chapter 13

-Don’t come late and let’s fight. If you’re not there at that place, I’ll just return.

“What? Hey. Hey! Hey!! You bastard! Wait!”

Clicked.

He was in the middle of sleep when he picked up the phone call and suddenly it was cut off. It was a one-sided conversation, he couldn’t say what he wanted to. Kang Hyung-woo dialed the number quickly, but what he got was an intercept message telling that the number couldn’t be reached. He already blocked his number. “Shit! That Motherfucker! What a fucking dick!” An unbearable sense of humiliation crept up. Being already sensitive, he tossed his smartphone on the bed. It was only a few hours ago he came home drunk and unconscious, but now he felt sober.

“Choi Yoon-seok, this loser said he is going to have a match with me?” Kang Hyung-woo just has to give him a lesson for making him this angry. On the other hand, he couldn’t fathom what actually happened to Yoon-seok to make such a bold move. Stupidity created such imagination. “So? You believe in such imagination?” As far as Kang Hyung-woo knows Yoon-seok, he is not a person who would do this, let alone, by himself. He has been taming Yoon-seok since he was very young. People who knew about the relationship he has with Yoon-seok and have power haven’t persuaded him about it… For a moment, Kang Hyung-woo was stunned as he had realized something.

“What the fuck? This can’t be crazy bitch’s doing?”

Kang Hyung-woo headed to the room where his little sister was. It was too early for someone to wake up, but his little sister, Kang Hye-in, was a diligent person to get up and prepared to leave. Without a knock, he slammed into the door. Kang Hye-in yelped in surprise and threw her handbag. “What are you doing when I’m changing my clothes? Get out!” It’s a mystery if it’s because the same blood flows in their body, but the bad temper was no joke.

He was slowly sure his suspicion was right. He didn’t know why but for some reason his hot-headed little sister was friendly towards Yoon-seok. ‘Judging by that bastard character, I don’t think he would tell her anything about his trouble, but…’ If Kang Hye-in by chance happened to find out, she would have tried to help Yoon-seok and give no care about her brother. No, in fact, Kang Hye-in was capable of confronting him by herself.

“Hey, where are you going at this time in a hurry? You aren’t going to meet Choi Yoon-seok, aren’t you?” Kang Hye-in tilted her head at Kang Hyung-woo’s voice. “Yoon-seok oppa[1]? Why do you bring his name out of blue? Did you cause another trouble?”

‘Fuck. I can’t sense anything wrong when I look at her, but I should quickly…’ It was Kang Hyung-woo who stormed into the room with all his might but decided to step back. Looking at that usual reaction, it seemed his hunch was wrong.

“You wish. Anyway, it means no, right?”

“What does this have to do with you?”

“Why do you keep using informal speech with your brother?”

“Stop talking bullshit. Is it your business to know about it?”

In the end, Hyung-woo gave up at Kang Hye-in’s persistent questions and made a lame excuse.

“…It’s because I’m worried about Yoon-seok getting caught by a fox woman like you.”

“What? Are you really the insane dad’s son? Mind your own business!”

Hyung-woo left the room since he was being kicked out when she was about to hurl hairdryer and other things. Nonetheless, he got a result. ‘If it’s not this crazy bitch, then who? Who the heck pushed that bastard’s back?’ His doubt became thick. However, it didn’t last long. ‘Forget it. It doesn’t matter if it were her or anyone else.’ It was confirmed that it’s not Kang Hye-in, the opponent he would have a difficulty with. So…

Swish! Swish!

Recalling his boxing amateur days, Kang Hyung-woo took steps and extended his fist into the air. What Yoon-seok’s belief, he didn’t give a fig of any. If you need to use force, then use force. If you need to use money, then use money. Hyung-woo will make sure to trample on him, so he won’t dare to stand up and put on a leash on him once again. “Meet at 7, right?” Kang Hyung-woo is not a very patient person.

So Yoon-seok has to pay for it.

* * *

“Let’s get the stuff out of here first.”

Yoon-seok emptied his room entirely. The big furniture was simply thrown out, while expensive items like computers were packed securely and delivered to his home. Maybe because his body got much healthier, he finished organizing his pack in three hours. It may also be possible because it was less than a month after he was discharged from the military and started to live alone while preparing for his return to college.

“But something feels hollow.”

