Goblin Library - Chapter 77

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 77

Kim Un-hyun’s Mother wiped her chest with her hand and sighed as she spoke.
『Seeing that bastard makes my heart tremble….』
Lee Hye-eun offered encouragement at the tension evident in Kim Un-hyun’s Mother’s words.
『Think of your grandson.』
Kim Un-hyun’s Mother bit her lip. Right now, she was no longer simply Kim Un-hyun’s mother.
She was a grandmother who had to protect her grandson—abandoned by her own child.
When Kim Un-hyun divorced, she had lacked the power to protect her daughter-in-law and grandson. So now, she had to become a refuge for her grandson to lean upon.
『So what happens now?』
Lee Hye-eun answered Kim Un-hyun’s Mother’s question.
『You remember the explanation I gave you before, don’t you?』
『Yes.』
『Your husband should continue to hate Kim Un-hyun as he does now. You should treat him with the thought that he’s still your child, even if you care for him from a distance.』
『That rotten bastard! He’s not even my son. After all I did to raise him….』
Lee Hye-eun nodded at Kim Un-hyun’s Mother’s words. People often speak of maternal love.
In some films, a mother stabbed by her son who coveted insurance money desperately hides evidence of his guilt even as she dies.
But Kim Un-hyun’s Mother had now resolved to protect her grandson instead of her son. Her grandson, abandoned by a worthless father, could not survive without her and his grandfather’s protection.
Her maternal love had shifted its object from son to grandson.
『It won’t be long. After today, you won’t need to see him again.』
『I know. I won’t see him anymore. No… I’m afraid to see him.』
The eyes of the mother who spoke of fearing to see her own child were bloodshot.
『When you see the two of you, he’ll ask for the building back.』
『I’m sure he will. But this time, I absolutely won’t hand it over.』
『It won’t be easy.』
『Why not?』
『That’s what children are like. If they’re doing well, you don’t worry. But if they’re struggling, you worry and feel pity. Even if it’s someone like Kim Un-hyun, a son who betrayed his filial duty.』
Lee Hye-eun looked at Kim Un-hyun’s Mother for a moment before speaking.
『You say now that you won’t feel that way because you’re suffering so much. But later, if he comes looking for you or you meet by chance, your heart will change.』
『Then… what should I do?』
『As I’ve already told you, you must never see him again.』
『If he comes looking….』
『Don’t worry. From now on, you’ll both live under new identities. Kim Un-hyun won’t be able to find you.』
『What about our grandson?』
『It will be difficult to see him often.』
『Then….』
『If you go to see your grandson, you’ll eventually meet Kim Un-hyun. He’ll think you’re coming to see your grandson and will linger around that area.』
『Ah… then what if that bastard does something to harm our child?』
『Don’t worry about that either. I’ve provided contact information for people who can help my mother-in-law. They’re the kind of people who will give Kim Un-hyun a proper scolding if he tries to pull any nonsense.』
『Really?』
『Of course.』
Lee Hye-eun spoke as she watched Kim Un-hyun’s Mother sigh.
『While meeting in person will be difficult, at the very least they can provide living expenses for your grandson and cover his university tuition.』
As Kim Un-hyun’s Mother nodded, Lee Hye-eun continued.
『From now on, only good things will happen to you both. Oh, and don’t try to leave your inheritance to your grandson. Just spend freely and enjoy yourselves however you like.』
『I intend to.』
At Kim Un-hyun’s Mother’s words, Lee Hye-eun nodded and spoke.
『When we leave, people will come. If you follow them, they’ll help you settle in a new place.』
『Thank you.』
Then Kim Un-hyun’s Mother looked at Lee Hye-eun.
『But why are you helping us?』
At Kim Un-hyun’s Mother’s question, Lee Hye-eun regarded her silently for a moment. Then, with a slight smile, she answered.
『Even bad people deserve punishment sometimes.』
『Is that all?』
『That’s all. Oh, and keep the building no matter what. For any legal issues or rent matters, just call the number I gave you and they’ll handle it.』
『I understand.』
After conveying everything Kim Un-hyun’s Mother needed to know, Lee Hye-eun returned home with her.
Lee Hye-eun nodded at the sight of Gambling Father, whose expression remained stern.
He too understood the full scope of what had transpired. But a father cannot simply watch his child’s wrongdoings unfold.
No matter how much it was framed as punishment, it was difficult to soften the words.
So I had simply instructed him to openly despise Kim Un-hyun. It would be easier for him that way, and Kim Un-hyun would understand more readily.
Back at home, Lee Hye-eun spoke with a smile.
『Mother, we should get going now.』
『You’re leaving already?』
『If we leave now, we should arrive in Seoul before it gets too late. I’m sorry. I’ll stay longer next time.』
『Alright. Come visit again.』
After saying goodbye to Kim Un-hyun’s Mother and Gambling Father, Lee Hye-eun returned to Seoul in the car Kim Un-hyun was driving.
Getting out in front of her Officetel, Lee Hye-eun spoke with a smile.
『See you tomorrow then.』
『Yeah, see you tomorrow. Thank you so much today. Really, thank you.』
At Kim Un-hyun’s repeated thanks, Lee Hye-eun smiled and spoke.
『Be good to your father. It seemed like he had some grievances with you.』
『I will.』
As Kim Un-hyun waved with a smile, Lee Hye-eun smiled back and waved, then entered the Officetel.
Vroom.
Kim Un-hyun’s car disappeared, and shortly after, a moving truck pulled up to the Officetel.

