The Returnee Wants to Live Comfortably

Chapter 174 : If you pity them, you should give them a chance. Don't you think? (3)

If you pity them, you should give them a chance. Don't you think? (3)Vajra Guild, the blacksmith guild.

It was famous even among support guilds for its high skill level.

That's because it had long been renowned for producing high-performance equipment.

Thanks to that, its building was larger than those of other blacksmith guilds.

"Please refund this immediately!"

In that reputable Vajra Guild, someone raised their voice.

On the second floor of the building, where guild members could be directly commissioned.

There, a man and a woman, presumably clients, were standing with grim faces.

"What exactly is the problem?"

Song Minseok, the Vajra Guildmaster, spoke in the kindest voice he could muster.

Yet the bloodshot eyes of the two customers didn't lose any intensity.

"Problem? You think we wouldn't have a problem when our equipment was made like this?"

"What is this nonsense!"

Both clients placed their equipment on the table used as a counter.

One was a magic staff, the other a silver shield.

However, the shield was severely damaged and the staff showed scorch marks as if it had been burned.

"What happened to these items?"

Seeing the state of the equipment, Song Minseok voiced his doubts.

As far as he remembered, he had made both pieces himself.

At that, the two clients clicked their tongues in disbelief.

"What do you mean what happened? The equipment suddenly exploded!"

"Because of these, we almost died inside the gate!"

The two had been hunting monsters inside a C-rank gate.

In the middle of this, while the woman was casting magic, the tip of the staff exploded.

A staff that had been working just fine suddenly overloaded with magic power.

"Good thing I was a ranged mage. If the guy who was getting close to the monster had been any nearer, he would've lost an arm!"

It was the same with the shield.

At the critical moment of taking down a monster, the shield failed to withstand the magic power and burst.

"You said these were made from verified materials and are A-rank equipment!"

"Did you really appraise this stuff properly?"

Now Song Minseok understood why the clients were furious.

But he was innocent.

"Of course I appraised them properly, that's why I sold them with confidence."

"What did you say?"

"The system lists them as A-rank equipment. Am I wrong?"

Indeed, according to the system display in thin air, they were marked as A-rank.

That was Song Minseok's basis for claiming there was no problem.

But the actual performance of the equipment was below that of C-rank, and a proper appraisal machine could tell the truth.

"Then can we have them appraised again?"

"Pardon?"

"There's a weird scam going around lately that tampers with appraisal results."

Sometimes, even if the performance is bad, using high-quality materials can result in a high grade.

That's because the materials are also factored into the equipment's performance.

Because of this, blacksmiths who deceive by selling shoddy equipment as high-performance products have been on the rise.

"Please, be reasonable. Do you realize what reputation we have at Vajra Guild?"

"I do know. But didn't you change guild masters a few months ago?"

"We come here a lot, so we know. The previous guildmaster never made equipment like this."

All of Vajra Guild's fame was due to the previous guildmaster's achievements.

Even after word spread that he had left, people still trusted Vajra Guild.

"No matter how much our magic power exceeds what the gear can handle, it doesn't just pop and explode like this!"

"Even using good material, if the blacksmith's skill isn't up to par, a strange piece of equipment is bound to be produced. Just like these."

The problem wasn't with the clients.

The problem was with the materials used and the blacksmith's insufficient skill to process them.

There were many inexperienced blacksmiths obsessed with creating masterpieces from high-grade materials.

Song Minseok was exactly that kind of person.

"So what?"

"So what? Give us a refund immediately."

"And why should I? You both signed a contract with your own IDs stating you can't refund used equipment, right?"

"You bastard, you really...!"

The truth was, Song Minseok seemed off from the beginning.

He had gone on and on introducing the staff and shield as A-rank items, and even offered them at a suspiciously low price for A-rank gear.

In reality they had C-rank performance, but he sold them at bargain A-rank prices.

In the end, the price didn't match the performace.

"If you keep this up, it's obstruction of business."

With that, Song Minseok folded his arms and maintained a shameless expression.

