Kim Hyeokgwon met his gaze, draped casually over the top bunk of the two-tiered bed to the left.
"I didn't think you'd be quite so surprised."
"Please think about the meaning of the word 'presence.'"
"I will, when I have time later. Ugh?!"
Thud!
Kim Hyeokgwon jumped down from the second floor, ignoring the perfectly intact staircase.
The height was low enough that there was no need to worry about injury.
In the meantime, Tae-su collapsed onto the sofa as if falling.
"Ugh. My heart is pounding."
Thump.
Clutching his chest, Tae-su groaned.
Kim Hyeokgwon approached and said with a deadpan expression.
"Punch it."
"Thank you for the straightforward solution."
"Think nothing of it. But haven't something similar happened before?"
At his question, Tae-su paused while patting his chest.
"I think it was like this on the first day."
"I suppose the saying that history repeats itself isn't without merit."
"You're thinking of 'history repeats itself.' When were you discharged?"
Tae-su corrected him and asked.
Kim Hyeokgwon had clearly thrown off his patient gown.
It was all the more puzzling because he had been a patient just a few hours ago.
Meanwhile, Kim Hyeokgwon replied nonchalantly.
"Just now."
"Congratulations, but where did that appendix-like fellow go?"
"Where do you think he went."
"The PX?"
When Tae-su asked, Kim Hyeokgwon responded flatly.
"The habit of asking things you could figure out with a little thought is a bad one."
"I'm reflecting on it intensely."
"More importantly, what brings you all the way here in patient clothes when you said you'd probe Doctor Hanks?"
"It's been a journey through many trials and colorful twists."
When Tae-su started to elaborate dramatically, Kim Hyeokgwon immediately became wary.
"I'm not very curious."
"But you should be."
"No. Falling asleep exhausted from listening to Doctor Choi's stories once is enough."
"Heh heh."
Rustle.
Tae-su pulled out a pay envelope from his patient gown pocket and set it down.
He had gone all the way to the headquarters office; there was no way he'd return empty-handed.
Seeing it, Kim Hyeokgwon's demeanor changed in a manner that was all too natural and inevitable.
"So, what should I prepare to drink? Coffee or a beverage?"
"You may take your time preparing it."
"Then speak to your heart's content until my throat goes dry from listening."
"After parting ways with you two......."
Tae-su began to recount what had happened in just over an hour.
Though Tae-su had warned it would take a while, the time wasn't that long.
It was about ten minutes at most.
And when that time had passed, Kim Hyeokgwon's hand naturally held the cash.
He was busy counting the thick stack of bills.
Rustle rustle.
"Oh ho, oh ho ho!"
Silly laughter kept flowing out.
So much so that Tae-su ended up asking.
"Are you that happy?"
"You call that a question? Doctor Choi, let's deploy to the battlefield again next time. This hazard pay is truly substantial."
"Can we do that as we please?"
"If not, so be it. Hahaha!"
Rustle rustle.
The moment he counted the money, his face bloomed with smiles.
Right now, he'd probably listen to anything Tae-su said.
He looked that content.
Tae-su, who had been watching quietly, suddenly concocted a scheme.
Kim Hyeokgwon.
He wasn't just someone with a good head on his shoulders.
He had quietly built connections not only at the NGO headquarters but also with PKO soldiers.
You could tell just from the cooking utensils he'd prepared when making doenjang-jjigae at the Korean village.
His information network must be just as good.
Just then, a text message tone rang from a cell phone.
Ding.
Then Kim Hyeokgwon informed Tae-su with a regretful expression.
"It's a text from Doctor Jeong. He got caught by Bred and is going into emergency surgery."
"Please congratulate him for me."
"He must have already passed the time to receive texts."
Tak.
By now, Kim Hyeokgwon could easily read such patterns.
Tae-su also figured it was none of his business and let it go.
They were either patients or doctors, so going into emergency surgery wasn't anything special.
Tae-su was also scheduled to return to his hospital room tomorrow morning.
Without thinking too long, he immediately turned to Kim Hyeokgwon.
"Hyeokgwon. Please look into Doctor Hanks for me."
At the same time as those words.
Flutter!
The pay bills scattered and fluttered around Kim Hyeokgwon.
So surprised was he that he put aside even the precious cash and asked with wide eyes.
"Are you telling me to dig into someone's background right now, Doctor Choi?"
"It's not a background check, just an investigation."
"So you're saying to do it secretly."
"It's for a good cause."
Though Tae-su tried to explain, Kim Hyeokgwon frowned first.
He was making it clear that this was an illegal request.
His eyes were surprisingly bright and clear at such times.
Tae-su continued his next words, feigning calmness.
"Are you asking me to find out the cause of the weakness Doctor Hanks showed?"
"The facts are right, but something feels off from the very foundation."
"Hold on. You're going to dig up information from behind like that to find material to boost your motivation."
Kim Hyeokgwon was sharp as expected.
Tae-su calmly drew his attention first.
"Excuse me. Hyeokgwon, are you listening to me?"
"If that's the method, I suppose I am highly useful. The back alleys certainly allow for diverse inquiries."
"I'm asking you to investigate openly, out in front."
Tae-su corrected him firmly.
However, Kim Hyeokgwon didn't seem to hear such words.
"You can rest assured I have no intention of dirtying Doctor Choi's hands."
"Anyway, I want to find hints through his past."
