106.
But things began to unfold differently from Song Won-young’s excited anticipation. Before long, Choi Jae-won’s security personnel blocked the small fishing boat with an almost menacing presence.
“This is private property ahead. You cannot proceed further. I advise you to turn back.”
The person delivering the warning in a low voice wasn’t wearing the stereotypical black suit and sunglasses, but was dressed in attire that looked easy to move in. He made no effort to hide his intent to board their boat and personally threaten them if necessary.
The boat owner, who had been confident about his influence in these waters, quickly shrank back and hid in the cabin. As if saying this was Song Won-young’s business and he should handle it himself. Not that Song Won-young blamed him, but it still appeared somewhat cowardly. Song Won-young sighed lightly and stepped forward.
“You’re employed by Guide Choi Jae-won, correct?”
“…I cannot answer that.”
“Seems I’ve come to the right place.”
His sly smile was irritatingly smug. Song Won-young knew exactly what impression others got when he smiled like this. Knowing this, he deliberately smiled more mischievously to provoke them.
“I said I cannot answer that.”
“Don’t be like that. I came here knowing everything. Ah, I should introduce myself. I’m Song Won-young, A-class Healing Esper. I’m quite well-known—surely you’ve heard of me?”
“……”
“Hello? Hello?”
“I repeat. Further entry is prohibited. Please turn back.”
Intentionally making someone feel underestimated and provoking an emotional response was one of the simplest ways to get what you wanted, but this opponent seemed far from easy to handle. He had shown some emotional reaction when Choi Jae-won’s name was first mentioned, but quickly recovered to present an impenetrable front.
‘Oh well. There are other methods anyway.’
Song Won-young, hiding his disappointment, reached into his pocket. He quickly found the document he had carefully prepared.
“Let me repeat myself too. I am A-class Esper Song Won-young, dispatched as deputy head of the Ability Users Management Office. According to the Special Law on Ability Users Management, I’m here for the regular identity verification of high-ranking ability user Guide Choi Jae-won, class A or above. Would you please let me through?”
Deputy head of the Management Office, Special Law on Ability Users Management—these terms might sound plausible to an outsider. But looking at the reality, none of it was actually effective. The procedure of regular identity verification for high-ranking ability users had been defunct for more than five years.
However, unless one was an ability user themselves, it was nearly impossible to distinguish such nuances. Especially when confronted with an official document bearing the seal of the Management Office head.
“Here. If you’re suspicious, take it and examine it carefully.”
Song Won-young arrogantly stood at the front, waving the document at his fingertips. There was nothing to worry about even if they took it for examination. It was indeed a document that the Center Director had prepared and stamped at Song Won-young’s almost forceful request.
“……”
As expected. The security guard, who might be an expert in security but knew nothing about the workings of ability user society, carefully re-read the document several times with a cautious expression.
He clearly found it suspicious but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong. His previously unwavering expression showed slight signs of uncertainty.
Song Won-young added, driving in the final nail:
“The Center has already contacted Guide Choi Jae-won several times with summons requests, but since he kept refusing, we had no choice but to come here.”
Of course, this was a blatant lie.
“It’s just a formal procedure, but I need to see Guide Choi Jae-won in person. There’s no need to make this difficult for either of us, right?”
“……”
Song Won-young held his breath while waiting for the guard’s response. Splash, splash. Only the gentle sound of waves filled his ears. After what seemed like several minutes, the guard, seemingly having made up his mind, regained his unwavering expression and politely returned the document to Song Won-young.
“You’ve made a good decision. Now, let’s—”
Song Won-young began with a bright smile, feeling relieved. However, before he could finish speaking:
“I’m sorry, Esper Song Won-young.”
“Excuse me?”
“I understand you’ve come for an officially important matter, but we cannot allow any outsiders without direct instructions or confirmation from above. Please understand that we must refuse entry unconditionally.”
“No, wait a minute. Didn’t you see the document? It’s a mandatory procedure under the Special Law! If he refuses again, Guide Choi Jae-won will be in serious trouble…!!”
Since awakening as an outstanding Healing Esper with no equal in Korea, Song Won-young had lived quite selfishly, looking after his own interests. But he couldn’t match the lifestyle of Choi Jae-won, who had been a VIP from birth. And while the guard might not understand the headache-inducing talk about Special Laws, he knew very well how Choi Jae-won would react.
What trouble could come from breaking the law? Unless he committed some heinous crime, no one could hold Choi Jae-won accountable, and even if he did face consequences, it would end with just a fine of a few thousand won.
Knowing his employer’s temperament and wealth, for whom even astronomical fines were pocket change, the guard’s decision was as good as predetermined.
“Then goodbye. The boat owner will know the way back.”
“Wait a minute. Please listen to me. Hey! Hey!!”
The guard turned away decisively, almost cruelly, and disappeared. He left the boat that stood like a wall blocking Song Won-young’s path. It meant he wouldn’t listen to any more reasons or excuses. Song Won-young wasn’t stupid enough not to understand his position.
“Well… Esper… Given the situation, perhaps you should return for today…”
The boat owner, who had been shrinking back and hiding all this time, finally emerged and offered his advice after the situation had settled. He wanted to take Song Won-young’s side in his own way, but when faced with the intimidating guards, he just wanted to run away with his tail between his legs.
I can’t go back like this. Who knows when I’ll get another chance… Song Won-young was anxiously biting his lips.
It was then. From behind them came the loud sound of a motor, VROOOM, striking their ears forcefully.
“What’s that?”
Song Won-young turned around and unconsciously muttered in surprise. Even the guard who had gone into the cabin came back out at the noisy commotion.
What initially appeared as a small dot grew rapidly with each blink of an eye, until it became as large as an adult’s fist.
By then, its shape was clearly visible. It was a speedboat, something rarely seen in these parts. The engine noise grew even louder, hurtling forward like a gang of reckless bikers.
“Hey there! Everyone move aside!!”
A clear, ringing shout pierced through the loud motor noise and directly reached the eardrums of Song Won-young, the boat owner, and the guards. It was a voice that could only be described as remarkable.
The guards, who had been businesslike and cold when dealing with Song Won-young, now lost their composure and were busy murmuring among themselves in front of this unexpected sea “biker.” They seemed to have differing opinions on how to respond.
But the unidentified speedboat rider, whose temper seemed as remarkable as his voice, didn’t allow them time to discuss.
“Don’t block and all of you get out!! Move aside right now!!”
Once again the voice burst out, and finally one of the guards recognized who it belonged to.
“We, we, we need to stop him! It’s Young Master Han-seo! We need to radio the main island immediately, and somehow block—!!”
“I’ve been telling you to move aside, what are you doing? This won’t do. Park Woo-jun, go!”
“Okay!”
Acting as if he were some pocket monster, Park Woo-jun nodded firmly at Lee Han-seo’s command and, with an exaggerated shout of “YAP!”, sent a strong gust of wind. The several boats blocking their way were scattered in different directions without being able to offer any meaningful resistance.
Even then, merely scattering them instead of completely blowing them away showed that Park Woo-jun had put considerable effort into controlling his power.
“……”
A lone fishing boat remained on the path cleared by Lee Han-seo, carefully checking the situation before starting to follow behind them with a putt-putt-putt sound.
It’s said that as long as you get to Seoul, it doesn’t matter how you get there. Song Won-young quietly rejoiced.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
