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Chapter 66
The next day, Kim Sangyoon rolled up in front of my house with a black sports car I hadn’t seen before.
As I rode in his car, I recalled the phone call from yesterday…Ahn’s VIP ward seemed to be more famous for providing premium luxury medical and accommodation services rather than caring for high-risk patients who need intensive care. An Ahn hospital existed outside of the hub as well–their VIP ward housed entertainers and politicians who wanted to take a few days off for medical checkups.
During that call, the comments that flowed out of the ward manager’s mouth created a picture that was reminiscent of a luxurious resort rather than a hospital. Kim Sangyoon had asked me quietly, “How many days do you think you’ll need?”
Seo Dawon, who had been listening, said, “I think two nights and three days will be enough.”
I relayed what he said, and Kim Sangyoon told the manager to reserve a room for two people for two nights and hung up.
Kim Sangyoon’s attitude seemed quite rude as the ward manager wasn’t finished explaining…But, we weren’t close enough for me to point that out…On the contrary, after speaking so bluntly with the other man, he politely asked me “What time should I bring the car tomorrow?” It was quite amazing how he could quickly turn his attitude around.
You really can’t know the human heart……As expected, Kim Sangyoon hadn’t personally changed; it’s just that our positions in the hierarchy have reversed.
“I think we’d better get there early. Please come tomorrow morning at eight.”
“Yes.”
So today, Kim Sangyoon arrived, wearing casual clothes and driving a flat, black sports car.
The sunglasses and the flamboyant shirt on his body made him look like a gangster, but when he quickly stepped onto the porch, personally opened the door, and waited outside for me…he acted a bit like Lackey.
Jung Garam eyed the scene as if he were looking at an idiot. “All the doors are automatic anyway, this is super extra.” 1
“I guess he wants to look good in front of Lee kyung-ie.” Seo Dawon said.
“But Choi Lee-kyung looks like he’d rather run away?”
Of course, just as Jung Garam said, I was extremely uncomfortable with Kim Sangyoon’s royal treatment.
Even when he was calling for a VIP room yesterday, he didn’t talk like someone asking for favors from another…Even if he takes care of me as if he truly cherishes me right now…if the contract ends, I may be facing assassination…
“Um, so…”
“Yes?”
“I wondered…if you’ve had breakfast. If you’re hungry, please eat this.” As soon as Kim Sangyoon fastened his seat belt, he offered me bread and a warm latte.
I couldn’t refuse such kindness, so I passed him my thanks and slowly placed the bread to my lips. I’m so confused. Is this just more inevitable kowtowing because of the contract? It’s too obvious a flattery for that…
“Lee-kyung-ie’s taking things seriously again.”
“……”
I made eye contact with Seo Dawon through the rearview mirror. He smiled and spoke condescendingly as if he perceived my inner struggles. “Is it because Kim Sangyoon is feeling anxious?”
“Huh? Why?” Jung Garam wondered quietly, as he looked out of the window.
“Kim Sangyoon is tied to Lee-kyung-ie through a [vow of submission].  All that effort to look good in front of his master is because of that contract.”
“Oh…..I just thought Choi Lee-kyung’s taste lied in rice-cake like men like him.” 2
Is he crazy?
I glared at Jung Garam, trying to compel him to shut up.
But, he snorted at me instead, “If you’re really that nervous, you can just kill him before the end of the contract. Do you want me to do it for you?”
“…….” Of course, I ignored his words and looked forward…but Seo Dawon and Jung Garam sometimes…Those two often treated people like tools to use and dispose of. Though it wasn’t my life on the line, the hairs on the back of my neck still rose in fear.
To be honest…I think Kim Sangyoon and I are in a similar situation. It’s just that I’m more useful than him…
This anxiety has probably been growing ever since Seo Dawon took possession of my body and fought with Lackey.
To me, Lackey is like family; I would never have entertained the thought of breaking its shoulder–like he did–and using Lackey’s arm like a handheld weapon. Even though I knew that Lackey was an undead servant and that amount of damage wouldn’t cause it pain.
