Scouting (2) 8: Chapter 8.
Scouting (2) * * * * * * Hyeon-yul stepped off the bus with unusually light steps.
For the past two days, he had watched movies he had fallen behind on, gone grocery shopping, and even cooked for himself for the first time in ages.
After living a normal life he had been unable to enjoy for years, he could not imagine a happier working life.
And he would be able to enjoy even more of it from now on.
He knew he had come to work, yet his entire body felt light.
“Hey.” Someone called out as he approached.
It was a large, heavily muscled middle-aged man.
Aside from the wrinkles on his face, his neat clothes and carefully swept-back hair made him look like the president of some company with a massive headquarters.
‘He’s the man I saw back then.’ Hyeon-yul stared blankly at the familiar-looking man.
“I’m Yang Dojin, leader of Team 2.” Dojin confidently extended one hand toward him.
Hyeon-yul looked down at the offered hand.
“I’m…” “Join Team 2.” Dojin answered with a broad, confident grin.
‘Do I have a face that makes people want to recruit me?’ Hyeon-yul almost let out a scoff.
It had not even been a full day since he received the unusual recruitment pitch involving a poison-coated business card.
Now a Black Eagle team leader was making him another offer.
‘Why is this team leader proposing it?
I know I’m exactly the kind of talent villains want, but I’m not exactly the ideal Black Eagle candidate.’ Hyeon-yul’s gaze sharpened slightly as he studied Dojin.
‘…Is he a spy?’ Why would Black Eagle be immune to villains planting agents inside it?
Even a team leader could be one.
“Did you not hear me clearly?” Dojin briefly watched a bus passing by, wondered whether he had spoken too quietly, and repeated himself.
“Become one of my team members, Seo Hyeon-yul.” Dojin grinned wide enough to show his teeth and confidently pointed a thumb at himself.
“I was the first person to vote in favor of letting you become a Black Eagle.” Hyeon-yul found it suspicious that Dojin was revealing that fact here.
It almost felt as though the man were using Hyeon-yul to make some point to someone else.
Who exactly was Dojin conscious of here?
“I remember.
I was grateful at the time.” “I don’t know whether Haeryeon explained it, but the revote yesterday was a complete mess.” A new vote had been held the previous day.
—Before we vote, I’d like to say one thing.
Please review the details of the mission Team Member Seo Hyeon-yul completed today before making your decision.
Haeryeon had spoken confidently before the vote began.
The mission record described things no ordinary rookie could have achieved even if they came back from the dead.
“A revote?
I entered through legitimate procedures.” “Exactly.
You were legitimate.
The other team leaders were so damn petty that they forced a revote anyway.
Three in favor, two against, and two abstentions.
We won by one vote.” Hyeon-yul’s eye twitched at those numbers.
There had been two abstentions and two votes against him.
Those abstentions could hardly be considered neutral.
‘They were probably against me too, but only abstained because they were worried about appearances.’ Even after forcing a revote, perhaps they had not been willing to throw away their dignity completely.
‘Then they’ll start looking for every possible excuse to push me out of here.’ Hyeon-yul forced down the corners of his mouth before they rose too far.
‘Looks like they’re struggling very hard to die.’ He wondered how strong team leaders were.
That was what interested him most.
“I can protect you.” The words cut abruptly through his thoughts, and Hyeon-yul lifted his head.
Dojin met his eyes without wavering.
“Is that so?” Hyeon-yul still did not believe him.
Even if he could feel sincerity in the words, he refused to trust them.
Dojin burst into loud laughter at Hyeon-yul’s answer.
He himself had crossed the line between life and death countless times, and Hyeon-yul was probably the same.
How could either of them trust words so easily?
“I’m not telling you to decide immediately.
Think about it slowly.
Transferring teams isn’t unusual.
In the meantime, I’ll show you that I mean…” “Leader Dojin!” A sharp voice suddenly rang out from somewhere nearby.
A short woman came running toward them.
