Chapter 49

049 – Prisoners Are Too Strong #2

The basement, which had previously felt rather spacious, now seemed cramped with three people inside.

The problem was that the two women were also noisy, chattering away.

“I’m drinking this water. You’ll starve, Yu Yeo-reum.”

Seugal was gulping down the water from the PT bottle in front of Yu Yeo-reum, making it look like an advertisement scene.

Her thin, white neck resembled that of a swan.

Of course, Seugal’s personality was closer to a fierce fox rather than an elegant swan.

Seugal had been oddly excited since Yeo-reum was kidnapped. That was likely because Seugal herself had requested Yeo-reum’s abduction and couldn’t hide her joy.

When you think about it, Seugal’s kidnapping was also her own doing—she had commissioned it herself.

Perhaps Seugal had some kinky s*xual preferences involving requesting abductions. That suspicion came to mind.

It could happen.

After all, there are gentlemen who like being whipped, and abduction fetishes are a fairly common interest.

Anyway…

Seugal thoroughly enjoyed watching Yeo-reum in distress, stealing her food or eating her meals herself.

What a nasty girl.

“And you smell!”

Of course, Yeo-reum hadn’t been able to shower for several days since being locked up, so it was natural for her to have an odorous scent.

Without any windows in the basement, it was difficult to ventilate.

Yeo-reum scowled, clearly feeling humiliated by Seugal.

“Do you like this?”

“It’s so much fun! I was feeling unjust because I was the only one getting kidnapped and locked up by some weirdo, but now that I have a companion, I’m so happy and enjoying myself.”

Since being captured by me, Yeo-reum had been completely downcast.

She growled low like a wounded beast.

Now, her anger had shifted from Seugal to me.

“Hanamjin. Let me out. Why are you doing this? I thought you were kind and a good person. So, everything until now was a lie?”

Indeed, the revelation that I, Hanamjin, who surpassed even Class D’s leader Jeong Yi-seon in looks, intelligence, good interpersonal relationships, and even pleasant scent, was a notorious kidnapper, was quite a shocking twist.

If my true identity were revealed, it would cause a much bigger ripple than when the leader of Class D was exposed as the Judge.

I mean, the people might burst into a group breakdance out of sheer shock and sadness.

“So, Yeo-reum, are you starving again today?”

I had prepared ketchup ramen for Yeo-reum.

Though the bowl was empty, it wasn’t because Yeo-reum had eaten it but because Seugal had eaten it all.

Seugal seemed to enjoy taking the portion meant for Yeo-reum.

“I already told you, I can’t eat food.”

Frowning sharply, Yeo-reum spoke truthfully.

She had trouble chewing solid food and swallowing it.

“Trauma? Some kind of food-related trauma?”

“I won’t tell a criminal like you.”

Yeo-reum’s heart, which had once been open to me like an unfolded shellfish, had now become as solid and heavy as a fortress. Still, it was clear that there was a reason why Yeo-reum disliked eating food.

Perhaps her limit was liquid food.

Usually, the concept of “photosynthesis” allowed her to absorb nutrients from sunlight, so there hadn’t been an issue.

But after being locked in the basement and not seeing sunlight for days, Yeo-reum was effectively drained.

Thus, she had been starving for a few days and could have collapsed from exhaustion. However, the unique stamina of an Awakened One kept her energetic.

“Yeo-reum, you’re not secretly eating something without me knowing, are you? Or do you store excess nutrients somewhere in your body?”

“Where? The pile of fat attached to her chest?”

Seugal’s laugh echoed brightly.

Naturally, Yeo-reum frowned deeply and turned her back, lying on her mattress.

Apparently, she had nothing more to say to me.

—

# # #

Somewhere in a dark briefing room.

The head of the Superhuman Management Office, Kim Jang-dong, had an unusually heavy and stiff expression on his face.

This was because the man presenting the report in front of him was someone incredibly important.

Han Seung-gwan, the head of the newly established high-ranking department, was currently one of the most influential figures in the current administration and the first contributor to the constitutional amendment and the president’s re-election. His nickname was “Little President.”

Han Seung-gwan’s face had lately been as gloomy and sad as the rainy season.

