Chapter 228 – Seo Jin-cheol’s Past

“The relationship between me and Seo Jin-cheol wasn’t always bad. In fact, we were incredibly close. That is, until that incident happened.”

“What kind of incident was it…?”

“Before I talk about the incident, I think I need to tell you about the kind of person Seo Jin-cheol is.”

Shin Kyung-min took a sip of his coffee before continuing.

“Seo Jin-cheol was the first friend I made when I started high school. I don’t really know how we became close. It just happened, and before I knew it, we were best friends. I’m sure everyone has had that experience at least once-becoming friends with someone but not quite remembering how it started.”

Min Do-jun nodded.

Though he couldn’t relate since he had never made friends, he played along to keep the conversation going.

“If I had known that Seo Jin-cheol was obsessed with women, I wouldn’t have gotten close to him.”

“Obsessed with women?”

“Yes. He was infamous in high school. He’d touch a female classmate’s chest and run off, or grab their butt. There was even a time he got caught hiding behind a curtain while girls were changing during gym class. Even if it’s a time when sexual curiosity and urges are strong, he crossed the line.”

“He was a sexual predator.”

“Exactly. Because of that, there was a huge uproar with parents coming to the school. Somehow, they managed to settle it quietly… but do people change that easily?”

“Something happened, didn’t it?”

“Yes. I think it was about a month after the sexual harassment incident was resolved. One day, he told me something. He said he wanted revenge on the female student who reported him to the teacher. And when I heard his method of revenge, I was dumbfounded.”

“What method was it…?”

“He said he would rape her. That’s how he’d get his revenge.”

“…”

“And then he asked me to help him. He wanted me to film it on my phone and keep watch for anyone coming while he did it.”

“…”

“He even said, as if doing me a favor, that he’d give me a turn if I had the time.”

“That’s insane.”

“Right? Asking me to participate in a rape… He was completely crazy.”

Seeing Shin Kyung-min curse Seo Jin-cheol, Min Do-jun felt a strange sense of dissonance.

‘Come to think of it, isn’t Shin Kyung-min also a crazy bastard?’

It was ironic to see the mastermind behind a coup criticizing another criminal.

“So? Did you agree to it?”

At that, Shin Kyung-min jumped in denial.

“Of course not! I refused, obviously. No matter how close a friend’s request is, how could I participate in a crime?”

Judging by his reaction, it didn’t seem like he was lying.

“So, what happened next?”

“Seo Jin-cheol got incredibly angry. He said I wasn’t even a real friend, that he could do it without a guy like me, and told me to get lost.”

“…”

“At the time, I didn’t believe he’d actually go through with it on his own, but when the day he mentioned arrived, I started to worry. What if he really did it?”

“So, did you report him?”

“Yes. I reported it to the police, telling them everything about his plan and the location. Later, the dispatched officers told me he was just one step away from committing the rape. If I hadn’t reported it, something terrible would have happened.”

“You did the right thing.”

“Everyone said that. Even though, in a way, I betrayed a friend.”

“That kind of person isn’t a friend.”

“Because of that incident, Seo Jin-cheol was arrested for attempted rape. Since it was recognized as a planned crime, he was sentenced to two years in prison. They said he even prepared duct tape to bind her, so there was no way he could avoid juvenile detention.”

Min Do-jun clicked his tongue and shook his head.

‘The saying that trash is trash comes to mind.’

Now he understood.

The reason Seo Jin-cheol hated Shin Kyung-min.

“After that, Seo Jin-cheol despised me to death. It’s because I reported him that he ended up serving time. And as someone with a younger sister, I have no reason to like a sexual predator either. If I had known he was that kind of person from the start, I wouldn’t have associated with him at all.”

As if in agreement, Min Do-jun nodded.

‘As expected, Seo Jin-cheol was a bastard in both my past life and this one.’

He had no intention of defending a criminal.

