PASSION Chapter 2 Part 6

Chapter 2 Part 6

He roughly grasped the context. It seemed there was someone from the European branch who had become something of a public enemy here, but though they all ground their teeth, he must be too difficult to easily deal with - that seemed to be the gist of the situation. Perhaps they were in a situation of watching and waiting because no one suitable to bell the cat could be found.

"Were all those who fell victim to this 'damned bastard' members of this team?"

Tae-ui asked as if talking to himself.

From what he gathered in the conversation, there were six teams in one branch. It seemed the total ninety-six members were divided into six teams of sixteen each. The six instructors each led one team.

Hmm... He had said factions were divided below pushing one of two deputy directors for the vacant director general position. Then that means even before talk of the European branch, the teams must be structured in opposition with three against three within this branch. ...Though before getting into that, first they had to face the external enemy approaching for two weeks.

"No, not just us. That bastard doesn't know or care which team anyone's from. That crazy bastard just enjoys randomly beating up our people!"

Alta, who had spoken calmly at first, gradually became enraged and ended in a shout.

Intimidated by that force, Tae-ui subtly leaned his body the other way, but a shout burst forth from the other side too:

"How did such a crazy bastard even get into UNHRDO?! I definitely took a two hour personality test to get in here?!"

Me too, me too, those shouting were, come to think of it, excellent talents who had passed incredible competition ratios to enter the United Nations Human Resources Development Organization, despite appearances and personalities and way of speaking that didn't match that at all.

I didn't take anything like that, Tae-ui swallowed those words along with the dried fruit.

He was curious how these men who according to his uncle had "all been shot once or twice and had a few bones broken" had scored on their personality tests, but that didn't seem to be the point they were making.

"Well... Don't you all handle guns and knives before coming here? Makes sense that such a 'crazy bastard' could get in too."

Though he didn't know what kind of crazy bastard.

However, Tae-ui's attempt to take a somewhat neutral stance didn't work on them at all. The man beside him very affectionately put his arm around Tae-ui's shoulders and spoke deliberately:

"Wrong. Though it's true we all handled guns and knives before coming, our mindset is different from that crazy bastard. You, when pulling the trigger on someone you have no grudge against, does that finger move without hesitation? Most people, including the guys here too, can't. Unless it's a mortal enemy, you can't help hesitating to harm someone. But that bastard's different. He just- kills."

"..."

It wasn't a joke or exaggeration. The man beside him was saying this with a serious face.

For a moment Tae-ui felt a slight chill. The man's serious eyes and low tone were painting a demon. One wearing human form but not human.

...At least it wasn't a feeling that would be good to get close to for spending half a year safely. Though he didn't know what kind of person it was, it would probably be a hundred times better to continue not knowing. That thing called 'intuition' his uncle had mentioned was whispering that to Tae-ui.

"Well... If he's the public enemy of not just this team but everyone in the Asian branch, there's not much point just talking about it here. Plus from what I hear he doesn't sound like someone who can be dealt with easily anyway."

He didn't want to dwell on the uncomfortable topic. The others seemed to feel similarly. Though somewhat bitter, they all readily changed the subject.

Tae-ui silently sighed while picking up the last piece of dried fruit. The dried fruit was gone too, but the guy who had gone to get beef jerky still hadn't returned. At this rate it seemed they would see dawn waiting for the beef jerky. Even if the beef jerky came soon and ran out, it seemed likely they would keep drinking for quite a while longer from the looks of things.

What to do. Though it was fun sitting among them sharing drinks and listening to men's chatter, he'd like to rest a bit. But these guys probably won't easily let him go sleep either.

He liked the people. Though he hadn't gotten close enough to know if he matched with individuals since personalities differed, at least he didn't dislike this group's character. If nothing special happened, it seemed he could spend the half year enjoyably. Maybe he'd even make two or three close friends.

However, separate from that, Tae-ui didn't particularly enjoy these kinds of gatherings. Though it was fine to go along eating, drinking and playing to an appropriate degree, even such times become a chore if they go on too long. Plus right now he wanted to rest quietly.

While wondering what to do, he saw Tou who had been sitting at a distance stand up. From how he was grabbing his cigarette pack, it seemed he was going out to smoke.

"I need to use the bathroom- Tou, could you show me where it is?"

Tae-ui put down his glass and stood up. Tou who had been about to go outside went "Hm?" then nodded casually. Just smoke exactly three cigarettes and come back, be careful not to get lost on the way to the bathroom - with joking words behind them, Tae-ui followed Tou out.

Tou, who had been caught by his uncle on his way to smoke and had to bring Tae-ui along without getting to smoke, seemed to badly want a cigarette as he already had one in his mouth before lighting it. He walked ahead grinding the unlit cigarette.