Dojin looked at her with an expression that already said he found this troublesome.
‘Her eyes really are absurdly good.’ Dojin did not even move his lips.
He knew she would read everything anyway.
“Team Leader.
You’re saying some very dangerous things right now.” “What?
What did I say?” “You know how good my eyesight is.
The moment I saw what you were saying, I ran all the way from the entrance!” When the woman pointed somewhere, Hyeon-yul turned his head.
‘That direction is…
where the eagles land.
She saw us from there?’ It was more than a fifteen-minute walk away.
Hyeon-yul examined the woman with reddish, shoulder-length hair.
Just how good was her eyesight?
“Well, this gives me another chance to confirm how ridiculous your eyes are.” Dojin brushed the matter aside as though he were completely accustomed to situations like this.
“Team Leader, the rookie belongs to our team.
Our team.
That was settled very clearly.” ‘She’s Team 3.’ Only then did Hyeon-yul understand why the woman had intervened.
She was one of his teammates.
“I know.
He belongs to your team right now.
But you need to hear the whole situation too.” “What situation?” The moment Dojin’s tone softened, the woman’s expression became calmer as well.
“W-wait!
Hold on!” A familiar voice suddenly reached them from behind.
“Haeryeon, you sound awfully desperate.” Dojin smiled subtly when he saw her.
“…Nayun, could you take Hyeon-yul ahead first?” Haeryeon spoke quietly to the woman.
“Got it.” Nayun looked around briefly before nodding in agreement.
In truth, this situation was not good for a rookie.
Whatever the reason, having two team leaders face off around him had to be intimidating.
‘I’ll protect the rookie…’ Nayun looked at Hyeon-yul, then stopped for a moment.
Even though they were discussing him right in front of his face, he stood there as calmly as if they were talking about somebody else.
‘…He froze because he’s scared, right?’ Nayun blinked, then clenched her fist.
‘I’m his senior.’ How long had it been since their team had received a new recruit?
She absolutely had to protect him.
“Let’s go.” Even when Nayun urged him onward, Hyeon-yul first bowed properly to Dojin and Haeryeon.
“I’ll excuse myself first.” His impeccable manners prompted Dojin and Haeryeon to return the greeting, and only then did Hyeon-yul follow Nayun.
After they disappeared, Haeryeon gave Dojin a light smile.
“Leader Dojin.
Good morning.
Your voice certainly carries.
I could hear you from way back there.” “It is a good morning, Haeryeon.
You must be sleeping very comfortably these days.” “Of course.
I sleep perfectly comfortably these days.” “I never knew you could move that fast.” “You didn’t?” “You went with Seo Hyeon-yul to handle that bomb and immediately snapped him up on the spot.
Then you announced in the meeting that you were taking him into your team before anyone else could speak.” “That’s a misunderstanding.
Leader Dojin never said you wanted to take Hyeon-yul yourself, did you?” Haeryeon’s smile lengthened, and Dojin laughed loudly.
“I left because I had to save one of my team members.” “Of course you did.
Saving team members is what team leaders are for.” “I’m glad you’re serious about him, but don’t let your guard down.” “I can handle that my…” “Protect him well.” Dojin smiled faintly as he said the words.
Haeryeon’s eyes widened.
Unlike everything he had said before, those words had not been casual.
“What exactly do you mean by that?” Haeryeon lowered her voice almost instinctively.
Dojin’s gaze shifted briefly elsewhere.
Just as Haeryeon was about to follow it, Dojin chuckled.
“I mean if you don’t want me to steal him.” “I’ll protect him properly.
He’s my team member.” Haeryeon answered without looking away from Dojin.
Knowing the man, there had been another meaning behind the remark.
‘So he’s saying someone is watching us right now, and I should find them myself.’ Haeryeon blew a strand of hair away from her face.
‘I knew Hyeon-yul would have trouble adjusting here, but I didn’t expect something to happen this quickly.’ Haeryeon found the situation surprisingly interesting.
