Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant

Chapter 123

“That, what do you mean…?”

“It’s true.”

Suho handed a prepared document to Yoon Hyun-hee.

The document proved that Yoon Hyunchul was serving a sentence at Cheongok, and as she accepted it, Yoon Hyun-hee’s eyes began to tremble as if experiencing an earthquake.

“Seems like you didn’t know anything about your brother’s situation.”

“…Yes.”

“I don’t know how you’ll take this, but there’s a bit of a story behind it.”

“A story?”

“Yes, a story.”

Suho took out other documents he had prepared in his inventory.

These were records of Yoon Hyunchul’s murder case, and Suho explained why Yoon Hyunchul had committed the crime as he presented them.

“……”

Yoon Hyun-hee listened to Suho’s words without a word.

At the same time, she examined the documents Suho had brought.

She looked quite shocked.

Understandably so.

After learning about her brother’s situation for the first time in over ten years, anyone would be stunned if the news were this.

But precisely because of this, Suho didn’t avoid it.

Instead, he chose to confront it directly.

‘Yoon Hyunchul asked me to keep it a secret, but that’s far too naive a solution.’

Yoon Hyun-hee wasn’t a fool.

Nor was she someone who could simply forget her brother.

Even if Suho discreetly helped her without any indication, she would eventually search for information about Yoon Hyunchul as her situation improved, and when she inevitably learned the whole truth, the shock she would feel would be far worse.

At least, that’s what Suho thought.

But he also believed this was the best approach.

If, by any chance, Yoon Hyun-hee reacted negatively or showed hatred towards her brother because of this matter, he needed to be prepared to respond.

Of course, he had prepared countermeasures for that as well.

Suho wanted everyone connected to him to be happy.

Finally, the moment Suho’s explanation ended.

“……”

Yoon Hyun-hee remained silent.

Suho quietly waited for her to speak first.

She was staring blankly somewhere between empty space and the documents.

After a long silence, she opened her mouth.

“Sniff…”

It was…

“Hic…”

…a sob.

After being in a daze for a long time, she suddenly began to cry.

Suho took a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.

It was the handkerchief Pi Seongyeol had given him.

Yoon Hyun-hee took the handkerchief, wiped away her tears for a while, then spoke with a reddened nose.

“How much pain must my brother have endured?”

The moment Suho heard her first words, he felt relieved.

Thankfully.

She was a good person.

She didn’t hate or resent her own brother.

She continued speaking.

“My poor brother… my truly pitiful brother…”

She cried for a while longer.

Until the handkerchief Suho had given her was soaked through.

Suho waited quietly until she could gather her sorrow herself.

Finally, when her sadness had subsided.

“…I’m sorry. I ended up crying all alone.”

“It’s fine. I fully understand. And, if anything, I’m the one who should be grateful. Thank you for understanding Yoon Hyunchul’s pain.”

“He’s family, so of course I should understand. Not that family always means understanding, but it wasn’t like my brother wanted to be that way back then, was it? I understand him. And above all… my brother is serving time for his mistakes right now.”

Sadness was evident on her face as she spoke.

Even though she put it that way, it was heartbreaking.

About the terrible situation that had forced him into that state.

She continued.

“Oh, now that I think about it, I don’t know your name yet. You said my brother sent you? What exactly is your connection to my brother?”

Without hesitation, Suho answered her question.

“My name is Ahn Suho. And I once worked with Yoon Hyunchul on a business venture. So, if you consider the relationship, I was a business partner.”

Suho revealed his name honestly.

Though it was just his name.

Since he’d altered his appearance with reverse-casting techniques, without checking his ID, she would never suspect he was the Sword God Ahn Suho.

Yoon Hyun-hee’s eyes grew round.

“A business partner?”

“Yes, while working as a Hunter, Yoon Hyunchul also engaged in side businesses as part of a financial plan for the future. He and I worked on a few of those projects together, but as he ended up in prison, all the businesses had to be closed down.”

As Suho continued speaking, he pulled out another document from his inventory.

It was a debt bond document in the name of Lee Dal-won, which he had received from Hwang On-gang.

Upon seeing the bond, Yoon Hyun-hee’s eyes widened again.

“Th-this is…!”

“Your husband’s name is Lee Dal-won, right? After some investigation, I found out that Hwang On-gang, the CEO of On-gang Cash, held all of Lee Dal-won’s debts. So, I bought them out.”

“What? You did that?”

“Yes, Hyun-chul told me. Since he’s in prison and doesn’t need the money, he asked if I could locate his younger sister and transfer his assets to her. He offered part of the assets as a commission, but out of respect for our past connection, I refused the commission.”

As he watched Yoon Hyun-hee, whose mouth was half-open, Suho continued speaking.

“Originally, I should have found you sooner, but I had business matters to settle and some personal commitments, and it took some time to investigate your situation thoroughly. With that said, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“What… is it?”

