Chapter 325 – Part 2 – Trap

Yang Jo-wi, the second son, came to the Secretary’s office at his father’s summons.

“You called for me… Oh? Hyung is here too?”

Inside was not only his father Yang Baek-du, but also his eldest brother Yang Jo-geon.

“You came on time.”

“Since my younger brother is here, tell us now, Father. Why did you suddenly call us when we were supposed to meet for dinner?”

“Let’s sit down and talk first.”

When his sons sat on the sofa and prepared to listen, Yang Baek-du opened his mouth.

“The situation seems to be taking a strange turn.”

“What do you mean? Don’t tell me there’s a problem with the business…”

“Business?”

“Be quiet. It’s not that.”

Yang Baek-du glanced at Yang Jo-wi and cut off his eldest son’s words.

“Business? What’s that…”

“That’s not important. What’s important is that you might be exposed to danger.”

“What? Us?”

Yang Baek-du silently beckoned with his finger to call in the subordinates waiting in the corner.

“These are B-rank hunters given by the Association President. From today on, keep them by your side. They’ll protect you.”

“B-rank hunters…”

Civilians receiving protection from B-rank hunters?

It was as burdensome as having tanks following them around.

“What on earth is happening that you’re doing this?”

“Why do we need protection from hunters? And B-rank ones at that?”

Yang Baek-du explained the reason with a worried expression.

“I had an argument with Great Hero Song Chi-hyeon recently. I got a bit excited and made presumptuous remarks. So he’s probably very angry with me.”

Yang Baek-du sighed and continued.

“Then today I happened to run into the Great Hero. When he saw me, he suddenly smiled. It was almost like a sneer.”

“So what…”

“Great Hero Song Chi-hyeon has never once shown me a smile before.”

“…”

“The fact that he smiled means he’s definitely plotting something.”

“Don’t tell me the reason you’re assigning hunters to us is…”

“That’s right.”

Yang Baek-du said in a gloomy voice.

“He might try to harm me. The easiest way to do that would be to take you hostage.”

“Come on, surely not. Would the Great Hero do such a petty thing…”

Yang Jo-wi spoke as if he couldn’t believe it, but the eldest Yang Jo-geon nodded as if it were possible.

“The brighter the light shines, the darker the shadow behind it becomes. Just like Father.”

“Hyung, what do you suddenly mean by that?”

“Jo-geon.”

Yang Jo-geon, who had been chuckling, looked at his brother with a pitying face.

“You still don’t know how much of a cesspit the Association is?”

“Jo-geon! You shouldn’t say such things here!”

“Father knows too since he’s an executive. Someone who handles illegal business as well.”

“You rascal!”

Yang Baek-du scolded him angrily, but it had already reached the second son’s ears.

“Father… illegal business? Is that really true?”

“You’d probably be shocked if you heard the details.”

“Yang Jo-geon! Won’t you shut up before I sew your mouth shut!”

“Why, Father? It’s time for my brother to know too. How long are you going to hide it? Haven’t you played the good father long enough?”

“Hyung, what exactly is this illegal business?”

“Just try talking about the business! I’ll erase your name from the family register that very day!”

One side wanted him to speak, the other wanted to cover it up, so Yang Jo-geon couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hehe, alright, alright. I promised back then, didn’t I? That I wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“Phew.”

Yang Baek-du was relieved, but Yang Jo-geon’s words weren’t finished yet.

“But I have a condition.”

“A condition?”

“Promise that you won’t take care of Yang Jo-young, that bastard, anymore. Then I won’t say a word to my brother about the business.”

When Yang Jo-young was suddenly mentioned, Yang Jo-wi, who had been listening, tilted his head.

“Hyung, what are you talking about? When has Father ever taken care of Jo-young?”

He said this because if anything, he ignored him for being illegitimate, but he’d never seen him being taken care of.

But Yang Jo-geon looked at his brother with pitying eyes.

“What do you really know? Do you think Father really ostracizes Yang Jo-young for being illegitimate?”

“Isn’t that the case?”

“How do you think Yang Jo-young got into the Association? Simply because his rank was high? No. It’s all because Father created a position for him to take care of that guy.”

Hearing this for the first time, Yang Jo-wi widened his eyes and looked at his father.

