Holy Idol [EN]: Chapter 190

[Are you okay? People are so weird. They don’t know anything but spread strange rumors all the time. T_T]

[Thank you for worrying about me, sunbae [senior/upperclassman].]

[I believe you’re not that kind of person.]

[Sunbae, you’re annoying.]

[A typo? ㅠ]

[I think the typo is you, sunbae?]

[I take back my faith.]

Im Yu-han didn’t send any more texts.

Rembrary shook his phone, looking for any mistakes in what he had said. When he couldn’t find any, he decided to consult Jungseo, hoping for some insight.

“What’s the problem with my conversation?”

“‘Annoying’ can be interpreted as an insult.”

“But it’s supposed to be a compliment…sort of?”

“If you want to compliment someone, you say, ‘You’re the best’.”

“…What’s the difference? Why is it an insult when used directly, but a compliment when used indirectly?”

Just as Jungseo was struggling with the unexpected question, Jongwoo, who had gone to the police station full of energy, returned looking utterly defeated.

“Here. Eat pizza.”

Worried that the members might be feeling down, Jongwoo had secretly bought pizza as a treat. He coaxed the members, who were already worn out from dieting and the rumors, to the table. Then, he pulled Rembrary, who was the first to grab a slice, out onto the veranda.

“I need to talk to you.”

“This. Pizza.”

“Leave some for Yeonwoo! Okay?”

“Do you think they’ll leave any?”

“They are you.”

Rembrary ended up having to go out to the veranda with only one slice of pizza.

“Did you meet the detective?”

“They said they couldn’t release the video because they couldn’t manage the situation, and it was already all over the internet. They’re making a fuss about the problems it’s causing.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Besides that detective, isn’t there anything else? Anything at all to prove it? Didn’t you take any selfies with your brother when you went to hang out? Wholesome selfies? Let’s release those. Or your brother’s dashcam footage.”

Rembrary sighed and rolled up the sleeves of his pajama top.

“Why are you doing that all of a sudden?”

“Now that things have come to this, there’s no helping it. I have to step in.”

190. The Frustrated Demon King

“Uh, what do you mean you’re going to step in!”

Jongwoo was horrified and stopped Rembrary.

“Unroll your sleeves! Quickly! You’re really scary when you’re like this!”

“But we can’t just sit back and watch this happen, can we?”

“Yes, we can! It’s not your job to step in. That’s what the agency is for. You stay put.”

When Rembrary gave him a distrustful look, Jongwoo got annoyed for no reason. *No, who was it that gave them a strange excuse in the first place…*

“Yeonwoo-ya. Woo Yeonwoo.”

“What.”

“You absolutely must not act on your own. Got it?”

“……”

“Seriously. Please. We’ll take care of everything, so please, please. Okay?”

Jongwoo grabbed Rembrary’s shoulders and pleaded earnestly.

“I’ll ask the legal team first. I’ll find out if there’s any legal problem with the police not showing us the video.”

Just in case, he explained what they would do in the future.

In Jongwoo’s view, the Rembrary effect was extreme. All or nothing. Sometimes it brought unexpected benefits, but sometimes it backfired in unexpected ways. Just like now.

Before, when Keshi was being framed with school violence rumors, it was okay for Rembrary to step in and resolve it because it was a personal matter between individuals. Even then, he was anxious, but whatever.

But this time, the media and the police were involved. Jongwoo couldn’t help but worry.

However, Rembrary, who waved goodbye to Jongwoo with a docile smile, ran to his room as soon as the door closed. When he came out, he was wearing a hat, mask, and sunglasses.

“Hyung [older brother/male friend], where are you going?”

Hye-gyeol, who noticed Rembrary trying to sneak out, was surprised and asked.

“Hyung, is it okay for you to go out now?”

Taein, who was sprawled out like seaweed in the living room, also raised his upper body and asked.

“Hey. Didn’t Jongwoo hyung tell you not to go anywhere?”

“Did he?”

However, when Rembrary pretended not to know with an expression that showed off his acting skills, Taein was completely fooled.

As soon as Rembrary went outside, he called Sagamjae. Fortunately, Sagamjae answered the phone right away this time.

[What should I do? I’ve been mobilized as a group this time. I’m busy.]

Even though he answered, he wasn’t helpful.

“Mobilized as a group?”

[I came to an amusement park.]

“……”

[It’s not for fun. I heard there’s going to be a big accident here.]

