Chapter 62

Park Jeonghye’s son, Park Gisu, was completely thrown off balance.

Hong Ari and Hwang Juwon……

And on top of that, an actual high-ranking executive from his own guild?

Every single one of them was a senior figure so far out of his league it was almost absurd.

Two of them were literally representing the country on the active national roster!

He absolutely could not risk getting caught causing a scene while figures of that caliber were approaching.

“Salute! Baekho, Park Gisu!”

He threw his hand up to his brow with an intensely sharp, over-the-top motion.

It was precisely the sort of greeting a brand-new rookie would give when filled with absolute terror and respect.

Yet even as he held the salute, his gaze kept darting over toward Baek Ajin.

That arrogant, mouthy girl.

She had an attractive face, but her words were like razor blades.

Deep down, he was fully aware that his mother had blundered.

Trying to swindle a 50 billion—or potentially even 100 billion—valuable asset for a mere 10 billion would make absolutely anyone lose their temper.

Even so.

He belonged to Baekho.

Shaming someone who was openly sporting the badge of Baekho was equivalent to dragging the name of Baekho through the dirt.

Look at that!

Those high-ranking executives hadn’t just strolled past by coincidence—they had actively marched right over to this spot!

And what was the reason?

It was because he belonged to Baekho.

As fellow members of the prestigious Big Three, they clearly intended to back him up.

See how that works!

Such was the undeniable standing of Baekho!

Park Gisu stood with his chest proudly puffed out mid-salute, overflowing with a sense of victory, when his jaw completely dropped in shock.

“Ajin? What’s going on here?”

Hong Ari.

Hong Ari, the leading guild master of Arirang, had addressed Baek Ajin immediately—completely bypassing him.

Furthermore.

She actually knew who she was?

The situation was unfolding in a way that defied all his expectations. Park Gisu turned completely rigid, as if he had been turned to stone by the gaze of a monster.

“It looked like there was some kind of dispute happening a moment ago.”

“Ah.”

Ajin gave a gentle smile.

“Yes. I was attempting to take my leave, but that gentleman over there kept getting in my path to stop me.”

“…That gentleman?”

Hong Ari shifted her gaze toward Park Gisu.

Her expression was entirely frozen, completely stripped of any human warmth.

It was the look reserved for a complete stranger who didn’t matter in the slightest.

“Yes,” Ajin went on, keeping her pleasant demeanor. “Our director presented her with a Rainbow Snail as a present, and this lady attempted to force a purchase at 10 billion, so I pointed out that the offer was far too ridiculous. After that, she began shouting about my lack of upbringing and claiming I was being disrespectful…… I decided it wasn’t worth wasting breath on, so I tried to walk away, but then he stepped in to intimidate me using his position. To be honest, just because a person chooses not to fight doesn’t mean they lack the power to do so.”

“Is that so? Resorting to raw force simply because you possess it—that is how beasts behave. You did well to restrain yourself.”

“Well, I simply didn’t want to become entangled in an ugly dispute that might cause trouble for Oppa.”

“Oh, please. There is absolutely no universe where he would face criticism over an incident like this.”

The person they were discussing was Baek Jinwoo.

A literal savior of the nation. The pride of South Korea.

And his public reputation had soared to even greater heights following his recent campaign to eradicate crime across the land.

To put it in slightly dramatic terms, even if he were to take a life, the public would take for granted that the victim thoroughly deserved it.

“We will handle the remaining matters here, so please feel free to go. You as well, ma’am.”

She offered a respectful bow.

As Hong Ari dipped her head with deep courtesy toward Hwang Myeonghui—

“Oh, goodness, thank you ever so much.”

The naturally gentle Myeonghui clasped Ari’s hands with immense warmth.

“No, please! Think nothing of it! This is only proper!”

Observing Hong Ari beam so brightly with a brilliant expression, Park Gisu felt his mind go entirely blank.

The Hong Ari he was familiar with was famed for being incredibly prickly and aloof.

She had never once been captured smiling by the media.

