PAHO 22

To Nam Gyeonhwa’s confession, which continued in a voice as small as an ant, he couldn’t hide his surprised expression. He had previously heard from the primary physician at the health sub-branch that the first person to discover Spore Syndrome was Director Kim Taeyun of the current National Medical Center, who was called an authority in the field of respiratory medicine.

Should he be happy about this lucky coincidence? If so, then he had no idea why Yeo Eunjae, despite having parents with such a remarkable background, was staying in the underground special district.

“Anyway, if it’s because of Spore Syndrome, I can provide sufficient care. So please don’t worry about that part. If you’re really concerned, I can try contacting the hospital where Haejin’s primary physician is.”

Smiling brightly, Yeo Eunjae hung the well-mixed IV bag on the stand.

“And, don’t pay any mind to what Director Na said. I’ll make sure you’re discharged within a week at the latest.”

Yeo Eunjae gave Nam Gyeonhwa a nod, then waved to Haejin before leaving. Haejin, with the book he was reading tucked under his arm, came over to Nam Gyeonhwa.

“Hyung-ah, what did the doctor say? Does hyung-ah have to stay for a long time?”

“No, he said I’ll be better in a few days.”

“That’s a relief. This is the first time I’ve seen you in a hospital bed like this, hyung-ah.”

“I know. It was always Haejin lying in the hospital bed and hyung sitting next to you.”

Nam Gyeonhwa, responding gently to the innocent voice, beckoned for Haejin to come up onto the bed. Haejin, who quietly climbed up beside him, didn’t lie down on the pillow but instead opened his arms wide and hugged Nam Gyeonhwa tightly.

“Hyung-ah, you have, to get better, quickly. So we can go eat pizza again, and go see Mister Yongsik and grandma too.”

Haejin, who had been mumbling, gave a big yawn. Nam Gyeonhwa gently patted his back as his body fidgeted, clearly fighting off sleep. His voice gradually grew quieter, and Haejin’s eyelids closed. After laying the sleeping Haejin down, he tilted his head back and swallowed a sigh.

Only a day or two had passed at most, but it felt like several months. He couldn’t figure out what on earth Na Taebeom or Min Chanyoung were thinking. No wonder the payment seemed excessive for a simple delivery. Clicking his tongue softly, he quietly looked around and spotted a large picture frame on one of the walls.

[In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.]

Was it a verse from Proverbs? To deliberately hang such a plaque in a hospital, the person must be a fairly devout believer. Suddenly, Yeo Eunjae’s face flashed through his mind. He had smiled brightly, but his attitude seemed to be glossing over the words he had casually brought up.

A graduate of a medical school where the tuition alone reaches tens of millions a year, and on top of that, considering his parents’ standing, he must be the young master of a wealthy family. So how did he end up being employed under a complete scoundrel like Na Taebeom? Unless he was being blackmailed for some great weakness, there was no reason for him to stay in a lawless zone like this.

Well, it’s not like Yeo Eunjae was a child of one or two; it must have been his own decision. The one who needed to worry right now was Nam Gyeonhwa himself. First, he needed to meet Min Chanyoung and draw a clear line regarding the request. Even if it meant he wouldn’t receive the rest of the payment, he no longer wanted to push Haejin into a dangerous and unstable situation.

He startled awake at the rattling vibration of the car.

“Are you awake?”

At the driver’s cautious question from the driver’s seat, Nam Gyeonhwa looked at the car window. Through the glass, darkened by window tint, he could see large cargo trucks moving about busily.

“…Have we, arrived?”

“Ah, no. This is the Cheongsan Rest Area, the last rest stop right before our destination.”

At the sheepish voice, a long sign far in the distance finally came into view. Still, if it was the last rest stop, that meant they were almost there. The driver, who had been looking only at the rearview mirror, hesitantly turned his body toward the back seat.

“Excuse me, are you feeling a bit better? It seemed like you were getting carsick.”

“Ah, yes, I’m fine now.”

“I’m sorry. This is my first time driving on the highway, so you must have been a little uncomfortable.”

The face, which looked to be about twenty-one or twenty-two at most, was full of simple concern. Nam Gyeonhwa managed to recall the name they had exchanged before getting in the car.

“I wasn’t uncomfortable at all. I had a comfortable ride thanks to you, Mr. Gwon Jongdae.”

“R-really? I’m glad you felt that way.”

Despite the shallow compliment, the young driver’s face turned red with embarrassment. Judging by his slightly timid way of speaking, he must have had a hard time working under Na Taebeom with a personality like that. Nam Gyeonhwa, giving a reassuring nod, lightly massaged his weary temples.

The motion sickness that inevitably came whenever he rode in a passenger car had caused him to repeatedly doze off and wake up, making the back of his head feel heavy. At least the motion sickness medicine he had gotten from Yeo Eunjae before leaving seemed to be effective, as his headache wasn’t particularly severe nor did he feel nauseous.

