BLB Chapter 20

Scary.

“Did you already forget that your recovery ability is impaired?”

“I’m sorry…”

“Or did you suddenly gain confidence after killing the mushroom?”

“No. I’m sorry.”

“Rick.”

Amy, who was standing next to Ricardo, tugged on his sleeve.

Ricardo rolled his green eyes and met Amy’s gaze.

“Hilde is reflecting too, so don’t scold him too much.”

The senior raised his eyebrows.

I lowered my slightly raised gaze again. I took in the flawless floor. The immaculate floor of my supervisor’s house… I was currently sitting on the sofa in Yoon and Amy’s house.

My injured arm was neatly wrapped in bandages.

My shack had been shattered beyond repair.

The shack… I was happy there for a week…

“No… What are you thinking? Do you not believe that our wounds heal instantly? Or do you keep forgetting that your own wounds don’t heal right away?”

“It’s okay.”

When Amy failed to quell Ricardo’s anger, she redirected the attention to me.

She placed her hand on my shoulder as I sat stiffly on the sofa like a convict.

“He’s just worried about you.”

“If you coddle them from their rookie days, they’ll develop bad habits… Do you want to create someone who recklessly throws themselves into danger whenever other Badgers are at risk~?”

“He won’t do that in the future. Right, Hilde?”

I nodded vigorously and added.

“I’ll be more mindful.”

Ricardo’s eyes narrowed. An upset Ricardo was quite intimidating. I tried not to avoid his cold gaze.

The senior, who had been intimidatingly scrutinizing my eyes, spoke.

“Don’t do it again.”

I promptly responded to his chilly words.

“Yes.”

“A greenhorn who hasn’t even fought in a territory reclamation battle, acting like he knows who to protect… The only ones you should be shielding right now are civilians.”

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“You’re lucky it lodged in your arm, but if you had been stabbed wrong, you would’ve suffered for a while. I would’ve been fine wherever I got stabbed, but you…”

“I was being short-sighted.”

“And why did you pull it out?”

At that moment, I had acted so instinctively that even I couldn’t explain myself.

But if I answer like that, I’ll be in big trouble.

I politely responded.

“I’m sorry.”

A sigh.

As I hung my head, gauging the atmosphere, I felt Amy patting my shoulder with her small hand. I kept my mouth shut in a straight line and stayed still.

The cool air after the rain had stopped settled in the living room.

Footsteps broke the silence.

“Senior, you say something too~.”

Ricardo’s gaze turned to Yoon, who had abruptly returned to the living room.

My supervisor, who had disappeared into the basement with a pair of the butterfly creature’s wings, turned his head.

Ricardo spoke, looking at the man raising his eyebrows.

“You’re his supervisor, after all…”

Yoon silently looked at us.

Then he approached the sofa. I raised my lowered head and took in my supervisor walking closer. While Amy treated me and Ricardo scolded me, he seemed to have taken care of the aftermath, such as the shack and the Lamborghini.

“The wound?”

“It’s not serious, but it would be good for Samuel to take a look.”

Amy answered the dry question.

Yoon nodded and shot his sharp gaze at me.

Inscrutable dry eyes.

He declared flatly.

“Stay here for the night.”

“It’s fine.”

The moment the words I didn’t even want to think about fell, I half-rose in shock.

Ricardo pressed my shoulder, making me sit back down. He seemed to have only lightly pressed, but his grip was heavy. I had no choice but to obediently sink back into the sofa.

Yoon spoke in his usual dry voice.

“Ye-hyeon isn’t coming home today anyway. From tomorrow, I’ll have you stay in the Badger dormitory, so sleep in the guest room tonight.”

“But…”

“Yeah! I’ll make shrimp wanja cheese tteokbokki for you! Hilde, do you know shrimp wanja cheese tteokbokki?”

[TL/N: Wanja or Wanja-jeon is a kind of battered pancake]

What the hell is shrimp wanja cheese tteokbokki?

I blankly stared at Amy’s round eyes.

“…No. It’s my first time hearing about it. Maybe because most of my memory is gone…”

“Don’t be fooled. There’s no such dish.”

Yoon stated firmly.

Ricardo let out a small snort. I couldn’t tell exactly which part he was snorting at.

