Chapter 220
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 220
Chapter Title: Capturing the Fraudster
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A few days after returning from the volunteer service.
I'd convinced the children of the grandmother who'd first shown me the Daeduhwanggwon and filed the report.
But since they weren't the actual victims, I had no clue how the investigation was going.
'Only old articles on the internet...'
Like that scammer who'd been peddling fake martial arts manuals before, had this guy left no trace?
I'd racked my brain for ways to track him down personally, but no leads turned up.
Then one day—Thursday morning.
As I was lounging at home, my phone rang. It was Lee Dongwon, president of the medical volunteer club.
- Director, I found him! He's in Miryang right now!
"Really? How'd you track him down?"
- Everyone in the nearby villages said they didn't know, so I called around everywhere! Gimhae, Yangsan, Changwon, Sacheon, Haman... village halls, senior centers, you name it. Finally, one place said they'd spotted someone matching the description!
Wow, he'd worked hard. The guy must've skipped town right when the trail was heating up.
"So, when's the scheduled event?"
Ideally Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday.
Rescheduling clinic hours would be a hassle.
Once I knew the schedule, I planned to ambush him when he showed.
- From what the victims said, the only real event was that village hall last time. Usually he hawks his wares at the market, or occasionally at busy restaurants. Lucky break—a staffer at the center happened to see him pass by...
"So we need to head there now?"
- Aren't you seeing patients, Director? The guy who spotted him said he'd try to stall, so I canceled my lectures and headed out.
"It's my day off. Send the location. I'm on my way."
I punched the address Lee Dongwon gave into the navigation. A little over an hour away.
If he'd just set up shop, that should buy enough time. Plus, someone was stalling him already.
"Did you call the police?"
- Well... the guy who called said not to count on the local station... The other staffers who took reports were kinda...
Lee Dongwon trailed off. I could picture it without him saying more.
Sure, plenty of dedicated officials out there, but the deeper into the countryside you go, the less things run by the book.
On the surface, it was just some guy overcharging for tea leaves at a restaurant. No warrant out yet, so they'd drag their feet.
"Thanks for digging around. If we catch him red-handed and drag him in, they'll have to take him."
I was going anyway, and it wasn't a workday.
I'd already changed clothes during the call and started the car.
"See you there."
I hung up with Lee Dongwon and, right before pulling out, speaker-phoned Baek Suji.
She'd want to know.
Luckily, she picked up right away.
"Director, it's a weekday—don't you have time?"
She'd said she'd nab him herself, but Thursday and Sunday were her days off too. Same as mine?
Thursday was always the slowest for patients anyway.
- Miryang's closer for me. I'll head out now!
And just like that, three cars converged on the same spot.
Yeom Young-il, self-proclaimed herbalist.
His real trade was sales, but he always spun it as wild-picked herbs for the mystique.
It sold way better.
"You look drained—no energy at all. This herb clears your head, surges power through your limbs, drains the swelling from hands and feet, even eases that chest tightness."
Today's star product: xiangfu.
"What's it called?"
"Thunder God's Head. Hits like lightning—clears your mind right up."
Thunder God's Head was its alias.
Like all his herbs, cheap wholesale but with flashy names that sounded legit.
"Hmm..."
But today's mark—an old man—wasn't biting.
He'd perked up right away; I thought it was a done deal!
"Forget that—what's that bean-looking one next to it?"
Right on cue, backup from the side.
"Ah, that's Daeduhwanggwon. Rare stuff—almost sold out, can't sell it."
"Show me that one then."
"You don't need this one..."
"How much? Why so picky?"
Separate from the main pitch, the old hide-and-seek trick with a side herb.
Yeom Young-il played along, reluctantly pulling out the Daeduhwanggwon.
"Uhh... gotta be 60 for this."
"Bah! Hanbang at the township pharmacy's 40 or 50!"
"Not your run-of-the-mill stuff—way rarer. Picked it myself on Jirisan. Was hunting for my mom, found a bit extra, but not much."
One grandma haggling loudly drew a crowd.
Jirisan? Total bullshit. Yeom Young-il wouldn't know if herbs grew there.
All bulk-bought online from China.
"Lemme just smell it."
