#094
“I think it might be better if I cooperate to some extent.”
Yoo Seong-woo said. Kim Ji-heon thought for a moment before nodding.
“Well, pretending to go along with it while assessing the situation seems like a good idea.”
“Mr. Kim is right. This is quite a major event, and it’s public. It’s an opportunity we can use to our advantage.”
Kim Ji-heon seemed uncomfortable agreeing with Seong-woo and averted his gaze. Yeon Tae-soo kept his eyes fixed on Seong-woo as he slowly opened his mouth.
“Yes, I agree too. We have to consider the old men who will be there. They’re such traditionalists that there are many ways we can use them.”
The older high-ranking officers were conservative and reluctant to change. They also tended to be obsessed with ‘military-like’ behavior.
Half of them thought Yeon Tae-soo was a national hero, while the other half thought he was trash who had worked as a mercenary abroad. However, even those who considered him trash were involved in internal military politics.
The war was over, and politics between people had become more important than fighting. The experienced officers now waged war with connections instead of guns and swords.
“But why does sucking up to old men make me feel so disgusted?”
Kim Ji-heon sighed deeply at Tae-soo’s words. His boss’s temperament wasn’t anything new.
“They’re just old folks who will scatter once the Minister falls anyway. Just because they hold positions in the military doesn’t make them that important.”
Although the elderly currently held positions, most were too old, and their power belonged to the Ministry of Defense. If the Ministry fell, their power would naturally disperse.
“Well… I don’t like it, but there’s only one reason I’m willing to show my face. I don’t want to give them an excuse by staying away.”
It was an event where war heroes gathered. People would find it strange if Tae-soo, called a national hero, was absent.
This event was for the citizens. It was meant to remind the Republic that the war was completely over and to reassure people that even if threats existed, war heroes were still present in this land, so there was nothing to worry about.
If Tae-soo, recently rising as a national hero, missed the event due to political disputes, people would be disappointed. Especially since they knew he was in conflict with the Defense Minister. A true hero would attend for the sake of the people, even if the venue was uncomfortable.
“Don’t cause trouble.”
When Kim Ji-heon spoke, Tae-soo gave him a sharp look. As Ji-heon flinched, Tae-soo’s gaze turned to Seong-woo.
“Come with me.”
Seong-woo was startled by Tae-soo’s words. So was Kim Ji-heon beside him.
“It will be dangerous.”
When Kim Ji-heon spoke, Tae-soo shook his head.
“No, Eden would be more dangerous. I won’t be there.”
Seong-woo agreed with him.
“They might try to lure us away from Eden and strike when it’s empty.”
They couldn’t know what might happen to Eden while Tae-soo was away. And above all, Tae-soo simply disliked the idea of separating Seong-woo from himself.
If anything happened, it would be possible to handle it if Seong-woo was by his side. Even if he couldn’t manage it, it would be better for things to happen right in front of him.
“Better than being helpless like before.”
He was referring to the day Seong-woo had run away. Kim Ji-heon discreetly averted his gaze and then fled the office. Seong-woo looked at the closed door and let out a small sigh.
Tae-soo’s gaze remained fixed on him as if nailed there. The firm look that seemed to give no room for gaps was something he simply couldn’t get used to.
“Do you think the Minister will try to use me?”
“Yes. One hundred percent. That’s why I’m taking you with me.”
He knew that being at Tae-soo’s side would be safer than staying at Eden without its owner. But one question arose.
Would he hold Tae-soo back? If his presence would be a hindrance, there would be no point in going with him.
If he would only hold him back by being at his side, it might be better to stay at Eden. But knowing Tae-soo’s personality, he wouldn’t allow him to stay alone.
“The Minister knows you’re my weakness. So what do you think would happen if you were alone at Eden?”
“…What about a safe house, like where Old Man Chang stays?”
Tae-soo shook his head firmly.
“Seong-woo, after seeing that state, do you think I would leave you alone?”
Seong-woo could guess what “that state” referred to. The day he had bled so much the floor was soaked. He vividly remembered Tae-soo’s expression when he found him holding a kitchen knife.
“I may be soft with you, but I don’t want to compromise when it comes to your safety.”
So he couldn’t argue or insist. This time, he would have to follow his words.
***
The primary purpose of the 6th Anniversary of the End of War Ceremony was to inform the public that the war was completely over and the citizens of the Republic were safe. The simplest and easiest way to emphasize safety was to display military power.