“Director Kim, is there any new information regarding the disappearances of Ms. Seugal and Ms. Yu Yeo-reum? And if you’re going to apologize again today, just turn around and leave.”

“…”

“Director Kim! The unprecedented disappearance of the daughter of the opposition leader and the daughter of the largest backer of the ruling party is something unprecedented in Korean history! I’m telling you to consider every possibility!”

Bangbangbang!

Although Han Seung-gwan was angrily hitting the table, the corners of his mouth were slightly relaxed inwardly.

Because things were unfolding in his favor.

For the past ten years, the “Seonam Group,” which had supported the ruling party, had grown too big to control.

Even though he had split their group and nurtured the “Emperor” subsidiary to keep the dog they raised from biting them, it still wasn’t enough to control the megacorp that Seonam was becoming.

But with “Seugal’s” disappearance, all of Seonam’s projects had halted.

The private security team they were planning with Seugal as the center was also left suspended in the air.

“If their security team had been completed, our necks would’ve been in danger.”

Han Seung-gwan had already experienced firsthand how dangerous and terrifying a group of exceptional Awakened Ones could be through “The Villains.” If a company had such military power, their influence in the country would grow even more.

“The timing of Yeo-reum’s disappearance was good too.”

Yoo Dogwan, the opposition leader, was an adversary that constantly clashed with the current administration.

To top it off, his adopted daughter “Yu Yeo-reum” was a promising star among the Awakened Ones, known as “Invincible.”

The fact that the opposition leader had such asymmetric power that could strike at national facilities and key positions alone was already a significant threat.

But now that issue had been resolved due to Yeo-reum’s disappearance.

“It’s going too well. Could it be that someone from our side gave a direct order? Everything’s turning out too favorably for us, which is strange.”

Han Seung-gwan took off his glasses and pressed his dry eyes with his thumb and index finger.

His conclusion, as always, was formalistic.

“Director Kim, continue the investigation as you are. If you find new information or discover something worth noting, report it immediately. Just avoid mornings; feel free to call me personally at any other time.”

“Yes.”

“Oh, by the way, about that student you’re keeping an eye on. What was his name? That boy from the N-Mart victim’s family who grew up in hardship. His name rhymes with a singer, doesn’t it?”

“Nam Jin?”

“That’s right. Nam Jin. Jin. He’s been trending these days, hasn’t he? He took down Yeomra and Pinocchio. Thanks to him, our prestige in establishing the heroics school has improved. How about we assign him a task?”

“Assign what?”

“Tsk, what a lack of intuition! That’s why you’re still just a director!”

“I’m sorry… So, what task are you referring to, Chief?”

“I’m talking about finding the missing students! It seems like the friendship or romance between students from the same school would make for a great story, doesn’t it? Sounds perfect for a drama.”

“Ah…”

“Hm, that’s good. Go ahead and proceed then.”

“Ah…”

“Haven’t you heard that he even captured and imprisoned the son of Principal Jung? What a useful tool. Hmm, I could even invite him here after graduation and put him to use. What do you think?”

“But, Chief. Nam Jin-he’s a… special management target, so I think bringing him here might be a bit excessive. Security issues and…”

“Special management target? What’s the story? Are his parents communists? A south-sent spy? If it’s not any of that, why should there be security issues?”

“Please, Chief… could you come closer?”

Muttering quietly, Kim’s words caused Han Seung-gwan’s expression to crumple.

As if he’d heard something he shouldn’t have.

“…Who else knows about this matter besides you?”

“Right now, including myself and you, there are three people who know.”

“Don’t tell anyone else about this student… Let’s just keep it this way. Just keep it as it is.”

Nodding deeply, Director Kim left. Han Seung-gwan wiped the cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

It felt like all his bl**d had gone cold.

The sharp edge of a blade pressed against his neck.

Opening a drawer, he retrieved a deeply hidden document and placed it in the trash bin.

Fwoosh—!

Igniting the lighter, the document began burning.

“Awakening Control Act.”

“Backlash against human rights laws—intentional incidents—shock—”

“N-Mart—number of victims—”

“—Final confirmed person—Tae-geon—”

Many words disappeared, swallowed by the red flames.

“Is fate really a thing?”

—

# # #

“Hanamjin, congratulations. You’ll never d*e peacefully since you’ve abducted the daughter of a chairman and the daughter of a congresswoman. You’ll get packed into a drum and become a concrete cake without anyone knowing.”

