Chapter 57: The Sealed Room Trap

I've met countless people in my life.

Not just in my school days, but also after becoming an adult.

"Assistant Manager! How about lamb skewers instead of sashimi? Chief Song isn’t a big fan of seafood."

"Huh? You remembered that?"

Each time, I had to figure people out.

Those who hope you'll approach them first.

People at work who only want to talk about business.

Those who want to praise their past glory.

People who want to hang out with the younger crowd, but still cling to their authority...

But after the restructuring began, it actually got simpler.

Every person was either helpful or harmful to survival, nothing more.

Then what about these thirteen?

"From the student to the one who saved us earlier... we've just been on the receiving end, haven't we?"

Which side do they belong to?

"I want to return the favor somehow..."

"There's no need for that. I just did what I could."

"I'm fine too!"

When the man cautiously asked, Sola shook her head, looking pale.

Jaehyuk replied with a satisfied look.

Then the man went "Ah!" and snapped his fingers.

"If you want to eat something, just say so. If I have similar ingredients, I'll try to make it."

"Mister, are you a chef?"

"Well, you might not know, but... I was the head chef at Haemil Hotel."

"Whoa! Really?!"

At the man's words, Sola's eyes grew round, and instead, it was Yeo-jin by her side who asked in surprise.

"My specialty is Western cuisine, but I'm pretty good at other things too. Anything you have in mind?"

"Ah, well... we..."

Yeo-jin glanced at me, as if seeking my permission.

‘A hotel head chef, huh.’

If it's Haemil Hotel, it's the one right in front of Itaewon Station.

Not a five-star, but still, if he made it to head chef in his early thirties, he must be respected in the industry.

Having food made by someone like that would make anyone’s mouth water.

"Mister! How about you?"

"I'm fine. I already ate a lot earlier."

"If you're not eating, Hyung, then I won’t eat either."

Until X’s identity is confirmed, I can’t act carelessly.

Who knows what might be in the food.

You shouldn't just follow someone you don't know when they offer you food.

"Um... then I'm fine too. Sola, you?"

"I'm good too."

So, Yeo-jin and Sola just shrugged, as if there was no helping it.

"Ah... is that so?"

Maybe it was an unexpected response, because the chef scratched his head.

Then a woman nearby shot her hand up.

"Oh! Then make something for me!"

She was one of the eight who came from Itaewon Station with the chef.

Her striking features and long legs in hot pants stood out.

The big hoop earrings she was wearing were impressive, too.

"Ah, sure. What would you like?"

"Fresh fruit! Veggies! I feel like I’ll die if I don’t eat some!"

"Eh? Isn’t that farming, not cooking?"

"Hmm... does it count as that?"

The woman furrowed her brows and pursed her full lips, then let go.

"Phew. When I was dieting, I got so sick of it, but now that I can't have it, it drives me crazy. Really, you never know what the future holds."

She turned to Yeo-jin, saying, "Right?" and Yeo-jin agreed, eyes sparkling.

"Unni, are you a model? You’re so pretty!"

"Ah, I’ve been on the runway a few times, but I’m not really famous. Still, I guess it shows?"

"Wow, amazing! I’ve never seen a celebrity before!"

Ah.

Come to think of it, there were memories of fashion shows and performances and such.

I didn’t pay much attention since I doubted model walking would come in handy.

Anyway.

"I'm no celebrity, really. No, no."

Despite her words, the model grinned and waved her hands, while the chef hovered shyly nearby.

Then I glanced over at the people who’d been watching me all this time.

‘I remember about half.’

Aside from the companions I’d traveled with, there were thirteen unfamiliar faces.

Out of those, the memories of six or seven were faintly coming back.

It’d be better if I remembered them all, but even this much was a big advantage.

There’s just one thing I’m missing.

‘I didn’t see X’s face.’

X.

Even in peaceful times, that bastard killed people like flies.

The fact that he came not alone, but in a group, means he’s hiding his true face.

How do I catch him?

How...

"So, Eunho’s team takes the café, the Namsan team gets the souvenir shop, and the Itaewon team will sleep in the restaurant."

"Sounds good."

Before I knew it, evening had set in.

People split up into groups, setting up their sleeping arrangements.

I slipped away alone.

"Ah, I’ll be back. I need to take care of something."

"Okay! See you, Hyung!"

─ Ding!

I took the elevator up to the Namsan Tower observatory.

It was the office where I’d been kidnapped by Gui after the ‘Hunt’ mission ended.

No... I guess I should say, ‘what used to be’ an office.

‘Already gone.’

The office, once crammed like a library, was now empty.

Like an office building waiting for tenants.

What a shame.

The proposal they gave me only went up to the ‘employment test.’

Because I’d gotten a heads-up on the next mission, it was profitable. I’d planned to threaten them for more proposals if there were any left.

"Is the project over?"

[Yeah!]

[That’s right!]

Judging by what they said and the way the protective barrier faded away, I’d guessed it... but I didn’t think they’d leave this fast.

Even all the documents and desks had been cleared out.

What remained...

Flutter—

Just a single sheet of paper lying on the empty floor.

"Monster. I’m going ahead."

‘Ahead?’

Along with that cryptic line, there was a drawing on the page.

Eyes slanted upward, a mouth full of sharp carnivorous teeth, even a pair of horns on its head—a sketch of a mysterious face.

"← Lee Eunho"

...was scrawled next to it, in crooked handwriting.

"What the...? These guys..."

Wondering if it might mean something, I turned the paper over and inspected it.

Fwoooosh!

A sound like air escaping from somewhere.

