Chapter 33
‘…Ko Eungyo, you were receiving quite a lot of favoritism, weren’t you?’
For some reason, he felt like he understood why Ko Eungyo’s temperament turned out this way. If you indulge someone like this, anyone would become twisted…
In any case, he only blinked at the sudden fortune that came his way. How should he answer to naturally enter this Gate without arousing suspicion…
[Why aren’t you answering?]
“Yes, yes. Good. That’s good. I definitely want to do it.”
At the words demanding an answer, he reflexively answered that it was unconditionally good without any more time to think. Of course, he clutched his cell phone desperately. He could prepare a 30-minute PPT on why he needed to enter the Jeju Island Gate and persuade the other party. He was serious.
[Then I’ll put you in our company’s ability user team.]
Perfect. Then there was no need to go around visiting unknown Espers one by one asking them to clear a Gate together.
He quickly expressed his gratitude.
“Thank you.”
[What for.]
The call ended quickly. Ko Eunso was quick and decisive as she had been before. To be born with such a cool and wonderful blood relative, Ko Eungyo was insanely envious of the original ‘Ko Eungyo’ for even just a moment.
Ko Eunso said she’d give him Gate-related materials through Secretary Shim. Holding the disconnected phone, Ko Eungyo clenched his fist tightly. In the past, he had run around frantically trying to somehow land a Gate… To land a Gate with just a word like this, it was something you’d see if you lived long enough.
As Ko Eunso said, Secretary Shim came a few days later, and he handed over Gate-related materials with a simple briefing. Ko Eungyo quickly skimmed through the Gate materials while listening to Secretary Shim’s words.
The Gate near Jeju Island had a high probability of being below A-grade. Also, while it was estimated to be loaded with rare samples, he said there was a high probability it would be a very tricky or large-scale Gate. There was one ability user team entering the Jeju Island Gate.
‘I’m… the deputy team leader?’
‘Yes.’
There was no parachute like this parachute. Ko Eunso had very cleanly cleared up the ability user team life that would normally have to start from the bottom through the normal route.
If this was… compensation for getting beaten up by Woo Sihyun, he could get beaten up three more times.
He put strength into his lips to avoid getting caught grinning. Secretary Shim didn’t stop there and also handed him the team roster.
There were seven team members. Familiar names caught his eye here and there. It was because when working as a Center ability user, there were times when he had to cooperate with ability users from various companies.
Indeed, as Ko Eunso said, it was a roster consisting only of top-notch skilled people. Then Secretary Shim said.
“There’s no need to contact them separately, I’ll instruct all team members to adjust to the young master.”
“Pardon?”
“All team members will greet the young master during the week. Ah, if you want to receive greetings quickly, should I tell them to contact you right away even on the weekend?”
“No. What are you saying? There’s absolutely no need for that.”
He was startled and his eyes widened. What on earth… is this nonsense that even a dog wouldn’t touch.
He repeatedly said it was fine at the earth-shattering sound, but Secretary Shim only said even more outlandish things.
“However, still, since it’s your first time being assigned to a team, you can’t do anything carelessly. Ah, would you like to meet the team members first? Should I issue a summons order?”
“No. Really, I’m uncomfortable with this.”
I don’t know what this nonsensical talk is. Now… are you saying you’ll make these veterans greet someone greenhorn, and moreover a newbie who just set foot on the field?
Just imagining it made his head spin.
“It’s really fine, Secretary Shim.”
When he repeatedly, repeatedly said it wasn’t acceptable, Secretary Shim made a slightly displeased expression and finally agreed.
“I understand. Then I’ll understand it as briefly introducing the young master on the day of the Gate operation and proceeding with the Gate operation, without you greeting the team members separately.”
“Yes.”
The moment he thought communication had finally gotten through with difficulty, Secretary Shim said nonsense again.
“Ah, if you have any operations you’ve been wanting to do, you can convey them to the team leader.”
“Ah… it’s fine. These people would be the experts on Gates, wouldn’t they.”
