TS 057

A sixth sense that extracting information wouldn’t be easily washed over him.

‘Personalities like that are tiring to deal with.’

He couldn’t be sure since they had never spoken. But at a glance, the man was the type of human Yoon Taehwa disliked.

Elijah, who had taken a broad look around the garden, drew a crowd. As if a suddenly blurted joke was funny, the cackling laughter as he bent at the waist was the epitome of frivolity.

‘I knew it.’

There was no act more foolish than judging a person by their first impression, but he was confident his prediction wouldn’t be wrong. Yoon Taehwa brought the glass to his lips and naturally turned his head. Elijah’s movements were caught at the end of his cool gaze.

『Your first time seeing Elijah, isn’t it?』

Christina, who had called an employee over and put down her champagne flute, asked in a light tone. Yoon Taehwa lightly pulled at his lips.

『It’s not easy to see an American big shot in Korea.』

『Is the personal interest still valid?』

『It’s not a private interest.』

『Hmm.』

Christina, with her arms crossed, moved her fingers as if contemplating something. Her fingers, which went down and up in sequence, were as elegant as playing the piano.

『Is it a matter you want to hear directly? Or does it not matter if it’s indirect?』

Yoon Taehwa lowered his eyelids. He became curious about the intentions of the woman who seemed to know Elijah very well.

『I’m curious about your intention to help me.』

Since she could be one of Elijah’s associates, it was better to choose his words carefully. One wrong choice of a small word could lead to him not only failing to achieve his purpose for coming here but also making an enemy.

『I’m a businesswoman. I know very well what benefits will fall to me if I help you.』

Even at the question that blatantly sounded out her intentions, Christina rumbled her throat with a confident gesture.

‘It doesn’t seem like it would hurt to talk.’

Yoon Taehwa stared intently at the brightly shining green eyes. Whether it was because of her interest in him or for business benefits, it was clear that Christina was not lying for Elijah’s sake.

『Is it the management rights?』

Christina, who had naturally pressed her body against him, held Yoon Taehwa’s arm like an affectionate lover. The place her footsteps headed was a secluded corner of the garden. Yoon Taehwa walked with her, flowing like water.

『Do you know Kensington?』

『Are you talking about the area? Or…』

The cold wind was quite sharp.

『The hotbed of drugs?』

『You know well.』

Everyone knew that numerous types of drugs were distributed in Kensington. Since the appearance of Transformed Beings, it had been a region where not only drugs, but also various dangerous substances such as illegal Guiding medications and Beastman enhancers were distributed.

『Then you must have heard this word too, the drug king.』

He was a person whom not only the United States but also the international organization IG was hell-bent on catching. There were rumors that the US government, which was pocketing the money they earned, was concealing related information, but there was no way to confirm it.

Christina only let go of his arm after they had entered a secluded place.

『Wait.』

The gesture to come closer meant that she had something to say in secret. At the gesture to bring his ear closer, Yoon Taehwa bent his waist towards her without a word.

Although the surroundings were quiet enough to be a perfect place for lovers to have a secret meeting, they couldn’t ignore the hearing of Espers or Beastmen, so a careful conversation was necessary.

『Elijah is pouring money into him.』

For the young president of America’s largest arms manufacturer to be in collusion with a drug king was a plausible but hard-to-believe piece of information. Why on earth would an arms manufacturer, not a pharmaceutical company.

Yoon Taehwa slowly straightened his back. As if she hadn’t expected him to agree right away, Christina continued to speak leisurely.

『And that man is very deeply involved with someone you would find interesting.』

『It seems you know who I am.』

It wasn’t a surprising development. Yoon Taehwa was not so optimistic as to think that no one would recognize him. The reason he hadn’t prepared a mask in advance and had revealed his face to the guards was because it didn’t really matter if his identity was known.

‘There’s nothing more foolish than hiding.’

Since the invitation was sent to Yoon Taeseon, it wouldn’t seem strange for him, a member of Taeseong, to come in her place. To people, Yoon Taehwa’s identity was a descendant of Taeseong before he was an Esper belonging to the Center.

『I know, Yoon Taehwa-ssi. I understand that Elijah sent an invitation to Yoon Taeseon-ssi.』

『Let’s just say that I, who am less busy, came.』

『Elijah would welcome you too. Didn’t you plan to meet him in person?』

『I was in the middle of contemplating when would be a good time to show my face. If you hadn’t dragged me all the way here.』

In the first place, the reason he had attended a party he didn’t even enjoy was to meet Elijah in person. The conversation time would vary depending on the other person’s eloquence and personality, but there was no method more certain than looking into their heart directly. If Christina hadn’t caught him, he would have approached Elijah by now and been drinking with him.

『Oh my, did I make you miss your chance?』

Christina covered her lips exaggeratedly.

『It’s fate that we met like this, so I’ll find out what you’re curious about for you. Follow me.』

『You seem to be quite close with Elijah.』

Christina, who had turned first, turned her back and extended her hand.

