The League of Their Own

As soon as Cheon Yooshin hung up the phone, Jeong Byeongsu, Cheon Jin-ah’s homeroom teacher, pulled a hidden phone from his desk drawer. It took two rings before the other party connected.

"Hello, Representative! It’s Jeong Byeongsu."

His voice was dripping with sycophancy.

The person on the other end was none other than Lee ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Yeongsik, the CEO of Cheongjin Industries and one of the parents of the perpetrators.

"I’m calling regarding your son’s matter."

"Hahaha, no, not at all. You can set your mind at ease. I just spoke with the victim’s side, and they didn’t show any particular reaction."

"Just leave it to me, Representative. I will take full responsibility and handle everything. I have to repay you for the bribe I received last time."

A satisfied laugh leaked from the other side of the phone.

A bright smile spread across Jeong Byeongsu’s face. Take care of him? This was the fifth time he’d received a "bribe." At first, he had been terrified that something might go wrong, but after the first, second, and third times, he had become numb to it. No, now he was actually looking forward to it. How much would he get this time?

Jeong Byeongsu sat back in his chair. A thick envelope was already dancing before his eyes. He thought it would pass safely this time, just as it always had. But he didn’t know. He didn’t know about the variable that was approaching.

***

Hankook High School, Principal’s Office.

Principal Lee Chunbok leaned deep into his chair.

"Are you sure there won't be any problems? I heard the victim was quite badly hurt. Couldn't the victim's side put up a major fight?"

Jeong Byeongsu, Cheon Jin-ah’s homeroom teacher, wore a confident smile.

"Don't worry, Principal. You know the low-income scholarship student the school selected for two years in a row? That student is the victim. Her family situation is so difficult that just attending our school is a struggle for her."

"Oh, really?!"

Jeong Byeongsu nodded.

"So, if Jin-ah’s side thinks about escalating the incident, we can just subtly let them know that she might not be selected for the scholarship in the future. And we should tell her to move out of the dormitory, too. We can't give special treatment to just one student, can we? Hahaha."

Hankook High School was the most prestigious high school in Korea, but the tuition was sky-high—far exceeding the annual tuition of most medical schools. On top of that, the monthly rent in the area was over a million won. Therefore, the homeroom teacher knew better than anyone that without the school’s consideration, Cheon Jin-ah could no longer attend this school. Even though he had a duty to protect his student above all else.

"Good, then the result is pretty much decided. Ah! And I heard the parents of the perpetrators have quite the impressive backgrounds."

"Indeed. We have Supreme Court Justices, city council members, CEOs of mid-sized companies, and even hunters. Many of them come from powerful families. It will likely be of great help to the work you are doing, Principal."

"Hahaha, oh, Mr. Jeong. When have I ever hoped for such things? It is simply my educational calling to guide students on the right path."

"Of course. That is why you are the principal I respect most."

There was no trace of a guilty conscience on either of their faces. They were filled only with the baseness of calculating their own profits atop the suffering of a powerless, poor student.

***

The School Violence Committee was held quickly. It had been four days since Jin-ah was rushed to the hospital.

In the classroom where the committee was held, when Cheon Yooshin entered, the room was already filled with various people—school officials and external committee members sat around a long table. The chairperson’s seat was empty, but the vice-principal and several teachers were seated next to it. Parents' representatives, lawyers, and youth counselors were also in their seats.

But the most noticeable were the parents of the perpetrators. They were exchanging business cards and greeting each other.

"Hahaha, it’s an honor to meet you. I am Lee Yeongsik, CEO of Cheongjin Industries."

"Nice to meet you as well. I’ve heard a lot about you through my daughter."

"Oh my! Justice! You must be busy with your cases, how did you manage to come all the way here?"

"As a father, how could I not attend when a committee is being held regarding my daughter?"

Incumbent city council members, judges, hunters, CEOs. They were familiarizing themselves with each other as if they were at a social ball. They were gauging and flaunting each other’s power through the exchange of business cards.

Teacher Jeong Byeongsu also moved among them, bowing his waist.

"Oh, Justice. It is an honor that such a noble person has come."

"Cheongjin Representative Lee, it is a true honor to meet you today. Thank you for all the help you’ve given the school. Your son is our pride. Hahaha."

When he turned to Cheongjin Representative Lee Yeongsik, a look that only they could understand was exchanged. But they quickly turned their gazes away.

"Councilman. The gift you gave me last time was delicious. My wife asked me to thank you."

After finishing his greetings, his eyes turned toward Yooshin for a moment, but he quickly returned to the parents of the perpetrators.

'Interesting. Is this what they call a league of their own?'

A smile played on Yooshin’s lips. If he were still a pure, ordinary man in his 20s, he might have been overwhelmed and flustered by the atmosphere. But he was...

