Infinite Rebirth: The Villain - Chapter 9

“School may not have such a thing, but instinct does. It’s human nature to assess whether someone is above or below me, isn’t it?”

This was an unavoidable aspect of being a social animal. Nature is competition, and society allocates more resources by placing competent individuals with higher status through the competence and incompetence of the species for the responsibility of survival.

Finding a leader to guide oneself or aspiring to be such a leader. Trying to confirm one’s superiority. It was an instinct that could not be denied for humans, social animals.

Director Ko frowned at Kyung-wan’s words and asked, “So? Did you resort to violence to show that you’re above that friend?”

“It’s not quite like that.”

“Then?”

In response to Director Ko’s question, Kyung-wan straightened up, placed his hands on the desk, and answered with a serious attitude.

“I’m talking about myself. I can tolerate mistakes, but I just can’t tolerate stupidity.”

“The friend who was hit by you did something stupid? What?”

“Well, first, he’s not really a friend. He bragged about how he made a fuss outside and came in like a complete idiot. No, he proudly called himself a complete idiot.”

” Bragging about how he got a short sale because his dad wrote him a check for a 9 or something.”

“If you were going to be in juvenile detention for a long time, you’d probably be bending over backwards to tell him how sorry you were,but he’s  an asshole for not knowing that.”

“So, did you hit him?”

“I didn’t hit him; I just said a few words.”

“Eat more garlic and mugwort.”

“Why?”

“Don’t you know the myth of Dangun? Be a man, asshole.”

The guy got upset and threw a punch, but Kyung-wan dodged it and, after a counterattack, gave him a one-two punch to the face and a knee kick to the groin.

“He’s not very good at taking punches,” Kyung-wan said.

Director Ko nodded as he listened to Kyung-wan’s words.

“Understood.”

“Shall I leave now?”

“You can go, but it’ll be a demerit.”

“Okay.”

“···.”

Director Ko remained silent in response to Kyung-wan’s nonchalant answer. It wasn’t the reaction he had expected.

“Why?”

Director Ko spoke with mixed feelings as Kyung-wan stared at him intently.

“Do you know that if you accumulate enough demerits, you can be expelled from this place?”

“Yes.”

“But even after receiving demerits, your attitude is like this?”

Ah, demerits were troublesome. He had always expected a certain attitude from the children who received demerits. However, what was Kyung-wan’s attitude? Wasn’t it more like “I don’t care” whether it’s demerits or merits? The system of rewards and punishments was an essential tool to correct the behavior of juvenile delinquents, who could go astray at any moment. It was a suitable tool for educating them about the principles of society: follow the rules and receive rewards, break them and face punishment. That’s why Director Ko, as the person in charge of the boys’ home, couldn’t help but be concerned about Kyung-wan’s dismissive attitude toward it.

Kyung-wan responded, “I don’t have a penny to my name. What am I supposed to do if I go out?”

“Ah, well…”

It was only then that Director Ko remembered that Kyung-wan was an orphan, and not just that, but he knew the reason as well. Would expelling the boy only leave him in an environment where he might resort to crime?

He thought for a moment before speaking.

“How about preparing for the skills test from now on? Let me introduce you to a company I know. You can go out and make a decent living.”

Kyung-wan immediately declined.

“I don’t want to.”

“Why?!”

Director Ko, who hadn’t expected Kyung-wan to reject this good offer, raised his voice. Kyung-wan’s response to his question was so absurd that it left him baffled.

“I want to become homeless.”

“What did you say?”

“Homeless, being a vagabond is my dream.”

“…?”

Director Ko was left dumbfounded with his mouth agape. Among the kids who had little time left before leaving the facility, this was the first time someone had answered that they wanted to become homeless when asked about their dreams.

While it was indeed bizarre, Director Ko soon grew angry, his face flushing. What kind of useless person aspired to be a homeless person instead of earnestly trying to make a living?

“Why would a promising young man like you want to become such a useless human?!”

In response, Kyung-wan retorted with a cheeky expression, as if to say, “What kind of question is that?”

“Why are homeless people considered useless? How much comfort do they bring to people who struggle every day?”

“Homeless people?”

In response to the perplexed question, Kyung-wan nodded his head.

“Of course. When you see homeless people begging with an empty can while contemplating whether to quit a job with shitty exploitation and human relationships, your enthusiasm for life surges. You think, ‘I should live my life with all my might.'”

“…”

In Director Ko’s mind, the words of the philosopher Schopenhauer came to mind. Do people find solace by looking at those who are much unhappier than themselves? It’s like saying, “At least I’m better off than that person.”

It was an insight that penetrated the sordid nature of humanity, but he never imagined hearing those words from the young man in front of him.

Watching Director Go, who was at a loss for words, Kyung-wan reaffirmed his philosophy.

“I’ll give up all worldly possessions, be grateful for the kindness of others, and live quietly without causing harm to anyone. I’ll create a space by dropping out in this fiercely competitive society. Isn’t this a noble sacrifice and a beautiful way of life?”

“…You might as well become a monk.”

Giving up worldly possessions and living that way? Director Go thought that becoming a monk was better than being homeless.

However, Kyung-wan countered even that statement.

“Do you ignore the juniors? How strong is their desire for rebellion? Trying to control that takes up the whole day. They say everything is a performance, but I can’t do that.”

“Why worry about going out just because you’re broke and you might end up homeless?”

