Have a Meal Before You Go

The morning after Grandma Kkotbun was found in the reservoir.

A phone call came in for Chief Seo Myeonggil.

Hanging up with a stiff expression, Chief Seo looked at me with a slightly hollow face.

"Chief Lee Chungki wants you sent back immediately."

"To Seongam Station, sir?"

"Yes. It hasn't even been two months since you were dispatched here. It feels like they're giving a gift and taking it right back. Unbelievable."

"I'm sorry, sir."

"It's not your fault. No need to apologize. It's only right for young folks to head out into the wider world. Go out there and show them what you're made of."

Due to budget constraints, every local outpost was suffering from a chronic shortage of manpower.

When one person left, the remaining officers had to shoulder their burden.

And I wasn't the type of guy who could leave a debt unpaid.

"I'll go say goodbye to the village elders before I leave. I should clear up any lingering bad blood."

"We'd appreciate that," Chief Seo replied.

For the sake of those staying behind, I decided to clean up my own messes.

"Just as we were getting attached, you're leaving. You worked hard," the village chief said.

He claimed he was planning to quit drinking anyway due to high liver enzymes, patting my back with a cool, nonchalant attitude.

The president of the senior citizens' association, with whom I'd clashed over her urinary incontinence issue, gifted me a whole box of freshly dug sweet potatoes.

There was no need for formal apologies.

The real problem was Grandma Sunrye, the one who loved playing with fire.

She was incredibly stubborn and impossible to reason with...

Even as I knocked on her front gate, I secretly hoped she was out.

"Grandma, are you inside?"

"Who is it?"

True to Murphy's Law, the one person you want to avoid is always the one you run into.

"It's me. Officer Min."

"What brings you here? I didn't even light a fire today."

"I received orders to return to my main station. I came to say goodbye before I go."

"...Good riddance. Hearing that you're leaving is a breath of fresh air."

Classic Grandma Sunrye. Consistent as always.

"You must always be careful when lighting fires outdoors. The village chief said he'd drop by to clear your trash if you leave it outside the gate, so please don't ever—"

"I won't. Why would I bother when there's no one left to nag me?"

"..."

Did she mean she was lighting those fires just to get my attention?

"Wait here a second."

Leaving me standing outside, Grandma Sunrye went into her room.

A moment later, she emerged holding a bundle wrapped in a silk cloth.

"Take this and eat it. How are you going to do your job as a cop when you're so scrawny?"

"What is this?"

Inside the cloth were twenty pills of Gongjindan.

I waved my hands, politely ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠declining.

"I might look lean, but I actually have a constitution of iron. You should keep these and take them yourself, Grandma..."

"I'm only giving them to you because I think they're past their expiration date. If you don't want them, throw them away or do whatever you want. And before you go, write down your phone number."

Grumbling all the while, she thrust a piece of paper and a pencil toward me.

"What do you need my number for?"

"What do you think? To call you, of course."

"Grandma, do you have a crush on me?"

"Watch your mouth, you rascal!"

"Come on. You're giving me gifts, asking for my number... How could you do all this if you didn't like me?"

"I'm going to tell my son in Seoul to track you down and give you a good smack."

"I'm not going to Seoul, though."

"Seongam is basically Seoul anyway."

"You even know where my station is? Wow, you know so much about me. I knew it, you really do have feelings for—"

"Give that back!"

She lunged for the bundle in my hands.

Since my absolute pet peeve was having a gift taken back, I quickly hid the bundle behind my back and scribbled down my phone number.

"If I ever meet your son, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind for not calling you more often."

"He's just busy, that's all. He's not idle enough to spend his time spying on a wrinkly old woman like you do."

"Wow. Have you been looking at me as some kind of pervert this whole time?"

"Well, aren't you?"

"Look, Grandma. We need to set the record straight on—"

"Quiet. If you're done writing, hand it over and get going. It's time for my afternoon nap."

Snatching the paper, Grandma Sunrye turned on her heel and marched back into her room without a single backward glance.

I gently set the silk bundle of Gongjindan down on the wooden veranda and began to tiptoe away.

Sensing my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠move with uncanny precision, she flung the half-closed door wide open and barked at me.

"Take it! It'll just turn into trash if you leave it here. Stop annoying me and get lost!"

"...Yes, Grandma. Thank you."

Afraid I might try to leave it behind again, she stood watch until I completely vanished from her sight.

Who would have thought a bond forged between a notorious arson suspect and a local patrol officer could end up this heartwarming?

"Suddenly, I miss my mom."

My parents lived in Cheonyang-si, about an hour's drive from Seoul.

