Human Butchers (7)
‘Karambit!’
A blade he could never forget. The first time they raided the gang's hideout, Wang Yong approached him as he lay collapsed on the ground. That pale face twisted into a sinister grin as he pressed the infamous knife against his abdomen.
‘Hey, being reckless won't get you anywhere. I don't know why you barged in here stirring up hell, but go quietly.’
It was terror. As a cop, feeling fear toward some lowlife gangster was humiliating, but in that moment, only dread dominated him. Could any Korean police officer ever catch this guy? He shook his head repeatedly at the grim reality.
Lee Gyu-cheol swallowed dryly and forced a calm tone. “Yeah, looks like gangsters alright. Crazy bastards. What era do they think this is...? Anyway, any clues at the scene?”
- Hmm... who knows. The only thing was some weird tire tracks? But with the rain and the fire trucks messing everything up, it's almost impossible to make out. Not domestic tires, probably wide off-road ones from a foreign Jeep. What kind of investigation can you do with that? I'm going crazy here!
Lee hung up, his lips pressing into a tight line.
Foreign Jeep wide tires...
* * *
“No way, Detective Kang Cheol-gu! What the hell happened?!”
The moment he stepped into the Violent Crimes Team 3 office, Team Leader Hwang Woo-sik charged at him, eyes blazing.
“Two weeks! Two weeks! Where the hell have you been without a word? Phone off too.”
“Haha, sorry. Wasn't feeling well.”
As he scratched his head, Detective Kim Gwang-il rushed over too, looking on the verge of tears. That sensitivity didn't match his massive frame at all.
“Hyungnim! I thought you'd kicked the bucket somewhere. Do you know how worried I was?”
“You talk so sweetly vicious. You punk. Even if I die, I won't.”
“Anyway, you're one tough bastard. You know how many times I went to your place? Gyu-cheol hyung kept asking about you from the hospital too.”
“Sorry. Had some stuff come up. I'll report to the chief myself. Let's go see Gyu-cheol together later.”
* * *
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
Gangcheon Police Station Chief Kim Dong-sik's eyes widened.
“Detective Kang? What happened? Where have you been? I got reports you weren't even in touch with your team.”
“Sorry for the worry. Had a personal investigation that couldn't risk exposing my movements.”
“...Personal investigation?”
The fountain pen in the chief's fingers danced nervously.
“How should I take this? You're a capable officer, no doubt. But the police is an organization. Personal deviations aren't tolerated! ...Just tell me. What happened?”
The chief asked in a subtle tone.
“...It involves Taehwa. As you know, they hate rumors. But if you insist, I can explain.”
“...Hmph, no need. You're dismissed.”
After two weeks AWOL, this mild reaction proved tying up with Taehwa was smart.
“Yes, sir. Thank you for your leniency.”
* * *
Bang!
Five minutes after Kang Cheol-gu left, Chief Kim Dong-sik slammed a thick file against the steel door.
“Ha! That punk spits in my face with a smile!”
It was obvious this had nothing to do with Taehwa—even a toddler could see it. Dropping their name anyway? It was a declaration of war. Mocking his fallen status and a threat not to touch Kang anymore.
Crack! The fountain pen in his grip snapped without him realizing.
Montblanc Meisterstück 149. A gift when he took the chief post, his prized possession. It symbolized his authority on approval docs. Staring at the shattered 18K nib, he shivered as if seeing his own fate.
Even without Taehwa, that bastard Kang Cheol-gu was the son of Kang Hyeok, No. 2 in Korea's police hierarchy, Chief Security Commissioner.
‘Maybe my life went to shit the day he joined this station.’
He sank deep into his chair. Then his phone rang—an unknown number. His voice came out gruff.
“...Hello.”
Moments later, he sprang up like a coiled spring. The phone trembled with his breathing.
“Ch-Chief Commissioner calling me...?!”
After the short call, Chief Kim's eyes narrowed.
Seoul Metro Police Agency Director Gwak Jae-gyu. Two Taegeuk Mugunghwa badges, right under Kang Hyeok. To rise, he'd have to topple Kang first.
“...I see.”
No more wistfulness in his gaze at the broken pen.
