Chapter 19

< In Front of the Kids >

This time, Kim Sung-han came along as the driver. It was because Yerim and I didn't have a driver's license. To be precise, I didn't exist during this period. I only got my license and bought a car when I became a Hunter, even if it was just a D-rank.

My steed hasn't even been born yet. Should I buy the same model this time?

As we entered the apartment complex, Yerim showed a slightly tense expression. After all, she was just a fifteen-year-old girl. Even if our relationship was bad, it wouldn't be easy for her to cut ties with the relatives who had taken care of her.

Still, thanks to the S-rank mental stat adjustment, she pressed the elevator button without hesitation. Her hand was also steady when selecting the floor.

There's no need to worry much.

"Here it is."

Yerim, who got off on the 14th floor, turned toward the right door and said.

"Even if that man, Uncle, acts annoyingly, you must never engage with him. It becomes a troublesome issue when a high-rank Awakened person touches a civilian. Even if you get angry, you have to hold back."

But I'm F-rank, no different from a civilian, so it's fine. Yerim nodded, though she seemed dissatisfied.

After a final check, I stepped forward and pressed the doorbell. A moment later, a middle-aged woman's voice asked who it was.

"I am the new guardian of Park Yerim."

[...What are you talking about?]

A muffled grumble came from the intercom. She must be confused. Soon, the door that had been closed opened.

A large man in his fifties, wearing loose shorts and running gear, frowned and looked at me.

"Nice to meet you. Are you the former guardian of Park Yerim?"

I greeted him with a gentle voice and a smile. The man, Park Sung-tae, Yerim's uncle, frowned even more when he saw Yerim standing slightly behind.

"What the hell has that girl been up to!"

His shout made my ears ring. He sure has a good set of lungs.

"Calm down."

"Calm down? What do you mean by calm down? Where did you come from, you little brat!"

"I already told you. I am the new guardian of Park Yerim."

"...Guardian?"

At the word "guardian," Park Sung-tae hesitated. He seemed to be recalling the inheritance he had taken from his deceased brother.

"I am the guardian of that girl! What do you mean by guardian! What are you trying to pull!"

"It's not a scam. Please check."

I took out the guardianship contract for minor Awakened individuals from the prepared briefcase and offered it politely. It was officially prepared and notarized by the legal team.

Yerim hasn't registered with the Association yet, but after being measured with the guild's equipment and confirmed as an Awakened, she signed a contract as a Hunter, so there were no legal issues.

This needs to be clear.

"...Awakened? That girl?"

As the man skimmed through the contract, greed was clearly visible on his face. It's easy to see, which is good.

He looked at Yerim with rolling eyes.

"Aren't Awakened supposed to make a lot of money?"

"It varies by rank. But that's not the important part. As a minor Hunter, Yerim has the same rights as an adult, so she can choose her own guardian. In other words, the obligations and rights you have as a guardian are completely gone."

Park Sung-tae furrowed his brow, not understanding immediately.

"What are you talking about? I'm the guardian!"

"Not anymore."

Listen carefully. How many times do I have to explain this?

"Where have you seen such a thing! That girl is sixteen!"

"She's fifteen. Hunters have the same rights as adults from the age of 14 under special laws. Yerim's birthday has passed, so she's 14."

"What special laws? Stop spouting nonsense and get lost! Yerim, come here!"

He tried to push me and approach Yerim. But I didn't budge.

I knew this would happen, so I wore leather gloves even though it was hot. If you want to attack, go ahead, my current strength is 24!

"You little...!"

When I, who is relatively small, didn't give in, Park Sung-tae was taken aback and took a step back. I blocked the door with my foot and lowered the doorstop.

"What if you suddenly attack someone? Let's talk nicely."

"Attack? What attack! You little brat, you're an Awakened too! Don't you know that Awakened can't attack civilians?!"

"I am an Awakened, but I'm F-rank, no different from a civilian. And I have no intention of using violence. It was you, Park Sung-tae, who attacked me first."

At this moment, I am a peace-loving moralist. Look at my kind smile. Don't I look nice?

"Since I've explained this, I believe you understand that I am Yerim's guardian and you are not."

I took the contract from his hand and said. Then I took out the documents related to Yerim's inheritance.

"From what I checked, you sold all the real estate that should have gone to Park Yerim."

When the topic of inheritance came up, Park Sung-tae's face turned nasty.

"That was only because it was hard to manage... Yerim agreed!"

What a liar.

"When she was fifteen, no, when she was a thirteen-year-old elementary school student."

"Still, it was an agreement."

He was shameless. It's annoying.

"I don't believe it, but I didn't come here to argue about the inheritance, so let's get to the main point."

I put away the inheritance documents, which Park Sung-tae ignored, and then handed him a pledge.

