Euna's Plea and the Billion-Won Bonanza

We'd gone hiking together, chattering away in front of the convenience store well past 10 p.m. before finally parting ways. Euna clung desperately to my wrist.

"Just come to my place. Only for tonight. Yeah? It's cramped, but there's room for one ajusshi."

"No way! Some ajusshi sleeping over at a high school girl's house?!"

At my sharp retort, Euna pondered for a moment.

"Aju—no, oppa… you know we're only four years apart."

She flipped her own words on their head. Euna's oppa declaration. A rare gem. Just yesterday she was all "ajusshi this, ajusshi that." But that had been cute too. Those pursed lips like she'd made a big decision, those trembling eyes, going from ajusshi distance to suddenly nitpicking our age gap—it was all adorable.

"See you tomorrow."

I ruffled her hair wildly. Euna pouted in mild dissatisfaction but didn't dodge my hand.

"Bye, ajusshi."

"Not gonna call me oppa?"

"The bus already left, didn't it?"

She tossed the saucy reply over her shoulder and trotted off toward her goshiwon with quick steps. Even after hiking and nonstop talking, her energy overflowed—her pace was impressive.

Guess I should head home too.

Here, "home" meant Heena's mansion. The thought of going there felt as natural as if it were my own house.

This is something.

I pulled up the Hypnosis App. I stared at the screen swirling with rainbow colors.

Thanks to this thing, I'm living in a mansion…

Then it happened. Ding! A notification popped up.

"Huh?!"

I tapped it immediately to check. Yangho Group had deposited 5 billion won.

"Wha-wha-what the…?!"

I rushed into the app, unlocked it with my fingerprint, and confirmed the account. The 5 billion had shoved aside the meager sum I'd had and settled grandly in its place. Zeros stacked after the 5s tangled my brain. My mind short-circuited.

"Is… is this for real…?"

I'd figured it'd take days, but a few hours?

"Uha! Hahaha!!!"

I spun in circles like a madman—after confirming no one was around—and whooped in triumph. Long live the Hypnosis App!!!

"Wait, hold on."

Five minutes later, I snapped out of it. It was supposed to be a 200 million advance. Why 5 billion?

The mystery cleared up when I checked the news page.

Fast work from our Chairman Min. With that drive and speed, no wonder Tasan's Korea's top conglomerate.

"Living right sure pays off."

Keep living right from now on. Or I'll come find you myself and set you straight again.

"Kuhahaha!!!"

"Daddy, that big bro's crazy."

"Shh. Let's just pass by."

What? Me, crazy? I bristled at the kid with the candy and his dad.

But it cooled quick. Fair point, honestly. Anyone would think I looked insane.

Yeah. Anyone…

Damn, even I feel wronged! I'm not crazy!

Thirty seconds later, I was bubbling again and chased down that father-son duo for some hypnosis.

"Father! You love and cherish your son! But you don't just spoil him with love! When he's wrong, you raise him right with proper scoldings and discipline!!!"

"And you, kid! Brush before bed—too much sweets rots your teeth! Cut back, yeah? Give your hardworking dad a shoulder or leg rub! Get along great with Dad, full of harmony! Build confidence, study hard, exercise, grow into a proper kid and upright young man!"

Ahh, grudge settled. Satisfied, I released the hypnosis and went on my way.

Vrooooom!!!

"What the!?"

A flashy, tuned-up motorcycle blasted right past me. Blaring music mixed with the engine roar. The gust shredded my clothes.

"Screeech!!!"

"Woo-hoo!!!"

The notorious biker gang types. Two on a modded bike, causing all sorts of havoc.

Too late to hypnotize—they were gone. The app needs them to see the screen anyway.

Sirens wailed behind. Police cars pursued. When a police bike blocked their path, the bikers swerved this way, that way, toying with the cops.

"Sigh."

Couldn't stand by. I charged at the bikers. They veered sharply as this random citizen rushed them, but I grabbed the bike's rear with one hand.

The engine roared desperately, but it couldn't break my grip.

"What the fuck, you punk!"

The biker spat curses. Tattoos covered his neck and arms.

"Take a look at this."

Hypnosis on the biker. I ordered him to kill the engine; he obeyed meekly.

"Um, officer…?"

"Ah, sorry, officer. One sec."

Hypnosis on the approaching cop too—stand by.

