Chapter 125

Chapter 12524h of troubles(4)

Jeong-woo turned his gaze to Kiki, who was laying inside a transparent cage with an air purification device attached.

Though she didnt seem to be in pain yet, her expression was considerably downcast.

Where could she have contracted it from?

According to the genetic information of Pasteurella bacteria, infection was unlikely unless there was direct contact, so the possibility of Kiki contracting the disease after being in the car all day was almost nonexistent.

However, what was circulating in Kikis body at the moment was not the entire pathogen but a mutated portion of the genetic material.

Its so small that it could easily be carried by air and wind at any time.

Suddenly, a scene from the daytime flashed in his mind.

Jeong-woo, after briefly closing his eyes, saw a kitten on the examination table.

The temperature was as vividly red as the other animal during the day. The first-infected cats receiving antibiotics in the enclosed area was equally reddish.

Turning his eyes, he saw Kikis temperature.

Orange. But there was a subtle difference from the surrounding cats. It was because her immune system was fighting against the activated mutant pathogens.

I cant just sit idly by.

As the culprit became clear, so did the immediate action that needed to be taken.

After thoroughly examining all blood samples, Jeong-woo approached Go Eun-sil, who was monitoring the condition of the cats in her care.

Eun-sil, can I have a moment?

Yeah?

Number 26. Shes going to get sick soon.

What do you mean?

At Jeong-woos words about the sick cat she was about to handle, Go Eun-sil blinked her eyes with a puzzled look.

Check her temperature again. Itll be 0.1 to 2 degrees higher than the other cats.

When did you check her temperature? Still, thats within the margin of error

If the temperature of cat number 26 gets worse, tell the other vets to prioritize cats with relatively higher temperatures. In my opinion, itll be numbers 26, 5, 13, and 19.

What, Kiki too?Findd new stories at novelhall.com

Go Eun-sils gaze, confirming cat number 19, turned to Yoon Yi-seol, who was sadly watching over the kitten from the side.

Jeong-woo also looked at Yoon Yi-seol and then spoke softly.

Keep it a secret until the outbreak. I came to make sure that my friend doesnt cry anymore, but the situation isnt helping.

She seems to be really special to you.

Is that so? Ive received a lot from her without doing anything special.

Whether then or now, you still trying to be cool, Han Jeong-woo.

Go Eun-sil lightly tapped Jeong-woos side.

Ouch, that hurts.

Stop being a baby.

You still have the strength of a man in your fists. Youve only a woman because of your face, thats all.

While Jeong-woo grumbled, Go Eun-sil, who had been watching him with a smirk, pointed to Yoon Yi-seol.

Even if I dont know her, she seems kind. Her voice is pretty too. She doesnt seem to have a cold so I dont understand why shes covering her face. Is her name still a secret?

Sorry.

Got it. Ill cooperate, so do your best.

After ending the conversation, Jeong-woo approached Yoon Yi-seol.

I think I need to go back to the examination area. Yi-seol

Dont worry and come back safely.

Just as Jeong-woo was about to leave the tent, Yoon Yi-seol grabbed his hand.

Seeing you today alone is enough to make me happy, so dont be disappointed that the date failed. Im satisfied enough.

It seemed that the angelic Yoon Yi-seol hadnt gone anywhere. As he held her warm hand and looked into her eyes, which were even warmer, his goal became even clearer.

Save Kiki and continue the date.

Even if the obstacle is a new infectious disease without a vaccine.

Investigator Yoo. These are the samples collected from the initial outbreak in cows and chickens.

Yoo Kang-seok turned his head at the sound while observing a portion of cat number 7s blood under the microscope.

Noh Sang-ik, a livestock quarantine officer from the Ministry of Agriculture, had placed the sample box next to the experimental table.

Quarantine officer. Considering that there was no positive reaction with the rapid test kit, it doesnt seem to be foot-and-mouth disease or avian influenza, right?

Im not sure. Its my first time encountering this type. Oh? Were you running PCR first?

Symptoms appeared in the cats. We found the causative bacteria.

When Noh Sang-ik saw the Pasteurella variant on the monitor, his face turned surprised.

Its of Chinese origin? As expected from the National Veterinary Research Institute. They found it at once.

It wasnt my doing. It was a friend of my junior that called for help.

