Chapter 129

***

Even if the enemy was clearly identified, there was nothing that could be done immediately.

The thought of going and cutting their throat crossed my mind, but if I did that, how would I be any different from the villains Jin Hyuk despises? And Park Woo-jung shouldn’t die so easily either.

‘It’d be troublesome if he died comfortably.’

Whether Park Woo-jung was using dirty tricks because he was mistaken about Son Kwang-yeon or had some ulterior motive, that curiosity was no longer the top priority. Why would I care whether the robber trying to kill me was after money or my watch?

The only thing to worry about was the method.

There were too many options.

‘I’ll let you live a few more years.’

I’ll make sure to raise your blood pressure first.

A murderous glint flashed in Jin Hyuk’s eyes.

It was such an inappropriate look that even Jeong Won, who had been whining in his brother’s arms, noticed and quieted down.

***

Winter break had arrived, but Hong Ki-jun’s family didn’t come down.

The last time I saw them was after last year’s Chuseok, so it had already been over a year.

Hong Ki-jun was busy successfully taking control of the group and pushing for reforms. He was actively engaging with Russia for the telecommunications and aerospace industries. I even got some intel—though not official—that they were simultaneously developing geostationary and low-orbit satellites. I also heard plans to reclaim one of the uninhabited islands off the shallow west coast to build a rocket launch site.

Of course, this information was secretly relayed through Min Yong-rak on the condition of strict confidentiality.

Yoo Se-ra, surprisingly, was completely immersed in the joys of parenting. She said it was twice as hard as raising her daughter but still enjoyable. She really was a strange woman.

The phone that little Hong Soo-jung used to ring every day without fail had fallen silent. Hong Soo-jung was said to be the second busiest in the house after Hong Ki-jun. Well, she’s busy with this and that, plus educating her younger sibling? I don’t know what she’s teaching a baby who’s not even a year old, but she’s a strange kid, just like her mom.

When the sound of Jin Hyuk talking to Hong Soo-jung disappeared, a quiet stillness filled the spacious Son family living room. The only sounds were the occasional thuds of thick snow hitting the living room window and Son Jeong-won babbling.

In contrast, outside the house was noisy.

Kids love snow. Yoo Jin’s laughter never ceased as she rolled around in the snow with the dogs.

“Hahaha! Hongshi’s rolling well now!”

Jin Hyuk paced around like a bodyguard.

The thick snow on the soft grass meant there was no risk of injury.

But he couldn’t relax because of the short Jang Gun-i.

“Where’s Jang Gun-i?”

Huff huff! Woof!

Buried in the snow and out of sight, he couldn’t let his guard down.

Goodness, who would’ve thought I’d end up bodyguarding a dog?

“I’ll make you a really big snowman, okay?”

Jin Hyuk also loved snow.

He didn’t know why he liked it even though it was just cold to the touch. Maybe it was the pure, sparkling whiteness.

For various reasons, he didn’t embrace his social identity as a minor, but it was nice not to have to maintain his dignity when playing with his younger sibling.

‘It’s good to have someone to play with.’

For Jin Hyuk, making a snowman alone required great courage. He couldn’t bear the thought of people wondering what kind of story an adult man had. Of course, he’d never tried it.

Kids rolling and shaping snow is a natural thing, so there’s no need to put on airs. For Jin Hyuk, even rolling a snowball was proof of existence.

Yoo Jin seemed to like the snowball her brother made, as she hugged the firmly packed snowball like a ball.

It was so solid that even when Yoo Jin climbed on it, it didn’t break.

“Brother, let’s make a snow house.”

“A snow house?”

“Yeah. I saw it on TV. We can sleep there and roast potatoes.”

Yoo Jin’s demands were growing by the day, but her brother wasn’t one to refuse.

Let’s see…

‘How do you make an igloo?’

Since he’d never tried it before, he needed time to plan. But he didn’t have much time to think. He had to start moving to keep Yoo Jin from getting sulky. If he hesitated, she’d stomp her feet like a kid with cold feet.

