The Price of Touching Family
Park Hae-soo glanced at the Imp sitting in the back through the rearview mirror. It was unbelievable. There was a demon sitting behind him.
‘He looks exactly like a human, yet in reality, he’s a demon.’
The Imp was stuck to the window, watching the world outside with a look of pure wonder, as if he had never seen it before. Park Hae-soo’s gaze shifted to Yu-shin, who was sitting next to the Imp, staring out the window as well.
‘Hunter Yu-shin is truly incredible. He cleared a D-class gate all by himself and even managed to make a demon his familiar.’
His choice had been the right one. He remembered that day—the day his car happened to break down, the day he couldn't catch a taxi, the day he ended up on that bus. He felt bad for the victims, but if that Harpy hadn't appeared that day, he might have remained nothing more than a stranger passing by Cheon Yu-shin. No, he definitely would have.
In the end, fate had overlapped with fate, creating a bond—still fragile, but real—between himself and Hunter Cheon Yu-shin. ‘I must ensure this bond never breaks.’
Just as Park Hae-soo was making that vow in his heart, Yu-shin was lost in thought. He never imagined he would be able to treat an Imp as a familiar. Familiars were, in name and deed, the domain of Necromancers. The distinction was clear: if he was a Dark Mage specialized in destruction and advancement, a Necromancer was no different from a gang leader pushing forward with sheer numbers. Of course, he could handle Summon Monster spells, even if they weren't his primary familiar skills—though those skills were still sealed for now.
Regardless. Yu-shin activated the status window. Not his own, but the status window of the Imp he had accepted as his familiar.
[Race : Imp]
[Rank : C]
[Skills]
- Shadow Step : Moves between shadows to evade enemy eyes.
- Aura of Fear : Emits a dark aura to instill fear in enemies. If fear hits, the target's attack power decreases by 50%.
[Loyalty : 0%]
[Summon Duration : 3 hours]
[Fear Gauge : 100%]
- If the fear gauge drops below 50%, the familiar may attack, assassinate, or break free from the contract.
[Zac was born as the only heir to the Imp King Azel, but betrayed his father out of ambition for power and formed an alliance with the demon Belox. During the coup, he attempted to eliminate Belox as well, but was betrayed and killed in return. Zac, wandering in oblivion, has had his ambition and cunning erased beyond sealed memories. On the day he reclaims his lost past, what choice will he make?]
Yu-shin clicked his tongue after reading the status window. It was truly useless. Necromancers commanded bone-forged dragons. There was no need to even explain the power of a dragon. And they commanded them three or four at a time. Compared to that, this guy was just...
Yu-shin’s gaze briefly turned toward the Imp. Their eyes met by chance.
"Hehehe. Did you have something to say, master?"
The Imp offered a servile smile. He was pathetic. Where on earth was he supposed to use this guy? Yu-shin let out a sigh.
"...No. Forget it. Just keep doing what you were doing."
"Hehehe, thank you, master!"
It was then. His phone rang. He checked the screen; it was an unknown number. ‘Who is it?’
The call connected. Yu-shin waited for the voice on the other end without a word.
[Um, excuse me, is this Cheon Yu-shin?]
"Yes, that's me."
[Ah, good. I'm Cheon Jin-ah's homeroom teacher. I'm calling because I couldn't get a hold of your mother.]
His heart began to race. He had never had children, but Yu-shin felt he could somehow understand the heart of a parent.
"What happened?"
[Ah, well, your sister was assaulted by some students at school. She’s been taken to the hospital.]
"..."
[Hahaha. She isn't hurt too badly, so don't worry too much. We transferred her to Hankuk University Hospital immediately.]
The teacher’s voice coming through the phone was extremely calm. ‘His student was assaulted, and he’s this calm?’ Yu-shin’s eyes darkened.
"How badly is she hurt?"
[Well, I’m not a doctor, so I wouldn't know. I haven't even gone to the hospital yet since I’m still at work.]
"Who are the ones who assaulted her?"
[Ah, they’re students at our school. Well, kids grow up by fighting, don't they? Hahaha.]
"..."
Was this something to laugh about? Was he oblivious to the atmosphere, or just stupid? ‘Or is there a reason he’s acting this way?’
"I understand. I'm hanging up."
[Ah! Please pass the message on to your mother. It’s just a kids' fight, but there’s a procedure, so a school violence committee will be held soon. I’ll call you again once the schedule is set. Give my regards to Jin-ah.]
Beep, beep, beep. The call ended, but Yu-shin didn't take the phone away from his ear. Meanwhile, Park Hae-soo, who had unintentionally overheard the conversation, felt his expression stiffen. ‘Are they insane? Whose sister did they just touch?’