Rembrary hung up the phone without a word.

“I can’t say he’s useless because he’s busy with other things…”

‘He’s really a burden.’

Now that things have come to this, the only one who comes to mind is… Shin Jo-woon.

Rembrary sighed. What should he do with this guy? But there was no other alternative. Rembrary hesitated for a while before dialing his number.

The phone rang right away, and after three rings, the other person answered.

[Uh. Why.]

A slightly nervous voice came through the receiver. Rembrary also spoke more carefully than usual.

“Shin Jo-woon-ssi [Mr./Ms.]. I don’t know if I should even ask this.”

[Go ahead.]

“I don’t have anyone else to ask this favor of but Shin Jo-woon-ssi.”

[Flattery won’t get you anything.]

“Shall I hang up?”

[Try saying it.]

“Please… take me to the police station.”

[What?] * * *

Rembrary, who got into the passenger seat next to Shin Jo-woon, placed his hands neatly on his thighs and bowed politely towards the front windshield.

“Thank you.”

“Who are you bowing to? Am I there?”

“Thank you.”

When Rembrary heard that and bowed to the side again, Shin Jo-woon clicked his tongue.

“You only contact me when you need something.”

“I only contact anyone when I need something.”

“That’s something to be proud of.”

“Yes, I’m decisive in cutting things off.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

“Yes, Shin Jo-woon-ssi is a bit twisted.”

Shin Jo-woon opened his mouth and stared at Rembrary.

He really wanted to knock on that head. Wouldn’t a goblin pop out and answer, “Why?” only accepting good words and throwing bad words back at the other person?

“Why?”

“Maybe that’s why you eat so much…”

“What?”

“Nothing. Right, the police station. Which police station? The one we went to before?”

“A different one.”

“You go to the police station often?”

“Let’s go, for now.”

When Rembrary tapped the hood of the car, Shin Jo-woon sighed and started the car.

However, the traffic was heavier than usual because it was evening. Time continued to pass, but the car was stuck in the middle of the road and wouldn’t move forward. The car stuck at a red light was moving at a snail’s pace.

Shin Jo-woon, who had been driving silently at first, couldn’t help but ask.

“What are you going to the police station for?”

“I have business with a detective named Park Jae-kyung.”

“Park Jae-kyung? Who is that?”

“You know, the story that I’m getting sponsored these days, and the short video that secretly filmed me meeting Woo Sung-woo is spreading.”

“Ah. Right. People are funny. Even if you don’t know anything else, you’re not the kind of person who can cater to anyone’s tastes [be bought/easily influenced].”

“Of course. I’m someone who has never catered to anyone’s tastes.”

“That’s something to be proud of.”

“Of course, I’m…”

“Don’t do it. Just do half of it.”

“?”

“Again. The story from before. The video spread, so why. Is that detective involved in it?”

“The reporter who took the video said that the detective took the camera containing the original video.”

“What’s in the original?”

“I haven’t checked it myself, but the reporter said that the talk about the sponsor was only for a moment. If I release the whole thing, I thought people would know that the editing was malicious, so I’m trying to find it first.”

The traffic that had been blocked was finally starting to move. Shin Jo-woon frowned.

“But why are you going? What about your manager?”

“I went and got rejected.”

“Even if you go and get rejected, they should go again, why are you going there? Did your manager tell you to go?”

“I snuck out.”

Shin Jo-woon stepped on the accelerator and almost missed his footing. Fortunately, he didn’t step on the brake while driving. He glanced sideways while adjusting his speed.

‘She said she snuck out. Is it okay to take her?’

He was a little uneasy. But Rembrary already had a determined expression, so Shin Jo-woon continued to drive.

However, after arriving at the police station, Shin Jo-woon asked Rembrary again, who was about to get out of the car.

“Is it really okay to go? Or should I ask and come back, so you stay here?”

“I have to go.”

“If things get bigger after you go…”

“It’s okay. I’m gentle, but I used to be active in the field.”

“What are you talking about?”

Rembrary recalled his past when he was competent even as an Inquisitor. His past when he stood out everywhere, and rolled up his sleeves.

Shin Jo-woon was uneasy and followed Rembrary out. But as soon as he slammed the car door shut, Rembrary suddenly turned to Shin Jo-woon and asked.

“Shin Jo-woon-ssi, please wait here.”

“Go alone? What are you going to do alone.”

Rembrary shook his head with a warm smile. An expression that said, *trust me no matter what I do*.