“Is that really true, Father?”

“…”

At his father’s silence, Yang Jo-wi showed a surprised expression.

Silence meant affirmation.

“The fact that Yang Jo-young’s team gets a higher ratio, that his recognition within the Association has risen, it’s all because of Father’s influence. While he doesn’t care a bit about me, his eldest son!”

In reality, Yang Baek-du had been sending money so he could live comfortably, but Yang Jo-geon didn’t consider that help.

He thought it was natural.

“When I asked for money to start a business, you coldly refused, but why do you help that bastard so much? He didn’t even ask for help!”

“…”

“It’s because he’s a hunter, isn’t it? Because among your children, only that guy is a hunter! Because only that guy can replace Father’s position!”

“No, I…”

Yang Baek-du, who was about to make excuses, suddenly closed his mouth.

Thinking about it, there was no room for excuses.

“You had something to say, didn’t you?”

“…”

“Right, right, you’d have nothing to say. I must have hit the nail on the head. Well, how could we non-hunters compare to hunters? Even if he’s illegitimate, a son is still a son.”

“Jo-geon…”

“Are you going to give him the business too after showering him with all this?”

“Don’t talk about the business anymore!”

That’s when it happened.

“Father.”

The second son, who had been watching the argument, spoke in a quiet voice.

“Is everything hyung said true?”

“…”

“Is it true that you’ve been working behind the scenes for Yang Jo-young?”

“…I won’t deny it.”

Yang Jo-wi was angry.

He thought of Yang Jo-young, who had lived his whole life under the delusion that his father hated him.

“Why did you do that? If you were taking care of him like that, why were you so cold to Jo-young in front of him?”

“You don’t usually look at a finger that hurts on purpose. Because it would only hurt your heart if you looked…”

At Yang Baek-du’s honest words, Yang Jo-wi didn’t ask any more questions.

His father’s bitter expression, which he was seeing for the first time, left him speechless.

“If you’re done talking, go now. I have work to attend to.”

“I haven’t heard an answer yet.”

“I won’t take care of Yang Jo-young anymore. So don’t open your mouth either.”

“That’s right.”

Yang Jo-geon, who grinned, went out first.

Yang Jo-wi stared intently at his father, who somehow looked lonely.

“Go. Let’s meet at the restaurant as promised.”

“Yes… then.”

When Yang Jo-wi left, hunters followed behind him.

Yang Jo-geon frowned at the sight of hunters following behind him too.

“Don’t follow me. I don’t need an escort.”

“There were orders from the Association President to obey the Secretary’s commands.”

“And the Secretary told us to protect you no matter what happens.”

“We’ll stay at a distance so we won’t get in the way, so please think of us as invisible and bear with us for a few days.”

When they insisted it was the Association President’s order, Yang Jo-geon had no choice.

“Tch, do as you please. Then.”

Just as Yang Jo-geon was about to turn and leave.

“Hyung, can you spare me some time?”

Yang Jo-wi stopped him.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Hyung, you were too harsh to Father earlier.”

“Harsh? What did I say that I shouldn’t have?”

“Yes, you did. No matter how much you have pent up, you shouldn’t treat Father like that.”

“Oh, so what. Should I go apologize now?”

“I won’t tell you to apologize since nothing good would come out if you went now. But apologize during dinner.”

“Either way, you’re telling me to apologize, damn it.”

“Don’t you think you did wrong, hyung? Do you really think Father has done nothing for you?”

“Ha…”

This younger brother had always played the mediator role whenever he fought with their father.

Knowing his brother’s personality well, Yang Jo-geon had no choice but to surrender early.

“Tch, fine. I’ll apologize.”

“Good thinking, hyung. If you apologize at the restaurant, everyone can have a pleasant meal.”

“Giving advice to your older brother, how presumptuous…”

“Oh, but how did you know, hyung? About Father doing business?”

“I found out by chance while tailing him, but why? Are you curious?”

Yang Jo-wi nodded with sparkling eyes.

“Yes.”

“Then stay curious. I won’t tell you.”

“Ah, hyung! You can tell me. Or at least a hint…”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to say. I made a promise too.”

Since it was like his father’s weakness, Yang Jo-geon had no intention of revealing it easily.

