Songtan's Deep Thoughts

*Inside the train heading to Seoul.*

Clackety-clack—

Songtan gazed at the scenery rushing past the window, lost in deep thought.

The sudden Weapon Rampage Incident.

While he had no choice but to intervene, it was also true that a slight worry gnawed at him.

Surely, no one recognized me, right...?

He had pulled his mask up and his hood down, so his face shouldn't have been exposed.

Haa... I should have subdued him in one go.

As his worry subsided, irritation at himself surged. For the past three years, he had built his body and honed his physical strength. Though only a speck, he had painstakingly accumulated internal energy.

Now, he could display athletic prowess superior to most athletes.

But is it still only the level of a Third-rate Martial Artist?

Physical training was one thing, but internal energy was the problem. In this era, accumulating internal energy was simply too difficult.

It was like trying to fish in a reservoir with only a few minnows, using just one fishing rod.

The fact that it was *Taejeongsimbeop* was also an issue.

While it was stable enough that his *qi* and blood wouldn't get tangled even if someone suddenly spoke to him, the speed at which internal energy accumulated was agonizingly slow.

It seems I'll have to increase my training time.

Even now, Songtan practices *Tonapbeop* every single morning without fail.

I should try Foundation Establishment before bed too.

As he continued to push himself, the image of the child he had saved expressing gratitude suddenly came to mind.

Big Brother (affectionate)... thank you.

That young voice kept echoing in his head.

It was the first time in his life he had received gratitude in such a way.

During his time as a Blood Interrogator, the words he usually heard were:

[P-please, just kill me, please!! I beg you!]

[Thank you for killing me... To finally be free from this terrible pain...]

Such were the things he heard.

Though unintended, the feeling of saving someone and receiving sincere gratitude was...

Not bad.

It was unfamiliar, yet good. An alien sensation, like something long hardened slowly melting away.

Songtan's lips, reflected in the train window, slowly curved upwards.

Though he himself didn't realize it.

***

W-what? Tani!? How are you here?

Song Bonggu, who had been resting at home, looked surprised as he saw his son suddenly open the front door and walk in.

You don't mean...?

A look of concern, rather than joy, first appeared on his face.

You weren't expelled, were you?

He wondered if his son had gotten into trouble.

No, nothing like that. I just... received a Special Overnight Leave for doing well.

Huh!? Really?

Song Bonggu's face brightened, and he clasped his son's hand.

Oh, well done. Very well done.

Song Bonggu, standing on tiptoes to pat his son's shoulder, quickly began preparing to go out.

My son received an award, so I can't just sit around. Father, It's not an award, just an overnight leave...

Today, your dad's treating you to a grand Korean beef feast. Uhahaha.

Song Bonggu, letting out a hearty laugh, stepped out the front door first, and Songtan, shaking his head, quietly followed him.

***

Sizzle-sizzle—

Sirloin steak, with its marbling spread like a net, cooked deliciously on the grill. Song Bonggu placed a glistening piece of meat onto his son's spoon.

Eat quickly. It won't taste good when it's cold. Aren't you overdoing it? This place is really expensive.

Songtan, looking around at the luxurious hanok interior, asked as he chewed his meat. Song Bonggu, watching him with a pleased expression, shrugged his small shoulders.

I work hard to spend money on things like this. And we have more than enough money, so don't worry and just eat.

He wasn't just saying that. As a chauffeur, his annual salary wasn't small, but the monthly rental income from the Seongsu-dong building was like an inexhaustible spring. It was also true that his life had become much more prosperous because of it.

I keep telling you to move to a nicer house while you're at it. You really don't listen to your son.

At his son's chiding, Song Bonggu grimaced and waved his hand.

No need. The current house is already too lonely for one person. Why would I go to a bigger one? That would be a waste of money.

He actually knew. That even with a large sum of money coming in every month, his father was diligently saving it in his bank account with the sole hope that it would become a solid foundation for his son's future.

*So stubborn...*

But he couldn't really stop him. Because he knew how much joy that entire process brought his father. There was only the regret of a child wishing his father would spend a little on himself too.

"Hehehe, you rascal. A true man should be able to push through with determination once he's made up his mind." "Yes, I'll also finish this meat determinedly."

Afterward, Song Bonggu's questions about Police Academy life continued. This led to his recounting the story of how he subdued the Instructor in Arrest Techniques class and earned a Special Overnight Leave.

Uhahaha! That's my son! A Police Officer should be good at physical work, not just sitting at a desk. Absolutely.

Songtan thought, watching his father, delighted like a child, clap his hands.

*Perhaps I should pay more attention to the Practical Subjects...?*

He realized that improving his scores wouldn't be a bad idea.

***

The day passed in the blink of an eye. The next day, he had a lunch appointment with President Im and his wife.

You've become so dependable! You look quite like a Police Officer now.

A sense of pride emanated from Im Gwanhun's face as he looked at Songtan. Just a few years ago, hadn't he looked as if he hadn't eaten a proper meal? Now, he looked so radiant that his past self was unimaginable.

By the way, Seorin asked about you a lot, Tani.

Na Hyeran, who was peeling fruit nearby, said with a gentle smile in her eyes.

Seorin is doing well too, right? She must be very busy.

As they had prepared for the High School Equivalency Exam together, Songtan also had a special regard for her.

Don't even get me started. I only get to see her once a week! She joined some debut group or something, got rid of her phone... Ugh. It's just too much, too much. Still, it's good that it worked out. She wanted it so desperately.

While homeschooling together, Songtan had heard quite detailed stories about the Idol Ecosystem from Im Seorin. Of course, they were mostly complaints.

