Damned System

Chapter 27. Murderer (2)

‘Calm.’

For someone caught in a sudden, unrealistic situation, his demeanor was remarkably composed. Such audacity to contact him first showed he was very daring.

Yang Jochul assessed the man on the other end of the line and responded calmly.

“May I know your name?”

「Let’s take our time with introductions. It’s best to be sure we’re both safe.」

His opening remark left a strong impression. Yang Jochul decided not to provoke or rush the man.

There was no benefit in agitating someone who seemed rational enough for conversation.

‘He is someone stepping out of the realm of ordinary.’

Yang Jochul resolved to handle this man with greater caution.

“That seems like a good idea.”

「I have a few questions. Can I expect answers?」

“If it is something within my ability to answer, of course.”

「Yesterday, Gwanak District, was it your side?」

Yang Jochul’s shoulders tensed for a moment, but he soon replied calmly as though nothing had happened.

“Yes, were you involved?”

「With all the CCTV and dash cams around, it won’t be long before someone pieces it together.」

“… It was a child.”

「You brought firearms.」

“To prepare for any eventuality.”

「So, it wasn’t your intention to kill from the start?」

Yang Jochul’s brow furrowed slightly at the seemingly sarcastic tone. However, he understood that beneath the apparent provocation lay a call for clarity.

‘If he was sure our intention was to kill, he wouldn’t have reached out first.’

Thus, the probing question was more of a push for a clear statement. Yang Jochul replied in a calm yet firm voice.

“We recognize the risks but have no intention of indiscriminately killing our citizens. We exist for national security.”

「It sounds like, if players threaten national security, you would kill them.」

“Conversely, if there’s no threat, it means we would strive more than anyone to protect the lives of our players who are citizens.”

「That’s reassuring. So what do you plan to do about the child you lost yesterday? Do you know his name? His residence?」

Yang Jochul narrowed his eyes slightly, pondering the man’s intent behind these questions.

The child going around killing animals was likely a player. And the person identifying as a player today seemed concerned about that child.

‘Is he trying to protect him?’

After a brief contemplation and reaching a plausible conclusion, Yang Jochul spoke in the gentlest tone possible.

“I can’t disclose details of the investigation, but we don’t intend to harm the child right now. Do you know where the child is?”

「For now, he’s in a place your side won’t easily find.」

“Please believe us when we say we are focusing on his protection, not his capture. If you’d also identify yourself…”

「I’ve heard too many grim things to trust that statement outright.」

“What do you mean by that?”

「I heard the players your side took three days ago ended up dead.」

Yang Jochul’s eyebrow twitched before the man on the line finished speaking.

The thought of the tragedy three days ago involuntarily tightened his jaw. However, now was not the time to dwell on it.

Pushing his turmoil down, Yang Jochul reflected on what he just heard.

‘I anticipated such rumors among players.’

Luckily, this man used the word ‘dead’ rather than ‘killed’, indicating a different meaning.

This suggested room for explanation.

“It seems you’re not suggesting that we did it.”

「The issue is too important to conclude based on one side’s story.」

The attempt to objectively grasp the situation was a good sign. Yang Jochul continued his explanation calmly.

“It’s hard to say there was no negligence on our part, but we did not directly intervene.”

「Another player’s doing?」

Before he could say much, the man on the line had already guessed correctly. Yang Jochul’s reply came with a slight delay.

“… Yes.”

「Can you prove it?」

“There are remaining CCTV recordings from the time the incident happened.”

「I’d like to see them, if possible.」

“We are, of course, willing to provide it to gain your trust. How would you like us to deliver it?”

「Let me know the location and time, and I’ll come to collect it.」

He hadn’t revealed his name, indicating his reluctance to expose his identity, yet the man wanted to collect it himself. Yang Jochul tried to interpret the unnamed player’s words.

“Does that mean we should leave it at the agreed location and withdraw?”

「Are you willing to do that?」

Even if he said yes, the man seemed not to trust it.

「No need to test me while planning to station people everywhere.」

Clearly, the man identifying as a player didn’t yet trust them. Pondering over how to respond, Han Seokjun gestured to Yang Jochul.

‘Dispatch.’

It was a signal that they had finished tracing and agents were headed to the location.

‘Five minutes.’

Emergency personnel were stationed across the country in preparation for such occasions. Consequently, it required less time than expected.

‘Five minutes should suffice. I need to buy a little more time.’

Understanding Han Seokjun’s signal, Yang Jochul nodded and spoke.

“I just wanted to confirm how exactly you wish for us to deliver it.”

「Let’s say so. Does preparing the materials take long?」

“There are quite a few procedures to go through for external release.”

「Ah, civil servants.」

“Thank you for your understanding.”

「So, the exact time required is?」

“… It should take about two hours.”

「I was about to hang up if you said longer.」

There was a slight note of amusement in the man’s voice.

