Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Chairman Cheon’s house.
Chairman Cheon was laughing so loudly it seed like the living room might collapse.
“Wahahaha! That crazy bastard!”
“Chairman, you’re in a good mood?”
“Didn’t you see that punk’s interview? He’s sothing else, alright.”
“The young master is really charging ahead without hesitation.”
On the TV, an interview with Muhyuk was playing.
Looking at Muhyuk’s face—so composed it was nearly shaless—Manager Ha shook his head.
“Hahaha! That’s how a man should be. Damn right.”
Apparently, the interview hit all the right notes for Chairman Cheon’s tastes.
After laughing for a while, Chairman Cheon asked with a faint smile still on his face.
“So. Did you set up a eting with the in-law? Did you tell him I wanted to et alone, not with Muhyuk?”
“Yes. But it seems difficult for him to travel alone... You’ll probably have to go down there yourself, Chairman.”
“That’s no problem.”
“Then I’ll make the arrangents.”
Chairman Cheon couldn’t take his eyes off the TV, the corners of his mouth twitching continuously.
“When I talked to that old man from Ilseong Group earlier today, it felt so damn satisfying. Do you know how much that guy used to look down on # Nоvеlight # ? Said our family was all about money and ignorance. Always bragging about how all his kids went to Korea University and famous foreign universities...”
“Those are the very people who co crawling here to borrow money from you, Chairman. They curse you behind your back but still wait hours just to get a eting.”
Manager Ha, who rarely chid in, added his comnt, and Chairman Cheon nodded in satisfaction.
“Maybe it’s because I didn’t even finish elentary school and only focused on making money, but my kids were hopeless when it ca to studying. Still, Jisoo and that brat are preserving my dignity. Jisoo did alright, didn’t she?”
“Yes, she got into Korea University. Didn’t you give her 1% of Ilseong Electronics stock as a gift back then?”
“That’s right, I did.”
Before they knew it, the smile had faded from Chairman Cheon’s face.
“What’s the president-elect up to?”
“No major moves yet. I’ve heard they’re still assembling the transition committee. Two of our people have been assigned. Where should we place them?”
“Two people?”
“Yes. Even though this administration is technically from the ruling party, it has a different color from the military regi. So making too many demands is...”
“Alright. No need to explain. Two, huh... Where do you think they should go?”
At that, Manager Ha thought for a mont and then opened his mouth.
“One in the economic subcommittee is essential. And I think we should place the other in the political affairs division.”
“Political affairs?”
“Isn’t that the biggest subcommittee? I’ve heard they’re handling police and prosecution matters.”
“Hmm.”
After a brief mont of thought, Chairman Cheon nodded.
“Let’s do that. They’ll end up in the Blue House anyway, right?”
“Most likely. We’re planning to install our own person as the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs.”
As he stroked his chin in thought, Chairman Cheon brought up another topic.
“What are the two up to?”
“Well...”
Manager Ha hesitated a mont before speaking.
“It seems the second son has started sothing without the first son knowing.”
“Really? Is it going to be a problem?”
“He’s tied up with gangsters, so... a bit.”
“What? Gangsters?”
Chairman Cheon’s brow furrowed.
“Weren’t all the big organizations rounded up already?”
“Two groups under Cheongpunghoe’s protection have been expanding quietly. They disguise themselves as corporations and avoid acts of violence, operating more like businessn.”
“What are they doing?”
“Seems they’re getting involved in the slot machine business.”
“Fool. Gambling, of all things?”
“Well, it’s the first ti he’s started a separate venture without the first son. It appears he’s getting help from his father-in-law.”
Chairman Cheon clicked his tongue.
“Probably just cleaning up after his in-laws. Nothing good can co from being involved in stuff like that...”
“Will it be an issue?”
“Keep an eye on it.”
“Yes, sir.”
After the conversation ended, Chairman Cheon sat silently for a while before a smile returned to his face.
“The more I think about it, the more I like that Muhyuk. If only he were my son instead of my grandson.”
“...”
That day, Chairman Cheon spent hours calling around, proudly boasting about his grandson.
“I’m telling you... That kid is my grandson. Yeah, the one who aced the exam—Kim Muhyuk. That’s my grandson, I tell you...”
