𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄 , the uncanny counter

경이로운 소문 ── EPISODE THIRTEEN

"And you understand that if something like this happens again, Su-jin, you will be charged as an adult and most likely sent back to Australia, yes?" The officer Yang had never gotten the name of confirmed as Yang sat in between Jang-mul and a lawyer. Yang nodded, avoiding eye contact. The officer sighed, fiddling with paperwork. "You're very lucky Chairman Choi has been such an advocate for you, kid. A lot of people wouldn't go this far for just anyone."

"I know," Yang replied quietly. "I'm very grateful to him. And I'm sorry for punching Mayor Shin." He glanced at Jang-mul and the chairman nodded at him with a gentle smile, putting a hand on his shoulder.

The officer sighed again. "Alright, you're free to go now, Su-jin."

The three stood and bowed, giving small thank you's. Jang-mul kept a hand on Yang's shoulder as they exited the room, immediately being greeted by the other Counters.

"Oh, Yang," Mae-ok sighed in relief, Jang-mul removing his hand as she hugged the Australian. "I was so worried that they were going to put you in prison or send you back to Australia."

"He wouldn't last a day in prison," Ha-na joked, despite her relief being visible on her features. "He'd piss someone off and get ambushed."

Mae-ok pulled back and began her lecture. "How could you punch him, Yang Su-jin?! That was incredibly stupid, especially when it's in front of everyone and cameras! Gosh, you're so lucky that you only got detained for a few hours." She hugged him again before pulling away with a sigh, straightening her clothes.

Mo-tak put a hand on his shoulder. "Good job. It was a solid punch."

Yang nodded, staring at his hands as he fiddled with his sleeves. He knew it had been stupid to punch Myeong-hwi with all his supporters and reporters watching, with cops being just meters away from him. He couldn't just stand there and watch Myeong-hwi be cocky and think he would just be able to get away with everything that he did, while taunting Mun about his parents. He had acted on impulse and had to deal with the consequences.

He looked up at Mun. The two made eye contact before Yang broke it, sniffling slightly. He missed Mun.

. . .

"The release of CCTV footage from random serial killings that occurred this afternoon at a commercial building in Jungjin has shocked the public," The news anchor announced as everyone sat around the table at the noodle shop. "The police collected all the footage from the area..."

"Ji Cheong-sin?" Yang whispered, looking at the screen as it showed three people. He glanced at Mo-tak.

"What are those jerks doing?" Mo-tak asked, almost to himself.

"What should we do?" Ha-na asked. "They'll keep doing that whenever they get hungry."

"It's not something we can handle," Mae-ok answered. "This isn't good. Let's go up together."

. . .

Yang heard Chaewon's giggles before he saw her as they arrived in Yung. The Counter's partners all stood around as the Counters approached them. Chaewon smiled widely and waved to Yang, the Australian hesitantly waving back.

"Ji Cheong-sin has become complete," Wi-gen revealed. Yang's eyes widened, glancing at Chaewon.

"Complete?" Mun repeated.

"The host and the evil spirit have become one," Yang whispered, looking down as he remembered the teammate he had lost the last time he fought a level four. Wi-gen nodded.

"What?"

"That's the infamous final level of the spirit," Mo-tak remembered.

"He's now immortal," Gi-ran told them. "He'll now live forever."