KNEEL Ch 12

“Be quiet and just eat. Pork cutlet. Here, this is for you.”

One way or another, it is the advisory team’s pleasant mealtime. Hansol briefly shares the details of the interviews with the master casters. His ominous hunch was right on the mark. It seems they will have to go to Woneumdang after all. Neil also agrees with Hansol’s opinion.

“Noona. You know, if the old men’s stories are true, isn’t it a miracle that Ahn Moe didn’t kill Lee Gwi?”

“That’s true. The key is how he figured out the casting secrets to imitate Lee Gwi, but for now, I understand his desire to see Lee Gwi ruined.”

“In my humble opinion, it looks like everyone has their own circumstances, and that’s why a very large misunderstanding has occurred.”

“Don’t you watch too many novels?”

“What can I do when the work I do is like a novel.”

“What, how annoying. Your batting average is increasing just because you moistened your esophagus a bit?”

“Batting average? Did I hit Hansol somewhere?”

“Would you both shut your mouths for just ten minutes.”

From inside Director Kim’s bag, where murderous intent is blooming, a classic ringtone eventually sounds. Yes, this is Yurina Kim. A moment later, after taking the call, Director Kim’s eyes grow a bit wide. Another trouble arises for Neil and Hansol.

“Guys. That nephew of Ahn Moe. Lee Gwi’s son said he’s stopping by here after his investigation at the main office finishes today?”

No sooner has the message been delivered than someone opens the door and walks in. Hansol’s chopsticks drop to the floor.

… Question mark, late twenties, mid-180s in height. Question mark, dark gray short-sleeved T-shirt. On top, a knit of the same color. On top of that, a coat of the same color. Black hair. Question mark, no matter how you look at it, he doesn’t work in this field. An ivory tower vibe. A part-time lecturer? At the very least, a teaching assistant. Exclamation point, the most handsome human primate I’ve seen in my life.

Ah, how could I ever forget your royal countenance, you fucker.

Hansol squeezed his eyes shut.

∞ ∞ ∞

“I am Lee Wibin. It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time.”

“Hello. I am the art detective in charge of advising on the case. Please call me Neil. This is Mr. Mi Hansol, the best appraiser. This is Yurina Kim, our boss.”

“Hello. An art detective, that’s very cool.”

Shaking hands? Wow, ‘pleasure to meet you for the first time’? Being that thick-faced is an art in itself. The man who, in the not-so-distant past, was Hansol’s diamond, Hansol’s feather, Hansol’s festival, and other things like star candy sprinkled by a fairy, is committing another character assassination under the name Lee Wibin after one year. Hansol was very proud of himself for not fainting.

“When I went to the station, they said you were people who provide a lot of help.”

“Not at all, we are a long way from solving it.”

“You must be having a hard time because of my father, right? In any case, I hope the genuine article appears soon.”

Lee Wibin, with a tidy posture just like his tidy appearance, exchanges pleasantries with Director Kim. Hansol, with his arms crossed, attacks Wibin indirectly.

“Is Lee Wibin your real name?”

“… Yes.”

“Oh my, do you two know each other?”

“I know him well.”

“… .”

“I used to know him well.”

“… .”

Wibin only remains silent and does not falter. Even at Hansol’s thorn-filled words, as if he had already expected everything, there is no impact. Now I know for sure. I thought you were an irresponsible prick, but you were just a damn bad prick. You couldn’t just let me live with the psychological victory of thinking you left me like that because of some unavoidable circumstance? Noona! This prick is that prick, the legendary motherfucker who did a blackmail-scam romance and then vanished!

Hansol wanted to scream right now at Director Kim, who looked like she wanted an explanation, but this is strictly a place of work, and I am currently working, and by all means, work is important. More than anything, all that would be left if I did that is my own pathetic self who is bound by the past and couldn’t move a single step forward. Hansol’s mood had plummeted long ago. I am the victim here, but the fact that I am the one becoming miserable is truly the worst. Whether he noticed Hansol struggling to find composure, Neil, who had been watching quietly, naturally stepped in front of Wibin.

“What did you state in your testimony?”

“It wasn’t much. My father is mostly in Jecheon and it’s been quite a while since I moved to Seoul, so there was little contact. I was also abroad for a long time. I was completely unaware of this case as well until my maternal uncle told me. I only feel regret that my father became involved in such a disgraceful matter.”

