CHAPTER 84: PARANOIA IN THE NORTH WING

Min-ho sat on top of the pile of bookshelves blocking the only entrance to the northern hallway.

Beside him were Dok-su and Jang-book, who stood watching the Z-Streamers converge below.

From where he sat—flanked by Dok-su and Jang-book—Min-ho looked like a crime boss surveying his crew.

Ji-su stood aside, anxiously anticipating what would follow.

He kept a close eye on Sae-wee and Im-hee, who were still lying by an outcropping bookshelf in the room they spent the night at.

Both of them still unconscious.

Murmurs flew into the air as Z-Streamers awoke, rubbing their eyes and wobbling toward Min-ho, their demeanors like college students struggling to meet up with an exam after a night of partying—as opposed to monkeys being forced to dance for their lives to a global audience.

Seeing how nonchalant they were, Min-ho began to understand how they ended up in those cocoons in the first place.

Half of the Z-Streamers still had their dirty clothes on from yesterday.

Though no one could take a shower as of now, Min-ho and his peers had at the very least changed their clothing and wiped themselves clean with a piece of cloth.

But as for a good chunk of the 15 or so Z-Streamers here, that wasn’t the case.

Ignoring this, his eyes instantly shot toward the back end of the hall, where he saw the trio walk in from.

Seeing them, his heart thumped and his skin riled up. But he took in a deep breath and found his courage.

Finally, everyone had settled into place, each one trying to balance on the ground that was tilted to the side.

Min-ho got onto his feet, then he stared them over once more before speaking.

"Currently," he paused, counting his words. "Currently... three Z-Streamers are dead."

Ji-su shifted upon hearing this.

Gasps flew into the air, followed by murmurs.

"And since there were no signs of a Spector attack, it only means one of us did it."

Everyone paused, the hallway going dead silent. The tension brewing in everyone was so palpable it felt suffocating.

Min-ho remained silent for a second, running his eyes over everyone—but mainly observing the trio.

They didn’t seem surprised or frightened. They stood indifferent to it all.

"So, what are we going to do?!" someone asked. His voice reverberated across the hallway like the chime of a death bell.

Min-ho paused as he found his mind going back several hours.

***

"I need to tell you something," the Greenhead said, his voice serious and unnerving.

Min-ho, still leaning against the bookshelf, mentally held onto his dagger, ready to summon it at a moment’s notice.

’What is it?’ Min-ho asked, watching the Greenhead’s hands.

The Greenhead fell his gaze.

"I... feel a deep malice from... one of your friends," he said, and Min-ho’s heart thumped.

Greenhead lifted his gaze, then turned in every direction.

"But I don’t see them here," he added.

"The ones in cloaks?" Min-ho asked.

Greenhead turned to Min-ho, then he nodded.

Suddenly, the tension in his being subsided. For a moment, he had thought...

He shook the thought off, then lowered his gaze.

"I see," he said, unsure of anything else to say.

After a moment of silence, he asked, "Is that your Affinity? To sense malice?"

Greenhead shook his head.

"No, actually... that’s what I wanted to talk to you about." He stared into Min-ho’s eyes. "You saved my life. I know you didn’t have to, but you did. Such an act in and of itself is enough for me to know what kind of person you are. And if those people are threatening you, then I know what kind of people they are."

He took in a deep breath and exhaled.

"What I’m getting at here is that I owe you, and so, I would like to offer up my help."

Min-ho listened in carefully. Whatever help he could get, the better.

"My Affinity allows me to protect up to 10 people from three near-death encounters."

Min-ho paused, his eyes widening.

"Unbelievable."

***

Min-ho kept his gaze on the trio. He had thought of a plan that would definitely keep them at bay.

"I don’t know how long you all are planning on staying with my team and me. But up until you decide to either go your separate ways... or return to Gun-hee..." Some people shifted upon hearing this.

Jang-book froze, astonished, having heard the news for the first time.

"We’re all going to stay together at all times. Everyone will be watched and accounted for until the murderers are discovered and dealt with." Min-ho said, staring at the trio with unbridled disdain.

"Why’s he staring at us like that?" Seo-bi said, cocking her head.

Shin-ji frowned.

"Because he’s onto us," he said, balling his fists.

"Shouldn’t we take care of him now?" Hang-wa said, pulling Seo-bi’s gaze and drawing a slight frown on her face.

Shin-ji hesitated, staring at Min-ho as he contemplated.

***

After the gathering and dreadful announcements, Min-ho had asked for each Z-Streamer’s Affinities, which they easily divulged.

Though the saying ’people would do anything for their security, including giving it up’ rang true, it was much easier to disclose their Affinities if their Whiplashes were not on the table.

Once done gathering this information, to Min-ho’s surprise, the entirety of the Z-Streamers he rescued said they would travel with him until they found Gun-hee—while offering tribute for protection—as most of them here only came to the Z-Tower to engage in Nightshade Streams while having minimal combat experience.

Something about it didn’t feel right to Min-ho, but he couldn’t exactly say no.

Coins were Coins no matter where they came from. And even if he didn’t like the act, it was their choice. Not everyone came to the Z-Tower to suffer like him. Or... his peers.

Most of them would survive by this tactic alone, performing Nightshade Streams and paying tribute for protection up until they reached Heart—where they would enter the Red Gate and return home.

Gear and Relic in hand, ready to be sold for some credits.

Most—if not all—of the people here came to settle debts. And not all of them were willing to risk their lives to do it.

While feeling somewhat disgusted with himself for doing so, Min-ho accepted the offer. Then, he proceeded to recruit those strong enough to fight, with a deal on the table.