Chapter 146
Chapter 146: How To Win Without Fighting (2)
[Kim Tae-yang's Past]
A dark room in a cramped villa.
Kim Tae-yang didn't move an inch from under his blanket.
8:00 AM.
From his house to school by public transport: one hour.
He was already too late to make it to Myeongmun High School's 8:30 AM start time.
This had never happened to Kim Tae-yang before.
Perfect attendance since elementary school.
A diligent and model student.
"Tae-yang. Aren't you going to school?"
His mother's voice came from outside the door.
His father had already left for work long ago.
His mother, before leaving for her own.
Came into the room.
"Are you sick somewhere?"
"……"
His mother pressed her hand to Kim Tae-yang's forehead.
Kim Tae-yang turned his head away, uncomfortable with her touch.
"No fever."
"……"
His mother didn't know.
What Kim Tae-yang was going through at school.
He hadn't told her a single thing.
"Are you going to skip school today?"
"……"
Kim Tae-yang couldn't answer.
Myeongmun High School—tuition was outrageously expensive, but its university placement rate was unmatched.
One of the conditions for his enrollment and full scholarship had been perfect attendance.
He could always submit a sick note and be absent.
But unless he had a contagious illness.
Going to school no matter what—that was Kim Tae-yang.
Scritch—.
His mother sat on the edge of the bed.
She normally left the house by 7:30, but today she had waited until 8—no doubt because her son hadn't come out from under the covers.
At last, his mother asked.
"Did something happen at school?"
"……"
"Tell me. Did a teacher scold you?"
"……"
"Did you fight with your friends?"
"No."
"Talk to me. It's okay. Mom will help."
Scritch—.
Kim Tae-yang sat up.
Disheveled hair.
‘I want to scream 'Save me!' a hundred, a thousand times over.’
But beneath his mother's worried expression.
The hopes of parents who had staked everything on him were woven in.
He couldn't bring himself to say it.
Kim Tae-yang smiled brightly and said.
"Everything's fine. Mom. Oh! I slept in. I have to hurry."
* * *
Ding ding— ding ding—.
The mobile phone of Security Chief Lee Cheol-ho was ringing without pause.
[Murim Alliance Leader Park Je-hwang is Ghost!]
The line he had thrown out in front of the swarming journalists with such force.
‘What on earth possessed me to say that.’
"Honey, aren't you going to answer?"
His wife called from the kitchen, but the security chief switched his phone to silent.
The words Ghost had said to him inside the tower back then.
* * *
—Give all credit for clearing the 37th floor of the Golden Tower to Park Je-hwang.
"B-but Ghost did it."
—Two people bled and fought for it.
"That's true, but……"
—There will likely be reporters outside when you leave. Look into the cameras and say it.
That thunderbolt of words!
—Park Je-hwang is Ghost!
The security chief's face turned crimson.
"That's not the truth. This will become too…… big an issue."
—You'll need that level of attention to survive. There's nothing wrong with it. Just because you say it doesn't mean it has to be true.
"Ahh!"
—Make sure all eyes and applause go to Park Je-hwang. You'll become famous alongside him, and Park Jae-yeol won't be able to touch you so easily.
* * *
There had been reporters, just as Ghost said, and he had shouted it out.
But the security chief was trembling.
Which was why he had taken time off and was holed up at home.
Ding-dong—! Ding-dong!
The apartment buzzer rang, and now journalists were showing up at his door.
"Honey!"
His wife opened the bedroom door and stepped in, and the security chief flushed red as he opened the front door.
"How dare you come to my home and harass—"
"Brother!"
It was his younger brother, Officer Lee Cheol-jung.
The security chief quickly let his brother inside.
"How did you—"
"I was worried. The reporters outside are no joke!"
"Phew."
"What happened? Is Park Je-hwang really Ghost?"
"I don't know……"
"Then why did you—"
"I had to!"
The security chief told his brother everything, honestly.
Officer Lee Cheol-jung's expression grew gravely serious.
"So Park Jae-yeol and Park Je-hwang really did try to kill you."
"Yes."
"And Ghost saved you."
"……"
The security chief's expression was heavy.
Officer Lee Cheol-jung broke into a wide grin.
"Good job!"
"……What?"
"Ghost really is our family's lifesaver!"
"W-well, he is."
Officer Lee Cheol-jung shot to his feet.
"Don't worry. I'll protect you. Our nephews have their uncle—what is there to be afraid of!"
"Cheol-jung."
The security chief felt an immense surge of reassurance at his brother's words.
He knew.
Lee Cheol-jung—a righteous and passionate police officer.
Despite outstanding achievements, he had been passed over for promotion again and again by his superiors at Samil Police Station.
He was now reassigned to a branch station.
‘He must be in turmoil himself, yet he says he'll protect me.’
Even if Cheol-jung was a police officer.
Compared to himself—a tower climber who had reached the 37th floor and the Security Chief of the Presidential Security Service—he was far weaker.
