“R-Rae?”
Wonyoung, who suddenly appeared with a drop kick, grabbed the blackmailer by the collar and shouted.
“I’ve been listening and listening! Who’s saying who has no conscience?”
“Wha… what, you, you’re Narae, aren’t you?”
“That’s right, I’m Narae! What are you gonna do about it?!”
Heegang, quite rarely, just stared blankly at the situation before his eyes. He didn’t quite understand what was happening.
Watching Taerim firmly holding onto the still growling Wonyoung, Heegang wondered if he was dreaming.
“Calm down, Narae-ssi.”
“No, let go! Director-nim, you heard it too! This bastard is spouting off with that loose mouth of his!”
“Even so, you can’t just use violence out of nowhere.”
Taerim scolded while gripping Wonyoung’s arms with more force. But Wonyoung swung his legs like crazy. Hoping even one would reach that bastard.
When the choice appeared earlier.
[Due to rage status, a related choice is being added.]
Suddenly a notification window like the above appeared, and one choice was added.
[Deliver a drop kick to the blackmailer.]
Wonyoung thought it was joking. What drop kick? He definitely thought that, but when he came to his senses, he’d already delivered the drop kick.
‘Have I gone crazy?’
But he didn’t regret it. No, honestly, it felt refreshing. Arrogant bastard.
Moreover, perhaps thanks to the rage status, no matter what harsh words he used, no warnings were added either. It was a gain.
“Heegang, why are you just standing there listening! You were going to give 1 billion won to this bastard?”
“Uh…?”
“You should donate instead, donate! That’s a better way to become a good person!”
Heegang flinched at Wonyoung’s remark, as if he’d read his mind. Wonyoung felt emotions welling up more and more as he spoke.
“And I don’t care what you did! The you I know is a bit weird but a good person! Enough for me to give up the ending and stay in this shitty world…”
―Weeeeeeeeing!
Wonyoung who was continuing his words went ‘oh no.’ The surroundings turned bright red, and the siren sound he’d heard once before began to ring. And the familiar bright blue notification window appeared.
[A penalty is given for excessively inappropriate remarks.]
[Penalty Level 3 ‘Forced Correction’ is activated.]
“Hiing…!”
Again! You bastards!
He’d made a mistake from being too swayed by emotion. Even so, can’t you let it slide in moments like this! Wonyoung’s resentment was futile as his eyes gradually reddened. And before long, tears like chicken droppings fell pitter-patter.
“If Heegang does that, I’m… ugh, huuk.”
‘Damn it.’
Wonyoung was sniffling pitifully on the outside while pouring out curses like a downpour on the inside. What is this if not emotional excess? Suddenly kicking someone while getting angry, then suddenly crying buckets. He was nothing but a crazy person.
“Narae-ssi.”
“Rae.”
Taerim released Wonyoung in surprise, and Heegang also hurriedly approached to check on Wonyoung. Heegang wiped Wonyoung’s tears as if he felt sorry for him.
“Don’t cry.”
‘I want to do that too.’
Wonyoung wiped his tears. But the tears that still poured out showed no sign of stopping. Perhaps it was because he felt sorry for Heegang when he saw him.
“You’re, you’re not baaad…”
“Yeah. That’s right, I understand. It’s enough that you say so.”
Relief spread in Wonyoung’s chest at Heegang’s smile that he finally saw.
Then, the blackmailer belatedly got up and demanded.
“Hey, Narae, have you forgotten what this bastard did to you? I thought maybe, but have you really forgotten?”
Then Wonyoung threateningly lifted his leg as if he hadn’t been crying and said.
“I know everything, so stay still.”
“What? You know but how…”
“Be quiet, you blackmailer.”
This guy should consider himself lucky. At least the words are coming out softened thanks to the correction.
Wonyoung asked the blackmailer with a cold face.
“I’m saying I’m fine, so what’s it to you? What right do you have to blackmail now?”
“What did you say? This bastard.”
When the blackmailer tried to raise his hand but hesitated seeing Taerim’s fierce expression, Wonyoung leaned his head in even more and shouted.
“Aren’t I right! You bullied Heegang, you were mean to him! You school violence perpetrator!”
“Th-that’s old history!”
“What happened between Heegang and me is also old history! 1 billion won, no way! We’re not giving it!”
“Who are you, you bastard!”
“I’m Heegang’s friend, why!”
When Wonyoung blocked Heegang’s front and shouted defiantly, Heegang let out a small laugh. At that sight, the blackmailer’s expression twisted.
“This is ridiculous. Calling a murderer bastard who tried to kill you a friend? Isn’t this completely idiotic?”
It was when Wonyoung was dumbfounded at the sarcasm the blackmailer threw sharply.
Thud! With a heavy sound, the blackmailer fell to the floor.
“Watch your mouth.”
“…”
“You’re not afraid in front of a murderer bastard?”
