Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Black-Haired Beast (9)
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"How come you couldn't wrap things up before I had to lay eyes on Chun-bok's face?"
"Hyungnim, you moved too fast. And with seventy-plus guys charging at me, how was I supposed to finish right away?"
"Well, look at you, coming back with wounds to show for it."
The moment they stepped out of the building, Sa-yoon chewed out Jong-sik, who was waiting in the car, then turned to Geon-ju. Ignoring the way Geon-ju flinched at the sudden attention, Sa-yoon reached out a hand.
"Give me some of that potion I handed out earlier if there's any left after treating your wounds, pretty boy."
"...I haven't finished healing yet."
"Then that's that."
"Can't you talk to me that sweetly too?"
"You think you're like him? Are you?"
Jong-sik grumbled a snide remark out of spite and ended up taking a smack to the back of his head. Looking hurt, he slunk into the driver's seat. Sa-yoon tossed him a suitable potion for treating wounds, then leaned back against the headrest.
"Did you sort out the merger?"
"Yeah. Still, just in case, put a tail on Chun-bok."
"I'll contact Kyung-jin separately."
"And tell him to prep for a welcome party the second we get back."
With that, Sa-yoon peered out the window. It had been dawn when they left the guild, but after stopping by the villa and handling Yongho Guild business, the sun was already high in the sky. His gaze shifted to Geon-ju, who had been up all night.
"It's over four hours back, so catch some sleep, pretty boy. Hungry? We could grab something."
"I'm fine on food."
Grrrrrrowl.
"......"
A brief silence fell inside the car. If it had come from Geon-ju's stomach, it might have sounded cute, but since it was Jong-sik, Sa-yoon shot him a glacially cold look. Catching it in the rearview mirror, Jong-sik protested that it was just a physiological reaction. It was his umpteenth aggrieved expression.
Sa-yoon sighed and tapped the window. He hadn't eaten in two days himself, so it was about time. Might as well eat here.
"Pull over and get out, Jong-sik. Give me my mask."
He'd left his facial recognition blocker ring in his room, so he had no choice but to cover up. His face was striking enough that passersby would stare even without it, so with sunglasses and a mask on, Sa-yoon got out and nodded at Geon-ju. He followed obediently, eyeing Sa-yoon's hanbok draped over his shoulders with concern.
"What."
"...You really think that looks less conspicuous?"
"Yeah."
"Sunglasses are one thing, but take off the mask. You look like a criminal or an idol."
"Hm......"
"And you, ditch the sunglasses. People will think you're a gang thug."
Geon-ju pointed out Sa-yoon and Jong-sik's outfits in a firm tone. Sa-yoon hesitated—Geon-ju was younger, but his eyes seemed sharper—then locked eyes with Jong-sik and removed his mask. Jong-sik slowly took off his sunglasses too.
"Much better."
Despite Geon-ju's approval, Jong-sik couldn't let go of his near-permanent sunglasses. Sa-yoon, agreeing it looked more natural, dragged the lingering Jong-sik out of the car.
The spot was quiet, which was good, but shops were scarce, so finding a restaurant took time. After ten minutes of searching, just as Sa-yoon regretted not bringing the car, a small eatery appeared.
'Golmang-i Muchim Specialist'
It was a bit odd.
Most places advertised set meals or grilled fish, not whelk salad on a banner.
Sa-yoon noted the strangely proud shop and scanned elsewhere, but it was the only one nearby. He pushed open the door, and a kindly middle-aged woman greeted them warmly.
Sa-yoon ordered set meals with pork stir-fry and golmang-i muchim, then surveyed the place while waiting. Jong-sik, bulky as a mountain, griped about the tight space, so Sa-yoon tsked and slid to the opposite side. He ended up sitting next to Geon-ju by accident.
An awkward silence stretched as they waited for the food. Sa-yoon opened his mouth to say something.
"Is it okay to leave that guy in the car the whole time?"
"Who? ...Oh, Chang-in?"
"Don't know his name, but the one you left with me."
"He'll wake up in half a day, so it's fine."
He'd coughed up blood from the neck strike, so maybe Sa-yoon had hit too hard. If it took longer, it'd be tomorrow, he added. Geon-ju nodded.
Then awkward silence again.
Sa-yoon, unused to discomfort, shot Jong-sik a look.
'Say something, you punk.'
'Me?'
'Who else? You think I'm gonna? Am I the comedian here?'
