Chapter 53: Manhunting

Jin Yu-jin stood in Woo-seok's living room, carefully setting down a steaming container of homemade food on the dining table. The rich aroma of ginseng chicken soup filled the air, its warmth meant to help Woo-seok recover faster.

But Yu-jin's attention wasn't on the food.

His sharp ears caught a familiar name—Seo-woo.

He paused mid-step, tilting his head slightly as he heard Haneul chatting animatedly on a video call.

Curiosity flickered in Yu-jin's eyes. He recognized the faint worry in Haneul's voice. Something had happened.

He casually approached from behind, craning his neck just enough to peek at the screen without making it obvious.

"...Seo-min had an accident. He's in the hospital right now."

Yu-jin's brows furrowed.

Seo-min?

That name didn't ring a bell.

But the way Haneul's voice tightened with concern made it clear that this wasn't just anyone. Who was Seo-min to Seo-woo?

Before he could ponder further, Haneul suddenly felt a presence behind him. He turned around, his expression immediately darkening when he saw Yu-jin standing there with a curious smile.

"What are you doing here?" Haneul asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

Yu-jin grinned, lifting his hands in a playful surrender. "Relax, kid. I just dropped by to bring Woo-seok some healthy food. Thought I'd check in on him."

Haneul narrowed his eyes, clearly not buying it.

But before he could shoo Yu-jin away, a small voice from the phone spoke up.

"Haneul, who's with you?"

Yu-jin raised an eyebrow. The voice was soft, almost hesitant.

Haneul hesitated, clearly debating whether to introduce him, but Yu-jin took the initiative and leaned in closer, flashing his signature friendly smile at the screen.

"Oh? Who's this?"

On the other end of the call, a young boy with big, round eyes blinked at Yu-jin.

"I-I'm Eun-woo."

Yu-jin's curiosity piqued instantly. Unlike Haneul, who looked completely unimpressed by his presence, Eun-woo seemed more shy than wary.

Haneul rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed that Yu-jin was inserting himself into the conversation.

"Ignore him," Haneul muttered, turning his attention back to Eun-woo.

But Yu-jin, ever persistent, didn't back off.

"Ahh, so you're the Eun-woo he always talks about," Yu-jin mused, feigning casual curiosity while mentally noting the name. "Sorry, but I heard Seo-woo's name. I'm his former colleague. Are you close with Seo-woo?"

Eun-woo fidgeted slightly, his small fingers gripping the edge of his phone.

"Uhm... He is my..."

Before Eun-woo could finish his reply, a distant noise came from Eun-woo's side of the call—a deep, unmistakably authoritative voice.

"Eun-woo, we're leaving soon."

Yu-jin stiffened.

That voice.

It was too familiar.

On the screen, Eun-woo turned his head slightly and nodded. "Okay, Dad. I'll be ready in a sec."

When he turned back to Haneul, he quickly explained, "I have to go. We're visiting Seo-min at the hospital."

Haneul nodded. "Okay. See you tomorrow."

The call ended.

But Yu-jin wasn't smiling anymore. He didn't know what Seo-woo and Eun-woo's relationship was and who was Seo-min.

Because in that brief moment before the screen faded to black...

He had seen Eun-woo's father's face.

And he knew exactly who that man was.

"Ryu Hyun-woo?"

Jin Yu-jin realized something—Seo-woo's surname was also Ryu, which meant they were related. He also knew Ryu Jung-woo, the man he had almost seduced. Damn. Ryu Seo-woo, you're damn lucky to have a great family.

---

A deep, robotic voice suddenly echoed inside Seo-woo's head, making him freeze in place.

[System No. 1276: Host, I deeply apologize...]

Seo-woo's heart skipped a beat. He wasn't expecting the system to speak up now, of all times.

His hands clenched into fists, but instead of lashing out, he let out a shaky breath.

"It's not your fault," he muttered under his breath, his voice surprisingly gentle.

The system fell silent for a moment as if processing Seo-woo's unexpected response.

But Seo-woo wasn't done.

"Tell me... Can you locate Inoue Ren right now?"

A heavy pause.

Then, the system's voice returned, this time sounding hesitant.

[System No. 1276: ...Sorry, I am not permitted to disclose such information.]

Seo-woo's brows furrowed.

"Why not?"

[System No. 1276: It is one of the fundamental rules. System helpers cannot provide direct information about this world. The host must earn knowledge through completing tasks and uncovering the truth on their own. If I break the rules, I will be punished.]

Seo-woo clicked his tongue, his frustration bubbling.

