Meeting the Two-Faced Prince
I'm the king's foremost grand prince. They call me Suyang Daegun.
I'd run an errand for Kim Jin-sa, delivering goods to the official residence where my eldest brother lived, and on the way back, I hit up a bunch of tasty spots again for a little nostalgia trip. But when I returned...
"Takji, is the old man's place always this lively?"
"No way, sir."
"Master, may we enter?"
Just like yesterday, Yi In-su's house was packed with people. The difference? It felt like a modern nightclub. Burly guys lined up at the front gate, screening guests trying to get in, and over the walls came the upbeat thump of music mixed with laughter and revelry.
"Excuse me."
One of the big guys approached us as we stood there awkwardly milling about. He glanced at Eori—who was even taller than him—then bowed politely to me.
"Are you Captain Kim Si-jin, the Idle Captain?"
"Uh, yeah. That's me."
"Someone inside wants to meet you."
"No way—they're in there?"
I pointed tentatively at Yi In-su's house, half-hoping. The guy nodded toward where my finger aimed.
"Yes, exactly. Grand Prince Suyang is waiting personally."
"...!"
The name hit like a punch—my vision swam. I squeezed my eyes shut against the sudden vertigo and looked back at him.
"Have you spoken with Yi In-su?"
"Of course. You're the only one who needs to go in, Captain."
"Uh, well..."
I racked my brain before answering. Nowhere to run, and the Crown Prince I'd met yesterday hadn't said a word about Suyang Daegun—neither "avoid him" nor "it's fine."
"Got it."
Still, I wanted to meet him once. Not to join his side or anything—just curiosity. Since I was stuck in Joseon anyway, why not meet as many historical figures as possible?
"This way. Follow me."
"Eori, Takji—let's go. They said it's okay."
"Y-yes, Master...!"
"Everything's been a first since the Tiger-Slaying Boy showed up."
I led the tense, wide-eyed Eori and the now-jaded Takji inside. Yi In-su's place was in full party mode. Mats covered the courtyard center with a massive banquet table loaded down, musicians in the corner played eerily familiar tunes, and on the porch sat Yi In-su with a vaguely familiar yangban.
What the...? Where do I know that guy from?
"Hey! You made it!"
The familiar-faced yangban spotted me. Plump cheeks but an oddly chilling vibe, he hopped down into the yard to greet me.
"Tiger-Slaying Boy! Sorry about yesterday! My little followers acted on their own. Accept my apology like this!"
"Y-yes? Yesterday?"
"Hahaha! What? You forgot already? Means it was no big deal, right?"
"Uh, uh, that..."
The guy's over-the-top welcome left me flustered. As I pondered how to play it, my eyes met Yi In-su's.
"...!"
Yi In-su wore a desperate look, pressing his palms together in a begging gesture, bowing deeply to signal what I should do.
"Ah! Right! I didn't introduce myself!"
Before I could bow, the guy beamed warmly.
"I'm the king's foremost grand prince. They call me Suyang Daegun."
Ah, shit! He looked too nice—should've known from that shady face!
"I, I pay my respects to Grand Prince Suyang."
Grumbling inwardly, I bowed low. Eori and Takji started to follow suit from behind, but Suyang Daegun waved us off with a friendly chuckle.
"Hahaha! No need! Come here! I've been waiting for the Tiger-Slaying Boy's tales of valor! This way!"
Suyang tried leading me to the porch where Yi In-su sat. Before following meekly, I whispered to Eori and Takji.
"Go to your room and stay put."
"M-Master?"
"Hurry. Go on."
"Y-yes. Understood. Lady, this way."
Luckily, Takji hustled Eori off. I watched them go, then followed Suyang up to the porch.
"Perfect! Now, let's have that bow!"
Suyang plopped back into his seat, wiggling his hips expectantly. I prostrated myself across the banquet table.
"Idle Captain Kim Si-jin pays respects to Grand Prince Suyang."
"Hahaha! Good! Have a drink!"
"An honor, Grand Prince."
I rose, grabbing an empty cup from the table. As he poured, I sneaked a peek at his face. That's why he looked familiar—he resembled the Crown Prince from yesterday. Same parents, so naturally alike, even setting aside the Munjong look. But his vibe was weird. Plump face faking warmth, eyes icy cold.
Ah, shit. I've seen this guy before. Not the resemblance—just this split vibe. Definitely from the modern world. High school, maybe?
Wait.
"Pretty handsome, eh?"
"Ah, s-sorry."
"No offense. I hear it often. They say I take after my brother."
Couldn't avoid his eyes staring straight back. He accepted my greeting like a magnanimous lord, setting down the bottle.
"Th-that's an honor."
I downed the shot he'd poured. Hot as vodka, it scorched my throat and gut.
"Hahaha! Manly! A true Tiger-Slaying Boy!"
My insides burned, but Suyang clapped gleefully, holding out his own cup.
"Now, let me borrow some of that tiger spirit!"
I poured into his outstretched cup. He slammed it back and hollered playfully.
