Murim's Byun Gang-soe (Complete)
Sado Alliance Leader Wi Ja-hyeong. A tremendous master who gathered all the utterly wicked warriors of the Sapa under one banner. He bound together these free-spirited rogues under a single code of discipline—truly the iron-blooded leader incarnate. A cold-blooded man from whom not a single drop of warm blood would spill even if pricked with a needle. That was the kind of guy he was.
And what about those eyes? His long, narrow slits always hid his gaze, making it impossible to read his thoughts. Even veteran masters who'd seen it all couldn't fully pierce the mind of this newly ascended leader.
They said that when he opened his eyes, his sealed power rampaged wildly—hence, Sealed Eyes. It was perhaps inevitable that Wi Ja-hyeong's moniker became Sealed Eyes. It was thanks to this reputation that the most murderous, heinous Sapa warriors were bound by one code and lived accordingly.
But he had one deeply secret hobby that no one knew about.
"Horangi! Doyeya! Come to Daddy, our little Nangnang too!"
He was the Murim's very own cat daddy.
"Uwujju. Did you sleep well last night? Come here, let me wipe those eye boogers."
At that moment, countless stray cats swarmed to Wi Ja-hyeong's residence for food.
For some reason, one was missing.
"...? Horangi? Kids, where's Horangi?"
-Meooow!
-Nyaaoong!
Wi Ja-hyeong searched the rafters, checked under the stairs, but Horangi was nowhere.
"Ho... Horangi......."
Had a real tiger dragged her off? The faithful Horangi who always came for her dried fish had vanished.
Sealed Eyes flashed open.
In that instant, every alliance member present sensed it instinctively: We're dead if we're not careful!
Mighty internal energy scattered into the air, and his deathly cold expression was utterly terrifying.
Soon, a flat voice emerged from the leader's lips.
"Find her. Now."
Wi Ja-hyeong, the alliance leader, raised his index finger with a faint smile as he gazed at Hwa Hyo-seon.
Why is the Seven Villages Chief here?
Why is the leader here?
They shared the same thought, but neither voiced it.
"Ah, Hyo-seon, this is the cat's owner."
Hwa Hyo-seon couldn't help but jolt in surprise. Sealed Eyes. The infamous leader whose rumors filled even the Sado Alliance, though she'd never exchanged words with him despite recognizing his face.
The iron-blooded leader, a man from whom no blood would spill even if stabbed...
That matched the rumors she'd heard. But what the hell was this?
Why was the man who wouldn't bleed if stabbed cradling a cat and cooing uwujju—and looking so blissfully happy about it?
"Aigoo, our Horangi. Is the churu that tasty?"
-Nyaang!
"Answering me too! Such a smart girl! Kyahat! So cuwte!"
Kya... kyahat? Cuwte...?
Hwa Hyo-seon broke out in cold sweat, as if she'd overheard something she absolutely shouldn't have.
"Ah, boss. You found Horangi and even protected her. If there's anything you want, just say it."
Anything he wanted? I pondered deeply. Obviously, the convenience store's safety. Sure, there were bandits, but in this eat-or-be-eaten Murim world, stronger foes could always show up.
But I held my tongue. Would he really grant a wish if I asked?
"How far would you go?"
"How far do you want?"
"Hm."
That dopey grin. I'd wondered if those slit eyes hid immense power, but that silly smile had chased the thought away ages ago.
The more I looked, the less familiar he seemed. Like a minor character from some novel who'd popped up once or twice, not memorable enough to stick—clearly less notable than the Jang siblings.
I shook my head inwardly at the thought. Better than some random bum promising to guard the store.
"Nah, forget it. You didn't do it expecting anything. You bought churu, so we're good."
"Hey now, I could really grant one wish."
"Save that wish for your cats. Just don't lose Horangi again."
"You sure... it's okay?"
"If it bothers you that much, come by often with Horangi for churu or cans! We're adding scratchers, cat towers... anyway, more cat stuff soon. Buy lots, customer!"
Wi Ja-hyeong chuckled at my words. What a cheeky bastard. Operating an inn with bandits right in Sapa territory, and he doesn't even recognize the alliance leader.
I hadn't planned to hide it from the start, but seeing the oblivious owner made concealing it amusing.
"Fine, then. I'll visit often."
To Hwa Hyo-seon, those words were chilling. Her lofty superior dropping by frequently? Nothing more uncomfortable.
Unaware or uncaring of her feelings, Wi Ja-hyeong pushed open the convenience store door with his faint smile, then paused.
-Watch your mouth.
A crisp transmission to Hwa Hyo-seon. Tense as she was, she blurted it out loud instead of replying mentally.
"Yes, yes!!"
"Huh?"
"What's up? Why're you sweating so much? Hot outside?"
"Ah, no, it's..."
By the time Hwa Hyo-seon turned, Wi Ja-hyeong had already vanished.
The next day.
"Welcome!"
"Hwa-yeon! Two bowls of Chilgaejang here!"
"Hey, take two at a time—how long will it take if you grab one by one?"
"S-sorry, sis!"
Business boomed as usual. The store's top sellers lately were still Namen, and the hamburgers the Jang siblings had tried.
Hwa Hyo-seon kept watch from the big rock as always, scanning for troublemakers, while Yoo Hwa-yeon, me, and the bandits handled the work.
