Ragged Wanderer Im Jui (3)
Im Jui was trying to get the canned goods through a trade rather than just taking them by force. It seemed the rumors were true—if you didn't act aggressively first, she wouldn't attack. I had to find a way out of here somehow. My gut told me that if anyone could smash these drones, which had shrugged off rifle fire without a scratch, it was this Ragged Wanderer.
"I was wondering where to dump these heavy things anyway. Perfect timing. You can have all the canned goods in the bag."
Im Jui flinched, then started scribbling on her notepad again.
Thank you.
She set down her backpack, which was almost as big as she was, rummaged through it, and pulled out six books, handing them to the drone. I put the canned goods on the floor and opened the bag, and Im Jui stuffed the comic books inside. I wanted to grab the rest—from volumes 7 to 19 and head out—but getting away from here even a second faster was the smart move. The canned goods were just the price for the drone's life; no big loss.
"Thank you so much. I'll be on my way now."
Im Jui gestured urgently, as if she had more to say, and scribbled on her notepad.
"Master, how's it going?"
"I gave her all the canned goods and got the comic books. But she's writing something else, like she still has more to say."
"Do-hyun-ssi, if Im Jui shows any hostility, fire three dissolving liquid shots in all directions immediately and escape while the bookstore fills with smoke."
"Got it. I'll try talking first."
Im Jui glanced around, then held out her notepad.
Are you a Special Awakener by any chance?
"Yes, but it's nothing special—just the ability to control two drones."
No need to give away more info than necessary.
That's amazing.
"Thank you..."
Her small stature and the childish handwriting made her seem young.
Have you heard of a place called 'Nakyuan'?
"Nakyuan? First time hearing it."
Im Jui took a long time scribbling this time.
Last month, I met a man and talked to him. He said there's a house with infinite clean hot water, lots of food, and medical supplies. A 'Nakyuan' that no attack can breach. I'm trying to find it.
No. It couldn't be. It had to not be.
"What do you plan to do if you find it?"
I want to ask if they can share clean water.
"If you'll excuse me, couldn't you just ask that man who told you about 'Nakyuan' where it is?"
I did, but he said the owner doesn't want it discovered by outsiders. And since the owner helped his sick wife with water and medicine, he couldn't reveal it even if someone threatened to kill him.
"Why not torture him? He might talk..."
Im Jui shook her head vigorously. She seemed as mild-mannered as the rumors said, avoiding unnecessary killing. But I hoped the man she met wasn't Jeong Su-hwan. In my panic, I blurted out something I shouldn't have.
"Was the man who told you about Nakyuan blond?"
The moment the words left my mouth, I knew I'd messed up. Im Jui startled, scribbled furiously, then stopped and tucked her notepad and pen into her raincoat.
"This is bad."
"Is Im Jui attacking?"
"No, but I just said something I shouldn't have."
Han Byeol kneaded my arm gently.
"Master, stay calm and keep briefing us on the situation."
"Im Jui's looking for our house. I slipped up and implied I knew about it, and now she's just staring at me silently."
Han Byeol stopped kneading and said, "Um... Master."
"Yes."
"Run."
"Should I fire dissolving liquid?"
"No, this bookstore seems like a place she frequents. Burning it might provoke her into something irreversible. Stall and back away slowly. When you reach the door, fly high and escape."
Im Jui just stared. The tinted lenses of her gas mask hid her eyes, but sitting on the sofa, I could feel cold sweat trickling down my back—it was chilling.
"If you don't mind... could I grab a few more pencils from that stationery corner?"
No response.
"Just pencils. That should be fine, right?"
I forced a friendly tone and inched the two drones slowly toward the counter.
Im Jui stood still, turning to follow them with her eyes. Almost there. A bit farther and we'd hit the door. Pretend to go for pencils, then veer to the door and bolt at max speed. Comic books? Who cares.
When we were closest to the door, I dropped the bag and sent both drones rocketing outside.
"Now...!"
BAM!
"Huh?"
"Do-hyun-ssi, did you escape?"
"No, suddenly there was a loud bang and both drone feeds went black."
Clatter clatter.
"Ah."
It wasn't blacked out. Hearing debris falling around the drones, I realized both had been slammed to the floor.
