Life's Second Spin (5)
As the screen transitioned, footage of yesterday's arrest scene came into view.
"Yes, this is reporter Oh Kyung-tae. Here on this utility pole, yesterday's bullet marks are still stark and clear. Lieutenant Kang Cheol-gu single-handedly pursued the fleeing Yoo Hyeong-cheol, while his partner, Patrolman Kim Gwang-il, sealed off the escape route."
The camera angle shifted, bringing Detective Kim Gwang-il's face into frame. So that's where he'd been since morning—giving an interview?
A chuckle escaped him.
[Yes, it was sudden for me too, of course... but out of a police officer's sense of duty... Citizens, please trust in us police...]
His flushed, excited face looked oddly cute on that massive frame.
[Meanwhile, Lieutenant Kang Cheol-gu, who cracked this case, is an elite cop who graduated top of his class from the police academy. He's drawing even more attention for turning down a PR position to join the violent crimes unit. Citizens are buzzing about Lieutenant Kang, who caught Yoo Hyeong-cheol—a killer even the metropolitan investigation squad couldn't nab—showering him with nicknames like 'Vigilante Cop' or 'Tyrant'. Though they sound negative at first glance, these are actually praise from a public disillusioned by past police investigations. Reactions are pouring in, hailing him as a stark symbol of restored public authority.]
Real-time comments scrolled under the anchor's broadcast screen.
- I'd welcome a tyrant like that with both hands up.
ㄴ Totally agree.
ㄴ Character design is perfect. And he's hot AF.
ㄴ That's what a real cop looks like.
ㄴ 22222
- Victim families can finally find some peace.
ㄴ Prayers for all the victims' souls.
[Next up, related news on the case. Did they predict this? Three weeks ago, Taehwa Motors donated stab-proof vests and full police gear free of charge to Gangcheon Police Station. In yesterday's arrest, the perp resisted by swinging a knife at Lieutenant Kang—but thanks to the vest he was wearing at the time, he escaped without a scratch. The truth is, our police force lags far behind advanced nations like the US in equipment. This causes major issues in the field, with rank-and-file officers sometimes footing the bill for their own protective gear. Taehwa, meanwhile, calls it a small token of appreciation for police working on the front lines for the public good. This bold support from the chaebol is being hailed as a positive influence.]
* * *
"I didn't exactly aim for this outcome, but it's a successful bet nonetheless. This blade I picked seems pretty sharp."
In her office at the Taehwa Building, Hong Gye-young's lips curved into a soft smile. Her eyes sparkled as they lingered on Kang Cheol-gu's photo at the bottom of the monitor. She crossed her slender legs, but her gaze stayed glued to the screen.
Comments flooded in live on the news.
- Buying a new car soon? Taehwa all the way, no question.
- Taehwa feels different from other chaebols. Noblesse oblige for real.
- Without that vest, our tyrant cop would've been done for. Chills.
"Yes, corporate favorability is skyrocketing right now. Stock's up 4% too."
Even in this unambiguously positive situation, Secretary Yang Jin-ho's voice remained subdued.
* * *
After filing his report and stepping out of the office, he leaned against the wall. He reviewed the scene's CCTV footage over and over. A strange, gritty sensation—like chewing on rough sand—gnawed at him. It was a feeling only someone with years of martial arts training could sense, prickling at him relentlessly.
What the hell is this unease!
Yang's breathing quickened as he watched the screen. His eyelids twitched.
He's smiling!
Kang Cheol-gu's eyes narrowed into thin crescents as he charged at the knife-wielding opponent. He'd closed the distance, blocking all lines of attack. In that position, the perp had no choice but to thrust at the gut.
Trusting the stab-proof vest? No way!
Yang swallowed hard. One thread unraveled, and the rest followed smoothly. As he adjusted the angle on his foe, his right hand was already racking back the slide on his pistol. This wasn't some spur-of-the-moment justified self-defense during the arrest. That cop had intended to shoot Yoo Hyeong-cheol from the start—staking his own life on it.
Could I pull that off?
Yang's eyes darkened deeply. Yoo Hyeong-cheol stood before him, knife in hand, two meters away. Ignore the blade flying at your gut, rack the slide? In a situation where one slip could send that knife straight for your throat?
Yang shook his head. His original duty had been close protection for CEO Hong Gye-young. Even he—a Special Forces vet from the Army Special Warfare Command, with stints in the Presidential Security Service—couldn't manage it. And yet a 26-year-old rookie lieutenant had... Could it be...!
Did he deliberately take the knife hit? The questions kept piling up. Yang's narrowed eyes refused to open. On the surface, Taehwa had reaped multiples of its investment in Kang Cheol-gu. But a low sigh escaped him anyway. His gaze drifted toward Hong Gye-young beyond the wall.
Miss. That guy might not be just any sharp blade.
* * *
"You did great. Cracking a big case like this."
Chief Kim Dong-sik grabbed my shoulders with both hands, congratulating me. Rumors said he'd gotten word of some commendation from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency chief for the arrest. But he still seemed uncomfortable around me, avoiding my eyes as he continued.