At least there was plenty of snow to work with.

But if he tried to make it by hand, who knows how long it would take. If they were going to sleep in it and roast potatoes, it couldn’t be too small.

‘Right. Let’s make bricks.’

Big bricks, not small ones.

Jin Hyuk immediately rummaged through the storage shed and found a fruit crate.

He filled the perforated plastic crate with snow using a shovel.

Yoo Jin pressed it down with her hands and feet.

‘My smart little sister.’

She understood exactly what her brother was trying to do.

All kids probably have that level of insight, but it was just the delusion of a prickly older brother.

The temperature was low, but the weather was clear. Thanks to the sun’s radiant heat keeping the snow at a good consistency, the snow bricks held their shape without breaking easily.

“Hold it tight.”

“Okay~”

Using Yoo Jin holding the string as the center, he drew a large circle.

Then he placed the snow bricks along the line and demonstrated.

“I’ll put them here, and you smooth them out with your hands. Like this~”

“Okay, hehe~”

It would’ve been better if Jin Hyuk did the construction himself, but he wanted his sister to enjoy it too.

After all, seasons like this don’t come back once they’re gone.

Someday, when Yoo Jin is all grown up, she’ll remember this day and think fondly of her brother.

Yoo Jin smoothed the bricks with her tiny hands as her brother had taught her. Despite being so young, her hands were surprisingly skilled. She shaped the nearly rectangular bricks diagonally to prevent gaps, and it was quite impressive.

“Ugh, this is hard~”

“If you’re cold, go inside. I’ll finish it for you.”

“Nuh-uh~”

Yoo Jin stubbornly shook her head.

She sprawled out on the snow, stretching her legs. The ski pants Hong Soo-jung used to wear were great for keeping warm. And with four dogs surrounding Yoo Jin, the insulation was even better. Still, she’d get cold if she stayed out too long.

Jin Hyuk had no choice but to speed up.

“Wow, brother, you’re so good~”

What’s with this little one’s praise? It feels so good.

With a grin from ear to ear, Jin Hyuk picked up the pace.

Shovel, pack, stomp.

Flip the crate to make bricks, then shape them with a wooden stick to create a slight slope.

Finally, the circular wall began to tilt inward.

The upper bricks were made lighter, but he worried they might collapse under their own weight. He checked the seams several times to make sure they were secure.

“Looks good?”

“Yeah~, it’s good~”

Hongshi sat behind Yoo Jin so she could lean on him. Jang Gun-i was asleep with his head on Yoo Jin’s legs. Yoo Jin rested her hands on the heads of Cheon-ma and Gwang-ma, who were lying on either side, and watched her brother’s construction work.

The uncles in the neighborhood build houses slowly, but this brother moves back and forth like a dog, super fast. It’s like he doesn’t even breathe.

“Brother, aren’t you tired?”

“Nah. I’m fine for now.”

He had no choice but to act tough. He didn’t want to be the kind of brother who showed weakness in front of his sister. His stamina wasn’t an issue, but after hours of work, he was hungry and his eyes were dry. He pushed through, looking at his sister’s sparkling eyes.

The igloo was completed before Jin Hyuk collapsed.

It wasn’t exactly huge, but it was big enough for four dogs and four or five adults to sit comfortably. The ceiling was about as tall as Jin Hyuk, making it a massive project that even required a ladder.

For the finishing touches, he made a hole in the center of the ceiling and added a window to see outside.

‘I have to use my strength like this.’

Jin Hyuk is a student and a family member. He has a place to return to every day and people waiting for him.

It’s not a wartime situation, and in this advanced system, the world operates under the name of citizens forming organic relationships. A world where you suddenly set off on an adventure without any affiliation only exists in fiction.

Even if you’re physically strong, you can’t just rush out anywhere and use your strength recklessly. You can’t throw a tantrum because the world is peaceful and doesn’t recognize your strength.

‘That’s just crazy.’

This was Jin Hyuk’s analysis of the imbalance he felt as the year changed.