An organization without change could only decay, and Hyeon-yul had unintentionally blown fresh wind through Black Eagle.
“Right.
Make sure you do.” “I will.” Haeryeon smiled warmly.
Advice like that was always welcome.
* * * “…I’m Choo Nayun.
We’re both in Team 3.” Nayun introduced herself as they walked.
It looked like the most natural thing in the world to her, but Hyeon-yul felt differently.
The entire situation was exhausting, and he already felt mentally drained.
“…Seo Hyeon-yul.” “You were surprised I recognized you, right?” “Yes.” Nayun giggled at Hyeon-yul’s answer.
Maybe he was simply an honest person.
“I pestered Shinwoo to tell me what our new recruit looked like.
That’s how I recognized you immediately.
My eyesight is really good.” “When did big brother Baek Shinwoo take a photo of me?” Hyeon-yul’s expression was just beginning to turn cold when Nayun hurriedly held out her phone.
[Baek Shinwoo (Nutjob): Hyeon-yul?] [Baek Shinwoo (Nutjob): Black hair, and I guess he has the expression of someone who’s already lived through everything the world can throw at him?
Anyway, the guy standing alone and making the atmosphere all heavy.
That’s Hyeon-yul.] The moment Hyeon-yul read the messages, his eyes narrowed.
“…Do I really stand around making the atmosphere heavy all by myself?” “Yes!
…Ah, no.
No, you don’t!” Nayun began agreeing, then urgently shook her head.
She let out an awkward laugh and subtly took one step backward.
“Anyway, isn’t the important thing that I recognized you immediately?
Some people don’t have any presence at all, but having a distinct atmosphere is amazing, right?” Nayun timidly raised both thumbs toward him.
Hyeon-yul’s narrowed brow did not relax.
The fact that she was trying to excuse it only meant Shinwoo’s description had been accurate.
“You have no idea how happy I was the moment I spotted you from far away.
I don’t know whether the Team Leader or Shinwoo told you, but we’re always suffering from a manpower shortage.
A new recruit actually joined us.
I’m seriously, seriously happy!” Nayun’s words came faster and faster, and her voice grew brighter with every sentence.
The momentum had a strange power that made Hyeon-yul forget what had happened only moments earlier.
Her clear, dark green eyes were especially bright, almost overwhelmingly so.
“Is that so…?” Hyeon-yul lowered his gaze slightly toward the floor.
Hearing the same flat answer again, Nayun studied him for a moment.
‘Is he shy?’ Nayun giggled to herself and started walking again.
Hyeon-yul followed.
“By the way, Hyeon-yul, why did you become a Black Eagle?” “Why are you curious about that?” “Because we’re teammates.
For reference, I entered through special recruitment too.” Nayun lowered her voice almost to a whisper.
“Really?” “Yes.
Just like you, right?” Nayun’s smile widened even further at his surprise.
She pointed toward her own eyes while watching Hyeon-yul’s unchanging expression.
“It was because of these.
I kept looking through villain wanted notices and reporting everyone I recognized.
I’m probably still number one in reporting villains.” Nayun spoke proudly and resumed walking.
‘Is her power concentrated in her eyes?’ Hyeon-yul thought briefly about what that implied.
Even in a world where most people were born with some kind of power, having that power concentrated into a specific body part was clearly unusual.
Hyeon-yul started to answer, then felt people watching him.
White Sparrows were moving busily in every direction, but several kept glancing toward him.
‘Shinwoo said people can still clearly see the “Team 3” label even if my face looks different, right?’ If they knew he belonged to Team 3, there should have been no particular reason to stare.
Apparently, the rumors were already spreading through the Nest.
‘Let’s see how far the rumors go.’ Hyeon-yul decided to wait and watch for now.
The more tails there were, the greater the chance that the head would eventually appear in person.
“Ah!
Are you trying to become a noble?” Nayun looked at Hyeon-yul with obvious expectation.
Her dark green eyes grew round.
