NOVEL NEXT chapter 18
18 – Competition (4)
“Well, anyway. Take off the helmet.”
“Cough, huh… huh?”
“What’s huh? You promised.”
Come to think of it, that’s right.
We said we’d have a drink together.
With the strong wind blowing, it felt like we should drink something…
“Then, shall we go with what the gunner shoots? Bang!”
The sight of the guy pretending to shoot at me with his index and thumb extended was far from cute.
Disgusting, dreadful, and repulsive, to say the least.
I couldn’t understand why some people found it adorable from time to time.
What on earth was so good about a girl with a twisted mind, really?
“Sitting there making bang-like noises. Suck up your spine as much as you want.”
“Why? I don’t have anywhere to spend it… Oh, right. My knees.”
Covering his mouth with his hand, he lowered his gaze as if he had said something he shouldn’t have. It was a rather refreshing sight.
But still, is he reminding me of an uncomfortable place?
“Well, anyway. I can handle it with the commission I collected – and the settlement money I received from the city, right?”
“Hey.”
“Come on, it’s just a drink.
Besides, even after deducting the 20% commission, it’s still six hundred million won.”
As soon as the hologram screen was touched, a notification popped up saying that the deposit had been made.
It was definitely six hundred million won.
Considering that the money from the city is not that much, this was quite a significant amount.
“Doesn’t that mean the principal was one hundred and twenty million?”
“And it also improves the city’s reputation. The guardian of justice in Incheon. Something like that.”
Honestly, I felt like giving him a punch in the face and enjoying a good night’s sleep.
But I guess I can endure it, after all, because of the money.
And…
“We have detected an increase in heart rate.”
Damn it.
Has it come to the point where my heart races every time I see him?
…The dice have been thrown, and the river has already been crossed.
I was truly smitten by the android,
and it was my artificial intelligence comrade that I fell for.
Wearing a helmet, no less.
“How long do you plan on wearing that helmet? Take it off quickly! It’s a shame to hide that handsome face.”
“Let’s discuss the request first -“
“We can do that while having a drink.
Since all the mercenaries have now left to fulfill their requests, let’s hurry.”
Being together felt like my spirits were truly lifted, unlike with Ilia who filled me up. If only this guy wasn’t so… engrossed in work.
Unable to withstand my urging, he finally took off the helmet –
“You do have charm after all. If you grow a beard, you’ll be a complete cowboy.”
“I don’t like that.”
The initially planned concept had completely flown out the window.
I resolved to shower Matthew with curses the next time I saw him.
“Anyway, what do you want to drink? Oh, taking this one for a drink is a bad idea. You know that, right?”
“Even if you tell me to drink, I won’t.”
“Ah, what kind of talk is that?”
Since I told him not to drink, and he said he wouldn’t,
I didn’t like the disappointed look he gave me this time.
I couldn’t figure out how to match his rhythm at all.
I was tired.
On the other hand, Ilia quietly sat next to me, turning her head towards me.
…making me imagine his face.
“Hey, why do you keep looking around while talking to me?
Are there any other clients you’re not giving your full attention to?”
Sucking up the energy I had just filled up like this could be considered a skill.
Or should I say, I was replenishing the energy he lost while dealing with mercenaries.
Either way, it wasn’t a healthy relationship.
“Virginade. Increase the lemon ratio.”
“You’re drinking before taking the assignment? You’re such a lawless person. Seriously.”
I should have listened to Ilia’s words sooner.
Ignoring some of the day’s words seemed beneficial to my mental health.
My mood improved and there was no end to the rhythm.
“But if you’re going to drink beer, just drink beer.
And if you’re going to drink lemonade, just drink lemonade, right?
It’s fascinating that a man, especially a mercenary, mixes the two.
I thought you would drink something stronger.”
“The alcohol is weak.”
I was someone who couldn’t understand why people indulged in alcohol.
Even when I managed to pour myself a drink, it became a nightmare, despite my efforts to suppress it.
If sleep didn’t come, it felt like forcibly exhausting my body.
And besides, there was no one to drink with.
