The Beginning of Change (3)
Beyond the window Cheon Myeong-jin gazed through, An Bae-su's figure was visible in the interrogation room.
His stubborn lips were clenched tight. He was U Myeong-hwan's trusted confidant from Dae Jeong San Jang, the very man who had ordered Yang Do-hwa's death.
Summoned by the Murim Alliance, he denied all charges. He claimed he'd sent his subordinates to protect Yang Do-hwa.
That she had come to him begging for help.
His story rang true enough. It was a fact that Yang Do-hwa had visited Dae Jeong San Jang shortly before the incident.
An Bae-su wasn't the type to crack easily. They had no choice but to dig up ironclad proof and shove it under his nose.
Just then, someone entered the room where Cheon Myeong-jin stood, guided by Bi Ryong Dae leader Joo Won. It was Jang Cheon.
“Leader.”
“Come in.”
Cheon Myeong-jin greeted him warmly. Jang Cheon glanced toward An Bae-su in the interrogation room. It was one-way special glass, visible only from here.
“We can speak freely here.”
The room was fully soundproofed and secured against bugs for this very meeting.
“Has he confessed?”
“He's holding out.”
Unless the nation's or Alliance's survival was at stake, the Murim Alliance couldn't resort to torture or truth serums.
Besides, his willing compliance with the summons meant even force offered no guarantees.
Then Jang Cheon pulled out something unexpected: a USB memory card.
“What's this?”
“CCTV footage from Yang Do-hwa's house on the day of the incident. It shows the hitman he sent trying to kill her.”
“Ah! You had this?”
“I was holding onto it, unsure how best to use it. When I heard you'd summoned An Bae-su, Leader, I brought it over.”
“Thank you. This will help greatly.”
That was that. With repeated claims of sending protection, this was undeniable proof he was lying.
“Thank you.”
It could even implicate Dae Jeong San Jang's lord, U Myeong-hwan.
“And one more thing.”
Jang Cheon laid out everything about infiltrating Sing's organization.
“What do you need from me?”
He was grateful for Jang Cheon's candor—and this shadowy group was a shared enemy, the greatest threat of his life.
He had to help Jang Cheon wipe them out.
“Keep backing Geom-myeong like before.”
Jang Cheon explained Sing's terms.
“Not hard at all. We even have a joint project lined up with them this year—pushing Geom-myeong to No. 1 is doable.”
Fail to crush this group, and Korean Murim would fall to them entirely. Strategically propping up Geom-myeong was essential cooperation.
“Pass their assignments for you to me.”
He'd handle all Geom-myeong matters without Jang Cheon lifting a finger.
“Thank you. But there's a catch.”
“What?”
“They'll dig into how I'm using you, Leader. They'll feign trust but probe every way they can. It'll get messy.”
“How do we fool them?”
“Poison's the surest bet.”
Strong-arming the Korean Murim Alliance Leader raised too many red flags. Poisoning him? Bulletproof.
“Got something like that?”
“Yes.”
“Bring it?”
“Yes.”
“Let me see.”
But Jang Cheon didn't produce it. Cheon Myeong-jin read his hesitation.
“That poison.”
“Yes.”
The unique PSV49. The one Doctor Woo—slain by Jang Cheon—had used on his granddaughter. Phone and the crew had grabbed it while torching Woo's lair.
“They know I killed Doctor Woo. They'll assume I snagged this poison and its antidote.
Poison you with this, Leader, and they'll buy it hook, line, and sinker.”
“So why hesitate?”
His granddaughter's poisoning had tormented him for years. Suggesting the same toxin again felt cruel.
Cheon Myeong-jin held out his hand.
“Hand it over.”
Jang Cheon pulled the poison from his bosom.
“Antidote?”
“Yes.”
Cheon Myeong-jin downed it without pause.
“Gotta be convincingly poisoned to sell it. Antidote monthly—no misses.”
He showed absolute trust, far beyond praising a clean hit on Yang Do-hwa.
If Jang Cheon flipped or fate intervened, he'd die. Yet he swallowed willingly.
Jang Cheon drew a profound lesson. Decide to trust? Go all in.
Only total faith truly sways hearts.
“Thank you for believing in me.”
Jang Cheon produced a small leather pouch.
“Antidote monthly. They might check, so I'll keep this.”
He handed over a differently colored vial.
“This fully cures it. Keep it—if I can't deliver, use this.”
“You hold it.”
