This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 367

It felt like someone was pressing down hard on my shoulder.

The atmosphere was that awkward.

That’s why I used the excuse of needing to go to the bathroom to escape to the rest area.

I was already dying from the cold sweat that was running down my back, so I didn’t want to endure the pain of that awkward vibe as well.

Plus… I thought I should give Yoonseo, who was unintentionally flustered, some time alone.

So, I figured if I just spent some time outside and then returned, the atmosphere would be better than just moments ago, right?

The problem was what to do to pass the time…

Naturally, since I had made an excuse about going to the bathroom, the first thing that came to mind was to actually do that, but honestly, I wasn’t really feeling it.

That made sense since I didn’t particularly need to go.

I was a bit uncomfortable because my back was sticky with cold sweat… but it wouldn’t be appropriate to undress and take care of that in the men’s restroom located right in the middle of the Association, would it?

So, I took a deep breath and decided to head towards the walking path that was developed alongside the Association building instead of the bathroom.

And unlike the restroom, which was located on the completely opposite side from where the rest area was, the walking path was not far at all.

‘Looking at it this way…’

The layout of the Association building was a bit uncomfortable for men to use.

Isn’t it ironic that the walking path outside the building is actually closer than the restroom within the same building?

‘Well…’

Thinking it over, it might actually be a reasonable situation.

It might be reasonable to think about it because, even including myself, there were only six men working in the Association.

And out of those six, four were contract workers with no job security.

In that context, I should probably be grateful that there was at least one men’s restroom on each floor.

While I delved into such trivial thoughts, I slowly began to walk along the walking path.

Coincidentally, the season was shifting from summer to autumn, so the weather was really nice.

The sunlight cascading down felt just warm enough, and the breeze rustling through the trees was cool enough to be pleasantly refreshing; it was the perfect weather for a mindless stroll.

‘If I had known the weather would be this nice…’

I might have brought Yoonseo out too, rather than leaving her inside feeling awkward.

Not just me, but Yoonseo too must be in desperate need of healing, given how busy she’s been juggling test preparations and hero activities recently.

Should I… go back inside and get her now?

The issue was whether Yoonseo would follow me willingly…

Just as I was turning back toward the Association building lost in such thoughts, I noticed something.

There was a kid, maybe around ten years old, standing in the middle of the walking path, looking around.

The way she kept glancing about made it seem like she might have gotten lost.

From her actions, it looked that way, but… why was a kid here?

This place didn’t seem like one where children should be wandering around.

Maybe she came here with an adult she knew and just lost track while exploring.

If that’s the case, it’d be a concern if she doesn’t move from where she is now; at first glance, she only looked about ten years old, so how likely was it that she could manage on her own?

Right now, she was probably frozen from shock and fear, but the moment she starts moving?

Things might quickly go south.

That makes sense, especially since the Association building is notoriously complicated.

I’ve heard that it was intentionally designed that way, but even I, who consider myself fairly familiar after three years of frequenting the building, sometimes feel lost when visiting floors that I’ve never been to before.

If even I feel that way, how lost would a girl who clearly looked like it was her first visit be?

‘I don’t know whose little girl this is, but…’

If I connect her with one of the association employees inside, they could put out an announcement for a missing child, or something like that, and help her get in touch with her parents.

Thinking that, I cautiously approached the girl so she wouldn’t panic and run away.

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‘…What’s going on?’

Why isn’t anyone coming out?

I thought as I continued to gaze at the door that showed no signs of opening.

What on earth could be taking so long?

The men’s restroom was a little detached from the rest area, but it shouldn’t take this long.

‘Could it be…’

Something happened in the middle?

For example, after finishing their business in the restroom, they bump into someone unfortunate or end up caught in some incident…

I could hardly remain seated; I immediately stood up, thinking that it might just be possible.

And if that were the case?

I needed to get Dogun out of there as quickly as possible.

It was vital that I did so because if I messed up, the worst scenario I had briefly imagined earlier could become a reality.

The moment I got up from my seat, I pulled out my mobile phone to call Dogun.

As I made the call, I worried that maybe he wouldn’t be able to answer, but fortunately, it seemed that the situation wasn’t that serious.

Not long after I heard the ringing tone, a click sound came, and Dogun’s voice flowed through the phone speaker.

—Uh, what’s up?

‘Uh, what’s up?’ what does that even mean?

Does he really not know why I’m calling?

He vanished for 20 minutes saying he was just going to the restroom, and now I’m calling him.

And what does he mean by ‘Uh, what’s up?’

At least one comforting thing was that from Dogun’s voice, it seemed like something might be happening, but it didn’t sound like an urgent situation.

“…Where are you right now?”

The annoyance that surged up when Dogun was so clueless about why I was calling made me suppress my feelings before I could ask that question.

—Ah, well… I’m actually near the walking path?

The walking path, huh?

So the excuse about going to the restroom was just that, and he actually went outside to take a breather.

It seemed that way.

“Where near the walking path?”

—Uh… After going out through the main entrance of the Association building, turn left?

“I’ll be right there, wait a moment.”

I said just that and hung up.

Then I exited the rest area and started walking towards where Dogun had mentioned.

And finally, after moving, what I found was—

“Wow, you’re here…?”

It was truly an unexpected sight.

First of all, Dogun was standing right where he said he would.

The issue was… he wasn’t alone.

“…Who’s that next to you?”

Who on earth was that little kid, clinging tightly to Dogun’s clothing, peeking from behind him as if she were guarding against me?

She couldn’t have been much taller than ten.

‘But still…’

The saying that age is no match for guts proved true; she was adorable.

‘…Wait.’

When I was that age, I was way cuter than her, so I figured her level of cuteness was just average.

While I waited for Dogun to respond, feeling a bit embarrassed to think that way, I could see him deep in thought, unsure what to say for a moment.

Finally, he managed to get something out.

“Well, um…?”

The way he struggled to give a response didn’t feel like a valid answer at all.

He relinquished his clothing, and then what?

“Um, right?”

Was that literally all he could muster up?

I felt a wave of disbelief wash over me at that response.

What exactly was he relying on to act so unguarded?

If the girl wasn’t completely clueless, things could’ve gone south real fast.

I shared the same feelings of dissatisfaction towards the girl who was still hiding behind Dogun.

Clearly, she looked like she had come with her mom or dad and somehow lost her way…

So I understood why she might be scared and confused.

Being left alone in a strange place without anyone she knew is a tough situation.

And instinctively reaching out to Dogun worked for a kid, but come on…

She didn’t need to cling to him so tightly, especially considering how busy he was.

I was mulling over those frustrations when unexpectedly, I heard her voice.

“Daddy… who is that girl?”

What?

Daddy?