“Isn’t it better here than being homeless? We get meals, heating, and for me, staying here longer is an advantage.”

“…,” Director Ko, feeling frustrated, muttered to himself.

“How on earth did someone like you end up here?”

“Please ask the judge.”

Director Ko, looking at Kyung-wan, asked, “What’s going on inside your head?”

“My brain.”

“Ah…”

Director Ko let out a deep sigh. If he were just a troublemaker, it wouldn’t be this painful, but Kyung-wan was different from his peers. He was an eccentric unlike anything he had ever experienced.

When your head hurts, it’s best to stick to the rules. He didn’t forget to give Kyung-wan a demerit and a warning. The career path issue would come next.

“Be careful.”

“Sure.”

The response was well-executed.

Director Ko’s lips twisted.

===

Time passed quickly at the Detention Center. The repetitive routines were boring, but as monotonous as they were, it was hard to notice any changes until suddenly, you realized the seasons had changed.

“Kyung-wan.”

“Why?”

“I’m leaving.”

Kong Tae-sik, who had been sentenced to a short three months for repeated offenses, had finally reached the time of his release.

Kyung-wan said, “Farewell.”

“…”

“Why?”

“You really are a heartless guy.”

With that, Kyung-wan chuckled and gave him advice that would once again become blood and flesh.

“Live your life the way you want to.”

“Want to do… what?”

“It’s not like you don’t want to steal at all, right?”

When you ask elementary school kids about their dreams, none of them say they want to become thieves. Angelic girl Nettie? These kids aren’t fools. They idolize a just thief(?) but don’t live in ignorance of reality. The dreams and professions they present in class all played a role as members of society.

Because they are social creatures.

Kong Tae-sik replied.

“… No matter how much I think about it, you really only talk about things you can’t fucking understand.”

“It means your brain isn’t fully cooked yet.”

“You piece of shit… I’m out of here.”

“If you go out, don’t get your ass kicked, and if you feel something’s fishy, run.”

Upon Kyung-wan’s advice, Kong Tae-sik left the room with a wry smile.

Kong Tae-sik’s empty seat was quickly filled. While society progressed, economic disparities deepened, and as family structures crumbled, the number of marginalized children increased, leading to a natural increase in juvenile delinquency. The vacancies in the juvenile center were frighteningly filled.

“Hello, I’m Cha Hyunguk.”

“I’m Lee Kyung-wan.”

A new recruit named Cha Hyunguk entered due to assault. The victim wasn’t seriously injured, and thanks to an agreement, he was admitted for a short two-month term.

As one would expect from someone admitted for assault, he had some anger management issues. However, sharing a room with Kyung-wan changed his anger management from “poor” to “improved” as he went on.

“Today, I slapped Cha Hyunguk’s cheek. I didn’t say a word, but he had a fit of rage on his own. It seems like he still hasn’t fixed that habit since he came in for assault. I have no choice but to make a sacrifice of myself.”

“After taking a few hits, it seems he realized I’m not an easy target. I told the kid, it’s righteous to be angry at someone stronger than you, but if you only get angry at people weaker than you, you’re just human garbage. But it looks like my words hit a sensitive spot, as he had a teary expression. It won’t work. Even though I’m like this, I’m still eating the country’s food, so I have to lend a hand to the teachers’ guidance work…”

“Hey!”

“Whoa, you scared me! Why are you suddenly yelling like that?”

Director Ko abruptly shouted, interrupting Kyung-wan as he was reading his diary. If there had been a sticker next to it, he might have flipped the table in one go.

“I told you not to cause trouble!”

“Wow!”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

“What’s going on!”

Director Ko, surprised at Kyung-wan’s total lack of fear in the face of his anger, even applauded with admiration.

“Kyung-wan explained the reason to him.

“I thought I would get hit a few times with that diary. To endure that… You’re an extraordinary person, Director.”

Director Ko was so amazed that he chuckled loudly. Then, like lightning, he picked up the diary and smacked it down on Kyung-wan’s head.

“If you want it that badly, then take it, you rascal!”

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Kyung-wan didn’t avoid it; instead, he closed his eyes and received the blows with a humble posture. If he had dodged by pulling his head back, it would have been different.

With some of his anger vented through Kyung-wan’s sacrifice, Director Ko spoke confidently.

“It’s because of you that I lose my temper for real! Really!”

“Come on, you must have seen worse guys than me. Why make a fuss?”

“Someone like you, who messes with my dressing, is a first!”

“Well, I bring hope to you, don’t I?”

“…”

Director Ko was momentarily at a loss for words.

It was, in fact, true. Kyung-wan was smart, knew what justice was, and at the very least, understood basic human decency. Compared to the guys Director Ko often thought, ‘He’ll be back again soon,’ or ‘That guy is hopeless,’ Kyung-wan belonged to the category of those who could understand and follow what people said. So, among juvenile delinquents…”

The occupational disease of Director Ko, who had been working in the rehabilitation field for several decades, evoked pity for Kyung-wan.

“It’s easier if you give up.”

Speaking such words with a smile like hydrochloric acid, Director Ko just couldn’t adapt as he hoped.

“Anyway, you and that guy can’t stay together any longer, so understand that.”

“Am I moving, or is he moving?”

“Either one.”

“Then I hope he moves. Packing up is a hassle.”

“.. You’re moving.”

“..Ah.”