Woah…”
“I wish to work at a place as good as this”
Having glimpsed the luxury cars in the parking lot, you could roughly estimate the social status of the researchers.
“Unfortunately, the institute does not disclose what is going on inside”
Even the staff of the research institute could not go within the facilities as it is being shutted down when the schedule is over
“You’re all welcome to stay at the hotel Unicorn had gotten you while you’re in town. After dinner, you’re free to relax. Enjoy your free time.”
As I went there, the atmosphere was thrilling similar to school trip
“A generation of well bodied men have gathered here, 12 for 12!”
“All the girls from the other schools made dates with the boys from our school. So, I’m all that’s left.”
The students of Korea University were out together with the representatives from the other schools and were still out on their dates.
Lee Hyun was tired so he left early to sleep at the hotel.
Early in the morning the next day,
Lee Hyun got up early for his habit of morning exercise.
"The air is not bad."
The many trees that made the air refreshing.
It could be seen that the researchers and staff unwind in the morning by using the exercise facilities. There were also many scientists from overseas around.
Lee Hyun noticed an elderly man during his light jog around the hotel, sitting alone on a bench.
Lee Hyun approached the man.
"What are you doing?"
"Move along now."
"You seem bored old man. Who are you waiting for so early in the morning?"
"I don't have anything to say, so go away."
Lee Hyun was experienced enough to see that the old man was suffering. And that due to his pride as a man, the old man remained stubborn and refused to speak to others.
"I was going for my morning exercise but should I play with you for a moment?"
"Don't give me that crap, begone."
"Did anything bad happen to you or something?"
"Don't sit down."
Lee Hyun sat beside him on the bench.
There was a poisonous feeling coming from the old man, but after a brief moment, it became the loneliness of longing to talk with someone.
They both fell silent for a while.
"Have any children? You look lonely old man."
“What do I have to do in order for you to disappear?”
The two were sitting in thought.
The old man adjusted his position on the bench. For a long time he avoided Lee Hyun.
Only a few more leaves were remaining on the trees, however the leaves were still gradually falling. They watched their surroundings for a long time.
The old man's identity was the scientist who lived in a castle of his own genius while ridiculing the world of men. He was Yu Byeong-jun!
He recognized the face of Lee Hyun through the goddess of the Versailles.
He was aware of this fact before he sat down next to him.
He only pretended not to know.
Yu Byeong-jun saw him as only one of many players he could recall having observed.
Only Yu Byeong-jun knew about the true end objective of his own plan.
Finally, Yu Byeong-jun was the first one to speak.
"What is life?"
Yu Byeong-jun was dressed in plain clothes that resembled what the paid workers at the institute wore.
It was a costume.
There were only a handful of people at Unicorn who knew his true identity which was generally limited to executives and a few scientists.
Lee Hyun would never be able to imagine the true identity of Yu Byeong-jun.
He thought it would be a good opportunity to ask questions.
Lee Hyun was trying to think of some profound answer to say to the old man.
Yu Byeong-jun realized this fact and said,
"Relax, just tell me what comes to your mind immediately."
Lee Hyun replied quite simply
"I don't know. I just live. To eat, live, and make money."
Lee Hyun gave an answer that Yu Byeong-jun expected.
It was a simple answer with unmatched clarity.
"Emotions are like the falling leaves in autumn. Have you felt the cold winter come to empty the leaves from the trees?
"Fall and winter are just cold. So I make sure to wear thick clothes. And also good underwear."
"Young guys aren't supposed to wear underwear because fashion dictates you shouldn't wear any."
"It's best to live warm."
"What do you think is the most important thing needed to live?"
Lee Hyun didn't need to think twice.
"Money."
"For money?"
"Are honor, friends, and family not important?"
"Is Honor which is splashed on me by what others think is important? You need money to even maintain a friendship. You've got to take care of your family. There are too many times where if you don't have money, then you won't be able to take care of your family. Money is needed to keep order so that you have something to fall back on."
Yu Byeong-jun slowly nodded his head.
"I don't know that many people who only think of money.”
There was no longer anything left to say but Hyun continued to remain sitting on the bench.
Little by little there was an increase in the number of people starting to walk past them.
No story could keep Lee Hyun from skipping breakfast so he stood up from the bench.
"It's cold here old man, so you should leave here soon as well."
"My nerves will tell me whether or not to go."
As Lee Hyun took a few steps toward the direction of the hotel, he looked back.
"Here help yourself to some hot cocoa."
He then took out 200 won and placed it in the hands of Yu Byeong-jun.
Yu Byeong-jun remained silent because it had been the first time he had received such treatment.
He did not know that there was a field trip scheduled for the students from Korea University, and that Lee Hyun would be mixed in this group as well.
If he hadn't gotten up for his early morning jog, they would not have met each other.
The Unicorn corporation had been alive and behind the scenes for decades.
But underneath Yu Byeong-jun's skeletal physique, there seemly flowed sympathy.
"Ha Ha. Unbelievable."
The coldness he felt could never be felt by other people.
The scientists that knew about him as the director of Unicorn were afraid to look him in the face.
But Lee Hyun gave him a coin and treated him like a poor old man.
'The last time I drank something from a vending machine was over 20 years ago.'
Yu Byeong had a sudden desire to drink the cocoa.
He saw the vending machine and looked into it to see the price of cocoa was 300 won.