Chapter 5: IV

Byun Young-chul never thought that he'd make friends this time around, especially not in a private school such as Faith Middle School, where mostly all of the students came from well off backgrounds. He was a scholarship student and came from a poor background, needless to say that made him unlikable among his peers. The only reason he wasn't being bullied was because of his no-nonsense personality. 

 

Young-chul disliked being pushed around and didn't want to waste time trying to curry any favor with schoolmates that talk shit about him behind his back. All he wants to do is graduate middle school and high school and get into a well-known university to become financially well off in life. He was that simple and straightforward with his goals. 

 

Still, it still managed to surprise him that he now has friends....Albeit through troubling means. 

 

Eun-jin was a friend.....as well as his contractor. And to this day, the contents of their verbal contract remains embedded in his mind. 

 

"As long as you work for me, I will pay for every club meeting you attend. The starting amount will be two hundred thousand won per club meeting."

"The amount is negotiable if you can prove to me that; You have improved in handling the tasks I give you, are willing to do more serious missions that could even be illegal, and keep me and Ryang Iseul safe from external threats."

"I promise to never tell your ability to any figures of authority that could land you in DAWN's radar. In exchange, you will not share any contents of our agreement to any outside party. The only persons privy to our abilities are the club members but even then the agreement must be kept out of their awareness."

"This agreement will last until we finish middle school, but renewing the contract is possible as long as both parties agree to it."

 

Eun-jin had offered him a straightforward deal. So long as he works for her she will make sure he is financially supported. His secret of having a power isn't revealed to the public or to the authorities. It was easy for him to agree to her terms. Eun-jin had made an official document of their agreement the day after and gave it to him, allowing him to read the details over. Of course, all contracts needed to have a backup in case any of the parties involved decide to break the contract. 

 

"The contract cannot be changed once finalized."

"Both parties are not allowed to draw back from the agreement until both Park Eun-jin and Byun Young-chul graduates from middle school."

"Both parties must help each other in silencing any outside parties that knows of their powers and or is a potential threat to the agreement and the safety of both individuals."

"If any of the parties break the contract, they must either pay a total sum of  six hundred fifty six million won up front within a week or have the authorities be notified of their powers and made sure to be taken by DAWN or any government authorities."

 

It was a dangerous deal for Young-chul, but it was indeed a deal of a lifetime. 

 

And so Byun Young-chul was officially recruited as Eun-jin's 'tanker'. Their club meetings were mostly two or three times a week, and even though it was just his first week-he had already made more than enough money to make sure they have food for a few months. 

 

     "I welcome my dear travelers to my humble abode."

 

Presently, his shady employer had swept them all to agreeing to come to her place as she had a 'most important announcement' to make that required all the members-him and Iseul-to come over to their president's place. Much to their surprise, Eun-jin's place was far too luxurious just from the neighborhood alone. The streets were emptier and wider, the houses even bigger just from seeing the gates. 

 

Eun-jin's house was a two story house with quite the modern style decked with luxury, given how spacious it was and how it seemed to be made of marbles and having huge windows that has the view to a spacious backyard with a pool....'Why do all of her stairs have lighting?' Her house was stylish, he'd give her that, but some of the designs was just an obvious waste of money.

 

He would be lying if he said he wasn't jealous of her financial status, and that made Young-chul felt the bitterness in him turn acidic. 

 

Eun-jin had casually told them this place all belongs to her, since her mother walked away from her life when she was a baby and her father is always away and travelling to god knows where conducting business. Her father clearly doesn't live with her, and Eun-jin had a caretaker doing all the house chores for her...

 

     'No wonder her personality is demanding, demented and used to getting her way. Everything is being handed to Park Eun-jin on a silver plate with no one to keep her in check.'

 

...Although said nanny wasn't in the house for tonight as Eun-jin wanted for her friends to have the house to themselves. Of course, that gracious nanny of hers prepared food in advance and now the light caramel brown haired girl's fridge was filled to the brim with delicious handmade food made from the freshest ingredients.  

 

That's right, Park Eun-jin convinced Ryang Iseul and Byun Young-chul to have a sleepover at her place this weekend. She is that persuasive.

 

     "Come have a sleepover with me and Iseul-ah this entire weekend."    

 

Young-chul only agreed as he was getting paid to come over. He might hate the girl but he couldn't hate an opportunity to make money that she carelessly throws here and there...That and her place was actually far too luxurious than any place he'd ever lived in his entire life.

 

He was used to shitty apartments and electricity going out often. Used to barely edible microwavable meals and eating below the average amount given how poor he is. Used to being treated like shit by his family and peers. If being 'friends' with Eun-jin is what will elevate him quicker in life, he'll take it. 

 

Young-chul refused to stay dirt poor all his life. 

 

As they made themselves comfortable in the living room, dressed in pajamas and the coffee table moved to the side so now the floor was filled with mattresses, blankets and pillows. Young-chul was sitting on the sofa while Eun-jin and Iseul were on the mattresses, comfortably leaning on the many pillows. Close to them were numerous snacks and bottled drinks.  

