Tak!

Seo-jun placed the sack slung over his shoulder onto the table.

With a heavy thud, the table legs wobbled, and the man with a buzz cut glared at him.

“Are you out of your mind? How dare you enter the boss’s office without knocking?”

Hwang Tae-su, who had been momentarily dazed by Seo-jun’s sudden appearance, snapped back to his senses at his subordinate’s sneer.

Hurriedly looking at Seo-jun, he was relieved to see that he didn’t seem angry. Still, he couldn’t let his subordinate off the hook.

Unlike his wish to live a long, quiet life, his men kept trying to shorten their lifespans.

Thud!

“Are you insane! Do you even know who this man is, you little punk?!”

“…Boss?”

“Forget ‘boss’ and everything else—apologize immediately!”

“I’m sorry.”

“Louder, you idiot!”

“I’m sorry!”

“Bow deeper!”

“I’m very sorry!”

Hwang Tae-su subtly glanced at Seo-jun.

Seo-jun was looking at him as if to say, "What are you doing?"

That should be enough.

Hwang Tae-su kicked his subordinate’s rear.

“Go bring a Bacchus drink!”

“Yes!”

“Boss, I apologize. This guy used to be with the 47 Gang, so he didn’t recognize you. I’ll make sure he’s trained properly next time.”

“It’s fine.”

“As expected, you’re as broad-minded as the Pacific Ocean.”

“I’d like to have a quiet conversation.”

At Hwang Tae-su’s signal, the subordinate, who had just returned with the Bacchus drink, hesitated before leaving the office.

“Once again, I sincerely apologize. The organization was just restructured, so there are gaps everywhere.”

“It seems so.”

For some reason, that remark sounded to Hwang Tae-su like, "I should deal with this at some point," and he flinched.

“So, what brings you here this time…?”

“Because of this.”

“Aether stones?”

“That’s right.”

“How did you get so many…?”

“You don’t need to know that. I just want them converted to cash immediately. Can you do it?”

“Of course. However, as you know, just like monster by-products, aether stones have a separate black-market price.”

“I figured. How much do you think they’ll go for?”

If someone else had come in and asked, "How much will you buy these aether stones for?" Hwang Tae-su probably would have put on a troubled expression, then sighed dramatically before saying, "These days, the crackdown is tough, so I can’t offer much. We barely make anything after all the fees… But since this is our first deal… Fine, I’ll be generous—3 million!”

But the man in front of him wasn’t just any fool. No, he was a fool, but not an ordinary one.

Gulp.

Imagining the disaster that might unfold if he threw out a number like 3 million, Hwang Tae-su swallowed dryly before opening his mouth.

“At market value, they’d be worth around 300 to 400 million won.”

“300 to 400 million? That’s not very precise.”

“Ah… Please don’t misunderstand. Unlike monster by-products with fixed bounty prices, aether stones are priced based on their mana content. Even appraisals aren’t always exact.”

“I see.”

“But with this size and quantity, it should be worth at least that much.”

“If that’s the market price, what about the black-market rate?”

“The black market usually offers about 10% less than the market price. A stone worth 100 million would typically sell for 90 million.”

“That’s better than I expected.”

“Aether stones are in high demand, even on the black market. Some places only deduct 5% from the market price.”

Seo-jun nodded, and Hwang Tae-su cautiously asked,

“You are selling them, right?”

Even for Hwang Tae-su, dealing with such a large quantity of aether stones was a great opportunity.

While the profit margin wasn’t enormous, it would open doors for other lucrative transactions.

“No.”

Hearing the unexpected answer, Hwang Tae-su’s face went blank.

“Why…? Did I do something wrong?”

“No.”

“You’re free to sell elsewhere, of course. But since we’ve already done business before, wouldn’t it be better to continue?”

“Take them.”

“Excuse me?”

“In return, why don’t you try running a scholarship program?”

“A… scholarship program?”

