SOG Ch 138

Half an hour later, Jae-chan was receiving guiding at the District 5 Center, making his previous wandering seem pointless. It was in the innermost empty guiding room.

“Are you sure you’re okay with me? Wouldn’t a guide with a higher matching rate be better?” 

Park Yu-ram, asked worriedly as she opened the packaging of the electrode pads. Surprisingly and thankfully, this was her first question. Yu-ram, who worked as both a researcher and guide in District 5, had only checked Jae-chan’s wavelength stability without asking anything else after hearing he was an Esper.

Since Jae-chan was unregistered and his wavelength was not in the Center’s database, the matching rate of the two was unknown, but Yu-ram was able to find out as soon as she attempted guiding. The matching rate between the two was not very good.

In the end, she had sneakily brought an amplifier while glancing furtively at the other District 5 Guides.

“Frequent use is not good for your health.”

“It’s just once in a while, come on. By that logic, aren’t antibiotics bad for you too?”

“Wow, you sound like Chairman Go Young-chang… Are you sure you want to use it? How about trying to endure it a bit longer?”

Jae-chan shook his head at Yu-ram’s suggestion.

“It’s fine. Thank you for your concern.”

Given his condition, if left untreated, he would suffer from high fever, dizziness, and tinnitus for days. If there was no other way to stay in District 5, he’d have to use his annual leave like during the Universal Park incident. But with only about twenty days of leave available at most, he couldn’t afford to waste a week recovering.

The next day.

Thanks to receiving guiding and sleeping well, Jae-chan woke up feeling much better. However, his refreshed mood soured a bit when he checked his phone.

[Fvck off]

[Who do you think you are to make such demands? Ask your boyfriend.

3:23 AM]

There was a reply from Gyeong Hye-in. He had left her a long text message to find a way to remain in District 5.

Judging by the response, it seemed he had chosen the wrong person to ask. He had thought she was someone who always maintained a thoroughly relaxed exterior, regardless of her inner feelings, but it seemed she had become much harsher in his absence.

[Yes, sorry. 7:08 AM]

After sending the reply, Jae-chan briefly regretted it. He should have waited a few hours. Given the time, she was probably still sleeping, and he might have annoyed her by waking her with the message notification sound.

‘By the way, boyfriend?’

Did she say that knowing about his relationship with Go Woo-jin, or was it just a guess? Jae-chan frowned slightly. Well, it didn’t really matter either way.

Anyway, Gyeong Hye-in was out of option, and Han Tae-hoon wouldn’t be a good choice as Woo-jin probably wouldn’t like it, so the next option was Han Ji-hoon?

While deep in thought, Jae-chan washed his face and put on his clothes. His expression soured again as he pulled the turtleneck sweater he had worn yesterday over his head.

He had hurriedly bought underwear and a toothbrush at a convenience store yesterday, but he was still living out of one set of clothes. If he was going to stay long, he’d need to buy more clothes and shoes.

Where was that outlet again? He thought he should stop by a large supermarket as he neatly folded his aunt’s short training pants. He also tidied up the bedding before stepping out of the study.

After watching TV in the living room for a while, his aunt and mother, who had woken up, came out one after the other. Jae-chan clapped his hands together towards the two who looked bewildered seeing him. His voice echoed energetically through the living room, more lively than yesterday.

“You haven’t had your annual health check-up this year, right? Let’s go get it done.”

*

“I heard it’s not good to get health check-ups too often.”

There was a weak protest from his aunt before entering the health screening center of the only general hospital in District 5, but Jae-chan persuaded her again, saying the appointment was already made and couldn’t be helped.

“Don’t forget to get your wave check-up at the center after we’re done here.”

“Okay, okay, I got it.”

“Health is the most important thing.”

Jae-chan gave a thumbs-up, causing Koo Ji-eun to chuckle, “Well, aren’t you full of yourself?” His playful demeanor seemed to increase when his mother was around, no matter how distant he usually was.

While sitting in the waiting area, Gu Ji-young’s name appeared first on the large screen. As she followed the nurse for her examination, Gu Ji-eun glanced at her nephew.

“Hey, you need to eat something.”

“Of course. I’ll make sure to eat well. Oh, I have plenty of money.”

When she took out some cash from her wallet, Jae-chan waved his hand and stepped back.

“You act like you have many. Are you actually spending it?”

“I spent billions just last year.”

“Ah, you mean that United Freedom Alliance? Or is it the recent donations to the dolphin release group? I was going to say something about that. Are you a philanthropist or something now?”

Listening to her sudden nagging, Jae-chan felt nostalgic, as if he had returned to the past right before he regressed when he used to bicker with his aunt.

“It’s all for your safety, along with District 5.”

“Now you’re talking back. Anyway, make sure to eat proper food!”

Seon Jae-chan reluctantly put the money in his pocket. His aunt, both before and after the regression, tended to think he couldn’t even afford a bowl of gruel.

Jae-chan planned to eat well without being told. After his aunt went into the examination room, he had a hearty bowl of bean sprout soup with egg yolk at a restaurant in front of the hospital. He didn’t forget to stop by the pharmacy and buy multivitamins and eat them right away.

