Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: It's Okay Because I'm a Genius Even Though I'm on a Time Limit
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Joo Ah-rin headed out to the market around lunchtime the next day.
The same-day delivery system was so good that she wondered if she really needed to go out, but cooking expert Cheon Seo-yoon was firm.
She had to pick the ingredients herself or something like that.
It was such a convincing line that she couldn't refuse to go.
"Where are we going?"
"Just follow me for now. I know a regular market, so I'll guide you."
As soon as Cheon Seo-yoon stepped out of the Yongsan Station portal, she strode ahead confidently.
If a notorious directionally challenged person was walking that confidently, it must be a place she really knew.
In any case, Joo Ah-rin was in the subordinate position.
She was eager for guidance, so she followed without complaint.
"The freshness of seafood is super important, right? We have to go to a wholesaler that gets it fresh from the dawn catch that day...."
Cheon Seo-yoon seemed to enjoy her superior position and kept talking nonstop.
"Food is 99% ingredients. If the ingredients are good, it can't taste bad. Especially with octopus... Oh, right."
Then she suddenly stopped and narrowed her eyes.
"But who are you making it for?"
"Huh?"
Joo Ah-rin's steps halted awkwardly too.
"Who? I'm just learning to make it for myself...."
"Pfft, you, the ultimate picky eater? And you hate slimy stuff like octopus."
Cheon Seo-yoon thrust her face close and smirked.
"Be honest. Who's the guy?"
"What?"
"Which guy asked you to cook for him?"
"Are you going to keep saying weird stuff?"
Joo Ah-rin put on a serious face and pretended to be calm. It was a defense mechanism that showed when she was flustered.
"Hey, hey. There it is. That expression."
But her opponent was Cheon Seo-yoon.
A friend who'd known her face since childhood.
Unlike the vulnerable Joo Ah-rin, who got pushed around by sheer 'gut feeling'....
"Anyway, it's not Seol-hwa, and it's definitely a guy since you're not denying it."
Cheon Seo-yoon was sharp only at times like this. Or rather, she only used her brain at times like this.
"If he likes spaghetti, he's not a total macho, but if he's asking for octopus or abalone, he must be the type who really cares about his health.... Whoa!"
Cheon Seo-yoon shouted loudly, like a kid who'd figured out the answer.
"Baek Sa-young?!"
"Cut it out. I said it's not."
By now, Joo Ah-rin was shouting back too.
"Then Park Ha-yul?"
But at that name, her heart skipped a beat, and her shoulders twitched, ending the mystery lamely.
"Whoa."
"...."
"When did you two get that close...."
"Sigh, that's not it."
Maybe she should have just said it from the start.
Joo Ah-rin let out a deep sigh and explained the situation.
It wasn't affection, liking, infatuation, or goodwill. It was purely gratitude.
Just gratitude.
She emphasized that it was appreciation, or an extension of that feeling.
"Hmm~ I see."
Was it because they were both in the same boat of having received help?
Cheon Seo-yoon fully understood Joo Ah-rin's feelings.
Hadn't she packed a bunch of food last night because she didn't know what he liked?
"But he probably won't like stuff like octopus-abalone-samgyetang-spaghetti, right?"
"He won't... like it?"
"Yeah. Better to just buy some store-bought sauce and make it. It's because of childhood memories. And...."
Cheon Seo-yoon hesitated about saying more, then cautiously opened her mouth.
"This is purely my guess?"
"....?"
"No, about Park Ha-yul. It seems like his mom isn't around. The way he talked sounded like she went missing or something."
Was it because of similar circumstances?
Joo Ah-rin thought of her own mother, who had abandoned her and Seol-hwa and run away, then let out a shallow sigh.
"Ah, missing...."
If you're going to abandon your child, at least live well.
Years later, when she heard the news that she had gone missing in connection with some bizarre incident, that moment flashed through her mind.
....
But that was it.
Even her resentment had worn away, leaving her indifferent now.
"Oh, right! Ramen broth! Mix in some ramen broth, and he'll like it. He called it a nostalgic recipe."
At that moment, Cheon Seo-yoon clapped her hands and raised her voice, snapping Joo Ah-rin out of her thoughts.
And she asked.
"But how did you know?"
* * *
As soon as I left the bakery, I called Cheol-su.
-So, like I said.
Cheol-su explained in words what he couldn't fit in texts.
First, nothing on the butterfly tattoo. He'd scoured the internet but found zilch.
He was about to give up, but on a hunch, he expanded the search.
Shifted to glowing tattoos... and bingo.
-Good Morning Capital....
A recently formed loan shark outfit. But really, it was a gang caught on radar.
They had overwhelming force—enough to take over Yeongdeungpo right from the start—and among the underbelly....
They had glowing tattoos on their left forearms, so they were called the Flashing Gang.
-So, you never know. Maybe they have butterflies too. Or not?
Cheol-su finished explaining in a dubious tone.
"Thanks. That helped a lot."
I thanked him first.
The odds of Yoo So-young being connected to gangsters were near zero, but it wasn't completely unrelated info.
