Under Creature – Chapter 4.3

Author: nicotine

“Haha! He’s Dohyun’s friend, I can do that much.”

But Yigeom firmly refused.

“No. I have no intention of working in such a dangerous place, and even if I did, I’d die immediately.”

Like he’d do something that looks much more dangerous than hunting creatures. Surely, the vigilantes must have offered me this because they’re short-staffed, right? Absolutely not.

“It’s not dangerous work. What you’ll be doing.”

“…Yes?”

He had jumped to conclusions and refused, but he couldn’t help but blink at Bae Sangwoo’s words.

“If you join the vigilantes, you won’t have to face blood hunters, let alone hunt creatures.”

“…Is that possible?”

“You just have to assist A with his work. Paperwork and such? So, it’s much safer than what you’re doing now.”

“…Sounds good?”

Yigeom muttered, tilting his head.

“Gyeom-ah.”

“No… I’m not completely persuaded, but it does sound good.”

It wasn’t complete, but it seemed like he was about 90% persuaded. He didn’t think Yoon Yigeom would actually go, though. Seo Dohyun pondered for a moment and realized there was a contradiction in Bae Sangwoo’s words.

“You said he’s a talented individual who’s caught both mutants and blood hunters since joining, but you’re only going to make him do paperwork?”

“What can I do if that’s what A wants?”

The A that Bae Sangwoo thinks of is a very cautious person. He didn’t trust people enough to show his face even to Bae Sangwoo, who had worked with him for several years.

Even a small number of spies could be within the vigilantes, so he was wary of them suddenly baring their teeth and biting him. He was careful about that.

Bae Sangwoo’s position is special. He conveys the words of A, who appears and disappears suddenly, and he also plays a role in maintaining the unity between A and the vigilantes. He was the de facto leader when A was absent.

Around the time his predecessor left and he inherited this position, he received an old cell phone that could contact A. All other functions were disabled, and it could only communicate with A.

Even after taking on the role, he hadn’t spoken to A for several years. Only when A had orders to give, he would contact him through the old cell phone every night at midnight. That was all.

The first time he spoke to A was after ‘that incident’ seven years ago.

“Why is that A making such an offer to me?”

When Yigeom asked with curiosity, Bae Sangwoo waved his hand dismissively, saying he didn’t know.

“Oh, I don’t know, I don’t know. He must think you’re trustworthy.”

More than the vigilantes he’s worked with for many years. His mouth felt a little bitter.

“Well, I don’t think so. I’ve had connections with blood hunters for a long time, so maybe he thinks I recently awakened and lied to join the Association. Even if it’s not about blood, I could be conspiring with them on their side.”

When Yigeom objectively assessed his situation, Bae Sangwoo, feeling playful, put his hand inside his jacket as if surprised, to change the atmosphere.

“What? Are you a blood hunter?”

He probably assumed there would be a knife, a gun, or handcuffs.

“That’s what I’m saying.”

At that moment, Seo Dohyun stretched his arm out in front of Yigeom, protecting him.

“You can’t arrest him even if he’s a blood hunter.”

“Even if he’s promising, I don’t think he’d be a match for me.”

“Because I won’t let you.”

“You’re siding with a blood hunter right now…”

Bae Sangwoo frowned. He knew Yoon Yigeom wasn’t telling the truth, but he couldn’t overlook what Seo Dohyun just said, even if it was a joke.

“So, I’m innocent and…”

“Seo Dohyun. That’s a serious crime. I can’t leave you and Doa like that.”

Yigeom thought, it’s over. It seemed like he had no intention of listening to him.

“Then I’ll just commit a crime, so what.”

“…”

“Is that a big deal? Right, Gyeom-ah?”

Yigeom pushed away Dohyun’s face, which he held out as if asking for praise.

“It’s a big deal. What crime? And I said I’m innocent.”

“Anyway, this is a good offer for Yigeom, so think about it carefully and let me know.”

Bae Sangwoo handed him a business card.

“Yes, I will.”

Dohyun’s eyes sharpened as he watched Yigeom accept the business card and put it in his pocket.

“Then I’m done with my drink, so I’m going back to work.”

Bae Sangwoo stood up with a groan and left.