‘I’ll make sure to kill Seo Jin-cheol in the most painful way possible when I meet him.’

Before that, though, it would be ideal if he could extract information about the coup.

‘Still, to think such a criminal awakened as a hunter and climbed to rank 5.’

The image of Seo Jin-cheol living a lavish, enviable life came to mind.

‘Even a despicable bastard like him gets chosen as a hunter in this world.’

For a moment, he felt disillusioned with this awakening system that seemed absurdly fair.

“By the way, Hunter Min Do-jun.”

“Yes?”

“You didn’t call me out just to ask about this, did you? Why are you suddenly curious about the relationship between me and Seo Jin-cheol?”

Even with the sudden question, Min Do-jun didn’t panic.

He had prepared an answer for this.

“It’s simple curiosity. I happened to hear that you two were high school classmates, but I found it odd that you’re not in the same group. Then I wondered if you might not get along, and I got curious about what happened. I’m the type who has to resolve any curiosity I have.”

“Ah… is that so?”

Perhaps finding the reason less exciting than expected, Shin Kyung-min’s expression seemed to deflate.

“So, your curiosity is satisfied now?”

“Yes.”

Though he said that, there was still something unresolved.

‘What made Shin Kyung-min and Seo Jin-cheol join hands again?’

For Shin Kyung-min, it meant taking on a dangerous element like Seo Jin-cheol, and for Seo Jin-cheol, it meant accepting the traitor who sent him to prison.

‘Something… something is missing.’

As Min Do-jun closed his eyes, wrestling with the puzzle pieces that still didn’t fit, he inadvertently saw someone through Seo Jin-cheol’s perspective.

‘Huh? What’s this?’

Startled, Min Do-jun opened his eyes, and Shin Kyung-min tilted his head in confusion.

“What’s wrong, Do-jun?”

“Kyung-min, can I ask a few more questions?”

“Of course. While we’re at it, ask anything you’re curious about.”

“Have you ever shown your younger sister to Seo Jin-cheol? Like inviting him to your house or something…”

“Ah, I did bring him to our house once before. He would’ve seen my sister then…”

“When was that?”

“Back in high school. Before I knew his true nature. But now we’ve moved to a different place, so there’s no chance of them meeting. I don’t even want to show her to him. Honestly, it’s uncomfortable. Who would want to show their sister to a sexual predator?”

“So, there’s no chance Seo Jin-cheol and your sister would meet?”

“Of course, Hunter-nim. I didn’t mention it, but I actually live separately from my sister. I deliberately keep my distance and refrain from meeting her often.”

“Because of Seo Jin-cheol?”

“Yes. If that guy holds a grudge from the past and tries to harm my sister, that would be a disaster, wouldn’t it?”

‘So that’s why Shin Kyung-min rarely goes home and practically lives at the Emperor Guild.’

He knew they kept their distance, but he hadn’t realized it was because of Seo Jin-cheol.

‘If that’s the case, there shouldn’t be any chance for Seo Jin-cheol and his sister to meet…’

Min Do-jun closed his eyes again to monitor Seo Jin-cheol.

‘Why is Shin Kyung-min’s sister in Seo Jin-cheol’s field of vision?’

Judging by the location, it seemed he had gone to Shin Hye-ri’s university.

‘Is he stalking Shin Kyung-min’s sister?’

What could he be planning?

Given his history as a sexual predator, Seo Jin-cheol’s actions felt suspicious.

‘In any case, he’s definitely not stalking her with good intentions.’

Shin Kyung-min’s sister might be in danger.

Min Do-jun opened his eyes and glanced at Shin Kyung-min.

‘How should I tell Shin Kyung-min about this?’

He couldn’t exactly reveal that he had the ability to see through someone’s perspective by closing his eyes.

“Do-jun, I’m thinking of ordering more coffee. What would you like?”

“I’m fine with coffee, but since we’re on the topic, how about we go see your sister now…?”

“What? Right now?”