Shin Jo-woon became even more uneasy. But he didn’t know what to do, so he decided to watch Rembrary go alone for now. Instead, he kept his eyes on the back of his head as he entered the police station.

As he was doing that, he received a text from Jang Tae-ri.

[Have you two made up yet?]

Shin Jo-woon hesitated and replied.

[We’re together now.]

[That’s good. Buy her pizza and cola and make up. I don’t know what happened, but it’s 100% your fault.]

Thinking, ‘Is this what you call a friend…’ Shin Jo-woon, who felt unfairly outnumbered 2 to 1, didn’t reply and put his phone back in his pocket. But as soon as he put his phone in his pocket, Rembrary came out of the police station right away.

‘She’s already out?’

As he was about to call her, another person followed her out.

It was someone who looked like he would often appear in dramas. A detective with a lot of experience who is good at his job but drinks a lot and has some family troubles.

‘Who is it?’

Shin Jo-woon lowered his hand, which he had raised to call Rembrary, and watched the situation. In the meantime, the two walked to the back of the police station, where not many people went.

Shin Jo-woon hesitated for a moment before approaching that side and hiding himself. Right away, he heard a voice.

“There’s definitely something there. Looking like there’s nothing there means that there’s a lot there in reverse. Right?”

It wasn’t Woo Yeonwoo’s voice. Then it must be the person who came out with him.

“Detective, I love peace.”

This voice that ignores the context is Woo Yeonwoo’s voice. Shin Jo-woon was relieved. Seeing that his way of speaking was similar to usual, it seemed like nothing was wrong.

“I love peace too. But sometimes there are truths that need to be known even if it means breaking the peace.”

“……”

“My condition is one. Woo Yeonwoo-ssi knows something. I don’t need anything else. All I need is for you to help with the investigation. Then I’ll take all the responsibility for leaking the evidence video.”

‘Does that detective also know that Woo Yeonwoo is Nakru?’

Shin Jo-woon narrowed his eyes.

As far as he knew, Nakru had been colluding with political forces since ancient times. Because of this, even if detectives had suspicions about the Nakru group, they would give up right away. Police officers are subject to pressure from higher authorities due to their occupation.

However, there were always righteous people everywhere, so there were some police officers who suspected Nakru and tried to dig them out. Those people soon took off their police uniforms, so it didn’t help in the end.

Shin Jo-woon wondered if that police officer also noticed the existence of Nakru and was trying to dig them out. But the name that came out was completely different.

“Honghwadaedae [Scarlet Flower Great Generation]. The entertainment industry. A group that grants wishes. Woo Yeonwoo-ssi knows something, right?”

‘Honghwadaedae?’

*I know that Nakru is targeting the Saint in the entertainment industry. I don’t know who that Saint is. Is that the story?*

But if Woo Yeonwoo is Nakru, isn’t that Saint in the entertainment industry his enemy? Why are they asking Woo Yeonwoo about that story?

Does that detective not know that Woo Yeonwoo is Nakru? But if he doesn’t know, why is he telling Woo Yeonwoo that story?

It was difficult to understand the exact situation because he didn’t know the whole story. Still, just as he was forcibly piecing together a few puzzle-like stories.

“I can’t stand to watch this.”

It’s Woo Yeonwoo’s voice, but it’s not like Woo Yeonwoo’s voice. The tone of voice was different, but above all, the way of speaking changed from polite to informal.

Shin Jo-woon knew that Woo Yeonwoo sometimes spoke informally to people. But that informality felt different again. A rougher feeling.

‘Is that his original personality? Was he image-making to pretend to be clueless instead of being clueless?’

The detective must have had similar thoughts, as he asked back in a flustered voice, “What did you say?”

After that, it suddenly became quiet. Neither Woo Yeonwoo nor the detective said anything. Shin Jo-woon became curious. What’s going on that it’s so quiet?

The silence was so long that he wanted to just show himself and watch the situation instead of hiding.

Then suddenly, the detective shouted, “Who are you! Who are you!” Unlike before, his voice was very frightened.

A voice that was wary of the other person but also afraid of him. It was similar to the voice that Nakru, who had been caught by him, had made.

What happened?

Woo Yeonwoo’s arrogant voice came to his ears as he wondered.

“Demon King.”

Shin Jo-woon’s eyes widened.

‘Middle school syndrome…!’ [cringey phase where teenagers often adopt edgy/dark personas]