I was organizing my thoughts while watching raindrops tap against the hotel window.
“Boss.”
At that mont, Manager Ma knocked and entered, calling out to .
“A variable has occurred in Korea.”
“A variable?”
“Yes.”
If Manager Ma was reporting it like this, sothing serious must have happened.
I tilted my head slightly and sat down on the sofa, signaling him to continue.
Manager Ma followed and imdiately began his report.
“Han Hyunjin and Han Hyunwoo t with hired thugs.”
“Hired thugs?”
There could not be a single gangster operating in Korea outside the influence of Chunha Group.
“Didn’t Chunha Group clearly notify the gangs not to get involved in anything related to Heaven’s Church?”
“Yes. That’s what I was told.”
“And yet they ignored it and t Han Hyunjin and Han Hyunwoo. Either they’ve grown so serious nerve, or Han Hyunjin dangled a very large bait. What was said?”
“It was an unscheduled eting, so we couldn’t tap it. Instead, we placed surveillance on the hired thugs afterward.”
They must have attached n to the gang, since wiretapping without preparation would’ve been difficult.
And eventually, they caught sothing.
“I see. So there was movent?”
“Yes. They were gathering Korean Chinese.”
“Well, look at that?”
A dry laugh slipped out of .
Since Chunha Group had issued a ban, it would be difficult to mobilize manpower within Korea. So they must have decided to use Korean Chinese instead.
“How many did they call?”
“Confird numbers alone exceed one hundred.”
“If confird numbers are already over a hundred, then they plan to mobilize even more. Can a single rcenary team stop that?”
At my question, Manager Ma gave a negative response.
“It will be difficult, Boss. If the Korean Chinese move, they will likely use firearms. With firearms restricted on our side, it would be hard.”
“Aren’t all smuggling routes handled by Chunha Group?”
“Chunha Group controls most of it, but smuggling still happens outside their sphere. Especially firearms smuggling through the Russian mafia — that’s hard to block.”
Unlike Korea and Japan, neither China nor Russia had a single organization that dominated all others.
Chunha Group could manage the major groups, but it was impossible to completely block smaller forces operating secretly beyond their influence, eting with Russian or Chinese elents.
“Still, not all Korean Chinese will be ard with guns.”
“Yes. That’s my assessnt as well. But the re possibility of firearms is enough to beco a variable in the operation.”
Korean Chinese were dangerous because they had nothing to lose.
Money was their only objective. If there was a guarantee that the money would reach their families even if they died, they would rush forward like moths to fla.
That ant we had to fight prepared to kill every one of them who didn’t fear death.
“What is Han Hyunsoo doing?”
“We’ve received a report that he has scheduled a eting with the Han Hyunjin brothers outside the main headquarters next week.”
“That bastard still hasn’t co to his senses.”
There was no other word for it but reckless bravado.
To leave the safety of the main headquarters and deliberately et enemies outside.
“What about the rcenary team leader?”
“He is doing everything Han Hyunsoo asks.”
“Does he know about this?”
“Not yet.”
I paused, thinking.
Should I allow the rcenaries to use firearms or not?
“If we permit firearms, there won’t be a problem stopping them, correct?”
“Yes. If the rcenaries can use weapons, no matter who cos, they can stop them.”
Manager Ma answered firmly.
rcenaries were firearms specialists.
It wasn’t that they couldn’t fight hand-to-hand, but if the opponent used guns, what would that matter?
My deliberation deepened.
If guns were used, the aftermath would be extrely difficult to clean up.
Was it worth going that far just to help Han Hyunsoo?
If the target under protection were soone inside my own fence, I wouldn’t even hesitate.
I would protect them by any ans necessary.
“What if Chunha Group blocks them first, Manager?”
Manager Ma thought briefly, then shook his head.
“The situation could escalate further.”
“That’s not what I’m asking. If Chunha Group moves, can they protect Han Hyunsoo?”
“I believe it would be sufficient.”
“Good. Then let Chunha Group handle it first. If anyone breaks through them, the rcenaries can take care of it.”
“Will that be alright? It could get quite noisy.”
