Memorize - Episode 13
13 Split in Half
Ahn Hyun seemed deeply conflicted about Park Dong-geol's proposal. If someone else had suggested forming a team, he probably wouldn't have hesitated this much. Ahn Hyun instinctively distrusted Park Dong-geol. Despite his smooth words, there was an indescribable darkness about him.
Regardless, Park Dong-geol had the upper hand. Whatever his words, he had effectively taken in two of the three weakest members (Ahn Sol, Lee Shin-woo, Lee Bo-rim).
Ahn Hyun's anxiety had reached its peak. He couldn't abandon his sister, but the clearing incident had already shown what her actions could lead to. To make matters worse, Ahn Hyun had lost his choice. By leaving room for negotiation, Park Dong-geol had put him in a difficult position.
If the situation tilted even slightly more in Park Dong-geol's favor, there was a high chance that Ahn Hyun, Ahn Sol, and Lee Yoo-jung would be left behind. And Park Dong-geol didn't realize he was digging his own grave. My perspective was vastly different from the others here. I judged people based on their personalities and abilities, determining who could survive. But Park Dong-geol neither had this ability nor desired it.
From the start, Park Dong-geol and I had different criteria for the team we wanted. I wanted companions who would be helpful after entering the Hollow Plane, while Park Dong-geol wanted a team he could manipulate to his liking.
In a way, this situation could be advantageous for me.
Anyway, the balance of power now depended on the choices of myself and Kim Han-byeol. Since I wasn't present, everyone's attention naturally turned to Kim Han-byeol. After thinking calmly for a while, she looked around briefly and stood up. However, she bit her lip slightly, indicating she hadn't made a final decision yet.
"I think we should bring back the person who's keeping watch."
After a long pause, her words weren't a choice but a suggestion. The others, who had been waiting tensely for Kim Han-byeol's decision, let out a collective sigh.
Park Dong-geol, acting as if he was in charge, said, "Ah, right," and then continued in a permissive tone.
"Well... bring him. Tell him what's going on and ask him to make a choice. We don't have much time, so make up your mind on the way. Ah, wait a moment."
His words stopped Kim Han-byeol as she was about to turn. He put on the most pleasant smile he could muster and continued.
"You and that guy could be helpful. So, talk to each other on the way. I won't disappoint you. Anyway..."
He glanced at Ahn Hyun mid-sentence and deliberately trailed off.
"In any case, you two are welcome. I hope you make the right choice."
Park Dong-geol's act was reaching its climax. Lee Shin-woo, already feeling secure with Park Dong-geol, gave a small fighting signal to Kim Han-byeol. For now, Park Dong-geol was essentially the winner of this round. Like it or not, he had already achieved his goal.
Though the start was rocky, it seemed his age wasn't for nothing. Lee Shin-woo and Lee Bo-rim didn't realize they might be used as bait or pawns. Or perhaps they knew but succumbed to the value of their lives.
As I watched Kim Han-byeol approach, I slowly closed my eyes. My head ached, but I also felt somewhat refreshed. I could have interfered with Park Dong-geol's plans if I wanted, but that would have defeated the purpose of leaving my spot. Moreover, this situation, though unintended, could be a win-win for both of us.
Park Dong-geol had eliminated Ahn Hyun and Lee Yoo-jung, who would hinder his control, while I could secure three out of the four people I had in mind. It would have been foolish to interfere with their self-elimination when they had been such a nuisance. Although it was frustrating to see talented individuals fall for smooth talk, that was their personal problem and not my concern. If I could just draw in the remaining person, I had a feeling things might progress faster than expected.
Rustle, rustle.
While my eyes were closed, I heard footsteps brushing against the grass behind me. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. I quickly stood up and attached the crossbow to my left arm. Whenever I saw Kim Han-byeol, I was reminded of "her," which gave me an odd feeling I couldn't quite understand. As I pretended to scan the surroundings with my crossbow aimed forward, I soon heard a soft voice calling out to me.
"Excuse me..."
"Yes?"
I turned around with a startled expression to find Kim Han-byeol looking at me with calm eyes. I deliberately massaged my left arm, feigning pain, and spoke.
"I heard some growling once or twice, but there doesn't seem to be anything around yet."
"You've worked hard. We've almost finished discussing, so I think it's time for you to come back."
"Then let's go right away."
Just as I was about to turn with a nonchalant expression, Kim Han-byeol, as expected, stopped me.
"Wait a moment."
I turned back, and Kim Han-byeol spoke with a hesitant face.
"Well... the conversation took an odd turn."
"An odd turn?"
"Yes. Let me explain..."
Kim Han-byeol nodded at my question and began to recount what had happened. Honestly, as I listened, I wanted to guess her true thoughts, but Kim Han-byeol summarized the key points very objectively. Usually, in such situations, people tend to lean towards one side or the other, but I was purely impressed by her.
"So that's how things stand now. What... what are you going to do?"
After finishing her explanation, Kim Han-byeol immediately asked which side I would take. Although I had already made up my mind, I tilted my head with a thoughtful expression.
"I didn't expect things to turn out like this. I'm not sure yet."