And yet that brother of his was standing there with his fists clenched.
The security chief felt something burning in his chest.
"Right. Thank you. That's reassuring!"
The security chief, who had been shrinking in on himself, now sprang to his feet and threw his arms around his brother.
"Let's give it a shot! Hell! We're not going to die!"
"Yeah. Brother! Get your statement ready and go out. Take advantage of this moment and get properly in front of the cameras! Who knows? Maybe you'll get that gold badge."
"A gold badge, right."
The security chief thought it was absurd.
But he couldn't stop the corners of his own mouth from lifting.
He stood before the mirror, fixing his hair and straightening his clothes.
Officer Lee Cheol-jung held out a paper box.
"My sister-in-law said you haven't been eating. At least eat this first."
"What is it?"
"The hottest and most delicious thing right now."
Written on the paper box were the words 'Handsome Bungeoppang'.
"Cheol-jung, you……"
"What?"
"You really love Bungeoppang, don't you?"
* * *
"Park Je-hwang! Or rather, Ghost—he was truly a man of courage!"
"When the masters of Poison Valley on the 37th floor came pouring out, he charged at them and fought back ferociously!"
"The future of the Republic of Korea rests on Park Je-hwang's shoulders!"
The security chief was pumping his fists through the air in front of the reporters.
‘Park Je-hwang is Ghost!’
This shocking announcement was splitting public opinion.
[Why Park Je-hwang is NOT Ghost—let me explain.]
: Did you all forget that the Nameless Hero and Park Je-hwang fought each other?
└ This guy's right. It makes no sense.
└ This is the truth. Everyone's being deceived.
The opposing camp was equally fierce.
[Evidence that Park Je-hwang IS Ghost—let me explain.]
: The timeline of Park Je-hwang disappearing after the Super Tower Climber K competition matches exactly when the Golden Tower appeared in France.
└ Genius?
└ This one's factual too.
└ Park Je-hwang got injured so he was hospitalized. It was all over the news.
└ Only a photo of him being admitted was released. Has anyone heard from him since?
└ Whoa!
└ Plus the injuries were supposedly six to eight weeks. But Park Je-hwang was hospitalized for three months. He went to France in that time. Definite.
└ Still doesn't add up! Ghost and the Nameless Hero were trying to kill each other?
└ You're misreading it. They fought, but they weren't trying to kill each other.
└ Right. If they wanted to kill each other, they would have.
└ Then why did they fight?
└ Maybe there's some hidden reason?
└ Like what?
└ That rescue operation at the European Black Market. They say it was a covert mission.
└ That's all? That's a stretch.
└ Yeah. lol
Public opinion split into two camps and kept roaring on.
Yet the Blue House and Park Je-hwang had released not a single statement or interview.
Because of that, the controversy only grew—and was ultimately converging on one point.
['Park Je-hwang = Ghost' debate—I'll settle this for you.]
: All you have to do is see whether Park Je-hwang shows up to climb on the agreed date and whether the 38th floor becomes a Golden Tower.
└ Makes sense.
└ We'll know when the day comes.
└ The answer lies in the tower!
"Well done. Our security chief!"
I clapped my hands watching the TV.
Honestly, I was impressed.
‘That guy actually has a bit of a talent for riling people up.’
Back then on the 37th floor, the security chief had asked me.
[What if I go out there recklessly and get fired? I've only just started paying into my government pension……]
Ah, a true everyman! An everyman he was.
‘How can siblings have such different personalities.’
[Kim Tae-yang mutters 'Pathetic man……' +1 Happiness]
Even a man who was a high-floor tower climber and had guarded the president was no different.
Inside every person's chest.
"There is a frightened child."
[Kim Tae-yang says 'Still, I thought that guy had guts like you'. +1 Happiness]
No, Kim Tae-yang.
"The security chief wasn't afraid of being fired. It was because he was more worried about the family he had to protect."
That's why, you know. It makes it all the more precious.
"Because it's the courage of that everyman."
[Kim Tae-yang asks 'What happens if Park Je-hwang doesn't show up on the 38th floor and it all falls apart?' +1 Happiness]
That's a fair point.
But Kim Tae-yang.
Don't you trust me?
He will come to the tower no matter what.
The vines I've been spreading up until now will coil around him and drag him in.
And if not.
"I'll shove him in myself."
The courage of an everyman.
It was my turn to answer it.
* * *
Park Je-hwang hadn't taken a single step outside his home.
He had switched off his phone.
Pulled down the blinds and curtains on every window.
He hadn't even turned on the lights.
Under the covers of a dark bed.
He simply lay there curled up like a small child.
Fortunately, his address hadn't gotten out, so no journalists came.
Several days had already passed since he cut himself off from the world.
From under the covers, with just his face peeking out.
He saw the golden armor.
His grandfather's.
Given to him by President Park Jae-yeol.