Seeing that the engine was also off, it didn’t seem like they would be leaving within the next few minutes. Should he go out for some fresh air? A sudden feeling of emptiness made him turn to the seat beside him, but no one was there. The driver, who was adjusting the car’s air conditioning, added as if he had just remembered.

“Ah, Director Na Taebeom went to the rest stop building first.”

As soon as he said that, a shadow fell over the right-side car window where Nam Gyeonhwa was sitting, and then—knock, knock—came the sound of tapping on the glass. He glanced over and saw Na Taebeom grinning.

“You going to stay like that?”

At the pressing voice, Gwon Jongdae glanced at Nam Gyeonhwa. If he were to ignore him and stay in the car, it didn’t seem likely that Na Taebeom would back down obediently.

“I’m just going to get some fresh air for a moment.”

“Ah, yes, yes, please take your time.”

As soon as he got out of the car, the car’s engine started and it moved a short distance away. Nam Gyeonhwa narrowed his eyes against the sudden downpour of scorching sunlight and shielded his eyes with his arm.

“What fucking killer weather.”

Right next to him, Na Taebeom, holding one hand to his forehead like a visor, whistled. Olive-tinted sunglasses and a flamboyant Hawaiian shirt that looked like it was straight out of a fashion magazine. His outfit was so excessively colorful and flashy that passersby could be seen glancing at him.

Na Taebeom took out his phone, struck a grand pose, and leisurely began taking selfies. Nam Gyeonhwa, who was silently watching the carefree display, opened his mouth.

“What’s with the sudden pictures.”

“It’s nice. Sets the mood for a drive.”

Na Taebeom abruptly grabbed Nam Gyeonhwa and pulled him close, then held his phone up high. Click. At the ensuing shutter sound, Nam Gyeonhwa reflexively ducked his head and smacked Na Taebeom’s arm away.

“Aish, damn it, it’s all blurry now.”

Nam Gyeonhwa swallowed a sigh at the sight of his face, which showed no hint of apology despite his utterly selfish behavior, and happened to spot a sign for the restrooms behind him. He figured he should cool off with some cold water in this heat. As Nam Gyeonhwa started walking, Na Taebeom, who had followed alongside him, grabbed his wrist.

“Where are you going.”

“The restroom.”

“Isn’t the doggy-exclusive one over there?”

He gestured with his eyes toward a utility pole standing tall in the middle of a grassy area. He really treats me like a dog in every way possible. Nam Gyeonhwa suppressed the rising irritation and walked past him without a word. He felt that getting worked up would just be a waste of time.

Perhaps because it was a little far from the main rest stop building, the restroom was not just quiet, but silent. After rinsing his face and neck with cold water, Nam Gyeonhwa pulled out a paper towel and roughly wiped his wet face.

Unlike the northbound highway, which was complicated by round-the-clock checkpoints, the southbound route fortunately had no congested sections. Judging from the navigation guidance he had overheard, Daejong Station was only a few dozen more kilometers away.

Daejong Station surface parking lot, section 4. That was the meeting place Min Chanyoung had secretly sent him via text message last week.

Setting aside the fact that it wasn’t a conversation to be had over a voice call or text message, Daejong was an unexpected location in terms of distance as well. Min Chanyoung, who led the subcontracted security team, might have visited a few times on business trips, but for Nam Gyeonhwa himself, it was just the name of a place he had only ever seen in the local newspaper until his last hospital stay. Moreover, after being silent all this time, the fact that he went out of his way to make contact and ask to meet at a place that deviated from their route was suspicious in more ways than one.

One way or another, what he had to do now was clear. Meet Min Chanyoung in Daejong, listen to the full story regarding the data he had handed over at the time, and receive the rest of the payment.

Nam Gyeonhwa, after shaking his wet hands dry, checked the smartwatch fastened on his wrist. Na Taebeom, who had taken away his phone with its broken screen under the pretext of getting it repaired, had lent him the smartwatch to use instead. It was closer to a surveillance device than a means of contact, but it was undeniable that it was better than nothing.

He stood by the restroom door and scrolled through the missed calls and messages he hadn’t had a chance to check. Among the spam messages flooding his inbox—advertisements for various casinos, e-cigarettes, and real estate agents specializing in semi-basements—a text from Haejin stood out.

hyung when are you coming are you very late? I saved you some cake please come quickly

Nam Gyeonhwa smiled faintly as he looked at the attached photo of Haejin smiling while holding up a plate with both hands. Judging by the perfectly spelled text and the photo, it seemed Yeo Eunjae had helped him. If there was anything to be thankful for, it was that Yeo Eunjae was at least friendly.

As soon as he stepped out of the public restroom, he saw Na Taebeom sitting at an outdoor table directly in front of him. Nam Gyeonhwa stopped a few steps away and watched him intently. Busan, Incheon, Cheongju. Amidst the people busily moving for logistics and transport, the sight of him leisurely enjoying the view while sipping a drink was the very picture of carefree.