Chapter 325: Bald Man
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 325: Bald Man
Whoosh!
A heavy fist sliced through the air.
Han Su-cheol barely managed to twist his body back, narrowly avoiding the strike.
But the older man’s assault didn't end there.
Fists swung in rapid succession. Like a berserker from a video game, the man didn't stop, relentlessly throwing punch after punch.
To any observer, he didn't look like a professional.
Perhaps that was why Han Su-cheol, though momentarily flustered by the first strike, quickly regained his composure and settled into a boxing stance.
‘Wait, is this actually going to be dangerous?’
I had called the bald man because I trusted him after seeing him protect those idiots against the gangsters last time. Surely he wasn't going to lose, right?
"Hey, shouldn't we go help him?"
Ahn Hyun-ho, having pulled himself together, approached me and asked.
It seemed he felt the same vibe I did. It looked like a fight between a trained athlete and a middle-aged man who just happened to be incredibly strong.
I looked around to ask Jeong Chan-woo for help as well, but...
‘That bastard ran away.’
Whether he was scared from getting hit or intimidated by the bald man, he had vanished. My bet was on the latter.
Anyway.
The man kept swinging, but Han Su-cheol was dodging fluidly. His breathing was steady, and his waist moved with a supple rhythm. Just as I started worrying that he was looking for an opening to counter...
Right on cue, Han Su-cheol ducked under a punch and threw a counter.
Grab!
The man’s extended hand suddenly snapped back, snaring the back of the kid's neck and yanking him forward. Then, he lunged inward, letting the counter-punch graze past him.
From my perspective as a layman, I couldn't tell exactly what happened next.
With a series of incredibly flashy movements, the man neutralized Han Su-cheol in an instant. Before I knew it, the kid was pinned to the ground in a joint lock.
"What the...?"
My jaw dropped as I stared, but Ahn Hyun-ho was too shocked to answer.
Just moments ago, the man had looked like a raging boar, furious that the "man he loved" had been hurt. But now, he was perfectly calm, having subdued his opponent with surgical precision.
"It was all a feint?"
Was the whole 'emotional outburst' actually a high-level tactic to make Han Su-cheol lower his guard?
"That’s insane."
I wasn't just impressed by the fight. I was terrified of what would happen if a man like that decided to target Chan-woo. That bastard was actually smart to run away.
"I thought you were going to lose," I said, approaching him with relief.
The man gave me a big thumbs-up.
"If I used blatant violence, the rumors might turn ugly. I had to use my head a bit so I could take him down cleanly."
"I guess you can still use your head even if you're bald," Pyo Jin-ho chimed in with a random, deadpan comment.
I couldn't help but shoot him a look of disbelief.
Regardless.
That was incredible. Is this what a real adult is like? If he weren't gay, he’d be my role model. To intentionally act like a brawler to induce overconfidence...
I’ll have to tell Chan-woo to be careful. This guy might act harmless to lower your guard and then suddenly drop his pants.
"Aaaargh! You sons of bitches!"
What was the point of screaming while pinned? He sounded no different from an animal at the zoo.
"Hey, let's take pictures."
"Gym rat pinned by a gay guy."
"Three seconds before he gets deflowered."
The others had already relaxed and started snapping photos. Since the guy was a voyeur himself, he shouldn't have a problem with having his picture taken.
"Is this it?"
I checked the phone he had dropped during the struggle. Based on his reaction, it was definitely his, but I had to be sure.
As expected.
An open chat room was active on the screen.
"Huh? This guy isn't just a member; he’s practically a ringleader."
He was active under the nickname 'Hardware Store.' Looking at the chat logs, he wasn't just taking photos; he was acting as a coordinator, organizing things and even taking payments.
"This is a goldmine."
The newly created open chat room was still buzzing. If I handed this phone over to the police, they’d be able to round them all up.
I checked the gallery, too. It was filled with photos of women at Gahyeon University. Fortunately, the three girls weren't there, and from the English Department, only Gyu-a had been photographed. Since I’d given the English Department as a 'quest,' it seemed he hadn't bothered to take many photos there himself.
At least I wouldn't have to beat him to death in a fit of rage.