* * *
An atmosphere he couldn't quite get used to. Inside the lounge of a top-tier hotel by the Han River. Amid empty seats, a woman's high heels shattered the silence.
“Oh, sorry. I'm a bit late.”
The lounge seemed to brighten as she sat. Wherever she was, she owned the place. Hong Gye-young.
He looked up at her face. Even without Taehwa's backing, any man would fancy her.
“Why stare so openly? It's embarrassing.”
“Ah, sorry. Should've pulled out your chair, but as you see, I'm clueless.”
Her eyes widened, then she burst out laughing.
“Hoho. You can say smooth things too? Last time, you seemed like a straight-ahead bulldozer—no lefts or rights, just ‘My life goes straight.’”
Her pinky pointing left and right was adorable.
“Can't show the same face all the time or it's no fun. Anyway, why'd you call me...?”
“Honestly disappointed in you, Detective Kang. How could you not save my number? Who is this?”
She lowered her voice, mimicking him playfully.
“Haha, sorry. That...”
As he laughed awkwardly...
“Did you take the knife on purpose?”
“...What?”
The sudden jab. Her smile unchanged.
“That day with Yoo Hyeong-cheol's arrest—did you bait him into stabbing you?”
She tucked hair behind her ear, eyes locked on him.
“......”
“Yang said so. You blocked some attack angle, forcing the killer to stab you. I'm no expert in fights, so I just got the conclusion.”
“......”
“...Your face answers my question already, so another one: why?”
Hong Gye-young's eyes gleamed lazily.
Coming out swinging? He met her gaze with a smirk.
“...Needed Taehwa's power.”
“I thought we'd already given you plenty.”
His car, police gear support. Even the official Taehwa line declaration.
“Not enough. I need more. Desperately.”
Right on cue, their cocktails arrived. Hong Gye-young savored hers, lips curving up. White teeth flashed between them.
“Wow! So brazen, I got nothing to say. Can I trust and stick with a guy like you?”
“Don't trust me.”
Her eyes crinkled toward him. Go on.
“I want business with you, Ms. Hong. Trust is for hearts; business is for profits. You noticed—I took the knife on purpose, and Taehwa's support got out. Taehwa gave me power; I gave Taehwa reputation. No ‘trust’ in any of it.”
Her red lips moved quietly.
“‘Don't trust’ is refreshing. Everyone begs me to trust them just once. Fine. Truth is, my investment in you paid multiples back, so I don't wanna break this.”
She furrowed her fine brows slightly, sipping again.
“Personal advice though: whatever you're after, don't fixate so hard. Most women don't like ambitious men. They like ones who only see them.”
She spat it out playfully in one breath. Said her piece?
“Then I'll head out.”
She draped her coat and stood. Supporting her, he scanned the empty lounge.
“Yeah. And next time, don't rent out the whole lounge. Even chaebols waste money.”
“Oh! You noticed? Still cheaper than guards everywhere.”
She waved brightly with a smile.
* * *
In the returning car, Hong Gye-young stared at her reflection in the window. Gray and expressionless. No trace of the vibrant smiles from minutes ago with that cop.
‘Most women don't like ambitious men. They like ones who only see them.’
Her own words to Kang Cheol-gu. A fresh lieutenant just commissioned. Normally unqualified for her table. Why say that?
But she hadn't said everything.
“...I'm not most women.”
“Pardon? What was that, ma'am?”
Secretary Yang Jin-ho blinked beside her.
“Nothing. Just mumbling. Tired. Let's go.”
The Mercedes GLS engine purred higher.
* * *
“Hyungnim, blood sausage soup for lunch? New place up front's supposed to be good.”
“Sounds good. Team Leader Hwang, join us.”
The new blood sausage soup joint by the station was packed. Homemade sausages gave off that irresistible savory aroma.
“Wonder if Gyu-cheol hyung's eating right. He loved this stuff.”
Kim Gwang-il shoveled it in, speaking up. Hwang nodded—
Then the TV anchor's excited voice blared.
[Breaking news: Serial killer Yoo Hyeong-cheol, who ignited national outrage, died early this morning.]
Everyone in the restaurant turned to the screen.
Clink! Kim Gwang-il's spoon hit the floor.