Threat (2)
"Our flight is now entering Philippine airspace. We will be landing shortly, so please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts." The in-flight announcement played as passengers prepared for landing, adjusting their seatbacks and lowering armrests. A flight attendant assisted us. This was one of the perks of flying business class, wasn't it?
Today, I wasn't Eunsu. I had come under my original identity. Eunsu was supposed to be a student, after all. The wheels touched down on the runway, and the air brakes engaged, pulling us forward with inertia. I had joked with Cheol-min that you had to take your shoes off in business class, and he actually did it, becoming the butt of the joke. Everyone else arrived safely. He grumbled the whole time about how he hadn't needed to do it last time, but why here? He was still sulking.
We landed at Clark International Airport, cleared immigration, and headed for the exit. But this wasn't right. Waiting at the arrivals gate were Team Leader Lee, wearing sunglasses, and four men who looked like his subordinates. It was a good thing they didn't salute. "Welcome, hyung-nim!"
"Team Leader, isn't this a bit much?"
"In my experience, this is standard here. The security situation isn't great."
"This is Baccarat Park."
"Nice to meet you. My name is Park Myung-jin. You're younger than I expected."
"You've had a hard time so far. I look forward to working with you."
After exchanging greetings, we left the airport. We split into two Honda SUVs. Team Leader Lee, sitting in the passenger seat, handed me a Glock pistol. "Just in case. Take it."
Why so ominous? About thirty minutes later, we arrived at the hotel. Saint Glory Hotel. Nice name. It had a holy, elegant feel. Palm trees and a fountain were neatly arranged in front of the entrance. The staff had lined up outside, probably because there weren't many eyes around. It was overwhelming. As I stepped out of the car, they shouted in unison, "Welcome, Chairman!"
When did I become chairman? At the end of the red carpet, my brother was waiting.
"Hyung, this doesn't seem right."
"I just copied what I saw on TV."
Then another car pulled up behind us, and they shouted again, "Welcome to the hotel!"
Entering the hotel lobby, I understood why they had prepared all this. It was the opening day. A celebration. A large chandelier hung in the lobby, giving off the atmosphere of a Western mansion. Behind the central lobby was a staircase leading to the second floor. The reception desk was on the left, and a coffee shop on the right.
Following my brother upstairs, we found a banquet hall that could be used for seminars and an office. Inside the office, he poured me a cup of coffee.
"Thanks for changing the atmosphere."
There was none of the "den of illegality" vibe he had mentioned over the phone last time.
"Take a look." He handed me an A4 sheet. It was a revenue settlement report. The numbers were substantial.
"This is no joke. The profit margin is almost eighty percent. Fifteen percent went to raw materials, and the rest to labor and other expenses."
"Labor is cheap. I didn't know Koreans spent money so freely."
"We also acquired a large apartment complex ten minutes away. We're managing the junket rooms and entertainment there."
Where did hyung get the money? When I asked about the source of funds, he answered calmly. He had received foreign currency from headquarters and used the first month's profits as collateral at the bank, which allowed him to take out an additional peso loan to make the acquisition. It seemed well done, but also risky. I wasn't sure. Since it was hyung doing it, it would probably work out.
"What's the occupancy rate?"
"Around eighty percent. The villa side has a long waiting list, but the hotel isn't doing as well as expected."
"Seems fine to me."
Knock knock.
"Come in." As soon as the words left his mouth, the office door opened and a woman carrying a child entered.
"Sister-in-law?" I asked my brother. He nodded.
"Hello, sister-in-law."
"Nice to meet you. Please take good care of the father of my child."
I never thought I'd hear something like that. The nephew looked exactly like my brother. I had hoped it wasn't a daughter, but unfortunately it was. I felt oddly sorry inside.
"Go ahead and work. Come to our house for dinner tonight. I'll have everything ready."
"Thank you."
After sister-in-law left, we continued our conversation.
"Any problems? I heard the cartel boss was running it."
"There have been some minor clashes, but Team Leader Lee is handling it well."
"That's a relief. How's the training going?"
"I don't know. I haven't had time to worry about that."
