Chapter 10: The Enigmatic Observer

If he had his way, Seo Doyoo would have gladly eaten and slept in the lab. Had there been no restrictions on entering and exiting, he certainly would have done so.

Aside from the hours he spent struggling to observe Cheongshin and gather evidence, Doyoo was an exceptionally idle man.

At headquarters, he would have been buried in paperwork, but for now, returning there was not an option. Consequently, Doyoo’s free time was largely dedicated to exercise, magic studies, or poring over the [Nerd Manual] to hone his future performances.

“Haa….”

Doyoo sighed, flipping through the pages of a book he had retrieved from the shelves, longing for the satisfying grip of the quality tools he would soon encounter in an hour.

Being confined to the academy library until the lab’s entry time had become Doyoo’s established routine for the past month.

Flap.

Flap-flap.

The rustle of pages being rapidly turned, unread, must have been irritating. Doyoo, acutely aware of a student a short distance away casting him a resentful glance, quietly closed his book and rested his head upon it.

“Damn it,” Doyoo muttered inwardly.

The thought of entering the lab in just an hour brought Lee Cheongshin to mind, instantly rendering Doyoo incapable of focusing on reading or anything else.

Lately, Doyoo had been plagued by a particular vexation. No, ‘vexation’ was too mild a word; he was truly agonizing.

From the day they started cooping themselves up in the lab five days a week to work on their graduation project, until today, Cheongshin had proudly ranked as the most enigmatic person Doyoo had ever encountered in his life.

Cheongshin, at every conceivable opportunity, would either embrace Doyoo or thrust his face close as if to steal a kiss, persistently pestering him with nothing but saccharine words.

Whenever their eyes met, he would flash a charming smile, much like a boy smitten with a crush, then brazenly utter absurdities such as, “Doyoo Senior. What is it? Am I pretty?”

Initially, Doyoo remained vigilant, convinced that Cheongshin had marked him as his next victim, plotting to manipulate him into becoming an accomplice in future incidents. However, as the days turned into weeks and their shared hours accumulated, a persistent question began to torment Doyoo.

‘Does someone like Lee Cheongshin truly need to expend such elaborate effort to lure his victims?’

Constantly entering and exiting the lab within the academy, and spending nearly half of his weekdays alongside Cheongshin, Doyoo inevitably came to learn a great deal about him.

Even to Doyoo, Cheongshin was an extraordinary individual. It was as if his very existence was blessed; whenever Doyoo walked with Cheongshin through the academy, everyone they encountered openly displayed their admiration for him.

Not only did they offer greetings, but they were perpetually eager to bestow gifts upon Cheongshin. To Doyoo’s utter bewilderment, even Cheongshin’s most minor requests were fulfilled with a zeal that suggested their lives depended on it.

This pervasive admiration for Cheongshin extended far beyond the academy’s gates. Numerous individuals found themselves unable to tear their gaze from his face, and shopkeepers in magic-user-exclusive stores frequently added complimentary items to his purchases.

In essence, Lee Cheongshin was a being who garnered affection from others simply by existing. Would such an individual truly need to endure this “hardship” to psychologically dismantle his victims and unleash widespread chaos with his magic?

Whenever his thoughts led him to this conclusion, Doyoo found himself tormented by the same persistent question.

‘If that is the case, then why is Cheongshin still toying with me?’

If he wasn’t a criminal, Cheongshin’s actions defied all logic. After all, no one in their right mind, not even Doyoo himself, would willingly approach and pester a self-proclaimed ‘nerd’ unless their intentions were truly nefarious.

“Senior?”

Startled by the voice that suddenly spoke right beside him, Doyoo abruptly snapped his head up.

For a fleeting moment, he chastised himself for failing to sense someone’s close proximity. Then, his eyes widened in surprise as he recognized the familiar face.

It was another undercover agent from the Kadan Association, the same one who had previously delivered information about Cheongshin to Doyoo along with a carton of strawberry milk.

“Mr. Yoonwon?”

“This is the academy library, so please just call me Yoonwon.”

Yoonwon winked, then effortlessly settled into the seat beside Doyoo.

Doyoo scrutinized Yoonwon’s face. The absence of any magical aura indicated this was his true appearance, not an illusion. As Doyoo wondered if they had simply deployed him because he was a rookie, Yoonwon extended his hand.

“Senior. Could I trouble you for your hand for a moment?”

Doyoo obediently extended his hand. Yoonwon playfully pressed Doyoo’s fingers, then his palm, almost as if tracing a pattern.

Yoonwon traced the character ‘ㅈ’ with his finger, then pressed two of Doyoo’s fingers before releasing his hand without a hint of hesitation.

Intelligence Department, Team 2.

“Senior, are you free this weekend? I want to see a movie, but I don’t have anyone to go with.”

This implied the information could not be conveyed through spoken words or a data chip. Doyoo nodded.

“I’m free. What time should we meet?”

“Whatever time suits you, Senior. Oh, let’s exchange numbers.”

