Living Legend's Condolence Money
"Ah…… fuuuck, for real. I get it now, a hundred—no, a thousand times over—why the original Ha Ohu brainwashed all these hero bastards and turned them into toilets……"
He hadn't played the full original game, but every review he'd seen without fail mentioned the word "toilet." If he'd been in a normal state of mind, he probably would've snapped from the humiliation, either charging at them screaming or harboring a burning thirst for revenge deep inside, walking the path to ruin. He felt it in his bones just how much this cruel, arrogant S-grade hero had contributed to the birth of the monster named Ha Ohu.
But fortunately, Ohu's brainstem was currently shielded by the strongest defense imaginable.
> 【Command: Endure, fuck. Today is Mother's funeral. Don't let those fucker bastards shake you. Erase the anger, you fucker.】
Thanks to the narcotic effect of that hypnosis, Ohu's emotions remained as calm as a leaf floating on still water, even as Rapid Star's bone-chilling barbs rained down. Inside, he was cursing "potato-faced old fucker asshole," but he didn't lose his reason to rage or let his face twist in fury. With emotionless eyes, Ohu stared at Rapid Star, letting all the abuse flow in one ear and out the other. He even felt a sense of relief that without this hypnosis app, he'd have already collapsed from sheer apoplexy.
"Father. That's enough."
At that moment, Ayoung stepped forward from where she'd been silently watching. Her high heels clicked as she approached, blocking the path of her father, who was spewing vitriol like a madman.
"He's just a young student who lost both parents in a horrific tragedy. I know you're saying it out of pity, Father, but you've crossed the line."
"What? What does this punk know……!"
"I said stop it. This is Sara's funeral hall."
Rapid Star clicked his tongue in displeasure and stepped back. Unfazed by her father's outburst, Ayoung approached Ohu. A subtle, luxurious perfume wafted from her. Even as she looked at Ohu's hideous appearance, she never once furrowed her brow or showed disgust. Instead, with a kind and courteous demeanor, she pulled a gold-embossed, high-end business card from her handbag and placed it gently in his hand.
「KHC Planning Coordinator Director
Park Ayoung」
"Student Ha Ohu. You must be heartbroken. Please don't take my father's words to heart—he's not in his right mind at the moment. Sara and I were like sisters back in the day."
Then, locking eyes with Ohu in sincere gaze, she continued.
"I've handled all the complicated financial matters like funeral costs and hospital bills on behalf of the Association, so you don't have to worry about money at all. And…… if you ever need help going forward—financially, legally, with jobs, whatever—just call this number anytime, day or night. I'll do everything I can to assist. Because you're Sara's son……"
The stark contrast in attitudes from the father and daughter toward the deceased's son left Ohu dumbfounded. The father who judged and scorned people by looks and ability, and the daughter who offered kindness without prejudice, extending a real lifeline.
"Mind your own business. Why…… are you acting like that half-awakened reject of yours? Giving a business card to some unawakened trash will just be a burden. Let's go."
Evidently displeased with Ayoung's actions, Rapid Star spat harshly and stormed out of the funeral hall first. Ayoung gave Ohu a small bow, then left with the other heroes.
Ohu stared quietly at the business card from Park Ayoung in his hand. Thanks to her practical financial help, he was freed from the pressure of corpse disposal and funeral costs for Deok-gu.
* * *
All the procedures were done. The funeral wreaths hanging in the hall were removed one by one. In the center of the now-empty funeral room, lit only by fluorescent lights, Ohu—still in mourning clothes—stood alone. He carefully cradled the white urn containing his mother, Shooting Star, from the table.
The cold porcelain pressed against his chest. Ohu stroked the urn, suppressing his grief. The three days he'd barely endured leaning on hypnosis were over. Now it was time to escape the sorrow and coldly calculate his survival ahead.
Yeah. I have to live. I've got Park Ayoung's card, and the hypnosis app in my pocket. If I use this right, I can survive on my own……
Ohu fiddled with the smartphone in his pocket, brainstorming dozens of survival scenarios using the hypnosis app.
But as he packed his bag and slung it over his shoulder to leave the funeral hall, his steps froze as if glued to the floor with bond.
The most fatal, primal reality remained.
"……Wait."
Ohu stared blankly into space. The urn in his arms felt unbearably heavy.
"Where…… the fuck do I go now?"
The home he should return to was, just days ago, the gruesome murder scene where his father got his head smashed while raping his mother, and his mother drowned herself in rage and despair. Forget the police tape—even after a hundred special cleanings, the blood and brains soaked into the floor, the rotten sludge festering in the tub, had permeated the apartment concrete deep enough to turn it into an uninhabitable biochemical wasteland, reeking to high hell.
