"Excuse me, sir."
A coffee cup was placed on the table. Hot steam rose from the cup. Kim I-hyeon smiled and thanked the new employee who had served him the coffee.
"Thank you. I'll enjoy it."
"Yes! I absolutely did not spit, so don't worry!"
"…Why do you insist on saying that? Did you spit?"
"Oh no! How could I do that!"
Oh, I feel uneasy.
I felt bad about throwing it away since I gave it to him. As he took a sip, the new employee's nervous expression noticeably relaxed. He was the type who easily showed his emotions.
A man who appears to be in his early 20s. He has a faint smell of oil. His hair is cut short, almost half-shaven, and reminds me of Nonsan. The four letters of the cradle of the nation are vivid in my memory.
"Excuse me, what's your name?"
"I'm Jake Ebert! I recently joined the company as a trainee engineer. I've heard a lot about your insight, your military skills, and your, uh, noble character through the branch manager…."
"what?"
Has all the nobility frozen?
"Don't do that."
"sorry!"
He immediately bends his waist 90 degrees. He was a guy who was ambiguous about even the slingshot.
"Anyway, it's nice to meet you. But, engineer?"
I asked a question a bit out of the blue, and Bryce answered.
"The work has become more diverse. In addition to the drones we used before, we also use radio jamming devices and special communication devices. I brought in someone who can actually do maintenance. He's young, but he's good at it."
"Actually, ever since I was a kid, I've always been the type of person who has to take apart a machine to get my act together…."
"Ah, I know how you feel."
A natural attentive person. He's the type that there's always at least one person around him who's like that.
"Do the rest feel similar?"
"A legal expert, an accountant, and a combatant. Four of us, including Jake."
"Actually, he's more of a handyman than a combatant."
Jenna said, glancing at a young man.
"Why, there's something ambiguous about our rank relationship. It's not that Pep or I don't follow orders, but it's a bit different from the feeling of a superior and subordinate."
"Whew. The hierarchy is a total mess."
"There's a branch manager who speaks informally to the president who is as good as heaven. What's wrong?"
Bryce and Jenna giggled at each other.
It was a friendly atmosphere. Normally, Chelsea and Pep would have been talking together, but Pep has not returned yet. Chelsea is out on the streets under Kim Lee-hyun's instructions.
Echidna said she needed more information, so she sent Edwin and Chelsea. With Chelsea, there was no need to worry about directions, and if a dangerous situation arose, Edwin would take care of it.
"But, uhm…."
Jake, who had been fidgeting, hesitated and spoke. This time, his gaze was not on Kim Yi-hyun, but on someone else.
"Are you, by any chance, player Asterike…?"
"Me? Aren't you a player anymore?"
"You haven't officially retired yet."
"That's right. I guess that's true."
Asterike's attitude of treating me like it was someone else's business was worrying me for no reason. If we're not going to be together until we die of old age, she should take an interest in her own business too.
Even the loose end answer seemed to satisfy Jake.
"As expected! I've been waiting for this day without fail!"
Jake ran to the desk and then ran back again, holding a T-shirt in his hand. As the T-shirt unfolded, Asterique's expression became very mysterious.
It was because his face was painted.
"What is this? Why is my face like this?"
"This is Asterisk player's goods!"
"Why are you still selling my goods? No, I've never seen anything like this before."
"There were so many fans who missed Asterike, so the manager asked a company to produce limited edition goods. Hundreds of people showed up, but there were only 30 pieces available. You have no idea how fierce the competition was…!"
Roscoe, what have you been doing?
Not only Asterique, but also Kim I-hyeon couldn't help but be astonished. Jake, who had unintentionally silenced the two, held out a pen along with a T-shirt and his eyes sparkled.
"So sign! Sign, please!"
"Oh, well, yeah. Okay…."
"Please, to Narnia!"
"Who is Narnia?"
"That's my sister!"
The sight of him snorting and snorting was unusual. Kim Yi-hyeon briefly looked back and forth between the two before looking at Bryce. He was pressing his eyelids as if he was dying from exhaustion.
