Father's Warm Hand
The impact from the vehicle collision was tremendous. An inexplicable ringing filled his ears, and his vision was blurred. Regardless, the enemy's relentless attacks gave no quarter, pouring down without mercy. Their intent to leave no survivors was palpable. It was a true dilemma, trapped with no way forward or back.
That must have been why, amid the mounting chaos he couldn't control, when he heard the door open behind him, his eyes instinctively shut. 'It's over. This is the end...' It was probably because he'd already cried out in resignation deep within.
At that moment, a voice pierced through the tinnitus. "Jung-hyuk!"
His tightly shut eyes flew open. "...Father?"
The hazy figure sharpened into focus, revealing a face. His father's expression and eyes, always so stern and intimidating, were trembling violently. It was the first time he'd ever sensed such desperation in his father.
"Grab my hand—quick!"
Clasp.
He stretched his trembling arm as far as it would go and grasped his father's hand. In this moment of life and death, why did that warmth feel so out of place amid the urgency? '...It's warm.'
"Move faster! How many times have I told you that if you're slower than the enemy, you'll die first?!"
From childhood, he'd grown up under grueling training. Rain or snow, his father watched with the eyes of a hawk.
"Get up! What do you think you're doing, collapsing over something like this?!"
There had never been a single word of praise. When he fell or got hurt, his father never helped him up himself. Instead of concern like "Are you okay?", there were only thunderous rebukes echoing around.
Of course, he knew. It was to raise him strong enough to survive in a world of the weak devoured by the strong. Still...
'Just once, I wished you'd hug me.'
'Just once, I wished you'd hold me close.'
He'd always harbored that wish, but dismissed it as a pipe dream without end.
Now, for the first time, his father extended a hand. That hand he clasped was so incredibly warm that hot tears spilled from Lee Jung-hyuk's eyes.
"Hngh!"
Lee Jin-tae gritted his teeth and yanked his son's arm. He then pulled the flung-out Lee Jung-hyuk into his embrace as they tumbled to the ground.
"Lift your head! Are you alright?"
"Y-yes... yes."
Lee Jin-tae immediately checked his son's condition. Confirming no gunshot wounds, he let out a sigh of relief.
- Captain, are you okay?!
A urgent voice crackled over the radio. Lee Jung-hyuk quickly snatched the radio from his father's belt and spoke.
"We're fine. Advance slowly while providing cover fire. We'll come out together!"
- Understood, Captain!
As the radio cut off, the gunfire enveloping the vast forest intensified. The 'Reclum' forces pushed forward, while the 'Thai Mafia' held their defensive line desperately. Amid the hail of bullets from both sides, Lee Jin-tae and Lee Jung-hyuk leaned against the car, timing their escape.
Catching his breath, Lee Jung-hyuk asked, "How did you break through alone?"
"......"
"Father! That was insanely dangerous. You could've been hurt... or killed!"
Lee Jin-tae focused silently on scanning the surroundings. Lee Jung-hyuk sighed, frustration heavy in his voice.
Then, "...As long as you're safe."
Lee Jin-tae murmured softly. Lee Jung-hyuk's eyes widened in shock.
"Focus on getting out first. We can talk later."
He added. Swallowing his surging emotions, Lee Jung-hyuk nodded.
The jeep they'd been riding mercifully served as solid cover, and the advancing allies eased the concentrated fire. But it was too soon to relax.
- Boom!
A massive explosion rang out suddenly. Instinctively, they ducked. Peering cautiously, they saw allied firepower had focused on the enemy center, causing the blast.
As 'Thai Mafia' members fell back, 'Reclum' forces charged ahead. Lee Jin-tae and Lee Jung-hyuk's eyes met, and they shouted in unison.
"Father!"
"Now—go!"
Lee Jin-tae slung his son's arm over his neck and hauled him up. Then, "Captain, over here!"
They sprinted with all their might to link up with the approaching allies.
"Ngh!"
His limping leg throbbed, but he couldn't stop. Now, his father's life hung in the balance too.
"Just a bit more!"
The distance to the 'Reclum' group narrowed to under ten meters. Finally, safe...
- Bang!
It happened then. Amid the battlefield din, one gunshot stretched out slow like a warped tape.
"Guhk!"
"...?!"
The ominous echo became reality.
Thud.
Lee Jung-hyuk crumpled to the ground.
"Ah, ah..."
The one felled by that single bullet was 'Reclum's' leader—and the man supporting him as they ran, Lee Jin-tae.
"C-Captain!"
"Father!!!!!!!!!!"
The vanguard enveloped the fallen pair, while the rest pressed forward with gunfire.
"Ugh..."
"Father, come to! Father!"
This time, Lee Jung-hyuk cradled his father. His father's eyes were glazed, blood frothed at his mouth, and his shirt was soaked with blood. The bullet wound... was in a bad spot.
