Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 046
Chapter Title: Unrecognized Emotion
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After forcing early leave by bringing up Min Chae-ryeong's mission to Jo Yu-ri.
I returned to my original one-room apartment for the first time in ages—not the safe house, though I'd only lived there for about a month. Contrary to Min Chae-ryeong's words that I'd naturally learn Ji Ye-won's whereabouts after clocking out, I had no clue about her location at all.
I checked the mailbox just in case there might be a letter, but there was nothing.
I wondered if there was some message left inside the house, but that turned up empty too.
The one-room apartment I'd returned to after so long was exactly as I'd left it. The layers of dust piling up proved beyond doubt that no one had set foot here in the meantime.
'She said I'd find out naturally.'
It was frustrating enough to drive me mad, but there was no one to vent to. At this rate, maybe I should just contact Min Chae-ryeong directly. The moment that thought crossed my mind.
-Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang at the front door.
'Who could it be?'
I wasn't expecting any visitors today. I hadn't ordered any packages either. For someone to show up out of the blue, the only people who knew this place were Min Chae-ryeong and Chae So-yeon. Min Chae-ryeong was away on assignment, so that left Chae So-yeon?
"Hello! I'm your new neighbor who just moved in next door!"
But my guess missed the mark spectacularly.
'Moved in?'
Come to think of it, the empty next-door unit had been bustling lately.
With that in mind, I opened the front door without a second thought.
And there she was.
"Huh?"
The first thing that caught my eye was bright ash-gray hair.
Beneath it was an outfit so funky it defied description—a T-shirt with skull lettering, a glossy black leather jacket, hot pants with silver chains dangling from the waist, and the like.
It looked like indie band stage wear. Sure enough, a massive guitar case hung from the visitor's back. She must really be in a band.
This place isn't well soundproofed. Guess I'll be dealing with instrument noise for a while.
As that thought crossed my mind, I looked at the visitor's face. The woman, around my age, wore a mischievous grin bathed in deep sunset hues.
"What the."
That face was very familiar to me.
"Ye-won?"
"Nope! My name's Ye Ji-won! I'm a 23-year-old high school dropout, unemployed guitarist who came to the city chasing dreams of music, got crushed by harsh reality, went back home, but couldn't face my parents so I hastily went independent! Oh, and starting next week, I'll be working at the family restaurant in front of the station!"
"...Ye Ji-won? What kind of bullshit is that? Anyone can tell it's you, Ye-won."
Ji Ye-won spouted that bizarre... self-introduction with bubbly energy, then let out an awkward sigh.
"I know. You must think this is all fucked up. But that team leader prepared this new identity for me—what was I supposed to do? Had to dye my hair too, which I never asked for. Not bad, right?"
Using Ji Ye-won's identity as-is must have had its issues, so Min Chae-ryeong had prepared a new one. It wasn't something a mere security team leader should pull off easily, but when had that ever stopped her?
"...What the hell is going on here?"
Still, the situation was full of things I couldn't wrap my head around. For starters, Ji Ye-won was supposed to be holed up in the safe house—how was she my next-door neighbor now? It made no sense.
"I'll explain everything from now on. But this doesn't seem like a story for the open hallway..."
Ji Ye-won looked up at me with a grin, adjusting her guitar case.
"So, should I come to your place, or you come to mine?"
"I'll come over."
"Instant answer without a second thought? Boldly walking into a woman's place alone."
"My room hasn't been cleaned in over a month—it's a dust pit right now."
"Mine's similar, but whatever."
Ji Ye-won took a couple steps back and pointed next door with her finger.
"As my first honored guest, I'll treat you right. Come on in."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "...It's really an empty room."
That was Ahn Su-ho's first impression upon entering Ji Ye-won's place. Empty. Her room was that barren—nothing else to say.
Aside from the bare minimum furnishings that came with the place, there wasn't a single piece of furniture. Just a few clothes in shopping bags and a pillow and blanket set in the corner.
"I just got here this morning too. I'll furnish it bit by bit. I'd love to bring all my stuff from my old place, but the cops are swarming it right now."
Thanks to Kim Sung-ho's testimony from the succubus incident, the police had learned Ji Ye-won was a Dawn Corps member. Local cops were hot on her trail.
"So, I can't really treat you to much even if I wanted to. I have ramen if you haven't eaten dinner—want some?"
"Could you explain the situation first? I'm dying of curiosity here."
"Sure, let me put some water on."
Ahn Su-ho stared at Ji Ye-won in disbelief as she set water to boil on the gas stove. She squinted and grumbled.
"What? It's my place, and I'm hungry—can't I make some ramen?"
"You have to do it right now...? No, never mind."
