87 - Murim Login

Episode 87 “Achoo!” Thud! Jinho was now covered in noodles and rice but calmly wiped his face with a wet tissue. “If you don't like it, just say so.” “It’s not like that. It just popped out suddenly.” “Stop making excuses. It makes you look worse.” But it was true. Instead of responding, I rubbed my nose. Is someone talking bad about me? 'Now that I think about it, there is one person who might.' Lim Changsoo would have more than enough motive for that. But still, as my Santa Claus who gifted me 4 billion won, I can happily tolerate a few insults. 'Turns out he surprisingly kept his promise.' I thought of the text I received that morning. The banking app on my smartphone alerts me of every transaction. [4,000,000,000 won has been deposited into Jintaekyung's account 110-***-***.] The funny thing was that Jinho was the one to discover it first. It was my mistake to leave my smartphone in the room while I went to shower. “Why is a guy with so much money eating ramen?” “You talk a lot. Didn't I add beef? You don't like beef ramen?” “That’s not what I mean.” Clang! Jinho set his chopsticks down sharply. Of course, it wasn't to make a point, but because he was full. “I mean, why are you eating ramen in a studio apartment when you have 4 billion won in your account?” “What does it matter? It's my choice.” “...You’re not wrong, but.” “And it’s only been an hour since the money arrived. I have no idea what to do yet, so keep quiet.” Though I act normal, I'm honestly dazed. I’ve worked ruthlessly like an ant, but I've always known exactly where my earnings go. But now, a big lump sum fell from the sky. 4 billion won is a lot of money and naturally brings a lot of thoughts. “What kind of worries do you have so many of? Surely there must be something you wanted to do first with the money.” Something I wanted to do first... 'There is one thing.' Slurp. After consuming the last noodle, I got up from the table. I didn’t forget to leave Jinho a parting comment before leaving the room. “Thanks.” “You’re welcome.” “Don’t forget to wash the pot. I’m off.” “Hey, hey!” ‘’What?’’ Near the front door, Hayoung had her eyes wide open. "It’s true. I couldn't believe it when I saw it on the intercom screen.” “...If it's not real, then what is it?” “Hmm. Graphics?” "Is that what you say to an older brother you haven't seen in a while?” “What's that supposed to mean? You were here just the other day.” Oh, right. Not much time has passed in reality. It’s easy to forget with such a huge time difference. While taking off my shoes, I asked her. “What were you doing?” “Studying.” “Come to think of it, isn’t it a school day?” Hayoung replied with a nasal voice. “My temperature’s at 39 degrees. I held out until the second period before I left early. Since tomorrow’s the start of summer vacation, I’ve been self-studying for a while anyway.” “You’re on vacation now? But wait, you left school early and studied at home?” More impressive than an accomplished martial artist. Somehow, as soon as I got home after being sick at school, my ailments would vanish. Studying with a fever of 39 degrees, is there something different in her DNA? “Learning is endless.” Leaving Hayoung’s teacher-like comment behind, I walked into the living room. Aside from the two of us, the house was silent. “Where’s Mom?” “The bank.” “She answered as if on cue.” “It's true.” “Did Mom tell you to say that?” “Hmm? Say what?” Her acting is quite convincing. If I hadn’t known, I might have been fooled. 'I should have told them earlier.' A bitter smile escaped me unwittingly. Hayoung stopped me as I headed back towards the entrance. “Where are you going?” “To find Mom.” “There’s more than one bank around here, you know? I’ll cook something while you wait. She’ll be back soon.” “It’s okay. I’m not going to the bank.” “What?” “Restaurant at the intersection near the mart, right?” The strength in Hayoung’s hold slipped away. “...You knew?” “Yeah. Quite a while ago.” “Mom asked me to keep it a secret.” “I know that too.” “Oppa, can’t you just not go?” It’s Hayoung’s old habit. She always added “Oppa” for important requests. “I’ll be back.” I ruffled Hayoung’s hair and stepped out the door. In the elevator, I thought about the lingering warmth on my hand, and why she’s studying even with a burning forehead. Everyone has just one name on their ID, but throughout life, you’re called by many names. This includes Kim Jeonghee, who turned fifty this year. “Ma’am, two more servings of pork belly, please.” “Yes, just a moment.” These days, she's most often called "ma'am." Before that, it was “Hayoung’s mom.” Even before that, it was “Taekyung’s mom.” As her children grew up and life got busier, these names faded away. The person who once called her by her real name had left this world long ago. “Jeonghee.” He was sweet and tender when they first met at twenty-two. Amidst the chaos of a massive upheaval, the two met at a shelter and quickly fell in love. It was a blissful marriage. Over time, he still called her by name. “Jeonghee.” Out of embarrassment, she once asked why he called her by name in front of others. “Why do you always call me by my name? Other husbands call their wives 'Mom,' 'Dear,' or 'Wife.'” “Is it bad?” “No, I’m just curious. We’re not getting any younger.” “What difference does age make? I call you Jeonghee because I love you more than being