D.I.O

Chapter 165

Yongno had also seen the video clip. He gritted his teeth as he watched the high schoolers toy around with Leaf.

They really lost their minds. Were they truly so proud of themselves that they posted it on the internet?

If they had sexually assaulted or raped her, then perhaps there could have been some convoluted reasoning, but the group had been smacked around by Yongno before they could even do such a thing. As bullies, they should have been too embarrassed to post the full video, but they had heavily edited a clip before posting it, making it seem like they had the upper hand.

If I knew this would happen, I would have crushed all their cell phones.

However, Yongno didnt expect this. It wasnt that he never thought a photo or video would be posted; rather, he never anticipated that hed be so emotionally invested in Leafs situation.

I guess it was good that I covered my face back then.

When the situation occurred, Yongno used his hoodie to hide his face. He recognized some of the students within the group and had seen them around his house before. And so, Yongno didnt want them to realize who he was and make him confront them later on, and he was also avoiding having his face captured by their phones.

This video clip is so misleading, though.

Since the clip abruptly ended while the boys had their way with Leaf, what happened after was left to the viewers imagination. Furthermore, it didnt make sense that boys willing to go this far would suddenly stop and let Leaf go. While the video clip hadnt been released for more than a day, all sorts of theories and rumors were already circulating throughout the community. Of course, the vast amount of commentary was centered on how bad the perpetrators were, but regardless, any rumor or theory would negatively impact Leafs career.

Zing! Zing!

As he heard his cell phone vibrate on his desk, Yongno checked the callers number. It was Leaf.

Open the door! Open this door right now!

When Yongno answered, he heard someone banging on a door through his phones speaker. Leaf had run into her room and locked herself in, leading to the current situation where Byunghu was pounding on the door. Since Leaf had suddenly rebelled after always being mild-mannered in front of him, Byunghu was livid.

Dang, sounds like quite the ruckus. Is that your uncle-in-law?

Yeah, right now, theres-

Youre so lucky.

I-Im lucky?

At such unexpected words, Leaf stuttered, but Yongno just continued.

Yeah, youre lucky. Youre like a first-time fisher whose bait was swallowed whole by a massive fish. You sure got a live one on your line.

Leaf couldnt help but think that Yongno had nerves of steel. Obviously, Yongno wasnt feeling as much pressure as the trapped Leaf, but he did hear the banging over the line. Yet, he kept calm and spoke with a sense of ease.

A live one.

Truthfully, Leaf should have gotten angry. Wasnt Yongno making light of her situation? However, his laid-back manner, seemingly implying that her situation wasnt anything too serious, made her chuckle instead.

In fact, she was terrified. She had always been intimidated by her uncle, and the robust man was yelling and banging on her door; it would be abnormal if nothing negative resulted from this situation. If Yongno had comforted her by saying, Are you okay?, she might have started crying.

However, instead, Yongno laughed and called her situation a great opportunity. Moreover, he spoke in a casual tone, which seemed to state she had nothing to worry about. In a sense, his attitude and words could be construed as irresponsible, as she could be beaten by her uncle-in-law at any moment, but Leaf felt her fears melt away. Perhaps, as Yongno mentioned, she was lucky. Since her acting wasnt entirely natural, maybe this development was for the best.

Its not like Im going to die, right?

Right, if she thought with this mindset, she didnt have much to be concerned about. Yet, right then, she heard something unexpected through her cell phone.

/[Eleventh floor.]/

Huh? Eleventh floor?

While Leaf flinched after hearing the announcement through her line, Yongno pressed the doorbell.

Ack!

Its probably a reporter.

Byunghu had been slamming his fist on Leafs room door like a madman when he suddenly felt his head cool. After Leaf gained fame long ago, he understood that he couldnt curse and strike Leaf in public anymore, especially when the press was around.

When Byunghu and Misun settled down, the entire house fell into silence. A few reporters had already visited the house, and they only left because Byunghu chased them away. If Leaf had returned from outside the building rather than from Yongnos apartment, she would have met the reporters before Byunghu.

