GTLTGIDES chapter 60

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“……What?”

“I heard. They called your uncle and threatened him, didn’t they? They said they’d tie him up in this mess and turn him into a murderer.”

What the hell.

A curse almost slipped out. I quickly shut my mouth and swallowed it down.

Did they actually say that to Eunsoo?

Did they really burden this kid with guilt just to push their plans forward more easily?

I couldn’t control the rising fury.

My body began to tremble on its own. In contrast, Eunsoo’s face remained eerily calm.

“Uncle, it’s okay. You said if I become the villain, it’ll all be over, right? I’ll just do it. Either way, people are going to point fingers at me whether I deny it or not. It’s no different being the victim or the perpetrator, so wouldn’t it be better to make a lot of money and live comfortably?”

Does this kid even know what he’s saying? He’s saying such terrifying things so calmly.

No, he knows. Our smart Eunsoo definitely knows.

“I’m a bit scared of going to jail… but their family’s supposed to be powerful, right? They said they’d take care of everything, so they will, right?”

“…….”

“Why… are you crying?”

I knew exactly what Eunsoo must be feeling, and in the end, I couldn’t hold back my tears.

“I’m sorry….”

“Why are you apologizing, Uncle?”

“I should’ve taken care of it before you had to hear about it….”

“No….”

Eunsoo opened his mouth as if my words were absurd, but I spoke faster.

I hurriedly wiped my tears and reached out, grabbing the child’s small shoulders firmly.

I spoke clearly and deliberately, making sure he could feel my sincerity.

“But Eunsoo, no. You don’t need to listen to those people. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“…….”

“It’s all their fault. Jake Polwel—he’s the one who locked you up and tried to use you. So why are you saying you’ll take the blame? You haven’t done anything wrong. It’s okay if people point fingers at you. They’re the ones who are rotten. They’re just pathetic people consumed by jealousy. Being scared of those kinds of people is beneath you. You should be proud of yourself. You can’t lie to the world.”

Eunsoo closed his mouth.

His face looked angry, as if he was upset that I wasn’t just accepting what he said.

But I couldn’t back down either.

“Fight with me. Some people might call it reckless, but as long as you believe in me….”

“Uncle, why are you like this?”

“Huh?”

“Who am I to you? Why do you do all this for me….”

I was startled.

Eunsoo’s blue eyes filled with tears, and they began to fall like beads of rain.

It wasn’t the same as yesterday, when he cried like a child.

He was holding back his sobs, pressing them down, but no matter how much he tried, like a dam with cracks, the tears burst out.

His ears turned red, as if he was embarrassed by his tears, but he didn’t try to run away.

With a voice heavy with emotion, he spoke to me.

“This is going to cause trouble. You said their family is powerful… You might ruin your life, Uncle. They could even come after you. Why are you doing this? Why are you being so foolish? All you need to do is let me be the villain….”

Listening to Eunsoo’s words, everything clicked into place.

It all made sense now.

Eunsoo is a child with immense pride.

Even if someone accused him wrongly, he would always stand firm and declare his innocence.

He wouldn’t just give in.

So why did he give in so easily to Maria Polwel’s words?

Now I knew. Eunsoo wanted to protect me.

Even though he had so much on his plate, this proud child threw it all away and chose me.

He didn’t want to be abandoned by me.

Perhaps he was even worried about my safety, so he gave up on himself in the process.

Eunsoo’s crying grew louder.

He didn’t try to hold it back anymore.
His pale, beautiful cheeks quickly became soaked with tears.

“You haven’t known me for that long, Uncle. I’m just some stranger. So why are you risking your life for me? Why are you willing to destroy your own life for me? Why?”

“I fell for you at first sight.”

“That makes no sense….”

“I’m serious. I can’t live without you. Just seeing you smile makes me happy. All I need is you. Those people don’t scare me.”

“Uncle, you’re really….”

“What I fear the most is seeing you live a life you didn’t want and being unhappy, losing your smile.”

I scooted my chair closer to him.

I wiped his tear-soaked cheeks with my hands and tissues, making sure to look him in the eyes.

“So, Eunsoo, if you really want to make a lot of money and you mean it, then I’ll support you. But if you’re just doing it to take the blame for my sake… don’t.”

I don’t want Eunsoo’s life to be tarnished by submitting to power and money.

