Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: A Man Speaks with His Back
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"..."
On the way home, Chairman Bal Ji-un stared out the car window, lost in thought.
'Bal Jeong-nam and Steel Armor aren't the same person?'
'We can't say for sure yet, but the odds are leaning that way.'
'Didn't you say there was a 95% chance they were the same?'
'I saw the two of them together.'
'...Together?'
'To be precise, your son was walking down the street, while Steel Armor was leaping across rooftops.'
'Leaping across rooftops? You're not saying Steel Armor is targeting my son, are you? I heard the Gwen family had a girl kidnapped recently. Steel Armor's the prime suspect.'
'That's not confirmed either. Oh, but Steel Armor didn't seem to be after your son. They were moving in opposite directions.'
'Hmm...'
When he'd heard Campbell's report, Chairman Bal Ji-un couldn't hide his surprise. At the time, Campbell had pegged the odds of his son being Steel Armor at 95%. And everyone knew Campbell's 95% was as good as anyone else's 100%.
But Bal Ji-un just couldn't wrap his head around his son being Steel Armor. Grasping at straws, he'd ordered continued surveillance on the boy.
And those straws had turned out to be a lifeline!
Of course, it might not be definitive. Steel Armor wore a mask; he could easily use a body double. Campbell had pointed that out and promised to keep tailing him.
Still, the odds were back to 50-50. That's why, before leaving the police station, Bal Ji-un had left his son with some "advice" disguised as fatherly wisdom.
'Power isn't for the front lines—it's for the shadows. Use it upfront, and everyone hates you. Use it from behind, and no one knows. So if you don't want trouble, hide who you are and strike from the dark. Manage your image. Got it?'
If you really are Steel Armor, move in the shadows and let no one uncover your identity!
That was the hidden meaning in the words Bal Ji-un had left his son.
"Um... Chairman?"
"Huh? Oh, what is it?"
Secretary Chief Miles snapped Chairman Bal Ji-un out of his reverie.
"It's confirmed."
"Good. Let me see."
Miles handed over the tablet PC he'd been holding. It contained personal records on the people they'd seen at the police station just moments ago. With his boundless wealth and influence, Chairman Bal Ji-un could dig up anyone's dirt anytime.
"Oh ho? All from well-off families? Well, well—these guys? Ex-mob boss? No wonder he grabbed my boy's collar. Like father, like son. Bullying, violence... oh? Rape too? And they're minors?"
"What should we do?"
"What do you think? Clean them up."
"Understood."
Clean them up.
Those three words sealed the fates of everyone at that police station.
The corridor was quiet, as expected for the late hour.
'Really quiet.'
After leaving the police station, I'd stopped by the hospital where Emily—Rachel's mom—was admitted, to check on her condition.
She'd been shot in the gut and dying when I rushed her here and covered the bill. I'd also rescued the kidnapped Rachel alongside the S-rank hero Memory Hunter. Somehow, I'd ended up as the mother-daughter duo's protector.
'But where's the dad?'
Come to think of it, I'd never seen Rachel's father.
'There was a family photo last time.'
When I'd gone to their wrecked apartment to help the shot Emily, I'd spotted a family picture amid the chaos. Emily beaming while holding what looked like baby Rachel, next to a man.
If they'd divorced, the photo would've been gone first. So probably not.
'Dead? Or off earning a living far away?'
Likely the latter. Their place didn't scream money, which was why I'd footed the hospital bill.
Anyway, as I walked the halls looking for Emily's room, I spotted a nurse on night duty.
'Oh? It's Su-jeong.'
Coincidence? The nurse on shift was Bae Su-jeong, one of my harem prospects.
Bold enough to speak her mind to my infamous face, yet she'd tuck tail at the slightest raised voice. Adorably contradictory.
"Mm..."
Exhausted, she dozed in her chair. I couldn't help a smirk.
Tap tap!
I rapped the desk, but she was out cold. Clearing my throat, I leaned in and whispered by her ear.
"Nurse! Emergency patient!"
"Wha—emergency?! Where? Where?!"
At "emergency patient," Nurse Bae Su-jeong bolted up, dazedly scanning around. Then she spotted me looming over her and her eyes went wide.
"Hey. Long time no see. Sleep well?"
"S-S-S-Stee—mmph?!"
"Shh. Patients are sleeping. Keep it down."
For the record, I was in Steel Armor's signature skull-mask and a suit. I'd had my clone back home fetch it. The grumbling when it handed it over...
And since I hadn't tailored it yet, it was just a plain suit.
"You'll be quiet, right?"
Nod nod nod nod nod!
Nurse Bae Su-jeong nodded frantically at my words. I slowly released her mouth.
"Wh-what are you doing here? D-don't tell me...!"
"Huh? Don't tell you what?"
Shuffle shuffle— She backed away, hands over her chest.
"You're gonna..."
"Gonna?"
"Rape me?!"
"..."
