Ch.101There’s No Normal People Here – 2

Conversations between people can be likened to a handclap.

Two hands must properly meet to create sound.

That resulting sound is what we call applause.

Conversation works the same way. People must exchange words that complement each other.

If I only talk about topics I know, or if the other person only says what they want to say,

It’s not a conversation—it’s just talking to oneself in empty space.

…And that was exactly the situation now.

‘What nonsense is this suddenly? Revenge? What revenge? Against whom?’

Could this woman have negative feelings toward Rina Lee like Hyuk Kwak did?

But neither Rina nor anyone else had ever mentioned anything like that.

Above all, I strongly felt that Sujin Hyun was deliberately avoiding Rina.

Not out of fear, but more like she didn’t want to engage because it would be too troublesome.

Last time when Sujin Hyun appeared before me, Rina showed up right after.

Before that, this woman had immediately left as if dealing with Rina would be exhausting.

‘Considering those points, she doesn’t seem like someone who wants revenge against Rina.’

I wanted to ask what on earth she was talking about.

But instead of opening my mouth, I decided to keep it firmly shut.

In situations like this, silence truly is golden.

After a few minutes had passed…

“…Not planning to answer?”

Unable to wait for my silence any longer, Sujin Hyun snapped.

At her reaction, I almost blurted out, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I need to hold back. If I wait, as always, the other person will eventually spill everything.

Words that come out because they can’t stand the silence are more valuable than answers to direct questions.

“I don’t know what you’re expecting, but you should stop. For your own sake.”

“…Whatever you say, you and I are enemies in the end, aren’t we?”

“So?”

“I’m saying I can’t easily trust you.”

That’s right. Keep talking. About yourself, and about this revenge you mentioned.

If you’re frustrated, lay out everything you know right in front of me.

“True. I am an enemy to other power users. Because I’m a traitor. But at least you can’t be. Do you know why? Because your very existence is evidence of betrayal.”

…What is she suddenly saying? Why is my existence evidence of betrayal?

I stared at her in disbelief, and she smiled.

“Family.”

Why is she suddenly bringing up family?

“You don’t have any family, do you?”

…No matter how true it is that I don’t have family, making such personal attacks is unpleasant.

For a moment I felt like throwing the first punch, but I held back.

After all, Sujin Hyun was spilling information just as I wanted.

“That’s right. I don’t. I’m an orphan. Got caught up in a massive monster attack long ago…”

“That’s what you think, remember, and say. Is that how you were educated? No, brainwashed?”

My discomfort exceeded its limit. Even though my time as a low-level civil servant had trained me

to brush off most personal attacks without feeling anything,

I had moved beyond patience when dealing with someone who was deliberately picking a fight.

“Look, you keep talking nonsense…”

Zap—!

‘Huh?’

Sparks flew before my eyes. Suddenly my vision flashed white.

Instinctively, I reached out and grabbed the kitchen knife I’d been eyeing.

The Elder, that cowardly woman, must have launched a surprise attack.

Yes, that must be it. Those who kidnapped Soohyun and even brainwashed her.

Those who betrayed and abandoned everything, driven by their desires.

For such people, a surprise attack would be nothing to think twice about.

I had been too careless. Foolishly engaging with her.

Stupidly, I shouldn’t have done that. I shouldn’t have let my guard down!

Even now, I should look for an opening to attack…

“Let’s make a promise. Let’s promise not to die!”

“Everyone promise. We all have to survive!”

Very faint voices and images flashed through my mind.

It’s a scene I’ve seen once before. Yes, it’s clearly in my memory.

Children huddled together. And hands tightly clasped.

Everyone wearing identical clothes, in a space filled with nothing but gray.

I thought it was a dream. Everything seemed like a first-time experience.

But why now? Why am I suddenly remembering this?

“Seojin Baek.”

As if answering my question, Sujin Hyun’s voice reaches me.

“Don’t you find it strange? How you, a mere power user, could fight so fiercely against the Elder, an S-rank. And how you’re standing here without any side effects or aftereffects.”

The first part can be explained by the privilege only I possess,

the “characteristic” I can see as the bearer of The Third Eye.

Thanks to the Gatekeeper characteristic, I had many advantages in combat.

