episode_0028

“Julian Vance, that bastard, right?”

As the name was uttered, a blatant look of bewilderment and shock flashed across Gideon’s face.

His eyes widened, and he paused as if he’d forgotten to breathe for a moment.

“You, how did you know that?”

Gideon’s voice was trembling.

Beyond mere surprise that an outsider had uncovered internal strife, a much deeper confusion and suspicion flickered in his eyes.

Putting myself in Gideon’s shoes, I understood his feelings now.

“So it was true.”

At my confirmation, Gideon’s lips trembled slightly.

He swallowed dryly for a moment, then quickly glanced at his office door as if surveying his surroundings.

It was the Commander’s office with the highest security clearance, but his unease didn’t seem to subside easily.

“How do you know?”

I couldn’t reveal everything.

The moment I revealed it was information from the future of a game, I might be treated like a madman or locked up in a facility for mental analysis.

“The source of the information isn’t important, Commander-nim.”

I answered as vaguely as possible.

“What’s important is that I know your enemy, Commander-nim. And perhaps, that I might be able to help you.”

I intentionally left room for interpretation.

I had to make him need me.

I had to make him recognize my value as a joker who could change this dangerous situation, not just a mere mercenary.

Gideon was silent for a moment, as if mulling over the meaning of my words.

Fierce calculations were surely taking place in his mind.

He would be struggling to figure out if I could truly help, and what my intentions were.

“Help, you say.”

As he answered, Gideon pressed a button on his desk.

“All access to the Commander’s office is restricted. Do not let anyone in until I give a separate order.”

[Understood, Commander-nim.]

A response came, and a red lock indicator light illuminated on the office door.

Gideon stood up and slowly approached me.

“What information do you possess? And what do you want?”

As expected, he didn’t think I would simply offer information out of goodwill.

“What I know isn’t much. Only that Director Vance has been meticulously working to remove you from power for a long time.”

I answered, limiting the amount of information.

I had no choice.

The reason for Gideon’s downfall in the game was only vaguely mentioned. There were no clear processes or outcomes provided.

Meeting Gideon’s eyes directly, I continued.

“What I want is for Commander-nim Gideon to lend me his strength when I’m in trouble.”

“Trouble? Is there some specific reason?”

“Oh, and I’ll add one small detail. It might sound arrogant, but if you just trust me and follow along without thinking, I’ll help you catch that damn rat bastard.”

Gideon chuckled incredulously and remained silent for a while with a serious expression.

His brows furrowed as if deep in thought.

He must have been conflicted about the sudden lifeline that appeared.

Director Vance’s silent pressure and the internal corporate struggles — my offer must have been attractive to him, but he thought carefully several times before opening his mouth.

“Alright, I’ll trust you. You’ve seen right through my situation, so why wouldn’t I? Was your approach to Yuna all for this?”

“Let’s just say that.”

At my answer, one of Gideon’s eyebrows rose.

“But I doubt that’s all there is to it.”

“Of course, I want auxiliary benefits too.”

I admitted honestly.

“A safe operational base, access to necessary information, and reasonable compensation.”

“If your information is true, and it plays a decisive role in eliminating Vance, then I will follow your words.”

Gideon spoke cautiously.

“For now, I’ll grant you lodging and a temporary security clearance. And if there’s anything you want, tell me anytime.”

He handed me a data chip.

It contained the lodging location, a temporary access code, and information for an emergency communication channel to contact him directly.

“I’ll spread the word that I’ve appointed you as my direct special agent. That guy won’t dare touch you for a while.”

Gideon’s words were full of confidence.

“You should rest for today. I also need time to organize my thoughts… I’ll contact you again tomorrow.”

After saluting respectfully, I left the office.

Until the moment the door closed, Gideon remained deep in thought, gazing at the holographic screen.

Walking down the corridor, I let out a long breath.

It had been a dangerous gamble depending on Gideon’s reaction, but for now, it was a success.

When I connected the data chip he gave me, the temporary security clearance was activated, allowing me to use the facility.

“Good.”

“Looks like the conversation went well?”

Turning my head, I saw Yuna waiting for me, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

“Were you waiting?”

“Just in case you got lost.”

“Commander-nim said I should stay here for a while, and I’ve been assigned lodging.”

“Really?”

Yuna replied briefly, rolling her eyes.

“So, you’ll be joining us?”

She asked a loaded question.

“Well.”

As the elevator doors opened, I gestured to her.

“For now, let’s say yes.”

Yuna followed behind me with a faint smile.

Beyond the closing elevator doors, the dazzling night view of Icarus Technology’s Far East branch unfolded.

We parted ways at the lodging within the facility.

“Money really is good.”

It was incomparably more comfortable and spacious than the shabby inn in Terminus.

It had not only a shower facility but also basic amenities and a soft bed.

After relaxing my body, which had stiffened from the grueling battle and tension, with a stream of hot water, fatigue washed over me all at once.

I sat on the bed and caught my breath for a moment.