On the battlefield… well.
What if I had the chance to drink with my comrades?
Would the platoon leader have been a good drinker?
And if that were the case,
Would I have become better at drinking?
“Well, anyway. I’ve taken your order.
It’s a beer.”
“…Two glasses?”
The glass that was pushed in front of me was covered in sugar on the rim.
And the one the guy took was a triangular martini glass.
There was no sugar on it.
“Yes, it’s mine too.”
“You said you don’t drink?”
As he said that, he gently lifted the corner of his mouth and winked at me.
It seemed like he was trying to get my attention in his own way… but I didn’t feel anything at all.
Should I say it’s cute if it’s cute?
Well, even a Chihuahua isn’t too bad as long as it behaves.
The problem is that it’s not here.
“Since you insist on drinking together, I’ll drink with you again.
Oh, Mr. Cowboy, because you’re not good with alcohol, I specially! I even put some sugar in it.”
Treating me like a child, huh?
Feeling a bit upset, but it wasn’t a wrong statement, I tilted the glass slightly.
The sweet and tangy scent of lemon rising up was nice.
It slightly covered the lingering taste of alcohol that ended a bit bitter.
“How is it? Just right, isn’t it?”
“That’s right.”
Should I say it’s an undeniable skill?
When it comes to understanding people, it seemed like she had some innate talent.
Even though she treats me like this annoyingly, she still gives me a chance to reflect like this…
No, well, I’ve been on the receiving end more often.
There was no need to reevaluate her.
“Well, now that we’ve had some drinks, shall we start with the request?
Oh, by the way, analyzing someone like this one-on-one is not something I do for just anyone.
Be grateful. Got it?”
“Yes, yes, it’s an honor, madam.”
Matching the rhythm of the guy’s ups and downs, I leaned forward.
While examining the contents of various requests that came to mind.
Then, as I felt a slight touch on my leg –
I turned my gaze to Illia, who was silently looking at me.
…What a cute guy.
I am more attracted to this side than the Chihuahua in front of me.
Or maybe I have so much sympathy that, if it were a request, it would come with a lot of bonus points.
Either way, it didn’t matter.
It didn’t matter either way.
I just wanted to handle the request in my head and go home.
“Do you want a high-profit but short-term risky job,
Or do you want a safe job that takes longer than other requests?
Since the clients are diverse, take a look around.”
Is this guy really refusing to drink with me?
Even faster than me, he seemed familiar with alcohol, as he made a refreshing face that seemed frozen.
“…Have you ever had this many requests in Incheon Commercial Zone?”
“There’s been a recent surge of gang activity.
These guys called “Nomads” have established a base on the outskirts of the city and are attacking transportation and people as they come.
The companies have responded by adding escort teams recently… but it would be a big problem if the clients don’t come, right?”
It seemed that those guys in the afternoon were called Nomads.
As I read the description of the faction, its scale was truly something to be wary of.
Perhaps it might become something I need to prepare for as well.
Indeed, leaving the outskirts as soon as possible seems like a wise decision.
“So, you’ve thrown yourself into the commercial district. However…”
The money I earned from the city was quite substantial.
An amount that most companies would offer as compensation.
Three billion for neatly cleaning up one of the main roads occupied by those bastards.
What intrigued me was that the reputation was also valued high enough to raise it even further.
“Companies don’t seem to want to bear the risk by deploying mercenaries.”
“That’s right. Mercenaries for companies usually get involved in more dirty work.”
“However, if the roads are dangerous, they would also lose their customers,
so they provided support by investing funds, right?”
If that’s the case, the reason for the emergence of the makeshift commercial district was explained.
The scale of the faction is slightly larger than the barricade we broke through in the afternoon.
It might be difficult to go in unarmed.
But if it’s infiltration…
“Anything else?”
“There will be security duties for the event tomorrow afternoon.
But now, they’re requesting a meeting since morning to convey the details of the task.”
“The amount… Oh. Quite substantial.”
“Right? It’s a request from Gemini Arms executive.”
The conditions were quite favorable.