I stared at Nurse Bae Su-jeong, who was seriously misunderstanding, in utter bewilderment.
Rape, huh... Not a bad idea? I'd only gotten a blowjob from Ellis, no full sex, leaving me unsatisfied. Pin her down, make her mine...
The thought crossed my mind briefly, but I didn't act on it.
I'm not some scumbag who rapes women. Right? Yuna, why the glare?
'Grrr! My bad-boy meter is filling up!'
She really thought I'd come to rape her—shaking like a terrified bunny. Watching her, my sadistic side stirred.
Time for a little fun?
"Wh-why are you coming closer?!"
"Shh. I said keep quiet. If you're loud and someone sees me, what do you think happens?"
"No! Don't hurt anyone else!"
"Then stay quiet. No matter what I do to you."
"Y-you... evil bastard..."
Backing into the corner as I closed in, Nurse Bae Su-jeong teared up and bowed her head. I grabbed her chin, tilting it up, then slowly leaned in.
"Ah, aaa..."
As my face neared, she shut her eyes in resignation, like she'd given up. Hmm... Went too far?
I'd planned a stolen kiss, but that expression called for mercy.
Flick.
"Huh? Why'd you close your eyes?"
"...Huh?"
"Phew! Had some dust in your hair."
"...Wha?"
I flicked off the speck from her hair and turned away without lingering. Now she looked flustered. Heh heh heh!
"Anyway, which room's Rachel's mom in? The one I asked about last time. Wanted to check her recovery, but can't find it."
"Uh, wha? Wah! I don't know!"
Realizing her massive mix-up, Nurse Bae Su-jeong covered her face and slumped to the floor. So cute! Heh heh heh!
"Nurse Bae Su-jeong? What's wrong? If you're free, mind showing me? I can't find it."
"Wah! Leave me alone!"
"Pfft!"
Seeing her mortified grimace, I finally burst out laughing.
I gazed at sleeping Emily and Rachel holding her hand. Surgery had gone perfectly; she was recovering fast.
"So, when can she be discharged?"
"Latest is next week."
"Good to hear."
"Um..."
"Yeah?"
Nurse Bae Su-jeong hesitated before asking cautiously.
"You're really not involved with Emily, right?"
"Told you. Why? Oh, don't tell me?"
A naughty thought flitted by. Oh my. Another woman falling for my devilish charm? Ahh... my ocean-deep allure is terrifying. Once hooked, no escape!
"When are you free?"
"Huh?"
"If you wanna sleep with me, just say. I'll drop everything."
"How can you say that so casually?! And I have zero desire to sleep with you!"
"Heh. Naughty little doe. No need to hide it. My heart's big enough for you."
"I'm not hiding! Because I don't like you! How do you hide not liking someone?! Are you insane?!"
"Insane? You calling me crazy? Want me to show you real crazy?"
"No... it was just a figure of speech. Why get all serious..."
Heh heh heh! Tail tucked right away. Too cute.
"If you don't like me, why ask about me and Emily?"
"Well... Hero Association staff kept coming by."
"Hm?"
"They figured since Steel Armor brought Emily here and paid the bill, she's connected. I said she needs rest, no interrogations, but they questioned her anyway."
"...Interrogating a sick woman? The Hero Association?"
Those bastards?
"Yes..."
"Thanks for the heads-up. But why tell me?"
"Well..."
She glanced at me, then spoke.
"You don't seem like a villain."
"Me?"
"Yeah. What villain hauls a dying woman to the hospital and pays her bill? You saved Rachel too. The world doesn't call people like that villains. Saints. Or heroes."
"Heh."
"Why laugh?"
"I'm no saint. Definitely no hero. I'm a villain, through and through."
"But..."
Seems helping Emily had earned her goodwill.
Even after I flat-out said "villain," she couldn't accept it. Amusing.
I had no intention of convincing her.
"Think what you want. The world sees me as a villain, and so do I. Thanks for seeing some good in me, though. As thanks..."
"Ah?!"
I pulled her phone from her pocket. No one here uses locks? Duran neither.
I called my burner from hers.
"That's my number. Call anytime you miss me."
"Wh-why would I call you?!"
"Try not calling. Then I'll kidnap you."
"K-Kidnap?!"
"Anyway, Emily looks fine, so I'm off. Keep up the good work. Oh, and take this."
"Huh? Money? Gasp! Five hundred dollars?!"
She panicked at the cash thrust into her hands. Five hundred bucks shocks her that much? Just an average citizen. But I'm a chaebol!
"Bribe to look after Rachel. Get her some treats too."
"T-too much! I already buy her snacks and drinks on my own dime."
Ho? Buying snacks for a stranger's kid? Good heart. One step closer to harem status.
"Buy more and tastier ones. Problem solved. Call if you miss me. I'm out."
"Hey! Hey!"
Nurse Bae Su-jeong called after me, but I didn't look back.
A man speaks with his back!
Adios!