Hearing what I said, Eun Woojeong showed no reaction other than a slight tightening of his shoulders.
Since he was still wearing the mask, I couldn’t see his expression, which was a shame. I didn’t take my eyes off him as I organized my thoughts.
The two things Eun Woojeong wanted were, in the end, both tied to information about Cover. And the counter I had prepared was information about Eun Woojeong himself.
Cover’s information and Eun Woojeong’s information.
Weighing the two on a scale to determine which was more valuable, I chose to protect Cover’s.
Both were undeniably pieces of intel that could shift the balance. But if I revealed Cover’s info, there was a high chance it would interfere with my future activities.
If one side carried a heavier penalty, it only made sense to choose the other. And the fact that I could flip Eun Woojeong’s shitty terms and turn them into blackmail was a bonus I quite liked.
It’d be a lie to say I don’t feel a little regret...
But who knows when another situation this urgent and critical will come around?
Isn’t that exactly why I’ve been holding onto this intel in the first place? Hoarding it until it expires would just turn it into rot.
If I could get Cha Sahyeon’s location in exchange, it wasn’t a bad trade.
Besides, it’s not even a one-time-use piece of information.
The duration I set was three months. Meaning that for three months, he’d have to make deals with me again to keep his identity secret.
“Ha...”
It happened then.
Eun Woojeong let out a faint laugh and said, sounding incredulous:
“So that’s what this was...”
“What? Still think I’m just messing with you?”
“Not sure where you heard it, but I’m not handing over intel for bullshit like that.”
His voice stayed calm and unwavering.
He didn’t bother to push back too hard or show any telltale signs. To an outsider, he’d seem so composed that they might wonder if I had it all wrong.
Exactly the kind of reaction I expected from Eun Woojeong.
He wouldn’t show a crack in his armor. And even if he got caught, he wouldn’t easily let emotions leak out.
“Bullshit, huh.”
But that doesn’t work on me.
“Then take it off.”
“...What?”
“Take off your mask.”
For the first time, Eun Woojeong was at a loss for words at my blunt response. I smirked.
“Even just your eyes would be enough.”
“......”
Eun Woojeong’s eyes weren’t ordinary golden irises. They had blue mixed in—a rare and uniquely striking color.
During his acting career, Eun Woojeong frequently changed his hair color, but never touched his eyes.
Probably because, as the part where an Awakener’s energy was most heavily concentrated, not even colored lenses could properly conceal them.
“Well, there’s no reason I need to accept such an unreasonable demand.”
“Then how about this? You show me your eyes first, and I’ll show you mine. I’ll take off both the mask and the hat.”
“......”
“With that condition, isn’t it a good deal for you? You’re the one who’s dying to know what my face looks like, right? You’ll clear up the misunderstanding and get to see me.”
I straightened my back from the forward-leaning posture.
That should make things clear enough. Eun Woojeong didn’t have many options left. He could accept and proceed with the deal—or reject it and keep denying everything.
If he chose the latter, I’d scrap the negotiation and go straight to blackmail. I had to get Cha Sahyeon’s location no matter what.
It’d be better for me if he chose the first option, though.
I still had no idea where the lab bastards had taken the kid. The sooner I got the intel and moved, the better.
This wasn’t a situation where I could afford to waste time holding Eun Woojeong hostage.
Gasp!
Clang!
Right then, as I waited for his answer—
One of the chains surrounding the area darted forward like a snake. I gasped and dodged just in time as the hook at the end of it scraped the floor.
A chilling aura swept over me like a crashing wave.
Breaking into a cold sweat, I turned toward Eun Woojeong. He raised his head slowly and muttered like he couldn’t understand.
“How strange...”
He stood up and waved his hand. The surrounding chains began to stir.
“How did you find out? There shouldn’t have been a way—especially for you.”
I deflected a chain that flew for my throat with the sheath and answered.
“Kind of a shitty time to ask that, don’t you think?”