 

This was no doubt far too strange for Young-chul, but a deal was a deal.

 

     "Alright, now that we're all comfy and ready, let's start our club meeting." Eun-jin blurts out after drinking from one of the drinks. She then grabs the remote to the TV and turns it on before connecting it to her phone, the TV screen displaying her phone's. "We've all been together for a week now, and its high time that I officially tell you guys what is it that we do in this club, aside from procrastinating and just chillin' and all that during school days." Eun-jin's grin was sheepish and innocent, almost enough to fool Young-chul but he knew enough to see the twisted glint in her creepy pitch black eyes that was currently covered by her bangs. 

 

     "I made this club with the sole purpose of adventuring and teamwork. Open world games are one of my favorite genres, we get to learn more of the world with other players and do a limitless amount of side quests and even then, the main quests can branch off depending on our choices." Young-chul remained silent as he listens to her ramble with madness whilst Iseul was glancing at Eun-jin with awe at how unique her friend's view on the world was. "I want us all to do these missions together and explore all there is in this world! And to do that, we find news or anything interesting that is worth investigating in your opinion. Of course as president I will always have a list of recommendations, but I highly recommend you guys find side quests that you think are fun." 

 

     "And this will be our first ever side quest!" She then proceeds to search on the internet and then clicks on an article. "Recently, there's been frequent cases of dead cats being found in remote areas of our school and the neighborhoods nearby. Garbage bags, playgrounds, and at back alleys are the usual spots the corpses are found. Normally cases like this remain unsolved cuz police don't really care for this since the 'victims' are stray cats, but now that this case has caught my eye, methinks that we have to catch the perpetrator." 

 

     "I completely agree with you but I have a question, Eun-jin." Iseul politely raised her hand and Eun-jin beamed at her with a go ahead look. "How are we going find the culprit? Are there any other clues that can help us?"  

 

     "The corpses all have a signature 'marks' to them, all of them only having half of their bodies left and the ends of their torso indicating they were burned to death." Eun-jin's grin remained even as she grabbed a packet of honey butter chips. "Horrible, isn't it? What an evil criminal, the culprit is."

 

     "That's...That's so horrible...What kind of sick person does this to innocent cats?" Iseul's face had blanched at the gruesome information of the cats' deaths, yet also grabs another packet to pass it to Young-chul, who quietly accepts with a small grateful nod. "We can't let this type of person to get away with their crimes!"

 

     "Right on the bag, Iseul-ah. Now, I will share with you guys what I think of the perpetrator." Eun-jin's grin then widened. "I think the culprit is a Deviant. Hear me out guys, just hear me out" Iseul gasped whereas Young-chul crossed his arms. "The ends of the victims' torso was obviously burned completely, but there were no traces of flammable liquids that the cat killer could have potentially used as well as the corpses themselves are only a few days old at the latest. It's too much work to take in strays or to burn them even on the back alleys as this could attract too much attention....unless the culprit is a deviant that has the ability to burn the cats!"

 

     "So you're telling me that the killer can control fire, kills the cats either on the spot or at least the same day to leave behind at their preferred dumpsites and potentially lives nearby our school?" It was a plausible reason, but Young-chul had his doubts. "Alright, say they are one, but where will we even start looking for the culprit?" 

 

     "Easy! we'll track their latest victims and the dumping grounds and then search potential spots that are near the crime scenes."

 

     "I'm also worried if we do catch the culprit on the act they might hurt us right away." Iseul ponders, a worried look on her pretty features. "How are we supposed to fight back against a Deviant?"

 

     "We got nothin to worry about with Byun Young-chul on our side, Iseul-ah! He does have powers too, you know?" 

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Young-chul became rigid as all eyes were on him. Ryang Iseul was a member of Eun-jin's club, therefore it was still well within the contract that she is privy to the knowledge that he has an ability. He shouldn't be worried but there was no telling how Iseul would react. It wasn't as if he could eliminate her since ensuring the girl's safety is part of the contract. 

 

Ryang Iseul to him was an anomaly as much as Eun-jin. She was always polite and nice to everyone she meets, well connected with classmates and has an overall good reputation at school. She always comes to the club meetings with snacks and isn't afraid to scold Eun-jin if she was being too whiny or teasing Young-chul too much. Young-chul had never met anyone as nice as Iseul, and that made him suspicious of her especially given the fact that she is friends with Park Eun-jin. 

 

Nice people tend to be fake in his opinion, they were only pleasant outwardly before revealing their true colors. 

 

People tend to awaken their powers at a young age, and are taken by DAWN to be trained to control their powers and assimilate to society or become an Archetypal and use their powers to bring balance to the world by helping rescue missions or catching deviants. But Young-chul didn't wish to be an Archetypal nor be taken by DAWN in the first place. He hated the thought of having to be taken away to a remote facility just for being different from common-folk, it was ridiculous. He thinks Archetypals are trained to be selfless and that was definitely not in his blood to be so.

