Declaration Of Extra Strike

 […We will soon arrive at Incheon International Airport. Please prepare for landing…] 

Kang Eui-jin turned to look beside him. The man sitting across the aisle rested his chin on his hand, gazing out the window filled with clouds, showing no interest in him at all. He bit his lip, feeling a swell of frustration at Seong San-ha’s indifference.

 

Where had things gone wrong? 

 

Everything had started smoothly. Just when he thought they were getting closer, Seong San-ha’s urgent work always seemed to come up. And now, after ten days in Greece, he was feeling dissatisfied. 

 

It was a fortunate twist of fate that his desire to see one of the constellations resonated with Seong San-ha. Despite his busy schedule, Seong San-ha had willingly set aside ten days just for him.

 

Beyond the constellation, there was something different between him and Seong San-ha. If that person—an enemy who could cause harm—could repent and rehabilitate, then even after the work was done, he thought about requesting “education” rather than elimination from the higher-ups.

 

After boarding the chartered plane and arriving in Greece, Kang Eui-jin had an amazing time that he momentarily forgot about the purpose of checking the constellation, Rukbat. He even thought that after this trip, he might not return home right away and could look into the next constellation instead.

 

However, on the third day, everything went awry. Seong San-ha’s expression had turned cold almost instantly when he received a call early in the morning. He returned to his room and spent a long time on the phone with someone. 

 

By the time noon approached, Seong San-ha finally emerged from the room, but the smile on his face couldn’t mask the coldness radiating from him.

 

—“Eui-jin ah, I think we need to head back a bit earlier. Is that okay?”

 

—“Why? Is something wrong?”  

 

—“Something got stolen.”  

 

—“Stolen? Was it something… important?”  

 

—“Yes. Very precious.”  

 

Seong San-ha’s mention of an early return felt like a slap in the face. The originally planned ten-day trip was being cut short for an absurd reason, and to make matters worse, they hadn’t even gained any additional information about Rukbat, who was absent. 

 

The deal with Rukbat was a trade to show Castor. So to gather intel on the two constellations protected by Cheon Rang, the closeness with Seong San-ha was crucial. Now, the plans to learn about Rukbat and build rapport with Seong San-ha were both falling apart.

 

Perhaps because the time for the divine manifestation was approaching, news of other routes accessing Cheon Rang had begun to circulate not only within the Southern faction he belonged to but also among the Western faction, making him increasingly anxious.  

 

“I can’t let this slip away. I have to succeed.”  

 

Kang Eui-jin bit his nails anxiously, his eyes darting around. 

 

As soon as they landed, Seong San-ha left with only a brief farewell. Kang Eui-jin gazed in the direction Seong San-ha had disappeared, his heart heavy, when several people approached him. One of the men wrapped an arm around his shoulder.  

 

“Welcome back!”  

 

“Get off me.”  

 

Kang Eui-jin brushed off the man’s hand and got into the waiting car. As the door closed behind him, the man beside him spoke.  

 

“You returned faster than we heard. Anyway, good job. I sent someone to the location you provided to the European branch, so we’ll catch Rukbat soon. Have you learned anything about Aldebaran or Zubenelgenubi?”  

 

“Stop rushing me. I don’t have anything yet.”  

 

“I’m not rushing. I heard that in the Western faction, they’ve caught onto Aldebaran and Regulus. I thought you might want to know.”  

 

“They’ve already found them?”  

 

Damn! Kang Eui-jin clenched his teeth in frustration. He couldn’t keep his fingers still, anxiety coursing through him as he roughly swept his hair back and continued. 

 

“I need you to find something for me.”  

 

“What is it?”  

 

“Seong San-ha said something was stolen from him. That’s why he had to return early. I need to know what it was.”  

 

“Ah…”  

 

The man’s expression slightly crumpled as he realized something. Not missing a beat, Kang Eui-jin sharply pressed him.  

 

“Why? What is it?”  

 

“Was it the 17th? That’s when I received the contact.”  

 

“Yeah. That sounds about right.”  

 

“I was going to tell you when you returned, but things got a bit complicated. I was actually trying to track down the potion maker who made the guiding potions and settle things with him…”

 

“I get it. You couldn’t find him because he was hidden somewhere, but wasn’t that already dealt with?”  

 

“Turns out it was a workshop backed by Cheon Rang.”  

 

“What?”  

 

Kang Eui-jin asked in disbelief, his face paling as the pieces quickly came together.  

 

“Why are you only telling me this now? If that’s true, there’s no way Seong San-ha would believe I made the guiding potion!” 

 

“We found out while trying to clean things up. It wasn’t an official sponsor. Anyway, don’t worry. We failed to kidnap the potion maker. Someone took down all our men and abducted him first.”  

 

“Are you seriously saying that’s a good thing? Where the hell is that potion maker now?”  

 

***  

 

“Ugh, this is boring.”  

 

A light green grape popped into an open mouth. Savoring its honey-like sweetness, without any bitterness, another small fist-sized strawberry was pointed at. A bright red strawberry was brought to his lips. Too big to eat whole, he bit it in half, and juice dripped down, spilling onto his lips.

 

“Ah, I spilled it…”  

 

“Just stay still. I’ll wipe it for you.”  