If there were threats, he’d naturally step up to punish them, but all he did was exercise morning and night, change Jeong Won’s diapers, play with Yoo Jin, and pick fleas off Jang Gun-i. For someone as energetic as Jin Hyuk, it was hard not to feel restless.

Among his peers, there were quite a few who ran away from home, and if Jin Hyuk were alone, he might’ve left long ago.

But why would he, when he has a family he’d cry if he didn’t see for even a day? Despite constantly struggling with his identity, Jin Hyuk wasn’t a fool.

‘This is where I belong.’

He nodded as he carefully filled the seams of the igloo’s outer wall with his gloved hands.

Even the uncles in the mountains weren’t much help.

Out of pride, they avoided sparring with Jin Hyuk, but Jin Hyuk also didn’t gain much in terms of skill or stamina from sparring with them. The gap was too wide. Even though they were careful not to get hurt, the SSS agents collapsed before Jin Hyuk could even warm up.

It was better to just keep rolling snow and building the igloo.

When you’re doing something alone, you can push yourself to the limit.

That’s why he exercised every day.

With no outlet for his overflowing energy, he had to control it by himself.

“Wow! This is so fun! It’s so cool!”

Yoo Jin jumped around inside the igloo.

Jang Gun-i and his dog friends wagged their tails as they went in and out of the entrance.

“Yoo Jin, do you like the snow house?”

“Yeah~! Hehe, I love it!”

Screeeeech~!

An unexpected ultrasonic sound.

Jang Gun-i and his dog friends yelped and escaped outside the igloo.

Jin Hyuk placed a hand over his sister’s head, worried the igloo might collapse from the ultrasonic waves.

‘Kids’ vocal cords are something else.’

Fortunately, the igloo he worked so hard to build didn’t collapse.

After playing in the igloo for a while, Yoo Jin started to doze off, leaning on Hongshi.

She’s truly amazing, aside from her vocal cords.

Even though she was bundled up warmly, the temperature was below freezing. How could she fall asleep?

Cheon-ma and Gwang-ma lay close to Yoo Jin.

Hehehe~.

The selfish Jang Gun-i squeezed himself between Hongshi and Yoo Jin, determined to survive on his own.

Jin Hyuk, who had considered carrying his sister, crawled out of the igloo instead.

To give his sister a memorable experience, including roasting potatoes.

***

Out of nowhere, a large igloo appeared.

From a distance, Son Jin-hyeok was seen bringing firewood inside the igloo.

‘That kid’s too old to be playing with fire.’

Son Jin-hyeok isn’t the type to light fires for no reason.

Yook Seong-chan and Lee Hae-won almost burned down the house when they were eight by setting fire to weeds, but Son Jin-hyeok has always been cautious.

So, he must be planning to roast something. Maybe fish or sweet potatoes. Whatever it is, it’ll be delicious. Everything tastes good over charcoal. I remembered the days in kindergarten when we skewered rice cakes and roasted them over charcoal. A nostalgic smile spread across Choi Mi-kyung’s teenage face.

Anyway, there’s no way this Choi Mi-kyung teenager’s pig radar could miss this.

So, she trudged through the snow and paid a visit.

“Jin-hyeok~”

Jin-hyeok’s eyes naturally narrowed as he pulled charcoal from the bonfire.

Just as he was about to start roasting potatoes, she appeared like a ghost. He vowed to someday visit Choi Mi-kyung’s house and find her telescope.

“Welcome.”

“Why are you alone?”

Choi Mi-kyung asked, her mouth agape as she looked around the igloo.

She knew he wasn’t the type to do something like this alone.

“Yoo Jin went to rest.”

Ah, I see. Choi Mi-kyung nodded half-heartedly.

Come to think of it, the only dog in the igloo was Jang Gun-i. The other three must’ve followed Yoo Jin.

“It’s really cozy and warm.”

“Here, sit on this.”

Jin-hyeok pushed the thick log he had been sitting on.

