Park Dong-seok, the Chairman of Iron Blood.
The reason he bowed his head to Jong-sik was simple.
Because Jong-sik was a strongman.
“How dare he even think of trying.”
From Jong-sik’s perspective, he exuded a faint aura of power, but Park Dong-seok felt an indescribable intuition. It was a sense he had instinctively acquired after crossing paths several times.
Moreover, a father knows his son’s temperament best.
Violence was a given, and Park Dong-seok was well aware of his son’s history of committing murder as easily as eating a meal. Of course, he didn’t see anything wrong with it.
In Park Dong-seok’s view, it was permissible for a strongman to act as he pleased. He was a firm believer in the law of survival of the fittest.
And who else would this apply to but himself?
He believed others were no different.
Laws established since gates started appearing. It was an era where the strong ruled the world and dominated the weak.
Therefore, Park Dong-seok ultimately had to bow his head. For now, he was the weak one, and Jong-sik was the strong one.
Park Dong-seok spoke.
“Manager Kim.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Bring the man who’s standing next to that brat, right in front of me, immediately.”
“Yes.”
Shortly after, a man referred to as Manager Kim appeared with another man. It was Director Kim, who assisted Park Won.
Director Kim hesitated as he looked at Park Won lying on the ground. For a moment, he could feel Park Dong-seok’s sharp gaze piercing through him.
“Chairman! I’ve committed a grave sin.”
Director Kim kneeled down abruptly. Park Dong-seok looked down at the man with a disdainful gaze and said, “Haha, a grave sin…”
“Director Kim, you failed to properly supervise Director Park. Saying you were just going downstairs for a phone call, and then this happens. I didn’t expect such a thing to occur.”
“Did you say Director Kim?”
“Yes, yes!”
“Do you think I want to hear such excuses?”
Park Dong-seok lowered his head and locked eyes with the man. The man’s pupils were trembling uncontrollably.
“Well?”
“Director Kim.”
“Yes?”
“Have you ever met Park Won and Jong-sik?”
“No, never. However…”
“Speak up.”
“For the past few days, Director Park has been showing a keen interest in them. Oh, today he asked for a situation report to be prepared.”
Smack!
Park Dong-seok ruthlessly struck the Director’s face. The unexpected blow sent the Director’s body crashing into the wall. Despite this, he crawled back to Park Dong-seok and bowed again.
“I knew it would come to this. A situation report? Haha.”
“I-I’m sorry!”
“And what’s the current situation?”
“We’ve placed a ghost on them.”
A ghost. Underworld operatives of the Iron Blood Guild responsible for unofficial tasks. They handle everything from surveillance to assassination. They’ve been assigned to Jong-sik. More specifically, it would likely be his family.
Park Dong-seok’s eyes narrowed. He began to strike both the fallen Park Won and the Director relentlessly.
Smack!
“Neither of you has eyes to see!”
“Ah!”
“Oof!”
He was even angrier because it was his one and only son. It was a waste to leave the Iron Blood to someone like him.
After venting his frustration, Park Dong-seok straightened his clothes and called Manager Kim.
“Director Kim, immediately recall the ghost.”
“Yes, understood.”
“And as for Won, send him to the hospital for treatment for a while, and…”
“Chairman, spare me!”
Park Dong-seok looked at the Director and clicked his tongue.
“What benefit is there in sparing someone like you? You’re not even worth killing.”
“Thank you.”
“Keep an eye on Won as you have been.”
“I will serve him with sincerity!”
“But his duties will change. From now on, have Won report directly to Director Kim regarding his family affairs.”
“I will comply.”
Thud!
The Director, bowing with his head to the ground, responded. Park Dong-seok continued without paying him any attention.
“Manager Kim, ensure that nothing unexpected happens today.”
“Yes.”
Then, he patted Manager Kim’s shoulder once and turned away. Manager Kim pressed a button near the counter.
Beep!
Meanwhile, B1 was alerted by the commotion among the awakened ones. The manager, as usual, communicated instructions to the staff via radio.
“Block the entrance and call everyone on today’s reservation list.”
“Yes, understood.”
“And evacuate all employees in Building A.”
“Got it!”
The staff’s response was swift. They were not surprised by fights breaking out in the restaurant, as it was not an uncommon occurrence.
Of course, fights between such formidable figures were not common. Nevertheless, B1’staff moved quickly and efficiently to carry out their tasks.
Meanwhile, the manager responsible for overseeing the overall operations of the restaurant headed to the kitchen alone, seeking out the head chef.
“I need to talk to you for a moment,” the manager called out to the chef. Nam Tak-gu, the head chef of B1, furrowed his brow as he responded. It wasn’t like him to be holed up in the kitchen with his ears plugged.
“Ugh, it’s been quiet for a while. So, who is it today?”
“It’s Healing and Iron Blood.”
“Healing? Well, Iron Blood, I can understand. But Healing… That’s unexpected. Was there someone worth it?”
“We recently hired a hunter. His name is Dok Jong-sik, and he got into a fight with Park Won.”
“Ugh, Dok Jong-sik. He sure knows how to stir up trouble. But why our place? Now we’ll end up wasting all the prepared ingredients for no reason.”
“Well, it’s not the first time something like this has happened. But, more importantly, Nam Tak-gu.”
“What?”
As if this commotion was nothing, the manager brought up another topic. It was about recipe management.
“You are managing the recipes properly, aren’t you?”