『My greeting was late.』

Yoon Taehwa clasped the hand that was as cold as a cold-blooded animal’s.

『It’s Christina Hernandez. I’m that damn bastard’s older sister.』

Yoon Taehwa followed Christina into the mansion. As if it wasn’t her first time visiting this place, there was not a hint of hesitation in her footsteps. After surveying her surroundings, she pushed Yoon Taehwa into a recessed corridor where a statue was erected.

『Take it.』

When he extended his hand, a thin piece of paper fell down.

『Stick it near your ear. It’s better if it’s not visible, so behind your earlobe would be even better.』

『I’ve never seen this before.』

『Because it’s not a publicly released item. I made it.』

Yoon Taehwa stuck the paper-thin object in the deep curve behind his earlobe.

『All the rooms in the mansion have special soundproofing. Because it’s easy for Espers or Beastmen to eavesdrop.』

Christina said, slightly tousling her updo. At her sudden action, Yoon Taehwa narrowed his eyes.

『You’ll be able to hear the entire conversation I have with Elijah. I made it for eavesdropping.』

『I’m curious why you’re helping me to this extent.』

『Didn’t we already finish that conversation?』

She deliberately smeared her lipstick and pulled at her lips.

『Because there’s nothing better than Elijah falling from grace with my help, Yoon.』

『Even in a situation where you don’t know if the picture you want will come out?』

『I’m the type to enjoy gambling. Well, I understand if you don’t completely trust me, Yoon. But there’s nothing to lose, right?』

From Yoon Taehwa’s perspective, it was a deal where there was nothing to lose at all. He stared blankly at the woman standing in front of him.

‘I should ask Yoon Taeseon to look into her when I get back.’

He didn’t feel any hint of a lie in her voice, her tone, or the movement of the muscles revealed under her mask, but it wouldn’t hurt to be careful.

『If you go out like that, everyone will misunderstand.』

Yoon Taehwa looked at the lipstick mark sticking out beyond her lips and calmly offered his advice. Christina wiped her lips, as if she knew.

『I did it so they would misunderstand. Elijah saw me come in with you, Yoon.』

The tousled hair must have been in the same context.

『Anyway, what you’re curious about right now is the data on the new bomb, right? Anything else you need?』

『It would be too much to ask for more than that.』

『Good.』

Instead of going out to the corridor right away, Christina looked up at Yoon Taehwa with a cautious expression. Soon, her finger, stained with red lipstick, touched the corner of his mouth.

『This way, no one will bother you. I’m not interested in men who don’t want me, so don’t misunderstand.』

『It’s an undeserved help.』

『I’ll take that as a thank you. Come out in 3 minutes.』

The blue evening dress went out to the chandelier-lit corridor and soon disappeared. Soon, the sound of a door opening was heard in his ear.

‘Strange.’

It seemed to be a type of object that maximized one’s senses.

• Did you have fun with that man earlier? Looking at his build, he seemed like an Esper or a Beastman.

Elijah’s cackling voice was heard.

• It can’t compare to your hobbies.
• By the way, what brings you here? I thought you couldn’t even stand the sight of your brother?
• The bomb you manufactured this time. Where’s the data?

Is it okay to ask so blatantly? Yoon Taehwa checked the watch on his wrist and then left the corridor.

• Acorn? The Esper-killing one?
• Yes.
• Why that?
• It’s hard to get a proper look at it because your stupid friends are managing it so poorly. I’m going to have my team reorganize it. It’s going into production soon, are you going to act like this?

Soon, thump, the sound of a shin being kicked was heard. At the sound, which seemed like a direct hit from a high heel, Yoon Taehwa unknowingly frowned.

– Ack! Ow… Hiss, why did you hit me?

– Want another one?

– Ack! Ack! Alright! It’s in my mansion.

– You have more than one mansion, don’t you?

– Philadelphia!

Philadelphia mansion. Yoon Taehwa moved his lips and chewed over the information.

– Right. I got some information that you might find interesting, Noona.

– What information?

– Crystal. The mineral found in dungeons.

– Why that?

Everyone knew that Elijah had a great interest in crystals.

– Not many countries know this. I think the Russians might know… Anyway, it was interesting when I heard about it.

– Get to the point.

– Abilities, right. Inside a crystal, an ability…

Just as the words were about to continue, thump thump, the sound of a door being knocked was heard.

– I have to go.

The fabric rustled. Listening to the long, continuous sound, it seemed he had been lying down, not sitting on the sofa. Then, the sound of shoes on the floor was heard.

– You’re leaving in the middle of a conversation? Are you going to do that again?

– What’s it to you? You go have some fun with that Esper from earlier, Noona. Your lipstick is smudged, it must have been great.

It seemed that was the end of the conversation between the siblings. Yoon Taehwa passed the door Christina had entered and fixed his gaze straight ahead to avoid showing any sign of consciousness.

As if someone had been looking this way, their eyes suddenly met. Force was put into the corner of his mouth, and his cheek twitched.

“…Why is he here?”

He couldn’t see his face, but it was definitely Han Suryeon.