From Within (3)
Park Gwang-cheol's usual line came flying in today as well.
"Haven't eaten? Wanna grab a bite?"
"Sorry, but I've already..."
As Lee Yeon moved to refuse him like always, someone spoke up from behind.
"Since it's come up, why don't we all eat together?"
The man approaching the two of them was none other than Jang Cheon.
He'd said he'd start with Park Gwang-cheol, and it looked like the real investigation was finally beginning.
Park Gwang-cheol looked puzzled at Jang Cheon's words.
"You always act so busy. What's the occasion?"
"I really was busy. Truth be told, getting a meal with HT Group's heir is something I should have requested first."
"Ha ha ha."
Park Gwang-cheol let out a hollow laugh. Jang Cheon's serious expression made it impossible to read his true intentions. Either way, this was the moment he'd been hoping for.
"Perfect timing. It's mealtime anyway. I'll call Hwa-ran and make it even pairs."
Lee Yeon hesitated, wondering if she should tag along.
"Come with us."
"Okay."
She accepted Jang Cheon's invitation without protest.
Park Gwang-cheol couldn't just let that slide.
"You turn me down cold when I ask, huh?"
"No way. Must be a misunderstanding."
He grinned at her response.
"Fine, fine. Gotta have some shamelessness to deal with those reporter scum."
Park Gwang-cheol turned to Jang Cheon.
"We're around the same age. How about we act like friends?"
"Sounds good."
"Nice to meet you, buddy."
Park Gwang-cheol extended his hand for a shake. Of course, his intentions weren't pure. It'd be easier to exploit someone casual rather than formal.
Jang Cheon clasped the offered hand.
"You're buying lunch. Time to cash in on that chaebol second-gen friendship."
The easy camaraderie, like old classmates reuniting, startled both Park Gwang-cheol and Lee Yeon. They'd never pegged Jang Cheon for this type.
Park Gwang-cheol laughed.
"Haha, deal. Follow me to a classy spot."
Of course, the place he led them to was the very restaurant run by Tae Jin-gu, the Gangnam branch head of Guwolmun from before.
Moans leaked from the basement.
A bloodied man lay collapsed on the floor, a towel soaked in blood wrapped around his hand.
Tae Jin-gu glared down at him coldly.
"The chief prosecutor is your buddy? Call him. Hurry up—we left you one hand, so you can dial. Get this bastard's phone. You thought we looked like amateur thugs forcing contracts, huh? That's why you figured your prosecutor pal would make us shake in our boots?"
"...No, sir."
Slap!
"Shut up and listen, you punk! Guwolmun's gripped Seoul's nightlife for thirty years. Countless righteous sects have tried to take us down. When their own power failed, some even dragged in prosecutors and politicians. But look around. We're still the bosses here. What does that tell you? Think your hotshot prosecutor friend can touch us?"
Tae Jin-gu grabbed the man's hair and yanked his face up.
"You got two sons, right?"
At the mention of his kids, the man's face drained of color.
"Adopted strays? Spawn of your enemies? That why you want me to snap their necks for you?"
The man panicked desperately.
"N-no, sir! My mistake. Forgive me, please."
Tears streamed as he begged.
"I'll send someone in a few days. Sign the contract."
"Yes, sir."
"If you think you can hide from us forever, go ahead—report to the Murim Alliance, cops, whoever. Call up the righteous sects, your prosecutor buddy too."
"No, no! I'll sign."
Just then, a subordinate reported in.
"Park Enter's CEO Park is here."
Tae Jin-gu scowled.
"What now? He's busy, why's he back already? It hasn't been that long since I sent him off with that pricey wine. Hey, no blood on your shirt, right?"
Throughout the meal, Park Gwang-cheol peppered Jang Cheon with questions.
"Lived abroad a lot?"
"Yeah, overseas."
"What do you do?"
"This and that. Gotta do whatever to get by."
Jang Cheon answered straightforwardly. Lee Yeon and Hwa-ran listened to the exchange while eating.
This was Lee Yeon's first time with steak this pricey. The "melts in your mouth" line made perfect sense now.
Still, for 300,000 won of my own money, I wouldn't touch this. Goodbye forever, beef—you and I are done after today.
Lee Yeon sipped her wine. 90,000 won a glass, apparently. And no reservations meant no entry. What a different world.
Meanwhile, Park Gwang-cheol kept probing.
"Mercenary, right? That's why you're getting paid to handle my dad's stuff?"
"Yeah, merc work too."
His frank reply emboldened Park Gwang-cheol.
"Ever killed anyone?"
"Of course."
The casual answer threw even the questioner off. Lee Yeon and Hwa-ran paused their forks, staring at Jang Cheon.
"How many?"
"No idea. Never counted."
Now Park Gwang-cheol was the flustered one. He'd tossed it out expecting a dodge, not this.
Jang Cheon stood apart from other Murim folk.
Most, Tae Jin-gu included, flaunted it—words, actions, hints that screamed "Murim." It built intimidation.
It intimidated her too.
