Kang Yoon Group. A large-scale enterprise that always ranks among the top five in South Korea’s business sector.
It started in the defense industry and now operates in various fields such as energy, distribution, heavy industry, construction, finance, and culture. The conglomerate companies bearing the name Kang Yoon alone total at least eighty.
At the Han-yul Military Academy, the influence of Kang Yoon Group was equally pervasive. The smartwatches and earsets worn by students were prime examples. Moreover, the scientific equipment and weapons in the training centers were also primarily products of this company.
Thus, Kang Yoon Group was everywhere in daily life, its influence truly vast. It was exactly what people commonly understood as a major corporation.
However…
Despite possessing unmatched power and wealth, the Kang Yoon Group had its own problematic member — Kang Ho-yeon’s second son, Kang Tae-hoon.
Kang Tae-hoon, a rare A-grade awakener born into the Kang family. When his powers were first discovered, the entire family erupted in celebration. Further, the whole nation pinned high hopes on him.
Europe had Arna Kristin Dotir, and Korea had Kang Tae-hoon — that’s how the saying went.
But, as time passed, Kang Tae-hoon’s actions increasingly disappointed the public. It wasn’t due to a lack of ability; his capabilities were sufficiently proven, evident even in his runner-up admission score at Han-yul Military Academy.
The problem lay in Kang Tae-hoon’s character. Since childhood, people often whispered about his poor emotional maturity.
His behavior was unlike others. He was like a powder keg ready to explode at any moment, swinging his power indiscriminately when agitated.
Additionally, his extreme competitiveness meant he hated losing anything — whether it be objects, positions, or status.
Due to his eccentric personality, Kang Tae-hoon was involved in several incidents. Only major events appeared in the media, but a closer inspection revealed many more misdeeds.
If he weren’t from a wealthy family, he would have ended up in jail long ago.
Kang Tae-hoon, the controversial runner-up at Han-yul Military Academy, continued to behave similarly even after returning for his second term.
The first thing he did was approach the top-ranked student, Arna. His intent was straightforward — to dethrone Arna and become the top student himself.
It was his twisted competitive spirit at work.
However…
“What are you even doing here? Are you out of your mind?”
“Excuse me? Is this how you greet someone who comes to help you?”
“Help? More like someone who has only complicated things further!”
Right in front of Kang Tae-hoon, infamous as the archetypal troublemaker, Arna remained unfazed. In fact, she was solely focused on the patient in a white hospital gown — Shin Yoon-seong.
“Hey… you two…”
Kang Tae-hoon addressed them, but they ignored him, continuing their verbal sparring.
“You should explain this to the people here! Go on!”
“Explain what?”
“Our relationship!”
“Ah, so you referring to that sticky, hard-to-detach relationship?”
“IIIIIEEEK… Are you provoking me on purpose? Want me to break you in half?”
That was strange. For all his life, he had never been disrespected, usually causing others to bow or kneel before him.
Now Kang Tae-hoon felt insulted? All because this bizarre “spoon guy” turned up?
What? Why is this making him angry?
“Hey. Are you two fooling around? How dare you just chat in front of me? What exactly are you up to?”
But no matter how imposing he tried to seem, his words fell on deaf ears. It’s as if the two had completely forgotten he was there.
“Hurry up and say it! About us not knowing each other!”
“I don’t even understand what you’re talking about since a while ago.”
“Ugh… Do you need a hit to snap out of it? Crunch those teeth tightly right now! Just wait until I—”
“GAHAAAAA… Listen to me, you bastards!”
In the end, Kang Tae-hoon resorted to letting out his loudest roar. Finally, they looked his way.
“What is it? Mr. Kang Tae-hoon, you are still here?”
“…”
Arna blinked and tilted her head curiously. It was as though she couldn’t comprehend why he was still present.
This was infuriating.
And then came Shin Yoon-seong’s finishing blow.
“Arna. Is this how you treat an esteemed guest? You should show them the utmost respect until the very moment of departure. Why don’t you prepare a goodbye drink for him?”
“Ah, that’s true. My apologies for being so thoughtless. Let me check my wallet…”
Arna immediately started searching her pockets, actually looking for her wallet.
“Hey… I’m Kang Tae-hoon from the Kang Yoon Group; do you think I’m here for a measly taxi fare?”
“How much is the taxi fare these days? Where do you live, Mr. Kang Tae-hoon?”
