NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5
Chapter 5: I'm the New Recruit (2)
“…Little brother? Your face, starting with your expression, doesn't look too good?”
Shin-woo patted Hyeon-yul’s back.
He had merely arrived riding the Black Eagle, yet the person seemed to be dying.
He was quite flustered when Hyeon-yul suddenly started gagging upon arrival.
‘…Ah shoot, there was that thing.’
—Mr. Shin-woo. If Mr. Hyeon-yul looks unwell after riding the eagle, give him this.
Shin-woo had the medicine vial Hae-ryeon gave him to take care of Hyeon-yul.
He wondered why she gave it to him, but now he understood.
“When we get back, I’ll ask them to adjust the eagle to suit your body condition, little brother.”
At Shin-woo’s abrupt words, Hyeon-yul paused while receiving the vial, wondering what he meant.
He soon recalled the reason.
‘…Ah, for me to work, my condition needs to be normal, right?’
How many places didn’t even do that?
This place, at least, was saying they would.
‘This place is truly a dream workplace.’
What kind of incredible benefit was this?
When he was at the company run by villains, how many died working because they couldn't even take a single sick day?
Hadn't he himself argued countless times over a single sick day before finally killing his boss?
They pretended to worry, and even gave him field clothes that felt much more comfortable than they looked, resembling a uniform.
Hyeon-yul once again resolved to bury his bones here.
“Are you perhaps nervous because it’s your first time?”
Shin-woo moved his lips to ease Hyeon-yul’s tension.
Only after drinking the liquid in the vial did Hyeon-yul speak.
“No. I completed a bomb disposal mission with the Team Leader.”
“The Team Leader…? She’s not usually one to do that.”
He didn't know why his expression hardened, but Hyeon-yul immediately continued.
“I said I would do it. I brought Shin Dae-ho’s head, but you could have seen it as a fake, couldn't you?”
“Ah. You must be quite strong then?”
Shin-woo’s smile widened.
He looked full of curiosity.
Just how strong was he?
“Enough not to be killed by others.”
“Good. Really good.”
Shin-woo seemed satisfied.
Whether it was magic or superpowers, most possessed some power, but fewer than expected could actually use it effectively in real combat.
Commonly speaking, even if people possessed magical power, many only reached the level of emitting a bright light.
In this state, it wasn't strange that the Black Eagle always suffered from a lack of personnel.
He was grateful enough for the additional recruit, but he was even strong?
If there was a god, it felt like they had answered his prayers.
“Little brother. Do you have any questions before we head to the mission site?”
Shin-woo asked cheerfully.
First, he explained how to operate the smartwatch.
“Who was the person who spoke to me before I rode the eagle?”
Hyeon-yul recalled the stern-looking man.
—So it’s you.
The cold gaze and displeased expression were like looking at an uninvited guest.
“That’s the Team 5 Leader. Don’t mind him. He has a somewhat cold side, but that’s just how he is.”
Shin-woo approached Hyeon-yul as if to put an arm around his shoulder, but he stepped back.
Seeing the wary eyes, Shin-woo felt awkward.
He wondered if he had approached too much right from the start.
“This smartwatch indicates ‘On Mission’. Can another mission come while in this state?”
After securing a safe distance, Hyeon-yul asked.
He wanted to know if work would pile up or not.
“No. Missions only come randomly when you’re not on a mission. We don’t have the manpower to pick and choose missions.”
“Alone?”
“Mostly alone. That’s why you have to be strong if you don’t want to die.”
Shin-woo finished speaking and turned his back.
He walked as if telling him to follow, then glanced back.
“When an incident occurs, upon police request, a manager is dispatched to the scene to conduct an initial investigation and survey the surroundings. It usually stops at the investigation level, so cases like today where a manager dies are quite rare.”
That was good information.
Hyeon-yul followed behind without saying anything.
‘Wouldn’t this make them resent me more?’
They worked so hard for the Black Eagle, and then he, with a villain background, showed up.
Wouldn't it feel like they were working for a villain?
