By now, there was no turning back; of all the numbers found in the network, Cloud was the only one that had actually connected from Goryeo City.They had noticed Gang’s presence in Seogyeong City, but it was unlikely that every uncontacted number was in another city.If she’d truly wanted nothing to do with it, she wouldn’t still be carrying a signaler, answering connection attempts, or risking coming all the way here—Cloud’s face, at the rebuke that sounded like “don’t be so prickly,” softened a little.“You speak well. Not stupid either.”After a long silence she murmured with a bitter laugh.“All right. What do you want to know?”Still glancing sensitively at Juo, Cloud finally took a cooperative stance.“To be honest, I’ve only just begun to look into the return. As you guessed, my father’s research records are scattered for security.”Cloud seemed to know more than expected and to be well aware of the current state of things.Muhae, from years as a mercenary, knew there was no point in bluffing in front of someone like that.“I need the steppingstones to the remaining information.”“That would be me.”Juo nodded as if he knew something. Muhae quietly grabbed his leg and made an embarrassed face.“I didn’t say anything.”Muhae ignored the whisper on purpose. Juo had enough sense not to keep babbling when it would be obvious they’d heard him.“I don’t speak hollowly. I can definitely help.”Cloud declared.“But why should I risk myself now to get involved?”Her expression was serious—not sulking like before but wanting persuasion.“I don’t know about others, but I’m satisfied with the generous treatment at Goryeo City Central. I have no desire to go against them.”Cloud’s appearance was unmistakably of a different class than Muhae’s father or the two old friends. She probably had had status and had continued to enjoy it without losing it.Muhae began to understand. The return—made up of elites from various strata—had scattered largely because the punishment they faced was lenient. Having something to lose meant less resistance. Once the plan failed, people could not leave their comfort zones and survive.So what would you offer someone who had already adapted to the system, who lived comfortably?“Make a deal.”Juo again interjected into their conversation.Despite the warning signals, his stepping forward suggested he had some scheme.Juo was the kind to make trouble despite warnings and receive compensation each time. Since catching the stonemason and getting another stroke of luck, Muhae had begun to attach meaning to his actions.For Muhae—who trusted neither superstition nor delusion—that development was remarkable.“A deal?”Cloud’s eyes brightened with interest.Had he given the right answer? Muhae seized the moment and turned his otherwise rigid mind as hard as he could.“How about you remain an undisclosed member of the return, serving as an adviser?”“An adviser.”“A paid adviser. I pay the price you want, and in return you provide appropriate information or arrange contact opportunities.”Muhae had spent his life thinking only about earning money by catching beasts or aberrants.He wasn’t practiced at this sort of brain game, but he had to get better. He vaguely felt it was the only way forward.Juo’s mouth curved into a small O as he glanced back. He smiled at any opportunity, but this time Muhae felt he really understood the situation. It gave a déjà vu feeling.“What if I also want payment in information?”“Then the deal tilts a bit in your favor. You’ll value information more than I do.”No sooner had he answered than Juo began to stamp his feet and add,“Help us.”Cloud twitched the corner of her mouth and turned her gaze from Muhae to look at him.“You mean help us. Jin Muhae.”“You travel with an interesting companion.”“Ha ha. Thank you.”Cloud closed her eyes slightly and leaned back against the seat. The impenetrable atmosphere around her softened a touch after Juo’s emphasized remark.‘No. To be precise…’She seemed to feel a kind of debt. After organizing her thoughts for a moment, Cloud’s watch buzzed—jiing—and she opened her eyes.“All right. I’ll lend a hand.”“…!”“You don’t need to report every progress to me. Just tell me what you want. I’ll provide suitable opportunities.”Cloud firmly shook the hand Muhae extended.At the same time, the mobility slowed; the scenery of the temporary stop where they’d departed flashed past outside the window.“Contact me the same way.”