‘Yes, so I could answer the first part. But…’

The second part. After such an intense and brutal fight.

When others suffered injuries so severe their survival was in question.

Yet I endured it without issue, overcame it, and am living perfectly fine.

That part cannot be fully explained by this characteristic.

“Because you’re exceptionally tough? Or have a special constitution? Even that has its limits. Everyone is just blinded by your inexplicable results and missing the point. Can such things really be dismissed as simply being tough or having a certain constitution?”

I had nothing to say. I couldn’t think of any retort.

Rather, her words made me consider a third question.

That combat ability that emerges even when my characteristic isn’t activated.

That endurance that seems to falter at first but somehow adapts and perseveres.

It was too exceptional to be explained as mere talent.

“Strange, isn’t it? When you think about it. It doesn’t make sense for a normal person.”

I wanted to ignore it, wanted to deny it, but I couldn’t.

Someone else knows a secret that even I don’t know. Thinking about it that way, I couldn’t dismiss it.

I felt a strange compulsion that I absolutely had to know, had to hear it.

“You seem to know something about this?”

Before I knew it, I spoke with a somewhat urgent tone.

I shouldn’t be doing this. Giving the other person an advantageous position will lead to being strung along.

As I worried about this, Sujin Hyun nodded and opened her lips.

“I do know. Yes, I certainly do. You were created, Seojin Baek. Your existence wasn’t born by the laws of nature. You were forcibly created by those damn bastards!”

“How…”

“How am I so sure?”

A smile appeared at the corner of Sujin Hyun’s mouth.

It wasn’t from joy or amusement. Not at all.

It was the self-deprecating smile of someone reminiscing, someone left all alone.

“Because you’re identical. To that person.”

I had no way of knowing who “that person” was. But one thing was certain:

The “that person” Sujin Hyun mentioned was extremely important to her.

Perhaps it was the reason she abandoned everything and became an Elder.

“The ones who orchestrated it are still alive. They’re even living well, in luxury. Those who did such filthy things, acting as if nothing happened!”

Sujin Hyun took another step forward.

I didn’t step back in response.

“Come with me. I’ll tell you. I’ll help you remember. Your brothers and sisters, how they were used and then disappeared. And let’s take revenge together. For them.”

Revenge. Why does that word resonate so deeply?

For a moment, I almost took the hand she extended.

Yes, until one question suddenly occurred to me, stopping me.

“…You said ‘revenge,’ Sujin Hyun.”

“Yes. Revenge. For you, and for those who were in the same situation as you.”

“From what I’m hearing, these are people who committed inhumane acts.”

“That’s right. You can see it that way. I’ll tell you more details as we go. So…”

“Then in the end, aren’t you no different from them?”

“…What?”

One question that helped me regain my wavering resolve.

Yes, let’s say she had circumstances that forced her hand.

Let’s say there are people somewhere in Korea who committed inhumane acts.

She wants revenge against them, wants to destroy those actions. Yes, I understand that.

But there’s one thing I can’t overlook.

“What about the innocent people who died or were injured because of your revenge, or will be?”

She’s creating new grievances to resolve old ones.

She’s piling up new resentments while claiming to avenge past ones.

Real revenge is directed only at those who deserve it.

What Sujin Hyun is trying to do can’t be called revenge.

“…Think carefully before your next words.”

Perhaps Sujin Hyun had sensed the doubt I harbored.

The previous calm atmosphere had completely disappeared, replaced by something ominous.

It felt like watching a surging tsunami that could rampage at any moment.

“So, what I want to say is.”

But was I going to cower and bow my head here?

I had experience dealing with malicious civil complaints.

I had no intention of submitting and apologizing for something like this.

“You’re just the same. Those you seek revenge against, and you yourself. All the same.”

CRASH—!

As I finished speaking, an ear-splitting explosion was heard.

Did the angry Sujin Hyun launch an attack… no, that’s not it?

‘What? Is that… the front door?’

Something flew past me and hit Sujin Hyun directly.

Yes, it’s the front door. That very sturdy front door!

“You crazy bastard! Damn it! How dare you keep eyeing what’s mine!”

And right beside me, a golden flash of light violently tore through.