"You two! What the hell you doing, roaring around at night, disturbing the neighborhood! Illegal mods on that bike, endangering cops and civilians! Ignoring signals?! And those tattoos? Oh, irezumi, huh? Drawing on your body, drag-racing at night, wasting your youth!? Fine, waste it if you want! But don't harm others!!!"

Pause for effect.

"From now on, ride safe, and above all!!! Don't bother anyone else. Restore that illegal mod ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to stock, cooperate fully with the police since you're in the wrong! Reflect deeply, face justice! Earn an honest living from here on!"

Reformed bikers done. I shook the cop's hand.

"Always tough work, officers. Pillars of the people. Eat well, exercise regularly, stay healthy. Prioritize safety arresting criminals, serve the citizens as great cops."

That'll do. Released hypnosis, left the cops hauling off the bikers, and continued home.

Kept grinning at my bank app showing 5 billion. Smile wouldn't quit.

Billions. Billions! Not 100-200 million—5 billion!

"Hahaha!"

Happy dilemma time. Where to spend for max bragging rights?

Right! Watch first!

Start with expensive luxury timepieces!

"Kuhahaha!!!"

The 5 billion high—laughter nonstop. Headed straight to a luxury store.

Moments later, I emerged with a genuine smartwatch and earbuds.

What, Rolex? You want heart rate during workouts, phone sync? Nah, never even considered watches that don't track vitals.

Strapped on the latest, priciest authentic smartwatch, popped in the earbuds.

Kuh, this fit!

Couldn't resist—did that Spider-Man hero flip, clapping overhead, snapping my hips in dance. No symbiote, so mega embarrassing. Quit after 10 seconds, headed to Heena's mansion, showered, hit the bed.

Smartwatch and buds cost tens of millions. But no dent in my wallet.

Money means freedom! Night munchies hit. Late-night chicken!

No delivery fee worries—ordered from both Kyochon and BBQ!

Not stopping: cheese balls! Fries! Cola! Squid rings! Sides galore!

Cola zero, obvs. Placed via app, waited.

Bored waiting, grabbed yogurt from fridge, went to lick the lid… stopped.

"I'm rich! Toss this crap!"

Threw lid away. Spooned the yogurt clean, washed container, put back. Flex.

Flopped on bed, legs crossed, arm pillow, remote in other hand.

"Nice… now… chicken…"

Just wait…

"Lee Yun-seo, battling leukemia. Needs surgery, but disabled dad's earnings barely cover hospital bills."

"12-year-old Jung Soo-bin survives on half a ramen pack daily. Lost parents young, cares for bedridden grandma…"

"Hope Orphanage director raises 30 kids alone. Tears in her story. Gets gov aid, but…"

"Korean War vet Park Chun-bae's winters are harsh. If snow falls…"

What the hell? Why this flood of sob stories on channels that usually flop?

"Nah, someone else'll help anyway."

Finger on channel up… about to press…!

"Grrraaah!!!"

Vet's hollow face, kid slurping ramen soullessly, crying director, disabled dad sobbing over sick son—flashed by.

"Plenty others'll do it!!!"

No dice! Hypnosis! Gotta hypnotize!

Stood before mirror, stared straight at app screen via reflection.

"I ignore those peop… ig… nore… ig… guh!!!"

Fuck!!! Can't ignore!

Haunts my eyes! Back when broke and powerless, busy surviving, a few thousand or ten thousand won donation let me look away. But now? Money and hypnosis power tripped me up.

"O-okay! Just some! 10% donation fine! 10% is 500 million! I donate 10% of my money… keep the rest—no! No! No!"

Shit, 10% leaves me 500 million!

"Again. I don't donate full amount! Donate to ease my conscience, what I wanna help—most important! Never regret donating!!!"

Good! Keeps my cash, lets me donate!

Called immediately, left 1 million won, donated rest in Heena's name to the suffering.

5 billion to 1 million in seconds, but heart light. Heena, you get donation queen title and thanks. I spend the money.

But nagging unease. Why?

Simple.

"Dumbass. Hypnosis doesn't work on me—wasted effort."

Why hypnotize myself when it fails? Unease from pointless self-suggest. Whatever, shrug.

Post-shrug: Did I overdo it?

Already done, whatever.

Chill. So what no 5 billion? Helped folks! Peace of mind! Still got 1 million! Enough for 50 chicken deliveries. Lucky!

Light-hearted, tore into delivery chicken, watched TV.