Chapter 576
Chapter 576
The search proceeded rapidly.
-Confirmed! Moving two pitches down from current location.
-Possibility of a fall along the missing person's route on the southeastern slab...
However, no matter how much the search area was narrowed, it was still a mountain at night. There was a limit to the speed of the search.
...Especially when the current condition of the missing person was unpredictable.
-Team 1, Team 1 moving to the traverse section.
The sounds of radio transmissions drifted back and forth. The sound of running, breathless voices, and notifications struck my ears dully through the phone.
Two hours had passed since that hellish taxi ride.
“…….”
I had stepped out of the taxi and was now sitting inside a mobile rescue vehicle parked at the foot of the mountain.
Naturally, I wasn't allowed to enter the mountain myself. There was no need to increase the number of victims to two on a night like this.
All I could do was answer the occasional question... and wait.
I just had to wait indefinitely.
Continuously.
...If someone said I should be glad I could at least wait for his return, I wouldn't be able to argue, but still.
“Family member, aren't you cold?”
“I’m fine.”
I felt eyes glancing at me periodically.
Of course, it wasn't just because I looked cold.
‘They must have recognized me.’
I hadn't underestimated Park Moon-dae’s level of fame.
Even if they hadn't recognized me as Park Moon-dae, it would be the same. I had rushed here wearing a padded jacket thrown haphazardly over my stage outfit.
Looking at my current state, anyone would wonder what on earth I had been doing before coming here.
Whisper, whisper.
Occasionally, the sense of people around me taking an interest pricked my skin.
I thought to myself.
‘It’s understandable.’
To these people, seeing the family of a missing person is a daily occurrence, but a celebrity appearing in that role must be quite an event.
‘The fact that they aren't acting like they know me is a sign of their professionalism.’
So,
“Um, excuse me... but you said you’re Ryu Gun-woo’s older brother?”
“…….”
...It was only natural to hear questions like this.
“We jokingly called each other brothers... that’s how it was. He’s an older brother who’s as close as family.”
“Ah….”
Despite this flimsy explanation, they nodded for now. They probably figured a famous idol wouldn't intentionally impersonate a family member.
“…….”
I never imagined I’d benefit from being famous in this way.
The fact that no one said, ‘Anyway, you’re not real family, right? Why are you even here?’ didn't bring me any sense of relief.
‘Whatever.’
But... fuck, if I didn't think of something like this occasionally, my brain wouldn't be able to hold it together.
Because,
‘There’s still no news!’
Two hours. It had been two hours, and not even a small trace of Keun-dal had been found!
I clenched my fists.
My head spun with dizzying tension.
‘Did I narrow the search area for nothing?’
What if Keun-dal was stuck somewhere else, injured, and I had caused them to miss the chance to rescue him by spouting nonsense without any evidence?
What guarantee was there that I wasn't wrong, and what guarantee was there that I was being helpful...?
‘Shut up.’
I was on the verge of panicking at every turn. It was useless.
I took a deep breath. Cold sweat trickled down, but I didn't bother to wipe it away.
Then, calmly, I asked the rescue worker waiting for communications in the vehicle.
“How much of the area I mentioned earlier has been searched?”
“By now... you can consider about half of it done.”
It wasn't an exact figure.
But looking at his attitude, he wasn't lying.
‘And naturally, they would search the places where the missing person is most likely to be found first...’
This meant that Keun-dal wasn't within the route the rescue experts predicted: ‘The missing person, Ryu Gun-woo, would have moved like this.’
He hadn't moved in a conventional way.
It also meant their predictions—which largely considered the possibility of Ryu Gun-woo being suicidal—had missed the mark.
That... wasn't necessarily a bad sign.
‘Good.’
I pressed down on my knuckles.
In two hours, they had searched half the area, or perhaps less.
Even if I estimated the remaining search time at a minimum, by the time another two hours passed, it would be well past 9 PM.
The temperature had long since dropped below minus 5 degrees Celsius, and if he had been on the mountain since yesterday, this would be the second time he faced the risk of freezing to death.
So, if he was within the search range I narrowed down, it would be a relief, but if not... it was the worst-case scenario.
If that were the case, I would have to beg or bow my head right now, admitting I made a mistake and asking them to search other areas as well.
“…….”
I bit the inside of my cheek.
If only he had a smartphone.
‘I really want to ask him what the hell he’s thinking.’
No, things wouldn't have even reached this point in the first place. If the system still existed and we could have just talked through pop-ups...
‘No.’
Complaining about missing that shitty situation won't change anything.
I can still do this.
There must be a clue in the things he said and did until now.
Think.
Among the conversations I had with him, or the facts I knew about him.