"The scent's premium too..."
"So stingy!"
After some bickering, a dozen sniffed it.
Yeom Young-il rattled off benefits.
And finally.
"50, deal?"
"No profit in it!"
"I'll grab cash now!"
Play reluctant for the haggler, cave in.
"45? I'll keep it secret."
"50's already a loss!"
"Fine, fine."
"Lemme see too."
Daeduhwanggwon started flying—several packets.
Trend was hot.
"Ahem, show me some."
"Sir, Thunder God's Head's perfect for you. Custom fit—bet you were sharp as a tack in your youth, just look at you."
"Heh, with money, I'd have gone to college."
And the first target grandpa's wallet opened.
Xiangfu too—300,000 won total.
Damn, how much today? Cost under 10,000 total.
Could coast a week.
"Aigoo! Taking such a loss! Stay healthy, folks!"
Done enough—he packed up.
No returning here.
"Wait a sec...!"
A woman in her 50s grabbed him.
'Hm.'
Yeom Young-il sized her up. Classic countryside auntie vibe.
But too young for his marks.
He targeted 75-80+, illiterate or smartphone-illiterate.
Middle-aged? Too risky—backlash potential.
"What is it?"
Still in view of his buyers, he smiled back.
"I, uh, got here late—missed the details. Thunder God...? Tell me again. My mom's stressed too."
Yeom Young-il pondered.
Bail? But xiangfu was visible—not like the hidden Daeduhwanggwon.
"Please. Sit a bit, explain?"
Aw, hell—30k more!
"So this is Thunder God's Head..."
He launched into the spiel again.
Ten minutes later.
"No more Daeduhwanggwon left?"
"..."
Another ten.
"Buy both, special discount!"
"So this and this—650k... 30 plus 50 is 70? Minus 30k?"
"Together 800k—150k off!"
Yeom Young-il was fuming inside.
Idiot customer!
Who else buys this crap?
'Open the damn wallet already...'
Then.
"Heard some young folks showed up here today~?"
Loud voice outside—like for him to hear.
"...!"
Sudden gut feeling hit Yeom Young-il.
'This woman's stalling on purpose?'
Something off.
Too dumb—even for a mark.
Reported him? Buying time?
"Next time maybe."
He swept up his herbs, bolted.
"Where you running?"
Young woman's voice at the front. Shit!
But okay—scouted the back door.
Dashed through the kitchen.
Crash!
Smashed hanging bowls to block pursuit.
"Hey, you psycho...!"
"What the hell?!"
Restaurant owner and wife—paid to use the spot—yelled, but he ignored.
No return anyway.
Cheap bowls—what's the big deal? Doubt they'd report.
"Director, the floor...!"
Shards everywhere—they wouldn't cross carelessly.
Yeom Young-il slipped out the back.
Parking lot: three new cars.
'Plainclothes cops for me? Director what?'
Damn! Victim's a fool! Chased me here?
No idea how trailed.
Never gave numbers, cash only—no cops, no frozen accounts.
'Just one anyway... there.'
Escape first.
Spotted cliff behind lot.
Road paved, rest rural mess.
Cliff? 5m drop—hide below while they circle.
Lay low, bolt when clear.
'Gasp...!'
He scrambled down the 5m drop.
"Over there!"
Should've been hidden, but the first screamer dashed straight.
'Shit! How?'
Looked up—she grinned creepily.
Flanked by woman and man, but her eyes overwhelmed him.
"Flea's jump."
Snapped to, he spun away.
No time for taunts.
They'd take time descending—he was fast.
"Director Han and I will chase by car. Junior..."
One guy chasing.
Didn't look back, sprinted.
Bus stop—if timed right, escape.
"Director!"
"Danger!"
Shouts from the pair.
"Huh?"
No time to think.
Feint to stop him?
"Gotcha."
Thud.
Collar grabbed—goosebumps exploded.
'This cliff in one leap...?!'
Her hair whipped, eerie smile filled view.
Instinctual terror, but he thought fast.
'Don't know how she jumped, but...!'
Shoved her full force.
Or tried.
Whoooosh.
Next instant, his body flew skyward.
Bam!
Suddenly, he was flat on the ground.