Traitor Merchant (1)
The book, chronicling ages of history, had yellowed with time. Some parts looked like they'd been written with a brush, others with fountain pens, ballpoints, even pencils. Ju Kang-rim checked it carefully, wondering if Kangryeong Daegun's grudge had seeped into it somehow, but it was clean. No time for a thorough inspection, so he pocketed it anyway. A diary was a goldmine of intel—especially one from an immortal.
Ju Kang-rim grabbed the bag Kangryeong Daegun had been about to carry and prepared to move. He couldn't help wondering where all these containers were headed. If the ship was smuggling illegals, it had to have ties to the Vito family—and cargo from those guys was bound to be shady. He inspected a nearby container, sliced open by the enhanced ghoul's whip. Inside were ordinary teddy bears, chopped up in the attack. But as he examined one, he spotted white powder scattered on the floor.
Ju Kang-rim caught a familiar scent. His face twisted immediately.
"...Shine Sand?"
He snatched up a teddy bear. Its neck tore open, spilling Shine Sand everywhere—the drug that turned humans into obedient ghouls, stuffed to bursting inside. Scanning the container, he saw teddy bears crudely packed to the brim.
Are they retrieving what I gave Kangryeong Daegun? Or is this a midway stop? Or is Shine Sand being produced in Korea?
His mind raced with possibilities. Then he remembered Yoo Wol-ryeong's informant trying to buy Shine Sand at insane prices. He fired off a message.
"Ju Kang-rim, Grim Reaper."
No idea where she'd gotten it, but Yoo Wol-ryeong pulled up in a fishing boat. No captain in sight—she must've driven it herself. She grabbed the cargo ship's ladder and climbed swiftly. Ju Kang-rim took her hand, helping her onto the deck.
"So, any word from the informant?"
"Told 'em we have the cargo ship. Meeting tonight."
"Tonight? Where?"
"Right here."
She pointed at the ship. Ju Kang-rim couldn't hide his surprise. He'd figured texts at best, a phone call if lucky. The guy had been cagey even about his name at first. No way to sail this beast back to Korea anyway, but he hadn't expected him to show up on a dime.
"Was docking in China anyway. Mentioned it was about time to meet you... But..."
Yoo Wol-ryeong glanced around the containers.
"This isn't all Shine Sand, right?"
"Didn't check every one, but it's mixed in with legit stuff—and there's a ton. Ten times what was on Sebitseom?"
At those rates, around 20 billion won.
"You burned it all back then. Why chase the informant with Shine Sand as bait now?"
Shine Sand was just the hook. The real target was the informant. Ju Kang-rim didn't know his identity—and that bugged him. To uncover it, they had to meet. Name, face, motives for buying at premium prices, if he'd supplied the drug from the start. Plenty to learn.
Ultimately, Ju Kang-rim had one message.
"Figured it'd get the point across."
"The point?"
"If you misuse this crap, I'll split your skull on the spot. Can't? I'll burn it all."
"Got it. If talks go south, this ship's toast too."
"Yup."
"Still, willingness to talk is good. We'll deal with the informant long-term."
Ju Kang-rim nodded. The sea lapped quietly. They'd wait here till the informant arrived.
He suddenly recalled the port chaos.
"By the way, what about that doctor you hit with the car?"
"Emergency bind on his soul, left him in the car."
"Soul bind?"
"Yeah. Puts 'em in a coma without killing—binds soul to body forcibly. Harsh, but no permanent damage."
"Hm. Makes sense."
Like a milder soul-pin. He'd have to learn it sometime.
Night.
Ju Kang-rim and Yoo Wol-ryeong stared into the ink-black sea. A dark silhouette approached slowly from afar. Ju toyed with his Biman. One call, and this hold gets holed—Shine Sand, 20 billion, all to the depths.
Thinking of the cash made his gut twist. Wasteful, sure. Plenty he could do before the world imploded. He steeled himself, admitting his greed but clinging to the bigger picture. To seize control, never follow expectations—especially from non-friends.
"One more thing."
Leaning against a container, Yoo Wol-ryeong spoke.