“By the way, are you still in contact with Yang Jo-young, that bastard?”

“Huh? Uh-huh.”

Yang Jo-wi couldn’t bring himself to say he had just met him.

“I don’t care whether you two get along or not, but don’t share our family information. Don’t act like a spy.”

“A spy? What did I share…”

“I don’t know, but be careful anyway. If you get caught doing that, I won’t let it slide.”

“I’m not doing that.”

“Tch, what’s so good about that bastard that you’re friendly with him. Aren’t you jealous that Father takes care of him so much? Tsk!”

After Yang Jo-geon grumbled and disappeared, Yang Jo-wi let out a long sigh.

‘I was thinking of calling him for dinner if the atmosphere was okay, but that won’t work…’

Seeing his brother still disliking Yang Jo-young, Yang Jo-wi put away the phone he had taken out.

* * *

Yang Jo-wi, who arrived in front of the restaurant, checked the time.

’10 minutes before 6 o’clock.’

Fortunately, he wasn’t late for the appointment.

‘But somehow the surroundings are empty.’

Even though it was a weekday, there was no way there would be no people at this time.

‘Is business bad today? Strange things happen.’

As soon as he entered the restaurant, someone who appeared to be the manager greeted him politely.

“Welcome. Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes. A 6 o’clock reservation…”

“I see. Please come this way.”

Following the manager past the hall, they arrived in front of a private room.

Seeing shoes there, someone must have arrived first.

Slide-

“Hyung?”

“You’re here?”

His eldest brother, who was always late, was there first for once.

Yang Jo-wi took off his coat and sat down, asking in surprise.

“Why are you here so early?”

“I just had nothing to do so I came.”

He spoke indifferently, but Yang Jo-wi saw through his brother’s true intentions.

“You came early in case Father was waiting, didn’t you? Because you want to look good to Father.”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“It is, it’s written all over your face. Hehe.”

Yang Jo-wi laughed pleasantly at his brother’s unexpectedly shy appearance.

‘Hyung must have felt sorry too after thinking about it.’

Having the intention to reconcile was a good sign.

‘Maybe I can reconcile him with Jo-young too.’

Yang Jo-wi hadn’t given up on reconciling the two.

‘I should call Jo-young after dinner and arrange a meeting. I need to tell him about Father’s true feelings too…’

What would his reaction be if he knew he was receiving all of Father’s attention?

‘He’d probably be incredibly happy. He wanted recognition so much.’

He was already looking forward to Yang Jo-young’s reaction.

While thinking such thoughts, the sliding door opened and a server said.

“Sir, has your entire party arrived?”

“Ah, there’s one more person coming.”

“Then shall we take your order later?”

“Yes, we’ll order when our party arrives.”

After the server closed the door and left, Yang Jo-wi carefully asked his brother.

“Hyung, doesn’t something seem strange here?”

“What nonsense are you suddenly talking about?”

“Even though it’s a weekday, isn’t it strange that we’re the only customers at this time?”

“Maybe it’s a day when business is bad.”

“Plus, the manager and servers are all faces I’ve never seen before, and they give off an awkward feeling.”

“You remember the servers’ faces? That’s impressive.”

“I’ve come here often, so I do. Hyung would know the manager’s face too, right?”

“The manager could have changed, so why are you worrying about such useless things?”

“Ha… Something definitely seems strange…”

Yang Jo-wi, who had been resting his chin on his hand and lost in thought due to an inexplicable sense of unease, suddenly raised his head.

“Hyung!”

“Ah, you startled me. What?”

“The hunters who were escorting us… where did they all go?”

“Huh? Now that you mention it…”

Yang Jo-geon belatedly noticed that the hunters were nowhere to be seen.

“They’re probably watching from somewhere. They said they’d stay far away.”

Unlike his brother, he didn’t take it too seriously.

“Hyung, this is really strange. I need to contact Father.”

“Hey, why go that far…”

Just as Yang Jo-wi was about to make a call.

Slide-

The door opened and someone who entered instantly snatched away his phone.

“Can’t let you ruin the operation.”

When the brothers saw the face of the person who entered, they both couldn’t close their mouths.

“Gr-Great Hero?”