Clack-clack. Clack-clack-clack. Clack. Tap.
Furious messages were being fired into a group chat room titled [Blood-related Business Relationship].
Me: Hey! Me: Hey! Me: Hey, Hopeless! Me: You told him, didn't you? Me: Spit it out, honestly. Hopeless: My wannabe-writer little brother. Hopeless: Could you explain that so a person can understand? Hopeless: This wise older sister has no idea what kind of bullshit this wannabe is spouting. Me: You told him where I am, right? Me: How could you sell out your own brother? You're really good at playing politics, huh? Hopeless: Excuse me, Mr. Wannabe. I don't know what crap you're talking about, but I have absolutely no idea where you are or what you're doing, okay? I have zero interest. If you're going to keep spouting nonsense, get lost. I'm about to enter a Gate for a raid. Me: I uploaded a photo to the family chat earlier saying the cafe atmosphere was nice and the coffee was super cheap! Did you see that and tell him?! Hopeless: I don't even click on the photos you upload, so what kind of dog crap are you saying? Get lost. Me: Your boss, the Grandpa, just came to find me! Argh! Hopeless: Hull. I figured he would sooner or later. Hopeless: Anyway, I really don't know anything about it. And since you met Grandpa after so long, have a lovely time together. Bye. Me: Hey! Hopeless! Are you kidding me?????? It was you! Me: Hey! Me: Hey, answer me! Before you go into the Gate! Me: Hey, answer me! Me: Ah, damn it! You ran away without answering again?! Me: OK, you want to play it like this? I'm eating every single snack of yours in the fridge today. I saw a few new puddings in there lol. Nice, nice. lol Hopeless: You just try touching them. You're dead. Seriously. Wise Youngest: ...I bet 4 dollars that Grandpa just had his subordinates find out and went there himself.
Clack-clack-clack-clack. Clack-clack. Clack. Tap.
Unaware of the furious texting war Taeihyun was waging on his laptop, Dohwang continued his story.
"Everyone tried so hard to stop you, yet you wouldn't break your stubborn resolve to retire. I'm asking what wind blew to make you start working again."
Actually, it wasn't just 'trying to stop him'; Dohwang had actively opposed Taeihyun's retirement. About... 25 times?
Despite that, Taeihyun had ultimately decided to retire, insisting there was something he absolutely had to do. But now, he was back? Why on earth? What change of heart did he have?
However,
Tap. Clack-clack-clack. Tap. Tap.
The person in question continued to stare only at his screen, typing away without giving a damn about the nagging. Dohwang stared blankly at Taeihyun for a moment, then suddenly grinned. As if he already knew he would react like this.
"Ah. Come to think of it. Did you enjoy the salmon I bought you last year? I definitely received a report that my secretary delivered it properly."
Flinch.
Only then did the sound of the keyboard stop.
"I haven't even heard a word of thanks yet..."
At Dohwang's gaze turning wistful, Taeihyun shouted urgently.
"No, wait, that was! You called me out of the blue and asked, 'I'm in Japan and the salmon is delicious. Do you like salmon?' I just said 'Yes', and you suddenly hung up and bought it for me!"
"Right. And Hong-yawn reported that you ate it very deliciously."
"...."
"Ah, and there was that matter half a year ago, too. The shoes designed by a company under our 'Suhomun' Guild... what was the name?"
"It was the 'Hunted' Black Limited Edition, with only 100 pairs produced worldwide. Chairman."
Flinch.
The man standing quietly behind Dohwang chimed in with impeccable timing.
"Right. You asked me to get you three pairs of those shoes, and I managed to get them with great difficulty."
"And you specifically asked for different sizes for each one."
No, who is that old guy standing in the back?
"And then, 3 months ago..."
"Ah, seriously! Are you going to be like this? I helped you a lot in the past too! Give and Take!"
At that, Dohwang chuckled and nodded his head.
"Right, right. Your favorite 'Give and Take'. Of course. I know it well."
I blocked it. I almost got dragged in...
"But tell me this. Do you realize something?"
"What?"
"Ever since you retired, it feels like that 'Give and Take' has gradually become 'Give and Give and Give'. Is it just my imagination?"
