"How is it, Moejang? Still no leads?"
"Hmm. He still won't speak."
"Maybe I hit him too hard and scrambled his brains?"
"I can't rule out some impact, but at least he's not stuttering or drooling—no signs you'd expect from a brain injury."
Is that... a relief? No. Bad men are supposed to hurt a little. That's how it should be.
"Then I'll run another patrol over here..."
"Why don't you take a break first?"
"Ugh... Dragon head..."
"His name is Wei Yenwu, kid."
"I also have the name Baekhyun. No reason for you to call me kid."
"Then why don't you call me by my name properly?"
"Wei Dragon Head Yenwu."
"...That's closer to correct."
"Hah... excuse my kid's manners..."
"No, not at all. After yesterday and today, he put in twice the work of any Guard State officer. Who has the right to complain?"
"But what about that? We still have to capture Jang Chen. That's how we get paid upfront and all that."
"That aside... I hear this is your first time in Yongmun?"
"Yeah. I'm a native of Danguk."
"Arrived on the 21st... began first operation on the 22nd, and today, the 23rd, you succeeded in the large-scale purge. You push hard, but as a contractor, I'm satisfied."
"But?"
"This place is the largest industrial and tourist city in Danguk, isn't it? And tomorrow's Christmas Eve—how about you go sightseeing?"
"...Really?"
Is this for real? The investigation's been tough—I thought I'd be chained to more work, and yet they're offering sightseeing?
"I appreciate the offer, but according to contract..."
"Hey now! I'm the one who handed you that contract, right? Rewarding capable talent boosts morale! And no matter how well someone performs, he's still just a kid. Let him play when he can."
"Exactly, Moejang. Huh? If only he had half the finesse of that Yudori. Wow, Dragon Head... Mr. Wei Yenwu really knows how to deal with people."
"Now you call me by my title?"
"I remember those who treat me well."
"Such opportunism."
"Shall I call it cleverness?"
"Ha! If only my nephew had half that character... no, never mind."
Daughter? Wei Yenwu had a daughter? Who was she... Was she on this operation? No, I recall a grey-haired head.
"...Huh? Don't you like the offer?"
"No, I like it."
"Then why the stare?"
"What? Just staring a bit."
Her hair was red or white. Then maybe not grey? Or how did she mix it?
'Either way, a tour of Yongmun sounds awesome.'
Finally the chance to visit Yongmun in person, not just in-game. And not the back alleys overrun by gangs, but the bustling district itself.
'How could I resist?'
Even a one-tab-through gamer like me can't abandon a bit of romance. Of course I said yes.
"Here, take it. My card."
"...Really?"
"Do you think it's a fake? I'm not such a petty adult to lie to a kid."
And I even got the card of the head of Yongmun! While buying a building is out of the question, it's more than enough to spend a day.
"Woohoo! Best day of my life!"
Tomorrow nothing can stop me lol
"Uh... are you sure it's okay not to work?"
Until yesterday I was excited about a solo day off; but looking at him now, there's no way he could enjoy it.
"Otis... are you okay?"
"Why worry about a kid like me?"
"No, your dark circles formed in a single day?!"
Those are almost panda eyes, not mere dark circles!
"Ha... still won't speak. A person would think they were family."
"He's from the Liprova tribe. The deepest-rooted people in Terra. Even if he were about to die, he's unlikely to spill any information."
"...Need a hand?"
"Kid, do you even know what help you could offer? Just stay out of it and keep quiet."
"Today, as your rightful reward from the contractor, there's no reason for us to interfere or to get in your way. Just go enjoy yourself."
"You really mean it?"
"Yes. It's fine."
Then that's settled. I'll go have fun, okay?
OXBIVmVqM3Q1TjU0ajJvMTlHR1pwdjl3a3RZRGxjdlk4ZEEzN1ZSQkUwYWhYdlZ1cXdNR1F6VjljMlJEcnR4Ug
"As expected, the busy district has its own charm?"
The drab back alleys differ greatly from the heart of Danguk trade, with vivid lights shimmering everywhere.
"Watch out, a car!"
"A White Christmas Eve. That's peak romance."
"Sweetheart, let's buy that~"
"Okay, honey~♡"
Damn couples. In this romantic atmosphere they always act like this. Ugh... my ribs are freezing. I'm twelve on the outside, but there's a twenty-six-year-old inside me. I know the drill!!
"Sigh... better hole up somewhere quietly."
No, that's not right. How could I waste a sweet day off over a couple of lovebirds?
'First, I'll wander around anywhere!'
What could go wrong?
"This is good! Another one!"
"Here you go. You devour them, don't you."
Yooo-eubbeup...
Special note: these dumplings satisfy a man.
Truly delicious. Maybe because it'd been a while since I had dumplings. The white wheat dough steamed around the filling, and when you bite in, the salty meat juices flow. And...
"Huh? It's sweet. There's a good, subtle sweetness here."
"Oh? Ah, that's the sweetness of vegetables. We used high quality vegetables more than meat."
"Indeed. The sweetness is juicy."
The vegetables' completely natural, unobtrusive sweetness. Because of that mild sweetness, I can't stop eating.
"Huff... huff... hnn... so delicious!"
"Heh heh heh, is it that good?"
"Yeah, it's the best!"
After twelve years on Terra, this is the best taste I've ever had!
'..? Am I being watched?'
Because I felt someone's blatant gaze… I rushed to look around, but inside this shop there's only the cook and me. Yet I definitely felt it.
"Hmm? Good? How did you find it?"
"Finish eating and tell me, kid. And that's a statue of Shei that was said to have stood in Danguk long ago. I don't know when it got here. It's been here since my grandfather ran this shop. Why the interest?"
"No... it's nothing... coughcough... Oh, excuse me..."
"Anyway... I thought you'd be talking while eating. Here's some water."
"Ah... thank you~"
Hmm... was that just my imagination? I thought I felt that statue's gaze. It even seemed to flicker with a bluish light...
Zzzt!
"...There it is? Mister. Pack all those dumplings over there to go. Oh, I'll pay with this."
"Alright. I thought today would be a cake shop's busy day, but turns out I had the big haul."
The gaze definitely came from somewhere in the back alleys. How could I forget that after one day off? Enough talk—time to find who's watching?
trrrring!
"Hmm? Who's calling?"
"Hello, Governor Wei Yenwu? I'm calling to confirm if the total of 27,000 Yongmun coins you spent this morning at Yongmun Dumplings is indeed you~"
"...That was me."
'Kid. Using my card for dumplings? 27,000 coins? Did you eat a whole platter?'
Somehow Wei Yenwu regretted handing over his card.
"Oh ho... so you like dumplings... Next time we meet, I should stock dumplings for you... No, you clearly liked persimmons too, so maybe some dried persimmons as a bar snack?~"