RVHF chapter 4

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What Doyoung really had was a fortune amassed through raiding dungeons on behalf of an organization.

Still, Beom Sinje had no way of discovering the truth anytime soon, so Doyoung acted confidently.

“Really?”

Although some doubt lingered in his eyes, he nodded.

“Unless you think I’m running some charity, that is.”

Beom Sinje seemed to concede, saying nothing.

Pleased, Doyoung showed him to the largest room before heading off to the academy.

From that day, Doyoung received regular reports about Beom Sinje and occasionally checked on him in person.

“Can I use the gym on the top floor?”

About a month later, while they were eating the finest sushi made from the choicest cuts of tuna, Beom Sinje asked.

As if that was a big deal.

“Go ahead.”

He responded curtly and added a note.

“Feel free to use any space. Don’t bother asking every time.”

“Thank you.”

Without replying, Doyoung put a piece of sushi into his mouth.

The rice was perfectly cooked, and the fish was chewy and tender.

“Eat up. You need energy for working out.”

At that, Beom Sinje looked at him with an odd expression.

Doyoung returned the gaze as if to say, What?, and chewed with exaggerated nonchalance.

Only then did Beom Sinje pick up a piece and eat.

◇◆◇◆◇

After that, the reports started to change.

‘He went straight to the gym as soon as he woke up.’

‘He swam for three hours at the pool.’

‘Played squash for two hours…’

Was he burning off excess energy? It seemed he was exercising non-stop.

“Or maybe it’s a sign of awakening.”

Doyoung didn’t know if such a thing existed, but it was worth checking.

He found Beom Sinje hitting balls against a wall with such force that they ricocheted like lightning.

The ball, half-squashed from impact, sped toward Doyoung.

“Ah!”

Beom Sinje’s eyes widened as he watched the ball fly toward Doyoung, who extended his hand.

“Watch out…!”

Before Beom Sinje could finish, there was a thud.

Doyoung caught the ball firmly in his hand, looked at it briefly, then dropped it on the floor.

“Wanna make a bet?”

“A bet?”

“Yeah.”

“Sure.”

Beom Sinje agreed, unfazed, without even knowing the stakes.

He must have been confident after all the practice.

“But…”

He stepped closer, raising Doyoung’s wrist, eyes narrowing as he examined it.

“What is it?”

“Aren’t you hurt? It’s red. Here.”

Beom Sinje was staring at Doyoung’s right hand, the one that caught the ball.

Only after hearing him did Doyoung inspect it.

The skin was indeed a bit red.

It did sting slightly.

“It’s nothing.”

It was about as painful as a flick with a chopstick.

Well, slightly more painful, but he wasn’t about to show that to someone younger, not yet even an Esper.

‘Not a matter of pride.’

It was just how he felt.

Besides, he didn’t want to show weakness in front of someone he subconsciously supported.

‘Still, why does he look like he’s the one hurt?’

Snap.

I tried to pull my hand back, but it must have taken a bit of effort.

I noticed that Beom Sinje’s arm had dropped away as if I had cast it aside.

‘Did I mess up?’

Oh well.

This wouldn’t be enough for the military to take notice of my cold behavior.

If he were to get mad, it should be about dragging me to his studio without a word and causing a forced separation from his mother.

‘Come to think of it, he never even asks about that anymore.’

Well, I did show him daily photos of his mother in the hospital and copies of her records, even allowing a call once a day, so maybe that’s why.

Then again, if we’re being fair, the one holding onto someone else’s wrist and not letting go was him.

Beom Sinje didn’t seem fazed, so it should be fine.

Doyoung glanced at Beom Sinje, pretending not to care, and grabbed the racket provided.

He picked up the fallen ball and bounced it on the floor.

“Shall we go?”

Bang!

A sound like a gunshot rang as the squash ball hit the wall.

When it bounced back, Beom Sinje took a step and hit it with his racket.

“Nice!”

Doyoung returned the next incoming ball.

Beom Sinje was quite skilled, likely thanks to his excellent physique and natural athletic sense.