Alongside the notoriously frigid Oh Seonyeong, she was one of the primary reasons Arirang was known for its terrifyingly cold environment.

And yet, here she was, acting almost subordinate to this random lady.

What in the world is happening?

Park Gisu swore under his breath.

Mom!

Just who on earth did you decide to pick a fight with?!

Park Jeonghye, remaining in her seat nearby, had likewise frozen solid, her eyes darting around in sheer panic.

She looked exactly like someone who had no concept of how a simple conversation had escalated into an absolute nightmare.

Escorted out by Hong Ari, Hwang Myeonghui and Baek Ajin made their exit.

The representative from Baekho then turned his attention toward the paralyzed Park Gisu, speaking in an almost pleasant tone:

“Gisu, would you…… care to step outside with me for a brief chat?”

He was wearing a smile, certainly, but it was hard to describe……

It resembled the sort of grin a psychopath wears right before pulling a blade.

“Y-yes, of course, sir.”

Park Gisu replied, completely overwhelmed by fear.

Baekho operated as an orderly and logical organization.

Simply because a new recruit had committed a blunder did not mean they would publicly berate him in a crowded space.

Particularly not while his family members were looking on.

Consequently, the high-ranking member guided him into the deserted emergency stairwell.

The exact moment the door shut behind them.

“You absolute brainless idiot.”

CRACK!

A heavy leather shoe slammed violently into his shin bone.

“AAARGH!”

Struck completely unawares, Park Gisu clutched his injured leg with both hands, hopping around in excruciating pain.

“Have you completely lost your mind?”

“S-sir?”

“Do you honestly think you represent something special in this organization? Get over yourself, you pathetic worm. This guild functions perfectly fine without a worthless nobody like you around. Do you understand?”

Why was he suddenly unleashing this torrent of abuse……

Park Gisu’s heart sank into his shoes.

Just how desperately had he struggled to earn his place within Baekho?

He had fought tooth and nail, submitted applications repeatedly, and only managed to pass by the skin of his teeth.

It felt like it was only yesterday that he had thrown a massive celebration, boasting to everyone he knew that he had finally made it into the big leagues……

“Creating a public disturbance in a coffee shop while openly displaying the emblem of Baekho is already more than enough to face severe discipline…… and, Christ, of all the human beings on earth to target.”

“I-I am incredibly sorry!”

Who in the world did I actually cross for the consequences to be this severe?!

He was burning with curiosity to discover the truth, but offering pleas for mercy had to come first.

Because he was terrified out of his wits.

“Do you honestly believe an apology fixes this?”

CRACK!

This time, the blow struck his opposite shin.

“A single rookie nearly obliterated the hard-earned reputation of our entire organization. You aren’t getting away scot-free. I am personally calling for a disciplinary board, and I will make absolutely sure you are stripped of your position and thrown out. Do you get what I’m saying?”

“……!”

Tears began to spill from Park Gisu’s eyes.

A high-ranking executive from Baekho ousting a mere rookie?

It was effortless.

That was precisely the kind of authority an officer wielded.

Park Gisu felt a wave of profound unfairness wash over him.

“W-who exactly IS she, for things to reach this level?”

If his career was truly over, at the very least, knowing the identity of the person he had offended might lessen the sting of his downfall.

“The girl you attempted to bully?”

“Yes……”

“Who else could it be? Baek Ajin. The sister of Baek Jinwoo and an executive director over at Yubaek.”

“……Baek Jinwoo?”

That particular name registered with a terrifying familiarity.

His train of thought abruptly ground to a halt, as though his internal engine had seized up. Then his eyes went completely wide.

“The legendary national champion, Baek Jinwoo?”

“Precisely, you idiot. If you had pushed the issue even a fraction more in there, your life would be effectively over. Do you have even the slightest clue what took place regarding Oh Jimyeong and Park Hoseop when they dared to cross paths with Baek Ajin?”

He knew perfectly well.

Every single active player in the industry knew that story.

And in that instant.