“Huh, of course. Why are you asking such an obvious question? Don’t you know that everything important is made at home?”
“Are you sure?”
“Why, what’s the matter?”
Chef Nam Tak-gu asked with a hint of unease. Eventually, the manager explained the reason. It was about a customer, Dok Jong-sik, who seemed to know about their special sauce.
“That’s absurd. Are you sure about this?”
The head chef, Nam Tak-gu, was astonished.
“Probably. Considering he mentioned juniper berries, I’m a hundred percent sure. But how could he have known?”
The manager and the head chef were not just colleagues but also co-owners of B1.
From humble beginnings to becoming one of the hottest restaurants in South Korea, the power of their “special sauce” played a significant role.
Discovering someone who could instantly recognize their secret sauce was truly astonishing.
Chef Nam Tak-gu nervously rubbed his forehead. Upon reconsideration, there was hardly ever anything to worry about happening on their end.
That’s when it happened.
Beep! Beep.
The manager’s watch emitted a beeping sound. It was a signal that the situation was over.
“It seems it’s over. Huh. Anyway, I came to inform you about what happened. Just in case our recipe was leaked.”
“It’s unlikely. Hyung, next time that person comes, I’ll go out to meet them personally. Make sure to call me, okay?”
“Yeah, sure. But I’m not sure if we can just wait quietly like this.”
The manager sighed and weakly turned away. Despite the gloomy expression on his face, a hint of capitalist smile suddenly appeared. After all, rewards were always waiting after the turmoil ended. Moreover, it was the Iron Blood.
Calculating today’s losses, the manager quickened his pace.
***
Dok Jong-sik, upon leaving B1, couldn’t hide his confusion at the unexpected tear attack.
“Ugh, ugh.”
Yeona, who had been sent home, was now squatting in front of the store, guarding it. Of course, Jong-pal was with her.
“Ugh. I thought something really bad had happened. I’m really sorry for leaving Uncle alone.”
What’s there to leave behind?
He’s the one who was sent away.
Moreover, even if it was Yeona, it’s utterly embarrassing when grown-ups whimper like that.
“Ugh.”
“Why are you all like this? Disgusting.”
“Because I’m pathetic, that’s why. I’m so ashamed I can’t even show my face.”
Whether it’s a father or a daughter, they’re all the same. Jong-sik laughed at the two while taking out his phone, even going so far as to take a picture of them.
When it comes to dispelling heavy atmosphere, nothing beats the refreshing sound effects of a mobile phone.
“Look here~ Cheese. Click!”
“What are you doing, Dad?”
“…?”
“For later when I feel down.”
Jong-pal and Yeona looked at Jong-sik with amused expressions under the sudden flash of the phone.
‘What on earth is happening right now?’
That was the exact expression. Even Pyeong-ari, who had been standing there with a rather serious expression, couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“A-hem.”
She bit her lip and looked at Jong-sik. Her concerns about the aftermath seemed to have disappeared in an instant. She appeared somewhat embarrassed.
He thought he could simply seal Jang Mi-ae’s lips. But it was wishful thinking. Eventually, Jong-sik was the thorn that would reveal itself at any moment.
“It’s only been a few hours, and we’ve already been caught. And we even got reported to the Chairman Iron Blood Guild.”
“But he doesn’t seem like the type to go around talking about it.”
Jong-sik shrugged, and Pyeong-ari muttered to herself. ‘That’s right. It would be like spitting on my face.’
That’s when they sensed someone at the entrance of the store. It was someone from the Iron Blood Guild.
“Well then, I’ll go in now. Jong-sik, please go inside with your family. You must be tired after today…”
As they bid farewell, Pyeong-ari looked at them with a meaningful glance. The situation was resolved, but there was no need to encounter them for no reason. Jong-pal, standing next to him, urged him on.
“Yeah. Hyung, let’s go inside quickly.”
Jong-sik nodded.
“Then, see you on Monday. Oh, we’re going together, right?”
“Yes. I’ll go to Jong-sik’s house. Please be ready by 10.”
“Got it. Team Leader Pyeong-ari , sorry for today because of me. You went through a lot.”
“No worries. There’s nothing like that.”
As if to say it wasn’t a big deal, Pyeong-ari waved her hand, and Jong-sik waved his right hand. It was a perfect farewell.
“Take care.”
“Hmm.”
“Team leader, goodbye.”
Yeona and Jong-pal also greeted lightly with a bow. That’s how the busy day passed by.
***
Two days had passed.
And before Jong-sik’s eyes was an orc head. It was brought the previous day under the pretext of Jong-sik passing the exam.
“Please make sure nothing happens in the kitchen. Not too much, not too little, just enough to make it look natural,” Yeona muttered as she stuffed money into the orc’s nostrils. It was pocket money collected bit by bit with hands like bracken.
Next was Jong-pal’s turn. He was no different. He shoved a bundle of purple bills into the other nostril.
“May only good things come to you. I hope our brother successfully finishes his first dungeon raid. And I hope our Yeona adapts well when she starts school soon.”
“Dad! Can you say all that?”
“What can’t I say? Anyway, please let our family live happily in this house.”
As Jong-pal and Yeona chattered, Jong-sik took action. He shoved a lump of incense into the tightly closed orc mouth.
“Hyung, too much!”
Jong-pal exclaimed at the sight. Yeona, who sneakily checked the amount, also widened her mouth. It was a bustling Monday morning.
