Recently, the media had been clamoring daily about the atrocities of the pseudo-cult. Stories of numerous deaths and even secret burials were rampant.

  The news about the bodies discovered during the police's on-site investigation was more than enough to stimulate people's dark imaginations. The media outlets, as if to satisfy the shallow demands of the public, churned out countless articles designed to induce clicks.

  Regrettably, these articles, which were little more than excrement, were infinitely close to the truth.

  Thanks to this, the public’s attention had recently been focused on the cult. There aren't many people who dislike sensational topics, after all.

  However, even if one stripped away the sensationalism, the things the cult had done were beyond the imagination of those living a wholesome life.

  As with any pseudo-religion, countless amounts of blood had stained their temple red, and the cult grew by drinking it like vampires. The tears shed by the victims and their families in that process were already enough to form a river.

  But as always, public power did not move easily. If it hadn't been for a decisive tip-off, the police might have just done a cursory investigation this time as well.

  But this time was different.

  A single photograph delivered to the families of the victims changed everything. It was unknown who sent it, but thanks to it, they were able to find at least a clue about their lost family members.

  Of course, what remained at the end was only tears of blood.

  The police, who had never once stood on their side, finally got off their heavy behinds and began the investigation alongside reporters.

  And this was the result. Only the media was enjoying a feast, tearing at the corpses of the dead like hyenas.

  Looking at that sight, Jihyeon could only give a bitter smile. Fortunately, he had received a generous amount of money from the boss, but a corner of his heart was still filled with heaviness.

  One fortunate thing was that his parents had let this incident slide reasonably well. Jihyeon had braced himself for quite a commotion, but things passed more easily than expected.

  Precisely, it was possible because Min-ah's parents expressed their gratitude.

  It was only natural to show gratitude to the benefactor who had saved their daughter's life twice. Even his parents, who were about to scold Jihyeon, could only smile in the face of that.

  Furthermore, what could they say when he told them he had moved secretly to avoid bringing harm to his family?

  Jihyeon's parents didn't press further, partly because he had returned safely and partly because of the fact that he had saved Min-ah. Even if they weren't pleased, it was something they couldn't help.

  However, his parents worried that if such things were repeated, the family might be in danger, and Jihyeon was able to let the matter slide by saying he would be as careful as possible.

  But Jihyeon thought that promise would be difficult to keep. They wouldn't move right away, but the cult would eventually move again.

  None of their leaders had been arrested. It was obvious to anyone that the people behind them had a stronger influence than expected.

  Moreover, it couldn't be denied that the deceased Leader served as a good shield in this situation. The Deputy Leader and the General Manager defended themselves using every available means, claiming they didn't know what the Leader had done.

  No, they were even showing signs of trying to expand their influence by advertising the Leader's deeds daily, as if taking this as an opportunity.

  There were no words to say in front of that. Jihyeon merely agonized over whether he should have actually killed them.

  Still, for a few days, not a single cult devotee appeared within Jihyeon's surveillance network, so he was finally able to enjoy some peace.

  However, a single phone call easily shattered Jihyeon's peace.

  "What's going on?"

  Min-ah doesn't call unless something special happens. But if she did call, there must be something special. Jihyeon thought so and asked the purpose of her call.

  -I think my friend has been dragged into a pyramid scheme. But I don't really have anyone else to talk to about this...-

  Min-ah said in a voice that sounded truly sorry. Since she hadn't completely recovered from the shock and was recuperating at home, she was in no position to help others.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  But Min-ah couldn't ignore the plight of a friend she was somewhat close with.

  "Sigh... You're really going through a lot too."

  Jihyeon said, letting out a sigh. Just when he thought one thing was finally over, it seemed a new problem had found him again, as if by a cruel twist of fate.

  Still, this time, it didn't seem necessary to crush the pyramid scheme itself. Saving Min-ah's friend would be enough.

  Unfortunately, it was not an easy task to penetrate to the deepest level and destroy the organization. It might be different if he were going to kill people, but he didn't want to go that far, so it was even more so.

  As always, they were experts at walking a fine line between legal and illegal, ensuring that even if a point organization was destroyed, the main body remained unharmed.

  That meant the best course of action was to just clear out those who were clinging around.

  "I don't know how it'll turn out, but since it's your request, I'll give it a try. But try not to get involved in things like this if possible. I can't help you every single time."

  Jihyeon said that and hung up. It wasn't something he particularly felt like doing, but it wasn't easy to refuse Min-ah's request.

  "Good grief..."

  Letting out a sigh, Jihyeon began his investigation.

  Sang-il himself couldn't understand what he was doing right now. But since it had become something he had to do, Sang-il was just doing what he was told.

  However, the friend Sang-il had called was only filled with anger at his words.

