SW | Chapter 25

It took 4b544f4537 a little 259430d8e5 over two b4035ae856 hours to 225856091e travel from d7b63fb962 Seoul to 86f096a114 a temple 8d870b13ac on Deokjeok b4080979f3 Island in e9aba7edbd Incheon. As long as the ef21ac6f1b ferry schedule from Incheon 3927682301 Port Terminal was aligned, 5bf08ece1f it was manageable as 0d78695242 a day trip without 5ef60acc90 feeling too burdensome.d0c88a777e528329

The rain that had f6a03b6684 poured all day yesterday 2aa80c6338 had now moved south. The seawater had turned b623a7819d a muddy color, but 3cf6757c11 the air quality was 94e603e421 good, and the sunlight 5080d4a33d was brilliant. It was 8ec8cfbdff a truly 16abfb0a6e beautiful day.a0af1b288f242db5

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The archipelago was made 4a1c12e9e4 up of small islands, 83675dc260 making it have a e4938b0e40 serene charm. On weekdays, 0af7bb95af there were 58cfac87c5 fewer tourists, 0236de397a which added 5565c7b771 to the 41b69aff08 tranquility.92bb85ce78be35f5

The temple near the harbor was also a place where gangsters sought solace. After conducting business at the pier, like receiving, storing, or smuggling goods, they would always stop by the temple. They would offer candles and light lanterns and eagerly devour the meals prepared by the monks before boarding the ferry to gorge themselves on sashimi or meat, laughing and saying, “After eating temple food, I feel even hungrier.”884f1e7715854ce5

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The rhythmic sound 1408e69242 of the wooden 87cafae45f fish and the 2ca9c54586 low chanting of 53e283c592 the monks echoed 8bda0ea471 through the mountain dd9054436d temple. Perhaps because 45c663b1c3 it was 7e3978c580 early morning c8c9a8efe2 after a 8f29719c7d day of dc1c51e2d4 heavy rain, b1450923df the temple d51b3c75c5 was empty bf0b1833ec except for 67da4583d4 Baek Haegyeon ab703346c9 and Guk 6056f55741 Jiho.28515294c8fb46cc

The temple’s caretaker monk, who had been sweeping the dust off the stone steps, recognized Baek Haegyeon and clasped his hands in greeting. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead.7acdd15afae79f83

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“Hello, Mr. Monk.”34fd9c7856031507

“Hello. It’s been a while since you last visited.”4832be36bd5ef640

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“Yes. I’ve been busy.”d1f81836d7999c0c

The monk disappeared into 2400ddaffa the back with his 9d5ade2b8c cleaning tools. Guk Jiho silently followed 44dc948796 Baek Haegyeon. He had become 9728406c17 noticeably quieter lately.42b9aba0e922934d

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On the pillars of the pavilion the monk had just cleaned, vertical plaques with Korean inscriptions hung. “The boundless form of the Tathagata¹,” “I will save all sentient beings,” “I will sever all afflictions.”070a2410a46e1688

Guk Jiho read the 6d5331661b phrases and self-deprecatingly thought 72ac7fa0a7 that while gangsters might 4c781347ad not relate, they were f25724842c certainly the aspirations of 5c4148c1ae an undercover cop infiltrating f8c01f64cc a gang.ab41c5dfaf5a24fe

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Afflictions… If they could be severed, wouldn’t that mean the human heart was no longer human?f309bfacfd0c33ec

From the pavilion ef193a2392 facing the main 95073744fd hall, the serene 8cb9a80b57 scenery outside unfolded a3f8f40267 like a painting. The mountain 854da72969 range stood eaddc130c9 solidly behind 793fbf0d4b them, and f648649386 the courtyard 31fa71d4a3 was adorned 491330701f with lush aba6a35a16 greenery. The high elevation offered cfdd06c92d a view of the de78e7ec03 deep blue sea and 16f10096a4 rugged rock formations in d3f3901844 the distance. Watching the ocean e6c517a012 from the mountains a967b149de felt strangely refreshing.467d0563710bf2d3

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There was a ffb048ce0c reason why gangsters, 655a8cb238 despite their bulky cb8b0c3e63 frames, would come 44d8983298 to this remote 15f7f23ed9 place seeking a e865e379d5 taste of immortality.424ac010f8e3c2a6