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Clunk!

Huh? What? Didnt you lock the front door?

It should have locked automatically.

You should have made sure!

Wait, why are you getting angry at me.

Byunghu seemed to be taking out his anger on everything, so Misun was a bit taken aback. Yongno, unconcerned about their bickering, walked into the entrance area and said, Lets go.

Go? What is he talking about?

Perplexed with what he was hearing, Byunghu made a confused expression, but then, he heard a click and saw Leaf leaving her room. Byunghu soon became furious. He couldnt speak his mind because of Yongnos presence. Instead, he violently grabbed Leafs hand.

Kyak!

What do you think youre doing-

Let go of her, dude.

Yongno smiled. However, Byunghu and Misuns bodies stiffened. Despite his smile, an unexplainable oppressive force was emanating from Yongno.

Y-y-you who are you?

Ugh.

Modern humans rarely, if ever, faced situations where they had to withstand killing intent. Furthermore, they would never experience killing intent that was reinforced with spiritual power. Right now, Yongnos killing intent wasnt something that any typical human being could overcome.

Lets go.

Huh? Oh, okay.

Yongno took Leafs hand and dragged her away. She wasnt subject to his killing intent, so she was perplexed as to why her aunt and uncle were acting so weird. Byunghu and Misun were rooted in place until the front door slammed shut.

Lets take the stairs.

Huh? This is the eleventh floor, though.

I need to explain some things while we walk. Also, give me the bracelet and necklace.

After Yongno spoke, Leaf took off the necklace and bracelet and handed them to Yongno, who promptly stopped the accessories functions.

Do you think you got anything useful?

Not just useful. I have enough to bury my aunt and uncle-in-law, but that isnt the main issue. On the internet-

I saw the clip as well. Dont worry.

How can I not worry? That video will create a massive misunderstanding!

Itll be alright. I have about five to six hours until I next connect to DIO, so I should be able to resolve things before then.

Yongno suddenly stopped speaking.

Ive changed.

His expression became serious. Yes, he changed. He wasnt the type of person to take the initiative regarding other peoples plights. No, he would turn a blind eye and run away even if his family, let alone his friends, faced trouble. Yet, an individual like him was now taking the initiative to help someone he barely knew.

Dont please dont.

Yongno recalled the image of a crying girl as she hunched over and held herself. In front of the trembling girl was a naked middle-aged man. The male anatomy between the mans legs was fully functioning.

Dont worry, Eunhye. This is just a fun playtime activity. Youre going to have fun with dad. Oh, so fun~.

No no.

Youll enjoy it soon. Soon.

As Eunhye stood in a corner, she watched him approach as he seemed to lick her whole body with his glistening, lust-filled eyes. It was such a creepy feeling that it made Eunhye want to throw up. Honestly, Yongno felt that it would be advantageous to let things continue a bit longer, but he couldnt bear to watch anymore.

Zing~!

Huh? Whats that?

Its a video recording, of course.

Yongno stepped out from another corner of the room, and Eunhyes crying visage soon changed between fear and surprise.

Yongno? Wait, no, run away.

You little runt! Give me that!

Eunhyes father, human trash, angrily reached toward Yongno. Never mind a child, even an adult would have been struck by fear if they saw his crazed expression filled with killing intent. However, Yongno just smiled. He didnt plan on quietly leaving in the first place.

Uh Yongno?

Dirty piece of trash. Ill make sure you remember this day forever.

Eunhyes father would never forget that day because it was the day a part of his male anatomy wouldnt function properly ever again.

Mr. Yoon Yongno?

It was around then when Eunhye started following him around everywhere. She would grab a handful of his shirt and accompany him wherever he went, constantly looking up to him. Yongno always fought to keep her safe from the disgusting adults around her, and consequently, his back was turned toward her, so he never really saw her expression. Yet, if he had, he would have seen Eunhye gazing up at him as if he was the shining sun in her life.