Knock knock.
While we were talking about life in the Philippines—whether the child was walking yet, if he had started speaking—beyond work matters, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in." A sturdy young man entered and reported, "Boss, it's time."
He looked mixed-race. His pronunciation was a bit awkward.
"I'll head down right away."
"Want to say hello?"
"No, you know my style."
My brother and I moved to the banquet hall on this floor. An announcement came on that the ceremony was beginning, and the host started the proceedings. It was the usual event, but many influential people in the Philippines had come. The mayor of Angeles, commonly called a VIP, and police officials were present. He was doing it properly. Two people gave congratulatory speeches, and my brother wrapped it up. Short and sweet. There was also a jazz performance. The Black woman singer had an incredible voice. Since I wasn't there to greet anyone, I just attended and left.
I went out with Cheol-min to tour Angeles Street. There was nothing to do if I stayed at the hotel. Before leaving, I received instructions from Team Leader Lee. Return to the hotel before sunset. Don't start any fights. Yeah, yeah. I already have dinner plans anyway.
Perhaps because it had been under colonial rule or because there had been a U.S. military base, it felt a lot like Itaewon. Most of the museums displayed artifacts from the colonial era. Walking through the well-maintained parks, churches, and leisurely streets, my mind felt at ease. It really felt like a vacation.
"Cheol-min, stop looking around so much. It's embarrassing."
"It's different from Gilim Province."
Of course it was. I hadn't been there either, but I'd heard it was mostly desolate. When I asked how he was doing, he gave a short answer.
"The women there act like men. They don't look as gentle as the ones here."
"So that's why your eyes can't stay still?"
We bantered back and forth and entered a bar to order cocktails.
"Let's have one drink before going back. Sister-in-law invited us for dinner."
We sat at the bar and ordered drinks. The female bartender came over and struck up a conversation. The three of us were chatting lightly in broken English when a call came from Team Leader Lee. I stepped outside to answer.
"What's going on?"
"Phew... Thank goodness. You're not hurt, right?"
"What happened?"
"There's been an indiscriminate terrorist attack. It's chaos right now. Tell me the name of the place you're at. We'll come pick you up."
Damn it... I read off the store name from the nearest signboard. Then I ran back into the store, told Cheol-min it was an emergency, paid, and came back out. Standing on the roadside would make us targets, so I took Cheol-min and hid in an alley between buildings. Ten minutes later, Team Leader Lee called.
"I'm in front of that store. I don't see you... Ah, there you are."
We got into the Honda SUV we had ridden from the airport.
"Was anyone badly hurt?"
"Our employees are mostly fine. The boss has minor injuries. He was with the VIPs when it happened..."
Fuck...
After driving another twenty minutes, we stopped in front of what looked like a warehouse. Three cars were parked outside. When we went in, our employees were there. All of them were big guys.
"This is our safe house. Until the situation is assessed, stay here and then return to Korea."
"Understood. Take command. Don't worry about me."
"Ah, if you have any spare weapons, give us some. This guy can handle his share too."
Cheol-min and I followed one of Team Leader Lee's men and received extra magazines and weapons.
Thirty minutes later, I was listening to Team Leader Lee's briefing. Why? Because my brother had given the order.
"Take revenge."
"From now on, I'll disseminate the operation plan. This is your first real combat, so don't be nervous. Just do as you've practiced."
Listening from behind, it seemed too difficult. Why? The men below looked far too inexperienced. There were over twenty of them, which seemed sufficient, but only Team Leader Lee could command. He explained a simple operation outline and gave everyone time to prepare their gear. I called Team Leader Lee over and offered advice.
"Team Leader, from what I heard earlier, the VIPs were also hit. Wouldn't it be better to watch what they do first rather than moving before them?"
"Hoo... Let's move to another room."
Team Leader Lee and I relocated to a makeshift office and began talking.
"I don't know if the hotel boss told you, but the other side has been identified. We actually have information on them too."
Then there was no reason to rush, right? The next part explained the current situation.
"The problem is, if we don't act now, half the guys outside will run away."