At some point, all matters related to the so-called tools became concentrated on Seok-young. While other investigators were also involved, he was currently evaluated as the person closest to the core of the tool phenomenon.

  It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but Seok-young accepted it as a bit of a burden. There were plenty of people more outstanding and experienced than him, so being treated this way seemed to weigh on his mind.

  However, such evaluation was ultimately a result of the achievements he had produced. People held high expectations for Seok-young, who solved cases alongside Jihyeon.

  Perhaps that was why Seok-young was not particularly pleased with the uninvited guest entering his office.

  "I have too much work because of you," Seok-young complained as soon as Jihyeon arrived. Work was piling up as much as the expectations, and thanks to that, Seok-young worked overtime every day. Even now, as he tapped away at the keyboard, he looked haggard.

  "I am sorry for that, but it seems I have to add one more thing to be sorry for today," Jihyeon said, handing him hot coffee and donuts. It was a popular brand recently. Seok-young could only manage a bitter smile as he took them.

  "It’s almost annoying how you always buy exactly what I want to eat."

  Seok-young knew well that the person before him was someone who could know everything about him. Since hiding was impossible, he seemed to have half-given up by now.

  "The better, the better," Jihyeon replied slyly, handing the memory card to Seok-young as usual. Seok-young took it and checked the data. Soon, a massive amount of information began to appear on the screen.

  "There are plenty of loan sharks... Is it a tool again?"

  If it were just a loan shark connected to a gambling site, there would be no reason to seek out Seok-young. Seok-young knew that if Jihyeon set his mind to it, he could lead them to ruin without leaving a single shred of evidence.

  Yet, since he came here, it was clearly related to a tool. It meant there was someone he wanted to crush using police power.

  If someone became Jihyeon's target, they would not be an ordinary villain. Thus, Seok-young asked with interest.

  "Yes."

  A short but intense answer.

  At Jihyeon’s reply, Seok-young let out a sigh. He already had enough work, and adding one more was never welcome.

  However, that was the nature of a civil servant’s job. Muttering that solving complaints was his duty, Seok-young began to read the materials.

  But as he scanned down the documents, Seok-young’s expression quickly darkened. This was content he could not tolerate.

  "What... what kind of bastard is this..."

  It wasn’t strange for profanity to escape Seok-young’s mouth. He was feeling the same shock Jihyeon felt when he first approached the truth.

  "Setting other things aside... Good grief..."

  Seok-young muttered and immediately began contacting other departments. After organizing and sending the data, he asked Jihyeon.

  "How did you find this out? Things like this?"

  Seok-young knew well that Jihyeon disliked troublesome tasks. Thus, he asked out of curiosity.

  "My younger brother heard that kids gambling at school were borrowing money from a loan shark and told me. Actually, even I didn't know he was this kind of person."

  At Jihyeon’s words, Seok-young simply nodded, making a noise of discomfort. If he hadn't known, it might be different, but now it was something he couldn't overlook.

  "My brother just wanted me to ask a detective I know to investigate since I frequent the police station... Even I was flustered by the result. Not only does he use tools, but his methods are extremely vicious. There’s almost no evidence. He’s a veteran at this."

  Jihyeon muttered about the crimes he had committed. Everything he listed was an unforgivable act.

  "We must start the investigation immediately. Jihyeon-ssi, please provide as much data as possible. We’ll do our part, but we need data in a different format for those who play around with the law."

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Seok-young stood up as he spoke. It seemed he needed to have a meeting with his colleagues right away.

  "I’ll leave it to you."

  Jihyeon simply watched Seok-young as he left.

  When Jihyeon arrived home, Jihyeok was waiting. Jihyeok’s expression was dark. Seeing that face, which made it clear something had happened, Jihyeon quietly checked his brother’s information and asked.

  "What happened?"

  At the brother’s question, the younger one replied.

  "He didn't come."

  Just three words, but it was enough. If it were an ordinary absence, Jihyeok wouldn't have made such a face. Jihyeok let out a sigh, saying the teachers at school were looking for him.

  Faced with a situation completely different from what he first thought, Jihyeok seemed very flustered. Jihyeon sighed at his brother’s words and replied.

  "I’ve already spoken to the police, but the situation has escalated..."

  The brother’s friend would likely find it difficult to return to his former self. However, Jihyeon did not tell Jihyeok about the fate that was already sealed. The fate waiting for the friend could not be put into words. No, everything might have already ended, if the truth Jihyeon found was correct.