Every disparate element of the puzzle slammed into place.

The reason that ordinary-looking lady had been gifted such an incredibly rare and priceless summon.

Exactly how those endless hours of his mother’s arrogant bragging must have sounded to someone like Baek Ajin.

Damn it all.

The sheer shame of it was completely overwhelming.

It was one thing to boast in front of people beneath your status, but this was a different level entirely.

Inviting Baek Jinwoo’s own mother to a table merely to boast about her own son’s achievements?

It was so profoundly ridiculous he couldn’t even muster a sigh.

“If the reality of the situation has finally pierced your thick skull, get yourself home and contemplate your utter stupidity!”

BANG!

The high-ranking officer stormed away, forcefully throwing the stairwell door shut behind his exit.

“……”

Within that chilly, deserted concrete corridor, Park Gisu remained utterly paralyzed for a lengthy duration.

Jeonghye was rapidly losing her composure.

One didn’t need to possess incredible intellect to recognize the signs.

Her son had been marched out of the room looking absolutely horrified, whereas Myeonghui’s daughter had departed with an entirely relaxed and casual demeanor.

She paced back and forth inside the establishment, her high heels clicking nervously against the floorboards, before ultimately deciding to step out into the open air.

The judging gazes of the surrounding patrons had become entirely too heavy to endure.

What was happening out there?

Her hands shook uncontrollably.

Could they possibly be unaware of her son’s status?!

He belonged to Baekho!

And did that fact carry absolutely zero weight with Hwang Myeonghui?

What, did she possess superior social standing?

Chomping down on her lip, Jeonghye began scrolling through the contact list on her mobile device.

The head of the police force, the chief of prosecutors, a prominent politician serving his third term.

She was frantically hunting for any powerful ally she could possibly leverage.

Right at that moment, a figure approached her position.

It was her son, Park Gisu.

“Son?”

“Mom.”

“What occurred?”

Jeonghye’s heart sank.

He resembled a beaten animal, looking entirely broken and defeated. How could a mother not feel pain seeing her child in such a state?

However.

“Mom, why on earth are you doing this to me?”

“What?”

“Are you actively trying to destroy my future on purpose?”

“Wh-what are you talking about?”

Jeonghye recoiled slightly.

She had engaged in arguments with her child on previous occasions, but she had never once witnessed such raw resentment in his gaze.

“Do you have EVEN THE SLIGHTEST concept…… of how desperately I fought to secure my place in Baekho? I made it clear to you. I literally PLEADED with you. Please cease this constant bragging to everyone and just live an ordinary life!”

“Y-you! Is that any appropriate way to address your own moth—”

“I DO NOT CARE ANYMORE!”

Park Gisu completely lost his temper.

“I am on the verge of being permanently expelled from Baekho solely because of YOU!”

“What?”

Jeonghye’s eyes stretched wide in disbelief.

What—a minor argument inside a coffee shop and he gets entirely severed from a top-tier guild?

How could such a consequence make any logical sense?

“There is a limit to showing off, and then there is absolute madness. Who in their right mind boasts to Baek Jinwoo’s MOTHER?!”

“……?”

Baek Jinwoo’s mother?

What kind of ridiculous fairy tale was he spinning?

Hwang Myeonghui, an unimportant woman who had absolutely nothing to her name, was the mother of……

“Son, what on earth are you saying? Take a breath and explain the situation clearly so I can actually comprehend it.”

“You expect me to REMAIN CALM? The family we ran into—they are the direct family of Baek Jinwoo! And that creature you were desperately coveting? It was a personal token of appreciation from Yu Jia of Daesung!”

Baek Jinwoo? Yu Jia?

The names made absolutely no sense to her ears.

Knotting her brows, she desperately attempted to organize the sudden barrage of shocking facts, and then the sheer terror slammed into her like a speeding vehicle.

An event that should have been completely impossible by any metric of reality had actually unfolded.

Her old school acquaintance’s child was Baek Jinwoo……?

The legendary Baek Jinwoo……?