But he knew there was no point in arguing with the system.

"Fine," he sighed, rubbing his temples. "I get it."

Just as he was about to shift his focus back to the real world, something unexpected happened.

A tiny, glowing chibi character suddenly popped up in front of him, floating in mid-air.

Seo-woo blinked.

"...Huh?"

The tiny figure was a miniature version of a handsome young man, dressed in an elegant black suit with silver embroidery. His golden eyes shimmered, and his fluffy silver hair bounced slightly as he hovered.

It looked like something straight out of a high-budget fantasy game.

Seo-woo's head tilted in confusion.

"...Wait. Is this—"

[System No. 1276: Ah... yes. This is a chibi representation of myself.]

Seo-woo stared at the chibi.

The chibi stared back.

A second of silence passed between them before Seo-woo suddenly burst into laughter.

"You... look ridiculous."

The chibi system pouted.

[System No. 1276: Ridiculous?! This is a carefully crafted design based on my real appearance!]

Seo-woo chuckled a bit.

"So, you're saying this is what you really look like? A tiny, smug, floating mascot?"

The chibi crossed its arms.

[System No. 1276: No! This is only a chibi-fied version of my real self. But yes, my true form does share similarities with this appearance.]

Seo-woo smirked.

"So basically, you're a pretty boy."

The chibi's face turned red.

[System No. 1276: I—That is irrelevant information!]

Seo-woo laughed internally.

For a moment, the tension and frustration from earlier melted away.

Even if he couldn't get the answers he wanted right now, at least he learned one thing—

His system was unexpectedly... kind of cute.

Hmm... What should I do? The original Ryu Seo-woo's children were so attached to me that they felt like my own. This was due to one of my passive skills, "Integration," which fully revealed itself after seeing Seo-min lying down in the hospital bed. This skill allows me to adapt effortlessly, making it feel as if I truly am the original Ryu Seo-woo. That explains why I can manage everything so easily—almost as if I had always owned this body.

"Why did you tell me about Integration?"

[System No. 1276: I'm sorry for my incompetence. I should have told you from the start that Integration is a gifted skill meant for you. Because of past experiences, I convinced myself not to interact with my host—but I didn't realize that you were different. You are truly capable, and for that, I sincerely apologize.]

Seo-woo just sighed and pulled the system's cheek.

[System No. 1276: Ouch! That's virtually hurt]

Seo-woo just smirked and went to Seo-min's room.

The hospital room was silent except for the steady beeping of the heart monitor. The air smelled of antiseptic, and the dim lighting cast soft shadows on the walls. Seo-woo stood beside the hospital bed, his eyes locked on Seo-min's small, fragile figure tucked beneath the blanket.

The scene before him should have been peaceful, but it wasn't.

Not when his youngest son had collapsed in fear and pain.

Floating beside him was System No. 1276, a tiny chibi version of the system that had appeared earlier. It hovered near Seo-woo's shoulder, its golden eyes flickering with an unreadable expression.

"System, can you analyze Seo-min's condition?" Seo-woo asked, his voice steady, but his fingers curled into fists.

The chibi system nodded.

[System No. 1276: Understood. Initiating full-body scan...]

A soft blue glow covered Seo-min's body, scanning every inch of him.

Seo-woo held his breath as he watched, silently pleading that nothing too serious had happened to his son.

After a few tense moments, the system chimed.

[Analysis complete. Displaying results.]

A transparent screen materialized in front of Seo-woo's face, glowing faintly in the dimly lit room.

His heart pounded as his eyes moved across the information.

[Full-Body Analysis – Seo-min]

Physical Condition: Stable, but experiencing psychological distress.

Injury Detected: A minor puncture wound on the inner elbow

Mental State: Severe trauma. High risk of developing acute stress disorder.

Recommendations: Immediate rest, emotional support, and psychological counseling.

Seo-woo felt his stomach twist.

Seo-min wasn't just injured—he had been deeply shaken by what happened.

"The doctor wasn't wrong—my poor Seo-min had trauma."

His chest ached at the thought.

His cheerful, bright Seo-min—who loved to talk and play—had been so terrified that he passed out.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

"System, what can I do to help him recover faster?" Seo-woo asked, his voice softer now.

[System No. 1276: Continuous emotional reassurance. Keep him surrounded by familiar, safe environments. Avoid triggers that might remind him of the incident. If trauma persists, professional therapy is advised. But there is something I need to tell you: your voice is special and can heal psychological problems or even emotional distress.]