  If he didn't know, he might be able to speak of hope. But the loan shark did not use tools himself. Because of that, the truth he learned was something anyone would want to look away from.

  Regardless, he had to search for him. Thus, Jihyeon made up his mind to make contact immediately.

  However, he could not bring himself to call in front of his brother. It would be dangerous if he accidentally spoke the truth. Instead, Jihyeon made an excuse to Jihyeok and went into his room. Then, he carefully concentrated his consciousness.

  "Damn it."

  It didn't take long to find the answer. Jihyeon could only sigh at the fact that it was already too late.

  The police wouldn't have known it would turn out this way either. Who would have thought such a thing would happen on the day he wasn't paying attention? Jihyeon reflected on the fact that he hadn't thoroughly monitored the loan shark. It was his mistake.

  It was only a one-day difference. Jihyeon couldn't help but lament several times over his mistake of not thinking a person’s fate could crumble so vainly.

  Instead, Jihyeon vowed. He would surely pay for his mistake. He couldn't save the children already taken away, but he would definitely destroy the one who caused the incident.

  Simultaneously, Jihyeon began to form a surveillance network using all the abilities he possessed. From what the loan shark was doing now to everyone associated with him.

  In an instant, materials were gathered. After organizing them, Jihyeon immediately contacted Seok-young. Though being late was unavoidable, it was to prevent further victims.

  The loan shark gave a bitter smile as he watched the buyers take the children away. The children who borrowed money from him and couldn't pay it back properly were sold off like this.

  None of the children showed any signs of their own will. Because crude tools were forcibly implanted and equipment was activated, their reason had completely collapsed.

  Puppets that didn't matter what was done to them. They were alive and could do whatever they were told, but they had no will; children who had become objects that could be used for anything could be good products even in this state.

  However, the loan shark only sold these children to the person who came to acquire them. It was the other side that proposed doing it this way in the first place. And the loan shark accepted their proposal.

  Those children would now live in a fate that even the loan shark didn't know. It was uncertain if they would return alive. No, even if they returned alive, those children would not be able to live a proper life. There is no life for a puppet whose reason has completely collapsed.

  They shouldn't have gone into debt in the first place, but if they couldn't pay after doing so, they had to take responsibility. From the loan shark's perspective, selling them off like that was much better than seeing a miserable sight.

  Of course, if the loan shark stepped forward personally using his previous skills, they would surely have seen a much harsher fate. He was a man who could send an entire family into the abyss.

  If he made up his mind to extort money, there was nothing he couldn't do. If he intended to, he could turn a mere few hundred thousand won into hundreds of millions.

  Actually, he had tried various things after neutralizing some children with equipment as an experiment. But he realized that was just troublesome in the end.

  So, in exchange for receiving the devices that control tool users, he chose to sell the children. That way was much cleaner. On paper, it would only remain as having sold a debt. Even if the police investigated, there would be no legal problem. He had researched it so it wouldn't become a problem, so they wouldn't be able to touch him easily.

  If he continued like this, he would surely keep making enough money.

  Of course, questions arose. He didn't know what they would do after taking them away. Even if they were made to do something illegal, it would be hard to make a profit in most cases. But that was their business.

  Just disposing of them this way brought money cleanly to the loan shark. And enough so that the loan shark wouldn't lose out. That was enough.

  The loan shark thought it wasn't bad to dispose of the kids who didn't even pay their debts properly like this. He didn't care about their future. What mattered was the fact itself that he didn't lose anything.

  Of course, he could contact the parents and extort a lot of money. That side had better long-term profits. Depending on the case, he could earn money by selling the kids to places other than where they were currently bought.

  However, if he could receive devices to control tool users, this was a much better business. This was something that couldn't be easily obtained even with money.

  Anyway, there are plenty of gamblers. Fools dreaming of a jackpot keep gathering. And they collapse while spending money beyond their means. It was good that such people came indefinitely. Until the site was taken down, they would continue to swarm like moths to a flame.

  "Well, this is finished... I'll have to pull up a new list..."

  The loan shark ordered his subordinates. Then, the subordinates reacted mechanically and provided the data he wanted.

  "Good... then keep working hard."

  The loan shark said so and went outside. The subordinates working like machines simply continued to tap away at their keyboards according to his command.