Still, he couldn’t quite match the reflexes of an esper like me.

‘Hmm… maybe not the reflexes, but the skill level?’

I glanced at his sweat-soaked forehead and corrected myself.

I couldn’t underestimate him after seeing that face.

Anyway.

“I win.”

Doyoung, who had started speaking more casually over the past month, smiled playfully.

After about twenty exchanges, Beom Sinje finally missed the ball.

“Yes.”

His answer was short and simple. He didn’t seem too frustrated either.

If there was one thing Doyoung had learned, it was that Beom Sinje wasn’t very talkative.

It matched his character in the original story, where he expressed himself more through actions than words.

“Great. Follow me quietly today, then.”

As if he ever properly explained where they were going before.

Doyoung demanded confidently.

Beom Sinje stared at him for a moment with his clean-cut face, then nodded silently as if it was nothing new.

The place they arrived at was an underground parking lot.

In the spaces closest to the entrance, eight expensive, rare cars were lined up.

“Pick one.”

“Excuse me?”

“Choose the one you want to ride.”

Beom Sinje blinked, his long and dense eyelashes catching the eye as usual.

Doyoung wondered how even such small details were so noticeable.

“That one over there is the most expensive. Want to take that one?”

“……”

Doyoung pointed to a sleek silver sports car that cost more than a building.

It wasn’t the most comfortable ride, but the driving experience was worth it.

When Doyoung first realized that car belonged to him after transmigrating, he had cheered inwardly and done a mental hula dance.

Not just admiring it from photos but actually owning it was a joy he still remembered fondly, especially the night he drove down empty roads, humming in excitement.

“No.”

But then a deflating response came.

Even after being given several more choices, Beom Sinje wouldn’t make up his mind.

Losing patience, Doyoung walked over to the nearest car without waiting any longer.

Beep.

The lock clicked open with a cheerful sound.

“Get in.”

Doyoung gave him a brief look before getting into the driver’s seat.

Beom Sinje took the passenger seat without protest.

They drove in silence for about thirty minutes until they arrived at a towering 103-story building.

Doyoung drove straight into the underground lot and parked.

As he stepped out, Beom Sinje followed quietly.

“Aren’t you going to ask?”

By now, most people would be curious, right?

But Beom Sinje only shook his head without a word.

“You need to be more careful.”

How could he be so trusting?

Even if this was a wager, how could he remain so calm?

His gaze was pure like pristine water.

It implied an innocence that could easily be tainted.

‘Tsk.’

Doyoung clicked his tongue as the elevator reached the top floor.

As they walked down the hallway, there wasn’t a shadow of another person or even a door in sight.

He should be full of curiosity or suspicion by now, but Beom Sinje maintained a calm stride beside him.

‘He’s taller than me?’

The difference in shoulder height was stark, something Doyoung hadn’t noticed until now.

He’d thought his own height was respectable.

“Hey, how tall are you?”

“I haven’t measured since I surpassed 190 cm.”

“When was that?”

“When I just started high school.”

He passed 190 cm in his first year of high school?

That meant he could have grown more.

Doyoung glared at the noticeable height difference and muttered.

‘Never mind. I’ve got more money and power.’

Sure, Beom Sinje might surpass him in abilities later.

His wealth, too, might not remain unmatched.

But for now, that wasn’t the case.

While he was grumbling, they reached the end of a hallway that gave no hint of what lay ahead.

A solid door stood in front of them.

“Open.”

He casually ordered the air, and a hidden panel appeared on the left wall, displaying text.

• Voice recognized.

The mechanical voice confirmed.

For the first time, Beom Sinje’s expression shifted slightly.

His pupils dilated a bit in surprise.

“Too late to run now, huh?”

Doyoung chuckled slyly, looking at Beom Sinje.

At this point, they were so high up that there was no emergency stairway, and the elevator could only be operated by someone registered.

“Go in.”

Doyoung, grinning like a villain, patted Beom Sinje’s solid shoulder and stepped inside first.

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