LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 122
Chapter 122
When Suho arrived at the Korean Hunter Association’s parking lot, he sprayed a prepared liquid onto the original bribery ledger before stepping out of the car.
Psssshhh…
The liquid seeped into the ledger with a faint sizzling sound before disappearing completely into the pages.
On the outside, the ledger looked unchanged.
However, as soon as the keyword set by the creator was activated, the text would alter according to the client’s specifications.
‘With this, I can erase Park Gyu-min’s name from the ledger at the critical moment.’
This was a specially prepared item for today.
After finishing his preparations, Suho headed to the Director of the Special Department’s office, and upon knocking, Pi Seongyeol greeted him warmly.
After a polite greeting, Suho handed over the bribery ledger he had obtained from Son Baek-geum.
“Good job.”
“It’s nothing.”
Pi Seongyeol took the ledger and began to inspect its contents.
After confirming the desired names, he gave a slight smile, closed the ledger, and asked Suho a question.
“Did you look?”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m asking if you looked at the contents.”
“No, I didn’t look.”
“Ha, you think I’ll believe that? Whether you saw it or not makes no difference. Do you think I actually believe you didn’t take a peek?”
“I truly didn’t look.”
“Fine, I’ll take your word for it.”
Why ask if you’re not going to believe it anyway?
Pi Seongyeol chuckled and tossed the ledger onto the table.
Then, crossing his legs and placing his hands on his knee, he spoke.
“You saw the news, right?”
“Yes, I did.”
“So, you’re to report to the Gate Department temporarily.”
It was as expected.
Even though he had anticipated it, Suho feigned surprise.
“The Gate Department… you mean?”
“Don’t like it?”
“No, it’s not that. I’m just curious why the Gate Department.”
“Because it’s my department, that’s why I’m sending you there.”
“I understand.”
“Are you disappointed?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Don’t be too disappointed. It’s just that the public opinion has been harsh, and the President of the Association is being cautious. So, just stay there briefly. Later, I’ll find an excuse to bring you back with a rotational duty. Anyway, I’m sending you specifically to the Gate Department. You’ll start as an assistant team leader under Team Leader Jung Chulmin.”
With that, he put on a cheerful expression.
“Oh, really?”
“You seem happy. I went out of my way to place you there, keeping your interests in mind. So, stay there for a bit. A talent like you belongs in the Special Department, after all.”
“Haha, thank you.”
“In that spirit, here.”
Pi Seongyeol went to his desk and returned with a small box.
“This is…?”
“Open it. It’s a gift to mark the end of your probation.”
“Oh, thank you.”
Upon opening the box, Suho found a handkerchief.
A luxury brand, too.
Suho laughed and spoke.
“A handkerchief, huh. I was thinking of getting a new one anyway, so I’ll use it well.”
“You usually carry a handkerchief around?”
“Yes, I do, whenever I go out.”
“Haha, more gentlemanly than I thought! I do the same. A true gentleman must have a handkerchief.”
That gentleman spiel again.
In truth, Suho didn’t carry a handkerchief.
His words were tailored for Pi Seongyeol’s benefit.
‘I received a handkerchief in my previous life, too, as a must-have item for gentlemen.’
Suho wasn’t the only one who received a handkerchief.
For Pi Seongyeol, a handkerchief was a kind of emblem.
A way of saying, “I’m looking out for you, remember that.”
Back in the day, when he knew nothing, he was genuinely happy to receive it.
‘I must have been insane.’
As Suho placed the handkerchief in his pocket, Pi Seongyeol pulled out an envelope.
“Take this as well.”
“What’s this?”
“It’s pocket money, from me personally.”
“Pocket money?”
“They originally wanted to hold a small ceremony to honor you as the youngest-ever and first perfect scorer in Association history. But the current climate quashed those plans. The Association President was disappointed. You probably had heard something and were looking forward to it… well, that’s how things turned out.”
“Oh…”
Of course.
With those scores, they likely intended to award him an outstanding achievement certificate or something.
Not just any achievement, but the youngest-ever and first perfect scorer in the Association’s history.
So, in a way, it was fortunate.
From Suho’s perspective, such formalities were more trouble than they were worth.
“Today is your last day of training with the Special Department, correct? Wrap up the day well and report to the Gate Department tomorrow.”
“Yes, thank you, senior.”
“Good. And keep calling me ‘senior’ whenever you see me, alright? Of course, not in formal settings.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Then, off you go. I’ll have the official ID given to you through Team Leader Jung tomorrow.”
It seemed Pi Seongyeol was genuinely reluctant to part ways as he sent Suho off with kind words.
Shortly after leaving the Special Department…
‘It’s finally over.’
Or rather, the time for lying low had come to an end.
Tomorrow, his probation would formally end, making him an official public official within the Korean Hunter Association.
‘Before I report for duty, I must meet that person first.’
There was an unresolved matter he had postponed due to his probationary duties.
An essential task that could not be omitted.
Suho started his car and set off somewhere.
***
After preparing, Suho moved directly to Seoul Station and headed towards Daejeon.
Upon arriving at Daejeon Station, he took a taxi to his destination.
‘Thanks to the Face-Shifting Technique, traveling has become much easier.’
He changed his appearance before boarding the train.
This way, he didn’t need to change clothes or activate his “Nameless Art” skill, and no one could recognize him.
Getting out of the taxi, Suho entered an office located in Daejeon’s Yuseong District.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes, who are you?”
“This is On Gang Cash, right?”
“Yes, it is. Are you here to borrow money?”
“No, I’m here to purchase a debt.”
