CH47

Instead of the several flashes of light he had experienced before, the black shadow that had obscured his vision disappeared.

In a gray world, he saw the face of a doctor looking at CT scans and charts.

"Patient, even if it's pancreatic cancer, you need to focus on chemotherapy. If there's a good response and the stage of the cancer decreases, there are cases where it can be surgically removed."

"I've done some research myself, thanks to my grandson's senior. At best, it's just living a bit longer, right? I've already lost my child; I can't become a burden to my grandson."

Pancreatic cancer.

Ian felt pity as he looked into the old man's memories. It was pancreatic cancer, considered one of the worst cancers.

The old man stretched out his wrinkled hand to hold the doctor's.

"Just pretend to treat me as best as you can so my grandson can be satisfied. After all, I'm someone who's going to die. There's no need to leave with a sense of guilt. Please."

The moment he felt a soft smile form on his lips, the world distorted again.

The color returned to the once gray world, but he had not returned to reality.

Lying weakly on the bed, the old man saw illusions. People emerging from walls, and even seeing his already deceased child.

It was a hallucination caused by painkillers. Whether the painkillers took away both the pain and the fear, the impending death only felt joyful.

When he heard the door open, his head turned.

'Who is it?'

It wasn't Nick.

As a strange man entered the room, the old man struggled to speak.

"…Carter?"

"Yes, it's me. I'm sorry I couldn't visit you more often."

"No, thank you for worrying about me."

…Worry?

Ian denied the old man's words.

Contrary to his tone and expression, the slight wrinkling of his nose as if something smelled and the indifferent kicking of objects around him were not the actions of someone who was worried.

"How is Nick doing lately?"

"He's doing well at work. You don't have to worry."

"…Don't try to deceive me, too. I've known for a long time. Nick has always fiddled with his right earlobe when he lies."

"Is that so?"

A moment of annoyance passed over the man's face.

He was not worried after all.

"You, being his senior, should know better. How much he wanted that job."

"I know. That's why I helped him get the job."

"Please help him just one more time. I know it's shameless of me to ask, but this is my last request…ugh."

The old man couldn't continue speaking due to the terrible pain as if someone was ripping open his stomach, and when he blinked, he returned to reality.

He saw the old man holding his hand, looking at him quizzically.

"…You know everything, don't you?"

Ian touched his right earlobe for the old man who couldn't understand the sudden words.

The old man, realizing the meaning, gave a bitter smile.

"Nick, could you step aside for a moment?"

"Grandfather?"

"It will only be for a moment."

As Nick reluctantly left the room, the old man gestured for Ian to come closer.

When Ian approached, the old man asked in a low voice.

"How did you know about that habit? He's a child who doesn't lie well because he got scolded a lot since he was young."

"Nick is actually a great liar and a braggart. He even promised a homeless man an Oscar."

It was true. It's about a far future that no longer exists.

Recalling that time, Ian smiled slightly and asked the old man.

"Wouldn't it be better to receive proper treatment?"

"…It seems you're the one who knows everything, not me. How did you know that, huh?"

The old man glanced around the old room. It's a room filled with the marks of a long life lived.

"This house has been lived in since Nick's dad was young. There are many painful memories, but just as many happy ones. For me, a day spent here is more valuable than a month in the hospital."

"…I understand. I'll keep it a secret."

"Thank you."

Ian didn't argue further, sensing the old man's determination.

'A person preparing for the end of their life.'

Having lived as a homeless person, Ian knew from experience that it was best to respect such people's wishes. At best, opposing them would only lead to resentment or sadness.

The old man coughed slightly, showing signs of fatigue, and Ian spoke first.

"I came quite suddenly, didn't I? I'll leave you to rest comfortably."

"…Would you mind doing that?"

"Of course."

After helping the old man lie down in bed, Ian was approached by Nick, who had been waiting outside.

"What did you two talk about?"

"He just asked me to take good care of things. And grandfather is sleeping now. Let's go outside and talk. There's a lot we need to discuss."

A gentle breeze made the heavy atmosphere a bit lighter.

Sitting on a bench in a nearby park, Ian was the first to speak.

"Did you really leak the information?"

"…I didn't know it was that kind of situation. I just shared it because my senior said it was needed for work."

Senior.

That man from the illusion.

"Senior, you say?"

"Yes, a senior from the fraternity I'm part of. He helped me get a job at WBE."

A fraternity is a social club for men at American colleges and universities. For women, it's called a sorority.

Some have a history of over a hundred years and provide assistance when entering society, like they did for Nick.

Though known for harsh initiation rites, including incidents where students were forced to consume bleach or even died, they also foster strong bonds.

"So you gave the documents without any suspicion?"

"Yeah, I had no idea the senior would sell the information."

"Why did you confess?"

"They said they'd pay me if I took all the responsibility. It was the only way to get a large sum of money urgently."

The situation made sense, but something still felt off, requiring further information.

"Was the senior in urgent need of money?"

"No, he's doing quite well in the company. I've never heard him being in urgent need of money."

"He sold company information even though he wasn't in urgent need of money?"

It was a risky move that could completely ruin his career.

It didn't make sense…

'No, it could make sense.'

Ian looked at Nick. If there was someone to pin the blame on from the start, it was possible.

"When did you pass on the information?"

"It was in February."

February could work. The calendar on the doctor's desk in the first illusion showed January.

Carter knew the old man had cancer and needed money.

'The motive is important. Why would someone who doesn't need money do this?'

Ian thought about Carter's actions.

A person who could use even a sick person as a means to an end, yet socially successful. There was a pattern.

