Maverick (Blank)
Chapter 19: Kaelan (6)
[Crazy Woman]
The corners of his eyes were red. His heart beat fast. "What do you mean by work? What do you mean by taking?" A heavy voice broke the harmony.
The woman clenched her hands. Her lips were bitten. "I already told you..."
"Stop bothering my family!"
Blank stood straight, his legs weak. Even though his heart was torn, his resolve was firm. His gaze turned to Riku and Raya.
"Riku. Raya. You can't be like this."
His weary gaze fell on the two of them. "You can be far greater in the future than living like this." Blank took a step closer. "Don't steal... Don't be ruined. I beg you..."
Riku and Raya fell silent. The mother, who was previously sitting, now stood up with pupils constricted, her hand grabbing Blank's collar.
"Are you deaf? Don't bother them, you damn brat!"
With a desperate expression, Blank said, "Parents shouldn't ruin their children. I beg you. This is for their sake."
The woman's brow furrowed, her eyes widened perfectly and turned red. "Who do you think you are, huh? Daring to dictate my life?"
(I don't know.) Blank looked at Riku and Raya. (I don't know who I am either, but my chest hurts.)
His gaze returned to the mother. "I just want to save them."
The woman's teeth were visible. "Oh... so you're a hero, you bastard!?"
Blank's hand clenched and loosened. "I want to offer a solution, at least so they can live decently."
The grip tightened. "What are you talking about, you bastard!? Someone like you doesn't know our life!"
Blank was startled. But what was more shocking was the voice...
"GO AWAY!"
It was Raya's voice. Even though she closed her eyes, her shout was so loud. Blank looked on weakly. (Raya...)
"Don't bother Mom! Mom has given us so much!"
Her voice was loud, though not too noisy. But that voice succeeded in cracking Blank's heart, which was defending them at this moment.
In the quiet atmosphere, another voice emerged.
"Get lost, you bastard! We don't need you, and get lost!"
Blank's fingers fell limp. His eyes lowered slightly as he bit the flesh inside his mouth.
Blank was disappointed in himself. All his efforts to help yielded no results. He contemplated for a moment, recovering his thoughts in this difficult situation.
His face was flat, his heart pounding. With a heavy heart, he said:
"Alright, I hope you can be happy."
Blank turned his face away. $50 was dropped in front of the door, and he walked out.
"This is for the door repair."
Blank left the two of them. The mother hugged her two children again. "It's okay, Raya. Riku. Mom is here."
Raya hugged her mother. But her gaze didn't leave Blank, who finally disappeared from in front of their room.
---
Blank walked out of the room. Outside that place, there was a can in front of him.
A woman of the night saw him. "Hey, kid, you're handsome too. Want something nice—"
Clang.
Blank kicked the can in front of him hard with an annoyed face. "Bastard!" He walked away from that place. The earlier woman scratched her head. "What's wrong with that kid?"
Blank found the main road again. He noticed the time on a store clock. "It's already 12:30. I should get some food first."
In his weakened state, he walked along the sidewalk. His eyes looked left and right. "I can't just choose food randomly. I've already spent a lot of money today, and food here is expensive."
After 5 minutes of walking, his gaze fixed on a restaurant with glowing text above it.
[20% discount special grand opening]
Blank stared at it from afar. Looking at the still-new restaurant with fresh white and red paint. The aroma of fried chicken reached his nose.
Grrr.
His stomach growled, and Blank looked at it. "That means yes."
Blank entered the restaurant named 'Chickenwings' and opened its glass door. His eyes looked left and right at the busy customers sitting at their tables together.
Blank approached the cashier. "I'll have crispy chicken with rice and iced tea, for here." The cashier typed something into her device. "That'll be $5, sir." Blank reached into his pocket and paid.
"Alright, we'll bring it over. Please take a seat." A card was given with the number 20. (Hey, this is like my birthday date. Maybe some luck will come.)
Blank looked around. Number 20 meant it was in the corner. There was only one person wearing a white hoodie with the hood up, sitting facing away from him. Blank narrowed his eyes. (Why does it feel a bit familiar?)
Blank held his neck. "I'm already thinking about tonight."
The sound of footsteps came from Blank as he approached his dining table and found a red sofa in front of him. (This place is really good for cheap food.)
Blank landed his butt on the seat. Comfortable, clean, and also soft, it made his heart feel relieved. He leaned back.
"How's your day?"
Blank jolted. That voice was not unfamiliar to his ears. Blank sighed heavily. "Oh my God, I don't know what you are, old man."
"I just happen to be eating here. Did you manage to save them?"
Blank narrowed his eyes. "Why do you know so much?"
The man leaned back on the sofa behind Blank. "Well, maybe it's just a coincidence."
Blank looked around. "I want to hit you, but it's too crowded here."
"Whoa, relax, kid. It's not good to hit an old man." The man chuckled softly as if playing with him. "Hey, are you coming tonight?"
"No."