The most vivid thing, the thing that would let me know his true feelings best...
“…….”
‘There is one.’
I lifted my head.
I had experienced Keun-dal’s thoughts directly once before.
Back when Keun-dal was the original Park Moon-dae.
When he was watching the videos on my fancam account, how he came to think he wanted to die, the situation and emotions leading up to him entering that old motel... he had shown them to me.
‘The reward for the first Status Effect.’
I can still remember it vividly.
-I’m tired of living.
His thoughts.
“…….”
I slowly opened my mouth.
“May I ask one question?”
“Yes?”
“You’re currently looking at places in Manisan where the sea is clearly visible, right?”
The rescue worker nodded slightly as if to say that was correct.
“Is there a specific spot among those that you’ve prioritized?”
The worker seemed to hesitate for a moment but soon spoke.
“...Below the rocky ridges. Usually, um, there are certain spots where missing persons are frequently found.”
And then.
“Access is originally prohibited, but some people recklessly climb up just to get to a place with a good view of the sea. There are points where it’s difficult to get out if you lose your footing and fall or get injured.”
“...I see.”
“We’ve been scanning those areas primarily.”
Getting isolated because of a slip,
Or a place one cannot leave by their own will.
It was a rational deduction and search.
However.
“Could you also check locations that he could have descended from on his own?”
I knew his depression.
-Wouldn't it be okay to just stop living?
-But I didn't particularly want to die, either.
The kind of depression where you don't necessarily want to die, but you don't particularly want to move, either.
If he had truly intended to die, he would have chosen another method.
Because.
-It was so cold that I couldn't bring myself to jump into the water or climb a mountain. I felt like I would give up halfway.
Climbing a mountain was a method he had personally excluded.
That was why he had chosen the motel.
‘So, he probably didn't want to die.’
He wouldn't kill himself on purpose.
But because he was exhausted and lethargic, he wouldn't move.
In such a state.
“A place with a good view of the sea, but where he could move on his own. ...Please, just once.”
“…….”
It meant he was just staying still even though he could go elsewhere.
‘Because it’s a place where he can see his parents alone, without being disturbed.’
If this didn't work, I would have to admit that I didn't know shit about Keun-dal and retract everything I said.
Then I’d have to bow my head and beg them to quickly check the other mountains.
But before that... these people had to listen to me.
‘Please.’
It was a suggestion for which it would be difficult to piece together a rational explanation if asked for a reason. I grit my teeth, preparing excuses for when I might be rejected.
Just then.
The rescue worker seemed to contemplate it, but eventually picked up the radio.
“Wait a moment.”
“……!”
It... worked.
I almost clawed at my palms but held back.
...I was glad I was a celebrity. Truly.
And then, the agonizing time began to flow again.
‘Fuck... please.’
My arms and legs trembled with impatience, anxiety, anticipation, and fear.
Restraining my thoughts from spiraling into negativity, I sat still in my seat.
How much of that long, long wait had passed?
Suddenly.
I noticed that the radios here were crackling particularly fast.
-Here….
-Backup! Requesting backup.
-Confirming location…….
Amidst the notification sounds, footsteps, and various voices mixing together, I picked out one phrase that was different from before.
the words I had been waiting for.
-Found him!
A short while later.
I saw a helicopter descending from the mountain.
“Watch out!”
The long stretcher suspended beneath the helicopter touched the ground gently, and the straps were detached steadily.
Then, a person was helped up from inside, staggering.
Ryu Gun-woo.
It was Keun-dal.
He was moving.
-Prepare for transport to the hospital….
“…….”
In the middle of the radio chatter, he looked at the ground with a pale, dazed face before lifting his head.
And our eyes met.
“……Hyung.”
Without a word, I ran to him and pulled him into a tight embrace.
That was when I realized.
I wasn't too late.
“Eat.”
Park Moon-dae—no, Keun-dal—stared at the food in front of him.
The steaming soup was haejang-guk.
Just like that time.
The twenty-year-old who had tried taking sleeping pills to die in a motel, only to fail and wake up, sitting dazed in front of that building.
The person who had bought him a meal without saying a word.
Back then, he had followed him into a soup restaurant on a whim, and that person had sat across the table with a tired complexion, silently taking a spoonful of rice.
Just like now.
“…….”
Even though this was a hospital and their appearances were swapped... it felt as if nothing had changed.
From the warm indifference that didn't pry into anything to the hot food, everything was the same.
“The basic tests are all done... they say there’s nothing wrong except for mild frostbite. There were almost no signs of dehydration, either. Did you bring water with you?”
“……Yes.”
“Good job.”
There were no other words.
