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Chapter 143
I could not hide my flustered stance after suddenly running into two people affiliated with Bae Jaemin. Further, why did it have to be right when we’re pursuing Park Hoseok? I was worried that the plan may be ruined by this meeting.
So, after our brief greetings, I shut my mouth and forced a laugh at the woman who recognized me. Please, I’m begging you, just leave me…
“Who……?” However, the green-haired man glanced at me before speaking to the woman in his group. Looking at his face, it was clear that he found me somewhat familiar, but he didn’t seem to exactly remember my identity.
This was so bleak for someone like me who just wanted to pass through this unfortunate meeting by feigning ignorance. Of course, the woman who had no idea of my inner feelings, answered him with a smile, “A while ago–the one that spoke with our guildmaster…”
“With Jaemin-hyung?” The green-haired man who referred to Jaemin as a ‘hyung’ turned to me again; he seemed to be groping through his memories. After a brief moment, he exclaimed, “Ah!” before a slight frown adorned his face. Of course, when our eyes met again, he was expressionless.
Though his current expression was neutral, from his unfriendly attitude and wary eyes, I was convinced that the hostility I felt from him in the past was not an illusion.
‘Why on earth does this man hate me so much?’
I had no intention of being friendly with him either, but it’s not as if I’ve done anything to him yet. Seeing him hate me so much, I wondered if I’ve misstepped.
‘No way, it’s not possible, but… Does he know anything about my true colors?’
Wasn’t our ultimate goal Bae Jaemin’s downfall and death? If the person that appeared to be his closest confidant was wary of me, wouldn’t I fall under his suspicion for the following events?
So many things seemed to be going wrong, I became dispirited.
Suddenly, the green-haired man asked me, “Are you still in contact with Jaemin-hyung?”
“Huh? N-No…” I responded, reflexively shaking my head.
The green-haired man’s expressionless face instantaneously changed into a smiling face. Of course, he wasn’t pretending to be friendly… Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that his mood suddenly improved?
“Aha. Then, after receiving the business card at that time, you haven’t seen each other since then?” he asked.
“…Yes.”
Of course, there was that recent embarrassing encounter with Bae Jaemin in the VIP ward at the hospital, but there was no need to bring this matter up to the two of them.
After hearing my answer, the green-haired man’s face brightened; the woman with the sporty haircut, listening to our conversation nervously, finally gave a relieved smile as well. It seemed that both of them wanted me to have as little contact with Bae Jaemin as possible.
“Now that I think about it, hyung doesn’t suffer a big loss from not talking to you.”
The green-haired man definitely had an improved mood, but his hatred of me had not changed. It was exactly like he was trying to argue with me.
I didn’t want to reply to such childish comments from someone who appeared to be an adult; he must have judged that I had taken offense from the tightly shut mouth. With a happy chuckle on his lips, he turned towards me and spoke backhandedly, “I’m really sorry… This wasn’t why we ‘recognized’ you and came to talk to you.”
“Ah… Yes. Nothing’s wrong. It’s not your fault…” The woman who first approached me was the first to bow her head, embarrassed at the green-haired man’s attitude.
As soon as her companion moved away, her face turned red and she lowered her head. I shook my head, saying it was okay. In actuality, I wasn’t hurt by his arrogant attitude.
“He’s a bit sensitive regarding guildmaster Bae Jaemin’s matters. The two of them are close friends…’ 1
“…….”
I wasn’t really curious about any of that, nor did their closeness excuse his rudeness. But, it was too burdensome to continue talking to her; I smiled to convey I roughly understood her feelings.
After seeing my expression, she released a short sigh of relief; she then glanced at her green-haired companion that had walked away by himself, “Umm…Let’s talk more when we meet again.”
“…If we meet again.”
Like that, the woman turned and walked away. I slumped back down in my seat.
I looked at the servants who had been quiet all this while; all three of them had focused their gazes on the green-haired that moved far enough to be a dot in the distance.
I sighed, trying to regain their attention, “Hey. I don’t really care about them…You can’t harass him, okay?”
“I like punks that look like that,” Jung Garam said.
“What?”
However, Jung Garam continued to frown as he stared at the green-haired man. Shocked by those words, I tried to recall the green-haired’s face.
Of course, he wasn’t unattractive, but… his hair color was a bit weird, wasn’t it? No, thinking about it a bit more, I guess he had good skin? Does he like homely looks?
However, Jung Garam soon corrected my misunderstanding with a shady smile, “It’s the best when I see those kinds of guys crying and begging for their lives.”
