Chapter 554. Maintenance (4)

'Did he say... his master?'

Zhang Dajing had to question his own hearing just then. Unfortunately for him, though... Vator had clearly said those words. He said he wanted to go and speak to his master!

His master?! Was there any other word more ill-fitting for Vator than 'master'? Who would even become Vator's master in this world anyway?

Not even the Crimson King chose to call himself Vator's master. The contract compelled Vator to accept the Crimson King's command, but they never were in a master-and-servant relationship. Only that verbal contract had been tying them together!

But now... Vator actually said his master?

𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

“Sir Vator, what did you... just say?”

“Get the car ready, Zhang Dajing.”

“...!”

Vator's scary glare locked on Zhang Dajing. “You know where my master is currently, don't you?”

Zhang Dajing obviously could tell something was wrong with Vator's condition, but he couldn't afford to withhold his answer here. “No, sir. I do not know where he is. However, I can find out if you want.”

“Then, find it out immediately. I must urgently go to his side.”

“S-Sir Vator?” Zhang Dajing nervously gulped his saliva back and cautiously raised his voice. Asking this question might be seen as rude and insolent, but he simply had to know the truth. “Why... do you call Kang Jin-Ho your master?”

“Because he is my master.”

“Sir Vator! You are the great, noble Warrior of the Wild Plains! There can be no such thing as a master to a warrior like yourself!”

“Then, one shall exist from this moment on,” Vator tutted, sounding unimpressed.

“S-Sir Vator! P-please, get a hold of yourself. How can someone like Kang Jin-Ho be your master!”

“Zhang Dajing...!” Vator's voice suddenly became icy-cold and ominous. “Even if it's you, I will not permit you to speak ill of my master any longer. If you do not wish to pay for your rudeness with your life, I advise you to hold your insolent tongue before it's too late.”

Zhang Dajing's expression crumpled unconsciously. Tears threatened to cloud his vision. The sorrow and bitterness at seeing Vator act this way were ruthlessly ripping Zhang Dajing's heart apart. And the words 'even if it's you' cut Zhang Dajing even deeper since they indicated Vator really did see him as a special acquaintance despite them not knowing each other for long.

“...I shall guide you,” said Zhang Dajing. He couldn't find any room to argue for reason in Vator's firm, unyielding voice.

Vator could not be persuaded. In that case, Zhang Dajing shouldn't even try. No, he should leave the task of persuasion to... Kang Jin-Ho.

Zhang Dajing turned around to leave, his expression stiff.

***

Vrooooom...!

Even the engine sound of the modified van sounded ominous to Zhang Dajing's ears.

This large van carrying Vator flew down the road. The operatives tasked with collecting information had uncovered roughly where Kang Jin-Ho was, and Zhang Dajing was currently driving toward there.

Accurately narrowing down where Kang Jin-Ho was not going to be easy, but was there a need to figure that out by themselves? After all, they weren't trying to assassinate Kang Jin-Ho this time. Zhang Dajing took out his phone and glared at one particular phone number stored on the device. After a lengthy bout of silence, Zhang Dajing bit his lip, then tapped the 'Call' icon.

The ringtone went on for a while before a slightly laidback voice came out of the phone's speaker.

-Hello?

“...Mister Kang Jin-Ho?”

-Yes, that's me. Who am I speaking to?

“I don't know if you remember me, but my name is Zhang Dajing. We met not too long ago.”

-Zhang Dajing?

“Yes. I was assisting Sir Vator.”

-Oh. I remember you. Why are you calling me, though? And how did you get this number?

“Allow me to answer one question at a time,” said Zhang Dajing while tightly clenching the steering wheel. “First of all, finding out your contact number is quite easy. Your personal information is like a public record to people in our line of business, Mister Kang. Even a rookie operative will find everything out in less than three minutes if they try.”

-I see. And?

Kang Jin-Ho's voice suddenly grew a little colder.

'As expected...'

Zhang Dajing grimaced a little. It seemed the report about Kang Jin-Ho being sensitive about his personal information was indeed accurate.

“Mister Kang, the reason why I'm calling you is straightforward. Sir Vator wishes to meet you.”

-You mean... Right now?

“Yes. Right this instant.”

Zhang Dajing could hear Kang Jin-Ho taking his ear away from his phone to ask something to someone nearby.

-Come to a cafe in front of where I am in thirty minutes.

“Your location is?”

-I'll send you a text.

“Understood.”