Being a Trainee at a Major Entertainment Agency meant every day was an evaluation and competition, making it an environment where stress was unavoidable. Indeed, at the time, Im Seorin would daily cling to Songtan, shedding tears.

Each time, Songtan taught her a Meditation Method to calm her mind. It was *Cheongmyeongjeongsimgong*, a Cultivation Method that stabilized *qi* by making the mind clear and serene, primarily used by Daoist Masters to control their Heart Demons.

Thanks to this, Im Seorin, who had shown an unstable emotional state, became much more stable. , though a side effect was that she later developed an obsessive attachment to Songtan.

Regardless, Songtan, somewhat impressed by her passion, genuinely supported her.

"She said she really hopes you'll come when she has her Debut Stage later, Tani?" "Hahaha... If I have time, I'll go. Though it's likely to be a workday."

Perhaps she follows you particularly well because she doesn't have an *Oppa*... And it's true, Tani, after studying with you, her tantrums have decreased.

From Na Hyeran's perspective, her seemingly anxious daughter had regained stability, so she couldn't help but see Songtan favorably.

Next is news of a terrifying Weapon Rampage Incident that occurred in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province.

*At that moment, news began playing on the TV in the living room.*

Yesterday, around 11 AM, a man threatened citizens with a weapon on the platform of Chungju Station. The station quickly descended into chaos, and some citizens screamed and evacuated in a desperate situation. Fortunately, a citizen present at the scene quickly rushed the perpetrator, disarmed him, and subdued him, preventing a greater tragedy.

Following this, the CCTV footage began to play.

The screen you are now seeing is the CCTV footage of the situation at the time. You can see the perpetrator holding a child and brandishing a weapon, and a man approaching slowly in front of him with his hands raised, speaking with the perpetrator. Subsequently, this man persuaded the perpetrator to take him hostage instead. The man then seized a momentary opening, engaged in a 1-on-1 Physical Struggle, and ultimately subdued the perpetrator. It was reported that this man was also in a very precarious situation, exposed to the weapon.

The Police stated that “the courage of the citizen who stepped forward to protect the child, disregarding his own safety, prevented a greater catastrophe.” However, it is known that this man, after handing over the subdued perpetrator to the Police upon their arrival, left the field without revealing his identity.

At the unusually clear voice of the anchor, everyone's gaze naturally turned towards the TV.

What is the world coming to, with people like that appearing so often...

Na Hyeran frowned, and Im Gwanhun let out a low exclamation of admiration. They were carefully observing the righteous man in the CCTV footage.

His attire, too... He doesn't look old, but he's amazing. It's certainly not easy to step forward so unhesitatingly against someone with a knife. They said he took himself hostage instead of the child. My goodness... How grateful the child's mother must be to that man... As a parent myself, I feel grateful.

Songtan felt uneasy, wondering if he might be recognized, but since most of the video was Mosaic Processed, there was no sign that anyone had noticed.

Just then, Song Bonggu, who had been thinking about something, looked at his son, Songtan.

Hey, Tani, didn't you also take the train from Chungju Station yesterday morning?

Songtan's body stiffened for a moment; then he replied in a calm voice.

"I took the bus." "Oh, really? Phew, good. Just imagining you being there makes my heart drop."

"I'm too much of a coward to do something like that." "Hehehe, it's the cowards who live long. Even as a Police Officer, you absolutely must avoid dangerous situations. Understand?"

Of course. I certainly will.

He felt sorry, but he had no choice but to tell a white lie. Because the moment it was revealed that the hero in the video was his son, his father might genuinely faint. Anyway, if he just kept quiet, no one would know, right? At least, that's what Songtan thought at the time.

***

Around the eighth week of enrollment, training closer to actual Field Training began.

While Arrest Techniques classes had previously focused on basic movements, takedowns, and grappling, now they covered Practical Techniques such as Subduing Armed Suspects, 1-on-1 Physical Struggle, Arresting Resisting Suspects, and 2-Person Team Restraint Tactics.

From this point on, Practical Scores could truly begin to diverge.

Oh? Songtan! Not doing it properly, are you? Shall we all get punished because of you!?

Faced with the booming threat, Songtan had no choice but to demonstrate proper techniques.His movements and techniques were truly clean and flawless.Only then did a satisfied smile appear on Instructor Kim Yeongtae's lips.

See, kid. You do well when you try.

Without fail, the highest score was marked on Songtan's evaluation sheet. It was no different during Marksmanship class.

Mentor, pistol.

Mentor! Pistol!

The Trainees aimed their pistols at the targets.

Commence Firing.

Bang! Bang-bang-bang!

After the Marksmanship session, the Instructor, looking at someone's evaluation sheet, shook his head repeatedly.

Is it because he was just discharged from the military...? There's nothing to criticize.

Accuracy aside, his calm Situational Judgment and composure were impressive. Every item was almost a perfect score.

The Instructor, clicking his tongue in amazement, left these lines at the bottom of the evaluation sheet.

- No tremor in Trigger Operation. Absolutely no Overreaction.

- Isolated Threat Engagement without hesitation, even with Adjacent Targets of Civilian Silhouette.

- Almost no risk of accidental discharge or Excessive Firing during Field Deployment.

It was a comment verging on high praise.

Thus, Songtan, unlike his somewhat lacking Written Exam Score, displayed outstanding skill in Practical Subjects. However, just as the saying goes, “the tree that stands out too much is the first to be chopped down.”

Because of that bastard, my Top Student position...

Someone began to look at Songtan, who was increasingly distinguishing himself, with a resentful gaze.

It was Han Gitae, the Head Trainee representing the entire 310th Class. He had skillfully hidden his dark intentions behind a mask of kindness until now.