Arriving at the Korean Hunter Association parking lot, Su-ho sprayed a liquid onto the original bribe ledger before stepping out of the car.@@@@

    Ssss...

    The liquid hissed as it soaked into the ledger, leaving no visible changes on the outside.

    However, the moment a specific keyword set by the creator was triggered, the text would alter exactly as Su-ho intended.

    ‘With this, I can erase Park Gyu-min’s name at a critical moment.’

    This was a specially prepared item, designed specifically for today.

    With preparations complete, Su-ho headed to the office of Pi Seong-ryeol, the Special Division’s chief. Upon knocking, Pi Seong-ryeol greeted him warmly.

    After exchanging polite greetings, Su-ho handed over the bribe ledger he had secured from Sohn Baek-geum.

    “Good work.”

    “It was nothing.”

    Pi Seong-ryeol took the ledger, skimmed through the contents, and, upon confirming the expected names, smiled faintly. Closing the ledger, he looked up at Su-ho.

    “Did you take a look?”

    “Pardon?”

    “The contents of this. Did you check it?”

    “No, I didn’t.”

    “Don’t lie. Whether you saw it or not, it doesn’t really matter. But don’t tell me you actually didn’t look.”

    “I really didn’t.”

    “Fine, let’s say you didn’t.”

    Why ask if you’re not going to believe me?

    Pi Seong-ryeol smirked and casually tossed the ledger onto the table. Crossing his legs and placing his hands on his knees, he spoke again.

    “You saw the news, right?”

    “Yes, I did.”

    “So, here’s the deal. You’re going to spend some time in the Gate Division.”

    The inevitable had arrived.

    Su-ho, already expecting this, feigned surprise.

    “The Gate Division... sir?”

    “Don’t like it?”

    “No, it’s not that. I’m just curious—why the Gate Division?”

    “It’s under my purview. That’s why.”

    “Understood.”

    “Feeling upset?”

    “No, sir.”

    “Don’t take it too hard. Public sentiment is what it is. The association president is keeping a close eye on this. Just spend a little time there and come back. Later, I’ll use the excuse of rotational duty to bring you back. Oh, by the way, your supervisor there will be Team Leader Jeong Cheol-min.”

    Pi Seong-ryeol smiled brightly.

    “Oh, really?”

    “Look how happy you are. This placement is entirely my doing. So stay there for a bit and then come back. Where else would a talent like you work if not in the Special Division?”

    “Thank you, sir.”

    “Speaking of which, here.”

    Pi Seong-ryeol walked over to his desk and brought back a small box.

    “What’s this?”

    “Open it. A gift to commemorate the end of your probation.”

    “Ah, thank you.”

    Inside the box was a handkerchief, from a luxury brand no less.

    Su-ho smiled.

    “A handkerchief. I was thinking about getting a new one anyway. Thank you, I’ll use it well.”

    “Do you always carry a handkerchief?”

    “Yes, sir. I always take one with me when I go out.”

    “Ha! Even more gentlemanly than I thought. A true gentleman should always carry a handkerchief.”

    That talk about being a gentleman again.

    In truth, Su-ho didn’t carry handkerchiefs. Everything he said was tailored to Pi Seong-ryeol’s tastes.

    ‘I got one of these in my past life too. Same spiel about it being a gentleman’s essential.’

    It wasn’t just Su-ho who received a handkerchief. For Pi Seong-ryeol, they were a sort of mark, a way of saying, I’m watching out for you.

    In his ignorance back then, Su-ho had once been delighted to receive it.

    ‘I must have been insane.’

    As Su-ho tucked the handkerchief into his coat, Pi Seong-ryeol pulled out an envelope.

    “Take this too.”

    “What’s this?”

    “Just a little spending money.”

    The other employees moved to intervene but collapsed frothing at the mouth before they could act.

    It was Su-ho’s Overwhelm skill.

    After neutralizing them, Su-ho used Recovery to wake Hwang.

    “Ugh...”

    “Sit up.”

    “You... you!”

    “I said sit.”

    The murderous intent in Su-ho’s voice made Hwang realize he was dealing with someone far beyond an ordinary person.

    “Y-you’re an Awakened?”

    “Correct. So don’t bother Lee Dal-won and his wife anymore. If I hear otherwise, I won’t let it slide.”

    Su-ho grabbed the debt documents and the paper bag of cash before standing to leave.

    Hwang, panicking, stammered, “What about the money?!”

    “You should have taken it when I offered. You refused, remember?”

    “Th-that doesn’t make sense!”

    “Does it look like I’m joking?”

    “...”

    Of course not.

    Hwang was left speechless as Su-ho walked out.

    ***

    After leaving On-gang Cash, Su-ho hailed another taxi and traveled to a different location—a neighborhood left in ruins.

    “...”

    Reviewing one of the documents he’d brought, Su-ho surveyed the scene.

    This was a site hit by a Gate Shock six months ago, still unrecovered.

    It was also where Lee Dal-won’s second business had been located.

    ‘The situation is worse than I thought.’

    Outside of metropolitan areas and major cities, most places looked like this.

    Even with Korea’s limited landmass, there simply weren’t enough resources to rebuild everywhere, perpetuating a vicious cycle of misfortune.

    After inspecting the site, Su-ho hailed another taxi and headed to a new destination: a restaurant.

    The sign read Yuseong Cold Noodles, and it was currently closed for a break.

    Seeing the sign, Su-ho entered the restaurant.

    A woman at the counter said, “I’m sorry, but we’re closed right now.”

    “I know.”

    “Excuse me?”

    “Is Yoon Hyun-hee working here?”

    “...Yoon Hyun-hee?”

    At the mention of the name, the woman’s expression turned wary.

    This was understandable, as Hwang On-gang had previously visited the restaurant over the debt.

    Feigning ignorance, the woman shook her head. “I’m not sure who that is.”

    Her pretense made Su-ho chuckle internally.

    She seems stern, but she’s surprisingly kind.

    “I’m not a loan shark. I have other business with Yoon Hyun-hee. Could you tell her someone from Aram Orphanage is here to see her?”

    “...Please wait.”

    Still cautious, the woman eventually relayed Su-ho’s message to Yoon Hyun-hee, who was resting in the staff lounge.

    Shortly after, Yoon Hyun-hee appeared. Su-ho greeted her with a warm smile.

    “May I have a moment of your time?”

    ***

    Since it was the start of their break, there was plenty of time to talk.

    The restaurant owner even offered them some privacy.

    Seated in a nearby cafe?, Su-ho got straight to the point.

    “I’ll be blunt. I was sent by your older brother, Yoon Hyun-chul.”

    “...What?”

    Her eyes widened in shock.

    Of course.

    Yoon Hyun-chul was her only remaining blood relative, someone she could never forget.

    She had long planned to see him one day, but the chaos of life—the Gate Shock, losing her adoptive parents—had left her overwhelmed.

    Hearing Yoon Hyun-chul’s name from Su-ho’s lips, she asked in a trembling voice, “Where is he now?”

    “He’s currently imprisoned in Cheong-ok Penitentiary.”

    “...What?”

    “Yoon Hyun-chul is serving a death sentence for killing multiple people. He’s currently incarcerated at Cheong-ok.”