129 – 129. Concluding the Great War
Ji Ye-won spoke candidly about her only friend, Kim Min-ah.
From when the two of them were very young to the orphanage run by the Rising Corps, to the present day.
The contents were the first thing even Kang Ha-neul and Ahn Su-ho had heard of.
Ji Ye-won’s eyes were dimly locked as she calmly continued her story. Her memories of those days were not all happy. But she was one of the precious memories.
Kim Min-ah was the only person Ji Ye-won opened her heart to until she met Ahn Su-ho. There was no way that her memories with Kim Min-a would not be precious.
So the story about Kim Min-ah was also a story about Ji Ye-won. Ahn Su-ho and Kang Ha-neul indirectly experienced Ji Ye-won’s life through her mouth.
Abandoned by her parents, she was raised as a spy for a criminal organization.
A life in which she could not love anyone and was not loved by anyone.
However, thanks to the one person who knew and cared for me, my life was not as painful as it was.
The story eventually reached the point where the two betrayed the Dawn by stealing the Talisman. From there, Ahn Su-ho knew the story, but she did not stop talking. It was because of Kang Ha-neul that this story started in the first place.
In this way, Ji Ye-won’s story continued a little longer, and it finally ended with Min Chae-ryeong entrusting Ji Ye-won with a mission using Kim Min-ah’s information as an excuse.
“…… That’s pretty much it. Now you know what kind of girl Minah is, right?”
Compared to Kang Ha-neul’s simple question about who Kim Min-ah is, it was an overly lengthy explanation.
It wouldn’t have been difficult for Kang Ha-neul to understand the conversation that would follow if he briefly explained it as ‘a precious friend who betrayed the dawn together’.
However, Ji Ye-won spoke at length about her Min-a Kim and about her own life as if to confess.
The reason was complicated. It was a story I was going to tell Ahn Su-ho someday, so I had a feeling that it just went well, and I also thought that there would be nothing wrong with talking to Kang Ha-neul since we will be close from now on. She must have been emotional because of the alcohol she drank earlier.
“…… Black. Whoa…… !”
Also, Kang Ha-neul was also emotionally affected by alcohol. Wiping away her tears, she said in a trembling voice.
“Sister… …. I’m sorry for saying something harsh earlier. I didn’t even know that my sister had such a sad story…….”
Not expecting such a reaction, Yewon Ji nodded her head with her shy face. Kang Ha-neul, wiping away the flowing tears, said things like how pitiful Kim Min-ah was and how Min Chae-ryeong was a bastard. It seemed that he deeply sympathized with Ji Ye-won’s story.
“So. Now that you’ve returned from your surveillance mission for Naju, did Min Chae-ryeong tell you her information about Kim Min-ah?”
“Right. Last night she called and told me where Minah was.”
“Where is it?”
At Ahn Su-ho’s question, Ji Ye-won exhaled deeply.
“The Seoul Branch of the Ryeojindan.”
At those words, Suho Ahn held his breath as if he was nervous.
Seoul Branch of the Ryeomendan. A place that actually functions as the headquarters of the Dawning Corps, replacing the headquarters where even the members of the organization do not know where it is.
Befitting its status, the Seoul branch was also the background for the episode of the Rising Sun in the latter half of the original story. That said, it meant that the sides of the villains there were never easy.
“Are you sure?”
“The information that Min Chaeryeong obtained from interrogating Yoo Hyeon-ho, who is imprisoned in the basement of the safe house. I think the credibility is high.”
If the source of the information is Min Chae-ryeong as the interrogator to the Ryoondan executive, then there is little chance that it is false information. Ahn Su-ho also agreed with that opinion.
“But Yewon. I hope you ask You’re not saying you’re going to get it right now, are you?”
However, Ahn Su-ho was worried because the information was highly reliable. I’m afraid that Ji Ye-won will rush to save her precious friend.
“…… I feel like I want to do that right now. Of course it won’t. If I went head-on by myself, it would almost certainly be a dog’s death.”
In order to save Kim Min-ah, certain preparations are needed. Ahn Soo-ho was relieved by the unexpectedly rational answer.
“If they still have Mina alive, it’s probably because of Mina’s psychic powers. Because the ability to store space is an ability that criminal organizations can use infinitely.”
Minah Kim’s psychic ability to store space is divided into two abilities. One is the ability to store her items in Mina Kim’s sub-space, like her game’s inventory, and the other is the ability to install such sub-space in a specific place and use it with her key.
The former was a skill specialized in transporting illegal items such as drugs or illegal weapons, while the latter was perfect for hiding such items. Even the things stored in space storage can only be taken out with her superpower, so there is no need to get caught by the police.
It would have been a waste for the Dawning Team to give up such a convenient psychic power. That’s why she kept Mina Kim alive. However, Ji Ye-won’s thoughts went one step further.
“If it was because of her psychic powers that kept Mina alive, I wouldn’t have locked her up at all. He probably takes her outside periodically to use her abilities. She has to aim for that time to save her Minah.”