“Yes, a scholarship program.”

“I don’t quite follow…”

“Oh, Seo-woo’s dad!”

As he was leaving the house, Yeon-jun turned his head at the familiar voice. The mailman was rummaging through his bag.

“Hello.”

“Heading to the shop now?”

“Yes, it’s almost time to open.”

“I keep meaning to stop by, but I keep forgetting. I feel bad about it.”

“No need to apologize. Just make sure to visit sometime. I’ll give you lots of extra service.”

“Now I have to go! Oh, and here—there’s a registered letter for you.”

“A registered letter?”

“Yep. Could you sign here?”

The mailman handed over a PDA. Yeon-jun signed and accepted the letter.

“Looks like it’s from somewhere important.”

“Somewhere important?”

“Good news is best read firsthand. Anyway, I’ve got to get going.”

“Alright, take care!”

Yeon-jun examined the envelope.

On the front, in gold lettering, was the name "Hwang Tae-su Scholarship Foundation."

“Hwang Tae-su Scholarship Foundation?”

He had never heard of it before.

And Hwang Tae-su… Surely, it wasn’t that Hwang Tae-su from the Hwang Tae-su Gang?

Feeling uncertain, Yeon-jun opened the envelope.

“…It really is Hwang Tae-su?”

As soon as he tore it open, a neatly printed photo of Hwang Tae-su appeared. Below it, in tiny text, was something even more shocking.

[…Thus, we are pleased to inform you that Lee Seo-woo has been selected as a first-year recipient of the scholarship program.]

“A scholarship?”

Just as he tilted his head in confusion, his phone suddenly vibrated.

[This is Narae Kindergarten. We would like to discuss Lee Seo-woo’s enrollment with you, father….]

Yeon-jun was completely taken aback.

Narae Kindergarten was the most expensive and highly sought-after school in both the 12th and 13th districts.

Even he had applied for Seo-woo when he was just a year old and had been on the waiting list for five years without ever receiving a call.

What on earth was happening? But then, Yeon-jun recalled the conversation he had with Seo-jun a few days ago.

- Hyung, how could you make such a promise to Seo-woo? We can't possibly afford an admission ticket, and if he can't go to kindergarten, he'll just end up disappointed...

- Don't worry.

Seo-jun had confidently reassured him. This scholarship foundation or whatever it was must have something to do with it.

Yeon-jun ran to the store, looking for Seo-jun first.

Seo-jun was organizing liquor in the fridge with Park Yeon.

“Hyung, what is this all about?”

“Looks like he got selected.”

“You knew about this?”

“I told you, didn't I? Not to worry.”

“But how...?”

“The Hwang Tae-su faction took full control of District 12 recently, right?”

“And?”

“Seems like they’re trying to win over public sentiment.”

It wasn’t uncommon for gangs to carry out welfare projects to gain the support of local residents.

Especially in cases like the Hwang Tae-su faction, which had monopolized an entire district.

Gaining the trust of residents helped them evade police investigations and manipulate public opinion to stay out of legal trouble.

However...

“How did you know the Hwang Tae-su faction would do something like a scholarship program? There weren’t even any banners or posters about it.”

“You know how gangs operate. They’ll announce they’re selecting 100 scholarship recipients but probably only sponsor about 10. Once the selection process is over, they’ll start using it for PR with the residents.”

“Ah...”

“I heard about it from Reporter Lee.”

“Reporter Lee Moon-ik?”

“Yeah. He reached out to me.”

“Still, there was no guarantee that Seo-woo would get selected...”

“He also mentioned there probably wouldn’t be many applicants.”

“I see. I had no idea.”

“I didn’t tell you right away just in case. The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.”

“That’s true... Anyway, thank you.”

“No need to thank me. You should be thanking Reporter Lee.”

“I’ll make sure to give him tons of free service when he visits. Ah, but now that Seo-woo is going to kindergarten, do I need to buy him a backpack first? Or should I teach him how to read properly? Kids these days learn so fast… Oh, and a pencil case too...”