“Haah…”
That’s right.
I pressed down strongly on Jung Garam’s head, breaking his line of sight. Perhaps because he died so regretfully while at the peak of his teenage angstiness2, he often said things like this. I had to disperse his focus.
“He’s like a squid guardian.” 3 This time, Kim Olim, who had been sitting solemnly, spoke. I was puzzled, unable to follow her line of thought, but Jung Garam, who began burrowing his face into my arms, just laughed and laughed.
“I wasn’t so sure last time, but I’ve got it now. He’s an Animist. Looking at his hair colour, he must be a wind or forest type specialist,” Seo Dawon said, identifying the green-haired guy’s class.
But, can you tell what class someone is just by their hair color? Well, that green color really was unusual; it was too exceptionally shiny to be a splatter dye job. I’ve heard that there are cases where a User’s class could change their appearance; it seems like this may be one such case…
Actually, I was more curious about the reason they came to Gimpo airport, more so than the green-haired’s class. After all, I wouldn’t want them to become an issue while we tried to capture Park Hoseok.
“No way…. Bae Jaemin isn’t going to come to Jeju Island too, right?” I asked.
“Bae Jaemin’s in Europe right now,” Kim Olim answered, immediately.
“Ooh…… Did Koo Hui-seo tell you that too?”
“No. I joined Bae Jaemin’s fan cafe.” 4 With that said, she dared to add that she signed up with my account. Of course, it was a natural thing to do in order to collect information, but…
“Don’t worry. It’s not a paid account.” 5 After looking at my ambiguous expression, she added those words. As if I would be concerned about that…
[Welcome passengers, XX Airline flight for Jeju will now start boarding. ]
The long-awaited boarding announcement finally arrived; I gave up–swallowing the words I wanted to say.
* * *
After just an hour, our flight landed at Jeju International Airport. Not long after arriving at the airport, I received a call from an unfamiliar number.
“Hello?”
[Ah, have you arrived?]
“Koo Hui-seo-ssi?”
[Yes.]
Unexpectedly, it was Koo Hui-seo. I took the phone off my ear for a moment and looked at the screen–it was an unknown number and not a stored one. I wondered if he had changed his contact, but, first, I thanked him for making it easy for us to reach Jeju Island. “Thanks to you, we arrived well.”
[I’ve already looked into a place for you to stay. It’s a villa that Kyungman-ie used, so the house is very pretty and scenic.]
There was a lull in the conversation; Olim, who overheard the call, nodded her head. That meant that I could accept it. Was it something they arranged beforehand?
“Thank you so much. I didn’t know you’d take care of us like this…”
[It’s nothing. The chauffeur will contact you soon. Feel free to spend your time freely before arriving.]
I expressed my brief gratitude and hung up before Koo Hui-seo could continue with the useless niceties. Next to me, Jung Garam murmured, “It seems like he noticed his number’s blocked.”
After milling about at the exit, I noticed the striking green hair once again. He glanced my way with his sunglasses-covered eyes, but he soon turned away from me and walked off. His companion, sporty hair-cut, followed after him.
For some reason, my eyes followed them until I received a call from the chauffeur and exited the airport. When I saw the exotic landscape dotted with palm trees, I suddenly thought of Lackey, who I couldn’t bring since we packed in such a hurry. Since Lackey was registered as a weapon for my class, I couldn’t bring it on the flight.
‘What a shame…’
If there were no major issues, the itinerary should be completed within two days, so we wouldn’t be away for long. I had also asked Kim Sangyoon to stop by my lodgings once a day.
‘Please, I hope things go as planned…’
TL: Koo Hui-seo trying his hardest pour some sugar on someone who already has supplied him with a lot of sugar. Similarly, I wonder how much certain classes in this world change you, both internally and externally.
Also! I reached 100 ratings on NovelUpdates! (Although the 100th rating was 1-star haha ^^; ) But thanks for the ratings and reviews guys.
Footnotes
절친 = abbreviation/slang for close friends or perhaps best friends. 중2병 = Eighth Grader Syndrome–the edginess and childishness that comes with being a teenage 지킴 = A sacred animal or object that is said to guard a house, a village, or a space. Fan cafes are online fan communities for celebrities. You’ll often get news on what they’re doing/where they’re heading etc. Often Celebs interact with the high level members of the cafe as well Paying members get higher ‘levels’ and are privy to more information and can access the celeb’s private selfies etc