Chapter 18

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: The Game of Eternal Calculation
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Just a few hours ago, the city of Seoul had been plunged into chaos by the emergence of a “Disaster-grade Gate,” an event deemed capable of leading to national collapse….

But as soon as news of the successful suppression of the Gate was broadcast across TV news and other media, the city quickly regained its peaceful atmosphere.

The same was true for Kang-jun’s home.

The fragrant scent of a savory soybean paste stew wafted through the small, ten-pyeong-or-so villa.

Kang-jun, as if completely drained of energy, called out toward the kitchen in a listless voice.

“Noona, is dinner almost ready?”

“Almost. Are you hungry?”

“No, not really hungry, but…”

“It’ll be just a minute. Wait a little longer.”

“Okay…” Kang-jun replied, turning his head to look at his daughter, Seol-i.

“Papa! Again! Let’s do it again!”

“Princess, aren’t you tired of this?”

“Nuh-uh, Seol-i is having fun!”

Seol-i answered cheerfully, then frowned and asked back.

“What, is Papa not having fun?”

Startled, Kang-jun quickly replied in a hurried tone.

“Haha, I’m having fun too…”

His gaze fell upon the ‘toy cash register’ placed right in front of Seol-i.

[The Little Genius Cash Register Play Set.]

It was a ‘new toy’ his sister had gifted Seol-i earlier today when they went grocery shopping at a nearby supermarket.

The toy set consisted of various daily necessities and food items one might find at a market, a model cash register, and fake currency….

‘Of all the toys in the world, why on earth did Noona have to buy this horrendous thing…?’

If he could, he would have sought out the creator of the ‘Cash Register Play Set,’ grabbed them by the collar, shaken them with all his might, and roared.

‘Do you have any idea how many people your greed-driven toy has plunged into suffering?!’

Just then, Seol-i placed her hands neatly on her belly button and spoke with great effort.

“Welcome, customer!”

Kang-jun replied in a completely deadpan tone, “Yes,” and picked up a toy milk carton displayed in front of the register.

“Yes, I’ll buy one milk.”

Seol-i pretended to scan the barcode, making a “Beep!” sound with her mouth, and thought for a moment.

“Yes, customer! That will be eight thousand won!”

“What? For a single carton of milk?”

“Yes, customer! Eight thousand won!”

The reason was none other than the fact that the only monetary unit Seol-i knew was ‘eight thousand won.’

One carton of milk was eight thousand won. Buying every single item in the toy set was also eight thousand won.

Kang-jun let out a “Hmm,” then continued in a gentle, admonishing tone.

“Princess, it’s good to be business-savvy, but this is blatant price gouging.”

“Eight thousand won!”

“I was hoping you might adjust the price of the milk, even just a little.”

At his words, Seol-i puffed up her cheeks and shouted, thoroughly annoyed.

“Papaaa! Eight thousand won!”

Letting out a sigh, “Hoo,” Kang-jun counted out eight fake bills and handed them over.

“Yes, here’s eight thousand won…”

“Have a nice day!”

Just as one round of the shopping game came to an end…

“Papa, let’s do it again!”

Seol-i, full of excitement, snatched the toy milk carton back and even returned the bills Kang-jun had just given her.

“Princess, we have been playing this game for three hours straight…”

“Again!”

“We’ve repeated this meaningless cycle of purchase and refund hundreds of times…”

“Again!”

Crabslie, who had been staring at the scene, discreetly turned his head toward Iriel and spoke cautiously.

“Lady Iriel, is this not a truly horrifying sight? To think a game requiring such immense patience and perseverance could exist in this world…”

“Indeed, Your Grace. I find myself in complete agreement with you.”

“What is more frightening is that once Her Highness the Princess takes an interest in something, she will not stop until she collapses from exhaustion.”

“In that tenacity, she certainly takes after her father, the Lord.”

Just then, a small Doberman puppy wagging its tail at their feet chimed in with a bitter laugh.

“I know the young Immortal’s persistence and grit better than anyone. Just as you’d expect from the Immortal’s flesh and blood, she was born with a fierce tenacity and cruelty…”

It was none other than Marbas, who suffered at Seol-i’s hands for hours on end every day.

Crabslie nodded a few times before cautiously offering his opinion.

“I propose we name this game ‘The Game of Eternal Calculation.’ What do you all think?”

At his words, Iriel and Marbas nodded in reply.

“Old man, you’re surprisingly good at naming things!”

“Your Grace, I believe that is a most fitting name!”

Crabslie nodded once more and added.

“We never know when we might be subjected to the judgment of that game, so it would be wise for us to remain vigilant and on our guard at all times.”

Just then, Kang-jun, who was suffering through the Game of Eternal Calculation, shot them a glare and growled.

“I can hear you.”

They all flinched and pretended to be looking elsewhere.

“Everyone, dinner is ready!”