Just as he finished buying snacks at a convenience store, the rental car arrived. His aunt had taken the SUV, saying she’d handle it, and it was too conspicuous to drive before repairs anyway, so he had rented another.

He got into the small white car, which had a slightly musty smell from neglect, and headed straight for the outlet. It was conveniently empty, making shopping easy. Jae-chan quickly bought the cheapest clothes and additional necessities, returning to the parking lot in just 20 minutes.

Back in the car, he immediately entered the destination into the navigation system:

[District 5 West Police Station]

Noticing it wasn’t far from the District 5 Police Headquarters, Jae-chan hurriedly set off.

Due to the car’s smell, he kept the windows open all the way to the West Police Station. Feeling the crisp breeze tickle his forehead, Jae-chan noticed a building constantly in his peripheral vision. Beyond the generally low-rise buildings of District 5, a cylindrical chimney stood tall in the distance.

The District 5 Nuclear Power Plant.

Looking at the building, which was as quiet as a sleeping animal, Jae-chan suddenly recalled the goals he had set for District 5 while resting yesterday.

First, find evidence to prove the nuclear power plant explosion that would occur in a few years.

No one would believe him if he suddenly claimed the nuclear plant would explode in two years. Jae-chan planned to gather plausible evidence and have others speak on his behalf. Despite his aunt calling it useless, this was why he consistently donated hundreds of millions to organizations like the Union Freedom Alliance, various environmental groups, and internet media outlets.

Second, track down the drug organizations that likely operating in District 5.

When the location of drug factories was outlined using the information provided by Woo-jin, the density of factories in District 5 was overwhelmingly high. Jae-chan recalled an article about drugs found in a river that the President had buried. That river was a tributary of the Namryu River, which was also used as cooling water for the District 5 nuclear power plant. It might be good to learn more about the drug organizations while he was here.

Third, follow Lee Yoon-do’s trail to find clues about Black Swan.

As he hadn’t even caught the tail of Angel and the Technician yet, Jae-chan was focusing most on this third goal.

The reason he was heading to the west police station was also related to this. Following the navigation, he changed lanes and recalled his recent visit to Investigator Kwon Hwi-young.

‘It appears that Lee Yoon-do entered District 5 via the coast of District 4. He likely traveled upstream on the Namryu River by boat.’

‘As it happens, my younger sibling works at the District 5 West Station. We plan to collaborate with the District 5 police and Ability Center.’

In other words, Jae-chan was on his way to meet Kwon Hwi-young’s younger brother, an investigator in District 5, to obtain additional information about Lee Yoon-do.

Finally, he arrived in front of a large six-story building surrounded by a blue wall. The sky had become overcast, with dim clouds taking over the sunlight. Jae-chan parked in a random spot in the vast outdoor parking lot without bothering to look for shade.

As Kwon Hwi-young’s brother wasn’t answering his phone, Jae-chan buttoned up his coat and waited for a while. He had called earlier in the morning and even left a message when there was no answer, but still no response.

That made two people who were unreachable. He glanced at the unanswered chat messages and the missed call list as he entered the West Police Station.

“I’m here to see Investigator Kwon Joon-young.”

After somehow getting his identity verified at the main station and recording his purpose of visit, Jae-chan was directed to the Investigation Bureau building where Kwon Joon-young was supposed to be.

And when I arrived at the investigation bureau, there was no need to look for Kwon Jun-young.

“This needs to be made official, I’m telling you!”

A voice that sounded like it had been boiled in a train barrel was caught in Jae-chan’s ears. Although his speaking style was completely opposite to that of the gentle Kwon Hwi-young, his voice was similar. When he went to check, their faces were identical too.

“We need to inform the citizens so they can be cautious, and reduce casualties even by one person!”

“Be quiet! Those bastards are all attention seekers. If they start killing more people once the spotlight is on them, will you take responsibility?”

Kwon Joon-young was arguing with a well-built, white-haired old man who seemed to be his superior.  So this is what happens when two hot-tempered people meet, Jae-chan thought. Even after listening for just a moment, he rubbed his ears with his palms, feeling like his eardrums were ringing.

“Fine, I don’t care! If more people die here, do whatever you want, Chief!”

After some time and with the intervention of those around them, the heated argument seemed to calm down. The old man rubbed his forehead, and Kwon Joon-young stormed out of the partitioned office. Jae-chan, who had been standing near the entrance, quickly followed him.

“Investigator Kwon Joon-young?”

Kwon Joon-young was a middle-aged man with a slightly rougher appearance than the neat-looking Kwon Hwi-young. It must be because of that long hair sticking out in all directions like a mane. Still, as Kwon Hwi-young’s twin, he looked exactly like him.

“What?”

Kwon Joon-young’s face clearly displayed his irritation.

“I came here on the recommendation of Investigator Kwon Hwi-young. I left you a message this morning, and you didn’t answer the phone.”

“Ah.”

Kwon Joon-young nodded as if he remembered. At that moment, another investigator who seemed to be waiting for him nervously interjected.

“Investigator, they say another body has been found on the riverside behind the Namryu River gas station.”