HLSEBT - 17

17. Residents of the Same World 1

After coaxing and persuading her, they split the payment: half with Yoon Taeha’s card and the other half with Seo Dojin’s. 

She said, as if it were obvious: 

“I earn more than Seo Dojin, you know? I’m second only to the boss in earnings, despite how I look.” 

“Is money that important?” 

“Then what is? We all work weekends just to make a living. You’re out here with me for the extra pay too, aren’t you?” 

Her sharp observation left Ko Seung-won momentarily silent. But as soon as they rounded one of the department store’s pillars, he counterattacked. 

“Dojin hyung is worried you’ll get dumped by your guide for looking like a vagrant.” 

“Are you done? How does wearing new clothes make me a vagrant?” 

“All your clothes have the company logo on them!” 

“...” 

“You need to dress better if you’re working field ops in Korea. It’s even written in the Protection Bureau guidelines.” 

Ko Seung-won wore an expression of understanding Seo Dojin’s plight. In a slightly softer tone, he added: 

“Do you think those people don’t know?” 

“What do you mean, ‘those people’?” 

“I mean those sharp-eyed folks. They surely know you’re living a life of renunciation because of your lifespan.” 

“I’m not exactly living without desire. Haven’t they seen the house I live in?” 

“Then redirect that desire here.” 

The two bought soft-serve ice cream cones, claiming their energy was low from shopping. While munching on their cones, they debated whether to buy a two-piece set hanging in the opposite store when Yoon Taeha received a call. 

Her exhausted face lit up with joy at the prospect of escaping shopping hell. Ko Seung-won immediately guessed who was calling. 

“Seung-won, as much as it pains me, I think I have to go. My superior called.” 

There was only one person who could make her this happy when summoned by higher-ups—someone she usually scowled at the mention of. 

“The Center Director?” 

“Yeah. He said we should head to the dorms together since the department store is nearby. Want me to drop you off?” 

“No.” 

“It’s hot. Just get in the car.” 

“He’s family to you, but to me, he’s just my superior.” 

Surprised by her response, Ko Seung-won confessed honestly: 

“I’m scared of the Center Director.” 

“That’s news to me. Why are you telling me this now?” 

“Because if I told you earlier, you’d be grinning ear to ear like you’ve found my weakness... It would’ve been too painful, you know.” 

“You’re making me sound so underhanded.” 

“That line just made you sound even worse. Like some kind of swindler.” 

“That’s what Han Gyul says to me all the time.” 

Though they bickered, Yoon Taeha respected Ko Seung-won’s wishes. She wasn’t the type to push someone who had already declined. As a token of gratitude for spending the day together, she swept through the food hall. 

Soon, Ko Seung-won’s bag was bulging—five types of desserts took up a lot of space. 

“This is enough to hibernate on.” 

“Too bad it’s summer.” 

After saying goodbye to Ko Seung-won, Yoon Taeha headed to the meeting spot with her long-awaited cheeseburger and fries. Despite carrying shopping bags heavy enough to make an ordinary person buckle, she showed no signs of strain. Passersby were first astonished by the sheer volume of her purchases, then again by the calm expression on her face. 

Yoon Taeha felt her body temperature rising again after leaving the department store’s icy air-conditioned environment. The summer air was sticky and humid. For someone who disliked heat, summer was the worst season. 

“So hot...” 

She stood under a roadside tree, staring blankly at her surroundings. 

People were still entering the department store with nonchalant expressions, hailing taxis to avoid being late for appointments—as if nothing had happened. 

But just yesterday, a gate had erupted. Ants the size of sled dogs had roamed downtown Seoul. How could they act so normal? They weren’t Espers. Weren’t they afraid? 

Sometimes, she felt like she lived in a parallel world separate from them. 

Just as she yearned for the cool blast of air conditioning, a black SUV pulled up in front of her. A familiar voice called out to her from the lowered window. 

“Let’s go home, Taeha.” 

They were residents of the same world. 

Cheon Geon-young underwent numerous tests and only managed to leave the hospital on Saturday afternoon.

Whether the hospital director had reported on time or not, it wasn’t Kang’s secretary but Vice Chairman Cheon’s men who were waiting for him in front of the hospital. 

“These guys look like they’re here to kill someone.” 

“We’re here to escort you.” 

It was hard to tell whether these men were part of a chaebol’s secretarial staff or an elite assassination squad specializing in murder. They ushered him into a black car. 

The destination was the main house where Chairman Cheon resided. 

In the empty living room, he was greeted by his eldest uncle—Cheon Beom-joon, the vice chairman of Cheonhwa Group and his father’s older brother. 

“Are you still alive?” 

Cheon Beom-joon was seated in the head seat, a spot Chairman Cheon had never allowed anyone else to occupy, even during his reign. 

Cheon Geon-young gave a slight bow to the vice chairman, whose presence paled in comparison to the late chairman’s aura. 

“I heard you fell into a rift.” 

The tone carried no trace of concern. 

“Thanks to your worry, I made it out safely.” 

“You didn’t need to come out. Our Geon-young is too FM, isn’t he?” 

“Where would there be such disrespect as leaving before my grandfather?” 

A sour smile spread across Cheon Beom-joon’s face as he lounged in the chair gifted to him by the president. The Cheon family wasn’t fond of beating around the bush. 

“Nephew.” 

As if craving a cigarette he had just quit, he crossed his index and middle fingers. 

