Chapter 19
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Dong-hoon
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Jin-seong had finally surpassed 100 members.
Daily deposits now steadily topped 2 million won,
and in the Bayern line, he had established himself as a capable Master Agent with a solid code, one who would be recognized anywhere he went.
Because Jin-seong was always online at the Naland site from morning till evening, diligently posting his picks,
even the Master Agents from other lines and site staff already knew the nickname 'Hani' and were keeping a close eye on him with interest.
The reputation of the Hani code was still high only within Bayern for now, but it was obvious that the word would quickly spread to other lines soon enough.
Master Agents often mingled and networked with people from other lines.
Jin-seong's weekly settlements consistently ranged between 4 and 6 million won.
On a monthly basis, that meant at least 16 million won in earnings.
Whether by some subconscious reward psychology or not, Jin-seong now always carried around about 5 million won in cash bundled up in his clutch bag.
It wasn't a job he could boast about openly, but having plenty of bills in hand naturally straightened his shoulders and boosted his confidence wherever he went.
He'd occasionally post SNS photos from the cafe, subtly angling them to show his wallet and money.
To those acquaintances who hadn't lifted a finger to help when he'd gone broke from gambling in the past, he wanted to show off just a little that he was living well now.
Just like that, four months had flown by, and the money Jin-seong had saved was already nearing 40 million won.
He had earned a regular office worker's annual salary in just four months.
One day, Jin-seong stopped by his usual cafe for some fresh air.
Lately, he spent all his time at home staring at the computer and rarely saw other people, so burnout was starting to creep in bit by bit.
Sitting at an outdoor table at the cafe, sipping an iced Americano, he stared vacantly at the people passing by.
He had his laptop open and was exchanging chit-chat in the private member group chat when his phone rang.
"Hyungnim, how have you been?"
It was Dong-hoon. A close younger friend he hadn't heard from in ages, so Jin-seong picked up happily.
"Hey, Dong-hoon! Long time no talk. You doing okay?"
Dong-hoon replied weakly, half-joking.
"Hyungnim, just barely hanging on, you know."
Jin-seong laughed and asked,
"What's up? You unemployed right now?"
Dong-hoon laughed along and said,
"Yeah, hyungnim. What're you up to? Wanna grab a coffee?"
Jin-seong, who happened to already be at a cafe, said right away,
"I'm actually having coffee at a cafe right now."
Dong-hoon said he'd come over. Jin-seong sent the cafe address.
Not long after, a taxi pulled up in front of the cafe, and Dong-hoon got out, walking toward Jin-seong.
Dong-hoon looked just the same as ever after all this time.
Jin-seong greeted him happily with a smile.
"Hey, long time no see. How've you been?"
Dong-hoon smiled back warmly and took a seat.
Jin-seong had been feeling a bit stifled lately from lack of interaction with people,
so having a casual chat like this with someone after so long felt really enjoyable.
Meeting up with someone after ages lightened Jin-seong's mood even more.
Jin-seong and Dong-hoon were sharing a quick update on their lives at the cafe.
Then Dong-hoon hesitantly brought it up.
"Hyungnim, truth is, I've felt so guilty ever since I introduced you to gambling.
I heard behind my back that you'd gotten into debt,
and it felt like I ruined you, so I couldn't even bring myself to contact you..."
Dong-hoon had grown up in tough family circumstances since childhood.
He had a mom, but she remarried, so he'd spent his early years at an orphanage.
Jin-seong remembered always feeling sorry for him like that and taking good care of him since they first met.
Jin-seong smiled calmly at Dong-hoon's words and said,
"Honestly, I resented you a little at first,
but gambling was my choice in the end.
Not your fault, so don't worry about it."
Dong-hoon bowed his head at Jin-seong's words and said,
"Still, hyungnim, I'm really sorry..."
A brief silence fell.
Then Dong-hoon cautiously made a request.
"Hyungnim, things have been really tough for me lately... I don't know exactly what you're doing,
but could you give me some work? Even odd jobs by your side."
Jin-seong thought for a moment.
Truth was, Dong-hoon had once mentioned trying his hand at being a Master Agent when he was younger.
The thought suddenly came to him, and after a brief hesitation,
Jin-seong told Dong-hoon honestly.
"Actually, I'm working as a Master Agent right now.
