SOG Ch 20

Woo-jin rewinded the video again. It was a scene that had been played out dozens of times. Seon Jae-chan had obviously climbed into the trunk. The tip of his toe, which quickly disappeared into the hatchback trunk was noticeable, but the culprit did not seem to have noticed Seon Jae-chan. How could he not have been noticed?

He wouldn’t know if he was there, but it was difficult to deduce the situation from the video. No matter how big the monitor was, there was a limit.

“…”

He shifted his gaze from the touchscreen to the battery. On that day, he didn’t even know it was missing, but he remembered that Seon Jae-chan was happy to help. Right. It was strange even then.

Seon Jae-chan was a very important tool in the struggle with his stepmother. However, little by little, he showed an unexpected appearance and deviated from the plan.

‘I’ll quit being your pair guide.’

The same goes for the remarks that he couldn’t believe came out of Seon Jae-chan’s mouth.

What is his plan now?

His thoughts are always endless… It was uncomfortable.

It was when a thin line was drawn between Go Woo-jin’s forehead as he tilted his head back before he knew it. His phone rang. The ringing attracted his cold eyes.

He reached out and grabbed the phone with a pop-up window. He checked the text, wondering if it was from his stepmother.

The next moment. Go Woo-jin’s dry, cold eyes seemed to widen slightly, but he quickly frowned.

*

At the same time, the only brewpub in District 1 Central Management Headquarters.

It was a Friday evening, so the inside of the store was very crowded. Seon Jae-chan, sitting at the bar, was drinking beer from a 500cc glass.

There were already three empty beer cups on display in front of him, with only a white strip remaining. The bartender taking the order glanced at the customer who had been drinking like water for a while. So did the people sitting around. “Haa.” Jae-chan sighed and set down his heavy glass, grabbing a fork to snack on the unlimited puffed rice cakes served at the bar.

Then he gulps down the newly ordered glass. The bartender, who had been receiving plates from the back kitchen, asked jokingly.

“Customer. Aren’t you eating in a hurry? Did you suffer a broken heart?”

“Yes.”

The bartender was taken aback by the immediate answer. Oh my. He just asked, but he didn’t know it was the answer. He offered a heartfelt consolation.

“This. What happened?”

It was 10 minutes ago. The customer, who was dressed comfortably in a short-sleeved T-shirt and jeans, had come in alone, sat at the bar, and immediately ordered several beers. His face was that of a student (he even checked his ID), and his behavior was so out of the ordinary that it was difficult not to keep an eye on him. What kind of woman would kick the gleaming spirit world like that? Was the girl younger?

The bartender served the seasoned chicken plate he ordered to the staring customer next to him, then spoke to Seon Jae-chan again.

“Were they a very good person?”

“It’s okay. Oh. The bartender is also familiar with this person.”

“…What?”

“He’s sitting next to me.”

The left side of Seon Jae-chan’s seat was empty, so the only person sitting next to him was the one on the right.

The bartender stared at the person next to him who had just received the marinated chicken. A man with shaggy hair and a beard was built like a mountain bear.

He looked like he was in his 30s?

The bartender, who was confusedly looking back and forth between the two, decided that the youngster had much more to waste and brought a glass full of fresh draft beer.

“It’s my treat. Cheer up.”

He didn’t forget to glare at the seasoned chicken before leaving. Kim Geun-won twisted his mouth as he was suddenly treated absurdly.

“You punk. When did I dump you? Are you crazy?”

He openly poked chicken with a fork and poured out his dissatisfaction with Seon Jae-chan.

“You dumped me yesterday and the day before.”

“Huh! You’re still. There is still room for misunderstanding from what you say!”

Kim Geun-won shouted at Seon Jae-Chan, who is now stealing even the homemade seasoned chicken sauce. The shameless fellow was diligently spooning seasoned chicken sauce onto puffed rice dipped in the tip of his fork.

“It’s not easy here. I was really dumped.”

“You’re talking that way!”

As if we’re dating! Kim Geun-won, who was about to shout, waved his hand instead because he was afraid to say anything. Seon Jae-chan gulped half a glass of beer after savagely putting the fried dumplings dipped in sweet and spicy sauce into his mouth. He wiped his wet lips with the back of his hand and said.

“So please accept me now, sunbae.”

I’m going crazy. Kim Geun-won sighed as he supported his lower jaw, which had now healed completely, with his palm. He ignored Seon Jae-chan and grabbed the chicken leg with his other hand.

