Substitute
Chapter 66

The unexpected game didn’t alter or cancel any of the scheduled activities. The afternoon milking session was still on, and the developer class for Crew Zero was proceeding as planned.

However, since drawing Manitos had taken quite a bit of time, the rest of the morning ended up in a sort of limbo. Maybe because it wasn’t worth squeezing in a 40-minute training session, they were given free time until lunch.

The convenience store was locked, so everyone gathered in the lobby with drinks bought from the unmanned café.

The game was supposed to begin at noon, but several participants were already busy trying to find their Manitos.

“Hey, are you my Manito?”

Someone asked.

“Dumbass. We’re on the same team. Get a grip, man.”

Came the reply.

Some were still unsure about the rules and were either listening to someone explain or reading the noticeboard and discussing it with others.

Park Geonwoo was one of them.

“How the fuck are we supposed to play this?”

He grumbled.

“It’s not that complicated. Just make sure your Manito doesn’t know it’s you.”

“Okay, but how the hell do I do the mission then?”

“Without letting them know?”

“If that were possible, I would’ve done it already.”

Park Geonwoo grabbed at his hair in frustration.

He must’ve drawn a mission that was extremely difficult or awkward to carry out without getting caught.

“Hyung, I told you. Don’t overthink it.”

Kim Yunho offered another word of advice.

Since the game began, Kim Yunho had looked like he was in a great mood. He must’ve gotten Number 11—Kang Jooyoung. Whatever mission he got, it probably didn’t matter to him since it was for someone he wanted.

As for Jiwon, he had thought his mission was way too easy at first, but as time passed, he realized it was actually quite tricky. Still, it was a mission he had to complete if he wanted to win. There were no alternatives, so there was no point in worrying.

“Fuck it. Whatever happens, happens. I just need to beat Gwak Chan and make sure he picks me.”

Park Geonwoo muttered, glancing around for Gwak Chan.

He didn’t know Gwak Chan was Jiwon’s Manito. Even though he knew Jiwon had reached into the Crew Two box just like he had, it clearly hadn’t even crossed his mind that they might’ve pulled the same name.

Jiwon was wary of Park Geonwoo. Not because he was worried about misunderstandings over the mission, but because he was afraid Park Geonwoo might figure out that Jiwon was Gwak Chan’s Manito and snitch on him. Not out of malice, but simply because he liked Gwak Chan too much.

Jiwon didn’t blame or resent him for that.

Still, it was better to be cautious.

Mission: Discover your Manito’s worst secret.

Their worst secret.

It was a fucking awful mission—but also one that sparked his curiosity.

Because it meant Gwak Chan had a worst secret to begin with.

Maybe every crew member here, including himself, carried a secret too dark to share. Which would mean the ones who designed this project knew all of them.

Did they know he was a cop?

He shook his head.

To them, Yoon Jiwon was still lying in a hospital bed somewhere.

The one who’d assumed Detective Kim Jiwon’s identity—he was dead.

Jiwon knew Kim Jiwon’s secrets. Or at least, he believed he did.

Gwak Chan. What the hell did you do out there?

Jiwon wasn’t exactly unfriendly with Gwak Chan. They’d drunk together—non-alcoholic drinks, sure—but still, they’d chatted with Choi Minjae during breaks.

The problem was, Jiwon mostly just listened. Park Geonwoo had hogged so much of Gwak Chan’s attention that Jiwon never really got the chance to talk to him one-on-one. And even if he had, Jiwon probably wouldn’t have initiated conversation.

How was he supposed to approach him and dig up a secret?

He needed to think. He needed a plan.

He had a lot of useless information about Gwak Chan. Thanks to Park Geonwoo’s obsessive interest, he knew everything from Gwak Chan’s favorite snacks to his condom brand and size.

But nothing important. It was all hollow fluff.

He didn’t even know if Gwak Chan was his real name.

