Expansion of the WorldPeople who live in Central do not leave the city center.There’s no need to. They obtain every convenience they need for life within Central itself.In an era where human habitation is limited, comfortable living quarters were a privilege for the few.The city’s leadership controlled citizens’ lives with the golden ticket of “official residential zones,” and they stratified the city’s structure.Jin Muhae was one of the people furthest from that privilege.―He seemed to know about Hoihang’s existence.‘It seemed to be more than a simple guess. He mentioned my father.’―He’s a crafty one, for sure. To be settled in such rough ground and be the one pulling information strings.‘Still, it seems he didn’t figure out the internal situation. He tried to probe by offering a deal, so I refused for now.’―Hmm… that’s a bit of a pity.Staring at the holographic window suspended in the air, Jin Muhae remembered the conversation from a few days ago.Gureum had been silent for a while after hearing Cheong’s report. Muhae’s heart had dropped a bit, wondering if something was wrong, but the voice that followed — even bearing the modulation — didn’t sound particularly grave.―As for that part… I don’t think you need to worry for the moment. Even if he really knows something, he won’t act rashly.‘Are you sure that’s okay?’―He knows his place. He’ll move exactly within whatever margin of tolerance he has. You can guess that from his probing while investigating the smuggling case, can’t you?‘…….’―Sakdal, after all, is still an autonomous district of Goryeo City. Do you think that petty influence of his is something he got without someone’s tacit approval?From her sharp, cold assessment Muhae felt the gaze of someone far above him.Now that he thought about it, Jin Muhae realized he didn’t know Gureum’s personal background, position, or anything about her. He had only thought of her as someone belonging to Central.Looking back now, she was probably some kind of administrator — the sort of person a reformer would least want to encounter.To think he had become involved with Gureum and Hoihang… life was unfolding in ways he could not predict.‘Anyway, I’ve given you my opinion.’―Right. There was a deal.‘Stories about Hoihang’s past are important, but right now I need stepping-stones I can stand on immediately.’―Don’t worry. I picked out something very useful and just right.So, as payment for poking around Sakdal, Muhae was given a suspicious address by her.It was coordinates in the west of the official residential area — the Jaegang District closest to the slum where Muhae now lived.Just as Muhae had often done before, visiting a residential district wasn’t difficult in itself.But if there was surveillance, it would be difficult to visit a place connected to Hoihang recklessly.Above all, Gureum had added that comment.‘You’ll be there often….’Impossible. Anyone from a place like this coming through the gate constantly without a good excuse would look suspicious to anyone.Especially if they went to the same place every time — it would be almost like asking to be caught.So, despite having laboriously obtained the coordinates, Muhae had no choice but to remain squatted in the distant slum.He felt deflated all over again. Every step [N O V E L I G H T] forward felt like climbing a mountain — how on earth had the old Hoihang run things back then?‘Well, the conditions given were different.’He’d already heard from Boss Gil that his father hadn’t come from the slums.That their initial participants were all researchers — in other words, the elite class.Even so, while Hoihang had achieved considerable results, Muhae was still struggling just to follow in its wake.His father’s criminal record was like shackles around him.Muhae had grown up in this shabby slum from the very first moment he could remember.“Jin Muhae.”Hearing the familiar call, he turned his head; Joo-o was approaching.In that brief moment Joo-o had been rustling at something; looking more closely it was a round chocolate ball — one with a tangy syrup inside.“Didn’t you finish those yesterday?”“I bought a lot in case that happened.”“Save your money. You don’t think dil grows on trees, do you?”Joo-o sat down without answering, as if he’d grown used to being scolded.A fragrant musk mixed with the sickly sweet artificial aroma puffed over them.For two days now Joo-o had taken up the hobby of buying and trying snacks.He’d always liked eating, but now he’d taken to shoveling down every kind and even doing reviews.Who knew how much of the money from Sakdal he’d burned through.“Jin Muhae. Working?”“If you know, don’t bother me and go back in and play.”“I’m not playing. I’ll still help you, though.”Joo-o offered a bitten chocolate ball, but Muhae shook his head and refused.He’d already tried it yesterday. It was too sweet and sour — not to his taste.Still, he absentmindedly licked the syrup off his lips. When the smell drifting from Joo-o filled his mouth Muhae made a face and closed all the hologram windows.“What can I help with? I’m strong.”