S Chapter 16

A perfect victory, almost embarrassing to talk about. There was no way to overturn the situation any further. Go Sinji must have felt it too, as he was quiet. Indeed… what could be more terrifying than facing an enraged public for a pointless stunt?

‘It’s been a while, so I’m a bit stiff.’

Shin Jukyeong rolled his shoulders. Wielding unfamiliar abilities always felt alien, as usual. This was especially true for Manipulation-Type and Psychic/Mental-Type abilities. The fatigue was several times greater.

In fact, it’s typical for each Hunter to be granted one unique Innate Ability—also called an Innate Ability—regardless of their Hunter Rank. However, exceptions always existed, and Shin Jukyeong was one such exception. Apart from his own unique Innate Ability, he could learn others. By observing and directly experiencing, he could replicate the talents of others.

Acquiring an Innate Ability later in life was highly unusual. But Shin Jukyeong accomplished it. He could learn any type of ability. His practical application sense was excellent, too. However, as mentioned, the downside was the immense fatigue.

“……”

He leaned his head against the wall. Just as he felt a slight dizziness, his nose started bleeding. He silently wiped under his nose, then sank to the ground. In a dimly lit corner, he pulled down his hood and gasped for breath.

“Haa… huff.”

Shin Jukyeong stared at the cheering crowd. At least it seemed he had successfully deceived them. Go Sinji, gritting his teeth, also shouted, ‘Rookie’s rebellion! Victory!’ His inescapable predicament was quite a sight to behold.

‘…Should I rest a bit?’

Since there was one more matter that could only be resolved once only the club management remained, Shin Jukyeong decided to take a short break.

…But these guys were having a terribly good time. The break he intended to enjoy briefly was forcibly extended. He wondered if he’d be stuck there until dawn, but unexpectedly, Go Sinji ended up doing him a favor. Perhaps it was because he was losing a lot of money while others were laughing and chatting, but he closed the club earlier than expected. Well, even then, it was well past four in the morning.

A gloomy atmosphere hung over the club once the music and lights were off. Burly men tidied up the surroundings. It was the end, or rather, in their language, a Finish.

It was quite peculiar that every single one of these bastards, despite being Korean, kept imitating Japanese thugs. Hmm… as a fellow countryman, perhaps it was better that way, less embarrassing.

‘Shall I get started?’

Shin Jukyeong straightened his hunched body. One, two, three… he counted the people with his fingers. The last one, twenty-seven. It seemed everyone was gathered. Good. It would be a hassle to track them down if they were scattered everywhere.

Just as he was about to move, he heard faint chatter from over there.

“You worked hard, boss!”

“Today’s luck was terrible… How am I supposed to make a living like this? Sht~! Ptui!”

“You suffered, hyung-nim!”

“Ugh, damn it. Still, I gotta live fiercely. With the mindset that I’m, like, the fing best.”

“You’re awesome!”

…What? He was so dumbfounded, he couldn’t even snort. Were they perhaps comforting each other? Anyone would think they were upright young entrepreneurs earning money fairly. They might as well throw a wet dream celebration party; at least he’d clap for that. How could they romanticize themselves to such an extent… Did they have no conscience at all?

‘Right. What can a man about to die not say?’

Shin Jukyeong shook his head and approached those engrossed in ‘the hardship I endured today’ to put an end to them. Go Sinji was the first to notice him.

“Huh? What’s that? A customer still left? These bastards! Aren’t you managing things properly?!”

Go Sinji smacked the head of the guy next to him.

“Sorry, boss!”

The burly man who got hit kept bowing to Go Sinji, who was much smaller than him, then puffed himself up towards Shin Jukyeong. Was it because he thought they were manifested individuals and Shin Jukyeong was just a regular person?

“Customer, business is closed. Hurry and leave.”

His attitude was utterly insolent.

“Hey~ our customer’s gonna piss himself! Tone it down, man!”

“Sorry, boss!”

“Ah~ if it were a woman, I’d walk her home. What a waste~”

“Let’s finish quickly and go. You fer, hyung-nim’s hungry!”

They were all cackling and making a fuss among themselves. What woman, unless she was brain-damaged, would accept an escort from these guys? It was truly regrettable to witness the pathetic end of those who had been weeded out from humanity. Still, what needed to be done, had to be done. Alright, let’s see…

Unlicensed building renovation and operation? Illegal.

Drug distribution? Illegal.

Unregistered Ability Manifestation? Illegal.

Minor… That’s enough. It’s already three strikes, you’re out.

