Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Standing Up to the Creditors
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2.
"Law? What does the law put food on your table? Can't you see we're in this mess because your mom blew all our money?"
"Article 188-4, Paragraph 2 of the Capital Markets Act."
"...?"
"No one shall artificially manipulate the market price in the securities market with the intent to induce trading, thereby misleading investors into believing that the price was formed naturally through supply and demand in the securities market, and thereby inducing them to trade securities."
"What the hell is that nonsense!"
"The executive from the company that scammed my mom used nominee accounts to engage in wash trading, matched orders, limit buy orders at high prices, market buy orders... He pulled out every trick to force buy the company's stock, driving up the price. And the moment it hit a new high, he dumped all the shares from the nominee accounts in an instant and transferred everything to affiliates and family! All in just six months."
"...."
"It was so meticulous and calculated that no one could have imagined it."
The people let out a heavy sigh at Kang Hyun's words.
Truth be told, everyone knew it wasn't the mother who scammed them, but the company.
It had just gone bankrupt, and its whereabouts were unknown.
"The court's stance is that during the market manipulation period, there was at least negligent inducement of investors into believing trading was booming, with full awareness of the intent to lure trades. That's why my mom was acquitted."
"Ha, so what? You see this IOU or not?"
One man shook a single sheet of paper.
"IOU? Yeah, the one where my mom promised to repay morally. It's detailed, handwritten by the party herself, so it might even hold legal weight. Of course! We'd have to check for duress!"
Tears welled up in his mother's eyes as she listened. She had thought her son knew nothing, but he'd pieced it together bit by bit, researched it all—how much pain must he have endured?
"I'm sorry... Mom's so sorry...."
Kang Hyun choked up at her voice, something rising in his throat, but he pressed on without stopping.
"Fine, whatever. So? You think throwing a fit here gets your money back? You guys, my mom—all of us lost that money to some bastard who vanished!"
"Who doesn't know that? We're frustrated too! There has to be some solution!"
The man clenched his fists, trembling as he shouted. Kang Hyun added one clear word.
"...Don't come back."
"What?"
"I'll take responsibility for your money instead, so don't come!"
"Ha! You will?"
"Yeah, me! Whether I become a prosecutor, lawyer, whatever—I'll pay back every one of your 500 million won."
Kang Hyun's eyes didn't just sparkle—they flashed with a mad glint.
"Sell this illegal shack and all our stuff, scrape together the 500,000 deposit—barely enough for you each to get a million won at best. Even if we max out loans, we can't cover your 500 million! That what you want? Or better to take my promise that I'll succeed somehow and pay it back? Think it over."
"...."
The agitated crowd calmed at the logical words from a kid who didn't even look twenty.
Kang Hyun was right.
What good was storming the house? Nothing got solved anyway.
"We're not like those bastards who run off! Hell, we got nowhere left to go anyway!"
As Kang Hyun nailed his final words, the crowd deflated like drowned rats.
"...Auntie, we'll be in touch. Go inside."
"Whew... We'll come back. Get that IOU ready, kid."
Even their snide parting shots drew a subdued reply from Kang Hyun.
"You think an IOU from a minor holds water? I'll keep my word, so don't mess with my studies—leave us alone!"
"Ha, cheeky little punk! Auntie, we'll send a formal notice, so pay it back bit by bit!"
Scraping tempers to the end, the creditors turned and left Kang Hyun and his mother behind.
"Haa...."
'Still... I pulled it off.'
Either way, Kang Hyun had won. He'd protected his mother from them.
And if they got his point, they wouldn't pull this stunt again. At least they'd contact her civilly.
"Kang Hyun-ah...."
"Mom, you don't have to say it. More importantly, you okay?"
Kang Hyun patted his slumped mother, helping her up and hugging her tight.
What about her immature son was so precious that she'd endured this pain?
Yet even that seemed apologetic as she wept.
"Really... I'm so sorry......"
He wanted to bawl with her, but Kang Hyun swallowed his tears once more, forcing strength. He wanted her to see him smiling, not crumbling.
