Chapter 301: Together (1)

“They were killed?”

“Yes, Master,” Miyahara gravely nodded at his master's question.

"You sure about that, Miyahara?"

"Master. We lost all contact with our team. Through our information network in Korea, we were able to confirm that Lee Jung-Geol is very much alive."

The master's brows quivered ominously. “...Did he betray us?”

“The... situation is a little complicated, Master.”

"Details, then. One needs sufficient information first before making a decision. Now that we are presented with the riddle, it's time to solve it, Miyahara."

“Yes, Master. Lee Jung-Geol is indeed alive, but he seems to have yielded his authority and power to a director named Bang Jin-Hun. This Bang Jin-Hun was one of the targets Lee Jung-Geol had told us about, Master.”

The 'master' didn't display any reaction while listening.

Miyahara stopped talking and attentively waited in his kneeling posture, ready to serve. He knew his master was deep in thought and should not be disturbed.

Some time passed, and the cheerful chirpings of the birds could be heard coming from outside the sliding doors.

The master finally broke his silence. "So, to summarize... The man named Bang Jin-Hun succeeded in suppressing Lee Jung-Geol, and our children were killed in the process. Is that correct?"

Miyahara grimly replied, “It's not certain, Master.”

“But the possibility is...?”

"I personally think it's over ninety percent, Master."

“Ninety, you say...” The master sucked in a deep breath. 'How vexing...'

Even though the request for aid came from a minor nation, South Korea, they still didn’t dare to underestimate the danger of the assignment. A tiger would do everything in its powers, even when hunting a rabbit, after all.

Not only that, but this assignment could have become the doorway that allowed the Japanese a way back into the Korean peninsula, they could have fulfilled a wish they had been holding on to for so many decades. It was the reason why they made sure to pick some of the best among the flock until the team looked positively overqualified for the job.

But now...

...They had all failed? How?

"Miyahara. What is the possibility of the Chinese's involvement?"

“Extremely small, Master.”

“I see. Then, did other clans make a move?”

“I haven't found any traces, Master.”

“Which means...” The master briefly sighed, then stared straight at Miyahara. “Based on your intel, our children were all killed by the Koreans. Is that right? Not even one of them managed to survive to contact us? Is that how bad it is?”

“Yes, Master.” Miyahara grimly nodded again.

“I see. What do you think is the reason for this outcome?”

“I believe Lee Jung-Geol is involved.”

“Lee Jung-Geol...”

"Yes, Master. That man would have definitely contacted us if a third party had intervened or if he was defeated by the narrowest of narrow margins. But rather than contacting us, he’s brazenly strutting around in public. That could mean either he has been so thoroughly suppressed that he dares not contact us, or..."

"...Or, he no longer has a reason to speak to us."

“Yes, Master.”

The master grimaced in silence while stroking the rim of his teacup. The losses were significant, yes, but it wasn’t enough to put their organization in a precarious position. What worried the master wasn't the situation but the culprit responsible for this outcome.

"Hmm... A large group fighting against our children would have raised a ruckus for certain. However, that did not happen. Someone silently eliminated our children, and they couldn't have been a large group but a small one."

Miyahara silently nodded in agreement.

"A small group. A small group, is it... However, are there enough martial artists in South Korea to form a small group powerful enough to oppose our children?" the master muttered, then firmly shook his head.

The master's shinobi clan had been diligently collecting all the information related to South Korea, so the presence of such powerful martial artists would have been a known quantity—if they actually existed.

Although a hidden expert training in some remote mountainside suddenly revealing themselves was a fairly common occurrence in the world of martial arts, there was something called a baseline standard that could be used to judge a group of people.

“This is quite vexing, is it not?” the master groaned.

When one thought about it, Korea was one of those countries where people exceeding the standards often appeared from. Korea's baseline standard was supposed to be low, yet one or two geniuses would suddenly pop out of nowhere to achieve feats easily exceeding Japan's. Not stopping there, they even elevated their respective organizations well beyond the imagination, too. Such things had been happening with alarming regularity in that country, so... The debut release occurred at N-ov3l=B(j)n.

"...Miyahara, do you think you can contact Lee Jung-Geol?"

“It will be difficult, Master.”

“Difficult, you say...?” The master contemplatively nodded. “Indeed, it won't be easy. It has never been easy to dominate the Korean peninsula historically. We've already experienced defeat, then we even let it slip through our fingers despite successfully acquiring the opportunity to turn the tables. So, it shouldn't be easy.”

