Chapter 41
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Trapping the Stalker
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Who was going to play the role of Choo Miyoung's boyfriend? Naturally, it was me.
Who else but me could guarantee her safety?
Choo Miyoung had objected at first, saying it was too dangerous, but I convinced her easily.
"Come at me, any way you like. If even a fingertip touches me, we'll call it even."
Whoosh. Whish.
Of course, dodging her as she flailed her arms at me was child's play.
In the end, Choo Miyoung pretended to relent and accepted my proposal.
"Let's give it a shot."
We set the date to lure out the stalker for that very Saturday.
A little after lunchtime, Choo Miyoung posted a photo on her Instagram of us holding hands.
[Came to Busan and was feeling lonely, but I made a great new friend.]
Even though she'd neglected the account for nearly a year, she still had tens of thousands of followers, so the comments poured in.
[How could you? I came all the way here for you.]
We spotted the stalker's comment without much trouble.
"We found it quick."
"Yeah. Sigh, I almost wish he'd sent a threatening DM instead so we could've gotten the cops involved properly."
Choo Miyoung sounded disappointed, but for me, having him come to us beat waiting around for some trace forever.
Besides, she'd said she often felt him lurking nearby.
In case he tried breaking into the clinic, I'd planted myself in the waiting room at Haneul Clinic from the afternoon on, waiting for the stalker.
"He didn't show during clinic hours."
"Too many staff and patients around, eyes everywhere. Not sure if posting like this will even draw him out."
"He'll come even if he doesn't show his face. He chased you to Busan—he'll at least want to confirm."
Choo Miyoung had said from the start he wouldn't appear during business hours. I'd come early just in case, but I figured it'd be after closing.
"You look seriously cool, by the way. I thought some flower boy model had shown up. If the director was a guy, I'd have fallen for real."
"Heh."
I glanced at the full-length mirror.
Just as she said, my outfit had a nice vibe.
I'd tied my hair up and tucked it into a beanie, thrown on a loose button-up to hide my figure, and topped it with a coat. With my natural height boosted by insoles and a pair of sunglasses, it made for a convincing street fashion look.
Not super masculine, but no one would suspect a guy at first glance.
"Shall we head out, princess?"
"Ahaha."
Weekend clinic hours ended at 5 p.m., and the sun showed no sign of setting yet.
We grabbed dinner at a nearby Western restaurant, and Choo Miyoung snapped a pic of her pasta for Instagram.
[Thanks for the support, everyone. Feels so good to chat with you all again after so long ♡]
This time, she angled it to subtly show the ring on her finger.
A bunch of comments asking if she was getting married popped up, but no reaction from the stalker.
"He read it. One hundred percent."
"Yeah... I need to be careful."
Choo Miyoung nodded, tension etched on her face.
"I'll handle everything, so no need to worry that much."
I gently loosened her tense shoulders and even gave her a quick TMJ massage.
After leaving the restaurant, we hit a café, chatted away the time, and waited for sunset. No way he'd show up in a crowded spot.
Full night had fallen. I took Choo Miyoung's hand and headed to the park.
The same park where she'd gotten drunk last time and made a fool of herself in front of Seo In-ae.
It was at the mouth of a hiking trail, not right by the station, so even on weekends, it stayed pretty empty.
Perfect spot to sense anyone approaching within range.
"Let's bait him. I'll pretend to head to the bathroom and step away for a bit."
"Okay."
I left Choo Miyoung on a secluded bench and turned toward the restrooms, flipping my hair for anyone who might be watching.
"...!"
A killing intent prickled from behind.
If he'd been watching at the restaurant or café, I'd have noticed, no doubt. Did he see the Instagram and catch up late?
I kept moving as if oblivious to him.
Of course, if he went for Choo Miyoung, I could close the gap in a second.
Whoosh!
I expanded my senses to cover the whole park.
Normally, hypersensitive hearing was just a nuisance, but right now, it was essential.
"I've been... letting you know I'm right by her side..."
Behind the fountain! Not far off, a voice muttered.
The man had an eerily faint presence.
"How... how...?"
Hearing his mumble, I hesitated.
Come out. Threaten us. Then we could call the cops for sure.
'No way he's just gonna keep watching from there?'
If so, I'd have to grab him and scare him good.
But I couldn't let Choo Miyoung see that. She'd stay terrified.
Better if he lunged at her alone and spilled his feelings...
"How could you leave me for some pretty-boy parasite?!"
"Huh?"
Thudthudthudthud!
Like he'd made up his mind, the man broke into a run.
But he wasn't aiming for Choo Miyoung.
'He's coming for me?'
I'd planned to turn and subdue him if he threatened her, but his footsteps headed straight for me.
