DASH-Chapter 181

"Han Yuseong’s camp asked me to get tested to verify how much pheromone I was emitting."

"Why ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ the hell do you have to take that test?"

"Apparently, Han Yuseong had a pheromone reaction, and I happened to be in the same space at the time."

Jaekyoung looked at Kim Giseok with an expression that basically screamed, Are these people out of their fucking minds? The way he stared at Kim Giseok—like he was actually insane—then dropped his gaze and asked Jiheon in a voice so low it seemed like it was crushing something.

"Why are you just standing there?"

The meaning was obvious: all it would take is saying I’m pregnant, and this whole circus would be over. Why the hell was Jiheon listening to this bullshit in silence?

"Because I think the genie might actually grant your wish."

"What...?"

Jaekyoung frowned, not following.

Jiheon, keeping his voice as dry as possible, replied,

"Cleaning the pool."

"......"

It finally clicked. Jaekyoung seemed to realize what Jiheon was trying to do. That explained why his expression immediately soured—like he’d just swallowed something rotten. His eyes were practically yelling, Why do you have to be the one doing that, and going through this kind of crap, no less? You’re pregnant, for god’s sake, and you’re acting like nothing can scare you anymore—but of course, he didn’t actually say any of that aloud.

But Jiheon wasn’t about to let this chance slip away. This was a rare opportunity—a trap painstakingly laid out by Kim Giseok, wringing out every last brain cell he had. The fact that the idiot didn’t realize this would become his own grave and was instead standing there grinning like he’d already won... it made Jiheon’s hands tremble more from exhilaration than rage.

He crossed his arms to hide the shaking. Letting out a dramatic sigh, he looked around with a pained expression. At some point, Kavva’s VP had showed up and was grinning smugly like a fat toad next to the doping equipment. Nearby, a cluster of KSC executives, including Director Choi, were huddled together whispering with troubled looks. Judging by their expressions, it looked like the VP had been pushing hard for Jaekyoung to be punished as well depending on how the test turned out. Well, that’s clearly what he came for.

Jiheon turned his gaze in the opposite direction. Everyone in the doping booth was now staring at him. Even a crowd of reporters had gathered near the entrance. Most of them had probably come for a press conference and ran over here the moment they caught wind of a fire. Not that it mattered—this whole booth was off-limits to press coverage, so they couldn’t take photos. Still, they had their ears perked like vultures. And of course, some were probably already recording on their phones.

Thinking this audio might end up on some journalist’s YouTube channel eventually, Jiheon cleared his throat and said,

"Just to avoid any misunderstandings, I’d like to clarify that not all Omegas use chips. Some of us take oral medication instead."

"Of course," Kim Giseok chimed in immediately. Then, in that same sly, oily tone, he added,

"But isn’t it harder to manage? I’ve heard that skipping even a single day can cause a major spike in pheromone output."

"You really think I’d be careless about that while standing right next to Kwon Jaekyoung, who obviously knows my designation?"

Jiheon’s scoff was incredulous. Kim Giseok immediately pounced.

"That’s why Kwon Jaekyoung takes anti-pheromone meds. To guard against exactly that kind of accident, right?"

"And Han Yuseong doesn’t?"

Jiheon asked innocently. Kim Giseok nodded emphatically like he’d been waiting for that question.

"Correct. Due to certain circumstances, Han Yuseong is currently unable to take the medication. Which means he’s vulnerable to incidents like this. Didn’t you read the article, Deputy Jeong?"

"I might’ve skimmed it."

"No way you missed it. He’s competing in the same 400m medley, after all."

"And that means what exactly?"

Jiheon replied flatly.

"Just because someone’s in the same event, I’m automatically supposed to keep tabs on them?"

"Well... isn’t that normal?"

"No."

Jiheon cut him off cleanly.

"Forgive my bluntness, but the only thing I care about in Kwon Jaekyoung’s races is the time on the clock. I haven’t paid attention to rankings in a long time. And since I don’t give a shit about rankings, why would I care about the condition of his competitors?"

That wasn’t arrogance—it was a simple, undeniable fact. And anyone who had a problem with that deserved to be dragged. Forget the rankings—athletes were evaluated by grade, and each grade came with different expectations for performance and conduct.

"Right, of course. Someone of Kwon Jaekyoung’s caliber would naturally think that way."

As always, Kim Giseok was practically groveling with agreement. Then, his tone suddenly shifted.

"But I believe this situation was a little different."

Jiheon watched him, thinking to himself: If this guy had gone into acting instead, he probably would’ve made it big.

"Didn’t Kwon Jaekyoung withdraw just yesterday due to a shoulder injury? Even placed second in his main event, the 100m freestyle."