  "Ju Sang-il. I didn't see you that way."

  Saying that, Sang-il's friend stood up from his seat. Sang-il couldn't even catch him and merely stammered. But his friend had already left, leaving only Sang-il and his so-called 'colleagues.'

  The colleagues looked at Sang-il with cold eyes. Their gazes were filled with contempt for Sang-il's incompetence and worry about the damage they would suffer.

  "I think Mr. Sang-il is still lacking. You need to know what it's like to be hungry and have a passion for success, but you're lacking in both."

  The team leader who was teaching Sang-il said that and rebuked him. At his words, Sang-il just lowered his head.

  "I-I'm sorry. I, I..."

  Sang-il apologized. He himself didn't know if this was truly something to apologize for. But the criticism that he wasn't doing things properly was increasingly cornering him.

  But what could he do?

  Sang-il no longer had a place to return to. This was now the only place for Sang-il.

  "Is apologizing enough? You shouldn't cause damage to the team like this. If it really doesn't work, you should repay the loss inflicted on the team even if you have to take out a private loan."

  The team leader said that and looked at Sang-il. Sang-il was terrified by his appearance once again.

  If he said the wrong thing, there was no telling what kind of violence would be waiting for him later at the dormitory. The team leader was infinitely cruel at the dormitory.

  Although he was covering it with a cheap suit he was forced to buy, Sang-il's body was covered in bruises. Just thinking about the pain that would come again made his body tremble.

  "Is Mr. Ju Sang-il here?"

  It was then. Someone came to the office looking for Sang-il. At that, the team leader, with an annoyed expression, sent a team member.

  He was likely trying to chase away the person looking for Sang-il by making some excuse. However, the team member started listening to the intruder's words, and his expression suddenly changed.

  "Ugh..."

  The team member who was sent to get rid of the intruder started crying. Then, the intruder said something and patted him on the shoulder, and at the same time, the team member ran outside.

  "Others are looking after Mr. Sang-il... I'll go see for myself."

  The team leader, thinking he wouldn't forgive the team member who ran out, went to find the intruder. The team leader, who had a somewhat menacing appearance, never forgave those who did useless things.

  This time too, he intended to crush those who interfered with their business. But the team leader, upon standing in front of the intruder, couldn't help but be surprised by the eyes of the man looking at him.

  There was no fear whatsoever. His eyes were extremely clear. The team leader knew through experience that one shouldn't mess with such a person easily.

  The team leader's appearance couldn't be called good, even as a flat lie. Furthermore, thanks to having bulked up his body to gain an advantage when fighting if necessary, there would be a significant difference in physique.

  Nevertheless, if he didn't feel any fear, it was one of two things.

  He was either stronger than him, or he had lost his sense of fear.

  Considering his physique wasn't better than the team leader's, it was highly likely the latter. Of course, in that case, a preemptive strike was the key to victory.

  However, the team leader tried to threaten and chase him away with words as much as possible, thinking of the 'just in case.'

  But at that moment, the intruder said:

  "Is your minus bank account okay? If you move it somewhere else now, the interest burden would at least be reduced."

  The intruder brought up something completely out of the blue. However, the moment he pointed out one of the team leader's recent worries, the leader felt speechless.

  "First, it would be helpful if you try this and that. And this too. If you hurry, the burden will be reduced quite a bit. Could you give me your phone for a second?"

  The intruder said that and at some point brought up something on the team leader's phone to show him. Seeing that, the team leader's eyes wavered. It was clear that he wouldn't be able to do anything for a while.

  Meanwhile, the intruder stood in front of Sang-il. He looked ordinary, but standing like this, his dignified appearance felt overawing.

  But in an incredibly gentle voice, the intruder said:

  "Mr. Sang-il. Don't say anything useless and follow me. You have no right of refusal."

  The intruder's words were simple. But there was a strong will felt in them that he would not tolerate a refusal.

  "No, well..."

  Sang-il muttered, flustered. He wanted to escape, but he hadn't expected things to happen like a bolt from the blue in the middle of the night like this.

  "This is troublesome. What are you going to do with our team member?"

  Wary of the intruder's attitude, one of the team members tried to stop him. But the intruder looked at the team member's face and said:

  "Are you checking the date? You'll have to put in the loan payment by today. You have money in your account, don't you? If you don't do this, everything will get tangled. Not much time left."

  At the intruder's words, the team member scoffed, wondering what he was talking about. But the team member's expression quickly hardened as he checked his phone just in case.

  Meanwhile, the intruder grabbed Sang-il's hand and pulled him out without any hesitation. There was no one who could stop him.

  Thus, Sang-il was able to come outside, away from the team members, for the first time in a very long while.