The Hunter’s Gonna Lay Low - Chap 239
One week and a day had passed since monsters rained down like a storm.
A dark, narrow space, lit by a single ceiling light. This was the interrogation room of the Awakened Management Bureau. Cha Eui-jae was slouched in a creaky metal chair, while long fingers tapped away at a keyboard across the narrow metal desk, where Jung Bin sat, rubbing his smooth chin.
“Let’s go over this one last time. After escaping the General Assembly, you went outside to assess the situation, where you witnessed the kidnapping of Yoon Ga-eul-ssi. You then pursued the truck, which led you to the Prometheus headquarters… is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“You infiltrated the building, confirmed that the kidnapped hunters were inside, witnessed the research scene, and discovered that Song Jo-heon, who has ties with Prometheus, was also present… is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“And the number of hunters?”
“There were about 10 just in the cages… likely more.”
“Understood. And leaving Yoon Ga-eul-ssi behind was… respecting her wishes, correct?”
“Yes.”
Jung Bin exhaled and stared at his laptop screen, while Cha Eui-jae folded his hands on the desk. He had shared most of the necessary information, leaving out the parts best kept secret. Finally, Jung Bin nodded.
“Alright, the interrogation is complete. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Cha Eui-jae twisted his neck with a groan. The interrogation room in the Awakened Management Bureau was as stifling and oppressive as ever, cramped and designed to pressure people. Massaging his neck, Cha Eui-jae noticed Jung Bin giving him a sheepish smile.
“Thank you, J. Your assistance was invaluable. It’s just a procedural formality.”
“No problem. You waited a whole week for me, after all. Normally, we’d have done this right away.”
After invading the headquarters of Prometheus— a group that nearly brought about the apocalypse— delivering an alliance proposal to the Bureau’s director, and exposing the long-time betrayal by Song Jo-heon, J had moved like a whirlwind. The Bureau had been desperate to hear his account but…
Jung Bin interjected with a wry comment.
“I have to admit, I was a bit shocked when you just left Song Jo-heon-ssi outside the director’s office that day, ha ha.”
Indeed, that day, J had stormed in like lightning, dropped off a dazed Song Jo-heon in front of the director’s office, knocked on the door, and disappeared like the wind. Cha Eui-jae averted his gaze, knowing full well that Jung Bin’s smile carried a hidden edge.
“If Lee Sa-young-ssi hadn’t arrived right after, we might’ve been completely lost.”
“I apologize for that…”
“No need. I’m sure you had your reasons, right?”
Cha Eui-jae rolled his eyes, relieved that his mask hid his face. Reasons, indeed. Would fighting in the car count as one?
“You keep worrying about pointless things…”
“Stop prying; it’s annoying.”
“Oh, you know that’s nosy, right?”
“I’m telling you, stop.”
Lee Sa-young’s tongue was sharp enough to seem like a snake’s. Eventually, Cha Eui-jae grabbed him by the collar. As their driver, Bae Won-woo, begged them to stop, he veered off to the side of the road. Amidst the chaos, Song Jo-heon, who had been jolted awake by the commotion, clung to Cha Eui-jae’s waist in panic. It was pure bedlam.
“Damn it! Just give it a rest!”
“No way! Argh! It’s falling apart!”
Fed up, Cha Eui-jae kicked the van door right off its hinges. There was no other way since they wouldn’t open the door. He ignored the alarm and Bae Won-woo’s cries, glaring at the still-dazed Song Jo-heon.
“Are you going with him or with me?”
“…Where exactly?”
“Where else, to the Awakened Management Bureau. You need to turn yourself in.”
“…”
With a face like he’d bitten into something bitter, Song Jo-heon replied.
“I’d rather go with you. Beats staying in this car.”
His decision made sense. It would be safer than staying with a wailing Bae Won-woo and the snake-eyed maniac. Unfortunately, the spot where Bae Won-woo stopped was still far from the Bureau, and Song Jo-heon was still weak. With a sigh, Cha Eui-jae hoisted him up like a sack and set off on a long trek to the Bureau. Lee Sa-young watched with piercing eyes but said nothing.
All things considered, yes, it could be called an unavoidable situation. Probably.
Cha Eui-jae nodded.
“Yes, it was definitely unavoidable.”
“And yet you can’t explain what that was?”
“No.”
“Hmm… According to Song Jo-heon-ssi, Lee Sa-young-ssi and J got into a fight and wrecked the car. Then, J treated him like cargo and dragged him to the Awakened Management Bureau… is that accurate?”
As if he didn’t already know. Cha Eui-jae replied gravely.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“…And the reason for wrecking the car?”
“…Because they wouldn’t open the door.”