Tae-su gave up and just said what he had to say.
Then Kim Hyeokgwon thought for a moment and said with a bewildered face.
"Wait, Doctor Hanks is affiliated with the NGO. Can't you just talk to the Secretariat?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
"Hmm, but Doctor Choi isn't someone who'd be satisfied with that level of information."
"Excuse me. Hello?"
Tae-su was now even exasperated.
Soon Kim Hyeokgwon convinced himself alone and smiled a cold smile.
"I suppose I'll have to put my skills to use for the first time in a while."
"I'll just do it myself."
"Heh heh, you seem to be looking down on this line of work."
"I said it's fine."
Tae-su just waved his hand.
Rattle. Rattle.
He moved the IV stand again and dragged his heavy body.
But then.
Whoosh!
Kim Hyeokgwon, who had been on the bed, appeared right in front of his nose before he knew it.
With an extremely cold and chilling smile, he said eerily.
"Customer, let's not make things awkward between us."
"When did I become a customer?"
"If you came to me, you're a customer. And if I backstab you now that I know the full request, what would you do?"
Kim Hyeokgwon's eerie tone and expression were truly something else.
However, Tae-su said with a deadpan face.
"It's very clean content that the whole world can know about."
"That's your opinion. Anyway, let's say I'm taking on this job."
"I'll just go to the Secretariat myself and ask around, even if it's a bit hard."
Swish.
The moment Tae-su tried to pass by.
Kim Hyeokgwon blocked his path again and growled eerily.
"It's no fun if you act like this."
"What now."
"They say this neighborhood is dark, but we still have professional ethics. If you run off like this, it's problematic."
"Fine. Let's just call it a commission."
Tae-su agreed lethargically, not wanting to argue.
Suddenly.
Kim Hyeokgwon's face bloomed brightly.
He even changed his voice to a friendly tone and said.
"Thank you. I will serve you with all my heart and clean up the aftermath neatly."
"Do as you please."
"But customer. This kind of case usually has a rather high commission fee."
Rustle rustle.
Kim Hyeokgwon's eyes sparkled as he lightly rubbed his fingers.
Only then did Tae-su realize why he was acting this way.
This time, Tae-su's pay was larger.
It was an allowance paid out personally and separately. It had been calculated considering the extent of his injuries and hospitalization period, so it was excluded from distribution.
But as soon as a good deal came along, he immediately showed his business side.
Tae-su was still recovering.
Even arguing was difficult.
He decided it was better to play along.
"So how much?"
"Ahem... about this much."
"Double."
"D-double!"
Kim Hyeokgwon's eyes opened so wide they looked like they'd tear.
Meanwhile, Tae-su slightly furrowed his brow and corrected the strange wording.
"Were you trying to pull a fast one? I said double, not triple."
"Tch. That didn't work. Conditions?"
"It has to be in my hands within 24 hours from now."
Kim Hyeokgwon's expression slightly distorted at the condition Tae-su presented.
"Man, that price with that condition is tough."
"Then pass."
"Hey now. Where did you get the guts to offer that? What's the rush? We can talk it out slowly."
As Kim Hyeokgwon immediately backed down, Tae-su tried to close the deal.
"So, deal?"
"It's not like I've been in business for just a day or two......."
"Three."
When Tae-su suddenly started counting, Kim Hyeokgwon flinched.
"It's not like I only handle clean jobs......."
"Two."
"Just add two more bills."
"One. Then it's null and......."
When Tae-su finished the reverse countdown and was about to declare the negotiations broken off.
Kim Hyeokgwon, seeming urgent, quickly spoke up first.
"Look at that temper."
"......."
"Fine. I said fine. I've had no jobs lately, so I'm doing it at that price."
Kim Hyeokgwon groaned exaggeratedly.
At that moment, Tae-su pointed at his watch and said.
"One added bill for every hour earlier."
"I love you. Sucker. I mean, customer."
"But one deducted bill for every ten minutes late."
"You don't have to push me like that. This is why young folks with money in their pockets get called rude."
Kim Hyeokgwon grumbled but grabbed his jacket and moved.
Tae-su threw a question at his retreating back.
"Are you alright physically?"
"Ugh, ugh. Suddenly my joints hurt....... This could interfere with the job, but no. Hyeokgwon. You said trust with the customer is your asset."
"You're fine. Have a good trip."
"Customer. Actually, I am injured......."
"Pass."
Swish!
Tae-su turned around coldly.
At that moment, Kim Hyeokgwon's muttering was heard from behind.
"Kids these days, honestly......."
Continuing his inaudible complaints, he left the quarters.
Click.
As the door closed, Tae-su's face became haggard.
It was the aftermath of overcoming hardships and adversity for several hours with an imperfect body.
He staggered toward his own bed.
Plop.
"Ugh. Gotta have this kind of fun to survive."
Tae-su smiled faintly.
Tae-su put his arm over his forehead.
Tap.
With the surroundings quiet, thoughts of Doctor Hanks welled up again.
"There was definitely a reaction."
Tae-su's thoughts couldn't continue for long.
Rustle.
Muttering a few words, his eyes closed.
It had been that exhausting a day, both physically and mentally.
The next morning.
Tae-su opened his eyes and checked his surroundings first.
"Ah, it's the quarters."
His body was slightly stiff.
It was the aftermath of moving around more than expected yesterday.
He knew it, but it had been necessary, so it couldn't be helped.