Even the NTR Gets Handled by Others
A few days had passed since returning to school. Yujin had adapted surprisingly quickly. Sure, he was still a total outcast, but at least he could now attend classes like a normal person.
It was all thanks to Lime, who had been in an unusually good mood lately and giving him spot-on advice.
If only I could make some more friends like this.
He leaned back against the limo seat, lost in that thought. Even this ridiculously expensive car, which had felt so awkward at first, was starting to feel normal. Humans really were adaptable creatures.
Just as he was savoring this rare moment of leisure, Park Secretary spoke up.
"Young master, what do you plan to do about Kim Cheolsu?"
"Cheolsu?"
"He's still in the hospital, but he should be discharged in a few days."
Yujin blinked for a moment. Cheolsu was hospitalized? Damn, where'd the kid get beat up this time? The world was too harsh. What reason could anyone have to hit a good kid like Cheolsu?
I figured he was off training somewhere like me. Guess he got dragged into a fight.
Well, Cheolsu was fundamentally kind and diligent. He must've been wronged somewhere or had no choice but to fight. Maybe he even stood up to unbeatable odds to save a friend. Yeah, that sounded just like Cheolsu.
Either way, he couldn't ignore his friend getting hurt. Park Secretary must've brought it up with that in mind.
"Then we'll cover his hospital bills."
"The hospital bills, sir?"
"Yeah. He might feel bad about it, so do it anonymously."
"Haha! Understood."
Cheolsu had a bit of pride. He'd even refused Yujin's help before. But anonymously? That should be fine.
Yujin nodded proudly at his own idea.
"Next up— what about the orphanage donations?"
"Orphanage donations?"
What's that about? I don't remember doing anything that noble.
"Yes, the next date is approaching. Of course, you can stop if you want."
Yujin blinked again, then broke into a touched smile. Kim Yujin, you sneaky bastard. You're a good guy after all. Donating to an orphanage? Who knew!
Come to think of it, Cheolsu and Younghee are from an orphanage too.
So you were secretly cheering on your friends, huh? Pretty cool side you've got there.
Yujin nodded in deep agreement. Money sitting idle was just wasteful anyway. Better to spend it on something good.
"Double the donations then."
"Double?"
"Yeah. And if there are other orphanages that haven't gotten help yet, support them too."
Hmm, is that enough? Nah, if we're doing this, go big.
"Oh, and get Cheolsu a good sword or some gear."
"For... Kim Cheolsu?"
"Yeah, something sturdy enough he won't get hurt no matter where he fights. He's good with a sword, so that'll be plenty. Oh, anonymously again."
Park Secretary stared at Yujin with a gaze full of awe.
Yujin always thought three steps ahead of everyone else. To grasp his intentions and act on them, even Park Secretary had to keep up.
Luckily, he was elite. In an instant, he pieced together Yujin's scheme.
Brilliant! Pretend to support Kim Cheolsu to divert the executives' attention!
Lately, Heukcheon's view of Yujin wasn't favorable. It made sense in a way. The heir turning into the enemy's disciple and begging for training? Some executives probably wanted him gone for real.
But even they won't attack directly. They'll target his surroundings first.
Yujin was still Heukcheon's heir. Attacking him outright would draw too much backlash. But his underlings? Different story. Strike the branches before the trunk—that was the schemers' way.
And if he supports Kim Cheolsu now? They'll think Yujin's grooming him.
Then the executives would go after Cheolsu. But Cheolsu had grown a ton lately. He wouldn't go down easy and would chip away at their forces for sure.
| | .
Disguise, deception against enemies. All without lifting a finger and still profiting.
He'd thought this far in that short time? Or had he planned to let Cheolsu grow from the start? Either way, an unbelievable strategy. Even Heukcheon's executives wouldn't see that deep.
As expected, only Yujin fits as Heukcheon's heir.
Park Secretary felt the weight of his mission: groundwork to check the executives. He'd support Cheolsu with everything he had.
…*
Heukcheon was suddenly on high alert. A surprise summons from leader Lee Seolhwa. The shocking agenda was enough to rattle the executives.
"...Who would've thought Heukcheon's sole heir was flailing under the enemy's skirts."
"Haha! That little body sure knows how to seduce a man."
"Who knows? Maybe our heir has those tastes."
Everyone here was an executive—and ones especially dissatisfied with the current situation. Those who'd never liked Kim Yujin. Those eyeing his position. Those unhappy with his recent moves. They all shared one thing: refusing to accept him as heir.
"Even if the predecessor approved him, we can't just let this slide."
The others nodded at the words.
Heukcheon ran on power logic. They bowed to the current leader for one reason: Lee Seolhwa's overwhelming strength and charisma. Fail to show that, and even a formal heir got no respect.
"There were always doubts if Kim Yujin was fit from the start. We stayed quiet without cause, but the Kim Taejin incident? We can't ignore that."
"But hasn't he been active lately, like recruiting demon groups?"
"That's not enough to bury this."
If Yujin had joined someone else's discipleship, no issue. But Kim Taejin? She'd bared her fangs at Heukcheon openly for years. Quiet after that 'certain incident,' but now she storms in solo and declares war. Her arrogance made their blood boil.
"This is nothing short of betrayal to Heukcheon as an organization."
"Now, now, calm down. We're not here to debate reasons. The question is how to handle the heir."
Right—from gathering here, they'd already decided on dealing with Kim Yujin. Now for specifics.
"Anyone here willing to step up personally?"
The excited executives fell silent. Expected, in a way. Toppling the heir wasn't trivial, even for them.
And Seolhwa took an ambiguous stance.
When the agenda arose, executives split into two camps: replace the heir now, or watch. They dared speak up before the heir's mother and leader because they knew her ruthlessness.
Yet Seolhwa had said vaguely in the meeting, 'Handle it yourselves.' She wouldn't endorse ousting him, but wouldn't stop it either.
Her power and charisma are essential to Heukcheon. Can't act without knowing her will.
Plus, rumors said Park Secretary had fully sided with Yujin. The former right-hand man rising that high—making him an enemy was a huge risk.
As they hesitated, gauging each other—
"Then I'll give it a shot."
A man in a doctor's coat and glasses raised his hand. Name: Jekyll. Nickname: 'Mad Doctor Jekyll.' Earned for his perverse tendencies that could enslave even the steeliest mind.
Twisted personality aside, his skills had earned him an executive seat young.
"Jekyll, you'll step up?"
"Yes. I've gathered some intel personally—the young master has made some friends. Perfect chance to experiment on them."
"Hmm, targeting his surroundings instead of him directly, eh?"
Not a bad plan. Yujin attended the academy to recruit young talent for support. He pretended incompetence to lure them, but no executive was fooled.
Succeed and take out Yujin? Great. Fail midway and thin his forces? Still good. Worth trying.
"Alright, this one's delegated to you then."
"Thank you for trusting this inexperienced man."
Jekyll bowed slightly.
"We've already confirmed Kim Yujin's tight with academy standouts. Even moves to fund them heavily."
"Ho, investigation that thorough already?"
"We'll poke them first, gauge his reaction. A true Heukcheon heir can't be swayed by petty attachments, right?"
"Exactly!"
Amid their agreement, Jekyll smirked slyly.
I don't care what happens to Heukcheon like you lot do.
He believed humans revealed their true selves in betrayal and regret. What reaction would Heukcheon's heir show when his precious ones suffered?
He could hardly wait for that moment.
I wonder if you can stay cool watching your lover corrupt right before your eyes?
Heukcheon executive Jekyll pulled a photo from his pocket. It showed Younghee smiling brightly in Yujin's arms.