Whisper Chapter 6

The man, oblivious due to his focus on studying, failed to grasp the atmosphere. Engrossed in his anger, he didn’t notice the change in Jang Pal-yong’s sharp gaze.  

 

Smack!

 

The man, struck on the cheek, was flung to the ground and hit his head against the door. Stunned, he clutched his cheek, looking up at Jang Pal-yong, who crouched in front of him. Blood dripped down between his nose and split lips. A buzzing sound rang in his ears from the impact.  

 

“Damn it, doctor. Why do you keep asking for the boss? You don’t even realize how lucky you are that he’s not around.”  

 

Jang Pal-yong slapped the man’s cheek repeatedly with his massive hand, as large as a pot lid. Only now, the man began trembling, fear setting in. Park Sae-min, watching this, shook his head in disdain. People like this guy showed up every so often to cause trouble. Like Jang Pal-yong said, it was fortunate that Cha Sa-jang wasn’t present. At least they wouldn’t have to clean the office today.  

 

“My… my… watch…”  

 

“Doctor.”  

 

The light, playful slaps on the cheek carried humiliation and shame—worse than if he’d hit him hard. That is, if the man had the mental capacity to feel it.  

 

“Isn’t it better to take the watch than to slit your stomach open and pull out whatever’s inside?”  

 

The man’s face turned ashen, his bloodied lips trembling as though he wanted to say something.  

 

“…Il… illegal…”  

 

“Ha! And what you do is perfectly legal, right? Talk about double standards!”  

 

Just as Jang Pal-yong, crouching, began to stand to finish things up, the door opened. He lifted his head to see Cha Gyeol enter. The men sitting at their desks shot to their feet.  

 

“Oh! You’re here?”  

 

A grin crept across Jang Pal-yong’s face as he looked at Cha Gyeol. He was clearly fresh off the mountain. Yet, despite his disheveled appearance, his striking looks weren’t diminished; if anything, his rugged demeanor exuded a kind of decadent sexiness. But that wasn’t the point. What mattered was that Cha Gyeol was alone.  

 

See? You’re no different. So much for playing coy.  

 

Jang Pal-yong strained to keep his mouth from spreading into a smile as he noticed Cha Gyeol looking at the man still lying on the floor.  

 

“Pakse, escort the guest out,” he said quickly.  

 

Park Sae-min approached and helped the man up.  

 

“Pal-yong.”  

 

Cha Gyeol’s low, cold voice was calm and unfeeling.  

 

“Oh, I was just clearing up a misunderstanding. It’s nothing. But why are you just now arriving? Are you okay?”  

 

Jang Pal-yong smiled, ready to ramble on about how hard it must’ve been to find them, like a spirit guided him, when suddenly something peeked out from behind Cha Gyeol.  

 

“Ahhh! Holy shit! What—what is that? A ghost?”  

 

Jang Pal-yong, nearly fainting, staggered back in terror. It was Lee Heewoo, sticking out her small head with an otherworldly aura. She shyly clung to Cha Gyeol’s shirt, startled by Jang Pal-yong’s exaggerated reaction. The commotion drew everyone’s eyes to her.  

 

Peeking out from behind Cha Gyeol’s arm, Heewoo’s curious gaze scanned the room.  

 

“Kiddo, looking at stuff like that will hurt your eyes. It’s bad, bad.”  

 

Ever since coming down the mountain and parting ways with the shaman, Lee Heewoo had stayed close to Cha Gyeol. Awestruck by the city’s sights yet uneasy, she constantly sought him with her gaze.  

 

“Yes? Yes, okay.”  

 

Lee Heewoo nodded obediently, retreating slightly and hiding her face, leaving only one eye peeking out. Cha Gyeol glanced down at her and chuckled softly.  

 

Jang Pal-yong, lost for words, pointed shakily, gasping for breath.  

 

“P-park-sae, am I seeing things? Can you see her too?”  

 

“I… I see her too.”  

 

Park Sae-min, who had been escorting the man out, caught sight of the unfamiliar figure behind Cha Gyeol and, shocked, shoved the guest into the elevator before rushing back.  

 

The pale face they had briefly glimpsed was so distinct it made sense why Jang Pal-yong reacted as though seeing a ghost. And then there was Cha Gyeol’s strange way of addressing her, his unusually gentle tone. Everyone stared in disbelief, their pupils dilated as though they were all thinking the same thing.  

 

In the stillness that followed, a small, delicate voice broke the silence.  

 

“…Excuse me, sir, but I’m not a ghost. I’m human, just so you know…”  

 

The bear-like Jang Pal-yong stumbled backward, nearly losing his balance.  

 

***

 

“Boss, you’re really something. To think you pulled this off. I’ve deposited the rest, so check it out. As expected, there’s no place like E.O.”  