 

Why was it mandatory for people like him to be taken away without a choice? He knew that people with abilities that refuse to be taken turn to a life of crime and become Deviants, but he wanted to remain under the radar for as long as possible. Common folk do not look kindly upon people with abilities that refuse to be taken by DAWN. And Iseul is a common folk, so the chances of her gazing at him with disgust and disapproval was high-

 

     "-That's so cool!" Much to his surprise, Iseul does the exact opposite, looking at him with awe and excitement. "I didn't know you had powers Young-chul! If you don't mind me asking, what's your ability? Since when did you awaken with it? Is it hard to control??" She fired question after question, and seeing his stunned expression only did Iseul calmed down and bowed slightly with an apologetic look. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I got too excited. It's my first time meeting someone with abilities since, well, everyone is taken by DAWN." 

 

Young-chul was rendered speechless at her unexpected reaction. Iseul was....was she genuinely just a nice person? 

 

     "You're not grossed out he didn't go to DAWN?" Seeing his confusion, Eun-jin asks for him. "Even I have an ability too you know?"

 

     "Of course not!" Iseul firmly shook her head, gaze narrowing in indignation. "Everybody has their own thing going on, and if you guys don't want to go to DAWN, then that's your choice. It's not like you guys are causing trouble to anyone anyways, and even then there's all types of people causing trouble, not just Deviants!" 

 

     "Don't worry Young-chul, Eun-jin, I promise you guys that I will never tell anyone about your abilities." The steel blue haired girl then turns to face Young-chul with a tender smile, free from deception or any malicious intent. "Your secrets are safe with me! Forever!" 

 

Young-chul thinks he can now see why Eun-jin was particularly glued to Ryang Iseul. She was a common folk yes, but she held no judgement to people and sees them as equals regardless of their circumstances. To Iseul, people are innocent until proven guilty. She will smile and laugh with anyone without reserve, will never make fun of others or trample on them....

 

     'Just...Just an overall good person.'

 

     "What's Young-chul's ability though?"

 

     "He can materialize certain weapons!"

 

     "That sounds really cool! What's yours then Eun-jin?"

 

     "Not telling! You'll have to guess. If you guess it right I'll give you a cute life sized whale plushie."

 

     "That's not fair! How come you told me Young-chul's though?"

 

     "It's all good since he's so boring about literally everything. Me on the other hand? I will keep you on your toes with my mysterious charm! I have gigantic ego and zero self-esteem plus my mystery ability-doesn't that make me the most interesting love interest?"

 

     "...Sometimes, I wonder how we're still friends..." 

 

Young-chul wasn't used to the warm feeling blooming in his chest, and so he quickly turned away from the chatting girls, ears flushing red. He couldn't even hear them anymore due to the strange loud thumps of his beating heart. 

 

Maybe...Maybe Iseul is his first true friend. No contracts, no lies, secrets or any double handed gestures. 

 

She cares for him, and even going as far as promising to keep his identity a secret despite the potential legal troubles they could land themselves on. 

 

Maybe joining this club was for the best after all...

 

His first ever sleep over was the best thing to ever happen to him, and would be the first of many activities that they will do as friends. 

 

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In the dead of night, where three familiar middle schoolers have fallen asleep after planning to begin their investigations, only Iseul was currently awake as she found herself at the edge of mattress with an uncomfortable pressure to her side. She sits up to see that Eun-jin had managed to take up majority of the space and even place her foot on Iseul's side. The light caramel haired girl was snoring lightly and was without a blanket, truly dead to the world at the moment. 

 

Iseul can only snicker at the comical image before her gaze flickered to their other friend who was comfortably sleeping away on the sofa, completely wrapped in blankets and even had several pillows suspiciously stacked on his body. She had no doubt Eun-jin is the culprit behind the pillow tower on the sleeping Young-chul. 

 

She was truly glad that they decided to go through with the sleepover. Not only did she get closer to her friends, but she even managed to know special secrets of theirs. Of course she will never share any of their secrets to anyone, but she was still happy to be thought of as a good enough friend to be shared secrets with. Today Iseul learns that Young-chul isn't picky with food, that he is nicer than he seems to be and Eun-jin lives alone in a really big house by herself and loves sleepovers. 

 

That and they both have abilities. 

 

She doesn't think much of this, as they must have both their own reasons why they refused to go to DAWN. It was their choice, and as a good friend she should respect it and support them however she can. 

 

Iseul moves from her position and gets up from the mattress, wanting to head to the kitchen but not before draping a blanket over Eun-jin and carefully removing the stacked pillows from Young-chul. Making her way to the kitchen to get a glass of water, Iseul sighs. 

 

After everything that had happened tonight, and knowing their plans of solving the case of the cat killer, she can only hope that everything will end without anyone hurt. Still, it is quite exciting to be detectives to save innocent stray cats! 

 

Drinking from the glass of water that she had fetched, the steel blue haired girl's hand clenched to a fist. 

 

She will do her best to help her friends solve the case, and to save the cats!

 

     'I promise that I'll help everyone!'

 

Not knowing that the case they'll delve in would take such a drastic turn, and result with severe consequences. 

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