1213 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

“...What?” For a moment, I lost my words. I tried to say something, but nothing came out after that. What did I just hear? "What are you planning to do?" "Break the engagement." I hadn't misheard then? I hoped for a mistake, but it wasn't. Oh dear. "Break... the engagement?" Namgung Jin demanded to break the engagement. Was that what he said to Hyun So Young? ‘Well, it's possible.’ Though it’s not really possible. In reality, neither Namgung Jin nor Hyun So Young had feelings for each other, so it could happen. ‘...But why now, of all times?’ I swallowed dryly and asked. "He used me as an excuse?" "Yes." "Namgung Jin...?" "Yes." A headache formed. I was the reason for the breakup? "He mentioned the time we spent together, saying it's better to break the engagement and go our separate ways than remain unhappy." "...And what did you say?" "What else could I say? I refused." She shrugged as she spoke, unusually calm for someone who'd been asked to break off an engagement. "Are you okay with this?" "With what?" "I mean, you were told to break off the engagement." "Well. It’s not unexpected, and it didn’t shock me that much." Nonetheless, being asked to break an engagement without showing any emotional upheaval was quite perplexing. At that moment— "They won’t be able to break the engagement anyway." "..." Hyun So Young asserted with confidence. "Why do you say that?" "Why wouldn’t I? Would you think differently if you were in my situation, Baek Gongja?" "...." I couldn’t answer. Because they were right. ‘I wouldn’t.’ In this situation, there’s no need. Just because Namgung Jin wants it? What difference does that make? ‘Namgung Jin’s family is prestigious.’ They are the true elite of elite, the Namgung family. The reason they chose Hyun So Young is because her background is equally fitting. They’ve already progressed to the engagement. ‘They wouldn’t proceed with it merely due to societal perception.’ Even if the man desired it, they wouldn’t discard Hyun So Young. Not unless— ‘And Namgung Jin himself is like that.’ No matter how recklessly he might act, he knows his limits. He’s aware of his standing. He’s not someone who would defy his family's wishes. ‘He’s not an impulsive fool like I am.’ I’ve been through breaking an engagement with the Pae family once. Unless someone’s as impulsive as me, they wouldn’t break an engagement. ‘Namgung Jin is a pretender.’ If he truly wanted to break it off— ‘He would’ve slapped them by now.’ They would’ve resorted to slapping each other by now. I did, back then. Of course, ‘I was on the losing end most of the time.’ I took quite a thrashing, but eventually managed to break off the engagement. Reflecting on that— ‘He’s so weak.’ Namgung Jin’s choice was exceedingly weak. Since he couldn’t act on his own, he passed the decision to Hyun So Young. ‘If there were any feelings, he would’ve acted more firmly.’ With no feelings involved, it dragged on pointlessly like this. The problem is... ‘Why am I getting caught up in this?’ It wasn’t good. "I really loathe getting tangled up in troublesome matters." Nothing is more annoying than getting involved in these kinds of situations. While I heaved a sigh— "Don't worry too much." Hyun So Young casually patted my shoulder as she spoke. "Namgung Gongja won’t do anything anyway." "I’m not particularly worried about that. I just hate being misunderstood." "Misunderstood...?" Hyun So Young chuckled softly. "Isn’t it not completely a misunderstanding?" "What are you saying?" "I mean. I know there’s no emotion involved. But it was a situation where Namgung Gongja could easily misunderstand." "...I’m not interested in you." "I know. Your eyes give it away." "My eyes?" Why my eyes? Puzzled, I asked, and Hyun So Young replied, seemingly exasperated. "You sometimes appear wistful. But it’s very clear that the subject isn’t me. That’s slightly irritating, you know?" "When did I ever…?" "If you’re that nostalgic, just go meet your fiancée. Quit searching for it in me." "..." I halted. Though she said it casually, her eyes held a seriousness. "I’ll take care of Namgung Gongja. You don’t need to worry about that." "I didn’t seek you out just because of that." "Yes. I’m sure. I don’t know you well, but I can tell you’re not a selfish person." She turned her back as she spoke. "Anyway. Don’t concern yourself. I can handle my affairs." "..." With that, Hyun So Young returned to her quarters. Watching her back, I resisted the urge to sigh. ‘Tsk.’ Stop seeking something else in me. Her words stung deeply. But. ‘How can I not?’ Not doing so was difficult. Normally, it wouldn’t be a problem. ‘But for now, it’s impossible.’ Now that I know for a fact Namgung Bia resides within her body for some unknown reason, I can’t help it. That’s why I continue to worry, but the issue lay with Hyun So Young noticing it. ‘Tsk.’ I scratched my head. ‘Why…’ Why did it have to be her body? It was even more so because she resembled her profoundly. "Damn." Hyun So Young had already gone inside. Feeling annoyed, I turned around as well. Having completed the visit to Hyun So Young, it was time to check on the next person. * * * Not an entirely dark place. Someone could be seen hunched behind prison bars. Observed among the drooping figure, chains shackled their entire body. Looking at it, I asked. "Quite the sorry state, isn’t it?" Clank. The hunched figure reacted to my words. "…Heh heh heh." A chuckle mixed with blood could be heard. There was a scent of blood. They looked clearly exhausted, and examining closely, the body seemed twisted here and there. "…Why? Did you come to watch the downfall?" "Not to watch. I just have something to ask." "Something to ask… of me?" "Indeed." With a thud, I squatted in front. The person before me was the head of the Do family, Do Cheol. He had met utter defeat against Paejon’s strike. Now, he was locked up in this prison. "Sorry for having you see me in such a sorry state." "No need to apologize." I’d already gotten permission from the family head to ask some questions. I had something I wanted to ask him. "There's something I want to know." "Do you think I'll answer?" "It doesn't matter if you don't. It'd be helpful if you did." I really just came here to inquire. "Why? Are you curious about the Gu family's actions?" Do Cheol asked, his eyes glinting ominously. Hearing that, I laughed. "Curious? Not really." "What?" "Whether they did it or not doesn’t matter to me. It's unrelated to me." "Hmph..." "I'm not interested in your narrative or motives." I wasn’t concerned about such things. What I was curious about was... "Your face." "...Hm?" "You resemble someone I know. But it’s uncanny how exactly alike you are." "..." At my words, Do Cheol’s body stiffened. Observing his reaction, I continued. "Do you know something?" "...Heh heh heh..." Instead of answering, Do Cheol chuckled. "...Who exactly are you?" "I'm just me. Didn’t you already have some idea?" "That’s not what I meant. Did you say you saw the same face?" Heh heh heh heh. The laughter filled the space. "What's so funny?" "It’s strange... I mean, you could just see it as a mere resemblance. Yet here you are, filled with questions, asking me about it. How could that not be strange?" Do Cheol's gaze was sharp and intense. "Who are you? How did you survive there? Are you not a part of the Gu family’s lineage?" "I came to ask questions, and now you’re questioning me?" I nodded. "Anyway. I sensed something peculiar about your appearance. Is there something you know? Answer my question." "...Heh heh, didn’t I tell you? Did you think I'd give you an answer?" "You’re not going to answer? Alright then." I stood up without hesitation. If he won't tell me, then that's that. Nothing could be done if he refused. It was his choice. I thought as much and spoke to Do Cheol. "Then, should I kill your son?" "...What?" At my blunt words, Do Cheol widened his eyes. "Well, it’s only fair. If you won’t answer, I should at least do something." "You...!" The chains clattered as Do Cheol struggled to lunge at me, but his broken body and bound physique wouldn’t allow it. His energy seemed to be sealed; his body was not responding. "How can a man of the righteous faction make such a crude threat?!" "Righteous faction, my foot. An uncle scheming in the shadows has some nerve with his harsh words." I rubbed my ear as if hearing something unpleasant. "You know your son was captured, don’t you?" Do Yoon was here. Since he was directly captured, of course, he'd know. "I wonder if ripping off one of his arms and throwing it to you would make you talk. Well, I’m off then." "Wait..." Those words made me pause. Seeing that, I grinned widely and spoke. Do Cheol gritted his teeth as he looked at my smile. "...You. Who on earth are you? What is your identity?" "Me?" Identity, huh. Even thinking about it, nothing concrete came to mind. Oh, wait, there was one thing recently. Remembering, I spoke to Do Cheol. "Calamity." "..." Do Cheol's eyes trembled violently.