abcnovels
Chapter 66: Sweet Reward (4)
Chapter 66: Sweet Reward (4)
Chapter 66: Sweet Reward (4)
TL/Editor: Raei
Schedule: 5/week, Mon-Fri
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"So, if you're hungry, just come here?"
After completing my volunteer work and leaving the orphanage, I distributed flyers to the children.
These flyers detailed the location of my restaurant and showcased a few of its signature dishes.
However, the children shook their heads.
"It's okay, we receive good meals here too."
"...Really?"
"Yes. Solace noona has been sponsoring us!"
Mimicking Solace, one of the boys clenched a fist, raised it high, and posed with his other hand on his hip.
As the conversation shifted to Solace, I couldn't help but smile.
Her influence was everywhere.
I affectionately patted the boy's head and acknowledged the teachers from the orphanage, who were observing me from a distance.
"Well, I should be heading off now."
"Yes, Mr. Jung-gyeom. Thank you for your efforts."
With that, I turned to leave.
---
---
There was a specific reason why I began volunteering.
Recently, Song Soo-yeon began going out more often, and Solace was preoccupied with her hero duties.
As a result, I found myself alone in the restaurant more frequently, and honestly, I felt quite lonely.
Naturally, I had to look for something else to do.
I had to admit, opening this restaurant was a failure in itself.
Customer turnout was low, and free tasting events attracted even fewer people.
It didn't make the impact I had envisioned.
But, do I regret it? Absolutely not.
My restaurant still holds a special place in my heart.
It undeniably brought me closer to Song Soo-yeon and Solace.
I didn't want to shut it down; instead, I aimed to keep it afloat through actions like this promoting it while volunteering.
I reviewed my upcoming schedule.
Next on the agenda was a visit to the nursing home.
---
---
After completing the volunteering and returning to my restaurant, evening had set in.
Switching on the lights in the deserted restaurant, I greeted my establishment.
"...Have you been well?"
The restaurant's cozy ambiance seemed to echo back in response.
I settled into a chair and pulled out my phone.
Another thought crossed my mind as I entered the empty restaurant.
It was unusual that Song Soo-yeon hadn't come back yet.
So, I decided to call her.
-Turururu-tuk.
"Mister?"
Luckily, she answered quickly.
The sound of strong winds accompanied her voice, indicating she was outside.
Hearing her voice for the first time that day was strangely comforting.
I asked.
"Uh, Soo-yeon, where are you?"
A brief pause.
"...Soo-yeon?"
"...Ah, I'm meeting with some new acquaintances I mentioned this morning."
"Are you still outside?"
"...Yes."
I rose and made my way to the kitchen.
I poured myself a glass of water, quenched my thirst, and then opened the refrigerator to inspect the ingredients.
"Seems like your meetings are quite long?"
"Yes."
"Anyway, I called to ask what you'd prefer for dinner."
"...Dinner...?"
"Tteokbokki? Udon? Maybe pork belly or brisket? What would you like? Just let me know. I'll prepare it."
"..."
"...Soo-yeon?"
When her response was delayed again, I glanced at my phone.
The signal was fine.
"Hello?"
"Yes, Mister. I can hear you."
The sound of strong wind and faint murmurs of people could be heard again, indicating a noisy environment.
Was she in a busy area?
Suppressing my curiosity, I spoke.
"Tell me, what would you like to eat?"
I rummaged through the fridge again, thinking of dishes I could make.
But then, Song Soo-yeon replied.
"Ah, today... I think I'll dine with some acquaintances."
"..."
I slowed my movements, slightly taken aback, and then closed the fridge door.
"...Oh, really? You're having dinner with them?"
"Yes."
"..."
A wave of inexplicable disappointment washed over me.
Was it because she was my first friend?
I quickly dismissed these thoughts, choosing instead to be happy for her.
Concealing my feelings, I responded with feigned cheerfulness.
"That's wonderful, Soo-yeon. You've made friends. Didn't I say so? That you'd find people you can connect with."
"...Yes."
"..."
"..."
However, my act faltered as I soon ran out of things to say.
After a brief pause, I decided to conclude the conversation.
It looked like I'd be dining alone tonight.
It had been a while since I last did.
"...Alright. Enjoy yourself."
