S Chapter 59

“Ugh.”

My nose finally started bleeding. Damn it, I knew this would happen. I grumbled curses, holding my warm nose.

“Burrp.”

Amidst it, an oblivious burp sounded.

“I ate enough, I guess.”

What? You little punk? I flared up but managed to lower my fist.

‘Alright. Bear with it. After all, an adult—’

“Next time we eat, don’t bother me. Ugh.”

—an adult is always ready for a fight…!

‘Right. I lived my life with violence and no mercy.’

“You lived with integrity.”

It was then, while bickering with Eve, that the Hospital room door suddenly opened, and uninvited guests appeared.

“Ta-da! Young Master! I’m here!!”

“Ah.”

“Gasp! Young Master!! Blood!!”

…Damn it. Shin Jukyeong’s eardrums and fatigue were grumbling, ‘Oh, for crying out loud.’ It was an expression of disgust, asking if that punk was here again.

‘Just when I thought I could rest a bit… It’s ruined.’

The strength drained from Shin Jukyeong’s shoulders. Whether he knew it or not, Kang Seo-oh was busy screaming, “Kyaaak!” He put down the tonic he was carrying and rushed over.

Could it be that he caught all the sea creatures again and stewed them thoroughly? Hmm. Eel, carp, turtle… It was a taste hard to forget. Shin Jukyeong shuddered at the recurring nightmare. No, this won’t do. Punishment. I’ll just pretend to be dizzy and knock it over later.

“Nose, nosebleed…! Blood! Young Master! Look, quick!”

Shin Jukyeong turned his head, avoiding the frantic hands approaching him.

“It’s fine, it’s nothing.”

But Kang Seo-oh was persistent. He grumbled, asking what was fine. Sometimes, he seemed more spirited than Shin Jukyeong himself. Shin Jukyeong reluctantly surrendered. There was no choice, as if left alone, he’d talk for two or three days straight.

“Now! Give me your nose!”

Like puppies that run over and rest their chins when their owner makes a V-sign, Shin Jukyeong entrusted his face to the handkerchief in Kang Seo-oh’s hand. Well, the difference is that that’s aegyo, and this is resignation?

‘Do whatever you want. Tsk… If you want to do it, you have to do it.’

Shin Jukyeong docilely offered his nose and only blinked his eyes.

“Don’t lower your head. Yes. You’re doing well.”

Being treated like a child is always uncomfortable. Does this guy know? That he’s coddling a thirty-year-old man?

‘He’d probably faint if he knew.’

“(◔_◔) Wouldn’t he be disgusted?”

Would it be like finding out that the “game friend” you thought was cute was actually a tired, old, chain-smoking salaryman? …Hmm. Probably not. Most people living in this world are tired, old, chain-smoking salarymen anyway. At least one of those four definitely applies.

Shin Jukyeong thought of his former boss A, who would spend a year’s salary on games. That person was also old (O), tired (O), a chain-smoker (O), and a salaryman (O). However, in terms of values, thoughts, and so on, he was a person to learn a lot from. In other words, he was an excellent adult.

‘Hmm…’

Shin Jukyeong tilted his head, continuing his thoughts.

‘I should change the analogy. Like, a game friend who used to squeal about her imaginary boyfriend turned out to be the 40-something middle-aged man next door?’

…Oh. That would be quite a shock.

Would Kang Seo-oh see him in that light too?

‘I definitely need to bury this. If it’s found out, we’ll both just want to die.’

While Shin Jukyeong was lost in utterly useless thoughts, Kang Seo-oh, who was stemming the blood, suddenly asked a question.

“Um, Young Master… By the way, has the Senior Master ever come to visit you?”

Father? Shin Jukyeong, awakened from his wandering thoughts, shook his head. There’s no way that old man would come. But… Kang Seo-oh’s reaction was a bit strange.

“Ah… I see.”

He had a face that suggested he regretted bringing it up. What is it? Is something going on? He recalled that he hadn’t been able to pay attention to family matters because he’d been stuck in the Hospital.

‘Did something happen to Jae-min or Eun?’

Shin Jukyeong looked at him, implying “Why?”, and the young man stammered. His lips merely parted, making him seem about to speak but hesitating, causing frustration. Ah, why this “tasting spoon” conversation style again? As a proud Korean, I really hate this kind of thing! Frustrated, Shin Jukyeong removed the handkerchief pressing his nose and asked,

“Why?”

“Ah, um… W-well, that is.”

He quickly averted his gaze.

“…?”

“Actually, it’s not that… Um, the Senior Master, he, he went to visit Second Young Master.”

