Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: A Narrative for the Villain (6)
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Jin-hyuk casually draped his arm over the car window on the driver's side, feigning nonchalance.
Someone had paid a fortune to have the man and woman kidnapped. From the details, it sounded more like they wanted them dead. It was easy enough to guess that whoever commissioned such a job wouldn't reveal their identity.
However.
"I just can't wrap my head around doing a job for someone you don't even know."
He felt the need to pressure them into staying put.
Mun Seok-il hung his head weakly. Not only was his body agile, but his mind was sharp too. Could someone his age really think that far ahead? In a situation like this, even a sage might lose their cool. Then again, this was the monster who'd neutralized four human weapons in an instant, so even stranger things wouldn't be surprising.
Still, now wasn't the time to overthink.
"I'll find out! Who ordered it!"
Mun Seok-il declared it to himself, to his comrades, glancing around the car. Getting to the hospital to treat his friends came first.
Jin-hyuk's stern expression softened slightly. Finally, the words he'd been waiting for.
"That's more like it. Don't forget—you owe me your lives."
"Y-yeah. So, about the car..."
"Urk-!"
Cough! Kang Hyeon-chang vomited blood. A dark red clot splattered onto his white shirt. The acrid stench of blood mixed with something like burnt gunpowder filled the car.
"Guhhh-."
Kang Hyeon-chang rolled his eyes back in agony.
'Looks worse than I thought.'
Jin-hyuk probed Kang Hyeon-chang's abdomen and chest with his hands. He had no medical knowledge—just going by feel. He'd given them a chance, so no one dying was preferable. If any got worse, they might harbor grudges and snap. With that in mind, he carefully checked Kang Hyeon-chang's condition.
'He won't die from this.'
Kang Hyeon-chang's heart beat steadily, and his complexion was good enough to suspect malingering.
Jin-hyuk pulled his hands away from Kang Hyeon-chang and extended one to Mun Seok-il.
"Give me your hand."
Mun Seok-il hesitated, wondering if he'd break his good hand too, but offered it warily.
"The broken one."
Mun Seok-il grimaced and held out his right hand with the broken fingers. Jin-hyuk grabbed it without delay.
Crack-.
"Kuhk!"
The grotesquely bent fingers snapped back into place.
"You'll need to drive, mister."
"Ah, got it."
Jeong Sang-tae and Kim In-rang looked pale, like severe motion sickness sufferers.
The pain of broken fingers from brutal training was familiar to Mun Seok-il. As Jin-hyuk vacated the driver's seat, he gripped the wheel.
He hurriedly started the engine and shifted into first gear. No time to mind the pain. Seeing Kang Hyeon-chang's calm breathing made him anxious—he might've passed out.
Aware or not of his urgency, Jin-hyuk leaned in, growling at the group.
"No funny business."
A blank check fluttered in Jin-hyuk's hand—their lives' worth.
Vroom-. Watching the car leave, Jin-hyuk headed home.
He should investigate thoroughly, but it felt like getting dragged into something nasty. His gut told him the one behind them had influenced even his previous life.
'Someone who sends pros like that won't stop at one try.'
Hong Gi-jun must know something, hence the precautions. He might even know future—and past—details. This incident could open a dialogue with him.
Hoo-, he sighed.
Life was veering strangely.
He just wanted to live ordinarily. Content with his parents alive, perfectly happy.
'Nothing's changed yet. I learned new facts, know what to do—it's good.'
His goal of ordinary life still stood.
He nodded firmly and unfolded the paper.
'Odd names.'
It listed contacts, addresses, family ties.
Jin-hyuk murmured the men's names.
Mun Seok-il, Jeong Sang-tae, Kang Hyeon-chang, Kim In-rang... They rang familiar, despite being strangers.
He tilted his head, folded the paper neatly, and pocketed it.
'If it's fake, oh well.'
Jin-hyuk shrugged.
He'd just been playing the villain—no intent to become a real devil.
'I'm surprisingly calm.'
He noticed it in sudden crises, but this was extreme—pro fighters with violence and knives—yet no excitement, no panic. If anything, calmer than usual, heart steady.
'Someone waiting for Dad to show, then stage an accident.'
One suspect in the village. If Mun Seok-il failed, investigate him—but he'd fled years ago.
He recalled Choi Jang-hwan and Jo Il-heon sighing at his house.
- "That damn idiot got hooked on a cult and bolted-."
- "Eh-hey-. Listen to this priestly fool. Dae-sun wouldn't skip prayer even when his mom was sick-. He always took her to the hospital. Him joining a cult?"
Jo Il-heon had grieved selling land and cows for his mother's bills, ending in debt.
'When those uncles call, ask them to find Park Dae-soon.'
He'd instilled enough fear; time for mercy. Hospital bills would help, but he had no money. Being a student sucked sometimes—school called.
Still, belonging to school and family comforted inwardly. Having a place to return was blessing.