"Get out before I call Qiongqi. I don't have time to deal with troublemakers like you."

"Call them then, you bastard!"

"How thick is your skin?"

At that moment, another customer came up to the second floor.

Noticing the gaze from that customer, the two clients had to leave.

Unfortunately, that customer was none other than the famous candidate, Seungjin.

"Just you wait!"

"We'll expose you on SNS!"

As the clients disappeared down the stairs, Seungjin asked with concern.

"What was all that about?"

"Who knows! I just sold them the equipment they wanted, and now they're blaming me because it broke on them!"

Probably their equipment overheated because of their own poor control over magic power.

Or they wore it down from excessive use.

When Song Minseok explained this, Seungjin agreed wholeheartedly.

"It's fine. You did nothing wrong. They're in the wrong for blaming others for stuff they bought themselves."

"Exactly. My skill isn't the problem."

Song Minseok gazed at Seungjin's head for a moment.

"But, sir... your hair... pfft!"

"..."

"S-sorry, I didn't mean to laugh... hehehe!"

Seungjin sighed over his completely bald head.

That culprit was right beside him: Kim Jae.

"Mister, why are there so many weapons here?"

"Because it's a blacksmith guild, obviously."

"Then I wanna look around!"

With shining eyes, Kim Jae scampered down the stairs to the first floor.

Seeing that childlike innocence, Seungjin sighed again.

"Is that kid the one from the rumors?"

"Yeah. Just like I once defended you all in the past, this time I have to defend him."

In fact, Seungjin himself was the actual victim.

He was in the absurd position of having to serve as both the accused and the defense attorney.

"You could just quit."

"If I could quit, I would have. But after announcing I'd take the job, how can I just stop?"

He was, in the end, swept up by Kwon Yongha's pressure.

The reporters, however, claimed he volunteered, as if the media and authorities were conspiring.

Since Seungjin had always preached about rehabilitation, people were inclined to believe it.

He felt he was being driven to the edge.

"Anyway, that's why. I came to ask you a favor."

"What is it?"

"Could you maybe make a brainwashing device?"

Song Minseok drew his face close.

He grimaced, dazzled by Seungjin's shiny scalp as if looking at a flashlight.

"What's with the sudden brainwashing talk?"

"That kid's causing so much trouble. I really can't stand it anymore."

Of course, Kim Jae was meant to be placed in a care facility.

But, strangely, none would take him in.

In the end, the authorities decreed Seungjin himself would have to serve as the guardian until a facility opened up.

It was like the media, court, and facilities were all colluding for mischief.

It felt as if some global organization was pulling the strings.

"If you could just brainwash him, he'd finally behave. Then rehabilitation would be much easier, wouldn't it?"

"Sorry, but we're not inventors here..."

So, he couldn't make it.

This was a guild that focused on manufacturing combat support gear.

"But are the kid's pranks that bad?"

"They go beyond 'pranks'. The other day, he pulled the wheels off my car and used them to play soccer."

Shaving his head bald was just another example.

Frankly, it was almost enough to drive him to violence.

"Just punish him! That's clearly destruction of property."

"No. You know what I've always said, defending all you guys in court."

Kids aren't responsible.

It's just the misfortune of their upbringing.

Such pitiful children can't be made to eat prison food on his watch.

And...

"Kim Jae even apologized right after doing that."

"Like a simple apology makes up for it? He should just—!"

"Calm down. You were no different."

Song Minseok suddenly recalled his own school days.

He used to bully a classmate relentlessly and ended up summoned to the anti-bullying committee multiple times.

Each time, Seungjin would step in.

Forcing the perpetrator and victim to shake hands.

Wrapping it up with Song Minseok's 'I'm sorry' and an apology.

In the end, that word 'reflection' was all it took for things to end.

"You just apologized a few times and it was over for you, too."

"Yeah... that's true."

Kim Jae had just made a token apology for his major misdeeds.

It was the method Seungjin had always preferred.

If he didn't accept that apology and instead lashed out, then what did all his own past actions amount to?