Now alone, Dohyun held out his hand to Yigeom.

“Give me the business card.”

“Here.”

He obediently handed it over before Seo Dohyun could make a fuss. As soon as he received it, he tore it to shreds.

“You tore it, but I already memorized it.”

“To contact them?”

“It’s not a bad idea.”

At Yigeom’s honest answer, Dohyun only frowned and didn’t say anything else.

“Why did you follow me all the way here?”

He thought Dohyun would interrupt their conversation and pick a fight to prevent Bae Sangwoo from making the offer, but he was unexpectedly quiet. He couldn’t understand why he had followed him.

“It’s annoying. That someone’s stealing what’s mine from my house.”

“Are you crazy? Are you sick?”

For such a trivial reason? When Yigeom asked with a frown, Dohyun laughed, amused.

Yigeom was silent for a moment, then tapped the torn pieces of the business card on the table and called him.

“Seo Dohyun.”

“Yeah.”

“What if I contact them?”

“Try it. That’s not a bad idea either.”

At the unexpected answer, he glared at him, wondering what he was up to. Dohyun smiled faintly and said,

“Anyway, you.”

“…”

“Can’t do anything without me, can you?”

🦅࿐

…What kind of nonsense is that.

Fine. He’ll concede that he’s been relying on Seo Dohyun, knowingly or unknowingly, so far. But saying it out loud is a different matter.

“Argh!”

“Hyu… Hyung, what’s wrong? I didn’t eat your cupbap today.”

“Sigh… It’s because of that Seo Dohyun.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Go back to what you were doing.”

It would be a lie if he said he wasn’t tempted by Bae Sangwoo’s words. Working safely, only doing paperwork, without any threat to his life? Surely that place would be a dream workplace with warm and comfortable chairs and a nice desk, right?

Since he hadn’t seen it himself, his imagination kept embellishing it.

But even so, he had met good people here, including Seo Doa, Cha Jewoo, and Namgoong Sanha, even without Seo Dohyun. He was now used to hunting creatures and it wasn’t difficult, and he didn’t feel particularly scared or threatened.

So, even after receiving the good offer to only assist A, he was contemplating between that “dream workplace” and Latter, but…

‘Can’t do anything without me.’

Can’t do anything without me? Can’t?

Of course, it was something said with the assumption that Yigeom would refuse the vigilantes’ offer.

“What kind of…”

If that’s the case, Bae Sangwoo had contacted him several times before visiting the office, so why didn’t he tell him then?

‘Yoon Yigeom is sensitive these days, why are you making him more sensitive by coming all the way here?’

Is that really the only reason? Disturbed because of Jooseungtae? Thank you very much for looking out for him.

“But Gyeom-hyung.”

“Yeah.”

“What did you talk about with that vigilante man yesterday?”

“… …”

Yigeom stared blankly at Jewoo, who was asking with bright, clear eyes.

“You really are…”

“Yes?”

“Never mind. How could someone like you come from under Seo Dohyun?”

“Huh? Why? I’m not Dohyun-hyung’s son. I’m not related to Seo Doa either.”

“Sigh. It’s nothing.”

I need some rest. Yigeom headed to Seo Doa’s bed as usual.

Come to think of it, I wonder if the vigilantes have beds. It’s more comfortable to have a bed in the office…

As he laid his head on the pillow, thinking absurd thoughts, Jewoo followed him.

“Don’t be so harsh. Master’s words and actions are a bit like that, but he’s really nice.”

“How can someone be nice when their words and actions are rude?”

“Uh, well… um.”

Flustered, Jewoo rolled his eyes.

“He’s good to us! That’s enough.”

He does seem to take good care of them, but…

“Ah, whatever.”

Yigeom decided to give up thinking.

“Jewoo, hand me my phone.”

“Here. But why? Seo Doa and Master said they’ll be late today.”

“I’m not trying to contact him.”

He’s not sure. He needs to be certain.

Since Bae Sangwoo said he’d show him around if he was interested, it wouldn’t hurt to contact him.

He decided to see with his own eyes and judge whether that place truly was the dream workplace he imagined. What kind of environment would it be compared to this place with that damn Seo Dohyun?