"And don't sweat the three-month firearm surrender too much. I tried to block it, but rules are rules—safety violations stand separate from justified self-defense."
"I understand completely."
After handing over the gun, staring at the empty holster left my chest feeling hollow. Little did I know then how much I'd miss this pistol.
* * *
"Alright, let's drink up! When else we gonna do this if not today!"
Team Leader Hwang Woo-sik raised his glass with exaggerated enthusiasm. Violent Crimes Team 3's after-work drinks were in full swing, the mood electric after nabbing Yoo Hyeong-cheol.
"Gwang-il, you froze up in front of that TV camera. Not like you at all. Haha!"
"You try an interview sometime, hyungnim. My hands were shaking like crazy."
Kim Gwang-il's already flushed face—thanks to the booze—waved it off. Inspector Lee Gyu-cheol lifted his horn-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, relentlessly teasing him.
As everyone laughed and bantered...
"...So,"
"......"
"...ask away. Team Leader Hwang Woo-sik."
My sudden words chilled the lively table to ice. A heavy silence settled in.
"...Hmph. You noticed, huh?"
Hwang scratched his head, dodging my gaze.
"Fine. We're all family here anyway—no beating around the bush. Did you really mean to kill that Yoo Hyeong-cheol bastard?"
Kim Gwang-il paused mid-sip of soju from his glass. Lee Gyu-cheol halted his soda order. Everyone held their breath.
It was the question I'd expected. Hwang had been leading the cheers loudly, but he'd been watching me like a puppy desperate for a walk.
"Who knows."
I closed my eyes gently. Truth be told, Yoo Hyeong-cheol was nothing. Compared to 'that guy' I'd face down the line. The past decade flashed by—his deeds, my pursuit. Could a mere human catch him? That monster he'd become...? My ten years had been a dizzying tightrope between man and beast.
"...For now, I'll say this: I'll walk the 'line'. But my choices will never drag the team down."
Hwang bit his lip. If he's going that far, there must be a story.
"...Alright, I'll take it as 'I'll balance things appropriately for now'. Cheers! A drink for Detective Kang Cheol-gu!"
My empty glass filled up.
* * *
The sun dipped low over Yeon-gok intersection. Even a powerful Jeep struggled on these steep hillside streets. The early evening air hung damp and heavy.
That the one?
Amid houses crammed so tight the addresses were a nightmare to spot, he finally pinpointed his target.
From a half-basement with taped-up broken glass door, bright laughter leaked out—clashing with the shabby vibe.
"Dad, Dad, try this. It's insanely good."
"Yeah? What's 'insanely good' mean?"
"Agh! Old fogey!"
My lips tugged up unbidden. Yeah. This was what I'd hoped for.
"Anyone home?"
No doorbell, so I knocked on the frame and called out.
"Who's there?"
A man in his mid-40s, speckled with white hair, opened the door.
"Hello. Kang Cheol-gu from Gangcheon Police Station."
The door cracked wider, a high school girl in uniform peeking out. That was her—Go Yun-ji. In the original timeline, she'd have been Yoo Hyeong-cheol's 18th victim, known to me only through blood-soaked photos.
Yun-ji's father spoke cautiously.
"...What brings a cop all the way here? I've lived without handouts my whole life, never been a burden to anyone."
"Haha, nothing bad. Just came to hook you up with a job."
I offered the fruit basket I'd prepared.
"No, why would you... for me?"
"Facility management gig. Easier than what you're doing now, pays better too. They know you're diligent—they'll love you."
I handed over the business card for Yoonhwa Metal, a Taehwa Motors subcontractor.
"Got some big help from someone during the investigation, and they recommended you highly."
"But why me all of a sudden...?"
"Start Monday next week. It's all set—just don't be late."
I stepped out, leaving his voice behind. The rusty iron door hinges screeched. The sun had fully set, a sliver of new moon caught on the mountaintop.
* * *
Violent Crimes Team 3 office. As I headed out, Patrolwoman Oh Hye-jin twisted coyly, offering a cup of coffee.
"Um, Detective Kang, here... Figured with all the workload lately, you could use something sweet."
Cappuccino from the nearby café. Lukewarm—she must've been waiting outside for a while.
She'd ignored me before, but now...
A dry laugh escaped.
"Appreciate the thought... but I only drink Americano."
She bit her lip in momentary fluster, then switched to a nasal whine.
"Oh no, sorry! Didn't know. Next time, I'll make sure..."
"Yeah. Take care."
I felt her eyes trailing me.
* * *
Thwack, thud. Real power backed each punch into the heavy bag. It hit me anew—this body was steadily improving. Peak condition? Not yet. It hadn't reached its zenith; with more training, it could grow even stronger.
"Whoa~ Hyungnim, you're smashing that bag! Watching you gets my blood pumping. Haha."
Kim Gwang-il, stripping off his shirt beside me, started wrapping his hands. Thick muscle hid under a layer of healthy fat—not showy gym gains, but the real deal for combat. Freshly promoted to detective after the Yoo Hyeong-cheol commendation, he stuck even closer now, no holds barred.
"How 'bout it, hyungnim? Spar a round, just us tough guys?"