Hello Vet! How are you?

Sensing something unusual in the air, the guardian of Aji quietly stood up and tried to sneak out through the entrance.

But before he could, Go Gijin called out to him.

“Aji’s guardian, it seems everything is finished now. You can come into the examination room. You should see how clean Aji’s ears have become.”

Go Gijin spoke to Aji’s guardian and, taking long strides, stood firmly in front of the entrance.

With his massive frame blocking the entrance like a bear, Aji’s guardian was taken aback.

“Uh…”

However, Aji’s guardian quickly brushed it off as if it was nothing and opened his mouth.

“Well… how should I put this… I urgently need to run to the bank right up front. Something came up suddenly. I’ll be right back, so please take care of Aji for a bit.”

“You’ll just need to listen to the explanation and then take him.”

Go Gijin said lightly.

“I can’t take Aji to the bank with me. I promise, I’ll be right back.”

“Hey, since it’s your first time here, won’t Aji get scared if his guardian isn’t around? He might think he’s been abandoned.”

“Haha… He’s got a good temperament, so he’ll be fine. Then I’ll leave him in your care.”

Aji’s guardian said this, expecting Go Gijin to naturally step aside.

“Please just listen to the director’s words before you go.”

When a police officer stepped out of the car, Aji’s guardian, suddenly panicked, tried to push Go Gijin aside.

“Move!”

For a moment, Go Gijin’s expression turned fierce.

“Why are you pushing people? I can’t move!”

“Uh…”

Negatively affected by Go Gijin’s imposing demeanor, Aji’s guardian involuntarily took a step back.

It was then that Lee Joon came out of the examination room.

“Mr. Go, let him through!”

Even if Go Gijin moved aside, there was no escape route for Aji’s guardian as uniformed police officers and other people were already entering the clinic.

As soon as Go Gijin stepped aside, people rushed into the hospital.

“This is the police. We’ve come following a report suspecting animal abuse.”

“You’ve arrived?”

Lee Joon welcomed the police.

“Who is it?”

“It’s this person.”

Lee Joon pointed at Aji’s guardian, and the police stood in front of him.

“Sir, may I see your ID?”

“Why my ID?”

Aji’s guardian snapped at them.

However, after hearing that failure to comply could lead to disadvantages, he hesitated and had no choice but to hand over his ID.

The police compared it with the records of Aji’s guardian in the animal clinic and confirmed a match.

They then asked Lee Joon.

“Is there any evidence that this dog was abused?”

“Here.”

Lee Joon showed the bruised skin and X-ray photos on the monitor.

“Doctor, do you agree with Mr. Lee’s opinion?”

The police asked Han Na-Hyuk, who was with them.

“Yes, I do. Especially if you look at the fracture photo, you can see the bone is misaligned. This is evidence that it wasn’t treated after being broken.”

“N-No, I’ve never hit that guy, or I mean, Aji.”

“Then if these aren’t from being hit, what are they? Are you saying Aji self-harmed? Is that it?”

Go Gijin, who was glaring fiercly beside him, shouted angrily.

Just then, the bell on the clinic door rang loudly.

Ding ding! Ding da-da ding!

All eyes in the clinic turned to the door, and under those gazes, kim Eun-ji entered.

“Huff, huff, huff!”

Gasping for breath, kim Eun-ji asked.

Huff… I’m not late, am I?”

Lee Joon had contacted Nam Gung-hyun and then immediately reached out to Kim Eun-ji.

Lee Joon contacted the reporter for one reason.

He knew very well that the punishment for animal abusers was too lenient.

Although the law states imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won, that penalty is typically reserved for acts that lead to the animal’s death.

Hence, he didn’t need to think much to realize how minor the penalty for Aji’s case would be.

‘I can’t let him off with just a mere fine. I’ll make sure he can’t walk around with his head held high in the future.’

And now, kim Eun-ji, who would realize his thoughts, was catching her breath in front of him.

Kim Eun-ji, completely drenched in sweat, was panting heavily, but her eyes gleamed like a hyena that had found its prey.

Kim Eun-ji asked the police.

“Is that person the animal abuse suspect, kim Iseok?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

As Aji’s guardian heard her accurately mentioning his name and speaking of abuse, he shouted angrily.

“What, what? Animal abuse? Suspect?”

However, for the sake of an exclusive story, kim Eun-ji didn’t even blink as she questioned Aji’s guardian.

“Mr. Kim Iseok, why did you abuse an animal? Especially a dog that you’re raising?”

“I… I am wrongfully accused. Reporter, think about it! If I were someone who abused animals, would I have brought a sick dog to the clinic for treatment?”

