Declaration Of Extra Strike

 

I hadn’t thought about my name in ten years, afraid that it might put me at risk with Tae Jae-heon’s threats. 

 

As memories that I had desperately buried began to resurface, vivid recollections started pouring in—memories so clear that I couldn’t understand how I had forgotten them in the first place.

 

After the snow melted and spring arrived, new children would be admitted to the orphanage. I had been admitted the previous year, and I was eagerly awaiting the day when new children would join our Alpha Room. 

 

But I fell ill with a late-arriving cold and had to stay in the hospital for a week, so I missed the admission ceremony and felt an emptiness when it passed me by.

 

When I returned from the hospital, I heard that the Gamma Room kids had taken all the snacks from our Alpha Room while I was gone. I was planning to settle things with the Gamma Room kids, whom I had clashed with repeatedly, but I didn’t even have time to see the new kids before I headed straight for the incinerator.

 

ㅡHey! Ahn Hyung-tae!

 

ㅡWhich bastard… Kang Eu-jin?

 

The guys who had been standing around, seemingly guarding something, turned in surprise. And in between them, there stood a child with their head lowered. The little kid, who was incredibly pretty even to my young eyes. That was the first time I met Sa-na.

 

I chased the guys away and walked toward the kid, who was still standing there in the corner, crumpled and shy. Small and clearly a new kid, it was obvious this was their first time here.

 

ㅡWhat are you doing here? Are you crying?

 

ㅡ……

 

ㅡWhere’s your class? Hey, don’t cry. You’ll make your pants wet.

 

Not knowing how to comfort a crying child, I awkwardly scratched the back of my head and spoke. The child then raised their head. I had assumed it was a boy, but to my surprise, it was a girl. I was speechless for a moment, staring at her beautiful face.

 

ㅡOh, sorry. I didn’t know you were a girl …Want me to take you somewhere? 

 

I wiped the dirt off my palm from fighting with Ahn Hyung-tae, rubbing my hands on my pants before reaching out. She glared at me angrily, then walked past me without saying a word. Watching her back as she left the incinerator, I glanced down at my palm.

 

ㅡIt’s clean… I hope she’s in our class.

 

However, I would soon realize that I had made a big mistake. Contrary to my expectations, the child was in the Beta Room, and even worse…!

 

ㅡWhat? She’s a boy?

 

ㅡYeah! That’s why Ahn Hyung-tae told him to take off his pants earlier, he was bullying him so much… Are you crying?

 

ㅡNo! It’s just… dust in my eye… damn it…

 

The day I found out he was a boy, for some reason, my eyes felt swollen, and my throat tightened. I couldn’t even finish the chocolate bread that was served as a snack and ended up giving it to Seon-jae. 

 

I still don’t know why I felt that way. But when I saw him sitting on the bench while we were playing soccer, my gloomy mood disappeared, and before I knew it, I was excited and running toward him.

 

ㅡHey! Kang Eui-jin! The ball is over there, where are you going?

 

ㅡHi! Do you remember me?

 

ㅡ……

 

ㅡI’m Kang Eui-jin from the Alpha Room!

 

He was so pretty that he drew attention without even trying, or maybe it was because of his sharp personality, but he was often bullied by the kids from other classes. 

 

It was frustrating to see the smaller kids being bullied, so whenever someone like Ahn Hyung-tae would pick on him, I made sure to pay them back double. While fighting with those guys every day, I became close to him as well. I was the first to learn his name, Sana! After a while, he started following me everywhere, and it made me feel so proud.

 

ㅡHey, Ahn Hyung-tae. I warned you. Stop bothering Sana!

 

ㅡDamn, that bastard bit my arm first! And when I went to the bathroom, he locked the door and left me locked up all day!

 

ㅡNow you’re lying? Sana would never do that.

 

The small bullying escalated into a fight between the classes, and the ringleaders from each class were all called to the principal’s office. Since it was Ahn Hyung-tae and his group who were in the wrong, I asked the principal, who was usually strict but always listened to me, to move into the Sana’s Alpha Room while they were getting scolded.

 

ㅡThe Alpha Room? That’s not difficult. But can you come to the principal’s office this weekend? The young master is coming, and he’d appreciate it if you helped.

 

ㅡOh, can’t I go next time? We’re supposed to play soccer with the Beta Room this weekend…

 

ㅡPlay soccer the next day. I’ll tell the staff to open the field on Sunday. The young master really likes you, so you’ll get to eat a lot of delicious food. Okay?

 

ㅡAlright… Then I’ll move to Sana’s Alpha Room right away!

 

I packed up the few belongings I had in the Beta Room, and Sana, as expected, quietly followed me, holding onto the hem of my clothes. But because of Tae Jae-heon, I had to part with Sana before the year even passed…

 

I gently traced Sana’s face in the photo with my thumb. I wondered how much he had grown. He was beautiful even when he was little, so he must still be incredibly pretty. Would he remember me?

 

I turned to Han Chang-sik and asked.

 

“Did Sa-na also go to the New Facility? Do you know what she’s doing now?” 

 

“Yeah, she did go to the New Facility… but, actually, once they go there, it’s hard to stay in touch. I’ve only met Ga-hyeon through the teacher sometimes.” 

 

“That’s a shame… Hey, do you have any more pictures or anything?” 

