I’ll Retire After Saving the World

Chapter 54: A Familiar Face (2)

This means there are Numbers 1 through 11 before me. And, of course, there were more after me. When the old man destroyed the lab, there were up to No. 33.

Sometimes, like No. 3, some graduated or occasionally got disposed of, so there were usually about a dozen or so kids in the lab.

Most decisions about graduation or disposal were made around the age of thirteen. It’s right around the time of graduating from elementary school. No. 3 stayed in the lab quite a bit past that age. Probably because he was a good kid who listened well to the researchers.

If not for that, I would have been the oldest.

From the lab director’s perspective, who disliked me, that was something to avoid at all costs.

Most of the lab’s kids were under ten years old. Even among them, being human, factions formed. If they were in middle school, the criteria for dividing groups would have been more detailed. Choosing a leader would be a given.

But what do kids under ten know? From the kids’ perspective, there was only one qualification to become the leader.

Age.

If you were older, that was it. When a new kid arrived, the first question they asked was not their name but their age.

‘How old are you?’

If they were the same age, the bigger kid would become the leader, but…. Isn’t it too much to expect from a kid who was just kidnapped?

Anyway, No. 3 was the oldest kid in the lab. I remember he stayed until he was about fifteen…. In a group of kids around ten years old, that made him an adult, a true adult.

While No. 3, from his position as the oldest, managed the kids according to the director’s instructions, I, from my position as the longest-tenured senior in the lab, incited the kids.

It became easier after No. 3 disappeared.

I had used No. 3 as a shield to figure out how far we could go without getting scolded by the researchers.

It was unfortunate for the director. With No. 3, who somewhat controlled me, gone, there was nothing to hold me back.

No. 3 disappeared just before turning sixteen. It wasn’t likely they disposed of the obedient No. 3, so I thought they might be using him somewhere as a janitor.

Even so, I remember feeling bitter, thinking that we had grown somewhat fond of each other and that I wouldn’t see him again. I never imagined we’d meet again like this.

* * *

“…You can do it like this. Of course, everyone’s personality and situation are different, so there’s no definitive answer. Always keep that in mind. What’s the most important thing when dealing with the kids?”

“Love and patience!”

“That’s right!”

“…….”

As surprising as it was, the lecture prepared by the National New Heart and Spirit Association was…

Surprisingly worth listening to.

Really.

Why? Why is that?

Would Ark just do something helpful for people?

If they started spouting nonsense from the beginning, people would be wary…. To hook people, it’s more effective to create a comfortable environment for conversation rather than group lectures like this.

“Shall we divide into groups and discuss?”

Just like now.

The lecture attendees grouped themselves into threes and fives. I watched the people around me suspiciously, pretending not to. These four people could also be part of Ark’s team. Cults usually lure people in this way.

Pretending to be innocent. Pretending to be harmless. Pretending to be genuinely helpful.

“Teacher, it’s been a while. You didn’t come last time?”

“Yes. I was busy with school work and couldn’t make time.”

“Oh, I see. April and May are packed with events.”

“Still, seeing the kids work hard makes me feel proud and happy….”

I was quietly listening to the conversation around me.

I couldn’t figure out how to join in. What if I said something awkward and they became suspicious?

This should be left to professionals, not amateurs like me. What did Hong Seok-young see in me to think I’d do well at this?

“So… Oh my, is this your first time here, Teacher?”

One of the teachers, who had been chatting happily, finally seemed to notice me and started talking. I had gathered that he was an elementary school teacher.

“…Yes, sort of.”

“Why just listen? You should’ve joined the conversation.”

“Well… just listening was already very helpful.”

“Your students… Well, everyone here has students who’ve had difficult experiences. I’ve never seen a kid who hasn’t lost a family member or a close relative in a dungeon break.”

“Since dungeon breaks happen so often….”

“Exactly! Ugh, I really don’t understand what the government is doing. The damage isn’t small….”

“There are so many that it can’t be helped.”

“Even so….”

The teachers sighed deeply and shook their heads.

“Talking about it won’t solve anything. Let’s talk about the kids. Which school do you teach at? Middle school?”

“High school.”

Thankfully, with the help of the teacher sitting next to me, I could join the conversation without difficulty.

Even without leading the conversation, just nodding appropriately and agreeing smoothly kept it flowing.

…But, can I extract information like this? I don’t even know what information I need to gather.

Hmm.

No, wait. I have No. 3.

“Excuse me, I’ll be right back. I need to use the restroom.”

The group of teachers, engrossed in their conversation, didn’t pay much attention to me. Well, they weren’t going to stop someone from going to the restroom, right?

The other halls rented by the National New Heart and Spirit Association seemed to be holding lectures too, as the hallways were empty. I saw a few students with name tags around their necks, like No. 3. But with No. 3, who was clearly from the Ark, right there… why bother with others?

Moreover, if Ark had marked me as a target, they would approach.

I loitered in the hallway, pretending to check my phone.

“Excuse me, Teacher?”

As expected.

These cult people are all the same.

“Do you need any help?”

No. 3 approached with his eyebrows drooping, speaking to me.

“…Hmm.”

“Is there something you didn’t like about the lecture?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Of course, No. 3 didn’t recognize me.

Still, it’s a bit disappointing that he doesn’t recognize me after the time we spent together in the facility.