“A debt?”
“Yes, the debt of Mr. Lee Dalwon is held here, correct?”
“Lee Dalwon… Lee Dalwon… Oh, yes, Mr. Lee’s debt is with us. And who might you be?”
Lee Dalwon.
He was the husband of Yoon Hyun-cheol’s younger sister, Yoon Hyun-hee, and was currently burdened by private loans after failing in two business ventures.
This was why Suho had come here.
He spoke.
“Just someone who knows him. Anyway, could you sell me Mr. Lee Dalwon’s debt?”
“Well, if you’re willing to pay, I don’t see why not. Shall we sit down to discuss?”
The boss of On Gang Cash, Hwang Ongang, stood and invited Suho to take a seat while one of his subordinates brought out tea.
Then another employee brought out Lee Dalwon’s debt contract, and Suho, looking it over, commented.
“…The principal is 40 million won, and the interest is 80 million?”
“Yes. Due to delays, it has ballooned to this amount. However, it’s not considered bad debt, as collection is still possible.”
In other words, he had no intention of negotiating on the price.
Nodding, Suho pulled out a prepared shopping bag from his inventory.
“Here’s the principal amount of 40 million won.”
“And the 80 million interest?”
“That’s not the legal interest rate, is it? Judging from the paperwork, the interest paid so far has already far exceeded the legal limit. I won’t be paying that.”
“What?”
The atmosphere in the office grew tense.
The once-friendly expression on Hwang Ongang’s face began to twist.
However, Suho’s tone remained steady.
“I’m in a hurry. Let’s wrap this up quickly.”
“Hah, are you mocking me?”
“Mocking you twice.”
“What?”
“You asked if I was mocking you. I said, ‘twice.’”
“You really must be out of your mind! Guys!”
“Yes, boss.”
Bang!!
At that moment, as the enraged Hwang Ongang raised his voice, Suho slammed his head down onto the table.
Hwang Ongang collapsed immediately.
“B-Boss! Gurgle!”
Thud.
Thud.
With Hwang Ongang down, his other employees were about to charge at Suho.
However, they foamed at the mouth and dropped before they could even move.
This was due to Suho’s intimidation skill.
Suho followed up by using Recovery to wake Hwang Ongang.
“…Ugh.”
“Sit up.”
“You, you!”
“Sit.”
With an aura of deadly intent, Suho’s words made Hwang Ongang realize that Suho was no ordinary person.
“A-Are you an Awakened?”
“Yes, so don’t harass Mr. Lee Dalwon and his wife any longer. If I hear otherwise, I won’t let it slide.”
Finishing his message, Suho picked up the debt contract and the cash-filled shopping bag and got up.
Seeing this, Hwang Ongang, panicked, stammered.
“T-The money?!”
“You should have accepted it when I offered. You turned it down, remember?”
“What… what is this…!”
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
“…”
Of course not.
Hwang Ongang fell silent, forced to watch Suho’s departure in stunned silence.
It was only after Suho had left…
“Ha…”
Less than ten minutes had passed.
It was as if a ghost had haunted him.
***
Leaving the office, Suho took a taxi to his next destination.
He arrived in a desolate neighborhood that lay in ruins.
“…”
Suho examined one of the documents he had brought along.
This place had been struck by Gate Shock about six months ago and had yet to be restored.
This was also the location of Lee Dalwon’s second failed business.
‘The situation is worse than I thought.’
In reality, most areas were like this outside of the capital and a few metropolitan regions.
Though South Korea was small, there simply weren’t enough resources to cover the entire peninsula.
Thus, a vicious cycle of misfortune continued.
After inspecting the area, Suho boarded another taxi and traveled to a restaurant in a different neighborhood.
It was a place called “Yuseong Cold Noodles,” which served cold noodles. It was currently on break.
Confirming the break time, Suho entered the restaurant, and the owner spoke upon seeing him.
“Sorry, sir, we’re on break.”
“I know.”
“Excuse me?”
“Is Yoon Hyun-hee working here?”
“…Yoon Hyun-hee?”
At the mention of Yoon Hyun-hee’s name, the owner looked at Suho suspiciously.
Previously, Hwang Ongang had come here over money issues, so the owner feigned ignorance, shaking her head.
“I don’t know anyone by that name.”
Suho chuckled internally at her bluff.
A bit cold, but seems to be a good person.
He replied.
“I’m not a loan shark; I have other business with Yoon Hyun-hee. If she’s here, please tell her someone from the Aram Orphanage has come.”
“…Just a moment.”
Even as she remained cautious, the owner went to the staff lounge to relay the message to Yoon Hyun-hee, who was resting inside.
Shortly after, Yoon Hyun-hee emerged, and Suho greeted her warmly.
“Could we talk for a moment?”
***
Since break time had just begun, they had plenty of time.
The owner was considerate as well.
So they moved to a nearby café to talk.
Suho began.
“I’ll get straight to the point. I was sent here by your older brother, Yoon Hyun-cheol.”
“…What?”
Her eyes widened in shock.
Of course.
Yoon Hyun-cheol.
How could she forget that name?
To her, Yoon Hyun-cheol was her only remaining family.
In fact, she had planned to find her brother when she had the time.
However, after experiencing the Gate Shock, the passing of her foster parents, and the waves of hardship, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Hearing Yoon Hyun-cheol’s name from Suho, she asked with a trembling voice.
“W-Where is my brother now?”
“He’s at Cheongok Prison.”
“…What?”
“Yoon Hyun-cheol is currently serving a death sentence at Cheongok Prison for killing multiple people.”