NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Assuming Yu Da On and I are game characters, we could easily sum up our combination in two words.
No Deal.
With excellent defensive skills and impressive healing, I’m a tank whose dealing ability approaches zero, while she’s a sub-damager and debuffer who can barely do anything but play the scout role unless she scores a critical hit.
Bringing these two individuals to catch a suspect, especially one with psychokinesis, seems almost close to impossible no matter how I think about it.
Of course, I passed this thought on to the Gangdong Branch’s accident team leader, who nodded as if he agreed with me.
“But even so, you have a record of preventing the downfall of a branch. I believe that is true capability.”
What a nonsensical person.
So, I found myself, against my will, walking down the bustling streets with Yu Da On.
“What were the details about our suspect again?”
At my question, Yu Da On pulled out her smartphone and began reading.
“Just a minute… Name: Jang Chae Yeon, age 25, originally from the Gangdong Branch’s Isolation Team. Tasked with neutralizing isolation subjects, she transferred to the accounting team due to her strong will one day. And a few months later, she escaped with a Cube.”
“What’s this Cube, anyway?”
“The Cube…”
As Yu Da On mumbled, she scrolled her finger down the screen.
“The Cube is one of the management objects held by the Gangdong Branch Management Agency, shaped like an unsolved puzzle cube. However, each time a side is completed, it causes small and large alterations to reality, and when all sides are completed, it creates a massive change to reality. The most recent phenomenon turned an entire city into an uninhabited island, leading to the deaths of all its citizens.”
“And we’re supposed to catch someone who fled with such a terrifying object?”
What on earth is the Isolation Team doing? They send people like us to handle things?
“Hmm, I wonder if they have something going on? Where are the Isolation Team members and what are they doing?”
Yu Da On murmured with a puzzled tone.
Is it possible they’re all gathering somewhere for a large project?
That absurd thought crossed my mind but was quickly brushed aside. If that were the case, the world would have already ended. Maybe they’re trying to use me, the most suitable person for finding people, to track down Jang Chae Yeon?
Then I might as well search at my own pace and inform the Isolation Team or branch about it so they can take care of things once I find her.
I concluded this in my mind.
“Well then, let’s look around. She should have some distinctive traits.”
“That’s right. It’ll be hard to find an adult walking around with a Cube puzzle… unless…”
Yu Da On’s words slowed down, and soon she grabbed my sleeve, pointing with her index finger.
“There! Isn’t that Jang Chae Yeon?”
“No, come on, don’t joke. A person with such distinctive features wouldn’t be so easy to—”
I turned to the direction Yu Da On was pointing at.
White hair, cold-looking eyes, and expression. Wearing a loose-fitting white shirt, she exuded an undeniable presence; to top it all off, she was holding a Cube in her hand.
Without knowing it, I peered above the woman’s head.
[Name: Jang Chae Yeon]
[Age: 25]
[Traits: Psychokinesis]
[Talent: -]
[Background: Due to possessing abilities, she was forced to dedicate a long time to the Management Agency. Now she seeks to find her freedom in a place where no one can find her.]
[Weakness: Her psychokinesis operates on a coordinate system.]
“It’s definitely Jang Chae Yeon.”
“I told you so!”
Yu Da On jumped up and looked at me.
“Let’s catch her right now—”
“Do you think we can do it without causing collateral damage around here? Let’s follow her to a less populated area first.”
She wouldn’t keep walking around here; if she’s escaping, she’d have to leave far away.
Thinking that, I began to follow Jang Chae Yeon at a safe distance.
I should probably give a quick call to the Gangdong Branch.
Quickly pulling out my phone, I called the accident team leader, whose number I had received earlier. After a few rings, he finally picked up.
“Did you find her already?”
“No, she’s walking around here quite boldly. If you send support this way, I think we can handle it.”
“Ah… support, huh?”
The accident team leader’s voice trailed off, making me feel uneasy.
“Are you coming?”
“Yes, yes, we’re on our way. However, I’m short-handed right now, so… can you buy me a little time?”
“Excuse me? How long should I hold off for?”
“…Two days?”
Is this guy really in a hurry to call me?
“No, not two days. Not even two hours would—”
“Please! I assure you support will arrive in two days! If you’re feeling desperate, you can take her down and secure her first!”
After saying his piece, the call was abruptly disconnected.
Is this even logical?
I tried calling several times but just kept hearing, “The person you’re trying to reach cannot answer right now…” After hearing this around five times, I ultimately had no choice but to give up.
Fine. Let’s just tail her for two days. If I act like a completely inconspicuous person, I shouldn’t get caught. If she goes too far or into a place that I can’t follow, I’ll just bail out.
I reached this conclusion internally.
“Did you hear my conversation with the accident team leader?” I told Yu Da On, who looked horrified.
“Two days? How are we supposed to trail her without getting caught for two days! We don’t even know where the suspect might run off to!”
“Exactly what I’m saying.”
“…Still… it does make me a little excited. She seems to have that seasoned field worker vibe to her.”
Wow, this girl sure knows how to say terrifying things casually.
*
In conclusion, our tailing was successful.
Just how successful, you ask? Even taking the same bus as Jang Chae Yeon, she couldn’t notice us. We took the intercity bus out of the capital region together, and she still didn’t catch on. We even entered the same hotel without her realizing it.