I didn't find it annoying because I could feel his genuine fandom. I was also impressed that he wanted to get his sister's autograph. I think it's okay as long as he doesn't resell.
"Thank you, thank you! And sorry! I will write a statement and submit it!"
Bow, bow, bow.
He bows three times while changing the direction his head is pointing, and then returns to his original position. He looks as if he has everything in the world, happy as he walks while holding his T-shirt.
Kim Lee-hyun, who was looking at the back of the head, swallowed his bitter taste.
"What a funny friend."
"Well, even so, his ability is fine. His ability."
"That's right."
After a while, Pep returned and relieved his stress.
For a while, a warm atmosphere flowed through the office. However, the gloomy situation did not improve even with laughter and chatter, so Pep finally let out a sigh.
"They are fighting among themselves, so there is nothing we can do. If we are only catching potential criminals, how can we deal with politicians? We can cause a scene, but that is just terrorism."
"I want to say, 'Stop whining, you punk.' But I'm at a loss, too."
Jenna, who used to tease Pep whenever she was bored, also let out a whine. They knew how much Kim Lee-hyun was struggling outside. That was why she didn't want to show her weakness, but she had no choice.
"Hyun. Is there something sharp about that girl?"
"I don't know. If I had to..."
Jiiing!
The terminal rang. It was a communication device that I had previously prepared and stored in Cilicia. Since I had paid my communication bill on time, I was able to use it as soon as I returned.
I got a call from Chelsea's contact number.
I'll ask in advance, but the method doesn't matter, right?
"I hope there are no civilian casualties."
Is that your personal wish?
"That too. And there are problems ahead."
It's not good to slander the name Dustborne. Especially if you're planning on going out into the open. Echidna answered calmly, as if she knew this would happen soon.
What are the other conditions?
"Nothing in particular."
Okay, then. Don't complain later.
"I don't plan on doing it if possible. So what should I do?"
The answer was simple.
Bring the twins.
Hearing those words, Kim Yi-hyeon burst into laughter without realizing it. Perhaps it was because they had been hanging out together at Banjar. It seemed like he knew what Echidna was planning.
The problem is that even if you start right away from the lab, it takes quite a while. In the meantime, it was difficult to just sit around and eat. I've always been the type of person who can't rest comfortably when I have homework left.
'Should I make a move in advance?'
* * *
Kim Lee Hyun.
Kabak harbored a variety of feelings toward the mysterious yellow man whose origins were unknown. Admiration, wariness, and trust in his abilities. Overall, it was definitely closer to favorability.
Even in Cilicia, a society that values meritocracy, he was particularly fond of talent. It was one of the reasons why he enjoyed watching the league. There is no other industry that spotlights talent as much as the league.
In particular, the fun of watching them grow is special. I understood at a young age why retired athletes and politicians have disciples. Sometimes, I even thought that being a teacher was not my calling.
Naturally, I began to look forward to it.
'How much has changed?'
How would Kim Yi-hyeon have grown up? Kabak was neither a mercenary nor a soldier, so he was unfamiliar with combat, but he was curious about how Kim Yi-hyeon had grown as a 'human'.
The answer was unfolding before my eyes.
"─I will solve your problem."
A completely sealed room. The conversation took place in a private room that was suspiciously soundproof for a restaurant. There were other people in the room, as well as Kim Yi-hyun and Kabak.
Harijo Metsocalu.
A member of the Paneros faction who has been active in politics since the days of the Cilicia Federation. In order to move the old man with a heavy butt, Kavek had to come up with several things.
"It's difficult."
It was a ringing sound that was stuck in my ears even though the volume was not loud. The deep gaze that seemed to be trying to dig into every single thing in my mind was directed at Kim Yi-hyun. The wrinkled corners of my eyes narrowed.
"Yes, that's not wrong. Politics is ultimately a battle of wits, and there are more than a few people who criticize us. It's because we have blood on our hands. They are afraid of blood being shed, so they shun and reject us."
