I Became the Sickly Eldest Son - Chapter 16
Chapter 16
A perfect victory, too embarrassing to even brag about. There’s no way to turn the tables any further than this. Sinji seems to have felt it too, as he’s being docile. Well… Is there anything more frightening than facing the wrath of the people for doing something foolish?
‘It’s been a while, so I’m a bit stiff.’
Ju-kyung rotated his shoulders. As always, using unfamiliar abilities felt strange. Especially manipulation and mental-related ones. The fatigue was several times worse.Â
In fact, it’s typical for hunters to be granted one unique ability – also called paranormal ability – regardless of individual rank. However, exceptions existed everywhere, and Ju-kyung was one of them. Separate from his own unique ability, he could learn. He observed with his eyes, directly experienced, and imitated the talents of others.
Acquiring paranormal abilities later in life was very unusual. But Ju-kyung accomplished it. He could learn any type. His sense for utilizing them was also good. However, as mentioned, the downside was that the fatigue was no joke.
“……”
He leaned his head against the wall. Just as he felt a bit dizzy, a nosebleed started. He silently wiped under his nose and slumped down right there. In a corner without even lighting. With his hood pulled down, he panted for breath.Â
“Haah… Whew.”
Ju-kyung stared at the cheering audience. Anyway, it seemed he had deceived them well, so that was a relief. Even Sinji was grinding his molars and shouting “The rookie’s rebellion! Champion!” His appearance, unable to disagree, was quite a spectacle.
‘…Should I rest a bit?’
Since there was one more issue that could only be resolved once the club staff remained, Ju-kyung decided to take a short break.
…But these guys were persistently hanging around. The break he intended to briefly enjoy was forcibly extended. He thought he might be stuck there until sunrise, but unexpectedly, Sinji did him a favor. In the midst of losing a lot of money himself, seeing others laughing and chatting must have irked him, so he closed the club earlier than expected. Well, even so, it was well past 4 AM.
In the club with the music and lighting turned off, an eerie atmosphere lingered. Men with sturdy physiques were tidying up the surroundings. The end, no, the mood for wrapping up, in their language.
An interesting thing was that these guys doing this crap, 100 out of 100, despite being Korean, kept imitating the Japanese. Hmm… As someone of the same ethnicity, it’s embarrassing, so that might be better.
‘Should I start soon?’
Ju-kyung also straightened his hunched body. One, two, three… He counted the number of people with his fingers. Finally, twenty-seven. Seemed like everyone had gathered. Good. It would be annoying to have to go around looking for them if they were scattered here and there.
Just as he was about to take a step, he heard a murmuring conversation from over there.
“Good work, everyone!”
“Today’s work was damn filthy… How are we supposed to make a living like this? Tsk~! Ptooey!”
“You’ve been wronged, bro!”
“Ah, damn it. But we still gotta live tenaciously. Who the hell am I? With the mindset that I’m the boss.”
“You’re so cool!”
…What? It was so absurd that he couldn’t even snort in derision. Were they really comforting each other? Anyone seeing this would think they were upright young entrepreneurs earning money legitimately. They should just throw a party celebrating wet dreams instead. At least I’d applaud that. No matter how they glorify it, to this extent… Do they have no conscience at all?
‘Right. What can a guy about to die say?’
Shaking his head, Ju-kyung approached those intoxicated with “I worked hard today too” to put an end to them. Sinji was the first to notice him.
“Huh? What’s that? Was there still a customer left? You bastards! You didn’t manage properly?!”
Sinji smacked the head of the guy next to him.
“Sorry!”
The thug who got hit kept bowing to Sinji, who was much smaller than him, then directed his inflated ego towards Ju-kyung. Does he think that side is an awakener and this side is an ordinary person?
“Customer, business hours are over. Hurry up and leave.”
His attitude was as insolent as could be.
“Hey~ Our valued customer needs to pee! Take it easy, dude!”
“Sorry!”
“Ah~ If it were a woman, I’d escort her. Sheesh~”
“Let’s finish up quickly and go. Damn it, I’m hungry, boss!”
They snickered among themselves. Without getting shot in the head, which woman would accept your escort? It’s truly regrettable to witness the downfall of those abandoned by humanity. Still, gotta do what needs to be done. Now, let’s see…
Unauthorized building renovation and operation? Illegal.
Drug trafficking? Illegal.
Unregistered awakening? Illegal.
Underage… Enough. It’s already a three-strike out.