Well, if he did recognize me, that would be the real problem. If Ark had figured out that the adult version of the snot-nosed kid from the lab had come from the future, it’d be better to just go to Ark and beg for mercy.

“…Are you doing volunteer work or something?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. I’m here to complete my volunteer hours.”

A quite realistic answer came out.

No. 3 answered with an awkward smile.

“Well, not just because of that.”

“Then?”

“Uh… Well, because I…”

Seeing his clumsy smile made me feel strange.

I had been lost in nostalgia seeing his face after so long, but I had forgotten that I didn’t really like No. 3. He didn’t like me either.

The reason is simple.

No. 3 couldn’t understand why I kept picking fights and rebelling against the researchers, and I disliked how he sucked up to the researchers without any pride and controlled the other kids.

Right before No. 3 disappeared from the lab, what did he say to me?

‘Why can’t a kid like you be grateful for the opportunities given…. Man, it’s funny I’m saying this to a ten-year-old, but seriously, don’t live like that.’

What does a fifteen-year-old know, really.

What did I reply? I did say something back.

“I, too, because of a dungeon break… was isolated once. So… now teachers come here, but sometimes kids come too, for activities and things like that. I like helping them….”

Ah. So that’s the setup.

I looked at No. 3 with pity.

Thinking about it now, he had a pitiful life too. Growing up in a similar environment, he ended up in the lab just like me. I escaped with the help of the old man and got a decent job, but he… he probably ended up helping with cult propaganda and might have become a cult propagandist himself.

When I was ten years old, I went out of my way to give him a hard time. He disliked me too, and would snitch to the director whenever I tried to do something.

But now, I’m an adult. I can’t hold on to old grudges against a kid brainwashed by the cult.

Rescuing him right now is impossible. No. 3 would resist too. But maybe next year, or even if it takes more time, if Hong Seok-young manages to bring down Ark. Then I could at least look out for him to ensure he does well.

“Really? That’s commendable.”

“No, it’s not that great….”

“I also look after kids who’ve had isolated experiences like you.”

“Like me?”

“They seemed to be doing well, so I thought they were fine, but it turns out they weren’t.”

I smiled awkwardly.

“What am I saying? Sorry. If you have things to do, go ahead.”

“No, I like talking like this too.”

No. 3 smiled warmly.

“Sometimes teachers come to me for advice too.”

“Really?”

“My counselor recommended that I talk to others about my experiences. At first, I hated even thinking about it, but talking like this helps. It’s a way to help other kids with my experiences.”

If I were a regular teacher, I’d find this truly admirable.

His smiling face slowly hardened. His shoulders slumped, and the space between his eyebrows narrowed. His lips twitched anxiously, and when our eyes met, he gave a bitter smile.

It was so natural. He should be an actor rather than doing this here.

But if you look closely, it’s different. He can’t fool my eyes, no matter how hard he tries. His eyes aren’t smiling.

His seemingly normal gestures are also different. They look gentle and troubled by recalling a difficult past, but they often deliberately divert attention.

That’s typical of cultists.

“That’s great. I hope my kids can become as strong as you.”

“Haha… Don’t think too hastily. It took me a long time to think this way too.”

“Right. The lecturer mentioned earlier not to rush and to take small steps.”

I checked the time on my phone screen.

“I should head back now. Thanks for talking about something that must have been hard.”

“Talking helps me….”

“Helps? That’s the least I can do.”

I hesitated briefly, then took out a notebook and pen from my pocket. Working under the old man, I’d developed a habit of needing writing tools for my peace of mind. Plus, sometimes analog is better.

I scribbled my phone number in the notebook.

“If you ever need help, contact me. I’m not great, but I am a Hunter….”

“Wow, you’re a Hunter?”

No. 3’s eyes widened.

I’ve spoon-fed him this much; he wouldn’t spit it out without swallowing, would he?

Well, if the chance comes, won’t No. 3 call with a trembling voice? Teacher, please help me?

* * *

“No. 3?”

Hong Seok-young’s brow twitched as he listened to my report. It was easy to tell what was bothering him, so I made sure to worsen his mood.

“They assign numbers instead of names. By now, they probably have up to the 20s for sure.”

“And your younger brother?”

“He was called No. 12.”

Hong Seok-young sighed deeply. It was clear he was boiling inside but couldn’t let it out and was trying hard to keep it contained.

“Anyway, good job. No. 3… Kang Tae-woo, was it?”

“Investigate the orphanages.”

“Orphanages?”

“The National New Heart and Spirit Association said they run orphanages and… child support programs. They also do volunteer activities there and encourage people to participate.”

“Will you go?”

“I’d rather not.”

I don’t want to go that far.

“There were signs of kids being evacuated hastily from that last training center, weren’t there? If they’ve dispersed them to orphanages, it would be a good way to avoid attention.”

“Hmm…”

Hong Seok-young nodded.

“That makes sense. Hunter Lee is investigating things related to that association. With all the tasks we have, including the Songpa District Dungeon, progress has been slow…. I’ll have to tell them to prioritize looking into the orphanages.”

Then Hong Seok-young added,

“By the way, I need to enter a dungeon soon.”

“A dungeon?”

“There’s an urgent one in Gangwon Province…. I need you to look after the kids in the meantime.”