“Customer, business is closed today. Hey, can’t you hear me?”

These bastards had no hope of rehabilitation. Shin Jukyeong stared at the burly man reaching out a hand. Beneath his hood, dark eyes glinted ominously. Haa… a cold breath echoed through the quiet space.

Shouldn’t good deeds bring good fortune? He didn’t know. It felt like the more virtue he accumulated, the deeper his life plunged into a black pit. It was unfair.

“Underwear packed… and long sleeves in case it gets cold at night…”

Kang Seo-oh efficiently packed the luggage. His face was bright and cheerful. Yet, the person for whom the luggage was being packed looked like death. Shin Jukyeong let out a long sigh.

If you were to ask what all this was about… it was the aftermath of raiding the fight club. On the day Shin Jukyeong thoroughly beat up Go Sinji, Seok Chang-hyeon, and the other thugs, he collapsed and was sick for a full three days. That much was fine, but the problem was what followed. The club incident was broadcast.

[I Want to Know About Curious Incidents Z]

It was a famous program watched by the entire nation. Whoever reported it had provided quite detailed background information, from the building structure to the entry method. These were details only someone present at the scene would know. The moment Shin Jukyeong saw the broadcast, he spat out the water he was drinking.

‘Who in the world…’

A matter that could have been left alone was forcibly made public. He was truly curious about the informant. It certainly wouldn’t be the Go Sinji family. They were on the verge of mental breakdown and wouldn’t be able to think straight. It was most likely one of the spectators who reported it, but somehow, it felt off. He had a feeling he was missing something. More importantly, something else stood out. Drug distribution, tax evasion, illegal operation, exploitation of minors, violence, gambling, and so on. Among the flood of reports, there was one piece of information that absolutely should not have appeared.

Shin Jukyeong.

That’s right. The story about himself. Whether he wore a hood or not, it should not have been mentioned at all.

[“The actions of Mr. G, akin to a devil… It could truly be called a living hell on earth.”]

The host said, holding up a cue card. The captions, too, were busy condemning Go Sinji. But Shin Jukyeong was busy in a different way. He scoured broadcasts, news articles… even internet comments.

Comments

– Absolutely insane ㄷㄷ F, that such a world exists.

– How many charges are there, seriously kekekeke

– Isn’t it scarier that the reason isn’t out yet? Is it just me?

– Yeah, just you

– Boring

– I wasn’t trying to be funny?

– Must be the club management kekekekeke or a fanatic

– OMG, it means they’re unregistered. This country should just reveal all their faces already kekeke

– Yeah~ criminals’ human rights are more precious~ good citizens can die for all they care hehehe

– BS kekekekeke

The conclusion was, ‘He survived!’ There was no mention of Shin Jukyeong whatsoever. In the actual broadcast, the reason the club collapsed was explained as an internal dispute, and the organizers’ abnormal state was attributed to severe drug addiction side effects.

Honestly, as the person responsible for destroying the Go Sinji family, the broadcast raised many questions. However, he had no intention of objecting when they were willing to let it end vaguely on its own. He thought it was all settled, but…

‘What, where? The Villa?’

To think a new event was waiting.

‘Yes! The Senior Master prepared it. He seemed worried that Young Master was sick for three days straight. Hehe… Even if he’s gruff, a father is still a father. He told you to rest for about a week before coming back.’

‘Still, shouldn’t I go to school? I missed a lot last time, too…’

He tried to refuse indirectly, but it was useless.

‘Don’t worry about attendance. I submitted a separate application for experiential learning. I also got the curriculum scope printed out. Since Young Master is sick, the Senior Master has changed too. Doesn’t it seem like he’s secretly a doting father?’

Not at all. He’s probably an ‘son-genius.’ There’s no flower garden like that flower garden. Shin Jukyeong was speechless. He wanted to argue whether he truly saw his father that way, but he decided to keep quiet. What could you say to someone who would say, ‘Pretty shooting stars are falling~’ even if the world was ending?

In any case, if his father had decided it, he couldn’t go against it. And so, an unexpected trip to the Villa was decided, which no one wanted. (with his younger brothers)

“…Want a candy?”

“……”

“……”

Was this what it felt like to scream in silence? Out of unnecessary embarrassment, he rustled open and ate a candy he didn’t even like. It was already his third one. That meant he had been rejected three times. His mouth was sweet, but his heart felt bitter. If the youngest one had been there, it wouldn’t have been like this. A wave of regret washed over him.