Chapter 11
Chapter 11
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Even Trade
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Name: Ju Yeon-woo.
Low-rank Esper, estimated to have an attack-type ability that's practically unusable.
Whatever his real job was, he'd probably hit it big as a model rather than scraping by as a low-rank Awakener.
That was everything I knew about the man standing before me.
"......Pardon? Eighty million won?"
And just like that, I learned the price of the coat I'd been sleeping under.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Having eaten my fill, I decided it was time to wrap up the conversation we'd been putting off.
No matter how it had all gone down, the end result was that I'd saved him from his rampage, so I figured I'd collect compensation for my shattered phone and guiding services while I was at it.
To do that, we needed to settle up first. It felt too opportunistic to jump straight at the rescue fee he'd offered, so I offered to cover the coat I'd ruined instead.
And that led to hearing this absurd price.
"Haha......"
......Is he insane?
Eighty million won could buy how many phones? I had no idea what the average guiding fee was, but even adding it all up probably wouldn't touch that amount.
"How about we call it even?"
I said it with a straight face.
"Isn't life more valuable than money? People come first. Saving a life is the noblest deed there is—something that can't be measured in cash."
"Pardon? But......"
"While holding back your rampage, I tore a muscle in my leg. And honestly, my phone got wrecked right then too."
"......Your what?"
"Yeah, you. Carrying you on my back in the rain, barely sleeping— it was real hardship. Even now, my body's trembling. Looks like I've got a cold and muscle aches. I'm certain. I'll be down with a full-blown illness soon."
"My name. Use my name."
"Sure, Yeon-woo."
I had no idea why it mattered right then, but since the guy footing the bill asked, I called him by name without complaint.
Even though I'd done as he wanted, his expression wasn't great. He murmured his own name softly, looking displeased.
"So, we're even. No debts between us. Got it?"
To cut off any further objections, I stood up quickly, but Ju Yeon-woo grabbed me.
He clutched just the hem of my clothes, like he was holding a snowflake about to melt away, and looked up at me.
"That's not it...... You saved my life, just like you said. How could it be even? I'm the one who owes you big, so tell me anything you want."
"......Anything I want?"
A somewhat dazed voice slipped from my lips.
So, he was saying to forget the coat and everything—he'd compensate me anyway?
I looked down at him, unable to hide my bewilderment.
Honestly, before knowing the coat's price, maybe I would've asked for something. But now? It felt awkward. Sure, I could be shameless, but I tended to go easy on people who acted soft toward me.
I'd brought it up first because he looked loaded and I wanted to squeeze some payment out of him, but now that he was offering to repay the favor upfront, it made me feel sleazy somehow......
"No, it's fine."
In situations like this, nothing shows sincerity like cold hard cash, I believe.
But saying "give it all in cash so I don't get caught" felt too shady, so I averted my gaze.
He shook his head. His grip on my clothes tightened a bit.
"......Like you said earlier, nothing's more important than life. You risked your own to save mine out of that noble spirit, and if I let you go like this, it'll bother me. Say something—anything—so we don't end it like this."
His face was as stiff as ever, but deep down, I was touched.
I felt ashamed of myself for judging him based on rumors alone.
Every time I'd seen him at the cafe, I'd thought inwardly that he was a total jerk, but up close, he seemed decent enough.
He hadn't nitpicked about me tying him up like that, thanked me for saving him and even fed me, said nothing about the ruined expensive coat, and treated me to a meal and dessert......
My lips curved into a smile on their own. Yeah. Consider it volunteer medical service for once. Doesn't feel right asking anything from a guy like this.
I know who I can shake down and who I shouldn't.
This time, with a clear conscience, I shook off his hand without regret.
"Really, it's okay. If you insist, just chip in for cab fare on the way back."
"Cab fare...? I have a car. I'll drive you myself."
It felt too much to refuse even that, so I nodded readily. I could just ask to be dropped near the motel I'd booked.
"Sure. Thanks, then."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I could see why he'd offered a ride.
I wasn't exactly a car expert, but even I could tell this was a luxury vehicle without being told.
The engine was nearly silent, and the seating felt worlds apart from anything I'd ridden before.
I didn't know what cushions they used, but they could've advertised them as "bump-free comfort."
My gaze must've drifted toward it unconsciously. Ju Yeon-woo asked,
"Do you like this car?"
"Ah, yeah. The cushions are nice."
"If you like it, it's yours."
"Pardon? No way. I don't even have a place to park it."
What good was a car for someone drifting from place to place without a home?
It screamed high-end, and I had no confidence in handling the maintenance costs. A camper van might've tempted me as emergency housing, but this? No thanks.
As we neared the motel area, I spoke up first.
"This is good."
The area was packed with hourly motels. I'd missed it when booking online, but it was dimmer than expected, with hardly any streetlights.
'Still, it's just a two-minute walk from here, so that's fine.'
As I moved to get out, Ju Yeon-woo, who'd been staring at the address tag, called me back.
"Do you live around here?"
"Ah, no. Not home—just staying at a motel for a few days due to circumstances."
"......A motel around here?"
"Yeah."
I nodded, and his expression hardened.
What's wrong? Maybe because all the buildings looked rundown. Made sense—he seemed rich, so he'd rarely encounter places like this.
Ju Yeon-woo stared at the address tag, frowning slightly.
Time to go. I grabbed the door handle, but an urgent voice stopped me again.
"There's going to be trouble at the XX Motel around here soon. For safety, please avoid going there if possible."
"......Pardon? The XX Motel?"
It was the one I was staying at.
"W-Wait. What makes you say that? How do you know?"
"Ah-."
He blinked, looking like he'd slipped up.
"I'm an Esper. I overheard that a criminal group of nasty Awakeners has infiltrated the place. Probably illegal dealings."
"Pardon? But you're a low-rank Esper—how do you get intel like that? Ah, not in a bad way...... No. Sorry, I misspoke. Truth is, I don't know much about you...... If that offended you, my apologies."
"No, it's fine. More importantly...... low-rank?"
"I saw your ID last time. I picked it up for you."
He nodded slowly, as if recalling that day.
I furrowed my brow, feeling uneasy.
Illegal dealings or whatever—forget verifying it now. Who could sleep there after hearing that?
For now, I borrowed his phone to search for other motels, but they were all pricey.
Of course. This district only had luxury hotels.
I'd chosen the motel precisely because it was cheap and close, sacrificing sleep quality.
"......Could you stay somewhere farther away instead? I'm worried."
His cautious suggestion left me conflicted.
Even if I gave up on proximity and found another place, same-day booking plus transit would eat up my remaining part-time earnings as living expenses.
After agonizing, I nodded.
"Yeah. I was heading to a friend's place anyway."
I'd planned to tough it out without imposing on Han Se-young this time, even for just a few days. But here we were.
It was two hours away—far from my work spot—but no choice now.
As I tried contacting Han Se-young via his phone, I realized I didn't have her number memorized.
My phone with her number was already smashed.
"Then I'll drive you to your friend's."
"Ah, no. Just drop me at the subway station? It's faster by train."
Ju Yeon-woo looked uneasy, his expression sour, but when I insisted firmly, he nodded reluctantly.
He even tried giving me his card for transit fare, so I asked for cash instead. He didn't have any, so I said forget it.
After seeing his car off at the station, I headed down the stairs.
I arrived at Han Se-young's around nightfall.
I figured she'd be home at this hour, even unannounced, but whether overtime or an overnight stay, knocking yielded no response.
"The world......"
In the end, my final destination was the 24-hour cafe near my part-time job.