IF YOU'RE HANDSOME LIFE IS EASIER

075

"But it seems like being on the chaser team isn't all that advantageous either."

At Gukjong-sunbae's comment, I nodded in agreement.

"Right, especially since we've got penalties like not being able to use our legs for three minutes..."

Giri-sunbae also remembered the additional rules and gave a look of agreement.

Though the numbers were in favor of the mission team, with double the players, the penalties were heavier on us chasers.
It was clear that the rules were designed to balance what looked like a dream team.

"But Gukjong-hyung, aren't we coming up with a plan?"
"Giri, what do we need a plan for? With Donghu, you, and me, we're like the Three Kingdoms generals."
"The Three Kingdoms generals?"
"Yeah, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei."

Gukjong-sunbae shrugged at our confused looks, as if asking what else we'd do for 20 minutes.

"We'll just get to know each other better. Donghu, do you do any other sports besides boxing?"
"Uh... Actually, I focus on mixed martial arts too."
"Oh, MMA! Giri, isn't that your thing?"
"Come on, hyung, Donghu is on a whole other level."

The back-and-forth banter continued until suddenly, out of nowhere, Gukjong-sunbae asked:

"Donghu, you're good at running too, right?"
"Yes, I am."
"How long does it take you to run 3km?"
"Ten minutes."
"Really? Then... are you good at soccer too?"
"Huh?"
"Since we're here, if you're good at soccer, that'd be great, wouldn't it?"

Soccer? Where was this coming from?

'Is he joking?'

I was about to laugh it off, but when I saw the look in Gukjong-sunbae's eyes, I knew.

'He's serious.'

To Gukjong-sunbae, the mission team was already as good as caught.
No matter how many penalties were placed on the chasers, the outcome felt inevitable to him-like giving a bell to a cat and expecting it not to catch mice.

"Anyway, if you like soccer, we can-oh, looks like we're out of time."

Checking the clock, Gukjong-sunbae reached for the center table.

"Before we go, let's do a quick cheer. As for the strategy... we'll figure it out on the go. We've got walkie-talkies anyway, right?"
"Yes!"
"One, two, three!"
"Let's go!"

The mission time was about an hour and a half.

"Okay, let's split up and act independently. Keep updating each other over the walkie-talkies, and only regroup if it's necessary."
"Got it!"

With that, I hurried toward the elevator to check the floor numbers.

"The video tapes are on five floors: 2nd, 6th, 8th, 13th, and 19th."

Logic dictated that the 2nd floor would be the first to go, but-

'It'll still take them some time to search, won't it?'

The elevators were programmed to favor the mission team.
Every elevator was currently at the 1st floor, making it inefficient to wait for one to reach the 22nd.

There was only one strategy that came to mind.

"...VJ-nim, I'm sorry."
"Excuse me?"
"I think I'll have to take the stairs."

Running down from the 22nd floor?

'I run 10 kilometers daily.'

That was nothing.

At the same time, the mission team was strategizing meticulously.

"We should delay the elevators the chasers might use. Press all the buttons on the unused ones."
"Seoksam-hyung."
"Oh, too much dialogue? Should I back out?"
"That's actually a good idea, but we can't inconvenience the other staff in the building. Let's just seal off a few."

Yoo Jiseok nodded thoughtfully before concluding, "Alright, Sujin and Kangsu will cover the 2nd floor and block the elevator. The rest of us will spread out and head up."
"Got it!"

The mission team's strategy, though simple, was effective:
Delay the chasers' access to the elevators. Even a five-minute delay could snowball into a significant advantage.

"Honestly, it'd be weird if we lost, right? It's 3 vs. 6."
"Exactly. Leave the 2nd floor to us and head up."
"Kangsu, don't betray us this time, okay? This is an easy win."
"Jiseok-hyung! I'm not that kind of person!"
"Alright, alright. Let's move! Go, go, go!"

The mission team dispersed smoothly.

On the 2nd floor, Sujin and Kangsu were diligently searching for a hidden tape.

Jingle, jingle, jingle.

"...Do you hear bells?"
"Huh? Nah, it's just your imagination. It's only been... six minutes?"

Kangsu laughed, dismissing her concern.

Jingle, jingle, jingle.

But as the sound grew closer, Kangsu's confident smirk faltered.

"Wait, is this real? Who is it? What's going on?!"

Grabbing his walkie-talkie, Kangsu reported urgently:

"Jiseok-hyung! I hear bells on the 2nd floor! Someone's here! Did the elevators move?!"

"What?! That can't be! None of the elevators moved. Are you sure you're not imagining things?"
"It's real! Someone's coming!"
"No way they got from the 22nd to the 2nd floor this fast. Stay alert, but stay safe!"

Ending the call, Kangsu climbed up to get a better vantage point.

Just then, Sujin's voice called out:
"Found it!"

"Great. I found you too," came a voice she didn't want to hear.

"KYAAAA!"

It was Kim Donghu, appearing without a drop of sweat, as if he hadn't just descended 22 floors.

"Hello, sunbae. Nice to see you."
"...Forget the 3km in 10 minutes-this guy's a monster!"

The 2nd floor's video tape was hidden behind a locked door in the SKS historical exhibit.

Luckily, there were two doors, turning it into a game of cat and mouse.

"Kangsu! Use the penalty item! Stop Donghu's legs for three minutes!"
"Got it!"

Donghu froze as the penalty activated, unable to use his legs.

"Let's go while he's stuck!"

Sujin grabbed the tape, and they sprinted toward the elevator.

But as they passed Donghu-

Thud.

"...Donghu? What... what are you doing?"

Donghu had flipped into a handstand, his muscular frame and sharp abs on full display.

"Why is he built like a special forces operative?!"

"Come on, Sujin! We've got to run!"

As they bolted, Donghu's voice called after them.

"Leaving without me? That's not fair!"

Donghu, still in a handstand, began walking after them on his hands.

In the elevator, Kangsu stared wide-eyed at Sujin.

"What kind of childhood friend is this?!"
"Um... He's... competitive?"

"Competitive?! That's not competitiveness-that's a whole other level!"

Just as they thought they were safe, the elevator stopped on the 5th floor.

The doors slid open to reveal...

"Ah, leaving so soon? That's disappointing."

Kim Donghu stood there, smiling.