Minah Kim must be there to move things to the subspace. It is said that opening the sub-space installed outside can be done with a ‘key’ as in the case of Ji Ye-won, but Kim Min-a’s help will be needed for the first installation.
Ji Ye-won was keeping an eye on her Seoul branch, and in that way, she wanted to rescue her at her timing when Min-a Kim came out of her. Of course, even that would be impossible with Ji Ye-won alone, but that was the premise anyway.
However.
“… ….”
Ahn Soo-ho’s expression began to darken after hearing Ji Ye-won’s words. He looks at Ji Ye-won with a hesitant gaze.
‘Can I tell you this?’
A possibility popped into his mind. For Ji Ye-won, it was the possibility that her heart could be hurt just by hearing it. That’s why Ahn Su-ho hesitated to mention that possibility.
‘…… No, I guess it’s right.’
However, he shook his head and thought so. Even if it was an unpleasant story from Ji Ye-won’s point of view, I had to point out what I needed to point out.
“…… If the dawn team kept Mina Kim alive to use her space storage, how is the dawn team using Mina Kim’s psychic powers?”
“… ….”
At that question, Ji Ye-won bit her lip. Possibility that anyone can think of. It wasn’t that Ji Ye-won hadn’t thought about that problem either.
“Only you can use superpowers. At least, as far as I know, there is no way to steal someone else’s psychic powers or force them to use them.”
“…… He must be threatening with his life. Or that drugs or other psychic powers have brainwashed them into being obedient and obedient.”
Ji Ye-won said with an expression that she didn’t want to even mention it.
It’s better if it’s intimidation, but in the worst case, you might lose your mind and lose your mind due to brainwashing or hypnosis.
“…… Even if Mina doesn’t remember me, I will save her.”
However, for Ji Ye-won, that was not an important issue. Her mind was full of all she wanted to do was save a friend from being unfairly held by the Dawning. She had the reason not to attack the Seoul branch right away, but that didn’t mean her heart that cherished Mina Kim went anywhere.
However.
“…… If the.”
The ‘worst’ that Ahn Su-ho thought was one step further than Ji Ye-won’s assumption.
“What would Mina Kim do if she hadn’t been threatened, brainwashed, or hypnotized?”
“…… What?”
“Brother. What does that mean? If she hadn’t been intimidated or brainwashed, there would be no way the Dawning Corps would be able to use the abilities of that Mina Kim, right?”
“Hey, Ahn Soo-ho. You can’t do it now…….”
Unlike Kang Ha-neul, who couldn’t grasp the inner meaning of Ahn Su-ho’s question, Ji Ye-won looked at Ahn Su-ho with trembling eyes. Various emotions rise and fall in those eyes.
Ahn Suho’s mouth fell open. Yewon Ji didn’t want to hear her words coming out of her mouth. Ahn Su-ho also didn’t say it because he wanted to say something.
“If only.”
But it was a possibility she had to speak out and a possibility she had to listen to. As if Ahn Su-ho was unwilling, she asked again.
“What would you do if Mina Kim was voluntarily cooperating, not intimidating or brainwashing?”
At that question, Kang Ha-neul gave a short exclamation. At the same time, Ji Ye-won’s expression is painfully distorted.
A possibility he never wanted to think about.
It was possible that Minah Kim was cooperating with her Dawning Corps through her own volition, not her external factors. In other words, the possibility that she, along with Ji Ye-won, betrayed her Dawn Team and turned back to the Dawn Team side.
Saving Kim Min-a was a story that would only be established if she was not in her Dawning short story. Of course, if she’s attached to her Dawning, her rescue won’t work. In the worst case, it was said that Kim Min-a might have become Ji Ye-won’s ‘enemy’.
“…… I know. Really, what should I do?”
Ji Ye-won bitterly spat out at the possibility that she hadn’t even thought of. Kang Ha-neul also bit her lips with a solemn face.
“The chances of that happening are slim. Like you said, she’s probably using Mina Kim’s superpowers in other ways, whether it’s intimidation or brainwashing. But at least the probability is not zero. It’s good to be prepared.”
If Mina Kim joins her Dawning squad, if she does something wrong, her role as Ji Ye-Won may end up being captured by her Dawning squad while trying to save her. So she had to come up with a plan just in case.
However, that wasn’t the only meaning Ahn Suho said.
A more fundamental, emotional problem than that.
Make up your mind in case you run into Kim Min-ah as her enemy rather than her friend. Ahn Su-ho added that softly.
“…… Okay. I will.”
Ji Ye-won answered weakly and lowered her head. In his gaze, he saw a glass of wine that was still half left. She drank the rest of her drink in one gulp without she delaying.
My throat stings with the spicy scent. The ominous thoughts in my head are a little blurred by that sting.