It would take a whole day, but that was the case with every request –
200 million won. After deducting the commission, it would come to 100 million won.
“I’ll take this.”
“Great. If you sign the contract, they will approve it on their end.
They’ll probably contact you tonight or tomorrow morning, so don’t forget to answer.”
The work with Ilia would have to be postponed a bit, but there was no help for it.
I had planned to take a break after earning this money, so it seemed like a good time to let loose.
There was no doubt that the problem with my injured leg would improve with the reinforced surgery.
It would be quite a major operation, but 100 million won should be enough.
I absentmindedly traced my surname with my finger in English.
As I pressed the confirmation button and was about to put my hand on the glass,
[Unknown]
“You’re fast. Are you in a hurry?”
“Yeah. Will you wait here, Ilia?”
I picked up my loudly ringing phone and headed to the private room.
I tapped my wristwatch and turned on the recording device,
Then I pressed the button next to the door.
Slowly closing door, and the sound of the wind escaping once for a long time.
In the space where all the noises and electronic sounds from the building disappeared, a check was drawn with a thumb.
“Yes.”
“That’s the independent mercenary, Lee Taehyuk. Is that correct?”
A voice that seemed tense.
I thought it was a simple client. Is it not?
“Yes, that’s correct. So, you are – “
“I am Kang Gyuhwan, the CEO of Gemini Arms. Your reputation has been well heard.”
Hasty. Quite so.
Should have been suspicious of a deal worth five billion.
Maybe it’s too much tension compared to the level of danger…
Thinking of the possibility otherwise, sweat began to form in my hands.
“I’ll be straightforward.
Tomorrow, there might be those who try to interfere with the talks,
Can you ensure my safety for sure?”
Slightly, turned my eyes to the side.
Illya, sitting calmly, dealing with a whining Moore in front of her.
Did she catch my gaze?
She also slightly turned her head to look at me.
In the battles we fought together, we harmonized without any flaws.
There were no unexpected variables.
Wouldn’t that be sufficient?
“There will be an android accompanying. Is that okay?”
“…The more security personnel, the better.”
Was the one speaking to oneself.
From the speaker attached to the ear, a few short mutterings flowed.
And,
“My company has also assigned a few security personnel.
But that alone is not enough, so we are actually looking to hire more, as long as they can perform security duties.”
“Then we will proceed with the accompanying.”
Receiving a firm response, I turned my eyes back to Ilia.
Now, he completely turned his body towards me, facing me directly.
Whether he was consistent in ignoring or absentmindedly touching the screen with inflated cheeks, he was doing that for a day.
When I shook hands with Ilia, who was like that, he immediately stood up and approached me.
Just to greet.
“The place to discuss tomorrow’s work is the lobby on the 1st floor of Dual Tower.
It would be good if you could arrive by 9 AM.”
“I will do that.”
Surely, there must be a simple capsule hotel nearby…
No, considering Ilia is also there, it might be good to book a room nearby.
“Then, I’ll hang up now. Tomorrow at 9 a.m., 1st floor of Dual Tower.”
The call abruptly ended.
Indeed, it felt unsatisfactory to simply attribute it to mere fearfulness.
It seemed prudent to prepare thoroughly.
I pocketed my phone and pressed the button again.
“Taehyuk.”
I gently tapped Illya’s shoulder, hands clasped together in front of me.
It was a subtle request to move aside, yet he didn’t flinch.
I suppose I ought to speak.
“I didn’t exactly mean to call you over.”
“We need to move now, Taehyuk.”
“Are you at your residence, Taehyuk?”
Before I could finish, he took a step closer.
Though I needed to leave the room, I found myself stepping back.
“Um, not exactly. I think I need to stay out tonight…”
“Would you like additional assistance at that location?”
“…We need to rest early for the mission.”
“Unfortunately, that will have to wait…”
Pushing me further into the room, Illya raised his helmet slightly.
Revealing his smooth lips,
Beside my ear, she brought her head close.
“A simple touch doesn’t require a great deal of energy.”
…Now, does she know how to tempt like this?
I swallowed saliva for no reason.