Chapter Index

    As you instructed last time, I looked into the Korea University judo team.

    Nodding in acknowledgment, Ma Seok-dae began to explain.

    “There seems to be quite a bit of noise surrounding the national team selection. Your friend Park Hyeonseong is involved, and apparently, the coach instructed some first and second-year students to deliberately lose. The only one who didn’t follow that order was Park Hyeonseong.”

    Such things are all too common in this era, so I listened without much thought.

    “There seems to have been ongoing abuse or punishment. On the day of the incident, it was severe enough that he went to the hospital and had an accident on his way home.”

    “Yes, I heard about that. Do you think there’s a connection between the two incidents?”

    “That’s still unclear. Shall we investigate further?”

    Could someone have been run over due to the national team selection?

    …It must be a coincidence, right?

    I gathered my thoughts and stood up.

    “Please find out who that Jo Chan-sung is. I want to know if he told Hyeonseong to throw the match, along with any background information. Just focus on that for now.”

    I patted his shoulder as he bowed his head and left the room.

    I went downstairs and entered my grandfather’s study.

    “How have you been?”

    “So, how did your trip to the U.S. go?”

    “I had to return to Korea unexpectedly, so I couldn’t wrap everything up, but I handled the important matters.”

    My grandfather nodded, staring at me intently.

    “You have something to say?”

    “I need your help, Grandfather.”

    “Help?”

    “I… I’d like you to look into my friend’s hit-and-run case. I’m not capable enough to investigate it thoroughly right now.”

    My grandfather stared at me silently for a while.

    After a moment, he opened his mouth, his expression a mix of disappointment.

    “You, who have never asked me for help, want me to assist you with something like this?”

    “Yes, this is more important to me than anything. One of my few close friends has been in an accident. Even if it’s just an accident, I need to repay the same to whoever is responsible.”

    I didn’t shy away from his gaze.

    Eventually, my grandfather seemed to relent and called for Chief Ha.

    “Myung-hoon, come in.”

    At my grandfather’s call, Chief Ha opened the door and entered.

    I exchanged a brief greeting with Chief Ha, whom I hadn’t seen in a few days.

    “Mu-hyeok has a request for you. Please look into it as soon as possible.”

    “I’d like you to quickly find out who the perpetrator of Hyeonseong’s hit-and-run is. There’s only one witness, and since it involves police family matters, they might not be too keen on it, but…”

    “Understood. I’ll get on it right away.”

    Chief Ha nodded and looked at my grandfather.

    My grandfather gave a small nod. As Chief Ha left, he turned back to me.

    “Isn’t it time to stop playing friends? It’s hard enough to find someone who can help you.”

    “He’s a friend, but he’s also one of my own. You know it’s tough to find someone who will follow my orders without question.”

    “Oh, did you win over Manager Ma?”

    “Yes.”

    My grandfather smiled slightly.

    “You must always remain calm. I’ve never put my duties aside even when my family was hurt. A true leader knows how to prioritize and make distinctions, do you understand what I mean?”

    “My grandfather and I come from different times. You may have done that, but I’ll always put my people and family first—above work, friends, and those I care about…”

    My grandfather listened with interest.

    “You are included among those people.”

    “Ha ha ha.”

    My grandfather chuckled, seemingly pleased with my addition.

    “Your time… Yes, I suppose it’s time for me to step back.”

    “That’s not what I meant…”

    “Don’t worry, I’m not planning to become a retired old man just yet. I’m still in my prime.”

    I couldn’t help but smile back.

    My grandfather gave my shoulder a light pat.

    “Myung-hoon will find out quickly. Just wait and see.”

    “Thank you.”

    “What’s going on with the Myeong-dong bosses? Are they surrendering?”

    “For now, I’m planning to observe.”

    “If you can use them, then use them. Anyone who made it that far in that world is quick-witted and has connections you can’t ignore.”

    “Yes, that’s why I gave them a chance. That Boss Shin seems very loyal to you—he said, ‘I’ll follow your orders when you say so,’ and then stormed out.”

    “Sung-il?”

