Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Serhen's Pursuit
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Now the only thing left was how to catch Han Sun-ah.
“So, how do you plan to find the evidence?”
Serhen looked at him with intrigued eyes and asked.
She seemed to have the same expectant expression as when they’d torn apart Myeong Jin-han’s pet shop last time.
But things were different now.
Both the situation and his mindset had changed a lot.
There was no way he could treat a serial killer who’d murdered his father—Myeong Jin-han—the same as a nurse who might’ve committed some theft or fraud.
Lee Jae-hyun let out a thoughtful hum before answering.
“This time, we’ll do it by the book. Tail her... or maybe just watch and wait for a bit.”
He was certain she’d done something wrong, but he had no idea what or where the evidence might be.
Without solid proof, he couldn’t just ransack the hospital like he had with Myeong Jin-han’s pet shop.
Plus, she’d pulled off whatever she did just a few days ago, so she’d probably lay low for a while...
‘Not like I need to flip everything upside down to catch her.’
From what he’d heard, she hadn’t killed anyone—just committed some petty crimes here and there.
No need to go all out.
That’s what Lee Jae-hyun was thinking when—
“Tail her, huh... Want me to help?”
“You?”
Her unexpected offer made him pause.
Come to think of it, she’d offered to help find evidence at Myeong Jin-han’s pet shop last time too.
Since she could only consume karma by letting him catch criminals, she wanted to help nab them faster.
But nothing came free.
Serhen was a demon, after all. Even if she was helping him eat karma quicker, there’d be a price.
“Fine by me. But what’s the cost?”
Lee Jae-hyun shrugged and asked.
Demons were all about deals.
If he wanted to use her, she’d take something in return.
Serhen’s lips curved into a sly smile at his question.
“Love how fast we get to the point. That’s why I like you, Contractor. The price... How about that ice cream from last time? Just one.”
“Ice cream? That’s it?”
Lee Jae-hyun eyed her curiously.
Ice cream to move a demon? Seemed too cheap.
She nodded and continued.
“It’s not like I’m using powers or anything. I ate my fill of karma last time, so this one’s on the house.”
“Works for me.”
Lee Jae-hyun shrugged again.
If an ice cream could get a criminal tailed and intel gathered, it was a steal.
Deal sealed, Serhen nodded in satisfaction and moved out right away.
All that was left was waiting for her to bring back proof that Han Sun-ah was committing crimes.
Lee Jae-hyun glanced in the direction she’d vanished, then turned his eyes back toward the examination room.
* * *
It didn’t take long for Mother’s checkup to wrap up.
Lee Jae-hyun took her hand and helped her out of the recovery room after the endoscopy.
“Feeling okay?”
“Ugh, so many tests. My head’s spinning.”
“You did great.”
He smiled and massaged her shoulders.
Blood tests, urine tests, and all sorts of others on top of that.
Then the endoscopy under sedation—no wonder she was wiped.
She was probably dizzy right now.
When Mother wobbled a bit, he steadied her under the pretense of a shoulder rub.
She knew what he was doing and seemed fine with it, turning to him with a small smile.
“What’s there to be tired about? I just lay there. Weren’t you bored waiting outside?”
“No time for that.”
“What could you possibly have to do out there?”
“Who knows. It just worked out that way.”
Lee Jae-hyun shrugged.
The tests hadn’t been quick, but he hadn’t been bored.
He’d spent the time tailing that nurse after hearing Serhen’s tip.
Mother took his evasive answer as consideration and patted his back with a light chuckle.
“Your father’s shift should be ending soon. Better head home and fix some food.”
“Cooking today’ll be rough. Let’s eat out.”
He grabbed her hand.
She’d just had the endoscopy—still woozy, no doubt.
Hospitals didn’t warn against driving after for nothing.
She could probably manage cooking, but he wasn’t risking it.
‘What if she cuts herself while cooking?’
The thought of her slicing her hand made his stomach twist.
They’d come for a checkup for her health—not to get hurt over it.
Better to eat out.
But Mother shook her head.
“Everything costs money out there. Your father works so hard for it—can’t just blow it on a meal.”
“I earn money too, Mom.”
“Same difference. Money you earn busting your butt outside. Should spend it on something better than food.”