‘Indeed, bold.’

To make light of things while speaking to a group representing public authority. Yang Jochul was intrigued by this unseen player.

Yet curiosity had to wait. The man continued speaking and was determining the time and place for their meeting.

He didn’t stop there and meticulously conveyed future action guidelines. Yang Jochul echoed back whatever the man stated, each time confirming its accuracy.

It was a ploy to stall for more time.

「Since we’re talking trust, I expect no tricks like location tracking. See you later then.」

“Wait, how will you contact us afterward?”

「Hmm…」

The man remained silent for a while. But soon, there was a soft chuckle from across the line.

Just then, Han Seokjun gestured towards Yang Jochul once more.

‘Arriving soon.’

Yang Jochul held his breath unconsciously.

「Well, better to know than to not. Just give me a direct number for the squad leader.」

“Understood.”

When he relayed his official phone number, a calm voice continued over the receiver.

「Let us understand each other’s caution. Just like your armed reaction yesterday was understandable, it’s hard for me to blindly trust those with governmental authority.」

“I understand.”

There was no wrong in that. Yang Jochul felt a chill whenever he contemplated the players.

He had witnessed the calamity firsthand, after all. The person he had spoken to likely felt the same, having heard about the tragedy.

「I’m relieved.」

Of course, understanding didn’t mean unconditional acceptance of every demand.

His side existed to maintain national security and social order. Control and precautions were necessary.

Identifying the players was the very beginning of that process.

Therefore, Yang Jochul intended to stall a little longer, enough for the approaching agents to arrive.

“Within reason, we are flexible. We wish to be cautious, not oppressive.”

But there was no response.

“Hello?”

He tried calling out repeatedly, but silence was his only companion.

At that moment, Han Seokjun answered his muted phone and shook his head at Yang Jochul.

“Tsk.”

Yang Jochul clicked his tongue, understanding what that meant.

“Squad leader.”

The voice of a field agent came over the receiver.

The man had left before the agents arrived.

“Secure CCTV from nearby stores and vehicle dash cams. He couldn’t have gone far while conversing with me.”

“Understood.”

The call ended soon after. Yang Jochul signaled Han Seokjun and added,

“Send an investigator for any possible fingerprints.”

“Yes, squad leader.”

Until then, Yang Jochul thought they would soon find the unnamed player. However, upon watching the CCTV footage from a nearby convenience store, he realized how naive that was.

The phone receiver had slid along by itself and nestled back on the cradle, alone in an empty space. The dial had turned to number 1 three times over.

That’s all the camera captured when the field agent arrived. Even though they had traced the call to that payphone, the booth was empty.

Yang Jochul pressed his fingers to his aching temples and closed his eyes. Seeing the face of the man he had spoken to seemed increasingly unlikely.

* * *

While my siblings were at school, I changed clothes and emerged. I handwashed them myself in case any bloodstains were noticed.

With such preparations done, the morning had already flown by. It was now 11:50 a.m.

I had arrived at a large franchise cafe in Gangnam. It was where I was supposed to meet Squad Leader Yang Jochul.

“Or rather, ‘meet’ is not accurate.”

I had no intention of showing myself to them. Having arrived earlier than planned, I used invisibility to case the surroundings.

“One, two, three… I spot five for now.”

The way they stood, moved, and observed subtly differed from ordinary people. Among them, one was someone I’d seen last night while escaping with Namkyu.

Five visible to my eyes, but it wouldn’t be surprising if others were more concealed.

There was a simple reason for choosing such a crowded place.

“In a place like this, they can’t just pull out guns.”

There were far too many civilians around.

Instead of heading straight in, I scanned through the cafe interior while waiting.

After ten minutes, at the appointed time, I noticed a person at the window abruptly stand.

He raised both hands high and placed something from his pocket onto the table before sitting back down. It was exactly what we had prearranged.

“That’s Squad Leader Yang Jochul.”

His appearance was sharp, with a solid build. Early to mid-40s, at a guess. Once confirmed, I followed behind a patron entering the cafe and hurried through the automatic door.

I had no intent to stall further.

By now, they must suspect my ability to turn invisible.

“They must have checked the CCTV around the payphone.”

After maneuvering past the incoming mana signatures and leaving the scene, I saw some entering nearby shops or interacting with parked car owners.

Given the circumstances, they would quickly infer if something unrealistic occurred.

Simply concealing my face while using abilities posed no issue. The group knew of this twisted game. Any extraordinary situation would be easily traceable.

By the same token, it didn’t matter if they deduced I was K.

‘The point is ensuring they don’t realize I’m Kang Hyunwoo.’

Despite invisibility, my presence was undeniable as I walked towards Squad Leader Yang Jochul.

He flinched as if hearing my footsteps. I tapped lightly on the table while observing him closely.