Chapter 127
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Proper Discipline (2)
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Park Chan-seok sensed something off the moment he got home from work.
'...What's this?'
"...Kaoru?"
Normally, his wife would greet him when he returned from work, but there was no sign of her voice.
'Did she step out for a bit?'
Well... she'd be back home soon enough. It seemed like his wife had just gone out briefly.
But he realized something was wrong when he found the note on the dining table after his shower.
"What the..."
At first, he thought it was just a note from his wife and read it.
But the contents made his eyes widen in shock.
『Mr. Park Chan-seok. If you want your wife back, please come alone to the time and place written below.』
His hand began trembling uncontrollably as he gripped the note.
For a fleeting moment, he wondered if it was his wife's prank, but she wasn't the type to pull something like this.
『Just so you know, if you tell anyone around you or make a big fuss, we can't guarantee your wife's safety. Don't let it show either. We're watching your every move, so don't do anything foolish.』
'What... what the hell is this...'
『If you try anything stupid, your wife might end up in a horrible situation. But I promise. If you follow the instructions on this note, I'll guarantee both your and your wife's safety.』
"Kaoru! K-Kaoru!"
His face drained of color as he shouted and searched every corner of the house. He hoped to find some trace of his wife.
No, deep down, he wished this entire situation was just a nightmare.
"No, no... Hngh... Damn it!"
'Who, who could it be? Who the hell would do this?'
He hadn't made any serious enemies in his life. If anything, he prided himself on living decently since arriving in Eras.
No matter how hard he thought, he couldn't figure out who would kidnap his wife or why.
But one thing was clear.
'I... I have to do what they say... exactly what they say.'
To save his wife, he had to follow the demands of whoever had taken her.
"How'd it go?"
"According to my subordinate, he left the house three hours ago."
"I see. And you've got your men stationed around?"
Ruska nodded at my question.
"...You sure it's fine? You made sure their lips are sealed?"
"Don't worry, Master. I only ordered them to keep watch. The subordinates don't know what this is about."
"...Good enough."
"More importantly, what about you, Master? Everything okay?"
"Yeah. I used the clone clay to shake off Wi Ho-yeon. Doesn't matter anyway since I'm heading back today."
"...I see."
"Oh, and how's the wife? You didn't rough her up or anything, right?"
No matter how much of a bastard I am, I didn't want to mistreat someone who hadn't done me any harm.
"We knocked her out to bring her here, but she's not injured."
"Is she awake now?"
"Yes, Master. Surprisingly calm. Not panicking much... Actually, she was scanning her surroundings, trying to assess the situation."
'...That's unexpected.'
Normally, anyone kidnapped would beg for their life right away, demand release, or try to intimidate with their status.
'Park Chan-seok's no pushover, but his wife acting this composed...'
Curiosity piqued.
"In that case... maybe I should meet her myself?"
"Master, isn't that risky? Showing your face directly..."
"Ah... Of course I'll cover my face."
I already had a suitable mask ready. My voice was a minor concern, but honestly, even if my identity slipped, it wouldn't matter.
'She won't be able to resist anyway.'
Heading to where the wife was confined, I saw her bound to a chair.
She eyed me warily upon spotting me.
"Nice to meet you. Miura Kaoru, right...? Or should I just call you Mrs. Miura?"
".... Call me whatever you want."
'Hmm...'
True to Ruska's word, she didn't seem terrified.
'No, she's hiding her fear.'
I understood completely. No normal person could stay calm in this situation.
I'd be the same in her shoes.
What impressed me was her effort to maintain composure despite the fear.
".... Who are you? Why did you kidnap me?"
"Before we talk."
Drag—
"Mind if I sit too? It's uncomfortable standing."
"......"
"Reason for the kidnapping? Honestly, I have no business with you. It's Park Chan-seok I need."
"...What business do you have with my husband?"
"Don't glare like that. It's scary."
"You..."
"Your husband has something he needs to do for me. It's too risky for me to handle personally."
"So you're making my husband do this dangerous task instead? Then my husband..."
She seemed more worried about her husband than herself in this mess.
'Her husband's got a good one here.'
"No need to worry. As long as you both do as I say, your safety is guaranteed. Ah, but you'll have to leave the neutral nation."
".... How am I supposed to believe that? You're a criminal who kidnapped me on the spot—what am I supposed to trust...?"
"Well, do you have any other choice? What can you do in this situation?"
"......"
She clamped her mouth shut in frustration.
"Truth be told, I could get a lot rougher. Logically shaky, but isn't it a blessing this ended with just a kidnapping?"
Yeah, self-justification aside, compared to other scum, I was treating her gentlemanly.
'Honestly, no tentacles involved—this is decent.'
