Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Refusing the Transfer
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"It's not a contract that can be transferred."
I said while looking down at the contract Tak Dong-yeon had held out to me.
"That's something our legal team will take care of. All Hunter Lee Ji-seok needs to do is sign this contract transfer and waiver document and take the money."
"Hmm... So, where are you really from?"
"Pardon?"
"You're not from an agency, that's for sure."
"You're right. Here's my business card."
"You're not even a Hunter, but you've got no fear."
I picked up the teaspoon from my teacup and folded it in half.
I kept folding it in half, over and over. The metal spoon bent as easily as a piece of paper.
Tak Dong-yeon swallowed hard.
"Where?"
"...From Shinwoo."
"Shinwoo? A big corporation? Why would they send you to scam me?"
"The contract offer is real. If 20% isn't enough, we'll make it 50%."
This is legit.
"What are you planning to do to Na Young?"
"That's not something Hunter Lee Ji-seok needs to worry about."
"Hey now... You're pissing me off again."
The teaspoon had been folded so many times it was almost a ball now. I pinched the metal sphere between my middle finger and thumb and flicked it.
The metal ball left my hand, grazed Tak Dong-yeon's ear, and embedded itself in the wall. As it compressed, it heated up, and smoke rose where it hit the wall.
"Argh!"
The tip of Tak Dong-yeon's ear was torn off a bit.
"Oh dear... You okay?"
I stood up, handed him some tissue, and headed to the kitchen.
"Do... do you think you can get away with this?"
Without answering, I grabbed a bunch of spoons from the kitchen drawer and dumped them clattering onto the table in front of the sofa. Then I picked one up and started shaping it into a ball.
"So... what were you going to do to Na Young?"
I began folding the spoon.
"I... I don't know... My boss just told me to come here..."
Tak Dong-yeon wrapped his ear in tissue, sweat dripping as he spoke.
"You seem to know something."
I could tell he harbored no direct hostility or killing intent toward me, but he was lying intermittently.
"I'll be going now."
He reached for the contract, but I pressed down hard on it with my hand.
"Leave this behind."
Tak Dong-yeon looked troubled, glancing between the ball on my finger and the contract before pulling his hand back.
Part of me wanted to grab him and interrogate him, but unless I was going to kill him and bury him in the backyard, I couldn't push further without complications. I could investigate gradually.
"I won't go far."
After watching Tak Dong-yeon flee the house, I picked up my phone.
"Hello."
Na Young answered.
"Na Young, how's your mother doing?"
"Thanks to you, she's completely recovered. She's thanked you endlessly."
I'd used the purchased elixir alongside the surgery, and everything had gone perfectly. She seemed fully healed now.
"No need to thank me. But I have one question. Has anything happened with Shinwoo?"
"Why do you ask?"
Na Young's bright voice darkened.
"Someone from Shinwoo came by and demanded I transfer your contract rights to them."
"...Did you?"
"No. That would breach the contract. I keep my promises."
"Thank you. I didn't think they'd come to you."
"What's going on?"
"The son of the Shinwoo Group chairman... He's been stalking me for a while. When I refused, he kept sending people after me. After my mom got sick, he brought a contract promising an elixir, but it was outrageous. No guarantee of treatment for her, and it would have completely shackled my freedom."
Na Young's usually gentle voice was laced with anger and disgust. When I'd first mentioned the contract, she hadn't seemed expectant—that must've been why.
"He even spread rumors about my skill to make it hard for me to find a party. If my mom's condition had worsened further, I might've signed no matter what. No... If you hadn't shown up, I probably would've signed in desperation, like grasping at straws."
"You don't have to worry anymore. Your mom's better, and I'm not transferring the contract."
"Thank you."
I could hear Na Young sniffling over the phone.
"Then spend some good time with your mom and come back whenever you're ready."
"No, I'll be at work tomorrow."
"Alright? See you tomorrow then."
After hanging up, I wasn't in the mood to hit a Gate, so I took the rest of the day to rest.
* * *
"Is this Ji-seok?"
An unfamiliar number, and an older woman's voice.
"Yes, who's this?"
"I work at the restaurant with your mom, Seon-ok."
Someone who worked with my mother at the restaurant.
"Oh, hello. What brings you to call?"
"Judging by your reaction, you don't know what happened yesterday? I thought it was weird when your mom showed up for work."
"Yesterday?"
"Some thug came in yesterday and caused a scene. He singled out your mom, yelling and throwing things everywhere. He threw a beer mug, and a shard scratched her face when it shattered."
The unexpected news made my head boil with rage.
"Was she hurt badly?"
I suppressed my anger and asked calmly.
"It's not a big injury. She was just really shaken up. The boss told her to take today off, but she came in anyway. The guy yelled something about raising his son right before leaving, so I called in case you knew anything."
"Thanks for calling. I'm heading to the restaurant right now."
"It's not my business, but Seon-ok isn't like other people to me, so I had to call."
"Thank you."
I hung up and headed to my mother's restaurant.
When I walked in, I saw her working with a big bandage on her face.