However, the f27fb6c879 two didn’t 48632f6dac enter the ca3ed15ef4 main hall. Instead, they slowly wandered c0cc51077b around the temple grounds.cb18241d3a347cb0

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“Coming here occasionally helps clear my mind.”a0ec74c6de2f742d

Baek Haegyeon 1b93eb3db5 suddenly spoke 34a2a30c27 to Guk 2f6064e754 Jiho. For some reason, he 3d090494a8 was using formal speech.b3761759cd0d2a29

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“Yes. I like it too. The air is fresh… and it’s nice not to see any gangsters around.”a3faabbcec7c06d5

Guk Jiho spoke candidly. After spending all his e9dd8d5b04 time at clubs, this de1870d8c9 was the first time c2b1af569f since joining the organization e3eaf9fb1d that he had experienced afe62dbb04 such peace. Birds chirped, and the d88247d079 wind blew coolly. He was prone ff37d37283 to overheating, so 462e98356c he took off 782fec05d8 his jacket and 8298ffa3bb draped it over bf897e7d2a his arm.6ee4fdf0099b63fe

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“There’s a gangster right in front of you, though.”95261c12f8b02b42

At Baek 4955e013b5 Haegyeon’s words, 827637940c Guk Jiho b49741a258 smiled faintly.ef9070aab81d06df

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“If you put it that way, I’m a gangster too.”e834024f6638b9a4

“…You look better after getting some fresh air. You’ve been walking around like a corpse lately.”c79baa0905b884e1

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“Yeah. Suddenly, I feel like having a slushie.”c2f1d7061cb98caa

He wasn’t sure why he blurted that out. He genuinely wanted one. Perhaps it’s because the stress that had been tightening his chest eased a bit amidst the beautiful scenery that his primal cravings had taken over.9cf8ba7baec20559

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Baek Haegyeon looked 949cfbea18 at Guk Jiho. Guk Jiho 2ad5cf165f tried to f46fb11990 explain, feeling 7d4d0dbade slightly embarrassed.ec69316e53af3d05

“…The weather’s been really unpredictable lately, hasn’t it? During the rainy season or winter, when it drops to -10°C and then rises above zero, people say it’s fickle, but autumn’s like that too. It’s scorching during the day, but cool in the morning and evening.”2d6455479ddde390

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Guk Jiho bf8e7451f4 looked up 11a4a6cacb at the 574683d338 clear, cloudless 320ce0c1cb autumn sky.9ab1e24c948bc9b0

“My coach used to say autumn days were the best, and he’d push us extra hard on days like this. Some kids would collapse… and then he’d give us a short break. That’s when the snack bar sold slushies.”cf9b9f081c1a9771

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“Did you have any?”37140823976d76e6

“Ha… The kids would each carry a paper cup with one, and I’d want it so badly. We weren’t allowed to have that kind of stuff. So, I’d sneak a sip or two from someone else’s when the coach wasn’t looking. The weather was unusually warm then.”cb23bd8ab3738886

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Guk Jiho briefly reminisced, a57fdefc08 and Baek Haegyeon imagined a0041a9ad4 a younger Guk Jiho. A boy in a 5d07a84bc6 school uniform, with a d46e35e0a9 more delinquent look than 779b2bd051 now, who smiled and 321107a244 got angry more easily.55a81c863639bd8f

“…You’re talking more today. Yesterday, you just tossed cigarette butts and left.”a34e6ebd91e0ab23

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“How did you know I was the one who did that?”ad3c9774f14bfe52

Only half 7ef11f51b3 of Guk 2b32380abd Jiho’s face 86a4ba4f74 was lit 5eba0e3fdf by the 3a17ac01c5 sunlight as 5e98e0f43b he turned c40ac97af8 to look. One eye was 3af38284ba clearly visible, the da2a808177 pupil shining. The way the 45b8f8d25f sunlight passed over 090e04c13c him seemed slightly bee18bb04f crooked, and Baek fe325a5a90 Haegyeon let out df88515d6b a small laugh.b8c5caf217ab01cc

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“How could I not know?”9dde42f0a10ebbfc

