novelnext Chapter 175 : If you pity them, you should give them a chance. Don't you think? (4)
Chapter 175 : If you pity them, you should give them a chance. Don't you think? (4)
If you pity them, you should give them a chance. Don't you think? (4)During this vacation, Choi Seungcheol was able to witness something extraordinary.
It started with a miserable incident—being beaten with a golf club just because he had hidden the test sheet.
His father was characterized by his strictly harsh discipline about everything.
But that very father... recently, he had been frightened like a herbivore encountering a wild beast.
Since the incident at the event hall, his father had grown extremely wary.
And now... he had been driven mad by anxiety to the point of being impossible to reason with.
[Candidate Choi Seungjin, the lawyer. Falling into murder suspicion...]
[A lawyer known for mediating the rehabilitation of juveniles. And yet, he killed a juvenile?]
[Recording discovered on the body. Clearly sufficient evidence that he intended to harm the child.]
The news told of a man who insisted children were innocent—now revealed to have killed a child.
Even the contents of the released recording were absurd.
Since it suggested he had tried to brainwash the kid, there was no escaping the charges.
Even if he hadn't directly committed the murder, at minimum, his deeply immoral actions had been exposed.
ㄴApparently, this guy used to be a human rights lawyer for juveniles.
ㄴA brainwashing educator was a human rights lawyer? What's wrong with this country, lol.
ㄴHow could protecting perpetrators ever make sense?
ㄴWhat doesn't make sense is that someone like him had such high support.
ㄴIt's only natural. The old generation who used to protest all became fans of this guy.
ㄴThe very people who protested against awakeners are the ones begging for their help now, huh?
ㄴLOL. Did you think you'd be a good person just by helping every pitiful person you see?
ㄴThat 'Kind Gangster' movie also played a part.
ㄴWow, seriously, after that movie, even kids in my class fantasize about delinquents.
Young people no longer sided with his father.
Even the adults who had supported him now mostly felt the same.
After that Kim Jae juvenile's suicide case, even people from his own party started avoiding his father.
'Those people all used to protest with Dad.'
He wanted to help him, but any hasty move would only drop his father's approval ratings.
A few tried to defend his dad, but nobody could revive his shattered reputation.
So, his father was completely isolated.
Naturally, the chance to become a congressman vanished.
It was the first time Choi Seungcheol had seen his father so utterly frustrated and defeated.
Just like people had advised—his father was only human after all.
'But still...'
After his father fell from grace, Seungcheol's own life changed a lot.
This morning, he heard the news that all the delinquents who bullied him at school had been expelled.
—To be honest, it was baffling.
He had wanted to be free from those guys, but it happened so easily.
And, as expected... someone had helped him.
It was none other than Angel guild, one of Korea's four major guilds.
― If you ever want to work with us in the future, just let us know.
Was this their way of returning the favor for when he had helped craft equipment for them?
Those who approached him said they'd not only protect him but also offer artisan training.
And next to Angel guild, there were people from another organization, but they didn't reveal their name.
Still, it was clear they were trying to help him.
The proposal was so tempting that he couldn't refuse.
But before he left, he at least wanted to say goodbye to his father.
After all, whatever people said, the man was still his father and a 'person'.
.
.
"I heard what happened at school today."
"..."
"I heard those guys got expelled?"
"How did you know?"
"Their parents came to protest this morning. Asked if it was my doing."
As soon as he got home, he was called to his father's room.
His father looked at him with sharp eyes and asked,
"Was it you? Did you do it?"
At that ridiculous suspicion, Seungcheol let out a snort.
"Do you really think I have that much power?"
"..."
"To begin with, it's for the best. Considering what they did to me, they got what they deserved."
All the money he'd extorted from him until now must have nearly totaled a million won.
From the first year onward, their bullying was almost a habit.
If he ever resisted, they would retaliate tenfold.
They always put on an expression as if they were the unfair victims... and what they said next was even more absurd.
—Why couldn't you just endure it?
—You got me hurt because of you.
—Apologize, even now.
The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed.
If he saw them again, he'd want nothing more than to smash their faces in.
They were the ones who started it, after all.
"Do you really think that?"
"..."