“Oh, have you reached a conclusion? The culprit is the father, Lee Gwi.”

“Since I heard… that the production method of the Buddha statue is like that, anyway. Even putting aside the possession of the genuine article, he won’t be able to avoid fraud charges.”

“If you say maternal uncle, you mean Master Ahn Moe?”

“Yes.”

“But, in my humble opinion, since both Mr. Ahn and the Master Caster were taught by the grandfather, perhaps Mr. Ahn could have known the secret construction method too?”

“Hmm… .”

Neil has a persistent side, unlike how he looks. Lee Wibin exhales a faint sigh. However, he soon reveals a subtle smile and continues speaking. Director Kim is recording with her mobile phone.

“First, I’ll explain what the secret technique is. The secret technique was a collection of books called <Bum-jong-gwa-an-rok>. It is said that confidential information regarding the ratio of beeswax manufacturing that makes the traditional Silla-style casting method possible, the ratio of casting sand manufacturing, the necessary materials, patterns, and sounds was written there. My grandfather memorized this entire collection and then melted it into the molten iron. In the end, <Bum-jong-gwa-an-rok> was the grandfather himself.”

“And there are no circumstances suggesting that Mr. Ahn, or someone else, heard about it?”

“Would there really be a master caster who would pretend to be ignorant even after receiving such a precious thing? When wealth and fame to be enjoyed for a lifetime are guaranteed.”

“What if it was hidden because they plan to promote another great cause—?”

“Mr. Wibin. I’m sorry, but we were in the middle of a meal.”

Unlike Neil, who playfully shrugs his shoulders, Director Kim, who only smiles with her eyes, cut off the conversation flatly. Wibin stared at Neil for a few seconds, then soon bowed his head politely.

“Thank you for your time. I look forward to your kind cooperation.”

“For your father, or for your maternal uncle?”

“… Have a good day. Then.”

Wibin had good patience. Even at Neil’s light provocation, he only gives a fleeting glance and leaves quickly. Let’s see each other again. That was the final greeting Wibin gave to Hansol.

Hansol felt his eyelids trembling. Because he had been struggling with all his might in front of Wibin, his tension snapped, and he collapsed right there, rummaging through his hair. Let’s just say Director Kim isn’t the only one whose heart is bursting. Breaking the brief silence, Director Kim screams.

“Hey! What’s wrong with both of you? Get your heads together please, the head of a golden Buddha is wandering the world, so shouldn’t we find out which idiot took it and ran!”

“I’m sorry, Director. He seemed like someone Hansol dislikes. I didn’t have a very good feeling either.”

“Talking about feelings, huh? Hey Mi Hansol! What is it? Let’s say he’s originally a strange guy, but why aren’t you saying anything as if you’re possessed by a ghost?”

“… Noona. Just let it slide today. Until one second ago, I lived my life thinking he was a Mr. Jeong, you know?”

“What? Mr. Jeong? Why a sudden Jeong… gasp. Don’t tell me he is that,”

“Yeah. He is that guy.”

The ‘son’ in the ‘son of a bitch.’

I’m sleepy. I’m going home. Let’s compile the master casters’ stories at the gallery tomorrow. Having finished in a dry tone, Hansol vanishes like the wind. Neil is muttering while fiddling with his own ear.

“Hmm, what could it be. It’s strange.”

That monologue was purely about Lee Wibin, but perhaps because Director Kim considered it to be directed toward Hansol, she gestured for Neil to pull up a chair and sit.

“Neil.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll finish in five minutes so listen well and run like hell.”

“Yes.”

The first sentence, which began with a sigh, was somewhat pedantic, so Neil took the time to slowly repeat it while listening to Director Kim’s story. As for Hansol. He’s that kind of person. The type who makes people his faith. But for the most part, people are all trash. So Hansol’s greatest weakness is people.

After experiencing all sorts of pathetic losers in his life, he finally met Jeong, but one year ago, he evaporated like a lie. His name, age, and address were all aliases. While Mi-Q, who had been living like a living corpse, was finally barely acting like a human being, of all things, that Jeong appeared claiming to be Lee Gwi’s son, and seeing that smiling face, he doesn’t seem like an ordinary crazy person. Before he takes off his shoes and dives into the Han River, let’s quickly find Mi Hansol and keep him tethered to this world. End. Before long, the sun sets. Neil wipes away his smile and resolutely clenches his fist, reassuring Director Kim.