CH-050

A few days later.

A suburb of Seoul. Outside the window was a desolate vacant lot. There were no fields or mountains to call it countryside.

Beyond the empty plain, a forest of buildings was visible. Seen from afar, it felt like a picture.

'Not long ago, this place must have looked like that too.'

After a large gate occurred a few months ago, this area became a place people avoided. Even after the gate disappeared, those who left this land did not return.

It was a shabby and boring land, but it was a perfect place for building a hideout.

It was also perfect for contemplating alone.

"Sigh..."

I exhaled cigarette smoke.

While recalling the contents of a book I had seen recently.

'When a quest is achieved, one wish is surely granted.'

.......

It was an unrealistic story. But all the stories about the quest written in the book were identical to what I had experienced. Even though it was only a tiny fraction of information.

"Ah, hot."

Before I knew it, the cigarette had burned down to the filter.

I stared at the glowing red tip, then brought the cigarette butt to the inside of my wrist.

Ding!

A blue window pops up.

[Karma: 52950(-1)]

"...It doesn't decrease much."

As expected, getting hit by the Boss was the most efficient. I should have gotten hit more back then.

Swallowing my regret, I threw away the cigarette and took out a new one.

Hiss.

It was when I lit it and took a deep drag.

I felt a presence approaching my feet.

Sniff sniff.

"I smell a beast, meow..."

"Beast?"

Looking down, the fluffy creature that flinched at my gaze hissed.

"What, meow!"

"Huh? No, well..."

At the fierce reaction, I trailed off.

"I don't mean an animal, meow."

"Then what do you mean?"

"I mean a monster, meow."

"...?"

It was a puzzling statement. I changed the subject.

"What about Go Sangwon-ssi?"

Taking care of the cat was mostly Go Sangwon's job. Seeing this cat wandering around on its own, he must be with the Boss after all.

"He won't be back for a while, meow."

"Hmm..."

That guy was always busy.

"Then the Boss too..."

"The Boss is in the office, meow."

Go Sangwon went alone?

I threw the cigarette butt into the ashtray and closed the window.

"Then shall I assist the Boss today?"

"Meow?"

A look that seemed to ask, 'You?'

"The Boss would probably feel lonely if his side is suddenly empty, right? Isn't it only me who's as reliable as Sangwon-ssi?"

I got up right away and headed out.

"Meow... Do as you please, meow."

This was an opportunity.

Since regressing, I don't think I've properly shown my abilities to the Boss.

When it came to assisting the Boss, I was confident I could do better than Go Sangwon from 6 years ago. If he realizes I'm more capable than he thinks, the Boss will rely on me more.

He had passed it over without much word, but I was already stamped as a useless guy who doesn't even notice when a thief enters. On top of that, I had lied about the traces of my experiments, saying I got hurt making a mistake during work. I'll make up for it this time.

With that calculation, I headed to the office full of ambition, but...

"Not needed. Get out."

"Huh?"

"What could trash that can't even take care of its own body possibly do?"

"The injury healed a long time ago."

The Boss, who seemed about to say something as he opened his mouth, coughed violently.

Cough, cough.

I took that chance to quietly approach the Boss's side.

"......"

The Boss clicked his tongue as if displeased but didn't kick me out. Strictly speaking, it was less permission and more an expression that it was too bothersome to talk further.

'That attitude, it'll change in a few hours.'

Smiling brightly, I burned with motivation inwardly.

And so, time passed.

.......

The Boss was absorbed in something alone, and I was standing still.

'Is he really not going to order anything?'

.......

Only the sound of pages turning could be heard in the room.

It was peaceful. There was nothing to do. Enough to be boring.

"Ah, what should we do about the appointment with the Director-nim?"

"......"

"As expected, refuse—"

"Hear them out."

"Yes..."

'I didn't want to go.'

If he said do it, I had to do it. I quietly shut my mouth and prepared to endure another boring stretch of time.

How many minutes passed in the silence that came again?

Patter patter...

Thud thud thud thud...

An ominous sound started to be heard from outside.

Sliiiide—.

The door opened slightly, and the cat squeezed in through the crack. Holding something in its mouth, the cat was urgently looking around.

'That brat, I told it not to come in here...'

Just as I was about to step forward to stop it, something bigger happened.

Bang!

The door was opened so forcefully one might worry if it broke. The one who entered was Lulu.

"Butterfly!"

The cat, bristling its fur, jumped onto the chest of drawers. The ornaments pushed aside by its small body fell onto the soft carpet, shattering into pieces.

Greatly angered, Lulu reached out his hand toward the cat.

"This thieving cat...!"

"Myack!"

The cat climbed onto the nearby display cabinet and dodged Lulu's touch.

The cat darted here and there, running away.

Lulu, fuming, stepped on the chest of drawers and climbed up.

The two beings jumping around without caring for the place were just like beasts.