Soon, the spicy ramen scent filled the room. Even Ahn Su-ho, who'd initially refused, swallowed dryly at the smell. Curiosity aside, he was hungry.
"Huh?"
But three minutes later, the ramen she set on the floor was just one serving.
"Huh? What? You said you weren't eating. None for you."
"Still, since you're boiling it anyway—"
"Hilarious. Should've said so from the start if you wanted some."
Ji Ye-won placed a chopstickful on the pot lid she was using as a plate. Sitting on the floor in her flashy outfit without a table, she looked every bit the unemployed slacker. As Ahn Su-ho thought that, she handed him the chopsticks and lid like she was doing him a favor.
"Here. One bite for you. Special service for a guest—the best first bite. Aren't I sweet?"
"...No thanks. Who shares one bowl of ramen? Eat up, Ye-won."
"You've been waffling back and forth like a reed in the wind. On your period or something?"
"...Pardon?"
-Slurp.
Ignoring his fluster, Ji Ye-won shoveled ramen into her mouth.
"Wow, this is so good. Does the same ramen taste different in a new place? Night and day compared to that stuffy safe house."
"..."
"You look like you're about to burst from curiosity. Fine, fine. I'll tell you what happened."
Ahn Su-ho straightened up at her words. She smirked at his obvious eagerness.
"Long story short on how I got out of the safe house: our interests aligned with that team leader. I wanted out, and she wanted me gone."
Originally, Min Chae-ryeong had confined Ji Ye-won to the Hansung Group's safe house under the guise of protection for complex reasons.
First, to shield her from Dawn Corps pursuit. Second, to hide her from police eyes. Third, to keep the traitor—who was still a criminal—in one fixed spot.
Min Chae-ryeong had gone to such lengths purely for Ji Ye-won's Dawn Corps intel, which had proven quite valuable.
But nearly a month into protection, and with Ji Ye-won securing Yoo Hyun-ho's custody this time, things shifted.
First: Ji Ye-won's value plummeted.
Min Chae-ryeong had nabbed Yoo Hyun-ho as a new intel source—a Dawn Corps executive with far superior quantity and quality of info compared to Ji Ye-won. His uncooperative attitude was a drawback, but not a big one for her. Thus, Ji Ye-won's value as an informant had dropped sharply.
Second: Police pursuit intensified.
The chase sparked by Yoo Hyun-ho's anonymous tip escalated with executive Kim Sung-ho's testimony. Ji Ye-won's low rank in Dawn Corps wasn't the issue—her public identity was. A Green House fourth-year student.
Green House, Korea's top hunter academy leading the superhuman industry—not just hunters. A top student there being a Dawn Corps member was no small scandal.
Third: With Yoo Hyun-ho confined in the safe house, Min Chae-ryeong wanted to overhaul security.
The safe house sat midway up a mountain outside Sokcho—remote, with little foot traffic. Regular visits by folks like Ahn Su-ho or Chae So-yeon could draw suspicion.
So Min Chae-ryeong decided to isolate it completely, handing Yoo Hyun-ho to trusted private hires and strictly controlling access. No leaks allowed.
For these three reasons, Ji Ye-won had become a hot potato to Min Chae-ryeong—more risk than reward to keep around. Killing her was awkward too, since she hadn't figured out Ahn Su-ho's connection yet.
"That's when I proposed a deal to her. Timing was perfect, in hindsight."
No matter how tricky Ji Ye-won was, Min Chae-ryeong wouldn't just let her go. So Ji Ye-won offered a trade, not a plea.
"I'll hand over all my info. If needed, I'll work under you diligently. And if cops or Dawn Corps catch me, I'll keep my mouth shut about you."
In exchange, Ji Ye-won demanded three things: release from "protection" confinement, a new identity to evade cops and Dawn Corps, and help searching for Kim Min-ah if possible.
It favored Min Chae-ryeong less, but she accepted readily. She was pondering Ji Ye-won's fate anyway, and employing a skilled spy appealed greatly.
Of course, Min Chae-ryeong wasn't sloppy enough to release her on words alone.
"As payment for freedom, they implanted a microchip here."
Ji Ye-won pointed to her nape with her thumb. A faint nail-sized scar marked the spot.
"Thanks to this, she tracks my location 24/7 in real-time. One button disrupts my nerves and paralyzes me. Oh, and trying to remove it forcibly? Boom!"
It was a slave collar, but Ji Ye-won didn't mind. Freedom to roam, even leashed, beat a stuffy cage.
"Thus, I escaped that stifling safe house—with a new identity as Ye Ji-won."
By the time her tale ended, the pot was scraped clean, broth and all. But Ahn Su-ho had long forgotten the ramen.