People gathered around the sofa in the spacious living room. My supervisor came closer to the sofa and tossed the black bag he was holding. I watched the bag land next to me. It had a weight to it, as if something solid was inside.

Amy and Ricardo also turned their gazes to stare at the bag.

Only Yoon didn’t take his eyes off me.

“You.”

Me?

As I turned my head, I noticed a faint smile on Yoon’s lips.

Shit. This is the first time I’ve seen this person express a positive(?) emotion on his face.

I stupidly looked up at my supervisor’s smile that seemed to be of poor quality.

“…Yes?”

“It seems you weren’t an ordinary civilian.”

Yoon pointed to the black bag with his chin.

I stupidly looked at Yoon, then carefully felt the black bag with my uninjured hand. I could feel the shape of what was inside the PVC bag. It was a familiar shape. Anyone could easily recognize it.

It’s a kitchen knife.

“You wield weapons too skillfully at times.”

Yoon spoke, laughing in a low voice.

“As if it’s second nature to your body.”

“Are you talking about me?”

When I asked back, Yoon nodded.

My expression must have become even more stupid.

What the hell. So was I actually a Badger before? Then having an enhanced body makes a bit more sense. I don’t know why my recovery ability is impaired, but… Anyway, I was originally an incredibly strong Badger, but due to some incident, I lost my memory and flew into the future.

Is this some kind of fantasy novel setting…?

No.

But wait a minute.

“Would someone like that get hit 34 times by a mushroom?”

“Because you’re normally a clumsy piece of trash.”

That’s harsh.

“Anyway, let’s observe you for a while. You’re definitely a research subject in many ways. Got any other questions? If not, go wash up.”

“I do.”

The answer reflexively spilled out.

People’s gazes converged on me. I met the eyes of my supervisor, who slightly raised his eyebrows. It was a point I had been pondering alone from the time Amy had skillfully treated my arm until Ricardo scolded me.

It’s awkward to ask. But there are things that keep bothering me if I don’t…

I steeled myself and opened my mouth.

“Don’t you think the creatures are only targeting me?”

Silence descended.

It wasn’t my imagination after all. The heavy silence wasn’t a “what the hell is he talking about?” kind of silence, but the kind that comes when someone brings up something they were trying to hide.

I bit my lip hard.

The one who broke the heavy silence was Yoon.

“It does seem that way.”

Unbelievable.

“That pattern is visible. Judging from the mushroom and shark, it doesn’t seem like all creatures do that. But generally, the higher-ranked ones do, and the ones that seem to have come from outside… What are you doing?”

“I’m making a call.”

I found the contact labeled “Lee Ye-hyeon_Personal Number” in my phone and pressed it.

I brought the phone to my ear. The call connected. A monotonous dial tone continued without a ringtone.

Amy tilted her head and asked, “To whom?”

As I turned my head to answer, the dial tone cut off.

A husky voice came through.

[Hilde?]

“Commander, sir.”

At my solemn address, shock flashed across the faces of the people standing around me.

But I ignored their expressions. Because I really had something I wanted to say to the Commander-in-Chief. Even if I get beaten up by Ricardo and Yoon later – for making a direct call as a rookie with no sense – I felt I had to say this to Ye-hyeon.

Didn’t he say to contact him without hesitation if I had something to say, even if it was just talk?

I spoke seriously.

“There’s something I’d like to tell you.”

[Yeah. What is it?]

“Did you know that creatures are converging around me?”

There was a brief silence.

[That tendency does seem to be showing. Did you call to inform me of that fact?]

“Please dispose of my enhanced body.”

Amy’s jaw dropped.

Ricardo closed his eyes tightly and pressed his thumb against his forehead. Yoon narrowed his eyes and scrutinized my face.

Stillness settled in. The person on the other end of the phone also fell silent again.

Regardless of everyone’s reactions, I conveyed my intention in detail.

“Isn’t my recovery ability impaired too?”

[…And?]

“That alone will cause trouble for the other Badgers. On top of that, I’m someone who attracts creatures. Isn’t that a ticking bomb?”

Moreover, I’m a parachute employee who got the job through nepotism.

I had a feeling that all these inexplicable characteristics of mine would eventually harm someone. It was an ominous yet strangely certain feeling.