* * *
Even though the new year had arrived, my daily routine hadn’t changed. I’d make my real moves once I got to Seoul, but for now, I was focused on spending ti with Grandma.
I left the house for my morning run.
How long had I been running? A car pulled up beside .
“Hey! Kid!”
Turning my head, I saw Park Dongsu grinning through the rolled-down window.
“...You’re really going too far, aren’t you? I’ve told you before.”
“Khahaha! You haven’t changed~”
“So you’re finally making a move?”
Park Dongsu nodded.
“Yeah, it’s about ti. Soone’s gotta fill the gap left by Saseong-hyung.”
“Still calling him ‘hyung’? You know exactly how he got caught. You know better than anyone. If it’s about gangster loyalty or whatever, I’ve got nothing to say.”
“Hah! You little psycho. Calling a gangster a gangster right to his face? But yeah, that’s how this world works. Honor matters. Even if Saseong-hyung’s stuck in there for life, I’ve gotta take care of things for him. Right, boys?”
“That’s right, hyung.”
Screw off.
“Well, do what you want. But now that the governnt’s changed, you won’t be able to go around swinging knives like before. Not unless you’ve got governnt backing.”
“Yeah, probably not.”
“Exactly.”
“But hey, kid. I heard you’re doing well in school? Smart and tough—man, I’m jealous.”
I ignored his nonsense.
“I’m only saying this because of that ti at the hospital, but things are going to be very different from before. If you want so advice—pivot to legal business. Sure, use violence when you have to, but mostly? Play the line between legal and illegal. Exploiting loopholes isn’t the sa as breaking the law.”
Park Dongsu frowned.
“I don’t know. I’m not that smart. I don’t think I can pull that off...”
“Hahaha. You don’t need to handle it yourself. Hire soone with a brain—a lawyer, an accountant, whoever. Start a legitimate company, and behind the scenes, well... you’re the expert, I don’t need to say more.”
“Hmm...”
“Start by locking down Busan. Then, I’ll help you move into Seoul. Mutual benefit, you know?”
“Hey, kid. Who the hell are you really?”
“Later... For now, just focus on Busan. I’ll co find you when the ti’s right. See you around, old man.”
“Kuhahahaha! I’ll be waiting. Let’s go, boys!”
I watched the car as it drove off.
Once it disappeared from sight, I started running again.
‘He’ll do fine. I don’t know if he can handle the Cheongpunghoe’s cleaners on his own, but if I make him into my hidden sword, he’ll be a great asset.’
Maybe it was the chill of winter, but the sweat I’d worked up had already dried.
At the end of my run, Myungsoo and Hyunseong were waiting for .
“Hey! What took you so long?”
“Sorry. Ran into soone I knew and had a quick chat.”
“Who?”
“Soone.”
“What the hell? This guy...”
Myungsoo wiggled his pinky finger teasingly.
I grabbed it and twisted it slightly.
“Ow! Ow! You bastard, that hurts! Stop it! I’m sorry! I won’t do it again!”
Clutching his finger in pain, Myungsoo glared at .
“...You little shit.”
“So, why’d you want to et here? What’s the plan?”
“We’re adults now, right? Twenty! Let’s go to my dad’s bar and have a drink.”
I gave Myungsoo a sidelong glance as he grinned like an idiot.
“...Already drunk.”
“Hey, hey! We studied nonstop for three years, didn’t we? And even after we get into university, we’ll be studying like hell again. We’ve gotta try this at least once, right, Hyunseong?”
“Mhm.”
He didn’t say anything, but Hyunseong also looked a little excited.
“Agh... Fine, let’s go. Let’s go!”
“I already told my dad. Was gonna book a room, but just grabbed a table instead. It’s our first night out—we gotta do it right.”
“Mmm, mmm.”
“Agh... You childish idiots.”
“Heh, look at Kim Muhyuk pretending. If soone heard you, they’d think you’ve been clubbing for years. Let’s go already!”
Myungsoo took the lead, with Hyunseong following close behind.
Seeing that guy, who usually only argued with Myungsoo, ekly go along made laugh.
As I stood watching, Myungsoo turned back and shouted.
“Hey! Muhyuk! If you don’t hurry, we’re going without you!”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m coming.”
Eventually, we arrived at Arabian Night in Nampo-dong.