The man scratched his forehead. "Well, I wanted to talk about Leonardo, your father, you know."
Blank was silent for a moment, his hands clenching. (He knows a lot, but my father told me not to search for my family.)
"I don't know. I don't have parents."
The man snickered. "Oh dear, Leonardo. He really kept it a secret, it turns out." Then he clicked his tongue. "Then what about Kaeri?"
Blank's eyes widened perfectly, and he slammed the table.
"Hey, don't hit the table. Many people are watching you." Blank's eye twitched slightly. "Hey, tell me what you know."
The man stroked his beard. "Well, about Kaeri, maybe another time. There's something more important than that."
Blank clenched his fingers. "I came to this city only for him."
The man taunted him. "Kaelan. Your legacy is too heavy for you to search for someone unimportant in your life."
Blank held back his emotions, his nails digging into his pants. His teeth were visible. "Say that again, or I'll hit you."
Loudly, the man said, "You could die anytime." Blank fell silent instantly. He glanced slightly from the corner of his eye. His body froze with chaotic thoughts.
"Are you threatening me?" The man scratched his cheek. "Not me, the threat." Blank wrinkled his nose. "Then?"
The man sighed. "Well, knowing a little about your father could save you."
Veins were visible on Blank's hand. "Bastard! Stop playing games."
The man stood up, his steps moving away from Blank. "Then come tonight." He continued walking, leaving Blank silent on the sofa.
Blank looked at his back. Neat white hair even though he looked quite old. A scar on his eye with sunglasses. He just left. (Bastard, who is that guy?)
"I'll die young? What does that mean?"
His teeth were visible. Someone approached him. "Sir, here's your order." In an irritated tone, Blank answered. "Yes."
But the girl bringing the food tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled. "Brother El? Why are you angry?" Blank jolted and looked at her face.
"Natalia?"
"Oh, so it really is Brother El. I saw from afar and thought it was someone else."
"Sorry, I was in a bad mood earlier. You work here? But aren't you also in college?"
Natalia nodded slightly. "It's December. I have a break until February. I'm interning here for 3 months."
"Is that so? That's good. You're working hard."
Natalia chuckled softly. "Well, my house just happens to be not far from here."
"That's good. You recovered quickly too."
Natalia bowed a little. "Well, Brother Rohan couldn't be saved anymore. We already went. But I still have to work."
Blank held his chin. "That's true. Well, good luck, Natalia. Thanks for bringing the food."
"You're welcome." Natalia smiled broadly.
Blank took his plate, and Natalia left him. But in his mind now:
(I don't understand why that stranger keeps appearing.)
He took a bite by himself. (How does he know about my father?) A gulp of iced tea. (And he also knows about Brother Kaeri?) Another bite went into his mouth. (And most importantly, I'm in danger?)
Blank continued eating until finished. His stomach was filled, and the wind from the air conditioner cooled his thoughts. Blank drank the remaining iced tea. (Should I go?)
The plate was clean, as was the glass. He leaned back with his hands on his stomach. His eyes looked at the ceiling. (But why is my life so unlucky, huh?)
Blank bit his index finger. (Limtown Bar at 10 PM, right? I already threw away the card.) His body straightened again. His eyes sharpened with constricted pupils.
(Alright. I'll go.)
---
After finishing, Blank returned to his place. Now he decided not to work first so his body could balance and not be too tired until night.
Night arrived. Blank stood in front of the large door of Limtown Bar with its black glass walls. The combination of red and gold was the characteristic of this place. (This is a legal bar, right?)
Limtown Bar was a large bar in the city center. Its main facility was a bar with live music in the middle of the room; they usually performed music with violin and piano melodies. This bar had a rating of 4.6/5 on its website.
This bar also provided a party place in the basement with super lively DJ music, colorful lights, and a hotel above the bar as its main partner.
Blank looked at the 10-story building behind the bar. "This is a business model with an ecosystem, huh."
He looked around. "Then how can I find that person in a place this vast?"
Blank entered the bar with an uncomfortable feeling. The smell of expensive alcohol reached his nose. It didn't make him nauseous but didn't feel comfortable either; that's what he felt.
Blank looked around, and at the same time, a man approached him. "Hey, kid, are you lost? This isn't your place, I think, haha."
Even though this was a bar, everyone wore shirts and other neat clothes. Different from Blank, who was wearing a hoodie now. Eyes turned to the man. "Sorry, I'm looking for someone."
The man chuckled softly. "Oh dear, kid. I think you can't even afford the cheapest beer here."
Blank moved his finger. "Well, I'm looking for someone with white hair and a scar on his eye."
The man was startled. "Wait? What? Impossible." Blank shook his head. "It's true. Why?" The man approached him and pointed toward the VIP room. "There's only one person with characteristics like that here now. He's a regular VIP customer of Limtown Bar."
Blank furrowed his brow and looked at him intently. (Ah, that's really him. But why?)
