There Are Four Top Idol Uncles - Chapter 167

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

Episode 167
* * *
F1 Main Circuit, Paddock Club,
Yewon sat quietly in a small private room that Leon had arranged, waiting for the race to begin.
‘Once this is over, I can hold hands with my uncles and go home!’
Yewon simply longed to return to Korea as quickly as possible.
Of course, just because I was returning to Korea….
[D-7]
That terrifying countdown message wouldn’t disappear….
‘Still, at least in Korea I could stay by his side…! But in Japan, I can’t do that….’
Without realizing it, Yewon clenched her fists tightly.
Then.
“Yewon.”
Yusong gently covered her clenched fist with his own hand.
“You don’t need to be nervous. Dad is right here beside you.”
“…!”
At Yusong’s words, which had read her feelings perfectly, Yewon blinked without thinking.
…So this was what it felt like, for other children.
Having a father who always wanted to protect you.
A ticklish feeling, and somehow her shoulders rose. It seemed it would take a very long time to grow accustomed to this feeling.
“…Yes.”
Yewon nodded slightly.
“For now, just watching the race is fine. …Someone you know well will be beside your uncles.”
“Someone I know well…?”
Yewon tilted her head in confusion.
No matter how much she thought about it, there was no one among the people she knew well who would come here.
Even if someone did come….
‘There doesn’t seem to be anyone who could protect my uncles?’
Grandfather and Grandmother couldn’t protect my uncles!
“Who came?”
To Yewon’s curious question, Yusong simply smiled.
“Well. I’m not sure if Dad should tell you.”
As Yewon’s cheeks puffed out immediately at Yusong’s words, he chuckled and tapped those cheeks with his finger.
Like an angry hamster.
“Because… it’s classified information.”
“!”
Could it be!
Yewon’s eyes widened as large as lanterns.
* * *
“…Yes, we are currently at the Paddock Club on the Japan F1 Circuit….”
There he is.
The Gardener spotted Lee Doha and the GLEET members in the midst of an interview in front of the camera.
And standing behind them with a cunning smile—today’s target, Daihyo.
The Gardener lightly tapped the miniature transceiver disguised as a cufflink.
“Current time: 18:42. Target on standby at Point P. No unusual activity in the vicinity.”
-Confirmed. Landscaper standing by at Point C.
-Confirmed. At Point R….
The Gardener acknowledged the incoming responses and quietly slipped between the crowd.
The reason he’d come all the way to Japan today with the Black Agents was simple.
‘…Wouldn’t you like to know the source of the large quantities of Japanese narcotics that have been circulating through clubs recently?’
‘!’
It was because of information from a certain ‘parent’ he’d learned about through a parent-teacher association meeting.
Drug distribution had suddenly increased, and the police had already requested investigative cooperation.
If it had been limited to domestic territory, the National Intelligence Service wouldn’t have gotten involved, but since the source was overseas, they had no choice but to step in.
Once we learned the drugs were manufactured in Japan, I was wondering if the investigation would be complicated….
‘To think we’d uncover a clue like this….’
Parent-teacher associations really were remarkable things….
The Gardener lowered his gaze.
In fact, one more piece of information had arrived from that ‘parent’ today.
‘According to a certain Japanese VIP I met today, the CEO of Mirae Entertainment has been purchasing large quantities of drugs from that VIP’s acquaintance and distributing them in Korea. That VIP will lure CEO Cheon Joong-eok of Mirae Entertainment, so in exchange, they’ve requested that we not touch the Japanese side.’
Upon hearing the terms of the deal, the Gardener immediately reported it to his superiors.
The superiors, who didn’t want it to escalate into a diplomatic issue anyway, gave immediate approval.
‘He said he’s scheduled to meet the CEO at the Paddock Club at the F1 Circuit this evening. He promised to provide conversation content clear enough to use in court.’
‘He consented to wearing a recording device?’
‘Of course.’
‘Then we’ll make the arrest as soon as the testimony is secured. We’ll arrange cooperation with the Japanese side in advance.’
That was how the operation began.
From the Gardener’s perspective, it wasn’t a particularly difficult operation.
