บท 49: The Boyfriend Tae Sukjin
Dong Kwantaeks stopped smoking. "Don't tell me," he asked, "You know that guy?"
Lee Dojin shrugged his shoulders. The question was harder to answer than anyone would understand. "I wouldn't say 'know', but we do have overlapping interests. I doubt there's anyone who truly knows him."
"But this explains a lot," Kwantaek muttered. "That guy, he's been a pain in the butt for a while now. But if it's my decision, I wouldn't touch him with a ten-meter pole." The man shuddered. It had to be terrifying thoughts to make a guy like him react in such a way. "I've seen him once, he, well how do I say it," he paused. "He's on another level."
Baek Ji-ah listened to their conversation. "I don't know who that guy is, or who you are for that matter, but is it right to assume my student is in that Do Jiwoons hands?" A fiery blaze lit up in her eyes.
Ah Yeurongs friend asked Ji-ah, "Maybe we should call a teacher?"
Dong Jowoon was quick to chime in. "No, not teachers! How do you think this will look when the media finds out one of our students got kidnapped during our supervision? God, calling a storm would be underwhelming. The police would seize or documents, the school would be suspended, our reputation ruined and worst case, I might lose my job."
The girl was appalled. "Is that the only thing you think about?" She was disgusted by that teacher's thought process. Is this how the adults dealt with stuff? She couldn't believe it.
"He's right though," Kwantaek said. "No police. They'd just get in the way. Putting aside that they aren't exactly on our side, these people are way too slow to make any changes." He glanced at that male teacher. Although their conclusion was the same, he was still surprised to see him act that way. Stifled laughter escaped him. It was just how he remembered the education system to be. Certainly, if school was of any use, he may not have followed this career path.
Kim Jyejin realized that things were quickly getting out of hand. She looked at Dojin, many questions her mind, but in the end decided to ask, "Should we call Kim Taewon or Yoo Dahee?"
"Hold up, what are you talking about, girl," Kwantaek chimed in. The fewer people who knew, the better. He couldn't just let someone spread the message far and wide bout their blunder. In the first place, he only told them because Lee Dojin seemed to demand it, otherwise, his lips would have remained shut.
"Don't worry," Dojin reassured him. He could somewhat tell the thoughts springing through his mind. "They are people who have some dealings with Do Jiwoon too. They know quite a lot, so they may actually come to help you."
"Still, I don't really have a lot of control over that, it's not my jurisdiction, you know?" He rubbed his head. He didn't want this turning into a hassle. "And we know quite a lot about the group and Do Jiwoon already, so there's no need for extra."
Lee Dojin shook his head. "Then can you tell me why he chose to kidnap that girl?"
Dong Kwantaek raised his eyebrows. "Isn't that obvious?" He tilted his head. "To create discord between the gangs, so he could broaden his reach. He wanted us to rescind our people from Haewon street."
Dojin lifted his finger. "That's one reason. And from the looks of it, a rather shallow one, since he openly admitted to it." His brows furrowed. He thought back to the Jiwoon he knew. "The guy I know always has a plan hidden within a plan. You can never tell what that snake is thinking, as he hides his intentions within innumerable trapdoors." As far as he knew, there was little sense in doing what he was doing. The person he remembered was always quiet and hiding behind shadows. If he stepped out of the darkness, it could only mean something earth-shattering was going down. Certainly, this time too, he had something much more sinister planned.
"That's uh," Kwantaek stuttered. He did not know about this. And that boy didn't seem to be lying. "I'm sure the people smarter than I have worked something out."
"You don't really believe that do you?"
Lee Dojin closed his eyes. He wreaked his brain, trying to think about Jiwoon. In the past life, he hadn't done something like that, so it was hard to understand what led him to this decision this time. He felt like a decisive key was missing.
"Damn it," Dong Kwantaek took out his phone and clicked some buttons. Though before he could click the call button, Lee Dojin stopped him. "What's wrong," he asked.
"Don't bother. They won't know," he said. He then stood up, patting his knees. "It's fine. You don't have to worry. I will go."
His eyes widened considerably. "You? Alone?"
"Wait, you can't be serious," Jyejin shouted, "Are you tired of life? It's a whole school of people, and maybe even more!" She grabbed his shoulder. She had seen his strength, and though it was hard to believe, it was impossible to deny. Still, he was only human. When cut, he'd still bleed and die.
"That girl is right. If you wanna die, there are a lot less painful ways to do so."
"Thank you for the peptalk guys. Still, I got some burning questions, and the one with the answers is him." He stretched his legs. "In the name of knowledge, you know?"
"Stop joking around!" Jyejin said, this time really angry. "Does your life mean nothing? What about the people who care about you? Like your mother? Or me?"
Ji-ah patted her on the shoulder. The people thought she would be a voice of reason, but "I'll go with you."
These words struck a decisive blow on Dong Joowon. "Are you nuts?"
She didn't react. Her eyes of determination faced Lee Dojin. "Two people are a lot better than one, right?"
"No," Lee Dojin refused.
"Huh?" She didn't expect that. She was so shocked, she pulled his head closer. He could see her eyes twitch, she whispered with a patient but angry voice, "What do you mean no? You don't think I'm still some weak lady right? You gave me the power, you should know best. I won't become a burden."
"No, it's the opposite." He sighed. "You are too strong, Ji-ah. What are you gonna do? Burn them to a crisp with your light pillars? I'd rather you not." After all, he had spent quite some time for her not to become the Mother of Ravens. Lee Dojin placed her hand away and walked forward. He gave her a pat on the back, with a smile he said, "It's fine. I told my mom I'll see her tonight. I'm not one to break promises."
The people watched him go. It didn't appear as if they could stop him. And they were right. Lee Dojin was certain of his actions. Do Jiwoon was a great foe, even after the apocalypse began. He needed to ascertain his feelings.
"Wait a moment," Dong Kwantaek said. He approached him from afar. There was some hesitation in his steps. "Uhm, you might think I'm crazy, but there's something I need you to know."
"You'd have to be really deranged for me to think so."
The man scratched his neck, deliberating over his word choice. He didn't know how to start. "Ah fuck it. You remember that time we fought, right? I've had a lot of thoughts plaguing me since then." He paused, "That time after I was on the ground. Did you use a supernatural ability?"
"Oh, you remember?" He was pleasantly surprised. "Yes, I did." There was no need to hide it, seeing he would find out soon anyway.
"I see." Kwantaek breathed out. His heart had a tumultuous beat, but at the same time, he felt calm. Like an omen that finally came true. "You know, I don't want to pry into your business, but it's about Do Jiwoon. I think you should know. I've met him only once, but I think I saw it." His tone was filled with anxiety. He unwittingly broke into a cold sweat. "I'm certain that just like you, he has a supernatural ability too."
Lee Dojin stopped walking for a moment. He didn't turn around.
"Noted."
...
Il Chunghoo arrived with Ah Yeurong by his side. He held her by the shoulder, but she showed no signs of running away in the first place. His eyes landed on Oh Sanbaek. "You're back."
"Yes indeed. Just had some stuff to complete." He gestured for him to follow. "Let's go in."
Entering the warehouse, they were first greeted with darkness. With them adjusting to it, the silhouettes of several people began appearing. In the middle, as always, there stood Do Jiwoon, his hair was all white by now.
The first one to say something, surprisingly, was Ah Yeurong. She had a face full of shock, as she muttered, "Tae Sukjin?"
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Hyowha
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