ID Chapter 47

Two days after the concert, a contract with the new company was scheduled, but I asked to postpone it by a week. I had an unavoidable reason, or rather, it was out of consideration for the new company, but for some reason, the company presented the contract with a significantly increased signing bonus. It was beneficial, but I felt a little sorry.

Before my parents and Min returned, we had a meal with Kwon Su-han and his brother. Kwon Su-han spoke as if he was very sorry to me and my parents, saying it was difficult to arrange for his parents to come because they were abroad, but I didn’t know why he felt sorry.

I went to see them off at the airport, and while Kwon Su-han and Dad were exchanging greetings at the gate, I took Mom aside and quietly asked.

“Mom, if it’s revealed that I’m adopted, will you and Dad get hurt?”

Mom’s mouth dropped open.

“Your father and I gave birth to you in our hearts. I’ve never thought of you as anyone else’s child!”

Her stern expression made me burst into laughter.

“I know. I just asked because I think I’ll have to reveal soon that I was registered late on our family registry. I worried you and Dad might get hurt if you suddenly saw it on the news.”

“Don’t worry about us. It’s not something to be hurt about in the first place. What’s adoption… It hurts me more that you think we might get hurt.”

Mom said, hugging me tightly. Her unchanging warmth reassured me.

After my family returned home, I spent two days idly lounging around, watching fan-shot concert videos, looking at photos, and reading impressions.

The fans were truly so cute and lovely.

Once, during the concert ments, there was a line on the teleprompter that said ‘our fans who are as cute as I am,’ which made me stumble, and a comment like this was posted on that video:

┗He’s such a cutie. We should change the word ‘cutie’ to ‘Ira-tie’.

ex) Oh, my cat just had kittens, and they’re Ira-ties.

┗Huhuungㅠㅠㅠㅠ Ira-tie ㅠㅜㅠㅠㅠ

┗Totally Ira-Ira ㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜ

┗You should have said ‘our fans who are as Ira-like as I am’!!

And on my solo stage video, comments like these were posted:

┗Ah… Not hearing it live will be a lifelong regret… Ira was so incredibly good that day…

┗Yeah, let’s express singers who sing well by saying ‘that singer’ sings a bit Ira-like…

┗Wow, his singing skills are totally Ira-class.

┗Wow, his singing is totally Ira. Totally….

I shivered with delight while reading the comments. Of course, some of the compliments were so excessive they made me shiver, but either way, fans are adorable beings.

That’s right, I should change the word ‘lovely’ to ‘fan-like.’ Thinking that, I screenshotted that part and attached it to my SNS. And added below:

@LEERAENDORPHIN

[(Photo) From now on, when you see something lovely, express it as ‘fan-like’ ♡♡♡♡]

As soon as I posted, comments started pouring in terrifyingly fast; they increased by a hundred with every scroll, making it impossible to read them all. My SNS post was immediately screenshotted and uploaded to the Ira fan/enthusiast homepage. Their disbelief, asking if Ira had read their posts, was so cute. I’m reading them right now, too. I thought about screenshotting and uploading this post as well, but decided against it, considering the Ira fans/enthusiasts’ hearts.

In less than a minute, ten new posts appeared, most of them duplicates of the SNS update, and one had the title `[Kwon againㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]`.

Kwon Su-han hit the top 10 in retweet order againㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Isn’t that speed only possible if you’re constantly refreshing, not just clicking a notification?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

┗Hey, from now on, let’s call the most devoted Ira fans/enthusiasts ‘Kwon Su-han-like’ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

┗I bought 100 copies of Ira’s last cover album; admit I’m a bit Kwon Su-han-esque?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

I rolled around on the bed, laughing until I was almost sobbing.

Time passed, and the date Shin Dong-woo had mentioned was now just a day away. After Kwon Su-han left for work, I quietly reviewed my plan in the silent house. If Shin Dong-woo moved exactly as I expected, it would be a success. I changed into inconspicuous outing attire and waited for a call.

Vrrrrr.

The phone rang. 10 AM… Shin Dong-woo couldn’t even afford to wait until lunch. I ignored the first call. Then, a text message arrived shortly after.

`[Kwon Su-han keeps poking around. If tomorrow comes, it’ll be you or me.]`

`[Make the right choice. Fans are terrifying beings who can turn away over the smallest things.]`

I screenshotted the texts and opened an internet browser. After entering about twenty email addresses one by one, I uploaded the prepared files and text. I set the scheduled time for 8 PM.

Shin Dong-woo called again.

This time, I answered. As soon as I picked up, Shin Dong-woo held his breath for a moment, then repeated his petty threats. Unmistakable nervousness was evident in his voice. I cut off Shin Dong-woo, putting on my hat and shoes, and spoke.

“Let’s meet first. I’ll come to you. Where are you?”

-…….

Shin Dong-woo paused for a moment, then stated his location. It was near Shik City.

I hung up and immediately left the house. I didn’t hesitate. My heart pounded with half fear, half anticipation.

Just before arriving at Shin Dong-woo’s house, I made a call. Listening to the unfamiliar voice, I lowered the volume and put the phone in my pocket.