“Customer, I said today’s business is finished. Hey, can’t you hear me?”
These bastards have no room for rehabilitation. Ju-kyung stared at the thug’s hand reaching out to him. Beneath the hood, black eyes glinted ominously. Haah… A cold sigh echoed in the quiet space.
* * *
Shouldn’t good deeds bring good fortune? I don’t get it. The more virtuous deeds I accumulate, the more I feel like my life is falling into a dark abyss. It’s unfair.
“Underwear packed… Since it might be cold at night, long sleeves too…”
Kang Seo happily packs luggage. His face is bright. The one who’ll actually carry the packed luggage looks half-dead. Ju-kyung let out a long sigh.
If you ask what this is all about… It’s the story after raiding the fight club. On the day Ju-kyung returned after thoroughly beating up Sinji and his gang of delinquents, he collapsed and was sick for three whole days. That was fine, but the problem was what followed. The club incident was broadcast.
[Curious Cases You Want to Know Z]
It’s a famous program that the whole nation watches. Whoever tipped them off, the background explanation was quite detailed. From the building structure to the entry method. It was information that only someone who had been at the scene could know. Ju-kyung spat out the water he was drinking as soon as he saw the broadcast.
‘Who the hell was it…?’
To go out of their way to publicize something that could have been left alone. He was really curious about the informant. For now, it wouldn’t be Sinji’s family. They were driven to the brink of mental collapse, so they wouldn’t be able to think straight.
Perhaps it was one of the audience members who tipped them off. In fact, that was the most likely scenario, but somehow it felt incomplete. As if he was missing something.
More importantly, there was another crucial matter. Drug trafficking, tax evasion, illegal operation, underage exploitation, violence, gambling, etc. Information that should never come up amidst the pouring reports.
Shin Ju-kyung.
That’s right. The story about himself. Whether he wore a hood or not, it shouldn’t have even been mentioned.
[“The devilish actions of Mr. G… It can truly be called a living hell.”]
The host spoke while holding a cue card. The captions were also busy denouncing Sinji. However, Ju-kyung was busy in a different sense. He thoroughly searched the broadcast, news articles… even internet comments.
<Did anyone else watch this episode of KCZ? omg>
Comments
– That’s insane. The fact that such a world exists, wtf.
– Just how many charges are there lolololol
– Isn’t it scarier that the reason isn’t revealed? Am I the only one who thinks so?
Yeah, you’re the only oneÂ
Not fun
It wasn’t meant to be fun, you know?
Must be one of the club operators lol Or a pervert
– ffs, that means they’re unregistered awakeners. They should just expose all their faces. But this country lol
Yeah~ The rights of criminals are more precious~ Whether good citizens die or not hohoho
Bullshit lolololol
The conclusion was “He survived!” There was no mention of Ju-kyung at all. Even in the actual broadcast, they explained the reason for the club’s collapse as an internal conflict, and also revealed that the abnormal state of the organizers was due to severe side effects of drug addiction.
Honestly, as the mastermind who wrecked Sinji’s family, there were many questionable points in the broadcast. However, he had no intention of nitpicking when they were wrapping it up on their own. He thought it would end ambiguously like that, but…
‘What, where? A villa?’
A new event was waiting.
‘Yes! The elder prepared it. I think he was worried about you groaning in pain for three days straight. Hehe… Even though he’s stoic, a father is still a father. He said to rest for about a week and come back.’
‘But I should still go to school. I missed a lot last time too…’
He tried to refuse indirectly, but it was no use.
‘Don’t worry about attendance. I submitted a separate experiential learning application form. I also printed out and received the curriculum. Since you’re sick, even the elder is changing. He seems to be a bit of a doting father, don’t you think?’
Not at all. His son must be a genius. There’s no flower garden like that flower garden. Ju-kyung was at a loss for words. He wanted to argue if he really saw his father that way, but decided to just keep his mouth shut. What can you say to someone who would say “Pretty shooting stars are falling~” even if the end of the world came?
In any case, if it was something his father decided, it couldn’t be opposed. That’s how the sudden villa trip that no one wanted was determined. (with younger siblings)
* * *
“…Should I give you candy?”
“……”
“……”
Is this what they call a cry in the silence? Out of unnecessary embarrassment, he crinkled open and ate candy he didn’t even like. It was already the third one. That meant he was rejected three times. His mouth was sweet, but his heart was bitter. If at least the youngest was there, it wouldn’t have been like this. A sense of regret washed over him.