Chapter 215: Getting Angry (5)

Lee Seong-Hwi could scarcely believe his current situation. Just who was he? Wasn't he the second disciple of the Korean Martial Assembly's Assembly Master?

He believed no one in the younger generations could rival him. But now, some brat so much younger than him had not only suppressed him quite easily but even humiliated him by shoving his face on the floor—in front of so many eyewitnesses!

'I got careless!'

His teacher's words began replaying in Lee Seong-Hwi's head all on their own.

~

“Listen, Seong-Hwi. This world is vast, and there are plenty of strong experts. Even if some of them are not as powerful as you, they still all carry a hidden blade or two. The moment you let your guard down has the potential to be your last.”

~

Lee Seong-Hwi didn't think his teacher's words would come to haunt him like this.

“Urgh, eugh...!”

He struggled mightily to free himself, but some type of energy was flooding into his body from the hand gripping his head, preventing him from moving around too much.

'Just what is going on here?'

Obviously, there were experts strong enough to easily subdue him. Lee Seong-Hwi could recall over ten people off the top of his head, for instance. However, none of them was capable of restraining him so completely like this with just some energy.

This young man had something else—something different—other than being merely stronger. Even though he looked lanky, this young man seemed to be a breed apart from all the other experts Lee Seong-Hwi had encountered in his life.

Kang Jin-Ho used his free hand to grab the back of Lee Seong-Hwi's neck before easily picking him up off the floor. After being forced to stand up, Lee Seong-Hwi glared at his captor with eyes filled with various emotions such as panic, resentment, and anger.

'What is he planning to do?'

Lee Seong-Hwi didn't want to admit it, but he was completely at the mercy of Kang Jin-Ho. He wouldn't be able to resist even if this young man decided to snap his neck clean off. And this knowledge opened the floodgates of resentment and even fear to fill him up.

However, what Kang Jin-Ho did next was completely out of his expectations. Kang Jin-Ho simply... let go.

“...?” Lee Seong-Hwi stood there, dazed and confused. He could only stare at Kang Jin-Ho quizzically, not knowing how to respond to this unexpected turn of events.

Kang Jin-Ho pointed at the exit. “Please leave.”

“...?”

“We'd like you to leave before we call the police. This is a place of business. Your actions are inconveniencing other customers.”

Grit!

Lee Seong-Hwi quietly gritted his teeth. However, he wisely refrained from acting rashly. He wasn't some idiot who would lose his mind to anger and attack his opponent. He had to analyze how Kang Jin-Ho managed to suppress him in an instant first before making a move. However, what was he supposed to do about his damaged pride if he were to back away like this?

Before he could say something, Lee Hyeon-Ju hiding behind him suddenly tugged at his clothes. “...Let's get out of here.”

Lee Seong-Hwi bit his lower lip, then silently turned around to leave. And that was when he heard a quiet little whisper meant only for him. “Go and wait for me. I'll humor you after closing the shop later in the day.”

Lee Seong-Hwi's head spun back, and he shot a murderous glare at Kang Jin-Ho. He still didn't say anything, then promptly exited the cafe. Lee Hyeon-Ju stared weirdly at Kang Jin-Ho, then urgently chased after Lee Seong-Hwi.

Clink~

The door closed, followed by the familiar chime. Suddenly, a round of applause erupted inside the cafe.

“Wow! That was so cool!”

“I didn't think you were a Chad, though!”

Kang Jin-Ho sheepishly scratched the back of his head as the customers in the cafe showered him with praises. It seemed that they had seen this situation as Kang Jin-Ho subduing an unruly thug and booting him off the premise.

Kang Jin-Ho bowed his head at the applauding customers, then returned to the staff room where Jo Gyu-Min was standing awkwardly around.

Jo Gyu-Min waited until Kang Jin-Ho closed the staff room door behind him, then asked in a slightly dissatisfied tone, “Aren't you letting them get away too easily?”

“Well, we're in my father's store.”

“I'm sorry?”

“I don't want to cause a scene inside the cafe.” Kang Jin-Ho's expression was already slightly harder and colder compared to what he had shown to other customers. “I told him to wait, so he'll be waiting for me.”

'...Yup, he's pissed.'

Jo Gyu-Min studied Kang Jin-Ho's attitude, then silently offered a prayer for that big guy who dared to cause a problem a few seconds ago.

'However, they need to learn, anyway.'

The reason for Kang Jin-Ho's anger wasn't Lee Hyeon-Ju trying to use him. No, it was far simpler than that. It was all because she dared to intrude on his family's cafe without giving him a prior warning.