“Where did you learn to poach like this?” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“Are you Dong-woo? Let’s not pretend ignorance when we both know what’s going on. You’ve learned well from that sly bastard.” 

Cheon Beom-joon openly belittled the personality of his youngest brother, the third son of the family. The three brothers of the Cheon household were infamous for their strained relationship since childhood. 

Tsk. After clicking his tongue, he suddenly threw a tablet lying on the side table toward Cheon Geon-young. 

When he was younger, Cheon Geon-young had once been struck by the corner of an object thrown without warning, splitting his forehead open. But now, as an adult, he could easily dodge such things. 

Cheon Beom-joon always wore a displeased expression whenever his nephew avoided his throws. This time was no different. 

Cheon Geon-young slowly picked up the tablet, its screen cracked after hitting the floor. On it, he could see himself standing in front of the subway station with Yoon Taeha and Seo Dojin. It was dark, so the footage wasn’t clear. 

“That woman, right? One of Bangju’s lapdogs. Yoon Taeha.” 

“I don’t know her name. She introduced herself as an Esper dispatched from Yeouido.” 

“So she’s your Esper now? Are you protecting her identity? You’ve already met her, haven’t you, Geon-young?” 

A glint of madness flickered in Cheon Beom-joon’s eyes, as though mourning the loss of something he had coveted. 

“What were you planning to do with that?” 

Cheon Beom-joon seemed to recall the countless threats he had used in his attempts to access Yoon Taeha’s information. 

“When I see you like this, you’re the spitting image of your father—always scheming behind the scenes.” 

“Thank you for the kind words.” 

“Do you think I’m complimenting you because I want to give you pocket money!” 

Cheon Beom-joon roared with ferocity, glaring at his nephew, who didn’t even blink. Habitually, he fiddled with the watch on his wrist. 

After stewing in his anger, he shifted his tone toward the statue-like nephew who showed no reaction. Now, his voice turned silky, like a snake’s hiss. 

“Do you really think turning one Esper into your asset will change anything? Or did that bastard Dong-woo put you up to this? Want to make the vice chairman taste some bitterness together?” 

“If Uncle hears this, he’ll be hurt. How many people in the Cheon family do you think share meals with me?” 

“Keep going.” 

“I wanted to learn how things work at the Center. I have no ulterior motives, so there’s no need to worry.” 

“Worry?” 

Cheon Beom-joon sneered openly. Cheon Geon-young, unfazed, recited the lies he had prepared in advance, his expression devoid of any guilt. 

“I didn’t know she was an Esper you had your eye on.” 

“You didn’t know? It’s so easy to say that.” 

“Where would I get information that only someone like you or the vice chairman would know? As you said, I’ve been stuck in the military all this time, so all I know how to do is shoot a gun.” 

Cheon Beom-joon rose from his seat. As his nephew casually clenched his fist, the sound of a gun being loaded echoed from near the living room entrance. 

Approaching, Cheon Beom-joon placed his thick hand on his nephew’s shoulder. He tried to feign affection, but a lifetime spent plundering others’ possessions left his attempt clumsy and awkward. 

“Geon-young.” 

“Yes?”

“Let’s live the way we’ve always lived, shall we?” 

He patted his beloved nephew’s shoulder as if encouraging him in life. 

“Think of Chairman and behave yourself, alright? You’re Seo-wan’s only son. If you die young, how will I face our father?” 

“Grandfather will be fine.” 

“Father is always consistent, isn’t he?” 

“May I go see him?” 

On the second floor above the central staircase, deep within, lay the room where Chairman Cheon resided—officially still in good health. 

When his gaze shifted toward that direction, the vice chairman tightened his grip on his nephew’s shoulder. 

“The Chairman must remain absolutely stable. I can’t let someone who might have picked up filth from the rift near him.” 

“My thoughts were short-sighted.” 

“Yes, indeed.” 

Cheon Geon-young handed the cracked tablet back to his eldest uncle. The largest crack ran across Yoon Taeha’s face, but she was still unmistakably visible. 

Clicking his tongue in dissatisfaction, Cheon Beom-joon paced around the living room before stopping in front of a family portrait. 

On the wall directly facing the head seat where the Chairman sat was their family photo. The three brothers, their children, and the Chairman and his wife were all gathered together in harmony. It was Chairman Cheon’s favorite photograph. 

“Let’s try to get along better among those who are left.” 

“...” 

“For now, you work on charming that Esper. She’ll definitely be useful. The Yeouido folks recruiting external guides for an S-rank? That means she’ll soon be unveiled to the public, politically or strategically. There must be a reason.” 

“That seems likely.” 

“If you find out why, I’ll trust you.” 

Cheon Geon-young silently wore an expression that could mean either agreement or denial. An unfathomable brat. With a look of exasperation, Cheon Beom-joon waved his hand dismissively in the air. 

Even as he left, Cheon Geon-young offered a polite bow. 

Cheon Beom-joon stared at the family portrait until the sound of his nephew’s footsteps faded completely. Only silence remained in the reception room. 

Known to resemble his father the most, he quietly glared at the Chairman’s face—the very image of his own future. After a moment of contemplation, he approached his secretary and issued a command in a businesslike tone: 

“Take this down.” 

The secretary waited until Cheon Beom-joon ascended to the second floor, then carefully removed the frame. Holding it with a troubled expression, he swiftly left the living room to dispose of it before the vice chairman returned downstairs.