# Chapter 112
‘Take these people away.’
The request was concise.
‘Pardon?’
‘They used my name, so deal with it at least this much.’
Sano irritably glared at the person who refused to leave his side. Seohyun looked at the two people with a bewildered expression. A dignified woman and a young man in his thirties. The two people, who seemed to have neither connection nor common ground with Sano, stood firmly by his side as if he were their savior.
Seohyun learned through the interview that they were more people Sano had rescued from an illegal research facility. Upon discovering that Jesan as a company, and Seohyun as its CEO, were in a similar position as themselves, the two readily applied for employment. The term ‘Sano-nim’ was quickly adopted.
“Je Sano wasn’t the only one who participated in that operation, was he?”
Iyeon asked curiously. At the time, he had only followed the news so he didn’t know exactly, but he’d heard that the Superpower Management Office had gathered substantial manpower for the operation. Many hunters must have participated besides Sano, so it seemed odd that such people appeared only for Sano.
“I’ve heard there were many operations Sano-nim didn’t participate in, but I don’t know much about others’ circumstances.”
Seohyun shrugged lightly.
“I just happened to meet Sano-nim.”
Such incidents continued once, twice… whenever you thought they had stopped. Sano would remain quiet for a long time, then suddenly drop people off in front of Jesan and leave, and Seohyun diligently picked them up. Jongchan and Jonghee were also such cases.
Among the people Sano saved, there were those with superpowers and those without, men and women, children and the elderly. He didn’t discriminate, and he equally found them all annoying. Every time someone tried to thank him, he would ignore them with a grimace, and if they tried to make small talk, he would get irritated and tell them not to bother him.
And when asked why he saved them, he always gave the same answer.
‘Just because.’
The company gradually grew larger. By the miraculous coincidence that Seohyun’s management skills were more exceptional than his superpowers, Jesan was quickly able to stand as the city’s number one.
Once the company entered a stable orbit, Seohyun created a dedicated team for Sano. The two most enthusiastic applicants were selected from fierce competition.
Sano’s face was as indifferent as ever when introduced to the people who called themselves his secretaries.
‘Not necessary.’
‘It will be convenient for you. They’ll handle all the parts you find bothersome.’
By that point, Seohyun had developed to a level where he could more or less converse with Sano. Frowning at Seohyun, who had changed to become as slick as an eel compared to when they first met, Sano soon turned around and left without saying anything. It was a silent affirmation.
“…So, this place being a Je Sano stalker meeting…”
“A stalker meeting? We simply admire him.”
Though he didn’t agree with Seohyun’s sharp rebuttal at all, Iyeon just blankly mulled over it without responding. To think that Jesan wasn’t a company created by Sano, but one created by people Sano had saved.
That was truly, truly… incredible.
Compared to his own position of having done nothing during the same period, he felt a bit embarrassed. With similar power, perhaps even stronger, Iyeon had merely wasted time. While Iyeon was living a life full of lies, Sano was continuously saving people and protecting the city. He seemed to have become someone untouchable.
Now he understood why Jongchan had been so hostile when they first met. From his perspective, it must have seemed like Iyeon was restricting Sano’s range of activities. In reality, Sano probably couldn’t manage all his original schedules while helping Iyeon.
“Jung Iyeon-ssi.”
It was Seohyun’s low voice that made Iyeon raise his head.
“We’ve known Sano-nim for several years.”
Though they didn’t meet often, Seohyun had seen him several times. That was enough to understand Sano’s daily life. Especially thanks to two enthusiastic individuals, he even knew more information than Sano had directly told him.
“But it’s the first time I’ve seen Sano-nim spend days like this.”
The Sano that Seohyun had seen always lived mechanically. Eating when it was time to eat, sleeping when it was time to sleep. No, sometimes it seemed like he didn’t even sleep. He gave the impression of doing things reluctantly because he had to survive, rather than because he wanted to. That was probably not an incorrect assumption.
But with Iyeon, Sano drank coffee, cooked, took vacations, went for walks, and visited amusement parks. Despite his consistently indifferent expression, Sano tagged along with Iyeon, trying to do everything together. And occasionally, he smiled.
For the first time, Seohyun saw Sano looking his age.
“Thank you.”