I edged farther from Choo Miyoung, pretending to hunt for the bathroom while shifting to a spot with CCTV I'd scouted earlier.
Thudthudthud.
Thudthudthudthud!
In about 20 seconds, a not-quite-chase unfolded.
I walked briskly while he sprinted full tilt, so he naturally caught up.
And once the gap closed enough for even a normal person to hear footsteps...
Shing!
As I spun around, a sharp blade whistled past my face.
'A knife?'
I'd figured a guy who couldn't even show himself would just tail us, peek, or threaten at most.
But the stalker gripped a 20cm kitchen knife.
"You dare touch Miyoung?!"
Far more dangerous than expected. He thrust with all his weight, dead serious about killing.
"Oh dear."
I easily leaned back, dodging his strike.
No hesitation, but he lacked even the guts to look me in the eye.
No martial arts, no training—an blind swing like that wouldn't land.
Tap.
I sidestepped his arc and struck the numb spot at the back of his neck, plus the twin Tianzhu points.
"Gurk...!"
Usually great for draining rebellious qi upward to treat headaches, insomnia, or stiffness, but channeling energy there could paralyze the mind temporarily.
The qi I injected raced down the Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang.
Thud.
His legs buckled, and he crumpled.
The CCTV would show him swinging wildly at nothing, tripping, and getting cut up.
"Wandering around with a weapon like that's asking for trouble."
I picked up the dropped knife and dialed 112 right away.
"Hello, there's a guy here threatening people with a knife..."
"Gahhh!"
"Yes, yes. A short walk west from the park restrooms."
He struggled in vain—movement was impossible.
He couldn't resist a bit while I gave the precise location.
"You, you! What did you do to me?!"
"Who knows."
The stalker heard my entire call with the police up close. Only then did he realize I wasn't Choo Miyoung's boyfriend.
No need to hide anymore.
I doffed my sunglasses and hat, long hair cascading down.
"Hmm. A knight in shining armor saving a damsel from a villain, perhaps."
"Miyoung... Miyoung is my woman."
Yeah, yeah. Let's hear what he yells till the cops arrive.
I crossed my arms and looked down at him writhing on the ground.
"From the start, I was the only one who truly loved her!"
"'From the start' probably means when she made her Instagram."
He snarled, his delusion-fueled possessiveness on full display.
Should've hit his numb spot too? But yelling like this would make it easier for the police to find us.
Chatting with a lunatic never ended well.
"Unlike those drooling creeps just staring at her pretty pics."
"Uh-huh."
"I... I know everything about her. Working Miyoung. Exhausted-after-work Miyoung. The Miyoung who smiles thinking of me cheering her on...!"
This guy, who seemed like he'd never raised his voice properly in his life, screamed himself hoarse.
'Not full-blown hallucinations, at least.'
He knew better than anyone she'd never love him.
Started simple, probably thrilled by her replies to his comments. As her followers grew, he craved to be special.
But wishing doesn't let you see everything.
He delved into her private life, stalking her from Cheonan to Busan again.
'No medicine for this kind.'
I monitored him, half-listening, until two cops arrived shortly after.
Choo Miyoung came too, tense on the bench alone.
I withdrew the qi and handed the knife to the officer.
He eyed me suspiciously but cuffed the guy after I pointed to the CCTV.
"Miyoung, Miyoung."
Even handcuffed and pinned, he called for her.
Choo Miyoung grimaced. His yelling had let her hear plenty.
"...Fucking hell."
Still scared, she stuck close to the non-restraining officer and muttered a curse.
She strode toward the bound stalker.
"Don't get too close, ma'am."
"Fucking hell, it was you."
"Miyoung! I was just by your side to protect you...!"
One cop gripped his arm tight, but he thrashed his head to reach her.
"Aaaahhh!"
Choo Miyoung stared him down, then unleashed a piercing scream.
"You're fucking disgusting, total trash. I wanna kill you. What? You know everything about me? Fuck, if I could, I'd smash your skull!"
"Mi, Miyoung..."
"Ha, haha. Because of this piece of shit. Couldn't even use Instagram. Shaking like a leaf every time I got off work."
"Ma'am, calm down."
The stalker and even the cops were stunned by her outburst.
"Fuck, I can't take it. I don't want him going quietly to jail. Can't I at least bust his balls?"
As if they'd say yes.
Before the cop could reply, Choo Miyoung charged him.
"Director Choo, calm..."
Bam!
A fierce upward kick rivaling when he'd lunged at me.
"Gaaaaaaah!"
I could've blocked it but didn't bother.
What... The cop holding him down probably felt the same.
A bit later, the stalker—nursing some lower-body damage—was hauled off to the station.