‘Separate from that, the managers’ attitudes are indeed bothersome.’
He was assessing how to deal with it.
“If you feel uneasy about the information the manager brings, you can check it yourself. That’s up to you.”
“But if those people do everything, what does the Black Eagle do?”
Do they just boss the managers around?
No matter how many times he thought about it, Hyeon-yul couldn't deny that the White Sparrow seemed like a lower-level organization than the Black Eagle.
“We handle the most dangerous tasks, right? The ones where we directly confront villains.”
A faint smile faded from Shin-woo’s expression.
He had no intention of looking down on the managers' work, but investigating a crime scene was different from confronting it directly.
“Now, check the mission details.”
At those words, Hyeon-yul lowered his gaze, operating the smartwatch.
He was told that detailed mission information was usually transmitted while riding the eagle.
A large screen appeared like a beam projector.
Only the person wearing the smartwatch could see this.
‘It was magic, right?’
Even knowing that, the way the map automatically displayed was quite amazing.
A large complex of densely packed apartments appeared on the map, the specific location marked in red, with the surrounding area shaded in a lighter red.
“Don’t forget, the redder the color on the map, the higher the possibility of villains being in that area.”
Shin-woo casually commented.
“I haven’t forgotten.”
Hyeon-yul replied, looking at the summarized mission details.
「Incident Start
—Criminal gang disguised as delivery personnel, dispersed into the target apartment building, simultaneously murdering residents starting from the top floor.
Incident Progress
—Suspicious security guard reported (currently under protection).
—Responding managers dispatched to survey the area.
—While relaying evacuation orders, 1 manager killed in direct combat with the criminal gang. Currently in a standoff.
Points to Note
—Large number of criminal gang members deployed within the apartment complex.
—Hostages present.
—Some hostages kidnapped and being transported (currently tracking).」
“Normally, what do you do about hostages? Should we catch the villains first? Or rescue the hostages first?”
Hyeon-yul asked just in case.
He needed to know the proper procedure, at least.
Shin-woo, who was walking ahead, stopped.
Wasn't that an incredibly obvious question?
But Hyeon-yul seemed genuinely ignorant, as if his basic common sense was warped.
“The lives and safety of hostages and citizens must be prioritized. The Black Eagle was created to protect citizens from villains.”
“Understood.”
Rescue the hostages, kill the villains.
It was very simple.
Hyeon-yul put on a motorcycle helmet, covering his face.
Hyeon-yul didn’t respond to Shin-woo’s expression, which seemed to ask why he was asking something so obvious.
Why would he talk about how his memories, emotions, and common sense were all broken due to experiments that lasted over a decade, even though he remembered his past life?
“Let’s go.”
He was simply leaving for the mission.
“…That way is a store?”
Shin-woo casually remarked as Hyeon-yul suddenly headed towards a store attached to the apartment complex, instead of the apartments themselves.
“This side needs to be checked first. Mr. Baek Shin-woo……”
“You can call me hyungnim.”
“How do I know your age to call you that?”
Shin-woo took out his phone and proudly showed his ID card.
“Take a look.”
He waved the ID card proudly.
Hyeon-yul knew he was being drawn in, but something felt unpleasant.
He showed his own ID card via his phone.
“I reported late, so my ID age is different.”
“Still looks like I’m older?”
“That’s not necessarily a good thing, is it?”
“What does it matter? Being called hyungnim feels better than you’d think.”
Shin-woo chuckled.
“Took a quick look, but your birthday is in April… right?”
“Yes.”
Hearing Hyeon-yul’s flat reply, Shin-woo covered his mouth.
He couldn't laugh loudly.
Because some noise came from the convenience store over there.
‘I wondered why he was coming this way, they were hiding there.’
Shin-woo’s lips curled up.
This new recruit had particularly good instincts.
As Shin-woo made a motion like drawing something, a sword appeared.
“Can I hold that too?”
When Hyeon-yul asked, Shin-woo extended his hand.
Several swords floated around his palm.