"Lulu?"

"Come here while I'm asking nicely!"

"Butterfly."

"Nyaak! Myack!"

Even when called, it didn't get through at all.

"Moooooong!"

"Caught... you!"

At last, Lulu caught the cat. Just as the battle was about to end, a rough voice rang out.

"Stop."

Only then did Lulu freeze. The pink head turned towards us creakily. The cat, grabbed by the scruff of its neck, also turned its head.

"Meowt!"

"Bo-Boss...!"

The jaws of one person and one creature dropped open. The object the cat had been holding in its mouth fell to the floor.

Finally, they seemed to have come to their senses. I took this chance to speak.

"Get out. Butterfly, Lulu."

Lulu, holding the cat, hurriedly climbed down from the chest of drawers. He bowed deeply and fled.

"Excuse us!"

Bang!

-Phew... That startled me.

-I was seized by animal instinct, meow...

-But what about the sock?

-I dropped it, meow.

-What?

The sound of conversation fading away came from beyond the door. They were noisy fellows to the end.

Left alone in the wrecked room, I had to pointlessly gauge the Boss's mood.

"...Healthy is good, haha."

"Shut up."

Thus, after a storm had passed.

I put the disarranged furniture back to its original state. Picking up the broken pieces and throwing them in the trash made it quite tidy. After roughly finishing the cleanup, looking at the items that had become trash made me feel regretful.

'What a waste.'

They must have been very expensive. Lingering with attachment, I hovered around slightly.

'?'

Something had fallen on the floor. It was a sock, so tattered and dusty that its original color couldn't be recognized.

'They fought that much over just this?'

Without hesitation, I threw the sock in the trash.

Cough, cough.

A thicker cough than before was heard. The cat fur must have stimulated his allergies.

Tap.

When I increased the intensity of the air purifier and returned to my spot, the Boss put down the documents. Leaning deeply into the chair, he rubbed his temple with a tired expression.

"...I should read a book."

"A book? Which one should I bring out?"

I, who had only been waiting for a chance to look good, reacted immediately. Hearing the book title, I headed straight for the bookshelf.

'He seems to be in a good mood today.'

Looking for a book instead of a cane. Thinking that, I peered at the bookshelf.

'?'

There were many titles in English, which naturally blurred my eyes.

"......"

"...Sigh."

I heard the sound of a chair being pushed back behind me. The Boss approached nearby.

"Not there... I told you. The novels are on the bottom shelf."

There's no way I could remember every single thing like that.

"Sorry."

"Stupid bastard."

I felt a gaze looking down from above. With the stinging stare on the back of my head, I scanned the bookshelf.

"......"

Cigarette ash fell beside me.

'...Ah. Here it is.'

It was the moment I found the book and was about to pull it out.

Sliide—.

A cold hand touched the nape of my neck. My body flinched.

"Your hair has grown."

Because the Boss had come close, the smell of tobacco wafted over.

'That surprised me.'

I thought I was about to be hit for being slow.

While I was frozen holding the book, the Boss fiddled with my hair. He slightly twisted it with his fingers and pulled, then clicked his tongue.

"It looks dirty. Cut it."

The hand fell away quickly, as if the touch had been an illusion.

"I'll go get it cut right away when I have time."

Before I could dilly-dally and get scolded, I sprang up and handed the book to the Boss.

"Does that mean you're complaining you have no time to rest?"

"No. I prefer having a lot of work."

I meant this sincerely.

"......"

When I smiled broadly, the Boss didn't find further fault either. He returned to his seat wordlessly.

The Boss, sitting in a more relaxed posture than usual, stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and opened the book. Confirming that he had let go of the cigarette, I brewed tea at a table placed in the corner.

"Cough, cough!"

When I placed the moderately cooled tea on the desk, the Boss glanced sideways at the teacup.

"......"

He didn't touch it.

The current me was Seo Shinu, who had built up internal strength from being harassed for years. Moreover, the Boss before my eyes was much younger than the one I saw last in my previous life.

Therefore, I will soon be acknowledged for my abilities.

At times like this, the fact that I had returned to the past wasn't so bad.

'Though I don't know how long this peace will last.'

As expected, the peace did not last long. It was while I was bored from being still and secretly reading the book along with him out of the corner of my eye.

Knock knock.

"It's Go Sangwon."

'They said he wouldn't be back for a while?'

The Boss seemed to have felt the same doubt. The Boss closed the book.

"Come in."

No sooner had permission been granted than Go Sangwon opened the door and entered.

'Was he in a hurry?'

His disheveled hair, uncharacteristic of him, caught my eye.

"I found out."

"......"

Go Sangwon paused and glanced at me. The Boss waved his hand.

"Just say it."

Nodding, Go Sangwon straightened his posture.

"A research lab conducting human experiments in the Association... I found out."

Huh?