He did have a point.

While Kim Eun-ji hesitated with her response, Lee Joon shaved Aji’s fur in front of everyone.

The clipper revealed a frail and bony body, with bruises all over.

Upon seeing Aji’s pitiful condition, people’s expressions crumpled.

“Oh my!”

“Gasp!”

“This is unbelievable!”

Amid the murmurs of the onlookers, Lee Joon glared at Kim Iseok, growling.

“If this isn’t abuse, then what is it?”

“Agh, how many times do I have to say it for you to understand? I didn’t do anything!”

Shouting his ignorance repeatedly, kim Iseok thought to himself.

‘They didn’t catch me in the act. What could they possibly do against me?’

As if reading Kim Iseok’s thoughts, Lee Joon’s glaring eyes became even more intense.

“Fine. Just wait.”

Lee Joon then handed his cellphone to the police officer.

“Officer, there are CCTV cameras installed in this alley, right?”

Seeing the map on the searched screen, the officer nodded.

“There should be. One moment.”

The officer used his radio and then nodded.

“Yes, there are.”

“Please check between 3 and 4 PM today.”

While the people in the veterinary clinic looked on in curiosity, unsure of what was happening, footage was sent to the officer’s phone.

As soon as the video played, kim Iseok’s face crumpled completely.

The footage showed a man kicking and stomping on a black dog, and the man was none other than Kim Iseok himself.

As they combined Aji’s miserable appearance with the assault footage, criticism poured down upon Kim Iseok.

“This is insane.”

“He’s a demon in human form.”

“How can a human being do that…”

Go Gijin felt the same way.

“You really are despicable. How dare you hit such a small creature like that without a second thought?”

Lee Joon restrained Go Gijin, who approached Kim Iseok with aggressive intent to hit him.

“Violence is not the answer.”

“Let go. Just think about how much pain Aji must have felt! People like him need to experience the same pain!”

Just as Go Gijin tried to shake off Lee Joon, who was holding him back.

Meow! Hiss!

Gray One and Kkamnyang jumped off the cat tower and onto Kim Iseok.

“Ack!”

『Nyooow! We can’t forgive anyone who tramples on animals!』
『Feel what it’s like yourself!』

“Ah, ahh! Oh, oww, you brats! Someone stop these brats. Oh, these cats are attacking me. Help, somebody help…”

Kim Iseok screamed as if the animal clinic were about to collapse, but no one stepped forward.

On the contrary, people watched with delight as Gray One and Kkamnyang clawed and bit Kim Iseok.

Some even clapped their hands in delight.

Clap, clap, clap.

“How satisfying, it’s satisfying. I’ve never seen animals take revenge before.”

“Wow, I wanted to hit him myself, but the cats did it for me. This is so refreshing!”

“Haha, who knew this kind of method existed.”

The loudest person clapping with joy was none other than Go Gijin.

“Hahaha, you guys did great! You truly did a good job!”

The people inside the clinic were genuinely happy, finding it incredibly satisfying to see justice served without human intervention.

Even the police watched the cats attacking Kim Iseok with a leisurely sentiment, seemingly content.

Lee Joon felt the same way.

Though he could have stopped the cats’ attack immediately, he did not.

Lee Joon watched the cats as they continued to make their point with satisfaction.

As the cats concluded their triumphant action, the police placed handcuffs on Kim Iseok.

“We are arresting you for animal abuse.”

As the police led Kim Iseok away, people clapped, following them out, and Kim Eun-ji seized the moment to loudly question him.

“Mr. Kim Iseok, how does it feel to be attacked by animals? From the look of it, you don’t seem to have broken any bones, so I guess it’s less painful than Aji felt, isn’t it?”

“…”

“Please, do give a comment. Mr. Kim Iseok. Mr. Kim Iseok from Eunpyeong-gu. Your statement, please.”

Kim Eun-ji continued to highlight ‘Kim Iseok, eunpyeong-gu Kim Iseok’ even as the police put him in the car, to ensure it lingered in people’s minds for a long time.

The police understood and moved as slowly as possible, with the police car traveling at a leisurely pace.

As Kim Iseok entered the car, Lee Joon thanked the officer.

“Thank you.”

“No need. Rather, we should be thankful. These cases often leave us feeling burdened due to the lack of strong punishment, but today, it feels different.”

The police officer smiled at Lee Joon and then departed.

Although everyone remaining wore relieved expressions, they couldn’t completely hide a hint of bitterness.

“Phew, even so, at most, he’ll likely be fined less than a million won.”

