Still… this can't be everything.
Airen's eyes narrowed at the piles of cash stuffed into his inventory. A man like him should've had more.
He marched back down to the first floor where the trembling underlings still knelt. His gaze cut through them like blades.
"Why does your boss only have 133,000,000 won?" he demanded, voice sharp. "You sharks lend to hundreds of people. You should have billions."
One thug stammered, eyes wide. "H-how did you… the vault was locked. Only the boss knew the code. How did you—"
Airen's fist clenched, veins throbbing against his skin. His glare was so fierce the man shut his mouth mid-sentence.
"You don't need to know how," Airen growled. "Answer me."
Another man, older, let out a bitter laugh. "We only had that much because… the money isn't really ours. A big company gives it to us to hand out as loans. We just take a cut of the interest."
"What the hell are you saying?" one of the others snapped. "Shut up!"
"No, let him talk," Airen ordered. His presence made them shrink back like whipped dogs.
The man spat on the floor. "I hate those bastards anyway. They act all high and mighty, but they're no different from us. Just criminals in suits. The company's called Hansung Capital."
Airen's eyes widened, his chest tightening. Hansung Capital… isn't that the same company I borrowed money from?
His thoughts swirled. Shit. This runs deeper than I thought. He leaned forward, voice low. "Don't they already have a huge amount of money? Why do this illegal loan business?"
The thug continued, shaking his head. "I once asked one of their guys why. He just laughed and said—'Why not more?'"
Airen's jaw locked, his expression unreadable. Why not more, huh?
His thoughts swirled. Shit. This runs deeper than I thought. Why would they run illegal loans? Hansung's net worth on paper is already 400 million dollars. Realistically… they should have near a billion.
The System's voice purred inside his head.
Exactly. You should teach those kinds of companies a lesson too.
Airen scoffed inwardly. You want me to fight a billion-dollar company now?
But then another thought crept in, curling his lips into a grin. If they've got black money hidden… even if I steal it, they can't go crying to the police.
His voice dropped low, steady. "Don't worry. This hero will handle it."
He turned and walked downstairs to the ground floor. The room was silent except for the nervous shuffling of five young men sitting on benches. Their clothes were worn, eyes hollow.
The System spoke again.
You should give them some money. I think they really need it.
Airen froze. His fist trembled slightly, lips twitching. Damn it. I really don't want to give away my money… He forced a crooked smile. Fine. Just a little. Enough to keep up the 'hero' act.
He approached the nearest one. "Hey, you. Why do you need money?"
The boy, barely nineteen, flinched like a cornered rabbit. His hands trembled as he stood, eyes darting to his companions. "W-we… we need money to start a business." His voice cracked.
"'We'?" Airen tilted his head.
The other four stood too, faces pale but determined. "Yes, all of us. He's our leader," one said, nodding toward the boy.
Airen folded his arms, studying them. "And where are you from?"
The boy hesitated, then answered softly. "…Haenam Sanctuary."
Airen's brows rose. That place?
Haenam Sanctuary. He'd heard of it. A refuge for runaways, orphans, poor families, even ex-criminals who had nowhere else to go. A place where society's forgotten tried to survive.
Airen's voice dropped low. "What kind of business?"
The boy clenched his fists, gathering courage. "A fast-food stall… and a fruit shop. People in the Sanctuary can't even afford daily necessities. If we work, if we build something… maybe we can feed everyone. As their leader, it's my responsibility."
His words trembled with desperation, yet his eyes burned with conviction.
Airen's heart twisted. "…And how much?"
The boy's knees buckled. He dropped to the floor, bowing his head. "Please… 35 million won."
Airen's face froze. His thoughts screamed. What?! I thought he'd say two or three million! Thirty-five?! Shit, I can't even say no because of the damn System…
He forced a stiff smile, though his eye twitched. "…Don't worry. I'll give you the money. No interest. No need to return it."
The boys gasped, disbelief spreading across their faces. "R-really?!"
Their joy exploded like fireworks. They laughed, cried, some nearly danced right there in the lobby. Tears ran down one boy's cheeks as he shouted, "I knew it! There are good people in this world after all!"
Airen scratched his cheek awkwardly, hiding his grimace. Damn, my money…
"I stored it in my inventory," he muttered under his breath. "Can't exactly pull it out in front of them."
He forced a polite smile. "Wait here for a few minutes."
"Of course, sir!" they chorused.
Airen strode upstairs again, stopping halfway up where no one could see. He summoned the cash from his inventory, the weight of the bundles heavy in his arms, then marched back down.
The boys' eyes widened. Their hands shook as he handed them the money. Some hugged it like a lifeline. Others just sobbed openly.
"Thank you, sir! Thank you so much!"
Airen waved dismissively, but his chest felt tight.
One boy bowed deeply. "If you ever have trouble, come to Haenam Sanctuary. We'll do whatever we can to help you."
Airen chuckled. "I might visit. Not to ask for help, but to see if you really start this business. And if I find you slacking… I'll take the money back."
The boy nodded furiously. "I promise we won't disappoint you!"
Airen tilted his head, studying him for a moment. "What's your name, leader of the runaway shelter?"
The boy straightened his back despite the tears in his eyes, answering with a proud smile. "Sir, my name is Joon-ho."
Airen gave a faint grin. "Joon-ho, huh… fitting name for someone leading others. Don't waste this chance."
"Yes, sir!" Joon-ho's voice rang with determination.
The five left together, clutching the cash like treasure, their laughter echoing outside.
Silence filled the room once again.
The System's voice echoed softly.
I knew it. Deep down, you're a hero.
Airen's forced grin broke into a twisted grimace. His fists trembled, eyes glossy with unshed tears.
"Damn it…" he whispered hoarsely. "That was… thirty-five million…"