Watching Yeon-jun beam with joy, Seo-jun smiled contentedly.

However...

“Kindergarten... Seo-woo is going to kindergarten! Then what about me?!”

From the restroom, Park Yeon’s wail of despair echoed.

There is something called the butterfly effect.

As is well known, a small event can lead to unexpected, enormous consequences.

The Hwang Tae-su Scholarship Program was just that.

The small flap of Seo-jun’s wings reached Go Kyung-soo.

He was a police officer stationed at the District 12 precinct and a single father raising a child alone.

He was grateful that his child was growing up healthy, but at the same time, he was deeply worried.

Until now, his mother had been taking care of the child.

But with her being hospitalized due to a chronic illness and at an advanced age, she could no longer look after the child.

He had no other relatives to rely on.

Bringing the child to his workplace was even more out of the question.

The District 12 precinct was one of the most undesirable places for police officers to be stationed.

Crime was rampant, and the frequency of police assaults and murders was significantly high.

Although the area had become somewhat quieter after the Hwang Tae-su faction consolidated its control, gangsters weren’t the only ones who posed a threat to officers.

Drunken civilians still carried out random shootings.

Bringing a child into such a dangerous place was unthinkable.

There was nothing Go Kyung-soo could do but feel dejected.

Until the postman arrived.

“Is this... really for us?”

Holding the envelope adorned with golden embroidery spelling out ‘Hwang Tae-su Scholarship Foundation,’ Go Kyung-soo asked in disbelief.

The postman, who had met Yeon-jun a few hours earlier, nodded.

“It’s written right there.”

“Ah...”

“Seems like Hwang Tae-su has been doing a lot of good deeds lately.”

“Is that so?”

“You’re Hye-jin’s father, right?”

“Yes.”

“Looks like Seo-woo is benefiting too.”

“Seo-woo…?”

“Hye-jin’s friend.”

Go Kyung-soo let out a bitter smile.

“I’ve been so busy that I didn’t even know my daughter’s friend’s name.”

“Ah… well, you’re not alone in that. Honestly, by the time I get home, I’m so exhausted that I just collapse. I barely even know how my kids are growing up. One day, I just looked and they were suddenly all grown.”

Go Kyung-soo chuckled softly and asked,

“What are the selection criteria for this? We never applied for anything like this.”

“Not sure. I don’t know if it was a random selection or if they coordinated with the education office…”

“Hmm.”

“But since it’s linked to the education office, that’s probably why this registered letter was sent. Could you sign here?”

“Ah, yes!”

“Anyway, congratulations.”

“Thank you. Have a good day!”

Seeing off the postman, Go Kyung-soo returned home with a joyful heart.

Hye-jin was scribbling a drawing in the yard when she noticed him and ran over.

“Dad, did you meet the postman?”

“Yeah.”

“What did the postman say?”

“What do you think?”

At his question, Hye-jin placed her index finger on her philtrum and pondered deeply.

“Hmm… Hmm, oh! A letter from Mom came! Right?”

“Mom’s letters arrive on the 15th, remember? Today is the 2nd.”

Counting on her fingers, Hye-jin suddenly grinned.

“Ah, right! I forgot! Hehe.”

“By the way, Hye-jin, are you getting along with Seo-woo?”

“Seo-woo? Yes! We’re good friends! But I’m a little sad because I won’t be able to see him anymore…”

“Why not?”

“Seo-woo is going to kindergarten.”

“Do you want to go to kindergarten too?”

Hye-jin hesitated, then slowly shook her head.

“No. I don’t need to go.”

“...”

“Really! Even without Seo-woo, I can play just fine on my own! Look, see? I’m playing just fine.”

Watching his daughter draw in the sand with a twig, Go Kyung-soo felt a dull ache in his heart.

‘Go Kyung-soo... you really are a fool.’