Chapter 3 Part 19

“…Uncle, I want to live.”

“Of course. The will to live is a human instinct. Everyone’s like that, unless they’re suffering from depression.”

“If it’s about not being involved, does that mean I’ll be safe as long as I don’t provoke him first?”

Jeong Chang-in didn’t answer for a moment, finishing the water bottle. After emptying it down to the last drop, he wiped a few beads of water from the corner of his mouth with his fingertips and stared intently at his nephew.

“Do you think that would be the case?”

“…Well… I don’t know him well, so I have no idea how to deal with him.”

“I don’t think it would be.”

“Hearing you say that, Uncle, makes me think the same.”

Jeong Tae-ui said gloomily. Jeong Chang-in tossed the empty water bottle carelessly aside and went back into the bathroom, speaking as he did.

“It’s not about provoking him first or not; the best thing is simply to avoid getting involved with a madman. Once you’re entangled, running away will be useless. You just have to make sure you’re completely out of his sight.”

“Hmm—that’s difficult. In this cramped place, where there might be a hundred people at most, how can I be invisible? I’m not a ghost.”

“He’s not the type to capture and slaughter everyone he sees. You just need to avoid catching his eye. Then, as long as you’re careful not to run into him during Joint Training, you’ll be fine. The other Europe Branch members are equally unlucky to deal with, but none of them are as hopeless as he is.”

The sound of water was heard again. “Ugh, hot, why is it suddenly like this? Is there a problem with the control…?” Jeong Chang-in muttered to himself, but then seemed fine, humming a low tune.

“Do you know that person, League-row?”

He asked, feeling that Jeong Chang-in’s tone wasn’t entirely unfamiliar. Perhaps he hadn’t heard over the sound of the water, as no answer came back. But thinking about it, it wouldn’t be possible for him not to know. After all, that man from the Europe Branch seemed famous enough that no one in any branch or headquarters wouldn’t know him, and Jeong Chang-in would have visited the Europe Branch several times for work.

Fifteen days.

As he sat on the stool, leaning against the wall and staring blankly at the ceiling, he gradually felt like things would somehow work out. His goal was to live a peaceful life in quiet seclusion, so he didn’t think he would do anything to draw attention, and in fact, fifteen days wasn’t that long a period.

In a time so short it would be hard to make even one friend, would it be that easy to make an enemy?

Right. Even if my colleagues push me, even if I have to hear myself called a traitor, I absolutely must not step forward. Unlike them, who came here of their own free will for the benefits within the organization and future assurances, I was dragged here under the premise of a limited period of six months, so I can afford to do that.

Jeong Tae-ui easily justified himself and nodded in satisfaction.

Just then, Jeong Chang-in’s humming seemed to stop, and he spoke as if something had suddenly occurred to him.

“Right, starting tomorrow, don’t come to my room until the Joint Training is over.”

Jeong Tae-ui tilted his head. Through the open door, he could see Jeong Chang-in’s arm lathering with soap. He soon turned his head, looking at the book tossed on the bed.

“I haven’t finished that book yet.”

“Just borrow it. During the Joint Training period, personal contact between members and instructors is prohibited.”

“Actually, it’s prohibited in principle normally too,” Jeong Chang-in added, feigning strictness.

“My nerve isn’t quite up to borrowing a $3,500 book…” Jeong Tae-ui mumbled inwardly, yet picked up the book within reach. He then casually walked over and stood in front of the bathroom door.

“Uncle. If I die during training, please bury this book, which I haven’t finished reading, with me.”

“People who die without children aren’t buried, they’re cremated… I’ll cremate it with you.”

“You could have at least told me I wouldn’t die.”

“A person’s fate, you see… …No, well, yes, I don’t think you’ll die.”

Jeong Chang-in paused for a moment, then nodded and spoke casually. His casual delivery made it sound more convincing, and Jeong Tae-ui let out a small laugh.

Soon, the fierce sound of water gushing came from the bathroom. It seemed he intended to just shower today, not drawing a bath in the tub.

Should I go back now? I’ll only be able to sleep comfortably for today and tomorrow for a while, and I should try to replenish even a little of my already depleted energy.

But somehow, his feet wouldn’t move. Jeong Tae-ui thought for a moment why this was, then remembered a story that had been lingering in his mind like a stain for some time.

“…”

It wasn’t a very pleasant topic, but he had to say it. He felt like he should at least tip off Jeong Chang-in that he knew.

Jeong Tae-ui leaned against the bathroom door, looking up at the ceiling for a moment, then suddenly blurted out.

“By the way, Uncle. When did big brother start getting involved in weapon development?”

It wasn’t a particularly loud voice, nor was it said with much importance, but a moment later, the sound of water in the bathroom abruptly stopped. Along with the cut-off water sound, Jeong Chang-in also fell silent for a moment.

“Where did you hear that news?”

Jeong Chang-in’s voice was as casual as Jeong Tae-ui’s.

“The Laurent Castillet broker. I thought he was a used book broker, but he wasn’t, it turns out.”

“He spilled a lot. Did that guy call you again today?”

“No, I didn’t hear it today. It’s been a while; I had forgotten, and I haven’t had a chance to meet you for some time. And, well, it’s not much use being curious about it anyway. …Hmm, he didn’t seem to do it while living with me, so was it since he was at UNHRDO?”

“He received many requests before that, but you could say he officially got involved then. What else did that guy say?”

Jeong Chang-in answered casually without trying to hide anything, yet still clicked his tongue. It seemed like news he hadn’t wanted to disclose. Indeed, it wasn’t something he’d want to announce.

“He didn’t say much else. But is big brother still doing that?”

“No, he’s stopped now. He’d made it clear from the start that he’d only do it while he was at UNHRDO. It seems countless requests came in even after he left UNHRDO, but he appears to have refused them all.”

“I see,” Jeong Tae-ui said, nodding.

Thinking back, there were times during the few months after Jeong Tae-ui’s discharge when he was back home that he’d occasionally receive strange phone calls. International calls, whose tone clearly indicated they weren’t from ordinary people, weren’t particularly surprising, as he used to get them often because of Jeong Jae-ui. However, he’d briefly wondered who these people were, so persistently searching for Jeong Jae-ui, who rarely left his place.

Jeong Tae-ui straightened his body, which had been leaning against the wall.

That was enough. Even if Jeong Jae-ui were still continuing with the development, Jeong Tae-ui wasn’t in a position to say anything, but if he had quit, Jeong Tae-ui didn’t want to question it further or even think about it. He’d just pinch his cheek once when they met later. To ask why he’d use such a good brain for something like that.

“Well then, I’ll get going. Can I come back after the Joint Training is over?”

“Yep.”

Jeong Chang-in didn’t even poke his head out of the shower, just answered. Jeong Tae-ui stretched out his arm, held the book in front of the bathroom door, and waved it.

“I’m borrowing this, Uncle.”

“Alright. Don’t handle it too roughly. It’s a hassle to get another one.”

“Yes, yes.”

“As if I’d carelessly toss a $3,500 book around like that,” Jeong Tae-ui added, moving towards the door.