LA0S | Chapter 24

Kim Chayoung (Contest Illustration)
Suddenly thought of a monster design, so I drew it. (10:04 PM)
How is it? Isn’t it awesome? (10:07 PM)

Two images popped up in succession: a wolf with feathered wings and a jellyfish-like creature with tentacles covered in sharp teeth. The wolf was grand and majestic, while the tentacle monster was, quite literally, monstrous.

It was amazing how he could whip up two designs with such opposite vibes in such a short time. Meanwhile, I had to pour in three or four days just to complete a single episode synopsis.

“You’ve always been good at everything since way back.”

Kim Chayoung could handle new tasks with ease. It could have been annoying, but he was such a smooth operator that it was hard to dislike him. He probably still kept in touch with the high school crowd—he was quite popular, after all.

As for me, Lee Jinha, I cut ties with my classmates right after graduation. Naturally, that included Kim Chayoung. I changed my phone number and even moved, so it would have been hard for anyone to reach me. The number change was intentional, but the move just happened to coincide.

A fortunate thing for me.

“Let’s stop thinking about useless stuff.”

Maybe because I was unusually tired, memories of the past kept surfacing today. As much as I hate to admit it, those were the most colorful and lively days of my life.

Kim Chayoung (Contest Illustration)
Finished with your part-time job? Good work. (11:58 PM)

When your heart softens, even the smallest things can create a crack.

Kim Chayoung (Contest Illustration)
Reading and ignoring, huh? (12:03 AM)
I don’t expect a reply, but at least send a dot or something. (12:04 AM)

Lee Jinha didn’t respond until the end. As if that was his line of defense.

The incident happened unexpectedly, like a sudden car accident.

This morning, before heading to school, Lee Jinha paid the rent to the landlady. His principle was to never fall behind on rent, so he handed over the money right on time.

The landlady licked her thumb and counted the bills. Only after confirming the extra 50,000-won increase from last month did she finally smile.

I cautiously mentioned that the hot water wasn’t working, possibly due to frozen pipes. She confidently promised to have it fixed by tonight.

Then, I went to school as usual and later to my tutoring job. My student was a high school senior, and today, her mock exam results came out.

The results weren’t what she had hoped for, and her mother was clearly concerned. She hinted that if the next results didn’t meet expectations, they might consider changing tutors.

I barely managed to reassure her worried mother.

I thought I’d have to make a new error note when I got home. More than anything, I just wanted to get home and wash up.

As I hurried up the steep hill and reached the old gray gate, I noticed a crowd gathered in front of the house. I recognized quite a few familiar faces—neighbors from the area I’d been living in for about two years.

One of the residents spotted me and quickly approached, grabbing my arm and shaking it. Their voice was urgent.

“Do you know where the lady of this house went?”

“What? Isn’t she at home?”

It was well past 10 PM. The landlady loved dramas and was usually home unless it was a special occasion.

“That woman ran off. She took all the money from the neighborhood, including the savings club money. My money. My hard-earned money.”

At first, I couldn’t quite grasp what was being said. What did the landlady do?

People brushed past the dazed Lee Jinha and rushed through the gate. Still not fully comprehending, I followed them inside.

The resident who had spoken to me opened the main door of the landlord’s house. The unlocked door swung open, and people stepped inside with their shoes still on.

“She really planned this and ran off. She planned it!”

The landlord’s house was a mess, as if a thief had broken in. The wardrobe, drawers, and cupboards were all open and empty, with no valuables left behind. Even the instant coffee that always sat in the corner of the dining table was gone.

“Oh my. She promised to triple the money, and I believed her. What am I supposed to do now?”

The people who had been in the savings club with the landlady sat in the middle of the chaotic room, muttering in despair. Some pounded their chests in frustration, while others hurled the few remaining items in anger. It was chaos like no other.

Lee Jinha took out his phone and pressed the contact labeled “Landlady.”

Please pick up. Please, please.

[The call cannot be connected due to the customer’s circumstances…]

I hung up and pressed the call button again. Once more, the dry message about the call being disconnected due to the customer’s circumstances played mechanically.

This is Lee Jinha. Are you unable to take calls right now? (10:49 PM) (1)
Please contact me about what’s going on. (10:49 PM) (1)
I don’t care if it’s late at night, please get in touch. I’ll be waiting. (11:38 PM) (1)

“I heard the husband got into stocks and then something called futures options. It seemed to go well at first, so he borrowed money from here and there, but it looks like he lost it all. There are more victims than you can count.”