Lee Hye-eun gazed at the movers with reluctant eyes as they packed up the Officetel, then spoke to Choi Tae-sik.
『That coffee machine is mine.』
『Fine.』
『Okay.』
Lee Hye-eun disconnected the coffee machine as she spoke.
『But where are all these things going?』
『We’re donating them to the Orphanage.』
At the mention of donating to the Orphanage, Lee Hye-eun gently set down the coffee machine she had lifted.
『While you’re at it, donate plenty of capsules too.』
『You’re not taking them?』
『You said you’re donating to the Orphanage… The kids there like coffee too.』
『Children drink coffee?』
『In this day and age, are there kids who don’t? High school students drink instant coffee when they study at night. Now they can drink capsule coffee instead.』
Lee Hye-eun snapped her fingers as she added her thought.
『While you’re at it, donate a ramen machine too.』
『A ramen machine?』
『You know, the one by the Han River that makes ramen.』
『We’ll do that.』
At his agreeable response, Lee Hye-eun nodded. As the coffee machine left last, the room became completely empty.
『This place was nice though….』
Lee Hye-eun shook her head, pulled out a sheet of paper, wrote something on it, and tossed it into the room with a flourish.
『Let’s go.』
At Lee Hye-eun’s words, Choi Tae-sik nodded and suddenly looked at her.
『There’s one thing I’m curious about.』
『What is it?』
『Couldn’t we have ended things once we transferred the building deed? Is there really a reason to go meet your parents?』
At Choi Tae-sik’s words, Lee Hye-eun laughed.
『If I was only after money, I could have stopped there.』
『Then why?』
『I wanted to give them hope.』
『Hope?』
『About becoming a son-in-law from a wealthy family.』
Lee Hye-eun smiled brightly, spread her arms slightly, and spun around.
『And marrying a beautiful, young lady is part of that fantasy too.』
『Young?』
He acknowledged she was beautiful, but young? As Choi Tae-sik tilted his head in confusion, Lee Hye-eun shot him a look and spoke.
『Lee Seul-gi is young. And bringing up a woman’s age is asking for a fight, so be careful.』
Choi Tae-sik nodded.
『Understood. I’ll be careful. Anyway, so?』
『So I met your parents today. The biggest obstacle from that guy’s perspective is introducing me and your parents. If they expose his secrets at that meeting, the marriage falls apart.』
『What about meeting their parents? Isn’t that a major obstacle as well?』
Choi Tae-sik’s question made Lee Hye-eun laugh.
『When a man and woman care for each other, there are truly few parents who can stop them. Most couples marry despite parental opposition. That bastard was confident that if he could just get past his own parents, he could marry me no matter what. If that didn’t work, he’d seduce me into having a child first.』
『That’s quite a thing for a woman to say.』
『Why? It’s acceptable for men but not for women?』
At Lee Hye-eun’s words, Choi Tae-sik sighed.
『So you actually went through with meeting his parents?』
『That’s right. By now, he’s probably relieved and enjoying a cold beer, thinking only good days lie ahead.』
Lee Hye-eun glanced at a piece of paper lying on the floor as she continued.
『But if I don’t show up for work tomorrow and don’t answer my phone, well… he’ll come crashing down.』
『You’re raising him to the peak and then dropping him?』
『If I were just after his money and running a simple con, I wouldn’t have gone this far.』
With that, Lee Hye-eun turned and left the Officetel. As Choi Tae-sik followed her out, he caught a glimpse of the words written on the paper lying on the floor.

