Dumpling Soup and Shadows
Drenched in cold sweat, Kim Jun barely managed to climb out of bed and staggered into the living room, using the wall for support.
Yoo Min-jeong was bustling alone in the kitchen, cooking up a storm.
The aroma alone told him it was dumpling soup.
Turning around, Yoo Min-jeong spotted him.
"…You okay? The guild doctor said you need more rest."
"Why am I even here?"
Kim Jun snatched a still-steaming dumpling and popped it into his mouth, fanning his tongue dramatically. "Hot hot hot!"
Yoo Min-jeong pretended not to notice.
"Master's orders. If you went home in that state, your mom would freak out. And a hospital's out of the question—especially now. One whiff of a scandal in the news, and we're done. So, no choice but to bring you here."
She emphasized no choice, clearly trying not to make a big deal out of the fact that they were alone in her house.
"Ah."
Kim Jun accepted it without protest, stretching his arms—only to groan and wobble. Yoo Min-jeong rushed over, steadying him and guiding him to a chair at the dining table.
"I told you to rest more."
"Moving around helps me recover faster. How's Muhyun?"
Strength returned to Kim Jun's eyes. He was dying to know.
"He's fine. Just some scrapes."
"He at home now?"
"Probably."
"…Probably?"
"Seems like he's got a lot on his mind. Master's advice is to play it cool and give him space for now."
Kim Jun recalled their promise. After begging so earnestly to fight for real, Choi Muhyun wouldn't be moping around.
"He'll be okay. That's Muhyun for you. Hey, is the dumpling soup ready yet?"
His mouth was already watering.
"Everyone's coming soon. Hang in there a bit."
"Ah, I can't wait… I'm starving."
"Ugh, fine. Just a sec."
Yoo Min-jeong ladled some into a small bowl. Kim Jun watched her back, mesmerized. She was great leading the team, but preparing food like this? Even better.
This has nothing to do with being hungry.
Grabbing the bowl, Kim Jun headed to the garden. Cats trailed after him. Settling in the pavilion to eat, he soon had his thighs and lap claimed, the cats dozing off with contented head-bobs.
As he finished the last dumpling, Kim Jun thought of Il-yeong and I-yeong.
Sparks had flown from their punches. He'd dodged from a safe distance, but the sparks reached farther than expected—and struck like lightning.
Sitting there, he mimicked Il-yeong's move. Nothing.
And the Cheonroegeom.
What the hell was that?
Martial arts and memories transferred, emerging at the critical moment? He recalled slashing along that thin red line in front of his eyes.
He swung his hand the same way. No dice—the feel was totally different.
Kim Jun examined his right hand closely.
The hand that had merged with part of the sword. Gripping it like before, he curled his fingers.
But his palm felt empty.
No matter how hard he tried, the Cheonroegeom wouldn't materialize. In that instant, realizing something he'd overlooked, Kim Jun bolted to the kitchen, gasping for breath.
"Mom… and Ji-hyun… they're in danger."
"Calm down."
"Does this look like a 'calm down' moment?"
"Master's handling it. Cheonhondan Raiders are protecting them right now. With the Association watching after that incident, even Yeon Ga won't make a move. They'd be publicly crucified."
"Cheonhondan…?"
"The buffers from the moon who came to the container yard to rescue Uncle Choi Min-su? They're all his supporters. They volunteered to guard your family."
"Really?"
"For real."
"Phew. Thank God."
Kim Jun slumped into a chair, finally relaxing.
With worry gone, hunger rushed in to fill the void.
"Can I have just a little more?"
"Wait your turn."
Right then, Yoo Min-jeong sounded just like she did during training.
The taxi halted at a red light.
Yeon Sang-taek, staring blankly out the rear window, recalled the thugs sprawled in that vacant lot.
A sly smile crept across his face.
"Something good happen?"
The driver glanced back casually.
"A little."
Yeon Sang-taek beamed.
The driver's curiosity sparked a barrage of questions.
Yeon Sang-taek answered leisurely. Confidence brought ease to his movements.
Then his phone buzzed.
Glancing at the number, he picked up.
"What's up?"
―What's up? I told you to get out of there right now. You think my words are a joke? I can't even show my face because of you. Not just me—big bro, Mom, Dad, everyone. Why join a guild like that and make us miserable?
His little brother's voice stabbed like needles.
But Yeon Sang-taek wasn't offended at all. Strange—he used to tense up just hearing from his brothers, missing his chance to speak and swallowing his words.
"You called for that?"
―What?
"Instead of wasting time on crap like that, why not self-improve? You're not a kid anymore. Believing everything on TV? Kinda dumb, right? Do me a favor—don't call about this stuff again."
―You little…
"Guess why I suddenly came to Seoul? Includes you. You bullied me. Don't deny it—you know damn well. Anyway, no hard feelings. If not for you, I'd still be a loser."
Silence hung briefly.
Then an explosion of irritation.
―You're insane.
"Think what you want."
Leaning back, Yeon Sang-taek never imagined he'd handle a call like this.
―Mom's nagging me and big bro daily to come up and drag you home. Keep this up, and we will.
His brother's tone softened a touch.