Glowing tattoos weren't common, after all.
So now it was my turn to step up.
I'd clash with them, dig around, and get solid info that way.
-Thanks for what, we're a team. Heading there right now?
"Have to."
-Knew it. Be careful. Their business hours end at 5, so hurry.
Cheol-su hung up and sent the address right away.
[Seoul, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Yeongdeungpo-dong 618-98, 3rd Floor]
I knew the area well, so I gauged the time easily.
I asked Reina, who was sitting on a nearby bench.
"All done eating?"
"Not yet.... Are we going now?"
Reina clutched the yellowish bread bag to her chest and asked.
I nodded.
I wanted to take it easy, but time was short.
It was about 3:30 now. Factoring in travel time, it was tight, and wasn't it 6 o'clock?
I had that sudden appointment with Joo Ah-rin, so I couldn't be late.
"Leave the rest. I'll buy more next time...."
"No. I'll take it with me."
Reina pulled the bread bag closer and firmly refused.
"Sure. Whatever...."
She'd handle it fine. She could take down a person with a loaf of bread, after all.
What worried me more was her pretty face. Someone might recognize her.
So I asked.
"Your face. Can you disguise it?"
Reina nodded in understanding. Right after, a clear light settled over her face.
* * *
In this world mixed with magic and abilities, the place most like Earth is the streets.
The buildings are similar, and most people walking around are ordinary folks.
Especially Yeongdeungpo, which felt welcoming.
It was the neighborhood where Yoo So-young and I had set up after leaving the orphanage.
"I've never been to a place like this."
Anyway, right now, Reina and I were strolling through the market across from Yeongdeungpo Station.
The address pointed to a building at the market's end, so we had no choice but to pass through.
But was it because it was the weekend? It was a total madhouse.
The straight path through the market was packed with people coming and going, and the air thick with mixed noises and food smells—the market's signature scent—tormented my especially sensitive ears and nose.
Still, it wasn't bad. It had a nostalgic feel I hadn't experienced in a while.
"Stick close. Hard to find you if you get lost."
I warned Reina, who was looking around curiously, and picked up the pace.
Pushing through the crowd, walking frantically, we soon reached a quiet alley with fewer people.
No open shops around, and the street littered with cigarette butts.
But the building in the center gleamed brightly.
A new 5-story structure with just one sign.
[Good Morning Capital]
I'd arrived at the right place, per Cheol-su's info.
"Is this it? Where the devils dwell."
Reina clutched her bread bag and narrowed her eyes.
She looked kinda cute, but her aura was pretty intimidating, so I explained the situation again.
Not devils, just bad guys, so go easy on them.
Of course, if I barged in like, "Hey, Flashing Gang, show me your tattoos. Whoa, they glow. How'd you get 'em?"
-They'd come at us full throttle first, but the goal wasn't extermination.
Rough 'em up a bit, then coax and pry for info.
"Ready? I'm going in."
I strode boldly into the Capital building—or Flashing Gang den.
Something Ido-hyun couldn't have imagined, but now I was Park Ha-yul.
A terminal case who'd survived tooth and nail for four months, grown into an awakener no longer ordinary.
Blue-rank demons were the only ones worth tensing up for; punks were a joke.
No sense of danger at all.
So I marched up to the third floor and peered through the frosted glass door.
I didn't open it right away; it was my usual caution.
Had to scope the organization's size and boss first.
I strained my eyes and peered inside.
"Hmm...."
But damn, there were a lot.
The spacious room felt cramped with black-suited thugs swarming everywhere.
Ten, twenty, thirty. Forty....
At least over 40, and I sensed awakener presences I hadn't felt outside.
A few 10th ranks and one 9th rank.
Impressive force for gangsters.
Well, that's how they took Yeongdeungpo so quick.
As I paused to assess—
"Is there a pro— Mmph!"
Reina opened her mouth, so I clamped it shut and pulled her back, explaining with my free hand.
Not chickening out, just more numbers than expected, and awakeners too. No room for carelessness.
"Mmph?"
But hand signals weren't gonna work.
So I gave up.
They were just gang scum anyway; might as well beat 'em down.
Per Cheol-su's intel: loan sharking, smuggling, drugs, violence, etc.
They deserved it.
I released her mouth, and Reina said.
"We just go in?"
"Do whatever."
I stepped aside, yielding first strike.
Reina marched up and kicked the door—BOOM—opening... no, smashing it.
The guys happily munching on fried snacks jumped up as the office door crumpled like paper.
"What the hell."
"Ambush?"
"Who's the punk."
Over forty fierce glares turned our way, but Reina entered calmly and warned benevolently.
"Those who repent, step to the right and fall out. I'll spare you."
A saintly declaration of war, in her way.
"What the."
"Isn't that the bakery chick from the market? Here to sell bread?"
"Hey, idiot. Who sells bread like that. She's just nuts."
But not an audience that'd listen.
Reina shook her head and declared judgment.
"I'll exterminate you all."
Hey, I said subdue.
Should I tell her again? Luckily, Reina drew bread instead of her main weapon.