Chapter 593: Her Decision (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 593: Her Decision (2)
From a young age, she had been taught.
To always be level-headed.
That a successful life was one where you maximized profit and minimized loss from the countless choices life presented.
And it was true.
Rational, cold judgment had made her life more prosperous.
She always lost little and gained several, even tens of times more.
So, had she never once made a choice governed by emotion rather than reason?
That wasn't the case.
No matter how level-headed she tried to be, no matter how rationally she tried to judge, she was, in the end, human.
Emotions she couldn't quite erase would sometimes hide beneath her reason, seeping into her choices.
Twice.
Twice, she had steered the course of her future with emotion, not reason.
The first was her marriage.
Despite her family's objections, she pushed through with her marriage to him.
Looking back now, the outcome hadn't been bad.
She had loved and been loved beyond measure, and she'd gained a beautiful daughter for whom she would gladly give her life.
The second was joining hands with Hexagram.
It was a time, much like now, when her disillusionment with the world was at its peak.
No matter what good she did, criticism always followed.
If she saved 90 people out of 100, they'd ask why she couldn't save the other ten.
If she cut a 30-minute journey down to 10, they'd ask why she couldn't have been faster.
If an incident occurred, they'd ask why she hadn't prevented it sooner.
She hated it.
So much so that saving people began to feel meaningless.
If I’m going to be criticized either way, isn't it better to be criticized while conserving my strength rather than exhausting myself for nothing?
So she secluded herself in the Magic Tower.
She ignored the screams of people caught in all sorts of incidents and focused on her own personal goals.
The countless items that poured out of the Magic Tower?
They were merely part of her tool-making process to expand her influence and help achieve her goals; there wasn't a shred of concern for others in it.
Hexagram had shown her sufficient power.
But her usual self would not have been swayed by that alone.
Yet, she chose to join them because her emotions had whispered to her.
‘This is the only way to save him and Seo-yeon from death.’
Her husband, forcing his fading body forward.
Her daughter, struggling to happily follow in his footsteps.
No matter how hard she tried to stop them, they wouldn't listen.
The most precious treasures in her life.
‘Let them rest.’
And.
‘Let’s show those people who insulted my loved ones.’
Make them realize too late just how much happiness the world they lived in had held.
Make them understand how heavy and precious the sacrifices of their protectors were, and make them regret it.
This was her true inner self, which she had never revealed to anyone.
There was only one reason she was revealing the heart she had hidden even from her husband and daughter to Kim Do-jin.
For her third choice.
One born of emotion, not reason.
She was certain.
The Kim Do-jin before her was somehow deeply connected to her husband by a thread of fate.
That's why she confessed.
‘If he helps me.’
She had watched Hexagram’s operation unfold from a step back, with a cool head.
Their choices were excellent, and they produced equally good results.
But it wasn't enough.
As things progressed smoothly, there was just one thing missing.
She felt it lacked what could be called a decisive blow.
Han Ju-hee found that decisive blow in Kim Do-jin.
If he, who had stood in their way as an enemy at every turn, became an ally.
‘The obstacle would disappear, and we would gain an ally.’
And not just any ally, but a talent who would become the very core of their forces, far surpassing an ordinary one.
Of course, she knew.
She knew that the emotional rift between the organization and Kim Do-jin was immensely deep.
But that could be mediated.
Before a common goal, making them each take a step back was entirely possible.
That was why she appealed not to reason or reward, but to sincerity.
“Mr. Kim Do-jin, I have just confessed a truth I've never told anyone. A sharp man like you must understand what this means.”
Kim Do-jin, who had been lost in thought with a grave expression, lifted his head.
Their eyes met.
With a desperate look, she spoke her final words.
“This is the last chance. With Hexagram… no, if you absolutely cannot work with them, then join hands with me instead.”
* * *
So that was the reason.
From the moment I lost Son Si-woo's body and inhabited this one until now.
A long time, more than enough for a decade to pass.
My reaction to finally hearing the answer to a question I'd wondered about for over ten years was just that, and nothing more.
Even I was surprised.
I thought I'd be overwhelmed with some kind of emotion after hearing her story, but what do you know.
I'm completely calm right now.
Perhaps it's because so much time has passed.
The time when I passionately loved her is long gone.
If anything, haven't I been disappointed by her incomprehensible actions time and time again?
On top of that, it's hard to believe all of this was for my sake.
The thought even crosses my mind.
Maybe I'm just an excuse?
Just a means for her to lay bare her own goals and desires.
Her words continued.
Exhaling the last dregs of breath from her lungs with an unreadable expression, she asked me.
“I've told you my sincere feelings. So you tell me yours.”
My breath caught slightly.
What could she be so curious about that she'd reveal a truth she hadn't even told her husband or daughter?
If she's figured out what happened between me and that guy, how much does she know?
Just as tension tightened in my throat.
“Is my husband… your biological father?”
“……?”
Wait, hold on.
Biological father, out of nowhere?
What is this… Ah.
I think I get it now. How this misunderstanding came to be.