She huffed and put on a stern face for show.
But he wasn’t backing down.
She looked drained from the checkup alone.
One meal out wouldn’t break him.
Lee Jae-hyun took her hand and led her toward the food court.
“Nothing better than treating you to a meal. I got this—let’s eat out today.”
“...Alright?”
After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded, reading his intent.
Her lips twitched up, betraying her quiet joy.
Seeing that, Lee Jae-hyun made up his mind.
‘Gotta make some money.’
In his last life, revenge had consumed him—no thought of cash.
This time, things were different.
His parents were healthy and alive. He wanted to spoil them if he could.
“So, what’re you in the mood for?”
“Anything, as long as it’s with you.”
“Hm. How about abalone porridge?”
Lee Jae-hyun pondered, then looked at her.
She’d fasted since yesterday for the checkup—stomach still empty.
Something gentle, easy to digest like porridge would be perfect.
But Mother, whom he’d figured would love it, furrowed her brow slightly.
“Abalone porridge? Isn’t that pricey?”
“Nah, not as much as you think.”
She fretted, but he waved it off.
Abalone porridge was nothing—if she enjoyed it, he’d buy it a hundred times.
Anything beat watching her hooked to an IV for nutrients.
‘Means I need cash.’
With real money, she wouldn’t worry and could eat out whenever.
No need to struggle.
He’d turned back time, knew what was coming.
Not using that knowledge would be stupid.
‘At least enough so she doesn’t think about money when eating out.’
That was the goal for now.
Lee Jae-hyun took Mother’s hand and started walking.
* * *
They ended up eating out that evening.
Mother, who’d kept glancing at the menu prices with worry, smiled wide when a whole abalone arrived sliced up.
Father, arriving late after his taxi shift, grinned ear to ear through the meal.
Lee Jae-hyun recommitted to making money, wrapping up the good day on a high note.
He crashed as soon as he got home...
“Contractor.”
“Mmm...”
The next morning.
Lee Jae-hyun, planning a lazy wake-up on his day off, cracked his eyes at the noise, frowning.
There was Serhen, floating in midair.
She called out again as he looked.
“Contractor!”
“What’s up?”
He rubbed his eyes and sat up.
First day off in a while—ruined by her.
She fluttered her wings, landed on the floor, and grinned at him.
“Good thing you woke up on the second call.”
“...”
He blinked at her baffling words.
Wait—didn’t they say grim reapers kill you if they call your name three times?
Coming from a demon like Serhen, it felt weird.
‘No way I was actually in danger, right?’
A chill ran down his spine.
It was just “Contractor,” not his name. And she said “good thing” on the second—probably a joke.
Lee Jae-hyun shook his head to clear the sleep, then looked at her.
“Anyway, how long you gonna keep calling me ‘Contractor’?”
He got out of bed, changing the subject.
It sounded off now that things had settled.
Serhen tilted her head at his question.
“What then? Jae-hyun-nim?”
“No, the ‘-nim’ makes it weird. Something more natural?”
“Jae-hyun?”
“That feels off too.”
He scratched the back of his head.
With ‘-nim,’ it sounded like some online buddy.
Without it, her young-looking appearance clashed.
‘Gotta be a good fit.’
He racked his brain but drew a blank.
Serhen watched, then tilted her head again.
“How about... Oppa?”
“...”
She looked up at him innocently.
The word caught him off guard—he clamped his mouth shut.
Natural, sure. Their apparent age gap fit too.
But his mental age was a decade older than he looked.
Hearing “oppa” from someone who looked middle-school age felt wrong with his true age.
Anyway.
“Never mind that. Why’d you wake me this early?”
“Right! Found her.”
He tabled the name issue for later and got to the point.
Serhen clapped her hands, remembering.
Lee Jae-hyun tilted his head.
“Found what?”
“That nurse.”
She furrowed her brow like he was slow.
Then it hit him—the deal from yesterday.
Tail Han Sun-ah, the petty crook from Myeongseok Hospital, in exchange for ice cream.
Meaning she was on the move now.
No time to waste.
“Where? Let’s go.”
Eyes sharp, Lee Jae-hyun grabbed his clothes and said.