Seo-woo was shocked.

He knew this wasn't something that would heal overnight, but when the system told him that his voice could heal people's psychological problems or even emotional distress.

Just then, Seo-min stirred.

His small fingers twitched before his eyelids fluttered open.

"Seo-min...?" Seo-woo whispered, leaning closer.

Seo-min's drowsy, unfocused eyes met his father's.

For a moment, relief washed over Seo-woo—until he noticed the way Seo-min's pupils shrank in fear.

Seo-min's breathing quickened. His tiny hands clutched the blanket, and his body tensed as he looked around the unfamiliar white walls of the hospital room.

His lower lip trembled.

"N-no... no...!"

His small voice cracked, his eyes darting around frantically as if searching for an escape.

Seo-woo's heart shattered.

"Seo-min, it's okay. Daddy's here," he said, reaching out carefully.

But the moment Seo-woo's hand touched Seo-min's shoulder, the child let out a terrified wail.

"No! No! Bad man! Bad man!" Seo-min thrashed, his tiny body shaking violently. His face was streaked with tears as he clung to the blankets, curling into himself.

Seo-woo's throat tightened.

His son wasn't just traumatized—he was reliving the fear all over again.

Seo-woo tried again, this time keeping his voice soft and steady.

"Seo-min, listen to Daddy. You're safe now. No bad men. No more danger."

But Seo-min wasn't listening.

His eyes were glassy with terror, his mind stuck in the moment he was attacked.

But then, Seo-woo sang:

🎵Close your eyes, take my hand, I'm here,

You're not alone, there's nothing to fear.

Step by step, the hurt will fade,

Brave little heart, you'll be okay.🎵

Then, Seo-min's small body went limp.

He had slept after hearing Seo-woo's singing voice.

Seo-woo sat quietly, his hands trembling.

Min-ho, who had been standing near the doorway, took a step forward.

"...This isn't just fear. He was completely overwhelmed," Min-ho murmured. His usual calm voice had a rare hint of unease.

Seo-woo swallowed hard, forcing himself to take a deep breath.

"You should go home now. It's already 5 p.m."

Min-ho approached and asked, "Do you need help? I can investigate what happened to your son."

"It's okay. My younger siblings are investigating the case right now. I will not forgive those bastards who hurt my beloved son." Seo-woo said while fixing Seo-min's position on the bed.

"I suggest placing some bodyguards in front of your son's room for security," Min-ho said while going out of the room and saying goodbye.

Seo-woo just waved his hand.

---

The hospital room was filled with a somber atmosphere as Hyun-woo's family arrived. The scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, and the soft beeping of the monitor was the only sound accompanying the quiet sniffles of the children.

Eun-woo and Eun-soo, usually so happy to meet their cousins, stood hesitantly by the hospital bed, their small hands gripping each other tightly.

Eun-woo's lower lip trembled as he looked at Seo-min's peaceful yet pale face, his small chest rising and falling with each shallow breath.

"Uncle... will Seo-min be okay?" Eun-woo asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Seo-woo crouched down and placed a gentle hand on his nephew's head.

"He's strong, just like you, Eun-woo. He just needs some time to rest."

Eun-soo clutched the hem of her father's coat, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"The bad man... he won't come back, right?" she asked, her voice small.

Hyun-woo, standing beside them, let out a soft sigh and kneeled down, placing a reassuring hand on his daughter's back.

"No, sweetheart. Uncle Jung-woo and Auntie Ji-woo will make sure of that, right?"

Jung-woo and Ji-woo, stood nearby, their expressions dark with suppressed anger.

"Of course," Jung-woo said firmly. "We'll find out who's behind this and make sure it never happens again. I've placed some bodyguards outside to ensure that no suspicious individuals enter without permission—not even doctors or nurses, as some may attempt to impersonate hospital staff."

After making sure the children were occupied, Seo-woo motioned for his siblings to sit for a while for a private conversation.

Once they were alone in the hospital hallway, Seo-woo took a deep breath, his expression unreadable.

"There's something I need you all to look into."

Ji-woo, always sharp-eyed, noticed the shift in Seo-woo's demeanor.

"What is it?" she asked.

Seo-woo looked around cautiously before leaning in, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"A man named Inoue Ren."

Jung-woo frowned.

"Who is he?"

Seo-woo hesitated for a moment before answering.

"He's the reason why Seo-min was targeted."

His brothers' eyes widened in shock.

"What do you mean?" Hyun-woo demanded.

Seo-woo exhaled, running a frustrated hand through his hair.

