Chapter 27
Chapter 27
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: The Untouchable
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[Looks like the kid's a bit young and was running around. I'll talk to the child about it.]
The camera light went out as soon as that message ended.
It didn't feel great that he'd brushed off his own story and cut the intercom, but at least the point had been made.
Now he had to realize someone lived downstairs.
Whether he'd be more careful from now on was anyone's guess.
'What a prick.'
A person's true nature shines through in their words and tone.
Like someone who lets curses slip out in every sentence.
Or someone who ignores others and only talks about themselves.
We can infer what kind of person they are just from that.
So in the end, speech is just one way we express who we are, directly or indirectly.
That short chat with the upstairs neighbor told me everything.
'This won't be easy.'
I had a bad feeling something would blow up later.
Anyway, there was nothing more I could do here.
I trudged down the stairs, head heavy with frustration.
Back to my apartment.
"Whoa..."
I let out a soft gasp of admiration at how much it had changed in the short time I'd been gone.
The living room looked exactly as I'd envisioned.
It had felt a bit cramped and messy before, but with the boxes and trash cleared out, the space really came alive.
The workers who'd made it happen were busy gathering the last of the trash nearby.
They glanced up as I walked in through the entryway.
"How'd it go?"
Their tone carried a hint of concern.
I appreciated it and gave a small smile with a nod.
"Yeah. They have a kid at home. Said they'd talk to them."
I replied in a tone meant to ease their worries.
Though honestly, he didn't strike me as the type to actually follow through with the kid.
Still, exceptions exist.
I could be wrong.
I hoped I was.
"Hope nothing comes of it. Anyway, assembly's all done, and everything's placed where you wanted. Give it a check, and if anything's off, call us right away."
One worker handed me a business card with a smile.
It looked more like an after-service contact than a fancy card.
Can't have it getting lost when I need it, so maybe I should buy a new cardholder. I tossed the old ones last time.
'Should've kept one.'
It was cheap, but I should've held onto at least one.
This made four cards I'd gotten already.
"We'll head out then. Thanks for the coffee and donuts."
While I was lost in thought, they bowed politely and filed out slowly.
I felt a twinge of guilt for not treating them better, but they were thanking me anyway.
"Thank you so much for today."
I bowed back and saw them off.
They gave small smiles and crammed into the elevator.
It was spacious, but six grown men hauling furniture boxes filled it right up.
Soon, the workers and elevator were gone.
"......"
The apartment fell quiet in an instant.
Like after friends leave from a hangout.
The main difference? The place was spotless.
Whenever the guys came over, it always ended up a wreck.
Beer bottles and cans on the desk, half-eaten snacks.
Futons tossed on the floor, their forgotten bags and clothes everywhere.
Cleaning was such a chore that we usually met at someone else's place.
The memories made me chuckle without realizing.
Won't be living like that again.
'Not that there's reason to go back.'
If I did, I'd scream that this life was the real dream.
Obviously.
I smirked to myself, shut the front door, and returned to the living room.
It looked exactly like the showroom.
"...Just like the store."
Of course— I'd bought the exact setup they had on display.
But this was my living room.
Not some staged showroom, but my cozy space to relax and sprawl out however.
Chest swelling with emotion, I sank into the egg chair.
The soft sink of cushion under my butt and back.
I leaned into it and gazed outside.
"Nice."
The sun was setting.
It crested the mountains, painting the sky red with sunset hues.
The chair swayed gently, as if inviting me to enjoy the view, warmed by the sunlight.
Staring at the distant peaks, I suddenly craved coffee.
Or tea— something hot, at least.
"Gotta get a coffee machine soon."
People raved about capsule ones— convenient, tasty, easy cleanup.
Delivery worked, but fiddling with the app every time was annoying, plus all the trash.
Better to stock up and pop one out whenever.
'Cleanup's the real hassle.'
Delivery's great until the mess afterward.
That's always the killer.
"...Housekeeper?"
The thought of a maid popped up.
With all this money, why not hire someone to clean?
Of course, can't let just anyone in— need to be careful.
Especially now, when building relationships requires caution.
'Where do you even find one?'
Not like I can post [Looking for housekeeper] on a forum.
A quick search showed professional cleaning companies.
"Huh... So you set days, times, and areas."
Interesting.
Feels like discovering a whole new world.
Money has endless spending options.
This must be capitalism.
My old dream of winning the lottery and just gaming all day felt quaint.
"Haven't gamed in forever."
Living room's done— time to chill with some games today.