"Anyway, your husband will be here soon. Before moving you elsewhere, I'll let Park Chan-seok see your face."
".... My husband's coming here?"
Her face paled.
She must be fretting over her husband walking into danger.
'...Now I'm starting to feel like the bad guy unnecessarily.'
Speak of the devil—the sound of someone sprinting desperately echoed from afar.
"Kaoru!"
Park Chan-seok spotted his wife and relaxed for a split second, but his face hardened upon seeing Ruska and me beside her.
"Who the hell are you?"
As expected of a top player, he had a solid presence. His wariness was palpable.
"Hello, Mr. Park Chan-seok. I'm—"
Before I could finish, Park Chan-seok swung his greatsword at me.
Bam!
Ruska blocked the greatsword with her sword and spoke.
"Master, what now? He doesn't seem open to talking."
".... I told you not to call me Master in front of others."
The reason I could stay so relaxed with Park Chan-seok right there?
Ruska was far stronger than him.
"Honey!"
Mrs. Ura panicked, worried for her husband.
'...This makes me look like the villain.'
Park Chan-seok's expression showed clear dismay at Ruska's prowess.
Makes sense—he probably hadn't lost to anyone lately.
'Just bad luck. Wrong opponent.'
Park Chan-seok wasn't weak.
His opponent was Ruska, after all. Even Seo Yu-ju from the first round couldn't beat her.
From what I'd seen, Park Chan-seok was definitely a powerhouse, holding his own against her for a few exchanges.
Park Chan-seok swung his greatsword down at Ruska.
She sidestepped and drove a knee into his gut.
Crack!
"Kgh... Hngh! Cough...!"
His stance crumbled halfway as he staggered back.
'...Still standing?'
By stats, the fight should've been over, but he was holding out impressively.
'Wife as hostage—clinging on desperately.'
"Urgh... Kaoru..."
"Honey!"
'You two, cut it out. Why turn this into a melodrama?'
"Raaah!"
With a resolute face, Park Chan-seok charged Ruska like a hero embracing death.
But for me—who had no intention of harming either him or his wife—this felt awkward.
"Give me Kaoru! Give her back!"
Bam!
"Let my wife go!"
Kaboom!
Ruska's eyes sharpened, finding it hard to subdue him unscathed amid his all-out frenzy.
Even she couldn't restrain someone fighting for their life without risk.
'What? Is that possible?'
Ruska slid her sword's flat along the greatsword's trajectory, deftly redirecting it.
Scraaape!
The blade that should've cleaved her buried into the ground instead.
Perhaps fueled by his hostage wife, when most would yield, Park Chan-seok swung his fists barehanded.
Swordsmen trained in hand-to-hand as backup for disarmed scenarios, but it was secondary.
He couldn't win with a greatsword—fists were futile.
"Argh!"
He dodged Ruska's sword swing, only for her kick to smash his face.
He crumpled, and Ruska mounted him, pinning his arms.
"No! Honey!"
"Urghhh... Kaoru...!"
"Hngh... Please spare my husband!"
"D-Damn... Just spare my wife..."
'I'm not killing anyone.'
As I approached Park Chan-seok, they screamed, mistaking it for murder.
"Please! Please spare my husband! I'll do anything! Make me a slave if you want! Just please...!"
"No... I'm not going to kill him..."
Amid it all, Ruska's eyebrow twitched at Mrs. Ura's slave offer.
"Cough... No... Kill me instead!"
I crouched beside Park Chan-seok, looking down at him.
"Sorry, but I'm not killing either of you."
"How can we believe..."
"Damn it, Park Chan-seok. If I wanted you dead, you'd be gone already."
"......"
"So quit the melodrama, both of you. It's getting old."
"What... what do you want...?"
"You work for Madan Clan, right? Nothing big. Just betray them."
"What did you say?"
"Betray Madan Clan."
"You... are you with the Outlaws?"
He must've taken "betray" as "spy."
"Hmm... Guess I should just show you."
I pulled out the drugs—from Ricky.
Park Chan-seok stared blankly.
"...What's that?"
"Drugs."
"...What?"
His face went slack at "drugs."
"Mix this into the potions before Madan Clan delivers them to other clans."
"W-What nonsense is that?! Drugs in potions?!"
I got why he was freaking out.
The Red Ant Clan, caught distributing drugs in Silan, had been wiped out.
Drugs were strictly banned in the neutral nation.
"We'll frame Ha Yu-ri and Madan Clan for drug trafficking. Need your help for that."
"What's that got to do with me? You think I'll do what you say...?"
"You'll have to. Unless you want to see your wife addicted."
His face whitened at my chilling words.
"How about we dope up your wife and sell her to the Outlaws? Sounds fun. At least while she's alive, she'll lose her mind to pleasure."