Im Jui had leaped the distance in less than a second. I couldn't even gauge how fast. The instant I gunned for the door, BAM—they crashed.
She picked up both drones and turned them over. I could feel her eyes through the gas mask. Crunch. As she squeezed, the crumpling started.
Return to display case for self-repair.
"W-wait! I won't run—let's talk it out!"
The system popped up with durability percentages just as she tried crushing drones that had ignored rifle shots—with her bare hands. Worst-case scenario. Good to know they could self-repair, but if they got totally wrecked, would they respawn? Unknown. These were my only real weapons. Losing even one would hurt bad. Dissolving liquid? Too risky—if it failed, both drones were toast. No gambling with that.
"P-please calm down. Let's go to that corner and talk. Tie me up if you don't trust me. I'm truly sorry for trying to run."
"Master?"
"Do-hyun-ssi?"
Escape plan failed—the sisters' advice was useless now.
"She's got me pinned. I'll try talking."
Im Jui carried the drones to the bookstore's farthest corner from the entrance.
"I won't fly, so please set them down."
She did, then frantically scribbled on her notepad.
I'm really sorry. My body reacted on instinct.
"No... I bolted first, so it's understandable. You have something to say, right?"
You know about Nakyuan, don't you?
From here on, every word had to be careful. No need to grovel, though. Mix truth and lies to gain the upper hand bit by bit.
"Yes, I do."
Im Jui's arm trembled as she shook the notepad in her hand.
"One thing: even if you smash my drones, they'll respawn in a month. That's my ability. I'm talking to avoid a month without them—not because I'm threatening you with them. Smash away, and I'll just wait it out."
No intention of threatening.
Good. Now push slowly.
"So what if I refuse to share Nakyuan info?"
She scribbled, then knelt, set the notepad down, and bowed her head to the floor.
My group hasn't had clean water to drink or wash with for so long. They can't eat properly and are all sick. Please, even a tiny bit of info.
"Hm..."
Didn't see that coming. But control of the conversation was fully mine now.
"Get up first. The owner of the Nakyuan you're looking for seems like someone I know."
She scribbled hurriedly.
"I'm not done. You're misunderstanding—he's not the type to give handouts. He trades. Do you have anything to offer in exchange for water and food?"
She nodded and held out the notepad.
I'll give you anything you want. Even my life.
"Good resolve, but too vague. He deals in goods, not promises. And how do I know you even have a group?"
I'll show you in person.
"And why should I trust you?"
We'll all die soon at this rate anyway.
I put the drones in Im Jui's bag, and we headed to her claimed hideout. Eight hours since activating them—16 left before return.
"What do you think?"
I'd briefed the sisters in detail.
"Do you think she's trustworthy, Master?"
"We'll know soon if her story checks out, but she doesn't seem like a liar."
"We're the last ones to say after you helped us, Do-hyun-ssi, but so many pretend to be sick or weak to scout other groups' locations... it makes me uneasy."
"Worst case, sacrifice one drone and bail."
The bag jolted—Im Jui was sprinting. Most surprising: as we left the bookstore, she placed money on the counter. Bills and coins piled up—hers.
"She's a bit unusual. Childlike, even..."
"Childlike? Did you hear her voice?"
"No. Small build, innocent actions... yeah."
Clunk. A metal door opened, and children's voices rang out.
"Sis! You're back?"
"Han Seol-ssi, Han Byeol-ssi, looks like we've reached Im Jui's base. Focusing on the drone feed again."
"Okay."
"Tell us if anything happens, Master."
I sat on the sofa, closed my eyes; the sisters snuggled close.
"Sis, what'd you bring today? Fairy tales?"
"Glad you made it back safe."
The bag unzipped; Im Jui pulled out the drones.
"Sis, what's this? A toy?"
A friend.
"Sis, you don't have friends... And a toy? I'll be your friend."
"Ha-yeon, don't bother Sis. We'll unpack. Sit and rest."
Im Jui hung her head at the fact-check from the ten-year-old girl. The hideout matched her words: three kids, one adult man, three adult women. Kids looked okay-ish, but two women lay on mats under dusty blankets, coughing nonstop. Starved, but the healthier man and woman helped sort Im Jui's haul.
"No lies, then."
"Gasp! Sis! The toy spoke!"