In Jang Taegun’s attitude, there was a sense of childishness, unable to clearly face reality, as if still stuck in the arrogance of the past.
“My life… was already ruined because of you all. Shattered to pieces. Now, I’ve finally gotten a chance to barely put things back in place.”
Kim Junsu looked straight at them, unwavering.
In his gaze was none of the fear of the past, but a complex mixture of firm resolve and resignation.
“I hope you truly realize what you’ve done wrong… and pay for what you’ve committed properly. Begging for my forgiveness… means nothing to me.”
At Kim Junsu’s firm refusal and the resignation in his eyes, Jang Taegun exploded once more.
A mix of defeat and despair made him lash out for the last time.
His face flushed red, a murderous glare flashing in his eyes.
“Shut up, you bastard! How dare a beggar like you act tough! You think you’ll get away with this? Do you want to die?”
As if he’d lost all reason, Jang Taegun screamed at Kim Junsu.
Then, just like he used to tame Kim Junsu in the past, he tried to go beyond threats and resort to physical violence.
Unable to contain his rage, he rushed at Kim Junsu, raising his fist.
That was the only method Jang Taegun knew how to use.
As always, his fist flew toward Kim Junsu’s face, but Kim Junsu didn’t dodge.
Instead, he stared directly at Jang Taegun with a cold, detached gaze.
There was not a hint of fear, but rather a look of disdain for his opponent.
A cold, mocking smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
It was a faint but unmistakable voice.
“Go ahead… Hit me if you really think you can.”
At Kim Junsu’s unexpected, icy response and overwhelming boldness, Jang Taegun’s fist halted in midair.
His eyes shook violently.
The fierce urge to hit him, and… the terror that the moment he threw that punch, he might face the same monstrous strength Sang-woong had shown last time, and the dreadful future the Taeseong Group Lawyer had spoken of, all clashed violently within him.
Expulsion, juvenile detention, criminal punishment… and the vague fear that he might lose everything like his own father, weighed down his arm.
Strength drained from his arm.
He couldn’t properly throw his punch.
Instinctively, he realized that pushing this any further would truly be the end.
Not missing the moment, Nam Sungmin, who had been watching the situation from behind, hurriedly rushed in to stop Jang Taegun.
“Hey! Jang Taegun! Stop! If you make this any bigger, it’s really over!”
He turned to Kim Junsu again, desperate as if trying to cut off ties with Jang Taegun.
“Junsu, please, I’m begging you. We really… We have nothing to do with Jang Taegun… Even back then, he forced us… We’re truly reflecting on what we did wrong. Please… Just this once, let it go… okay?”
Watching Nam Sungmin’s pitiful pleading and Jang Taegun’s powerless rage, Kim Junsu realized there was nothing more to say.
Their apology was not sincere, and their true nature hadn’t changed. They were just scared of punishment.
Kim Junsu looked down on them with contempt, his voice cold and relaxed like that of a victor as he spoke his final words.
“Your apology is already too late. And… it doesn’t even seem like you’re truly remorseful. It just looks like you’re apologizing out of formality, afraid of your own punishment.”
From their eyes and attitude, Kim Junsu saw no hint of real reflection.
He realized they weren’t seeking forgiveness, but making a last-ditch effort to escape punishment.
“How ridiculous! What can you even do! It’ll all blow over in time anyway! Just wait and see!”
In the end, instead of expressing his rage with a punch, Jang Taegun spat out one last curse, mixed with defeat and resentment.
He could not hide his petty nature and screamed at Kim Junsu.
His face was twisted with defeat and resentment.
Kim Junsu looked down at Jang Taegun with contempt, his voice cool and full of the leisure of victory as he gave his final remark.
“The ones who need to wait and see… are you. Just how terrible the consequences of what you’ve done will be—you’ll feel it in your bones from now on.”
On the faces of the boys, a belated fear and deep despair appeared.
Their former arrogance was gone, crushed by the cold eyes and resolute words of the Kim Junsu they had ignored.
Only now did they begin to realize that what they had done went beyond simple school violence, and could shake the very foundations of their future.
Their real lesson was only just beginning.
The bitterness of life awaited them ahead.
***
The next day, Kim Junsu stood once more in front of the Gentle Breeze Restaurant.
Though the sign was roughly made from wood, it somehow felt even more endearing because of it. Standing under that sign, he took a breath and grabbed the restaurant door with a nervous hand.
Last time, he’d opened this door filled with fear and desperation, but this time, his heart was full of gratitude.
As he carefully opened the door, the warm, savory aroma of rice tickled his nose, seeming to melt the cold air outside and the tension within him.
Since it was well past lunchtime, the inside of the restaurant was quiet, and only the gentle afternoon sunlight peacefully lit up the tables.
From the kitchen came the rhythmic, lively sound of chopping, and in the hall, Lee Miju was wiping the tables with a cloth, her soft humming occasionally filling the quiet space.
Everything felt peaceful and stable.