"Seems smoking isn't allowed inside."

"Mm. There is a smoking room but not on this floor. Have to go down, but it's better to go up and smoke outside in the fresh air. As for the bathroom..."

While turning the corner at the end of the corridor, Tou pointed his finger toward about the middle of that path. However, Tae-ui had no intention of looking in the direction that finger pointed and instead stuck close behind Tou's back and wrapped his arm around his neck from behind.

"I already saw that bathroom earlier, and the bathroom I want to know about is the one attached to the private quarters where I'll be staying. Though it's troublesome, I'd appreciate if you'd guide me down together."

Tae-ui whispered in Tou's ear while applying force to his arm as if ready to strangle him if he made any noise or resistance. Though this situation of grabbing and threatening someone somehow made him feel like he was a European branch person which brought a bitter smile, anyway resting this one body came first right now.

Tou seemed to want to say something as his mouth moved, but soon gave up with a deep sigh.

"Alright, so stop being rough and let this go. I'll guide you. Good grief. But you didn't bring your luggage when you came out. Go back and get it. I'll wait here."

"If I go back to get luggage while saying I'm going to bed, will those guys let me go so easily?"

Half was a rhetorical question implying they wouldn't, and half was genuine wondering if they would let him go.

However, once again Tae-ui's intuition seemed right as Tou hesitated without answering.

Tae-ui smiled and patted Tou's back.

"Never mind, there's nothing particularly valuable in it anyway so I can get it tomorrow. If no one takes it, it should still be there. More importantly, let's go see the private quarters. Three to a room, right?- Don't make that face. Come to think of it, you're the one at fault for taking me to the training room first instead of properly guiding me to the private quarters from the start, right? Ah, the places I got hit earlier still ache. This spot where you hit me was around here..."

When Tae-ui massaged his shoulder while pretending to frown, Tou gave up and shrugged.

"Fine, follow me. I'll escort you properly to your room."

He ignored the elevator that had already been called and was arriving with doors opening, and instead moved toward the emergency stairs beside it. Saying this would be faster.

***

The sixth basement level had quite a different composition from the floor above despite being just one floor apart.

The same style doors were staggered facing each other on both sides of the straight corridor. The corridor floor had khaki carpet plusher than the fifth floor's. Elegantly crafted glass sconces and leisurely hung frames on the walls. Fresh flowers tastefully arranged on an antique console at the end of the corridor. Beside that, a small glass table and two single-person leather couches.

".... Feels like we've come to a five-star hotel. I'm very curious what the rooms are like."

When Tae-ui muttered as if overwhelmed, Tou walking ahead laughed.

"The rooms are similar. Just without private bathrooms attached to each room."

"If they're going to furnish it this luxuriously, why not install bathrooms in each room too?"

"Well, I heard the sewage plumbing system couldn't handle that. Couldn't run pipes to each room or something."

"So it's shared bathrooms and toilets?"

"That's right. But there's one each spaciously equipped on the east and west sides so it's not really crowded. It's quiet whenever you go."

"Whenever you go..."

When Tae-ui repeated that dubiously, Tou seemed to understand what he was thinking and emphasized again "Mm. Whenever you go."

With a face saying that's just how it is where men live, Tou walked along humming.

The bathroom he showed along the way was completely empty even now during free time after regular duties. Impressive shower facilities and a large bathtub behind glass doors sat lonely.

"I should at least use it myself later."

Tae-ui muttered while looking at the clear hot water calmly pooled in the tub. Then suddenly asked Tou:

"Do the superiors use this too? Like the Director General or Deputy Directors, Instructors?"

"Of course not. They even live on different floors. Those people live on the basement level closest to ground level, basement level 1. With private bathrooms attached to each room."

"Ah."

He briefly recalled his uncle of noble status. The root of all this trouble - resentment began to sprout toward him. Later he would have to go find him and at least strangle him once to feel better.

"Which room is Instructor Jung Chang-in's on basement level 1?"

"Why, already missing your uncle? Hehe, from the elevator I took earlier, go right, around the corner second room."

Tou spoke playfully while turning from the bathroom. Pointing out the toilet was next door, he continued down the corridor. Tae-ui clicked his tongue internally and shook his head at thoughts of his uncle, when Tou who had been walking for quite a while finally stopped.

"Here's your room."

The room he indicated by tapping the door with his knuckles was located quite deep inside the corridor.

"Originally one Japanese person from our team and two Russians from another team used this room, but one died and two are in recovery.... Though they probably won't be able to return even after recovery ends."

Tou muttered in a lowered voice while opening the door. The door opened easily as if unlocked.