Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Frog in the Well
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"Sis, where are you?"
"Huh? What's got you calling out of the blue? Aren't you busy?"
A noisy clamor filtered through the receiver to Yong-un.
"Sena-ssi, that's not your boyfriend, right?"
"H-Haha, no. I'm busy—company MT, tons to do."
Sena hurriedly tried to end the call.
Yong-un swallowed his rage as best he could and asked,
"Where in Sokcho?"
"What? You're in Sokcho?"
"Yeah."
"We're at this place called Sorohaim, a pension near Ayajin Beach. You coming?"
Sena's voice carried a hint of eager hope.
Yong-un replied,
"Wait there."
He hung up and pulled up a map on his phone.
He had the location now. All that was left was to head over.
Yong-un ground his teeth, burning the male voice from the phone— the one aimed at Sena—into his mind.
"I'm gonna chew you up."
To think some punk was hitting on his one and only sister... it made his blood boil like never before.
He pocketed his phone and clenched his fist tight.
Swoosh.
Demonic energy instinctively surged and spread outward.
'Shopping mall company, was it?'
Before his return, he'd heard the rough details about Sena's workplace from their mother, Mi-hwa.
She'd landed the job right after turning twenty.
It was a solid company, run by good people with plenty of room for ambition.
Sena had dreamed of spending her career there, climbing to the top.
Until that bastard showed up.
'President's son, right?'
To learn the ropes of management, the son had joined Sena's logistics team.
And the nightmare began.
The president's son had been infamous even before arriving— he'd cycled through CS, accounting, everywhere, leaving a trail of screw-ups that nearly got him canned each time.
A total problem child.
With all the rumors swirling, he'd zeroed in on Sena right away— the most popular one in logistics.
'Every night dinner invites, or he'd tell his dad to fire her. Threats. She kept refusing, but it escalated— now she's seriously thinking of quitting.'
Scum beyond scum.
The guy had no clue his petty whims were crushing someone's lifelong dream.
'She even told him her brother's Yong-un. But he said no lies and doubled down on the harassment.'
Crunch.
It was the first time he'd felt this furious since returning to reality.
Yong-un mulled over his talk with Mi-hwa, channeling the roiling demonic energy into his legs.
Then he kicked off the ground, heading for Sorohaim Pension— his mind racing with ways to roast that bastard alive.
On the terrace of Sorohaim Pension.
The fourteen members of the logistics team had set up a barbecue spread, grilling meat and soaking in the MT vibes.
Sena, having just ended her call, forced a smile to keep from killing the mood.
The president's son— Hwang Geum-seok, who'd been glued to her side— offered her a shot of soju.
"Someone's coming? Who?"
Normally, she'd scowl and show her disgust, but fresh off the call with Yong-un, Sena flashed a bold smile.
"Ah, my little brother. I told you guys, right? Top-ranked hunter Lee Yong-un? He's my bro."
She shouted it loud enough for everyone to hear, but not a soul bought it.
"Hahaha, some joke."
"Same surname means everyone's your brother? Hahaha."
The staff who'd begged her not to invite him earlier were now cozying up to the president's son power line.
They all chuckled along with Geum-seok's mockery.
But not everyone.
Team Leader Bang Mi-kyung— the sole voice opposing Geum-seok— frowned and snapped,
"What if it's true?"
As the top power in logistics, her words silenced the laughter from Geum-seok's followers.
But Geum-seok didn't flinch.
"Rankings wrapped ages ago— never once showed at his sister's company? First call's today, even. From the great Yong... Un... ssi."
"Pfft."
"Heeheehee."
His cronies snickered to kiss up.
Team Leader Bang clicked her tongue and approached Sena.
"Ignore 'em."
"It's fine."
She'd always admired Sena's work ethic and now comforted her.
"For MT, we could've done it separate. What's upper management's deal?"
"President's son breathed on 'em, that's why."
"You're in danger today. Stick with me tonight."
Sena seemed off today, somehow.
Bang patted her shoulder.
Sena slammed back her soju in one go.
"Kyaa~ Not a lie. He's coming today. He's nearby."
"What?"
"Yong-un."