On the table, a neatly folded Icarus Corporation standard uniform was placed, as if someone had brought it.

It was a simple design combining gray and white, but the material was luxurious.

As soon as I changed out of the dirty combat uniform I’d received from the Chronos mercenary group and into the standard uniform, and lay down on the bed for a moment, a message notification rang on my personal terminal.

The sender was Yuna.

[Titan says to meet him in the lounge now.]

[Alright, I’ll be right there. You’re coming too, aren’t you?]

Seeing the unread message notification, I got up and headed towards the lounge.

**********

The lounge within the Icarus facility was sophisticated and spacious enough to resemble a high-end hotel bar.

Under the soft lighting, comfortable sofas and tables were arranged leisurely, and an entire wall was made of floor-to-ceiling glass, offering a view of the Icarus complex’s nightscape.

As I entered, two men who had already settled at a corner table caught my eye.

They were Doctor and Titan.

Doctor was dressed in a neat shirt, and Titan was wearing a tight-fitting black short-sleeved knit shirt that flaunted his muscles.

He had a gleaming gold necklace around his neck and was wearing new sunglasses instead of his medical eyepatch.

“Here comes the protagonist of the day!”

Titan spotted me and called out with an exaggerated gesture.

His voice was loud enough to echo through the entire lounge, and people around us looked over.

“Come here and sit down.”

As I sat down, Titan crossed his arms and stared at me overtly.

“What’s with that outfit? You look no different from Doctor.”

“You said to come comfortably, didn’t you? You’re the one who’s overdoing it.”

At my retort, Titan grinned, put a hand on my shoulder, and whispered.

“You don’t know a thing. The night in Icarus is deep, and this lounge is a place where anything is possible, understand?”

The strong smell of alcohol and expensive perfume wafting from his mouth made me feel lightheaded.

“That’s enough joking.”

Doctor put down his glass, stopping him.

“Marcus Cole, that’s my name. Call me Marcus, or call me Titan, whatever you prefer.”

He revealed his real name first.

“Aris Thorn. You can call me Doctor, it doesn’t matter. Well, it seems we’ll be seeing a lot of each other, so it’s probably good to make introductions.”

Marcus Cole and Aris Thorn, those were their real names. It felt awkward, but I also nodded.

“Alright, I’m Kang Jin-woo.”

After the awkward introductions, we started chatting about trivial things.

Doctor, or rather Aris, as expected, relentlessly questioned me about my body’s abnormal energy output and my reaction speed.

“It’s truly fascinating. It doesn’t match any existing enhancement procedure data.”

Marcus spoke passionately about today’s battle.

“Hahaha! One shot from the Grail Gun! It was truly exhilarating! That half-dead bastard’s face must have been a sight to behold! Of course, my Atlas got torn to shreds, but I have no regrets! A man should fight like that.”

He boasted about his past exploits, guzzling down alcohol.

As we tilted our glasses and chatted, I suddenly realized that Yuna hadn’t arrived yet.

She was surely invited to this gathering too.

Did she refuse after all?

Considering Yuna’s cold personality, it was plausible.

Just then, Titan gestured and called out to someone.

“Oh, here she comes! Wow, fancy, isn’t she? Trying to impress someone? How ridiculous.”

I instinctively turned my head.

Yuna was walking in from the lounge entrance.

A black dress elegantly revealed her figure, silver-white hair flowed naturally below her shoulders, and a small diamond necklace sparkled at her neck.

Yuna, receiving everyone’s gazes, walked towards our table without hesitation.

“Titan, no, Marcus. You’re really buying, right?”

“Ah, um, just drink moderately. It’s not like this is our only day to meet, right? And when I said I’d treat, I meant Jinwoo.”

He shrugged, as if asking for help.

Yuna glanced at me, took a seat, and skillfully raised her hand to order, and I could feel Marcus’s dark skin turning ashen in real-time.

“Ugh, damn it, such a clueless woman. That’s why you’ve never even held a man’s hand until now.”

“Hmph.”

Yuna snorted briefly and immediately gulped down the glass of alcohol the waiter had placed.

“Hey! That’s thousands of credits a glass! Drink it sparingly!”

Marcus groaned and sighed deeply.

“Jinwoo, you drink too.”

“Yeah, okay, Marcus. I’ll drink well.”

-Gulp.

As soon as the throat-burning gulp ended, I coughed and choked.

“I-Is it the same thing? Why is it so strong? You drank this all at once?”

“It’s my favorite drink.”

Yuna looked at me enticingly and raised her hand to order another drink.

“How may I help you?”

As soon as the waiter arrived, Marcus cut off Yuna, who was about to order, and shouted.

“Give me a bottle of what she just ordered.”

“Understood.”

“Might as well drink it by the bottle. If you keep ordering by the glass, I’ll go bankrupt like last time.”

“So, you’re saying I can keep ordering by the bottle?”

At Yuna’s reply, Marcus looked dumbfounded, as if speechless.

He seemed to realize his mistake belatedly.