# Chapter 19
I watched Zenon, who was smiling as usual. There was a lot I wanted to say, but I couldn’t speak rashly. Hiding my true thoughts, I nodded.
“It’s fine.”
If anything, work was easier than at the organization. Security itself wasn’t that difficult, and the control room only required monitoring, so it couldn’t be any simpler.
“Is there anything I can help you with?”
I watched as Zenon boarded the elevator, as if he was intending to come into my apartment. I wasn’t sure if he knew already, but there was something I wanted to ask him.
But in the current situation, I was conflicted. Should I really speak to him? Could I trust him?
However, that thought didn’t last long. I needed Zenon’s help to end this successfully.
“…Would this be possible?”
After contemplating, I began explaining my plan. It wasn’t difficult, but it was a tricky request. He thought for a moment before giving an affirmative answer.
“Hmm… I think it’s possible. But I can’t maintain it for long.”
“I’m estimating one hour.”
It doesn’t necessarily have to be an hour, just long enough to create a diversion. After that, once I find out what I need, I can escape one way or another.
“That should be fine. Want me to do it right away?”
Fortunately, he willingly accepted, saying that amount of time would work. Even for an S-class hero, it wouldn’t be an easy task.
It would consume a considerable amount of energy. Plus, during that time, he wouldn’t be able to use his ability elsewhere. My request would be too burdensome for him to use his ability simultaneously.
This meant Zenon was placing significant weight on this operation. Though I didn’t understand why he came here like this.
“Thank you.”
I expressed my gratitude with a slight bow. Zenon waved his hand dismissively, saying it was nothing.
Afterward, we exchanged ordinary conversation. Since I had received his help, I couldn’t abruptly cut off his words.
But there’s a limit to listening, and fortunately, Zenon respected that limit. For some reason, he said he had business to attend to and left.
Though he didn’t hide his reluctance to leave, it was fortunate for me as I had things to do.
After clearing away the traces of Zenon’s visit, I began writing a report for tomorrow.
[I have something to do tomorrow.]
I’m planning to investigate tomorrow.
Initially, I thought about digging into Ben’s side. But there was no need for that. Answers should emerge by looking at the control room on the underground 10th floor. What Peace is hiding.
The image of Ben, answering without any suspicion, tumbled through my mind. After briefly staring at the message I’d sent, I headed to the bathroom to take a shower.
Cold water streamed down my entire body. But even in that moment, his image didn’t disappear.
Could it be that I felt sorry? If that were the case, I would have left the organization long ago. Someone who kills people wouldn’t feel guilty about deceiving one person.
That must be it. But why didn’t this unsettled feeling disappear? For Boss, I should be willing to kill even Ben.
But no matter how much I thought that way, the emotion didn’t vanish. Only when my lips started trembling from the cold water did I finally manage to turn it off.
When I came out after showering, a reply had arrived.
[Hyung: Isn’t it dangerous?]
It was an unexpected question. To be concerned. I thought he would ask if I could avoid detection. I moved my fingers while drying my hair with a towel.
[It’s a simple task.]
Not that it’s safe, though. The purpose of this mission is to find Alice. My safety isn’t included in that.
I didn’t mind if a bone or two broke as long as I could find out Alice’s whereabouts.
[Hyung: Is there anything you need?]
[I already asked J.]
J was Zenon. With the ability Zenon added to my bracelet, there shouldn’t be any difficulties in the investigation.
[Hyung: When did you meet him?]
Not knowing that Zenon had come to me, Boss expressed his curiosity. Zenon had clearly said he came on Boss’s orders.
This confirmed that Zenon had lied. I had felt something off when he said he came because of Boss.
Infiltration requires the utmost caution. Boss wouldn’t be unaware of that. That’s why he disguises even text messages like this.
For him to send Zenon to me? It’s incomprehensible. And Zenon came in his usual attire, not even disguised.
I thought it might be an important message, but it wasn’t that either. That’s why I had been thinking it was strange.
As expected, Boss didn’t know Zenon had come to me. If that’s the case, why did Zenon come all the way here?
If we had met by chance, there was no reason to lie. But it was also strange to say he had hidden his purpose for coming.
It’s a lie that would be exposed immediately once I communicated with Boss. Zenon wouldn’t be unaware of that.
That means Zenon wanted me to know that what he said was a lie.
[We just happened to meet.]