'Exploding microchip?'
His face paled. Sure, only on forced removal—but Min Chae-ryeong could detonate it anytime.
She held Ji Ye-won's life in her hands.
And her holding that meant Ahn Su-ho's life was in her hands too.
'This is insane...'
If Ji Ye-won betrayed her—or seemed to—or Min Chae-ryeong just changed her mind.
One button, and Ji Ye-won dies. Easily, effortlessly.
"Handing your life to someone else—are you sane...?"
"Freedom was that precious to me."
"What the hell is freedom worth?!"
Ahn Su-ho shouted in fury. Genuine emotion, not pretense. Naturally, with Min Chae-ryeong suddenly holding his leash.
"Whoa, why the overreaction?"
But to Ji Ye-won, unaware of the stakes, it made no sense.
"It won't explode unless you force it out."
"How do you know?! What if she detonates it on a whim?!"
"As long as I'm useful, she won't. I'm pretty capable, you know."
"How do you know she won't change her mind tomorrow and kill you?! Even if not, she'll discard you like trash when you're no longer useful!"
"I know. That's why I have to achieve my goal first."
"Goal?"
One word flashed in Ahn Su-ho's mind.
"You mean Kim Min-ah?"
Ji Ye-won nodded silently. Right—one deal term was help finding Kim Min-ah. Ahn Su-ho bit his lip, face ashen.
Kim Min-ah was Dawn Corps' captive. Rescuing her meant risking death.
Handing her lifeline to Min Chae-ryeong wasn't enough—she was ready to die for a friend. Ahn Su-ho felt an indescribable emotion.
"...What do you think your life is worth?"
It wasn't admiration for her sacrifice or resolve.
"...Why are you reacting so strongly? It's my life—I can do what I want."
"That's..."
It was frustration. Her death meant his too. He couldn't reveal that, and her casual resolve without knowing frustrated him more.
Frustrated, Ahn Su-ho scowled pointlessly. He wanted to blurt it out, but impossible—she wouldn't believe him, and even if she did, revealing the world's truth was beyond him.
His face betrayed it all. Selfish worry for his own skin, but to ignorant Ji Ye-won, it looked entirely different.
"You hate the idea of me dying that much? Why?"
She pondered. She was risking her life—why did he look so pained, like it was his?
Suddenly, their safe house talk replayed.
'I don't want you leaving here.'
'Why?'
'Because I don't want you to die.'
'Why? We've barely met. What do you care if I live or die...'
She'd asked him directly back then. What had Ahn Su-ho answered?
'We've only known each other a short time, but if you died, I'd probably be really upset.'
Recalling it, her eyes trembled. She stared at him intently.
A month since their first meeting—not long, but intense. He'd practically lived at the safe house too.
In that month, she'd grown fond of him—not romantic, just human to human. Gratitude to her savior, who'd saved her life and cared for her comfort.
She figured it wasn't one-sided. He felt something too—hence saying her death would upset him.
'But why?'
That was her doubt.
Her fondness made sense—she owed him her life and constant aid.
But him? She'd given nothing back. She'd burdened him twice over Kim Min-ah, and her moody safe house behavior must've stressed her caretaker.
Some affection from proximity? Sure. But genuine worry over her life, grief at her death? Odd.
'...He's been weirdly good to me from the start.'
At the motel first meet, unlike Chae So-yeon, he'd tried talking down a Dawn Corps member.
Maybe his unconditional kindness started then. It deepened the mystery.
Why this man—Ahn Su-ho—showed her such favor without reason.
'Wait.'
Then, another possibility struck.
Maybe his actions weren't pure kindness, but something else.
Ji Ye-won reviewed his behavior slowly.
First meeting: Stepped between armed Chae So-yeon and her, seeking talk over fight.
Warehouse battle: Risked life against Dawn Corps assassin to protect her, could've fled.
Waking in safe house: Begged her not to suicide amid her dark thoughts.
When she asked to leave: Worried her death would grieve him.
And later, he'd initiated her protection from Dawn Corps.
She'd seen all as mysterious goodwill.
"Hey, Ahn Su-ho."
Reviewing, one thread unified his actions in her eyes.
"Why are you so obsessed with my life?"
Less goodwill, more fixation on preserving her life itself.
Her piercing question froze Ahn Su-ho's face momentarily.
A split-second flinch. He recovered quickly, but she caught it—and instinctively knew she'd hit the mark.
"Why? My death cause you trouble?"
Unaware of the system link, she couldn't guess her life's meaning to him—only infer from his actions.
'Dawn Corps, talismans aside—he's an academy guard, I'm a student.'