It wasn’t hard to imagine what kind of bad things would happen. Someone would get hurt trying to protect me with my impaired recovery, or problems would arise because of creatures rushing to kill me.

“Commander, sir. Since I’m already a rolling stone, please dispose of my enhanced body before any problems occur.”

Silence also settled in the living room.

Ye-hyeon remained silent on the other end of the phone. I waited for his judgment with a heavy heart, ignoring the throbbing pain in my arm.

I could tell the seniors were also quietly waiting for their superior’s decision.

After a moment, the cool voice of the highest authority of the Black Badgers came through.

[No.]

“…No?”

[You’re under my command now, so your disposal is ultimately my decision.]

His voice was authoritative as he continued.

[Hilde. I understand your reasons for insisting and your argument is valid. But my decision remains unchanged. You’re my subordinate, so you must follow my decision. From now on, focus on training hard without thinking about other things.]

“…Yes, Commander, sir. I overstepped my bounds. I’m sorry.”

[You’ll do well in the end.]

Ye-hyeon’s voice instantly softened.

The authority and coldness in his voice vanished like melting snow.

[Right now, I know more than you do, so trust me and follow along.]

“Yes. I will.”

[Good. Who are you with right now? Are you alone?]

“Oh, no. I’m next to Yoon, Ricardo, and Amy.”

[You called this number while next to Yoon?]

Ye-hyeon suddenly burst into laughter.

I wonder why he’s laughing. As I became flustered and at a loss for words, my superior, who had been laughing heartily, gently instructed.

[Switch to speakerphone.]

I quickly pressed the speakerphone button and turned the phone screen towards the seniors. Ricardo smirked looking at the screen, and Amy beamed, exclaiming, “Ye-hyeon oppa!”

Yoon looked at the phone, shoving one hand into his pocket.

“This guy is funny.”

“I’m sorry. I just had this urge that I really had to tell you…”

“He’s really a funny one… To actually think of calling the Commander-in-Chief’s personal number~. What a bold rookie…”

[That’s how scared he was of being a burden to others. It’s okay. By the way, what happened? The shack.]

“It’s wrecked.”

Amy spoke casually.

She seemed to be conversing informally with Ye-hyeon, as it was connected to his personal number.

“There’s no trace left. Hilde’s shack.”

[In the end? Hilde. Stay at our place tonight.]

Ah, ah, ah, in the end, it’s like this…

But in this situation, I couldn’t muster the courage to refuse.

I closed my eyes tightly and replied.

“Yes, Commander, sir. Thank you.”

[I won’t be coming home, so don’t worry. And Yoon, you heard roughly, right? Since the kid is having these concerns, make sure he doesn’t have any more foolish thoughts. Educate him well from now on. If you find it bothersome to educate him, pass him on to another decent Badger.]

“Pass him on, my ass. He’s a research subject that needs to be kept close and observed.”

A subtle delight tinged my supervisor’s voice as he responded.

My tightly closed eyes snapped open. Amy and Ricardo’s heads turned simultaneously as I abruptly raised my head to look at my supervisor.

We blankly stared at the tall man standing in the living room. The man who unusually showed no emotion.

He was looking at the phone with a faint smile.

“Even if someone tells me to pass him on, I won’t. So don’t worry about that.”

[…Yeah. This wasn’t the direction I intended.]

After a moment of silence, Ye-hyeon muttered.

He made a small “hmm” sound and spoke to the green-eyed senior.

[Ric. Can you keep an eye on Yoon? So he doesn’t dissect the rookie.]

“Hmm~. If I go against Yoon, I’ll lose…”

I’ll try my best. Ricardo’s lazy reply. I’ll also keep a close watch! Amy cheerfully chimed in. I blankly stared at their responses. Recalling my supervisor’s words from the past, resonating in my mind.

I should open it up when I have time. Open it up, open it up, open it up…

Open up what?

And why is the word “dissect” coming up?

Dissect? Dissect what?

Me?

I sat there, lost in shock for a long time.

Until Ye-hyeon praised the seniors’ hard work in subjugating the creature and ended the call, saying he had to go. Until Amy ran to the kitchen, saying she would prepare the tteokbokki with the strange name after the call ended. Until Ricardo lazily remarked, “I’ll have to train harder to stop you,” and Yoon coolly replied, “You can try.”

I sat on the sofa, forgetting how to move.