“Mom… Can’t you stay?”

Seo-woo clung to his mother, who was about to leave. In response, his mother gently smiled.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“But… it’s been so long since you last came. Can’t you stay and play just a little longer?”

“My Seo-woo is a good child, right?”

“Yes. Seo-woo is good.”

“Then you can wait for Mom to come back, can’t you?”

“...How long?”

“Let’s see… If my Seo-woo sleeps five more nights, I think I’ll be back.”

“Five nights? But five nights is too long…”

“Then I’ll come back in three nights instead. But you have to listen well to your uncle and dad and be a good child, okay?”

“Yes! Seo-woo will be good!”

Seo-woo nodded enthusiastically, and his mother disappeared with a bright smile. Seo-woo watched her retreating figure.

“Mom… mmm.”

“How long do you intend to console him with dreams?”

Park Yeon, looking down at the sleep-talking Seo-woo with a sorrowful expression, spoke.

Seo-jun remained silent for a while. After some time, he finally spoke.

“Who knows.”

“Won’t it just hurt Seo-woo even more?”

“Maybe.”

“You are the Demon King. No… You were called the Demon God. That means you were considered a god.”

Seo-jun stared at Park Yeon, unsure of what he was trying to say.

“Can’t you bring Seo-woo’s mother back to life?”

Seo-jun let out a small chuckle.

“You can’t bring back the dead.”

Of course, to be precise, it wasn’t impossible. Just like when he froze time for Park Sung-jun, he could reverse it.

But the side effects of that process would distort many things. Perhaps even Yeon-jun and Seo-woo themselves…

“You could turn her into an undead with consciousness.”

“For a hero, that’s quite a chilling thing to say.”

“...I misspoke.”

Seo-jun chuckled.

The fact that even a hero was suggesting undead magic meant he truly cared for Seo-woo.

“The moment she becomes undead, Seo-woo’s mother’s soul will be annihilated. Annihilation—”

“...Means nothingness.”

“Right. This is the best I can do. The rest is Yeon-jun’s responsibility.”

Explaining his mother’s death to young Seo-woo.

It had been postponed until now, but Seo-jun didn’t think Yeon-jun would delay it forever.

Someday, he would have to tell Seo-woo the truth about his mother’s death. But that was Yeon-jun’s task, not his.

“Watch the store with Seo-woo for a bit.”

“Where are you going?”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to try tteokbokki?”

Park Yeon smacked his lips.

A few days ago, after his little ‘runaway’ and late return, he had missed his chance to try tteokbokki.

“Good morning.”

He had visited so often that he was already familiar with the store employees.

“Is business going well?”

“It’s going okay. Lately, the number of customers has dropped a little, though.”

“It must be because of the gangs.”

“Gangs?”

“Yeah. There’s a rumor going around that the gangs are preparing for war.”

Come to think of it, Lee Moon-Ik also mentioned that the atmosphere among the gangs in District 12 was unsettling.

Recalling this, Seo-jun asked,

“Do gangs really go to war?”

“Of course. They do it whenever they get the chance. Actually, it’s been relatively peaceful for a while now.”

“Is that so?”

“Are you really asking because you don’t know?”

“I’m a returnee, so…”

“Ah, right. I forgot. Gangs fight over territories like crazy. Old-school gang turf wars are nothing compared to them. Actually… compared to them, the old gangs seem almost cute.”

“In what sense?”

“Old gangs fought with sashimi knives in secluded areas, right? But these guys? They shoot each other in the middle of the street.”

The store employee let out a sigh.

“When a gang war breaks out, even setting up prayers for safety won’t help. The only thing you can do is close up shop.”

“Why is there a war this time?”

“How would I know? It could be a show of power, a revenge fight, or just a matter of pride… But in my opinion, it’s a battle over neutral territory.”

“A battle over neutral territory?”

“The commercial area where your shop and this store are located. This place is neutral ground.”

“Could you explain in more detail?”

Perhaps because the store was slow, the employee eagerly continued.

“This area used to be called Itaewon before it became District 12. But not all of old Itaewon turned into District 12. The area near Yongsan High School was also incorporated into it. So, people say there are three main gangs in District 12.”

“Three gangs?”

“The 47 Gang, which collects protection fees in Itaewon 2-dong and the Yongsan High School area.”

“And?”

“The Itaewon Gang, which operates in the former Itaewon 1-dong, starting below Gyeongnidan Street. Lastly, the Hwang Tae-su Gang, which is based in this neutral area.”

The name was familiar.

Hwang Tae-su… Wasn’t that the loan shark?

“Hwang Tae-su Gang? You mean the loan shark Hwang Tae-su?”

“Who else would Hwang Tae-su in District 12 be?”

“Ah.”

“Anyway, your store and this market are in the old Itaewon Station area, which is completely controlled by the Hwang Tae-su Gang.”

“Does the Hwang Tae-su Gang collect protection money too?”

“No. Instead, they expanded their influence into District 13 and made money through loans.”

Made money…?

Past tense.

Noticing Seo-jun’s curiosity, the employee continued,

“But it seems like their business has been struggling lately. Out of nowhere, Hwang Tae-su ended up in the emergency room, his men started getting beaten up, and their business operations seem to be shrinking.”

That was something Seo-jun knew all too well—after all, he was the one who sent Hwang Tae-su to the ER.

“For the 47 Gang and the Itaewon Gang, it must look like the Hwang Tae-su Gang is collapsing. And…”

“They want to devour what Hwang Tae-su controls?”

“Exactly.”

This was an unexpected butterfly effect.

“Thanks for the information.”