"Kuwaaah! Tiger power surging! Hahaha!"
This guy's the one who kills his nephew and takes the throne? Minus modern knowledge and those cold eyes, he seemed like a jolly royal. Nothing like the movie villains.
"Now, time for the Tiger-Slaying Boy's exploits!"
Suyang's eyes sparkled as we traded shots of the brutal liquor. I watched his face closely and asked,
"What story would you like?"
"Oh? What've you got?"
"A monk who visited home, a butcher framed for murder, bandits disguised as beggars, a kid who died and came back, and—"
"Hahaha! Too many to list! Start with the monk!"
Suyang listened intently, chiming in to amp the mood. When I got to fending off beggar kids at age 10, he lost it.
"What?! When you were even smaller?"
Smaller my ass. Drop trou and I'm bigger than you.
"Yep. Tiger-Slaying Boy. Why not show it instead of tell? Hey, you!"
What? Sh-show? What the hell? Strip?
Of course not. He called over one of the gate guards and had him stand in the yard, pointing.
"Tiger-Slaying Boy, show us how you beat those bandits. A picture's worth a thousand words, right?"
Ah, now I get it. This bastard reminds me of...
"Magistrate, don't you want to see? The Tiger-Slaying Boy in action."
"Y-yes, Grand Prince. I've been dying to. Hic!"
"Hahaha. Drunk already? Drown one drink with another. Here, have one. You wouldn't refuse the prince's cup? That'd disappoint me greatly."
"An honor, Grand Prince. Hic!"
Making people fight for fun, rigging inescapable setups, strong-arming with a smile. Every bit like that two-faced prick from high school.
I'd thought he was a good guy at first. Clean-cut, smart, popular, rich family—everyone loved him. But nah. Behind the school, he'd pit outcasts against each other, egg on friends till they had no choice but to brawl, squeeze money with a grin. Victims reported? Useless. Model student rep was ironclad—no one believed he was the bully ringleader.
If I hadn't seen it myself, I wouldn't have bought it. That genuine glee sneering at the beaten-down kids. Matched the Suyang Daegun smirking before me.
"Tiger-Slaying Boy. What's the holdup? I want to see your prowess."
I itched to smash that bottle over his skull. Swallowing the urge, I faced him.
"Sorry, Grand Prince."
"Hm? Why?"
"I've only ever fought to protect someone. Can't use my strength just to show off."
"Hmmm."
No disappointment—he just huffed, eyes scheming like he was plotting how to force me anyway, then grinned.
"Haha, you think I'd use you like a pawn? Disappointing notion. Want a reward?"
"No, Grand Prince."
"Come on, name it. Anything."
"Please withdraw the order. That's it. I won't fight."
"Haha..."
Now the mask slipped. Smile gone, eyes glinting cold. The people around noticed, glancing nervously.
"Si-jin, what're you doing? Hurry and obey."
Yi In-su, right beside me, sobered up fast, face stiff, urging compliance.
"Haha, no need. It's fine."
Suyang stopped him—not out of forgiveness, though.
"Fine, I won't make you. But!"
Instead of canceling, he dangled a condition. He grabbed a food-filled bowl, dumped it into another, then filled the empty one to the brim with liquor and shoved it at me.
"Empty this, and I'll drop it. Deal?"
The bowl—fresh from food—sloshed with booze and scraps, grease floating on top.
"Empty it all, and you'll withdraw?"
"Yes! Promise! If you finish!"
"I'll do it."
I took the heavy bowl. Distilled soju, sky-high proof. Anyone chugs this, they're done.
"Haaa... fuuu..."
Deep breath, then chug. Cool burn torched my throat and esophagus. When I couldn't anymore, I set it down.
"Haha, giving up?"
Ignoring his glee, I checked—nausea rising, head spinning, barely half gone.
Grabbed it again—splash!
"Wha?!"
Sprayed it across the yard. Not a drop left—I flipped and shook it dry.
"Emptied, Grand Prince. Withdraw the order."
I handed back the spotless bowl. He took it, grinning ear-to-ear.
"Ha! Hahaha! How'd you think of that?! Wasting my booze! Hahaha!"
"You said empty the bowl, not drink the booze."
"Hahaha! True! Never said drink it all! Hahaha!"
Whether he saw it coming or hoped for it, he wasn't mad—laughed his ass off. Tension thawed around us.
"Hahaha! But why not drink some first?"
"Wasting the prince's fine liquor untasted? Too bad."
"Hahaha! Knew you were brave—didn't know you flattered too!"
"Too kind."
"Hahaha! Fine! Order withdrawn! You're dismissed!"
The would-be punching bag retreated, and the party roared back to life like nothing happened.
My opinion of Suyang Daegun? Set in stone.
"Prince, what do you think?"
"I like him. Gutsy. Sharp enough. But those eyes..."
"Give up?"
"Nah. On hold. Watch a bit more."
"Seems steadfast."
"Less likely to betray, then. Whichever side he's on."