All the clothes that don’t fit anymore are packed in the old clothes collection box, all left is a pair of blue jeans and an old padded jacket he’s wearing. From this experience, he now understood what ‘come empty, return empty’ means. Once Yoon-seok had done cleaning the room, he headed to the real estate office.

“Why are you leaving all of a sudden? It’s still a long way before your contract expired…”

“Something urgent happens. I already emptied the room. So, until the next person comes in, please return the monthly rental fee or all of the deposit.”

“But…”

“Just return the remaining deposit until the next tenant enters, can’t we do that?”

“Well, we can…”

The real estate agent accepted Yoon-seok’s request since he didn’t have anything to lose. At this time of the year, the number of students looking for a room is in surplus. That’s why he rented a room a month earlier. It’s already 11 a.m. after showing the room has been cleaned and stamping the seal on the contract. Yoon-seok’s next destination was the college.

“You’re taking a leave of absence?”

“Yes.”

“Then would you like to fill out these documents and bring them back with your ID?”

He took the application for leave of absence from the undergraduate administration department. It was common for students taking a semester off after they were dismissed from the military, so the staff were unfazed by Yoon-seok’s plea. Funny things, Yoon-seok was going to do the same. After he was discharged from the military, he didn’t just sit around and worked part-time for a few months to collect for his tuition fees. Because he thought if he couldn’t get back to school in time, he would fall behind. And look, here he was taking a break from college before he can apply for a return to the college.

It was an understatement to be angry and unhappy. ‘So why don’t I mind it?’ It seemed like the way he thinks has changed in these past 3 days. Back in the day, he thought that college was everything… Can he say this change was a good thing now? He can’t understand his own self why to have to be worried about getting a job after graduating from college. ‘Well… It’s obvious why I think like that as I will struggle to get a job because of Kang Hyung-woo.’ He tried to make money fast to pay off his family’s debts and get away from Kang Hyung-woo’s clutch. With that goal in mind, he endured the pain and suffered from Kang Hyung-woo. But that doesn’t mean he has to work his entire life…

‘Even if I don’t graduate, with my good stamina now, I’ll be able to make a living with whatever I can do.’

If there’s nothing he can do, he’ll start with doing a martial art. Just thinking about it makes him feel much lighter.

「Return in 15:11:31.」

15 hours left until return. The tiny-bits arrangement has all finished. ‘I told my parents I was taking a break from college and going on a trip, now the issue is about getting in touch with them…’ It’s a long adventure that he doesn’t even know when he’ll be back. He intends to come back alive, but he can’t be sure. No, it’s one thing to return safely. But how many days he needs to return to Earth was another thing. That’s the main reason Yoon-seok takes a leave of absence without hesitation. He didn’t plan on buying another one-time Re-ticket.

‘Speaking of, I still had a lot of time. Should I have asked him to meet me earlier?’ Yoon-seok checked his bank account balance using a mobile bank application.

-Your Balance: 6,129,871 Won.

These are the savings from his military service salaries and working part-time after he was discharged. Originally, he planned to pay tuition fees first and pay back student loans with the remaining money. ‘I’m glad all of this happened before I go back to college.’ If he was transferred to the Tower of Heaven when he already started his college-day, he would have wasted his hard-earned money.

Yoon-seok left the college field and walked in a hurry. Then, he happened to see his reflection in the mirror. He looked terrible. He looks too shabby to stand in front of Kang Hyung-woo, who always wears luxury clothes. ‘…First off, I must buy some nice clothes.’ Maybe it’s nothing to someone, but Yoon-seok always wanted to do this when he had money.

* * *

From shirt, knitwear, jeans, and a thick long coat that matches the season. He bought the clothes that the department store staff recommend for him. The total amount he spent is 480,000 Won. The fact that a low-medium brand would put up this much cost surprised him. ‘These clothes don’t have many additional functions but it’s very expensive…’ The Rank E shirt, which was sold at 6000 AP in the store, was able to restore the user’s stamina when exposed to sunlight and if torn, the user can use their mana to recover it. Yoon-seok smiled. ‘What am I thinking just now?’ This was an early sign of addiction.

After brushing off his distracting thought, he looked in the mirror. Even though he tried to pretend to not be proud, he can’t help but feel it. ‘It’s been a while since I have an idea to dress myself up. With the way it perfectly fits, it was pleasant to look at.’ He thought he looked good in these clothes due to his body shape changing for the better. Should he say that he looks like someone else? Truth to be told, Yoon-seok has changed a lot from the past. And it’s not only his appearance.