But while others forced it, Jang Cheon's presence was utterly natural. He never advertised it, yet he felt like the most Murim-like she'd met.
Just what kind of guy is he?
Her curiosity had started with herself, but now it was purely about him.
Thanks to that, questions Park Gwang-cheol should've aimed at her went to Hwa-ran instead.
"Lee Yeon, you're gorgeous. Height?"
"168."
"Proportions make you look taller. Ever thought of going into entertainment?"
"No, not at all."
"Bet you've gotten tons of offers."
"Nope, never."
"Scouts must be blind."
"Thanks for the kind words."
"I like pretty faces, handsome ones too. Entertainment's not half bad 'cause I get to see so many."
"You're different in person from TV."
"No reflector lights, so I look older, huh."
"No, even more beautiful."
"Haha, I know it's flattery, but it still feels good. Guess I found my calling."
Lee Yeon liked Hwa-ran. She had a down-to-earth vibe, un-celebrity-like.
Such a shame for her. Why with a guy like that?
Sure, she had her reasons, and Lee Yeon wasn't prying. It just felt regrettable after chatting.
Once the small talk wound down, Park Gwang-cheol started bragging about money. Not subtly—bluntly. The crude flex screamed, "Think your stuff can compete?" But what could she say?
And money brags always came with comparisons.
"Lee Yeon, what's your salary?"
"Decent."
"How much?"
She couldn't answer. Humiliating. What difference did it make?
"Quit that crap and walk the flower path from now on? People without money spout that 'money doesn't matter' bullshit. Ever hear a rich guy say it? Nah, they're too busy spending. Come work under me. I'll keep you busy."
Lee Yeon smiled.
"I like my job for now."
In her mind: A side kick to that sleazy mug.
You punk! Offer 10 billion! Still not joining you!
Now the money flex turned to Jang Cheon.
"Murim folks rake it in, right?"
"Some do, some don't."
"And you?"
"Pretty well."
"How well?"
"Why curious?"
"I judge people by their cash, got a problem?"
"Enough to buy ten companies like Park Enter a year."
Park Gwang-cheol blanked out, then burst laughing.
"Uhahahaha! Big earner, huh? Jealous. Seriously jealous. Hahaha!"
He wrote it off as a joke, bravado. No way he knew the company scale.
That's when it happened.
A text hit Jang Cheon's phone on the table. Lee Yeon's eyes flicked over involuntarily.
She hadn't meant to peek, just glimpsed it.
27 million won deposited? Jealous.
Then she jolted. The unit looked like dollars.
27 million dollars? 27 billion? No, 2.7 billion? Wait, 27 billion?
Chaos. Right after hearing about buying ten Park Enters a year.
Nah, no way. Must've misread. Yeah, 27 billion doesn't just transfer like that. Limits and stuff. Whew, even 27 million won's enviable.
Just as Park Gwang-cheol's brag fest wrapped, Tae Jin-gu arrived.
"A beauty's joined us. Park, introduce me."
"Haha, with your hero-among-women rep, maybe not."
"Misunderstanding. All rumors. Hello, Tae Jin-gu."
His gaze hit Lee Yeon before Jang Cheon.
Intense. He'd genuinely fallen for her looks.
Lee Yeon felt uneasy inside. Men's stares varied. Some natural, admiring a pretty woman. Others loaded with desire.
Park Gwang-cheol's was golden swagger. Tae Jin-gu's? Bloody hunger, no holds barred. Their eyes met—her skin crawled.
Luckily, his gaze shifted to Jang Cheon, eyeing the sword propped behind him.
"Murim?"
"Yes."
"Passed the BST officially?"
"Yes."
"Ha, nice! Meeting a fellow wanderer here."
Park Gwang-cheol piped up curiously.
"Fellow wanderer?"
"BST passing sets seniors and juniors. Like class years. Mine was thirteen years ago."
"This guy's earlier."
"Earlier?"
Tae Jin-gu blinked in shock at Park Gwang-cheol's words.
"No way. Show me your martial registry."
"What if I'm your senior?"
"I'd treat you like one, naturally..."
His trailing off betrayed his doubt.
Park Gwang-cheol chimed in slyly.
"Hey, buddy. Careful. Tae here is the famous Guwolmun Gangnam branch head. Not for class-year games."
Jang Cheon smirked. It grated on Tae Jin-gu.
This punk. Cracking at Guwolmun's name?
Most fawned: "Branch head so young? Impressive!" Guwolmun was Korea's top notorious black faction.
"You know Guwolmun well."
"Not really."
"Then why laugh?"
Informal speech crept in. Clear sign he was pissed.
"Just reminded me of the old days."
A hint of connection. But Jang Cheon said no more.
Tae Jin-gu seethed. Kid looked too young for senior status, smirked like he was mocking him. Worst, sitting with his perfect-type Lee Yeon.
Park Gwang-cheol, sensing Tae Jin-gu heating up without his nudge, inwardly cheered.
The fight he'd hoped for was unfolding on its own.