Though it was close enough to commute, to me, it felt light-years away.

I still didn't have the courage to face my father.

He had spared no expense to support my passion for kendo since I was a child.

But ever since that incident seven years ago, I couldn't bring myself to stand before him.

Although he insisted it wasn't my fault, the look of profound disappointment etched on his face remained vividly burned into my memory.

And so, once again, I called my younger sister, Gain.

"I'm heading back to Seongam Station."

"Oh, really? That's great! It's a good thing, right?"

"Yeah. It's a good thing."

"Oh, by the way, Oppa. I was watching the news yesterday and saw someone who looked just like you fighting off a bunch of gangsters. But it was in Chomok, not Sancheon. That wasn't you, right?"

My exploits had indeed been broadcast on the news, albeit heavily pixelated.

My face and name hadn't been revealed.

But my heart still skipped a beat at the thought of my mother recognizing me.

She didn't even know I was a violent crimes detective.

"That happened in the next town over. It wasn't me."

"Really? The report said 'Detective Min,' so I thought it might be you."

If Gain found out, my mother would know within the hour.

It wasn't something to be ashamed of, but for the sake of my mother's weak heart, playing dumb was the wiser choice.

"Gain, where are you right now?"

"At Dad's restaurant."

"It's the weekend. Aren't you going out? Don't you have a boyfriend?"

"Dad and Mom are ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠working through the weekend without a single day off. How could I go out and play?"

"How's the gamjatang selling?"

"It's not. We've only had one table all day. And that was one of Mom's friends."

"Why? Didn't they just open?"

"Don't even get me started. Another franchise restaurant opened right next to ours. This is the third time. I don't understand why this keeps happening to us. It's so frustrating."

"..."

My father had originally been an ordinary office worker, but he suddenly handed in his resignation and opened a fried chicken joint.

That was right around the time I graduated from high school.

It was the exact same story back then.

Just three days after his grand opening, a famous franchise chicken place set up shop right across the street.

Unable to compete, he shut down and opened a cafe, only for the exact same thing to happen.

Having blown through his retirement package and the capital from selling our apartment, my father declared that the third time was the charm and opened this pork bone soup restaurant.

"He even took out a bank loan for this one. It's breaking my heart."

How exhausted must my mother be?

"Gain, put Mom on the phone."

With the funds accumulated on my Black Card, I could easily ensure they lived the rest of their lives without ever worrying about money again.

However, doing so required jumping through a few hoops first.

Strictly speaking, the money loaded onto the Black Card belonged to CP&PC.

I had to transfer it into my own name.

If I carelessly withdrew a massive sum or wired it to my personal account, I'd likely trigger a tax audit demanding to know the source of the funds.

There was no logical way to explain such a supernatural phenomenon.

And even if I did, it would only invite disaster.

I, along with my Black Card, might end up dissected in some government research facility.

Until I found a workaround, that wealth was nothing more than a meaningless string of numbers.

"Oppa, Mom's in a really bad mood today. Call her next time."

"Why? Because business is slow?"

"No, it's because of one of her friends."

"Which friend?"

"You remember Jin Seunghyun? The guy you went to elementary school with. His mom came by."

Jin Seunghyun. The name rang a bell. A quiet, book-smart model student. I knew of him, but we were never close enough to leave a lasting impression.

"Does Seunghyun's mom live around there?"

"Yeah. She moved to this neighborhood recently."

"That's good. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Mom didn't really have any friends around there."

"Good? It's not good at all! That lady is an absolute nightmare. The more I see her, the more she pisses me off."

"Why?"

"I don't know if I should tell you this. You're going to be furious if you hear it."

"Just tell me. What happened?"

"Oppa, don't take this the wrong way. But that lady's son—Jin Seunghyun—is at the Police University. He's a junior this year."

I could easily guess what had transpired.

"She was bragging about how people who start as patrol officers barely make it to Inspector by the time they retire, while Police University grads get commissioned as Inspectors right off the bat. She even said, 'It's going to be so awkward if they end up at the same station later,' or whatever."

"What did Mom say?"

"She just laughed it off. But even if she's smiling on the outside, you know how she must feel. You know how prideful Mom is."

"..."

My mother was the kind of woman who would wear socks riddled with holes just to ensure her children wore name-brand clothes.

A woman whose standards were higher than anyone else's was now swallowing her pride and enduring humiliation.

"But Oppa, if he graduates from the university and you guys meet at the same station, do you really have to salute him first?"

"We'll only know when the time comes."

"Right? That lady seriously needs to shut her mouth. She doesn't know anything. Next time she comes by, I'm going to..."