His past words echoed.
'Guards always work for student safety. No other reason. Just doing my job.'
Coincidentally core to now.
'Nah, no way.'
Just his job? Risking life for a guard's duty alone?
She doubted, but her mouth voiced the suspicion.
"Is your obsession with my life because of your job? You're an academy guard, I'm a student?"
"That's—"
Stumped, Ahn Su-ho nodded slightly. Reflex.
"...Yeah, that's a reason."
Vague mumble, unsure what to say.
But she sensed the kernel of truth—and felt deflated.
"I see. Guess you don't need to care about my life anymore. I'm not a Green House student."
"...Pardon? What do you mean?"
"Expelled recently. They found out about Dawn Corps—expected."
Ahn Su-ho was stunned. Predictable, but unforeseen.
'Ji Ye-won no longer a student? Then—'
Guard skill death penalty: Death of key character who is an academy student.
Her death as non-student wouldn't affect him. Relief flickered across his face.
"Wow."
Ji Ye-won read that relief differently.
"All that weird kindness was just your guard duty? Your professionalism is top-notch."
She spat curtly, chest tightening oddly. Gauging the feeling, she let out a hollow laugh.
Ridiculously, it was betrayal.
She liked Ahn Su-ho—unrealized, laced with faint romance. His life-risking saves had stirred it unknowingly. Tiny, but real—not yet love.
This betrayal stung that budding affection.
She'd assumed reciprocity, explaining his worry.
But no—guard duty. Weirdly extreme for duty, but irrelevant.
Key: His kindness wasn't purely from his feelings. Details didn't matter.
'Weird. Why do I feel like this?'
Unaware of her crush, she couldn't pinpoint it.
His worry being job-related—what of it? Intellectually fine. Shocking, disconcerting, but not serious.
-Thump. Thump. Thump.
Yet her heart raced indignantly, a deep subtle emotion defying reason.
The gap baffled her.
"...Seems like a misunderstanding. Worrying about you isn't just because I'm a guard. Human bonds from time together, basic empathy as a person—"
"What a silver tongue. Like you did something wrong."
Perplexed, she deflected with insincere banter.
"Oh no. My guard has no reason to protect me now. You gonna hand me to the cops since we're done?"
Mischievous joke to dodge unease—unconscious defense.
"Ha, haha."
Uncomfortable Ahn Su-ho seized it eagerly.
"...Rest easy. We nabbed plenty of Dawn Corps last time—no performance quota issues."
"Haha. Good to know."
Ji Ye-won laughed awkwardly—unlike her usual sly grin.
"By the way, when are you dropping the formal speech? You're 24? Just a year older—speak casually."
"True. Not a Green House student anymore—no need for pointless courtesy. Casual from now?"
"Yeah. Way better. Honestly, all that 'Ye-won-ssi' gave me chills."
"Chills? Just basic manners, person to person. Unlike you, I don't half-ass it from the start."
"Want me to switch back to formal now?"
"Nice try. While we're at it, call me oppa?"
"Oppa my ass. I'd bite my tongue first."
Words flew nonstop, both desperate to shatter the awkwardness.
It worked. Her betrayal faded in the chatter—not deep-rooted anyway. Her affection was that slight.
For now.
Emotions settled, Ji Ye-won smirked naturally.
"Anyway, that's it. I'll be next door as 23-year-old guitarist Ye Ji-won for a bit—take care of me."
"Sure. When's the housewarming rice cake?"
"As you see, barren place. Only ramen to share? Want me to boil one this time?"
"I'd appreciate it. Starving."
"Expect greatness. I make killer ramen."
"Not using that same pot, right?"
"I'll wash it proper—sit tight."
She grabbed the pot and bolted to the sink. Silence fell on the lively room.
'...Lost ten years.'
Ahn Su-ho sighed in relief silently.
He'd never imagined she'd suspect that, let alone hit the nail—even by chance. Heart-stopping moment.
-Bzzz.
His smartphone vibrated. Screen showed a restricted-number text.
[Investigation results are in. Interim report, not final. Come to our club tomorrow.]
No sender, but content and awkward Korean screamed Iliana Faust.
'Faster than expected—less than a day.'
He started to reply he'd come mornings, then realized restricted numbers don't allow replies. Considered her daytime number but dropped it—there was a reason for anonymity.
"What? Text from someone?"
Done washing, Ji Ye-won approached.
"Nothing."
"Who? Girlfriend?"
Casual joke, she thought—but unconsciously born from earlier betrayal.
"As if. No girlfriend or anything. Not the time to date casually."
"Oh?"
Odd relief at his answer—she didn't know why.
"Whatever."
But her mood lightened a bit.