Chapter 140
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: The Stamina Test
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Rather than the fist slamming into my face, the fact that Han Aebom had punched me in the face was far more shocking. My ironclad poker face crumbled in an instant, and with her face flushed beet red, Han Aebom finally looked every bit the 24-year-old woman she was.
"S-sorry... Hyunwoo... I didn't mean to. But you absolutely can't look! Never!"
I rubbed my nose nonchalantly and asked,
"It's written for other people to see in the first place. What can you do if you don't want to show it?"
"O-other people can see it, sure. But not someone living together! Especially not you, Hyunwoo, or Oh Hana... just imagining it... ugh!"
Han Aebom grabbed her right fist with her left hand to stop it from lashing out again on its own. I tilted my head. Was it that embarrassing?
"Tsk tsk, just looking at you now shows you've got a long way to go. Like granddaughter, like grandfather—stubborn as hell over nothing."
Han Se-ryong clicked his tongue and said to me,
"I told you to name your price, kid. What I want is for that girl to achieve what she desires as quickly as possible and come back home."
I nearly let out a cheer. It was a freebie request, practically. I'd already promised long ago to help Han Aebom anyway. If anything, he was reminding me—thanks were in order.
Still, better not show it.
I knew there was nothing to gain by flaunting it, so I feigned calm as I looked at Han Se-ryong. He let out a deep sigh. Watching him, he was the picture of a doting grandfather.
"You've seen her up close, so you get it—she's not the type to waste time like this and become who she's meant to be. Her sense of time's value is on another level from the rest. Especially in this hopeless era for Korea!"
He ended up raising his voice in anger, but I could somewhat understand. One of Han Aebom's talents I'd seen recently was 'Management'—SS+ grade, no less. As for Korea's hopeless era? This country always seemed hopeless to me.
Or not?
The biggest crisis I knew of for Korea was hitting a birth rate of 0.5. Chaebol heads and corporate titans probably knew more than I did.
"Got it. I'll stand by her side and make sure she achieves what she wants."
Whatever it was, I had no right to refuse anyway. It wasn't a bad deal, so I accepted readily—only for twin flames of fury to ignite in Han Se-ryong's eyes. What the hell? Had I said something to piss him off?
"You talk a good game. In my life, I've learned one thing: smooth talkers are never worth trusting."
Pardon?
"If you can't earn my trust, your 'got it' nods mean nothing. For a man to succeed, the key is stamina. Back in my day, at your age, I worked three days straight."
Wait, what the hell was this guy talking about?
"So if you want my trust, prove you've got at least that much stamina."
Jesus... insane.
This was just petty bullshit. Personal grudge bullshit.
Or so I thought.
"That's nothing for Hyunwoo. Test him all you want, Grandfather."
Seeing Han Aebom nod like she'd expected it, it didn't seem entirely baseless. Han Se-ryong was dead serious about checking my stamina. Why, though?
I'm losing my mind here.
Had a single clear answer ever come to me since stepping into this family? Always questions, ending in questions. Was I too dumb to keep up with geniuses? Oh well. If your brain's no good, make up for it with your body.
Earn First Approval from Furious Han Se-ryong!
📍 Description: Failing to gain Han Se-ryong's approval will make everything ahead at least 100 times harder—this must be cleared!
⏰ Progress: [0/1]
🎁 Rewards: 1,000,000 won, Agility +1, Stamina +1, Strength +1, Vitality +1
Above all, this quest seemed to point to exactly that kind of recognition. If it was this urgent, I had to clear it.
I've got a solid backup anyway.
I'd doubted it before, but by now, I trusted that Stamina +8 was sky-high. Re-enlist in the army now? I'd be beyond special forces—super elite.
"Aebom's right. Stamina's one thing I can boast about. Test me however you like."
Gah! Not even 10 seconds after deciding to play it cool, I overdid it. Han Se-ryong's lip curled slyly, sending belated anxiety crashing over me. No! Was I just going to keep trembling? That was a bad habit too. If I had the goods, no need to preemptively cower.
Yeah, bring it on. I'll crush whatever you throw.
Push-ups? 100? Sit-ups? 100? Piggyback Han Aebom for 100 squats? I could do 1,000. I'd carted Yoon Sua up a damn mountain in a wheelbarrow...