His happiness is far more important than a few months of my own.

Especially if it’s happiness gained by trampling on the heart of a child already scarred by life.

Can that even be called happiness?

I don’t think so. Never.

“Let’s win this together.”

As I finished speaking, Eunsoo’s lips quivered. His face twisted in frustration, and silent tears fell from his eyes.

And then the emotions that had been simmering inside him erupted.

The anger he hadn’t been able to express to anyone, that had rotted inside him, spilled out from between his trembling lips.

“Of course, of course I hate it! Damn it. Why do I have to be the villain? What did I ever do wrong? I just thought I was adopted! I didn’t know it wasn’t a normal adoption until I was over ten years old!”

“Yeah.”

“I wanted to go to school too. I wanted friends, I wanted to study, take exams… My parents died in an accident, so I couldn’t dream of a happy family, but at least I could hope for a normal school life, right? I just, I just….”

As he poured out his words, Eunsoo suddenly stopped talking.

He closed his eyes tightly, and the tears that had been gathering fell onto my thumb.

“I just wanted to live a normal life….”

“I know.”

I knew. I knew how much Eunsoo longed for a normal life.

When he wasn’t working part-time, he studied.

From elementary school material to high school senior courses.

He worked through textbooks and listened to online lectures, preparing for the college entrance exam.

He didn’t need anyone to tell him to do it.

Even working at the convenience store wasn’t because he was trying to escape.

It was more about his desire for a “normal life.”

He hadn’t yet found the courage to fully step out into the world, but he worked hard, hoping that when he did, he wouldn’t be looked at strangely.

There was no point in wiping away his tears, as they kept falling.

Rubbing his face would only make his eyes more swollen. Instead, I hugged him tightly and patted his head while he cried.

“Once we get through this, let’s go to school. If high school’s too late, then college. Everyone will be amazed. A kid who was kidnapped and imprisoned for years suddenly goes to college when he comes out.”

“It’s fine. College tuition is expensive… You don’t have any money, Uncle… you just talk big….”

“No, really! Eunsoo, I have a high salary! I can afford that.”

“…….”

“I’m serious….”

Now I understood how Rex felt last night when he was frustrated.

When you’re telling the truth, and someone looks at you like you’re saying something ridiculous, it really does hurt.

‘Ah, though I’m not entirely sure I’ll be able to keep my job.’

As much as the Espers need me, I don’t think I’ll get fired easily, but you never know.

Especially since we’re dealing with the Cha Junseong family, who have a knack for turning impossible things into reality.

If I get transferred to a small regional center, I’d be making less than half of what I make now.

It doesn’t really matter to me, since I don’t have much time left anyway, but I have to make sure Eunsoo stays close to the Espers…

Imagining the worst-case scenario makes me feel dizzy.

“It’s okay. I’m good at studying.”

Despite the situation, Eunsoo was sharp and composed, unlike my fragile self.

He suddenly stopped crying, sniffled a bit, and then spoke up with a confident voice.

It seemed like he was planning to enter the school as the top student nationwide and receive a full scholarship.

His typical bravado was so endearing that I couldn’t help but laugh.

As his tears gradually subsided, I thought it was time to clean his up. I wiped his tear-streaked cheeks, and Eunsoo slyly leaned his face towards me, clearly expecting a kiss.

He was so adorable that I showered him with kisses on both cheeks and his forehead.

Then, as if he had never cried at all, he broke into a bright smile.

A smile so beautiful it made my life feel worthwhile.

“Uncle, as long as I have you, I’m not afraid of anything, even Polwel or whatever. I’m going to become someone amazing. No one will be able to look down on me, and I’ll make sure you live in comfort and luxury too.”

“Okay.”

He even spoke so sweetly.

He hadn’t been with us long, and I hadn’t done much for him, yet he was already talking about repaying me.

“So, Uncle, stay by my side. If anyone tries to bother you, I’ll take them all down.”

“That’s reassuring.”

I gently stroked his soft hair.

“But that’s my line, Eunsoo.”

I had planned to live quietly.

Since this world of “The Genius Guide’s Melancholy” is one I love, and a happy ending is already in store, I didn’t want my involvement to change too much.

But if this world tries to harm Eunsoo, I have no choice.

“I’ll take down anyone who tries to bother you.”

This world better learn to fear those who possess knowledge of its true nature.

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