Chapter 89: Into the Lion’s Den

Dr. Yoon returned a week after Jihwon died.
His face was the same as usual, and he didn’t seem to feel any guilt, as if he had no connection to Jihwon’s death.
His cunning duplicity only strengthened my hatred.

I wanted to report his atrocities to the Association right away, but since there was a high probability that he was also connected to the Association, I was currently observing the situation.

Every time I ran into Dr. Yoon, he asked for my help with the project, and after consulting with Jinseok, I headed to his lab today.

“I’ll participate in the project. But in return, please help me leave the Association.”

Previously, he had offered to tell me how to leave the Association if I cooperated with him.
Using this situation, I planned to find out the location of his secret research lab after saying I would participate in the project myself.

“Really?”

“Yes. I don’t want to be in the Association anymore.”

“I’m more than grateful that you’re willing to help.”

Hearing my words, his face was joyful.
It was only natural for him to be happy, since a test subject had walked in on their own.

“Then I’ll take it that you’re participating in the project.”

“Yes. But how does the project proceed?”

“The project is being conducted not at the Association’s research lab, but at a secret one. You’ll have to stay there and help. Will that be alright?”

“Yes. How many days will it take?”

“I don’t think it will take more than a fortnight.”

A fortnight was more than enough.
It was ample time to find out the location of the secret research lab and information about the S-Class project.

“I can use my phone, right?”

“Of course. You won’t be able to go outside, but you can use your phone and the internet. When can you start participating in the project?”

It had only been a week since Jihwon died, yet the sight of him putting on a benevolent expression and luring me to get another victim was utterly shameless.
I barely managed to suppress my hardening expression and answered.

“The sooner, the better. I want to leave the Association quickly.”

“Excellent. Then how about tomorrow? I’ll have everything ready right away.”

He immediately told his assistant to prepare, perhaps afraid that I might change my mind.

At that, my lips twitched, wanting to bring up the topic of Jihwon’s death.
I was curious what kind of expression he would make if he heard my question.
But if I mentioned Jihwon now, he would surely become suspicious, so I had no choice but to endure.

After finishing my conversation with him, I immediately headed to Sehyun’s house.
I didn’t know what would happen after I entered the secret research lab, so I had to tell him as well to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.

When I arrived in front of his house, I hesitated for a moment.
I could open the door with the key card he had given me, but since I had to talk about something heavy today, I rang the doorbell.

“Shinui-ssi, you’re here?”

No sooner had I rung the doorbell than the front door opened, and he greeted me.
As if he had been waiting for me.

“Were you waiting?”

“Yes. With Gureum.”

Beyond the pet door, Gureum greeted me, wagging its tail incessantly.
At the sight of it barking softly, a smile naturally formed on my lips.

“Gureum, hello.”

I held it in my arms and moved to the living room with him, and we sat on the sofa and caught up for a while.
It was about time to get to the main point, but I was worried because I knew he wouldn’t welcome my story.
But since I had to say it, I opened my mouth.

“Sehyun-ssi, I don’t think we’ll be able to see each other for a while.”

“Are you going on an overseas assignment or something?”

“No. ……A precious friend of mine passed away a few days ago.”

At my words, he asked if I was okay with a concerned face, but I still wasn’t okay.
Still, I didn’t want to worry him, so I nodded and continued.

“I think the death is related to the Association’s research lab, so I’m going to look into it from now on.”

“That’s too dangerous. And I don’t think it’s something you have to handle.”

“I know. But I’m the only one who can.”

“Why?”

“Because the secret research lab said they need my help. It’s the project my friend was participating in before he died.”

“Then it’s even more dangerous!”

He frowned and shook his head, unlike his usual self.
But since I also understood his actions, I accepted it and continued.

“But if it’s not me, the Association’s Awakened will continue to die. I could become one of them too.”

Just as the victims had been buried until now, there would be more Awakened sacrificed like Jihwon.

“You can’t do it alone. I won’t let you go.”

“That’s why I came to you. To ask for your help. If I can’t get out, will you come and find me?”

“…Still, no.”

“I’m not doing it alone. And since the research lab needs me, I won’t be harmed either. Even if you say no, I’m going.”

“Do you have to go?”

He must have felt that he couldn’t break my will, as he asked in a heavy voice.

“Yes.”

“Sigh…. Okay. But there’s something I want you to take with you.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a terminal used by government agents. It’s made with an Esper’s ability, so as long as the wavelength isn’t cut off, you can contact me from anywhere. If a dangerous situation arises, contact me immediately.”

I took the terminal he handed me.
The terminal looked like a normal phone, but as he said, I could feel a wavelength.

“Sehyun-ssi, thank you. It won’t even take a week.”

I also knew it would be dangerous if I stayed for more than a week.
If it took longer than that, I planned to run away without looking back.

“If you need my help, contact me right away. I’ll be waiting.”

“Okay. Please wait for me.”

He silently hugged me.
The Espers I had been in contact with were busy looking for my wavelength first, but there was no sign of that from him.
From this, I felt once again that he was seeing me as a person, not a guide.

Come to think of it, I might have been wishing for people to like me as the person Lee Shinui, not as a guide.

I also wrapped my hands around his back.
Gureum squeezed in between us, and in the end, we moved apart, but his feelings were clearly conveyed.

“When are you entering the research lab?”

“The sooner, the better…. Tomorrow.”

“That’s sooner than I thought. Stay a little longer today. I’ll take you back before midnight.”

“Okay.”

He and I chatted for a while.
Our conversation flowed smoothly, and every word was as enjoyable as talking with a close friend.

“About the inmate who escaped from prison this time.”

“Yes. I heard he was caught on the news last time. That’s a relief.”

“No. It was just reported to the media that he was caught. Because the citizens were worried.”

“He hasn’t been caught yet?”

“No. He’s the worst of the worst, so he broke the ability nullification ring and escaped.”

“Then what are you going to do now?”

“We’re looking for him day and night, but…. I’ll have him caught by the time you come back.”

I told him to be careful and we talked about the prison incident for a while.
It was only when it was 11:50 that I came out of the apartment with him.

“Shall we take a short walk?”

He held out his hand to me.
It was deep in the night, so it wouldn’t be easy to see, but I was worried about the Association’s surveillance.
I discreetly spread my wavelength to check if there were any Awakened nearby.
Fortunately, there were no other wavelengths detected.
Only then did I relax and take his hand.

“I’ll miss you a lot.”

“Shall I take a picture for you?”

“Is that okay?”

I had said it as a joke, but he must have taken it seriously, as he hurriedly took out his phone from his coat.

I nodded and ended up taking a picture with him.
He switched to selfie mode and showed himself and me on the screen.

“Shall we do a peace sign?”

Since it was my first time taking a selfie with someone, I took the picture with an awkward peace sign.
He took about 5 pictures and then set his favorite one as his wallpaper.

“It feels like we’re really dating now.”

He took my hand again, swayed it slightly, and headed home.
Before we parted, he even gave me a short hug.
It was still awkward, but I didn’t dislike it.

“Shinui-ssi, you have to be sure to contact me.”

“Yes. Let’s meet again within a week.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

I told him to go home, but he insisted on standing at the main gate until I went inside the apartment.
In the end, I had no choice but to go in first.

Unlike him, he was genuinely kind and considerate.
I thought every day how nice it would have been if I had liked him, but even while we were dating, my feelings for him had not changed.

With a bitter smile, I forgot the rising sense of guilt and prepared for tomorrow.