As soon as they entered the alley in Miyang-dong, Igyeol’s brow furrowed. Two unfamiliar black sedans were occupying the familiar space in front of the clinic. Wondering if they might be Sanctum Guild vehicles, he glared at Sung Yohan, but he shook his head.
“Those aren’t our vehicles.”
“How do you know?”
“The license plates aren’t ours.”
The answer came from the guild member in the passenger seat. At the calm response, Igyeol, who had been about to get agitated, shut his mouth tight. That answer made his anger rise even more. If it wasn’t Sanctum, that was even more of a problem. As the luxury sedan entered, men poured out from the parked vehicles. Men in black suits. The atmosphere was distinctly different.
“…Baekya.”
Igyeol muttered lowly. Sung Yohan’s eyes also instantly sank coldly.
“Don’t get out. I’ll check.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s my shop.”
Igyeol ignored Sung Yohan’s restraint and kicked open the car door.
“This is private property, can you just park however you want? Why don’t you move your cars?”
When Igyeol shouted in an irritated voice, the man who had been waiting in front of the sedan slowly turned around. A neat gray suit with gold-rimmed glasses. Holding a leather briefcase in his hand, he had the impression of a typical elite office worker. But the smell emanating from him was terrible. The smell of a hyena that uses law and regulations as weapons to strangle people.
“Are you Mr. Moon Igyeol?”
The man asked, pushing up his glasses.
“That’s right.”
“Pleased to meet you. I am Executive Director Jang from Union Law Firm. I’m an authorized representative regarding the estate management and bereaved family protection procedures for the late Ms. Kang Yeongeum.”
Union Law Firm. On the surface, it was a large law firm, but in reality, it was a legal processing organization operated by Baekya.
“Kang Yeongeum?”
Igyeol’s eyes sharpened.
“Why is that name coming out of your mouth?”
“We received a report that Kang Yeongwon is currently staying here. Minor Kang Yeongwon currently has no legal guardian and is a special management subject as the heir to the enormous estate left by the deceased.”
Executive Director Jang took out a thick envelope from his briefcase and held it out.
“Accordingly, our firm seeks to take custody of Kang Yeongwon based on the ‘Special Protection Law for Hero’s Bereaved Families’ and ‘Minor Guardian Designation Procedures.’ This is to protect him in a safer and more suitable environment.”
The words were smooth, but summarized, it was one thing. ‘There’s no legal problem, so hand over the kid.’ Igyeol snatched the papers as if seizing them.
“Says who? Did Yeongwon say he wants to go?”
“The opinion of a minor with insufficient judgment is not important. Legal procedures and environment come first. This… wouldn’t the facility we’ve prepared be much better than an old clinic with unverified sanitary conditions?”
Executive Director Jang looked over the clinic sign mockingly. At that moment, the tightly closed clinic shutter rolled up with a rattle. Inside, Yeongwon with an anxious expression and Hyungil tensely holding a broom could be seen.
“Hyung…!”
As soon as Yeongwon saw Igyeol, he tried to run out. When Executive Director Jang gave a look, the big guys standing behind moved as if to drag Yeongwon out.
“What do you think you’re doing.”
At that moment, a chilling voice cut through the space. It was Sung Yohan. He had just gotten out of the car and walked over next to Igyeol.
“Guild Leader Sung… Yohan-nim?”
Executive Director Jang’s expression contorted. He clearly hadn’t expected Sung Yohan to be here. No, even if he was here, he probably didn’t know he’d return this quickly.
“Union, you said? How curious.”
Sung Yohan strode over and snatched the business card from Executive Director Jang’s hand to check it. After carefully reading through it, he recited the name a few times, then tore the card in half just like that. The paper dropped to the ground with a flutter. Sung Yohan looked at Executive Director Jang with an expressionless face.
“Kang Yeongwon is currently under the protection of Sanctum Guild. It’s been formally reported to the Association too.”
“B-but legally, it’s still…”
“Law? You sure love the law. What exactly is this suitable environment you’re talking about? Some back-alley thug den?”
Sung Yohan quietly lowered his voice. Even just that made the surrounding air sink heavily. Under the pressure of an S-rank Hunter, Executive Director Jang unconsciously stepped back.
“This is… a legitimate procedure! Even as Sanctum’s Guild Leader, you can’t ignore the law! We’re protecting the bereaved family’s rights…!”
“I’ll guarantee those rights. If you have complaints, sue me. Fight with my legal team.”
Sung Yohan flicked his finger. The guild member who got out of the passenger seat approached and shot a warning at Executive Director Jang with a frightening face.
“You shouldn’t be doing this here. Someone who knows everything shouldn’t be like this.”
“Let’s go somewhere else and talk.”