Kang Jin-Ho was such a stickler about separating private matters from business-related ones. So much so that he could be suffering from a split personality disorder! To those so-called martial artists, showing up in the cafe to speak to Kang Jin-Ho was nothing to fret over. To Kang Jin-Ho; however, it would be like unwelcome guests brazenly stepping inside his living room with muddy shoes.

But now, that big guy had gone one step further and tried to cause a scene in that living room!

'...I hope Mister Jin-Ho won't kill him.'

Jo Gyu-Min was beginning to genuinely worry about that big guy's health.

***

“I don't think it's going to work,” said Kang Eun-Yeong.

“Why not?” Choi Yeon-Ha tilted her head in confusion. Didn't Kang Eun-Yeong say she would at least talk to her brother about it? That was her stance until recently, so why did she change her mind so quickly and unexpectedly? “What are you unhappy about? So much so that you'd change your position like this?”

“No, that's not it at all...” Kang Eun-Yeong groaned.

Choi Yeong-Ha could only frown at how Kang Eun-Yeong couldn't finish her explanation.

Girls her age could get rather fickle, so it wouldn't be strange to see Kang Eun-Yeong suddenly changing her mind. Her reasons for this change could be something as simple as waking up on the wrong side of the bed. Perhaps, she may have grown to dislike Choi Yeon-Ha for trying to get too close to her precious older brother...

“Orabeoni is not feeling great lately.”

“...?” Choi Yeon-Ha was left a bit flabbergasted by that reply. “B-but, this is a work-related matter, you know?”

“Hmm.?I'm not sure how I should explain this situation...” Kang Eun-Yeong scrunched up her face and continued, “Other people might see my orabi as a very rational and calculating person, but the truth is, he can be shockingly short-tempered, you see?”

“I'm sorry?” Choi Yeon-Ha tilted her head. Kang Jin-Ho didn't really come across that way to her.

“See? You don't see my oppa that way, right?” Kang Eun-Yeong chuckled hollowly. “But I'm telling you the truth. He's seriously short-tempered. And when he's pissed off about something, you must stay as far away from him as possible.”

“...Really?”

Kang Eun-Yeong slowly nodded. “It looked like my oppa got really, seriously pissed off about something from work, you see? So, if someone unwisely gets in his way now, that poor person will bear the brunt of his anger. That's why I think we shouldn't say anything to him and provoke his rage.”

“Although I don't fully understand, I do accept your explanation. But the production team is currently auditioning various actors right now, you know? We can't afford to delay this for long. When will he stop being angry, Miss Eun-Yeong?”

“Well, usually...” Kang Eun-Yeong pondered something for a bit. “I can't say for sure how long it'll take, but he might feel better after some idiot steps in and provokes him first...”

“I see... But what will happen to that hypothetical idiot?”

“Mm..” Kang Eun-Yeong hesitated for a while before finally resolving herself. “Judging from how you're looking at me, you probably think I'm badmouthing my orabeoni for no reason. But please believe me when I say that's not true. What I've been telling you is the truth.”

“I've never thought that way about you, Miss Eun-Yeong.”

“In any case, the fate of that idiot would be... Well, he's going to regret it.”

“Regret, you say?” Choi Yeon-Ha tilted her head.

“Yes. An extreme level of regret.” Kang Eun-Yeong shuddered and quickly shook her head as if she didn't even want to imagine it.

Choi Yeon-Ha could only look weirdly at Kang Eun-Yeong. “Mister Jin-Ho doesn't look like that sort of a person, though?”

“Senior, please listen.”

“Mm??What is it?”

“Please be honest. You think I have a bad personality, don't you?”

“...Honestly?” Choi Yeon-Ha hesitated, not knowing how to answer here. She thought Kang Eun-Yeong's personality was indeed poor, but something like that couldn't be said to the person's face. That would be rude, after all.

“It's okay, senior. I know what I'm like, anyway. But even I can't squeak a word out to my orabeoni. That's how rough his personality is. It's pretty simple to understand, right?” Kang Eun-Yeong sagely nodded.

“...I guess so.” Choi Yeon-Ha sighed while deciding to slightly revise her impression of the man named Kang Jin-Ho. Obviously, she wasn't a witless fool and could sense how genuine Kang Eun-Yeong was right now.

“In any case, please be a little more patient. Until either my orabeoni is no longer angry or some idiot provokes him first.” Kang Eun-Yeong sighed in lamentation. “Although, idiots like that are hard to come by, so...”

***

Lee Seong-Hwi continued to glare murderously at the cafe.

“How about asking for reinforcements?” Lee Hyeon-Ju asked anxiously.

