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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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I tried to be respectful and patient, as this concerned my father, Lee Su-hyeok’s, professional life. However, I couldn’t ignore such a blatant display of hostility.
“…”
As my gaze locked onto Choi Seung-hoon, an invisible pressure emanated from me. The presence of the Blood Demon, the Demon God, who reigned supreme. An overwhelming, suffocating pressure that crushed Choi Seung-hoon instantly. He coughed up a spray of blood.
“Cough—!”
He collapsed to his knees, his eyes wide with shock. Not just from the pain.
“Y-You’re…!”
Hwang Jeong-jin, who had been watching the scene unfold, finished his sentence.
“Lee Seong-jun…?”
He recognized him instantly. Lee Seong-jun was the Baekho Guild’s Super Rookie, the one who defeated the SS-rank villain Cho Se-hyeok. He was the hottest topic in Korea right now. Questions flooded his mind.
‘…How long has he been here?’
Various scenarios flashed through his mind, but that wasn’t important right now.
“H-Hunter-nim, why…?”
Hwang Jeong-jin’s eyes darted around, gauging the reactions of the others. Lee Su-hyeok’s family seemed more confused than surprised by his sudden appearance, as if they’d known he was there all along.
‘…Don’t tell me…?’
His worst fears were quickly confirmed.
“S-Son…”
“Brother, calm down.”
Hwang Jeong-jin’s face paled as he realized the worst-case scenario had come true. He’d heard about a member of Team Leader Lee’s family returning from another world. But he’d never imagined it was Lee Seong-jun, the Super Rookie.
Why would Lee Su-hyeok struggle so much if he had such a powerful son?
‘This is bad luck.’
Hwang Jeong-jin’s business, Yuma Mining, relied on magic stone distribution. Antagonizing even C- or B-rank Hunters was bad for business, but Lee Seong-jun was not only the Super Rookie of the Baekho Guild, one of the Five Guilds, but also affiliated with the Hunter Association.
‘Considering Lee Seong-jun’s reputation…’
A single word from him could cripple his business. In the worst case, Yuma Mining could be ruined. He couldn’t afford to be arrogant. He immediately bowed deeply before Lee Seong-jun.
“I apologize! I apologize! I didn’t know you were Hunter-nim’s family. I’ve been incredibly rude.”
He bowed repeatedly, but Lee Seong-jun’s expression remained cold. His apology was misdirected.
“I don’t think I’m the one you should be apologizing to.”
Hwang Jeong-jin finally understood and rushed towards Lee Su-hyeok, falling to his knees.
“I-I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I must have lost my mind! I’ll never do this again! Please forgive me!”
He bowed repeatedly.
“I’m begging you. Please forgive me. I promise it won’t happen again. Team Leader Lee, we’ve known each other for over five years… We have a history…”
Lee Su-hyeok, usually kind and forgiving, would have been swayed. But his expression remained unchanged. He clenched his fists, suppressing his rage.
“I’ve always tolerated your words, President Hwang…”
Five years. He’d endured Hwang Jeong-jin’s insults every time they met, hiding his pain for the sake of his family. There was no specific reason for the insults. He was simply looked down upon for being poor and of lower status.
His pride had been crushed, his self-esteem shattered, but he’d endured. He knew that if he didn’t, his family would suffer. He’d buried his pain deep inside, holding his family together. Because he was a father. Because he had a family to protect.
“It’s just… how things are… And I was going to let it go again, but… I won’t tolerate you threatening my children.”
His eyes burned with cold fury.
“Do whatever you want. Report me to my company, fire me. I don’t want to be associated with someone who threatens my daughter.”
He walked past Hwang Jeong-jin without hesitation, but Lee Seong-jun’s cold gaze remained fixed on him.
“I-If you wish, I’ll apologize until Team Leader Lee forgives me. Please… can we just forget this ever happened…?”
Hwang Jeong-jin, having discarded his pride, was on his knees, begging. But Lee Seong-jun didn’t answer. He simply walked past him, pulling out his smartphone.
“Hello, Vice President Go? Yes, I’m fine. There’s something I need you to look into…”
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He’d initially called Vice President Ko Tae-hyun to instigate a tax audit on Yuma Mining, exploiting the common vulnerabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises.
But Ko Tae-hyun, upon hearing about the incident, immediately launched an investigation into Yuma Mining, discovered their magic stone distribution contract with the Hunter Association, and promptly terminated it.
With their primary source of income gone, on top of a tax audit, Yuma Mining was in trouble. And so was its president, Hwang Jeong-jin. The immediate crisis was averted, but the matter wasn’t resolved. Lee Su-hyeok sat alone on a bench outside the restaurant, his head bowed. He’d never shown such vulnerability at home. It was unsettling.
His family stood around awkwardly, unsure of what to do.
“You all go in. I’ll stay here.”
Lee Seong-jun volunteered and led Kim Ji-young and Lee Seo-yun inside. He then approached Lee Su-hyeok.
“I’m sorry… Did I embarrass you?”
Lee Seong-jun shook his head vehemently at his father’s self-deprecating words.
“Embarrass me? Don’t say that.”
His father had worked at that company for decades. Losing his job meant losing his career, his connections, his life’s work. Yet he hadn’t hesitated to defend his family, willing to sacrifice everything. How could that be embarrassing?
“…You were amazing.”
Despite his sincere words of encouragement, Lee Su-hyeok’s shoulders remained slumped, his face clouded with despair.
“I don’t want to be a burden to you, with you growing stronger every day. I’m trying my best, but it’s not easy…”
His despair deepened with every word.
“…I can’t even face you, knowing I’m constantly relying on your help, Seong-jun.”
“Father…”
He’d contributed to the family recently, but it was all possible thanks to his father’s decades of sacrifice.
‘…He’s always done his best for us.’
His father was the most devoted family man he knew. He did all the housework, always wore a smile, and never complained, even when he, his son, spoke to him with resentment. He even took on manual labor in the early mornings to support the family, never showing any sign of hardship.
He was their pillar of support. He could say with certainty,
“If it weren’t for your sacrifices, I wouldn’t be here today. So please, don’t think you’re a burden. Everything I do is to repay you, to thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
The words flowed effortlessly, perhaps because he’d been thinking about it for a long time. The shadows in Lee Su-hyeok’s face began to recede.
“…I thought you’d always be a child who needed my care, but you’ve grown so much.”
His eyes were filled with a mixture of warmth and regret.
“But as a parent, how can I just keep receiving from my child…?”
Lee Seong-jun quickly interrupted, not wanting to hear his father’s self-recrimination.
“Then think of it as us walking forward together. Is that okay?”
A playful smile appeared on his face, but his eyes were filled with genuine concern. A smile slowly spread across Lee Su-hyeok’s face.
“Walking together… You’ve grown up, considering your father’s feelings too.”
“I learned it in the other world…”
Remembering his lonely days in the Thousand Continents, Lee Seong-jun spoke softly, “…that the happiness of being with my family… is more precious than anything in the world.”
“Thank you for growing up so well. Thank you so much, son.” A bright, genuine smile lit up Lee Su-hyeok’s face.
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Ninjas. Ninjas everywhere.