Second Lust Quest (2)
Seo Joo-hwan boarded the bus to the concert with the two high school girls.
'First concert for me. Probably gonna be boring.'
There was no real need to go all the way to the concert with them. As long as he picked them up on time, nothing would happen.
'Gotta make sure it's airtight.'
Seo Joo-hwan didn't want to leave even a sliver of risk. That's why he'd snagged scalped tickets right after getting leave. He'd targeted seats next to Seo Joo-hee and Han Su-ah when buying them—and, as if his pre-regression bad luck had been a lie, he'd scored the one right beside Han Su-ah. With his karma normalized, it seemed luck was finally on his side this life.
"Hwan oppa, we're right next to each other? Awesome!"
"Hmph. We didn't even coordinate tickets, so how'd we end up side by side? You stalk us or something?"
Han Su-ah bounced with pure delight, while Seo Joo-hee eyed him suspiciously with narrowed gaze. Seo Joo-hwan just shrugged.
"Come on, that makes no sense. You think stalking lets you book the exact same seats? Pure coincidence."
"Yeah, I guess. It was just too perfect, so I had to say it."
Fortunately, Seo Joo-hee bought it easily. No way she'd guess he'd bought scalped tickets.
The three settled into their seats at the venue. As they waited, the lights suddenly dimmed, and the stage lit up.
The concert had begun.
"Ah, it's starting! Please let this not be their last concert…!"
"I hope our Swing Ladies make it big… Hiiing."
The two clasped their hands like in prayer, staring straight ahead. Seo Joo-hwan, meanwhile, shrugged and sank into his chair. From what he remembered, Swing Ladies disbanded despite their hopes—not long from now, sometime this year. Groups that didn't blow up just faded away.
'What was the leader's name again?'
He couldn't recall. At least the leader could sing well, he thought. But he didn't dwell on it. Never one for idols anyway, drowsiness hit him fast.
*
"Hey, wake up! It's over!"
"Hwan oppa!"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Wooow, that was fun. Right?"
Shaken awake, Seo Joo-hwan reflexively clapped as he stood.
"What? You slept the whole time."
"Hwan oppa…."
The response was ice-cold. He stood awkwardly, scratching his head.
"Man. Maybe I overdid the workouts lately. Didn't mean to nod off."
"Sure you didn't. Looked like a deep sleep to me."
"Oppa, you didn't push too hard and mess up your health, did you?"
"Su-ah, you buying that? You're too pure."
"B-but what if it's true?"
"Ahem. Just a bit tired. Come on, let's head home."
Seeing Han Su-ah genuinely worried over his lame excuse made him cringe. He brushed it off and led them out.
On the bus home, the girls chattered excitedly.
"Eun the leader killed it today. Right, Su-ah?"
"Yeah! If the agency just promotes her right, she'll blow up for sure."
Less than a year till she retires— But he couldn't spoil the future. Seo Joo-hwan quietly gazed out the back window. Rain pattered beyond the fogged glass.
—Next stop, Gwanghyeon Industrial High School.
They'd arrived. The three got off and walked home.
"Ugh, so sticky. I wanna shower ASAP."
"I'm cold… Good thing Hwan oppa said to bring an umbrella."
"Yeah, how'd you know? Not even in the forecast."
"Just felt like rain."
"Shaman much?"
"Hwan oppa rocks."
Seo Joo-hee shot him a dubious look, while Han Su-ah grinned and thumbs-upped. Her innocent smile brought a wry grin to his face.
How could he not know today's weather?
'Fucking miserable.'
Mid-January, peak winter, yet humid like summer monsoons. Cold and sticky—discomfort maxed out.
Soon they reached Han Su-ah's place.
"Su-ah, head in. Your mom's probably worried."
She waved goodbye.
"Thanks for walking me, Hwan oppa."
"Sudden formal talk?"
"Heehee. 'Cause I'm grateful?"
"Boring. It's cold—get inside. And don't forget what I said."
"Got it! Night, oppa and Joo-hee!"
"Bye, Su-ah!"
They watched her go inside, then turned back. Their house was 15 minutes the opposite way. Used to be neighbors, but her family moved.
Near home, Seo Joo-hwan pulled up the Lust Quest.
Han Su-ah was safely home. He'd even told her not to step outside, just in case. And to call if she absolutely had to go out. She looked oddly annoyed, a face he'd never seen.
'Is that it?'
