Club Zeus Turbulence (2)
By the time the two arrived at Club Zeus, the place was already buzzing.
As Park Gwang-cheol had recommended, it was the hottest spot in downtown. Guards stood at the entrance, and lines of stylishly dressed young men and women snaked out the door.
"Should we get in line too?"
"Yeah."
Neither Jang Cheon nor Queen had ever been to a club for fun, but they knew the basics. Party planners brought in famous DJs for events, and VIP regulars or those with room reservations could skip the line entirely.
Don't underestimate clubs just because they're for young people—the bill for a room with expensive champagne could easily hit millions of won in a single night.
The two hadn't made a reservation ahead of time, but they found amusement in waiting in line like this. It felt like a fun date.
Naturally, all eyes turned to them.
"They're not really Murim people, are they?"
One of the women ahead in line stepped forward as representative. Plenty of young folks did cosplay with fake swords, especially at places like this. To them, such weapons were just accessories like bracelets or hats.
"We're real Murim folk."
At Queen's response, the group erupted.
"Whoa! Real Murim people!"
"That's awesome."
"The guy's one too? First time seeing a Murim couple."
"That sister's gorgeous. Check out her chest and waistline. She's gotta be an eight-heads beauty."
"The guy's handsome too."
They whispered among themselves, but how could Jang Cheon and Queen not hear?
At the last comment, Queen stared intently at Jang Cheon.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Just checking. To see if you're really that handsome."
"That face says you don't buy it."
"Does it?"
Queen laughed. She didn't usually laugh this much or chat like this. It was clear she was thrilled and excited.
Just then, a supercar roared up to the club entrance with a deafening exhaust note.
Two men stepped out—the driver was none other than No Gae-cheol, Yang Do-hwa's son.
He'd begged the Murim Alliance leader for revenge, yet here he was, clubbing every night.
Everyone thought Yang Do-hwa had blown through her fortune, but the family had found a huge stash of cash she'd hidden away. No Gae-cheol was burning through it wildly, driven by the belief that his mother was dead.
If anything, he feared her coming back alive.
A young man around the same age got out of the passenger seat, decked out in even pricier designer clothes than No Gae-cheol. His face and eyes screamed one thing: total asshole.
The club had two entrances, and they headed straight for the VIP one.
Jang Cheon glanced at No Gae-cheol and said to Queen,
"Yang Do-hwa's son."
Queen had heard the Korean situation from Ben already.
"Then he shouldn't be here right now."
"Exactly."
At that moment, the women ahead started chattering again.
"It's Oppa Gae-cheol."
"Oppa my ass. They're scum. And they show up today of all days?"
"Why? Something up?"
"You crazy bitch, haven't you heard? They spike girls' drinks in their room. Chug whatever they give you cluelessly, and you'll end up starring in their porn."
"No way? They film it too?"
"What won't drugging scumbags do? Anyway, never go into their room."
Queen frowned slightly at that but quickly smoothed her expression. Today was precious date time with Jang Cheon. She didn't want to let trash like that ruin it.
"This is fun."
"What is?"
"Waiting in line here with you. Must be tough for you, though?"
"Nah, it's fine. When else would I do this?"
Soon, it was their turn, and they headed inside.
"This is pretty!"
Even the club wristband the entrance guard slipped on her wrist was novel to Queen.
* * *
The inside was deafening.
Strobing lights, pounding EDM, and a DJ hyping the crowd—youths surrendered to the beat, shaking their bodies wildly.
The two grabbed beers and took in the scene for a bit. From serious dancers who'd come just to groove, to couples grinding close, casual vibe-shakers sipping brews, and lone wolves scanning for pretty girls.
After watching for a moment, Queen grabbed Jang Cheon's hand and pulled.
"Let's dance."
"I can't dance."
Had Jang Cheon suggested this place because he was confident in his moves?
Queen dragged him out anyway, and he shuffled awkwardly.
In contrast, Queen was a natural. She danced so well and with such energy that it made you wonder how she'd survive if she hadn't come. Her stunning face and figure, dominating every woman there, drew all eyes inevitably.
Whether they ignored the great sword at her side as harmless or just a prop, fearless guys swarmed around her. It really showed the raw power of hormones at that age.
Jang Cheon swayed lightly from a bit farther away. His moves gradually loosened up. Matching the upbeat music, he felt like he'd regressed to his twenties.
After one song cycle, the club's young sales manager approached Queen.
"You look new."
"Yeah, first time."
"Got a sec? How about heading up to the second floor?"
"Second floor?"
"A beauty like you has some admirers in the VIP section who want to meet."
Leaning on the second-floor railing, No Gae-cheol waved down at them.
She knew who he was, and after what the girls had said earlier, Queen's face hardened.
"I don't have to go, right?"
"Well, no, but everyone wants to go up there. See? Not just anyone gets in."
Sure enough, guards stood at the stairs to the second floor.
"I like it here."
"For my sake, just once?"
He lowered his voice to a whisper.
"They're loaded big brothers. Our top VIPs."
Queen leaned in and whispered back.
"I've got money too. Sorry."
She flashed him a sweet smile, then returned to Jang Cheon, who waited with a beer in hand.
"Total dancer, huh?"
"Don't tease. It's been ages; I was rusty."
"Nah. Had no idea you could move like that."
Queen gave a shy smile, inwardly pleased and flattered.
As they sipped beers and rested, the sales manager returned. His cheek was red with handprints, lips busted and bleeding. He'd been smacked and rushed down without even wiping the blood.
