Chapter 59 #21 Monster of the Red Death Society (4)
That day, after meeting Suo Haozhu, I learned a few key facts.
First, she hadn't erased any memories since the day we met.
Good news.
On top of that, I found out she'd disobeyed "Papa's" orders.
"So I don't have to do what Papa says?"
"You shouldn't, but I don't want to forget today."
Those words were pretty touching. It felt like confirmation that all the time I'd carved out for her hadn't been wasted.
Suo Haozhu whispered softly to me.
"And even without that deal, I'm strong enough anyway."
True enough. She was weaker than when she'd traded her memories, but still far beyond most awakeners.
Though not quite strong enough to punch a building into oblivion. So when "Papa" found out, there'd be hell to pay.
Greedy old bastard, I cursed him inwardly as I listened to all her grumbling right there beside her.
"Sorry I couldn't make it that day. I remembered, but Papa made it hard to get out."
"It's fine. We met up anyway, right?"
"I really wanted to come. You're the first person who's ever told me to meet tomorrow. I wanted to keep that promise."
Hearing that, a thought crossed my mind.
Maybe if I keep meeting her like this every day, talking with her, I could fix the messed-up path her life's on.
But unfortunately, we didn't have much time left together.
That evening, Han Seohyun delivered the news he'd been waiting for.
"I found that 'Papa' guy's location."
"Oh, yeah?"
Han Seohyun noticed my deflated reaction and asked, "You really planning to kill him?"
Yeah, the simplest solution was to kill this "Papa."
Without him, Suo Haozhu would self-destruct—just like in the future, when she'd lost him and taken her own life.
She'd sacrificed her growth and memories for power. That meant her mental age was around 15, or even less.
This "Papa" had deliberately fostered her dependency, turning her into a brainless puppet who couldn't do anything without him.
Without "Papa," she couldn't survive on her own.
But if I didn't kill the bastard, she'd never escape his grip for the rest of her life.
"For now, let's kidnap the guy and see."
Han Seohyun's eyes went wide at my words.
"Kidnap him?"
"Yeah. I wanna have a little chat."
"Normal people don't kidnap someone just to talk."
"We're not normal. Plus, he tried to take me out first—didn't I mention?"
"What?!"
"Don't worry. Suo Haozhu handled all the guys after me."
"That's a huge deal! What the hell, why didn't you say anything...?"
Han Seohyun looked shocked all over again. Fair enough—he'd been pouring all our intel into tracking "Papa," so he probably had no clue I'd been in danger.
That's when Kim Jaeho, who'd been sitting quietly in the corner, spoke up.
"Yeah. Lots of guys came after Boss. I killed 'em all."
"When?"
"Yesterday."
Han Seohyun put a hand to his forehead, looking dizzy at Kim Jaeho's matter-of-fact tone.
"What the hell have you guys been up to?!"
This felt unfair. After all, I hadn't caused any real trouble the past two days.
"Not my fault. I was just wandering around yesterday."
"Wandering around, and people come after you? Why?"
"Guess they didn't like me hanging out with Suo Haozhu. That's just how they are—can't solve problems any other way. So kidnapping him is actually a pretty mild response. Got it?"
Han Seohyun sighed at my explanation.
"Fine. This world's just not normal anyway."
I could've ranted for days about how rotten Suo Moshian was, but that wasn't the priority now.
I turned to Kim Jaeho. "Jaeho, think you can snag him without anyone noticing?"
Until now, we'd brute-forced everything, but Kim Jaeho's old role was assassin. Hit from the rear, and no one spotted him.
Plus, his shadow ability let him hide in shadows, attack through them—even create them later on.
He could end it in seconds, unseen.
Seeing Kim Jaeho nod, I looked at Han Seohyun.
"Seohyun, find us an empty warehouse, low foot traffic."
"Got it."
"Time to have that chat with 'Papa.'"
A chat with the man who'd ruined Suo Haozhu.
"So you're saying you don't know where Haozhu went?"
Suo Moshian pressed a hand to his throbbing head at his subordinate's report. He'd already been agonizing over the lost contact from the men he'd sent to kill that guy, and now this.
