DB Vol 2 Part 16

“Deputy Team Leader, do you know someone named Gye Yoon?”

When Won-woo asked, Seona, who was about to introduce the fan-made account she had found yesterday, froze. Then she slowly raised her eyes from her phone and carefully asked,

“He’s the Vice Head of the Gye family. Why do you ask?”

When Won-woo relayed that Hong Seung-wook had suspected him, Seona’s expression gradually frowned.

“Yoo Geon-young always talks shit, but this time that bastard’s opinion is right. Gye Yoon is locked up in a place no different from prison. And just the fact that he didn’t come forward when the Head Director collapsed shows it’s not the Brute.”

Won-woo tilted his head at the nickname ‘the Brute’ coming from Seona’s mouth.

“He’s the Vice Head of the Gye family, but everyone speaks so carelessly of him. Yoo Geon-young too.”

“Well, that’s because of the Ji family—…”

Seona stopped mid-sentence, but Won-woo could understand without hearing it all. Slander and accusations were what Ji Geun-oh was good at.

It was obvious how many false rumors he must have spread and how many innocent people he must have defamed to bring down the Gye family, whom he considered enemies. And his efforts seemed quite successful. Everyone was calling the great ruler of the North ‘the Brute’ without hesitation.

“But is this Gye Yoon person the Brute?”

“Yes. He butchered all the Espers that the Gye family had to deal with.”

Ah, so that’s why he’s called the swordsman. Others might be horrified by that nickname, but to Won-woo, it actually sounded quite cute. At least it’s better than mine. Perhaps because Won-woo’s reaction was nonchalant, Seona mentioned one of the Brute’s records.

“You know there are central Centers in three places – North, East, and West, right? Once a year, there’s an exchange meeting for the top 10 Espers from each Center. Because of that, Gye Yoon once came to the East Center. But from the first day, he blew up a building. He’s an S-rank ability user, after all. The superficial reason was that he didn’t like the voice of the education supervisor.”

“What was the reason beneath the surface?”

“Among the dead Espers were those who had sided with Ji Geun-oh.”

Ah, it was revenge. Won-woo nodded in understanding and asked,

“How old was he at the time?”

“Thirteen.”

Wow. Won-woo nodded in amazement, then quickly asked again.

“Doesn’t the Gye family have an unusual wavelength, so there aren’t many matching Guides? What if he goes rampage using his power like that?”

“Yes, of course he went to the brink of going rampage. I think the Center probably gauged how much damage an S-rank going rampage could cause that day. They say it was dangerous enough to affect the entire city, but anyway, the Ji family sent all the Guides they had to barely suppress Gye Yoon.

And later, rumors spread that this wasn’t just simple revenge. They say he deliberately went to the brink of going rampage to find information about a matching Guide because the Ji family wouldn’t send one. No one would have thought that young boy would bet his own life like that.”

“Wow.”

Won-woo’s second exclamation came out loud. Seona immediately tensed her eyes and warned,

“You shouldn’t think of it as a reckless action of his youth. It’s not for nothing that Gye Yoon has been locked up for over a year now. Even while being in a rampage state for nearly 10 years without receiving guiding, the number of Espers on Ji Geun-oh’s side that he killed is not small. They say it was an accident, but anyone could see it was intentional. There’s a reason Ji Geun-oh grinds his teeth at the Gye family.”

Seona emphasized, pausing and earnestly advised,

“So you, Mr. Won-woo of the Ji family, must never get involved with Gye Yoon. You shouldn’t associate with the Brute. Even if you happen to see him, avoid him at all costs.”

“We must leave, Vice Head.”

An employee from the Gye family stood next to Gye Yoon, urging him. He was repeating the same words like a recorder, but his eyes were carefully observing Gye Yoon’s expressions and gestures. After all, he was the Vice Head of the Gye family that ruled the North. Normally, one wouldn’t even be able to see his face properly, but being given the role of urging him right beside him made his heart pound.

Even if it weren’t for his status, he was tense about how an S-rank Esper might react if he was displeased by his words. He wanted to run away at this point, but thinking of getting scolded by Chief Jung was horrifying in its own way. So the employee watched Gye Yoon’s mood and was about to open his mouth again. Please, let’s go. But Gye Yoon spoke for the first time.

“Fuck.”

The curse flowed out as casually as if talking about the weather, but the employee’s heart shook like a storm. Is it because of him? As he was about to step back, he noticed Gye Yoon’s gaze still fixed on one spot and followed it.

