S Chapter 86

Chapter 86

‘T-this isn’t right.’

Startled, Shin Jukyeong tried to sit up, but a firm hand gripped his calf tightly and wouldn’t let go.

“Don’t move.”

A low voice was heard. What? Shin Jukyeong was dumbfounded. His gaze fell, fixed on the white fingers. He saw them carefully stroking and touching the still unhealed wounds.

…How could he stay still like this? Shin Jukyeong’s lips trembled. But no words actually came out.

Meanwhile, Yang U-dam was intently observing Shin Jukyeong’s wounds. Then, if Shin Jukyeong resisted even slightly, he would frown deeply and express annoyance.

“Why are you struggling so much? Just stay still.”

“No, U-dam, my pants, my pants… Why—”

“Tsk.”

Tsk? Did he just ‘tsk’ at his older brother?

Shin Jukyeong’s mouth dropped open. He couldn’t believe the day had come when he had to doubt his own hearing.

Anyway, he made many attempts to escape this uncomfortable situation, but all of them spectacularly failed. That’s because if he tried to pull down his pants, he’d get a smack on the back of his hand, and if he struggled with his legs, Yang U-dam would press down on his thigh.

After a long struggle, he realized that further resistance was pointless. Shin Jukyeong squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for his younger brother’s strange behavior to end quickly.

“Who did this?”

Did their minds connect? Yang U-dam asked, letting go of the calf he was holding. But perhaps he didn’t really want an answer, as he quickly continued.

“It’s Shin Taekyung, isn’t it? He’s the only one who can do this to you.”

“Calling Father by his first name is—”

“Who says he’s my father? Don’t say unnecessary things. Is it true?”

Shin Jukyeong couldn’t answer. Of course not. Not only had he shown his weakness to his younger brother, but how could he say it was true that their father did it? That would be no different from admitting his own incompetence.

“…It’s not like that. Did you call me just to check this? Do you know how worried I was?”

When Shin Jukyeong asked in a sigh-filled tone, Yang U-dam shrugged and replied.

“You were limping earlier.”

“It’s nothing. I’m fine. More importantly, lunch break is almost over, I should go.”

“Stop changing the subject. I asked if Shin Taekyung did it. Answer me.”

Yang U-dam stopped Shin Jukyeong from standing and asked again. Still, no answer came. Yang U-dam straightened his bent leg and stood up, as if he had expected it. His face showed no expectation.

‘Is it over?’

Just as Shin Jukyeong was about to feel relieved, Yang U-dam suddenly thrust his face forward. Their noses were almost touching. Shin Jukyeong’s eyes widened in surprise. Yang U-dam’s handsome face filled his vision.

Before Shin Jukyeong could pull his head back, Yang U-dam’s thin lips parted, and a low voice emerged.

“From now on, you will answer my questions honestly.”

His younger brother initiated Hypnosis.

“Your leg, who did it?”

‘He takes every chance he gets…’

Shin Jukyeong bit hard on the inside of his cheek.

Damn it, what should I do? He couldn’t let it show that he wasn’t under Hypnosis, because then his identity as an ability user would be exposed. That meant he was in a situation where he had to act exactly as Yang U-dam wished.

Shin Jukyeong swallowed hard. The wounds densely covering his calf looked as if they’d been struck by something thin and sharp. Was there anything else he could say to cover it up? He couldn’t think of anything. …No. Calm down. If he thought hard, there must be something.

‘But there’s no time. I can’t hesitate any longer…’

As he continued to think with his cluttered mind, just as he met the clear black eyes staring at him,

“Yes…”

His lips parted as if by magic. It was definitely his own voice.

“Father, did it.”

He said it with clear pronunciation.

‘What did I just say?’

After he spoke, he came to his senses. But the water was already spilled; it was too late to pick it up.

Shin Jukyeong felt bewildered. Had he really been hypnotized? If not, there’s no way he would have simply said yes. But no matter how he looked at it, he was perfectly fine. Of course. His body was not one to fall for his younger brother’s naive Hypnosis.

‘Then why did I…?’

“Did it hurt?”

A voice cut through his jumbled thoughts.

Shin Jukyeong’s shoulders twitched. Did it hurt? Why was he asking such a question? He wasn’t a five-year-old kid; there was no way it hurt just from getting his calf hit.

So this was something he could just say, ‘I’m fine, it’s nothing.’ Yes, he should have done that… but strangely, his body moved on its own, beyond his will. He looked directly into Yang U-dam’s eyes and slowly nodded his head. He was affirming that being hit by his father had hurt.