Shin Dong-woo lived in a detached house with a yard. This was possible because he wasn’t receiving the Adapter Protection Program. Disgust surged, but I suppressed it.

The main gate opened, and as I walked from the yard to the front door, I managed my tension and slowly took deep breaths. Shin Dong-woo opened the front door and came out. He was wearing a suit.

“Welcome, Ira.”

His wrinkled eyes curved as he looked at me. I felt like a snake was lurking.

Shin Dong-woo’s house was ordinary. There were a few orchid pots, a leather sofa, and family photos hanging on the wall.

“Would you like some juice? Or milk?”

His tone was condescending, treating me like a child.

“I won’t eat anything you give me.”

I stated firmly and strode into the living room first, just as Shin Dong-woo had done.

“Did you tell Kwon Su-han to stop his background investigation?”

He asked as soon as we sat facing each other, revealing his urgency.

No. I won’t stop him. I came here to tell you this. I thought you’d only listen if I told you directly.

Then your ability misuse will also be revealed, won’t it? I won’t be the only one to fall.

It was a mistake. I was too young… and that was the first and last time. Anyway, I won’t receive legal punishment.

It’s difficult for ability misuse to lead to legal punishment, but it’s very easy for fans to turn their backs on you.

CEO Shin Dong-woo wore a bitter smile.

Do you know how disgusting it feels for a Soul User to read thoughts without permission?

I also met his gaze directly, a sneer on my face.

Do you know how disgusting it feels for an Adapter to manipulate thoughts without permission?

…….

CEO Shin Dong-woo’s face hardened like a cold rock.

You have to pay for your crimes. If necessary, I will testify in court. That since the Cyanide incident, I’ve continuously been under the mental control of an unauthorized Adapter.

..Hahahaha…

CEO Shin Dong-woo laughed coldly.

Adapters are different from you Aura Users. You don’t know how hard it is to put an Adapter behind bars for ability misuse. Over the past 20 years, while 55 Aura Users have been arrested, not a single Adapter has been. Even when there were dozens of victims testifying like you, voice recordings of confessions, and CCTV footage submitted as evidence.

But in the end, they were released due to insufficient evidence.

I knew that too. Kwon Su-han must know this fact, which is why he’s been investigating for so long. He might even be considering other charges besides ability misuse, like fraud or embezzlement.

But I absolutely want to arrest this person for ability misuse.

With the Ability Misuse Punishment Law, which carries even stronger penalties than the Adapter Protection Law or the Aura User Protection Law.

Historically, the maximum penalty for misuse was death, and the lightest penalty was 30 years.

It’s like hitting a rock with an egg. Why get so worked up over something that’s bound to fail?

…….

Even if I recorded this entire conversation and spread it, it would be useless. CEO Shin Dong-woo could simply perjure himself and say it was a lie. On the contrary, I might be punished for revealing the identity of an Adapter under the Protection Program. Instead, CEO Shin Dong-woo would no longer receive the Protection Program and would have to fulfill his duties as an Adapter.

One of the Adapter’s duties, different from Aura Users, is Chip Implantation, where data is recorded in the chip every time their abilities are used.

If that happens, CEO Shin Dong-woo would find it difficult to misuse his Adapter abilities.

Call Kwon Su-han right now. Kwon Su-han stops investigating me, and I let go of my past. Wouldn’t it be great if we just ended things cleanly like that?

This person is right. But that’s not what I want.

This is an adventure for me too, but this condition is absolutely necessary to bring about a conviction.

I apologized to Kwon Su-han in my heart. He’ll probably be very angry. I came here on my own feet, even though he told me to be careful of Adapters… I hope things end well. I hope it doesn’t turn into the worst-case scenario…

I slowly lowered my aura’s defense.

I… will still try my best. I will not compromise with you. I came here to say this, so I’ll be leaving now.

I conveyed this in a trembling voice, matching the timing. But as I tried to stand up, I swayed and ended up collapsing.

It was due to a splitting headache.

You let your guard down.

A voice full of laughter was heard.

He must have been continuously using his Adapter abilities, as he immediately infiltrated my mind. I tried to regain my senses, but the headache made it difficult even to keep my eyes open.

Ira.

…Yes…

I had intended to end things if you stopped Kwon Su-han, but you acted so impertinently that I was hurt.

The headache and ringing in my ears subsided. I looked up at CEO Shin Dong-woo. He seemed hurt.

You misunderstood my intentions… Did I really do something so terrible to you? Who was it that debuted you and put you in that position?

…….

Honestly, it all happened because your mental strength was weak. The cyanide incident also happened because you were hated, so how can you blame the company? It’s about how you weren’t loved because you were lacking.

The CEO’s words were perfectly correct. It was my own fault, nothing else. It was I who provoked hatred so much that someone wanted to kill me.

The CEO is truly disappointed in you. I hope you, too, are disappointed in yourself. You’re beyond saving. Don’t ever be an idol again. I can’t let trash like you sing on stage.

But I want to sing….

Hahahaha.

The CEO laughed loudly as if he’d heard something amusing.