'I'm no comedian either.'
'Oh really?'
Sa-yoon glared, and Jong-sik cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Uh..."
"......?"
"...Was Yongho Guild fun?"
"Fun?"
I'm gonna lose it.
Of all the first questions. Jong-sik was usually immature and naive for his age, but now he sounded like a father-in-law sizing up a son-in-law. Sa-yoon raised his brows. Looking ready to kill at another mistake, Jong-sik froze, mumbling "uh, uh" like a broken machine.
"I mean, uh..."
As Jong-sik muttered "I mean" for the third time, the owner brought out the food. Geon-ju glanced between Sa-yoon glaring at Jong-sik and Jong-sik sweating bullets, then sighed and picked up the water pitcher.
"Food's here."
"Y-Yeah! Food's here!"
"Let's eat."
Geon-ju spoke plainly as he poured water into Sa-yoon's and Jong-sik's glasses. Released from his chains, Jong-sik eagerly grabbed his spoon.
Whew.
Sa-yoon watched the fruitless exchange and reluctantly started eating. For a random find, the set meal was pretty good.
Putting some signature golmang-i muchim in his mouth, Sa-yoon observed Geon-ju eating quietly. From setting down his chopsticks and pouring water the moment he sat, his manners seemed ingrained. He ate without smacking his lips.
Then Sa-yoon's phone buzzed—a text. It was the Geon-ju report from Kyung-jin. He stood briefly.
"Going to the bathroom."
"Stomachache?"
"...Just eat."
Jong-sik's innocent question was almost endearing now. Sa-yoon half-sighed, shook his head, and stepped outside. Opening the report at the door, he scanned the neatly compiled info on Geon-ju. Kyung-jin was getting as rude as Jong-sik these days, but he got the job done.
"Geon-ju, twenty-two, army discharge, Korea University student—took a leave two days ago. One older sister. Started living alone in high school, so family ties seem strained..."
The report detailed name, age, education, family, even friends. Good grades, frequent praise for his personality. Sa-yoon recalled their first meeting.
"Didn't seem that great."
He'd acted brazen assuming Sa-yoon wouldn't kill him, and those occasional sharp glances suggested he wasn't all that meek.
Clearly had some fire, yet his rep was spotless. Too perfect.
Kind, gentle, generally nice.
"He's managed his image well."
Sa-yoon judged quickly, alternating between Geon-ju inside and the report.
Quick-witted and polite, but with real personality underneath. Hiding it for reputation meant acting talent—and aptitude for scams.
More useful than expected. Sa-yoon nodded and read on.
'Wide social circle, but no close friends apparent.'
'Prefers partners over girlfriends.'
'No current partner confirmed. Team assumes none.'
Relationships ended with a list of Geon-ju's past jobs. Impressive to dig up five-year-old info so fast. Kyung-jin's team made the intel guild's rep shine.
Picked a solid one.
Sa-yoon pocketed his phone and returned only after grasping Geon-ju's profile. The wind chimes jingled announcing him.
"Back quick from the bathroom?"
"Bathroom's in the back. Probably checking work."
Geon-ju corrected Jong-sik mid-bite. Sa-yoon eyed Jong-sik with complicated feelings—blunter than the newbie.
Maybe because of the fresh report, but Jong-sik seemed pitiful.
Just a bit.
Worrying.
He hadn't been this oblivious before; lately it was worsening. If it affected work, Sa-yoon decided to ease up on the beatings.
Keep smacking his head, and the brain cells are dying.
Resuming his meal, Sa-yoon finished first despite sitting last. With nothing to do, he stared at Geon-ju, who paused and set down his chopsticks.
"Why stare like that?"
"Uncomfortable?"
"Yes."
"Tough. Eat."
"...Might get indigestion."
"I'll give you digestive meds."
Gesturing to hurry, Geon-ju looked incredulous. Used to such looks, Sa-yoon even slipped the chopsticks into his fingers himself.
Geon-ju eyed him warily but continued eating.
Portion: average adult male.
Sa-yoon mentally added a line to the profile, watching him eat primly, then summoned the quest window.
As if the System had updated, a small line appeared below.
Cautiousness easing from a meal? Simpler than expected. Sa-yoon chuckled, stared piercingly at his own The Resistor trait, then rechecked Geon-ju's status window. One change from before.
The auto-added title upon guild affiliation. Sa-yoon withdrew his sunken gaze.
Now the real part began.