"I'll protect you from now on, Mom. Don't worry."
"...."
"From here on, I'll protect you, make lots of money, and punish all those bastards who took ours."
"...."
"So please... don't say sorry anymore."
Kang Hyun hugged her fiercely again.
"Yeah... thank you...."
Whether his words were true or not, his mother patted his back proudly.
After that harrowing night passed.
Kang Hyun stood before his room.
"...."
The desk, once littered with comics and toys, was cleared bare. As if he'd banished the carefree soul of a student.
In its place filled a single emotion.
Responsibility.
Endless responsibility.
'I have to protect her. Mom, and us.'
And with that, one goal crystallized in his mind.
A thought that just might open the curtain on his new life.
Just because he'd resolved didn't mean a slacker would ace studies overnight—but Kang Hyun was different.
"Why... is this so easy?"
College Scholastic Ability Test prep was a breeze.
And genuinely fun.
Taking two weeks off school out of frustration, he'd cracked open a book—and that sparked a study frenzy.
'Why do books read so smoothly?'
First up: a literature anthology he'd stalled on forever.
A thick tome that barely budged after days. Yet he devoured it in an hour.
Emboldened, next challenge.
'Solve a few practice problems?'
That led to blasting through the neglected workbooks cluttering his room—ones he'd considered selling used.
It took just over three days. Most shocking: no snags, no unsolved puzzles.
Retried problem types? No mistakes. Even errors yielded instant insight.
"Crazy...."
Even he knew it was insane—yet his brain spun uncontrollably fast.
In the end, two weeks saw him exhausting home problems multiple times, grabbing advanced workbooks from the bookstore, conquering them effortlessly—and pondering.
'Did crashing into that exam-taker swap our brains?'
Other guesses? All nonsense, dismissed.
'Must've banged my head. Injury unlocked genius?'
Heard the exam-taker woke up, but no urge to visit. Why probe this windfall?
Conclusion:
"This level... I could tackle civil service exams now?"
Realizing he'd become extraordinary thrilled him. A bit more effort, and no one could catch him.
'I can catch anyone. Overtake so no one catches me!'
Kang Hyun's future grew exciting.
Thus, two weeks flew by—to the first day back at school.
Kang Hyun had been average before.
Late to school daily, skipping evening study hall. No help for his struggling mom—instead gaming with friends at PC bangs or kicking balls on the field. Immature, sure.
But now? Different.
Brain firing on all cylinders, head packed with law codes eager to shine.
Korea High School, Class 2-1.
"I'm here!"
Slam!
"Uh, too early?"
Empty classroom.
He slung his bag on his corner desk and sat.
Glanced at the clock.
7:30 a.m.
Normally, he'd stumble out half-asleep.
Even early arrivals meant napping facedown—but Kang Hyun rummaged his bag.
Pulled out a reference book, set it on the desk.
'Time's precious—might as well study.'
Who'd think studying beat wasting time? Smart kids must feel this, he chuckled.
Then—slam—the door flew open.
'Who at this hour?'
His head turned instinctively, a fresh, citrusy perfume wafting in.
Familiar face: a girl.
Yoon Haneul.
Class president, top of the school—but no one thought that first.
She left no room for other thoughts. Stunning, pure and simple.
Big eyes, small face, flawless skin, effortless allure from striking features.
Quiet, steady, keeps distance—yet everyone orbits her for a reason.
Dad a judge, mom famous lawyer; lives in a mansion with maids dressing her uniform—yet no airs, lives simply.
Beauty, talent, character—all maxed. Total opposite of him.
Same class, but no real interaction—just passing acquaintances.
Today, though, she set her bag at her seat and addressed him. Probably since he'd been absent so long.
"Heard you got hurt? You okay?"
"Yeah, all good now."
End of chat.
Kang Hyun nearly bit his tongue in surprise but realized it was just politeness, so he flipped his book to study.
Then—tap, tap.
"Huh?"
He looked up; she was right there, dangling something in her pale hand.
"Want some? Packed extra."
"...?"
Sandwich.
It took Kang Hyun a moment to register.