Late at night, just before dawn.
Jinhyeok carefully pressed his fingerprint.
Vrrrrrr!
Keep it down…
Near the quiet outskirts of Cheongsanga, the sound of Duram No. 1's engine felt unusually loud tonight.
"I'll look into it right away, just as you asked."
It wasn't just because Yoo Jinhyeok had requested it.
After hearing the details, there were simply too many unnatural elements.
Not long ago, they had suffered an irrational attack from an oni in Kansai. After witnessing firsthand how meaningless the word "impossible" could be, he decided to investigate with every possibility in mind.
"Of course, this one will be the one doing all the hard work," Jin Yunho added lightly, patting Yoon Miri on the shoulder.
"You'll give me a bonus, right?"
"That's outside my authority."
"You're close with the HR director. Put in a good word for me."
"If you do well."
Yunho cut her off curtly, then turned to Jinhyeok.
"Seriously, thank you for coming on such short notice and solving everything in one go."
"It was nothing. I'm using the bag you gave me very well."
At the mention of the bag, Yunho flinched and glanced around.
Good.
Han Jiwon wasn't here.
It was an old story, but hearing it again would still sting. Better to avoid the word "bag" for a while.
"We should treat you to a meal, but I'm really sorry."
"No worries. You've got a press conference soon, right? I know you're busy."
The small meeting at the Player Hunter Agency's waiting hall had started because of Jinhyeok's investigation request.
To conduct a proper inquiry, they needed to identify the other victims of the mysterious boxes. To speed things up, they decided to make the incident public.
Because all the decision-makers were present, the choice was made quickly.
As a result, every major media outlet was rushing toward Cheongsanga, even at dawn.
Must feel like getting struck by lightning…
He silently apologized to everyone who had been dragged out of bed.
It wasn't intentional.
Really.
"Well, I'll be heading out now. See you again, Team Leader, Miri."
"Yes, um…"
"Wait a moment!"
The door burst open, and Bae Jinguk rushed out with a large bag on his back, drenched in sweat.
"Huff… It's been a while since I ran like that. I'm exhausted."
After catching his breath, he continued,
"Even if things are hectic with investigations and press conferences, how could I send my benefactor away empty-handed?"
He had already thanked Jinhyeok several times.
That should have been enough—but now a gift?
Jinhyeok accepted the bag. It was big and surprisingly heavy.
At Jinguk's gesture, he unfastened the clasp.
"Wha—?!"
His eyes widened.
Inside were five bottles of Cheongsanga's legendary white liquor—something that was nearly impossible to obtain, no matter how rich you were.
"These are the oldest ones I have," Jinguk said proudly. "The longer Cheongsanga liquor ages, the deeper and smoother it becomes. I'd give you more, but five is all my family has."
This time, Yunho's eyes widened too.
Even the basic version cost hundreds of thousands. And these were personally brewed and aged by the head of the Bae family.
They were priceless—easily worth millions.
Gulp.
Yunho swallowed dryly.
As a devoted drinker, he desperately wished he could taste even a single sip someday.
"Is it really okay to give me something this valuable?"
"I saved them for moments like this. If you enjoy them, I'll be happier than anyone."
Jinhyeok smiled and gave a thumbs-up.
"Thank you. I promise I'll enjoy them more than anyone."
"That's enough for me."
Afraid they might fall, he quickly stored the bag in his inventory.
After saying goodbye, he twisted the throttle.
Vrrrrrr!
The motorcycle glided smoothly away from Cheongsanga.
Yunho watched until Jinhyeok disappeared, then spoke quietly.
"Um…"
"I know," Jinguk said. "Officially, he's never been here. I won't tell Yucheol either. Don't worry. I wouldn't cause trouble for our benefactor."
"Thank you."
"I'm the one who should be grateful. You all took a big risk too. Let's go inside and eat before the reporters arrive."
"Yes, sir."
After Jinguk entered the house, Yunho stretched and exhaled.
He felt exhausted, even though he hadn't done much.
At least the outcome was good.
"Team Leader? What's that?"
"Huh? What?"
"Your bag looks kind of… puffy. Was it always like that?"
Yunho looked down.
What? It should only have documents inside.
He opened it.
"Gasp—!"
He froze.
"W-What is it?! Gasp!"
Miri covered her mouth.