"After today, those guys will carry that label for life. Since the truth about school violence is out, they won't even be able to get jobs in a guild."
Those guys were awakeners just like him.
They were originally set to enter Hand in sixth grade, but for some reason, it was canceled and they attended regular middle and high schools.
He had become their target as an outlet for that frustration.
"Their lives are basically ruined. Do you think that's fair?"
As expected, their families were struggling financially.
To kids like that, having their Hand admission revoked was like a bolt out of the blue.
But... so what?
"So, it was okay for me to be bullied by them?"
"What?"
"No matter how tough their situation, if they did wrong, they deserve to be punished."
—And they should live reflecting on their actions.
His father was a lawyer.
Anyone in the legal profession should see that as basic common sense.
"You—how can you say that? Kids who grow up in bad environments are bound to act out like that!"
"So you're saying it's okay if kids from bad backgrounds commit crimes?"
"..."
His father was certainly a lawyer.
He'd overcome hardship to climb to his current position.
That much, Choi Seungcheol had to acknowledge.
But still...
"And is it really so strange to fight back against such crimes?"
"That's... it's not good to repay what happened to you in kind!"
"Ha! So the one who fights back is the perpetrator, and the original bully is the victim?"
His father's perspective on people was just wrong.
Of course, he understood what delinquents and violence were.
Just a few days ago, when seeing thugs on the news, his father had called them "impudent punks".
And yet, when Seungcheol retaliated, his father called it "impudent behavior", while viewing the bullies as "pitiful children".
"Still... it's something you could have just endured."
With that, it was clear.
His father—this man—was a hypocrite who thought himself righteous.
"Then were you able to endure it? When you were with Kim Jae?"
"..."
Suddenly, his father's rapid-fire scolding froze.
Seungcheol knew very well what time his father had spent with that Kim Jae boy.
Ironically, the balding he suffered now was probably because of that kid.
At least for that, Seungcheol felt really grateful to Kim Jae.
"Of course, you had to endure. And you should have accepted his apology, even if he tore your hair out or whatever."
Why couldn't you just endure it?
Just ignore it.
Sure, they did wrong, but you also have problems.
It was the usual refrain from his father, who always condemned violence.
"That's not all. The car's tires came off, the ten-million-won ornament in the living room got smashed, and on top of that..."
—He even destroyed Vajra Guild's building.
"Were you really able to endure all of that? Do you think a single word about reflection is enough?"
"..."
His father's face hardened in an instant.
Every time Seungcheol fought back against bullying, his father condemned him.
But now that he himself was the victim, he had nothing to say.
If he argued, he'd contradict himself.
"You... what's with you today? Did you forget what situation your father's in?"
Suddenly, his father started shaking and tried to change the subject.
It was proof he couldn't refute Seungcheol anymore.
He could already guess what his father would say next.
"If you're going to be like this, get out. Your father's being called a murderer, and you won't even side with me!"
"..."
"Then get out, you brat!"
His father tried to win by shouting, but it only made Seungcheol scoff.
"Pfft!"
"What's so funny?"
"You want me to take your side? Then did you ever take mine?"
At his answer, full of venom, his father trembled again.
Then he jumped up and slapped Seungcheol.
"When did I not take your side? Do you remember who fed and housed you until now?"
"..."
"If you're going to act this way, just leave!!"
Again, his father's palm flew at his face.
It hurt less than the golf club, but it was still aggravating.
Suddenly, he recalled something someone had once told him.
[Don't you wonder how your father would react if he saw your sharp teeth?]
"Fine, I'll go."
"What?"
"I'll leave. This house, ruled by a piece of trash like you—there's nothing here I need."
For the first time, he retorted harshly to his father.
This startled his father so much that his eyes quivered as if in an earthquake.
"I'll pack up and be out today, so be prepared."
He turned his back on his devastated father.
No matter how pitiful a face his father made, he didn't feel a shred of pity.
He was ashamed that this man was his father, but still, he was 'human'.
An ordinary person, found anywhere.
Thud!—
... Or so he thought.
****
"You son of a bitch!!!"
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!—
Choi Seungjin let out an unconscious scream.
"How could you do this... to your father?!"
At some point, a golf club had appeared in his hand.
