Ch.62Episode 12. Because We’re Still Family (End)

The day after Bin Yoon officially began developing the status ailment recovery potion, I went out with my face covered as much as possible by a hat and mask.

“It should be around here…”

Following the address I found in Bin Yoon’s personal information, I arrived at a residential area on the outskirts of Seoul.

Using a map app to guide me, I found myself in front of a rather old-looking house.

I looked around the two-story house with its own yard.

The paint on the walls was peeling off in places, exposing the bare cement underneath. The flowers in the garden bed had all withered and died, while weeds grew abundantly across the ground.

Living in such an environment seemed like it could make even a healthy person sick.

“Hmm.”

Sensing someone inside, I pressed the doorbell.

Ding-dong.

The bell sound echoed unusually loudly. It was because the street was extremely quiet.

Soon after, I heard a rattling sound followed by rough breathing.

[*gasp* W-who is it?]

She doesn’t sound like she’s exercising…

Though suspicious, I decided not to make unnecessary assumptions without seeing for myself.

When faced with the actual truth, one’s vision could become clouded.

“This is Instructor Yujin from the Academy’s Special Class. I’m here to talk. Would you mind opening the door?”

[Y-Yujin? Ah, that person… I have nothing to say to you. Go away.]

“I have something that could help Kim Soyang.”

[Even if it’s helpful, I don’t need it. After humiliating me in front of my daughter. Are you trying to meddle now?]

Her already irregular breathing became more rapid. Her voice grew louder as well.

“That was because you—”

[Fuck… A mere instructor!]

…What?

[Just leave quietly! What right do you have to interfere in our family matters?]

She suddenly started shouting.

The speaker crackled and cut out intermittently, as if struggling to handle her voice.

A brief silence followed. Through the speaker, I could hear Kim Soyang catching her breath. I barely suppressed my rising irritation as I leaned toward the speaker.

“What right, you ask? I am Bin Yoon’s supervising instructor. As the one responsible when problems arise for Bin Yoon, I have the right to intervene in family matters to some extent.”

There are no rights in this world that come without cost.

Rights always come with duties and responsibilities.

And because I was diligently fulfilling those duties and responsibilities, I could rightfully assert my rights.

“I’m always doing my best to guide Bin Yoon on the right path. The reason I’m standing here now is for Bin Yoon’s sake. If you truly care about Bin Yoon, is there any reason to resent my actions?”

Though I said this, I already knew her true feelings.

She resented me for preventing her from fulfilling her filthy desire to leech off her child.

She probably thought that without me, she could have sucked Bin Yoon dry. Trash.

“So please open the door nicely. I’ll leave as soon as our conversation is over.”

[…Talk from there.]

That defeats the purpose.

As someone who needed to determine if Kim Soyang had contact with Akcheon, I needed to look around inside the house.

I came here because conversation alone would provide limited information. And now she’s giving me the cold shoulder.

“Haa.”

I suppressed the frustration rising to my throat. I looked up at the cloudy sky that seemed ready to rain.

…I guess there’s no choice.

In this situation, I’ll have to believe in modern society’s materialism. Plus, I might as well test the waters while I’m at it.

“…I understand you have quite a bit of debt.”

[That’s none of your business.]

“I might be able to help you pay off some of that debt.”

She was human scum who maintained extravagant spending habits, buying luxury goods even while accumulating debt, yet refused to work, desiring only a life of pleasure.

It was utterly disgusting to show kindness to someone like Kim Soyang, but I had to endure.

Because this conversation might provide a clue to catching Akcheon.

[Some? Why just some? Why not pay it all off? Isn’t that what heroes do? Isn’t it a hero’s duty to help people in need and speak out for justice?]

“…Not everything you say makes sense, Ms. Kim Soyang.”

[Hah. Then I don’t see the point of heroes.]

“You have no right to demand sacrifice from heroes.”

How truly despicable.

Everything was the result of her own actions.

She still hasn’t come to her senses, blaming the world and others instead of herself, which is why she never improves.

[Ah~ Then I don’t need your help. I’ll be able to pay off my debts now anyway.]

She can pay off her debts?

That was an ambiguous answer. Let me probe a bit more.

“How exactly? How does a surplus human like you who doesn’t work plan to pay off debts?”

[I have no reason to tell you!]

She bristles, clearly stung by the term “surplus human.”

“Did you borrow money from someone else?”

[I didn’t borrow anything! I’m not going to talk about this, so just leave! I’m hanging u—]

BANG!

I slammed my fist against the door. The violent sound echoed throughout the residential area.

But the door didn’t break. It just made a loud noise.

[W-what, what are you doing?!]

“If you hang up now, I’ll break down this door and come in.”

[What did you say?!]

“The fact that I’m standing here talking to you shows that I’m being considerate enough. So don’t test my patience.”

[Can an instructor… no, can a hero really do that?]

“Yes. I can.”

The bewilderment in her voice was palpable.

Indeed, the best way to avoid being taken lightly is to not accommodate the other person.

[What kind of person are you? Even a hero doesn’t have the right to do that! If I report you right now, even you would…!]