"Don't attack or harm the informant."
"You think I'll lose it?"
"No. His guards are trigger-happy."
Guards. As expected—not solo.
"Still no name, huh."
"Looks like he's here. Ask him yourself."
Ju Kang-rim turned, puzzled. It'd been far off moments ago...
Whoosh.
Sea wind blew in—November's chill, laced with an ancient, distant mustiness. He'd missed the massive cruise ship gliding up, black as the void beyond.
"That's..."
Stealthy—its pitch-black hull and darkened lights gave it the feel of a ghost ship. With no guides, it slipped silently alongside them. Ju Kang-rim lit a foxfire to illuminate the side, and red letters began to glow.
He read them, muttering in disbelief.
"Wow... cheaper than a tire for a human life...?"
Nonsensical. Human contempt? Black joke on the times? Either way, it soured his mood.
A gangway descended silently to the deck. Eerie quiet blanketed everything. Then three figures crossed: a 2.5m suited giant, a slender woman. Yoo's warning made sense now—but the leader froze Ju Kang-rim's face.
Half-naked in the cold wind, fur scarf, bizarre jewelry, heavy makeup on a tall frame.
"No way... that's the informant?"
"Yes."
Yoo Wol-ryeong nodded. Ju Kang-rim nearly gripped his hand axe, forgetting her warning. He knew the guy—immortal intel expert, could swing 20 billion cash, traded with Grim Reapers. Few fit. But Ju hadn't guessed because he topped Gerald's VIP list.
"Hello, Yoo Wol-ryeong."
The man waved casually at Ju Kang-rim.
"And that's Yeomra's new toy, right?"
Merchant who'd sell nations for the right price. The Traitor Merchant, Simra.
He was her informant.
"Simra?"
Ju Kang-rim whipped toward Yoo Wol-ryeong. She nodded.
"That's him."
Gritting his teeth, Ju Kang-rim snapped.
"Why the hell is that guy here?"
The giant behind Simra growled.
"Mind your manners, you—"
"Shut your dog mouth and stand watch like a good boy. Don't butt in."
Ju Kang-rim gripped his axe, firing back. The giant's face twisted. Ju turned to Yoo Wol-ryeong, arguing his point— she'd warned against Simra, not guards. Fair game. She'd expected this if she knew who it was.
Yoo Wol-ryeong just frowned slightly. The guard's face crumpled more.
"You dare—"
"Followed like a mutt, so you're the yard dog. Still pissed I half-killed one yesterday—wanna be next?"
The two guards' eyes blazed—literally glowing red in the dark, lunging at him. Skin prickled. Low growls vibrated the air. Murderous intent choked the deck. They exuded it weaponless, naturally.
Crack, crack.
Lights shattered in response. Darkness fell. Bones crunching, flesh tearing echoed. Their eye levels rose—now towering over Ju Kang-rim's torso.
He lit foxfire quick. Whoosh.
The woman silently drew her katana, slashing air. Flames sucked to the blade. All Ju glimpsed: katana and her hand—gray fur, dagger-long claws.
"Pleased to meet you, Simra."
Yoo Wol-ryeong greeted. Tension lingered.
"And Ju Kang-rim Reaper is officially underworld now. Proper title and respect appreciated."
Simra grinned, teeth flashing in dark, nodding.
"Of course. Yoo Wol-ryeong Reaper, Ju Kang-rim Reaper."
Only then did the killing intent ebb. Guards shrank back to normal height. Glowing eyes dimmed.
Ju Kang-rim smiled at Simra.
"Truly pleased to meet you. Mind if I chat with my colleague first? Thanks for understanding."
Breathless word-vomit, then he yanked Yoo Wol-ryeong behind a container. Simra chuckled with dull gray eyes, nodding.
Out of sight, Ju Kang-rim hissed.
"Dealing with that guy? You're kidding!"
Talking to her, but really Yeomra. No balls to confront the boss yet.
Simra. Ju knew him well—one of the trickiest VIPs he'd served. Gerald's top backer, priority in every crisis.
"He's an immortal!"
Obviously on the list. And now selling out fellow immortals.