The line went dead, and Zhang Dajing's grip on his phone strengthened. Even though the call itself was brief, he gleaned so many things from it. Despite hearing about how Vator wanted to see him, Kang Jin-Ho didn't even sound remotely confused or concerned. Didn't that indicate he had already anticipated this development?

'What have you done, Kang Jin-Ho?!'

They were all members of the martial world. Events beyond the comprehension of regular people happened with alarming regularity here. Even so... Zhang Dajing, a man who spent his entire life in this topsy-turvy martial world, had never imagined a sorcery capable of manipulating a stranger's mind existed!

'No, that's not true, is it?'

Zhang Dajing did hear about them... in legendary tales of the ancient martial artists. The kind of tales that a grandfather might tell his grandchildren during bedtime!

In those fantastical tales when men could cross the skies and flip the earth with their might, powerful experts capable of manipulating people's minds and using them like slaves apparently existed.

However, those tales were nothing more than legends, weren't they! Believing in those stories would be like believing in the existence of phoenixes and dragons. Who in their right mind would take such tales at face value!

“Dammit...!” Zhang Dajing cursed quietly and gritted his teeth without even realizing that he did.

He should soon learn the truth... after meeting Kang Jin-Ho. The truth about what happened to Vator! Zhang Dajing glanced at the rearview mirror and sighed softly at the reflection of Vator's stiff face.

***

“Look, look! I told you, didn't I!”

“Whoa... It really is him!”

Niveo's counter was bustling with activity, with the store employees crowding around a computer screen.

“I told you it was him! Look at his face. Change his hairstyle and apply a bit of makeup, and it'll be an exact match!”

“...Oh, my gosh. I think I understand why people don't recognize Superman, even though he doesn't wear a mask. How can a person's vibe be this different?”

“You think so, too?”

The reception of the skincare specialist boutique Niveo, usually a place of dignified air and calmness, was a hive of activity today. Of course, the ability to remain silent had already been ingrained into the genes of these employees, so their energetic discussion didn't get any rowdier than hushed whispers. Even so, this was already an earth-shattering event for these ladies.

“So, he really was Choi Yeon-Ha's friend! Looks like they became friends while starring in the same show?”

“Wait, wait... Could they be dating?”

“Maybe? If that's not it, I don't think that aloof Choi Yeon-Ha would call him her 'friend' while recommending him to...”

“Watch what you say!”

All the employees stood up straight when a hushed but threatening voice came from behind them. They had failed to notice Manager Yi Mi-Yeon had exited her office to glare murderously at them.

“If you wish to gossip, I recommend you quit this job, right now. You can yap freely in a cafe on your own time. Got that?”

The employees all politely bowed their heads. “...We're sorry, Miss Yi.”

“If any one of you carelessly runs your mouth off outside these walls, and I swear to you... I will find out who did it and make the culprit pay. Understand?”

“Yes, Miss Yi!”

Yi Mi-Yeon shot another glare at the employees before glancing at the care suite with the male client inside.

'...They've been in there for a while now.'

The skincare procedure should've ended half an hour ago, yet no one emerged from the suite yet. Yi Mi-Yeon cautiously approached the room's entrance and knocked on the door before opening it. “Please excuse me...?”

When she carefully stepped inside, though... The skincare specialist and her wide eyes were staring back at Yi Mi-Yeon.

Kang Jin-Ho was lying on the bed like a stone statue with a beauty mask on his face. And the specialist... was busy fondling his face like some kind of a toy.

“M-Miss Yi?”

“My sincerest apologies, dear customer. However, there's an urgent message for the skincare specialist, you see... Again, my sincerest apologies,” Yi Mi-Yeon politely bowed her head repeatedly. Of course, whether Kang Jin-Ho could see her gesture or not while lying on the bed was a different question altogether. Yi Mi-Yeon shot a quick glare at the skincare specialist. “Come with me outside.”

“Yes, Miss Yi...” The specialist looked crestfallen as she trudged outside the suite. Once they were outside...

“...Why does the client still have the mask on?” Yi Mi-Yeon growled menacingly. “Don't tell me you only started his facial care just now?”

“N-no, Miss Yi. Of course not! His facial massage is finished, but he... Uh, he expressed his interest in testing out other masks, you see...?”

“Hnnnng?” Yi Mi-Yeon snorted derisively to indicate that she could see through that dumb lie. She then silently mouthed the following words, What do you think you're doing to a valuable customer!

“...I'll take the mask off now,” said the skincare specialist.

“Get your act together, Miss Hae-Song.”

“...Yes, ma'am.”

The specialist, Jeong Hae-Song, returned to the suite with drooping shoulders. Yi Mi-Yeon watched the door close, then slowly shook her head.