It was just past 10 PM. Shower, bed—day over. No harm would come to her.
"…Feels off."
Seo Joo-hee, hearing his mutter, chimed in.
"Right? You feel it too? Anyway, I'm showering first."
"…Knock yourself out."
"What? Why so blah?"
"Huh?"
"Tch. Whatever. Thanks for today, oppa."
"Huh?"
He blinked, thinking he'd misheard. Her thanking him?
Seo Joo-hee glared like he'd wronged her, then mumbled.
"Weird to say thanks? You kept us dry, I was scared shitless with all that killer talk but we got here fine, and post-army you seem kinda reliable?"
Counting on her fingers, she went on. He chuckled. When was the last time they'd talked like this? She only chattered with Su-ah around—this was their first real convo post-regression.
Awkward, he nudged her back.
"What? Quit babbling and get inside. We're home."
"Ugh. Thanks and you act like that. Pig."
"Yeah. Not a pig anymore. You've slimmed down."
"Still a pig."
"Quit yapping and act like an adult, piglet."
"Who's calling who pig? Just go in first if you want—why push?"
"I'll head in later."
"What? Why?"
He pulled out a lighter instead of answering. She scowled and headed inside.
"Ease up on the smokes!"
"Artists need cigs, duh."
"Art my ass."
She huffed indoors. He laughed, pulling out his pack.
"…Damn, out?"
Hadn't smoked around the girls—didn't realize.
"Rain's a pain."
Still, he headed to the convenience store five minutes away.
*Ding.*
Inside, he scanned for snacks out of habit, then sighed. On a diet lately—skip the junk. He approached the clerk, pointing at the cigs.
"Marlboro one pack…."
Thud.
"Ring me up."
Mid-sentence, a guy shoved in front. Tall, burly. He tossed gloves on the counter, glanced at Seo Joo-hwan, and rushed the clerk.
"Checkout?"
"Sir, the guy in front was first."
The clerk frowned slightly.
"What?"
The man's voice was rough. To avoid hassle, Seo Joo-hwan stepped back.
"It's fine—let him go first."
"But…."
Best not tangle with jerks.
"Hurry up."
The man snapped irritably. The clerk bristled but, seeing Seo Joo-hwan shake his head, scanned it with a tongue click.
"…."
The man muttered something and left. Thud—his bag clipped Seo Joo-hwan's knee. Sharp sting.
*Ding.*
The man exited; Seo Joo-hwan crouched, wincing.
"Sir, you okay?"
"That guy's bag hit me."
He rolled up his pant leg—blood beading like tears. Stab mark.
Then he recalled the mutter:
'Should I kill him?'
Chill ran down his spine, goosebumps rising. Instinct screamed.
'Lucy, status on that guy!'
The fetishes in the status window. Didn't know the exact meanings, but they screamed danger. Lucy explained.
[Apotemnophilia is arousal from amputating body parts. Erotophonophilia is sexual pleasure from killing. Lastly, Pecattiphilia is arousal from crimes like rape or theft. Two high-tier, one mid, and current lust at max S. He could snap and murder right now.]
His face twisted viciously.
"Fuck!"
Rape, amputation, murder. Nothing normal.
'This psycho's out on the streets?'
A chill crawled up his spine.
'Keeping Su-ah safe wasn't the end!'
He berated himself. Trauma-blinded, he'd narrowed his focus. Someone else would die instead.
He dialed 112—but no answer, just ringing. Anxious, he called the frozen clerk.
"Hey."
"Y-yes? Me?"
"Call the cops now—say a murderer's here."
"What? What do you—"
"That dismemberment killer all over the news! That was him—hurry!"
"How do you know? He was an ass, sure, but…."
"Doesn't matter—call now!"
Frustrated, he yelled. Tossing his wallet on the counter:
"Here! Leave it—if cops ask, use my name! Tell 'em to come to the abandoned building nearby—he headed that way!"
"Wait, sir! Hey!"
*Bang!*
Ignoring the clerk, he bolted into the rain, no umbrella.
Too much time wasted—the perp had a head start. Should've tailed him sooner.
'I know the spot!'
Pre-regression, it happened in the nearby abandoned building—perfect crime scene, sealed for demolition.
"Huff… huff… huuuh."
At the building, he panted. Short sprint, full throttle—lungs burned.
"Hoooh."
Steadying his breath, he entered. Even if empty, he'd wait—the killer would come.
Swallowing hard against tension, he stepped inside slowly.