“How could I become a noble?” Hyeon-yul asked the question back in return.
Nobility existed in this world.
It was essentially a modern form of aristocratic title.
There was no legal class discrimination attached to it; the rank had been created primarily to grant special privileges.
Even though those privileges were enormous, becoming a noble was not something anyone could do casually.
It was closer to receiving the highest kind of medal of honor.
“Black Eagles can.
It isn’t written on the recruitment notice, but it was one of the conditions the Empire announced when Black Eagle was founded.
The person who contributes the most to exterminating villains can rise all the way to the nobility.
Of course, nobody has actually done it yet.
Villains are still everywhere.” That was information Hyeon-yul had never heard before.
Nobility, though, did not interest him in the slightest.
“I simply hate villains.” Hyeon-yul answered after letting out a long breath.
There was no need to dress it up with a complicated story.
Nayun immediately held out her phone.
“…?” Hyeon-yul’s eyes widened at the unexpected gesture.
“If there’s anything you don’t know, ask me whenever you want.
I’ll answer anytime.
I…” “Nayun!” Someone suddenly called out to her from nearby.
“Ah!
Hello!” Nayun waved both hands toward a Manager.
Hyeon-yul could not tell whether she was simply extremely friendly or genuinely knew that many people.
Either way, he did not want any more attention drawn toward him.
He tried to keep walking as though he had not noticed, only for Nayun to grab the edge of his clothes.
“Can I have your number?” Nayun looked at him with sparkling eyes, as though she intended to hold on until he gave it to her.
“Is this what people normally do?
Mr.
Baek Shinwoo…
no, big brother Baek Shinwoo asked for my number too.” Nayun’s eyes rolled briefly before she grinned.
“Of course.
This is absolutely normal.” “Is that so?” Hyeon-yul was not convinced, but he entered his number anyway.
“If you call Shinwoo ‘big brother,’ you can call me ‘big sister.’ Shinwoo and I are the same age.” “…What?” “Surprising, right?
Baek Shinwoo just looks older than he is.
So, will you call me that?” “…” When Hyeon-yul could not answer, Nayun stared at him with eyes full of mischief.
* * * ‘…Why does she know so many people?’ Hyeon-yul was already exhausted despite not having gone on a single mission yet.
Simply walking with Nayun attracted attention from every direction.
At first he wondered whether he was imagining it, but she greeted someone after every three steps.
Then she took another three steps and greeted somebody else.
Eventually, they even ended up walking together with Haeryeon.
How had Nayun managed to become this friendly with people while everyone was under recognition-altering disguises?
“Want…
some coffee?” Haeryeon stopped halfway through making coffee and looked toward Hyeon-yul.
He already looked exhausted from the morning’s socializing.
“I’m fine.
I only learned that there are quite a lot of people here.” At Hyeon-yul’s answer, Shinwoo, who had arrived earlier, stared at Haeryeon in shock.
Team Leader.
You put Nayun with him?
With Hyeon-yul?
His expression said everything, and only then did Haeryeon look awkward.
She had been too distracted by Dojin.
In a way, Nayun and Hyeon-yul were polar opposites.
“Hey, Baek Shinwoo.
Why are you looking at the Team Leader like that?
You think I ate Hyeon-yul or something?” “You only talked a little, right?” When Shinwoo asked, Nayun rolled her eyes.
“…Of course.
I only talked a little by my standards.
It’s just that I know a lot of people.” Hyeon-yul was inwardly shocked by her answer.
‘That was…
only a little?’ “Hyeon-yul, come with me for a moment.” The instant Haeryeon saw his stiffening expression, she urgently beckoned him over.
Hyeon-yul followed her into a room without changing his rigid expression.
“It’s about the information on Shin Daeho you gave me yesterday.” “I’m sorry.
I’ll correct it.” The apology came out by reflex, startling Haeryeon enough that she waved both hands.
“…N-no.
