In the past, adult arcades that exchanged game money for cash were illegal.

But after the upheaval, everything changed.

Adult arcades were included in that shift. They were legalized as a means of generating tax revenue.

Of course, even though they were legalized, the conditions for opening an adult arcade were quite strict.

It wasn’t easy for them to pop up everywhere.

However, underground organizations exploited this loophole.

They would borrow the names of individuals who met the conditions, establish the arcade under their name, and then manage the business while taking a cut of the profits.

The Hwang Tae-su faction had only recently entered the adult arcade business, after absorbing the Itaewon faction and the 47 faction.

And today, under Hwang Tae-su’s orders, Go Hyung-geon visited one of the arcades they managed.

“You’re here!”

A burly man with a buzz cut greeted him with utmost respect.

Although Go Hyung-geon was constantly hit on the back of the head and ignored by Hwang Tae-su, he was still a formidable senior to others.

“Yeah. Everything going smoothly?”

“Yes.”

Go Hyung-geon looked around the establishment.

The place was packed with customers. Satisfied, he pulled some cash from his inner pocket and handed it to the burly man.

“The boss gave this for you guys.”

“This much?”

“You know how generous the boss is.”

“Ah… Thank you very much!”

“Make sure to thank him later. And don’t pocket it all yourself—buy the guys some eel or something. Last time I checked, they looked way too weak and frail.”

“Yes, sir!”

In truth, this was all that Go Hyung-geon had been instructed to do—deliver the incentives to the employees managing the establishment.

Of course, these days, everything could be handled with the press of a button. Even mobile transfers were possible.

But Hwang Tae-su preferred the old-fashioned way. He believed that loyalty was fostered when you physically handed over a thick wad of cash.

‘He’s not entirely wrong.’

Money in an account was just numbers, but cash in hand was tangible.

The psychological gap between the two was significant.

“Alright, take care.”

“You’re leaving already?”

“I have other places to check on.”

Just as he was about to step out, Go Hyung-geon suddenly remembered something from the previous night.

-I swear, I’ll be the one to catch those bastards. Of all people, they had to shoot my fellow officer? Those scumbags…

The detective gritting his teeth.

No—Sergeant Park.

Damn, why was this lingering in his mind?

Muttering to himself, Go Hyung-geon spoke up.

“Hey, Dong-chul.”

“Yes?”

“Have you heard anything about the shooting incident in District 13?”

“You mean the courage test?”

“Yeah, that one.”

“I haven’t heard much about it… Ah!”

“What is it? You know something?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but…”

“It’s fine. Just tell me whatever you’ve got.”

“You know the Gas Station Faction in District 13, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I heard they recently took in some new recruits.”

“That’s enough confirmation. It’s definitely those bastards.”

Go Hyung-geon was convinced.

In this world, there was something known as an initiation.

The Hwang Tae-su faction didn’t have such traditions since they started with loan sharking, but the Gas Station Faction was different.

They only accepted recruits who passed their ‘courage test.’

To build a sense of camaraderie, they would have to kill or seriously injure a cop.

‘And one more thing.’

To prevent desertion.

They recorded the entire initiation process on video. Then, if any member ever tried to leave the organization, they would use the footage to blackmail them.

Assaulting a police officer carried a minimum sentence of 20 years, making it an effective deterrent.

“But why do you ask…?”

“Huh? No reason, just checking. Oh, and Dong-chul.”

“Yes?”

“Our guys don’t do any of that courage test nonsense, right? Not even the new recruits?”

“Of course not.”

“If you notice anyone acting suspicious, let me know.”

“Understood.”

“Good. Take care.”

“Yes, sir! Safe travels!”

As Go Hyung-geon stepped out of the establishment, he fell deep into thought. It had to be the Gas Station Faction’s doing.

He could bet on it.

‘The problem is evidence…’

How was he going to get his hands on that recorded video?

‘Damn, that’s the tricky part.’

Park Yeon’s nervousness was written all over his face.

It was so obvious that Seo-jun couldn’t help but comment.

“How about drinking some cola to calm down?”

“No. I can’t depend on cola.”

“You’re being stubborn over the weirdest things.”

“You don’t understand! You… you’re the ruthless—no! The emotionless Demon King!”

Seo-jun was already used to this sort of thing. After being called ‘Demon King’ so many times, he had built up immunity to it.

Scratching his ear, Seo-jun said,

“Anyway, just don’t make things awkward for the teacher.”

“Heh… Awkward? Do you really think the teacher will be put in an awkward position?”

“Without a doubt.”

Perhaps he had relaxed a little, as Park Yeon let out a low chuckle and shook his head.

“No. I have already mastered all kinds of dramas. Now… there are no obstacles that can block my love.”

Seo-jun felt pity for Park Yeon, who had learned about romance solely through books—or rather, through dramas.

But what could he do?

Park Yeon’s belief in dramas was as unshakable as religious faith.

Just then, Seo-woo, who had overslept, emerged after hastily changing his clothes.

Still drowsy, he wobbled as he walked to Seo-jun’s side.

Seeing him about to fall, Seo-jun swiftly lifted him up.

Almost immediately, the sound of gentle snoring followed.

The boy had fallen asleep again.

‘Well, it’s no surprise.’

Seo-woo usually went to bed early.

8 PM at the latest? Maybe 9?

But last night had been different.

He had played hide-and-seek with Park Yeon and Doo-shik until midnight.

It was no wonder he was exhausted.

Seo-jun carefully adjusted Seo-woo’s clothes as he slept soundly in his arms.

He came out in his sleep and didn't even close his bag.