Yoo Kang-seok looked around for the unseen reinforcements from earlier. Meanwhile, Noh Sang-ik, who had been laying out the sample specimens on the experiment table, asked.

By the way, if cats are infected, how should we conduct the epidemiological investigation? Have there been outbreaks reported in other areas?

Not yet, but its not a reassuring stage. The level of transmission is different from whats been reported. Its odd that only two cats out of all the animals, including dogs, rabbits, and hamsters under temporary protection, are sick.

What level are you considering?

We should go up to the caution level. Establish a quarantine headquarters for more sophisticated analysis

Yoo Kang-seoks words stopped abruptly as someone had hit him on the back of the head. Park Chung-sik, glaring, looked at Yoo Kang-seok.

We havent even finished running PCR yet, and youre talking like this?

I just have a bad feeling about it, thats all, a hunch.

Oh, a fantastic hunch? What did you say last time when the emergency was declared by the relevant ministries, and you were about to give a government briefing? Didnt you say something like it might not be necessary to evacuate since the infectivity seemed weaker than expected? Huh?

Um, Im not sure when that was.

Shut up and bring evidence. Oh, its been a while, Director Noh.

Noh Sang-ik alternated his gaze between the confident Park Chung-sik and Yoo Kang-seok, who had his head down, then continued laying out the sample specimens.

Investigator, I have something to tell you

Into the gap between the three, someones voice interjected.

A fairly young man entered the testing room, and Yoo Kang-seok, who had been scratching his head, welcomed him with a friendly face.

Oh, Han Jeong-woo. Come here, come.

Jeong-woo bowed his head when a man standing next to Yoo Kang-seok looked at him sharply.

Park Chung-sik asked, looking at Jeong-woo.

Who is this?

Hes part of the support team.

What?

Hell help find evidence, or are you just going to stand there doing nothing?

After pushing Park Chung-sik aside, Yoo Kang-seok gestured to Jeong-woo.

Do you have any opinions?

Could you please pull up the genetic sequence information I wrote earlier?

Manipulating the laptop, Yoo Kang-seok turned the screen.

Is this it?

Yes. Please remove the overlapping parts with the previously reported Pasteurella variant.

He overlapped two pathogens and removed common genetic components, leaving only the short genetic sequences on the screen.

Yoo Kang-seok frowned reflexively when he saw the remaining portion.

Ugh, it looks like a horrible piece of DNA virus.

Noh Sang-ik, who had also been interested in the screen, widened his eyes at his words.

Jeong-woo pointed to the screen with the mutated genes from Kikis blood and said.

I wonder if this sudden activation of dormant bacteria is the cause.

Whats the basis for that judgment?

Pasteurella is not easily transmitted through airborne routes like respiratory diseases. So, there must be a separate source of infection.

Even though the final diagnosis hasnt been confirmed, youre already thinking that far ahead, Mr. Jeong-woo. Youre quite quick. Alright, lets see.

-Why not? Your schedule is pretty clear.

Spotting Jeong-woo approaching from afar, Yoon Yi-seol hurriedly replied.

K-Kiki is in danger, and I have other work too

-Why are you stuttering like that? Did you happen to meet that jerk who doesnt answer your calls?

Ah no.

Yoon Yi-seol.

-Oh?

Yoon Yi-seol hung up abruptly and gestured towards the bench.

I bought sandwiches and other things. Jeong-woo must be hungry, right?

We should leave for Seonyudo now. Will you stay with Kiki, Yi-seol?

As the manager requests

Yoon Yi-seols gaze lingered on one of the two people standing next to the van in the parking lot.

Is Doctor Go Eun-sil going too?

It turned out that way.

Then Ill go too.

You might get scratched by branches in the dark forest.

Rising from her seat, Yoon Yi-seol stood in front of Jeong-woo, her eyes flickered with determination.

Youre planning to go into that dark forest alone with your first love.

Its not just the two of us. Investigator Yoo Kang-seok will be there too.

Anyway!

With her cheeks puffed out, Yoon Yi-seol looked cute, and Jeong-woo couldnt help but smile softly.

Dont just smile like that, give me a clear answer. Im getting mad.

