00977 Code Name, Zero. ————————————————– ———————-=
Tuk… .
dawn.
Tuk… , Tuk Tuk!
The dark clouds that had been heavy in the night sky for a long time began to drop rain little by little at dawn.
It is safe to say that the former Northern Continent, which most users left after the discovery of Atlanta, has virtually become unremarkable. It is no different from Monica, a small southern city once considered one of the most stable, and it is so quiet that you can clearly hear even the light rain that barely leaves a dot on the ground.
So, as the night deepens, the quiet city is filled with the sound of rain getting stronger… .
How much time has passed?
bang!
Suddenly, a strong sound came from the window on the fourth floor of a building that was still brightly lit.
“That’s ridiculous!”
The main character of the sudden noise is Ahn Hyeon. In a place where everyone else was sitting, he was the only one standing up. His eyes were wide open and both hands were on the tabletop as if he were going to break it.
After a brief commotion, there was a bomb-like silence in the conference room, as if it might explode at any moment. Some people were looking at Ahn Hyun, who suddenly popped out, but others were looking blankly down at the table or staring into space as if they had lost their minds.
“I cannot admit it. No, I know what you mean. But, but… .”
After a while, Ahn Hyun’s face distorted and he let out a boiling groan as if he was gritting his teeth.
“that… . That’s not it… .”
“Well, I think so too.”
Unable to continue speaking, Lee Yu-jeong, who had been watching, quickly stepped forward.
“I don’t know you very well either, but… . but… . No matter what… . how… . It’s so sudden. “It’s so cruel.”
“… … .”
“An older brother is always an older brother. No, because you can understand it. So I’d rather just stay like this. yes? If it’s that hard, we can just help you… !”
“What if it’s that hard?”
Lee Yu-jeong, who was talking gibberish in response to Kim Yu-hyeon’s retort, which seemed to be talking to herself, clasped her hands tightly. It’s quite hectic to do so. I don’t know what he heard, but his shaking eyes clearly revealed that the shock had not yet subsided. In fact, it will take quite some time to accept the fact that Kim Soo-hyun has returned.
“I’m helping Soohyun.”
A low voice answers in a whisper. Time has already passed and the crystal of truth has long since been reduced to a handful of ashes. But now whether it’s true or not doesn’t matter at all. Besides Kim Yu-hyeon, there were two people present here who knew the truth.
“Soohyun has good younger siblings. Understand and help. As an older brother, I am grateful for these words. haha.”
Kim Yu-hyeon smiled and slowly placed her chin on her chin.
“Well, just as an aside, would you mind listening to my story for a moment? Oh, I never told this to anyone, including Soohyun. It’s not very long. Definitely worth listening to.”
And he continues speaking in a soft voice, as if soothing an unruly child.
“When I was young… . It was probably when I was in elementary school. School ended early and I returned home, but there was no one there. So I took out some snacks from the refrigerator, played to my heart’s content, and then collapsed on the bed in my room and fell asleep.
But while I was sleeping soundly, I could hear footsteps moving around the living room in my dream. I got up and took a peek to see if my younger brother had come. “If it’s really your little brother, I’m thinking of surprising you secretly.”
It’s a random story. However, for a light conversation, the voice was quite low and serious, so everyone, including Ahn Hyun and Lee Yu-jeong, listened.
“But it wasn’t my brother who was in the living room. It was not my father or my mother, but the back of a person I was seeing for the first time. Even though it was midsummer, he was wearing a black jacket and a hat, holding a knife in one hand… . yes. “It was a robbery.”
Kim Yu-hyeon gently closes his eyes.
“Actually, I can’t say that my response at that time was good. I still remember it vividly. Instinctively, I covered my mouth with my hand and retreated into the room. And I quietly closed the door just in case a robber found out. When I heard the click sound of the door locking, I thought my heart would stop.
The phone was in the living room and there was no cell phone. I had no choice but to be locked in a small room. I gritted my teeth, but my legs became weak and I sat down without realizing it. And the moment I lean back against the door.”
“… … .”
“smart. … I felt a sensation running down my back. Of course, it was a vibration coming from outside. In other words, the robber knew that I had closed the door, and he knocked on purpose.”
“… … .”
Kim Yu-hyeon let out a long sigh.
“smart… . smart… . smart… . smart… . The robber knocked on the door constantly and periodically for some time. Without saying a word, just making an occasional giggling sound.
… Isn’t that common? I’m losing my soul. That was exactly how I felt at that time. Indescribable horror and fear.
Oh, it really made me think of all sorts of things. Why are you knocking? Maybe it’s someone who knows your parents? No, that can’t be true. I don’t want to die. I want to live. Oh, Suhyun will be home soon too, so what should I do…? .”
Most people were listening quietly, but a few people who were quick to turn their heads were slowly getting the hang of it. Why does Kim Yu-hyun say this?