Clang!

A fist-sized chunk of metal thudded to the floor.

‘!!’

And then, like a fire extinguisher, smoke burst out.

My vision blurred instantly.

Rattle! Clunk-!

The door had locked itself while I was distracted.

Cough! I started hacking.

I covered my mouth with my sleeve, but now my eyes burned like mad.

‘Poison gas!’

「99%」

Numbers appeared over the hand covering my mouth.

「95%」

「94%」

「93%」

I could see my stamina steadily dropping.

‘Fascinating, really.’

Locked door from outside. Alone in a sealed room. Poison gas spreading.

A textbook death flag, but...

I staggered toward my destination on trembling legs.

Whoosh—!

The window I’d smashed to pieces fighting the Gui (鬼).

‘Ha...’

Unfortunately, this is no longer a sealed room.

‘They wouldn’t know that all the Namsan Tower observatory windows are shattered.’

I gulped down the cold night air and my head finally cleared.

My eyes still stung, but it was bearable.

Whooosh—!

With the chilly night wind hitting me straight on, I looked down; not a soul in sight.

No sign of anyone.

But—

"Yul, can Uncle ask you for a favor?"

They’re out there somewhere.

Yul and Hanul, hiding as I asked, keeping watch at the tower entrance.

It was a surprise that the culprit didn’t come for close combat, but I’d already planned for everything.

Honestly, I was even grateful.

‘For moving exactly as I’d hoped.’

If the bastard was going to attack anyway, it was better to get rid of him quickly.

Still, I’d set up the trap, but...

Sssssst—!

A breeze came through the broken window, gathering the gas like smoke near the locked door.

If I went out through there, I’d meet the culprit with half my stamina left.

So...

‘I’ll have to jump again, huh?’

From the Namsan Tower observatory.

[A gift has been sent to ‘Kim Jieun.’]

[A gift has been sent to ‘Choi Jaehyuk.’]

After sending messages in turn to Jieun and Jaehyuk.

Maybe because it was nighttime, the ground below seemed even farther away.

I remembered the first time I jumped from here.

‘Back then, I summoned the door too soon. If not for the vines growing in the cave, it would’ve been dangerous.’

If you summon too soon, you’re too high; too late, and you might crash.

For the safest result...

‘Not too early, not too late.’

"Summon."

I gripped the pass in my left hand, kept my right hand free.

Ready to grab the handle when it appeared.

And then—

Leap—!

I jumped without hesitation.

Gravity and the night wind rushed past my whole body.

It really felt like bungee jumping.

‘Except with no cord.’

I’d heard somewhere that when you fall from a great height, you actually die of a heart attack before you hit the ground.

I think I get it now, that feeling.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

My heart pounded as the ground rushed up.

I waited, waited, but as I felt I couldn’t any longer—

‘Now!’

"Activate!"

[Activating pass for ‘Lee Eunho!’]

─ Flash!

I grabbed the metal door handle, dangling like a lifeline.

"Whew..."

My feet swayed less than a meter from the ground.

That was close.

A second later and my legs would’ve been smashed.

So this is what a racing heart feels like.

Still, after doing this twice, I’m almost used to it.

...That’s what I thought as I clung to the cold handle.

─ Thud!

I dropped down.

Yul and Hanul stepped out from hiding, as if waiting for me.

"Teacher! Are you all right?"

"Uncle! You just whooshed—flew!"

"Haha... did you see?"

I ruffled Yul’s hair as he spun his arms in awe, then looked to Hanul.

He got the message and answered in a low voice.

"No one went in or out."

"The elevator?"

"Unchanged. It hasn’t moved since you got off."

"So they used the stairs..."

What’s certain is, the one who tried to gas me is still inside.

The culprit waited inside the tower for me to be alone.

Then followed me and released the gas.

‘Without realizing I was already ready for them.’

Now it’s our move.

──────  ──────

ㆍTo: Lee Eunho

ㆍFrom: Choi Jaehyuk

ㆍNo one came out the back. I’ll keep watch a bit longer and then return!

──────  ──────

Both main and back doors were quiet.

──────  ──────

ㆍTo: Lee Eunho

ㆍFrom: Kim Jieun

ㆍNamsan five, Itaewon four. We’ve all been together the whole time.

──────  ──────

That leaves thirteen newcomers today, minus the nine all accounted for.

‘The remaining four are the suspects.’

I was about to ask Jieun to tell me who was missing, when—

"…so what I’m saying is… huh?"

A familiar silhouette appeared below the stairs.

"What are you all doing here?"

The hotel chef and the model, side by side.

And a moment later—

"It’s dangerous at night, are you sure it’s okay?"

"Yeah… I think I’ll feel better if I get some fresh air."

A couple, jackets on, coming down as if for a stroll.

That makes exactly four.

How convenient.

Hmm.

The number adds up.

But the problem is...

"What a cute kid! I didn’t see you before, how old are you?"

"Why is everyone gathered here? You didn’t sneak off for snacks without us, right?"

They all look completely unfazed.

Every one of them.

Not a single face looks like someone who failed at a secret murder attempt.

But—

"Can we have a quick word?"

"Huh?"

"Is something wrong?"

The culprit is among them.

This time, wearing a mask instead of a hood.

"Huh? What’s this?"

At that moment, the last one appeared...

"…Hey, it’s the potty-mouth lady?"

"Ugh! Why do you keep calling me that? My name is—"

"Enough."

Turns out there were five, not four.

Suspects.

Anyway...

"Where are you all coming from?"

Shall we begin?

The detective game.