CHAPTER 251: BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT

YOOL, before transmigration, had a life in that world.

A whole fucking life where he suffered a lot before getting successful as an idol.

But how was that possible when he was from the other world?

[I guess I’ll know once I retrieved the data supposedly stored in this body.]

But in order to retrieve the saved data...

"A Crack is about to burst open here?" Yool asked nervously while pacing back and forth. "Why? I thought this world is normal!"

"Do you like ducks, Yool-ah?"

He glared at Song Moonho who was sitting on the sofa while looking around.

[This old man isn’t listening, is he?]

But it wasn’t like he could blame Ahjussi.

Before he transmigrated, he already lived in a penthouse after living a successful idol life.

But, now, the current him was living in a more luxurious penthouse.

[Gong Yool really worked hard.]

Even so...

[There are duck items everywhere that didn’t match the expensive furniture and the overall aesthetic of the penthouse.]

Cute duck paintings.

Duck plushies and pillows.

Pots with duck illustrations.

Even the doormats had duck designs.

[I bet he decorated his bedroom with ducks, too.]

"Duck is my character-slash-emoji representation."

Song Moonho, who might not be familiar with idol culture, tilted his head to one side. "What does it mean?"

"My fans think I resemble a duck, so it became my ’animal representation,’" Yool explained to the ’muggle.’ "The duck stuff you see here is probably from the fans."

"But why do your fans think you look like a duck?"

Yool pointed at his lips. "Because I have a big mouth. Literally."

Song Moonho’s gaze landed on Yool’s lips, and then his gaze darkened immediately.

Uh-oh.

Yool was certain that Song Moonho was thinking of the time they kissed.

[Because I am.]

And that made him feel embarrassed.

"When can I get a kiss from you again, Yool-ah?"

[I knew it.]

"You just told me that this world is about to go into an apocalypse," Yool said, scoffing. "And yet your mind is already in the gutter?"

Song Moonho smiled seductively while leaning against the sofa and crossing his legs. "I thought you’d be mad at me after I went to the enemies’ side."

"I was pissed, but I gave you the benefit of the doubt."

"You did?"

"If you had betrayed Wonhee and your fellow Big 4 by sharing confidential information with the enemies, then I would have cursed you out," Yool said, crossing his arms over his chest. "But I figured you only went to the enemies’ side to gather information, that’s why I decided to give you the benefit of the doubt."

"But how do you know I was only there to steal information from those bastards?"

"I just know."

Yool didn’t want to admit this, but ever since he found out about the previous world, he had begun dreaming of Song Moonho.

The Song Moonho from the previous world, to be precise.

[It seems like the Yool from the previous world had a special relationship with this Ahjussi.]

"Thank you for having faith in me, Yool-ah."

"Stop being cringe-y."

"I’m serious."

Ah.

Yool avoided Song Moonho’s gaze because he couldn’t handle it.

[Why is Ahjussi looking at me like I’m the only one he can see at the moment?]

"Yool-ah, sleep with me."

"Excuse me?"

"I mean that literally," Song Moonho said, raising his hands in surrender. But his smile was very cheeky. "Unless..."

"Dream on," Yool said, scoffing. "Are we not in a hurry?"

"The Crack will appear tonight, so we have time to rest."

"Are you sure there will be only one Crack? When the Outbreak happened in the other world, hundreds of Cracks all over the world appeared at the same time."

"The System assured me that there will only be one Crack, but..."

"But what?"

"If it’s just one Crack, I bet it will be a dangerous one."

"That’s it?"

"Hmm? You’re not worried?"

"Why would I be worried when I’m with you?" Yool asked, confused. "You’re not as strong as Hwang Frost, but you’re smarter and more cunning than him. I’m sure you’ll be able to clear the dungeon easily."

Song Moonho looked surprised at first, and then he suddenly burst out laughing. "Yool-ah, I’m sorry for being crude, but I really want to fuck you— right here, right now."

He may or may not have blushed because of the old man’s teasing.

"In your dreams, Ahjussi."

"Yeah, I’ve been dreaming of fucking you these days."

"Ahjussi!"

Song Moonho burst out laughing again, then he stood up and opened his arms. "Let’s sleep. I’ll only kiss and touch you a little... with permission."

[This old man, really!]

"Why do we need to sleep together, Ahjussi? This place is huge. Go and find a room to use."

"I need Guiding."

"So what? I’m not a Guide."

"But didn’t I tell you before that your touch somehow helps me recharge?" Song Moonho said, smiling innocently at him. "Come here, Yool-ah. You wouldn’t want me to snap here and put you in danger, right?"