“Hyun-chul wants to transfer his assets to you and help you live happily. During my search, I discovered some troubling matters regarding your circumstances. So, I’ll ask directly.”

Suho glanced at the name ‘Lee Dal-won’ on the bond.

“Do you still love your husband?”

They say a married couple’s quarrel is like slicing water with a knife.

But the issues between this couple were beyond that of a mere spat.

Debts, alcohol, gambling, alcoholism, and even domestic violence.

Lee Dal-won was a deeply problematic man.

So, Suho had already decided what to do about him.

Still, he asked this question for minimal confirmation from Yoon Hyun-hee.

At Suho’s question, she bit her lip.

And closed her eyes.

After some deliberation, she opened them slowly and replied.

“I don’t know.”

“Why don’t you know?”

“It’s just… I just don’t understand my feelings. Whether this is love or not. I know I loved him when we married, and I know why he changed. But…”

She couldn’t finish her sentence.

Because she knew it, too.

What Lee Dal-won was doing to her now was something no one who truly loved her could do.

‘How could destroying a loved one just because life is hard ever be called love?’

Suho had never been in love passionately with anyone.

He had too many things to take care of and too much harsh reality choking him to fall for someone.

But even though he hadn’t been in love, he knew what was right and wrong.

Suho nodded and said.

“Yes, well, I know the situation. Two failed businesses. The causes were due to the gate shock that destroyed his shop. He ended up burdened with debt, lost all hope, and that shrunk his heart. However.”

Suho put the bond document back in his coat as he spoke.

“If he truly loved you, he would have tried to be your hope even in tough times, not bring you despair. I know that the ultimate cause of Lee Dal-won’s downfall was the gate shock. But I think differently. Even if it hadn’t been the gate shock, if it had been something else, he would have treated you just the same.”

Suho stood up as he spoke.

“People don’t change easily. And I don’t think Yoon Hyunchul would want to see his beloved younger sister suffer under the guise of love.”

Suho checked the time and then said.

“The break time at the store should be ending soon, so I’ll step out for a bit. I’ll return when your shift ends.”

Just as Suho gave a light bow and was about to leave the cafe.

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

“What if… if he says he wants to change?”

Change, huh.

At that, Suho chuckled and said.

“It’s possible, I suppose. People talk about being reborn all the time. But as I said earlier, most people don’t change. So, I’ll go confirm it once and for all—the truth of that feeling you’re struggling with.”

After finishing his words, Suho left the cafe first.

And after he left, Yoon Hyun-hee blankly stared at her now-cold drink.

In the reflection of the cold drink, Yoon Hyun-hee stared back at herself.

***

Suho got into a taxi and headed somewhere else.

The destination was an old building with no signs, and upon climbing to the second floor, a rusty iron door awaited him.

Suho looked up at the CCTV mounted near the ceiling.

He pulled out some cash from his inventory and waved it in front of the CCTV.

A click sounded, and the door opened.

As the door opened, the noise trapped inside spilled out.

Thick cigarette smoke.

And among it, the sound of cursing and people slapping tables.

It was a gambling den.

When Suho entered, a tattooed thug who seemed to be a staff member approached him and asked.

“Here to play?”

“Yes, but first, I need to find someone.”

“Who?”

“Just some business to take care of. Don’t worry; I won’t disturb the place. So, where’s Lee Dal-won?”

When Suho handed the thug a few bills, he chuckled, took the money, and looked around.

Then he pointed to a man sitting in a corner, playing cards.

“The guy in the black hat over there is Lee Dal-won.”

Suho headed in the direction the thug pointed.

There, he saw a man with sunken eyes, staring blankly as he played cards.

It was Lee Dal-won.

“Yep, it’s him. Lee Dal-won.”

He looked just like his photo.

Hearing his name, the man looked up at Suho with glazed eyes as Suho sat beside him and spoke.

“You’re Lee Dal-won, right? I’m here from On-gang Cash. Do you have a moment to talk?”

“…I told your boss I’d pay last month’s interest along with this month’s.”

“I know. But the boss wanted me to ask something.”

“What is it?”

“One of the boss’s acquaintances has taken a liking to your wife and wanted to know if you’d be willing to introduce her in exchange for waiving three months’ worth of interest.”

At that, Lee Dal-won looked up from his cards with widened eyes.

“…What did you say?”

“Feel free to refuse if it bothers you.”

“…Ha.”

Lee Dal-won let out a dry laugh.

Then he spat into an ashtray and sighed heavily.

He looked at Suho and said.

“Six months.”

“Pardon?”

“Make it six months, and I’ll introduce her.”

“Six months, huh.”

At his answer, Suho laughed.

“Haha, thanks.”

“For what?”

“For confirming whether or not you’re a decent person.”

“Excuse me?”

At that moment.

Bang!!

Suho slammed his head onto the ashtray.