Taekyung’s mom.” “Kids, stop it.” “Oh? Mom is blushing. Do Mom and Dad wrestle in the morning too? They always did it at night.” “...Taekyung, you’re going to bed early from now on.” But parting arrived sooner than expected. Without warning, a gate opened in the middle of the city, taking the father from the two children and the husband from her. The only one who had called her by name. “Ma’am!” Kim Jeonghee snapped back to reality. A middle-aged woman with permed hair and flashy earrings was glaring at her. “Oh, yes. Boss.” “What were you doing that you didn’t hear someone calling you?” “I’m sorry.” “Did you finish washing the grill?” “Well, that is...” She had paused her work, lost in thought. Seeing the state of the sink, the boss's eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you going to keep doing your job like this, ma’am?” “Good grief. If you’re going to work like this, why did I bother hiring you and paying you good money? Right?” Jeonghee bowed her head deeply as other kitchen staff pretended not to hear the boss’s reprimand. ‘Good money, my foot. She works us during the busiest hours for minimum wage.’ ‘Grow up already. She’s just taking her frustrations out because she knows, even with all that makeup, she can’t compare to Jeonghee.’ ‘She should just stay at the counter. Jeonghee handled so many orders while she was out having fun.’ Jeonghee had much to say, but she kept it to herself. Last week, another kitchen lady had been fired after speaking up for her. “How am I supposed to feel comfortable leaving this place?” “I’m... sorry.” “Didn’t you tell me your son is a hunter? He must make a good living, so why are you here causing trouble at someone else’s business when you could be cooking at home... Or is it because he’s just an F-rank hunter?” A sneer played on the corner of the boss's lips, but that instant was interrupted. Jeonghee slowly lifted her bowed head. “Boss. You’ve gone too far.” “What?” “You’ve gone too far.” “Are you saying I’m wrong?” “Yes.” The unfamiliar tone left the boss momentarily speechless. Those calm and gentle eyes of Jeonghee had now turned deep and settled. “Please apologize for your words.” “Apologize?” “Right here, right now.” “Excuse me, what on earth did I say wrong? Your son is an F-rank hunter, isn’t he?” “Does the rank matter that much?” “Of course. What can you do with an F-rank hunter? My son is making good money and even has women lining up. This store is...” “Your wonderful D-rank hunter son set up this shop for you. I know. We've heard it countless times.” The employees, who were all ears, nodded without realizing it. They were well-acquainted with the boss’s usual bragging about her son. She often boasted about his salary, his spacious house, his car, and his filial act of opening this shop for her enjoyment so frequently that even loyal customers were weary. “So, you know well already. I'm doing this for fun, but you, you’re different, aren’t you? You’re working here because your son doesn’t earn enough, right?” “No, that’s not it.” Jeonghee continued speaking calmly. “Our Taekyung has grown up well without causing any trouble for his parents. He’s working hard for the family too. Money? He earns enough without complaint.” “That's just an excuse.” “An excuse? How can a parent just accept the money their child risks their life to earn?” “Are you saying that for my ears now?” “Take it as you like. Speaking of which, when will your amazing son show his face here?” “What, what?” “It’s been over a year since I started working here, and your supposedly filial son hasn’t visited once. He does call, doesn’t he?” The kitchen grew dead silent, with the boss’s face turning crimson as she glared fiercely. “What did you... Where does a woman with a worthless child like you get off...” The staff sensed what was coming next; a barrage of insults followed by the inevitable “You’re fired.” But none of them anticipated Jeonghee’s response. “Watch your mouth, you b****.” “......” “......” For a moment, it was as if a bomb had dropped. The kitchen plunged into deathly silence, filled with eyes unsure of what they had just witnessed. ‘Did I just hear what I think I did?’ ‘Did Jeonghee really just swear? Unbelievable.’ Kim Jeonghee, always gentle and with a ready smile, who had quietly bowed her head to the boss’s daily harangues, was now staring icily at her. “What... What did you say? What did you just call me?” “I called you a b****, you miserable w****.” “W-what?” Before the shock could set in, a second bomb dropped. The boss's scream, resembling a solitary cry, reverberated from the kitchen to the dining area. “Did someone just cuss?” “Did you hear that? Someone called someone else a b****.” “What’s happening, are the staff fighting?” The murmurs grew louder. Both customers and staff turned their focus to the kitchen. Thud, thud. A burly young man, cap pulled low, strolled in. No one had noticed when he arrived or how long he'd been there until he walked toward the kitchen. “Sir, your order... The male staff trying to intercept him was met with a soft smile. “It’s alright. I’m not here to order.” “But, right now...” “Excuse me.” With just a gentle nudge, the sturdy staff member staggered backward. Unfazed, the young man pushed right into the half-open kitchen door. And then... “Mom.” He came face to face with the person he loved most in the world.