Who would hold the higher rank by the spring of 2027, when Jin Seunghyun was slated to graduate, remained to be seen.

Nothing was set in stone yet.

Before I could even unpack my bags at Seongam Station, I found myself riding in the Chief's car to attend the Police Day ceremony.

For my role in taking down the Chomok-ri gangsters and a massive ring of corrupt cops, I was given the honor of having my name called in the main auditorium of the National Police Agency.

I only beat down the Shark Mob and the Gwangsu Mob to level up, but to think I'd get an award for it.

"...Read on behalf of Commissioner General Cheon Ojun, October 21, 2025."

Amidst the applause of local chiefs and high-ranking officials, I shook hands with the Commissioner General.

"I expected someone rugged, but you're quite handsome. Good work, and congratulations."

"Patrol Officer Min Suho. Thank you, sir."

But the announcer's next words were far more thrilling than any compliment about my looks.

"The awardees will receive a prize of one million won and the honor of a one-rank special promotion."

In my second year as a patrol officer, I had earned the rank of Corporal without even sitting for a promotion exam.

After Corporal came Sergeant. And just one step above that was Inspector.

To match the rank my old classmate Jin Seunghyun would receive upon graduation, I still had two steps left to climb.

The time remaining until then was roughly one year and four months.

"A tea meeting with the Commissioner General has been prepared for the awardees. Please proceed to the waiting room immediately."

I followed the escorting officer to the Commissioner General's office.

"The Commissioner General will be here shortly. Please take a seat and wait."

Three awardees sat awkwardly in the empty office: one Superintendent, one Inspector, and me—the sole patrol officer.

We might have normally exchanged introductions, but the sound of the Commissioner General's voice echoing from just outside the door left us with no room for idle chatter.

"Why is he refusing to hand it over?"

"He watched the original footage and said the editing was far too heavy-handed..."

"Tsk. Why can't he just let it slide? Are we doing this just for our own benefit? This helps boost the VIP's approval ratings too!"

"You know how he is, sir. He absolutely refuses to compromise on things like this."

"What a tiresome man. You need two hands to clap, but he won't even lift a finger."

"Why don't you go confront him yourself, sir?"

"You think I won't? Wait here. I'll just greet the awardees and head right out."

"But you need to head to the Ministry of Public Administration and Security immediately, sir."

"The tea meeting comes first. It won't take long."

"Please keep it brief, then."

A moment later, the door clicked open, and Commissioner General Cheon Ojun walked in, taking the head seat.

"Kept you waiting, didn't I?"

"Not at all, sir!"

Though we hadn't rehearsed, the three of us answered in perfect unison.

"The police must not only maintain the order of society but also look after citizens in distress with a spirit of compassion."

The words flowed smoothly, clearly a speech he had delivered countless times before.

"Of course, that is easier said than done. It requires courage. That is why I am deeply grateful to outstanding officers like you. Even when knowing the danger, you did not hesitate to—"

Just then, the Director of the Investigation Bureau cracked the door open and tapped his wrist.

It was the signal that it was time to leave.

The Commissioner General shot him a displeased look.

"My schedule is far too tight today."

"My apologies, sir. The Ministry called an emergency meeting."

Commissioner Cheon shook his head, then turned back to the gathered officers.

"I wanted to chat longer, but it seems time is not on our side. Before I go, is there any request or grievance you'd like to voice?"

Who would be tactless enough to speak up when his next schedule was so urgent?

"None, sir!"

"None for me either, sir!"

"I have one. A question, sir."

I raised my hand boldly.

"Ah, go ahead."

"If I do a good job, will you give me another special promotion?"

"...Huh?"

"I'm curious if it's possible to receive more than one special promotion in a single year."

Having likely never received such a question in his entire career, the Commissioner hesitated for a moment before replying.

"Well, if you perform exceptionally... there's no reason why not."

I had to become an Inspector faster than my mom's friend's son.

To restore my mother's shattered pride, there was only one path. Special promotions!

"Please make sure to keep that promise, Commissioner General."

"Huh? Oh, right. I got it. Haha. I will. Hahaha."

Commissioner Cheon stared at me, chuckling heartily as if he found me incredibly amusing.

As the conversation dragged on, the Director of the Investigation Bureau urged him once more.

"Commissioner, we really will be late at this rate."

"Alright, alright. Now, what was the name of our aspiring promotion candidate again?"

"Corporal Min Suho, sir."

"Ah, Min Suho. I will be keeping a close eye on you. So work hard without any worries."

"Thank you, sir. Salute!"

I had secured something far more valuable than any cash prize.