It felt heavy—he was used to grabbing it out of habit.
"Do you know how much I've done for you?! Why are you ignoring your father?! Why, even you?!"
He swung the golf club, striking his son Choi Seungcheol on the head.
He'd swung it so many times, it had bent out of shape.
It had never gotten this damaged, even when he usually hit his son's thigh.
"Get up, you brat! Apologize to your father right now!"
"..."
"I said, say you're sorry!!"
"..."
"Why won't you answer?!"
Thwack!—
Anyway, the kid was an awakened.
His body should be sturdier than a normal person's.
But Choi Seungjin had overlooked one thing.
His son's magic power was so weak it couldn't be compared to an ordinary person's.
Because of that, he wasn't resilient at all.
"Huh?"
Blood was now streaming from his son's head.
Seeing that, Choi Seungjin felt chills across his chest.
"Hey, Choi Seungcheol. Get up..."
He called out to check if his son was conscious.
Then, realizing his son was dead, the mood shattered into a nightmare.
Worst of all—he himself had killed his son.
"Counselor, you need to get to the police station..."
As he stood there frozen, his secretary opened the door.
And then...
"Uh... Uuuuh!!"
"..."
"Ahhhhh!!"
Just seeing the scene for a moment, the secretary ran out, horrified.
Even though he'd been witnessed, Choi Seungjin was so drained, he could not move.
Now, if the police burst in, his life would end forever.
"No! No!! I didn't do it!!"
This couldn't be real.
He'd always stood in court for the weak—this couldn't happen to him.
This made no sense.
[Awakening conditions met.]
[Your status is changing to D-rank awakened.]
"What is this?"
His hand paused at the sudden message that appeared before his eyes.
At the same time, he sensed a change in his body.
"Huh?"
His hand glowed with a blue light.
It looked just like the 'magic power' that hunters displayed.
"No way..."
The moment he realized he'd become an awakened,
Another message appeared.
[First Trait 'Concealment Technique (7-star)' has bloomed.]
[Personality is destabilizing due to the awakening of a high-rank trait.]
As if fitting for concealment, his body really disappeared.
Whatever it was, he was now able to hide his presence.
'I have to run.'
With that secretary, the police would definitely come.
There was no time to destroy the evidence, but he couldn't just run empty-handed.
He stuffed the money, important documents, and USB he'd hidden in his drawer into a bag.
Inside were all records of deals with the Holy Church.
If the police found them, his sentence would increase for sure.
After hastily preparing, he used the Concealment trait to hide his body.
And just as he headed out—
──────────────────
[Mission issued. (Unique)]
—Cut off the breath of the 'friend' you resent the most.
Reward: Karma greatly increased, trait strengthened, all stats +6
──────────────────
Another message flashed before his eyes.
The moment he saw it... Choi Seungjin's expression changed.
Now, he could no longer be called 'human'.
****
"Yeah, Yunhee. I'm picking up some chicken now, so just wait a bit."
Ma Jun-sang was walking home from work, talking with his daughter.
As soon as he hung up, he looked troubled.
No matter how he tried to distract himself, the recent Choi Seungjin case kept coming to mind.
"Could he really have..."
The suicide of the juvenile, Kim Jae.
He was the boy who'd burst in on a motorcycle back then.
He just couldn't imagine that guy taking someone's life.
A bit impulsive, maybe, but during protests, he had always looked after people like himself.
'But if that recording is true...'
His mind was a whirl.
What could that man be feeling now?
Maybe even more lost than himself.
He was worried, because they had once been friends.
At least, he hoped that none of this misfortune would spill over onto Choi Seungcheol, his son.
"Huh?"
As he entered the apartment and stood in front of the elevator, Ma Jun-sang sensed an aura behind him and turned, only to collapse in shock.
"Haak!"
"Hello?"
Standing there was his old friend, 'concealed' and holding a knife.
At the sight of his friend's eyes—now those of a completely different person—Ma Jun-sang's body trembled.
"Choi Seungjin... you!"
"Jun-sang. I'm sorry."
Choi Seungjin reversed the knife in his hand and stabbed it down toward Ma Jun-sang's crown.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Fuck...
【(⩌‸⩌ )】