Kim Yunho, who normally spilled everything, had never given any info on Gwak Chan’s real name.

It seemed like it was an unspoken rule not to ask about someone’s real name or how they got their interview invitation.

Fuck. I’m going insane.

“Why’d you pick those guys?”

Kim Yunho finally asked, unable to hold in his curiosity.

Jiwon just shrugged.

“You’re thinking Crew One would've been better—since you’ve got Son Geonwoo and Number 3. The missions aren’t just for show, you know.”

Kim Yunho sounded smug. He definitely got Number 11.

Even someone dense would’ve figured that out by now. Winning against him didn’t seem likely.

“Why didn’t you pick our team?”

Just then, Son Geonwoo, who hadn’t been around all morning, appeared and asked.

“...Just because...”

Jiwon didn’t feel like explaining every little thing.

Son Geonwoo clicked his tongue in annoyance. Since his turn had come late, he hadn’t had a chance to pick from the Sailors and ended up drawing from the gagged ones instead. He looked just as sour as Park Geonwoo.

Still, Jiwon couldn’t shake the feeling that Son Geonwoo was avoiding him. Normally, he’d have sat beside Jiwon, but now he’d moved to sit alone with Number 11, Kang Jooyoung. The two had their heads close together, whispering.

“What’s up with Son Geon? Did you guys fight or something?”

Park Geonwoo asked.

“No, it’s the first time we’ve talked today.”

“Really? Maybe he skipped his meds again.”

Maybe.

Judging from how volatile his mood seemed, it was a definite possibility.

The moment Son Geonwoo left, someone else slid into the space he’d left.

“Oh! Pretty boy’s here!”

Park Geonwoo greeted him before Jiwon could even look.

“You didn’t pick our team, did you?”

Number 3 asked the same thing as Son Geonwoo—but his tone was completely different.

“Win. Then pick me.”

He said shamelessly.

“That’s why you picked those guys, right?”

He read Jiwon’s intention perfectly.

Jiwon was slightly surprised, but Number 3 had also chosen from the Crew Two box instead of the Sailors, even though he’d had the option. He must’ve had the same idea.

“Isn’t Crew Zero easier, though?”

Jiwon probed casually.

“Dunno. You don’t look all that easy yourself, Sailor-nim.”

Number 3 gave a light tap on Jiwon’s nametag.

“Wanna bet who wins between us?”

He suggested.

“Loser gives a blowjob.”

Predictable. So one-dimensional it was almost funny.

But something felt off.

“Don’t you mean the loser gives one?”

“That’s too cliché. Winner gives the blowjob.”

Jiwon smirked.

“So if I win, I have to blow you?”

“Confident, huh?”

“Not really.”

“I know I’ll win. And it doesn’t have to be a dick, right? Could be lips. Tongue. Or...”

His gaze dropped to Jiwon’s chest.

He curled his lips into a teasing grin.

“Well, if I’m gonna suck, might as well go all the way. We’re obviously gonna have sex too, right?”

He said it like he’d already won.

“Well, since we’re not each other’s Manitos, I guess we can keep acting normal. Almost got awkward there.”

He laughed it off.

“Were we close?”

Jiwon asked, feigning seriousness.

Number 3 widened his eyes.

“I’m hurt. Deeply.”

He clutched his chest in mock agony.

Somehow, Jiwon couldn’t hate him. Even when his motives were transparent, he was charming enough to make you laugh.

“Tell me I’m your friend. Hurry.”

Number 3 whined like a child.

“Come on.”

“...Fine. Let’s say we’re friends.”

Jiwon replied reluctantly. Honestly, it didn’t feel like they were close enough for that.

“What do you mean ‘let’s say’? Whatever. I’ll let it slide this time.”

Number 3 pulled a pouty face, then stared at Jiwon quietly. Their eye contact lingered.

“What?”

Jiwon asked, uncomfortable with the silence.