So, what operation would a rookie with a temporary license come up with?
Of course, he was Jang Iju, an S-grade field Guide who had been a veteran among veterans, and he naturally had hundreds of efficient operations that would work when entering rare Gates like the Jeju Island Gate.
But wasn’t his current body Ko Eungyo? He wondered if there was any reason to push his opinion while receiving glares from team members. Once he converted from temporary to an official license, there would be many opportunities in the future, so why bother earning people’s hatred?
“Young master, you’ve become quite timid since I last saw you.”
“……”
It was a moment when he understood why private company ability users would kick away huge annual salaries and return to the Center.
*
Secretary Shim said that a large car would be convenient to work as a field Guide in the future, and said he’d also left an SUV key in the utility room where car keys were stored. With the final words to feel free to speak up anytime if he needed anything, he left the house.
‘There was a car?’
The hardship of taking the subway throughout the semester classes flashed through his mind. It would have been nice if he’d known there was a car beforehand.
He immediately went looking for the utility room.
As a result of going around the whole house, he learned that the wall of the passage leading to the front door was the utility room. He thought it was a wall, but it was actually a door.
“Oh…”
Inside the utility room was like a treasure island.
There wasn’t just a car key dangling alone. On one side, miscellaneous goods like wristwatches and limited edition shoes were piled up. He picked up a wristwatch that seemed like it would cost tens of millions of won by itself and looked at it, then obediently put the wristwatch back in its place.
‘This is all mine, right?’
Since he didn’t have a hobby of buying and collecting luxury goods, he didn’t really know what was what, and strangely, he didn’t feel like it. To be precise, it would be more accurate to say these things didn’t feel like his own so it didn’t feel real. He felt like if he touched them carelessly like this, he’d scratch expensive items that cost tens of millions of won.
He decided to just quickly finish his business and leave the utility room.
Most of the car keys were hung on hooks lined up in a row, and the key that seemed to have been left by Secretary Shim was placed on top of the glass desk where watches were packaged.
Holding the SUV key in his hand, he carefully came out of the utility room. With a click like the sound of a magnet attaching, the utility room door closed. When he pushed the utility room slightly, the door opened smoothly as if it had never been closed.
Well this… it’s just like an ability.
With each step passing through the front door passage and entering the house, his mood improved little by little. He wasn’t particularly interested in things like watches, but thinking that now he didn’t have to struggle even if his credit card was suddenly cut off felt very reassuring.
When he returned to the bedroom and picked up his cell phone to thank Secretary Shim, his mood had definitely improved.
Looking at his cell phone screen, there was a missed call.
Without much thought, thinking it might be Secretary Shim or perhaps Ko Eunso, or maybe even the Director, he pressed the missed call list.
It was an unsaved number.
Was it spam?
The very moment he was debating whether to delete and block the phone number, a call came again from that number. Absent-mindedly moving his finger, he answered the phone.
“Hello?”
[Professor.]
As soon as he heard the voice, he was startled and took the cell phone away from his ear. And without realizing it, he called out that person’s name.
“…Lee Seungwoo?”
[Yes.]
He couldn’t believe it. It was really Lee Seungwoo.
How did Lee Seungwoo know his number? Maybe only Ko Eungyo didn’t know Lee Seungwoo’s number, and Lee Seungwoo knew Ko Eungyo’s number. Too flustered, Ko Eungyo remained silent.
His heart pounded at the unexpected situation.
[Professor?]
“……”
Now, of all times, why on earth…?
The events so far flashed by like a panorama. Did Lee Seungwoo not know about him and Woo Sihyun? If he knew, why would he call him instead of asking Woo Sihyun for details?
Even though he didn’t want to receive Guiding from Ko Eungyo.
At the appearance of an unexpected person, he had to swallow dry saliva several times. Then he slowly brought the cell phone he’d taken away back to his ear. He was holding the cell phone, but he had absolutely no idea what to do.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
