Free Web NovelAs I examined him closely, Grandpa spoke.
“Go talk in Muhyuk’s room.”
I got up and headed for my room on the second floor. He silently followed me up the stairs.
Once inside, I sat on the edge of my bed and looked at him again.
He met my gaze without saying a word or asking if he could sit. His expression didn’t change; he was observing me just as I was watching him.
“What were you doing before you came here?”
“I was in Africa.”
“Africa...”
That explains the tanned skin. It wasn’t just a tan — it looked like he’d been scorched there.
“What were you doing there?”
“I was working as a mercenary. I quit and returned after a call from Myeonghun-hyung.”
Calling Manager Ha ‘hyung’—they must be close. freeweɓnøvel.com
“What’s your relationship with the Chief?”
“We grew up together.”
“Huh... is that so?”
Even as he answered, not a flicker of change crossed his face.
It felt like talking to a robot.
“If you’re going to be my aide, can you listen only to me? No matter what Grandpa or the Chief says, can you follow my word alone?”
“Yes. That’s what I came back for. But... I haven’t fully decided whether I’ll follow you yet.”
I smiled faintly at his honesty.
“Well then, just stick around for now and think it over. While I’m at school, you don’t need to accompany me. But for everything else, stay close.”
“Understood.”
I didn’t know if he’d become mine completely, but the way he answered honestly, without pretense, made him more trustworthy.
A mercenary, huh. Did the Chief also work as one? If they’ve known each other since they were young, maybe I can find out more about him through this guy too.
Even while I was deep in thought, he stood there silently, back straight.
“Oh, you can go now.”
Ma Seokdae bowed his head and exited the room.
* * *
Ha Myeonghun and Ma Seokdae sat facing each other.
“You’ve aged a lot.”
“You’re one to talk. Your face looks like hell.”
Despite their usual stoic expressions, there was clear warmth between them.
“Settle down here in Korea. Stop drifting overseas. That mercenary life—no telling when you’ll die.”
“Haha, you telling me this? You’re the last person who should be saying that.”
They exchanged updates like old friends reunited.
“Serve the young master well. No matter what I or anyone else says, his word takes top priority, got it?”
“Yeah. I’ll decide for myself if he’s truly worth following. If he is, you won’t even have to tell me.”
Myeonghun’s expression showed trust in Ma Seokdae.
“I left the room next to mine empty, so use that one. And let’s get the old crew together sometime. It’s been ages. I’ll ask the Chairman for permission and let you know.”
Ma Seokdae nodded.
“How’s everyone doing?”
“Same as always. They only show up when I call. Otherwise, they’re living their own lives.”
“Is the Chairman planning to hand everything over to the young master?”
Myeonghun shook his head.
“I don’t know. Don’t try to find out or worry about it. Once the Chairman retires, I’m disappearing too. You’ll take over.”
“Okay.”
“Take good care of him. I introduced you because I trust you the most.”
They exchanged smiles.
* * *
I had just been passing time since being introduced to Ma Seokdae.
“I thought about what you said before... I’ll take your help.”
Han Minkyung had asked to meet alone and said that.
I welcomed her with a smile.
“Good call. Don’t feel burdened by it.”
“Thanks. I’m planning to quit tutoring and all that by the end of this month. Once I graduate and start working, I’ll pay you back slowly.”
She hadn’t answered for weeks, so I thought she’d given up.
“Of course. You didn’t think I’d let you off, did you?”
I joked lightly to ease her guilt.
“I’ll send 2 million won to your account every month.”
“Huh? That much?”
Her eyes widened in shock, and I nodded.
“Forget your household problems and focus on studying. Take the exams with us. Don’t worry about money until you graduate. If you need anything, just ask.”
“...I’m sorry, but I can’t refuse.”
Right now, even the highest-paying companies only offered around 500,000 won a month to new grads.
Hearing I’d support her with 2 million a month, she couldn’t hide her surprise.
“Nothing to be sorry about.”
I meant it. Compared to her real worth, this was nothing.
As I thought about how smoothly everything was going, I couldn’t stop smiling.
“Oh! And let’s keep this a secret from the others. No need to bring it up, right?”
Han Minkyung nodded, visibly relieved.
We changed the topic to the bar exam and chatted for a while before parting ways.
Next, I went to Myungsoo’s house to meet Hyunseong’s father.
“Hello, sir.”
Seeing him again after so long, I bowed in greeting—and was welcomed warmly.
“Look at you, Muhyuk. You’re looking good. Guess Seoul’s treating you well, huh?”
He was already drinking. I joined in naturally.
“Here, have a drink.”
Hyunseong’s father poured me a shot of soju. I accepted it with both hands, drank, returned the glass, and ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) poured one for him.
He laughed heartily.
“Can’t believe I’m drinking with you kids now. Time flies. You know how much trouble you put me through back in the day? Don’t go causing more of that.”
Then he downed the drink and stood up.
“And Muhyuk, come with me. I want to talk to you.”
While Myungsoo and Hyunseong looked puzzled, I followed him into Hyunseong’s room.