Just then, a man with a massive, muscular build walked toward Yooshin. At that, the eyes of everyone attending the committee turned toward Yooshin and the man.

"Are you the guardian of that kid, Cheon Jin-ah?"

"...?"

"You should answer when an adult asks you something. Where did you learn to stare at people so rudely?"

Is this some new method of suicide?

"You, I heard you're a hunter?"

How does he know about me?

"And I heard you're an E-rank who registered recently?"

At the mention of E-rank, the people around them laughed lightly. As if they were ignoring him.

"I am Park Sanha of the Yongmaeng Guild. A C-rank hunter."

He emphasized the 'C-rank' strongly, as if he took great pride in his rank.

So what do you want me to do about it? He’s playing the drum and the flute all by himself.

"If you want to continue your hunter life, you’d better make the right choice today."

He whispered the last part into Yooshin’s ear, growling slightly. Watching Yooshin say nothing, Park Sanha smiled with satisfaction and returned to his seat.

Yooshin sat in the chair with his name on it. As the school principal entered and sat in the chairperson’s seat, the noisy room fell silent.

"Hello. I am Lee Chunbok, Principal of Hankook High School. I am deeply sorry to have gathered you all for such an unpleasant occasion."

"A School Violence Committee just because the kids fought? Won't this remain on their records?"

"That’s right. It’s too much to go this far just because the kids fought."

The friendly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠atmosphere from a moment ago was gone, and they were throwing sharp words at the principal.

"Now, now! Please calm down. I understand the parents' hearts well. However, since it is a duty, we had no choice but to hold it. Now, this meeting today was arranged to confirm the facts regarding the recent violence incident between students and to decide on appropriate measures."

Principal Lee Chunbok flipped through the documents and continued.

"As all involved are minors, we will replace the students' statements with written ones. Please read the statements placed in front of you."

Cheon Yooshin picked up the statement in front of him and read it. Long, verbose sentences continued without end. They claimed they were also assaulted. This was mutual assault, not one-sided. It was just a prank, but Cheon Jin-ah reacted excessively, as if she were having a seizure. So they were just flustered, and it was never an intentional act. It was a statement entirely unfavorable to his younger sister, Cheon Jin-ah.

"Our kid is kind. She only knows how to study, so what school violence?"

"You must remove this from the student record. Principal. You have to promise."

"Are you trying to ruin the kids' future?"

The room became noisy again because of the parents.

Clap!

Lee Chunbok clapped his hands, focusing the dispersed atmosphere on himself.

"I understand the parents' thoughts well. As a person who also has a daughter, I sympathize with that heart ten times over."

Lee Chunbok smiled and turned his gaze to Cheon Yooshin.

"Didn't the mother come?"

"Yes. She went on a trip."

"I see. As Cheon Yooshin-gun knows from reading the statement, all statements are converging into one. It is mutual assault."

That can't be. According to the investigation by Team Leader Park Haesu, my sister is just a victim. She endured without hitting back. Stupid sister. Just fight or beg. Why endure? Like a fool. That’s why she got beaten up like that. The perpetrators must have been flustered, too. Because unlike other kids, she wouldn't easily bow down. In other words, this is one-sided assault, not mutual. But Yooshin just observed them.

"So?"

"You know that our school only gathers the students who study the best in Korea, right?"

"That's what they say."

"Hmm, then the story can be solved easily. It is unfortunate for student Cheon Jin-ah, but the perpetrators—no, the students who fought—are all 18-year-old kids. They are students who don't even know how to distinguish right from wrong properly. Furthermore, if it is mutual assault, student Cheon Jin-ah is no longer a victim either. The perpetrators—hmm, the students involved in the mutual assault—will all receive the same disciplinary action. Please think about that point carefully."

Since when did 18-year-olds not know how to distinguish right from wrong? And is he threatening me about my sister right now? It’s a very funny story. But Yooshin did not reveal his emotions.

"Such kids need appropriate guidance and education. Therefore, as adults, we should show them tolerance and forgiveness."

The surroundings fell silent. Because at least here, there was no one who didn't know Lee Chunbok’s intention. In fact, the parents themselves knew well that the perpetrator and the victim were clearly divided. Even that their own daughters and sons were at fault. But they couldn't admit it. If they admitted the facts in front of them, the future of their precious children would be blocked. No, they would be branded as school violence perpetrators for the rest of their lives. It didn't end there. The daughter who dreamed of being a celebrity, the son who dreamed of being an anchor—they would all have to give up those dreams. So they had no choice but to be desperate.

Just then, Cheon Yooshin, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth.

"So? Please hurry up and conclude it."