The air show and tank and missile exhibitions were the same. Lethal weapons that had been used just a few years ago had now become exhibition items. That fact alone provided some reassurance to the public.
While outdoor events were taking place, separate events were held indoors. The Defense Minister gave a speech at a venue where disabled veterans and notable figures from politics and business had gathered.
Wearing his military uniform, Tae-soo sat side by side with Seong-woo in the VIP section. Seong-woo wore his mask as usual.
He cautiously looked around, wondering if there might be any familiar faces. It wouldn’t be strange to encounter one of the investors in a place like this.
A strange sense of foreboding kept rising. Yet it seemed unlikely that anything would happen in a place with so many people.
Even for the Minister, it hadn’t been long since he was investigated for bribery, and this was an official occasion with generals present. It would be difficult to cause trouble recklessly.
Despite knowing this, his leg kept trembling due to inexplicable anxiety. Tae-soo, sensing his tension, took his hand under the table. Even the gentle grasp of his non-prosthetic hand didn’t improve his mood.
The Minister’s speech proceeded without any peculiarities. He seemed to be reading a speech filled with ceremonial words verbatim.
“…And so, the great history of our Republic of Korea continues even now. We are the shield and sword of our homeland.”
It was when the boring speech was coming to an end.
Seong-woo was relieved that Tae-soo had remained quietly in his seat. Nevertheless, the anxiety didn’t completely disappear.
When the Minister’s speech ended, applause erupted. With all the tedious formalities over and only the reception remaining, people’s eyes began to regain their vitality.
But the Minister didn’t come down from the podium. He held the microphone and slowly turned. Towards Tae-soo.
“And I cannot help but hear the story of the national hero who has graced us with his presence at this precious venue.”
All eyes turned to Tae-soo. He narrowed his eyes slightly. He also seemed not to have anticipated the Minister’s action.
The Minister extended his hand toward where he was sitting. It meant to stand up and approach. Calling Tae-soo to the podium was completely unagreed upon beforehand. Seong-woo thought it might be better to pretend not to notice, as it was impossible to know what his intentions were.
Naturally, Tae-soo also just sat still with a strange smile. People murmured. Everyone was curious about how these two people, known to be in conflict, would clash.
The Minister’s face remained expressionless. Looking at Tae-soo, who still didn’t move, he slowly gripped the microphone again.
“I’ve heard a story about a genius musician who suddenly disappeared one day.”
Seong-woo was shocked by the calm words that followed. Thump, thump, his heart pounded.
“Perhaps our national hero might know that story. I think it could give great hope to our citizens on a day like today.”
The image of him, wedged between memories received from his brothers, previous models, flashed before his eyes.
Did he know that he was one of many “Yoo”s? Had he also discovered that he was the model right before Yoo-hyun, a runaway specimen?
He didn’t know if the Minister had the right to dispose of him. But one thing was certain: he knew something.
Even thinking most positively, even if he didn’t know that he was one of the “Yoo”s, he would at least know that he was related to Yoo-hyun.
“Ha.”
Tae-soo’s short laugh penetrated his dizzy mind. Seong-woo, suddenly coming to his senses, turned to look at him.
“You know an interesting story.”
A murderous intent permeated his expression as he smiled with just the corners of his mouth. It seemed better not to respond. Did he have some plan?
His anxiety reached its extreme, and warning messages began to appear before his eyes. The ominous feeling he had been trying to ignore was now as vivid as if it had taken form.
How could such a black and viscous foreboding be felt even by someone who wasn’t human?
Tae-soo didn’t look down at him. He didn’t tell him it would be alright. Seong-woo wasn’t hurt by that. Because he seemed to know what Tae-soo was about to do.
“How about a story of an orphan sacrificed for a secret national experiment?”
Tae-soo finally stood up.
“And if there was something unusual about that orphan’s body, if the cause of that anomaly was due to the adoptive parents assigned by the state, wouldn’t that make for an even more interesting story?”
People held their breath. Tae-soo looked around at the audience as if enjoying the weight of the silence.
“There’s also a story about how the national hero, whom citizens can’t praise enough, managed to survive on those countless battlefields.”
Seong-woo, shocked, grabbed his lapel. Tae-soo gently pushed his hand away as if to wrap it.
“It’s okay.”
How could it be okay? That couldn’t be right.
“You are in… danger…”
Words wouldn’t come out properly. The warning messages floating before his eyes were frustrating. He could see too clearly what Tae-soo was trying to do. With great effort, he moved his tongue.
“He’s trying to sell you out instead of me.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