He always got strangely tense when he was alone with Number 3.

The guy was just too attractive. In everyday life, Jiwon had never seen someone this good-looking up close. Every time they met, it still felt surreal.

And he always felt good talking to him. Sure, the guy was clearly younger, but he wasn’t immature or annoying. He had good timing, decent jokes, and a sense of restraint.

He came across as healthy—not just physically but emotionally, too.

And embarrassingly enough, Jiwon felt sexually attracted to him.

He couldn’t accept the fact that he was drawn to someone so much younger—and male. He’d tried blaming the chemical they’d rubbed on his chest, but even before the developer class, he’d already been interested.

There was no excuse.

Was it just the environment?

That was the only explanation he had. In the real world, this sort of chemistry never would’ve happened.

“A little bit of both.”

Number 3 replied ambiguously, tapping Jiwon’s bruised hand.

“Be more careful.”

He muttered under his breath.

Jiwon, suddenly embarrassed, lowered his left hand.

“What’s with you? You got a question or not?”

“I do, but I feel like I already know the answer.”

Number 3 kept being vague.

That only made Jiwon more curious, but he didn’t press. It might’ve just been an empty tease.

“What is it?”

He asked anyway, pretending not to care.

“Will you answer if I ask?”

“Depends.”

Number 3 grinned.

“What’s your relationship with Han Seoho?”

Straight to the point, as always.

Jiwon raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected that.

“Why do you ask?”

“You don’t match. Doesn’t make sense.”

He never sugar-coated anything.

That was one of his strengths.

“We met through work.”

Jiwon gave the same answer he’d given Park Geonwoo and Kim Yunho. That he’d met Han Seoho while doing substitute driving, and Seoho had offered him a job as a personal chauffeur at the room salon, which helped his household financially.

“Even here?”

Jiwon just stared at him in response.

“What, I’m not allowed to ask?”

“No, it just seemed like no one was allowed to. Since no one ever did.”

Come to think of it, nobody had asked how anyone got into this place.

Everyone had shared bits and pieces of their backstories, but never how they got the interview in the first place.

Jiwon had kept quiet to appear shy and cautious—and to avoid drawing attention.

But why hadn’t Park Geonwoo asked? He asked about everything.

And not just him. Even Kim Yunho hadn’t.

“I heard Seoho—no, a client who came to see Seoho—was the one who introduced you. What about you?”

“Like a broker?”

Number 3 tilted his head.

He’d ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) hit the nail on the head—but Jiwon couldn’t confirm it. Kim Jiwon wasn’t supposed to know.

“Who introduced you to the interview?”

“So Seoho’s a broker?”

Here we go again. Question for a question.

Until he got the answer he wanted, he wouldn’t give one.

“I don’t know what you’re implying, but it wasn’t like that. Seoho got his acceptance text first and told me there was something similar for me. That’s it. What about you?”

“Sounds like he’s your savior.”

Number 3 chuckled.

“I got scouted at a club.”

Then he stood up.

He leaned in close, lips brushing Jiwon’s ear.

“I’m a murderer. You’re a toilet.”

He whispered.

Jiwon’s eyes widened. Number 3 just grinned.

“What kind of savior says that?”

And with that, he walked away.

Seoho lied to me.

That was the first thought that hit him.

Number 3 might not be a murderer. Just like Jiwon wasn’t a toilet.

Fuck. This is insane.

Where did the lies begin, and where did the truth end?

Jiwon began retracing the past four months with Han Seoho. They didn’t share much worth calling memories, but the stories and information Seoho had fed him scrambled his thoughts.

Especially the Maybach—he’d claimed it belonged to the client who introduced them to the interview. It was starting to seem suspicious.

Was it really a coincidence that Jiwon had ridden in that car?

That he’d just so happened to visit Emperor Room Salon looking for Seoho?

Jiwon began tracing everything back, step by step, starting from the first time he’d met Han Seoho.