I’m telling you not to sing because you want to. You’re so stupid you can’t even understand something like this.

..I’m sorry…

Why am I so stupid? He’s telling me not to do the very thing I want to do, and I can’t even understand that one thing…

Enough. First, let’s tell Kwon Su-han to stop.

Kwon Su-han.

Upon hearing his name, my heart throbbed.

A ringing in my ears started, and something flashed in my mind.

Take out your phone.

…….

I took my phone out of my pocket.

Call Kwon Su-han. Tell him I’m fine and don’t want to get involved in any more rumors, so he should stop investigating the CEO… What is this?

The CEO’s voice suddenly sharpened, and he quickly snatched the phone away.

Why is it ‘in call’… You, this number…!!

Bang!

Startled by the sudden bang, I flinched. Uniformed people were storming in, throwing aside the broken front door. Wearing helmets, they were police officers.

I looked down at my phone. The Ability Misuse Report Center number was displayed. Yes, that’s right. I had called this place before coming in.

Damn it, let go!!

The screaming CEO was held by the police officers by both arms.

You are being arrested as an Adapter ability misuse suspect caught in the act.

The first suspect caught in the act in 24 years.

The police officers’ voices were incredibly cold, and the way they subdued the CEO’s small body was terrifying.

CEO Shin Dong-woo cursed and resisted. I watched him, trembling.

Someone put a blanket around my shoulders and supported me.

“You’re Endorphin’s Ira, correct? Are you alright?”

“CEO Shin Dong-woo…”

“Pardon?”

“Please let CEO Shin Dong-woo go. I accidentally made the call. Oh… what do I do? It’s because of me. Why did I do that? I’m sorry. I was going to report him earlier, but why did I really do that? It’s all my fault… It’s not Ability Misuse. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“…It’s alright. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

The police officer gently picked me up. Then, he said over the radio, ‘Adapter emergency standby requested.’

I watched CEO Shin Dong-woo, tears streaming down my face. Kneeling, CEO Shin Dong-woo glared at me, his mouth gagged.

Hatred and fury boiled in his eyes.

“Ugh… Aaaah!”

Suddenly, my head ached as if it would shatter, and I writhed.

“Ira?”

It felt like my brain was evaporating. It also felt like my head was melting. The pain prevented me from thinking anything.

“Ira, why suddenly…!!”

“He’s an Adapter. Knock him out now!”

“You trash bastard…!”

“Ira, your mind….!!!”

…

My vision flickered black, and soon my thoughts ceased.

Upon hearing the news, Kwon Su-han rushed to the hospital. A colleague doctor drove him there, fearing an accident.

Ira was receiving healing from an A-class Adapter in the emergency aura healing room. Kwon Su-han tried to help, but to do so, he himself needed to be calm.

However, seeing Ira, pale and unconscious, only made his fury surge, to the point that he later had to receive healing from a colleague himself.

It was the first time in his life he had lost his composure to this extent.

Only after Ira’s brainwaves found a minimum trajectory following emergency treatment could Kwon Su-han calm down.

Agents from the Ability Misuse Management Department, who had been evacuated, approached Kwon Su-han after confirming he had regained his composure. From them, Kwon Su-han learned why Ira was in this state.

Ira had voluntarily become bait to ensure CEO Shin Dong-woo’s immediate arrest as an offender caught in the act.

He had lowered his own mental shield, prepared for a mental collapse.

Upon hearing that, Kwon Su-han couldn’t speak for a long time, suppressing his rage.

He had Ira admitted to a special room on the 13th floor and contacted his parents. He conveyed the situation as concisely as possible to prevent them from being too shocked, but it was meaningless.

After 8 PM, breaking news articles flooded the internet.

The articles, beginning with the preface that Endorphin’s Ira had provided the tip, read as follows:

That he had been mentally manipulated since last year by CEO Shin Dong-woo of Shik City, who was under an Adapter Protection Program, and when he tried to report him, he was threatened that his past as an adopted child who had been returned once would be revealed. The reason for the adoption return was also stated below.

Ira had scheduled the tip-off emails to be sent en masse at 8 PM. The Ability Misuse Department agents were astonished by Ira’s plan. Many people’s reactions were the same.

Kwon Su-han let out a few hollow laughs while listening to the recording and reading the email content.

He is truly a strong child.

Perhaps even stronger than himself.

Ira did not open his eyes for four days.

During that time, countless people, including the Endorphin members and Kwon Jin-ho, visited day and night, but the child remained unresponsive.

Jae-yi practically lived at the hospital, just like Kwon Su-han. The two didn’t exchange words even when they met. Ira’s parents stayed and slept next to his special room. Their eyes were never dry.

Kwon Su-han was in charge of Ira’s healing.

Listening to his faint, shallow breaths, he was drenched in fear.

Ira had been subjected to mental manipulation. CEO Shin Dong-woo had disrupted his aura with the clear intention of destroying Ira’s mind. Many doctors said his mind might have collapsed.

Would Ira, once he opened his eyes, truly recognize him?

It was a fear like his heart would stop any moment, like being left alone in pitch-black darkness.