The Forgotten Son
Jeong Soo-ah glanced at the TV upon seeing my deeply furrowed brow.
Unlike others who simply assumed it was a monster disguised as a human, she knew the full details and quietly gauged the mood before speaking.
Yu Cheol-yeong. A frightening man, isn't he?
...You know about him?
Our connections were completely severed by now, but Grandfather had some ties back in the day.
Jeong Soo-ah spoke calmly, unfazed by the gathered stares, and continued.
He's the only one on our side with no flaws whatsoever. No weaknesses, not a single point of leverage. Yet his influence is immense—that's what makes him truly terrifying.
Does the underworld have lines to him?
He seems to have fallen out completely after that last incident, but who knows? He might have forged new ones.
I followed her low murmur with a quick glance.
The TV screen had already shifted to news about another presidential candidate.
Jeong Soo-ah, watching alongside me, asked quietly.
Shall I look into it separately?
...No. I have no intention of getting deeply entangled.
Understood.
I let out a sigh at her curt response.
I'd planned to finish my revenge and head straight to another great labyrinth, but things were veering off course.
First, I needed to meet my sister, Yu Hwa-yeong.
I had a vague sense of why she was acting this way, but the full story had to come from her directly.
With that, I left Jeong Soo-ah's office to see my sister.
Snow and the children didn't come along.
The conversation with my sister was just that—a conversation between siblings—so while Snow might have been fine, bringing the kids was out of the question.
Instead, Snow and the children decided to check out the house Jeong Soo-ah had prepared.
The place I'd casually asked her to arrange earlier was finally ready.
According to Jeong Soo-ah, it was an ultra-luxurious setup into which she'd poured endless funds, but with my head aching over my sister, I barely registered it.
Under Jeong Soo-ah's guidance, Snow and the children set off to see the new house, accompanied by most of my subordinates, starting with Song Jae-ha, who insisted on escorting them.
Why most and not all? Because one had stuck to me.
I turned to glance at Baek Jang-mi—White Rose—beaming radiantly.
Why'd you follow me?
Doesn't someone need to attend to the master? she replied with a playful lilt.
I don't need that.
What if mysterious assailants attack?
Do I seem like I'd be in danger?
Of course not—the assailants would be. But why use a dragon-slaying blade to kill a chicken... er, a rat?
...How do you know I slew a dragon?
Oh? You took down a dragon too? Sounds like you had quite the adventure in the labyrinth. Tell me all about it later.
I stared at White Rose, her face blooming with unending smiles, before looking away.
No point arguing; she'd just keep following. And having her along wouldn't cause issues anyway.
For all her airs, her perceptiveness was uncanny—she'd handle herself when needed.
We arrived at my sister's place.
Several suspicious presences lingered near the building housing her penthouse.
My, your sister must be quite beloved. Such fine guards.
Don't make me laugh. Guards? This is surveillance.
I clicked my tongue lowly, scanning the surroundings.
Dozens of presences at least B-rank, mixed with a few higher. Most shockingly, several S-ranks among them.
A sigh like a lament escaped my lips.
What should we do? Want me to draw their attention?
...No. I just planned to show my face quietly today.
As I spoke flatly, I confirmed the presences hidden all around.
How did an unawakened civilian command so many hunters?
Did his influence run deeper than I'd thought?
Suddenly, an old conversation with my sister resurfaced.
She'd said she didn't know the full extent of Yu Cheol-yeong's roots in the hunter world.
Today, I truly felt it.
He's even more formidable than I realized.
With a light sigh, I slipped toward her place, cloaked in silence.
Yu Cheol-yeong, that madman, had even stationed people right at the front door.
An S-rank hunter and an A-rank stood guard solidly.
Fine way for a father to treat his only daughter.
I'd meant to just peek in quietly, but this wouldn't do.
Using my Magic Eye, I subdued them instantly.
Surprisingly, the A-rank's will seemed firmer than the S-rank's, but before my overwhelming force, even that crumbled quickly.
Leaving them dazed, staring blankly into the distance, I slipped quietly inside.
In the dim living room, on the sofa where Suli and the kids used to play, she sat alone, forlorn.
...Yu Hwa-yeong.
At my low call, she jerked her head up from where she'd buried her face.
Her eyes widened in disbelief at our meeting gaze—pitifully so.
A surge of irritation made me click my tongue involuntarily.
What are you doing sitting here in the dark like a beggar?
...Oppa?
She blinked blankly, and I nodded slowly.
