S Chapter 28

……!

……

Ta-da! Suddenly, it was a dance sports ending pose. Behind them, the proprietor shouted ‘Bravo!’. A warning. Don’t applaud.

……Let go.

My apologies.

Shin Jukyeong wanted to die.

Unexpectedly, they entered easily. Calling it infiltration was a stretch; they just walked in boldly. There were no special procedures. It was a complete free pass.

‘Is it because this guy looks so mature for his age?’

Shin Jukyeong glanced at Won Go-yu. For a teenager, his face was indeed too mature. Anyway, if things went smoothly, it was ‘thank you very much’ from their side. Just go inside, check if his brother was there, and then bolt. As for Won Go-yu… well. After a few rounds of struggling, he’d probably give up and leave on his own.

‘Go around all day. See if you can find me.’

Shin Jukyeong shrugged with an indifferent expression.

It’s ordinary.

As they descended the iron stairs, loud music could be heard. It was unmistakably a club.

They won’t openly conduct business.

Hmm.

He doesn’t show himself to those who have undergone Ability Manifestation.

He must be quite a coward. Indeed, the Hunter Association’s beatings are severe. Shin Jukyeong responded half-heartedly and asked.

So, how do you plan to make contact?

Won Go-yu tightly shut his mouth.

‘…This guy, he came with no plan at all.’

He was not just clumsy, but sloppy. Was this why the old man doted on him so much? Shin Jukyeong nodded, indicating he understood. Honestly, he liked it.

‘Nice.’

The situation was flowing quite favorably. He had to check every nook and cranny anyway to see if Yang U-dam was there. Plus, he needed an excuse to shake this guy off, so it worked out perfectly.

I’ll be the bait.

Shin Jukyeong raised his index finger and pointed at himself.

What?

You said he doesn’t show himself to those who have undergone Ability Manifestation. Then it has to be me, doesn’t it? From their perspective, wouldn’t I be good prey?

No. It’s too dangerous.

What’s with this guy? Shin Jukyeong looked at Won Go-yu, who was vehemently opposing him, with a strange expression. Didn’t he come to avenge his uncle? Then he should be happy to have found good bait. Why was he trying to take a difficult detour? …Perhaps because he was such a righteous person.

If that’s the case, why did you bring me?

…That’s…

See? He had nothing to say.

‘I don’t have time either.’

Even after thinking about it again, this method is the best. Plus, I’m somewhat known, and with the recent news of my failed Ability Manifestation, there’s a good reason for them to approach me, isn’t there?

That was true. But Won Go-yu still had an unconvinced expression. Shin Jukyeong pondered for a moment. That type of person only moves when given a sense of burden and responsibility.

‘No choice then.’

And ahem! With you here, there’s no problem, is there?

Me… you mean?

Won Go-yu’s eyes widened. Shin Jukyeong continued calmly, without stopping, and gave a thumbs-up.

Oh, wow! Amazing! Not anyone can become S-rank, right? You, what’s-it-called, have some control over your abilities, don’t you? If it gets dangerous, you protect me. So, good luck. I’ll contact you if it gets dangerous. I might even go home first… I told you, okay? Alright. I’m going. Get to work.

He patted his shoulder a couple of times and quickly darted out. He looked back a few times, wondering if he would follow, but the guy remained rooted to the spot like a stone statue.

‘Ugh… I’m tired.’

Shin Jukyeong quickly lost interest.

He spent quite a lot of time but couldn’t find his brother.

‘That’s a relief.’

It was bitter to consider this a relief… but it was fine. The leader of Aolluseu, who would commit massacres in the distant future, was probably already showing his true colors. This level of worry was a cheap price to pay. Still, he wasn’t doing robbery or drugs, was he? Shin Jukyeong leaned against the bar, nibbling on peanuts, and let out a small laugh.

Hey, are you alone?

Just then, some guy spoke to him. He had the face of a typical loudmouth. Shin Jukyeong looked at him, and the guy pulled out a small plastic bag from his pocket. It was filled with white powder.

This is amazing. You look new here, boss, so I’ll give it to you especially cheap. How about it?

He grinned, revealing yellow teeth. A wicked glint shone in his eyes.

…Tsk.

He put down the peanuts he was holding and extended his hand, and the yellow-toothed guy, looking like he’d hit the jackpot, quickly offered the bag.

‘This…’

Shin Jukyeong sighed and threw it straight to the floor. “You, punk, your business is over today.”

What are you – Ugh!

He immediately grabbed the man’s cheek with one hand. His grip was strong enough to make a crunching sound.

Yellow-tooth.

Ugh… Ugh.

Why do you make your older brother’s heart flutter?