The last update? Suo Haozhu had grabbed the guy's hand and bolted.
"You've been deceiving me all this time, huh."
Betrayal toward Suo Haozhu burned in Suo Moshian's chest. After all he'd done to mold her, how could she fall for some pretty-boy punk that fast?
"Who the hell is this guy?"
"We're looking, but everyone's gone dark..."
"So after days, you still got nothing?!"
The Red Death Society relied entirely on Suo Haozhu's brute strength. Even so, this level of incompetence! They'd failed to kill the guy targeting her and to ID him.
"What the hell do I even pay you for? If you take my money, do the job!"
Suo Moshian hurled an object from his desk. It didn't help his rage.
Nothing was going his way.
"This won't do. When Haozhu gets back tonight, I'll give her a stern talking-to. Tell her hanging with trash like that won't get her anywhere. I've spoiled her too much."
He'd finally stepped into the success he craved.
From an ignorant girl, he'd shaped her into a tool that did her part and obeyed only him—a perfect puppet.
Suo Haozhu had been flawless for him so far.
She moved for him alone, listened only to him. Adorable.
Suo Moshian wanted this world. All of China under his heel.
With Suo Haozhu, it was possible. He could claim everything.
But at this crucial moment, his puppet was acting up.
"Where's Haozhu now?"
"The young miss is..."
"Forget it. I'll call her myself. She'll pick up for me."
Uneasy, Suo Moshian stood, pulling out his phone from his pocket. He muttered a curse.
"This is why I worry about daughters. Picking up stray alley cats out there."
As he dialed Suo Haozhu's number, a chill ran down his neck. Noticing the deep shadow over his head, Suo Moshian opened his mouth.
"Wait, what the—"
A thick hand clamped over his mouth.
What?! Before he could shout, a brutal strike hit the back of his neck. Suo Moshian blacked out.
The last thing he saw as he crumpled was an unnaturally thick shadow.
Suo Haozhu rolled the go stone Kang Ishin had given her around in her palm. It was just a plain rock, but she decided to treasure it.
Playing with that guy was fun.
Those moments, she didn't even think of Papa.
She'd thought normalcy didn't suit her.
Papa had said so.
You're different from other kids. You can never blend in.
She'd never doubted it.
From childhood, Suo Haozhu—who could make eyes glow—had bought everyone's fear.
Ghost. Cursed child. Monster. Demon.
Those words always followed her.
If Papa hadn't saved her from the village beating, she probably wouldn't be here.
So she'd endured his changes.
Even his lies, his memory wipes.
She could bear losing her treasures one by one.
But not this.
Rolling the go stone, Suo Haozhu hummed a tune.
"Gotta have fun tomorrow too."
Tomorrow.
Recalling the word she'd forgotten for years, Suo Haozhu smiled brightly.
But the smile faded fast.
Would Papa allow it?
Her heart clenched at the thought.
Papa hated her meeting that guy. Tried to eliminate him. But she didn't want that.
Just leave that one.
She'd give up everything else for him.
He's fun, so... just him.
Muttering to herself, Suo Haozhu walked slowly.
It was time to head back "home."
She didn't want to, but Papa was waiting.
No choice.
Still, Papa was most important to Suo Haozhu.
He'd saved her, taught her, stayed by her side whispering love.
All Papa.
She'd messed up this time, but he'd forgive her.
Of course.
Taking a deep breath, Suo Haozhu opened the door and stepped in.
"Papa! I'm home."
No answer.
"Papa?"
The vast mansion, always buzzing with presence, was deathly quiet. Suo Haozhu tilted her head, scanning inside.
What caught her eye: a fallen man.
"Get up."
She prodded his back with her foot. No response.
Unease rising, Suo Haozhu left him and moved on.
Ahead: corpses. More corpses.
She was used to bodies.
But these terrified her.
"Papa..."
Stepping over men, over more.
Suo Haozhu raced to Papa's room.
He had to be here. He had to.
Before opening the door, she panted harshly. Please no, please no...
With trembling hands, Suo Haozhu flung the door open.
Empty.
The go stone slipped from her hand, rolling away.