“Why don’t you accept me? Why. Is it because I’m not affectionate?”

He didn’t ask for the bartender’s name again, did he call him the bartender? Seon Jae-chan questioned with a pale face, unable to believe that it was his fourth beer.

“My grudges are so deep. Stop it.”

Kim Geun-won said as he rubbed his seasoned fingertips on a piece of tissue paper. To be honest, he has been watching Seon Jae-chan, who is stalking him, for the past few days.

Exactly three weeks ago. He saved his life without a hitch. If Seon Jae-chan hadn’t stopped him, the trunk of the station wagon that looked like it had been washed for years would be his coffin.

Seon Jae-chan is the one who came back from the dead, but why does he feel as if he has crossed the threshold of death? Kim Geun-won’s heart sank again with goosebumps. It’s gotten to the point where he’s secretly receiving counseling for something like post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I really don’t stalk Go Woo-jin. Can’t you see? I’m stalking you, sunbae. So take me to District 4.”

Kim Geun-won chewed the greasy seasoned chicken leg through Seon Jae-chan’s words.

“District 4 Mentosa Island. I want to go.”

Seon Jae-chan urged with a firm tone that cut through the noise of the bar.

Mentosa Island.

The place where the pirates had been wiped out a while ago, and where Go Woo-jin is in charge of handling the remnants.

Pirates have been infesting District 4’s shores for several years, but President Gyeong Jeon-seok has been totally ignorant. Then, about a month ago, he pulled out the sword of punishment, and the media speculated that he couldn’t take it any longer. However, President Gyeong Jeon-seok, who was only interested in retaining power, rolled up his sleeves belatedly for another reason.

It was because of the upcoming celebration of the 30th anniversary of the president’s inauguration.

Every year, the ceremony was held at the Capitol, which was built in the heart of District 1 by Kim Tae-young, the pre-Union Republic’s last lifelong president. President Gyeong wanted to find a special commemorative location for the 30th anniversary.

There was a historic and beautiful national cultural property that had been used as an island fortress several hundred years ago on Mentosa Island. The northern forest surrounding the castle was also the place where the rebels declared surrender during the regime change 30 years ago.

A castle that is meaningful in many ways and a ceremony in the forest. Even on a recently reclaimed island from pirates! The media made a big deal of the rediscovery of Mentosa Island and the selection of a unique commemorative location.

That is until mass explosives were discovered buried beneath it.

“Take me with you. Hmm?”

Seon Jae-chan, who had to somehow get into Mentosa Island, pretended to be pitiful and lowered his eyebrows to convince Kim Geun-won.

In the past, the military announced bombing dates ranging from the end of September to the middle of October. It was just before the ceremony began. As a result, it was initially interpreted as an assassination attempt and a national security threat.

However, the fact that the whole country’s excitement was overshadowed by this incident must be resolved at some point. It was clear that there was a dirty back transaction.

‘The black swan may be involved.’

There weren’t many organizations powerful enough to manufacture, purchase, and distribute such explosives in large quantities, let alone trade with the President. Seon Jae-chan had recognized this incident as having a strong connection to the Black Swan, which was now under the surface.

The problem was how to get to Mentosa Island.

“Sunbae, you can come and go from time to time because of Woo-jin anyway. Please put me in as an assistant guide.”

Along with Go Woo-jin, who was temporarily in charge of Mentosa Island, his field guide Kim Geun-won was also allowed to enter. There was not enough time. If Kim Geun-won continued to refuse his request, he would have to find another way.

“What do I have to do? What can I do to get a seat next to you? Hmm?”

“Don’t say anything that will cause misunderstanding.”

“Oh. Sunbae.”

“You can’t!!”

“You got seasoning on your beard.”

Seon Jae-chan glanced at the tip of Kim Geun-won’s thick beard. The music in the pub changed while Kim Geun-won raised his eyes, pulled out a tissue, and wiped it away. In line with the emotional alternative rock music, Seon Jae-chan emptied another glass of beer. It was received as a service.

“If you can only say no, why did you ask to meet?”

He asked while rubbing his swollen stomach. He didn’t go looking for Kim Geun-won today, but Kim Geun-won contacted him first. Kim Geun-won, who crumpled the wiped tissue and listened to it while checking his phone, was suddenly delighted. He quickly turned around toward the entrance after checking the text.

“Woo-jin! Here!”