"......"
Soon, Lee Jin-tae's eyes closed, his head lolling limply. Lee Jung-hyuk kept calling "Father," pressing trembling fingers to his neck. A pulse—faint, but there.
"Get him to safety—now!"
"Yes, Captain! Move, move!"
His men swiftly loaded Lee Jin-tae onto a stretcher and carried him off. Lee Jung-hyuk stared blankly until he vanished from sight, then bowed his head and slowly stood.
The throbbing pain in his leg was long gone.
"I'll kill them all..."
He muttered, lifting his head.
"C-Captain..."
"......"
The 'Reclum' members guarding him flinched. Lee Jung-hyuk's bloodshot eyes blazed with killing intent, his back a towering embodiment of rage that raised goosebumps just to behold.
Soon,
Click.
He took a gun from a nearby subordinate, climbed into a car, and murmured softly. It was tantamount to a vow.
"Not a single one left alive. All of them."
The war would end only in blood.
* * *
- Crack! Crash!
Trees toppled,
- Boom!
vehicles exploded.
- Rat-tat-tat!
- Whoosh, kaboom!
Flames spat endlessly from countless guns and heavy weapons. The battle, started at dawn, had raged nearly half a day.
Life-or-death crossroads dotted the deep forest. The even flow of early-mid battle tipped sharply.
Under Lee Jung-hyuk's command, consumed by uncontrollable fury, 'Reclum's' territory expanded dramatically.
"D-damn it! Run!"
Repeated retreats cornered the 'Thai Mafia' into the forest's depths. But in a blink, even their entry route was sealed.
Surrounded by 'Reclum' muzzles, a massive boulder blocked the rear.
- Clunk.
Finally, the enemy leader tossed his weapon and raised his arms. The fierce power struggle between the two organizations reached its end.
- Step, step.
Footsteps crossed the now-silent battlefield. Hesitation absent, resolve firm in their echo. All eyes but those aiming guns turned to one man.
"S-surrender!"
"Shut up."
- Thwack!
Lee Jung-hyuk smashed his fist into the 'Thai Mafia' leader's face. The man crumpled pathetically.
"Die."
Straddling him, Lee Jung-hyuk grabbed his collar and rained down punches.
- Thud, thud, thud!
Screams echoed, but no one moved. The man begged "Please," "Stop," desperately amid the blows, but reason had fled Lee Jung-hyuk—he fixed on the face unblinkingly.
His fist rose again, lost count of strikes.
- Grab.
"Captain, that's enough..."
His martial arts instructor, who'd trained him since childhood, stepped in and gripped the fist. The frenzy halted.
Reason flickering back, Lee Jung-hyuk exhaled raggedly and released the collar. The man lay unconscious, unmoving.
The instructor wiped the blood from his fist with a pitying look.
"What about the remnants, Captain?"
"...It's over. No more killing. Return to base."
"Yes, Captain!"
Turning abruptly, Lee Jung-hyuk left the scene hastily. The instructor raised a hand in his stead—victory declared.
Once Lee Jung-hyuk fully vanished beyond the trees,
- Woo-hoo!
'Reclum' cheered briefly.
"Cut!"
Woo Seung-hyun PD finally called it. The staff, who'd watched Woojin's performance breathlessly, erupted in cheers.
"It's finally done!"
The scene opening the Thailand shoot—the grandest, spanning 4 nights and 5 days—wrapped.
"Where'd our hero run off to? Fetch him quick!"
"Hahaha!"
So immersed in Lee Jung-hyuk's emotions, he'd kept running toward the "base" even off-camera.
Woojin returned to set with a bright smile. The terrifying aura and momentum from moments ago? Vanished.
Staff applauded the beaming Woojin.
"That temperature shift every time?"
"Lee Jung-hyuk gave me chills!"
"Thank you, thank you!"
Woojin bowed 360 degrees, grateful for the praise. Nothing melted fatigue like "great acting."
"Man, you nailed it. Perfect, ugh!"
After the stretcher carry cut, Lee Kang-sik—who'd watched beside Woo PD—thumbs-upped and patted Woojin's back.
"You worked hard, Dad."
"You did the work. So good, I had nothing left to do."
"Nah, what're you saying? Still miles from handing you my card."
"This kid—humbly excessive, huh?"
"For real. Know why?"
Lee Kang-sik looked puzzled at Woojin's question.
"Because..."
Woojin grinned mischievously again.
"I haven't flown first class yet."
"Puhahaha!"
Lee Kang-sik's booming laugh echoed through Monsoon Valley Vineyard, back from battlefield to grape fields.
"Rest till afternoon tomorrow. Call time announced tonight!"
"Good work!"
"You too!"
The cool breeze lightened their steps homeward.