"Me neither."
"What do you think about what that man said?"
At my question, Kim Han-byeol briefly looked into my eyes and answered in a voice softer than usual.
"I don't think he's wrong. But..."
"Something doesn't sit right with you?"
"...Yes. I get an uneasy feeling whenever I look at him. But strangely, at the time, I couldn't find any faults in what he said."
Lee Shin-woo and Lee Bo-rim had fallen for it. Seeing them, Kim Han-byeol must have been conflicted.
And I finally understood why she had volunteered to come get me herself. I wanted to talk more, but considerable time had already passed, so I started walking and kept quiet for a moment. Now that I had partially confirmed her feelings, I just needed to add a little seasoning on the way back.
There was no conversation between us, but I was certain Kim Han-byeol was following behind me. After letting some time pass, I finally spoke.
"I don't like what that man said."
"..."
"From the start, he cleverly mixed the strengths and weaknesses of his logic. That's why there's nothing technically wrong with what he said. He used the strengths to cover the weaknesses, making his words seem very advantageous."
There was no response, but I felt an unspoken gaze urging me to explain further. Park Dong-geol had been quite cunning, but I couldn't let Kim Han-byeol slip away. So I decided to explain the answers to her concerns one by one.
"For not lying and being honest, there's one condition: can you keep the words you've spoken? Does that man seem like someone who keeps his word?"
"No."
Kim Han-byeol answered immediately.
"From our first meeting until now, his impression has been poor, and his actions have been disrupting the team's harmony. Rather than trusting his uncertain words and joining his team, it seems better to stay with the existing group. So I'll stay with the original group."
I glanced back to see Kim Han-byeol deep in thought, seemingly mulling over my words. Less than a minute later, as we saw people in the distance, I could hear her whispering behind my back.
"I'm worried about the two who went ahead."
This statement was as good as saying Kim Han-byeol had made up her mind. I thought I had done well to speak as indirectly and diplomatically as possible. If I had been direct from the start, saying something like, "Park Dong-geol, that bastard, is trying to use Lee Bo-rim and Lee Shin-woo. Don't go. If you go, you'll be used too," she would have distrusted me as well. She seemed quick-witted, so even with just a little prodding, she would likely grasp the general meaning of my words.
Eventually, the distance shortened enough that I could clearly see the two divided groups on the hill. The situation hadn't changed from when I last saw it.
On one side were Ahn Hyun, Ahn Sol, and Lee Yoo-jung. On the other side were Lee Shin-woo and Lee Bo-rim, with Park Dong-geol at the forefront.
As we reached the top of the hill, I saw six pairs of eyes turn towards me and Kim Han-byeol.
"Here they come. Thanks for keeping watch."
Seeing Park Dong-geol already acting as if he was in charge, I felt a surge of annoyance, but I forcefully suppressed it. Ahn Hyun's stoic eyes. Ahn Sol's anxious eyes. Lee Yoo-jung's tense eyes. Lee Shin-woo's trembling eyes. Lee Bo-rim's weak eyes. The diverse gazes made me feel strange. I stopped walking before reaching them, and Kim Han-byeol, following behind me, also halted.
"I thought you'd be back soon. Anyway, did you hear about what's going on?"
"I did."
"This is how things turned out. It might be tough, but try to understand. We're doing this to survive, after all."
As Park Dong-geol finished speaking, I could hear Lee Yoo-jung muttering a curse under her breath. Ignoring this, Park Dong-geol strode towards me and extended his large hand.
"Join our team. We can be friends. You're welcome, and so is the lady behind you."
The tension in the air peaked as everyone waited for my answer. Aware of the others' anxious feelings, I ignored his hand and replied in a cold voice.
"I can judge for myself who I can be friends with. Thank you for the offer, but I'll decline."
Park Dong-geol didn't even blink. Still not withdrawing his hand, he turned to Kim Han-byeol and asked.
"...What about you?"
"I can't trust you."
Of course, Kim Han-byeol also ignored him. As we passed by him, Park Dong-geol spoke with a sneering voice.
"Ha~. So that's how it's going to be. I don't know what that fox told you on the way here, but you'll definitely regret this."
"If you value your own life, I hope you'll value others' lives too."
"You're talking nonsense. After all the consideration I gave you... Well, do as you please. I don't want to force anyone who doesn't want to join. Just don't come begging to join the team later."
"That won't happen."
"Shin-woo, Bo-rim, let's go! If we stay with these hypocrites, we might not survive either."
They've already exchanged names, it seems. Watching him forcibly drag Lee Shin-woo and Lee Bo-rim away felt like a weight had been lifted. I calmly walked up to the remaining people. Their eyes conveyed a mix of relief and an indescribable goodwill towards me. Ahn Hyun let out a deep sigh and spoke to me.
"You've been through a lot. As you can see... this is how things turned out."
"Hmph. It's for the best, isn't it? No need to feel down. They left because they wanted to, so let them do as they please. They'll live or die on their own."
I couldn't help but smile at Lee Yoo-jung's sharp words. As she said, they were the ones who left. And we weren't left behind, we chose to stay.
These two phrases carried a very significant difference.