“You can. Need one? Or maybe this one?”
All but two swords vanished from Shin-woo’s grasp.
Holding a sword in each hand, he threw them towards the convenience store.
Shwiiiiik.
The speed was unbelievable for something thrown with relaxed strength.
A rough wind followed.
‘…It passed through the glass window?’
Hyeon-yul was slightly surprised.
The glass he expected to shatter was perfectly fine.
What kind of power was this?
“At this level, I won’t hold you back, right?”
Shin-woo asked with a shrug, and Hyeon-yul entered the convenience store.
Opening the door, he saw two people pinned to the wall, unconscious.
“You didn’t kill them?”
“That’s how I am. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, I intend not to.”
“Then that sword, can I hold it too?”
“Tempted, huh?”
At Shin-woo’s question, Hyeon-yul nodded.
It looked like a well-maintained sword.
“You have a good eye. Wait here while I clean up.”
Shin-woo looked around and pointed at the counter.
“That, I should……”
“It’s fine. The recruit stays put.”
‘…How can a recruit just stay put?’
Hyeon-yul sat down reluctantly, feeling perplexed.
Was this a new form of harassment?
‘Could it be?’
While Shin-woo took down the two people one by one and tied them up, Hyeon-yul covered both ears with his hands.
As he melted into darkness, all sounds temporarily vanished.
Hyeon-yul gently closed his eyes.
He couldn't pinpoint the location by ear alone.
His eyes moved along with his hearing.
Numerous sounds came from the apartment building.
Other conversations were unnecessary.
Among the various words exchanged, one conversation caught Hyeon-yul’s ear.
“…It’s about time those eagle bastards show up, so get ready to bail.”
The other party's words couldn't be heard.
It seemed like they were on the phone.
“What? Kill them? Are you crazy? You think we can take on the Black Eagle? Bailing is better, I tell you! Ah! Forget it! Then you go kill the eagle bastards and contribute to bringing down the Empire! I’m shutting up and bailing!”
‘He’ll die if he does that, though?’
Hyeon-yul knew the ways of villains well.
Deserting during a mission meant only death.
It seemed he was a newbie.
“A way to bail? Of course, there is. If we occupy the apartments like this, they’ll think there are lots of hostages, right? Then, what will those bastards do? They’ll do all sorts of things trying to rescue the hostages, right? We bail during that time. Idiots…! There are no hostages anymore!”
Loud laughter followed.
Hyeon-yul’s lips curled up along with it.
He removed his hands and looked at Shin-woo.
“Do your ears hurt?”
Shin-woo asked while taping the enemies’ hands and feet.
“There are no hostages.”
“What did you say?”
“Then, I will go take care of the enemies. Mr. Baek Shin-woo, you should move too.”
If both of them worked, they could clock out earlier.
Hyeon-yul checked his watch.
1:26 PM.
Even having eaten lunch, it was still early.
“Wait a minute.”
About to move, Hyeon-yul paused at Shin-woo’s words.
He wondered if he had been too forward.
Hyeon-yul looked at Shin-woo.
“I told you to call me hyungnim.”
That nagging again.
If he didn't, it would follow him like a tail.
“Hyungnim.”
Hyeon-yul said, revealing his annoyance.
“Good. Now tell me why you said there are no hostages.”
“I confirmed it.”
“When? …Ah, when you covered your ears? You figured it out with that?”
“I did.”
Shin-woo took it quite seriously, nodding several times.
“That’s a good ability. Now, sit here and wait.”
No hostages.
Hearing those words, Shin-woo felt relieved.
It was like receiving permission to run wild.
However, Hyeon-yul’s eyes twitched.
He must have heard he was specially recruited, yet he was told to stay put?
Didn't this conclude as [Work Exclusion —> Lack of Ability —> Dismissal]?
His head started to feel dizzy.
“Why do I have to wait?”
“Because it’s your probationary period. Later, you’ll miss this moment. You don’t need to push yourself hard right from the start.”
“…So right now, you’re telling me to slack off?”