"This isn't the first time he's tried to get to me. Inoue Ren has been after me because of... my condition."

The weight of those words hung heavy in the air.

Ji-woo's brows furrowed.

"Are you referring to your ability to give birth?"

Seo-woo swallowed hard before finally confessing.

"Yes." His voice was firm but quiet. "A biological impossibility, yet I did it. And now, people like Inoue Ren want to know why."

A stunned silence fell over the group.

Hyun-woo, usually the most composed, is visibly tensed.

Jung-woo clenched his jaw, his hands balling into tight fists.

Ji-woo shook his head in disbelief.

"Are you telling us this only now?" Hyun-woo's voice was low, but the barely contained frustration was evident. "Why didn't you say anything sooner that you knew the suspect, Seo-woo?"

Seo-woo bit his lip, his shoulders stiffening.

"I... I didn't want to worry you all," he admitted.

Hyun-woo's eyes narrowed.

"That's not a good enough excuse, Seo-woo."

Seo-woo sighed heavily, rubbing his temples.

"I know. I know. But think about it—what could you have done back then? I was still adjusting to everything, raising my kids, and doing my job. I thought I could handle it on my own."

Ji-woo crossed her arms, looking skeptical.

"And now, oppa?"

Seo-woo looked at Seo-min, his expression darkening.

"Now, someone dared to lay a hand on my child." His voice was low and dangerous. "Now, I need you all with me."

Jung-woo exhaled sharply, already pulling out his phone.

"Fine. I'll investigate this Inoue Ren."

Ji-woo nodded.

"And I'll pull some strings in my department to see if there have been any other incidents like this."

Hyun-woo's glare softened, but only slightly.

"Next time, don't keep secrets from us."

Seo-woo nodded.

"I won't."

Whoever Inoue Ren was—whatever he wanted—Seo-woo was done running.

This time, he was going to fight back.

Suddenly, Seo-jun flinched after hearing this because Inoue Ren had once almost bought their products. He shook Seo-jin to get the laptop and used his hacking skills to know the location of Inoue Ren.

"Ding!"

System No. 1276's voice echoed in Seo-woo's mind, carrying a hint of amusement.

[Host, your sons—Seo-jun and Seo-jin—are up to something. And it seems their plan might just help you track down Inoue Ren.]

Seo-woo turned to his five-year-old children, who were huddled together, whispering in that mischievous way that only children with big ideas do. His brows furrowed.

"What are these little troublemakers planning now?"

Clearing his throat, he asked, "Alright, what exactly are you two up to?"

Seo-jun looked up at him with an innocent yet determined expression, while Seo-jin hugged his tablet like it contained the world's secrets. Seo-jun didn't hesitate.

"Dad, do you remember when that bad guy almost bought our products?" Seo-jun asked, tilting his head.

Seo-woo narrowed his eyes, recalling the event. Inoue Ren had come dangerously close to them, so they blocked the deal. What did I think about that?

[System No. 1276: You just need to take medicine for being forgetful.]

Seo-woo suddenly irritated to the system and tried to shoo him away.

Seo-jun and Seo-jin became confused about what their father was doing. Did our Dad become insane?

Seo-jun leaned closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a top-secret mission. "I told Seo-jin to find him."

Seo-woo blinked.

"Wait. Find him? No..."

Seo-jin, still clutching his tablet, muttered, "I can do hacking."

Seo-woo narrowed his eyes again and then sighed.

System No. 1276 let out a low chuckle. "Host, I admire their confidence, but are you really going to let a five-year-old hack someone?"

Seo-woo sighed, rubbing his temple. His sons were undoubtedly brilliant, but they were still kids.

Realizing that Seo-jin needed real assistance, Seo-woo turned to Jung-woo, who had been quietly observing the entire exchange.

"Jung-woo," Seo-woo said, exhaling, "help Seo-jin track Inoue Ren."

Jung-woo raised an eyebrow. "You're seriously letting a five-year-old lead a manhunt?"

Seo-woo glanced at his son, who was already poking at his tablet with laser focus.

"Look at him," Seo-woo muttered. "He's already committed."

System No. 1276 snickered. "Host, I think it's safe to say that your children are either geniuses or potential criminal masterminds. But I suggest that you lure Inoue Ren by purchasing their products again. Someone will bring them and confront him. But of course, you need to gather first some evidence."

Seo-woo awoke after hearing the system's suggestion. Regardless, Inoue Ren had no idea what was coming for him.

"Just wait, Inoue Ren! I want to see your downfall."