Well, if you define love the way most people do

Jeong-woo reached out his hand towards Yoon Yi-seols forehead, which was tousled by the sea breeze, and gently tidied it up, saying,

then my first love is you.

Thump.

Yoon Yi-seols eyes widened in disbelief.

F-First, what?

If youre uneasy, lets go together. Hold hands tightly and have a date in that dark place.

As Jeong-woo grabbed her hand like a lifeline, Yoon Yi-seol was taken aback. Holding her breath, she glanced at Jeong-woo, then closed her eyes tightly and raised to her tiptoes.

The feeling of their faces gradually getting closer. However, even as time passed, the anticipated collision of their lips did not happen.

What are you doing?

At this sound, Yoon Yi-seol opened her eyes slightly. Then she looked at Jeong-woo, who was standing with his head slightly turned back.

Why? That was the mood, wasnt it?

Why? Havent you forgotten what happened last time in a similar mood?

I dont remember.

Avoiding Jeong-woos gaze, Yoon Yi-seol, with a shy smile, softly said.

Im still not fully recovered. If I cant keep that promise, itll be hard for us to go on a date.

Ugh. I know, I know. Holding hands is the only thing possible for the next 7 months, right?

Im trying my best, so maybe itll get faster.

Trying?

Well talk about that later. Theyre waiting for us.

Youre trying to kiss me? Wow~

Seeing Yoon Yi-seols happy smile, Jeong-woo couldnt help but make a helpless expression.

Standing in front of the van, Yoo Kang-seok wore a surprised expression.

Doesnt this look like a car celebrities ride in? Quite luxurious. Eun-sil, what does your friend do?

I told you he works at a chemical company.

No way, are you two dating?

Yoo Kang-seok inwardly shouted Please no as he waited for her response.

Hes just a childhood friend.

Huh.

Hes also my first love.

What?

Go Eun-sil pointed towards the two approaching from the direction of the breakwater bench.

Theyre coming. By the way, the lady next to her is the one Jeong-woo is interested in.

Oh come on! Stop teasing me.

Why? Senior, you dont have feelings for me anymore.

Thats true.

Yoo Kang-seok, who hastily replied, sighed and shook his head. Then he turned his gaze to the woman approaching with a mask and hat on.

Although her face was covered, her well-built figure and the aura of elegance emanating from her appearance gave him a strong premonition that she might be quite a beauty.

Anyway, Han Jeong-woo isnt a celebrity, right?

Muttering to himself, Yoo Kang-seok recalled the tabloid article he had seen before coming here.

[Transformation into a beautiful island girl, a sketch of Daisy photo shoot location]

Yeah, theres a photo shoot for Yoon Yi-seol on Seonyudo today.

So, that lady is Yoon Yi-seol?

At Go Eun-sils inquiry, Yoo Kang-seok smirked.

Isnt that too coincidental? The nations little sister suddenly appearing in this countryside setting.

In the meantime, Jeong-woo and the masked woman arrived.

Youve been waiting, right? Lets go now.

Jeong-woo pressed the button with the smart key, and the cars lock mechanism was released.

Get in, Investigator. Eun-sil, you too.

Go Eun-sil sat in the back seat first. Yoo Kang-seok hesitated at the back door and asked Jeong-woo.

Who is the lady next to you?

Shes my friend. I left my cat with her.

Oh, I see

Earlier, you seemed to feel sorry for her as well.

Oh, earlier. I remember. She was next to Han Jeong-woo. Nice to meet you, Im Yoo Kang-seok.

The masked woman nodded politely.

Hello, Im Yoon Yi Ah.

Yes?

Im Yoon. Seo-yoon.

I see.

Yoo Kang-seok nodded and got into the car.

In a split second, the masked woman, Yoon Yi-seol, came up with a pseudonym, scratching her chin, then exchanged glances with Jeong-woo.

Seeing her gesture of clasping both hands and showing remorse, Jeong-woo signaled her to be careful with her words.

As Jeong-woo and Yoon Yi-seol took their seats, Yoo Kang-seok spoke excitedly.

By the way, her voice sounds familiar. Are you perhaps a celebrity?

No.

Really? Anyway, its a familiar voice. Very charming.

Yoon Yi-seol in the passenger seat lowered her head.

The car, with the four occupants, left the parking lot and disappeared onto the bridge leading to Seonyudo.