A short, sporty crew cut. A rugged face and a brute-like physique. The Irezumi tattoo glimpsed between the sleeves.
They all look alike, as if stamped out from a mold. Even their stride, as if cut out with the same pattern.
We decided to call guys like them gangsters or thugs. But those thugs are up to no good.
“This guy. Can’t he sweep properly? Can’t he see the leaves lying there!”
White t-shirts with ‘Volunteer Corps’ written on the back. Like uniforms, the Poison Toad Gang members wear these t-shirts in unison.
They sweep fallen leaves with brooms.
“No matter how much we sweep, they keep falling. What are we supposed to do?”
“What can we do? If you don’t want to die, you have to keep sweeping! Just keep sweeping. Just sweep them all up!”
“How long are you going to keep saying that? As long as there are banknotes hanging on the trees, they’ll keep falling.”
“That’s right. No matter how much we sweep, it’s never-ending.”
At the murmurs of his subordinates, Kim Dae-chun rolled his eyes.
“Damn it. Keep sweeping. He said he’s going to inspect the streets tonight!”
“Are you saying he’s coming out to check if we’ve cleaned properly?”
“Yeah. You guys!”
“…Boss. So what’s going to happen to us?”
“He said if the streets are dirty, we’ll be in a mess too.”
“Hehe!”
“So shut up and sweep. He said he’ll patrol from 9 o’clock…. You, you’re in charge of this street until 9 o’clock tonight. The guy next to you takes care of the street on the other side. The rest of you go ask the merchants if they need any help.”
“Got it!”
At that moment, Kim Dae-chun’s direct subordinate, Oh Kang-yeol, suddenly clapped his hands as if he had come up with a good idea.
Clap!
“Boss. Just a moment, I have a good idea.”
“Oh? A good idea?”
“Yes, leaves, that’s what I’m talking about. Instead of sweeping them one by one, just gather them all at once.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Hey, I mean, we’ll just cut down all those branches of the Trees! Then there won’t be anything to fall, right? We’ll only have to clean the streets today.”
“You little…”
‘Cut down all the branches of the bank trees?’
Kim Dae-chun clenched his fist tightly.
“You’re such a smart kid. Well said! That’s why people need to think. What are you all doing? Bring the axes!”
Then he patted Oh Kang-yeol’s shoulder and praised him. Responding to the boss’s praise, Oh Kang-yeol straightened his shoulders and lifted the corners of his mouth. The other kids threw away their brooms and took up the axes.
“Yes. Understood.”
“Wow haha. Indeed, it’s Kang-yeol, the best.”
***
Some time later.
“Mom, what’s volunteerism? Mom, what’s volunteerism?”
“Huh? What did you say, Hyuk?”
“Volunteerism!”
“Oh- you’re talking about the Volunteer Corps. Hmm. What is that… Ah! Eddy, the friend of Pororo! You know Eddy, right? He’s Hyuk’s favorite friend.”
Nodding.
“How does Eddy behave?”
“He helps his friends. He gives presents to his sick friends and makes clothes for them in winter so they won’t feel cold.”
“Yeah, right. That’s what volunteering is. And when many Eddy-like friends gather, they become a Volunteer Corps.”
Mom explained the Volunteer Corps to her son at his eye level. Hearing that, the kid called Hyuk chuckled.
“But Eddy is cute… can Eddy really become a Volunteer Corps if they gather?”
“Of course!”
“Mm-hmm.”
As the mother asserted, moisture gathered in the child’s eyes. Startled, the mother stopped shopping and locked eyes with her child.
“Hmm? Why is our little prince acting like this?”
“I-I don’t want to see Eddy anymore. Eddy scares me.”
“Why would Eddy scare you? Hyuk, you used to like Eddy.”
“I don’t like him anymore! Eddy is, Eddy is…”
“Yeah. What about Eddy?”
Hyuk pointed his finger.
“Eddy is a bad kid who bothers trees! Over there, he even stole things from the lady. Volunteer Corps is bad!”
The scene across the street beyond the supermarket entrance.
Rough-looking men are wielding axes, chopping down the trees on the street. But that’s not all.
“We’ve already paid the protection money. Why are you here again?”
“Why am I here? Because we paid the protection money, so we’re entitled to its value! Aren’t you going to hand it over?”
“And now you want to take the materials too? Absolutely not!”
“Who needs that kind of stuff? Hey, Man-ho. Put it away in the warehouse.”
“Yes, boss!”
A subordinate snatches a box of materials.
The merchant’s face pales.
“Why are you doing this for real? I really don’t have any more money to give. Please.”
“Hey, Mr. Kim. Who asked for more money? Going around saying such things… Kwak! Oh, no, no. Anyway, we’re not asking for more protection money. So, relax.”
“Then why on earth are you doing this?”
“Because we received money, that’s why! Damn it. We said we’ll work as much as we received. So, Mr. Kim. If you ever have heavy lifting to do in the future, call our guys to do it.”
Mr. Kim’s face contorted upon hearing this.
‘They’ll work as much as they received for protection money? They should know their limits! Seriously, they’re determined to squeeze out more protection money.’
Mr. Kim thought so. And he regretted it. He regretted not joining the other merchants when they protested Sangwon-dong.
“Boss. We’re done!”
“Really? What about the surrounding trash?”
“That’s all taken care of too.”
“Well done. Mr. Kim, go check it out. Thank you for your hard work.”
However, contrary to Mr. Kim’s expectations, Kim Dae-chun didn’t even mention a word about the ‘protection’ aspect of the money.