"There's no way out of this."

"..."

Song Minseok had gotten through all sorts of incidents with mere words of reflection.

That's why he couldn't help but feel an indefinable discomfort.

Like a boomerang thrown with a smile, returning to smack the back of his head.

Kwakwang!—

At that moment, a sound came from the first floor.

When they went downstairs to check, something outrageous was happening.

"Wha-what is this!!"

All the equipment on display on the first floor had collapsed.

As if someone had been playing a prank, some equipment had been smashed to bits.

It would have been alarming enough for the display cases to fall, but even the painstakingly crafted gear was wrecked.

To top it off, only the expensive items had been chosen for destruction.

"Misters! This stuff totally sucks! I only infused a little magic power, but they exploded like balloons!"

The culprit, Kim Jae, was holding a greatsword that had been displayed on the wall.

Of all things, it was Song Minseok's pride and joy, boasting a price tag in the tens of millions of won.

"No! That's a masterwork made from S-rank materials!!"

Kwang!—

The moment Kim Jae poured in magic power,

The shock was as if a grenade went off, blowing a hole the size of a truck in the building's wall.

"Is this really S-rank material? It's too weak."

"...."

Truthfully, the explosion happened because of the S-rank materials themselves.

No matter how good the material is, if the craftsman's skill can't keep up, the magic power within the material runs amok.

This was the result of recklessly using S-rank materials in a vain attempt at a masterpiece.

Had a hunter bought that, they'd have lost an arm on the spot.

"Th-thiiiiiis...!"

Song Minseok gnashed his teeth at the destruction of the guild building.

He was the one who made the unstable equipment, but that was far from his mind.

"You bastard!!!!"

"Minseok! Calm down!"

"How can I calm down? That brat destroyed my master-class equipment!"

And as if that wasn't enough, other equipment and even the building were ruined.

He was overcome with a flood of rage that couldn't even be sated by stabbing someone.

Seungjin had to grab Song Minseok by the shoulder to calm him.

"Minseok, I'm really sorry! Please, just listen to me."

"What's the point of listening? Just compensate me!"

"What?"

"You're his guardian, aren't you?"

At that moment, Seungjin's brain froze.

The things Kim Jae had broken were all the most expensive ones.

No matter how successful a lawyer he was, he couldn't possibly pay for all of this.

"Um... Minseok."

In the end, Seungjin spoke with trembling lips.

"Sorry."

"What?"

"Since I'm sorry... could you forgive it, just this once?"

Of course, that absurd reply only made Song Minseok even angrier.

"Don't talk nonsense! You crazy man!"

"But remember when I defended you? Back then, just saying you were sorry and settling with the victim was enough!"

"How is this situation the same as back then..."

That victim had been driven to attempt suicide back in the day.

And yet, Song Minseok had gotten away with just saying 'I'm sorry.'

The moment those memories overlapped with the current situation, he froze.

"..."

"..."

Seungjin, as his guardian, was left speechless.

Song Minseok, equally unable to process it, was left slack-jawed.

And then...

"Sorry. I reflect on my actions~"

Kim Jae reflected with a smile.

.

.

In the end, Seungjin had no choice but to take responsibility.

No matter what, Kim Jae's guardian was Seungjin.

When this became public, everyone was watching closely.

He'd said there were no bad kids in the world, that he was just a poor child.

But now it was the poor child bullying other poor people.

The public criticism became harsher by the day.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"

Unable to sleep at night, Seungjin cursed.

He was now the victim of a delinquent child's misdeeds.

But wasn't he the one who claimed there were no bad kids?

Backed into a corner, he was seething.

However—

[We do not encourage merciless punishment.]

[You know as well as anyone! Depriving minors of a chance only leads to another form of criminality!]

At that moment, he recalled Kwon Yongha, the Guildmaster's words.

It was an ideology he himself had always advocated, so he had no choice but to accept it.

Opportunity. The child must be given a chance.

'I just gave them a chance, that's all.'

Yes, he had done nothing wrong.