The strength vanished from her legs.

Every single arrogant piece of advice she had confidently delivered to Myeonghui came rushing back to haunt her mind.

The unprompted lectures regarding how her son was only focused on his own path and how she needed to provide better support. The hours spent endlessly prattling on about how her own boy was an elite newcomer within the ranks of Baekho.

Now, finally, the parting words of Baek Ajin carried perfect clarity.

“The universe is immense, and it contains an abundance of truly extraordinary individuals. Your mother would benefit greatly from a lesson in modesty.”

Not a single syllable she uttered had been incorrect.

She desperately desired to conjure up a defense, but her mind remained entirely blank. The crushing weight of self-directed shame was absolute.

“Forget about any allowance, Mom.”

“An allowance? I am about to be cast out onto the streets. If Baekho officially terminates my contract, what other organization is going to accept me?”

Jeonghye tightly clamped her eyelids shut as she listened to her son’s despairing cries.

A handful of days went by.

Ajin, completely swamped with her usual corporate duties, noticed her phone ringing.

The incoming call was from Park Ho, the overarching leader of Baekho.

“Greetings, this is Baek Ajin speaking.”

“I was recently informed of the incident. I understand that a member representing our organization caused you significant distress.”

“Ah? Oh, that matter.”

“We displayed a severe lack of internal management. I offer you my deepest and most sincere apologies.”

“No, please. There is absolutely no reason for you to take it to such lengths over a simple misunderstanding.”

Ajin genuinely harbored no lingering resentment.

She had completely erased the encounter from her thoughts shortly after it occurred.

It simply wasn’t significant enough to dwell upon.

To be perfectly frank, her schedule had been far too packed to give it a single thought.

“The member involved has been formally cast out of the guild. It has been processed as a dishonorable termination, meaning it will severely damage his prospects of seeking employment with any alternative organizations moving forward.”

“What? No, that level of punishment really wasn’t vital. Honestly.”

She had experienced a flash of irritation at the moment, certainly, but completely destroying a person’s professional path over it felt overly severe.

“That is an entirely separate issue. Upon conducting an internal review, we uncovered a consistent history of him utilizing his official guild status to bully others behind closed doors. Furthermore, we unearthed definitive proof of financial corruption during his initial recruitment process. If anything, we owe you a debt of gratitude. You enabled us to eliminate a rot before it expanded.”

“Oh…… Is that how it was?”

Well then.

Quite an unprincipled individual, looking at the grand scheme of things.

If the situation involved prior misconduct of that scale, it truly had nothing to do with her anymore.

“Regardless, there is zero requirement for any further apologies.”

Ajin comprehended far better than anyone else the true motivation behind Baekho’s deep remorse.

Park Ho, Kang Geonho, Bok Jeonghui, and Seo Sangwon were all currently serving on the official national line-up.

They frequently interacted with Baek Jinwoo during advanced instructional meetings, gaining invaluable insights from his expertise.

If they managed to damage their relationship with him over a blunder like this?

They were terrified it might completely stall their personal advancement.

“Oppa is likely entirely oblivious that any of this even transpired. And I have absolutely no plans to bring it up to him.”

“Haha, I see. You have my deepest thanks. If any similar troubles ever arise down the road, please do not hesitate to contact me directly! I will see to it personally.”

Just as anticipated.

The very moment she confirmed she would remain silent, the profound sense of relief washing through his tone was unmistakable.

“Thank you very much.”

Ajin offered a small smile.

So this was the incredible leverage that accompanied true status.

She had to acknowledge the reality of it.

At times it could be quite intimidating, but on other occasions, it served as the most comforting shield imaginable.

And it was all courtesy of Oppa.

Briefly shutting her eyes and bringing her hands together in a quiet gesture, Ajin offered a silent prayer of appreciation toward Baek Jinwoo.

And with that, the entire coffee shop debacle reached its definitive conclusion with the permanent removal of Park Gisu.

As an additional detail—Jeonghye never once attended another school gathering for the rest of her days.