The Business Partner, and the Real Tiger
Here it was.
I halted my steps. The inn's courtyard was in chaos.
"Pay up the interest, yeah?!"
"Let go if you know what's good for you! This bitch is feistier than a fox spirit!"
A shout rang out, followed by a dull thud of impact. I narrowed my eyes.
In the courtyard, half a dozen burly thugs were circling their prey. Big, meaty brutes. Standing tall before them was a woman, unyielding.
It was Seo Baek-seol.
Clad in ragged plain skirts with a cloth wrapped around her head, she still shone like a pearl in the dirt. Her skin was porcelain white, contrasting sharply with her jet-black eyes. Those eyes held no fear—only a venomous glare sharp as a blade.
"We still have three days until the due date!"
Her voice rang clear and steady, without a hint of tremor.
"And the magistrate has ruled that interest can't exceed thirty percent of the principal. Demanding double the principal? That's outright extortion!"
"Extortion? This wench has a mouth on her!"
The ringleader, a scarred-faced brute, slammed his club into the ground. His ugly mug twisted in rage.
"You think we play by the magistrate's rules? Our law is this—this!"
He shook his fist for emphasis.
"No interest by today, and we take this inn. And you..."
His lecherous gaze raked over Seo Baek-seol's body.
"...you'll pay it off with your body on some island. Pretty thing like you oughta fetch a good price. Heh heh!"
His lackeys snickered along. Seo Baek-seol bit her lip, her clenched fists trembling. Logic and law could win arguments, but they meant nothing against raw violence.
The surrounding merchants glanced over but kept their distance. They knew how vicious these loan sharks were.
Perfect timing.
A smile tugged at my lips.
The white-knight prince on a steed? Nah, not me. I'm the fixer. The one who smashes problems flat.
And this was business. You had to make your entrance at the most dramatic moment to maximize your value.
I picked up a small pebble from the ground, pinching it between thumb and forefinger, sighting my target.
The boss's wrist gripping his club.
"Gotta get the math right."
I flicked my finger.
Ping!
A sharp crack sliced the air. A fastball that'd make 2025 pitchers weep. This was my calling card.
Thwack!
A meaty thud. The sound of stone crunching flesh and bone was always gruesome.
"Aaaagh!"
The boss screamed, clutching his wrist. His club clattered to the dirt. The wrist was bent at an unnatural angle.
"Wh-who's there! Who the hell are you?!"
The goons jumped, scanning wildly.
I stepped out slowly.
Thud. Thud.
I stomped deliberately, letting my massive shadow engulf them. All eyes turned to me.
"You're too damn loud."
I stood before them, digging in my ear.
"What the hell you doing in front of a business? Scaring off customers."
"Wh-who the fuck are you? You ain't from around here."
The boss glared through beads of cold sweat, face contorted in pain.
"Get lost and quit messing with someone else's business. Unless you want broken bones."
"You little shit!"
One goon drew a dagger from his belt—sharper than the one Choi Ga had last night.
"Die!"
He lunged at my gut.
"Watch out!"
Seo Baek-seol cried urgently. But I didn't budge. Why? No need to dodge.
Clang!
A clear ring of metal. The blade tip hit my abdomen and bounced off. The recoil jerked the goon's wrist, sending the dagger flying. My clothes tore slightly, but my skin was unscratched.
"Wha...?"
The goon stared blankly at his empty hand and my belly. A dagger that pierced leather armor, stopped by bare flesh? It defied all sense.
"Tickles."
I grabbed his collar and hoisted him up. A full-grown man, easy 150 pounds, dangled from one hand.
"My skin's a bit tough, see."
I tossed him lightly.
Crash!
He sailed into a stack of empty pottery jars, shattering them in a cacophony of screams and breakage.
"M-monster!"
The remaining goons backed away in terror. Breaking wrists with pebbles, blocking blades with his body, hurling men like trash. To them, I wasn't human.
I approached the boss.
"Hey."
"H-heek! S-stay back!"
He cradled his broken wrist, scooting away on his ass.
"Interest at thirty percent. Follow the law. Push for more..."
I picked up the fallen club and snapped it effortlessly with both hands.
Crack.
"...and next time it'll be your neck. Got it?"
"Y-yes! Got it! We won't come back!"
The boss nodded frantically, voice breaking. Terror owned him.
"Scram."
At my word, they hauled their wounded and fled without looking back. Same panicked retreat as Choi Ga's crew yesterday. History repeats—even thugs' escape patterns.
The yard fell quiet. Onlookers slunk away, not wanting trouble. Just me and Seo Baek-seol left.
I turned to her.
A proper lady might've collapsed in shock or teared up in thanks. But not her. She straightened her disheveled clothes and met my gaze head-on.
Those eyes held no fear. Just a fierce appraisal, sizing up my worth like a true merchant.
"Thanks for the help."
She spoke first.
"But nothing's free, right?"
Oh yeah. Nailed it. This woman's gold.
I grinned.
"Sharp one. Right. Not free."
"How much? As you see, I'm broke right now."
She stood tall, penniless but proud.
"Don't need cash. Instead..."
I stepped closer. My huge shadow swallowed her, but she didn't flinch.
"...let's be business partners."
"Partners?"