🦅࿐

Yigeom arrived at the location Bae Sangwoo told him. It was about a 10-minute walk from the building he visited for the witness interview last time.

As he waited in front, he saw Bae Sangwoo walking from afar.

“Hello.”

“Oh, hello. Did you eat?”

“Yes.”

“Then shall we go in right away?”

Bae Sangwoo placed his thumb on the scanner installed next to the building and then entered a password before the door opened. It was a high-tech machine that couldn’t be found at Latter. There was also a security guard waiting in front.

This was the headquarters of the vigilantes. Security was tight from the entrance. At a glance, it was a place where outside access was strictly prohibited.

“…I’m allowed to go in, right?”

“Of course, of course. Come in comfortably.”

Yigeom looked around as he followed him. The entrance was decked out with high-tech equipment, but once inside, the interior was no different from ordinary buildings.

“But aren’t you close with Seo Dohyun?”

“Dohyun? I took care of him a lot in the past. He hated it, though.”

“But was it okay to make this offer to me in front of him? What if I really say I like this place better and leave Latter? What will you two do?”

It was a belated question that he should have asked at the cafe. Bae Sangwoo listened to his question and then chuckled, telling him not to worry.

“Dohyun originally hates me, so it’s fine. And it’s not my offer, it’s A’s, so what can I do? I have to ask even if I’m wary of him.”

The conclusion was, if the boss tells you to do it, you do it.

Who is that A? What does he do? What kind of abilities does he have? Among the many questions, the only thing he knew was that he was the leader of the vigilantes.

“This is my office, come in for now.”

“Your office?”

“It’s nothing special. It’s mainly just for recording case logs, enemy movements, and such.”

As he explained, the office contained bookshelves filled with files neatly categorized by year and date, a work desk, and a table for guests.

As Bae Sangwoo sat down, Yigeom checked the lined-up case files.

2001, 2002, 2003…

Then he found a log from April 5, 20**, about seven years ago.

‘April 5th.’

Perhaps because it was a date that felt personal, his hand went up involuntarily. It was twice as thick as the usual log files, as if there had been a major incident.

“Just look, don’t open it. I can’t just show it to outsiders.”

“… …”

“Coffee? Tea?”

Yigeom, who was standing in front of the bookshelf, went to sit across from Bae Sangwoo, who was boiling water in a kettle.

“Tea, please.”

“Alright. How do you like the atmosphere here? Seems good?”

“It’s neat.”

“Haha! It’s hard to be dirtier than your office. Can you even live there?”

He asked in a friendly manner, even though they hadn’t met much, as if a nosy neighbor lived next door.

Yigeom took a sip of the hot tea and replied,

“You get used to it.”

“Really? That’s amazing. I couldn’t live in a place like that. I’d have to clean it myself.”

That’s a good method too, but it was only a little uncomfortable at first. Now he’s used to the office environment and it doesn’t bother him.

“It’s better to just give up and leave it, since it’ll just get messy again.”

Moreover, it’s mostly Seo Doa and Cha Jewoo who make the mess, but they seem to have their own rules, so while it looks like they’ve scattered things around, there’s an invisible pattern to it.

As Bae Sangwoo said, if he had been constantly cleaning, like a thirsty person digging a well, he wouldn’t have noticed it.

There’s a saying, things you only see when you let go.

He wasn’t sure if it applied to this situation, but anyway, that’s how it was.

“By the way, mister.”

“Yeah.”

Yigeom glanced towards the April 5th case file.

“What happened on April 5, 20**?”

“It’s recorded because something happened.”

“What happened?”

“What do you think is recorded here? It’s obvious. It’s all about blood hunters.”

Bae Sangwoo casually lifted his cup as he spoke. A silver pin was clipped to the top of his cup like a bookmark.

“What is that?”

“This? It’s a creature blood detector.”

Creature blood detector? Yigeom looked at the silver pin more closely. Is it like how they used silver spoons in the past to detect poison?

“People like us always carry one. It’s mandatory to wear it inside, too.”

“Why?”

“What if someone puts blood in my food? It’s a precaution to be careful, extra careful.”