"And?"

Jiheon crossed his arms, glaring.

"My point is, the outcome of the 400m medley wasn’t something you could take for granted this time."

"Okay, mister, and what’s your point?"

Jaekyoung cut in, voice sharp and annoyed.

"What exactly are you trying to say? That he didn’t take the meds on purpose? Spit it out."

He wasn’t saying it to back Jiheon up—more like he was just sick of Kim Giseok’s slippery way of talking. Still, the timing couldn’t have been better.

"You’re saying that because there was a chance I might slip up in the 400m medley, he deliberately skipped his pheromone suppressant to sabotage his strongest! pos! si! ble! rival—Han Yuseong."

Jaekyoung put extra emphasis on strongest possible rival in open mockery. A few people around them even ducked their heads to hide laughter. After all, anyone in this industry knew about Kavva’s infamous trifecta of shamelessness, lack of conscience, and reckless media play.

"Now, Mr. Kwon," Kim Giseok said with a placating smile, raising his hand.

"I never went that far—"

"You think this is a joke?"

Naturally, Jaekyoung didn’t let him finish.

"I take anti-pheromone meds. Your guy doesn’t. On a normal day, there’s no contest between us, but I’m dealing with an injury right now. So sure, maybe I was in a situation where I’d have to be wary of other athletes. And now you’re saying my hyung might’ve accidentally or intentionally skipped his suppressant—and what conclusion are we not supposed to draw from that?"

Everyone around them looked stunned—not necessarily because of what he was saying, but because it was the first time they’d ever seen Kwon Jaekyoung talk this much.

"You’re clearly trying to say I knew Han Yuseong wasn’t medicated and intentionally skipped mine too. Isn’t that what you’re implying?"

"Come on, Mr. Kwon, I never explicitly said—"

Kim Giseok looked genuinely flustered by Jaekyoung’s sudden verbal barrage. He scratched his forehead and tried to laugh it off, but Jaekyoung’s expression was still ice cold.

"If you’re going to force someone to take this kind of test, then say it outright. Don’t dance around the point with vague crap like ‘I’m not saying it was intentional, but also not not intentional.’ Don’t leave yourself rat holes to squirm through."

"Excuse me—rat holes?"

Kim Giseok’s face hardened. "Aren’t you being a bit harsh with your language?"

"You’re telling me you avoided direct statements out of consideration for my feelings, and now you’re offended I called you out?"

Jiheon interjected smoothly, voice casual.

"Oh, I see. So you just avoided saying it outright because you were worried I’d be upset—but you do believe I deliberately skipped my suppressant."

"......"

Kim Giseok immediately went silent.

"Alright then, Mr. Kim. Since it’s come to this, let’s clear it up properly, once and for all."

Jiheon pressed forward without giving him time to strategize.

"Your claim is that, due to Kwon Jaekyoung’s injury making the 400m medley outcome uncertain, I got nervous, realized Han Yuseong wasn’t taking his anti-pheromone meds, and intentionally entered the first call room without having taken my suppressant. Is that accurate?"

"......"

"Mr. Kim Giseok."

Jiheon called his name in a low voice.

"Is that what you believe?"

Everyone in the booth was now staring at Kim Giseok. Maybe realizing that staying silent now would make him look exactly like a rat caught trying to sneak away, he finally lifted his head and answered with forced confidence.

"Yes. That’s our belief."

Gotcha.

Jiheon silently cheered. Then Jaekyoung spoke up beside him.

"What about Han Yuseong?"

Does Han Yuseong feel the same way? Jaekyoung locked eyes with Kim Giseok.

"You're not just using him as a shield and making up a story on his behalf, are you?"

"Why would we ever do that?"

"Then tell him to come out here and say it himself."

At a glance, it might’ve sounded like Jaekyoung was concerned Han Yuseong was being used by his team, but in reality, it was the opposite. He didn’t want Han Yuseong hiding behind his agency—he wanted to drag him out, make him take responsibility, humiliate him in front of everyone.

And of course, Jiheon wholeheartedly agreed. Especially in this case—Han Yuseong wasn’t just some passive accomplice; he was practically the ringleader. He was the one who knew Jiheon’s designation and tipped Kim Giseok off, after all.

"Yeah, I think we should confirm with the athlete directly. If Han Yuseong himself says he agrees with the company’s statement, I’ll take the test immediately."

"Very well. That’s a promise."

As soon as Jiheon said he’d agree to the test, Kim Giseok didn’t waste a second. He brought Han Yuseong in immediately—like he’d been waiting nearby this whole time.

Turns out, he had been—waiting for his press conference in the adjacent room.