Her brows furrowed slightly. A mountain bandit type proposing partnership? Absurd.
"Heard you're a whiz at business. But no muscle, so flies like those bleed you dry."
I slapped my bicep.
"I've got muscle to spare, but no head for rolling dough. So you be my manager—no, head clerk for the caravan. I'll be your bodyguard and fixer."
Seo Baek-seol fell silent, gears turning visibly in her head.
This man's power was overwhelming. A body blades couldn't pierce, strength to toss men. With that, not just loan sharks—any threats to a trading outfit could be crushed. Solid risk-reward.
But needed verification.
"Power's clear. But business ain't just brawn. Need capital. What've you got?"
Her sharp jab. I laughed, right on cue.
"Capital, huh."
I clasped hands behind my back.
"You know the price of tiger hide?"
"Tiger? Prime pelt fetches fifty seok of rice. Why, you hiding one at home?"
"Nah. Not yet."
I pointed to the mountains.
"But soon. I'll catch one."
"What?"
She let out a disbelieving chuckle.
"Barehanded? A tiger? You're joking."
"Joke or not, see tomorrow."
I turned to leave.
"Back in the morning. We'll sign then. Seal it in tiger blood."
I waved and exited the inn.
Her gaze bored into my back—confusion mixed with curiosity. Bait cast. Now, one job left: make the boast real.
I eyed the rear mountain of Damyang, Chuwolsan.
Wait up, kitty.
My startup funds prowled those slopes. Yesterday's thugs were warm-ups, today's sharks appetizers. Tomorrow: the main course.
Chosun's Xiang Yu would deliver his best show. Tiger hunt awaited.
—
Next dawn.
The air bit cold, sharpening my senses deep into my lungs.
I sat on the porch, lacing my straw sandals tight. Normally I'd just cram 'em on, but not today. Opponent wasn't street punks or loan sharks. Mountain lord. Chosun's true master: the tiger.
Slip up, and I die? Nah. But torn clothes or embarrassment? Possible. Geumgang Bulgoe or not, tiger claws won't spare my threads.
"Where you off to?"
A low voice from behind. Big brother. Light sleeper, woken by my rustling. Kim Deok-hong emerged from the men's quarters, eyes narrowing.
"Up early, hyungnim."
I flashed a bright grin, bouncing in place.
"Body's stiff, so thought I'd exercise. Pick some herbs from the back hills too."
"Herbs? Since when you care for weeds?"
His gaze lingered on my empty hands. No hoe, no sack. Was I a bad liar, or him too sharp?
"Bare hands make the best workout. Heard the arrowroots are prime up there. Grab some for sis-in-law's tea."
"......"
Kim Deok-hong stared silently. Since witnessing my freak strength chasing off those thugs, he handled me carefully. Worry and doubt swirled in his eyes.
"Don't go near Chuwolsan."
He finally spoke.
"Rumors of a nasty beast there lately. Loggers quit long ago."
I knew. That's why I'm going.
But I nodded.
"No worries. I ain't some hothead. Just a loop around the local hill. Back safe."
"Home by lunch. Lessons today."
"Yessir! Be back!"
I slipped out the gate before the nagging ramped up. His stare prickled my neck, but I ignored it. Sorry, hyungnim. Skipping studies today. But I'll bring rice sacks—forgive me?
Out of the village, I picked up speed.
Thud-thud.
Pounding dirt felt exhilarating. My old body would've gasped in minutes; this heart never tired. Endless energy surged with each pump.
Damyang's true mountain, Chuwolsan.
Romantic name—"Autumn Moon Mountain"—belied its savage peaks. Sheer cliffs, dense woods. Over 700 meters high.
Entering the trail, the vibe shifted.
Chilling. Not just cold. The air clung heavy, sticky—a primal warning prickling my skin.
The forest was deathly still. No birds, no insects. Only wind whispering through branches like ghostly wails.
Spirit beast lives up to the name.
Proof of the apex predator. Enter its turf, and lesser hunters vanish, holding breath.
I didn't slow. Stomped louder, crunching leaves.
"Kitty, dinner's here."
I muttered low.
Insane. In the 21st century, it'd be a YouTube live: "Entering a Tiger's Den." Views explode, ending on the news obits.
But I had my edge. My skin. My muscles.
Confirmed yesterday blocking that knife. If steel can't pierce, claws won't shred deep. Might sting, but no broken bones or gouged flesh.
Issue: how to catch it.
Deal with Seo Baek-seol: "Preserve merchandise value." No holes in the pelt. No head-smashing rocks. No eye pokes.
One way: chokehold. Or joint lock.
Armbarring a tiger. Laughable. UFC heavyweights would balk. But this brute body? Maybe.
Where's the bastard?
Halfway up the mountain.
Whoosh.
Wind shifted. Briny scent hit—blood and musky beast stink.
Spine tingled. Not fear. My inner beast stirred. Every cell tensed for battle.
I stopped. Bushes ahead rustled faintly. Not wind.
There.
"Come on out."
I flexed my fists, rolling my neck.
"Customer's here. Greet him proper. Rude much?"
Grrrrr...
A low rumble vibrated through the ground, up my soles. Two golden lights flashed in the brush. Glowing eyes.
Finally. My startup funds. No—Chosun's mountain lord.