Highway Man (3)
Ju Kang-rim looked at Yoo Wol-ryeong with surprise.
"Tell me what you know about the Vito Family, Reaper Ju Kang-rim."
"Didn't you regress too, Reaper Yoo Wol-ryeong? I figured you'd know a thing or two."
"My knowledge of the human world stopped updating around the early 20th century. Especially when it comes to groups or individuals."
"...Early 20th century? That's the Japanese colonial era, right?"
"Late Joseon Dynasty. That's why your knowledge is so valuable, Reaper Ju Kang-rim. Fresh grim reapers like you have extensive worldly wisdom and adapt quickly."
Ju Kang-rim felt like he was starting to piece it together. He'd suspected Yoo Wol-ryeong was ancient, but not that ancient. She didn't seem to know about cars, and she looked familiar with gambling like "today's horoscope," but like many elders, some changes stuck while others didn't—especially short-lived things like human names or organizations.
If grim reapers weren't a group that turned over easily, new talent and knowledge would naturally be precious. Ju Kang-rim asked about grim reapers, and Yoo Wol-ryeong asked about the human world. A neat little cycle.
"Yeah... I get the picture. Anyway, the Vito Family? Think of them as a regular gang that evolved into a multinational corporation."
"Multinational corporation?"
"Yep. The Vito Family—Romanian roots. They're not exaggerating if you say they've taken over Europe's underworld. Drugs, human trafficking, smuggling, contract kills, mercenaries... if it's dirty work, they do it all."
"Bad bunch."
"You bet. But despite the scale, the core movers and shakers number around a hundred. The Vito siblings and their inner circle—blood kin, lovers, or utterly loyal underlings. They call them the 'main family.'"
"Main family... like a clan structure?"
"Something like that. Not blood-related, though."
"Not blood."
"Right. Mostly European whites, but plenty of other races too. No real racism from what I know. What matters most in the Vito Family is who recommended you to join the main family."
"You know quite a bit."
"Yeah. I was pretty tight with the Vito siblings—especially the younger sister, Natasha Vito."
"Were?"
"Ah, not real friends, of course. I kept delivering the goods or people she wanted rescued, that's all. No way a supplier boss and rival's underling are actual buddies."
Ju Kang-rim gave a wry smile. The Vito siblings were on Gerald's VIP list—meaning Ju Kang-rim had served them hand and foot, tending to their every comfort. They weren't just mobsters; in parts of Eastern Europe, they pulled government strings. Politicians and dictators took their cash and backing, guaranteeing safe operations while the Vitos exploited civilians at will.
"If it's just around a hundred, how do they run such a massive outfit?"
"The main family's a hundred. Total rank and file? Over ten thousand. Even congressmen and corporate execs can't touch the main family. And only the Vito siblings—the godfather and godmother—can approve new inductees."
Except when hiring mercs for turf wars, the core stayed fixed at about a hundred. Without Gerald, Ju Kang-rim would've never even seen their faces, let alone gotten chummy. And now, he was dead certain that secret 'main family' was all immortals. Not some shadowy cabal—a group of a hundred immortals was no small fry. That explained the Vito siblings' strict standards for control.
"And for some reason, the awakeners in the Vito Family all have similar abilities."
"Similar how...?"
"Transformation, acceleration, and... good looks."
"Good looks?"
Yoo Wol-ryeong blinked, sensing something off, but Ju Kang-rim was dead serious.
"Yeah. Everyone in the Vito Family is hot—pretty or handsome, no exceptions. The siblings especially? Unreal levels of allure."
That's why the sight of that biker assassin's bare face screamed Vito Family to him. A woman who belonged on a movie set swinging a razor-sharp katana at midnight? Had to be them. Mercs were the exception, of course. He'd even wondered if the main family were all one bloodline. But with the racial diversity, maybe the Vitos just had a thing for beauty.
"Looking back now, though... makes me think. Finding awakeners with transformation, acceleration, and killer looks isn't common. Maybe the Vito siblings grant those powers."
"Grant powers...?"
"Immortality included."
Ju Kang-rim thought of Kangryeong Daegun.
"Immortals can make more immortals, right? Plus, Kangryeong taught his minions 'necromancy.' Sure, it was just controlling drugged-up zombies, but that's granting new abilities."
"True."
"So my guess? The Vito siblings can bestow transformation, acceleration, good looks, and immortality."
