Director Cho (1)
The Korean Murim world erupted in chaos the next day.
Murim-related channels broadcast breaking news one after another.
Jang Cheon pressed the remote and turned off the TV.
"Alliance Leader Cheon pulled it off."
Jang Cheon smiled.
As long as Cheon Myeong-jin remained alliance leader, U Myeong-hwan was finished. Cheon Myeong-jin wouldn't forgive the man who had sent Baek Sang-du to kill him.
Now, all that remained was capturing his master, Baek Sang-du.
That's when a call came in from Jeong Yeong-gi.
"We've tracked all the CCTV near the rooftop room where Baek Sang-du made his contract, but we couldn't find any trace of him."
"Once his tail's been stepped on once, he'll be moving extra carefully now."
"We'll keep investigating, but finding him won't be easy. Korea's small enough that if someone wants to be found, we can track them down—but if they want to hide, it's got plenty of spots for one person to vanish."
"Got it. We'll look for another way."
Jang Cheon ended the call and dialed Bishop.
"Bishop, find any clues in the photos I sent?"
"No, nothing. The camera was reported stolen, and none of the items in Baek Sang-du's room were useful for tracking. Sorry."
"The guy's naturally cautious."
"I'll keep all info lines open, especially checking areas with more mummy corpses or missing persons reports than usual."
"He won't leave any more mummy corpses."
Those had been unavoidable during his injured escape. Having allowed tracking because of them, he wouldn't repeat the mistake.
"Right, prioritizing missing persons reports then."
"Okay."
Jang Cheon walked to the window and gazed out at the forest of skyscrapers.
Baek Sang-du was hiding somewhere out there. Once he recovered, he'd move in earnest. Having gauged Jang Cheon's power, his next actions would be even more dangerous and audacious.
He had to find him first.
"Where the hell have you been?"
At Director Yang's question, Baek Sang-du bowed his head deeply.
"Sorry. I was wandering around aimlessly."
Baek Sang-du had returned to Bit Sseum Teo, where he used to work.
He'd been absent without leave for a while, but Director Yang understood.
"You look pale. You sick?"
"No."
"Jung-hwa's death must've hit you hard, huh?"
Director Yang assumed that's why Baek Sang-du hadn't shown up for work. That this innocent guy had secretly liked the girl. He never dreamed she'd died by Baek Sang-du's hand.
"Did Jung-hwa go back home?"
Director Yang shook his head, and Baek Sang-du launched into his vile act—head drooping like his little sister had gone missing, face on the verge of tears.
"I've told you a hundred times: you can't do this job if you get attached to every one."
"Yes."
"Start work again tomorrow."
"I'll start today."
"You sure you're okay?"
"Yes."
"Good. Welcome back."
Baek Sang-du bowed and left the director's office, walking down the hallway. Through the open windows, he could see the girls.
S emerged from the screen analysis room, shaking his head.
"Not a match."
"Damn it!"
Jeong Yeong-gi, waiting by the door, was deeply disappointed. They'd spotted someone resembling Baek Sang-du and run a detailed analysis, but it wasn't him.
"I want to help however I can, but this seems to be it."
Even at S's words, Jeong Yeong-gi didn't give up.
"It's not just about helping Jang Cheon. How can we, living off taxpayer money, sit idle while a life-draining monster roams free?"
"Why not go public with the investigation?"
"Public investigation?"
"Don't you have his photo?"
"No."
S looked puzzled at Jeong Yeong-gi's firm refusal.
"Why not?"
"If going public was the way, Jang Cheon would've asked first."
S's face twisted in disbelief.
"You trust Jang Cheon too much, don't you? This hurts my pride."
"Why pick a fight with Jang Cheon out of all people? It's a losing battle from the start. Don't self-sabotage."
"Self-sabotage? You use words like that?"
"Not millennial enough?"
"No, it's ancient. Makes you sound even more old-school."
Jeong Yeong-gi laughed. He'd used it on purpose to sound young, so he couldn't argue.
"If you really want to measure up to Jang Cheon, bring a way to find Baek Sang-du instead of splitting hairs on slang."
Jang Cheon was the first to find a way.
"Long time no see."
"What brings you here?"
Sing asked curiously. Actually, Sato Mi behind him wore an even more intrigued expression.
Jang Cheon had contacted Raymond to request a meeting with Sing, and they'd met at a secret location.
"I have a favor to ask."
"What is it?"
"Find someone for me."
Jang Cheon's method was to use this shadowy organization to track Baek Sang-du. Killing the bastard would be good, and it'd also yield more intel on the group.
"Who?"
"A man named Baek Sang-du."
"Baek Sang-du?"
Sing glanced at Sato Mi, who checked her tablet.
"U Myeong-hwan's master from Dae Jeong San Jang. Listed as deceased."
Sing's gaze shifted to Jang Cheon.
"He's alive, then?"