“Reinforcements?” Lee Seong-Hwi gritted his teeth loudly. “Are you implying that I can't even deal with a brat like him? So, you want me to call a group over and gang up on him? Is that it?”

.

“That's not too far off the mark, now is it?”

“Listen here, Hyeon-Ju! Better watch what you say!”

“But you've already lost to him once, haven't you?”

Lee Seong-Hwi angrily roared out. “That happened only because I let my guard down!”

His yell only made Lee Hyeon-Ju stare back at him with a cold gaze. “Oh??Did you really?”

“Yes, really! Take another swipe at me, why don't you? See how long you'll last.”

Lee Hyeon-Ju stared at the still-seething Lee Seong-Hwi, her eyes filled with nervousness.

'This... doesn't make any sense, though!'

Everyone in the Korean Martial Assembly would think Lee Seong-Hwi getting beaten up by some unknown young man was a funny joke. They might not be aware of Lee Seong-Hwi's personality, but his skills had been widely acknowledged by them, after all. However, Kang Jin-Ho did subdue Lee Seong-Hwi in only a blink of an eye. That was an undeniable fact. Lee Hyeon-Ju was there to witness it, wasn't she? The first reveal of this chapter happened through N//0/vel-Biiin.

'Will this really be fine?'

Someone in her position had no choice but to order others around. However, she was unwilling to crush the pride of a man who could become the leader of the Martial Assembly in the future. Her mind was telling her to summon more people to help deal with this situation, but... she just couldn't come to a decision at all.

'It feels like I'm making a mistake...'

Lee Hyeon-Ju still hadn't erased Kang Jin-Ho's glare she had received at the underground parking lot from her memories. Remembering that helped her realize Lee Seong-Hwi had only seen half of what Kang Jin-Ho really was.

“...No, this won't do. I'm calling my grandfather,” said Lee Hyeon-Ju.

“Sure, go ahead. We will never speak to each other again if you do!” Lee Seong-Hwi grunted unhappily.

“That doesn't sound like a loss to me?”

“Sure, sure. So, call your grandpa.”

Lee Hyeon-Ju groaned deeply. Why couldn't men get over their stupid pride?

“Besides, it's too late for that now,” said Lee Seong-Hwi.

“Mm?” Lee Hyeon-Ju shifted her gaze to the cafe and spotted the store's lights going off. Soon, Kang Jin-Ho, his father, and Jo Gyu-Min stepped outside. After locking up the door, the three of them discussed something, then Kang Jin-Ho's father got in his car to drive off.

“Hmph, looks like he's searching for me?” Lee Seong-Hwi clenched and released his fists, then took a step forward while waving his hand slowly. “Oii. Over here.”

Kang Jin-Ho's gaze shifted over to Lee Seong-Hwi's position.

“You told me to wait, so here I am,” said Lee Seong-Hwi with a loud growl.

Kang Jin-Ho discussed something with Jo Gyu-Min, then he beckoned at Lee Seong-Hwi and Lee Hyeon-Ju.

“Looks like he wants us to follow?”

Lee Hyeon-Ju didn't say anything, simply crossing her arms in front of her chest.

Lee Seong-Hwi tutted, then asked her, “I'm going. What about you?”

“...Do I have a choice? I'm also going with you.”

Anyway, she already knew—Kang Jin-Ho wasn't someone she could escape from even if she tried to run away. Besides, she also wanted to confirm something.

'I'm not good enough to assess him.'

Lee Hyeon-Ju was not strong enough to figure out the true depth of Kang Jin-Ho's power. The gap between the two was simply too vast for that. However, if it was Lee Seong-Hwi keeping his guard up and going all-out—he should be a good yardstick to measure Kang Jin-Ho’s strength.

Kang Jin-Ho climbed into Jo Gyu-Min's car. The vehicle glided toward the duo from the Korean Martial Assembly before coming to a smooth stop. The passenger's side window rolled down, and Kang Jin-Ho looked at the duo. “Get in.”

“...Oh, so you want to chauffeur us? Nice.” Lee Seong-Hwi smiled odiously before yanking the rear passenger door open. As he climbed, he glanced at Lee Hyeon-Ju. “Aren't you coming?”

She couldn't help but shudder while staring at the open doorway. Why did it feel like that doorway led to the mouth of Hell? She had a feeling that it might not be too late to turn around and escape from here. Her instincts, not her rational mind, were screaming at her to take this chance and run.

Unfortunately, she couldn't do so.

“Get in,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

The moment he issued that order, Lee Hyeon-Ju found herself already halfway inside the car.

The door closed shut behind her, and the vehicle smoothly set off. Kang Jin-Ho leaned on his seat and quietly addressed the duo.