“Oh, don’t mention it. It’s not even that big of a deal. Just take care of yourself, boss. When gang wars break out, it's us common folks who suffer the most.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Seo-jun gave a polite farewell and returned to the store.

A gang war, huh…

Would Hwang Tae-su know about this?

Well, he’d probably handle it on his own.

“Is this tteokbokki?”

Park Yeon examined the ingredients that had been placed in front of him.

“Once it's cooked, it becomes tteokbokki.”

“Just looking at it, I can’t tell if it’ll taste good… Hmm.”

“Once you try it, you’ll probably ask me to make it again.”

“I look forward to it.”

There was some leftover broth from yesterday, which made the cooking process much simpler.

Just as Seo-jun was about to bring the tteokbokki to the table, the store door opened.

“Is Arin here?”

“Yes. Over there.”

Arin was taking a nap with Seo-woo. Seeing that the visitor was about to wake them, Seo-jun added,

“Kids should sleep as much as possible.”

“How do I know that's true?”

“Sorry?”

“You said kids sleeping a lot is good for them. How do I know that’s true?”

“Well… If you don’t want to believe it, that’s up to you. But as far as I know, it's a widely accepted fact.”

“……”

“I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Lee Seo-jun.”

“I have a question…”

“Yes?”

“Why do you speak formally to me?”

“Are we close enough to speak informally?”

“...No.”

“Then, do we hold grudges against each other?”

“That’s not it either.”

“That’s why I speak formally.”

The boy seemed to be thinking about something before finally speaking.

“…I'm Go Dongjin.”

“If you’re not busy, have a seat and rest. They’ve been asleep for about an hour, so they should wake up soon.”

“…Okay.”

Seo-jun walked past Go Dongjin and brought the tteokbokki to Park Yeon, who whispered,

“Is that kid not going to eat?”

“I didn’t ask.”

“You always ask others, so why not him?”

“Then why don’t you ask?”

As if he had been waiting for that, Park Yeon turned to Go Dongjin.

“Would you like to join us?”

“……”

“Ahem. Don’t misunderstand. I am by no means a strange person. I am an employee of this establishment—an official, full-time employee, no less. So… shall we dine together?”

Grrrr—

At that moment, an untimely growl came from Go Dongjin’s stomach. Embarrassed, he turned his head away.

Seeing this, Park Yeon picked up the plate of tteokbokki and sat at Go Dongjin’s table.

“I shall even grant you a precious cola. Since you’re Arin’s brother, consider it a gift.”

Seo-jun retrieved two cans of cola from the fridge and handed them over.

Go Dongjin hesitated before taking the cola, but instead of drinking it, he placed it in his pocket.

“I’ve never had tteokbokki before. What about you?”

“...Me neither.”

“Then let’s enjoy it together.”

Park Yeon handed him a fork, and after some hesitation, Go Dongjin took it.

“Demon God, how do you eat this? Is there a specific way?”

“Nope. You can eat the rice cakes and fish cakes together or separately—whatever you prefer.”

Park Yeon tried the rice cake first.

“It’s delicious.”

A short response. That’s how you know something is truly good.

“Isn’t it spicy?”

“Who do you take me for…? This is nothing.”

Next, he tried the fish cake. The moment it touched his tongue, he let out a sound of admiration.

“I think I prefer the fish cake over the rice cake. It pairs exceptionally well with the sauce, and—”

Chewing thoughtfully, he continued.

“It has a flavor I’ve never experienced before.”

Seeing Park Yeon enthusiastically eating, Go Dongjin hesitantly picked up his fork.

He took a piece of rice cake from the edge of the plate and put it in his mouth.

“……!”

It was the first time in his sixteen years that he had tasted tteokbokki.

The flavor was incredible. How could something be both spicy and sweet at the same time?

Slowly at first, then with growing urgency, he began eating more.

Just then, his phone rang.

He stopped eating and quickly answered.

“Yes!”

- Get over here now!

“Right now?”

- Of course, right now! You think I mean tomorrow? Grab the gun we handed out the other day and head to the office.

“…Understood.”

After hanging up, Go Dongjin glanced between Arin and Seo-jun before speaking.

“Can you look after her until the evening?”

“Of course. But…”

“Yes?”

“Where are you going?”

“Work. I’m going to work.”

Work, huh? That phone call sounded way too ominous for a regular job…

Seo-jun thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Got it.”

“Thank you. And about yesterday… I’m sorry. I’m just not used to an adult taking care of my sister.”

Not used to it?

Before Seo-jun could fully process those words, Go Dongjin hurriedly ran out of the store.

“Isn’t that the Itaewon Gang?”

“Why is the Itaewon Gang here…?”

“Is a war really about to break out? The cops won’t come this time either, will they?”

“Come? Hah! We’re just going to have to shut down for a few days again.”

“Didn’t you get insurance?”

“Who has money for that? Damn it! Let’s just hope nothing happens.”

Like Moses parting the Red Sea, the hired guards and shop owners withdrew.

Through the gap, a group of armed men carrying rifles marched forward. Among them was Go Dongjin.

Huff— Huff—!

He could hear his own breath growing heavier.

Sweat drenched the hands gripping his rifle.

The man walking beside him smirked and offered him a cigarette.

“New recruit?”

“…Yes.”

“Such a baby face. I’m Choi Dongman.”

Go Dongjin’s eyes widened in shock. Choi Dongman was the leader of the Itaewon Gang’s Third Assault Division.

“Wondering why I’m here?”

Without being asked, Choi Dongman answered.

“When a fight breaks out, some guys run. Especially the newbies. One runs, then two, then ten. And when that happens—”

He mimicked holding a gun.

“Bang.”