Jung Yeong-su shuddered at the chilling voice and instinctively put some distance between himself and Shin Haesu.

“Ugh, as expected from a detective, that really snapped me back to my senses.”

“I’m not joking.”

“Detective, it’s a decent deal, but I know all about police salaries. How much does a detective even make…? What, maybe two to three million a month at best?”

Haesu gave a slight nod.

“I have two to three billion.”

“What?”

“Just kidding. But I do have more than enough to cover your mother’s treatment until she fully recovers. And I’m not giving it to you—I’m lending it, interest-free for ten years.”

“I get it. Of course, I’m not some beggar. I was planning to pay it back with interest.”

“Then we’ll go with that. I’ll be back tomorrow, so take your mother to the hospital.”

“But, hyung… why are you helping me? I’m a criminal, and honestly, I’m just some random guy to you.”

The way he addressed him suddenly changed, but Haesu didn’t mind.

At the unexpected question, Haesu thought for a moment before answering casually.

“I met someone who needed help, and I have the ability to help. Isn’t it natural to lend a hand in that case?”

Something surged up in Yeong-su’s chest.

At nineteen, his life had been anything but easy. It was short in years but long in hardship. And for the first time, he felt like he had met a real adult.

“Hyung, you’re really naïve. In a world like this… People like you end up getting reported for sexual harassment while trying to save someone with CPR.”

At Yeong-su’s words, Haesu’s eyes widened.

“Wait, has that actually happened to me before? Ugh, that’s frustrating.”

“It worked out in the end, right?”

“Yeah. That’s why I’m still here.”

Yeong-su looked at Haesu for a moment before bowing deeply.

“Thank you… hyung.”

Haesu waved his hand dismissively and turned to head down the stairs.

The next day, Haesu accompanied Jung Yeong-su and his mother to Daeseong Hospital.

While they were in the middle of processing her admission, a refreshing voice called out from behind.

“Shin Haesu?”

When he turned around, Ahn Seo-eun was standing there with her attendants. Her white blouse with a black ribbon necktie and black skirt somehow reminded him of a school uniform.

“Ahn Seo-eun.”

“It’s been a while since we’ve spoken in person instead of just over the phone. What brings you here?”

Yeong-su, standing beside them, was wide-eyed. The elegant woman, exuding an unmistakable aura of wealth, had just implied she frequently contacted Haesu. It was unbelievable.

“Hyung, you sure know a lot of goddesses, don’t you?”

“What?”

Seo-eun covered her mouth and chuckled softly. Her eyes curved gently as she smiled.

“You’re funny. Well, take care of your business. I’ll be on my way.”

“Yeah.”

Haesu gestured for Yeong-su to go back to his mother and then followed Seo-eun.

“Ahn Seo-eun.”

It was the first time he had deliberately sought her out, so Seo-eun looked slightly surprised.

She sent her attendants ahead on the elevator, leaving only the two of them in the hallway.

“Haesu?”

“Regarding the Red Moon case, thank you for actively helping out despite how difficult it must have been. Did you have any trouble because of it?”

For a fleeting moment, a shadow crossed Seo-eun’s face, but it quickly disappeared.

“The ones who should be troubled are the criminals, not us. I had no problems. It was a good experience. How do you know that student?”

He noticed her shifting the topic, but he went along with it naturally.

“He’s a suspect in my current case. And before that, back in middle school…”

He briefly explained his connection with Yeong-su. Seo-eun seemed to recall something and raised a finger.

“I see. The department store security team has been struggling with security issues lately.”

“Really? But he’s still a student, and I don’t know how his skills compare to professionals. His mother wants him to properly return to high school and graduate.”

“Most white-hat hackers work as freelancers. They test security updates to see if they can be breached, and if they succeed, they propose solutions. There’s no need to be in an office every day.”

“I see. But he’s still under investigation, so let’s have him serve his sentence properly before discussing any connections.”

Seo-eun glanced between Haesu and Yeong-su’s hospital room before smiling slightly.

“I didn’t expect this side of you. I thought you were the type to mercilessly crush criminals.”

“I’m not that simple.”

“You seem simple.”

“Ahem.”

Unable to refute, Haesu cleared his throat. Seo-eun chuckled softly.

“You even have a cute side.”

Since he had never been associated with the word ‘cute’ in his life, he looked at her in surprise.

Seo-eun, however, didn’t avert her gaze. She simply stared at him, her eyes glimmering. Suddenly, his breath caught in his throat.

One second. Two seconds…

“Hyung?”

“Oh, yeah.”

From Yeong-su’s perspective, Seo-eun was blocking the hallway wall, so he could only see Haesu.

Haesu instinctively turned away and walked toward him.

Seo-eun, meanwhile, turned around and quietly steadied her own breath.

Later, Jung Yeong-su kept his promise and confessed.

Considering that he had intervened to prevent further violence and helped recover the stolen funds, his sentence was mitigated to six months in prison with a one-year probation.

“…For the charges of aggravated assault and extortion, I hereby sentence you to six years in prison.”

Before the judge could even finish speaking, two men shot up in protest.

“Why does he get a one-year probation while I get six years?! He’s the real bastard here! You all heard it!”

“That’s right! He’s a complete scumbag! What kind of bullshit sentence is this?! You corrupt judge!”

Yeong-su, who had requested to sit separately from them, simply shook his head as they started shouting. Seeing his reaction, they rushed at him with clenched fists.

