Chapter 25

# 25

User Manual for the Reincarnated 025

The Calculating Killer (3)

‘What’s wrong with him?’

He looked a bit different from the Kim Hyun-sung I knew.

To begin with, Kim Hyun-sung doesn’t show his emotions easily.

The only time he showed a significant emotion was when he first discovered Jung Hae-yan, and even then it was just a fleeting moment.

‘What’s going on?’

I wondered if he had somehow figured out what I did to Park Hye-young, but Kim Hyun-sung wasn’t looking at me or Jung Hae-yan.

He was definitely looking at Jung Jin-ho.

This was the first time I had seen him like this.

Although he wasn’t using any mana, his eyes were clearly showing hostility.

His expression and eyes seemed to be on guard.

His hands and feet were trembling slightly, and most of all, his face was unusually grim.

‘He knows something.’

Kim Hyun-sung definitely knows something about Jung Jin-ho.

Of course, I have no way of knowing how he knows.

If I think as simply as possible, it’s more likely that they have some kind of bad connection in a future I don’t know about.

Kim Hyun-sung doesn’t have the ability to see other people’s status windows.

He’s not wary of Jung Jin-ho because of his calculating killer tendencies.

He’s feeling a sense of discomfort and hostility towards Jung Jin-ho himself.

Even after a bit of time, Kim Hyun-sung is still cautiously observing Jung Jin-ho.

Despite the awkwardness of reaching out to shake hands, Jung Jin-ho was smiling at Kim Hyun-sung.

If I didn’t know his tendencies, I would have thought he was just a nice guy.

Seeing Kim Hyun-sung’s slightly dazed expression, I tapped his arm and spoke.

“Mr. Hyun-sung.”

“A… I’m sorry. My name is Kim Hyun-sung.”

Kim Hyun-sung and Jung Jin-ho were slightly holding hands, and for some reason, his tightly clenched fist kept catching my eye.

‘Killer… killer…’

Jung Jin-ho’s tendency: calculating killer.

The subtle standoff before Kim Hyun-sung arrived.

Kim Hyun-sung’s reaction upon seeing Jung Jin-ho.

There are several assumptions we can make.

One possible inference is if we assume Jung Jin-ho is a psychopathic killer.

The first assumption is that perhaps Jung Jin-ho killed Kim Hyun-sung or someone close to him.

The second assumption is that Kim Hyun-sung has heard rumors or stories about Jung Jin-ho, even though they haven’t met directly.

The probability of the first assumption is relatively low. If Kim Hyun-sung had such self-control even if Jung Jin-ho had killed him or his friends, I would call him a saint, not a pushover.

By my standards, he’s close to being a saint, but that’s a different story.

Perhaps he’s aware of the eyes of me, Park Deok-gu, Jung Hae-yan, and the others.

If he’s aware of our eyes, he’s probably mentally tearing Jung Jin-ho apart dozens of times.

I would have done the same.

“I’ll introduce myself again. My name is Jung Jin-ho. I’ve heard a lot about you from Seok-woo. I understand you’re managing this shelter….”

“I just happened to find some survivors.”

“I’ve heard you’ve been working hard on rescue operations.”

“Oh, yes….”

“You seem really impressive. I’ve heard from Seok-woo that you’re strong, but you seem even stronger than I imagined. May I ask what your stats are?”

That useless Seok-woo has no secrets.

“I think it would be difficult to tell you.”

“Oh! Of course, if it’s inconvenient, you don’t have to tell me. We came from a starting point a bit far from here. We couldn’t find any survivors, so we were wandering around and happened to find Seok-woo.”

“I see.”

“Yes. As I mentioned to Gi-young, I never imagined there would be so many survivors here.”

Kim Hyun-sung’s expression didn’t change.

There was no sign of wariness or hostility. It was his usual face.

Since he’s already gone through this once, I thought he might be somewhat used to hiding his emotions, but Kim Hyun-sung was even more composed than I expected.

I don’t know why such a guy is taking care of people around him like a pushover, but there must be some past I don’t know about.

I’m canceling the idea that the first assumption is less likely.

Kim Hyun-sung is more familiar with controlling his emotions than I thought. Personally, I give the second assumption a higher score.

‘Rumors or stories about Jung Jin-ho.’

Jung Jin-ho’s potential ability is so high it could pierce through the roof.

To put it in game terms, he’s already laid the foundation to become a top player.

Even my inner eye judges that his growth potential is high.

Considering his tendencies, he has a high probability of becoming a notorious killer or criminal in the future.

He will likely cause a stir in the world.

The second assumption is that Kim Hyun-sung, who will also become a famous criminal in the future, has heard or seen something about Jung Jin-ho.

Of course, there’s a possibility that their positions are reversed, but considering their tendencies, the probability is low.

It’s hard to imagine Kim Hyun-sung enjoying killing.