Seohyun stood up from his seat and bowed. Jonghee, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, also bowed her head. Ah, no. I haven’t done anything so there’s no need for this… Surprised by the sincere gratitude, Iyeon waved his hands dismissively, then made eye contact with Jongchan who was sitting there blankly.
“…Well. I’m not going to go that far. Just, just saying thanks is enough, right?”
Jongchan quickly turned his head and mumbled. Though it seemed like grumbling, the core of his greeting, wrapped in awkwardness, was undoubtedly sincere.
They were people who wished for Sano to live well. The desire for his happiness heavily surged forward and reached Iyeon.
That’s why he couldn’t bring himself to tell them.
These people thought that Iyeon and Sano being together was having a positive influence on Sano, but it was actually the opposite. Honestly, it was hard to imagine that he lived like a machine… Well, being the city’s hero, he must have worked hard.
Somehow they ended up staying together, got along better than expected, and things improved more than expected, but that was Iyeon’s situation. To Sano, Iyeon was merely a key to an unpleasant past.
Iyeon was a key accomplice in the abusive experiments inflicted on Sano, and the mastermind was even his uncle. No matter how unaware he claimed to have been at the time, that fact didn’t change. While Iyeon was roaming around the research facility as if it were a game, intoxicated by shallow heroism, Sano was enduring pain close to catastrophic.
For him, it was an overflowing nightmare.
From the beginning, Iyeon had hoped his actions would just pass by like the kindness of a stranger who helps you avoid rain on a bad weather day. He hoped Sano wouldn’t get entangled with him again. He hoped the terrible memories of that time wouldn’t resurface. He hoped Sano would forget the past and live in the present.
Even if such a past hadn’t existed, the current positions of the two would still be different.
From Sano’s perspective, having established himself solidly, how pathetic must Iyeon have seemed? Having such strong power yet merely struggling to live day by day must have appeared worthless. That fact also made Iyeon shrink back. Iyeon couldn’t become like Sano. He wasn’t someone who could stand firm no matter when.
He truly felt like he was being a hindrance.
After hearing Seohyun’s story, his thoughts became even firmer. Mugunghwa tier 5, ranking number 1, and a proper company created by people Sano had saved. A brilliant future was already waiting for Sano. Naturally, he should shed his squalid past if possible.
“…”
Though he understood, there was a bitter taste in his mouth. Iyeon’s expression drooped dejectedly. Being left alone was familiar, but that didn’t mean he could accept it without feeling anything. Suddenly, there was a sharp pain inside his heart.
Seohyun said he looked forward to their continued association and promised support in the name of Jesan if needed. Probably Iyeon wouldn’t need to use such things… Come to think of it, he should return the card soon. Thinking about preparations for wrapping things up made him feel strangely lonely. Leaving Jesan, Iyeon trudged toward Chageum.
“I’m back.”
The bell jingled. Just in case, he entered Chageum’s office, but only Hyegang was there by himself. Sano had only been there for a few months, yet somehow his absence already felt empty. Thinking about it, the period without Sano was much longer than the period with him. This was actually the normal state.
“Oh, hyung. Where’s Sano hyung?”
“Don’t know. He hasn’t come in since yesterday.”
“Really?”
Unlike Iyeon with his gloomy mood, Hyegang took it casually. Iyeon, not particularly continuing the conversation, slumped down on the sofa and quietly closed his eyes.
At this point, he had no intention of trying anything. This was just a miraculous intersection. Two lines that briefly met each going their separate ways was the natural future that would unfold. Sano was just a temporary part-timer, so this was the original daily life. I know, I know.
Still, he wanted to see his face right now.
Iyeon fiddled with the phone resting neatly in his pocket. Even in this situation, it felt somehow awkward to just call out of the blue. It would be nice to have some kind of business… Something Je Sano couldn’t ignore…
‘Wait a minute. Kim Cheoljae-ssi.’
Iyeon’s eyes suddenly opened.
“Hyegang. We decided to investigate Kim Cheoljae-ssi’s whereabouts, right?”
“Yeah. But wouldn’t it be better when Sano hyung is here?”
“No.”
Iyeon quickly shook his head. Dr. Kim knew about Morpho. If they caught him and obtained information about Morpho, it would create an excuse to talk with Sano.
“We don’t know when he’ll be back, so let’s just do it ourselves.”
“Well… okay.”
Hyegang soon tapped on the keyboard and pulled up a map of a large warehouse complex.