Lee Su-bin, who had finished preparing the meal, called out, and everyone started flocking to the table.

“No! Don’t wanna eat! Wanna play more!”

As Seol-i began to throw a tantrum, Lee Su-bin walked over, her brow furrowed slightly as she spoke in a stern voice.

“You can’t do that. You have to eat!”

“No, wanna play again!”

“Seol, are you really going to keep this up?”

Watching the scene, Kang-jun clenched his fists, silently cheering for his sister.

‘You can do it, Noona!’

Just then, Lee Su-bin muttered, “Honestly,” and then added with a smile in a gentle voice.

“Then ask Papa to play with you again after you finish eating.”

For a moment, the color drained from Kang-jun’s face.

Seol-i turned her head slightly to look at him and asked.

“Papa, we’ll play again after we eat?”

Kang-jun couldn’t bring himself to give a definite answer, his lips trembling for a moment.

As tears began to well up in Seol-i’s eyes, Kang-jun let out a groan.

“P-Princess. I admit my defeat.”

“Papaaa…”

“Alright, let’s play again after we eat.”

Kang-jun squeezed his eyes shut as he reluctantly agreed, then immediately headed for the dining table.

“Wow, this table is going to collapse.”

“Eat up,” Lee Su-bin replied, then glanced sideways at Iriel, who had taken the seat right next to Kang-jun.

“Um, by the way, this young lady is…?”

Iriel let out a soft “Ah,” and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she answered.

“Your Highness, allow me to formally introduce myself once more. I am ‘Iriel,’ a minister who served as the head of the Imperial Household Agency, assisting my Lord.”

At her words, Lee Su-bin muttered, “Wow, I see…” before whispering to Kang-jun in a low voice.

“Kang-jun, I think she might still be very sick…”

“No, she’s healthy.”

“Well, her body seems fine, I guess… but… her ‘mind’…”

Lee Su-bin trailed off, tilting her head once before asking again.

“Miss. By the way, how did you get in touch with Kang-jun and end up coming all the way to our home?”

Just as Iriel was about to answer, Kang-jun cut in and replied for her.

“We ran into each other by chance today.”

Iriel glanced at Kang-jun and answered tactfully.

“Yes, Your Highness. It is as the Lord has said.”

“What?” Lee Su-bin asked, tilting her head as she pressed further.

“Kang-jun, don’t tell me you went outside today?”

At that, Kang-jun suddenly coughed violently as if he had choked on something. “*Cough!* *Hack!*”

“No, I just went to the convenience store up front for a second and happened to…”

Lee Su-bin sighed deeply and said in a scolding tone.

“Kang-jun, do you have any idea what a frenzy the city was in today because of the Disaster-grade Gate? How could you go out so carelessly, even if it was just nearby?”

Looking thoroughly chastened, Kang-jun poked at his rice with his chopsticks and replied.

“I’m sorry…”

Just then, Crabslie’s eyes lit up as he swiftly pulled out his notepad and pen, muttering to himself as he began to write.

“During tonight’s banquet, Her Highness Subin, the Emperor’s sister, reprimanded the Emperor, asking, ‘Did you go out without permission?’”

“Hey.”

“In response, the Emperor, looking as dejected as a child, said in a barely audible voice, ‘I’m sorry’…”

“Hey.”

Kang-jun gripped his spoon so tightly it looked like it would shatter and spoke in a tone that felt utterly chilling.

“How old did you say you were this year?”

“One thousand two hundred and…”

“Wow, you’ve lived long enough, haven’t you?”

Crabslie cleared his throat, “Ahem, hem,” and carefully stowed his notepad and pen back into the pocket of his tracksuit.

Just then.

Lee Su-bin turned her head slightly again, staring at Iriel’s profile as she asked cautiously.

“Miss, so where are you staying now?”

“Just…”

“Don’t tell me you don’t have a proper place to stay?”

Iriel lowered her head slightly and replied.

“Your Highness, I regret to inform you that I have not yet secured a place to stay.”

“I can’t believe this. A young, pretty lady like you out on the streets in this dangerous world…”

Lee Su-bin’s eyes went wide with shock. She pondered for a moment, then sighed and added.

“Miss, for now, why don’t you stay with us for a while?”

Their financial situation was by no means comfortable enough to casually take in another person…

But how could she coldly turn away a young woman in such a pitiful situation?

Iriel’s eyes widened, and she answered hesitantly, not knowing what to do.

“Your Highness, but how could I possibly impose upon the Imperial Family…”

“So you’d rather continue to be homeless?”

As Iriel repeatedly mumbled, “But…” showing her discomfort, Lee Su-bin bit her lower lip for a moment before speaking.

“Miss, this is, um…”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“It’s, well…”

Lee Su-bin trailed off, then, embarrassed, squeezed her eyes shut and added.

“I-It’s an imperial command!”

She had only said it on a whim, but the effect was far more dramatic than she could have anticipated.