That’s not it.” “You weren’t going to point out something I got wrong?” “We’re still cross-checking it, so how could I point out an error already?
And even if something were wrong, I wouldn’t call you in just to criticize you.
I brought you here because of the meeting that was scheduled suddenly before you left yesterday.” “The revote?” “So you heard after all.
Yes, there was a revote.
A situation like this will never be allowed to happen again, so…” “I’ll handle the matter related to Shin Daeho.” “What?” “Didn’t people say things during the revote about proving trust and all that?” Those comments would probably stop only after everyone involved had gone cold.
Hyeon-yul flexed his fingers while wondering who he should kill first.
“That was all bullshit, so you don’t need to care about it.
After the result of this revote, that kind of talk will disappear.” “I’m sorry, but I don’t agree.
I know people will keep talking.
If that’s going to happen, it would be faster for me to show them directly.” Hyeon-yul spoke as though this kind of harassment were nothing new to him.
Haeryeon pressed hard between her brows, then lowered her hand.
Just how much had he been put through?
“Hyeon-yul.” “Yes.” “If people keep talking, I’ll deal with it.” Haeryeon’s dark brown eyes sharpened immediately.
“I said I’ll crush it myself.
So Hyeon-yul, think about yourself instead.
You need time to adjust.” Why would she do something like that?
Hyeon-yul could not easily accept either her words or her attitude.
His own problems were supposed to be his responsibility.
Still, Hyeon-yul gave a light smile in response.
If he could not understand something, it was easier to cover the awkwardness with a smile.
“Understood.
There’s also something I need to tell you.
Is now all right?” “Go ahead.” “Two days ago, a villain came to see me.
It was after you sent me that text message.” “…What?” Haeryeon stared in shock.
A villain had come to him?
“…You didn’t move?
No, wait, I never told you that.
What the hell was I thinking?” Haeryeon’s face twisted, and she grabbed her voluminous permed hair with both hands.
Ordinarily, there was no need for a new Black Eagle to move homes, but Hyeon-yul was different.
He had a history of working for villain-run companies.
Of course someone would come to the address they already knew.
“I assumed villains would stop approaching once they learned I joined Black Eagle.
I suppose that was too simple.” “How would a villain know Hyeon-yul joined Black Eagle?
That’s the bigger problem.” “Is it?” “Of course.
Why do you think the smartwatch carries magic that blurs people’s recognition of us?” “Then I think this is a good opportunity to identify villains hiding inside the organization, or people cooperating with them.” Hyeon-yul smiled, and Haeryeon looked slightly surprised.
‘Did he hear my conversation with Leader Dojin?
No.’ There was no way he could have.
He had definitely been walking with Nayun.
‘Then did he already predict these strange movements inside the organization on his own?’ He was clearly far from an ordinary recruit.
It made Haeryeon wonder what kind of position Hyeon-yul had held in the past and what kind of work he had actually done.
A spark of genuine interest appeared in her eyes.
“That’s true.
It is a good opportunity.” “Organizations with perfectly clean interiors are rare.
I can help you with this.” Hyeon-yul wanted to prove his usefulness.
Haeryeon was his team leader and, if necessary, someone who could stand between him and danger.
He wanted to put at least one favor in the bank.
Hyeon-yul handed over the business card he had received earlier.
“What is this…?” “Don’t touch it.
It’s coated with poison.” “Poison?
…You said poison?” “Yes.
There’s nothing on either side except a phone number.” “They coated a…
business card with poison?” Haeryeon’s eyebrow visibly twitched at the thought.
Where had she heard of something like that?
‘…Ah.’ Everyone who sought to bring down the Empire was broadly called a villain, but naturally there were leaders even among villains.
Each of those figures had a title.
‘The Poison King.’ Haeryeon’s fingers tensed around the edge of the card.
He was one of the major villains.
That meant the Poison King himself had tried to recruit Hyeon-yul.
“The Poison King…
approached you personally through his people?” Haeryeon asked in a hollow voice.
How did any of this make sense?