As I sent the text, I looked around the room. If Zenon’s words were meaningless, then his purpose for coming was Hans’s apartment.
If he wanted to convey something verbally, a phone call would have been safer.
[Hyung: Alright, I’ll contact you again tomorrow.]
[Understood.]
What business did Zenon have at Hans’s apartment? According to the documents, there was no connection between Hans and Zenon. The information from Fenil should be correct.
Then his target wasn’t Hans, but—
“…”
Me.
At the same time, I spotted a surveillance camera hidden in a potted plant. Zenon wanted to alert me about this.
That’s why he told a lie that would make me suspicious. Why would he do such a thing?
The surveillance camera, smaller than my palm, was gripped in my hand. After staring at the shiny lens, I applied pressure.
Crack— The surveillance camera broke easily. The broken camera, now in pieces, slipped through my fingers.
* * *
The clear screen blurred, then turned off with a crackling sound. Zenon’s face, wearing an indecipherable smile, was reflected in the black monitor.
“He noticed.”
As expected of Kay. He immediately caught on to what Zenon wanted. From now on, Kay would gradually grow suspicious of him.
That was what Zenon wanted. For Kay to become suspicious of those around him, including himself.
“Kay tends to trust others too easily.”
He would probably think he doesn’t, but that’s only because he hasn’t had the chance to meet many people until now.
When Kay meets someone who shows him kindness, he opens his heart all at once, like a collapsing castle.
Until now, that aspect of Kay’s personality was good, but it would be problematic going forward. He needed to be suspicious of everything.
“If he becomes suspicious one by one… maybe he’ll figure it out.”
The smile that habitually appeared on Zenon’s face as he lowered his head disappeared in an instant. His face contorted with guilt and a desire to end it all.
This was his limit now. Zenon hoped that Kay would figure it out as soon as possible. He didn’t have the courage to say it himself. The courage to confess all of this.
So for now, this was all he could do.
* * *
The underground 10th floor was a restricted area. A special card was required to enter.
It’s understandable that it’s restricted since it’s known as a research lab. To safely enter that place, Zenon’s ability was necessary.
Fortunately, with his help, I should be able to investigate without any issues. However, I couldn’t be completely at ease. Why did Zenon do such a thing? Could I trust him?
“Are you sick?”
I shook my head at Tade, who was looking at me worriedly.
“I’m fine.”
Since it wasn’t something to take lightly, my expression must have naturally hardened. I immediately relaxed my brow, but he had already decided that I was unwell.
“That’s why I told you to eat proper meals. You’ll get sick if you only eat bread.”
He nagged, pointing at the bread in my hand. I placed the bread on the desk and said,
“It’s not like that.”
I wasn’t raised to be so weak that I’d get sick from eating this. The reason I ate bread was because it was the safest option.
Although Peace has a cafeteria, I couldn’t carelessly eat food when I didn’t know what was in it. If Hans had regularly used the cafeteria, I would have eaten there for the mission, but that wasn’t the case.
So the next best option was bread. It’s easy to eat and can be consumed quickly. But Tade seemed to think I was being picky.
With a sigh, he handed me the drink he was holding, as if he had no choice.
“Here, drink this.”
“…It’s coffee.”
It was coffee that looked sweet just from a glance. The cup was filled to the brim with whipped cream. Syrup was drizzled on top, making the already sweet-looking coffee appear even sweeter.
“You like sweet things, right? There’s a lot of whipped cream, so it should suit your taste.”
I reached out and took the chilled coffee.
“Thank you.”
It wasn’t that I particularly liked sweet things. It was just better than other options. When I was young, the only taste I didn’t know was sweetness.
Being too busy just surviving, there was no way I could afford luxurious food. Since most sweet foods were desserts, I grew up without experiencing sweetness.
Perhaps that’s why I keep seeking sweet things now. It was the only taste that could make me forget past memories.
I drank the coffee with the straw inserted. A sweetness that made my tongue tingle enveloped my mouth. Sweet. Not a bad taste.
I’ve never been to a cafe. Do they have things like this there? Watching me continue to drink the coffee, Tade smiled with satisfaction.
“Delicious, right?”
I nodded in response. Then Ben, who was beside us, started grumbling. I could immediately understand what his outstretched hand towards Tade meant.
“Where’s mine?”
Tade snorted at Ben, who was mumbling glumly. It had been a long time since the thought of him being an S-class hero had disappeared, though they just didn’t say it out loud.