It was obvious this wouldn't just blow over. He would have preferred it if Yu-shin had expressed his anger outwardly. But right now, Cheon Yu-shin didn't look like a man who had just heard his family was assaulted. His face was perfectly calm. But Park Hae-soo knew. Anger that didn't show was far greater. He’d have to pray for the souls of whoever did this. He had no intention of stopping him. In fact, he intended to support him. The Hunter Management Department had more than enough power to do so.
"Turn the car around. To Hankuk University Hospital."
"Yes, sir."
A heavy silence began to fill the car.
***
Thanks to the consideration of the Hunter Management Department, his younger sister, Cheon Jin-ah, was in a private room. As he opened the door and entered, he saw Cheon Jin-ah fast asleep, her face covered in bruises. Her right eyelid was severely swollen, and a large scar had formed around her eye. Her lips were badly split, stained with dried blood. Her entire face was so swollen that it was impossible to recognize her original features. The gauze plugging her nose was already soaked bright red, as if she were still bleeding. Her hair had been hacked at and was a mess. It was, quite simply, a common injury. A common bruise. To him, at least. But not to his younger sister.
The events she had just experienced might become a lifelong trauma for her. Park Hae-soo and the Imp followed him inside. The Imp took one look at the sleeping Jin-ah and stood there indifferently, while Park Hae-soo held his breath at the sight of her face. ‘W-what kind of high school assault does this...’
He had asked the Hunter Management Department’s investigation team to look into the situation on their way here. He already knew the background. He had thought it was just a typical fight, but this was beyond the pale. Even Park Hae-soo was furious.
"Lock the door."
A chillingly cold voice echoed through the hospital room.
"Pardon? Oh, yes! Understood!"
Park Hae-soo hesitated for a moment before closing and locking the door. Yu-shin was already standing beside Jin-ah. Then, Yu-shin placed one hand over Cheon Jin-ah’s face. ‘W-what?’ Park Hae-soo’s eyes widened. He wouldn't do that for no reason. It was then. Along with the question, Cheon Jin-ah’s wounded face began to heal.
‘T-that’s it!’ The technique Joo Jo-woon had mentioned. The one that had reversed time to heal his sister’s burns. It was happening right before Park Hae-soo’s eyes.
How much time had passed? Park Hae-soo was focused entirely on Cheon Jin-ah’s face. ‘The wounds have vanished without a trace!’ No, her skin actually looked better than before. Her strangely vibrant skin made her look almost mystical.
Cheon Yu-shin stroked the hair of the sleeping Cheon Jin-ah for a moment before speaking.
"Park Hae-soo."
Cheon Yu-shin had switched to informal speech without realizing it, but Park Hae-soo didn't even notice.
"Yes, p-please speak."
"I’ve healed the external wounds, but the mental fatigue is beyond my ability. She won't wake up for a few days. But I need to come up with an excuse for Mom. Any good ideas?"
Yu-shin had no intention of letting his mother know the truth. It would break her heart to know her son had been assaulted, but if she found out her daughter—the apple of her eye—had been assaulted, it wouldn't just end with a broken heart.
"The Hunter Management Department may be looked down upon because of the gate clearing issues, but our other capabilities are still excellent. Please trust me."
It was simple. They could exert pressure on the school Cheon Jin-ah attended, or they could exert pressure on the company Cheon Yu-shin’s mother worked for. They could do anything. That was the power of the Hunter Management Department.
***
Cheomdan Happy Industry. It was an electronic parts manufacturer that made things like printed circuit boards for mobile phones. To be precise, it was a subsidiary of the Ohsung Group. Though it was far too small to really be called a subsidiary. Regardless, Cheomdan Happy Industry was famous for squeezing its employees dry and firing all its contract workers right at the point of conversion to permanent status.
Kim Jeong-hyun, a team leader in the Finance Planning Department, yawned while looking at his monitor.
"Ah! It’s lunch time in ten minutes. Hey, Mr. Kim!"
"Yes! Did you call for me, Team Leader?"
A new recruit who looked to be in his late twenties stopped what he was doing and ran over in a hurry at Kim Jeong-hyun’s call.
"What are we having for lunch today?"
"W-well. I eat anything well, sir."
Kim Jeong-hyun tilted his head as if he found the answer ridiculous.
"Hahahaha! Since when did new recruits act like this? Did I ask you what you wanted to eat? I asked what we were having. What! Don't you know you’re supposed to make restaurant reservations before lunch starts?"
"Ah! I-I’m sorry. I..."
