Patron of the Carrier
Yeom Sang-taek huffed and puffed as he hauled in a large cardboard box and set it down on the dining table. Inside were dumbbells and other workout gear.
“You really want everything from the van moved in?”
“Yeah, all of it.”
Yeom Sang-taek's face fell.
Go Cheolmin headed into the bedroom to check on his guild raider's condition.
“How is he?”
Go Cheolmin sidled up next to O Won-jin, who was listening to Kim Jun's chest with a stethoscope.
“If he just rests up properly without pushing himself for about three days, he should be fine. His recovery is exceptional.”
“Good. Kim Jun, that's an order. Rest for the next three days. No training. Got it?”
“Three whole days?”
“Want a week instead?”
“...I'll take three.”
There was no point arguing with the master.
Yoo Min-jeong, who had been in the kitchen, made a call. The person didn't pick up on the first or second ring but finally answered on the third.
“Where are you?”
―On my way.
“Huh? I hear a motorcycle.”
―Just picked her up. My new baby. I'm flying right now.
Her voice brimmed with excitement.
“Kim Jun's starving and about to snap. Hurry up.”
―I'm here.
Skyla pushed open the door as she spoke.
“Hahaha, who wants to check out my new ride?”
A dial tone rang out.
Once, twice, three times...
Kim Jun wet his parched lips with saliva and double-checked the number. It was definitely his mom's phone.
Before filling up on mandu guk, he'd stepped out to the garden to hear her voice. Yoo Min-jeong had told him his mom and Ji-hyun were safe under Cheonhondan's protection, but he wanted to talk to them himself.
It switched to voicemail.
Kim Jun dialed again.
Sweat slicked his palms.
There were a million reasons she might not pick up. She could be in the bathroom without her phone, or the TV blaring too loud to hear the ring.
Normally, he'd shrug it off as something ordinary and call later. But Kim Jun's mind flashed to arrows curving mid-flight to split into two, then four, homing in on vitals—and underground fire bombs erupting in sprays of shrapnel.
“She's not picking up?”
Go Cheolmin asked.
The moment Kim Jun nodded, sparks leaked from his hand, coiling around the phone.
Pfbt!
White smoke billowed from the overheating device.
Go Cheolmin rushed over, snatched the phone from Kim Jun's grip, and chucked it into the garden pond.
Boom!
It exploded right above the water's surface.
“You okay?”
Go Cheolmin inspected Kim Jun's hand.
“...Yeah.”
His body felt fine.
Go Cheolmin stared hard into Kim Jun's face before heading inside and borrowing a phone. He dialed the number and waited.
“Ah, Senior Jung-san! It's Go Cheolmin. Hope you're not too busy. Kim Jun's mom isn't picking up... Oh, she's at a mart event? That explains it. Could I speak with her briefly? Yes, I'll hold. Ma'am, it's Go Cheolmin. Just a moment.”
Go Cheolmin held the phone out to Kim Jun.
Tiny sparks danced at Kim Jun's fingertips as he reached for it.
Go Cheolmin positioned it carefully between Kim Jun's ear and mouth. Handing it over directly might set it off again.
“...Mom?”
―Feeling better now?
The sparks vanished the instant he heard her voice.
“Yeah.”
―I heard everything from the master. Mom's not worried anymore. I trust my boy. I'm so proud—as a mom, I mean. You risked it all for your friend. For safety's sake, it's best we're apart for now, so I'll whip up some of your favorite banchan and send it over. Okay?
“...Thanks, Mom.”
His sister chimed in then.
―Oppa, you're at Raider Yoo Wan-seop's place, right? Can I come? I wanna see Unnie Min-jeong too. Their house is famous. I really wanna visit.
Before Kim Jun could respond—
―Go where? Your brother needs rest. Help me with chores.
―...Fine.
Deflated sister.
Kim Jun smiled as he listened. This everyday banter was a huge comfort, a joy.
―Squid's half off. Mom's gotta go. Call you later.
She hung up.
Kim Jun looked at Go Cheolmin with serious eyes.
“Master, teach me Mukhon Gong.”
“I was planning to start once you're recovered anyway.”
“I want to begin today.”
“No.”
Go Cheolmin was firm.
“I'm totally fine.”
“That's your opinion. Besides, you fried my phone.”
“Deduct it from my salary.”
Kim Jun shot back playfully and headed inside.
After the meal, Go Cheolmin stepped out to the garden and paced by the pond.
His palms were bloodless and pale. His finger joints itched, and qi wouldn't flow through his hands or arms, leaving him deeply uncomfortable. Symptoms of dungeon sickness.
“Getting worse bit by bit.”
He knew the progression, but feeling it firsthand was unnerving.
Dungeon sickness ended in the loss of inner energy. Without it, could he still function as master? If word got out, Uramata Guild might have to shut down.
Fortunately, sensation returned to his hands soon enough.
Then Yoo Min-jeong approached and held out her phone.