“Listen to me already, dammit!”
How dare someone pull out their wallet in front of Kang Tae-hoon? Right in front of someone who represented immense wealth? Was this on purpose?
“Looks like you aren’t ready to leave yet. It seems you would like to dine with us.”
“NEVER…”
“Ah, is that so? We already had lunch, but we could stop by a snack place. Do you like tteokbokki?”
“I DON’T NEED THAT… YOU BRATS…”
Offering tteokbokki to someone of Kang Tae-hoon’s stature? The street food that common folk ate? And then adding insult by suggesting a place to squat?
These guys have clearly lost their minds.
There was no recourse. The only option was to show these two precisely who Kang Tae-hoon was right here and now.
“Hey, look closely… See how a person from the Kang Yoon Group lives…”
Kang Tae-hoon pulled out his smartphone and made a call.
And shortly after.
SCREECH—!
A limousine entered the campus. It arrived in an instant in front of Kang Tae-hoon despite it being only moments since he had called it.
“Wow… a limousine… I’ve never seen one this big…”
“Hmph.”
Finally, they are beginning to sense the real power behind me. Watching their sparkling eyes with pity made him feel almost sorry for them.
Even the top student couldn’t have experienced riding in something like this.
But this wasn’t the end.
“What? You think I’d eat street food when my family operates a hotel restaurant right around the corner?”
CHUNK—!
The limousine driver opened the back door. Kang Tae-hoon entered the limousine grandly for all to see.
“Haha. Go ahead and ride taxis for the rest of your life, eating tteokbokki every day. I’m heading to the hotel restaurant right now.”
VROOOM—!
The limousine began moving, and naturally, the students’ eyes followed it. Their envious gazes were all focused on Kang Tae-hoon.
How exhilarating. It felt as though all the anger had been washed away by the respect in those stares. Finally, he was feeling more satisfied.
“….”
But why?
Why was he just leisurely riding in the limousine?
Come to think of it, there was something he needed to do with Arna…
“AH”
That’s right!
The evaluation battle!
Damn it! He fell for their tricks!
This scamming duo!
*
After receiving a soccer-style kick from Arna, Kang Tae-hoon’s hospital stay was unnecessarily prolonged.
That cursed monster with breasts! Could she have kicked a little lighter?
Still, it was fortunate that the full story came to light.
Now it was clear why Arna was throwing that tantrum. All because of rumors circulating around the campus.
It was ridiculous to hear people spreading lies: that I had a scandal with Arna, and the reason I was hospitalized was due to sleeping with her. Who do they think I am?
And those who blindly believe such nonsense are equally problematic. How I could be in a romantic relationship with Arna when considering what I’ve already done to her?
Anyway, it seemed I needed to take things a step further. I’ll have to intensify my torment towards Arna to prevent any future misunderstandings. Then people wouldn’t jump to conclusions like this.
That aside…
Cleaning up the rumors wasn’t a difficult task. Since there were witnesses to his strained back during training, their testimonies helped quickly quell the gossip.
But still…
I wonder when my late-night meal will arrive.
I had a clear arrangement with Choi Soo-eun to deliver dinner every night.
After waiting for hours, I haven’t received the lunchbox yet. And I even skipped dinner waiting for it.
Maybe I should give her a call. To ask when she’ll bring the food.
Just then, the door to my room opened. Has the food finally arrived?
“Hmm? Aren’t you…?”
It wasn’t Choi Soo-eun who entered but her ever-attached junior.
“The senior is busy right now, so I came to deliver it instead.”
“I see. Sorry for the trouble.”
I quickly prepared the side table attached to the bed and got the spoon ready.
“Here you go.”
The junior smiled cheerfully and handed me the lunchbox bag.
I wondered what today’s menu was. The smell doesn’t give much away. The food seems a bit cold, and the bag doesn’t emit much heat.
Oh well. It doesn’t have to be warm as long as it’s Choi Soo-eun’s cooking. Even if it’s cold, it’ll surely be delicious.
While barely containing the saliva building up at the thought, I slowly opened the lid of the lunchbox.
“…”
But there, in stark contrast to my expectations…
The lunchbox was empty inside. The other compartment was the same as well.
I glanced at the junior, wondering if he brought the wrong one. But he just kept smiling brightly.
Judging by his expression, it doesn’t seem like he brought the wrong one…
“…”
Could this empty box…
mean I’m supposed to die…?