In the evening, Seugal taunted me mercilessly.

The idea of me dying was ridiculous.

“Flowers bloom every ten years.”

Anyway, in a world that’s going to end in a year, what good is it being the daughter of a chairman or a congresswoman? It’s all meaningless.

The real gem is that my ketchup container is rechargeable, practically giving me infinite ketchup. That’s true power and strength.

Unknowing, Seugal shook her head and kept complaining.

“Flowers can also bloom every thousand years. Look at President Nam Tae-geon. He changed the constitution to allow presidential re-election and is planning for succession to follow.”

“President succession?”

Several days of constant irritation and anger faded into interest as soon as Yeo-reum heard the conversation. The idea of presidential succession was really ridiculous.

Are we in North Korea or something?

Anyway, the night grew pitch black.

Shwoooooosh!

Just in time, it began raining, hiding the moon behind the clouds. I saw it as my opportunity.

“Let’s go, Yeo-reum, let’s bathe.”

“What? sh*t, what are you talking about?”

Yeo-reum didn’t even get a word in before Seugal protested.

“You’re the one who said Yeo-reum smelled. Since the moon won’t rise tonight, I’ll give her a thorough shower and change her clothes. If possible, I want to do it every night.”

“Hey! There’s no way! Don’t you remember, I didn’t get any of that stuff! You b*stard! Hey! You discriminatory b*stard! If you’re going to do it, bring me along, too!”

Seugal reacted as if she had stepped into a trap.

But what a cute scene when she throws a tantrum!

“Seugal, don’t you have “Lady-like”? Thanks to it, you don’t need to bathe or use the bathroom, right? But Yeo-reum doesn’t have that convenience, so there’s nothing we can do.”

“Then just give her my concept! To Yeo-reum! Give her what I have!”

Giving Yeo-reum “Lady-like”?

What an interesting story.

“Then what are you planning to do afterward?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’ll awaken to a new concept! Something like “Angel” or “Fairy” would suffice. Anyway! I’ll grant Yeo-reum my concept, so don’t bathe her!”

It’s not fair that only Yeo-reum gets to shower, so she wants Yeo-reum to not get the shower either.

It’s not a win-win but rather a lose-lose.

It’s like when crabs are placed in a basket, if one tries to escape, the others pull it down.

But if Seugal gives her concept to Yeo-reum, and Seugal fills the void with another concept…

Wouldn’t this repetitive process make Seugal even stronger?

“Can you really transfer your concept?”

Yeo-reum’s eyes widened.

Come to think of it, Seugal’s ability to transfer concepts to others was our secret. Now Yeo-reum knows as well.

“I can’t transfer it to just anyone. I have to know the person well. To the extent that I trust them. So, Yeo-reum, you’re out.”

Out? Then Yeo-reum won’t be getting “Lady-like.”

So, it’s best to take her to the surface every day and bathe her.

“Let’s go, Yeo-reum.”

“…”

“Yaaaaaah! d*mn you, Hanamjin!”

Ignoring Seugal’s struggling, I brought Yeo-reum up to the surface.

I was slightly worried that Super Girl Yeo-reum might break free from the handcuffs and run off, but her strength had drained from lack of sunlight and food.

The handcuffs came from Noodle Ramen’s sister.

Since I often fight 3rd-class wanted criminals, I thought these might come in useful in such cases.

—Yingyingyaing.

When we entered the house, Yining was sitting in the living room.

Yeo-reum’s body twitched slightly.

“…”

Zeeeeeee.

When Yeo-reum saw Yining, her eyes glowed red for a moment but it passed quickly.

“Yeo-reum, he’s a good Demon Beast, so don’t torment him.”

“There’s no such thing as a good Demon Beast. You not only abduct people but also secretly keep a Demon Beast. Scoundrel Hanamjin, you’re worse than the terrorists of Bilernaz.”

Calling me Jin-ah so affectionately before and now calling me a Monster Hanamjin, I’m clearly hated.

In that case, it’s better to wholeheartedly play the role of the bad guy.

“Well then, Yeo-reum, go inside the bathroom and take off your clothes. I’ll wash you.”

“……!!!!”

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