Far away, on the rooftop of the dormitory across. It seemed like someone was there, but being high up, it was hard to make out from the ground. Just a glimpse of someone’s head was all that was seen earlier. Yet for some reason, Gye Yoon couldn’t take his eyes off that place. Hearing the curse, even that expressionless face seemed somewhat displeased.

“Is there a problem?”

He had asked this question about 50 times by now. Of course, he didn’t expect an answer this time either. But Gye Yoon mumbled something.

“Can’t hear.”

“Pardon?”

The employee asked again, looking up at the rooftop once more. Does he mean he can’t hear the sounds from there? But with Gye Yoon’s ability, shouldn’t he be able to hear even an ant crawling up there?

“How does he know to look this way while hiding his power so well?”

So who on earth? The employee blinked, looking at the rooftop again.

“Could it be your imagination, Vice Head?”

Gye Yoon’s eyes turned towards the employee for the first time. A strange chill ran down his spine at the indifferent gaze. Gulp. The employee instinctively knew that now was the time to run.

Whether Gye Yoon set up a house here or not was beyond his control now. He was about to say he would be leaving when an order came through the communicator.

[There’s a rain forecast for this evening. Since the Vice Head is sensitive to sounds, advise him to hurry into the cave before then.]

At first glance, it seemed like an insignificant statement. The employee’s expression didn’t change either. However, he who was about to flee, as if trying to carry out the last order, calmly advised Gye Yoon,

“They say it will rain this evening. It would be best if you go right now.”

The employee prided himself on there being nothing wrong with his words. He had done well as instructed from above. But seeing a coldness settle like fog in Gye Yoon’s eyes, his heart sank. Surely he hadn’t noticed something? As he tried to hide his startled expression, a slow voice was heard.

Gye Yoon’s voice was impressively charming every time one heard it, but there were more than a few who, bewitched by that voice, realized too late that their true intentions had been exposed. So the employee was on guard again, but couldn’t easily open his mouth to Gye Yoon’s question.

“Rain. That’s the code word you use when there’s a problem among yourselves, isn’t it? Has something happened at the main house?”

“…No, sir.”

He denied it belatedly, but it was useless to Gye Yoon. The employee’s heartbeat had already quickened. Gye Yoon turned his body without looking back and headed for the teleportation portal. He was about to leave the farm as the employee had so desperately wished, but the employee closed his eyes tightly and then opened them, trying hard to hide his despair. And he quickly connected the communication to inform the Gye family.

“Prepare. The Vice Head might be coming.”

“Let go! I said let go!”

A male Guide in his 40s shouted angrily, roughly shaking off the hands holding him from the side. He was now trying to leave recklessly, as if running away from home with a large travel bag.

“Guide, please calm down. The young miss is still young, and it’s painful every time she receives guiding…”

“Fuck, you think I enjoy giving guiding every time? I’m dying because of that fucking wavelength too! Do you know how anxious I’ve been because that brat causes a commotion every time?! But today, that brat used her power!! I got hurt so badly that I’m bleeding all over my body from the flying glass shards, damn it!”

The Guide raised his injured arm, but most of it was just red scratches. Nevertheless, no one could say anything about his unreasonable behavior. He was a precious Guide who had been brought in with difficulty in exchange for putting the Vice Head in prison.

So everyone was trying to humor him. He had thrown tantrums about leaving countless times before, but until now it had all been bluster, and he would end up staying when persuaded. But today, no amount of coaxing worked. He had packed his bags and seemed ready to really leave, as if he had made up his mind.

“If there’s anything uncomfortable, please tell us. We’ll fix everything…”

“Fix it? Even if you fix things, it’s not like that brat will change, right? Haa, I’m sick of it now. I want to get out of this cursed place. Do you understand?”

The Guide shoved away the person trying to stop him again with his arm and moved forward. However, after a few steps, someone blocked his way. It was Jae-hak, who was smiling despite panting as if he had run here.

“Mr. Park. Ah, where are you trying to go? I got that liquor I mentioned before, and I’m busy grilling the smoked duck you like to eat today. Come on, let’s go.”

As soon as Jae-hak patted the guide’s arm with a friendly voice, the Guide pushed him away with a serious face.

“Don’t touch me. You think I don’t know you’re trying to butter me up with just some alcohol? And duck? Ha, fuck, you’re trying to compensate for all my hard work with just one measly duck. Yeah, I’ve been acting like an idiot all this time. But I won’t be fooled anymore.”