The man was called by another man. "Hey, let's continue drinking." The man laughed. "Haha, be patient, you bastard." He left Blank alone. "Good luck, pal." While waving his hand.
Blank stepped toward the large sofa with a man wearing a white shirt and sunglasses on his face.
"Hey, sir, are you that person?"
The man opened his sunglasses slightly, revealing sharp yellow pupils looking at Blank. The man chuckled softly. "Oh. You decided to come."
Blank still stood straight behind him, even though his legs felt weak from the surrounding atmosphere. "I want to know what you wanted to tell me."
The man stood up. In a shirt, it was clear his body was still athletic and fit despite his age of 44. "Come with me. Not here for the conversation."
The man left his VIP seat; Blank followed his path from behind. Many people noticed him.
A female client whispered a sentence to her friend beside her. "Hey, is that Mr. Son? Why is he with that delinquent kid?" Her friend shook her head. "No way. Mr. Son that... He must still like women."
Blank looked curiously at who the man in front of him was. Even though their heights weren't much different, many upper-class people knew him. That was a big difference.
When the man called Mr. Son opened the door, a G-Class model car was already parked in front of the bar. Blank rubbed his neck awkwardly. (Who is this person?) The car directly opened its door right in front of him.
"Get in."
Blank looked with suspicion and worry. He paused for a moment. (Wait? Is this safe!?)
Mr. Son looked at him again. "We're going to the penthouse." Blank bit his lip. (What? How could this person?) The man got into the back seat. "You get in the front seat."
His heart beat fast, and he bit his lip. "I don't want to go." Mr. Son sat casually. "Then you will die quickly." Blank jolted in fear.
With heavy, hesitant steps, Blank forced himself. He walked slowly without an answer while looking at the road.
After getting into the front seat, Blank was surprised to see a large, burly man as the driver. Cold sweat soaked his face. (Crazy, is this a driver or a monster!?)
The driver stepped on the gas quickly. The car moved agilely left and right, with Blank trembling inside. (Help me...)
After more than 10 minutes, they finally arrived at a 60-story apartment building with bright golden yellow lights adorning every window.
Blank got out of the car. (Is this person not an ordinary person?) The man walked with a fast rhythm, forcing Blank to follow his trail. After they entered the apartment, Blank was amazed by the super spacious lobby before him. Many imported marbles were installed with an artificial waterfall welcoming them, making the atmosphere calmer.
The man walked toward the elevator; Blank approached. "Where are we going?" The man answered without turning. "The top floor." With trembling hands, Blank clenched them.
The elevator started moving for 30 seconds. The door opened, and the condition of the spacious, neat penthouse appeared before his eyes. An abstract golden glass chandelier and black marble walls adorned some corners of the room, with a musky fragrance passing through his sense of smell.
"Follow me to a room on the upper floor." Blank followed the man. He saw something on the right. A large board that read...
[10 Vows of the Kuhaku Group]
1. The mission is paramount. Violence, oppression, all means are permissible. Individuals bear the consequences personally.
2. All conflicts or problems must be resolved with a cool head, not emotion.
3. An agent must believe in and accept the stakes of winning and losing with full responsibility.
4. If the result of Vow #3 is failure, do not succumb to frustration; seek a solution instead.
5. When operating in a team, agents may inquire about each other's strategies in detail.
6. Changing one's mind due to adaptation is a necessity. The world does not go according to plan.
7. External conflict is not your right to engage. Focus your control on things you can actually control.
8. Betrayal of fellow agents within the same organization is strictly forbidden.
9. The rules above shall be upheld as one's own dignity, even unto death.
10. First, complete the mission. Then, enjoy yourself.
[Foreign language for Blank, already translated]
Blank looked with furrowed brows. (I don't understand. What language is that?)
Blank then walked behind him and tried to start a conversation. "Hey, you're called Mr. Son? Do you have to be like that too?"
The man answered with both hands clasped behind his back. "No need."
Blank scratched his cheek. "Then?" The man chuckled softly. "Call me... Uncle."
Blank was instantly startled, his eyes wide and mouth agape. He couldn't believe it.
"You must be joking, right?" Mr. Son put both hands in his pockets. "Not really. Technically, I should be your uncle."
Blank grew more confused. The two of them climbed the stairs, and when they reached a corridor, Blank sharpened his pupils. There were several objects he didn't understand.
On the right, there was a box of powder with large white pills, tasteless and without composition. To its right, there were black and white tablet medications also without composition, only with the word 'extra' written.
Cold sweat slowly passed over his forehead. He couldn't speak seeing so many objects that shouldn't exist legally. (Should I just run away?)
Mr. Son opened the secret room door with his card. The door opened, revealing many stacks of classic books with several paintings displayed on some sides.
Blank's focus stopped when he saw a photo of two young men taking a picture together at a campsite.
(Is this Mr. Son when he was young? Who is the man beside him?)
Blank felt it was familiar, but clearly, he had never seen that face before. Then their steps stopped, and the man said something.
[Your father was a spy agent]