Corrupt Destruction

Discovery

(Perspective by Angel Hunt)

[Use a translator if you don't know the language.]

Just before class started, a man came to deliver the orders; I was the first to notice him approaching Apgujeong High. I pondered why he had come because he didn't have any children as he drew near. I could give him a solid kick like my dad would if I were male. As he reached the entrance, I couldn't help but be curious about the purpose of his visit. Perhaps he was a courier delivering important documents, or maybe he had some urgent messages for one of the teachers. Regardless, I decided to keep an eye on him to satisfy my growing curiosity.

I'd already seen him. He arrived to deliver orders for a few pupils in another class last fall. They were said to be employed somewhere at a steel plant. The children bid goodbye to me, my elder sister Lizzie, and our instructor the following morning, when the sun had not yet risen over the buildings and it was a chilly morning. She may have shed a few tears at that point. As we watched them leave, I couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and worry for their future. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that they were embarking on a new chapter in their lives, but also realizing the challenges they would face working in such a demanding industry.

I adored those children. When Lizzie and I arrived in Seoul to study, they made us feel at home. After that, I never ran across them again. I hastily put my book down so I could welcome the man as he drew near. He came to our classroom and took out a yellow envelope for each of the students from his backpack.

The man shouted. “안녕하세요! 나는 군 사령부에서 명령을 받았습니다 (Hello! I have an order from the military command)”

I slid the door open and crossed my arms over my chest. “ "여기에서 당신을 제공합니다? (What brings you here?)”

A man looked at me. “당신과 당신의 여동생, 반 친구의 절반에 대한 명령이 있습니다.” The envelopes were held out by him.

“그것들을 버려야 합니다. 시간 낭비입니다. ” I stood still.

Leaning on the wall while grinning, the man said, “당신은 학생. 우리의 명령을 따르지 않으면 결과가 있을 것입니다. ”

"All right," I said. "무엇에 대한 명령입니까? "

He stood up straight and raised his chin. He held out the envelope and said, “이 명령은 당신이 그에게 보답하는 데 도움이 될 것입니다. .” I bowed slightly and received the instructions.

Korean lettering was difficult for me to grasp, so I'll later go to a family ally for translation.

I was relieved I hadn't mentioned the language barrier to the man after the way he stared at me. "That's how it is," he said. He quickly nodded before moving on to the next classroom.

Everyone showed up to class and took their orders from the teacher's desk. I kept mine in my bag for later.

So-yi Cho, a popular and bullied girl, inquired arrogantly. “신문은 무엇을 말합니까? ”

Jong-Yul Ru, one of the responsible kids, said “잘은 모르지만 가방에 넣어두세요. 점심시간에 열어보겠습니다. 이제 자리로 돌아가십시오.”

He sounded like a teacher at times, and a few of us didn’t like being told what to do. So we took our seats and waited for class to begin. As I focused on a subject, I worried about the orders tucked away in my bag. They might be work orders during the winter.

Someone had told my sister Lizzie and me that students were abducted to battle an unidentified force when we first arrived in Korea. Although our parents requested that we be together, my sister continues to go out with her Korean friends in the middle of the night and waste money. She received several reprimands from our foster home, to the point that our parents were called.

By the time school let out, Lizzie had left with the pupils to go to Hagawon, and I had already begun heading to the access. I rapped on the door since the air was brisk. Elderly and knowledgeable, Ae-ri is aware of what is ideal. She opened the door with a warm smile, inviting me inside. Ae-ri's wisdom and experience always made her a reliable source of advice and guidance.

On rare occasions, she connects with my family members on social media, usually so they can ask how Lizzie and I are doing. Even though her home was modest, we managed to have nappa cabbage and a small amount of rice for dinner.

The home was a typical contemporary flat. The walls were adorned with minimalist artwork, adding a touch of elegance to the space. The living room boasted a sleek leather sofa and a modern coffee table, creating a cozy yet sophisticated ambiance. The kitchen, though compact, was equipped with state-of-the-art appliances that made cooking a breeze. As we sat down for dinner, the aroma of the freshly cooked nappa cabbage filled the air, tantalizing our taste buds. Despite the limited quantity of rice, it was cooked to perfection, with each grain fluffy and flavorful. We savored every bite, grateful for the simple pleasures that brought us together in this humble abode. In those moments, it didn't matter that her home was modest; what mattered was the warmth and love that enveloped us within its walls.