"Mister?"
"Hm?"
Just as I was about to hang up, Song Soo-yeon questioned.
"...Are you upset?"
"...Seriously."
Despite my efforts to conceal it, I couldn't help but laugh.
Song Soo-yeon also let out a soft chuckle.
In that laughter, my feelings were laid bare.
Shaking my head, I confessed.
"Yeah, I'm a bit upset."
I couldn't quite articulate why, but it seemed unnecessary to do so.
Song Soo-yeon's question indicated she understood my feelings.
Feeling somewhat relieved, I attempted to end the call once more.
"Enjoy yourself. And don't stay out too late. Or should I not worry about that?"
"I won't be late."
She responded without irritation to my overconcern.
She had changed significantly.
Far less confrontational than before.
Perhaps that's why she managed to make new acquaintances.
I smiled to myself.
"...Alright."
With that, I concluded the call.
---
---
Luna ended the call and stared contemplatively at her phone.
'My Hero'.
That was how she had saved Jung-gyeom's contact.
A villain like her having a hero in her phone.
The irony of it wasn't lost on her.
She took a deep breath and then rose to her feet.
Luna was perched atop a tall shipping container.
At one end, she started moving towards the other, her footsteps resounding loudly against the metallic surface.
Below the container, numerous gangsters were visible, scattered around.
Luna approached Stella, who was also standing atop the container.
"Is your call finished?"
Stella asked.
Song Soo-yeon nodded in confirmation.
-Thump! Thump! Thump!
Luna's gaze drifted towards the source of the violent noises.
At the end of those sounds, Tryno was seen overpowering a man on the ground, assaulting him without mercy.
Observing this ruthless scene, Song Soo-yeon felt no stir of emotion, realizing how desensitized she had become to violence, unless it concerned Jung-gyeom.
Stella then spoke.
"...I didn't expect things to go this smoothly."
She gently placed her hand on Luna's shoulder, adding,
"It's all thanks to you, Luna."
---
---
8 hours earlier.
Luna arrived an hour before the other villains and found herself enduring Stella's exhaustive lecture.
Despite understanding everything, Stella insisted on quizzing her, underlining the significance of the subject.
"So, Luna. Tell me, how do villains make money?"
"...Do I really need to answer? I already told you I know."
Stella was unwavering in her stance.
With a sigh, Luna replied.
"...Firstly, by forming their own criminal organizations."
The primary method was to establish a criminal organization to directly generate income through activities like drug trafficking, organ trade, smuggling, and contract killings.
This approach required making all the decisions independently, but the payoff was substantial.
"Correct. And the second method?"
"By backing an existing organization."
Another strategy was to support an already functioning criminal group.
A crime syndicate under a villain's patronage became much more formidable.
In this context, a villain's ranking played a crucial role, affecting the balance of power among various organizations.
"Right, Luna. But... here."
Stella handed a few photographs to Luna.
They depicted a man, his face partially obscured by a mask.
While Luna examined the photos, Stella elaborated.
"The second-ranked villain, Mayhem, is obstructing us, correct?"
"..."
"Liquid aims to establish a drug cartel, right? Including distribution. The issue is that Mayhem and the organization he backs currently control the drug market in Korea."
"...So, you're suggesting that these people and their organization are our targets today?"
"Exactly, Luna. Taking over such a group directly is problematic, so dismantling them is the better approach. That way, Liquid can build his own organization from scratch."
Luna, handing back the photo to Stella, asked pointedly.
"...Did you really need to call me so early just to discuss this?"
"No, there's more the operational plan, safety precautions, and preparations."
Luna let out a sigh.
At that moment, Stella's hand started to glow.
Quietly flaunting her illuminated hand, Stella said,
"...Luna, you'll play a pivotal role in today's operation. I'm excited to see it."
Seeing Stella's glowing hand, Luna reluctantly kept her complaints to herself.
---
---
Song Soo-yeon successfully executed the operation.
She had managed to subdue all the regular members of the organization, those without any supernatural abilities.
This was her first time fully utilizing her powers, and she experienced a sense of liberation.
Despite this being her first serious criminal act, she felt no remorse.
Perhaps it was because her adversaries were the same thugs she once couldn't bear to face or approach when powerless.