Keun-dal, who had been quietly dipping his spoon into the haejang-guk, lowered his head deeply.
Even in his parched heart, a sob rose to his throat, but he swallowed it.
‘I can’t.’
It was because he knew he had caused too much trouble for his hyung.
To explain the situation even a little to the person who must have been flustered and bewildered, he opened his dry, scratchy mouth.
“I didn't... mean to get stranded on purpose.”
“…….”
“...I was going to see my parents, and I looked for a quiet place where I could see them alone…… but as I stayed there, too much time passed.”
“I see.”
Park Moon-dae didn't point out that Ryu Gun-woo had already been absent from work without notice for five days, nor did he question how he could ‘just’ sit on that mountain for a whole day in the freezing winter.
He didn't yell at him, asking what the hell he was thinking to do something so crazy.
He just nodded.
Perhaps that was why Keun-dal found himself blabbering things he hadn't even thought of.
“When I went to Sokcho... actually, I was just sitting by the sea the whole time.”
“Yeah.”
“Then, since it was the same sea, I wanted to see my parents... but for some reason, I lost my strength.”
Did I really think that?
Stories he found himself questioning poured out.
The emptiness he hadn't spoken of because he didn't want to cause unnecessary worry or be a nuisance squeezed through his sentences.
“...So, I tried to find a hobby, but I couldn't think of anything…… so I just stayed like that. Then, I thought about going to the mountain.”
His hyung listened to those words quietly, only checking to see if Keun-dal was eating.
Then, he poured him some warm water and replied.
“You’ve been through a lot.”
Keun-dal suddenly felt a surge of emotion and gripped his spoon tightly.
“You, um, you told me to live as Ryu Gun-woo.”
“…….”
Hyung nodded slightly.
So, he finally said it.
“But can’t I just live as Keun-dal……?”
“…….”
“I don’t, I don’t really know what I should do, and I don’t really know... what I want to do. I’ll just, cheer for TeSTAR, and although there’s no... status window anymore, there are other things I can do to help with your activities,”
“Sure.”
“…!”
Keun-dal lifted his eyes.
Hyung swallowed a spoonful of rice and answered calmly.
“But this time, let’s try it the other way around, too.”
“Pardon?”
“This time, let’s make it about you, not me.”
“…….”
“If you don’t know what you should do or what you want to do... we can look for it together. You helped me find a way to debut, too.”
“But,”
“But?”
“Hyung, you’re busy….”
“We agreed to improve TeSTAR’s work-life balance and take a day or two off a week.”
“R-really?”
“Yeah. Oh, your hand stopped.”
“Ah!”
Keun-dal hurriedly moved his spoon again.
Because the conversation proceeded so smoothly and casually, strength somehow returned to his body.
The soup was still hot and spicy.
“Of course, it’s fine to talk about TeSTAR. Ask me anytime. I have a few things to ask you regarding TeSTAR, too.”
“Yes!”
He had something to do.
That thought somehow gave him more energy. Keun-dal moved his hands more vigorously.
And as his stomach filled up, he gradually couldn't help but talk about more sensible things.
“Hyung, really... you must have been so flustered this time. I’m truly sorry. For making you worry and being a nuisance….”
“I told you it’s fine. Oh, and don’t worry about the rescue workers; I’ve already compensated them separately.”
“…….”
Keun-dal almost let his mouth hang open.
He hadn't thought that far ahead.
“I-I’m sorry. I caused so much trouble!”
“They weren't that angry. Since the rescue was ultimately successful.”
“Ah….”
From that tone, he could tell how much the other person had worried about his safety.
To think he had waited for several hours until he was rescued.
‘…….’
Keun-dal studied the other’s complexion, feeling a sharp pang of guilt and apology, along with a surge of gratitude.
He looked a bit haggard and tired because he was disheveled, but thanks to the makeup, it wasn't that obvious. He was truly like an idol.
Then, he realized.
‘……Huh?’
The perfectly styled hair and face.
And... the uniform with flashy accessories visible beneath the padded jacket.
It was a stage outfit.
“…….”
A TeSTAR stage.
With a chilling sensation running down his spine, Keun-dal spoke.
“Hyung, today…… what’s the date?”
There was no answer. But he had already finished the calculation.
Starting from when he sat dazed at the entrance on Tuesday morning, he had been missing for five days.
If so, adding the days, today was…… Saturday.
And this Saturday was.
“It’s, it’s the TeSTAR concert…… isn't it?”
He hurriedly lifted his head.
With a vision as clear as if he’d been splashed with cold water, the current time came into view.
10 PM.
The time when the concert would be completely over.
“…….”
“Hyung?”
The hyung sitting across from him said nothing.