Han Na-Hyuk said with a bitter expression.

“I’ll write the article properly. I’ll make sure he won’t be able to show his face around.”

When Kim Eun-ji showed determination, Lee Joon chimed in from beside her.

“Please do. Those people tend to adopt dogs again just to abuse them, and thank you for continuously mentioning his name.”

“Even though it was your request, people like that need to taste their own medicine. They commit bad deeds without a second thought, knowing that they’ll only get a slap on the wrist. Ensuring that they’re known and can’t walk around with dignity is the best approach.”

“So that’s why the reporter kept repeating that bastard’s name.”

“Yes, ah thinking about that wretch makes me mad again.”

Taking a deep breath, kim Eun-ji continued.

“When this incident gets published, many will recognize the abuser. Even if his face isn’t shown, those who know him will surely recognize him.”

She added, scrunching her face.

“If only we could show his face!”

“At first, I wondered why you even called the reporter, but it seems you had a plan.”

“Those people care about face too.”

“Anyway, today feels incredibly satisfying.”

People from the animal protection organization also expressed their gratitude to Lee Joon.

“True. We are so thankful for what you’ve done.”

“Well, you should be grateful. If you had lost your temper, you might’ve gone to the station in the same car as that thug.”

“No way! I can’t stand the thought of riding with someone as wicked as him!”

Go Gijin was visibly agitated.

Animal abusers were nothing less than the worst of the worst for them.

“Anyway, what’s the plan for him now?”

“We’ll take him. That’s why we’ve been waiting.”

Han Na-Hyuk showed concern for Aji, to which the animal organization’s representative responded.

“Do animals like that get adopted easily?”

“Well, I can’t say for sure. Abused animals often have poor social skills. Some are nervous and prone to biting, others tremble with fear around people, and sometimes, they suffer from severe separation anxiety.”

『We’ll take care of him!』
『A frightened creature like him, where else would you send him? Plus, he’s too skinny.』

In other words, gray One and Kkamnyang wanted to protect Aji.

Lee Joon agreed.

“I’ll take care of Aji until he recovers.”

“Can you do that for us?”

“Yes. Aji leans on Gray One and Kkamnyang. To Aji, they are saviors. It’s best for him to regain his strength and heal emotionally alongside them.”

“Gosh! Sir!”

Go Gijin was deeply moved by Lee Joon’s kindness, to the point of having tears well up in his eyes.

“I’ll make sure to feed and care for him until he’s all plump and healthy again.”

“That’s great. We’ll rely on you to take care of Aji for the time being.”

“Of course, it would be great. Knowing that he’ll be under the care of veterinarians, it’s very reassuring.”

“We’ll treat him with utmost care, although I suspect they’ll likely do most of the work.”

Following Lee Joon’s gaze, the people saw Gray One and Kkamnyang holding Aji tightly in their arms.

“Oh my goodness…”

Kim Eun-ji clasped her hands and gazed at the trio with dreamy eyes.

Others were similarly entranced.

“Ha, this is something.”

“They’re the ones touching me.”

“As the doctor mentioned, the cats may be able to offer things we can’t.”

“Indeed, they might.”

Lee Joon was confident.

He believed Gray One and Kkamnyang would provide Aji with the things beyond his own ability to give.

“Reporter Kim, do you have any contacts at a broadcasting station? ‘Animal World’ or ‘Animal Viva’ would be ideal.”

“Are you planning to make a report?”

“Yes. Though lots of people will read your article, it would be great if even more could see it.”

“I do have the contact for PD Park from ‘Animal Viva’.”

“That’s good.”

“I met him recently, and he seemed very interested in animal abuse. He mentioned wanting to do a special segment.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“If it’s a planned segment, it won’t be just a one-off. It’d be good if they could also cover Aji’s recovery process. During that period, kim Iseok will keep being mentioned.”

“That’s a splendid idea, sir.”

“Moreover, it could be a good opportunity to find a proper adopter. Are you okay with appearing on TV though?”

“No problem. If that helps Aji find a good home, that’s all I wish for.”

“Indeed, it’s a perfect chance.”

Lee Joon turned to Kim Eun-ji and spoke.

“Reporter Kim, how about we go big with this? Since PD Park is interested in animal abuse, why not ask him what he thinks about preventing it?”

“A campaign, you say?”

“Encouraging people to report abusers, treating abused animals, and furthermore, educating others on how terrible abuse is. Many people harm animals unknowingly.”

“Sounds like a fantastic idea. Hold on a moment.”

Kim Eun-ji promptly called PD Park.