Was it because he’d skipped over the details? Jung Bin’s expression grew oddly serious. With an air of duty, he carefully reached across the desk to gently grasp Cha Eui-jae’s hand.
“J-ssi.”
“…Yes.”
“Humans have this thing called ‘communication.’ You know that, right?”
“But it was him who first gave up on talking…”
“Exactly, yes. I’m sure Lee Sa-young-ssi must have done something. But you mustn’t give up. Keep communicating. Don’t abandon dialogue. Find common ground…”
Jung Bin’s hand tightened on Cha Eui-jae’s, sweat beading on his temple as if recalling some unpleasant memory. Eyes closed, he murmured to himself.
“As difficult as it may be, you’ll find common ground. Somehow.”
“Okay, okay, I got it.”
“I believe in you, J. Besides, doesn’t Lee Sa-young-ssi have quite the fondness for you?”
“…”
Cha Eui-jae narrowed his eyes, glaring at Jung Bin. Fondness? A person who supposedly liked him wouldn’t be saying such hurtful things. He was still nursing a grudge, one that wouldn’t fade anytime soon. It would likely take a while to settle. Jung Bin withdrew his hand. Truthfully, Cha Eui-jae knew only Lee Sa-young could clear up this resentment.
But still…
“Hey.”
“Yes, please go on.”
“Where is Lee Sa-young right now?”
He hadn’t been able to see him!
The person who usually showed up whether he was wanted or not, even after being told not to come around, hadn’t shown up at all. Borrowing Bae Won-woo’s phone to call him didn’t work, nor did calling from a public phone, and lurking near the wave guild’s area while pretending to stroll proved fruitless. Even Seo Min-gi, who always seemed to vanish when needed, had cut off all contact. Cha Eui-jae stomped on a shadow out of frustration.
He’d even snuck into the Guild Leader’s office, staying there all day in hopes of seeing him, but no luck. Bae Won-woo had only come in and out, delivering food and clearly worried they’d break something else.
Jung Bin shook his head with a helpless look.
“I’m not sure. He’s not one to give regular updates… did you ask Bae Won-woo-ssi?”
“He doesn’t know either.”
“Ah… then perhaps the Seowon Guild?”
“Seowon Guild?”
The image of a white-haired man floated into his mind.
“Yes. Lee Sa-young-ssi’s doctor is Nam Woo-jin-ssi. Due to his physical condition, he visits periodically… it might be worth asking there.”
“…”
“Or…”
Jung Bin leaned in, and Cha Eui-jae mirrored his movement, leaving just a small gap between their faces as Jung Bin whispered.
“Have you ever heard of… someone called ‘Mackerel’?”
“Yes? Yes, I have.”
“They’re quite good at locating people. It might be a good idea to reach out.”
Jung Bin straightened as if nothing had happened, and Cha Eui-jae licked his lips.
‘Has he ever heard of Mackerel?’
He sighed, staring at the flickering ceiling light. More than just ‘heard,’ really.
“Go on, hyung-nim~ Whatever the government official says, don’t get swayed. Keep pushing forward, you got this! Let’s dazzle him with your smooth talking!”
“Right, got it…”
Even on his way here, he had been sent off by the Mackerel brothers— armed with spatulas and aprons.
***
“You’re asking me to find Lee Sa-young?”
“Yeah. I need to talk to him, but he hasn’t shown a trace.”
The younger Mackerel, who was tossing bits of bread to the fish floating around him, responded.
“Well~ that’s kind of normal, isn’t it?”
“Why?”
“Lee Sa-young’s always been a hard guy to spot. Given his abilities, he doesn’t usually show up in crowded places. He’s quietly doing his own thing in the background.”
Really?
Cha Eui-jae’s face twisted into a curious expression. For someone like that, hadn’t he seemed comfortable sitting in that hangover soup restaurant? He could picture that familiar face that interrupted business daily. The older Mackerel, who hadn’t stopped typing, nodded along as well.
“Among hunters… h-he’s a bit of a… a source of fear.”
“Yeah, his personality’s kind of a pain in the… uh, well, you know?”
“So, can you find him or not?”
“Of course, I can. But in the meantime, why don’t you take this?”
A red goldfish floated over and landed in Cha Eui-jae’s hand, then with a pop, it transformed into a yellow memo. The memo was packed with squiggly letters, listing someone’s personal information and…
[Current Location: Seowon Guild]
The younger Mackerel made a finger gun and winked.
“The stuff you asked for yesterday? Already got it all here.”
“…”
Cha Eui-jae clenched the memo. It contained the information he had asked the Mackerel to dig up; the current whereabouts of the researchers and doctors who had worked at the hospital where Lee Sa-young had been admitted.
