DB Vol 2 Part 17

Hong Eun-tae’s incident shook the Esper society all day, but this was also quite a headache for the Ji family, who held the highest position among Guides. Hong Eun-tae was practically a partner cooperating with the Ji family, so Ji Dong-hyeon had been trying to find out Hong Eun-tae’s condition until evening. But he couldn’t get his hands on any information.

“You still haven’t found out where the Hong family hid Hong Eun-tae?”

When Ji Dong-hyeon asked Director Shin, who worked like a secretary, he shook his head.

“Our informants say they can’t get anything because the Hong Family is moving in secret within the family.”

“Fuck, what’s Hong Eun-tae’s condition like for them to do this? Do we still not know who did it?”

“No. But it seems to be a problem with Hong Eun-tae herself, not an attack.”

“So you’re saying it’s because of the Alpha Seed?”

Damn it. This can’t happen. How did we control Espers with Alpha Seeds? Because his father was raging about the Alpha Seed being involved, Ji Dong-hyeon was about to go to him with the report he had to make now.

“Are you sure it wasn’t an attack? What about the Gye family?”

“The Gye family head is still taking our bait.”

Ah. Only then did Ji Dong-hyeon recall the trick they had played on the Gye family. Recently, as Alpha Seeds decreased, his father Ji Geun-oh became obsessed with finding Alpha Seeds in farms. Thanks to that, they searched all farms in the East and West, but found nothing.

The only farms left were in the North, but they couldn’t search them at will. The best way was to take over the northern farms from the Gye family.

Fortunately, there was a Guide in the North that they could use very well. But no matter how much her daughter’s guiding was at stake, there was no way the strict Gye family head would agree to such an unreasonable demand. The Ji family planned to lure the Gye family head out, then deal with the remaining Gye family members to snatch the farms.

So they leaked information disguising one Guide’s wavelength. The Gye family head, not knowing it was bait, rushed there like a dog with its tail on fire.

“What’s the Gye family head doing now?”

At Seong-hyeon’s question, Director Shin chuckled as if it was funny just thinking about it.

“They say that haughty Gye family head has been kneeling for days.”

In a society where Esper power is absolute, it was natural for ordinary people’s interest to be focused on Espers. Which Esper is the strongest, who earns the most money, how great each family is, and so on. Because the level of interest was higher than for celebrities, many of the billboards seen on the streets used Espers as models.

Among them, Hong Eun-tae had been heavily exposed in the media since her youth due to her good family background, A-rank skills, and decent looks. Of course, this was with the intention of using public support to gain family power. So she didn’t hesitate to personally participate in promoting the company run by her family.

She usually managed her image well, so the public regarded her as a righteous person. Despite being an A-rank Esper from the Hong family who could easily rake in money through various businesses, she was working at the East Center for public safety.

Her upright image recognized by people had a great promotional effect. Just walking down the street, one could see her face displayed in advertisements.

Unlike other Hong family members who shunned public exposure, she stood at the forefront, to the extent that many people thought of her first when thinking of the Hong family. So rumors about Hong Eun-tae came as quite a shock to people. The name Hong Eun-tae was familiar to Hwang Sang-cheon as well.

“No, what on earth is going on.”

Hwang Sang-cheon couldn’t contain his curiosity about the talk of Hong Eun-tae that had covered the internet for the past few days. But Hong Eun-tae’s name never appeared in the news even once. Along with rumors that the Hong family was controlling the media, all sorts of speculations were rampant, but strangely, the Hong family kept their mouths shut.

The reason Sang-cheon was more curious about the whole story of this incident was because the place where she was injured was the farm where Ji Won-woo was. Moreover, Ji Won-woo had said today that he had someone to introduce and would bring them. And he asked like this,

‘Is Nani under repair?’

He said communication had been cut off for days since the farm. That was what Sang-cheon wanted to ask. After waking up a sleeping person to take the communicator, how could he cutting off contact like that?

He wondered if something had happened to the Gye family, separate from Hong Eun-tae’s incident. Just in case, he tried to ask Chief Jung, but the only answer was that he would contact him later. He had no good memories with the Brute, but was it because of the attachment he had? Sang-cheon recalled the brute who had come out of prison and muttered to himself again.

“What’s going on, really.”

***

Young Espers couldn’t easily control their mood and power, so they absolutely needed a Guide’s help. Jae-hak was in a position where he should be resenting and angry at Gye Yoon for killing his daughter’s only Guide. However, as soon as the situation was settled, instead of getting angry, Jae-hak sat Gye Yoon down and seriously asked for his opinion.

“What should we do now?”