OP as hell, but with massive drawbacks. And Ju Kang-rim had a hunch about their fatal flaw.
"And history has a pretty famous immortal with those powers."
"Famous immortal... who?"
Ju Kang-rim toyed with his canine tooth, muttering.
"Vampire."
"That's the ship."
Kangryeong Daegun eyed the massive freighter at the dockside. Rusty and bleak—no comfort expected. His quarters? A spartan container stocked with a few days' food and water.
The Vito Family doctor who'd escorted him spoke up.
"We prioritized time and security. Apologies."
"No issue. Beats a coffin."
No joke. As an immortal, Kangryeong only needed his body moved anywhere. Worst case, he'd figured dismemberment and a suitcase. A container was five-star by comparison.
"Tell Basha Vito thanks. And... urk."
Kangryeong staggered, clutching the wall mid-sentence. A foul stench wafted from his back—the untreated shrapnel still festering, pus oozing from demonic growths. Might need to flay the skin off entirely.
"You alright? If it's too much, we have painkillers ready."
Immortals could still feel drugs. Kangryeong considered knocking himself out till arrival but shook his head.
"Nah. Want a clear head. Who knows when that psycho shows."
"You think he'll come again? We sent our assassins based on intel. He's out of Seoul by now—probably handled."
"Check in with them."
"Not report time yet..."
"Check. Now."
The doctor frowned. These weren't random hires—main family elites. One was even royal family, blooded directly by the Vito siblings. As a member, he knew their prowess. But his current company was Kangryeong Daegun, Basha Vito's prized asset.
Hesitating, the doctor raised his phone. As the rings dragged, sweat beaded on his brow. Before ten tones, Kangryeong grabbed his bag.
"I'm out. Huh, you're not main family, doc?"
Main family folks were stunningly gorgeous on sight. The doctor's face? Average.
"N-no, I'm Vito Family, but just employed..."
"Good for you. Run now, and they won't hunt you to the ends of the earth."
Kangryeong eyed the prepping freighter with a bitter smile.
"The ones coming? Real pros."
With that, he boarded. He recalled Ju Kang-rim's predatory glare. Ship'd sail soon, but that bastard was coming. Not revenge, not a fight, not even a hunt—just pure consumption. No sitting duck here. Prep time.
"..."
The doctor watched him board, then bolted for his car.
Screeech!!
A police cruiser smashed through the barricade, barreling into the docks. Guards gawked at the siren blare, but Ju Kang-rim flashed his badge wildly.
"Police! Police!"
Lame lie, but it stalled them. Thanks to that lazy cop who'd left it in the glovebox.
Ju Kang-rim felt the Blunderbuss wraiths thrashing wildly. Nearing Kangryeong, they yipped like bloodhounds.
"Gotta hurry."
"I'm flooring it."
Yoo Wol-ryeong snapped back curtly. Port meant high chance he'd sailed. She knew, and pushed the pedal.
Then—a figure darted from a corner. Yoo Wol-ryeong's eyes widened; she yanked gear, side brake, wheel in a desperate dodge.
But the startled man flung himself into the path.
Thud.
The cruiser halted amid the crash. Yoo Wol-ryeong stared at the wheel, paler than usual.
Ju Kang-rim got her shock but prioritized the target.
"Let's check."
He hopped out first. Victim alive—broken bones, nothing fatal. Yoo Wol-ryeong sighed in relief upon seeing.
Doctor's scrubs.
"Doc, huh? He'll know first aid better, so I'll..."
"Go."
She nodded. Kangryeong was Ju Kang-rim's catch anyway.
He left her with the doc and sprinted the docks. There—a freighter pulling away.
Blunderbuss raged. He tsked.
"Damn it!"
Too late. Not the crash—the ship was fifty meters out.
No pursuit vessel in sight—nothing light and fast enough.
If it hit China, good luck finding him in that sprawl.
Ju Kang-rim's eyes blazed venomously.
"You bastard, where you slinking off to?!"
He sprinted dock's end, launching into void. Saingeom-boosted stats hurled him Olympic-record far, but the sea was vast.
Luckily, he had runway pals.
"Kkaaaaw!!"
Splat.
Ttakkachi nearly cursed as Ju Kang-rim stomped her back mid-air. Was this right? Reduced to a psycho's slave, trampling birds for a dog? Thoughts swirled, but she embodied his will, giving her all.
Gulls swarmed from the shore underfoot—a white bridge linking Ju Kang-rim and Kangryeong.