I'd wanted to put her to work, but nah—it was better if she didn't. She had irredeemably clumsy hands. Who knew how many ramen bowls she'd ruined?
After the customer rush, dusk settled in before I knew it. Staring endlessly at the Ghost Soul Great Forest entrance from outside, I headed back in as foot traffic thinned.
"Good work, everyone. Let's close early today."
I was set to meet Cheon Hyang later. She'd said she had something for me, told me to come to that pond.
Yoo Hwa-yeon went to set up bedding in the break room, I sent the bandits and Hwa Hyo-seon back to the Seven Villages, and was about to lock up when—
Clunk.
Suddenly, a man grabbed the door handle.
"Boss, got any food?"
"Just now? Uh, everyone's clocked out..."
"I'm starving... Can't you manage?"
Fine. Just one guy, should be okay.
"Come in."
I opened the door, and—
"Alright, kids, let's go."
Kids?
"Whoaaa!"
"It's sparkling!"
"Whoa, jackpot!"
"Hey! Don't push!"
"Kids, quiet down now that we're at the inn."
"Yeees, big bro!"
"Uwoong!"
"Cheep cheep! Let's fold our wings!"
What the—? They just kept pouring in, no end in sight!!!
As I stood there dumbfounded, the man scratched his head sheepishly.
"Ah, haha... Too many, right? Sorry about this."
Sorry? That's what you say to someone trying to clock out?
Were they on a field trip from some Murim kindergarten?
Whatever, no helping it. Sorry, Cheon Hyang, but it'd have to wait. Couldn't turn away starving folks.
I approached Hyeok waiting outside.
"Tell her I'm sorry. I'll buy her something tasty next time."
"......"
Hyeok vanished without a word. Still mad at me?
Inside, it was chaos. Kids running wild like it was their home, while the biggest kid and two adults tried to calm them.
At least nothing broke. Rowdy, but they weren't the type to mishandle others' stuff.
"What'll it be?"
"I, uh, heard you have a bestseller here."
"Ah, Namen?"
I glanced at the kids as I asked.
"For them too, all of it...?"
"Pretty pricey, huh?"
One, two, three, four... Seven kids alone. One not even past toddler age, another barely three. Too spicy and intense for those two.
"Th-those two little ones can't handle it. It's salty, spicy, stimulating."
"Ah, then what..."
A sudden idea hit.
"We have porridge too. How about that?"
"Oh, porridge! Yes, please. And the cheapest Namen... hehe."
I called Yoo Hwa-yeon to prep nine servings total. Seven Namen, two porridges.
As I readied the budget Chilgaejang, curiosity struck. Real kindergarten? Or family? Not all resembled each other, so...
"Hey, Hwa-yeon."
"Yeah?"
"Does Murim have kindergartens?"
"Kinder...garten? Like a playground for young kids?"
"Close enough."
"Yeah, places that gather and raise kids exist. Usually affiliated with famous orthodox sects. They enter young for training."
Hmm, got it. I eyed them again. Didn't seem like sect kids. No uniforms either.
Family, then? Seven Namen and two porridges ready. Loaded onto two big trays and took to their table.
I glanced over, and the man said,
"We don't look alike, do we?"
"Pardon?"
"Heh, felt your piercing stare from way back."
Not sure about here, but in Korea, staring is rude. I bowed my head quick.
"Sorry! Just curiosity. If it bothered you, I apologize..."
"No, no! Not like that."
He personally lifted my shoulders. Not angry—smiling.
"I'm used to those looks. No secret anyway."
"Then...?"
"Family. First wife passed from illness, took a second. These kids onward are half-siblings."
He pulled the fourth kid into a hug.
Whoa, seven kids. Total patriot, huh? Is this why China's population exploded?
"Seven kids—impressive."
"Heh! Just this."
Flustered by the praise, his face suddenly clouded over.
"Store's still open."
"Huh?"
"Meaning she might get pregnant again anytime."
He sighed.
"Raising seven siblings is tough enough. Eight..."
Crazy. Murim's Byun Gang-soe?
"Ha. Next door had their twelfth kid yesterday—talking about selling the house. The one after that popped out their tenth."
....... Seven was below average?
"Might have to sell our house too. Worked day and night nonstop just to afford today's Namen."
Nine mouths per meal? Massive bill. No birth subsidies in Murim.
"Must be tough."
"Thanks."
"Parents have it hard in any world."
Made me think of my own mom, broken because of me. I don't resent her—she's human too. Just, seeing this family stirred memories of mine after so long.
"Enjoy."
One bowl each for the two adults. I turned to lock up before more customers.
As I reached for the latch—
"Urk!"
A retch.
"Dear? No way...?"
"Uwup!"
"E-eighth!???"
"G-got back from Paradise Elixir yesterday... Buddha told my fortune..."
"Sh-should've sent you moderately to Paradise! I'm sorry! C-can't control it!"
"Daaaddy, nooo! Why always good stuff when I go?"
"Dad. How do you go to Paradise while alive?"
"Uh, huh? Never mind. Eat your noodles."
I instinctively eyed the daily goods shelf.
'Ultra-Thin Condoms 3-Pack' Gotta sell those.
Ah. Not jealous. Absolutely not!!