Free Web NovelTall boyfriend-shirt guy.
Short boyfriend-shirt guy.
Glasses-wearing boyfriend-shirt guy.
Long-haired boyfriend-shirt guy.
‘Is this the land of boyfriend-shirt guys?’
Some fashion terrorist had somehow become the trendsetting king of fashion overnight. RIP Wasteland Fashion. Roy could only offer his condolences to the fallen style.
‘I really wish this were all a dream.’
Stifling the urge to gouge out his eyes and lose his sight, he endured for thirty long minutes. Only when the train pulled into his stop did he finally regain his senses. Trudging along, his gaze fixed on the ground to avoid seeing another boyfriend-shirt, he barely noticed a pair of blue sneakers blocking his path. Looking up, he found Galbi standing there, his face drawn.
“Galbi...”
“Don’t piss me off—I haven’t slept and I’m on edge. I might just go home without you.”
It was early morning; the Horror Mouth was even more prickly than usual. Roy, still reeling from the boyfriend-shirt onslaught, decided it was best to stay quiet.
“Let’s just go.”
In silence, they headed toward the church—and found the alley strangely deserted.
“Galbi, why is it so empty?”
“It’s dawn, you idiot.”
Even as he spoke, Galbi was puzzled. Last time there had been more people here. Were there fewer Awakened followers now? No matter how they looked, the alley held only the two of them.
“Hiss... I have a bad feeling about this.”
Roy murmured, and Galbi snapped back. free𝑤ebnovel.com
“Don’t speak nonsense! You were the one who said we should come!”
“Can’t I mumble to myself?”
“If you’re scared, turn back now.”
“Scared? Me? Don’t make me laugh—I came here to set this place on fire.”
Roy strode onward, entirely forgetting to plan. At last they reached the cult’s stronghold—but the big gate that should have stood wide open was shut.
“Huh?”
Roy grasped the bars in bewilderment, but the door didn’t budge. He rattled it; still locked. No sound came from inside.
“What the hell? Did they go out of business?”
“No way.”
He’d hardly thank them if they did, but surely they wouldn’t just give up. Peering through the bars, Roy sensed something odd—like a protective barrier. As he scanned the area, he spotted the reason the gate was closed and flinched.
[Service Time Notice]
Wednesday Service 19:30
He’d assumed the Awakened service was in the morning, based on Hojin’s words. But it was in the evening! Galbi noticed the sign too and let out a rueful laugh.
“Ha. Seven o’clock?”
“Of course. Remember how much you nagged me not to be late?”
“Right. Well... now that we’ve confirmed the church is still standing, let’s move to the café—”
“Hey.”
With a yank, Galbi grabbed Roy’s collar and hauled him back to the gate.
“Where do you think you’re going? You didn’t even check the time before dragging me out here?”
“Galbi, people make mistakes. Are you that petty?”
“Wow, seriously...”
Despite his brazenness, Galbi sighed and let go.
“Don’t expect me to put up with that much nerve.”
“Whoa, calm down. You’ll regret it later if you keep this up.”
“Shut up!”
He spun on his heel and marched off.
“Wait, you’re really going? If I go in alone and end up dead—”
“We’re going to a café, not a grave. It’s only till seven.”
Galbi grumbled but slowed his pace so Roy could catch up.
“Oh, a café? Fine, I’ll come with you.”
Roy smirked and followed.
✧
At the 24-hour café near the church, B had unintentionally become a regular by his third visit. The owner, recognizing him, treated him to a slice of cake on the house.
“Galbi, this place is great.”
“Shut up and eat.”
“How do I eat with my mouth shut? You have to open it to eat.”
Roy blinked theatrically, and Galbi squeezed his eyes shut. He was unbelievably annoying, but Roy found it hilarious.
“Hyah-hyah-hyah!”
It was too much fun teasing him. Then, at Galbi’s steely glare, he sobered up.
“Let’s plan our operation.”
“You even know what the operation is?”
“Why are you like this? I was team leader on Star Hero. Oh—spoiler? Just pretend you didn’t hear that.”
Galbi gave him a look of utter disbelief. Roy pressed on.
“I think getting in won’t be hard. The problem comes after that.”
“...?”
Galbi stared, puzzled by the suggestion that entry would be easy under such tight security.
“How will you get in?”
Roy snorted.
“We have business cards! You act all smart but you’re a total know-it-all.”
Roy shook his head in mock pity. Galbi’s outrage was more striking.
“Your face is plastered all over the country. Have you ever been to Hapjeong Station? They’ve got your face on giant billboards. And you think you can waltz in showing a business card?”
“I’m a cult leader’s natural enemy. I’ll go in first and see.”
Galbi covered his face with one hand.
“Then I’ll sneak in and open the door for you. We’ll meet up and move together.”
He explained that just inside, left would lead to stairs upstairs and right to the main hall and restrooms. There was a door with a code lock beside the restroom, used as a supply closet. Hojin had shared the password.
“Once you find the medicine, bring it straight out and let the Bureau know.”
“What are you doing?”
“I have business inside.”
“Why can’t I just help you? We’re going in together.”
“No.”
Despite his pushiness, Roy had some moral limits. Asking Galbi to search for the Awakening medicine alone was already a stretch—and Galbi wasn’t exactly ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) battle-hardened. It would be risky leaving him inside.
“If they ask whose name to report under, tell them it’s mine.”
You never know—soon we’ll share the same roof, and he might rush in to help.
“Got it? Any questions?”
“Actually, one more thing.”
“What?”
Galbi, anxious that Roy might deliver the medicine to Hojin, pressed for the real motive.
“Why are you doing all this? What do you plan to do with it?”
“Are you crazy? I’m not turning Hojin into a Blood Fiend. This is a warning tactic. What’s most important in a fight? Seizing the initiative.”
“What are you talking about, you idiot.”
Roy loved playing mind games.
“Anyway, I’m not giving it to Hojin. That’s all that matters.”
“Korea’s Wasteland should thank me someday.”
Galbi sighed at Roy’s baseless confidence. The only friend he had was slowly losing his mind—and that was truly sad.
