episode_0128
by AfuhfuihgsFor a moment, goosebumps appear on my arms. Even though it was under the cozy bright white lights, it felt eerie.
Isn’t this too much to be a series of coincidences? Even the date is the same without a single day of error.
I continued to read the report on Lee Hwa-ryeong’s disappearance.
No traces of kidnapping, no traces of resistance, no traces of torture or murder, no traces of black magic or demonic energy detected.
Possibility of voluntarily deserting or defecting to North Korea. However, interpersonal relationships are smooth, work attitude evaluation from the previous year was the same, having dependents, career-oriented personality, etc. In conclusion, the possibility of voluntary escape is also low.
“… ”
The military’s investigation record ended there without providing a clear answer.
After reading the last page of the record, I was dazed for a moment. He then created a small spark at the tip of his finger and set the bundle of paper on fire.
-Track… Crash…
I was lost in thought as I watched the paper disappear without any smoke.
Now, a series of events feels like a sign of something ominous.
Did you overwork your body so much that it turned over? ?
It is said that a person’s dream is to randomly combine unconscious memories and sometimes project unrealistic scenes.
Also, dreams are two-faced. Memories that hit us like waves can make us happy or, on the contrary, plunge us into extreme sadness.
Unfortunately, in my case, only the latter existed. It’s the same whether it’s a happy dream at that time or a terrible nightmare on the day of the attack. Behind the dream that was scattered like foam, all I could see was a dark ceiling and empty hands.
But this time the case is different.
The problem was that the contents of the dream I had in the ward after the Southern Incident were things that did not exist anywhere in my memory.
I have never heard the name Lee Hwaryeong in my life. Where would I have come across the records of the military investigation team, which are treated as classified?
The same goes for the other side. The leader and the sisters kept Seol Yu-jeong’s existence secret from me as if they had made a promise.
Even though they were so close that they naturally wrapped their arms around the leader’s neck like lovers.
If I hadn’t happened to see that photo in the Black Lotus Mansion, I would never have known who she was.
‘… for a moment.’
Meanwhile. Suddenly a thought came to my head.
The head that had been swirling like a storm suddenly calmed down.
What if, if we assume that the contents of the dream are really true… It is rather natural that investigators were unable to reach a conclusion.
Anyway, in the dream, a woman named Lee Hwaryeong voluntarily headed north.
And that already happened 3 years ago. Even if you are wanted for a traitorous act, there is no way you can catch someone who disappeared several years ago. It goes without saying that the only evidence for that is a ridiculous dream.
But I know the identity of one more person in the dream.
***
next day. As soon as the afternoon lecture ended, I headed toward the basement of the main building.
Before I knew it, I was proceeding with all my thoughts assuming that the contents of the dream had really happened.
What on earth are those women? When I think back on the conversation I wrote down in my notebook before I forgot, they don’t seem like such good beings.
Demon? Spy? Warlock? Or just a criminal?
If a criminal entered the cradle and became vice president, that would be a problem…
Anyway, one thing is certain. Seol Yu-jeong. That woman’s past actions are the key to solving the clue.
It is said that the directory in the archives room is continuously updated not only with information from the cradle, but also with majors and places of employment afterward.
In that case, there would still be records after Seol Yu-jeong’s graduation. The date of the dream was only three years ago.
It’s not a very difficult or complicated task. No matter what you do later, let’s check her records first.
“Uh… ?
However, when I came down to the first floor of the main building, I ran into an unexpected difficulty.
In front of the stairs leading down to the basement, there was a sign blocking the way with large letters saying ‘No trespassing’.
At the same time, thick chains were tying the passage like a spider web.
“… ”
What’s going on? There was nothing like this just yesterday.
“Inside… Repair?”
After standing there in shock for a moment, I was able to hear the whole story from the facility manager who was controlling the scene.
“Where did it collapse?”
“It’s not like that, it’s just regular inspection and facility maintenance. Several buildings in Building B, including the basement of the main building, are subject to this inspection. Hasn’t it been almost 100 years since Cradle was founded? It’s worn out, and rain is slowly leaking here and there… ”
The manager said that repairs to the basement of the main building would take about five days at most.
I felt impatient for a moment, but I was able to calm it down soon.