"What? Don't tell me you weren't handed over the duties!? Hey! Assistant Manager Joo!"
The man called Assistant Manager Joo jumped up and ran over.
"Assistant Manager Joo, what is this? Is your social life over just because you got a promotion? You need to manage your subordinates! Manage them!"
"I-I’m sorry. I should have taken care of it."
The two men bowed their heads and apologized repeatedly.
"Ha! Do you think you can last long in the Planning Team like that? Do you want to go down to the Manufacturing Team?"
Kim Jeong-hyun crossed his legs and acted arrogant. He didn't care if other teams glanced at him. Other team leaders frowned, but Kim Jeong-hyun easily ignored them. The reason he could act like that as a mere team leader? It was because he was the son of the company president. That was why Kim Jeong-hyun, who had no real talent, could sit in the core position of Planning Team Leader.
It was then. Kim Jeong-hyun’s office phone rang loudly.
"Ah, damn it! Are you kidding me? It’s almost lunch time, what kind of bastard is calling?"
There was no one more arrogant than him. If a regular employee, or even a regular team leader, had acted like that, it would have been grounds for disciplinary action.
"Hello! Who is calling during lunch... What? W-where are you calling from?"
The face of Kim Jeong-hyun, who had been acting so arrogant just a moment ago, turned into a look of shock.
"I-I don't know anything about that. N-no, that’s mine, but. Ah, that’s..."
As Kim Jeong-hyun began to stammer incoherently, everyone’s eyes were fixed on him. Who on earth could it be to make the great Kim Jeong-hyun grovel like that?
"I-I’m sorry. If you could just let it slide this once..."
Cold sweat began to pour down Kim Jeong-hyun’s forehead.
"What? W-who are you talking about?"
Kim Jeong-hyun felt dizzy. He couldn't understand how the Hunter Management Department knew that he had made some money on the stock market using internal company information behind his father’s back with the help of an expert, or why they were threatening him over it. It wasn't even that much money. But he had to comply. If he didn't, he could be dragged in for insider trading. Or before that, he might be beaten to death by his father.
But who was Yoo In-sook?
[Isn't there a Ms. Yoo In-sook in the Manufacturing Team? Don't you even know your own company’s employees?!]
Manufacturing Team? Damn it, how was he supposed to know the day-laborers in a team like that! But he couldn't voice his true feelings.
"I-I’m sorry. But why her?..."
[Send the entire Manufacturing Team on vacation. To China, nearby. Today, right now. Do you understand?]
What kind of nonsense was this? But Kim Jeong-hyun’s bewilderment didn't end there.
[During the vacation, pay them all their full salary, and the company will provide all expenses necessary for the trip. Do you understand?]
A-are you kidding me, damn it. Does being the Hunter Management Department mean you can do anything?! Are you gangsters or what!?
"Why should I..."
[You will follow my instructions. If you don't, we will begin a tax audit with the National Tax Service. It looks like there’s plenty to find if we start digging, would you like to try it?]
"...Should I send the entire Manufacturing Team to China for 2 nights and 3 days, no. 4 nights and 5 days?"
[Send them for 7 nights and 8 days. Let’s call it a reward vacation. You must send them today. Tomorrow won't work. Send them right now. Do you understand?]
The Hunter Management Department insisted. "A-all right." Kim Jeong-hyun had no choice but to accept.
[The fact that the Hunter Management Department is involved is a secret. A secret. Don't tell her, and don't tell anyone in the company.]
Beep, beep, beep. Kim Jeong-hyun, who had just hung up from a call that was like hell in a short amount of time, frowned.
"Damn it!"
They only said what they wanted and hung up. Where was such terrible manners? But a complaint was a complaint, and he had to do what he had to do. Kim Jeong-hyun said to Assistant Manager Joo.
"You have a Manufacturing Team, right?"
"Yes, we do."
"Send them on a reward vacation."
"Pardon? You want me to send the contract workers on a reward vacation? To China, at that?"
Since he had heard the call content right in front of him, he knew the destination was China.
"Yes! To China! 7 nights and 8 days, and right now! Do you understand?!"
"A-all right."
"Damn it, the company will cover all expenses. Prepare it yourself."
"Pardon? A-all right. But the expenses will be quite high."
"Hey! Is that your money?! It’s my father’s money, which is the same as my money! So shut your mouth and do as I say. Can’t you even do that?"
Assistant Manager Joo cowered at the shout that rang through the office.
"A-all right."
‘Damn it, just who is Yoo In-sook that the Hunter Management Department is acting like this!’
He was full of questions. Why on earth would the Hunter Management Department care about contract workers?