“Who’s weak enough to need you to be strong? There’s nothing to help with this time, so just behave.”He snapped at him in his usual stiff way and got up from the sofa. Joo-o, who had been leaning on him, silently toppled onto the cushion.Should he go to the Jaegang District once? Or should he draw up more of a plan?A pale finger grabbed the hem of Muhae’s coat. When he turned, Joo-o was lying sprawled on the sofa, smiling faintly.“Jin Muhae, you know.”“What?”“If you want a hot dog, you have to go to the station.”“…….”“The grocery only sells sausages. No use waiting.”It sounded like idle chatter, but his red eyes were clear.Exactly as Muhae had teased him before — it was the sort of line that made him look like he knew something; a hint of confidence sat on his face.Muhae pressed his brows together, suppressing a strange feeling. Lately he often had the sense that Joo-o was understanding situations.“You. You keep eavesdropping on other people’s business?”“I didn’t eavesdrop. I just heard it… I was next to you. Jin Muhae, you dummy.”At the cheeky answer Muhae’s eyebrows twitched. Indeed, Joo-o was gradually starting to think properly.And he wasn’t even bothering to hide it anymore.‘When did he ever hide it?’Of course he hadn’t. It was only Muhae who had been sensing that without being consciously told.Muhae, feeling oddly unsettled, checked the Jaegang District address again.Surely… whether it turned out good or bad, at least he had to go see and get an estimate.Perhaps being called a fool by a lunatic had snapped him out of his indecision. His previous hesitation now seemed laughable.His attention, which had been elsewhere, quickly returned to the matter of Hoihang. Muhae set his jaw and checked the time.Strike while the iron’s hot. It was a little sudden, but he’d finished lunch; if he left now he could swing by Jaegang before sunset.“I want to come too.”Sensing the hint that he was about to leave, Joo-o clung to his clothes like a lizard.Muhae ignored him and strode off; with a thud, Joo-o fell from the sofa to the floor.He immediately jumped up and dashed to the study — obviously to grab clothes. He’d never once said he’d leave clothes behind, yet he always acted like this in a panic.‘If only I could lock him up at home, I would have by now.’Then he’d make a pitiful face and be crestfallen, so he couldn’t help it.To use him on an outdoor mission he had to feed him regularly, pet him, and keep him close.“Today you’ll wear something respectable.”“What counts as respectable clothes?”A round head popped out from the crack of the study door and asked.Muhae looked his face over and thought of the garments he had.“Nothing you wear for fighting, nothing shredded or ragged, and nothing too big.”“I only have shirts.”“You have the clothes I used to wear, remember?”Today’s reason for passing the gate was just an outing. Joo-o was still in provisional registration status, so Muhae wanted to try insisting to show him the residential area in Goryeo City.He wasn’t sure it would work, but it was still daytime. If Joo-o took off his hat and gaped a few times saying “wow,” persuasion would be easy.“If we go to Jaegang District I’ll buy you meat.”At the words Joo-o’s eyes went dreamy. His face, a mixture of joy and excitement, looked like that of an innocent tourist.“Be out before eight p.m. I can’t grant more than that without a special purpose.”“Of course. We’ll just walk around briefly and be right back.”Beep-.The entry permit was sent to his watch. Muhae, humming, took the man at his side and entered Jaegang District.“Hello.”Joo-o waved his hand softly at the gate. He looked so happy he could have been someone who’d really set out on a trip.“Put your jacket in the bag properly.”“La la la, la la.”“Don’t sing. Just act like everyone else.”After scolding him, he hugged his bag and pouted. Luckily his head seemed to be in order, and there was none of the fuss at the gate like last time.Now Muhae just had to take docile Joo-o and walk around the target spot. Give him any street food and he wouldn’t look suspicious, and he’d follow along without a fuss.Siiing—thud!Muhae climbed into the unmanned taxi and pulled Joo-o into the seat beside him.He glanced at the GPS attached to the seat; there happened to be a park near the address.They set that as their destination, buckled the belts, and Joo-o, glancing sideways, clumsily fastened his own belt.“How long?”“Seventeen minutes. It’s written there.”“Hmm….”Joo-o’s gaze pretended to look at the screen but wandered into the air.Whether Muhae clicked his tongue or not, Joo-o, staring blankly, blinked and turned his head.“Jin Muhae. How fast can you run in uncomfortable clothes?”“Why do you ask that?”“Nothing.”He dodged the odd question, then shoved his hand into the front pocket of his hoodie.From a pocket that hadn’t looked bulging a moment before, a handful of chocolate wrappers tumbled out. What sort of magic drawer did that thing have?Even his clothes had become weird now. Muhae shook his head and turned his attention away from him.

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