Creature blood is masked in opaque substances, unlike water, so this was a countermeasure.

Yigeom nodded. So there is stress regarding colleagues.

Simply put, if he were to work under A, there would be no external threats, but the possibility of internal threats would always be open. You never know who might betray him and stab him in the back.

In this respect, Latter was slightly better. Sanha-hyung and the two high school students weren’t the type to do that. He wasn’t sure about Seo Dohyun though.

Come to think of it, aren’t unseen internal enemies more dangerous than external ones?

“Then why don’t I have one?”

“What? You’re an outsider.”

“Just because I’m an outsider doesn’t mean I’m safe from the dangers of blood.”

“…What an audacious student.”

This was the first time an outsider had entered the headquarters since the mutant creature intrusion by a blood hunter five years ago. There was no way there would be a manual for this.

Bae Sangwoo pulled the pin from his cup, shook off the water, and dipped it into Yigeom’s teacup. The color of the pin didn’t change.

“Are you satisfied now that you’ve taken this old man’s lifeline? Did you really think I’d put blood in there? Sigh, kids these days. Huh? Back in my day… Oh, forget it. I’m too tired to even talk anymore.”

“That’s not what I meant. I’ll give it back to you…”

“Coffee? Tea?”

“…Yes?”

Yigeom blinked. What is this.

“Oh, I’m asking if you want coffee or tea. Hurry up and tell me. Or should I just put something random in?”

He quickly checked his position. He was in front of the bookshelf filled with case files. Time…

“…Tea, please.”

Yigeom sat across from Bae Sangwoo and immediately took out his phone, dialing Seo Dohyun’s number.

“Huh? Why the sudden call?”

“I have something to tell Seo Dohyun.”

“Are you reporting that you visited and were served tea by Uncle Sangwoo?”

“That’s not… hello?”

A playful voice leaked from the speaker.

—Yeah, Gyeom-ah. You said you were going to see the old man, right?

It seems he just checked the message Yigeom sent earlier about meeting Uncle Sangwoo.

“Yeah. But what are you doing now… Catching creatures?”

—No, at the office.

“Then why the fuss?”

—Just because. Stay longer if you enjoy being with the old man.

“… …”

What’s gotten into him again? He bruised his ego by saying he couldn’t do anything without him, but now he’s sulking because he came to see Uncle Sangwoo?

“Are you jealous? That I abandoned you and went to the vigilantes?”

—Not at all. I’m the one who said it was okay to visit.

But why rewind time? He’s not a child.

“Anyway, I’m busy, so I’ll hang up.”

Yigeom hung up without asking further. You shouldn’t feed a hungry beast. In the same vein, he decided not to give Seo Dohyun any attention.

If Seo Dohyun uses his ability now, it’s 50 minutes, he just has to endure a maximum of 50 minutes, right? Then he’ll get tired of it on his own?

“Wow… are you two dating? You seem very close.”

“Close my foot. He’s just bothering me.”

“They say people who are bad at expressing themselves act meaner to those they like. Dohyun must like you a lot.”

“Then what did I do wrong to be tormented?”

Seo Dohyun doesn’t like him, he just takes care of him as a member of Latter. And he torments him when he doesn’t behave to his liking.

Seo Dohyun likes me? Even if one is biased towards their own, there’s no way to sugarcoat that.

Yigeom brushed off his words and sighed.

‘How many times will it rewind this time?’

From past experiences, he could guess that this time loop wouldn’t end with just one rewind.

As he looked around, wondering how to kill time again, the April 5th case file, which he hadn’t seen before, caught his eye. He glanced at Bae Sangwoo.

“How do you like the atmosphere here? Seems good?”

“It’s neat.”

“Haha! It’s hard to be dirtier than your office. Can you even live there?”

Yigeom quietly stood up, ignoring his words.

“Why?”

“I’m going to look at the bookshelf.”

“Just look. Don’t open anything.”

Fortunately, Bae Sangwoo didn’t seem very interested in him. He felt the urge to check the contents of that file while Seo Dohyun was using his ability.

He swallowed, feeling like he was breaking a taboo by opening Pandora’s Box, which he was told not to open.