Miyahara nodded again. He didn't want to admit it, but the Japanese and the Chinese were the ones who knew better than anyone the depths of Korea's potential. Despite its landmass positioned right next to the wide expanse of the Asian continent, it had never been conquered in its lengthy history and continued to survive until today. That alone should be enough proof.

"However, our position means we can't give up here." The master's eyes slowly burned in the flames of competitiveness. He stared at Miyahara and firmly declared, "Thoroughly investigate the cause of this incident and discover the ones responsible for the deaths of our children!"

“Yes, Master!”

"We shall not make our move before getting a firm confirmation. However, do not forget to prepare. Make sure you’re prepared to unleash a merciless and deserved vengeance on our enemies as soon as we know who they are!"

“Your command is my will, Master!”

"Good!" The master harrumphed. Miyahara, still kneeling, backed away and left the room silently. The master wordlessly picked up his teacup. A small ripple spread on the tea's surface.

'Am I agitated?'

The master's composure was shaken up by a matter that didn't warrant such a reaction on the surface. And it could only mean one thing—his instincts had sensed something ominous about this situation.

Advancing into the continent had always been a long-held dream of the Japanese. They had been patiently biding their time, searching for that perfect opportunity. And finally, they had found it... But then, it all went wrong from the get-go. No wonder the master didn't feel good about this situation.

'If he learns about this... He'll no doubt be enraged.'

The master felt dizzy just from imagining what could happen after sending in his report later.

“I don't know who you are, but I swear.. you will not be spared, no matter what!”

The master's voice was tinged with anger, and it scattered into the gentle breeze entering his room.

***

“...My dear son.”

Kang Jin-Ho sensed bone-chilling coldness enveloping him and shuddered fearfully. He turned his head and saw his mother, Baek Hyeon-Jeong, staring back with icy eyes. "M-mother?"

Kang Jin-Ho didn't really fear anything in this world. Not even phantoms or vicious predators could scare him. However, every creature under the sun had its natural enemy. For Kang Jin-Ho, it was a certain person, and they were none other than.. his mother.

“Aren't you being too unreasonable these days, son?”

“...I'm sorry?”

“You used to hang out with me often, but how come it's so hard to even see you lately? The only time I can see you is when you wake up in the morning to have breakfast. You don't even come home until early dawn, son!”

“...!” Kang Jin-Ho's cheeks twitched. He couldn't find a suitable excuse to defend himself.

"Your little sister rarely comes home because of her busy schedule. Your father has to look after his cafe, so he's not here from morning till evening, and you—staying in such a large home by myself alone can get terribly lonely, Jin-Ho."

Kang Jin-Ho sneakily scanned his surroundings.

'She's right. Our home is... it’s on the larger side.'

Staying by oneself in such a house all day long could cause abandonment issues, mused Kang Jin-Ho. He was fine with it, but other people might not be. And his mother would probably feel the same as everyone else, wouldn't she?

Kang Jin-Ho's head faltered slightly.

'What was the resolution I made for myself after returning to the modern era?'

Living an ordinary life? To be happy with his life? Those resolutions came with an important prerequisite, didn't they? And the prerequisite was being with his family.

"Son, I have no appetite lately, and it's getting harder to sleep, too. I'm scared that my condition might lead to depression or something similar."

A streak of cold sweat trickled down Kang Jin-Ho's forehead. “...Mother, can you hold on for a minute?”

Baek Hyeon-Jeong tilted her head slightly. “Mm?”

Kang Jin-Ho rushed inside his room and yanked out his phone to call someone urgently.

- Hello?

“It's me, Yu-Min.”

- Oh, hey. What's up?

"I won't be able to come to the pizzeria today."

- Eh? How come?

“It’s an emergency. I'll leave the pizzeria to you guys.”

- Ehhh? Wait! Hello? Jin-Ho?! Waaait!

Kang Jin-Ho unhesitantly ended the call there, and then he called someone else while making a stiff expression.

-Orabi~! What a momentous occasion this is, you calling me first like this! Feels like it has been over five years already~!

“Where are you, Eun-Yeong?”

- Eh? Me? I just finished filming a show, and I’m preparing for an event appearance right now. I've got several bookings lined up for today, you see?

“Cancel them all and hurry on home.”

- Say what?! Cancel what now?! Oppa, have you gone insane? This isn't some kids' prank, you know! Don't you know how much is the penalty fee when canceling an event appearance? And what about the damage to my public image?! No, I won't do it this time, even if it's you! Even if you want to rip all of my hair out, I will never do it! Just try it, you violent orabi! I'll report you to the police!