“Can we stay here with you if it’s not too much trouble?”

“…”

“We have some food supplies. We can probably share them for a few days. Of course, if you don’t like us….”

A moment of consideration.

But Kim Hyun-sung soon nodded.

“No, survivors are always welcome. I’ll help guide you.”

“Oh, thank you.”

I thought it was an unexpected choice.

“Deok-gu, can you and Ji-hye guide these people….”

“Brother, is it okay? We just….”

“It’s fine, Deok-gu. Call me if anything happens.”

“Ugh. If you say so, brother…. Everyone, follow us. It’s not the most comfortable place, but it’s better than wandering outside.”

Kim Hyun-sung’s choice was both unexpected and rational.

He knows that if someone is an enemy, it’s better to keep them close.

I also welcome this.

If he were just a crazy psychopath, it would be better not to let him in, but from the way Jung Jin-ho has been acting since Kim Hyun-sung arrived, he seems to be a thoughtful type.

He’s even a bit of a coward.

The ominous feeling or subtle tension I felt before is no longer present.

He’s probably stepped back, judging that he doesn’t have a chance with Kim Hyun-sung. It’s also possible that he never intended to attack me and Park Deok-gu, but the unease I felt before Kim Hyun-sung arrived was real.

‘Thank you.’

Still, I’m very grateful to him.

My lips curl up, and a smile naturally forms.

If he’s calculating, I can use him somehow.

‘I can use this. This situation is definitely usable.’

It’s a bit unexpected, but not bad. In fact, I might be the luckiest person on Earth.

The thought that I could have died just now has already disappeared from my mind.

‘Thank you, you bastard Jung Jin-ho.’

His appearance here is, in a way, a huge stroke of luck for me.

Turning my head slightly, Kim Hyun-sung came into view.

His expression looked a bit dazed.

“Let’s go in together, Mr. Hyun-sung.”

“I’ll go in a bit more slowly. Please go ahead.”

A thoughtful face.

I’m the same.

But I need to continue the conversation with him here.

It will be more effective.

“Do you know him?”

“Ah.”

“I just thought you looked like you knew him.”

He had a thoughtful look, but soon nodded and continued.

“A little… I think it’s accurate to say I know him. I don’t think he knows me. I only saw him briefly a long time ago….”

“Oh, so you have that kind of connection.”

“It’s not really a connection. I only saw him briefly. To Jung Jin-ho….”

“Of course, I won’t mention it.”

The most important thing in counseling is to keep secrets.

I put on a nonchalant expression and spoke again.

At first, it was just formal conversation.

Realizing he had been rude, he quickly continued. His scattered mind had returned a bit.

“I thought you would be safe, but you really came back. You’re impressive.”

“No, I was just lucky. It was a bit tough, but I managed to find a way back by detouring. Speaking of which, I’m glad Gi-young is okay. Did you have any problems coming back here?”

“In fact, I have something to tell you related to that.”

“Yes?”

“Park Hye-young is dead.”

If you’re going to get hit, it’s better to get hit first.

In the current situation, where my head is about to explode over the Jung Jin-ho issue, it’s the most rational to bring it up now.

A slightly shocked face, but he slowly nodded, seemingly used to death.

Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to suspect me.

From his earlier question, I knew Kim Hyun-sung hadn’t seen Park Hye-young’s body.

“I see. How…?”

“It was magic.”

“Magic?”

“It was an unknown magic.”

“Magic, you say?”

“Yes.”

“I’m pretty sure. I’m still at a low level, so I can’t determine exactly what it was, but it was definitely magic. I’m not sure if any residual mana remains….”

“I see.”

“While traveling with Deok-gu, I noticed that Hae-yan and Hye-young had separated from us. I was reciting a spell at the time, so I couldn’t fully grasp what was happening around me. I was only able to maintain the spell I was reciting….”

“I see.”

“When I finally found her, Hye-young was dying with her limbs cut off. There was a sense of magical processing around her… I could find Hae-yan nearby, but I didn’t know the exact circumstances.”

“Her limbs were cut off?”

“Yes. Her limbs were cut off. I suspect it might have been a dungeon trap, but….”

There are no traps.

The guy mulled over my words again.

“Trap….”

“Yes. I wanted to bring back Hye-young’s body, but the situation was too urgent… I thought it would be better to burn it rather than let the monsters eat it. So….”

He must know what I’m saying.

I burned Park Hye-young’s body.

“Ah, I see. It must have been tough.”

It’s best to be as sincere as possible.

The situation has changed from yesterday.

A proper suspect has appeared, unlike the overly good and innocent Jung Hae-yan.

I muttered to myself again.

‘Thank you, sword mage Jung Jin-ho.’

The culprit is already decided.

The psychopathic killer Jung Jin-ho, that bastard, is the culprit.