Vol 8 Chapter 3

With the handshake between the two men ending, the Saturn headquarters inspection team turned and left. After watching the black cars carrying them drive away toward the hotel, Vice Branch Manager Shim Kyung-oh, who put on a cold expression as if there was no longer any need to smile, brushed past Yoon Seok-ho.

"It's over. I have much work to do, so I'll return to the other building now."

"Please do so."

Though it was a strange scene of someone of lower position speaking down to someone of higher position, no one pointed it out. Yoon Seok-ho saw Shim Kyung-oh off with a politely smiling face without a trace of shadow.

"You don't seem worried at all even though the headquarters inspection team has come. Well, since the inspection target is your game division, not our medical development division, I trust you'll handle it yourself."

As if that face bothered him, Shim Kyung-oh finally wrinkled his nose and left with those words.

"Branch Manager."

After Shim Kyung-oh left, Yoon Seok-ho's subordinates called out to him with worried expressions. The American inspection team's visit was practically an announcement of the storm to come. Though even they, mere subordinates, were burning with anxiety, Yoon Seok-ho was just smiling with a pleased face, making it frustratingly impossible to know his thoughts.

"Ah. I'm fine. There's no problem, so let's all return to today's work. The inspection team will start coming from tomorrow, so don't forget to prepare to assist them."

Was he really fine? Though Yoon Seok-ho's subordinates looked like they had much to say, in the end they had to go up without properly saying anything.

"Whew."

After entering the branch manager's office, Yoon Seok-ho loosened his neatly tied necktie slightly to clear his airway before sitting in his chair. His face showed none of the frustration, anger, or anxiety that people had expected.

"Computer, any missed contacts?"

[ There is 1 missed mail. Would you like to read it? ]

A strange light flickered in Yoon Seok-ho's eyes.

"Yes."

Soon text floated up across the screen that spread before Yoon Seok-ho's eyes.

[ Ah I'm annoyed. I still don't like Leon or Liu Chen-jin. They were so arrogant during the flight! But Korea's winter weather doesn't seem too bad. You looked quite good when I saw your face earlier? Dave is sleeping next to me now. What an easy-going guy, not even at the hotel yet. Anyway Yoon, you'll have to treat me to dakgalbi soon. Look forward to it. ]

Though it was an anonymous mail with no sender name shown, Yoon Seok-ho naturally knew who had sent it.

"You seem pretty easy-going yourself, Yup."

Yoon Seok-ho muttered that with a smile before closing the mail window.

"Now that they've arrived, it's time to see the Director... So busy. Computer, open a window for secret mode mail."

In an instant, the several windows that always floated around Yoon Seok-ho closed and a new opaque gray window appeared in the center. Yoon Seok-ho began directly typing the message to send using the manual recognition keyboard.

[ They arrived today. I will visit at 9 AM tomorrow. Please do not be away. ]

"Send."

Beep! Beep! Beep!

As soon as he sent the mail, this time a phone ring sounded. After scanning the caller's number once, Yoon Seok-ho switched to receive mode.

[ Branch Manager. Hello. ]

"Good timing. Have you found out anything new?"

[ It's movement you probably already anticipated. Mage Soft and several others are showing considerable interest in the movements of inspection team leader Leon Price and deputy leader Liu Chen-jin, and seem to want to attempt contact. ]

"Well, from their position they'd want to find out what they're thinking. By the way, Mage Soft has been quiet lately, did something happen?"

[ The eldest son in the Development Director position recently received a disciplinary order and is focusing only on new game development. ]

"Hmm. That's news to me."

[ It's been quite a while already. ]

Yoon Seok-ho rubbed below his lips while lost in thought.

"So is the toothless old tiger guarding the position alone now?"

[ It doesn't seem so. The younger son has been spotted frequently coming and going from the company lately. ]

For a moment, Yoon Seok-ho's eyes curved gently.

"Ah... That young man."

[ Should we look into him further? ]

"No, no. No need for that. Good work. I'll contact you again."

[ Yes. I'll contact you again if I learn of any new changes. ]

Beep.

"So much work to do, yet everyone just won't leave me alone. This popularity..."

Though he said this, Yoon Seok-ho's expression was full of pleasure.

"I'll need to keep my wits even sharper from now on."

But his eyes weren't smiling.

The next day, Kapros headed to the hospital at dawn.

Though he had made an appointment in advance through VT-net, he had spent the night with eyes wide open unable to sleep. The reason he didn't feel particularly cold despite seeing his breath in the below-freezing morning air was because his heart was frozen even colder.

When he entered the familiar hospital doors and entered his appointment number into the computer, a paper printed out showing where he needed to go.

5th floor, Room 5021. Seeing again the room number of the place he had visited before for consultation after regular checkups made his mood sink even lower.

He got on the elevator, passing by waiting patients who stared at the sight of a man walking with a limp while leaning on a cane. Only after being left alone in the narrow space with no one else boarding could he finally breathe comfortably.

[ Fifth floor. ]

Unlike other floors crowded with people, this place was very quiet and silent.

He immediately walked toward Room 5021, tracing his old memories familiarly. Room 5021 that appeared after a short while was exactly the same as a year ago when he had last visited, down to the door color and nameplate. Well, what could have changed in just a year anyway.

Knock knock knock.

"Come in."