Delusive Fate

#076

What Jung Yi-dam wanted was to achieve the perfect love he had dreamed of all along. And Ki Baek-woo was simply the partner who would fulfill that dream. Jung Yi-dam had never once wanted to ruin Lee Han-sol. It’s just that Lee Han-sol was by Ki Baek-woo’s side.

Jung Yi-dam didn’t want to see Lee Han-sol looking flustered like a sinner when he saw Ki Baek-woo, when he saw Jung Yi-dam next to Ki Baek-woo. He didn’t intend to wither Lee Han-sol, who had always been full of vitality, with a prim expression that seemed like he would act coldly no matter what was done for him.

He didn’t want the countless grains of sand scattered outside, knowing nothing, to insult Lee Han-sol.

He didn’t know it would turn out like this. Of course, even if he had known, Jung Yi-dam wouldn’t have given up on the Ki Baek-woo route, his last hope. So it was extremely contradictory for him to feel sorry for Lee Han-sol, but… anyway, people driving Lee Han-sol to the edge of a cliff was not what Jung Yi-dam had intended.

It was the same that day. The story that Park Sang-yun, the assistant manager of the Hunter Management Team, who came running breathlessly, grabbed Ki Baek-woo and rambled on about. There had been similar incidents once or twice before. Jung Yi-dam, standing next to Ki Baek-woo, lowered his eyes for a moment and suddenly thought:

‘I’m not in a position to have anything to say to Lee Han-sol, but… still.’

Still, shouldn’t Ki Baek-woo not act like this?

According to Assistant Manager Park Sang-yun, it seemed that Lee Han-sol had been around the center today, waiting for Ki Baek-woo again. Just to catch a glimpse of Ki Baek-woo, who now loved Jung Yi-dam and wouldn’t even acknowledge him. And then, a worthless B-class hunter who recognized Lee Han-sol picked a fight with him. Just as it had always been since Jung Yi-dam’s Ki Baek-woo route began.

“We’ve secured the CCTV footage, and when you look at the video, it’s clear that Hunter Kim Hyung-jin approached first. Hunter Kim tends to speak roughly usually, and within our team, we think that Hunter Lee Han-sol didn’t get angry first… but.”

Kim Hyung-jin or whatever. That guy, who had no particular reason to exist in this world, clearly approached Lee Han-sol first. The guy must have acted arrogantly in front of Lee Han-sol, led by the system as if he were something special. No matter what he said, Lee Han-sol just lowered his eyes and kept still, so he probably couldn’t end it properly. Because something weak but pretty tends to provoke people’s sadistic tendencies. Jung Yi-dam guessed, as if he could clearly see the situation, that the atmosphere kept getting worse until it finally escalated into a physical fight.

He felt pity for Lee Han-sol. He thought silently. Why was that person born into such a role, making others worry? Ki Baek-woo would now love only me unchangingly. So it would be better to erase such a traitor from his heart quickly. The human heart is futile. People can passionately kiss and speak of love one day, and hate each other to death the next. But why can’t Lee Han-sol do something so easy and is acting like this? Being treated like this, with what feelings is he still looking for Ki Baek-woo? Why does he still love unchangingly…

‘How much does Lee Han-sol love Ki Baek-woo?’

Jung Yi-dam quietly gauged a love that wasn’t his own. Unaware that he was thinking such thoughts, Assistant Manager Park Sang-yun glanced at Jung Yi-dam’s expression and appealed to Ki Baek-woo.

“But the situation is a bit difficult now because Hunter Lee isn’t saying anything. Hunter Kim Hyung-jin is actively claiming that Hunter Lee assaulted him first, but Hunter Lee hasn’t said a word so far… Even if we have the CCTV footage, disciplinary action is unavoidable in this case. You know that.”

Since Hunter Lee Han-sol’s emergency contact is also Hunter Ki Baek-woo… and, it’s not a major injury, but I think you should come and check on Hunter Lee first… It’s a matter of disciplinary action…

In front of Assistant Manager Park Sang-yun, who had rambled on with a long story, Ki Baek-woo frowned. He touched his chin with a gesture that somehow seemed uncomfortable. Then he muttered in a voice full of doubt.

“Lee Han-sol…?”