"Don't bother. Don't really wanna see you. Just take care of Mom. Oh, another call coming in. Talk later. And don't call first."
―You wait till I see you, you…
Yeon Sang-taek hung up abruptly.
He chuckled.
The laughter grew. So damn satisfying. Even if they came to Seoul, what could they do?
What would they say facing Choi Muhyun? Could they still bluster arrogantly? For a moment, Yeon Sang-taek hoped they would come.
"Uramata Guild Raider, by any chance?"
The driver asked cautiously. The initial friendly banter was gone.
"Yes."
"Kim Jun's team, right?"
"That's right."
"Thank you so much."
"…Pardon?"
Yeon Sang-taek was stunned. No clue why the driver was thanking him.
"Getting older gives you perspective. Kim Jun earned it, sure, but without his teammates acknowledging and helping him, that chance wouldn't have come. Oh, now I remember—you were next to the Raider carrying him out of the dungeon, right?"
The driver eyed him in the rearview.
"I was there."
Yeon Sang-taek realized his prejudice against taxi drivers was wrong. He'd thought them all rough, impatient hotheads—yet here was a thoughtful one.
"Black car's been tailing us."
The driver said gently.
Startled, Yeon Sang-taek shrank down, peeking back just enough.
A boxy black SUV, heavily tinted—no visibility inside.
"Don't worry. I know Seoul like the back of my hand. They won't catch us."
The driver switched lanes smoothly, timing a U-turn at the light.
The trailing car swerved to follow, clipping a truck in a minor crash.
"Uncle, you're amazing!"
"Just in case, I'll take a detour. Check for others too."
"Got it."
Yeon Sang-taek was thrilled.
The intercom buzzed. Yoo Min-jeong rushed over and confirmed Yeon Sang-taek on the screen.
"Why so late?"
―Tail on my ass.
"For real?"
She hit the button to open the garage. Waiting for him in the living room.
Yeon Sang-taek entered soon after, spotting Kim Jun at the table, eyeing the dumpling soup hungrily.
"You good now?"
"If I could just eat that soup, I'd be healed. But our team leader doesn't give a damn about her team."
Kim Jun pouted playfully.
"Our team carrier doesn't think of his team either."
Yoo Min-jeong suppressed a smile, keeping a straight face.
Yeon Sang-taek burst out laughing.
"Tail on you?"
Yoo Min-jeong asked.
Yeon Sang-taek explained: tinted car followed, but the driver shook them off—embellishing a bit.
Kim Jun's face darkened as he listened. If Yeon Ga was still tailing him, now that they knew the Cheonroegeom's owner, targeting his mom and sister was a real risk.
"That car was Cheonhondan."
Yoo Min-jeong said.
"Cheonhondan?"
"Master told you, right? For safety, Cheonhondan Raiders are on protective detail. Annoying, but deal with it."
"…He did?"
Yeon Sang-taek tilted his head.
Then his phone rang.
―Hey! Yeon Sang-taek!
"Yes, Master."
―You ditched the Cheonhondan Raiders? Are you nuts? They're giving up their valuable time to protect you—why shake them?
Go Cheolmin's voice boomed.
"I thought it was Yeon Ga tailing me… Sorry."
―You're here now—head to the garage. Got stuff to move.
"On my way."
Downcast, Yeon Sang-taek trudged off, pausing to glance back at Yoo Min-jeong and Kim Jun.
"Min-jeong was right. Cheonhondan Raiders."
As he vanished, Yoo Min-jeong said,
"See?"
"Whew. Good."
Kim Jun finally exhaled.
Watching him, Yoo Min-jeong felt a strange urge.
She wanted to tie him up at home—no more accidents, no more danger, no injuries.
On the flip side, she was dying to know how he'd witnessed Choi Muhyun's kidnapping—and ultimately saved him.
Go Cheolmin, Kang Jin-gu, O Won-jin, and Yeon Sang-taek entered carrying cardboard boxes.
Kim Jun struggled to stand; Go Cheolmin waved him off.
"You're up? Sit. Don't help and make it worse."
"…Okay."
The boxes held fruits, veggies, cereal, milk—mostly food. Plus shorts, tees, underwear, socks.
Kang Jin-gu approached Kim Jun. Those gentle eyes soothed without a word.
"Heard the whole story. Good work."
"Pure luck."
Kim Jun meant it. Without the Cheonroegeom moving on its own, he'd be dead three times over.
"Let me check you out?"
Guild doctor O Won-jin led Kim Jun to the bedroom.
Yoo Min-jeong, prepping extra food, sidled up to Go Cheolmin.
"How's the mood?"
"Stalemate. Yeon Ga's quiet—playing it safe. Probably reeling from the truth. If word gets out Kim Jun's the Cheonroegeom's master, it's a huge blow to them."
"Wouldn't announcing it be better? Everyone knows, no need to target him."
She asked carefully.
"That'd be pouring oil on the fire. Cut off their escape, and who knows where they'll lash out."
"…True."
Go Cheolmin eyed her thoughtfully, then blurted,
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"Letting Kim Jun crash here. Didn't even ask your opinion in the chaos."
"Best call, in my book."
"Still grateful. I'm the master."
"And I'm the team leader."
A smile tugged at Go Cheolmin's lips.