"Who are you threatening now?" Yool complained while walking towards Song Moonho, and then he allowed the old man to wrap his arms around him. "I’m only doing this because I need a reliable bodyguard here, okay?"

"Whatever you say, babe."

***

YEJUN went back to Soobin’s house as soon as he was summoned.

The two of them had something important to talk about, but both of them also had also received important calls.

Hence, Yejun stayed in the drawing room while Soobin was on the balcony.

"Park Ruda already left?" Yejun asked while talking to Hwang Minki on the phone. "He just Guided the fake carnivore?"

"Yes, Captain."

"What did they talk about?"

"Park Ruda mentioned his uncle. He said his uncle would lead a mass to pray for Lee Seodam."

"Is Park Ruda’s uncle involved in a religion or something?"

"Upon my quick investigation, I found out that Park Ruda’s uncle is a core member of the Systema Church. But I need more time to dig further."

Oh, wait.

Yejun was still a bit disoriented, so his memories were still a bit messy.

But he did remember that Wonhee’s friend infiltrated the System Church under Song Moonho’s suggestion.

And one more thing...

"Isn’t the Systema Church under investigation because the things we found below the Blue House belongs to them?"

"I’m sorry, but I haven’t dug that deep yet, Captain."

"It’s alright, Hyung," Yejun said. "Just continue keeping an eye on Lee Seodam. I’ll go there later."

"Alright, Captain."

He ended the call with his older cousin at the same time Soobin’s phone call ended.

"Was it an important call?" Soobin asked when he entered the drawing room while closing the balcony door behind him. "Do you need to leave?"

"No, I don’t need to leave. Minki Hyung just informed me that Park Ruda visited the fake carnivore to give him some Guiding."

"Did Hwang Minki find anything suspicious about Park Ruda’s visit?"

"Yeah. Hyung will take care of it. I’m not good at digging for information."

"At times like this, I miss Song Moonho," Soobin said sarcastically. "That old bastard has an impressive information network."

"Hyung, Song Moonho is only a few years older than you, so calling him an ’old man’ is a little..."

Soobin glared at Yejun, so Yejun immediately shut his mouth.

Oops.

[I can’t get on the bad side of my future brother-in-law.]

"Do you need the old man’s information network, Hyung?" Yejun asked, changing the topic. "Did something happen?"

"It was your fault, but you don’t seem to remember."

"What did I do this time?"

"When you regressed into a toddler, you said you saw Seon Eunseok’s unnatural Status Window."

"Seon Eunseok?"

"Semi Noona’s son."

"Oh. Hee-ya’s nephew," Yejun said, nodding. "I’ve seen that kid a few times, but I don’t recall seeing a Status Window in him. And if it’s unnatural, then his awakening was caused by some Forced Awakening drugs. Then I would have known."

After all, he had seen plenty of unnatural Status Windows during the time he was locked up in APA’s basement as ’Patient X.’

"Maybe the drugs haven’t taken its effect yet during the times you’ve seen him?"

"Ah, that makes sense."

"Geon is already at Semi Noona’s house to check on Seon Eunseok, but Seon Eunseok is being a brat," Soobin said, sighing. "Noona asked if you can come and check on her son, Hwang Yejun."

"I need brownie points from my future sister-in-law, so of course, I’ll go. But let’s talk about Wonhee first."

"Of course."

"I decided to delay killing the fake carnivore, Hyung."

"You changed your mind about killing Lee Seodam?" Soobin asked, obviously surprised. "You rarely do that. So, what made you change your mind?"

"I have a bad feeling about what Park Ruda said to the fake carnivore," Yejun said, clenching his jaw. "My gut feeling tells me something big is about to happen."

***

WONHEE was woken up by the strong smell of camellia flowers.

She fully expected to find herself in the middle of a flower garden or something, so she was quite surprised to wake up in her bedroom in Soobin’s house.

And she was alone there.

[Where is everyone?]

She picked up her phone on the bedside table to call Ahyeon, but he was surprised when it suddenly rang.

Hunter Park Ruda calling...

Hmm?

That was too formal.

Park Ruda’s number used to be saved as ’Ruda Oppa’ in her phone.

[If I can’t see Seodam Oppa right away, then maybe Ruda Oppa can give me answers.]

Hence, Wonhee answered the call even though she felt a protest in her chest.

She ignored that, though.

"Ruda Oppa?"

"’Oppa? Why are you calling me ’oppa’ again, Wonhee-ssi?"

***

Please ADD MY LIFE AS THE FIRST S-CLASS GUIDE to your LIBRARY to be notified when an update is posted. Thank you! :