Chapter 2 Part 10

Hmm… I heard that the factions below are struggling to push one of the two Vice Director-Generals into the vacant Director-General position. So, before even mentioning the Europe Branch, it seems this Branch itself is structured with three teams opposing three others. …Well, before considering such things, for now, we have to confront the external enemy that has appeared before us for two weeks.

“That’s not right. Would that guy know which team each of us is on and target us specifically? That guy just randomly beats up our people and enjoys it, that crazy bastard!”

Alta, who had calmly begun speaking, seemed to grow increasingly furious as he talked, ending his sentence with a shout.

Overwhelmed by that intensity, Jeong Tae-ui stealthily leaned his body in the opposite direction, but from that side, too, a shout burst forth, unwilling to be outdone.

“How on earth did such a crazy bastard get into UNHRDO?! I clearly took a two-hour personality test to get in here!”

Those who shouted, “Me too, me too,” were, when you thought about it, outstanding talents who had made it into the UNHRDO despite fierce competition, not fitting their appearance, personality, or manner of speaking.

Jeong Tae-ui swallowed the words, “I didn’t take anything like that,” along with some dried fruit.

According to his uncle’s words, he wondered how the personality test results turned out for those who had “all been shot once or twice and had a few bones broken,” but it seemed that wasn’t the main point they were trying to make right now.

“Well… didn’t everyone here handle guns and knives before they came in? It’s not so strange for such a ‘crazy bastard’ to get in.”

Although I don’t know what kind of crazy bastard he is.

However, Jeong Tae-ui’s attempt to remain neutral fell on deaf ears. The man next to him very gently put his arm around Jeong Tae-ui’s shoulder and spoke softly.

“You’re wrong. It’s true that everyone here has handled guns and knives, but their mindset is different from that crazy bastard’s. You, when you pull the trigger on someone with whom you have no grudge, does your finger move smoothly without hesitation? Most people wouldn’t, and the guys here are no different. They can’t do that. Unless it’s an irreconcilable enemy, one can’t help but hesitate when harming a person. But that guy isn’t like that. He just—kills.”

“…”

It was neither a joke nor an exaggeration. The man next to him spoke with a serious expression.

For a moment, Jeong Tae-ui felt a slight chill. The man’s serious gaze and low tone painted a picture of an evil spirit. A being wearing a human guise but not human.

…It was certainly not a feeling one would want to get close to if one wished to spend at least half a year peacefully. He didn’t know who the guy was, but it seemed a hundred times better to remain ignorant of him. The ‘gut feeling’ his uncle had spoken of was whispering that to Jeong Tae-ui.

“Well… if he’s a public enemy not just for this team but for everyone in the Asia Branch, then just talking about it here won’t solve anything. Besides, from what I’ve heard, he doesn’t seem like someone who can be easily matched.”

He didn’t want to dwell on the unsettling topic for long. The others seemed to feel similarly. They all changed the subject, looking somewhat bitter but compliant.

Jeong Tae-ui picked up the last piece of dried fruit and sighed silently. The dried fruit was gone, and the guy who had gone to get the jerky still hadn’t returned. If things continued like this, it seemed he would be waiting for jerky until daybreak. Even if the jerky arrived soon and was finished, there was a hint that they would continue drinking for a long time afterward.

What should I do? Sitting here, sharing drinks and listening to the men’s chatter, was interesting, but he wished he could rest a bit. Yet, it didn’t seem like these guys would easily let him go to sleep.

He quite liked the people. Although their personalities differed, he hadn’t grown close enough to know who he matched with, but he didn’t dislike the group’s general character. If nothing went wrong, it seemed he could enjoy the next six months. Perhaps he might even make two or three very close friends.

However, apart from that, Jeong Tae-ui didn’t particularly enjoy such gatherings. It was fine to go along with things, eating, drinking, and playing, but if such a time dragged on, it became a torment. Moreover, he wanted to rest quietly now.

As he pondered what to do, he saw Tou, who had been sitting in a distant spot, stand up. From the way he was grabbing his cigarette pack, it seemed he was going out for a smoke.

“I need to use the restroom for a moment.—Tou, can you tell me where the restroom is?”

Jeong Tae-ui set his glass down and stood up. Tou, who was about to go outside, paused with an “Hm?” and casually nodded. Leaving behind the joking remarks, “Only smoke three cigarettes and come back,” and “Be careful not to get lost on your way back from the restroom,” Jeong Tae-ui followed Tou out.

Tou, who had been caught by his uncle on his way out for a smoke and brought Jeong Tae-ui back without even lighting one, seemed to miss cigarettes terribly, already pulling one out and putting it in his mouth. He walked ahead, chewing on the unlit cigarette.

“Smoking isn’t allowed inside, I guess.”

“Hmm. There is a smoking room, but not on this floor. We have to go downstairs, but it’s better to go upstairs and smoke while getting some fresh air outside. The restroom is…”

Turning the corner at the end of the hallway, Tou pointed his finger towards the middle of that path. However, Jeong Tae-ui, without even looking in the direction his finger was pointing, pressed close behind Tou and wrapped his arm around his neck from behind.

“I already saw that restroom over there a while ago, and the restroom I want to know about is the one attached to the Male Dormitory Room I’ll be staying in. It’d be a bother, but I’d appreciate it if you could come down with me and show me the way.”

With the unspoken threat that he would immediately strangle him if he made a sound or resisted, Jeong Tae-ui tightened his arm and whispered into Tou’s ear. This situation, where he was holding someone and seemingly threatening them, somehow made him feel like he had become a member of the Europe Branch, causing a bitter smile to appear, but regardless, resting his own body was the priority now.

Tou parted his lips as if to say something, then let out a deep sigh, seemingly giving up.