“Yes. I have something I’d like to tell her in person.”

“If it’s something like that, why not just call her? I can give you her number.”

“No. I want to talk to her face-to-face.”

“If that’s the case, let’s go together. I’ll drive you there. She should be at school around this time.”

* * *

While walking with a classmate after eating at the school cafeteria, Shin Hye-ri suddenly turned her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I just felt like someone was following us.”

“Pfft, what? Who would follow you?”

“I’m sure I heard footsteps…”

Tilting her head in confusion, Shin Hye-ri brushed off her suspicion and entered the lecture hall.

At that moment, Seo Jin-cheol, who had been hiding with invisibility, revealed himself.

“Pretty face and sharp ears too. Heh heh.”

With a sly grin, he positioned himself in a secluded spot, waiting for the lecture hall door to open.

An hour later, when Shin Hye-ri emerged, he used invisibility again and followed her.

While she attended another class, Seo Jin-cheol hid once more.

After waiting for a long time, an opportunity finally presented itself.

Shin Hye-ri, having finished her class, was the last to leave with her classmate.

Seo Jin-cheol dropped his invisibility and suddenly blocked Shin Hye-ri’s path.

She tried to avoid him, but he blocked her way again.

“Wh-what do you want?”

“Hye-ri, do you know this guy?”

“No, not at all.”

As Shin Hye-ri shook her head, Seo Jin-cheol put on a disappointed expression.

“Aw, Hye-ri, don’t you remember me?”

“Do I know you?”

“Of course you do. Hey, why don’t your friend here go ahead? We’ve got some private matters to discuss.”

“I’m with Hye-ri…”

The moment Seo Jin-cheol shot a menacing glare, the classmate shut her mouth.

“Uh, I’ll go ahead then. Hye-ri, I’ll see you later.”

“Hey, wait, let’s go together.”

As Shin Hye-ri tried to follow her friend, Seo Jin-cheol blocked her path once more.

“Don’t go. Let’s talk.”

“Who are you?”

“You really don’t remember? I’m a high school friend of Kyung-min’s.”

Hearing Shin Kyung-min’s name, the suspicion in Shin Hye-ri’s eyes faded.

“Ah… you’re a friend of my brother’s?”

“That’s right. I even visited your house about ten years ago. Don’t you remember?”

“Well, I’m not sure…”

“You must’ve been in fourth grade back then, right? Just a little kid, and now you’ve grown into such a fine young lady. And so beautiful, too…”

Seo Jin-cheol scanned Shin Hye-ri up and down with a lecherous gaze.

It was at this moment that wariness crept into Shin Hye-ri’s eyes.

“I, uh, if you’re here to ask about where my brother is, I can’t tell you…”

“I haven’t been in touch with Kyung-min for a while. The person I have business with is you.”

“Me?”

Surprised, Shin Hye-ri’s eyes widened.

What business could her brother’s friend, whom she barely knew, have with her?

“What business do you have with me…?”

Instead of answering, Seo Jin-cheol glanced around.

At that moment, the hallway on campus was empty.

“Perfect.”

“What?”

With a sly smile on his face, Shin Hye-ri sensed something off and took a step back.

“I’m kind of busy right now, so maybe later…”

Thud-

Seo Jin-cheol grabbed her wrist and grinned.

“I didn’t say you could go. I told you I have business with you.”

“L-Let go of me!”

She struggled to free her wrist, but it wouldn’t budge.

Only then did she realize her opponent was a hunter, and with a trembling voice, she said,

“If you don’t let go, I’ll scream.”

“That’d be even better. How about it? That lecture hall over there is empty. Why don’t we go in and…”

“Hey, you fucking bastard!”

With someone’s shout, Seo Jin-cheol’s body was suddenly lifted into the air and slammed into the ceiling.

Boom-!

“Urgh!”

Falling to the ground amidst the debris, he looked up.

Standing before him, glaring down with fierce eyes, was his high school classmate.