She was intelligent—too intelligent to work in a fabric shop. She and her late husband took great pride in the many books in their home. They had books in English, Korean, and a few in Hangul, though I struggled to read them. To understand what the performers were saying, the couple also purchased Disney films in various languages. It was fantastic. I used to watch a K-drama after a hard day of school until I was exhausted. The captivating storylines and talented actors kept me hooked, and I was always eager to immerse myself in the rich cultural experience that K-dramas offered. Despite the language barrier, I found solace and entertainment in these shows, which helped me unwind and forget about the stresses of the day.

Today, though, was different from my previous trips, since the commands that were given to us worried me. Parents demanded that we travel to a secret place even though we had no idea whether or not the children would come home. On the other hand, I was smarter than the majority of adults. They are knowledgeable about social media, morality, and good health. They were, however, oblivious to the dangers lurking online and the potential harm it could cause to our children. As a result, I took it upon myself to educate them about internet safety and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“Unnie.” I knelt. "A guy arrived at the school with directives for Lizzie, myself, and the pupils."

“Orders?” said Ae-ri. "What are they saying?"

I admitted, "I didn't look at it at school. I assumed we could read it and contact my parents about it because they aren't here."

I gave Ae-ri the yellow envelope after reaching into my backpack to get it. Her shoulders drooped as she read the instructions to herself. Curiosity piqued, I leaned closer to Ae-ri, eager to understand her reaction. As she finished reading, a look of concern crossed her face, making me wonder what exactly was written in that yellow envelope.

The directives came from Ae-ri. "You can read Korean here," she said. Make certain that we understand them."

The official who had signed the previous year's In-Su's also signed these orders. I pronounced, "I am to report to the pier tonight, where I will get assigned to work as a field historian," as I read them aloud. I'll reside in a dorm. "They will deduct rent and food expenses from our pay, and whatever is left over will be given to my family's landlord."

Ae-ri was showing astonishment, and I was simply looking around in disbelief.

"There is no way that I will go." "We are international students, Lizzie and I." I set the paper down on the desk. "Moreover, Lizzie ought to have informed me of her orders before traveling to Hagawon if she had one."

I couldn't help but feel a mix of shock and confusion as I absorbed the information before me. The thought of going seemed completely out of the question, especially considering that Lizzie and I were international students. How could they expect us to just drop everything and embark on this unexpected journey? It was inconceivable. As I placed the paper back on the desk, my mind raced with thoughts of how Lizzie should have informed me about any such plans prior to her departure for Hagawon. It seemed only fair that she would have shared such important orders with me beforehand, so we could have discussed our options together. The whole situation left me dumbfounded, struggling to come to terms with the sheer audacity of it all.

Ae-ri immediately stood up and dialed my sister. "리지 힌트! 명령을 따르지 마십시오! 당장 내 집으로 와!"

She fixed her attention on the menu. She shook her head and whispered, "You must go after her." "Stop her before she makes a costly error. I'll take care of your folks."

I assured Ae-ri that I would do everything in my power to stop my sister from making a mistake. With a determined look, I added, "I won't let her go down the wrong path, no matter what it takes."

She softly stated, "Head out to the site as soon as you can. I'll ask our ancestors for protection tonight."

After giving her what feels like an endless hug, I quickly gather my belongings and rush out the door. As I step outside, the cool night air embraces me, sending a shiver down my spine. The moon hangs high in the sky, casting an ethereal glow on the world below. Determination fuels every step as I make my way towards the site she mentioned. Thoughts of our ancestors fill my mind, their wisdom and guidance are sought in times of uncertainty. The path ahead is uncertain, but I know that their protection will guide me through the darkness that lies ahead. With each passing moment, my resolve strengthens, and I find solace in knowing that I am not alone on this journey. The weight of responsibility rests upon my shoulders, but I am ready to face whatever challenges await me. As I walk under the starlit sky, a sense of purpose fills my heart, driving me forward towards a destiny intertwined with ancient forces and unyielding determination.