Heegang’s gaze looking down while grabbing the blackmailer’s collar was alien, as if he wasn’t human.
However, Heegang soon created a sad voice with that same expression.
“Dongchan. You can say whatever about me, but don’t touch Rae. Rae hasn’t done anything wrong. I’m the problem.”
“…You…”
“I’ll give you the 1 billion won. A promise is a promise. But in exchange, don’t pull this kind of thing anymore. This is the last time. I’m asking you.”
“Heegang, I’m telling you there’s no need!”
The blackmailer wanted to tell him to come here if he could and look properly at that crazy bastard’s face. Because he was smiling.
“Hey, this…!”
The blackmailer who was about to tell Wonyoung to look at this bastard hesitated. Because Heegang smiled and muttered something silently.
But why is it? That those words clearly sound like this.
‘Next time we meet, you’re dead.’
In an instant, a scene vividly came to the blackmailer’s mind. A floor covered in blood and Baek Heegang standing with indifferent eyes. And the words he’d said to the guy who tried to rape Narae.
‘I was going to stab you. You’re lucky. Rae, you… and me too…’
The blackmailer’s face turned deathly pale as he met those eyes again.
When Heegang moved aside, the blackmailer jumped up and tried to run away.
“Dongchan.”
“…!”
“You have to take this.”
Heegang threw the bag that was placed to one side. It was probably the bag containing the money.
“Kuk, fuck…!”
The blackmailer cursed and grabbed the bag, running out frantically. He looked extremely frightened.
‘Why is that bastard suddenly acting like that? Did the hair on his conscience fall out?’
Wonyoung felt curious, but Heegang turned around and his words quickly stole his attention.
“Let’s go now. I also have something to say to you, Rae.”
“B-but…”
“Let’s go, Narae-ssi.”
Only then did Wonyoung realize he’d been committing a terrible rudeness to Taerim and went ‘oh no.’ This person wasn’t even involved but saw all sorts of things here…
“I-I’m sorry, Director-nim.”
Taerim, who was watching Wonyoung bow his head not knowing what to do, smiled faintly.
“It’s fine. You said you’d repay me.”
What’s with that smile… Don’t I have to give up an organ or something?
Wonyoung felt an inexplicable creepiness and shuddered inwardly.
“I’ll take Rae home. You can go back now.”
Soon Heegang intervened between Rae and Taerim and said. Could it be the handsome battle restarting? Wonyoung stood upright like a meerkat and looked back and forth at both sides, but unexpectedly, Taerim nodded.
“Let’s do that. I’m counting on you.”
‘What’s gotten into that person?’
But Heegang hesitated for a moment, then said this.
“Thank you for today.”
‘What’s gotten into this one too?’
While Wonyoung was amazed at the change in the two people, Taerim said with his characteristic arrogant smile.
“Well. If I played along with your intentions, next time you’ll have to repay me properly. I don’t give without compensation.”
“…”
Wonyoung was horrified at Taerim’s statement that was close to a warning. Whose organ are you trying to take again? But before Wonyoung could say anything, Taerim turned around without regret and left.
“Wait, Director-nim…”
Why are his steps so fast? Watching the emergency stairway door close with a thud, Wonyoung pouted.
“Should we go too, Rae? I’ll take you home.”
Soon Heegang grabbed Wonyoung’s hand and said that. When Wonyoung hesitated for a moment, Heegang added with a small laugh.
“Not my house. Your house.”
“U-uh.”
Wonyoung scolded himself for being a bit scared and followed Heegang out. When he got into Heegang’s car that was right in front, the car began to move smoothly.
‘…’
Only the car moved forward without obstruction in the somehow uncomfortable silence.
The two who quickly arrived at the alley in front of the house got out of the car. Wonyoung tried to say something several times, but couldn’t speak because it seemed like only nonsense would come out due to the Forced Correction.
Or maybe, he was just scared.
And when they finally reached the front gate, Heegang opened his mouth.
“I’m sorry, Rae.”
“No, what do you have to be sorry about?”
“…You know everything too.”
The words that followed shocked Wonyoung.
“Now, let’s stop here.”
“What?”
“It’s better if we don’t meet anymore.”
Wonyoung forgot to ask back and stared blankly at Heegang. What? Why…?
“I’m sorry for saying this. I’m really sorry for doing this, Rae.”
At the repeated apologies, Wonyoung barely came to his senses. He seemed to see or not see a notification window saying his status changed to ‘Surprised.’
“I, I know you stabbed me. But I also know it wasn’t on purpose. It was bad luck. I’m alive and well, and there’s no scar either.”
“Rae.”
“Why are you suddenly like this, Heegang…?”
The reprimanding words ‘What bullshit is this after giving 1 billion won to that blackmailer bastard’ came out differently corrected. Wonyoung’s chest felt stuffy.