As if it were a name he was hearing for the first time. Just as it had always been since Jung Yi-dam started the Ki Baek-woo route, and as his favorability increased… There was an awkward silence in the corridor for a moment due to Ki Baek-woo’s strange attitude. Ki Baek-woo, unconcerned, nodded a beat late and quietly opened his mouth. With an expression and voice like an empty shell devoid of any emotion, he said:

“Ah, Lee Han-sol. I know Lee Han-sol. But why is Assistant Manager Park… telling me this?”

“W-What?”

“Lee Han-sol and I do know each other, but is there any need to tell me about something like this? He should handle the disciplinary action on his own.”

The emergency contact list wasn’t written to inform about things like this. It doesn’t seem to be a particularly urgent situation either.

After coldly finishing his words, Ki Baek-woo affectionately led Jung Yi-dam as if he had finished his business. They move forward, leaving behind the dumbfounded Assistant Manager Park Sang-yun. Jung Yi-dam, who had been lost in thoughts about Lee Han-sol without even blinking, said silently to himself:

‘I know I’m not in a position to say anything to Lee Han-sol. But this isn’t right. Whether it’s because of the system or whatever, no matter what…’

Still, shouldn’t Ki Baek-woo not act like this?

Ki Baek-woo shouldn’t do this.

Jung Yi-dam couldn’t understand himself for thinking this way. He couldn’t understand what his heart, simultaneously feeling joy and anger, really wanted. Ki Baek-woo, who was loyal to him enough to completely betray Lee Han-sol whom he had loved so persistently. Ki Baek-woo, who now gave that love to me, which he had given only to Lee Han-sol hundreds and thousands of times until now. Jung Yi-dam was genuinely happy at the thought that he could finally have the love he had admired. He was excited and thrilled. And at the same time, he wanted to kill Ki Baek-woo. He despised and hated him. He didn’t even seem human. He thought he was an ugly beast.

Saying he loves me.

I know. This is anger I don’t need to feel. It’s beyond useless, it’s a waste of emotion and energy. But I’m angry. Negative emotions burst forth like an eruption, and my insides boiled like lava. Even Jung Yi-dam couldn’t control his own heart. His thoughts scattered like a school of sardines.

Why do you change?

Ki Baek-woo, you clearly loved Lee Han-sol. I thought that was perfect love. That’s why I had expectations for you. But why do you change? Shouldn’t you be able to overcome this much? After being so passionate, how can you abandon Lee Han-sol so easily? When those worthless guys are tormenting Lee Han-sol, when even I’m this angry, how can you pretend not to know? Is there really no such thing as true love after all? Yes, Ki Baek-woo, you too were just this much, only glossy on the outside. You were dying for Lee Han-sol, but now you’ve forgotten so quickly. You’ve completely forgotten. While Lee Han-sol is still burning with love like that…!

Someone who can’t even withstand the system doesn’t deserve a love like Lee Han-sol’s. It’s too good for you. If it were me, if that love were mine, I would never have betrayed it. Never.

Jung Yi-dam’s heart raced to extremes. Completely opposite emotions mixed chaotically, boiling turbulently beyond recognition. He liked Ki Baek-woo one moment and doubted him the next. He had been certain that Ki Baek-woo was someone who could love him completely, that Ki Baek-woo was the one who could give him the love he wanted. But when he saw Ki Baek-woo treating Lee Han-sol coldly, distrust washed over him, feeling like he had harbored vain hope once again. The perfect love that defies death, which he had longed for. It felt like something futile that didn’t exist in this world. His sweet feelings alternated between cooling and melting.

‘Somehow… it feels like I’ve lost my way…’

In the midst of confusion that felt like his mind was splitting, Jung Yi-dam suddenly felt an unfamiliar sense of alienation. I sacrificed everything for the world, for love… He became immersed as if he had become a tragic figure in a drama and prayed one day.

If someone considers me precious, may they give me an answer. May they lower a rope and clear the way. If I am truly the protagonist of this world… please give me an unwavering certainty now.

And the world, God, finally responded to Jung Yi-dam’s prayer. It answered with a clear light so that the most precious being would no longer waver. Before that sacred answer, Jung Yi-dam wept with emotion. And he realized. Ah, so that’s how it was.

Lee Han-sol… was an angel sent to me by the world.

‘A pure, beautiful, and noble angel sent down by God to hold onto me…’