I didn’t know who this Japanese VIP was, but he seemed to be someone with considerable influence even within Japan.
The fact that the Japanese side immediately agreed to cooperate was telling.
Everything had gone smoothly so far.
Arresting a single civilian was nothing for National Intelligence Service Black Agents.
But if there was one thing that weighed on my mind….
‘…Just one personal request, if I may?’
‘What is it?’
‘Lee Doha will also be present at that meeting. But Yewon… she has a bad feeling about it, saying that something big might happen to her uncle. She’s been very anxious lately.’
‘….’
‘So I’m asking you to look after Lee Doha.’
At Yusong’s request, the Gardener nodded without hesitation.
Protecting civilians was part of his job, after all.
-All the machines have taken their positions on the grid. This is a tense moment. Here in Japan, we have the world’s only figure-eight circuit.
-The heat radiating from the fans filling the stands burns hotter than the asphalt on the track itself! This circuit is famous for its rough surface, making overtaking incredibly difficult. I’m genuinely excited to see how today’s race unfolds!
-Red lights are illuminated! The race is about to begin!
As the commentator’s voice rang out, the race commenced.
The deafening roar of the crowd and the screaming engines flooded the entire space.
‘…Even if someone fired a gun, it would be drowned out….’
The Gardener exhaled sharply, feeling as though her ears might detach from the overwhelming noise.
The National Intelligence Service had requested that the operation be moved to a quieter location.
‘But Cheon Joong-eok refuses to appear anywhere except a place as crowded as the F1 Circuit. It seems he no longer trusts me at all.’
Faced with Daihyo’s words, I had no choice but to concede ground.
‘Something doesn’t feel right.’
The Gardener’s instincts aligned with Yewon’s assessment—something felt deeply wrong.
The operation should have been straightforward. There was nothing that could go wrong.
So why did this nagging sense of dread persist?
I clicked my tongue and turned my attention toward GLEET.
GLEET was also gazing down at the circuit, cheering among themselves.
‘…Three paces.’
I measured the distance between GLEET and myself.
At this range, I could protect them without drawing attention.
But then.
A man entered the Paddock Club, his eyes darting nervously around with an anxious expression.
‘Cheon Joong-eok.’
Upon spotting Cheon Joong-eok, I immediately signaled my colleagues.
“Situation developing. Target spotted entering Point P. Approaching the asset. Concealed object detected in right jacket pocket. Presumed threat.”
My gaze fixed on Cheon Joong-eok’s pocket.
His hand was thrust deep inside—whatever lay within was clearly meant to protect him.
But he was far too close to GLEET….
My brow furrowed deeper.
“?”
Numerous men discreetly converged behind GLEET.
“??”
What was this?
Japanese… Yakuza, perhaps?
Why were dozens of Yakuza surrounding and protecting GLEET?
I had executed countless operations in my career, but never had I encountered anything like this.
Now that I thought about it….
‘The spectators in this venue… isn’t something off about them?’
They were all….
Watching only GLEET, weren’t they?
‘At first, I dismissed it as simple curiosity about a celebrity….’
Looking at it now, something seemed genuinely off.
‘…Could it be?’
Every single spectator here… were they all bodyguards protecting GLEET?
“….”
The Gardener found herself at a loss for words.
If that was the case, why did they ask me?
‘…Could it be because I’m the only one who can legally fire a gun?’
…Was it just a matter of asking me to shoot and kill them if things went south, perhaps?
* * *
“Still, wouldn’t it be difficult for you alone to protect Uncle and the others?”
Yewon asked, her unease not eased even by the Gardener’s arrival.
Yusong laughed heartily and patted Yewon’s shoulder.
“Daughter. Let me share a secret of our family with you. Now that you’ve become part of our household….”
“…?”
“Our family never—absolutely never—spares money when it’s something that can be solved with it.”
“?!”
“We pour it out to the maximum extent possible.”
For instance.
Purchasing one hundred Paddock Club tickets worth ten million won each and filling them all with bodyguards.
Yusong quietly left the rest unsaid.

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