“Alright, I’ll check my schedule tomorrow and contact you then.”

“Yes, I’ll be waiting!”

Having exchanged contact information, Yoonwon waved goodbye and departed from the library.

Meanwhile, Doyoo paused, momentarily struck by the realization that Yoonwon had perfectly ascertained his whereabouts.

The fact that Yoonwon, an intelligence agent, had located Doyoo so swiftly implied that all of Doyoo’s actions were being reported directly to his superiors.

While this was hardly surprising and something he had anticipated, being so overtly and directly sought out still stirred a flicker of concern within him.

His direct superior, Team Leader Seong Heeyu, would never mistake Doyoo’s immersion in library books for idleness. The issue lay with the other departments.

Personnel from other departments regarded the Special Operations Unit, and Doyoo in particular, with considerable disdain.

Should word reach them that Doyoo frequented the library during his downtime, their reactions would be utterly predictable.

Doyoo briefly envisioned his return to headquarters, recalling the inevitable criticisms, and felt a wave of gloom wash over him. He promptly halted that train of thought, choosing instead to embrace a more positive outlook.

He was, after all, currently investigating a suspected criminal. Furthermore, he was diligently using his free moments to frequent the library, discreetly scanning for any other suspicious individuals.

If he presented this narrative with carefully chosen words, they would have little grounds for significant complaint.

Creak.

Doyoo, inadvertently lifting his head at the sound of a chair scraping, nearly let out a shriek. Had he not instantly frozen solid under the glare of those vividly gleaming green eyes, he undoubtedly would have screamed.

He was utterly astounded. Cheongshin’s presence, materializing instantly beside him with an almost ethereal lack of presence, struck Doyoo as far more terrifying than encountering a ghost.

Cheongshin’s face was devoid of his usual charming smile. Instead, it was a hardened expression, one that would not seem out of place if he were to murder someone on the spot.

“W-w-when did you arrive?”

“Senior.”

This time, his stammer was not a deliberate part of his ‘nerd’ act. Feeling his heart hammer wildly in his chest, Doyoo subtly edged his body backward.

“That was Yoonwon just now, correct?”

“…Yes.”

Doyoo, who had not anticipated Yoonwon’s name to be uttered so clearly and immediately by Cheongshin, was even more taken aback. Nevertheless, he quickly regained his composure, beginning to scrutinize Cheongshin’s expression and gaze. This was highly suspicious.

Cheongshin was a fifth-year student at the academy. He had no conceivable reason to be involved with Yoonwon, a mere freshman.

Considering Cheongshin and Yoonwon’s respective departments, courses, supervising professors, and clubs as listed in their personal profiles, it was almost impossible for Cheongshin to know anything about Yoonwon. Both took classes in buildings situated at opposite ends of the campus, and neither was affiliated with any clubs.

‘Could it be that Cheongshin had investigated Yoonwon, perhaps seeking his next victim to toy with?’

“Don’t meet Yoonwon.”

“Don’t meet him?”

“Yes. That guy is suspicious.”

…!

‘Could he have possibly realized that Yoonwon was an undercover agent from Kadan?’ Doyoo thought, aghast. He stared at Cheongshin, a wave of inner horror washing over him.

“W-why do you think that…?”

If Yoonwon had been exposed and Cheongshin truly was a criminal, Yoonwon might not survive the day. Doyoo resolved to immediately request protection for both Yoonwon and himself from headquarters.

Yoonwon’s exposure inevitably meant Doyoo’s own cover was blown; to survive, he had no other recourse.

Cheongshin’s expression shifted. His face had, at some point, twisted into a pout. He firmly grasped Doyoo’s hand, which had been resting on the desk, tugging it to his cheek and pressing it there.

“Well, it’s impossible for someone to pester a person like you, Senior, without some ulterior motive, isn’t it?”

“…….”

‘Did he just insult me?’

‘Or is he trying to pick a fight?’

‘Or perhaps, does he want me to punch him?’

While it was a relief that his cover hadn’t been blown and his life wasn’t in immediate danger, the subtly insulting words left Doyoo pondering how he should interpret them. He couldn’t reach a conclusion. There was no time for one.

“So, Senior, delete Yoonwon’s contact. Cancel your weekend plans too.”

“…You heard everything?”

“Yes. Do you know how heartbroken and sad I was when I came here, thinking you’d be in the library, only to see you making plans with that guy?”

“You were watching me. Still, it’s my business, and for you to meddle is, well, a little….”

“Why, Senior? Are you going to abandon me? I can also show you a movie.”

Doyoo, unable to comprehend why canceling plans with Yoonwon directly equated to abandoning Cheongshin, tried his best to understand him. Cheongshin seized the opportunity, thrusting his face closer to Doyoo.

“Are you really going to abandon someone as pretty, handsome, and capable as me? How can a person be so cruel?”

As Cheongshin spoke, feigning tears, Doyoo’s mouth moved of its own accord.