    My grandfather closed his eyes for a moment, as if recalling old memories.

    “Was he a high school student then? I sponsored him when he was in the wrestling ring, but he got caught up in an assault case and had to retire. Then he came to me. Since then, he’s climbed from the very bottom of Myeong-dong to where he is now, all on his own. Even if I helped him, that was all his own doing.”

    I nodded.

    My grandfather sighed softly.

    “He’s the hardest person to read. He does what he’s told, but…”

    “Still, he seems straightforward, and I think he’ll be fine. I plan to meet with him soon.”

    “Do as you wish. He’s now one of the people I’m leaving to you. Whether you cut ties or embrace him, that’s up to you. But such people aren’t easy to find, so make him one of your own.”

    “Understood.”

    After finishing my conversation with my grandfather, I changed clothes and headed to the hospital.

    When I arrived, Hyeonseong’s parents were still sitting there.

    “Mom, you should take a break for a bit.”

    “I need to stay with him.”

    “If you keep this up, you might collapse. I’ve booked a room at a nearby hotel, so go wash up and catch a quick nap. I’ll call you once Hyeonseong wakes up.”

    After some persuasion, Hyeonseong’s mother followed my father out.

    I sent Manager Ma to take them to the hotel and then sat in front of the ICU with Myeong-su.

    While waiting for the designated visiting time, I chatted with Myeong-su.

    “Hey, Myeong-su, did you get some sleep?”

    “Yeah, I went to the nearby sauna for a quick nap. What’s taking Hyeonseong so long? He’s worrying us by sleeping like this…”

    Despite his words, Myeong-su kept glancing nervously at the ICU.

    “Ugh… at this rate, we won’t be able to do anything about the national team selection. He practiced so hard because of our promise; how could something like this happen?”

    I recalled what Myeong-su had said to Hyeonseong at his house last time.

    * * *

    “Hyeonseong, win a medal at the Asian Games or the Olympics to get exempted from military service. Then, let’s work together.”

    Hyeonseong, who had been quietly watching me, nodded without hesitation.

    That made me chuckle unexpectedly.

    “You didn’t even ask why; you just nodded along?”

    “I’ll do it my way.”

    “…You crazy kid.”

    * * *

    Initially, I planned to make him my shadow, like Manager Ma.

    I believed he was someone quiet who would get the job done.

    “When will he wake up?”

    “He’ll wake up soon. He’s been tough since childhood, right? I’m not worried about that.”

    Though he said he’d rested, Myeong-su’s face still showed signs of fatigue.

    “You should take a break too.”

    “Yeah, I’ll sleep when visiting hours start.”

    “Got it.”

    Myeong-su closed his eyes for a moment.

    About an hour passed before visiting hours began.

    I entered the ICU with Myeong-su, who had just woken up.

    Seeing Hyeonseong with his left arm and leg in casts broke my heart.

    But I was somewhat relieved to see him lying there peacefully, as if he were just asleep, without any oxygen mask.

    Myeong-su held Hyeonseong’s right hand, murmuring to him.

    “Wake up, you bastard. I won’t tease you about eating a lot anymore. You can do whatever you want now, so wake up…”

    Despite their daily bickering, I could feel the affection Myeong-su and Hyeonseong had for each other.

    I quietly watched Hyeonseong’s face from behind Myeong-su.

    “Hey! Hey!”

    Suddenly, Myeong-su shouted.

    “He just moved his finger! Hyeonseong! Can you hear me? It’s me, Myeong-su! Hyeonseong! Hyeonseong!”

    But Hyeonseong didn’t respond to Myeong-su’s calls at all.

    “I’m sure he moved… Oh, again! Look!”

    This time, I saw it too.

    I left Myeong-su and approached a nearby nurse.

    “That patient just moved his finger. Could you please call the doctor?”

    The nurse, who had been looking at the charts, nodded and picked up the phone.

    A moment later, the doctor rushed in.

    “He moved his finger?”

    “Yes, twice! He’s going to be okay, right?”

    Ignoring Myeong-su’s rambling, the doctor began examining Hyeonseong.