The presence of the two Sanctum guild members approaching with threatening force and pressure was completely different from the men who had been sitting with awkward smiles just moments ago. Their numbers were few, but the pressure was no joke.
The other big guys behind Executive Director Jang looked at him for cues. Although they had numerical superiority, each Sanctum guild member was an A-rank powerhouse. They were opponents difficult to rashly attack. Already the aura they were emitting was different.
Executive Director Jang ground his teeth and adjusted his glasses. Today he had no choice but to retreat.
“…Fine. We’ll leave for today. But.”
He glared at Igyeol.
“This isn’t the end. An administrative lawsuit and report of unsuitable upbringing environment will be filed. Let’s see in court whether a clinic owner with no proper job can really handle a hero’s younger brother.”
Executive Director Jang got into the car huffing and puffing. The big guys also got into the cars one by one. The black sedans roughly backed out and left the alley.
“Not scary at all, you bastards.”
Igyeol clicked his tongue with a tsk-. He had a feeling troublesome matters would continue for a while. It seemed like he should probably sprinkle some salt outside today.
***
After outside was cleared up, the Sanctum guild members returned with good-natured faces, bowed politely, and left. Sung Yohan was sitting on the usual two-person sofa with a serious face, making a phone call somewhere. Igyeol swept up his hair with a tired face.
“Hyung, what were those people earlier? So scary, seriously.”
“What’s scary about them?”
“If I saw them at night, I’d piss myself. Their bodies are just bulging all over-“
“Stop joking and go upstairs to study.”
“I don’t waaaaant to. Let me rest too!”
Hyungil stretched out on the bench with his lips pouting. Igyeol scrunched his face hard. Would he only listen if I grind him down one more time with that report card? As he was worrying about that, Yeongwon, who was watching from the corner, caught his eye. He had an expression almost on the verge of tears. Igyeol scratched his head and reached out his hand to Yeongwon.
“What’s wrong now?”
“…Hyung.”
Yeongwon came into Igyeol’s arms whimpering.
“I don’t want to go. Those people are scary…”
“Who said you’d be sent? Why are you worrying about useless things? We chased them all away. Don’t worry.”
“Hyuuung…”
He seemed to be thoroughly frightened. Well, if they pressure him like that throwing legal terms around, he had no choice but to be scared. Igyeol patted Yeongwon’s back. When he glanced at Sung Yohan, he had finished his call somehow and let out a small sigh before approaching Igyeol.
“The situation isn’t very good.”
“It’s because of me for no reason…”
At Sung Yohan’s words, Yeongwon’s eyes reddened as if he would burst into tears completely. Igyeol, who had been comforting the child, gave Sung Yohan a look. What are you doing, in front of a kid? Sung Yohan with a sour expression slightly raised his eyebrows and looked at Igyeol defiantly. Igyeol widened his eyes in disbelief. Why is he looking at me like that again?
“You’re only cold to me specifically, Mr. Moon Igyeol.”
“What?”
“…Never mind. I misspoke. Anyway,”
“Whaat?”
“Anyway, we can’t leave it like this.”
Igyeol was incredulous for a moment but decided to listen for now. Sung Yohan continued.
“If they come at you legally, Mr. Moon Igyeol, you can’t protect Yeongwon alone.”
“Hey, I can protect him too. Can’t I just be the guardian!”
“It’s insufficient legally. You need justification for protection.”
“What more do you want me to do!”
“I’ll stay here.”
Sung Yohan dropped a bombshell. Igyeol’s eyes almost popped out. His mouth fell open. Is this craaaaaazy talk really what I just heard? Igyeol was flabbergasted.
“Are you insane?”
“I’m perfectly fine.”
“No, if you spin 360 degrees you think you’re fine.”
“I’m in my right mind.”
“Are you crazy? Is this a hotel? The rooms are tiny, where exactly will you sleep? Why would a Sanctum Guild Leader stay at a clinic, really now, it’s a joke, right?”
“It’s not a joke.”
“Say it’s a joke.”
“It’s not a joke. Is it that cramped? Then should I buy the building next door? There’s a property on the market.”
“Hey, you bastard…”
Igyeol grabbed his forehead.
“Don’t throw money around! And wouldn’t it be more dangerous if you’re here?”
“It’s the opposite. Baekya can’t barge in recklessly if I’m here. And…”
Sung Yohan lowered his voice. At his serious voice and expression, Igyeol also furrowed his brow. Sung Yohan approached Igyeol closely and bent his waist. Igyeol also bent his waist and leaned his head close. Sung Yohan whispered.
“Because I need to monitor you too.”
“…”
“I’ll just hold your hand and sleep.”
Igyeol felt murderous intent rise that hadn’t appeared in a year and a half. Should I kill this guy, really? Next to him, Sung Yohan said with a serious face.
“Really, I promise.”
“Bullshit, you bastard!”