"...."
Taeihyun was lost for words. When he hits you with facts like that, what more can you say?
"Don't misunderstand. I was just worried that something might have happened to my cherished junior, seeing him reverse his retirement and reappear."
"You just couldn't stand being curious..."
"Well, that's one reason, too."
Dohwang chuckled once more.
"Ah, okay, okay! Sheesh."
Taeihyun let out a short sigh and opened his mouth again.
"I just made a deal."
Soon, the story of what had happened flowed from his lips.
The luxury sedan glided silently down the road. Inside the car, Dohwang Gu Hwisu looked out the window and suddenly burst into a hollow laugh.
"Data research, he says."
He recalled the conversation they had shared in the cafe just a moment ago.
- Data research? If that's the case, why didn't you ask us? - Suhomun? - Not to mention hunter-related work, but as you know, Suhomun is operating as a large corporation, not just a simple guild. Any vocational experience you want is possible. - Eh, Suhomun-related companies are too fancy. Too high-class. - Is there a problem with being high-class? - Hmm, it's not... commoner-like. In that sense, rejected. Rejected. - Ho ho. - Besides, isn't your lowest assault team B-rank? What I need right now are low-rank guilds struggling desperately to survive, trembling before monsters, and eventually barely winning... those kinds of situations. - Hmm, if you want, I can put a B-rank assault team into an A-rank or S-rank Gate. - ...You're joking, right? They'll all die. - Why worry when you are there? In the end, no one will die, and the Gate conquest will be a clean success. - Again! You're trying to use me again! That's the problem with you, Gramps. This just confirms my resolve never to ask Suhomun for anything. - Ho ho ho!
He was an unstoppable grandson figure, at any rate. The reason for quitting, and the reason for coming back—it all felt very much like him. But who could say anything? To the 'Thunder Emperor', of all people. Thinking once again that rank really is a gangster, Dohwang called out to the man sitting in the front seat.
"Secretary Do."
"Yes, Chairman."
"I just had a thought. What do you think about setting up a publishing company? You know, I hear kids these days enjoy reading web novels or something like that."
"...Pardon?"
Secretary Do gave a dumbfounded response to the random question. But regardless of whether Secretary Do was flustered or not, Dohwang nodded with a quite serious face and continued.
"Look into it."
"Ah... Yes."
Dohwang was a man who gave too much affection to a grandson not even related by blood. Whether the person in question knew this fact or not.
And, at the time Dohwang was riding in his car.
Clack-clack-clack. Tap. Clack-clack. Tap.
Buzz buzz.
"No, what is that hoodie guy's identity?" "Obviously a hunter." "Dohwang personally came to find a hunter like that? Does that make sense? Maybe if they were relatives." "Isn't he too shabby-looking for that?"
The cafe, which had been bustling due to Dohwang's appearance, quieted down briefly before becoming noisy again. Many people in the cafe were extremely curious about how Taeihyun knew Dohwang. But this was a man Dohwang had personally met. No one dared to approach easily, only casting glancing looks from afar. It was fortunate that no one approached, but for Taeihyun, it was already a very uncomfortable situation.
Clack-clack. Tap. Clack-clack-clack. Tap.
Nevertheless, Taeihyun stubbornly kept his seat and pounded on the keyboard.
'Two hours for a 1,500 won coffee!'
He intended to write furiously for exactly that amount of time before leaving. Seriously, Gramps. Coming all the way here just to bother a person. Ugh!
However, unexpectedly, Taeihyun didn't look too displeased. Suddenly, he recalled the last words Dohwang said as he left the cafe.
- I've always said this, but if you ever need any help, contact me anytime. Understood?
Help, my foot. Taeihyun lifted his head slightly, gave a small laugh, and muttered.
"Anyway, everyone still thinks of me as a kid."
It was then.
Ding.
Taeihyun looked at the phone he had placed on the desk. A message had arrived.
[ Preparations are complete. ]
A smile spread across Taeihyun's lips as he checked the message.
"Good. Shall we get going then?"
The first 'Give and Take' with the Association President. It was time to go do his data research.
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