At his words, those gathered in the conference room all looked at Jae-hak as if frustrated. Gye Yoon was in a dangerous state because he couldn’t even receive guiding himself. But how could he find a way to save his niece’s Guide? Those gathered here today, including Chief Jung, were vassals who had served the Gye Family as their masters for a long time.

There was only one reason they came here. To prevent the soon-to-arrive Gye family head and Gye Yoon from clashing. No, could they even prevent it? They could only hope that an Armageddon between siblings wouldn’t occur and wipe the Gye Family off the face of the earth.

“What?”

Gye Yoon asked back as if annoyed. Despite being the Vice Head, everyone frowned at the one who caused this situation acting like this. Did something happen to his head while he was locked up in prison? He probably didn’t have a solution either, but how could he just sit there doing nothing for days?

However, unlike the retainers, Jae-hak was looking at Gye Yoon with desperate eyes. He trusted Gye Yoon more than the Gye family head. He had always been like that. Always defending him, saying Yoon doesn’t do things without thinking. Even now, not letting go of that trust, he asked earnestly despite the arrogant reply.

“Now that the Guide is gone, our Hwan’s energy is fluctuating to the brink of going rampage. Isn’t there any way?”

“We need to prevent the rampage and find a new Guide.”

When an answer anyone could give came out, one Esper couldn’t hold back and interjected.

“Is that your answer? After eliminating the precious Guide who could save the Ji family’s heir, is that all you have to say?”

“Ah, it’s you.”

As Gye Yoon threw an indifferent glance, the Esper asked back in confusion.

“What do you mean by ‘it’s me’?”

“I mean you’re the idiot who treated that damn Guide so preciously, letting him do whatever he wanted.”

“Haa, Vice Head. No matter how young you are, do you really not understand the situation? Why do you think we put up with that Guide? It was obviously for the young miss.”

“Put up with? No, you were just too lazy to find a better way.”

Gye Yoon looked around at those gathered and twisted his lips.

“Thanks to trusting you guys, I became an idiot by going to prison.”

Anger underlined Gye Yoon’s low voice. His voice filled the room like an invisible fog, making people feel eerie.

So even though they had much to say in response to his criticism, they couldn’t muster the courage. No matter how much the Gye family’s power had fallen, and even though Gye Yoon was on the verge of going rampage, he was still an S-rank Esper. He could instill fear with just his emotionless, dry voice. Everyone lowered their gaze in fear, but Jae-hak was different.

“Yoon-ah, what’s the way to prevent the rampage and find a new Guide?”

He leaned his upper body towards Gye Yoon and asked desperately. Even when Gye Yoon turned his emotionless gaze, Jae-hak didn’t give up and pulled his chair closer, pleading with him.

“Hey, I’m an idiot, okay? I really don’t know, my brain’s constipated.”

Irritation spread in Gye Yoon’s eyes at Jae-hak’s analogy, but he moved even closer.

“Is there a way to prevent our Hwan from going rampage?”

Everyone was about to turn their frustrated gaze to Jae-hak again, thinking how could there be when Gye Yoon wasn’t even a Guide, when Gye Yoon rudely replied.

“Of course there is.”

There is? Everyone’s gaze turned to Gye Yoon at once. Surely he’s not talking nonsense about kidnapping a Guide? Only Jae-hak grabbed Gye Yoon’s arm with a brightened face.

“There is? What is it?”

“You don’t know even looking at me?”

“You? You’re…”

Jae-hak paused and examined Gye Yoon, then his eyes widened as if he realized something. Unlike a few who couldn’t figure out the method and were puzzled, a few who understood Gye Yoon’s words had their eyes light up. Oh? Maybe it could be a solution. But Jae-hak shook his head.

“No. We can’t take Hwan into the cave.”

The reason Gye Yoon hadn’t gone rampage for over a year. He meant to use the mountain’s power to suppress it. However, it was an unacceptable method for the father of a young child.

“Hwan’s condition isn’t good now. She’s already showing symptoms of mutism and avoiding all people, if she’s confined in an unfamiliar cave with walls all around, she might have a seizure.”

“A seizure is better than going rampage.”

Jae-hak couldn’t answer and bit his lower lip hard. Although the cave could barely suppress a rampage, it couldn’t subdue the energy that was currently tormenting the child.

It would only prevent a rampage, nothing more. Without receiving guiding, the pain would still be there. He didn’t want to leave the child hurting in a scary cave. As if noticing Jae-hak’s hesitation, Gye Yoon indifferently suggested.

“I’ll take her in.”

“Not you.”

Jae-hak firmly refused. Gye Yoon’s eyebrow twitched, but he didn’t care and added strongly.

“You know how severe Hwan’s stranger anxiety is. Besides, you’re not exactly a gentle personality, are you?”

“…I’ve been told I’m gentle before.”