Hey, Yoon Yongno! Are you alright?

Huh? Why?

What do you mean why? You blanked out just now is something wrong?

No, nothing. It was only something that popped into my head.

After stating this, the two continued down the stairs. Leaf took a couple of peeks upstairs before sighing.

All those scenarios we practiced were for naught. I never thought things would turn out like this.

Well, it cant be helped. Honestly, I was a bit concerned about your acting skills, so maybe this was the best outcome.

What?

Leaf took exception to Yongnos comment, and she raised her eyebrows at him, her eyes widening. However, Yongno didnt seem to care.

Dont change careers to become an actor.

Hmph!

In a fit of anger, Leaf balled up her hands into fists and started lightly hitting Yongno, but all he did was laugh in response. Feeling that the atmosphere had lightened, Yongno started explaining his plan.

Ill take care of the video clip, so you should head to your agencys CEO. Is he trustworthy?

Of course! The CEO is-

If hes trustworthy, then good. As soon as you meet with him, hold a press conference and state that the video is real, but nothing happened afterward.

But-

I said Ill take care of it. Also, make sure to take the necessary measures to file a lawsuit against your aunt and uncle-in-law. State that they took all the money youve earned and have constantly physically abused you. Ill send you the evidence shortly. Did you get any footage of them intimidating you in any way?

Of course, Yongno already knew the answer, as he had seen Leafs red cheeks when she stepped out of her room. He was concerned that shed feel ashamed, but surprisingly, she answered in a straightforward manner.

More than intimidation. My uncle slapped me a few times.

Good.

Hey! How can that be a good thing? Leaf yelled.

Yongnos eyebrows twitched.

Hey, why are you yelling at your savior? If I find out later that you wavered from this plan, Im going to make it public that you peed in your underwear.

Leaf was stunned.

What! W-who would believe such a thing.

Ah! Now that I recall, I think I will put your pee-soaked underwear on an internet auction site. Itll probably bring in a considerable amount of money.

Ack! Alright! Ill follow your plan, so throw that away!

Good. I like that attitude.

After saying this, Yongno removed his hooded jacket and covered Leafs head with the hood. It didnt take long for them to exit the apartment building.

Where would you two like to go?

Wheres your agencys office?

Ah, take us to XXX!

Though there were several reporters loitering in front of the building, Yongno recognized every single one of them, allowing him to go around them and get into a taxi safely. It didnt seem like Leafs popularity had spread to the middle-aged demographic, as the taxi driver didnt seem to recognize her.

Head in carefully.

Okay.

After seeing Leaf enter her agencys office, Yongno turned around and started walking. He organized his thoughts.

Luckily, those high schoolers live in my neighborhood.

Yongno sifted through his memory. He had seen their faces before. Yongno had never spoken to any of them face-to-face, but as long as hed seen them once before, he would realize who they were. Moreover, there were ten of them, so it was probable that hed recognize at least one.

Lets see.

Yongno entered his mind palace. On one wall, all kinds of pictures were placed in frames and densely packed together. The frames were divided into five or six different colors, but as Yongno passed them, some of the frames popped out as if they were asking him to take a look.

Is it these?

His mind palace of memories was a space made from his imagination. For Yongno, it was possible to remember every moment at any time in his life, but it was painful to remember every single thing, 24 hours a day. So, he created this virtual space to search for memories when necessary.

Found them.

Yongno picked out five or six frames. The frames contained the faces of the high school students who molested Leaf the night before. Yongno had seen them in passing a few times while they were going to school.

Fortunately, they wore their school uniforms and name tags.

Yongno confirmed their faces and names. Since he knew the school they attended, their names, and even their faces, Yongno possessed all the necessary personal information he needed to track them down.

Im going to have to break into their homes. They uploaded an edited clip on the internet, but Im sure they still have the original video.

He murmured to himself as he entered a nearby alley. It was getting dark outside.