“Don’t worry about that! Because that won’t happen In the betrayal of the Ryeojindan, did Mina Kim come first before Yewon’s sister? You said you took the lead? There’s no way someone like that would voluntarily join the Dawning! Sue, even if it was, she must be pretending that she’s turned to the Dawning because she’s definitely up to something! To stop the Dawning Team’s plan, destroy it from the inside out! What, that, like that?”
Kang Ha-neul, who had noticed the two of them, spoke brightly on purpose to change the atmosphere. Ji Ye-won laughed as she watched Kang Ha-neul talking nonsense halfway through the alcohol and tension.
“Yes. You’re right. Thank you.”
“Yes! For now, let’s just focus on rescuing Mina Kim!”
Ji Ye-won was very surprised that her rival, who had been glaring at her just a few hours ago, was now comforting her. She said with a slightly brightened expression on her face.
“If we want to know the timing of Mina’s coming out, we have to set up surveillance at the Seoul branch. For that part, Min Chaeryeong agreed to cooperate. She said that she, too, seems to have plans against the Dawning. Step… ….”
Ji Ye-won lowered her gaze slightly. On the table was the Cross of Cold Flame, which was returned to Ahn Soo-ho.
“To get more information from Chaeryeong Min, she has to do what Chaeryeong Min tells her to do. Just like she was put on a surveillance mission for Naju this time. I don’t know when that will be……. Well, until then, I’m going to enjoy a short break. She decided to accept it again at the store where she worked before. She should go back to former guitarist and part-time job Ye Ji-won.”
Ji Ye-won, speaking with a detached attitude, leaned her back on the bed. Her expression as she stared blankly at the ceiling in her drunkenness was creeping up.
“Ji Ye-won.”
Her Ahn Soo-ho, who couldn’t leave her like that, called her.
“Huh? Why?”
“I’m talking about old women, but don’t do anything reckless. Got it?”
“I said something… …. Don’t worry. I don’t know if it was before, but since I started dating you, I won’t risk my life recklessly anymore.”
“…… I’m relieved to say so. But.”
Ahn Soo-ho looked at Ji Ye-won with a determined expression.
“If you really need to do something reckless, then ask me for help. Don’t try to solve it all by yourself. If you ask me, I will help you unconditionally.”
‘Because if it’s your request, I’ll help you unconditionally.’
With that one word, Yewon Ji felt that a corner of her heart was strengthened. She never felt that those words were empty words.
“Thank you.”
Ji Ye-won gave a short greeting and smiled. Ahn Su-ho also smiled. Kang Ha-neul, caught in between, had a slightly uncomfortable face, but she decided to think that good is good.
“It’s getting late. Shall we finish here?”
Ji Ye-won looked at the watch and asked the two of them. It was past 10 o’clock at night, and Kang Ha-neul’s expression darkened.
“Why is that?”
“I thought it was bad to go back and study today. It’s really late, and I’ve been drinking too much, so I’m not in a condition to study.”
“Exams start next Monday, right? Then it’s the weekend, so isn’t it okay?”
Kang Ha-neul silently shook his head at Ahn Su-ho’s question.
“I decided to prepare for practical training with the members on the weekend. There’s a joint combat test on Monday. But the next day, there were only three theoretical subjects…….”
“You said you don’t care about grades, didn’t you?”
“That’s true, but they say that if your grades don’t come out too bad, your class will go down. I thought it would be better to stay in the first minute and a half if possible. Why what…… You know?”
Kang Ha-neul originally tried to get as far away from the original stage as possible so as not to get caught up in the events of the original, but it was different now. To help An Su-ho, she voluntarily wanted to stay in the 1st class with the lead actors.
However, as you can guess from the name, 1 and a half is the highest class. If she doesn’t get the grades she deserves, she will be demoted to a lower class in the second semester. So Kang Ha-neul was belatedly eager to study, and she tried to somehow remain in the first class, but it was not easy for her.
‘It can’t be helped. Unlike the other kids who prepared her hunter since high school, Haneul is studying as if she were heading to the ground.’
Ahn Su-ho himself had a hard time adapting to the common sense of this world when he was newly possessed. Ahn Soo-ho, who guessed the situation, looked at her with a pitiful expression.
At that time.
“If you are so worried about grades, can I help you?”
“Yes?”
Kang Ha-neul answered Ji Ye-won’s question. The look on her face that said she didn’t know why made her ask, ‘How do you help me with my studies?’
However.
“Even though I was like this, when I was infiltrating the academy, my grades were pretty good. She was consistently in the top 10 of her grade all four years.”
Unlike Kang Ha-neul’s perception, Ji Ye-won was an honor student. She is also an overwhelming honor student, one of the best in the grade level.
“Besides, most theoretical subjects come straight from genealogy. In the first year, monster ecology, dungeon taxonomy, and liberal arts world history? They are all subjects that have genealogy, do you really need them?”
“Sister…… !”
At that question, Kang Ha-neul grabbed Ji Ye-won’s hand tightly. It’s like meeting a savior in hell.
This is why universities should take good care of their seniors. Seeing the scene, Ahn Su-ho smiled.