That armor, as if to prove the fierce battle on the 37th floor.
Was dented all over.
"Me…… Ghost……"
It was absurd.
Even if the Golden Tower situation could somehow be managed.
That had crossed a line.
Who would believe it.
That he was Ghost.
It was a lie that was obviously going to unravel before long.
Through someone's mouth.
Or through Ghost or the Nameless Hero……
Those bastards.
Swish—.
He turned his head.
His phone, switched off.
He wanted to turn it on and check the situation outside, but he couldn't bring himself to.
"They're tearing me apart right now, I'm sure."
It was obvious without looking.
He tried to force himself back to sleep, but sleep wouldn't come.
"Haah……"
Nothing but sighs.
Park Je-hwang curled up under the blanket like a child who didn't want to go to school.
[Park Je-hwang feels a suffocating tightness in his chest. +10,000 Despair]
Ding-dong—.
Someone pressed his doorbell.
"……"
Park Je-hwang sat perfectly still.
Ding-dong— Ding-dong—!
"……Must be Grandfather sending someone again."
People had been coming from the Blue House all morning today.
"If I stay quiet, they'll leave again."
Ding-dong— Ding-dong—!
The buzzer kept ringing, and then.
Beep-beep-beep-beep—.
Someone punched in the code and came in.
"Damn it!"
It was clear who it was.
The only person who knew his door code.
Was his girlfriend Ye Bo-yeong.
"Hey! Park Je-hwang!"
Ye Bo-yeong stormed inside, shouting.
The sound of her heels being tossed carelessly at the entrance.
[Park Je-hwang mutters 'Please don't come in'. +100,000 Despair]
Thud-thud-thud—.
Irritated footsteps.
There were several sets of them.
Light. Flippant. Heavy. Eager.
Park Je-hwang pulled the blanket tighter over himself.
Ye Bo-yeong's footsteps stopped beside the bed.
"Park Je-hwang. What are you doing here?"
"……"
"What are you doing, I said!"
Fwip—!
Ye Bo-yeong yanked the blanket off.
Park Je-hwang slowly turned his head.
"Ye Bo-yeong, Kim Do-han, Pyeon Geom-sa, Cheon Sa-in……"
All four of his friends were standing in front of him.
They hadn't even bothered to visit properly when he was in the hospital.
And now, all four of them.
Park Je-hwang's voice came out with an involuntarily cold edge.
"……What are you doing here?"
"Do you even have to ask?!"
Ye Bo-yeong plopped—!
Down onto his bed.
"We came to see my husband."
……Husband?
A word Ye Bo-yeong hadn't said in months.
"Goodness, look at your face."
Ye Bo-yeong swept back Park Je-hwang's messy hair and spoke playfully.
"Get away."
Park Je-hwang pushed her hand away and got out of bed.
The moment he sprang to his feet.
‘……Flinch.’
Kim Do-han, Pyeon Geom-sa, and Cheon Sa-in all stepped back for an instant.
"What's with you three."
"Ah, n-no. Nothing."
"……Why do you all look like that? Ha, do you find me pathetic? Did you come here to laugh at me?"
"W-what are you talking about."
Kim Do-han waved both hands and held out what he was holding.
One iced Americano.
"You die for cold coffee, Je-hwang. I brought you some."
"Kim Do-han!"
Thwack—!
Park Je-hwang knocked the coffee to the floor.
Kim Do-han's face stiffened for a moment before quickly returning to a smile.
"Je-hwang, I'm sorry. I was genuinely so busy that day."
"Ha!"
"O-of course, with a friend risking his life climbing the tower, I should have been by your side."
"And now you come."
Park Je-hwang thrust his face toward Kim Do-han.
A face covered in scars and bruises.
"After I've ended up like this?"
Kim Do-han quickly turned and called to Cheon Sa-in.
"Hey! Cheon Sa-in. Come heal him already!"
"Park Je-hwang, sit back on the bed for a second."
Cheon Sa-in approached with a first aid kit.
Park Je-hwang looked at them with utter disbelief and asked.
"You're suddenly worried about me now? Huh?! Now that I'm eating the world's insults—now you come—"
"What insults!"
Pyeon Geom-sa stared at him like he was out of his mind.
"Park Je-hwang, what lunatic is insulting you?"
"……What?"
"Who's going to insult Ghost?"
Pyeon Geom-sa held out his phone screen.
It was a news article.
[Ghost Park Je-hwang! Bringing glory back to the Republic of Korea!]
"……!"
Park Je-hwang's eyes went wide.
Below the Golden Tower.
Under the flash of journalists' cameras, shining brilliantly.
A photo of himself in golden armor.
Below the article: '1,390,000 likes' and '12,000 dislikes'.
"……"
Park Je-hwang felt his heart suddenly pounding.
Kim Do-han pressed close to him warmly.
"Je-hwang, I'll hurry and clear the 37th floor myself."
"……"
"C-can't we climb together next time?"