Seeing their behavior, Cheon Yooshin gave up on his expectations. Anyway, the most this kind of committee could decide was a transfer or expulsion. It didn't even look like they would do that. In fact, there was no special reason Yooshin attended the committee. He had been willing to let it slide if any of the parents or students sincerely repented and apologized. Because you can't just kill people like flies as if you were in the Abyss just because you don't like them. But at this moment, he decided. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

'Experience for yourself just how shitty that is.'

His sister was beaten like that and rushed to the hospital, so they had to pay the corresponding price. Even if they were minors. He didn't care if they cursed him for being petty. That was the reason Cheon Yooshin could survive in the Abyss and become strong.

Just then, Lee Chunbok cleared his throat twice and said,

"Is there any parent who has anything to say last?"

Then, someone stood up from their seat while coughing. It was Moon Chanyeong, Moon Yeongran’s father and a Supreme Court Justice. All eyes turned to him. Moon Chanyeong cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

"Respected Chairperson and members of the committee, this incident is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just the behavior of immature kids. In the process of adolescents in their growth period becoming intimate with each other, sometimes they can play excessive pranks. Of course, the result may not be desirable. But couldn't this be seen as part of the process of kids learning sociality?"

He stopped talking for a moment. Stopping at an important moment to focus the attention of the surroundings was a know-how he had gained while serving as a judge.

"Our precious sons and daughters are the sprouts that will be responsible for the future of our country. Is it really the right choice to give them the label of school violence perpetrator? I think it is more desirable to give these immature kids a chance to reflect. Therefore, this Supreme Court Justice—no, as the father of student Moon Yeongran, I earnestly request that you generously show leniency to our children, who are our future."

When his words ended, applause was heard here and there.

'His words are like a flowing river.'

Cheon Yooshin’s face turned cold. That gentleman who is a judge was dismissing the assault his sister suffered as a mere prank. Even though she fainted and was rushed to the hospital.

"I understand. Then, judging that there is nothing more to say, I will tell you about the results of this School Violence Committee from now on."

Lee Chunbok, who was examining Cheon Yooshin’s eyes, opened his mouth again.

"As they are the pillars of the future growing up, we will impose 5 hours of community service on the students and conduct education to prevent recurrence. Additionally, we will not leave a record on the student record."

Clap clap clap clap!

The applause of the parents filled the room.

"Everyone worked hard!"

"Principal, you worked hard too!"

"It’s dinner time, so you should go have dinner!"

"I knew that would happen, so I booked a nice place, so you can go there. Principal, you’re coming too, right? Hahaha!"

Their expressions were full of laughter. A smile bloomed on Principal Lee Chunbok’s face, too. Teacher Jeong Byeongsu was the only one who looked at them with an unreadable smile as soon as the committee ended.

'Is this what it feels like?'

To be a social underdog.

Even before being summoned to the Abyss, Yooshin’s family lived quite well. Because his father ran a successful small-to-medium business, he lived doing everything he wanted to do, and without having to say anything regrettable to others. And in the Abyss, Cheon Yooshin was a king, a supreme being, and also a god. Of course, there were guys like Maracas, but still. To him, this situation was not familiar.

He pondered. How to give a proper education to those who were enjoying the joy of victory as if ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠they had won everything in front of him.

That was when it happened. A slight vibration was felt from the ground.

What? Is it an illusion?

Other people were still laughing and talking to each other.

Gugugung.

However, the parents also noticed the vibration, which had become more powerful than a moment ago. At the same time, Yooshin’s gaze turned to one place. A powerful wave of energy.

'It’s the same energy as a gate?'

But was there a gate here?

The parents' faces had also turned serious before they knew it. Just then, a thick voice was heard among the parents.

"This, it seems to be a Sudden Gate."

People’s eyes focused. It was Park Sanha. Park Sanha’s face was stiffened, unlike before.

'What the fuck! A Sudden Gate? And why did it pop out in front of my eyes!'

But contrary to his inner thoughts, Park Sanha looked at the people and said,

"Let’s get out of the school! It’s dangerous if we drag it out!"

The parents, who were already flustered, were busy as if they had just come to their senses at Park Sanha’s words.

"Hey! You follow me if you want to live! Listen to me well..."

"I think it’ll be more dangerous if I follow you?"

"What? You bastard, where did you learn to talk to an adult like that..."

"Is this the time to worry about age? You should hurry and take those people out safely. Isn't that what a C. rank. hunter should do?"

At Yooshin’s words, Park Sanha frowned deeply. But there was no time now. To educate that cheeky bastard.

"You, you bastard. Let’s see later. I’ll remember it firmly!"

"Yeah. Let’s definitely see each other."

Cheon Yooshin was even waving his hand kindly. A cold smile hung on Cheon Yooshin’s lips before he knew it. He didn't know the opportunity to repay his revenge would come so quickly.