'At least her eyes for handsome men are still functioning...'

Niveo often saw celebrities stopping by. Not just any but the best this country had to offer! However, Jeong Hae-Song had been more or less composed in their presence until now. But her pupils were now resembling pink hearts!

Then again, it wasn't as if Yi Mi-Yeon didn't sympathize with her skincare specialist. To take the 'before' photo, Yi Mi-Yeon had to closely observe Kang Jin-Ho, and that was when she felt her heart skip a beat. Being attracted to someone handsome was an instinctive reaction for the womenfolk, was it not?

'Even so, we should know our place.'

They should not forget that Kang Jin-Ho came here with Choi Yeon-Ha's recommendation. If that Witch heard about how a lowly skincare specialist wagged her tail like a b*tch in heat toward her man... Niveo would be finished for good. Yi Mi-Yeon was 100% sure about this!

Obviously, she'd never let such a thing happen under her watch.

A short while later, the suite's door opened again, and the skincare specialist and Kang Jin-Ho walked outside.

“Wow...”

“Heol...!”

Gasps of admiration could be heard coming from the counter.

Even Yi Mi-Yeon had trouble forming cohesive words at that moment. “Uh, mm...”

Kang Jin-Ho's face, with his hair slicked back and his skin taken care of... held this power to stop everyone's breath in this place.

'That man doesn't need to play a character, no?'

Being handsome didn't automatically guarantee one's success in the entertainment industry. Most actors were good-looking, but they still had to go through the eras of anonymity first. And only those experiencing lucky opportunities could reach the top of the pile. Without opportunities like meaty roles that put them squarely in the spotlight, no actor would be able to grab hold of the elusive spirit called 'fame', regardless of how good-looking they were.

However, what about the man before their eyes? How should they describe him? The employees of Niveo finally understood why someone with no recurring role still turned the world upside down with a solitary appearance in the opening episode.

Yi Mi-Yeon cautiously called out to Kang Jin-Ho. “D-dear customer, sir?”

“Yes?” Kang Jin-Ho glanced at her.

“M-may I take another photo?” Yi Mi-Yeon raised her camera again. She was determined to snap another shot before Kang Jin-Ho could get dressed. Because... Niveo's gowns were way better!

***

“Be careful on your way, sir!”

“Please come again!”

“Yes, please! Come again!”

Kang Jin-Ho staggered into the elevator as heated farewells inundated him from behind. Why did it feel like the employees were bowing their heads with tears in their eyes?

'...Nope, never coming back here again.'

Unfortunately for those ladies, Kang Jin-Ho swore to never return to this damn place. Letting the manager take two photos of him had earned him three years of free membership, but he had absolutely no desire to utilize this freebie.

He did feel his tense body loosen up and become more relaxed while receiving the full-body massage and skincare, but the mental discomfort he felt during the process easily exceeded all the plus points combined.

“How is this supposed to be relaxing?” Kang Jin-Ho quietly muttered that to himself while shaking his head. It seemed Choi Yeon-Ha's standards differed a lot from his.

Kang Jin-Ho caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror installed on the elevator's wall, then tilted his head a little. It felt like... his skin was glowing for some reason? As if he just finished a round of refreshing qi circulation?

He was a bit amazed that such a feeling could be artificially induced like this. And this languid-yet-refreshed feeling akin to a sauna session wasn't bad, either...

'...Should I come here again?'

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled softly while stepping outside the elevator. It seemed he should experience this kind of 'relaxation' a few more times to determine whether he was a victim of unfamiliarity or if this skincare boutique was a simply bizarre place.

Kang Jin-Ho exited the building, then scanned his vicinity. He definitely saw a cafe somewhere nearby. Since he texted the coordinates to Zhang Dajing, they should be...

That was when Kang Jin-Ho spotted Zhang Dajing and Vator standing outside that cafe, evidently waiting for his arrival.

Vator also discovered Kang Jin-Ho and walked toward him in large strides. Kang Jin-Ho watched the big man close the distance, his expression calm and composed.

“Fuu-woo...”

Vator quickly reached where Kang Jin-Ho was and stared at him with a pair of intense eyes. Despite being exposed to such a fierce gaze, Kang Jin-Ho was not perturbed or nervous. Not even by a little bit. But then...!

Bang!

Vator suddenly went down on one knee, then his heroically loud voice rocked the surroundings. “Master! Your faithful servant, Vator, has come to pay his respects!”

The corners of Kang Jin-Ho's lips curled up ever so slightly.