Want me to hook you up with a line at least?"
Dong-hoon looked shocked and said,
"You're a Master Agent, hyungnim?
No wonder you've been doing so well lately..."
Jin-seong suddenly thought,
In the Bayern line, the Master Agents all stuck together in groups,
but aside from the relatively close Goni, he didn't have anyone else he really trusted.
It seemed like a good idea to build up one more of his own people.
"Didn't you say you tried being a Master Agent when you were a kid?
You probably get how it works then.
I'll talk to the Leader, so want a code and give it a shot?"
Dong-hoon hesitated a bit but then replied with resolve.
"Honestly, no confidence... but if you tell me to, hyungnim, I'll give it my all."
Jin-seong asked with a worried look,
"Then where are you staying?"
Dong-hoon looked embarrassed and said,
"Truth is, rent's overdue, so I might get kicked out soon."
Jin-seong rubbed his temples for a moment.
Goni suddenly came to mind.
For some reason, he felt like Dong-hoon and Goni would get along well.
Jin-seong told Dong-hoon to wait a sec,
then called Goni right away.
Goni picked up with a cheerful voice.
"Hey, what's up?"
Jin-seong carefully asked,
"Got a close dongsaeng here I want to set up as a Master Agent.
But he has nowhere to go right now—could you take him in and teach him the ropes?"
Goni replied nonchalantly.
"Might be a bit uncomfortable here... but whatever, I don't mind."
Jin-seong felt relieved at Goni's kindness.
"Thanks. Just for a month or two.
Soon as I get a two-room office, I'll take him off your hands."
"Sure. Just hit me up when you come~"
Jin-seong hung up and told Dong-hoon,
"For now, head down to the countryside house for a month or two and learn the job.
Hyung'll pick you up once I secure that two-room office."
Dong-hoon nodded right away at the offer.
"Got it, hyungnim. Not in a position to be picky.
I'll do whatever you say.
Plus, I'm from the countryside originally, so looking forward to that life again after ages."
Jin-seong smiled brightly and said,
"Yeah? The guy there is my friend—think your personalities will click.
Fun dude, so learn well from him.
Hyung'll snag you a used laptop too."
Dong-hoon bowed deeply, moved by Jin-seong's thoughtfulness.
"Hyungnim, thank you so much."
Jin-seong asked with a concerned expression once more,
"You got a place for tonight?"
Dong-hoon gave an awkward smile and replied,
"Nah, don't..."
Jin-seong felt sorry for Dong-hoon's situation.
After a moment's thought, he said,
"Then crash at hyung's place tonight. Mom and Dad know you."
Dong-hoon bowed deeply, grateful for Jin-seong.
Jin-seong took Dong-hoon to the car and headed home.
Deep down, he felt good thinking things would go even smoother from here on.
Jin-seong brought Dong-hoon back home.
His parents knew Dong-hoon's circumstances and warmly welcomed him, as he was a dongsaeng their son cherished who'd stayed over a few times before.
"Mom, Dad, how have you been!"
Dong-hoon greeted brightly, and his parents smiled happily, saying,
"Oh my, Dong-hoon, it's been ages. Make yourself at home."
Dong-hoon had always been popular with elders, the sweet and sharp type that hyungs liked.
"Yes, ma'am, sir. Sorry I haven't visited more often."
With his signature easygoing charm and bright personality, Dong-hoon won over Jin-seong's parents too.
A little later, Jin-seong took Dong-hoon to his room and showed him his code.
"Here, this is hyung's code. Weekly settlements between 4 and 6 mil."
Dong-hoon gaped in shock at Jin-seong's code.
"Whoa, hyungnim! Hasn't it been long since you started?
And the code's already this solid?"
Jin-seong smiled and said,
"Hyung poured in nonstop effort, no sleep.
You give it your all too. Gotta earn a living."
Looking at Jin-seong's code, a deep greed and passion welled up inside Dong-hoon.
Having done Master Agent work before, he could tell just from the code's scale and flow how hard Jin-seong had worked.
Seeing Jin-seong's success made him want even more to succeed alongside his hyung.
The day faded like that, and Jin-seong and Dong-hoon lay side by side on the same bed.
They planned to buy a laptop early next morning and send him off to the base.
The two drifted off to sleep comfortably, each lost in their own thoughts.