“Master.”
“For me?”
“It's Min-su ajusshi.”
She whispered and retreated to the living room.
“Hello.”
―Heard you smashed your phone?
Choi Min-su's voice was as booming as ever.
“I've been pissed lately, and the phone was the only thing around to break.”
―Bottling it up doesn't help. But phones are pricey—find something else.
“You didn't call to joke, did you?”
―I'm at Wan-seop's garage. Mind if we talk?
“Of course.”
Go Cheolmin hurried to the garage. As the door rolled up, Choi Min-su strode in dressed like a casual weekend hiker.
Go Cheolmin eyed the ever-grinning senior, who ducked inside to escape the late summer sun.
Even after his son nearly died, he's the same as always.
“You okay?”
“Always am.”
Choi Min-su chuckled.
“How's Muhyun?”
“Full of energy. He said his body's stiff before a big match, so he's training like mad.”
“A match?”
Hearing that, Go Cheolmin thought, Choi Muhyun really is Choi Min-su's son.
“No idea what it's about. Won't tell me.”
Whatever the reason, Go Cheolmin was relieved Choi Muhyun wasn't wallowing in pointless self-blame.
“Why'd you come see me?”
“You've gotten impatient, kid.”
“Can you blame me?”
“I'm here for that boy.”
The boy was Kim Jun.
“Mind if I ask why?”
“You're the master—you should. I'm just a father here to thank the man who saved his son. No ulterior motives. You can even sit in if you want.”
“Understood. Please wait a moment.”
Go Cheolmin went back to the living room.
Alone, Choi Min-su admired the spacious garage and its wall of tools, letting out a whistle. The star was the Rolls-Royce.
“Wan-seop never invited me to a place like this. What a punk.”
Choi Min-su sidled up to the Rolls-Royce for a peek.
Choi Min-su waved as Kim Jun approached the garage.
Go Cheolmin, following, stopped about three meters back—a distance that let him eavesdrop naturally without intruding.
“You look good. Glad to see it.”
Choi Min-su said.
“Starting to feel alive again.”
Kim Jun sat beside him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw not Korea's top tanker, but a friend's warm dad.
Yet the cold, heavy aura radiating from his entire body screamed Choi Min-su's overwhelming power.
“No need to worry about family. They're with reliable people.”
“Thank you.”
“I should be thanking you. Saved Muhyun—I'm grateful. So, what do you want? I need to show my appreciation somehow.”
“Muhyun's my brother.”
Kim Jun was resolute.
“This is a golden chance for you. Think it over.”
“I want plenty, but not now.”
“If that's how you feel. Fine. Keep getting along with Muhyun.”
Kim Jun shook Choi Min-su's hand and headed back to the living room.
“You heard that? His answer when I asked what he wanted. Loved his face. Didn't expect him to shut it down flat. He knows what I can do and still says no need. Rare breed, even among raiders. Shame he's a carrier. I'd scoop him up otherwise.”
Go Cheolmin hit a button, and the garage door slid open slowly. The Hummer parked by the wall gleamed blindingly in the sunlight.
Choi Min-su climbed into the driver's seat. Go Cheolmin peered through the window at his senior.
“You really plan to grant Kim Jun's wish?”
“Do I look like a flake to you?”
Choi Min-su turned the key. The Hummer roared to life.
“I know what Kim Jun wants.”
“What?”
He cut the engine to focus.
“To be a raider.”
Choi Min-su's eyes sharpened.
“And?”
“Be his patron, Senior.”
“......”
The playfulness drained from Choi Min-su's face. He turned statue-still, studying his junior with sunken eyes before concluding it was sincere.
A carrier's patron!
Unprecedented.
The higher the fame and rank, the stricter the criteria for clients. A client's screw-up became the patron's liability.
No sane person would patron a carrier.
Go Cheolmin knew that full well—and made the absurd request anyway.
“If you become his patron, he can take the awakening test. Look at him now—he wields the Cheonroegeom freely. Yeon Ga raiders dream of calling him Cheonroegeom Master. He'd pass the test easy.”
Go Cheolmin started whispering, voice rising to a passionate crescendo.
Choi Min-su, who'd listened silently, finally spoke.
“You'd suit the role better.”
“I'd do it if I could.”
“No way.”
“I've got dungeon sickness.”
“That's why you quit tanking for master?”
“...Yes.”
“Tough as a bear, body and soul. Alright. I'll mull your proposal.”
Sunglasses on, Choi Min-su drove the Hummer around the corner and out of sight.
Go Cheolmin took a deep breath.
For Kim Jun's safety, this won't cut it. Cheonhondan can't guard him and his family forever. He needs to shed carrier status ASAP—and for that, he needs a powerhouse like Senior. Even Choi Min-su's influence might not be enough.
An shameless ask. He knew it better than anyone. But as master, he had to make it.
Go Cheolmin turned and entered the garage. The door slid shut behind him.