If things grew large, I would be the one running around to clean it up, so it was natural for Manager Ma to worry.
Reading the concern beneath his blunt tone, I gave a small laugh.
“Well. Chunha Group will handle it. They cause trouble well enough, but they clean up just as thoroughly. They’re professionals — might as well use them when it counts.”
“Understood. I will relay it that way.”
“Inform the rcenary captain in advance as well.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“You may go. I need to think a bit more.”
After Manager Ma left, I returned to the window.
The quiet room was filled only with the sound of rain. Listening to it, I sank into thought for a long ti.
* * *
Han Hyunjin and Han Hyunwoo’s eyes widened.
Seeing that, Han Hyunsoo burst into laughter.
“What? Did you really think that?”
“Hey! Who do you think you’re mocking right now!”
Han Hyunwoo raised his voice, calling out to him.
But Han Hyunsoo ignored him and stared only at Han Hyunjin.
“Big brother. I heard you called Korean Chinese to kill ?”
At that, Han Hyunjin — who had been feigning composure — flinched.
Though inwardly startled, he forced himself to act ignorant.
“What are you talking about? trying to kill you?”
“If you’re going to act, at least do it properly. Kim Minwoo. Don’t you know him?”
At the na Kim Minwoo, both Han Hyunjin and Han Hyunwoo fell silent.
“You know who he is, right? That bastard said he hired Korean Chinese to kill . And just by coincidence, you t him. Don’t you think the timing’s a bit strange?”
“...I don’t know what you’re talking about, Hyunsoo.”
“You’re always like this, big brother. That’s why you’re annoying. I can ignore little brother, but not you.”
Grinning crookedly, Han Hyunsoo leaned forward. His eyes glead with a strange light.
“But big brother. What do you think will be faster? The Korean Chinese getting here, or your neck snapping? Ever think about that?”
At the chill in his voice, different from usual, Han Hyunjin swallowed dryly.
“What did you say?”
“If I give the order, that friend over there could snap your neck without breaking a sweat. What do you think? Want to try an experint?”
At Han Hyunsoo’s chin gesture, both brothers’ gazes shifted naturally toward the rcenary captain.
Han Hyunjin couldn’t clearly see the captain’s face beneath the mask and cap, but for so reason he felt like the man was smiling.
Yet the rcenary captain did nothing.
He simply stood with his arms crossed, guarding the door.
“What? You think I can’t do it? Knowing what you’re plotting, why do you think I ca here?”
Han Hyunjin’s mind spun rapidly.
Han Hyunsoo knew everything and had co here knowing it was a trap.
That ant he had already prepared to block the Korean Chinese.
Han Hyunjin’s actions were as fast as his thoughts. He imdiately dropped to his knees and bowed his head.
“Hyunsoo. I’m sorry. I must have lost my mind for a mont. Forgive .”
At the sudden action, Han Hyunwoo stared at him in shock.
“Hy– hyung.”
Ignoring him, Han Hyunjin continued.
“I’ll leave Korea. Just let live.”
“Big brother! What are you doing!”
Han Hyunjin begging on the ground, Han Hyunwoo panicking beside him.
Han Hyunsoo felt imnse pleasure at the sight.
‘That Han Hyunjin is begging like a dog.’
Han Hyunsoo had always feared him.
As the acknowledged eldest son, there had always been distance. And Han Hyunjin had always proudly displayed his competence.
Now that very man was groveling for his life like a dog.
Everything had changed after eting Kim Muhyuk.
‘Kim Muhyuk... He’s truly terrifying. But I can’t deny he’s a golden lifeline I can never let go.’
eting Kim Muhyuk had been accidental.
When he was preparing an article related to Kim Muhyuk and Cheon Taesan under his father’s orders, Muhyuk had co to him.
Kim Muhyuk had made an offer too sweet to refuse, and as if possessed, he took his hand.
As a result, he had been able to seize Heaven’s Church.
This ti was no different.
When he nearly died in Japan, Kim Muhyuk saved him and helped him regain control of Heaven’s Church.
‘If I hadn’t t him.’
The one groveling like a dog today would have been himself.
Han Hyunsoo curled his lips into a smile.
