To protect Min Jun

"Dad, how can you punish someone else's son?" Hyun Soo's voice rang out, defying the warning he had received. His heart pounded in his chest, filled with desperation to protect Min Jun.

But Min Jun, understanding the situation all too well, spoke up before Hyun Soo could say anything further. "I will take the punishment," he said calmly, his hands moving to unbutton his shirt. The sight of Min Jun baring himself for punishment made Hyun Soo's heart sink. He knew Min Jun was trying to shield him, but it was unbearable to watch.

"No, Min Min," Hyun Soo protested, his voice thick with emotion. The mere thought of Min Jun being hurt tore at him, and he turned to his father with pleading eyes. "Dad, I promise you I won't ever go against your order again. Please, I beg you not to harm Min Jun." 

His pleas, however, fell on deaf ears. Park Jang Si's expression remained cold and unmoved. Hyun Soo knew his father well enough to understand that mercy was not something he easily granted. Even the law would turn a blind eye to the actions of a man as powerful as Park Jang Si.

"Dad, please, don't do this. You can't use violence on Kim Min Jun," Hyun Soo begged once more, his voice breaking as he fought back the tears that threatened to spill.

"When I say quiet, then stay quiet! I have to use violence to make sure kids like you stay within your defined boundaries. Also, Min Jun should take this punishment if he wants his mother safe," Park Jang Si's voice boomed through the study room, laced with anger. "Don't force me to punish you the same way," he warned, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Hyun Soo felt a wave of helplessness wash over him as his father's words silenced him. But the sight of Min Jun turning his back to them, shirtless and ready to accept the punishment, broke something inside him. 

"Hyun Soo, stay back," Min Jun said gently. He had made up his mind. The best way to protect Hyun Soo was to take the punishment himself. He stood with his back exposed, waiting for what was to come.

Hyun Soo tears brimmed in his eyes as he watched Min Jun getting the severe punishment. His heart ached, knowing there was nothing he could do to stop what was about to happen. He had never felt so powerless. All he could do was silently pray that his father would find some shred of mercy and that this would end quickly.

Park Jang Si loomed over Min Jun with his cold and unyielding gaze while holding the sharp cane tightly in his hand. 

And then, he hit Min Jun's back. 

His body jerked involuntarily as the pain shot through him, but he bit down on his lip, refusing to cry out. His fists clenched at his sides, knuckles white, as he braced himself for what was to come.

"This is for asking Hyun Soo not to attend the coaching class," Park Jang Si hissed, the words laced with venom. The cane came down again, and Min Jun flinched, his back arching as he absorbed the blow. His vision blurred for a moment, but he remained silent, gulping every ounce of the pain. 

"This is for thinking leeches like you can ever be equal to us!" Park Jang Si's voice was filled with disdain, and the next strike was harder, more brutal, the force of it making Min Jun stagger. His facial muscles tightened, a visible sign of the agony he endured, but still, he refused to let a sound escape his lips.

"And this," Park Jang Si spat, raising the cane once more, "is for putting filth in my son's head." The cane whistled through the air, poised to strike Min Jun's back.

Hyun Soo, who had been standing frozen in horror, could no longer remain passive. His heart pounded in his chest, the sound of it deafening in his ears as he watched Min Jun suffer for a decision that should have been his own. The sight of Min Jun's torment broke something inside him. Guilt and anger surged through Hyun Soo, his mind racing as he realized the extent of the pain his actions had caused.

Before Park Jang Si could deliver the next blow, Hyun Soo moved. He darted forward, faster than he'd ever moved in his life, and caught his father's hand mid-swing. The cane halted inches from Min Jun's back, the force of the motion causing Hyun Soo's body to shudder.

"Stop!" Hyun Soo's voice cracked with desperation as he pushed his father away, the sheer force of his will momentarily overpowering the older man. Park Jang Si stumbled backward, caught off guard by his son's sudden defiance.

Min Jun collapsed to his knees, his entire back was reddened with the marks of the powerful hits he got. His breath came in ragged gasps, the pain nearly unbearable, but Min Jun's thoughts were more focused on the anger swirling inside him.

Seeing Min Jun in such a state had unleashed something primal within Hyun Soo, something that demanded justice, no matter the cost. He couldn't let his father continue to inflict this pain, not on Min Jun, not on anyone.

"Don't force me to ruin you completely, Mr. Park Jang Si," Hyun Soo's voice rang out, louder and more commanding than he'd ever heard it before. He didn't fully understand what was driving him, only that he had to protect Min Jun, even if it meant dragging the Park family name through the mud. His words sounded like a challenge, daring his father to test him.

Park Jang Si's eyes blazed with fury, his hand itching to strike out again. "How dare you—"

"Shut the fuck up!" Hyun Soo cut him off with a scream. The power in his words startled even him, but he pressed on, fueled by an intense need to stop the madness. "Don't make me drag you to prison. You think I don't know what kind of man you are!" 

He stepped closer to his father, his voice dropping to a low, menacing whisper. "Your affair… I'll tell the whole world about it, with proof." Hyun Soo's eyes locked onto his father's, the threat hanging between them like a guillotine. 

He had never wanted to use this against his father, the knowledge of his infidelity, but he knew it was the only way to protect Min Jun. The only way to stop the violence.

Park Jang Si's face drained of color, the fury in his eyes giving way to shock and fear. For the first time, he was at a loss for words, his mind reeling from the realization that his own son held the power to destroy him. 

"Don't make things worse," Hyun Soo continued, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. "I swear, I won't hesitate to ruin you if you ever raise a hand against Min Jun again." His words landed with finality, silencing his father completely.

Hyun Soo didn't wait for a response from his evil father. He moved quickly, picking up the shirt from the floor and wrapping it around Min Jun's battered body. Hyun Soo helped Min Jun to his feet, supporting his weight as they made their way out of the study.

Hyun Soo's hand trembled as he reached for the door but he slammed it shut behind them.