Once the door closed, he pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.
“Remember what you asked me about your parents’ case? No matter how I look at it, something’s off. The records are lacking. Feels like they just pretended to investigate.”
His brows furrowed.
“Really?”
He exhaled smoke and spoke bitterly.
“With the instincts I’ve built up from decades as a detective—there’s definitely something there. I want to dig deeper, but it’s almost 20 years old. All the original detectives are retired.”
“You know who they are?”
He nodded gravely.
“But two of them are already dead. One supposedly emigrated overseas, but I’m not sure where.”
Abroad, huh. I’ll need to look into that.
Seeing me lost in thought, he added:
“It’s too suspicious to be a simple robbery. I don’t know if I should even be telling you this...”
He flicked his ashes, hesitating.
“It’s okay. Please go on.”
He glanced at my face, then looked down.
“Robbery-murders usually just take the valuables. They don’t go that far...”
Choosing his words, he closed his eyes tightly.
“Screw it. I’ll just say it. For a robbery-murder, there were way too many stab wounds. Your mother especially... it was brutal.”
The more he said, the more my expression twisted. I had to cover my mouth with my hand.
Seeing my face, he paused.
“Please, continue.”
“...From what I can tell, someone targeted your mother specifically. This kind of thing—usually it’s either a grudge or a contract killing. If the investigation had been proper, that’s the direction they’d have gone. But they just pinned it on a local ex-con and let it fizzle out.” freewebnoveℓ.com
“So... it wasn’t just a robbery gone wrong?”
He nodded and stubbed out his cigarette.
“That’s what I think. I’ll keep digging, but I don’t know if I’ll find anything. Still, I’ll try. That okay?”
My thoughts were in a whirl.
They’d fled all the way to Busan—who could they have had a grudge with? Was it someone connected to Grandpa? But if it were a grudge against him, why go this far and then cover it up so well he never found out?
“Muhyuk?”
Snapping out of it, I looked up. He was staring at me with concern.
“Ah... I was just caught off guard. Thank you for looking into it.”
“Ha, don’t thank me. I should’ve checked sooner. Sorry, kid. I never even thought to look deeper. I figured they just passed away—didn’t imagine it was like this.”
“No, I didn’t think of it either. Without you, I wouldn’t even have gotten this far this fast.”
“No, I should’ve been paying attention.”
His self-blame helped cool my anger. I looked him in the eye.
“...Please don’t tell Grandma.”
“I know. How could I tell her something like this? She’s already dealing with enough. Hyunseong’s mom visits her often now. I’ve seen her coming and going with Myungsoo’s mom. Don’t worry too much about her. I’ll call if anything happens.”
Such kind people. I regretted forgetting about them in my past life.
Myungsoo and Hyunseong’s families were always like this.
Even when I caused trouble with their kids, it wasn’t, “Don’t hang out with our son.”
It was—
“Stop getting into trouble already. Muhyuk, think about your grandma. Imagine how heartbroken she must be.”
That kind of response.
Hyunseong’s father patted me on the shoulder.
“Anyway, I’ll keep looking into it, so just hang tight. Let’s go. The kids are waiting.”
“Thank you.”
He opened the door first. I followed a moment later.
“What were you two talking about for so long?”
Myungsoo slurred a little as he asked. The man smacked his forehead playfully and sat back down.
“Cheeky brat.”
“Come on, Dad~ Have a drink with me!”
Still, he accepted the drink from Myungsoo with a grin.
“Here, have one too.”
Myungsoo handed me a glass. I sat down.
“Dad! I love you!”
Myungsoo toasted Hyunseong’s dad with exaggerated affection.
He chuckled and drank. We clinked our glasses.
The next day.
Hyunseong’s father woke us up, sprawled all over the place.
“Get up already and eat.”
Groggily, I forced my eyes open and made my way to the table. He had boiled bean sprout soup—must’ve bought the ingredients himself.
“Whoa! Dad!”
Rubbing his eyes, Myungsoo sat down and gave a thumbs-up.
“You lunatic. Just eat.”
We all sat and practically inhaled the soup.
“Phew~ Watching how you kids live... I try not to worry, but I just can’t help it. Muhyuk’s managing fine on his own, but you two—what are you going to do? Hyunseong, what happened with the national team? Why so quiet?”
Hyunseong avoided his father’s eyes.
He tilted his head.
“What? You didn’t make it? That’s weird. No one could touch you back in high school.”
“...”
When Hyunseong stayed silent, his father grew frustrated.
“What’s wrong? Something happen?”
“...No. Nothing.”
“Ah, you stubborn brat. Just tell me.”
Curious, I looked at Hyunseong.
“Why? Something happen?”
“No.”
“You’re lying. I can tell.”
“Nothing’s wrong.”
His expression made it clear he had no intention of talking.
His father must’ve picked up on that too, because after a few more tries, he just sighed.
I sipped my soup while stealing glances at Hyunseong.
...I need to look into this.
< Grudge or Contract Killing. > End