I’m already holding back so much. This place is a gold mine. Look. That bastard is a gang leader. That bastard is an attempted rapist. What was that bastard? …Anyway.

As Shin Jukyeong pointed to each person and explained, the man’s face grew even paler. He couldn’t speak, but his eyes clearly showed he’d met a madman. It was understandable, of course. Someone who looked much younger than him was calling himself ‘hyung’ and spouting off all the personal information of criminals.

If you go around selling stuff like this, your mother and father must be really proud. Did they tell you to earn a lot of money? Yellow-tooth, should I tell you what happens to them later? Do you want to follow them?

Ugh…

I’m letting go, okay? If you resist, you die, and if you run, you die. If you think I’m too good-natured and handsome to throw a punch, you can try me. That’s your freedom, Yellow-tooth. Well… if you want to go peacefully, just jump with your arms spread every time that unnie blows her whistle. You know what I mean? Flapping. If you understand, nod your head.

Shin Jukyeong pointed to the woman on stage. She was beaming with excitement. It looked like she was about to blow the whistle off its hinges. Perfect timing.

This punk… isn’t answering?

Ugh ugh ugh!

Endless nodding returned. Okay.

After that, Yellow-tooth had to jump up and down every time the woman blew her whistle. He was working hard. Good, good. Shin Jukyeong ate peanuts, nodding his head contentedly.

Just as he was considering getting up after a session of ‘moral education,’ someone tapped him on the shoulder again. Who was it this time?

You’re Shin Jukyeong, right? Or not? I think you are.

…

Shin Jukyeong stared at the other person silently. A man in a neat semi-suit was smiling broadly. He had a ‘professional’ aura, unlike the yellow-toothed guy from before.

Ah, don’t be surprised. I’m not going to call the guards to kick you out. I’ve also done a lot of things since I was a teenager.

That was something to brag about. Perhaps he interpreted Shin Jukyeong’s lack of response differently, as he kept emphasizing that he wasn’t going to report him. He soon sat next to him and even ordered a drink; this was clearly not his first rodeo.

I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, but there’s a rumor that our Shin Jukyeong failed his Ability Manifestation… You must have been very upset. Especially with the high expectations from those around you.

…

Oh? You’re not upset, are you? You shouldn’t be upset. Because, you see, I might be able to save you, Shin Jukyeong.

The man smiled like a snake. He tapped the table nonchalantly with his hand.

Do you want to be saved?

Look at this bastard? Shin Jukyeong secretly scoffed.

‘The tail… is caught like this?’

He had intended to ignore it and leave, but these bastards were acting too brazenly. At this point, he felt like he wanted to see the face of that guy named A.

Salvation…

Shin Jukyeong murmured. He deliberately conveyed a nuance that suggested he was swayed by the man’s offer.

Naturally, the man didn’t let go of the prey he had caught. Similar to gaslighting, he used Shin Jukyeong’s position and continued to spew sweet words. “You don’t want to see your father disappointed, do you? You mustn’t tarnish the UA Group’s honor…” and so on.

Shin Jukyeong, seizing an opportunity when it comes is also a skill. It’s not cowardly.

Yes. Seizing an opportunity when it comes is a skill.

Ah… yes. Let’s go. Let’s see about this ‘salvation’.

But the moment I seize this opportunity, you’ll be in big trouble. Shin Jukyeong quietly smiled, hiding his true thoughts. His cold expression instantly melted away.

‘How many secret passages are there?’

This is why the Hunter Association guys couldn’t catch them. Shin Jukyeong had to go down to the 4th basement floor and undergo a body check, starting from a physical examination to confirming the presence or absence of Innate Ability.

「They’re doing weird things~」

Eve giggled. While doing so, she sharply cut off all incoming waves.

「Idiot! Stupid! Moron! Fool! Nitwit!」

Yes. You’ve been verified.

「Ahahahahaha!（´▽｀）Jukyeong is an ability user! They don’t know~ They say they don’t know! They’ve been tricked!」

She seemed to be having fun. Well, if Eve was having fun, that was enough.

You can go into this waiting room. We have quite a few customers today. Please have a cup of coffee and wait a moment. There are many people like Shin Jukyeong these days who are searching for their dreams. Hahaha.

He probably meant there were many guys going to jail.

‘Bastard, such a smirk.’

Shin Jukyeong opened the waiting room door without a reply. Alright, shall I take a look at the faces of the future potential criminals? Oh, some familiar faces are visible. Park Chang-sik (fraudster), Kim Mok-yong (murderer), Lee Jo-byeong (violent criminal), and Yang U-dam (my brother)… All guys he knew. The last one, in particular, was quite handsome.

Hmm.

…Huh?

…?!

…!

Why are you coming out from there?