Chapter 18: Gwangyang Escort Agency
Dawn light slipped through the lattice windows.
Dan, who had been dozing at the table, stretched and rolled his stiff neck.
“Ugh, my whole body aches. I didn’t sleep right.”
He glanced at the bed. Yoon was sprawled out, fast asleep—so deep that someone could carry him off and he wouldn’t notice.
Dan had no choice but to give Yoon his bed. They’d arrived too late last night to get a guest room at the agency. It couldn’t be helped—Dan was Yoon’s protector now.
“He’s knocked out cold. Sleep well and grow tall… ah, right—he’s actually way older than me. I keep forgetting.”
As the room brightened, the familiar furniture came into view—even the secret erotic book he’d hidden from his father was still there.
“We were trapped in that strange formation, but only two hours passed in the real world… Knowing it is one thing; living it feels like a spell.”
Anyway, he was home safe. Dan smiled and stretched.
“Still stiff. I’ll take a walk before breakfast.”
He threw on some clothes and slid the door open—nearly yelping. Yugang was standing right outside.
“Why are you here so early? You almost scared me to death.”
“Heh. Don’t be dramatic. I came to check if you slept okay. Going for a walk?”
“Yeah. Want to come?”
“Sure.”
Outside, the cool, damp morning air cleared Dan’s head. Walking side by side, Dan squinted and said:
“Yugang, see that outhouse over there?”
“…What are you talking about?”
“Your face looks like a puppy that needs to poop. I’ll wait here—go handle your business.”
“Random much? I don’t need to go.”
Dan leaned in close and studied his face. “Weird. Your complexion screams ‘constipated for days.’ Be honest—something happened with Brother Sangmun, right?”
“What?”
Yugang stopped and stared. Dan already looked like he knew everything, which annoyed him.
“How did you know? I never said a word.”
“We’ve known each other over ten years. I can smell your fart and name the shop you ate at. So what’s up?”
“It’s nothing. Not something you can fix. Oh—speaking of, I need to tell you something.”
“What?”
“We discussed how to cure your bad habit of mixing personal and work matters with the chief. Couldn’t find a way. So… we’re docking three months of your pay.”
“…What?”
The news hit like a bucket of cold filth.
“Why? For what reason?”
“You skipped work without permission for days. Cha, the escort, covered your duties. You could be fired on the spot, but considering you’ve been with Gwangyang for seven years, this is the decision.”
“It was only a few days! This is ridiculous.”
“It’s already approved by the head. Let it go.”
“You bad dog, Yugang. You jerk. Some friend you are.”
Dan glared like a small wildcat, muttering curses under his breath. Yugang pinched Dan’s cheek and stretched it.
“Depending on how you behave, we might cut it to one month. If you do really well—just one week.”
“Mf-mm… Yesh, shir… Got it… So let go now.”
The cheek felt funny under Yugang’s fingers, but he released it. Dan rubbed his sore face, grumbling.
“What am I, a kid? Don’t grab my cheeks.”
“Ahem. Then behave.”
“Why are you staring at me? Do I have something on my face?”
“No. It’s just… strange.”
“What is?”
“I’ve felt like crap lately. But talking to you, I feel lighter.”
“Heh. Good things we share; bad things we split. Don’t bottle it up—just say it.”
“Yeah, no. That’d be spitting in the air and letting it fall on my face.”
“Let me guess. The agency took on a huge job, and now there’s a power struggle. Is Chief Yugang Sangmun picking fights again?”
“Pretty much. Honestly, I think Brother Yucheol should be the head. Brother Sangmun is too greedy. That greed will cause disaster.”
“Don’t listen to Sangmun’s gossip. Brother Yucheol is a bit slow, and Sister Yeonjin is the main wife’s daughter, but once she marries she’s out—so what? They’re just trying to keep you down. Your mother was a concubine and only recently became main wife after the Lady died. That wasn’t your mom’s fault. Stand tall and fight.”
“What kind of friend pushes me into a fight? I’ve already decided to support Brother Cheol.”
Yugang answered flatly. Dan made a circle with his thumb and finger and grinned.
“So… you really don’t want the head position? Then at least ask Head Yu for more money and let’s start a business together. Or I’ll help you win the head seat—just give me a nice title after.”
“Oh? So you do have ambition. What title?”
“Hmm… Not head. Maybe vice-head? Or if you hate titles, just hand me the whole agency. Let me live big for once.”
“Hey, is that something you say to the third young master of Gwangyang? Why not swallow the whole agency and give it to you, huh?”
“Ha! Would you?”
Dan rolled on the ground laughing, wiping tears from his eyes.
“Hopeless clown. What if someone sees?”
“It’s just you here. Who’s going to see?”
Even so, he quickly looked around and swiped his eyes, nervous. How this sloppy guy had hidden his true self so long was a mystery. Yugang sighed inwardly.
“What will you do with that mermaid kid?”
“Huh? How did you know? He looks like a Westerner at a glance.”
“Please. That merfolk blood is something. How’s a boy prettier than a girl?”
Like you, Yugang thought, turning his gaze away so Dan wouldn’t notice his feelings.
“Ahem. Well, we are both pretty. Anyway, this escort job is moving war supplies, right? If even you can tell at a glance, it’s too risky to keep Yoon here. Shame—we could’ve saved on lodging.”
“So you’ve been using our agency like an inn? We should start charging you.”
“Oh, come on. You even took in Madong from the bear-folk. He works hard and behaves. No one can tell he’s a bear-folk. Do good deeds and blessings come back, right… Chief Yugang?”
Dan bowed low, buttering him up. Yugang smirked inside. Dan acted like he worshiped money and power, but he was soft-hearted.
Maybe that’s why. When Yugang was stormy inside, being with Dan always cleared the clouds.