My face, where I’d been hit earlier, began to throb. As the adrenaline faded, a long sigh escaped through the pain.
*
"Hey, 331 is sending me an inquiry."
Yoo Ah-rin was the one who had suspended Anonymous 331. It was unusual for her to issue a full suspension instead of just a few days' ban.
"Tell him to shut up. Rude prick."
"Sigh."
"Your already ugly face got beaten into a pulp, and he’s still talking trash?"
"...I’m not even joking, you’re the only person who calls me ugly."
"Sigh, I wish you were actually ugly."
I had no idea what she was lamenting about.
Anyway, while Yoo Ah-rin was grumbling, the food arrived. After catching the culprit and reporting it, the police had arrived, followed by reporters who were still on campus. I’d been delayed by interviews.
Because of that, the movie was out of the question, so we came to eat cheese dakgalbi instead.
The chicken stir-fry sizzled on the grill. Smelling the savory aroma of the seasoning, I replied to Anonymous 331.
‘Sigh.’
Does a person like this really attend Gahyeon University? I almost wanted to see his face.
Rules exist for a reason, and if they aren't followed, order collapses. Anonymous 331 wasn't entirely wrong about that.
"Hey, what are you doing? Still replying to that guy?"
"Yeah, but I’m done. He was being annoying, so I teased him a bit."
"Sigh, even in a university community, there are people like that..."
With a sigh, Yoo Ah-rin poured some cold radish water and handed it to me. My mouth was a bit sore, but the cold liquid felt refreshing.
"Eat this. And just go back to the dorm today."
"What? Why?"
Wait, I was already looking forward to going to the hotel. Little Woo-jin downstairs was already standing at attention.
"Hey, your face is all swollen. Do you think I’d want to do it? It hurts my heart just looking at you. I’ll go with you and help you with an ice pack."
"What’s this? Why are you acting like Choi I-seo?"
"You little shit, you always have to ruin the mood at the end."
But really, she sounded exactly like Choi I-seo.
Vrrr! Vrrr! Vrrr!
Right on cue, a call came in from Choi I-seo.
"Hey, I-seo."
— Are you okay?!
"You saw the news? Yeah, I’m fine. I’m having dakgalbi with Yoo Ah-rin right now."
— Sigh... Which place? Your face looked so swollen in the news photos. Did you go to the hospital?
"I didn't go to the hospital, but I’m fine. I just put some ointment on. And we’re at—"
I glanced at Yoo Ah-rin. I wondered if I shouldn't say, but she gestured for me to go ahead, saying the day was already ruined anyway.
"Original Chuncheon Dakgalbi. You want to come?"
— I’m coming.
"Okay, I’ll have to order another portion."
Yoo Ah-rin was already telling the owner to add one more serving.
I hung up, but the phone rang again. This time, I hoped it was Seo Ye-rin and answered with a grin.
"Ugh, what a buzzkill."
I answered the phone with an annoyed tone.
"Why?"
— Are you ok—
"I’m fine, didn't go to the hospital, put on ointment, and I’m about to eat dakgalbi, but you’re interrupting me, Hyung."
— ...You have a real talent for making people who worry about you feel like crap.
"I’m talented in many ways."
— Anyway, thanks to you, our image is improving. It’s only natural since a member of the owner family caught a criminal himself.
"Some people are spreading weird conspiracy theories, though."
— Those kinds of people will say the same thing no matter what happens.
Big Hyung was definitely smart. He grasped the essence of the situation immediately.
— Don't touch the other universities. Father is already tearing them apart enough.
"I only planned on doing Gahyeon University anyway."
— Right. Surprisingly, Father...
"Hmm?"
After a brief pause, Big Hyung spoke in a calm voice.
— He was very worried.
"..."
— Don't hate him too much.
"I know."
— You know?
"Yeah, I know."
In the past, I would have hated everything my father did. But perhaps it was because we had acted similarly this time.
"Strangely... I think I understand him a little."
For some reason, I couldn't see my father as purely a villain anymore.
— Good. That’s enough then.
Big Hyung sounded relieved as he hung up.
"Hey, it’s ready. Eat."
The dakgalbi was perfectly cooked. It was a bit hard to eat with my sore mouth, but it tasted even better than I expected.