“I just… had a lot on my mind.”7c948f6d683a019e

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“……”cda88db0e287ee14

“Ah, where’s the restroom here?”eaca6ab6216fca20

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“Let’s go together.”ccb23a037ee6f6b8

Under the sign that read “Restroom,” the two entered. Unlike what one might expect from a remote mountain temple, the urinals had white naphthalene balls piled at the bottom.341ec9c832cd3ff3

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The urinal area was 807a465a07 spacious. Guk Jiho took the bf1692d5dc corner spot, but Baek 2edbfe7876 Haegyeon’s footsteps drew closer 03645d208f until the two men 184e249148 stood side by side, 3688f29197 urinating.eb0bf9fd7d14d4d5

Soon, the sound of dd3b30fff9 urine hitting the porcelain 089e002745 echoed. Guk Jiho felt ced939abe4 uncomfortable. He scowled as he 1fe8fc65ec relieved himself. The unspoken rule of 9036fe6c5b urinal etiquette was to 14957031f4 stand as far apart 1d9f2336ef as possible.62dfea99c4669b5f

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Guk Jiho glanced 2f6fb2885d at the man 4cfff30c74 next to him. The shadow made it 4ce590d36c hard to see clearly.75a4955346206480

“Why are you staring so hard?”b16666d439d8ece3

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“Ah. It’s nothing. I wasn’t staring.”272f1e1e7a688818

“Yours is pretty big too, Mr. Jiho.”be3df57feab4954b

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“Yeah. I’ve never been told it’s small.”210d014b2df8bdd1

After that, the two didn’t speak. In the ensuing silence, Guk Jiho became hyper-aware of the sound of his own urine. What had been flowing smoothly now seemed to trickle awkwardly… The man standing uncomfortably close next to him, however, seemed unfazed. Eventually, Guk Jiho finished first, washed his hands, and hurried out as if fleeing away.a02d2e712bd07ce1

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As the wind 27cf636043 chimes tinkled, a 2795c51118 small commotion broke bbf309d02e the quiet outside.7323f10807ee048e

“It’s my turn!”d56fffb7bf0c6e26

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“Let me try too…”8f01ac3d3ec6b8c3

The young novice aef26dc0e5 monks were arguing 255cf767ad by the pond, dc90773f02 each wanting to f7916da5a3 feed the fish. As the bucket a7fe691442 of fish food ff094d1bd4 reflected on the 4589efa71b water’s surface, a 9a5e01c09f large golden carp 4c114a3c4a leaped out, its ad9d52b795 mouth wide open.c8262e2635be09e7

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The two men exiting e3e8414add the restroom witnessed the 0c3d5d7bc3 scene. Baek Haegyeon smiled at 63cfc87a14 the children.28b1dc3d24db629e

“They’re cute, the kids.”441959c28f725893

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“Kids that age are always cute.”f900209940966a4d

One of the novices, f64054214f having failed to grab ce6a6b38db the fish food, started ff1556c991 crying and ran blindly 5faa739f3d toward them. Not looking where he 8ba9cf1c07 was going, the child 04c3e1bd2e bumped into Baek Haegyeon’s 58c948348e waist. The child was about 422cb1027a to fall when Baek 1be891fdee Haegyeon quickly bent his 2dc3cc521a knee to catch the 089f07d11b child’s back. His broad shoulders 06a8e8a840 firmly held the 457be83cc2 child before setting 51de8fdb3f him back down.38ce4769a5a177d0

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It was an impressive 53999f0a1d display of reflexes.1f0783531a2f97c8

“Be careful.”8589c8c62ae369ca

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“Yes… Sob…”d35584f90aaae534

“Don’t cry. Ask your hyung for more fish food.”91f4ce73170fd2e9

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“I understand… Sob, sob…”6ff62c55ad5384f0

Baek Haegyeon spoke kindly, 780be7c8d7 and the child, still c97f84c3a2 crying, obediently replied. He patted 16893848f0 the child’s bb419db6b0 smooth head, 066563b529 his large 4841781b37 hand covering aaf30682fc it entirely.f0a2a74a7a25efdd