And the accident team leader still wasn’t answering his phone.
Lying alone on the bed, I was lost in thought. Yu Da On, who had been jabbering away next to me, I sent back to her room to get some sleep. Finally, I was feeling like I could have some time alone after a long while.
It was just a week ago when I was handling documents in the office, and now somehow, I’m suddenly living this fieldwork life.
Come to think of it, I haven’t had anyone look at me properly since the last incident.
I bolted up and glanced in the mirror.
A tired-looking guy who had walked a lot was gazing back at me.
At some point, I no longer needed to see myself directly to think about who I am, but looking in the mirror still did help me focus less.
[Name: Kim Jae Heon]
[Age: 27]
[Traits: -]
[Talent: Insight]
[Background: His eyes are notably different from others.]
[Weakness: Please pluck out your eyes.]
[Critical: 1->0]
I began to examine myself closely.
Insight as a talent. But why is the trait still blank?
I recalled Yu Da On. Definitely…
[Talent: Regeneration (Undetermined)]
was written there.
What does talent mean, and what does trait imply, and what does undetermined even refer to?
How did my eyes suddenly gain the ability to see those things in the first place?
Definitely that moment—
Knock, knock,
Someone knocked at the door.
“…Who is it?”
There was no answer.
Knock, knock.
“Who are you?”
Knock, knock.
“Who is it, really?”
Knock, knock.
An uneasy feeling began to set in.
I cautiously created some distance from the door.
Dunderheaded folks may get curious and open the door, only to pay for their curiosity, but I would never engage in such foolishness.
Since I had answered, they now know I’m inside, and if I do nothing—
-Creak.
The door creaked open slowly.
I was sure I hadn’t given them a key.
Soon, the person I had been seeing all day today revealed themselves.
“…Who are you?”
White hair, a cold expression, an emotionless gaze staring back at me.
It was Jang Chae Yeon.
“Who are you and why do you keep following me?”
“…”
This is bad.
“Don’t want to talk? Should I make you?”
Jang Chae Yeon slowly raised her hand.
“What—”
An unseen force grabbed me by the collar and pulled me slowly toward her.
Even touching my collar, I felt no form, and I couldn’t break free no matter how much I struggled.
Ultimately, I was dragged right in front of her.
Jang Chae Yeon fixed her gaze on me.
Stay calm.
I quickly glanced above her head.
[Name: Jang Chae Yeon]
[Age: 25]
[Traits: Psychokinesis]
[Talent: -]
[Background: Due to possessing abilities, she was forced to dedicate too much time to the Management Agency. Now she seeks freedom in a place where no one can find her. …That was supposed to be the situation, until someone body-slammed her first.]
[Weakness: Her psychokinesis operates on a coordinate system.]
“Did you send by the Management Agency?”
“…”
Body-slam?
By who?
“If you don’t answer, I’ll start snapping your fingers one by one.”
Was Jang Chae Yeon interpreting my silence as rebellion? She lifted her hand.
Ah, crap. What should I say?
And in that instant,
suddenly, Yu Da On appeared and shouldered into Jang Chae Yeon.
Jang Chae Yeon tumbled to the floor, giving me the opportunity to fall down as well.
“Jae Heon! Run—”
Before Yu Da On finished shouting, her head spun a full 180 degrees.
Stunned, she collapsed to the ground.
“…”
Jang Chae Yeon coldly raised her hand once more.
What should I do? How can I turn this situation around?
In a moment, the phrase I previously saw flashed into my mind.
[Weakness: Her psychokinesis operates on a coordinate system.]
No way?
I sensed her eyes on me.
With a gaze full of hostility, her blue eyes were clearly focused on me.
I quickly rolled to the side, and the floor where I had just been standing caved in.
“…”
I understood now.
Jang Chae Yeon was staring intently at me.
“Who are you?”
“…”
I stayed silent, frantically churning thoughts.
When would her next attack come? Can she use her powers consecutively? If not, is there a gap of a few seconds before she can use them again?
For now, this place is the worst possible scenario. Narrow and long. If we fight here, our chances of winning are almost zero.
I swiftly turned to the room, and her gaze shifted to follow me.
Human eyes naturally move faster than actions. In other words, Jang Chae Yeon had plenty of time to catch me, and I couldn’t escape this time.
Unless Yu Da On was here.
In the meantime, Yu Da On sprang back into action, shielding me with her arms, and
-Crack!
This time, Yu Da On’s arm twisted grotesquely.
“What…?”
Jang Chae Yeon looked shocked again.
Taking that opportunity, Yu Da On and I dashed into the room.
As if we had a predetermined plan, Yu Da On held the door while I dragged the bed over and positioned it in front of the door.
That should do for now.
“What are we going to do!”
Yu Da On shouted at me.
Her arm was already returning to normal.
I looked at Yu Da On, and she met my gaze.
“…Can you hold her off for a moment?”
First, we need to change this situation.
Yu Da On, locking eyes with me, nodded.
“I can die for you about three hundred times for free.”
“Great.”
Psychokinesis operating on a coordinate system, and the ability that cannot be immediately reused.
I pulled out my handgun from my bag.
This should be enough to handle things.