Once Song Soo-yeon took charge, Mayhem, isolated and overwhelmed, was quickly subdued by Liquid and Tryno.
Tryno began assaulting the defeated Mayhem.
Meanwhile, Stingshot and Riem gleefully opened container after container, uncovering the organization's stockpiled drugs.
Everyone appeared content, but Song Soo-yeon, the central figure of the operation, now longed to return home.
She thought back to Jung-gyeom's call about dinner, and her inability to join him.
His subtle disappointment had sounded so endearing.
His desire to see her, even a little, filled her with joy.
She wanted to be by his side immediately.
Finally, she turned to Stella, who was next to her.
"...Can I leave now?"
"Just a bit longer."
"...It takes over two hours to get home from here."
"No worries, Riem is here. Well teleport."
"..."
The mention of teleportation provided some comfort, but her eagerness to see Jung-gyeom remained unchanged.
Song Soo-yeon sat down on the container, sighing deeply.
Stella, noticing her demeanor, warned her.
"Be cautious, Luna. Dont fall off."
"...What?"
But Stella joined her, sitting down beside Luna.
"Do you miss him that much?"
"...What are you talking about?"
"You don't need to conceal it, Luna. I saw how your mood shifted after the phone call."
"..."
"Don't just focus on the current situation. Savor it. And Luna, you also made a significant amount of money today."
"...Money?"
"Yes. All these drugs are now ours. Why not use your earnings to buy something for that 'man'? Maybe shoes or something similar."
The conversation about money somewhat lightened her mood.
She wasnt sure how much she would receive, but it seemed to be a considerable sum.
Now, she could afford to return the studio to Jung-gyeom and perhaps even repay his kindness.
She wouldnt be financially inferior to Min-bom anymore.
With these thoughts, she felt a sense of renewal in her mind.
Then Stella spoke up.
"Now, Luna. Theres something else. We have to fulfill the promise we made to you."
At this, Song Soo-yeon felt her heart race more than at any other moment that day.
She understood the nature of the promise without needing to ask.
Nodding, she waited for Stella to continue.
Stella asked her,
"...What kind of dream would you like? You did exceptionally well today, so I'll grant you any dream. A dream about making love with the man you adore? A dream where you dominate him? A dream where he's utterly infatuated with you?"
Song Soo-yeon mulled over these audacious options.
The thought that she could indulge in any dark desire was exhilarating.
After a moment of contemplation, she began to speak.
"....."
But no words came out.
Just voicing her wish would make it a reality tonight, and this made her hesitate even more.
Could she handle such a moment?
Would her heart withstand it?
Finally, she found her voice.
"...A dream."
"...What kind?"
She buried her face in her knees and voiced louder.
"..........A dream of dating that man."
Stella laughed happily.
Song Soo-yeon didn't understand why she found it amusing.
To her, it was a serious wish.
The mere thought of dreaming about dating him was thrilling.
"...For someone so fearsome, you're surprisingly innocent, Luna."
"..."
"...I never imagined Luna would have such a side."
"...What?"
"Forget it. Give me your arm."
Song Soo-yeon, still hiding her face, extended her arm towards Stella.
Feeling Stella's hand on her arm made her heart race painfully.
This sensation was more intense than controlling the thugs, witnessing Mayhem's defeat, discovering the stash of drugs, or even learning about the hefty sum she'd earned.
"...Have a pleasant dream tonight,"
Stella whispered.
Song Soo-yeon nodded faintly.
---
---
Having skipped dinner due to a lack of appetite, I checked the clock.
It was 9 PM.
Song Soo-yeon was expected to arrive within the hour.
Reflecting on this, I made a decision.
Her making new acquaintances...
It really seemed like she was integrating into society.
How much effort must that have taken?
Considering the harassment she had faced, these steps were monumental.
Was she doing all this to repay me in some way?
I felt emotionally stirred.
Today, I decided, should be a celebration for her.
It was also a way to address the disappointment I had felt earlier.
I picked up the flyer from a pizza restaurant left on the counter.
"...Hmm..."
What would Song Soo-yeon prefer?
After a moment's thought, I dialed the number.
"Hello, do you deliver? Ah, one combination pizza, please......"