“I’m really looking forward to this.”

Thinking of Kang Hyung-woo will be surprised to see his change, which already makes him giddy. Yoon-seok stopped by the hair salon to tidy up his hair that he had grown without care. Even after that, he still had some time left, so he stopped by a restaurant that Kang Hyung-woo often bragged about. They require at least two people for one table, but Yoon-seok is able to eat there since he said he will pay for the meal worth two people.

“The total is 675,000 Won.”

“It’s quite expensive even for two people, isn’t it?”

Yoon-seok talked in a pushover manner.

“I just calculated what you eat on your own…”

Embarrassed creeped out, and he left the restaurant quickly. Somehow he can’t control his appetite since he went here. ‘The food was not very delicious as I heard. Did he brag about it to make me envious? How could he think little of me like this?’ When he stepped out of the restaurant, he could see the sun setting. It’s time to fulfill the appointment.

[Gaecheon Elementary School.]

Yoon-seok and Kang Hyung-woo’s alma mater. The place where everything went downhill to this though, toxic relationship. The beginning and the end are one. There will be no better place to end their relationship. “Finally turned up?” Kang Hyung-woo had already arrived at the empty playground. As Yoon-seok entered the playground, Kang Hyung-woo approached. He doesn’t know if Yoon-seok was acting or not, but there was a hint of confidence on his calm face. “You’re late.” The watch was flashing at 7:05 p.m. Yoon-seok replied, “It’s because your watch is five minutes ahead.”

“…….”

Kang Hyung-woo’s face was crumpled by Yoon-seok’s answer. Should he add he didn’t know what to answer? His expression was indescribable. Whenever his pride hurts, Kang Hyung-woo will laugh to suppress the boiling anger. “Wow… My Yoon-seok is all grown up, now? Did you dress up and do your hair just to meet me? Hmm, but… I don’t think it looks great.” Kang Hyung-woo went on to exaggerate Yoon Seok’s looks while scanning from head to toe. “Why didn’t you tell me if you needed clothes? We’re still friends, aren’t we? You’re not a country bumpkin, it’s a shame you have to get clothes from such a low marketplace…” This is how Hyung-woo usually controls him. Yoon-seok was always discouraged by him, even though he knew Hyung-woo’s goal. However…

“Marketplace still has a brand, and it’s quite expensive tho? Ah, well, maybe you think like that because you’re the son from a conglomerate family.” Kang Hyung-woo surprised by Yoon-seok’s calm response. That’s not something someone with low self-esteem can say.

“Oh wow, you really changed a lot. What happened in the past three days?”

“Well… A lot of things happened.”

Yes, a lot of things happened. The usual Yoon-seok who can’t bat an eye from the floor now can square his shoulder in front of Kang Hyung-woo. Kang Hyung-woo soon realized that it was impossible to win over him through conversation, so he took the card of using force as he had done so far.

“Anyway Yoon-seok, I was really worried about you. That’s why… You have to get a hit, don’t you think? You have to pay as you made me worry, hm?” Kang Hyung-woo approaches by warming up his hands and neck. Yoo-seok observed it quietly. His confidence trait while walking, broad shoulders, is exactly the same as what Yoon-seok remembers about him. Yeah, it’s just the same. It doesn’t even look scary like that green monster. He didn’t use a sword like Cheonho. Nor have troublesome abilities like the Devil.

But why?

Why did his body tremble as if he met with his natural enemy?

‘Don’t show it. He’s nothing.’

Yoon-seok spoke to himself, trying to calm his heart. He felt ashamed of himself since he can’t stand on his own in front of him. Yoon-seok answered without showing being intimidated.

“Did you know? What you did is violence.”

“Ah, yeah, yeah. I know. Then do you want a reward for that? How much do you want? Do you want me to clear your father’s debt? Oh, that’ll do.”

Finally, Kang Hyung-woo stood in front of Yoon-seok. In the world of duel, Yoon-seok knows whether he has to cross the line or not. With this distance and how easy the fist can reach the other, it is enough to take away someone’s life. Does Kang Hyung-woo even know that? Having thought about it makes Yoon-seok relaxed. He recalled the time he had to fight there one by one.

Okay.

“…….”

That big Kang Hyung-woo. He looked no different from the suicidal duelist he met on the second floor.

* * *

Note(s):

[1] Oppa is how a girl called someone (boy) older than her in a friendly way.