Salvation (3)
Upon seeing the returned sisters, the so-called father put on a revolting display of crocodile tears in the yard. With empty words like "I'm sorry for fighting with your mom—that's why you hated me, huh? I'm sorry," he begged for forgiveness and mercy. He bowed low to the powerful figures who'd brought the girls back, playing the sly survivor to ensure no real trouble came his way.
But was this a scene that had played out many times before? "If you call us out for something like this again, we might not be able to do anything about it. Don't drag this to the station and make a fuss." The police drew a hard line after dropping them off, making it clear this was the last time. The father bobbed his head with a stream of "Yes, yes, thank you sirs."
The real problem started after the police left.
"…Haa… These fucking bitches put me through hell twice now, huh."
Like some deranged lunatic, the father flipped his demeanor in an instant, his face twisting into a savage scowl as he glared at the sisters.
But these sisters weren't the pushovers they used to be. Poised to fight back at any moment, they stared him down.
"Ha. What's with those eyes? Gonna back the fuck down or what?"
"…Shut up. You think I'd have any good feelings left for a piece of shit like you?"
"You trashy little cunts. Uglier than that uncle of yours, but sure got mouths on you."
"Uncle?"
At the out-of-left-field remark, the father let out a disbelieving snort.
"What? Hated whoring yourselves out so much, but went and spread your legs for cash outside anyway?"
"Shut the fuck up!! Uncle's not like that!"
"Don't you dare insult him. Think we'll just take it like old times?"
"Ha… haha! You crazy bitches don't know your place, glaring at your own damn father?!"
"It's laughable you pretending to be our dad, so zip it."
"Bullshit. Grown some balls with age, huh? Bodies still scrawny as ever."
The father stared hard at the sisters, who were on high alert. Shaking his head like they were beneath contempt, he stuck out his hand.
"Whatever. Don't give a shit who you whores fuck for money… just hand it over."
"What?"
Yu Sua was floored. How could any father say something like that to his own daughters? Sure, any trust or faith in the man had long shattered—she didn't even see him as family anymore. But she'd at least figured he'd treat them like people. What a luxury that assumption had been.
"No money. And uncle's not like that. Not trash like you. Don't talk about him that way."
"…What? Cut the crap and cough up the cash. Uncle, huh? With faces and figures like yours, you obviously whored out for it."
"I said no!! And quit talking like that!!"
"…Ha. Haa…"
The father's forehead twitched. He hung his head low and let out a massive sigh. Spotting it, Yu Sua realized she'd poked the bear. She hurriedly pulled her sister behind her, glaring and ready for anything. Yu Se Eun clocked the shift too and braced herself.
When he raised his head again, the father's face was pure fight mode—the same look he wore battling their mom. He advanced slowly, teeth grinding, eyes locked on the sisters like prey.
"Right. Talking won't cut it with you fucking bitches. Always needed a fist to shut you up, huh?"
"Shut your mouth. Things aren't that easy anymore…"
"Shut your goddamn trap, you cunt!"
Slap!! The father swung wide, cracking Yu Sua across the cheek.
"Sis!!! You fucking trash!!"
Yu Se Eun lashed out with a kick, slamming his shin hard.
"Fuck! You little bitch!!!"
Smack!! He backhanded Yu Se Eun even harder than before. She stumbled back limply and toppled. Yu Sua rushed over, wrapping her up tight.
"Se Eun! You okay?!"
"Yeah. I'm good. That fucker, though…"
Yu Se Eun flashed a quick "I'm fine" smile at her sister, then shot the father a murderous glare. Yu Sua matched it. He just scoffed in annoyance.
"Fine, fuck it. You two take after your whore mom, pulling this shit."
The father stomped closer. He fished something from his pocket and clamped it around each sister's arm. Instantly, strength flooded out of their bodies—they couldn't move a muscle.
"Ugh?! Get it off!"
"What… what the hell is this?!"
Limp and seething with death glares, the sisters watched as he cackled mockingly.
"With all these villains and superhumans running wild lately, y'know? Tool for dealing with criminal scum. Sucks every ounce of strength out—turns 'em into ragdolls."
"What?! How'd you even get this?"
"Heh, ways around everything. Think I'd fall for your crap once or twice? Oh, and what's this? A watch?"
"Give it back! That's mine!"
"Shut it, bitch. Oho~ this'll fetch a nice price."
He yanked the watch off Yu Sua's wrist, inspected it, grinned at the value, and pocketed it. Then he hoisted the pair like sacks of rice—one under each arm—and hauled them inside. Kicked open a door and hurled them into the room.
"Oof!"
"Ow!"
Flung limply into a corner, the sisters glared daggers. But the father just leered with a sleazy grin, mocking them.
"Stay put~. Gonna be busy girls from now on. No running—I've got you locked down tight. Bracelets kill your strength anyway."
"Take these off! Right now!"