「Live righteously, you ungrateful wretch.」

***

“Ah! This is excellent!”
As Yu Tae-poong marveled while reading the book, the Dung Carrier Goblin spoke.
“What part? Oh! No, wait. I don’t think I’ve read that far yet.”
“Which part are you reading?”
At Yu Tae-poong’s question, the Dung Carrier Goblin pointed to the book.
“The part where that bastard goes to his parents’ house and greets them.”
“Ah! That….”
As Yu Tae-poong tried to say something, the Dung Carrier Goblin quickly shook his head.
“No spoilers.”
“Got it.”
Yu Tae-poong smiled and lowered his head back to the book. The story continued unfolding.

***

Having drunk a bit the previous evening, thinking he’d crossed a great hurdle, Kim Un-hyun woke the next morning, hastily washed, and headed to work.
『I’m going to get scolded by Seul-gi for being late.』
The thought of being scolded by Lee Seul-gi made Kim Un-hyun laugh despite himself as he parked and headed toward the Convenience Store.
『Huh?』
Confusion crossed Kim Un-hyun’s face. The Convenience Store door was closed.
『Could Seul-gi have slept in late yesterday too? Well, she did go to my house to greet my parents, so she must have been nervous.』
Kim Un-hyun unlocked the Convenience Store and began his shift. But by lunchtime, Lee Seul-gi still hadn’t arrived.
Kim Un-hyun picked up his phone.
Until now, he’d let her sleep a bit longer without contacting her, but he thought he should at least wake her up so she could eat lunch.
But then….
[This number….]
All that came through was an automated message saying the number didn’t exist.
『What? What is this?』
Kim Un-hyun stared at his phone. He’d dialed from the saved number properly, yet it said the number didn’t exist?
Bewildered, he pressed dial again, and his face hardened. The message about the non-existent number came through once more.
Kim Un-hyun rushed out of the Convenience Store in a panic. So startled was he that he didn’t even lock the door before bolting toward the Officetel where Lee Hye-eun lived.
Arriving at the entrance of Lee Hye-eun’s apartment, Kim Un-hyun punched in the passcode with trembling hands.
Beep beep beep beep! Click!
As the lock disengaged with a mechanical sound, Kim Un-hyun hurriedly opened the door.
And….
『Ah….』
He stood dazed for a moment at the sight of the empty apartment before stepping inside.
『Seul-gi! Seul-gi!』
Wondering if he’d somehow come to the wrong unit number, Kim Un-hyun went back outside to check. Seeing nothing amiss, his expression became haunted as he re-entered the apartment. That’s when he noticed a piece of paper lying on the floor and quickly picked it up.

「Live a virtuous life, you ungrateful wretch.」

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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