“I’m being sincere. If I kill you here, I wouldn’t need to make that deal or worry about my identity leaking.”
Clang, clang!
The number of chains coming at me kept increasing.
Maybe that first attack really was a greeting—because this time, the speed and bloodthirst in the chains were on a whole different level.
My hand, gripping the sheath, tingled more with every strike. I gritted my teeth to avoid being pushed back.
"You really think I’d start something like this without any backup plan?"
Clang! I struck down yet another chain.
"If you're so curious, go ahead and kill me. But whatever happens afterward? Don’t blame me."
“I didn’t think you had such a loose tongue.”
“Yeah? You’ll find out just how loose soon enough.”
At that, Eun Woojeong fell silent for a moment, then deactivated his skill. The chains evaporated all at once in a burst of pale light.
“...Fine.”
He slumped his shoulders and spoke in a drained voice.
Moments ago, he was attacking with murderous intent—now, he looked like all the wind had been knocked out of him. It was absurd.
“What’s this about?”
“I’ll {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} do what you asked. You said you wanted to make a deal, didn’t you?”
“You’re agreeing to my terms just like that?”
“What else can I do?”
He pulled something out of his coat and handed it to me—a folded paper card.
“The location where Cha Seohu’s little brother was taken is written on this. I’ve got a bike waiting downstairs. Take that.”
I stayed cautious, approached carefully, and unfolded the paper.
Sure enough, there was an address written inside:
“The church in the center of Sector A-12.”
Sector A-12 was near Tanhyeon-dong in Ilsanseo-gu, where Tanhyeon Park used to be. Now it was a forbidden zone, crawling with criminals and monsters.
If I left now and traveled without resting, I could arrive before dawn and rescue Cha Sahyeon.
I stared at the card, then looked back at Eun Woojeong.
“Hard to trust you. If you decided to trick me, I’d have no way to know.”
Blindly trusting this could lead me straight into disaster.
Not only would I fail the rescue, but I couldn’t even guess what might happen to Cha Sahyeon in the meantime.
“If you don’t trust me, then why ask for a deal in the first place?”
“Things were different earlier.”
“They’re the same. I accepted the deal. That means you’re responsible now.”
Eun Woojeong crossed his arms and tilted his head like, So what now?
“......”
I stared at the paper for a long time... and eventually accepted it.
If Eun Woojeong really wanted to hide his identity, he’d give me the real information. Lying to me for revenge wouldn’t benefit him.
That bastard’s worried about what I said—about my “minimum preparations.”
He was scared of what I might do with what I know. That’s exactly why I kept things vague on purpose.
“When you arrive, a Spiderweb Hunter will tell you how many enemies are in the church and their formation. But don’t expect any help. You’re going in alone to rescue your brother.”
“That’s fine.”
I tucked the paper away and turned to leave. There wasn’t a second to waste.
As I climbed onto the rooftop railing, Eun Woojeong called out again.
“...Let’s meet again after you rescue him.”
“What, afraid I’ll start shouting your name all over the place?”
He didn’t respond to the sarcasm. He just stared at me. That silence, somehow, made me feel more uneasy.
I gave him a reluctant nod.
“Sure.”
“Right. I hope you don’t ignore my message next time.”
I didn’t answer. I just leapt from the rooftop.
With one hand holding down my hat, I caught the building’s exterior as I fell.
Clinging to window ledges, pipes, and AC units, I descended quickly—and just like he said, there was a bike waiting in the corner.
Normally I would’ve ignored it, but right now, I felt like I owed him at least a “thanks.”
I climbed on and started the engine, then looked up.
No way I’d actually see him from here, but...
Damn, this feels off.
I clicked my tongue and scratched my forehead.
Maybe I should’ve reined in my temper and tried talking him around more gently. The image of the wilted Eun Woojeong lingered in my mind, bringing a wave of awkward guilt.
...Whatever. He said we’d meet again, so I’ll just handle it then.
Right now, his feelings weren’t important.
Leaving the building behind, I hit the gas and sped off.

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