Even though she was a guest, he was worried she might sit on the thin pants she was wearing and get a cold butt. He had cursed her to get a clogged butt, but he didn’t wish for her to get frostbite.

‘It’s still amazing to see.’

Jin-hyeok stared intently at Choi Mi-kyung, the teenager. His gaze was somewhat affectionate.

His oldest and closest friend. He was glad they were seeing each other more often and spending more time together.

Perhaps Jin-hyeok’s gaze seemed inappropriate, as Choi Mi-kyung tightened her knit jacket and glared at him.

“Hi, unnie~”

Fortunately, the moment of misunderstanding was quickly dispelled by Yoo Jin’s timely return.

“Wow, our Yoo Jin has grown so much since I last saw her.”

“Right? They said she’s as big as a student.”

“Who said that?”

“Some random people.”

A sudden silence fell over the igloo.

That’s not the kind of thing you say casually.

Jin-hyeok sighed lightly and cautiously asked.

“Yoo Jin, when I was at school, you only played with Jang Gun-i, right?”

“I also met Cheon Grandpa and Jjorang Ajji.”

No wonder her speech was getting more old-fashioned.

Yoo Jin added proudly.

“I also met Lee Dong-ho.”

“Lee Dong-ho? Who’s that?”

“He lives over there~. Brother gave him a fish.”

A fish…

Ah! The youngest of those three brothers must be named Dong-ho.

“The oldest brother is Lee Jun-ho, then Lee Beom-ho, and his friend is Lee Dong-ho.”

Yoo Jin excitedly introduced her friend.

She also mentioned that they’d soon be going to kindergarten together, and even shared unnecessary information like Dong-ho being shorter than her and still wetting the bed.

“Who did you go all the way there with? Your legs must’ve hurt.”

There’s a phrase you should remember in the rural countryside.

「Things are farther than you think.」

Even though there are no obstacles and you can see everything clearly, walking there can be so tedious it makes you want to curse. Dong-ho’s place was a 10-minute walk for Jin-hyeok, but for Yoo Jin, it would take 30 minutes.

“I went with Hongshi, Jang Gun-i, Cheon-ma, Gwang-ma, and Jin-nam Ajji.”

Jin-hyeok nodded. With the dogs along, she wouldn’t have been bored. And with Jang Jin-nam there, she would’ve been safe.

It’s a relief, as her brother, that Yoo Jin has so many friends.

He was about to start roasting when he realized he was short on firewood.

Feeling bad about taking the log his friend was sitting on, he decided to go get more.

While Jin-hyeok was away, Yoo Jin showed interest in Choi Mi-kyung.

“Unnie, you must be cold~”

Choi Mi-kyung stifled a laugh.

Her speech had shifted from questioning to declarative, making her sound like an old lady.

“Unnie isn’t cold.”

“Are you wearing long johns?”

Choi Mi-kyung patted the little one’s head, her eyes sparkling.

“Even if I’m not, I’m not cold. You’ll understand when you’re my age, Yoo Jin.”

Perhaps curious why she wasn’t cold, Yoo Jin’s hand wandered from Choi Mi-kyung’s thigh to her buttocks, poking and prodding.

At the same time.

Jin-hyeok entered the igloo, struggling with an armful of firewood.

Huff huff~.

“Oh my!”

Choi Mi-kyung jumped up in surprise.

And glared fiercely at Jin-hyeok.

“Son Jin-hyeok, you…”

“What~”

Jin-hyeok raised his chin, his eyes half-closed.

It was a gesture Choi Mi-kyung often made.

With her eyes narrowed sharply, Choi Mi-kyung placed her hands on her hips.

“I’m telling your mom.”

“About what?”

Jin-hyeok tilted his head.

What was she going to tell her about? Unauthorized construction? Arson?

Ignoring Choi Mi-kyung’s icy stare, Jin-hyeok scratched his cheek.

Humming a tune.

‘Go ahead, tell her, you Japanese-. Bald-headed Japanese-.’

Outside the igloo, the snow began to pile up again.