So, I closed it for him.

And after some time had passed, a bus appeared in the distance.

As the bus drew closer, Park Yeon's heartbeat grew louder.

Thump— Thump-thump-thump—!

“Can you quiet down your heartbeat a little?”

“It's instinct! Then again... a ruthless Demon Lord like you wouldn't know the feeling of love.”

Shake shake.

Screeech!

The bus stopped, and Park Yeon's woman... no, Lee Seo-woo's teacher, Lee Ra-hee, stepped out.

“Good mor... ning.”

“Hello.”

“Seo-woo must be asleep.”

“He stayed up late playing last night, so he overslept. My apologies.”

“No need to apologize. But Seo-woo's father didn’t come out today? He always accompanies you.”

“Ah... that is...”

Seo-jun hesitated.

He wasn’t certain, but he had a feeling that Lee Ra-hee harbored some level of affection for Yeon-jun.

After all, whenever she stood before Yeon-jun, her face would flush red, and she couldn’t properly meet his eyes.

That alone said enough.

Her heartbeat must have been just as loud as Park Yeon's was moments ago.

“He must have gone out early in the morning.”

“Oh, yes. He went to the market. He said he had some grocery shopping to do.”

“Ah...”

Lee Ra-hee's face was filled with unmistakable disappointment.

Seeing that, Seo-jun glanced at Park Yeon.

‘I’ve done all I can.’

He had given hints multiple times, dropping plenty of clues.

But in the end, he gave up. No words could reach Park Yeon, who was thoroughly blinded by love.

“Um, teacher.”

Did he smear butter on his voice?

His tone was unbearably greasy as he called out to her, making Lee Ra-hee flinch.

“Yes?”

“I've been meaning to give you this for a while now, but I never got the chance.”

Of course, that was because Lee Ra-hee had thoroughly blocked those chances.

“What do you mean...?”

“This hairpin. Please accept it without feeling burdened. I think it would suit you well. And also...”

Park Yeon hesitated.

Then, he sealed the deal.

“Do you smell something burning?”

“Burning smell?”

Could it be...?

Seo-jun prayed.

But.

“My heart is burning right here.”

“...”

Lee Ra-hee, who had been blinking in silence, suddenly seemed to snap back to her senses. She quickly took Seo-woo into her arms as if snatching him away and climbed onto the bus.

She was usually very polite, but today, she skipped her farewell.

But to Park Yeon, this was a sign.

A complete misunderstanding. A deeply rooted, massive misunderstanding.

“Hoohoo. It worked.”

“Stop trying to drive a wedge between us!”

“Drive... a wedge?”

“Yes! You're constantly trying to interfere with the romance between the goddess and me!”

Seo-jun was dumbfounded.

For the last time—truly the last time—he wanted to save him. So he spoke a little more directly.

He told him outright that Lee Ra-hee didn’t seem to have any feelings for him.

And yet, the response he got was this:

Interference.

“Unless...”

Seo-jun crossed his arms, curious about what kind of nonsense would spill out of the hero's mouth this time. And, as always, his expectations were never wrong.

“Could it be that you also have feelings for the goddess?”

“Feelings?”

“Yes! Otherwise, why would you keep trying to come between us? Speak!”

“I keep telling you, your so-called goddess has no interest in you.”

“That's not true! Then what do you call the way she looked earlier? The way she was all flustered?”

“Let me ask you in return—why didn’t she accept your hairpin?”

“The hairpin?”

Park Yeon absentmindedly looked down at the hairpin in his hand and muttered.

Seeing that, Seo-jun figured he was finally starting to understand and said,

“From her perspective, accepting it would have made her feel burdened. That’s why she rejected it—so there wouldn’t even be a possibility of leading you on.”

He smirked.

“You don’t get it, do you?”

“Get what?”

“You don’t understand a woman’s heart at all.”

“Is it me who doesn’t understand, or you?”

“Obviously, it’s you! Want me to prove it? The teacher was embarrassed. If she accepted this hairpin, her true feelings would be exposed. That’s why she didn’t take it. What do you say, am I wrong?”

Seo-jun usually refrained from cursing.

But this time was different.

He was wrong. He was so damn wrong.

So damn wrong, seriously!

But he couldn’t bring himself to say it outright.

“...Sure, you’re right.”

“You finally admit it. If your goddess ever appears one day, you should come to me for advice. Depending on my mood, I might give you some pointers.”

“...I'm so touched I could cry.”

“With that in mind, I think ramen would be good for today.”

“Rice would be better, though.”

“No, it has to be ramen.”

“Why?”

“Ramen is hot, isn’t it?”

“Of course.”

“And so is my love.”

“...”

“They share that in common. So ramen is the best choice.”

“Then cold noodles would be better.”

Seo-jun went straight to the market and bought pre-packaged cold noodles. It was a bit disappointing that it wasn’t freshly made, but it was still better than eating ramen.

‘Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve had cold noodles since I returned.’

Seo-jun had transcended the human body. He didn’t feel cold or heat unless he consciously focused on it.

Because of that, he had never craved cold noodles even in the sweltering heat of summer.

But thanks to Park Yeon, he was now eating them.

Grateful beyond words, Seo-jun waved the noodles at Park Yeon, who was sitting in front of the store’s TV.

“Park Yeon. Are you really not going to eat cold noodles?”

“I’m not eating them!”

“You’ll regret it.”

“I’ll have ramen later!”

Seo-jun shrugged.

Fine, then.

There were five servings of cold noodles in total. He initially planned to take out just one, but then he hesitated.

One serving might be too little. Two servings should be good.