# Chapter 117
Strength filled Kay’s slightly trembling eyes. His unwavering, firm gaze turned toward Ben.
“You think I’d accept that?”
Ben clenched and unclenched his fist several times, as if he wanted to kill Kay but was holding back for now, and spoke in a low voice.
“Because you’re the only one who can do this job.”
Kay thought he could persuade him. But now that he was actually facing Ben, he wondered what kind of confidence he had before, as he couldn’t imagine changing Ben’s mind.
At this point, it might be faster to find someone else. But Kay didn’t do that.
“…What is it?”
Facing Ben, who hadn’t dropped his hostility, Kay began to tell him everything. Even knowing that Ben could use what he was saying as leverage against him, Kay didn’t stop talking.
* * *
Fenil, who had been rolling her eyes non-stop until they felt dry, rubbed them with her hands and then focused again. It would be nice to have some breathing room, but right now she couldn’t waste even a single minute.
“Impressive record, but…”
“My eyes are going to fall out.”
Something cold touched Fenil’s cheek as she remained hunched in front of the monitor with no intention of moving. It was an iced coffee. With her eyes still fixed on the monitor, she rolled them slightly to look at Alex.
“Any progress?”
She moistened her throat with the coffee Alex had handed her, taking it with her left hand. It was so concentrated it could have passed for espresso, but it suited Fenil’s taste perfectly.
“Really, no matter how I think about it, this doesn’t seem right.”
Fenil’s face, with dark circles sagging under her eyes, showed clear signs of exhaustion.
“To think I’d be doing this crap again after the abandoned factory incident.”
Alex patted her shoulder encouragingly as she aggressively chewed on her straw. If someone like Fenil, who never showed weakness, was lamenting like this, it must be incredibly difficult.
Although they didn’t get along well, he didn’t want to provoke her anger even at a time like this.
“It’s not like she’s just training…”
Fenil’s superpower was hacking. When she designated a target, thread-like pathways would appear, showing her how to obtain information about the target and its surroundings.
Although limited to collecting information available on the internet, it’s no exaggeration to say that in today’s society, there’s hardly any information not connected to the internet.
This allowed Fenil to thoroughly find information that others couldn’t detect. Of course, since her ability only showed her the path, the method was complicated.
That’s how she was able to know there was a trap at the abandoned factory. Because she had set her targets as all Peace personnel related to the operation.
Among them, she thoroughly searched for information that might provide clues about the abandoned factory. Since the target wasn’t stupid enough to leave traces on surveillance cameras or company emails, she had no choice but to dig through individual information one by one.
After staying up for four nights straight, swearing she’d never do this kind of thing again…
“I can’t believe I’m doing this crap again.”
She thought she’d only need to investigate Ben, but either he’d spent his entire life just training, or there was too little information about him online. With no other option, Fenil had to search through everyone around him like catching mice.
“I don’t think this guy is in his right mind either…”
Thanks to her investigation, even cutting back on sleep, she was able to find some rough information about Ben. He was the only test subject who became S-class through Peace’s experiments.
It was written that before becoming a test subject, he wasn’t even treated as human and was destined to be disposed of. Even after becoming S-class, he underwent harsh training and was punished whenever he failed a mission.
It was the perfect life for breaking someone’s mind.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing. I think it’ll be fine if we can persuade him well enough.”
It didn’t matter if he was crazy as long as he was suitable for the plan. After all, they weren’t exactly normal either.
Looking at the overall picture, Ben had sufficient motivation to betray Raymon. His personality wasn’t bad either.
“Since we don’t have time, I’ll send you all the information by email.”
Fenil judged that it would be fine and sent Ben’s information. She might approve, but it was uncertain what the other executives and Boss would think.
“Got it.”
Though still uncertain, Fenil predicted that the others would eventually agree. Finding someone else who met these conditions would be nearly impossible. That meant the only remaining factor was Ben’s decision.
Fenil sincerely hoped that Kay would handle it well.
* * *
Just as Fenil thought, they all agreed to have Ben as the next director. But there was a problem.
“He says no.”
The person in question, Ben, had refused the operation. Kay smiled bitterly, as if there was nothing he could do.
It was the expected answer. He had neither the time to persuade Ben nor any convincing words. If Kay were in Ben’s position, he would have refused too.
“How much information did you give him?”
“Everything.”
Fenil asked again as if to confirm what she had heard correctly.
“What?”
“I made sure the organization wouldn’t be harmed.”