“Our mother says she feels depressed.”

- ...! I'm on my way! Tell her to stay right there and wait for me!

Kang Jin-Ho looked at his phone after the call to his sister was heroically cut off by her first. A satisfied smile floated up on Kang Jin-Ho's face as he nodded away. 'Excellent.'

Kang Eun-Yeong being brought up by an early education regime that emphasized the importance of one's family was handsomely paying off now. After all, a couple of keywords was enough for her to get a move on by herself.

Now that his preparations were complete, Kang Jin-Ho rolled up his sleeves and exited his room. “Mother!”

"N-ng?" Baek Hyeon-Jeong panicked slightly at how determined her son looked. Wasn't Kang Jin-Ho reacting a little too... seriously?

“Mother, what should I do first?”

Before anyone noticed it, Kang Jin-Ho was already in full-on battle mode.

***

“Oh, my, gawd?!” Kang Eun-Yeong immediately shielded her eyes after dashing inside the front entrance. No, she didn't see something that shouldn't be seen, but it was more like powerful rays of light started assaulting her vision when she opened the door.

“Heol?!?What's all this?” Kang Eun-Yeong muttered in shock while studying the pristine condition of the front entrance to her family home.

The tiles of the entrance were glistening blindingly. The term 'looks like new' didn't fit in this situation. After all, which factory could produce new tiles that shone as brightly as these ones?!

“What the heck... People might think we've installed mirrors on the floor!” Kang Eun-Yeong groaned loudly, thinking that she might not be able to wear skirts for a while. “Him and his tidiness syndrome!”

Kang Eun-Yeong had wondered what her OCD-suffering brother might do while she was on her way. As it turned out, the answer was 'cleaning'. Just what did their mother's depression have to do with cleaning the house, though?!

Kang Eun-Yeong unhesitantly stomped on the spotless tiles with her muddy shoes, then tossed them aside before hurriedly entering the living room. “Madam Baaaaaaek~!”

She found her mother sitting on the living room couch. Kang Eun-Yeong directly jumped into Baek Hyeon-Jeong's arms. "Aigoo~! Madam Baek, were you feeling lonely-boobiey without moi~?"

"...Get away from me, will you!"

"There, there~, your lovely daughter is home now~."

Baek Hyeon-Jeong cringed and tried to shrink back when Kang Eun-Yeong rubbed her cheek against her mother's cheek. However, she didn't seem to be hating it, so there was no force behind her resistance.

"I'm fine! Still, how could you be this dense that I had to say something first? People say you two are sharper than you look, so how can you only notice something's going on after all those hints are dumped in your way?"

“But Mom~, you know how busy I am. Did you miss us? Were you that lonely?”

“Yes, I know you're all busy. So busy that I can't even see my own kids lately. If I knew, I wouldn't have raised you so well!”

"Ehehe~! Don't be like that, Mom. No angry, okay?" Kang Eun-Yeong grinned brightly, but her expression rapidly crumpled after spotting Kang Jin-Ho emerging from the bathroom with a pair of rubber gloves. She yelled at him. "You dummy! Mom's saying she's lonely, yet the only thing you can do is clean the house?!"

"Leave him be, Eun-Yeong. Did you forget that your orabi has no sense and flexibility? Cleaning must be the best thing he thinks he can do under the circumstances," said Baek Hyeon-Jeong with a tut.

“This is why Mother feels lonely and left out, you know!”

Kang Jin-Ho was struck numb by the combined assault and could only pitifully shrink back to the corner of the living room.

“Mom, Mom~! Now that I'm here, let's just have fun for the rest of the day, okay? Mom, is there something you wanna do?”

"Me? I don't want to do anything."

“Eiii~, don't be like that. It's not that you wanna do something, but we want to hang out with you today, you know? Isn't that right, oppa? Riiight?”

“S-she's right, Mother.” Kang Jin-Ho urgently nodded away as if his life depended on it. The biggest lesson he learned during his three lives was not his ability to clean flawlessly or study like a genius. No, it would be his sometimes-too-quick situational awareness. And his awareness was yelling at him desperately to just shut up and nod away!

Baek Hyeon-Jeong studied her children's reactions, then closed her eyes for a moment or two before slightly opening them. “In that case, shall we go shopping, then?”

“...Chauffeur Kang!” Kang Eun-Yeong shouted without looking back at her older brother.

“Yes, Ma'am!”

“Go get the car ready!”

“Yes, Ma'am!”

Baek Hyeon-Jeong burst into laughter at the sight of her son rushing outside the house as if his feet were on fire.