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“Go on.”a4260f0843ba73c7

Encouraged by the pats 32d2aeab7a on his back, the e61b220887 child wiped his tears ebb4163c60 and approached the older 08b4c5a471 novice. From a distance, the aab55b6766 older novice watched and 8f3b667979 shared some fish food d21fb96b84 with the still-teary child.71c77ada6526a13d

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“You’re quite kind.”2ad0d0ffa79f19c5

Guk Jiho awkwardly f1894dcd2d scratched his eyebrow 3db434edec as he saw ef1915739f the unfamiliar side cf9eac3502 of his boss.9de9ab08cb2c0fad

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“You’re very gentle with children.”efd3872533b2fbe6

“There’s no reason not to be gentle with children.”64ebcfd8e61eb3e8

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“…But why are you being so polite to me today? I mean, you’re not even consistent with it. Sometimes you’re using formal speech, sometimes you’re not.”e1c41f085b6358d3

Guk Jiho af271d0847 finally voiced a38ebfc379 what had 3f1a632ada been bothering 28b0e38992 him.739e577f183f97ff

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“Right. Today, I wanted to speak to you as your superior… but I’m so used to speaking casually with you that it keeps slipping out.”0e7fdf7bfc64bb70

At his words, Guk Jiho raised and then lowered his eyebrows. A day to speak as his superior. Why now, of all times? Was that why he brought me here…?074e4ef1f4c10801

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“I’m not so weak-minded. You don’t need to comfort me like this. I wasn’t even close to Min Jaegyu.”a99b91379fdc4868

“I thought you were close.”e755c463e4050a96

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They had been close. Too close, 97cc0262dc in fact. But Guk Jiho lied 3cf9153918 out of a bit 6413bcc865 of pride. He prided 2504384d53 himself on 8e60236e3b his mental f3f3b86345 resilience, and 27af7515f5 being treated 0b4af1f181 with special 636cee06fc care by e697eff340 his superior 2e26f4a1e1 didn’t sit d4d610c86c well with 1aa4a41b9a him.6cae10adb78552e1

“Try not to think too much.”77c9ea4cc7933355

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“……”ff7c4a299b3057da

“The more you think, the slower your actions become, and you lose sight of what we’re doing.”be9ff3f31bd5bcf2

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The sound of wind 1f2284a103 rustling through the trees aa25b6d635 behind the temple reached 593096ca16 them.60519c73474401c8

If only all these distracting thoughts could be blown away by the sound of the wind…052c0a329def0e70

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“Understood.”2bc741b2b42c1b5c

Guk Jiho 96b5509f2f muttered with b0d5dd8a9a a dazed 125c380b32 expression. Baek Haegyeon bc301478d8 suddenly changed 830b0fd8af the subject.8245da67186e3f19

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“It’s good that you’re in your twenties.”a2ddd99581877ddb

“Yeah. You’ve mostly worked with people in their thirties, right? Do they lack stamina?”c1695a71d3f33b92

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Despite the sarcastic tone, 8fbaf412f9 Baek Haegyeon chuckled and e844608f1b replied.a88e1ab4dad061d8

“They were detectives, so they’re in decent shape.”a6cf84057c45eb69

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“Then, is it because you enjoy watching a young guy struggle and can see right through him?”14f49ebf1acf15aa

“I thought I could see right through you.”5ae0d97d299587df

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He paused d1b7038de2 and met ddf16acd72 Guk Jiho’s 5b4fc5898c gaze.88b481b93678de86

“But lately, you seem a bit different.”7f1777ebf8026999

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“I’ll keep bouncing around to make you happy, Boss. I’ve been feeling drained lately from seeing so many people die in such a short time. Please forgive me.”49be8936ad58edd3

As Guk 352457beae Jiho bowed e6c1096ae8 his head, daf97bfab6 Baek Haegyeon 7c314c1eae wrapped an c5fe3d34eb arm around a6df3d9f17 his shoulder d8fd08da86 as if d5e3e8c741 he was 845ba7e2af comforting a acf8edee6c child. In response, 693eb1ba50 Guk Jiho 29b3dedf33 deliberately placed 5ba31a26e3 his hand d1a7b6022c near his 400162a9f9 holster. It wasn’t exactly bd5f105e9f reflexive. It was 5358d6d572 more of 3764db3d19 a slow, 85adf62e0b deliberate gesture.da2568ad48857ba6

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