“Well, yeah. That’s why I came, isn’t it?”
As Shin-woo smiled, Hyeon-yul was shocked.
He was serious.
It was as shocking as finding out he had reincarnated into another world.
Did this make any sense?
Earning money while resting?
‘If that were possible, would everyone complain about not wanting to work?’
Soon, Hyeon-yul’s gaze towards Shin-woo deepened.
‘…I almost fell for it.’
Did it make sense for there to be a job where you could earn money while resting?
‘Is he trying to get me fired?’
If he reported to Hae-ryeon that he did nothing during this mission, what would happen to him?
He would be labeled as someone who slacked off from day one.
This would definitely lead to dismissal.
‘A dangerous guy…….’
Why had he forgotten that people who approach smiling should be guarded against the most?
Hadn't he been tricked like that until now?
“I’ll give you my card, so go get something tasty to eat.”
Shin-woo actually put down a card.
That was bait.
Hyeon-yul was certain.
‘Is he the biggest obstacle to my work?’
Obstacles interfering with work just needed to be erased.
“You don’t have to look at me like that. There’s enough money to clear out the convenience store.”
Thinking Hyeon-yul might feel burdened, Shin-woo spoke even more confidently, waved his hand, and walked out of the store.
Hyeon-yul followed him out.
“Yes, thank you. Please be careful.”
‘He’s already acting praiseworthy.’
Shin-woo felt pleased for no reason and ran forward cheerfully.
‘Quite fast, and light.’
Watching Shin-woo’s back, Hyeon-yul assessed how he should fight him.
If he were to kill him, there was a possibility his own attacks could be blocked.
He was a target that needed careful observation.
‘Shall I make my move too, then?’
It would be troublesome if Shin-woo reported to Hae-ryeon that he had slacked off.
He had to do something, and there was something he needed to investigate anyway.
—Some hostages kidnapped and being transported (currently tracking).
A line from the mission details he saw earlier bothered Hyeon-yul.
Anyone could see it was prime material for overtime.
‘Things like this need to be nipped in the bud.’
Hyeon-yul covered one eye and one ear.
He tracked the voice from the phone call moments ago.
“…Anyway, stay alert. Yeah, good work.”
He found the voice.
Hyeon-yul quickly scanned with his eyes.
3 people.
And 1 person.
There Are 4 people in total.
Hyeon-yul lowered his hand.
He looked at the scissors that had caught his eye earlier.
‘Not bad.’
He picked them up and melted smoothly away.
As soon as his vision changed, he first stabbed one guy in the eye.
As blood spurted, he immediately pulled his hand back and threw the scissors towards the sound of approaching footsteps.
Pook!
No sooner had the clear sound of penetration been heard than Hyeon-yul vanished from the spot and appeared behind the man impaled by the scissors.
He pulled out the scissors and opened them wide.
Like a dagger, he slit the man’s throat.
“……Keoooook.”
The sound of gurgling blood was heard.
Using the man as a shield, he pushed him forward, saw a hand approaching from behind, and simply cut it off with the scissors.
Seogeok.
A scream erupted along with the severed flesh.
“Aaaaaargh!”
“Shh.”
Hyeon-yul approached the man, covered his screaming mouth, and stabbed his neck.
As he moved towards the ground with the corpse, Hyeon-yul swung his hand towards the back.
“…Keoheok!”
He stabbed the neck of the man who was coming, clutching his eye.
Hyeon-yul stood up straight, looked at the target, and held up 3 fingers.
“……Monster bastard.”
There was no other expression to use.
The target’s hands trembled violently.
As Hyeon-yul approached silently, the target backed away.
“D, don’t come here! Don’t come!”
Screaming, he dropped his cell phone.
The target was terrified, and as his gaze fell to the cell phone, he saw the scissors heavily stained with blood.
Following the scissors, the man raised his head.
“You must be tired from killing people. Since you’re tired anyway, would you mind telling me where you sent the hostages now?”
Hyeon-yul asked slyly.