“I’ve heard that you might be connected to villains.”

[What? What nonsense is that! Why would I have anything to do with villains?!]

People believe what they want to believe.

That saying fits perfectly here.

“Then let me ask you one thing. What did the person who lent you money ask for in return?”

There’s no one in this world who shows kindness without reason.

Moreover, it’s unlikely that she still has any relationships left who would lend her large sums of money given her massive debt, and it doesn’t make sense that someone would lend her a large amount without asking for anything ‘immediately’ in return.

There must be an ulterior motive.

If they didn’t ask for anything, then the other party is most likely a villain trying to use her.

[No. I mean… why should I…!]

“If you don’t answer now, heroes might arrest you. I told you, didn’t I? That there’s talk about this. Do you think it only reached my ears?”

She maintained silence for a long time.

[…Nothing in particular…]

Finally, she reluctantly answered, trailing off.

I see. Now I understand.

Kim Soyang has already made contact with Akcheon.

Just as in the original story, she didn’t realize that the rope she was clinging to was rotten.

She would only discover that her benefactor was a member of Akcheon after she was already drugged.

Considering that Bin Yoon’s development has just begun, it’s highly likely she hasn’t touched the drug yet.

Then what I need to do first is to make Kim Soyang suspicious.

Let her be used, but keep her sane enough.

“I see.”

[So, so what happens to me now? Am I going to be arrested?]

“No, not at all. It’s just talk. I only came to check.”

This complacent response will help maintain the contact between Kim Soyang and Akcheon longer.

[…Is this the helpful information you mentioned?]

“Wasn’t it helpful enough? I’m warning you that you might be suspected of being a villain, so be prepared.”

[…]

Amusingly, she seems to have nothing to say.

“Don’t trust people too much.”

Even if I say this, she’ll probably only be suspicious for a few days.

She will never let go of Akcheon’s hand. She can’t reject someone who’s helping her right now.

I actually prefer it that way.

The longer Kim Soyang maintains contact with Akcheon, the easier it will be to find a weakness.

But if it goes on too long, Kim Soyang will be ruined, so I planned to catch the tail at the right time.

A promise is a promise, after all.

[Why are you telling me all this? Before, you told me not to do drugs, right?]

“I did.”

[Why… why do you keep making me anxious when you’re not even going to help?]

“…Because you’re still family, after all.”

To Bin Yoon.

[What?]

“I’ll be going now.”

Leaving her with those puzzling words, I departed without hesitation. Checking for any presence around me, I took out my phone and made a call.

The dial tone didn’t last long before it was cut off.

“Chairman, it’s me.”

The recipient was Association Chairman Sung Inhyuk.

[What is it this time? What trouble have you caused now?]

Sung Inhyuk’s familiar deep voice interrogates me.

“Do you always assume I’ve caused trouble when I call?”

[Ever since you went to the Academy, my heart has been in my throat.]

“The Academy is firmly in the Principal’s grip, so don’t worry. I have a favor to ask.”

Not being one for long conversations with the Chairman, I got straight to the point.

“Put someone on Bin Yoon’s mother, Kim Soyang.”

[What? The Association isn’t a private investigation agency. We could get into trouble if we put surveillance on someone without reason.]

“It’s related to Akcheon.”

[What do you mean…]

If it’s related to Akcheon, you won’t be able to refuse.

Because you’re the person who wants to eradicate Akcheon more than anyone else in this world.

So please help me use this opportunity effectively.

“You still haven’t gotten information from Gongsang or other villains, right?”

[That’s… true, but…]

“Then please cooperate so we can finally get a lead on Akcheon this time.”

I no longer expect information from captured villains.

Sooner or later, if Akcheon wants to remain a villain forever, they’ll have to continue their activities.

Then whenever they raise their heads above water, we just need to grab their necks and break them. Simple as that.

[Sigh. You really know how to use people.]

A sigh comes through at my firm attitude.

If the Chairman were in front of me now, he’d probably be covering his face with an exasperated expression.

“Don’t worry. In exchange for using you, I’ll catch villains and throw them in jail on your behalf.”

[…Alright. I’ll grant your request.]

Though his reluctance is obvious, he doesn’t refuse, seemingly resigned.

[But you must catch them.]

“Don’t worry. That’s why I’m asking.”

My confident answer seems to have earned his trust, as he let out a small chuckle.

[By the way, it seems you’ve really become an instructor. Taking care of parents and all.]

“…That’s not it.”

[Yeah, right.]

It really isn’t.

* * *

And so time passed, bringing Saturday morning.

As promised, Yu Ari came to my room. As soon as she arrived, I felt a strange sense of discomfort.

“Um, Yu Ari?”

“Y-yes?”

“What’s that luggage?”

I asked, looking at the crossbody bag she was carrying. Seeing her mouth slowly opening, I felt an ominous premonition.

“You said I could make a request when we’re alone, right?”

“I did.”

“…My request is to spend tonight together.”

“What?”

“You’ll… grant it, right?”

It seems my chastity is in danger.