The brief commotion settled, and the judge spoke again.

“Considering the fact that you show no remorse and try to shift the blame, as well as causing a disturbance and committing violence in what should be a solemn courtroom, we will conduct an additional hearing in two weeks.”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The two men, who had briefly lost their temper, now sat in stunned silence as they realized they would have to face an additional hearing. Later, they each received an additional eight-month sentence.

Ahn Seo-eun connected Jung Yeong-su with the security team leader of Daeseong Department Store. Yeong-su passed the test with skills that amazed the team leader and was hired as a freelancer.

Haesu provided Yeong-su with the necessary equipment to work as a white-hat hacker.

As Haesu was leaving Yeong-su's house after delivering the equipment, Yeong-su called out to him from the doorway.

“Shin-hyungnim.”

Since Haesu had helped his mother, Yeong-su had started calling him by that strange title.

When Haesu turned around, Yeong-su bowed deeply.

“Thank you. Actually, ever since I saw you back in middle school, my dream was to become a police officer. I wanted to join the cybercrime unit and use this ridiculous talent of mine to catch bad guys… but in the end, this is how things turned out. Still, I’ll pull myself together and work hard at the job you’ve given me.”

Since a person with a criminal record couldn't become a police officer, his dream would remain just that—a dream.

Haesu gave a small nod.

“Well, if you work hard, opportunities will come.”

With that, Haesu casually waved a hand and headed down the stairs.

Inside Shin Haesu’s small one-room apartment, he and Haru stood in the middle of the cramped living space, facing each other with serious expressions. In Haesu’s right hand was a collapsible baton.

Whoosh—

As Haesu swung the baton, Haru evaded it with a slight turn of her foot and countered with a strike to his armpit using just the tip of her fingers.

Haesu quickly blocked it by lowering his forearm.

Smack.

Haesu frowned slightly, and Haru flinched, quickly withdrawing her hand and bowing her head in an apologetic posture.

Haesu couldn't understand how those slender, pale fingers could sting like needles.

“I’m sorry…”

“No, you did well. But unless your opponent is a real threat to your life, it’s better to avoid targeting the temple, under the chin, or the neck. Focus on the upper or lower body instead.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Haru nodded firmly and resumed practicing with Haesu.

“In this situation, you should twist their arm to incapacitate them. Hmm, since you lack strength, it might not be easy… So focus on their fingers.”

“Yes, focus on the fingers.”

For some reason, Haru's voice was getting a little louder.

“Once you’ve neutralized them, use this to restrain their wrists and ankles. Always bind their hands behind their back with their wrists crossed.”

Haesu handed Haru a cable tie, something he frequently used in the field, and placed it in the crossbody bag she often carried.

Haru looked at it like it was a treasure.

“If that’s not enough, bind only their arms and break their legs or ankles.”

“Yes, yes!”

Haru’s eyes sparkled as she absorbed Haesu’s instructions. She found these lessons on restraining techniques so enjoyable that she completely lost track of time.

Rustle—

It was a dark, quiet night, and a young woman was walking briskly down an empty street, glancing nervously over her shoulder.

Squish, squish, squish.

A hooded man was following her. She had seen him earlier, and now he was here again. It couldn’t be a coincidence. Fear gripped her.

She called her friend, but no one answered. With no other choice, she pretended to be on a call.

“Oh, hey, oppa. Yeah, I’m on my way home. I’m in front of Pongpong Supermarket. You’re coming to pick me up? Oh, you’re already here? Okay, I’ll be there soon…”

She kept glancing back and continued the fake conversation.

The hooded man was suddenly nowhere to be seen.

Then, from another street, a man emerged, walking in the direction she needed to go. He was ahead of her.

Even in the dim light, she could clearly read the white text printed on the back of his T-shirt.

-POLICE 145-

“Phew…”

A sigh of relief escaped her lips before she realized it.

She hurried toward the man.

“Excuse me…”

“Yes?”

“Um, I think someone is following me. I’m really sorry, but could you walk with me just until I get home?”

“Ah…”

The man turned around and scanned the area sharply. His demeanor was so reliable that she felt reassured.

“Of course. It’s dangerous for a woman to walk around alone this late at night.”

“Yeah… I didn’t mean to…”

The man readily agreed and walked her home.

In front of her one-room apartment’s door, she bowed her head in gratitude.

“This is it. Thank you so much.”

“Oh, sure. I’ll wait until you go inside. These days, stalkers can attack right before you enter.”

Coming from a police officer, his words felt especially trustworthy. She nodded and opened her door, stepping inside.

Beep beep, beep beep, click—

As the door slowly closed behind her—

Thud—

Just before it shut completely, a thick hand stopped it.

Creak.

The door reopened, and she turned around in shock, still in the process of removing her shoes.

It was him. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him, a sinister grin spreading across his face.

“I told you not to let your guard down before getting inside, didn’t I? Youngji, you need to be punished.”

“Kyaa—mmph!”

His large hand covered her mouth as she screamed.

Gangjin Police Station, Violent Crimes Division.

Bam—

The Team 1 leader burst through the door, shouting.

“Team 1! Team 1! Oh-Gang, Musclehead! Pack your gear, now!”

“Huh? What’s with the sudden order?”

“Another serial murder case just broke out. Gyeonggi’s regional investigation unit sent an SOS. Starting today, we’re on a joint investigation. If you understand, pack your stuff!”