IRLPLBIO Chapter 9 Part 1

Jae-gu used everything from his toes, knees, to his elbows. In a narrow alley, a one-against-many fight favored the more experienced side. Jae-gu knew well that dirty but effective attacks were often the way to go.

His upward-kicked toe landed precisely between someone’s legs. Even through his sneakers, the impact was clearly felt.

“Ugh…!”

The opponent, unable to breathe properly, collapsed with a thud. His figure, clutching his crotch and trembling, was clearly visible even in the dim light.

Perhaps thinking, “This is dangerous, I could have ended up in that position myself,” the group’s movements temporarily halted. Jae-gu didn’t miss his chance and raised his voice.

“It’s probably burst. If he goes to the hospital quickly, he might be able to save one side.”

“You, lunatic!”

“Can you afford to just stand there? Are you going to keep leaving your friend like that?”

It was partly an attempt to gauge them. If these guys were the bullies from another school and were trying to compete with him in fighting prowess, they should retreat at this point. Fights between minors usually ended once one side took a significant hit.

However, the opposing group moved in the exact opposite direction to what Jae-gu was trying to provoke.

Their heavy breathing grew closer. The tension was so high that Jae-gu’s skin tingled. It felt as though if someone uttered a single word, countless weapons would descend upon him all at once.

Then, in the distance, a flickering streetlamp suddenly went out.

Ah, shit. I’m screwed.

As Jae-gu thought that, someone’s voice erupted, “Attack!”

Jae-gu was an excellent fighter. Not just good, but if you categorized his skill, he was ‘Special Grade’, beyond first-class. However, against a human wave attack, with enough people to fill the narrow alley charging in to overwhelm him, there was nothing he could do.

As he twisted one guy’s arm and shattered another’s knee, the space to move his limbs gradually disappeared. As he punched jaws and broke collarbones, the movement of his hands and feet became increasingly sluggish.

Before long, “Thwack!” A strong impact struck Jae-gu’s head.

“Tough bastard…”

Jae-gu’s consciousness faded, the last thing he heard being someone’s mumble.

Even in the provinces, there are many people who need lawyers. Just looking in front of the courthouse, dozens of law firm signs glittered.

However, Im Ho-sin didn’t set up his office in a location where business would thrive. Instead, he chose a peaceful neighborhood where people would never have occasion to meet a lawyer in their entire lives. It was the neighborhood where Han Ga-yeon lived, and where Han Ga-yeon’s child was growing up.

If his past self had been told, ‘The future you will abandon wealth and honor and choose such a position yourself,’ would he have believed it? He would have scoffed, calling it nonsense. But now, his life involved worrying about office rent and management fees… Im Ho-sin was so idle that he even indulged in such useless imaginings.

Watching outside the window grew boring, so he played ‘Minesweeper’ until well past quitting time. Even if he left, he had nowhere to go.

As he was already paying the management fees, Im Ho-sin, who had planned to linger a bit longer, using the office electricity, received an unexpected visitor.

“Hello.”

“Oh? Park Kwang-cheol, how are you here…?”

“I have something I’d like to discuss.”

Im Ho-sin awkwardly stood up and then sat on the guest sofa. Kwang-cheol had already seated himself before Im Ho-sin even spoke.

Im Ho-sin admired Kwang-cheol once more. His physique was unlike that of an ordinary middle school student, and so were his actions. Seeing him take out a worn wallet and place it on the table, it was clear he hadn’t come for a chat.

Is this what an Alpha is like? Even as a middle school student, his spirit was extraordinary. If he grew up just a little more, it wouldn’t be impossible for him to push aside other factions and become the center of the Dae-yeong Group.

Im Ho-sin’s gaze subtly changed. Yet, with his mouth, he still feigned the role of a kind neighborhood lawyer.

“If a student like you has come all the way to a law firm, something must be troubling you, right? What is it? Tell me. Since we know each other, I’ll give you a discount on your consultation fee, Kwang-cheol.”

“You don’t need to give me a discount.”

The knuckles of Kwang-cheol’s hand, resting on his knee, were white. He seemed to be exerting considerable force, yet his expression remained calm, which was even more surprising.

Im Ho-sin was so busy scrutinizing Kwang-cheol that he understood what Kwang-cheol was saying a little late.

“A lawyer guarantees client confidentiality, right?”

“…Excuse me?”

A somewhat youthful face uttered words that didn’t quite suit it.

Im Ho-sin, momentarily flustered, quickly brought forth his professional lawyer persona to respond. The atmosphere instantly shifted, just by his smiling face slightly stiffening.

“We haven’t signed a retainer agreement yet.”

“Do I need to sign a contract first? Before you even hear what it’s about?”

“No. I cannot contract with a minor. Please call your guardian.”

“…If that were the case, I wouldn’t have sought out a lawyer first.”

Even though Im Ho-sin skillfully changed his words, Kwang-cheol remained calm. The very fact that he walked into a law firm, had his offers rejected repeatedly, and showed no particular agitation, was unlike an ordinary middle school student.

While secretly impressed, Im Ho-sin couldn’t easily agree to Kwang-cheol’s request. He sensed what Kwang-cheol wanted. It was the complete opposite of what Han Ga-yeon desired.

“Forgive me if I’m jumping to conclusions, Kwang-cheol.”

“Go ahead.”

“If you proceed with paternity confirmation, that is, ‘confirmation of parent-child relationship,’ your mother will eventually find out.”

“……”

Kwang-cheol said nothing, but the grip on his clenched hand tightened slightly. That sight, to Im Ho-sin, seemed to answer him in a resounding voice.

Unlike Han Ga-yeon, who wanted to hide Kwang-cheol, Kwang-cheol intended to reveal himself. He even seemed poised to directly inform Han Chang-hun, the Chairman of the Dae-yeong Group, of his existence. For a middle school student who didn’t know much about the law, it was quite a daring plan.

“I understand your desire to make your existence known as quickly as possible. However, as Kwang-cheol is a minor right now, your legal representative is your birth mother. Even with a lawyer, that fact doesn’t change.”