"Security chief, get up to the study now."
Huh?
Nothing matched my expectations, leaving me flustered, when someone in a sharp security suit knocked precisely and entered at a perfect 90-degree angle. Anyone who's done military would recognize that razor-sharp posture.
"You called, Chairman? Long time no see, Miss."
"Yeah. Take this kid and grind him all day. If he says he quits midway, kick him out of the estate."
"......"
His face screamed volumes, but Kim—the security chief—nodded cautiously.
"Understood."
His soldier-like tone nearly gave me PTSD.
"Name?"
"Uh, Kim Hyunwoo."
"Kim Hyunwoo, follow me."
As my mind flashed to a drill sergeant, Han Se-ryong added from behind,
"I'll check in unannounced. Slack off, go easy on him? Your whole team's salaries get cut. Got it?"
Kim's eyes sharpened instantly.
"I'll grind him to the bone."
The desperate resolve in Kim's voice sent dizzying dread through me. Meanwhile, Han Se-ryong cackled as he sent me off. That bastard was a demon! A demon in human skin!
*
"Today's trainee joins the training. Chairman's direct order—no questions, no complaints. He warned surprise inspections and salary cuts if displeased, so give it your all like your life depends on it!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Here, Kim Hyunwoo."
I crammed on the 20kg+ weighted vest shoved into my hands, still dazed. One phrase fit perfectly.
Where am I...? Who am I...?
"Double time, march!"
「Step! Step! Step!」
Blending seamlessly like I'd always been on the team, we jogged in perfect formation—but my mind raced nonstop.
Why the hell am I doing this?
"In security, the most important thing is—first:"
"Stamina!"
"Second:"
"Stamina!!"
"Third:"
"Stamina!!!"
Fucking stamina freaks. I got why Han Se-ryong picked these lunatics for security. Who the hell trains in 20kg vests?
They don't do this normally, right?
A few lapped the field barely and started struggling—mostly the heavier guys. Extra body weight made cardio hell. Their vests were like double for them.
"Can't go on? Fall out! But remember—the new guy's handling it fine!"
Damn, straight military style.
A few big guys who'd started peeling off clenched teeth and pushed longer before dropping.
Anyway...
"Roll back!"
"Hup!"
"Faster! You gonna protect the principal like that?"
"No, sir!"
Three hours of eating dust later, my mind sharpened instead of fogging.
That's it?
I knew Stamina +8 was high, but these were pro security—yet I was the most relaxed. Were the others wearing heavier vests? Nope.
No real comparison before, but damn—this 8 is way higher than I thought.
Now it clicked why Vitality +6 and Stamina +8 let me rail girls all day.
God. What happens if it goes higher?
Couldn't imagine. Stamina +8 already blew my mind.
As I marveled, Kim barked,
"Halt!"
"Halt!"
We echoed and savored sweet rest—until realizing why, faces paled.
"Pathetic for security. Losing stamina to a convenience store part-timer? Makes sense to you?!"
Han Se-ryong arrived with Han Aebom, bellowing. Maybe their talk soured his mood. Or was it me?
"...Apologies! We've no excuse!"
Kim's face screamed protests again, but he was too disciplined. Quick-witted yet steadfast.
"Fine, Kim's one thing. But look at these faces—disbelieving. Heh."
Han Se-ryong patted my shoulder and said,
"Saw the monster stamina for myself. But if my security folds like this, pride takes a hit."
What scheme now, you mad old coot? Cold sweat trickled down my back—more than the three-hour grind.
"Can you? Or can't you?!"
"We can't!"
"Right. Time to defend some pride as security. Kid, take it as a learning experience."
"...Of course."
My mouth nearly spewed curses—heart and words swapped. This was pure grudge-beating. Why was he so desperate to chew me out? Han Aebom owing me piss him off that much?
Incredibly unfair. But like the saying—if life's unfair, get stronger. Convenience store boy like me? Nod and take it. Damn, it made me want to climb ranks out of spite.
"Best guy—step up quick. Don't waste time."
"I'll do it!"
A hulking brute surged forward—he'd tapped out first in the run. He grinned at me, eyes marking me as pride-revenge bait.