Carefully watching for an opportunity, he grabbed the case file and quickly opened the first page before Bae Sangwoo could stop him. There were files from many other dates, but he chose April 5th specifically because it was a familiar date to Yigeom as well.

“You…!”

Bae Sangwoo jumped up from his seat, knocking over the cup on the table.

Meanwhile, Yoon Yigeom memorized the first page like a photograph and continued reading. Then, as a familiar face gradually emerged, his quickly scanning eyes stopped for a moment.

Bae Sangwoo, who had quickly approached, slammed the file shut and became enraged.

“I told you not to look!?”

“…Sorry.”

Yigeom mumbled awkwardly, replaying the middle part of what he had just read.

11-year-old Seo○○ was taken on April 5, 20**, after school, by someone claiming to be her older brother’s coworker… Seo○○ has been missing ever since… Her 15-year-old older brother, Seo○○, who learned of this later…

The names were redacted, but he could tell who it was about. 11 and 15 years old, they would have been that age seven years ago.

Seo Doa and Seo Dohyun.

“Yoon Yigeom! I told you not to look…!”

Bae Sangwoo, who was shouting, stopped at Yoon Yigeom’s dazed face and checked the date of the case file.

‘…This date.’

He calmly put it back on the bookshelf.

“Sigh, forget it. It’s my fault for leaving it out in the open. Next time…”

Yigeom couldn’t come to his senses despite Bae Sangwoo’s scolding and warning.

‘Seo Doa was kidnapped? Why?’

More importantly, Seo Dohyun… if that person was really a coworker, then the vigilantes? Was Seo Dohyun active as a vigilante even at the young age of 15, seven years ago? But why would a fellow vigilante kidnap Seo Doa?

…Did they collude with a blood hunter?

As he listened to Bae Sangwoo’s lecture and his train of thought reached its end, that time came again.

“Coffee? Tea?”

“…Tea, please.”

“Alright. How do you like the atmosphere here? Seems good?”

“Yes.”

He spoke without emotion like a robot answering set questions, and sat across from Bae Sangwoo.

“What kind of answer is that? Say something like it seems cleaner than Latter, or that the work seems faster, or something like that.”

“It’s cleaner than Latter.”

“Your office is dirty, that’s for sure. Can you even live there?”

“It’s alright once you get used to it.”

The case file about the Seo siblings kept replaying in Yigeom’s mind.

He lowered his head onto the table and clutched his head. He had been shortsighted. He shouldn’t have done something crazy like looking through someone else’s case file for entertainment. More than that, the fact that the file he happened to pick up was related to Seo Dohyun and Seo Doa…

Guilt welled up inside him, as if he had carelessly pried into their past.

“What’s wrong?”

Bae Sangwoo dipped the silver pin from his cup into Yoon Yigeom’s teacup.

“The color’s not changing.”

“… …”

“Ah, this is…”

The explanation about the pin continued, but Yigeom couldn’t focus at all.

‘Sigh… how am I going to face them now?’

Of course, he wouldn’t say anything in front of them. He didn’t want to bring up their trauma, and what was he going to say, that he happened to read their case file?

Staying silent and pretending not to know was the best course of action, but for some reason, he felt a pang of conscience.

It was a side effect of the memories.

I wish I could forget too. If only he could forget as time repeated.

He had survived thanks to those memories, but now he wanted to forget.

It might be a selfish thought, but that’s how humans are. He wanted to remember only the good things, see only the good things, and hear only the good things.

As he sighed deeply, Bae Sangwoo yelled.

“A young man sighing already! What’s wrong with you!? Huh?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“Then what!”

“…Ahem. I’m not feeling well.”

“What? Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Bae Sangwoo put down his cup and opened a drawer next to the table. It was full of various medicines, like a first-aid kit.

“Where does it hurt? Do you have a fever? Headache? Stomach ache? Body aches?”

“If I had to say, a headache.”

Bae Sangwoo took out a pill and offered it.

“Here, a headache pill.”

“Thank you.”

Yigeom took it without refusal and swallowed. He wasn’t actually sick, but his head was complicated, so it wasn’t a lie. It’s not like he was going to die from taking one pill.

“Should I take you home if you’re not feeling well?”