One issue: no desk yet, so it'd be awkward.
My back might ache, but not playing long, so fine.
About an hour into building factories and wrecking planets in-game...
Thumping from upstairs again.
"Mm..."
I ignored it.
Cranked the game volume.
Factory hums drowned everything— felt like my place was the factory now.
Deep into chainsawing trees, then again.
— Thud thud
"......Mm."
Glanced at the time: around 6 PM.
If it kept up, time to call management.
Scratched my head and opened the delivery app.
Tossed in jjajangmyeon right away.
Not really moving day today, but close enough— might soften them up.
One noodle order might not deliver, so added tangsuyuk.
Won't finish it, but fridge...
"Fridge..."
Right.
Shockingly, no fridge in the house.
Games could wait— appliance catalog first.
Ordered a simple donburi set and started listing buys in a spreadsheet.
Fridge first. Washer, TV.
Dishwasher and dryer sounded nice too.
Listing them out, then...
— Thud thud thud
"...This won't do."
Called management immediately.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Yes, yes. Got it."
Song Yeon-hee answered the phone with a sour face.
The call from management soured her mood even more.
"What? Who was it?"
Park Chang-rae tilted his head at his wife's expression.
He'd come home early from work, brought their daughter, and was lounging on the sofa.
"The downstairs neighbor called management about noise. They even came up earlier asking us to be quiet."
Chang-rae snorted and turned on the TV.
Then dropped a line.
"We have two kids— what can you do? We even laid mats, so how loud could it be?"
"Exactly. Park Min-jun! Who told you to get up from the table? Park Yi-seo! No running— sit and finish your food!"
"Mom! Min-jun spat in my food!"
"No running, both of you!"
Chang-rae shook his head at the kids dashing around.
They were rowdy, but kids gonna kid.
He'd been the same at their age— calling management over a little running was overkill.
Plus, Allstate sent warnings after repeated complaints.
Most folks handled it neighbor-to-neighbor, not escalating to management.
"No manners."
That's what Chang-rae thought of the downstairs neighbor.
Time passed to late evening.
Min-jun goofed off with Chang-rae watching TV.
Yi-seo did homework with Yeon-hee.
A picture-perfect family of four.
They'd never had noise issues before— assumed the apartment was well-insulated.
Upstairs: elderly couple.
Downstairs: long-vacant.
No chance to realize.
So.
"Yes. Again? No, we're being careful— why keep... Yes, yes. I'll talk to them. Got it."
"What? Another call?"
"Gonna check on downstairs."
"I'll come too. Yi-seo, watch Min-jun."
Couldn't understand the neighbors at all.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Finished donburi and deep into factory-building when the doorbell flashed.
"Who?"
Who'd come this late?
Thought about the two management calls earlier.
'Upstairs.'
Checked the intercom screen.
One man, one woman.
[Hello. Upstairs neighbors.]
The guy with the sharp jaw and fierce brows spoke first.
"Yes, what is it?"
Apologizing maybe?
His face said otherwise.
[Aren't you being a bit too sensitive?]
[Honey, why start like that?]
[Kids run sometimes— why make a fuss and call management over a little noise?]
"...??"
So clichéd, I was speechless.
Couldn't think of a reply.
They say anger shorts the brain.
Blood rushes to muscles for fight mode.
That's me now.
"Sorry, it's 9 PM. You've been thumping since 2."
[So the kid ran for 7 hours?]
"Yes."
[What a joke.]
[Fine, they ran a bit here and there, not all day. When you came up earlier, I said I'd talk to the kid...]
'2v1 unfair?'
Bickered with the couple over intercom for a while.
Conclusion.
They have kids, but not constant running; mats down anyway— why so dramatic?
Don't call management again. If we get another talk, we'll complain too.
After the spat, sat fuming, staring at the monitor.
Three types you never mess with.
One: rich folks.
Two: those with time on their hands.
And three...
— Thud thud thud
"Playing like that, huh?"
Ceiling rumbled right away.
Hearing it, I searched "interfloor noise revenge" online.
Even my sweet mom couldn't take this.
So.
"You're dead."
Won't let it slide.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Getting cooler out."
Park O-nam flung open the real estate office door and plopped on the sofa.
"You're here?"
A female staffer, already working, greeted him and poured coffee.
He sipped, settling in for a leisurely day.
Then his phone rang— nearly spilled his coffee.
"What? The 10th floor listing?"
Choi Yeon-bi.
She'd suddenly said she was coming back.