Iriel suddenly dropped to one knee on the floor, bowed her head deeply, and replied in a solemn tone.

“Yes, Your Highness! I shall obey your command!”

Meanwhile, Kang-jun was snickering nonstop.

“An imperial command, hehe, pfft, khhhk…”

“Don’t laugh.”

“Khhk, why? Pfft, you’re doing great…”

Glaring at him, Lee Su-bin snapped, “I said don’t laugh!” before gently rubbing her flushing cheeks.

“Ah, the news…”

Muttering to herself, she grabbed the remote from the corner of the table and turned on the TV.

「The successful suppression of the ‘Disaster-grade Gate’ that occurred near Sillim Station at approximately 4 PM today has been officially announced.」

「Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol began the announcement by stating that this result was achieved thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of the Hunters who risked their lives for the peace and safety of the nation…」

「According to data released by the Bureau, sixteen Hunters lost their lives due to today’s ‘Disaster-grade Gate,’ and of the six surviving Hunters, five are in critical, unconscious condition.」

「Furthermore, it was stated that this marks the second occurrence of a Disaster-grade Gate in the country. It was emphasized that the successful suppression with minimal casualties holds great significance, unlike the previous incident which resulted in millions of casualties and the complete devastation of the North Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang provinces, as well as the entirety of Gangwon province…」

Lee Su-bin nodded once and replied.

“I was so scared when I heard a Disaster-grade Gate had appeared. I was worried that Seoul might be reduced to ashes and that countless people would die…”

Kang-jun took a spoonful of stew and answered calmly.

“Don’t worry, that will never happen again.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll protect you and Seol-i, no matter what.”

At his words, Lee Su-bin grinned and replied in a playful tone.

“Yes, Your Majesty! I am ever so grateful!”

With that, she turned her gaze back to the TV screen…

“Huh?”

A moment later, her eyes widened in astonishment.

「Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol also stated that they are investigating the detailed circumstances based on the testimony of ‘C-rank Hunter Kim Bong-gu,’ the only Hunter involved in the subjugation of the Disaster-grade Gate to return without any injuries…」

「C-rank Hunter Kim Bong-gu, mentioned by Bureau Director Seo Do-cheol today, is a rising rookie Hunter who recently made a name for himself by taking down a Murderer from the wanted Anti-Bureau Alliance…」

「Known for his upright and righteous character, he has earned the Hunter alias ‘Hyoja’ (*The Filial Son*), and is reportedly generating public excitement for the birth of a new hero…」

“Oh my…” Lee Su-bin muttered, then whipped her head around to look at Kang-jun and asked in an agitated voice.

“K-Kang-jun. That, that person!”

“Yeah?”

“Isn’t that Mr. Bong-gu?”

No matter how hard she rubbed her eyes, the man on the TV screen was still ‘Kim Bong-gu.’

The same Mr. Bong-gu who had been carried home on her brother’s back a few days ago, dead drunk and unconscious…

Kang-jun nodded once and replied in a somewhat awkward tone.

“W-Wow. Our Bong-gu is on the TV news. He’s really made it…”

“That’s the same Mr. Bong-gu who came to our house the other day, right?”

“Yeah, I mean, who else looks that clueless?”

Lee Su-bin let out a disbelieving “Hah,” and asked again in a trembling voice.

“Mr. Bong-gu was a Hunter?”

“Yeah.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner…”

Kang-jun replied as if he’d been wrongly accused.

“You didn’t ask.”

After a moment’s thought, Lee Su-bin conceded.

“Oh, that’s true.”

“See?”

“My bad.”

“It’s fine.”

On the TV screen, Kim Bong-gu was surrounded by reporters, fidgeting and hesitating, clearly at a loss.

Below his chest, a cringeworthy caption slowly scrolled by: ‘The Birth of a New National Hero? C-Rank Rookie, Hyoja Kim Bong-gu!’

It was a peaceful evening.

Or so.

He had thought.

“Papa, Seol-i is all done eating.”

Not until Seol-i held up her now-empty bowl of baby food with her tiny hands.

And.

Not until she smiled brightly, tugged on his sleeve, and uttered ‘those words.’

“Now, play with Seol-i again.”

With a look of resignation, Kang-jun silently nodded and gently placed the spoon he was holding back on the table.

Then he began to walk, trudging along like an ox being led to the slaughter.

He suddenly stopped, turned his head, and glanced at Crabslie to speak.

“It seems I must issue a rare command.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Find a person and bring them to me.”

“A person?”

Kang-jun added in a truly solemn tone.

“Find the one who, in their greed, created and distributed the Little Genius Cash Register Play Set, plunging the parents of this nation into suffering and chaos, and bring them before me…”

With those words, he turned back toward the living room and began his walk to ‘The Game of Eternal Calculation.’

“Welcome, customer!”

“Yes…”

“What can I get for you?”

“Freedom…”

Still, it was a peaceful evening.