 

“Pictures? There should be more if you check the storage. Want me to go look for them now?” 

 

I shook my head at Han Chang-sik, who pointed upward. It was about time to head back. Though I had added a bit of confusion effect to the potion, if the time difference was too stark, it wouldn’t deceive anyone, so I had to return before sunset. 

 

“I have to go now. I’ll come back tomorrow.” 

 

“Alright. I’ll check the storage after work today.” 

 

After saying goodbye to Han Chang-sik, I returned to my room. I kicked the ones who were slumped in chairs and sleeping to wake them up. “Hey, wake up. Are you here to sleep? Go home and sleep.” 

 

Taking advantage of their confusion from just waking up, I kicked them all out and comfortably lay down on the bed. 

 

“I wonder if he’s working at Nox. Ah, he said she’d stay at the orphanage until he becomes an adult if nothing else happens. So what about Sa-na…” 

 

Come to think of it, I couldn’t remember how old Sa-na was. Actually, I don’t think I ever asked. Well, he was younger than me and so cute when we were little, so he must have been younger than me. That makes it even more ambiguous. It’s the age when things get confusing.

 

‘If it’s not Nox, then he’s probably still at the orphanage… I’ll have to ask Chang-sik tomorrow if he has a file with Sa-na’s personal information.’

 

I couldn’t stop thinking about Sa-na, whose existence I hadn’t expected to resurface. I still hadn’t found Cloud, and there were so many things to resolve, like the quest and my workshop. 

 

Even if I tried to search for Sa-na, there was no way I could meet him. I knew it was best not to entertain such thoughts, but it wasn’t as easy as it seemed. My restless mood was so apparent that even Tae Jae-heon noticed something was off.

 

“What did you do today? You seem to be in a good mood.” 

 

“Not much. I just made potions in my room, that’s all.” 

 

“Really?” 

 

Tae Jae-heon raised an eyebrow. I felt a little tense, wondering if he had found out I had gone to the orphanage. But seeing him quietly slice the meat again, I relaxed.

 

‘Where could I find Cloud? Could it be that Tae Jae-heon has him?’

 

I spent the past few days trying to find any clue, but I couldn’t discover anything. While I was slicing the remaining steak, lost in thought, I received a reprimand.

 

“Don’t play with your food.” 

 

“…Sorry.”

 

I replied gruffly, placing the utensils down, then asked Tae Jae-heon.

 

“Is Cheong here?” 

 

“Why do you ask?” 

 

Tae Jaeh-eon set his utensils down and, seeing the curiosity in my gaze, stopped pretending and spoke openly.

 

“Did you treat him properly? I mean, he’s alive, right? You really beat him up that day.” 

 

“He’s alive.”

 

“Cheong came all the way here because of a personal oath. Can’t you just release him from it?” 

 

“The personal oath only affects confidentiality. Coming here was his choice.” 

 

When did you even check someone else’s contract? Always so reckless. As I pouted, Tae Jae-heon, seemingly curious, asked. 

 

“Why did you sign a contract with other mercenaries besides Lim Cheong? He must not have met your standards.” 

 

“Other mercenaries?” 

 

I tilted my head at Tae Jae-heon’s words. Zero wasn’t the type to be criticized like that. He was an S-class Hunter, and while he wasn’t as big as the mercenaries I wanted, Cheong was the same size. 

 

I was confused and gave Tae Jae-heon a questioning look, only for him to continue his harsh criticism. 

 

“His rank was mediocre, his specs were pathetic, and even his appearance was terrible. I was honestly curious what aspect you were looking at when you hired him. His name was Yang.. Su-cheol, right?” 

 

“… Su-cheol?” 

 

I was surprised and asked again, taken aback by the unexpected name. My mind quickly raced as I processed Tae Jae-heon’s words. 

 

‘Does he not know about Zero?’ 

 

Now that I thought about it, Zero wasn’t mentioned in the profiles that Tae Jae-heon had given out. There was no need to add another person to the list of people Tae Jae-heon might threaten with my life, so I shook my head.

 

“To move around unnoticed, you need some ordinary people too. And the higher-ranked ones just didn’t sit right with me. They get cocky just because of their rank. I’m the boss here.” 

 

“Yeah, they shouldn’t get cocky. Do they even know who you are?” 

 

Tae Jeheon chuckled softly and tapped his fingers lightly on the table before speaking. 

 

“Lim Cheong is too stubborn for you to handle. His pride is too strong.” 

 

“Who said that? I’m just asking you to release him.” 

 

“He’ll be yours once he’s fully tamed. Just wait a little longer.” 

 

“Then can’t I meet him now? I can talk him into it. Cheong listens to me well.” 

 

“No.” 

 

The firm answer came quickly. Honestly, if I met Cheong, I was planning to run away with him, so I had no further arguments. I grumbled and placed the paper bag I had tucked away in the drawer next to the bed on the table beside Tae Jeheon. 

 

“Then take this.” 

 

These were the recovery potions I had roughly made right after receiving the ingredients today. Tae Jae-heon glanced at the bag and nodded slightly. 

 

“I’ll deliver it after the emotion. Someone will come tomorrow. Follow them and take some photos.” 

 

“What photos?” 

 

“Passport photos. You should start preparing to leave soon.” 

 

“Ah…” 

 

The time I had left was shorter than I had expected.

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