this?”
“Me in army.”
“Army? Ami that young during First War...”
“Army twice.”
Why?
Bewildered stare, Yoon's brow creased.
Suddenly sour for unknown reason, spat.
“Don't wanna remember, shut it.”
“Yessir. No clue, but sorry.”
Next page.
Head down, focused photos. After, fewer Yoon pics. Watched Ami grow round-eyed fondly.
Ami shopping hand-in-hand Choi Hyun-young. Ami badminton gym shorts under skirt uniform friends. Ami offering bday cake Choi Hyun-jun, running to walking-in-uniform Yoon.
Such pics, soon last page.
But couldn't close album.
Body stiffened reflexively flipping last.
Last page: printed photo clipped. Not person, round portal. Black devouring all nearby light.
Impossible to guess beyond.
“Done? Your turn, Hildebert.”
Yoon's lazy voice hit ears as I froze on sofa.
“Gotta give to get.”