Bang's eyes widened, then settled.
"For real?"
The vibe had everyone doubting, Bang included.
But Sena showed no dismay.
If she'd been in their shoes, sudden reveal with zero proof? No buy-in.
That was then.
"Yeah, he's on his way."
Proof of the outing was en route— angry as hell, per Mom's words.
"You know he's huge in hunter circles? Those hunters that shit-for-gold-stone yaps about daily? Puppies next to Yong-un. All wrecked."
Sena refilled her glass to the brim and downed it.
Eyeing Geum-seok's sleazy giggles from afar.
"Right on target."
From the upper floors of the Sorohaim sign, he sensed Sena's presence.
But so many others nearby— he tamped down the fury boiling to his scalp.
'Just smash the harasser.'
The rest might be her key colleagues, so Yong-un took deep breaths to quell the rage.
Waiting at the first floor, Sena approached with a beaming smile.
"You made it?"
"Mom told me everything. Which bastard?"
"Pissed, huh? Perfect— unload it all on that fucker."
Same blood, through and through.
Instead of telling him to cool it, she egged on his anger.
Like a fighter heading into the cage, patting his shoulders.
"I know where. Third floor, right?"
"Huh? How'd you know?"
"No elevator needed. Going straight up."
Yong-un grabbed her hand.
Then summoned demonic energy and leaped once.
In a single bound, he and Sena landed atop the bustling MT terrace.
Tap.
"Uh...?"
Didn't see that coming?
Or shocked he was really her brother?
Either way, the rowdy company MT went dead silent.
"I-Is that... really... Yong-un Hunter?"
One staffer went from shocked to starry-eyed, hand over mouth.
"Whoa... f-for real. Insane..."
"Scoop of the century. Yong-un Hunter's really Sena's brother?"
"Holy shit, mind blown."
Logistics was over 80% women— the truth spread like wildfire.
All the female staff swarmed Yong-un, faces lit with awe.
Sena shoved them back.
"Hey hey, Yong-un's not looking for a girlfriend right now— back off!"
"Girl! After all I've done for you, introduce me to your brother!"
"Right! With a bro like that, you should've called him ages ago!"
She'd sworn it was true a dozen times.
Sena grimaced, then turned her head.
The main culprit approached her and Yong-un.
"It's real, huh?"
Hwang Geum-seok.
The man who'd dragged Yong-un here.
The sleazy voice from the phone, now in the flesh before the grim reaper.
Fearless as ever.
"Sena-ssi, way cooler than I thought. Didn't know she had a brother like this."
Geum-seok extended a hand to Yong-un.
"Company president's my dad. Kinda makes me top dog here."
Yong-un eyed the hand and smirked.
Even pettier than expected.
"Don't sweat Sena-ssi. With you as her brother, I'll smooth her path to exec board. Hahaha!"
He'd hounded Sena relentlessly, but now a high-status Yong-un appears— past sins forgotten, schmoozing for connections.
Reading the intent, Yong-un kept his smile.
"Doesn't matter. Even without you, my sis handles herself fine."
"...Come again?"
Geum-seok's eyebrow twitched.
Sorry, but this was just the opener.
"She's the type who succeeds on her own, no help needed. As her brother, I've got one role. If outsiders pressure her— unrelated to her solid work, pure bullshit— that's when I step in."
Even a scumbag could grasp it.
Simply: touch my sister without cause, leaning on empty power? I'll smash everything.
"Ah, got it."
But Geum-seok was more beast than man, instinct over reason.
In front of Sena, useless pride flared.
"Problem is, Sena's dept ain't in my mall. How you gonna help? Hunter-style smash the place?"
His words gaped even his own crew's mouths.
Staff rushed over, whispering frantically.
"G-Geum-seok? Why go there..."
"Better quit while ahead."
But he barreled on.
"You stay out. Before I fire you all... Ranked hunter? Big deal. My mall. Tomorrow I fire Sena— what you gonna do?"
Finally spat the unspeakable; staff faces crumpled.
"We're screwed..."
Craved feeling above Yong-un.
Spewing lines, he smirked like victory was his.
Yong-un countered with a smile.
"Dumber than I figured."