“Um… Is the owner here?”
Kim Junsu asked carefully.
His small voice echoed through the still air.
Noticing his presence, Lee Miju looked up and smiled brightly.
Her eyes curved gently, and joy spread over her whole face.
“Oh my, student! Welcome. What brings you here today?”
At her warm, welcoming voice, Kim Junsu felt the tension in his shoulders relax a little.
“I came… to thank the gentleman.”
At Kim Junsu’s words, Lee Miju nodded and called toward the kitchen.
Her voice was still full of delight.
“Boss, the student is here!”
From the kitchen appeared Sang-woong, roughly wiping the water from his apron.
Upon seeing Kim Junsu, a gentle and kind smile appeared on his face.
“Oh, you came. Have you been well?”
At Sang-woong’s natural and friendly question, Kim Junsu felt his tension melt away like snow and become calm.
He nodded slightly and answered.
“Yes… Thanks to you, sir. Everything’s fine.”
He politely clasped his hands and looked up at Sang-woong.
In his small eyes was the memory of that day and the gratitude that had been suppressed deep inside his heart.
“Thank you so much. If it weren’t for you, sir… I… I still wouldn’t have known what to do. Truly. You were such a great help. I… don’t know how I can ever repay this favor…”
Kim Junsu’s voice was still small and trembling, but it was full of sincerity.
His unwavering gaze was fixed on Sang-woong, and the weight of gratitude that had accumulated deep in his heart made his small shoulders tremble ever so slightly.
Sang-woong silently gazed at Kim Junsu.
On his face was a deep warmth and understanding, as if embracing Kim Junsu’s pain.
Knowing just how great Kim Junsu’s suffering had been, pride in his endurance was mixed into his expression.
Instead of saying much, Sang-woong slowly, with weight, nodded.
That brief, heavy gesture seemed to say, “You did well. I’m proud of you.”
It brought Kim Junsu more comfort than any long words could, and filled his chest with warmth.
Only then did Kim Junsu feel a little more at ease, and carefully brought up the subject of the Lawyer.
“And… I really wanted to thank the Lawyer as well… By any chance… is the Lawyer still here… Could I see him?”
Sang-woong smiled gently at Kim Junsu’s question.
“Well, the Lawyer already left.”
He patted Kim Junsu’s small shoulder kindly as he spoke.
“But I’ve already passed your feelings on, so you don’t have to worry.”
With just that sentence, Kim Junsu’s eyes turned red again.
His throat tightened, and no more words came out.
Trying hard to suppress his surging emotions, he bowed deeply once more.
“Really… Thank you so much.”
His small shoulders shook faintly, but inside him, a different kind of emotion from before was spreading.
It was a small but definite spark of hope, pushing away the fear and despair that had pressed down on him for so long.
In the cold and dark reality, thanks to the warm and reliable shadow named Sang-woong, he finally felt he had the courage to take a step forward into the world.
Sang-woong patted Kim Junsu’s shoulder gently once more as he spoke.
“No need to thank me. I only did what anyone should have. It wasn’t your fault, so don’t blame yourself. And whatever happens from now on, don’t struggle alone—come find me anytime.”
Sang-woong’s voice was low and soft, yet filled with unwavering strength.
“I’ll always have your back from now on.”
He raised his voice slightly and smiled brightly.
There was a cheerful warmth in his tone, as if trying to lighten the mood.
“And by the way, the restaurant just started a fun Event. If you have a Meal Card, you eat for free. Not just you, but any Friends or Family you bring, it’s all free. On special days like birthdays, come as much as you want and eat something delicious.”
He watched Kim Junsu’s reaction as he continued.
“And next to the restaurant, I’m going to build a small Playground. Kids can come play sports, and sometimes even go camping. So don’t hesitate to come to the restaurant, eat, play, and just relax.”
After everything that happened, Sang-woong realized there were far more children like Kim Junsu in difficult circumstances than he’d thought.
After dungeons appeared, Mana Stones and the by-products of dungeons brought economic prosperity, but also came with the unpredictable disaster known as Dungeon Break.
Dungeon Break caused enormous loss of life and property, forcing countless people to abandon their homes and settle in new places.
Kim Junsu’s parents, too, were victims of Dungeon Break, which is why he came to live with his grandmother.
Sang-woong sincerely hoped his small restaurant could be a space that offered not just food, but warmth and a place of comfort and safety for children like that.
He realized that even if it wasn’t some grand help, a warm bowl of rice and a safe place to stay could be a great source of strength for these children.
The idea for the Playground also came from the same place.
He wanted to provide a safe fence where, even if only for a short while, children could escape their harsh reality, laugh and play, and take in bright energy.
Hearing Sang-woong’s story, Kim Junsu felt a sudden surprise and a deep, heartfelt emotion.
Moved by his wide and warm heart, which thought first of children in the same situation as himself, Kim Junsu’s eyes turned red once again.
He tried his best to control his feelings, bowing once more in gratitude.