I couldn’t fight like that……But Seo Dawon… He easily broke it off and easily utilized it. It’s as if he’s asking why I care about everything so much in the pursuit of my goal……
The Red Lotus guys in the back seat may think I’m wary of Kim Sangyoon but…The part I’m wary of is not about the possibility of him suddenly turning on me after the contract ends. I was warier of growing emotionally tangled with the man. And that feeling grows worse the more these two servants relentlessly speak scathingly of the poor Warrior……
“Uh, if you’re feeling bored, shall I turn on some music?”
“…..yes….well.”
When Kim Sangyoon asked if I’d like some music, I thought it was such a relief. Thoughts begin to multiply in the quiet.
As soon as I nodded, he pressed the touchpad with his huge, bear-like hands. His finger pressed the triangle play button, and a loud bang roared through the huge amplifier.
But why was the volume turned up so high? Does he have a reason to rupture his eardrums? Lackey, face snug in my embrace, jolted at the thunderous noise.
“I-I’m sorry.” At my surprise, Kim Sangyoon hurried to lower the volume, cold sweat running down his back.
Jung Garam, in the back seat, said, “This bastard…he’s the type to roll his windows down and blast obnoxious music.” I had to agree with that evaluation.
The music that was being played had a very fast, pop-y beat…I’m not particularly proficient in English, but I could clearly hear ‘Fuck!!‘ interspersed throughout the song.
Haah…as expected: hip-hop genre…
However, when I saw Kim Sangyoon tap his fingers to the beat on the steering wheel, I just closed my eyes. Let’s not talk anymore…
“Shall I lay you down?” Kim Sangyoon must have interpreted my closed eyes as exhaustion.
Well, I didn’t mind leaning back, but there were two people in the back seat. I shook my head. The two in the back were souls so they wouldn’t obstruct the chair, but it would be cumbersome to see that kind of visual.
Kim Sangyoon rambled, “No, I-I didn’t mean anything else…It’s not about…It’s just purely…Um, you just looked so tired….”
“…….What?” I asked.
“Ah….It’s nothing.”
What was that? I looked at Kim Sangyoon, confused, but he simply looked stiffly forward, cold sweat trickling down his forehead.
What did he mean by other intentions? After thinking a little, I turned my head, unwilling to ponder more–something correlated with sports cars and reclined seats.
I didn’t want to think about it anymore.
* * *
Fortunately, the awkward atmosphere did not last long.
The hospital was closer to my home than I had thought. And because we were heading towards the VIP ward–Ahn Hospital’s medical resort complex–there was no traffic on the road.
After checking in at the security office at the entrance, we drove for five minutes alongside a straight forest road. Soon, we arrived in front of a picturesque, red building.
The building’s iron gates gently swung open from the middle before the car could pull up inside. Inside, there was a roundabout with a fountain in the middle and a central building fitted with a lobby. We parked the car near that building.
“Welcome! You’re Kim Sangyoon-nim, right? My name is Lee Sang-tae, the person in charge of your reservation for the luxury room.” As we got out of the car, ten employees in gray uniforms and the suited manager welcomed us, as if they had been waiting for our arrival.
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Kim Sangyoon nodded his head without much of a reply; he seemed like he was used to this sort of treatment. Of course, ever since my body grew hair, it’s the first time I’ve ever experienced such luxurious service at a resort like this.
As I stared, frazzled at the sights, I heard Jung Garam and Seo Dawon’s conversation behind me.
“Four guards on the way. There are about five armed users alone on this floor. All five are keeping an eye on Kim Sangyoon.”
“I think the fourth woman from the front is also a skilled fighter–about as strong as Kim Sangyoon?”
“Yeah. I included her.”
At their words, I jolted back into an alert state.
I didn’t have time to look around in awe, I needed to quickly find Koo Hui-seo. So, while chasing after the staff guiding us to our room, I tried my hardest to memorize the surrounding terrain.
TL: Let the awkwardness continue~ Also Seo Dawon’s going to have a word soon enough about all this flirting–and right in front of his salad, too.
Footnotes
in Korean, 오버 or ‘over,’ is the same as ‘extra’ in English. Basically a man malleable like rice cake.