“Maybe in your dreams. There’s no way a sane person would call you gentle.”

It was an accurate guess, but unfortunately, Gye Yoon was also telling the truth. Gye Yoon felt wronged, but he couldn’t confess the truth. That not only did he pretend to be an AI, but he was also praised by someone from the Ji family. Gye Yoon turned his head and cursed with a sigh.

“Fuck.”

However, whether Gye Yoon swallowed his curse or not, the urgent Jae-hak now pressed him.

“So what about finding a Guide? What should we do? Huh?”

“I’ve been called gentle… Damn it.”

“Just in case, kidnapping a Guide is not an option.”

As Jae-hak ignored his words and spoke as if scolding him sternly, Gye Yoon, who was already feeling wronged, opened his mouth as if dumbfounded.

“It’s not kidnapping, we can just buy a dedicated Guide attached to another Esper. Fuck.”

“All Esper families are watching the Ji family’s mood and won’t give up their guides. You know that, right? They all refused even when we offered an enormous amount of money.”

“Then we should give them something more amazing.”

Gye Yoon said and turned to Chief Jung.

“Use what Director Hwang gave.”

What’s that? Except for Chief Jung who widened his eyes, no one understood. But soon, hearing the word that came out of Gye Yoon’s mouth, everyone had an epiphany-like realization.

“If it’s an Alpha Seed, they’ll go crazy for it.”

In fact, the person who would go craziest over this sudden Alpha Seed was someone else.

“…Pardon?”

Sang-cheon could only blurt this out at Chief Jung’s sudden phone call.

“…What did you say?”

[An Alpha Seed.]

“…What about it?”

This same conversation had been going on frustratingly for over 5 minutes now, but Chief Jung confirmed repeatedly without showing any irritation.

[I’m talking about the seed that Director Hwang requested to sell.]

“…That?”

[Yes. The one you brought in a ziplock bag.]

“…A ziplock bag?”

[Yes. That black seed.]

“That… what did you say?”

[It’s an Alpha Seed.]

Hwang Sang-cheon held his forehead with his hand and lowered his head. Only one thing came to mind now.

“Is this a voice phishing scam?”

[It’s not.]

Sang-cheon staggered and sat in a chair. Chief Jung waited for him to calm down, then called him in a low, serious voice.

[Director Hwang. We really want to buy this seed. Have you mentioned this to anyone else?]

“No. Why would I tell anyone about that, which is surely fake.”

[It’s real.]

So… Ah, so why is it real?! Even after hanging up the phone, Sang-cheon couldn’t come to his senses. A real Alpha Seed? How rare and expensive is that? Some said its price was whatever the seller asked for it.

Just now, Chief Jung also gave an example saying they would match whatever price he wanted. It was an unbelievable amount. Not just 100 or 200 million, but… Wait. Sang-cheon finally remembered an important point. What Ji Won-woo said when he gave him the Alpha Seed.

‘I’ll give you 50% as commission.’

Clang. The startled Sang-cheon jumped up from his seat, causing the chair to tumble backward. At the same time, a puzzled voice was heard from behind.

“Director Hwang, are you alright?”

Ji Won-woo, who had entered unnoticed, was standing there with the expressionless Seona.

Seona liked practical people even if they were selfish, so she wasn’t particularly fond of Sang-cheon at first sight. He seemed to have agreed to sell something Won-woo entrusted him with and receive a commission, but he was trembling like that, saying it was too burdensome.

She thought whatever the commission was, it couldn’t be more than a few million won at most. However, Sang-cheon vehemently refused as if he was being forced to buy a ticket to hell. Not only that, he shook his head and waved both arms.

“I, I can’t accept such a large amount of money. I, I can’t take it!”

Sang-cheon shouted until his face turned red, but Won-woo just smiled as if he had expected this.

“You have to take it.”

“What do you mean? I’m not going to take it.”

“If you don’t take it, I won’t sell.”

Sang-cheon blinked and slowly froze. Then, remembering where he was supposed to sell the Alpha Seed, his entire face filled with shock. Chief Jung had said this before hanging up,

‘I hope you haven’t tried to contact anyone else to sell it. The Vice Head hopes you’ll sell it to us, considering your relationship. He said he might not know what he’ll do if he’s very disappointed.’

‘What he’ll do.’ This was no different from a threat to tear him to pieces if he didn’t sell it to them. To think he was destined to die by the Brute’s hand if he didn’t accept the commission. Sang-cheon asked Won-woo with a face full of despair.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

Won-woo lifted his eyes as if searching for words, then replied lightly.

“Because I’m grateful.”

“Why to me?”

“A stranger in a patient’s gown came and suddenly grabbed you and cried, but you didn’t chase me away and listened to all my crying.”