'Time for serious talks with Dad and Mr. Hong Gi-jun.'
Family grown, not just Dad's issue. Such a persistent foe—if direct attacks failed, they'd try other ways.
Naturally, weak Mom and young Yu-jin worried most.
'Land sharks watching from afar might not suffice. Unsettling without me nearby.'
Jin-hyuk stopped first at Choi Mi-kyeong's house for ribs and forelegs from Jo Il-heon, then traced back home. Eerily calm, he sorted the situation and planned, fearing missed solitude.
Son Jin-hyuk's mind held pages of plans.
Nearing home, a sound made his heart race tenfold.
Weeee-ooweee-!
"Oppa-! Waaahhh-."
"Oh nooo! Yu-jin's awake!"
The kid's wail shook the neighborhood.
Jin-hyuk's legs blurred like wind. Time slowed, wind hushed. Home entered view.
"Waaahhh-! Oppa-!"
Yu-jin, woken and seeking oppa, sat crying in the yard hugging General. General, rudely awakened, dazedly licked her cheek. Still, her sobs persisted.
His precious sister crying for him—autumn sun stabbed his heart like thorns. Chest ached sharply.
"Oogoo goo- Don't cry. Don't cry, baby-. Oppa’s sorry-."
"Yeah, ehehe-."
Son Yu-jin stopped crying like magic as Jin-hyuk scooped her up.
At nine in his past life, how he'd cried searching for parents after fishing, not returning by morning. Waking without her oppa to rely on must hurt Yu-jin the same.
Heart pounded wildly, eyes welled unknown.
"Sorry, Yu-jin. It's okay now."
"Ehehe-, Oppa’s here, right?"
Yu-jin gently stroked his cheek.
That touch melted the beast's heart.
"Yeah, Oppa's here."
The siblings hugged tight, patting backs.
Taeyang-gun township had no clinic.
Mun Seok-il drove 10km out, found only a small private practice, and despaired.
"Damn it! Hyeon-chang's gonna die."
He floored the pedal, cursing. Fellow soldier, rare friend post-discharge.
"Hyung Seok-il, I'm fine. Don't feel like dying."
"What? You sure, Hyeon-chang?"
"Yeah, thought I was done earlier, but no stabbing pain now."
Faint but effortless, Kang Hyeon-chang explained, stroking the hit spot. No pain. Not necrotic numbness—normal sensation.
"Feels totally fine? Maybe a few cracked ribs."
Mun Seok-il sighed in relief, head throbbing at the mystery.
'Dodged my knife?'
Felt like swinging at air.
Swordsmanship? Beanstalk. Near bean field. Son Jin-hyuk picked a thin beanstalk, swung fiercely.
First strike: wrist, dropped dagger. Second: forehead, bled. Third right: side stab. Fourth: throat halt.
Mun Seok-il sensed it.
One more, beanstalk through throat. Cowardly hands—fingers snapped, fist flew. So, scolded by a brat for bad deeds.
Hand caught? Memory blank. Possessed, snapped awake by broken fingers.
'Ha-, embarrassing.'
No time for shame. At least friends unconscious, unseen.
That eerie black shadow vivid. He considered telling, then didn't. Not just fear of lame excuses.
- 【...Thus, the contract is sealed. I'll watch how heavy your tongue, how firm your resolve.】
Voice in head. Silhouette moving like one body, same ego—acted independently. Reaper-worthy dignity.
Kang Hyeon-chang exhaled deeply from back—alive.
"Hyung Seok-il, what now?"
"What else? Honor the deal. Forgot the life debt?"
"We gonna be okay?"
The employer sit idle? Big advance paid. Must be heavy hitter. Jaw-locked two gloomily listened, wiping dark blood from lips.
Mun Seok-il gripped wheel left-handed, sighed.
"Dunno. But no other thoughts come."
"Heh-."
Kang Hyeon-chang bitter-laughed at words.
Terror.
Powerless rabbit facing tiger? Probably, thought Kang Hyeon-chang. Jin-hyuk's glare warning no funny business—irresistible, undefeatable fear.
"Hyung Seok-il, retire?"
Kang Hyeon-chang whispered. Easing speed, Mun Seok-il sighed again at stabilized friend.
"Yeah, best."
Just confirm employer. Failure means no mercy either side. Mercy from today's encounter: luck.
Other two subtly nodded.
'How beat a beanstalk swordsman.'
Beanstalk slicing air echoed. Mun Seok-il shuddered, neck tensing.
Even after sunset, Jin-hyuk reviewed plans.
Dazedly watching Yu-jin and General play in yard.
Panting Yu-jin stuck tongue out approaching. Hanging with General, mimicking him multifold.
"Oppa, grill chicken?"
Ah, right. Jin-hyuk sprang up startled.
Too immersed, forgot lunch.
'No wonder.'
Starved, hence rough on intruders.
Jin-hyuk nodded gravely.
Self-justifying classic human trait engaged, he gathered firewood in yard.