“My biological father…”
I trailed off, lowering my head.
And quickly organized my thoughts.
She must have seen in me the same manner of speech and habits as her husband.
Many people imitate celebrities.
It's common to start resembling someone you admire after watching them for a long time.
But what if it goes beyond imitation and becomes identical?
Then things would get complicated in her head.
‘Why does he act, speak, and have the same habits as my husband?’
Even then, she wouldn't jump to the conclusion that our bodies were swapped.
Because that's just ridiculous nonsense.
So, what's the most plausible explanation?
Right, an illegitimate child.
Han Ju-hee is suspecting that I might be Son Si-woo's illegitimate child.
That's why she deliberately revealed her true feelings.
The reason… is probably because she wants to include me as an ally in her plans.
She must believe that if I'm Son Si-woo's illegitimate son, I'd join her in doing something for his sake.
Okay, good.
I've got it.
I lifted my head.
With a slightly bitter expression and a self-deprecating smile, I admitted it.
“…So you found out after all.”
Her expression instantly soured.
“I see… my guess was correct.”
She must have hoped she was wrong.
If everything she's doing now is for my sake, as she claimed, then I am the living proof of her husband's betrayal.
A betrayal that happened when they were passionately in love, no less.
She asked in a weak voice.
“Do you… know any of the details? Have you heard anything?”
I racked my brain.
No need for specifics. Just a rough outline, but not so much that she falls into complete despair.
“No. I haven't heard much either. Just… that it was a one-night mistake.”
“I… see.”
It's quite amusing to watch her expression darken by the second.
“So… that's why you asked me all those questions.”
Questions? What questions? Ah, is she talking about the ones she asked back in the lab?
Amazing.
For this to work out, the pieces are fitting together perfectly.
“When… did you first meet him?”
“It wasn't that long ago.”
“Was it during his sabbatical?”
“Yes.”
Her gaze toward me changed.
A faint warmth entered her once-cold eyes.
Is it because she thinks that even though I'm his illegitimate son, I'm still her husband's flesh and blood?
“It's not your fault, so don't feel too sorry.”
“…Thank you.”
But I don't.
I don't feel sorry at all.
She asked cautiously.
“Do you… resent him? Your father?”
I shook my head.
“I used to… but not anymore. Even though I was already grown, he taught me a few things, and I received a sincere apology.”
“Is that so? That's a relief.”
Her expression became much more relaxed.
Of course it would. For her to propose we join hands, there couldn't be any resentment or hatred.
Soon, as if she'd made up her mind, she spoke with a determined look on her face.
“Mr. Kim Do-jin.”
“Please, speak.”
“I have just confessed a truth I've never told anyone. A sharp man like you must understand what this means.”
She continued.
“This is the last chance. With Hexagram… no, if you absolutely cannot work with them, then join hands with me instead.”
A rather tempting offer was laid on the table.
Is she saying that if I don't like Hexagram, I should trust her and take her hand instead?
I could feel her resolve in those words.
What's important to her isn't moving forward with Hexagram.
Her only true desire is her own goal.
An attitude that says as long as that goal can be achieved, she doesn't care if it's with Hexagram or anyone else.
Maybe I can use this.
“If everything you've said is true, Hunter Han Ju-hee, then I have no reason not to join you. However…”
“However…?”
“Hexagram and I have already crossed a river of no return.”
“If it's about that, I can mediate…”
“No.”
I shook my head, cutting her off.
“I have no intention of living under the same sky as those bastards.”
“Ah…”
Just as her face filled with regret.
I subtly made a suggestion.
“So, how about the two of us join hands and get rid of Hexagram?”
“What do you mean…”
“If you can just mediate for me, Hunter Han Ju-hee, I'll obediently follow their plan for now.”
With her mediation, it's possible to back down even in this situation.
No, it's not impossible to join hands, at least on the surface.
But that would only be a temporary truce.
“We'll borrow their power to achieve the plan first, and then we'll stab them in the back.”
Her gaze gradually sharpened.
“…Do you think that's possible?”
It wasn't a question meant to blame me.
She was genuinely asking me about the possibility.
That sharp expression wasn't one of dislike, but of calculation.
“If we pull the organization's members to our side one by one while the plan is in motion, wouldn't it be possible?”
A tempting story.
But as I thought before, she has no reason to go that far.
Whether it's me or Hexagram, as long as her goal is achieved, she won't care who helps her.
So I added one more condition.
“The fact that you made me this offer… means their plan isn't perfect enough for you to trust them 100%, right?”
It has potential, but it feels like something is missing.
She reached out to me to erase that feeling of inadequacy.
“I'll give your plan all the support it needs. You don't even have to help me. In return… just make sure to mediate between the organization and me.”
That's all you have to do.
Then you'll be able to handle the Hexagram bastards much more easily than now, and also…
“If you do just that, I will make sure your goal, Hunter Han Ju-hee, is achieved.”
Because then I can also put your ridiculous ambition to rest.
Her face slowly began to nod up and down.