 

The pleasant voice of Chief Kim lingered stickily in Jang Pal-yong’s ears. It had felt good just last night while watching the Love Escape… Jang Pal-yong looked at Cha Gyeol and the young woman sitting beside him with a face ashen with unease. His curiosity overpowered his fear of physical harm. Overwhelmed with curiosity, Jang Pal-yong thought with a fake smile.  

 

“…She’s stunning.”  

 

Wait, did I just say that out loud?  

 

He was sure it was just a thought, but Cha Gyeol’s cold, piercing gaze shot toward him. Her large, round eyes darted around the office, observing everything. The atmosphere she exuded, combined with her neat posture and refined appearance, was markedly different from ordinary people.  

 

“Calling someone pretty because they are, what’s wrong with that? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”  

 

The sight of the two sitting side by side seemed strangely out of place.  

 

“How about you fix those eyes before you start talking?”  

 

Was it just his imagination? Why did it feel like Cha Gyeol was sharpening his tone? With a cigarette perched between his fingers but unlit, Cha Gyeol tapped his crossed legs and glared at Jang Pal-yong.  

 

“My eyes…But who is she?”  

 

“Are you that curious?”  

 

“Of course, I am.”  

 

The corner of Cha Gyeol’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. Jang Pal-yong awkwardly cleared his throat and avoided Cha Gyeol’s gaze.  

 

“Aren’t you curious about the shaman instead?”  

 

“Th-that, well,”  

 

“Pal-yong, you’re shameless.”  

 

“…”  

 

Curiosity began to trickle down his spine, replacing his fear. The small head, which had been exploring the office like it was an exhibit she’d never seen before, finally stopped and faced him.  

 

“Have you seen everything now?”  

 

Can voices really change this much? A stranger might not notice the difference, but Jang Pal-yong certainly did. The small head, now facing forward, turned toward Cha Gyeol.  

 

“Yes, it’s… fascinating.”  

 

Lee Heewoo’s cheeks flushed pink. She seemed embarrassed by her own words, ones she’d already repeated countless times while following Cha Gyeol.  

 

“Fascinated by such trivial things? That’s a problem, little miss.”  

 

Cha Gyeol chuckled quietly, looking at Lee Heewoo’s soft, blushing cheeks. When they had parted ways with the shaman, Lee Heewoo’s eyes had turned red, but she hadn’t cried in the end. Though she looked like she would, she managed to hold back, her clenched lips creating small furrows on her chin. Her pale face, combined with the redness around her eyes, stirred a strange desire in him.  

 

If she cried, it would be quite a sight. Cha Gyeol wasn’t even surprised by his own thoughts anymore.  

 

Since coming down the mountain, Lee Heewoo had leaned on him as though he were the only one who could keep her alive. He didn’t mind that.  

 

“The granddaughter of the shaman everyone said was impossible to find—how fascinating, isn’t it?”  

 

At Cha Gyeol’s sarcastic remark, Jang Pal-yong flinched, and even Lee Heewoo shrank back. Lee Heewoo quietly rolled her eyes and bit her lips inward.  

 

“R-really?”  

 

Even after confirming it multiple times, it still felt unbelievable. It was as if the situation was cursed. A sense of injustice welled up in her. He wasn’t the only one who couldn’t find the shaman. It wasn’t that he was incompetent—it was Cha Gyeol who was unusual.  

 

“Did you guys plan this together, or have you all gone mad collectively?”  

 

“Hey, you.”  

 

“You said it was impossible to find her, right? Said it couldn’t be done? But damn, it was right there in plain sight.”  

 

His nonchalant voice carried a subtle irritation. Jang Pal-yong, who had plenty to say but couldn’t get the words out, angrily pounded his chest. Lee Heewoo, startled by the sight, began hiccupping.  

 

“Pal-yong, you asshole, why are you scaring the kid?”  

 

Though her hiccups were from guilt, Cha Gyeol’s sharp words genuinely startled Lee Heewoo. Unconsciously, she mimicked Jang Pal-yong and pounded her own chest with her fists.  

 

“They say you shouldn’t even drink cold water in front of a kid. Look at this. She’s already picked up bad habits. Didn’t I tell you it’d be an eyesore?”  

 

Cha Gyeol grabbed Lee Heewoo’s wrist, pulling her hands down. The sensation of her cool skin against his palm annoyed him with how pleasant it felt. What was it about this? He’d never been tempted to indulge in such trivial contact, yet even this slight touch felt oddly satisfying.  

 

“You… You did say that…”  

 

And yet, she answered obediently. Still holding her wrist, Cha Gyeol tilted his head and stared at her flushed face.  

 

“Your face is all red, little miss.”  

 

She didn’t try to pull her wrist away, merely fidgeting with her clenched fist. Even her tightly gathered toes wiggled restlessly as if the ticklish sensation had spread throughout her body.  

 

Jang Pal-yong, still pounding his chest, clenched his fists and alternated his gaze between the two.  

 

What on earth is this? And who the hell is that girl?  

 

“…You’re not Cha Gyeol, are you?”