“Understood.”Muhae grabbed Juo’s arm and hurriedly left.The stop they returned to about twenty minutes later was still quiet and shabby.Something felt unreal. Just like when they’d gone into Seogyeong City Central, this felt detached from their normal lives.“What do you want to eat?”Juo’s cheerful, childlike voice brought Muhae back from his daze.He stared at Juo in silence for a long moment, then shook his head and started walking.“You eat.”“You should buy it, Jin Muhae.”“I linked your watch to my account. Pick something.”“I don’t have it now.”“…I put two hundred dils in it the other day.”“It’s gone.”Juo’s blank look and dwindling mutters had faded since last week; he’d begun going outside on his own.He’d been told to stroll only when it was safer at sunrise. Muhae had no idea when or what he’d been buying and eating, but he’d clearly been enjoying his outings.A trivial conversation passed, and Muhae shut his eyes tight and let everything return to routine.His legs that had felt afloat connected to the ground, to Goryeo City, and to the familiar Starlight Avenue.“Later. Let’s go home.”“Hmph… fine.”Juo obediently took Muhae’s arm.Muhae pressed Juo’s cap down a little more and headed for the city’s back gate.At home he planned to study his father’s records more thoroughly. Even if he didn’t fully understand them yet, he needed the judgment to assess the information that gathered.He’d ask Teacher Jeong to teach him any knowledge he might need and learn a bit about the return.Hell. He never thought he’d be studying again now that he was grown. The life he’d just been surviving was noticeably shifting toward something new.Muhae rubbed his throbbing temple and looked at Juo.Since earlier Juo’s mouth had been curled up under his cap in a constant half-smile.Was he doing it on purpose? That tilt of the head and smile was entertaining enough… and Muhae knew it.“Lucky you. Life is fun for you.”He picked at Juo and gazed blankly toward the direction of their home.WELCOME TO LA VIDA :)~Year 15, Day 174~[Quests]Main QuestTutorial (Completed)CHAPTER 1☞ City Outcast (Completed)- The wolf that lays gold √ - The relic worth 200,000 dils √☞ The Flame That Didn’t Go Out (Completed)- The intangible legacy √ - The Journey Begins √ - A pair of wedding rings √ - The Kingfisher √☞ Mayday, Mayday (Completed)- The missing blueprint √ - The clandestine deal √ - The direction of the wind √BIRIRIK—![Progress for CHAPTER 1 is 100% complete.][Entry rewards for CHAPTER 2 have been granted.][▒▒ Partially unlocked.]Doon doon doon—![Quests]Main QuestTutorial (Completed)CHAPTER 1 (Completed)CHAPTER 2☞ The One Responsible for Past Reforms (In Progress)Dawn. No moonlight pierced the study whose windows had been blocked with sheets.Inyeong, who had been peacefully asleep, suddenly convulsed like a twitch.Beneath tightly shut lids his eyes began to dart.His already pale face got even whiter; a cold sweat formed at his temple.Then—gasp!Juo shot his eyes wide open. His dilated pupils nearly swallowed the red of his irises.He felt his racing heart and looked around anew.Jin Muhae’s house—the study used by Jin Seong-jo, now Juo’s room—was something he examined carefully for the first time.Only then did he lower his head and notice his fingertips trembling.What had happened? Juo tried to recall calmly, but nothing came to mind.Last night he’d eaten with Muhae, watched TV, and had quietly gone into the study when Muhae seemed busy.Then he’d slept. That’s all—so why did he feel so unsettled and scared now?It felt like a hole had opened in his chest. He felt thrown into solitude.“Jin Muhae…”Juo staggered to his feet and opened the door. The sudden chill made him bite his «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» lip.But the living room outside the study was calm and quiet.Muhae lay in the center of the bed, asleep. He breathed in and out, motionless, but his heartbeat sounded steady—he was certainly there.“Jin Muhae.”He spoke softly, too small to wake him. Even knowing that, he deliberately didn’t raise his voice.Hesitantly, Juo approached and perched on the edge of the mattress. The scent of Muhae sleeping drifted from behind him and tickled his nose.Only then did his pounding chest begin to calm…Fortunately, he was skilled at reducing his presence. Very slowly, Juo lay down and inched closer, pressing tightly against Muhae.As warmth reached him, his earlier fear seemed to wash away.‘Jin Muhae’s smell.’Proof he truly existed. With his pale face, Juo unconsciously smiled.He closed his eyes and, carefully pressing his face to Muhae’s body, drifted back to sleep.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.