"Shut your hole. Heh heh. Yeah, this setup's perfect. Just sit tight."
With that, he slammed the door. Clanking and tinkering echoed from outside—he'd rigged it up good. Then silence blanketed the room.
The sisters scanned their prison. The whole space had been gutted and remade into a cell: one tiny window, no visible way out.
"Fuck! Broke bastard gets his hands on shit like this! Sis, you good?"
"I'm fine. You?"
"Course I am. But…"
Yu Se Eun swept the room again and sighed.
"Hate dancing to that fucker's tune, but… no clue how to get out."
"…Come here."
Yu Se Eun, usually all confidence and swagger, looked genuinely stumped and down. But maybe it was big sis's turn this time? Yu Sua pulled her into a gentle hug, stroking her hair.
"…It's okay. I've got a way. It'll work out."
"A way?"
"…Yeah. A good one."
Yu Se Eun cocked her head, clueless. What fix could there be in this hopeless mess? She racked her brain, came up empty, then looked up with pleading eyes.
Yu Sua went quiet. She scowled, lips twitching. Endless agonizing thoughts, until she finally whispered the answer she really didn't want to say. The only path left to them.
"I called a friend."
※ Night had fallen. The father chugged booze, chuckling to himself about the cash rolling in. With bodies like theirs, all grown up nice and slutty, they'd rake it in even in this shithole slum. No more money worries—just eat, drink, and fuck around.
Customer time neared; he waited for the bell. What rang out instead? A thunderous knock.
Knock. Knock.
"Anyone home~?"
A young man's voice. The father hustled to open up, but paused—something off. No young guys on tonight's client list.
He halted at the door. "Who is it?"
"Ah, police. Got a report—trouble here."
Report? Bullshit, he thought. This slum buried its dirt; plenty kept quiet even on big shit. With fresh meat in play, who'd snitch?
Dismissing it as some punk, he snarled back. "Ain't no trouble! Beat it while I'm nice!"
"…Nah, there has to be."
"I said no, asshole!! Deaf? Wanna get stabbed?! Fuck off!!"
Yelling his lungs out, figuring the guy'd piss off scared. Silence followed. Yeah, that's right, he smirked, turning away.
But a chilling voice froze him.
"…Guess I'll let myself in, then."
What? He opened his mouth—
BOOM!!!
The door caved inward like it'd been rammed by a boulder. But no rock—this was a fist. Next boom confirmed it: perfect knuckle imprint.
"Wh-what the fuck?! What's going on?!"
Caught off-guard, the father froze, staring slack-jawed.
BOOM!!! Door shuddered and groaned. The vibe outside screamed it was about to shatter.
Exactly two knocks in. CRASH!! Thud— The steel door exploded inward, demolished.
"…Hoo…"
Lee Seojin exhaled deep, frigid rage, scanning the scene. A panicked man gawked back, clueless what to do.
No need to ask who. The root of all this shit.
"Y-you?! Fuck! This is a crime, you know?! Unless you wanna get arrested…"
"Crime?"
Absurd. Crime? From the mouth of this scum pimping out his own daughters?
"Then you calling those guys outside—that's a crime too, right?"
"What?! Outside?"
Seojin jerked a thumb back. The father's eyes followed—to shadowy heaps of men, beaten to bloody pulps, sprawled in ruin.
Only then did he clock Seojin's dripping, bloodied fists. He shrieked, scrambling back.
"Hiiik! B-blood!!!"
"Ah, this? Not mine. Theirs."
"R-robber?! V-villain?! What the hell are you!!!"
"…Me? Eh. Got a question first."
Seojin closed in step by step, radiating killing intent. The father whipped around in terror, fumbling for his phone to call the cops.
But the instant it was out—
Seojin surged, seized the hand, and crushed with brutal force.
"A-aa… AAAAAGH!!!!"
Crunch— Agony beyond imagining ripped screams from the father.
Crack! Smash! Hand and phone pulverized together.
"A-aah!! Sp-spare me! Please, mercy!!!!"
Screams and pleas fell on deaf ears. Deep in the slums—haven for the era's weaklings—their shack was buried far inside. No one coming.
Realizing it, tears gushed as he groveled at Seojin.
"Pl-please spare me! Anything! Anything!"
"…Anything, huh…"
"Gack!!"
Murmuring low, Seojin snatched his throat with the other hand. Hoisted him up and slammed him into the wall.
"G-guhk… Sp-spare…"
"Won't kill you. Relax. People don't die from this. Seen plenty—know it well."
"Th-then pl-please let go… H-hurts…"
Probably ruled like a tyrant over the girls, beating them down. But before real strength? Sniveling worm. Ending trash like this was nothing…
But priorities first. Glaring, he demanded:
"Shut up and answer one question. Get it right—just once."
"Y-yes…"
Tears and snot smeared his face amid whimpers; he nodded frantically. But Seojin wasn't easing up—squeezed harder.
"Where are the kids."