Park Ayoung covered the funeral costs, but she didn't buy him a house or rent a room. Bank balance: zero. Parents: dead. Home: rotted to shit. All he had: a smartphone with the hypnosis app.
"Ah…… fuuuck."
Ohu bit his lip. He'd refunded the game in 1 hour and 59 minutes. He'd only seen one episode: the "Retired Hero: Shooting Star" storyline. He didn't know exactly what the original Ohu did next, but from reviews he'd skimmed while writing his own, the protagonist's path was disgustingly vile beyond imagination. Right after the parents' funeral, using the hypnosis app to exploit women's weaknesses, extort money, mercilessly turn them into sex slaves, and degenerate into a monster in hardcore fashion. That revulsion had solidified his decision to refund.
I don't wanna live like that sperm donor fucker, at least.
Moreover, the love from his mother Han Sara—etched deep into his brain by his own hypnosis—strongly triggered Ohu's petty bourgeois defenses. He might not be a righteous hero, but turning into a maggot who rapes people with the hypnosis app and extorts cash right after his noble mother's death? He'd rather die.
"Haa……"
Adjusting his bag strap, Ohu rummaged in his pocket. On the smartphone screen was a text from the detective handling the case.
And in his right pocket, he felt the crisp gold-embossed card from KHC Planning Coordinator Director Park Ayoung. A hollow laugh crept onto Ohu's lips.
Wait…… this can't be an eroge choice branch, can it……?
An ominous premonition hit him. This dead-end, pathetic situation. Orphan with nowhere to go. Obvious helpers' contacts right in front of him. It felt exactly like the footsteps the original Ha Ohu faced right before diving headfirst into depravity.
Who do I contact?
Between the righteous but poor romantic detective's offer, and the hero association exec—daughter of Rapid Star, scorned by her own father—extending kindness.
Ohu alternated glances between the smartphone and card in his hands.
"Um, excuse me…… bereaved family."
A timid, cowering voice snapped Ohu from his thoughts. Turning, he saw a funeral hall staffer in a black suit, hands trembling, holding a small black leather bag.
"What's this?"
Ohu asked with hollow, unfocused eyes. The staffer flinched, shoulders jerking back a step.
"Th-the…… condolence money bags left by the visitors with the guestbook…… All settled, so we were delivering directly to you……."
"Ah."
He'd forgotten. The only visitors were Detective Park and the heroes, so it'd slipped his mind.
"Thanks for your trouble. Just leave it."
Ohu gave a light nod and took the bag. The staffer bowed hastily, as if handing off a live bomb, and fled to the lobby.
Click.
Opening the zipper revealed it stuffed with white condolence envelopes.
"Not totally broke after all……"
Ohu muttered blankly. Glancing around, he started checking the contents one by one.
The first envelope's back had crude handwriting: 「Violent Crimes Unit 3 Detective Park Jinwoo」. Detective Park's. Inside: four crisp 50,000-won bills. 200,000 won. Generous for a beat cop on a tight salary—sincere comfort money.
Detective, thank you…… I won't forget this.
Ohu tucked Park's envelope away carefully.
Next, envelopes from veteran A- and B-grade heroes who'd shared life-and-death with Shooting Star over 20 years.
"……Huh?"
Ohu's eyes widened opening one.
1 million won……?
Each one? Heroes who staked their lives amassed wealth and fame beyond civilians.
Whoa…… insane, for real.
Ohu's heart raced. Finally, at the bag's bottom, the crispest, finest hanji envelope. Back boldly brushed: 「Rapid Star」.
Holding his breath, Ohu pried open the flap with trembling fingers. Inside: a single hefty check.
One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand, million……
Counting zeros, Ohu's jaw dropped.
"F-Five million won?!"
A 5-million-won cashier's check. After eyeing him like vermin and unleashing every vile insult, he'd slipped in an unimaginable fortune.
"Haha……."
A ridiculous laugh burst from Ohu. Korea's KHC living legend, S-grade hero. At his most cherished disciple's funeral after 20 years—returning as a wretched corpse. He must've loathed Ohu, the perpetrator's blood, but skimping on the funeral would've been impossible.
That tangled heart and arrogant pride manifested as 5 million won.
Mouth was foul, but…… 5 mil? Respect.
Ohu held the check to the fluorescent light. His third self-hypnosis command left his mental state subtly off-kilter, numb to everyday anger and shame. Normally, he might rage at buying off insults with cash. But facing dire survival and poverty, it was just a lifeline.
5 mil buys a hundred more of those rants. Hell, if he spat in my face, I'd thank him and lick his shoes.
Capitalism seeped into his bones. Ohu pulled out all the checks and tallied. Including the other heroes: about 15 million won.
Fuck yeah…… I got money. Won't starve anytime soon.
Clutching the wad to his chest, Ohu exhaled in relief.