He was dumbfounded. Just this much…? He knew it was his own action, yet he couldn’t understand it. Shin Jukyeong clenched his fist, unnoticed by Yang U-dam.

‘My calf feels like it’s starting to hurt.’

It was definitely fine, but now he felt an unpleasant throbbing pain. It was because he admitted it.

Shin Jukyeong’s Adam’s apple slowly bobbed. He felt a strange sensation. It was the first time he had ever revealed his honest feelings to anyone in such a way.

“Son of a bitch.”

An insult directed at his father was heard, but Shin Jukyeong felt no particular reaction. He had no desire to lecture him as usual. On the contrary, he felt like laughing.

‘What a perfect unfilial son.’

However, contrary to his self-reproach, he felt incredibly refreshed inside. It was as if a lump that had been building up had completely washed away, like after a good cry.

“Brother. Look at me.”

“…”

“When I count to three, you will forget everything that just happened.”

One, two—

The boy slowly counted the numbers.

In truth, Shin Jukyeong knew he would never fall under Hypnosis. But for this moment, today, he truly felt as though he had been hypnotized.

“…Three.”

Returning to reality, Shin Jukyeong gave a faint smile as he watched his younger brother pretending that nothing had happened. Yang U-dam repeated the exact question he had asked just before the Hypnosis, then quickly pretended to give up, saying, “If you don’t want to talk, it’s fine.”

“Yeah. It’s really nothing. Father didn’t do it either.”

Naturally, since he couldn’t reveal the truth, Shin Jukyeong decided to play along with the act.

“Lunch break is almost over. U-dam, I have to go now.”

“Not yet. Your wounds need to be treated.”

“I don’t know who did it or how, but the wounds are severe.”

Yang U-dam stopped Shin Jukyeong from standing and quickly continued. Then he took out an ointment from his pocket and began to apply it to the wounded area. Shin Jukyeong gazed down at his younger brother. An inexplicable tickling sensation spread wherever the white hand touched him.

Perhaps it was the slippery ointment, but he felt strange. It also felt strangely hot… Shin Jukyeong bit his lip tightly, feeling like he might make an unnecessary sound.

He had thought Shin Jukyeong was just a young master who grew up carefree and loved. At least, that’s what he thought until he saw the tattered calf.

The fact that Shin Taekyung had a strong obsession with Shin Jukyeong was something anyone residing in his mansion would know. Therefore, it was likely that no one knew Shin Jukyeong was being abused.

Shin Taekyung had poured endless support into Shin Jukyeong, and he expected growth exactly commensurate with what he provided. Of course, everything went to naught when Shin Jukyeong failed his Ability Manifestation.

‘I thought he’d at least live without being treated like a lab rat, unlike me.’

Yang U-dam recalled Shin Jukyeong’s calf once more. The skin, covered in grotesque bruises, clearly showed wounds from being struck repeatedly by something thin and sharp.

The lashing had torn his skin. There was clear anger in it. And he could guarantee that it was not a mark of discipline, but unmistakable abuse.

‘He’s merciless even to his own son. That bastard.’

He acted like he cared…

What was more absurd was that Shin Jukyeong’s downfall wasn’t at all pleasing. Contrary to when he failed his Ability Manifestation, this time it wasn’t fun. It actually made him angry.

‘Idiot. Is he too grown up to even resist?’

Shin Jukyeong was old enough to defy Shin Taekyung. Didn’t he have enough reasons to do so? Shin Taekyung was old, and Shin Jukyeong was young. An old lion could no longer be the head of the pride. That was the law of the world. Especially if it possessed a ferocious nature, it was even more natural for it to be weeded out.

‘Why does he just meekly get beaten? Is it because his body is weak?’

If so, he could just ask Yang U-dam. He had enough strength to protect one Shin Jukyeong. Since he still didn’t know the whereabouts of his biological parents, he couldn’t directly harm Shin Taekyung, but protecting Shin Jukyeong from him wouldn’t be difficult. No, he was confident.

Huh?

‘…Confident?’

His naturally flowing thoughts abruptly snagged and stopped in one place. Like a leaf boat caught on a rock. Unable to move forward or backward due to a single obstacle.

Yang U-dam’s lips trembled as if in a spasm.

‘Who am I protecting?’

Hah… His face twisted. The word ‘crazy’ escaped him naturally.