My head had been spinning earlier, but seeing her injured made the world turn red. In my previous life, there hadn't been any major threats to her at this point, so I'd let my guard down.
"Oh, Ji-seok, what brings you here without calling?"
"Mom... Are you okay?"
"This? It's nothing."
"I'm sorry... Mom, because of me. But can't you quit working now?"
It was my fault, but I couldn't guard her there all day.
"We talked about this before. I have to work, so let's discuss it later."
"Sister. Sister. It's slow right now, so go chat in the back room."
It was the voice from the phone. The auntie dragged my reluctant mom into the private room and gestured for me to follow.
"Thank you."
I bowed deeply in gratitude.
"Mom, have a seat."
Once she sat down grudgingly, I told her everything that had happened with Na Young, including Shinwoo coming to demand the contract transfer and my refusal.
"Mom, I'm sorry because of me."
"No. You did the right thing. No need to listen to thugs trying to harm a young woman."
"So, can't you quit now? I think I can handle things right when they happen if you're safe."
My mother listened quietly.
"Alright. Let's do that."
"Mom, good thinking. Let's go right now."
"Today? Right now?"
"The boss said to take today off anyway, right? Come on."
"Hye-ja was acting weird earlier—she called you?"
"Yes."
My mom went out, bowed to the restaurant owner, and apologized.
"I'm sorry for leaving so suddenly."
"It's fine. Hard to replace someone who works as well as you, Seon-ok, but what can we do."
"Thank you for understanding."
Mom bowed politely to the owner.
"I'll grab your clothes and stuff, Mom."
"Okay."
While Mom changed, I approached the owner.
"Boss, I'm sorry. I heard yesterday's incident was because of me."
"No~ We should've protected your mom better. Sorry about that. Police said they'd look into it, but no updates."
"No, it's not that. Any damages? I'll compensate."
"Nah, nothing. None."
"Really? Call me if you think of anything later. And one request: Can you send me yesterday's CCTV footage?"
I handed over my business card.
"Sure."
Glad he's reasonable.
From there, we went to Mom's place, packed essentials, and headed to the Hanam house. The rest could be handled by a moving company.
"Mom, this is Jae-in. She lives next door and works at her workshop."
"Pleasure~"
Mom greeted warmly first.
"Pleasure to meet you."
Jae-in bowed too.
"Mom, go ahead and unpack. I'll talk with Jae-in and join you. Oh, and besides food, don't touch anything in the fridge—it's Gate materials. I'll move them later."
"Got it~"
After confirming Mom went inside, I turned to Jae-in.
"Jae-in, from now on, prioritize making defense and security items for this house. No skimping on money or materials. Let me know if you need anything."
"You okay? Your face looks scary."
I thought I was handling it calmly, but it showed.
"I'm fine. Just some pests buzzing around. Thanks."
"Yes."
I left Jae-in's workshop, called Na Young, and told her about Mom's incident.
"I'm sorry... I didn't think they'd go this far. Transfer my contract to Shinwoo. Then they won't touch you anymore."
"No, that's not why I told you. I'm not backing out because of a pathetic threat like this. I called your mom too—bring her to my place. House is big enough for two more."
"What? No, I couldn't."
"If something happens to you or your mom, it bothers me too. We'll install security, so after that, you moms can stay home safely while I go out. Just until it's resolved."
I don't plan to let it drag on.
"I'll talk to Mom."
After consulting, Na Young and her mom moved in.
"We're so sorry. Because of us."
Na Young's mom bowed so low her head nearly touched the floor to me and my mom.
"Oh, don't do that. It's those jerks' fault, not yours."
"Still, Na Young owes your son a lot. Thank you."
Na Young must get her manners from her mom.
I let them unpack and continued the renovations. Hired a private security firm to build a fence and install cameras while Jae-in scattered magic items everywhere.
Early ones were experimental, but later she added advanced ones, layering defenses multiple times.
"What's this?"
I asked Jae-in about the orb atop a pillar in the yard.
"It's an item that electrocutes intruders."
"Can I test it?"
"How?"
"I'll take a hit."
I walked straight toward the orb. Lightning poured out toward me.
Zzzzap!
My muscles contracted with the discharge sound. It hurt about as much as the Fireball from that fairy.
The discharge lasted a few seconds.
"Whew... Not bad? Even decent Hunters couldn't take it. Install more."
"This uses a ton of magic stones. It'll cost a lot."
"Doesn't matter. Keep going."
I gave Jae-in various requests, then went to Na Young.
"Na Young, if anything happens, get in the panic room, close the blinds, and hold out. I'll be right there."
Her blinds could buy time even without me.
"Where are you going?"
"Got some business."
Security was set up enough. Time to hunt the bastard down.
Watching the restaurant footage nearly burst my blood vessels. He was screaming at the top of his lungs, causing such a scene he drew everyone's eyes.
Then he threw a mug; it shattered on the floor. One shard oddly flew and hit Mom's face. He flinched, so probably no intent to injure, but I wasn't letting it slide.
I'd sent his photo to a few local investigators, and one called today.