“Big brother. Get up. Begging won’t change anything. Who knows? Maybe they’ll break through everything I prepared and reach here. If that happens, I’ll gladly die.”
“...Hyunsoo. I’m sorry. Please just let live.”
Even Han Hyunwoo dropped to his knees. Han Hyunsoo finally burst out laughing.
He had completely forgotten the promise he made to Kim Muhyuk and was simply enjoying the mont.
* * *
After sending the Korean Chinese to the eting location, Kim Minwoo was eating in his office.
Then suddenly, there was noise outside.
“What is it? Why is it so loud? Hey, go check.”
At Kim Minwoo’s irritation, one subordinate hurried to his feet.
Just as he was about to open the door—
“Aaaagh!”
With a loud crash, the door flew inward.
The subordinate who had tried to step out was thrown back into the office.
At the sa ti, dozens of n stord in.
They wore comfortable tracksuits and all had masks covering their faces.
From between ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) the lined-up n, a man in a luxury suit stepped forward.
“Who’s Kim Minwoo?”
Every employee inside turned their gaze toward Kim Minwoo at once.
Confirming their stares, the suited man smirked.
“So it’s you? The bastard with the guts to ignore our instructions?”
“Who the hell are you!”
“Who do you think? Grim reapers who catch trash like you.”
His crooked smile was savage. Kim Minwoo instinctively realized sothing had gone terribly wrong.
‘If I stay here, I die.’
While he thought rapidly, the suited man laughed.
“I can hear your brain grinding from here. You want to leave on your own, or break sothing first?”
If he was dragged away, there wouldn’t even be a corpse left.
Kim Minwoo put on a servile face.
“Are you from Chunha Group?”
“You know well. If you know, then co quietly.”
“There must be so misunderstanding—”
“Sure. Could be. That’s why we’re taking you to find out. We’re not punks. You think we won’t give you a chance to speak? Co on. Let’s go with your body intact.”
Kim Minwoo clicked his tongue internally.
‘These bastards already know everything.’
He quickly scanned for an escape route. The only entrance was blocked by Chunha Group. The only option left was the window.
The problem was that they were on the third floor.
‘Better injured than dead.’
Having decided, Kim Minwoo flipped the desk and sprinted toward the window.
Strangely, the n from Chunha Group didn’t move.
“That idiot. Why do idiots always think the sa way?”
“Hahaha!”
As the suited man spoke in exasperation, the surrounding gangsters burst into laughter.
‘What the hell are they saying.’
Cursing inwardly, Kim Minwoo hurled himself through the window.
He smashed it with his shoulder and leapt.
For a mont, a sensation of weightlessness overwheld him.
“Ugh!”
Fortunately, he landed on top of a car, rolling across the roof with a loud crash.
He hit the ground without breaking anything, but the shock blacked out his vision for a mont.
When he quickly regained his senses and tried to get up—
He saw dozens of pairs of sneakers in front of him.
As if mocking his frozen state, a voice ca from above.
“Doesn’t it hurt? Tsk. Told you to co quietly.”
The suited man leaned slightly out of the shattered office window, grinning.
The Chunha Group n inside the office hadn’t been the only ones.
“W-wait.”
That was when it began.
rciless kicks rained down on Kim Minwoo’s body.
Unable to resist at all, he curled up and simply took the beating.
How much ti passed?
“Stop.”
At the low voice, the n imdiately halted.
It seed the suited man had co down.
“Oh my. You’re in pretty bad shape. Well, as long as you’re not dead, it doesn’t matter. Load him. We’re taking him to the Incheon warehouse.”
“Yes, Director.”
After confirming they had loaded Kim Minwoo into the van, the director pulled out his phone.
— Chunha Group Secretariat.
“This is Pyo Changho. It’s finished here.”
— Understood, Director Pyo. We will report that to the Chairman.
After ending the call, Pyo Changho placed a cigarette between his lips.
The man standing beside him flicked a lighter and lit it.
Exhaling a deep stream of smoke, Pyo Changho muttered,
“I wonder if the other places are doing well...”
That day, blood was spilled in the middle of Seoul.
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