He simply instructed his subordinates to move heavy loads and tidy up the surroundings.
He left without demanding anything in return, truly just providing help. He headed towards the family cutting down the branches of the bank trees.
Watching Kim Dae-chun act like that, Mr. Kim muttered with a blank expression.
“Did the sun rise in the west today? Why are they behaving like that? Those crazy guys. Why are they cutting down perfectly fine trees again! Are they going to cut them down if we don’t pay the protection money? Ugh!”
Meanwhile, Hyuk’s mother panicked and covered her son’s eyes.
“Look at that. Eddy is yelling and snatching things from the lady again.”
“Oh my! Hyuk, don’t look there. Those are bad people. That’s not Eddy, not the Volunteer Corps. Let’s go home quickly.”
The mother grabbed her son and hurriedly left the alley. She was afraid the gangsters might start a fight.
Of course, this was just the mother’s thoughts.
The gangsters who used to dominate Sangwon-dong, the ‘Poison Toad Gang,’ were changing. Of course, not by their own will, but due to external factors.
“You guys. Don’t put on such fierce faces. Smile while trimming the branches! Don’t create fear.”
“Yes, sir-!”
***
Meanwhile, at that moment.
Ministry of National Defense.
“Did they really say that?”
“Yes. I heard it directly. They referred to themselves as demons, saying they intend to invade Earth and dominate us, the humans.”
Based on the report by Hunter Association Chairman Nam Woo-jong, they were discussing the matter.
The receiving officer was the Minister of National Defense, and the report was related to the ‘demons’ that the agency had captured.
As the minister scanned through the report, he gestured for the chairman to continue.
“The demons exhibited traits similar to undead monsters. Just like undead monsters, they showed extreme aversion to the sacred skills used by healers.”
“Hmm. Reacting to sacred skills… So it was up to the healers to open their mouths.”
“That’s correct. The healers took charge of the interrogation, and through various experiments, we could find ways to counter them. Furthermore…”
“Furthermore?”
“We conducted a 24-hour sacred skill casting experiment on one of the demons for experimental purposes, and we were able to confirm its transformation.”
“Tell me more.”
The chairman recalled the demon subjected to the sacred skill baptism. The demon indeed showed clear signs of transformation.
“His black skin turned pale, and he started using honorifics. Moreover, despite not being tortured as usual, he readily spilled out information he knew. His aggression also significantly decreased, and now he even shows signs of praying.”
“Remarkable. How long did the effects last?”
“Unfortunately, the effects were short-lived. It lasted only for an hour. After that hour passed, he reverted to his original state without exception.”
“That’s quite disappointing.”
“Indeed, but we were able to obtain some valuable information during that one hour. For example…”
The Hunter Association chairman lowered his voice. Instantly, the eyes of the Minister of National Defense, who had been scanning the report, widened. The report showed the name ‘Dok Jong-sik.’
Soon, both of them spoke simultaneously.
“It was related to the Ritual of Respect Hunter.”
“Dok Jong-sik killed a demon lord of the underworld? And even killed its predecessor?”
“That’s correct. Dok Jong-sik killed their leader, Marquis Hymos George, and it is said that he also killed his predecessor. Someone who overheard a conversation between Dok Jong-sik and their leader testified to this.”
“Wait a moment. What does that mean?”
The chairman calmed down the excited Minister of National Defense.
“It seems like it’s going to be a long story.”
“Tell me right away.”
“According to the demon we captured…”
Gradually, as the chairman continued speaking, the face of the Minister of National Defense turned pale and stiffened.
“…That’s all for now.”
Even when his report finally ended, the Minister of National Defense couldn’t regain his composure. Such was the shocking nature of the report.
“Minister, what are you going to do now?”
“I… I can’t make that decision. I need to report to the President immediately. Nam Woo-jong, come with me.”
They headed to the Blue House like that.
***
That night.
A black luxury car stopped in front of the Dok’s Family Restaurant. It was a specially armored vehicle designed for VIPs.
It was a car that didn’t quite fit in with Sangwon-dong. Yet, no one came out to see it.
The security personnel guarding the VIP blocked the alleyways to prevent people from gathering.
Then, the VIP stepped out of the car, revealing himself. Dozens of bodyguards around him immediately became vigilant.
The VIP trusted them and confidently walked forward. At that moment, the man standing closely beside him spoke up.
“Just in case, it might be better if we go in together.”
“That won’t be necessary. Just wait here.”
“Mr. President!”
“Head of security. Obey the orders.”
“…Understood.”
The VIP was the President. The President visited a small shop alone.
Ding dong.
The sound of the wind chimes installed on Dok’s Family Restaurant’s door echoed inside the shop. There was no one to greet the customer who entered.
Jong-sik was out patrolling the neighborhood on foot, and Jong-sik and Yeona were in the kitchen preparing dinner.
So, only Haeli and Trigo were in the hall. Haeli looked disappointed because the person she was waiting for wasn’t there, and Trigo firmly said,
“It’s not Hyungnim…!”
“What? Didn’t you see the sign saying ‘Business Closed’? Hey, listen. Customer. We’re closed for the day, so come back tomorrow.”
“Ahem!”
The President let out a startled cough, but Trigo didn’t back down.
“No matter how much you cough, we’re closed. You should have checked the closing time properly!”
“Trigo, don’t be Disrespectful! Show some respect to Grandpa.”
“Oh, right. Sir, since we’re closed, please leave now.”
“Yes, please leave now!”
Since they didn’t recognize the President’s face, all they could do was to firmly request him to leave.
