The Genius Who Reads the World - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Sound of the World (1)

TL/ED – Miso

[Good evening, everyone. This is the 9 o’clock news…….]

The news always broadcasted political and social issues in a composed manner.

At that moment, the voice of the reporter on-site flowed out.

The place where the reporter was standing was a large warehouse, with stacks of what looked like old books piled up everywhere.

[Here, P was confined for a staggering 12 years. In response, the prosecution has charged the suspects with kidnapping, confinement, and violations of labor laws…….]

* * *

The doctor stood next to a sleeping patient, who appeared to be around 17 or 18 years old, with a look of deep sorrow on her face.

His face was so pale it almost looked ghostly.

A detective had mentioned that the boy had always lived with his face wrapped tightly in something like a scarf so that no one could recognize him.

His eyes resembled those of a deer, and his nose was sharp and well-defined.

It was the kind of face that reminded one of a classic beautiful boy, yet instead of being cherished at the prime of his youth, he had gripped a sickle in his hands and plowed the fields with a shovel like an ox.

On top of that, he had been forced to do every loathsome chore imaginable.

‘Crazy bastards. People like them deserve the death penalty.’

In stark contrast to his delicate face, his hands were covered in cuts and scars. The marks of abuse were deeply ingrained all over his body.

Fortunately, the test results showed that his physical condition was not critically bad.

However, he had hearing impairment.

Had he received proper care, he might have been able to hear the world’s sounds with a hearing aid, but due to neglect, he had completely lost his ability to hear.

The kidnappers might have deliberately targeted him after realizing he had a disability.

She let out a long, heavy sigh.

‘What’s your name?’

When she first asked for his name, he seemed to recognize her lip movements and hesitantly answered in a slow, awkward voice.

‘Son of a Bitch.’

How thoroughly brainwashed must he have been to believe that his name was “Son of a Bitch”?

In all her years as a doctor, she had never felt such seething rage before.

“Sleep well. You’re safe here.”

After checking his condition, she stepped outside.

But

Despite the police standing guard at the door, reporters had somehow already swarmed the hallway.

“How is the boy’s condition?”

“What is the victim’s name?”

“Has his family been found?”

“Isn’t he an orphan?”

Her fists clenched so tightly she felt as if they might break.

Then, she spoke in a cold, emotionless voice.

“Other people’s misfortune makes you happy, doesn’t it?”

Turning her gaze to the police, she added,

“I’ll report you all for obstruction of duty……”

Meanwhile, the boy, who was thought to be asleep, slowly opened his eyes.

His pupils moved as he scanned his surroundings once more.

‘Fluorescent light……. Patient monitoring device……. IV drip… Tube… Needle. This is a blanket, bed rail, patient gown, window curtain, indoor slippers…….’

At first, he took his time, but soon, his mind began absorbing everything at an incredible speed, as if desperately trying to memorize his surroundings.

By the time evening arrived, he cautiously sat up and approached the window.

Just then, the door slid open, and the doctor entered, personally carrying his meal.

Like a guilty person caught in the act, he quickly lay back down on the bed.

Not because he had heard her coming, but because he had seen her reflection in the window.

The doctor let out a small, bitter smile as she approached him.

“It’s okay. You can do whatever you want. No one will scold you. Now, shall we eat?”

Knowing he wouldn’t know how to use chopsticks, she had brought a spoon that could also be used as a fork.

“Eat slowly. Take your time.”

He glanced at her hesitantly, as if gauging her reaction.

It was only for a fraction of a second, but that gaze,

It was observation.

For him, it was a survival instinct.

– Her pupils dilated.

– The corners of her eyes lowered, forming crow’s feet.

– Her cheek muscles lifted upward.

– Both corners of her lips symmetrically turned up.

A genuine, unforced smile.

‘Proof that she is someone sympathetic toward me, someone who is not a threat…….’

As she carefully placed the spoon in his hand, he looked at her once more before starting to eat.

But his pace was far too fast.

There was no order – no distinction between eating rice first or side dishes next. He shoved everything into his mouth in a chaotic mess.

The desperate struggle to survive still lingered in his actions.

“Slow down, um, you can eat slowly. Hey, just…….”

Before she could stop him, the tray was completely empty.

As if not a single grain of rice could be left behind, he picked up everything with his hands.

The sight of it made her eyes sting.

She tilted her head back, trying to stop the tears from falling, but in the end, she wiped the corners of her eyes with her hand.

A voice, thick with emotion, escaped her lips.

“What kind of life have you been living……”

At that moment, her phone vibrated.

After composing her voice, she answered the call.

“Yes, this is Lee Hye-yeon……. What? Is that true!? I’ll be right down, right away.”

Ending the call, Lee Hye-yeon broke into a bright smile.

“Your mom and dad are here. This noona will bring them up soon.”

As she carried the tray and walked away, he watched her retreating figure and thought,

She seemed like a good person.

And he never wanted to go back to that place again.

* * *

As Lee Hye-yeon entered the lobby, she spotted a couple standing with the detective.

The couple, who appeared to be in their late forties, were visibly restless.

Approaching them, she greeted them politely.

“Hello?”

The woman suddenly grabbed her hand.

As if Lee Hye-yeon were her last hope, she wept, her tears streaming down as she pleaded.

“Where is our Woojin, doctor? Where is he?”

The husband spoke next.

“Is it true…… that the boy can’t hear?”

Twelve years ago, when they had filed the missing person report, they had mentioned his hearing impairment as a distinguishing feature.

“Yes. He has hearing impairment……”

At her response, the husband clenched his fists tightly.

Back when Woojin had gone missing, they had searched for him desperately.

Both of them had abandoned their jobs, dedicating themselves entirely to finding their son.

One year, then two, then three…… Even after years of searching, they hadn’t heard a single clue about his whereabouts.

But now, they had found him.

Finally, their son.

“I can’t even begin to imagine how you both must feel…… but I’m sure you’re overwhelmed with emotions after finding your son. His name is Woojin, right?”

“Yes! That’s right! Shin Woojin! Shin Woojin!”

“Yes. Woojin is very sensitive right now. A strong emotional reaction from his guardians might…….”

After listening to Lee Hye-yeon’s precautions, the couple took a moment to calm themselves before stepping into the elevator.

At that moment

Woojin’s head slowly turned toward the door.

A strange sensation was filling his mind. No, rather than a sound, it felt like his brain was reverberating.

Step, step, step.

Something he couldn’t quite describe was approaching.

The closer it came, the louder it echoed in his head.

Step. Step. Step.

The door he had been silently staring at finally opened.

‘Oh…….’

A blurry memory suddenly sharpened into clarity, and the moment Woojin’s parents confirmed their son’s face, they disregarded everything they had been told and rushed into the hospital room.

“Woojin!”

“Woojin!”

In that instant, Woojin froze, staring at his mother and father while clamping his hands over his ears.

A thunderous noise had poured into his head.

It was his parents’ voices.

Woojin’s pupils dilated, as if absorbing every bit of light.

As if, even if they were to be separated again, he would never forget them.