It was the nightclub Myungsoo’s father managed.
“What the... Myungsoo?”
The man managing the entrance recognized Myungsoo.
“Hyung! I’m coming in.”
“...You’re old enough for this place already?”
“Yup. I told my dad. I’m going in, alright?”
“Okay, have fun. Don’t cause any trouble.”
We greeted the doorman and headed downstairs.
The deeper we went, the louder the music got, pounding in my ears.
Now that I thought about it, I’d never actually been to a nightclub before.
At that mont, a waiter with a na tag reading “Seongryong” ca up to Myungsoo.
“Oh! Myungsoo!”
“Hehe. Hyung, give us a good spot.”
“Oh yeah~ Let’s go. It’s our boy Myungsoo’s first night—gotta get him set up. You guys follow .”
Following Seongryong’s lead, we headed inside.
The music thumped. Lights flashed.
Onstage, n and won were dancing together.
“Now I can go up there and dance too. I used to co sotis and just stand around watching.”
Hyunseong was rolling his eyes around, scanning the club.
Seeing the big guy flaring his nostrils excitedly was kind of cute.
As soon as we sat down at our assigned table, premium liquor was already laid out—even though we didn’t order anything. Perks of being the boss’s son, I guess.
“Let’s drink like crazy tonight and die trying!”
“Mmm.”
“Take it easy, it’s your first ti... If you act like a drunk asshole, I’m just gonna leave you behind.”
“Damn, heartless bastard. Hyunseong, let’s die together!”
“Yeah.”
The music was too loud to hear properly, so everyone started shouting.
Excited, Myungsoo poured the whiskey and handed out glasses.
Then he suddenly raised his glass high and shouted.
“To eternal friendship!”
Shit... This is so goddamn embarrassing.
“To eternal friendship!”
Hyunseong repeated it. I had no choice...
“...To eternal friendship!”
I said it too.
“Let’s take the first one straight, no mixing.”
“It’s gonna be strong.”
“It’s fine.”
The taste of the liquor burned as it went down my throat.
My first-ever whiskey in this life tasted...
‘...Fake?’
It felt like soone had spiked it with soju.
In my past life, I drank a lot.
From expensive alcohol to cheap soju, eting people every day ant drinking was a constant—only thing that grew was my alcohol tolerance and belly fat.
The mont I drank it, I knew. Fake whiskey... But hey, it’s Myungsoo’s dad’s place, so I let it slide.
“Ha! This is whiskey, baby. How is it?”
“...It’s alright.”
“Totally worth it.”
“Hey! This is expensive stuff! Hyunseong, you’re living it up thanks to . Don’t forget once we get to Seoul.”
As the two of them kept chatting, I quietly opened a beer bottle by myself.
I lifted the bottle and drank straight from it.
‘This tastes way better.’
A few more rounds were shared, and the mood was good.
We got set up with girls and even danced on stage.
“I’m beat. Let’s head ho.”
“Hey! Muhyuk. Why’re you backing out alone? Let’s stay longer. Right, Hyunseong?”
“Hmm... I agree with Myungsoo.”
Because of the two insisting we stay, we had a few more rounds of setups.
“How old are you guys? I don’t hang with kids, but that one’s kinda cute.”
“Muhyuk? That punk’s like a celebrity, a celebrity.”
“His na’s Muhyuk? Wanna hang out with noona?”
“No thanks. I just ca to drink.”
Seongryong kept bringing won over.
Mostly they sat next to Myungsoo, but they kept showing interest in .
“Ha... Let’s head in. Grandma’s waiting.”
“Just one more setup. Please?”
At Myungsoo’s pleading gaze, I sat back down.
That’s when a woman was brought to our table by a waiter. She was the prettiest I’d seen all night.
Myungsoo, clearly interested, poured her a drink and spoke up right away.
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-one. How old are you?”
“Twenty.”
Raising his glass, Myungsoo said,
“Let’s all drink together. It’s fate we t like this.”
“You’re surprisingly bold for your looks. Sure, let’s drink.”
We clinked glasses with beer bottles.
While we were chatting for a bit, a man ca out of a private room in the corner.
He glanced around for a mont, then approached our table.
“Hey! Who the hell are you punks?”
< Twenty, First Experience. > End.
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