With S-rank speed like lightning, she flung herself into my arms.
Dad... sob... to me... hic... even though I hate it...
I gently stroked the head of the girl who burst into sobs she couldn't hold back.
Before coming, I'd wondered why an S-rank like her wasn't resisting, but now I understood.
A man deploying dozens of hunters to watch his daughter—how could a mere S-rank upstart do anything?
Especially after years of it; submission to him was etched into her instincts.
I comforted her endless tears for a while.
Don't worry. I'll handle everything.
She nodded vigorously at my steady words.
Watching her, Suli came to mind.
Even at her age, she seemed like a child—still spoiled.
Who could possibly take this brat on?
Someone stronger than me, at least.
...Does a man like that even exist in this world? Why not just say you'll never let me marry?
I quietly ignored White Rose's murmur.
Late at night, in the dim study of his home, Yu Cheol-yeong rubbed his weary eyes.
With the election looming, tasks and plans piled up endlessly.
Truth be told, Yu Cheol-yeong wasn't worried about the election itself.
The other candidates were half-baked nobodies; at this rate, victory was all but assured.
What plagued him now was entirely different: post-election matters.
Leading a small nation like Korea demanded attention to countless details.
SS-rank hunters... Great for national power, but if they can't be controlled, they're worse than useless.
A dozen obedient SA-rank hunters beat one defiant SS-rank, didn't they?
Yu Cheol-yeong shook his head at the thought.
No helping it now that SS-ranks had emerged.
Better to devise ways to control them.
Politicians maximized what they had, after all.
I'll have to coordinate carefully with Association President No Gwan-sik... I hear that SS-rank hunter lady isn't married yet? If only Jun-young, that boy, were still alive...
Recalling his missing son from years ago, Yu Cheol-yeong clicked his tongue briefly.
Rebellious in life, useless even in death—that fool of a son.
Compared to him, his daughter?
She'd shown recent defiance, but a taste of harsh reality had her bowing her head again, as before.
She'd chased her brother's footsteps into the labyrinths as a hunter, somehow reaching S-rank—surprising, but no real issue.
Not anymore; an S-rank was nothing to him now.
To Yu Cheol-yeong, his children and family were mere ornaments, accessories to enhance his shine.
That said, he wasn't devoid of affection.
As a man, he loved and cherished his family in his own way.
But greater values overshadowed them.
For grander pursuits, he could be as cold and ruthless a father as needed.
Still, he wasn't just using his daughter callously.
Once this was over, he'd provide fitting compensation.
Marry her into a prestigious family, and she'd be content.
Better than dungeon delving and its filth for a hunter's life.
Being a fine lady of the house would suit her better.
And if that house benefited him too? Perfect.
The hunter guards around her now were for her future—ensuring no damage to her value.
Can't have her wandering and getting marred.
With her mother's beauty, suitors would abound.
The S-rank thing is a snag, but... she's well-trained to obey. No issue.
She wouldn't beat her husband to death, at least. Not that it mattered.
Once married, she was no longer his concern.
...No. For long-term use, maybe incite a scandal for divorce instead.
Suitors overflowed anyway.
It was a pity, really.
Having only one daughter for such prime marriage cards.
Yu Jun-young alive would have multiplied options.
That rebel streak meant forced marriages would lead to frequent scandals and divorces—endless utility.
Regretfully clicking his tongue as he planned ahead, a red glint suddenly flickered from a dark corner of the empty study.
Even the oblivious civilian Yu Cheol-yeong flinched at the sharp, fleeting killing intent.
......
Sensing something amiss, he casually groped for the intercom under his desk.
Then, a voice both unfamiliar and familiar echoed softly.
Useless. Your guards outside are already subdued.
At the low voice, Yu Cheol-yeong carefully turned.
A stranger sat quietly on the guest sofa, as if he'd been there all along.
Despite the shock, his composure revealed his stature.
...Who are you?
The man on the sofa chuckled lowly at the calm yet cautious question.
With a crooked smile, he shook his head and met Yu Cheol-yeong's eyes steadily.
Has it only been a few years, and you've already forgotten your only son's face? Still an impressive father.
Beyond the dim lamplight, those quietly staring eyes made Yu Cheol-yeong grimace unwittingly.
...Yu Jun-young?
Nyx nodded slowly at the old human name from his once-father.
Long time no see, Father.
At the quiet affirmation that was no denial, Yu Cheol-yeong dropped his poker face, raw emotion unfiltered for once.