    At that moment, Hyeonseong’s eyebrow twitched.

    “Doctor! His eyebrow just moved!”

    Despite Myeong-su’s excitement, the doctor calmly lifted Hyeonseong’s eyelid and checked his eyes.

    Then he looked at us and smiled.

    “He’ll wake up soon.”

    “Really? Are you serious? Wow…”

    Seeing the doctor nod, Myeong-su collapsed into the chair in relief.

    I calmly asked the doctor, “When will he wake up?”

    “I’m not sure. If I look at his pupil reactions, it seems he’ll wake up soon, but I’m not a god, so I can’t say for certain. The test results show there’s no major issue with his brain, so let’s wait and see.”

    “Okay, got it.”

    I bowed my head in gratitude and looked at Hyeonseong’s face.

    Soon, visiting hours ended, and we went back outside.

    Myeong-su seemed to have finally relaxed, as he started cursing.

    “Damn, Hyeonseong isn’t the type to lie here like this. Just wait until he wakes up; I’ll give him a piece of my mind!”

    “Haha.”

    Finally, I could laugh sincerely.

    A few hours later, Hyeonseong woke up.

    I immediately called the hotel to summon Hyeonseong’s parents.

    Hyeon-seong’s mother burst into tears at the sight of him opening his eyes and looking her way.

    “You little rascal, is this how you wanted to see your mom dying?”

    Despite her scolding, tears continued to stream down her cheeks.

    “Mom…”

    “Do you recognize me?”

    “Mom…”

    Hyeon-seong’s mother tightly grasped his hand.

    “Do you recognize me? Oh, yes, here I am, Mom is right here!”

    From behind her, Hyeon-seong’s father watched, a hint of moisture in his eyes. I turned away, pretending not to notice his tears.

    That evening, Hyeon-seong was moved to a regular ward, but he insisted on getting a private room.

    “Just relax and stay with us,” he said.

    “Why would we pay so much for a private room? Not happening!”

    “Mom, it’s Mu-hyeok. Please accept my offer, I’m happy to help!”

    “But…”

    “It’s fine, Mom, you can accept help from Mu-hyeok, right? Isn’t that right, Mu-hyeok?”

    Hyeon-seong’s father supported my case, and I smiled gratefully at him.

    “Of course! Anything I can do for you two is far more valuable than a hospital room. You traveled a long way, so please, stay comfortably for a few days!”

    I discussed the incident with his father outside, but it seemed they still hadn’t found the hit-and-run driver.

    The odd lack of evidence gave me an unsettling feeling.

    When I returned home, I received a report from Manager Ma.

    “Jo Chan-sung, who tried to cover for Park Hyeonseong, is in his fourth year. He’s the son of Jo Hyeon-gu, the vice president of the Korea Judo Association, and Jo Hyeon-gu is the president of Geukseong Construction, a major sponsor for the judo team.”

    “Geukseong Construction?”

    “Yes.”

    Geukseong Construction… I’d never heard of it before.

    “What’s their ranking? I’ve never even heard of them.”

    “They’re ranked 42nd. Apparently, they’re quite well-known in Chungcheong-do. Jo Hyeon-gu used to be a notorious gangster in that region.”

    As soon as I heard that, an instinct kicked in.

    The thought I had dismissed as impossible now seemed all too real.

    ‘Could this be connected to the hit-and-run incident?’

    Chapter Summary

    Mu-hyeok seeks his grandfather's help regarding a friend's hit-and-run case. They discuss the issues surrounding the Korea University judo team and the ongoing investigation. Mu-hyeok emphasizes the importance of family and friends over work, reflecting on the generational differences with his grandfather. As they navigate their concerns, they also address the Myeong-dong bosses. The chapter concludes with a tense hospital scene where Hyeonseong finally wakes up after a long ordeal. In a poignant moment, Hyeon-seong's mother is overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing her son awake, despite her scolding. Hyeon-seong insists on a private room for comfort, supported by his father. Meanwhile, an investigation reveals connections to a potentially dangerous figure linked to the hit-and-run case, raising tensions and concerns about safety.

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