Despite the Guide’s words, Jae-hak managed to maintain a good-natured smile as he blocked the Guide from moving forward.

“Ah, who’s trying to compensate? I’m hurt. I’m not that shameless. Whether it’s jewels or cash, I can give you plenty as compensation.”

Only then did the Guide stop walking. He looked Jae-hak up and down and asked,

“But you don’t have much power in the Gye family, do you?”

“Even if I don’t, it’s about saving our child, so I’ll make anything happen. Tell me what you want.”

When Jae-hak asked directly, the Guide lifted his chin and said one thing,

“Give me the OO district farm.”

The eyes of those who had gathered around suddenly filled with both dismay and anger. The farm the Guide mentioned was the largest monster farm in the North. It was so large that it accounted for 1/10 of all the farms owned by the Gye family. Even Jae-hak, who had maintained his smile, couldn’t help but stiffen his expression. The Guide laughed shortly, “Ha,” and sneered.

“See that. You can’t give it, can you? Honestly, I’m saving your brat’s life, no, not just a brat? I’m holding the lifeline of the next head of the Gye family. That means this family can continue its lineage because of me, right? But I can’t even have that?! You would have all died from the curse already if it weren’t for me… Ugh!”

The Guide suddenly coughed up blood and fell forward as he was speaking.

“Mr. Park!”

Jae-hak was startled and tried to run over, but someone stopped him from behind.

“Leave him.”

Startled, Jae-hak turned his head and widened his eyes. A man in black clothes walking slowly from afar pulled down the hood on his head amidst the surprised gazes of people. The numerous piercings in his ears shone under the bright lights as if warning of his dangerousness. Jae-hak inhaled sharply and called his name.

“Yoo, Yoon-ah. Why are you here…”

“How long has this bastard been like this?”

Gye Yoon’s voice was low and calm. Jae-hak, stiff with tension, couldn’t easily open his mouth. He knew that his brother-in-law, who was like a younger brother to him, spoke in such an indifferent tone when he was angry.

“Yoon-ah, go back.”

“Don’t make me ask twice. Do you think I can’t kill you?”

“Yoon-ah… Ugh!”

Jae-hak, who was calling him again, floated into the air and flew quickly like a ball, hitting the wall.

Bang!

With a loud noise, Jae-hak fell to the floor and curled up as if crumpled. A few people ran to Jae-hak, but no one screamed or called his name. The Vice Head had returned after a year, but fear of him instantly overwhelmed everyone.

Everyone instinctively held their breath and closed their mouths. But Gye Yoon needed someone to open their mouth and answer. He turned his eyes to someone nearby.

“You, answer.”

The employee who was pointed at squeezed his eyes shut. He knew that Gye Yoon might get angrier depending on his answer, but he couldn’t lie either.

“…Mr. Park’s attitude has been like this from the beginning.”

Hearing the answer, Gye Yoon looked down at the Guide who was coughing up blood and gasping for breath.

“While I was locked up in that fucking cave, this kind of trash was running wild at home.”

Tak. As Gye Yoon took a step forward, the Guide looked up in surprise.

“Heuk, if, if you kill me, the Ji family won’t stand still! The child of the Gye family head will die too!”

Gye Yoon looked down at him and called someone.

“Chief Jung.”

Chief Jung, who had just rushed over after hearing the news, approached with a stiff face. He should have asked why he came here first, but seeing Gye Yoon’s condition now, he couldn’t ask anything. He just bowed his head and answered carefully.

“Yes.”

“Where did the Gye family head go?”

It was a disrespectful way to refer to his older sister, but Chief Jung noticed the anger contained in it. Why hadn’t she fixed this mess at home and why wasn’t she showing her face?

Chief Jung opened his mouth, holding back a sigh. In fact, she had been said to have gone far away for work, but in reality, she had gone to meet a Guide whose wavelength matched about 1/3 with her daughter’s after finding out the information.

“…She went to find a Guide. Because the other side demanded that the family head come in person.”

“There’s no way a proper Guide would make such a demand. Since when did the Gye family head become an idiot?”

“Vice Head…”

“Contact the Ji family. Tell them the Guide they sent is dead.”

“Th-that…”

“Yoon-ah, no!”

Jae-hak’s loud voice tried to stop him, but couldn’t prevent the Guide’s head from exploding with a small ‘pop’ sound.