Fenil doubted Kay’s sanity for a moment. If Ben knew all the plans and refused, naturally ‘Alice’ would be in danger.
It was inconceivable that Kay, who must know this, would tell Ben everything. Though he said the organization wouldn’t be harmed, it was hard to believe.
Others felt the same way, and a tense atmosphere filled the room. Severe punishment could be exchanged depending on Kay’s words.
“I presented everything as my own plan. And I told him it came from ‘Alice.'”
Haylen’s smile twisted. He didn’t like that Kay had taken the risk alone.
“You know you could have been killed on the spot, right?”
“Yes, but I thought this was the most appropriate method to gain trust.”
He couldn’t just ask someone to trust him without any explanation. He was already branded a traitor. Though dangerous, he had to provide at least rough information. Although Kay gave more information than that.
Still, he thought it would be fine since he created a truth with some lies to ensure ‘Alice’ wouldn’t be harmed. Looking back, it seemed like his own delusion.
Even Haylen couldn’t let this pass, and his calm, settled eyes stared at Kay.
“Kay… this time you were too reckless.”
“I’m sorry.”
It wasn’t blame. Seeing Haylen’s face darkened with worry, Kay experienced what it meant to be on pins and needles. He acknowledged that he had committed a serious mistake. But he felt he couldn’t even attempt to persuade Ben without doing so.
For Kay, who thought there was no one else besides Ben, persuading him was more important than anything else. That’s why he desperately tried to change Ben’s mind.
Although he was ultimately rejected, he had no regrets. If there was anything that bothered him, it was that he hadn’t considered Haylen would worry.
As Kay silently bowed his head with nothing to say, Fenil, who had briefly sighed, changed the subject as if to move on.
“Are you going to find someone else?”
“…Could we wait a little longer?”
“I’ll give you two days. During that time, we’ll look for other candidates too.”
Kay had thought it couldn’t be helped if he was rejected. But unexpectedly, Fenil gave permission willingly, and Kay quickly raised his head. The others looked on as well, but there was no opposition to Fenil’s opinion, suggesting they were following it.
“Thank you.”
Kay was sincerely grateful to them for giving him another chance after he had betrayed their trust.
* * *
Ben refused Kay’s request. It was because Kay had betrayed him. So he had no regrets. That’s how it had to be.
But why wouldn’t this restless feeling go away? It was suffocating, as if he couldn’t breathe. Ben, continuing his labored breathing, carefully opened his mouth.
“I wasn’t wrong. This is right.”
As if scolding his wavering self, Ben kept muttering. As if doing so would make all his anxiety disappear.
But the words coming out started to change gradually. At such a slow pace that he didn’t notice it himself.
“…Is this really right?”
It was the moment dawn broke and morning came. Ben gently lifted his head at the light illuminating the room. Along with seeing the bright light, Ben realized the tone of the words he was uttering had changed.
He tried to change it quickly, but once his heart had moved, it wasn’t easily swayed back.
Kay said he would eliminate Raymon. He said he would destroy the laboratory and deal with those involved to prevent further tragedy.
That was what he, more than anyone else, had wanted most. Wasn’t that why he wanted to change everything? Because he didn’t want to be oppressed by Peace anymore.
In truth, he wanted to escape completely, but he didn’t have the strength. That’s why he tried to change things, even if just a little.
He thought severing the ugly ties with Peace would remain only a wish. But Kay was preparing to make it a reality.
Thinking rationally, there was no reason not to participate in Kay’s plan. It was just that the shock of betrayal had prevented clear thinking.
The shock was as great as how precious Kay had been to him. To the point where everything Kay had done for him felt like mere deception. But his desire to forgive Kay was just as strong.
If some truth was mixed in with the time they spent together, he could dismiss the remaining lies as unavoidable.
Ben felt that the hatred, which had been constantly welling up, was subsiding the more he thought about it. He wanted to try trusting Kay.
“Ah, in the end…”
Even while thinking he disliked such emotions, he naturally accepted them. In fact, he might have known from the moment Kay first asked him.
That he couldn’t go against Kay.
* * *
Kay received a text message as he was contemplating how to persuade Ben in the limited time remaining. It was a message from the phone number he had given to Ben.
Kay, who had assumed Ben would no longer use that number, checked his phone with confusion.
[I’ll accept.]
Kay stared blankly at the message. He had thought there would be no change of heart.
Because he had hurt Ben so badly. But Ben had trusted him once again.
He was grateful for that, but also felt incredibly sorry toward him.