"What?"
"Who do you think I am?"
Time to show this self-proclaimed king a slice of the world.
Yong-un pulled his phone and dialed Myung-su.
"Master, you called?"
Switched to speaker— all could hear.
Time for real power, not petty clout.
"Gotta clean up a mall."
"A mall, you say?"
"Some punk's after my sister."
"...Which lunatic dares?"
Yong-un smirked at Geum-seok.
"Found one. Insulted sis not enough— boldly yells in my face he'll fire her. So, demonstration time. My power."
Felt the fury through the line?
Myung-su's tone turned deadly serious.
"Where? The mall."
"Rims Shopping Mall, apparently."
"I'll check and call back."
Line went dead. Yong-un locked eyes on Geum-seok.
"You wanted a show? What happens when you touch my sister."
"Shut it— I'll show you. Tomorrow, fire Sena..."
Phone rang mid-rant— Myung-su's voice boomed.
"Rims checked. Over 40% deals with Hwarang Guild and Garosu Guild. Sword Tiger'd handle quick. Want me to call?"
Hwarang and Garosu names dropped— Geum-seok's face hardened.
Yong-un smirked.
"I'll call him myself."
Hung up. Geum-seok, judgment failed, bellowed anyway.
"Fire Sena tomorrow!"
"Sword Tiger."
Connected instantly— Geum-seok's mug twisted.
World too small for him.
If he'd known Garosu's pillar Sword Tiger was Yong-un's disciple, no final outburst.
"Master called you?"
"M-Master?"
Geum-seok paled.
"Sword Tiger's master? Pfft, bluff right at least."
Still calling bullshit.
He didn't get it.
Clinging to pride swelled the damage— to dad's mall, his playground of hurt.
"Know Rims Mall?"
"Huh? Why... Yeah, makes our guild uniforms."
"Cut all deals."
"Pardon?"
"Tell Hwarang too— cut theirs."
No backtalk; felt the wrath.
Playfulness gone, Sword Tiger dead serious.
"Ordering guild leader now— halt all. Official to Hwarang in our names. Done ASAP."
"Good work."
"Hold up. Cheol-yong says he has the pres's number?"
Cheol-yong: new Marung Corps casting director.
Second to guild leader, oversaw all Garosu ops.
Naturally had Rims pres's digits.
"Easier than thought. Tell pres to call my number."
"Got it. Whoever sparked this, pres is toast. Hunters guzzle clothes most— banned from the game. Tsk tsk."
"Quiet, train harder."
"Aye, hit me instead. Touch my master? Heh."
Sword Tiger hung up.
MT vibe iced over instantly.
"Knew it'd go south... damn."
"All cuz that pres's son prick..."
Staff grasped the doom.
Geum-seok? Clueless still.
"You wanna get canned too? Dare me..."
Ring.
Phone again— speaker, familiar tremble.
"Y-Yong-un-nim?"
"Eh...?"
Even the denier Geum-seok knew now.
Dad's quaking voice.
Rims President Hwang Man-sik.
Trembling, Geum-seok froze, ears perked.
"Sword Tiger and Cheol-yong worked fast."
"Details fuzzy... If time now, I'll come apologize. Truly sorry."
Apology barrage hit; Yong-un eyed Geum-seok.
His face? Priceless shift.
Cocky confidence crumbling to despair.
"Head to Sorohaim Pension now."
"S-Sorohaim?"
Knew it well— voice shook harder.
"You get the picture. Your boy boasted loud. Fire my sister to my face. Insolence on top of disgrace..."
"Sorry! Deeply sorry! Coming now. Apologize in person. Please, mercy!"
"One hour. No bowed head before me? This was the warmup."
"Right away! Seeing you. Sorry!"
Hwang Man-sik disconnected.
The bone-deep power from Murim unfolded before Geum-seok.
"Even your father vows to bow to me. Yet you stand tall still."
At Yong-un's low rumble, Geum-seok's voice quavered as he dropped to his knees.
Tears flowed; head bowed low.
There it was— why Yong-un chased influence and power.
To shield his own, you needed that might.
First true wield of power, Yong-un nodded at the frog finally knowing his puddle.