"Yes. Over a hundred years old, but looks like he's in his twenties."
"How?"
"Some martial arts include sorcery or evil techniques that preserve youth."
Sing turned to Sato Mi.
"Why didn't you learn something that good?"
"Defying heaven always comes with a price."
Jang Cheon nodded at her words. Spot on.
But Sing thought differently.
"That's not selling your soul to the devil? What kind of price?"
Sato Mi smiled faintly.
Jang Cheon answered instead.
"It's not selling your soul—you become the devil."
"Something to consider, then."
At that moment, Sing had different thoughts. If it meant youth, becoming a devil once might be worth it. His longing for youth burned that fiercely.
"Why find him?"
"Baek Sang-du's after Cheon Myeong-jin. He's already tried once."
"Why?"
"Probably at U Myeong-hwan's request."
Sing nodded. He knew Dae Jeong San Jang's lord had been arrested by the Murim Alliance.
"How dangerous?"
"Very. Unless you're ditching Cheon Myeong-jin, you need to find Baek Sang-du."
"Can't ditch him. Damn, I thought Korea matters were wrapping up."
He'd planned to leave Korea in a few days, eager for hot spring baths. Now this snag.
Ignoring it now, only for Cheon Myeong-jin to die—he'd bear the full blame.
"Got it. I'll be in touch."
"It's urgent. Handle it as fast as possible."
"Will do."
As Jang Cheon stepped out, Sato Mi followed under the pretense of seeing him off.
"You really bring storms wherever you go."
Jang Cheon chuckled. He knew she was interested in him—and was pondering how to use her.
"If the alliance leader dies, real storms will hit. I'm the one trying to stop them."
Jang Cheon gazed at Sato Mi with captivating eyes.
"Make sure you find him."
Stunned by the intense look she'd never seen before, Sato Mi nodded unconsciously.
After Jang Cheon left, Sato Mi returned inside.
Sing eyed her suspiciously.
"You like that guy?"
"How can I like him already? Just interested."
"Always the handsome ones."
"Gotta stay true to desire. Everyone overthinks and drifts from it."
Sing couldn't deny it. His favorite hot spring baths weren't indulgence—they sorted his thoughts. Comfort for an old man whose desires had dried up.
His reaction to Baek Sang-du's youth—that was real desire.
"What'll you do?"
Sing sighed at Sato Mi's question.
"What else? Can't let Cheon Myeong-jin die."
Sing called upstairs. After a long talk, he hung up.
"What'd they say?"
"Sending Hunter."
Sato Mi nodded as expected. Hunter specialized in finding and killing targets—the organization's best at it.
Sing's face darkened.
"Why?"
Sing sighed.
"Hunter's coming with Executive Director Cho."
At "Executive Director Cho," Sato Mi jolted. Her blank expression turned to fear.
"Why?"
"He senses too many issues in Korea. Damn."
"Let's go—back to Japan now. I'll book a flight tonight."
"We're on standby too."
"Just leave, pretend you didn't hear."
"You think I want to stay?"
Executive Director Cho was infamous in the organization. A central executive with top skills and trust.
But he was brutally ruthless. His director seat was paved in blood. Worse, he believed his path wasn't over.
Sing was Asia head but not directly central. Replaceable. Cho's power dwarfed his.
Tensing at his ruthless superior's arrival, Sing said gravely,
"Stay sharp."
Actor relayed the news discreetly.
"They're sending people from upstairs to find Baek Sang-du. Hunter and Executive Director Cho."
Sing had ordered Raymond to prepare for them, and Raymond tipped off Actor.
"What kind of guys?"
"Hunter's a literal hunter. Even the tiniest clue, and he'll track them down. Top tracker in the org."
Good news. Such a talent would surely nab Baek Sang-du.
"Problem's Executive Director Cho. Central operative, known for cold ruthlessness and exceptional ability. Eliminates anything blocking his rise without mercy. Made tons of enemies but climbed to director—tells you what he's like. When he comes, even I have to watch my back. If he sees gain in it, he'll shake up the alliance leader and you too."
"Perfect."
"What?"
"Eliminating Hunter takes out their best tracker. Great opportunity. And Cho's my first direct link to central—a top exec. Might get new leads on the org if lucky."
"Optimistic. Probably only you in the world would welcome Cho and Hunter."
Jang Cheon had said "their" organization, not "our." A subtle distinction, but it fully acknowledged Actor as an ally. Actor felt pleased inside.
"What's Cho's martial level?"
"Unknown, but not average to reach director. Anyway, when Cho flips, genre shifts to horror. Be careful."
"You too."
Jang Cheon hung up.
Good call visiting Sing. He might bag Baek Sang-du and infiltrate the organization deeper—one stone, two birds.
Meanwhile, Actor mused after hanging up,
"Horror with scary villains for shock value is boring anyway."
Wasn't true horror something else?
All these top-tier terrors sent to Korea—and none returned?