"Please, just once. I'm begging. I wouldn't ask anyone else."
Anyone else wouldn't have endured this humiliation. But the two in the room were untouchable, even for the club.
"Feels like me not going would be better for the club and those girls."
"Do it for me. If I can't bring you, I'm dead. Just say hi and go."
Queen glanced at Jang Cheon.
If I go up, things might get messy. Okay?
Her eyes said exactly that, and Jang Cheon smiled.
"Go on. They want it so bad."
Queen's eyes asked, Really?
He nodded.
"I'll wait here with my beer."
"Okay, be right back."
The sales manager bowed repeatedly.
"Thank you, truly."
"Save the thanks. You'll regret it."
Queen followed him up to the second floor. On the stairs, she looked back at Jang Cheon, who pointed at the ceiling CCTV with a finger. Understanding, she nodded once.
The room held two men. The young one with No Gae-cheol was Lee Jung-tae—the same guy from the supercar.
"What're you doing? Come in."
No Gae-cheol eyed Lee Jung-tae.
"Right? Killer body. Couldn't see anything else."
Lee Jung-tae scanned Queen up and down.
"Not bad."
"Hurry up. Our big bro's lonely. Go sit by him."
No Gae-cheol tried steering her to Lee Jung-tae's side. Lee clearly held the upper hand in their dynamic.
Queen stood blankly, so Lee Jung-tae scowled.
"What? Don't wanna sit?"
"Yeah, don't."
"What? Then why come?"
"They said just say hi. Hi. I'm out."
No Gae-cheol shot up.
"This bitch crazy? Know who we are?"
Right then, another sales manager brought in a different girl—one from the line ahead, the one who'd asked if they were Murim.
"No, I don't wanna. Really don't."
Crash!
Lee Jung-tae hurled a bottle; it shattered. The mood froze instantly.
"You fucking whores! Both saying no like that. Where do these cheap club bunnies get off acting picky?"
The new girl froze in terror, speechless.
No Gae-cheol chuckled.
"Whoa, easy on the vibe. Sit down, everyone. Let's check out that sword."
"I'm a real Murim person."
"So? Gonna stab us with it?"
The unexpected reaction threw Queen off. She hadn't anticipated this. Their fearlessness soon came from No Gae-cheol's sly mouth.
"This guy's dad's a Murim Alliance exec. So drop the act and come here. Don't make trouble later. Hey! You, sit by me. Hurry!"
As No Gae-cheol bellowed, the terrified girl started to enter, but Queen blocked her.
"Go back down and have fun."
"Sis?"
"It's fine. Trust me."
"Thanks, sis. Thank you."
The girl bolted without looking back.
No Gae-cheol exploded.
"This fucking bitch lost her mind? Who said you could send her?"
Queen turned coldly to Lee Jung-tae.
"Her, I'll chalk up to stupidity. But you—with your dad in the Murim Alliance execs—think this is okay?"
Lee Jung-tae lurched up and stalked toward her, face flushed with booze.
"This crazy bitch lecturing me? What, gonna post on SNS? Go ahead! Put it on the Alliance site! Let's see what happens. Ugh, showing your trash-tier pride in front of who?"
As he swung for her cheek, Queen caught his wrist.
The instant she gripped it, all strength drained from his body.
"Let go."
A cold smile curled Queen's lips.
"You spike drinks, right? Film videos too."
"Who said that? Who told you?"
His panicked slip was as good as a confession.
Slap!
Queen smacked Lee Jung-tae's cheek mercilessly. One hit shattered three or four teeth; his cheek flesh tore open.
She didn't stop at one. Same force again.
Slap! Crack! Smack!
His head whipped left and right. A brutal beating he'd never endured in his life. She stopped only when it seemed one more might kill him.
Lee Jung-tae clutched his face, writhing on the floor. Pain choked even his screams.
"You bitch!"
Stunned spectator No Gae-cheol finally lunged with a ki-infused kick.
Queen sidestepped lightly and seized his collar.
Slap! Crack! Smack! Crack!
She showed No Gae-cheol no mercy either. Teeth rained out like Lee Jung-tae's; lips burst, cheeks swelling purple.
"Aaaagh!"
No Gae-cheol clawed his face, rolling on the floor.
This wasn't a mere slap injury. Shattered teeth meant implants, and only liquids for weeks.
"Keep living like this, and your lives won't last much longer."
As Queen turned, the sales manager who'd brought her stood there, horrified.
"Told you. You'd regret bringing me."
Queen descended to the first floor and approached Jang Cheon, who leaned at the bar nursing his beer.
"Sorry. Caused a scene up there."
"Knew you would."
"Then why send me?"
"Someone had to teach them a lesson. If I'd gone, I'd have killed them."
They drugged women, raped them, filmed it. He wouldn't have stopped at a couple slaps.
"Shall we go?"
"Why should we? If anyone's leaving, it's the guilty ones."
Jang Cheon glanced upstairs. Sales managers dashed about, phones out, chaos reigning.
The one who'd escorted Queen hurried over.
"Go now. The guy you hit—his dad's high up in the Murim Alliance. He's calling him. Dad's temper's even worse, they say. Hurry!"
"Thanks for the heads-up."
The manager bolted again.
"What now?"
"They like calling people to solve things? Guess we should too. If we just leave, that hot-tempered dad comes and takes it out on innocent staff."
"Who?"
"They called someone high up... so we'll do the same."
Jang Cheon pulled out his phone and scrolled his contacts.
"Lemme see. Anyone high up I know in the Murim Alliance?"