“What?”

Shin Jukyeong’s eyes widened. Father visited whom?

“Gasp! No, d-don’t misunderstand. He’ll definitely come to visit you too, Young Master. He’s always a busy person, you know. Uh, um… He also has several new contracts recently…”

Kang Seo-oh quickly waved his hands, comforting him. It seemed he had misinterpreted Shin Jukyeong’s surprised expression. For example, as a sign of favoritism? Of course, if both children were hurt but a parent only visited one, it would indeed be a cause for resentment.

However, that’s something that applies to normal families. The reason Shin Jukyeong’s eyes widened in surprise wasn’t due to such resentment.

‘Father visited Yang U-dam?’

In truth, Father isn’t the type to care even if his child is hurt. He doesn’t possess that kind of humanity. Consideration and kindness were traded for pennies long ago. He completely lacks the paternal love a parent should have. He’d look at them with disdain at best, but he’s absolutely not someone who would come with a fruit basket.

‘Is it for show?’

Knowing that the Hunter Association is paying attention to his brother?

Father tends to hide information about his younger brothers. It’s clear that he’s never mentioned any of the three brothers in public. And it’s the same in private. When outsiders visited the house, he always kept the children’s existence hidden.

‘I’m a little curious how he’ll act this time. Is he finally going to announce it?’

Honestly, Shin Jukyeong hadn’t understood it all this time. Even if there was no accumulated affection, wouldn’t letting the public know that he adopted and cared for three children be good for building the company’s image and useful in many ways? Why provide convenience but not reveal it? There was absolutely no benefit.

Nor could it be a pure intention like ‘I want the children to be happy’. Shin Jukyeong recalled his father, who was indifferent to the children. He truly is an unfathomable person.

‘Even if I can’t know all of Father’s true intentions.’

Shin Jukyeong quickly sorted his thoughts. He’d have to look into this properly later. The current focus wasn’t Father, but Yang U-dam. Whatever his ulterior motive, Yang U-dam’s Ability Manifestation was the priority.

‘Eve. Let’s go again tonight.’

“I’m tired… Ugh. I ate, so I have to work. That’s how I earn a living again. Phew.”

…? When did this guy become perfectly K-Patched? Shin Jukyeong felt a slight pang of guilt. He’d have to give her more food once the work was somewhat finished.

Anyway, that’s how he was able to smoothly assist his brother’s Ability Manifestation on day 2 and day 3.

And on day 4. Late at night, as always. Shin Jukyeong and Eve went to find Yang U-dam.

‘It should be enough by tomorrow, right?’

“Yep!”

It was when he was about to start working, exchanging words with Eve. Startled! His sensitive senses detected an unfamiliar presence.

‘At this hour?’

Shin Jukyeong quickly hid himself. Then, relying on the darkness, he identified the uninvited guests.

‘A total of two people.’

“Air raid alert~! Air raid alert~!”

Eve giggled and shouted.

‘They’re definitely not doctors or nurses checking on a patient.’

They had stealthily infiltrated.

‘So many night visitors today.’

Shin Jukyeong glanced at the door. The Hospital is currently under the protection of the Hunter Association. This means they are putting a lot of effort into it, as the media is paying attention. On the surface, nothing seemed unusual, but Hunter Association Hunters were deployed everywhere. To the point of overprotection.

In fact, it’s such an unusual case that it’s being reported in the news, so unless someone has noodles for brains, they couldn’t possibly not know this is a hospital room protected by the Hunter Association. Of course, those guys would know too. Assassins probably don’t stop watching the news.

‘And yet they infiltrated?’

Were they bold, or just crazy? Shin Jukyeong frowned.

‘Are they just stupid?’

No matter how much of a show it might be, the Hunter Association is still the Hunter Association. No. Rather, it’s more than that. When you think about it, at this point, Yang U-dam is practically ‘mine, touch him and you die lol,’ claimed by the Hunter Association, isn’t he? In other words, he’s being protected by the strongest bully! But for them to target such a person, without being crazy? Especially when the Hunter Association, already extremely sensitive to public opinion, is standing firmly in place?

“They’re just standing firm. They don’t even know intruders came, having completely slipped past (-_-)”

‘…Should I teach the Hunter Association a lesson?’

Hmm, should I set the strongest bully straight? Shin Jukyeong gave a cold smile.

But there was something even more concerning. Yes, their employer. The client. Think about it. Isn’t it strange? To send assassins after merely an eighteen-year-old high school student. And not just any random lowlifes, but definite professionals.

‘It must mean they intend to kill him.’