“Well, as a result, the robber disappeared at some point and I was safe.
By the way. The time between the robber and I, which I thought was like a thousand years at the time, but I later found out, was only fifteen minutes.
Just 15 minutes left me with a trauma that I can’t shake off even now that I’m an adult. In fact, even these days, I occasionally wake up drenched in a cold sweat. haha.”
Kim Yu-hyeon, who had spoken up to this point, smiled brightly and loosened her grip.
“… So, what I want to say is.”
He slowly opened his eyes and looked directly at Ahn Hyun, who was still standing, and Lee Yu-jeong, who had not escaped the confusion. And she said.
“Now I’m telling you not to be a fool.”
The eyes of the two men and women widened.
Right at that moment.
“What do you know?”
Kim Yu-hyeon’s face, which had been like a spring breeze, suddenly hardened and became scary.
“What does it mean to say that you, who have always stayed safe within the fence, always chase after Su-hyeon?”
At the same time, the chaotic atmosphere clears and tension suddenly rises.
“Fifteen minutes. “Even though I was young, even in just fifteen minutes, I felt anxious and suffered from mental impulses that made me feel like I was going crazy.”
The two bodies trembled at the sight of the two beautiful eyes and the low growling voice of the lion.
“But Suhyun… . Not even fifteen minutes. It’s been fifteen years. In order not to make this ugly brother and the user Han So-young into residents, he clutched his heart that felt like it was going to explode in pain, put in all his effort, and bumped into it hundreds, hundreds, and thousands of times to get here. “In pain that no one like me can even fathom.”
Kim Yu-hyeon’s words continued without stopping.
“But you can’t admit it? If it’s so hard for you, I understand and will help you? You guys? under! I just don’t want to lose the Soo-hyun you remember, and I just think it’s a good thing… . How are you going to rekindle a fire that’s already gone out? Are you confident? really?”
Kim Yu-hyeon’s breathing became extremely heavy. Ahn Hyeon, who was standing there with a mesmerized look in her eyes as if she was going to chew him up, lowered her head. Lee Yu-jeong was chewing her lips with her eyes wide open, as if she was holding back her welling up crying.
Suddenly, the conference room became as quiet as ever. A long silence continued for a while. Only the sound of rain hitting the window can be heard intermittently.
Kim Soo-hyun’s question about whether I wanted to go home suddenly flashed through my mind. In a space where even the sound of her breathing was cautious, Lee Yu-jeong looked around her with her shoulders shaking. This is also the place where her memories with Kim Soo-hyun are buried.
‘Let the meeting begin.’
It only happened a few years ago. The Mercantile Clan established itself in Monica and grew its power around this place. At the center of it all, of course, was Kim Soo-hyun. Under the name of Clan Lord, he always stood at the forefront and led his clan members.
Because we have been together since the rite of passage and have seen it closer than anyone else. That’s why Lee Yoo-jeong can’t deny that the recent Kim Soo-hyun is slowly moving away from the person she remembers… .
While the awkward silence passed, Kim Yu-hyeon lazily cupped her face.
“I’m sorry. “I was a little, no, very excited.”
“… Well, that’s enough. “Because I know very well what kind of person you are.”
Hwajeong spoke in a slightly weak voice. She pressed her temples as if her bones were hurting, then shook her head and continued talking.
“So, since it is difficult to revive a fire that has already gone out, you are ultimately going to start a new fire?”
Kim Yu-hyeon nodded calmly. Hwajeong’s lips twisted.
“Well, it certainly could be a way. Regardless of whether it succeeds or not. … however.”
Hwajeong paused for a moment,
“You’ll regret it.”
He gazed sharply at Kim Yu-hyeon.
“I guarantee you, you will definitely regret it. Me, you, everyone here.”
“yes. Probably so. I know. That’s why I asked for your understanding.”
Kim Yu-hyeon answered resolutely without blinking an eye. Then she slowly got up from her seat and turned her body to stare at her window.
The sun had already risen, and the water droplets on the window were shining dazzlingly in the sunlight, illuminating the conference room.
“only.”
Kim Yu-hyeon opened his mouth.
“only… .”
However, the words became blurred without being able to finish a single word.
“… … .”
Perhaps because of the strong sunlight, my eyes narrowed slightly.
The sound no longer continued.
He just stared endlessly, endlessly, at the sky that had become quiet after dawn had stopped and the rain had stopped.
—————————= Review of the work ——————– ——-=
I… . At the end of yesterday’s review, I clearly wrote that it was not… . ;;;;
I am very embarrassed because the reaction is so different from what I expected.
I just scribbled it out because I was a little upset, but it’s hard to believe if you really believe it. haha. ^^;;;;
Anyway, we’re finally here.
Does this make Episode 0 the 7th?
I think I’ll probably be able to finish it right within the 10th episode that I expected as the maximum.
Then, I will work hard until the epilogue! 🙂
fantasy,