“No. Can't gamble your life, Leader. You keep it.”
Jang Cheon repaid faith with faith.
“Thank you.”
Cheon Myeong-jin gazed at him, eyes brimming with emotion.
No antidote? Jang Cheon owned him.
Or Cheon Myeong-jin could bait a trap—flash the full cure to the group as Jang Cheon's betrayal.
Jang Cheon knew the risk, yet handed it over.
Each affirmed trust their way. Their bond deepened as Jang Cheon edged into the organization's heart.
Hwa-ran cracked the door.
“Need anything?”
Locking eyes with Kwon Hyeok-su, she flashed an awkward smile and slipped out.
“Thirsty. Grabbing water.”
“I'll get it.”
“No, no. I got it.”
Hwa-ran waved it off, filling a cup from the purifier.
Outside Park Gwang-cheol's office, in the secretaries' lounge, Kwon Hyeok-su waited.
“Others?”
“Lobby downstairs. Heading out?”
“Nah, not now. Cool.”
Hwa-ran bowed and ducked back into the CEO's office.
“Whew.”
She sighed.
“What?”
“What? Dodging the eyes of your bodyguards.”
“C'mon, why? We pay them.”
“You wouldn't? See that woman? Prettiest you've ever seen?”
Not just pretty—that massive sword on her back killed jokes dead.
“What security firm's got hotter women than an agency?”
And that was just the start.
“That older guy? Total badass, right? Thought it was Liam Neeson aged up.”
“Michael Caine from Batman for me.”
“Ah, the butler?”
“Yeah. That classy vibe—spot on.”
“True. More like him.”
One thing certain.
“SGC's legit no joke.”
Park Gwang-cheol and Hwa-ran couldn't fathom the lineup's backstory—just awe.
“Lee Yeon's finally ours!”
He'd belted that tune forever. Hwa-ran laughed at the goofy gag.
“Hahaha! Fair! Sincerity conquers heaven!”
Park Gwang-cheol chuckled too.
“Wanna chat with Yeon, hang out.”
“Go.”
“How?”
“How what? Schedule today?”
“Empty.”
“CEO talk? Go grind studies or cash!”
“Then?”
“'Hey, quick word'—call her, chat.”
“For real?”
“Why so shy? This the Hwa-ran who bucked me?”
“Four surprise guards? Tense much? Oh—evil CEO's fair game now.”
“Outta here. First day—dinner party.”
“Right! Dinner. Thanks.”
She bolted, paused.
“Together?”
“Busy.”
Business truth: slack infinite, hustle endless.
“Back later!”
“Go!”
“Gwang-cheol.”
He looked up.
“Thanks.”
Softer voice, softer face.
Park Gwang-cheol grumbled at papers.
“No heavy drinking! Study!”
Hwa-ran bounced out, beaming.
“Heading out.”
Her cheery voice outside drew Park Gwang-cheol's smirk.
He felt great too.
Just picked SGC per Jang Cheon—Hwa-ran glowing.
Jang Cheon! You punk!
Bang.
Desk slam. “Busy, so miss you more.”
Night sat alone on the rooftop bench at SGC.
Dry snacks and beer cans beside him.
Whoosh.
Jang Cheon dropped from the sky.
“Boss, welcome.”
Night had called, eager to meet.
“Queen joined SGC.”
“Heard.”
“Seemed... off from usual.”
“Sudden guard gig—what's up?”
“For you, Boss.”
“Me?”
Jang Cheon frowned, baffled.
“Always you.”
Firm words. Jang Cheon eyed him. No trademark grin.
His true face—no faking warmth for the trusted.
“Post-meeting you, Boss, Queen's every move ties to you. Didn't know? Know now.”
Couldn't fully deny; Jang Cheon drank silently.
First can down, Night asked.
“Secret org—status?”
“Mid-process.”
“Bigger than expected, I hear.”
“Likely brushed our old ops unknowingly.”
“Figures.”
“Wipe 'em? Might need you. Touched it—finish it.”
Night nodded.
“Name the time. Tight with Bishop too.”
“Okay.”
Jang Cheon rose.
“Good work. Later.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Jang Cheon ascended slow. Air like solid ground.
“Boss—treat Queen right.”
Jang Cheon halted midair atop the high-rise—like art.
“Hey, Night.”
“Yes, Boss.”
No look back.
“I'm a man too.”
Gone into night.
Positive spin on Queen vibes; Night raised his can in absent toast.