Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Subway Hell and the Protest Hotspot
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Next morning, near Sindorim Station.
This was the last known sighting of Seong Yona, according to Fantasia Guild.
"Alright, everyone got their masks on? These are expensive, so don't lose them."
I reminded the guild members from inside a black van with the 'JUSTICE' lettering peeled off.
"You said daily pay is ten million won, right? Isn't this a bit like the tail wagging the dog?"
Im Cheong-su fiddled with his black mask, flipping it this way and that.
This common-looking mask was an item that prevented bystanders from recognizing the wearer's face.
There were also hats that made you look like a completely different person, but those cost fifteen million won each.
"......Just don't lose it."
If you do, I'll cry for real.
With preparations complete, we split into three teams.
"Ji-seong oppa and Yu-eul in one team, Cheong-su in another, me and Jang Su-ho together, and the Guild Leader with Yu-chan."
"It might be better if Yu-chan and Su-ho team up."
That would leave me and Kang Han together.
"Huh? Why?"
When I asked, Kang Han silently looked between me and Jang Su-ho.
A glance around showed the other guild members subtly avoiding my gaze.
Why?
What's wrong with me and Jang Su-ho as a pair?
Don't trust us or something?
"Anyway, that's the plan."
"Ahem. Fine, whatever. It doesn't matter who pairs with who. Just spot someone like this, don't approach carelessly—follow them and call me right away. Got it?"
"There must be a thousand people around here who look like that."
"Isn't the face a bit too generic?"
Yeah, kinda.
Thanks to the investment in items, Seong Yona's current sketch—blonde hair, striking looks, though not as flashy as Seong Rosa's—didn't scream 'random passerby number one.'
"If you're sure it's her, try talking to her. She's super shy."
That was the only tip I could offer, having dealt with her directly during the training ground remodel last time.
"Let's go."
Kang Han opened the car door, and a humid midsummer morning breeze rushed in.
Can't fill your belly on the first try, but hey, we'll get a lead, right?
"Damn it. A lead, my ass."
Not even a doorknob in sight.
Unlike the other two teams searching the station area, Kang Han and I were assigned inside Sindorim Station.
But the moment seven a.m. hit, a massive crowd surged in, and before I knew it, I was swept onto the subway.
Kang Han tried to grab me but got dragged along.
"O-oxygen... running low."
Hanging around Sindorim Station during rush hour?
I must be crazy.
It was like walking into hell on my own two feet.
I tried escaping several times, but failed every time.
[Next stop, Sinrim. Sinrim Station.]
"Nooo!"
Please, just skip this station.
But of course not.
Seoul's subway, famed for precision and speed, ignored my desperate wish and flung the doors wide.
"Move back a bit!"
"Hey, don't push! Come on!"
"Uwaaa."
Save the heroine.
I thought it was already packed.
But more people shoved in, crushing me deeper inside.
Just as I was about to end up perched on a stranger auntie's lap, bouncing away...
Grab.
A large hand caught my arm.
"Be careful."
"K-Kang Han."
"Yes."
"Don't let go of me, ever."
If you do, bouncing is my only option.
"......No need to worry."
Kang Han gave a curt reply and scanned the surroundings.
His height, a head above everyone else, made it possible.
Lucky.
Bet there's air up there.
As my oxygen-starved brain muddled through that thought, the hand gripping my arm shifted.
"Eek."
Thankfully, disaster was averted—no auntie lap-sitting.
Kang Han had pulled me close, arm around my shoulders.
"I'll never forget this favor."
Sob sob.
I don't wanna die of embarrassment.
Thus, I swapped the subway strap for the S-rank handhold and finally caught my breath.
And this grip was rock-solid—no wobbling even through Sinrim Station and the dreaded Seoul University Entrance stretch.
Sturdy, S-rank handhold.
I vowed to get off at Sadang before the second hellish zone, Bangbae to Seocho.
That's when I spotted a salaryman, slickly checking his phone amid the chaos.
"Sama Young?"
A familiar name caught my eye.
I wriggled in Kang Han's hold to peek at the article with the nameless guy.
[ ......'Sama Guild has merely done what it ought to, grown by the public's support and love,' Guild Leader Sama Young responded. Amid the scorching heat exhausting the nation, Sama Guild's recent initiative tackling guerrilla gates solo has been a cool breeze of relief... ]
Damn media, full of shit.
'Merely what it ought to do'?
Half right, half wrong.
Right—they shoved us into Gangnam Station and shat the bed.
Wrong—hoarding guerrilla gates to rehab their guild image and steal Justice Guild jobs isn't charity.
At the top of the article, Sama Young's beaming photo looked downright demonic.
I watched the phone's owner hit 'like' before looking up.
"......What?"
My eyes met Kang Han's, who was looking down at me.
"Something to say?"
I scanned around, thinking maybe he spotted someone like the sketch, but no Seong Yona.
"Nayeo-ju-ssi."
Kang Han spoke low and soft.
"Don't move."
"Ah, sorry."
He's holding on tight, and I'm squirming? Must be annoying.
"If I'm heavy, I'll grab a strap too."
"No, that's not it...... sigh."
Kang Han trailed off, turning his head aside.
Even S-rank couldn't escape subway hell—his ear was slightly red.
"Hot?"
I fanned him with my hand.
My body swayed a bit, but the S-rank grip held firm.
"Better?"
"......Yes."
Doubt it.
His ear reddened more, so I stopped the pointless fanning.
Yeah, best to stay still in the heat.
We barely escaped at Sadang and looped back to Sindorim, but the other teams had zilch too.
"Oh, and Ragnal met Hwacheon Guild."
"Great minds think alike."
"They were all wearing those glasses, though."
......Definitely item-piercing glasses.
Those are pricey.
"Everyone's serious."
With 100 billion and an S-rank item on the line, of course.
Day one takeaway on finding Seong Yona: simple.
"This ain't gonna be easy."
"This really ain't gonna be easy."
Day two.
Confirming other guilds still scoured Sindorim, I led ours to Jongno.
Yesterday was a long shot at her last sighting.
Time to shift west gradually—won't raise suspicion later.
Seong Yona dies in Gangbuk eventually.
Sinchon, university central.
Starting from Gwanghwamun, inching westward.
Yesterday: Friday rush.
Today:
"Saturday."
In front of Admiral Yi Sun-sin's proud statue, I dragged my hands down my face and sighed deeply.
What the hell is Gwanghwamun on weekends?
Seoul's protest central.
True to its rep, the square was already mobbed.
"Heaven's cult paradise! Doom for the faithless!"
"Isolate dangerous Awakeners!"
And of all things, a collab demo between doomsayers and anti-Awakener groups.