As I listened to the murmuring voices, a conversation I’d had with a lady in front of the supermarket a while ago suddenly came to mind.

She had said, “My husband told me to expect a big gift.”

At the time, I thought he meant his stocks were doing well. But in the end, that “gift” turned out to be futures options.

If stocks were the ground, futures options were like jumping off a cliff.

A cliff with no bottom.

Leaving the still-bustling crowd behind, I went down to my rented room. The narrow, cold room greeted me indifferently, devoid of any sunlight. Thud. I dropped my bag and collapsed on the spot.

“What on earth is happening…?”

I forced myself to organize my still-dazed thoughts. If the landlord really ran away in the night, what about the rent I paid this morning? Was there no way to get it back? I jumped up and rushed back to the landlord’s house. The people were still there, occupying the house. Everyone seemed to be trying to contact the landlord in their own way, but there was no progress.

7:32 AM.

The sun was faintly rising in the distance. I hadn’t slept a wink all night, and my eyes felt dry and gritty. But I wasn’t sleepy. I had tried contacting the landlord’s family dozens of times throughout the night, but to no avail.

I have to go to school.

Even amidst this chaos, classes were still on, and I had to go to school. Without changing clothes, I grabbed my bag and headed out.

“Did you study all night or something? Your eyes are red.”

“Mind your own business.”

At my cold retort, Kim Chayoung furrowed his brow. He seemed like he had something to say, but then he just sighed lightly and took out his tablet.

“The first episode is done. Check it out and let me know if you have any edits or feedback. I put extra effort into it since the beginning needs to be strong.”

The first episode was complete, following the prologue. It was perfectly formatted with text and effects, just like the webtoons I usually saw on platforms.

“Do I really have time to be doing this right now?”

Right now, I was more worried about my rented room than the contest. Honestly, I wanted to skip school and go home to check on the situation.

I had asked one of the savings club victims to let me know if there was any progress, but my phone remained silent.

“Lee Jinha? What are you thinking about so deeply? Is it a waste of time?”

“No, it’s well done.”

“That’s strange.”

Kim Chayoung narrowed his eyes, looking suspicious.

“The great Lee Jinha wouldn’t usually compliment so easily.”

I didn’t even have the energy to respond. I just wanted to go home quickly. I wanted to confirm that yesterday’s events were just a misunderstanding.

“You’re really acting strange today. You look like you’re out of it. You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Let’s go eat.”

“No, I have something to do, so I have to go. See you later.”

I handed the tablet back to Kim Chayoung and got up from my seat. Hey, Lee Jinha! He called out from behind, but I didn’t look back.

Even after a full day had passed, there was still no word from the landlord’s family. According to one of the savings club ladies, there were numerous victims, with amounts ranging from tens of thousands to millions. My only refuge—my home—was now overrun with angry victims and police officers trying to calm them down.

I checked the messages I had sent to the landlady again, but she still hadn’t read them. Letting out a deep sigh, I took off my coat.

Knock, knock.

There was a knock on the door, and through the frosted glass, I saw the silhouettes of people.

Could it be the landlord?

“Yes, I’m coming.”

I hurriedly turned the doorknob and opened the door. Contrary to my expectations or hopes, there were two unfamiliar men standing there. One of them was reading a document.

“Do you live here? Are you a college student?”

“Yes, I’m the tenant here. Who are you?”

“We’re the new owners of this house. We didn’t expect there to be a tenant.”

“What? New owners? What are you talking about? The owner of this house is…”

“This house has been sold. Are you really the tenant? It seems like there’s no record of your residency. Do you have any proof?”

It seemed the landlord couple had planned this from the start. The situation felt so unreal that I let out a hollow laugh.

“I paid the rent just yesterday morning. I haven’t registered my residency due to circumstances, but I’ve been living here for two years.”

“That’s something we can verify later. How much is your deposit?”

After the supposed new owners left, I was left alone. My already complicated mind was now throbbing as if it were about to explode. I swallowed a headache pill without water and took a deep breath.

‘The deposit… there isn’t one.’

‘Without a registered residency and no deposit, it’s a tough situation for you, but it’s quite difficult for us too.’

If I had a deposit, I could have stayed until it was used up, even if the ownership changed. But since I had neither a deposit nor a registered residency, there was no way for me to stay in this house. Still, I never imagined I’d lose my home so suddenly.

I closed my eyes. The pitch-black darkness felt just like my current situation.