Inside were five bottles of Cheongsanga liquor—the same priceless treasure Jinguk had given Jinhyeok.
Buzz.
A message arrived.
From: Yoo Jinhyeok.
Team Leader, you love drinking, right? Thank you for always helping me.
Yunho pressed his forehead.
When… how did he even put these in here?
No, that didn't matter anymore.
He stared quietly in the direction Jinhyeok had gone.
Team Leader Jin Yunho didn't believe in religion.
But at this moment, he was absolutely certain.
Runner Yoo Jinhyeok—
He was a god.
Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do.
Dawn broke slowly over the land.
Vrrrr.
A motorcycle slid in beneath the pale morning light.
He had already used his Despair Tower ticket on Maredo's box.
He still had a Mythic Tower ticket, but he hadn't cleared Floor 65 yet.
Which meant—
No tower today.
With good alcohol in hand, he had headed straight home.
Screech.
He stopped before reaching his house.
If he rode in, he'd get smacked on the back immediately.
Followed by endless nagging.
He parked under a tree and covered it with straw.
In Korea, people rarely stole things—except bicycles.
Hopefully, not motorcycles.
"Captain Kancho of the Yodel Ranger Squad, requesting permission to go out!"
As soon as he got off, Kancho dashed away.
An outing? Found a crush on a raccoon or something?
He'd ask later.
Jinhyeok walked down the dirt road lightly.
After walking on concrete every day, the soft earth felt amazing.
Buzz!
This liquor is unbelievably old. You really left a treasure overnight. The chairman loved it—he was laughing as soon as he arrived at work. He'd been upset about not being able to get any. Thank you so much. He says he'll treat you properly when you're free.
From: Jin Seojun.
Before heading to Yesan, Jinhyeok had stopped by Genex headquarters and left one bottle there.
In return for Ertra's bracelet and all the weapons.
He smiled.
Good things were meant to be shared.
"Hey! What are you doing here?!"
His sister, Yujinhee, pointed at him on her way to school.
So rude in the morning.
"Hello! I'm Minhee, Jinhee's friend," the girl beside her bowed at ninety degrees.
Unlike Jinhee, she was very polite.
"Hi. Must be tough being friends with her."
"I don't have a choice. There aren't many kids our age around here."
"What nonsense, oppa."
Jinhyeok grimaced as Jinhee crept closer.
He knew that look.
She wanted something.
"Can you give me some allowance?"
"Didn't you clear Floor 30? Sell the drops."
"The neighbor helps me sell them, but Mom takes all the money! Says she'll give it back when I get married!"
He remembered all the allowance she'd lost over the years.
Even as an adult, their mom never returned it.
"School trip's coming up. I'll have to go in my uniform."
"Then go in your uniform."
"Please! I'll speak politely forever!"
"Don't. It's creepy."
If it were just Jinhee, he'd have chased her off.
But her friend was watching.
For some reason, he wanted to show off.
Be cool.
Show authority.
He took out his wallet.
And handed her twenty crisp fifty-thousand-won bills.
"Whaaaat?!"
Jinhee stared in shock.
The guy who once smacked her for stealing ten thousand won?!
She became convinced.
This wasn't her brother.
It was an impostor.
Still, a million won was a million won.
"That's what matters."
"Don't spend it all. Buy Minhee something too. She's your friend."
He added smugly.
"I'll serve you forever, oppa!"
"Go. Both of you. Take care, Minhee."
"Thank you! Goodbye!"
He waved and walked off.
Perfect.
Cool.
Stylish.
"Damn, he really spends big after becoming a player."
Jinhee clicked her tongue, counting the money.
She even checked if it was fake.
After confirming it was real, she cheered.
"Hey, Minhee! Let's go!"
Minhee stared down the road blankly.
"What's with that dreamy look?"
"Does he… have a girlfriend?"
Jinhee sighed and put an arm around her.
"Forget it. The competition is insane."
"Really?"
"Not just insane. Totally crazy. World-class."
"Wow…"
Minhee shrugged and gave up.
"Then you're buying me food, right?"
"Of course. Without you, I'd have gotten nothing."
"Tteokbokki first?"
"Deal!"
Laughing and chatting, they headed to school.
Near Jinhyeok's house, in a small vegetable field.
Torongi, who was farming, swallowed nervously.
He was back.
That crazy raccoon.
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T/N:
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