Some time ago, I drew out three letters of Seol Yu-jeong’s name from Professor Shin Jae-yu and received a congratulatory message. In that case, it goes without saying that Professor Kwon Chan-yeol seems to have a louder mouth. Even if you say it’s the leader’s motivation, it’s of no use if you don’t speak out about what you know.
In the same context, I am very cautious about speaking to Mok Jin-woo, the head of the General Intelligence Service branch. I also thought that maybe I could cause trouble.
Since I had no one else to ask for help, I had to figure it out on my own anyway. Five days is nothing compared to the three years that have already passed.
The expiration date of the key the chairman gave me will expire, but given these circumstances, I think they will gladly renew it at least once.
I tried to accept the situation in such a positive way, but… In fact, a bigger problem occurred on the other side.
“The personal training room is all being repaired… ?”
“Yes. This will take more time as it involves expansion work. At least it will take about 2 weeks… ”
The manager’s sudden words made my eyes turn dark. There is no significant difference in facilities between private training rooms and public training rooms. So, the repairs must have been carried out in accordance with the inspection period. Usually, when the personal training room is under repair, we just continue practicing in the public training room.
However, it is a significant advantage to be able to fully use a large space alone without any distractions or attention from those around you. Additionally, it is an essential element for me.
I already have a personality that lacks patience and composure, but the public training room is an environment where I have to feel the gaze of those around me. It was difficult for me to concentrate on spiritual training.
So, I was taking advantage of the private training room privileges given to students at the top of the leaderboard.
What do we do? I can’t just suck my fingers for two weeks. Unless you are sick and have been hospitalized in a ward, it is nonsense to skip training.
Then, the facility manager I was talking to spoke to me cautiously, as if he had sensed my concerns.
“That… There is also a personal training room in Building A other than here. Although there is only one and the facilities are very old… If you really need a personal training room… ”
“Dong A… ? I’ve never been there before.”
“I will let you know. It’s near the main entrance, so you won’t have a hard time finding it. Once you get out, turn right… ”
Old facilities are not a big problem to me.
I followed the path given by the manager and headed out to find the training room in Building A.
To the right of the main gate, adjacent to the huge wall surrounding the cradle site. I was told to find an old building that seemed to have been built in the early days of Cradle’s establishment.
I was soon able to easily find a building that fit the manager’s description.
“Take it!”
“Wait… Wow!”
In the common training room on the first floor, several students were seen engaged in mock sparring.
However, perhaps because it is an old facility, there are not that many people. It seemed that students in the adjacent dormitory often used it as well.
I headed to the personal training room on the second floor along the old stairs with all the corners broken.
“Oh my… ”
However, in the only remaining personal training room that was not closed, the electronic signboard that said ‘in use’ was already lit.
-ha… ! ha… !
-bang! Quang!
Beyond the soundproofed wall, someone’s gasping breath and the sound of magic exploding could faintly be heard.
I approached the guard, who was half-asleep sitting in a chair with his chin resting on his head, and asked.
“Excuse me. How long has it been since anyone entered the training room on the second floor?”
“Cool… Cool… who… Oh my… !”
The security guard with narrowed eyes looked at the mask and was so startled that he almost slipped.
“Well, I think it’s been about two and a half hours. I’m almost certain that I just got into my shift.”
It’s already two and a half hours and I’ll be out soon. I thought I was going to fail, but it wasn’t something I couldn’t wait for.
I sat down next to the guard, who had fallen asleep again as if he were starving, and silently waited for my turn.
In my spare time, I write letters to my sisters, reminisce about strange dreams, and guess about Yeon Sang-ha’s gifts.
“… ”
However, even though more than an hour has passed, the student in the training room shows no sign of coming out.
Slowly, the frustration started to creep into my head. However, it is an irritation that has valid and solid grounds.
Did you even pay a lease or something?
After waiting for another thirty minutes, my patience finally ran out.
Unable to bear it any longer, I ignored the electronic display board that lit up with the word ‘in use’ and entered the training room.
If you are just recklessly increasing the time and fooling around… I might actually slap you on the cheek.
“Ha… !”
-bang! Quang!
However, loud breathing and magical explosions were still echoing inside the training room.
And I recognized the owner right away.
Brilliant blonde hair, sparkling green eyes, and single-layer training clothes that cling to her sweaty body.
“… ”
As soon as I saw a female student with a familiar look, my mouth reflexively let out a deep sigh.
0 Comments