"Sociopath."

"Sociopath?"

"Think about it, Nick. This is an important question. Austin is also doing well, right?"

"Yes, you know. He's a capable person."

"So, this senior could be a rival to Austin. Both are prominent figures in the company."

"…Right."

If Carter's target wasn't money but Austin, then his actions made sense. This means Nick's case wasn't the end.

"Has Austin's work been going poorly recently? Like things oddly going wrong?"

"Yes, you're right. Damn it! That bastard!"

Realizing the truth, Nick abruptly stood up, cursing.

Austin, his mentor, had secretly given him money for treatment on his last day.

Feeling betrayed and angry for betraying such a person, Nick said,

"I have to report this right now."

"Stop. Then you'd have to return the money. And you signed a confidentiality agreement, right? Are you ready for a lawsuit?"

Reminded of the reality, Nick slumped down, clutching his head.

Ian inwardly sighed. It was sad to see how much Nick valued his hair in the future, only to waste it like this.

'The truth about Carter's crimes will eventually come out. That's why Nick could start his agent work again.'

The issue was when this would happen and if Austin would be forced out due to office politics first.

It's true that something needs to be done immediately, but it's important to handle things cleverly in situations like this.

"There's no need to wastefully return the money you received. It's not difficult to help Austin while keeping the confidentiality. We just need to take a bit of a detour."

"A detour?"

Ian took out his phone and called Austin immediately.

"Austin?"

– Yes, what's the matter, Ian?

"I met Nick today. And he mentioned something strange."

– Something strange?

"He asked if your work has still been going poorly lately."

A brief silence followed.

Memories that were passed off as coincidences began to resurface, sparking suspicion.

– Did he say anything else?

"Yes! Even when I kept asking, he just said it was nothing and went home. He won't tell me. Isn't that sneaky?"

– Yes, it is. Thank you for letting me know.

After hanging up, Ian shrugged at a dazed Nick.

"Easy, right?"

"Will that really work?"

"Austin is capable. He'll catch on to something eventually. If it doesn't seem to be working, we can throw in another hint. We just have to wait."

Until Carter's ugly truth is revealed.

Ian stood up, stretching broadly.

"Quit the job you have now and come work at our place. My father is opening a new store, and we need more hands."

"You don't need to go to such lengths for me."

"Shut it. It's because of your grandfather, okay? And start preparing to work as an agent again. Even if things go well, you'll have to start from scratch anyway."

The stain of having sold information will be removed, but the false confession will remain.

It will be hard to get hired by a reputable agency, and he will need to work from the bottom up, searching for new talent.

'It won't be easy, but he'll manage.'

Ian had seen him succeed in even tougher situations.

"…I'll work hard enough that you won't regret helping me."

"That's all I need to hear. Oh, and take this corndog with you. I brought the new squid ink corndog from our menu."

"Does it taste okay?"

"Just eat what you're given. What are you, a critic now?"

At Ian's ribbing, Nick burst into laughter.

It seemed like a long time since he had last laughed.

***

"…Nick said that?"

After ending the call, Austin tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully.

It was a significant remark. Lately, his work had not been going well, to the point where people were questioning if his skills had declined.

"It's not a coincidence. It can't be."

The idea that someone was sabotaging his work was almost a relief. It meant his recent failures weren't due to bad luck or lack of skill; he just needed to find the culprit.

Who could be responsible for this? As he pondered potential suspects, Austin called a subordinate using the intercom.

"What can I do for you?"

"Bring me all the projects we've been working on recently. I need to check something."

Austin smiled coldly.

He was too curious to find out who dared to treat him as prey.

***

Ian reflected on his past experiences.

Miles' accident, Daniel's suicide, and now Nick's false accusation. He had witnessed illusions through these three incidents.

'All of them were related to me.' 

Miles had helped him during his days as a homeless person, and Daniel was one of the three homeless men who planted the dream of becoming an actor in him. 

And Nick, being an agent, goes without saying. 

'And the visions weren't just shown to me directly but also through people related to them.' 

The first vision was seen through Miles, but Daniel and Nick's were seen through their families. 

Even if the reason for the visions remained unclear, they significantly helped prevent future tragedies. 

'The problem is the black shadow I saw this time. Previously, visions came with flashes of light, but not this time.' 

It felt like the black cloak of the Grim Reaper was blinding his eyes. 

As if it was signaling an unavoidable death. 

"Sigh, I don't know." 

Lacking enough cases to be certain, Ian pushed the speculation aside and got up. 

The desolate drama set came into view. It was the location for the shooting of Invisible Children Season 2. 

Newly constructed temporary buildings were visible, and existing locations were decorated differently from Season 1, suggesting a change in time. 

As Ian was slowly inspecting the set, someone ran up to him. 

"Ian! You're here already?!" 

It was the child actor for Benjamin, the protagonist of the drama. Ian greeted him warmly but then turned his attention towards the heavy footsteps approaching. 

A man quickly approached and handed out a business card while introducing himself. 

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Carter Baldwin, an agent with WBE. I represent Leo Rogers." 

Carter Baldwin. 

Ian received the business card with the name clearly printed on it. 

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ian Pryce." 

"I'm aware. You were an actor I really wanted to meet." 

"You flatter me." 

The man who turned Nick from an agent to a corndog shop employee. 

Ian had thought about wanting to see him at least once. 

'Ah, how should I give this guy a taste of his own medicine?' 

Though he advised Nick to leave the aftermath to Austin, Ian himself didn't want to let things slide so easily. 

Ian and Carter exchanged smiles, each hiding their true intentions.