 

As I tried to lift my lazy body, Han Seo-jin pressed down on my chest, forcing me back down. When I turned my head in confusion at the sticky gaze on my face, a soft tissue brushed against my skin, gently dabbing the wet spots.  

 

“Hyung.”  

 

“What?”  

 

“…Nothing.”  

 

Han Seo-jin shook his head, his face slightly flushed, and undid a button. When I asked if he was hot, he turned red to the tips of his ears again and re-buttoned the one he had just undone. What a strange guy.  

 

It was an awkward combination of words that still felt out of place, but right now, I was being kidnapped by Han Seo-jin. Damn.  

 

The hostages were Cloud and me, and the kidnapper’s demand was to become one with him. Since I couldn’t meet that request as someone who couldn’t live as a guide, the standoff between us was dragging on.  

 

“Hyung, is there anything you want to eat for dinner?”  

 

“Yeah. Grilled beef ribs. From the restaurant in Wolgye Naru.”  

 

“Then I’ll send someone to get it…”  

 

“It’s not the same if you don’t eat there.”  

 

At my words, Han Seo-jin raised an eyebrow.  

 

“That’s not allowed. Just tell me what you want, and I’ll have it brought to you.”  

 

“Forget it. I don’t want to eat.”

 

“…If you think of something else you want to eat, just let me know.”  

 

“Bamboo rice. It’s in Wolgye Naru, but they don’t do takeout here. It really has to be eaten there for a different reason.”  

 

“… ”  

 

Han Seo-jin pretended not to hear and shoved a strawberry into my mouth. When I opened it, he stuffed it all in at once.  

 

“Ugh, umph!”  

 

“If you keep saying ridiculous things, that’s what happens. I’ll just have them get something similar.”  

 

After chewing diligently, I finally managed to swallow and shouted.

  

“You’ve made a mess!”  

 

“I’ll wipe it for you.”  

 

“It’s no use. It’s all sticky now… I need to wash up.”  

 

Han Seo-jin nodded and walked to the bathroom. Just as I was getting ready, the doorbell rang. I hurriedly opened the door and peeked out to see Han Seo-jin groggily getting up while cursing.  

 

“Who’s there? Who is it?”  

 

“…Hyung! If you’re not dressed, don’t even think about coming out.”  

 

“I’m going to wash up. But who is it?”  

 

“It’s nothing important. Just someone… I’ll send them away right away, so don’t worry and just wash up.”  

 

Thinking it was a cleaner or someone running an errand for Han Seo-jin, I nodded and closed the door again. However, even after I finished washing up, Han Seo-jin was nowhere to be found.  

 

“Hmm? Is he downstairs…?”

 

As I stepped out into the hallway, Cloud suddenly popped up in my arms. I lifted him up and headed out.  

 

“Cloud, are you getting your treats today too? I asked Han Seo-jin for some ingredients.”  

 

“Mehhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”  

 

“Do you dislike it that much? Just hold on a little longer. Seong San-ha might come looking for you, or maybe there will be another way… I’ll find a way out somehow.”  

 

“Mehhhh!”  

 

I gently rocked the visibly upset Cloud in my arms as I descended the stairs, but then I heard raised voices from below, indicating something was wrong.  

 

“…What are you suddenly doing this?!”  

 

“Don’t worry about it and just go out.”  

 

“Han Seo-jin!!”  

 

Who was that? Seeing someone yelling at Han Seo-jin, I realized it couldn’t be just a simple errand runner. Sensing there was someone else around, I placed Cloud down and crossed the living room.  

 

“You know you can’t do any interrogations or tracking without me, right? And the recent incident at Wolgye Naru, that was also your doing?”  

 

“That’s not true.”  

 

“Save the lies for someone who’ll buy them. I’ve been watching you since your awakening day. Why were you involved with Novarion? And now you just want to back out…?”  

 

“Who says I’m backing out? Just push it back a bit.”  

 

“Seriously, this isn’t a joke. What do you mean push it back…? Aahhh!”

 

As I turned the corner and stepped into the entrance, I saw Han Seo-jin talking to someone, and the guy turned pale as if he’d seen a ghost and fell back.  

 

“Uh? You’re…!”  

 

“

Gasp

! A-a ghost!”  

 

“Why are you here? I told you not to come out. What ghost? Park Mu-il, is that you?”  

 

Right, it was Han Seo-jin’s friend, Park Mu-il. A slick guy. Seeing him like this, I felt a sense of familiarity and waved at him, but he acted like he didn’t see me and continued to harass Han Seo-jin.  

 

“W-what do you mean that’s not a ghost? If that’s not a ghost, then what is it? Are you crazy? Did you seriously make a doll of your brother’s face? What the hell, man! I thought you were doing better lately… Does your sister know about this?”  

 

“Ugh, just come in. Let’s talk inside.”  

 

“No way! Wax figures give me the creeps! What kind of item made it move…?”  

 

“Seriously, what’s with all the doll talk? There’s no such good-looking doll around.”  

 

“What…?”  

 

Han Seo-jin put his hand on his forehead. Park Mu-il, still holding onto Han Seo-jin’s collar, turned his creaky neck to look at me in confusion. I crossed my arms and nodded.  

 

“Just come inside for now. I need to know what’s going on with Wolgye Naru and Novarion too.”

Happy 100 Chapters! <333