"This is a pledge that you will not approach or contact Park Yerim in the future. Will you sign it?"

It may not have legal effect, but it could be useful for media manipulation. Park Sung-tae scowled and cursed.

"I raised her with all my effort, and now that she's an Awakened, you want to take her away, you bastard!"

The pledge he had crumpled fell to the floor. I heard Yerim grinding her teeth behind me. Just hold on a bit, Yerim.

"You sound like a very dedicated guardian. Although the girl you raised with such effort is wearing shoes that don't even fit."

I tried to show that I was suppressing my anger. I was actually getting heated up, so I didn't need to act.

"That, that's because... When you raise kids in a poor situation, they have to wear hand-me-downs..."

"Now, you can't even afford shoes after embezzling tens of billions in inheritance. Has the cost of living really risen so much without you noticing?"

A new pair of shoes must cost a billion won each. Did I come from the future instead of the past?

My sarcasm made Park Sung-tae's face turn red.

"Still, if you have a conscience, you should show gratitude! It's not right for her to leave and live well on her own!"

Wow, look at the excuses he's making. His face must be a meter thick.

I sighed loudly and took out my wallet.

"Ultimately, you want money, right?"

"No, not necessarily..."

"Here's a check for one billion won."

As I took out the check, his eyes darted up and down.

"Really, such a small amount..."

"Remember, I had no reason to give you this small amount. It's an investment for my ward."

The hesitant Park Sung-tae picked up the dropped pledge. His financial situation was probably not good. A simple check of the property registry would show that he had a mortgage in the billions.

After embezzling tens of billions, he ended up like this in just a few years. The one billion in front of him must be very tempting.

"...Give me a pen."

"Here it is."

We signed the pledge and each took a copy.

"Then I hope we never meet again."

I said that and turned off the recorder. The conversation in the recorder alone would make it seem like I bowed down and gave him money to deal with a scoundrel.

It includes the embezzlement of the inheritance, the mistreatment of Yerim, and the taking of money. I was very polite. Perfect.

"What was that just now?"

Park Sung-tae frowned when he saw me turn off the recorder. What do you mean?

"It's a recording that will bury you if you try to mess around."

"...What?"

"You, a scumbag, won't just wipe your mouth for a mere one billion, right?"

"This kid is crazy-!"

Bang!

I grabbed his face with my palm and slammed it against the door frame. I kicked his falling body into the entrance,

"Sun-chan's dad!"

A middle-aged woman peeking from the inner door screamed.

"If you don't want to clean up a body, be quiet. It's a nuisance to the neighbors."

The neighbor was probably out for the weekend, but you never know. The middle-aged woman trembled and nodded reflexively.

I just wanted to give a warning, but it's a bit embarrassing that she's so scared.

I bent down and tapped Park Sung-tae's cheek. I could smell blood, as if his skull had cracked. He groaned and opened his eyes.

"Be careful, or you might trip and hurt yourself. If you hit your head wrong, you could die instantly."

"What, what..."

"Apartment doors are made of metal and are dangerous in many ways. Look."

I pushed his limp arm and placed his fingers on the edge of the door frame. I stepped on his hand, which tried to pull away.

"If the door closes wrong, your fingers will be cut off. It would be an unfortunate accident."

"Wait, wait! I was wrong! I'll return the money!"

His eyes were full of fear. Maybe I went a bit too far, even though he's just a civilian. I guess I got used to hanging out with half-crazy people recently.

I can't do this. I need to live a good life this time.

I straightened up and smiled widely.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I went too far, didn't I? I won't touch you again, so don't worry. The same goes for the future. As long as you don't act up, you won't have to see me again. Just live your life."

You must be happy to have an extra billion won.

"But if you try to be greedy, it won't end with a warning. I'll add some sugar to the recording and sprinkle some money on the media to bury you socially and make you spit out the embezzled inheritance. You'll probably owe more money. Then I'll awaken you roughly and use you as a dungeon porter. Do you know? If you die in a dungeon, no one will know what happened."

The body disappears when the dungeon is cleared. I can just say you were killed by a monster and it will be a clean job.

Oh, bad memories are coming back. Let's forget about it.

"I'll live quietly! I'll keep my mouth shut!"

"If you do that, I'll be grateful. Now, get up."

Stop bowing your head like that, it's embarrassing.

I turned to Yerim, thinking everything was settled. But her expression when she looked at me was a bit strange.

...Did I go too far? After all, he was her uncle, and I threatened to break his head and cut off his fingers. We can't have a bad relationship now.

"Hey, Yerim."

"Are you okay, sir?"

"...Huh?"

Yerim came up to me and said.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

...Did you get the wrong address? I was the one who hit, not her.

< In Front of the Kids > End

ⓒ Geunseo

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