“Ah, well…”

Yigeom checked the time. He’d gotten into the habit of wearing a wristwatch because he was always with Dohyun.

It hadn’t even been 5 minutes yet.

He wondered what to do. He decided to go home for today. He had things to think about, so even if Bae Sangwoo gave him further explanations, it wouldn’t register.

He took out his phone and texted Seo Dohyun to stop, since he was leaving now.

I’ll pick you up ^^

A reply came immediately.

“It’s okay. Seo Dohyun says he’ll pick me up.”

“Really? Then rest here until he arrives and then leave.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Yigeom decided not to pay any more attention to the case files.

A while later, Seo Dohyun contacted him, saying he had arrived in front of the vigilante headquarters.

He gave Bae Sangwoo, who seemed disappointed that he couldn’t show him around more because he looked sick, a brief farewell, saying to call him again when he had time next time. Then he left the headquarters and got into Dohyun’s car.

As soon as Yigeom got into the passenger seat, Dohyun asked,

“What did you talk about?”

“Did I have time to talk? You caused such a scene less than an hour after I went in.”

“I did?”

He smiled, stretching his lips. Yigeom glanced at him and then looked straight ahead.

Even if he tries not to remember, it keeps replaying in his mind.

“What did you see there?”

“Nothing much. I just looked around Uncle Sangwoo’s office.”

He tried to act as nonchalant as possible. But his poker face crumbled at Dohyun’s question.

“Really? There’s nothing but case files there.”

“…Yeah, there were.”

He answered a beat late. Dohyun didn’t miss the gap.

“Did you see them?”

“What?”

“The case files. Weren’t you bored during the time loop?”

What is he up to? Yigeom turned his head to meet his gaze. The way his eyes subtly narrowed made him wonder if he was testing him.

Then he shook his head, realizing that Dohyun couldn’t know his actions when they weren’t even in the same space.

“Not really. But you, you acted like you didn’t care if I joined the vigilantes, but I guess you were anxious? You even used your ability.”

“Of course I care. I care a lot.”

“… …?”

What is he trying to do, being so inconsistent? Yigeom frowned.

“Make up your mind. One minute you act like you don’t care if I go.”

“When did I?”

Dohyun asked with such genuine intentions that Yigeom became even angrier. No matter how much he tried to talk to him, they couldn’t communicate.

“Yesterday. You said I couldn’t do anything without you. You bruised my ego, and now what are you doing?”

“Bruised your ego? Hmm, sorry. I was just stating a fact.”

After their fight following the sparring match with Yeho, Dohyun would apologize to Yigeom whenever he thought he was upset. However, the apologies weren’t satisfactory, and since they seemed insincere, meant to smooth things over, they only made him feel worse.

“That fact! …Sigh. That fact is annoying.”

If he had made up a story, he would have just scoffed, but what’s most upsetting and hurtful is when someone attacks you with facts.

“You were certain I wouldn’t go because I can’t do anything.”

At his words, Yigeom calmed his anger a bit before muttering,

“Exactly. Then why are you making a fuss now? Not even letting me visit.”

“Just because. The office is boring without you. Come back quickly.”

“Why? Did the kids say they were bored?”

“Why would Doa and Jewoo come up here?”

“You usually only care about them and Sanha-hyung…”

“Yoon Yigeom.”

Yigeom closed his mouth. Although he often fought with him, he had also received help from him countless times. He had gone too far this time.

Seo Dohyun turned on the blinker and pulled over to the side of the road, then looked directly at Yigeom. Yigeom, wanting to avoid his gaze, looked out the window. Dohyun started to speak,

“I told you.”

“… …”

“You can’t do anything without me.”

“…Sigh.”

They were back to square one. It’s not like it’s a repeat sign, why does he keep bringing that up? The end of the fight was nowhere in sight.

Then Dohyun added,

“Me too.”

“…What now.”

“I can’t do anything without you guys either.”

At those words, Yigeom, who had been looking away, looked at him. There was no playfulness, only a serious, expressionless face. He said it again,

“I can’t do anything without you either. The office is boring without you.”

Like a pet clinging to its owner, Dohyun leaned his forehead against Yigeom’s shoulder and mumbled,