Even as a victim, isn't it noble to forgive?

But right now... What is this?

Should he just keep forgiving?

"Damn it..."

That was his last coherent thought before exhaustion took over and he fell asleep.

He awakened the next morning to sunlight, filled with dread for another tough day ahead.

Beeeep—

When the doorbell rang, Seungjin opened the door.

Police officers were waiting outside.

He was surprised, having no idea why they had come.

"What's going on?"

"We'd like to ask you a few questions. Attorney Seungjin, what were you doing late last night?"

"What do you mean?"

He was asleep, naturally.

It was late, after all.

However, the police said something shocking.

"Early this morning, a child's body was found in the park next door: apparent suicide."

"Name: Kim Jae. Age: 13."

"What?"

At the same time, they showed him a photograph.

In it, Kim Jae was seen hanging from the roof of the park pavilion, dead by suicide.

"We took this during our investigation. Do you know anything about this?"

"No... I have no idea! I really don't!"

"Is that so? Then..."

To Seungjin's desperate denial, the police played a recording.

A recorder had been found with the body, and this was a copy of its recording.

[Could you maybe make a brainwashing device?]

[What's with the sudden brainwashing talk?]

[That kid's causing so much trouble. I really can't stand it anymore.]

[If you could just brainwash her, she'd finally behave. Then rehabilitation would be much easier, wouldn't it?]

"This—!"

It was part of the conversation he'd had recently at Vajra Guild.

The recording, crucially, implicated him in an attempt to brainwash a child.

"Mr. Seungjin. We'll be conducting a search and seizure."

Soon, the recording spread across the media, and Seungjin became the focus of public suspicion.

****

A few days passed since the start of the new term.

I was able to adjust quickly to my new grade and class.

This is my last year in the middle school division.

Once I get through this, I'll be promoted to the high school division, where I can get a hunter license.

"Finally, these wretched middle school days are almost over."

"As if. Even a year isn't a short time."

Eunseol, now my classmate, lamented while holding the mop.

Serving as today's after-school cleaning duty clearly made time feel longer for her.

"But if you get absorbed in something, time flies."

Finishing up with the cleaning, I turned on my phone and checked the latest news.

As expected, Seungjin's reputation had hit rock bottom.

He was widely rumored to have killed the very child he'd chosen to take responsibility for.

And now, there was even an incriminating audio recording supporting those suspicions.

"Lost his hair, lost his reputation. What'll he lose next?"

Jade's suicide had been my order.

A few days had passed since then, and by now the Holy Church would likely give up on Seungjin.

Of course, Jade couldn't even die properly, thanks to the curse I'd placed on him.

"Isn't that just too pitiful?"

Eunseol knew what my plan was, but she was still soft-hearted.

But her concern was misplaced.

"Sure, it seems sad. But aren't the real victims the kids who were hurt by the bullies who lawyered up with this guy?"

"..."

"They should have bowed their heads when they were wrong."

Even now, thanks to his legal defense, the perpetrators live happily ever after.

I don't feel sorry for Seungjin at all, who stood up for scum like that.

He's the kind of guy who makes those who should bow their heads lift them up.

"And honestly, this isn't even that harsh. I still consider him human."

He was still in the category of people, at least for now.

If not, I'd have already cast "Fire Knows the Answer."

Most importantly, he still had his son, Choi Seungcheol.

Their relationship had become strained, but they were still family.

I wouldn't turn someone to ash without permission, even if I could.

"Seungjin..."

"Hmm?"

Eunseol seemed about to recall her own past and ask a question.

"Then what about me—"

Bzzzzz—

Just then, my phone, still displaying the internet, vibrated.

Seeing that the caller was Amelda, I hit the green call button.

― Demon King! Something terrible has happened!"

"What is it, all of a sudden?"

Hearing Amelda's nervous voice made me furrow my brow.

As a legion commander, she never panicked unless it was really serious.

Her report was short but shocking.

Choi Seungcheol... had just been found dead at home.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

The fuck?

(ㆆ.ㆆ )