"I have a rough idea of the situation."
"What about the partisanship in Congress?"
"I've never been interested."
"I see."
Harijo did not find indifference toward politics unpleasant. He did not conclude that Kim I-hyeon was an ignorant person. That is how the relationship between politics and the people is usually.
Normally, they don't pay any attention to the party or anything. It's a city where the attention is focused on famous players in the league rather than politicians. But when an issue arises, they rush in and attack.
Just like now.
"Johanna Feltner, that old fox, has been doggedly insisting on public welfare policies. But she has become a believer in Cynicism and has been going wild about her relationship with the police being a hotbed of corruption. In the end, it seems like ideals are just ideals, and she has decided to side with corporations."
The corners of Harijo's mouth twitched. It was an emotionless smile.
"The key is power. The power to control the media, the power to sway public opinion. There must also be overwhelming financial power."
"I guess so."
"Even this old man has his ears open. Dustborne Corporation. He knows about you too. I have no intention of belittling your hard work, even if it comes at a financial cost. However…."
"Your speech is very complicated."
Kabek, who had been acting as a screen, flinched. How many times had I asked him to be polite in advance, and what kind of attitude was he showing? The one who ended up getting scolded was Kabek, who had arranged the seat.
But he couldn't interfere. He wasn't qualified to do so, and now was the time for something drastic. And he didn't think of Kim I-hyeon as an ordinary mercenary.
'It was unique from the beginning… … .'
Kim Lee-hyun, whom I met after a year, had changed again. He had a sharpness that was different from the experience I felt from Bryce. Even a sense of pressure that was hard to express in words was secretly flowing out.
"You can be straightforward. What power do you have that makes you act so bold? This is not a place for a small business to interfere. Did I misunderstand?"
"You saw it right. The reason I came here today is because I received an urgent request, and also to show my sincerity to you. There is no other intention."
"I knew you would do that."
Kim Lee-hyeon said without any sign of being discouraged.
"There is no particular reason why I wanted to meet with you, Congressman."
"hmm?"
"I'll prove it with actions rather than words. You don't have to support me."
Just, he added.
"Just know this. We have a lot of ways… and one of them will help you get out of trouble. But we are not charities."
It meant that he would have to pay a reasonable price. Harijo's eyes lit up. Although the tone was close to a threat, he felt more interest than anger.
"...Haha! I'll just listen. What do you expect from making such empty promises?"
"We want to have a regular contract with the National Assembly. In fact, we are in a situation where we will be torn apart if we are rejected by the National Assembly. We want to maintain our current corporate structure but have the National Assembly as our official backer."
"I'm glad you're honest, but do you think that's possible?"
"What's not to like? How rare is it for a nation to hire mercenaries?"
"It's rare, unless it's an exhibition situation."
"Instead, don't we have the merit of having established ourselves in Metro City?"
There is a justification. The three of them, including Bryce, have contributed to the country as bounty hunters. If you think of them as private detectives, it wouldn't be unacceptable.
Depending on the authority given, there will be backlash.
Up until that point, it wasn't Kim Lee-hyun's concern.
"Please give us an answer after discussing it with the party."
"...."
"It won't take long to process."
"What are you going to do?"
Kim Yi-hyeon's lips curved into a sly smile.
"I'll break the gun for you."
This was the end of my encounter with Harijo.
Ten days later, I received a reply from Kabak accepting my offer. This was three days after the twins arrived.
"It looks like a fire has fallen on my feet."
"…Boss. Are you really going to do it?"
"Then are you going to fake it?"
Chelsea scratched her head in displeasure, but didn't nitpick any further. Her brain couldn't think of a more effective method, even if it was radical.
"I've been through a lot because of you, boss."
"I'm saying it's thanks to you. It's good to gain experience."
"Where else can I use this experience?"
"You don't know what people are doing."
Kim Lee-hyun shrugged and concluded the conversation.
"Get ready. We'll move tomorrow."