Chapter 46
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Even You Would Hesitate
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"You'd end up the same way if he was right in front of you."
—Hey, Jang Deokcheol. What's up?
"What's up? Do I need a reason to call a friend?"
—You only call when you need something.
Jang Deokcheol chuckled.
Bae Jihun was an old friend from middle school.
He'd originally wanted to be a cop, but his red-green color blindness kept him out.
Instead, he'd opened up a detective agency—or rather, an information brokerage.
"Nothing major. Just keep tabs on someone for me."
—Surveillance? I'm short-staffed.
"What happened to all your guys?"
—They quit tailing rich housewives. I'm thinking of closing shop and opening a fried chicken joint myself.
Bae Jihun wasn't one for complaints usually, so things must really be rough.
"Even if you quit, take this job. Top rates in the business. Boss's orders."
—...Top rates? How much?
"What's top dollar in your line?"
—...Basic tail: 200,000 won a day. Photos, contacts, full itinerary: 300,000. Meals extra, of course.
"500,000 a day. Get here now."
—...Right away, sir. Text me the address and I'll fly.
Jang Deokcheol chuckled and hung up.
As he withdrew the cash and headed back to the car, something felt off.
From the corner of his eye, Kangyul's movements inside looked frantic.
"...Boss?!"
Jang Deokcheol bolted toward the car.
Kangyul was straddling the slumped Oh Yangchun.
Before his regression, Kangyul had been drinking with friends and brought up Oh Yangchun.
"How do they not execute scum like that? If he was in front of me, I'd snap his neck on the spot."
"You'd be the one dying."
"Hey, asshole. I'm a special forces vet."
He'd just gotten out of the army, full of hot blood and bravado.
An old fart like Oh Yangchun? Piece of cake to choke out barehanded.
"Eh, but if he was right there? I'd run."
"Me too. How do you face a psycho killer? Best to steer clear unless he's after you."
Kangyul had yelled at them.
"... spineless cowards. That's why public safety's gone to hell in this country!"
"Safety? You'd back down too if he was right in front of you."
He'd mocked his friend back then.
But now, staring at the unconscious Oh Yangchun, Kangyul wrestled with deep doubt.
The future "devil in human skin" serial killer was right here.
Drunk and out cold—he could probably strangle him no problem.
'This monster will slaughter innocent people. Begging women, stabbed relentlessly!'
Watching the news back then, he'd always said, 'Scum like that needs to die now.'
But face-to-face? Fear hit first.
'He committed crimes in China, came here. No family, no one to miss him.'
Kangyul tried rationalizing, but hesitation gripped him.
Gulp.
He swallowed dryly and stood.
Just one minute choking him out.
End a devil who'd kill who knows how many.
Trembling hands reached for Oh Yangchun.
That's when—
Urgent footsteps pounded from outside.
Kangyul released his grip, thumping Oh Yangchun's chest instead.
"...Mister. Wake up. We're at the motel."
"Ungh? What? Brat, get off!"
Oh Yangchun shoved Kangyul roughly and sat up.
Thwack!
Kangyul's head smacked the seatback, reopening the forehead gash.
Blood streamed down his face.
"Boss!"
Jang Deokcheol rushed over, but Kangyul waved him off.
"Fuck off or I'll bounce. Gimme my money!"
"...Here's your money."
Jang Deokcheol handed over the cash as instructed.
500,000 won.
"You punks got lucky. Ptoo!"
Oh Yangchun spat on the tire and staggered into the motel.
'...Couldn't do it.'
"You'd end up the same way if he was right in front of you."
Oddly, his old friend's voice echoed in his head.
Kangyul climbed into the car and wiped the blood from his forehead.
His grim expression and bloody face gave off an eerie vibe.
'...What the hell about that guy has the boss like this?'
Kangyul was always unflappable, no matter the situation. It puzzled Jang Deokcheol even more.
"How's the guy?"
"Yes, sir. Should arrive within the hour."
"Good."
Kangyul pulled out his phone and sent Jang Deokcheol a photo of Oh Yangchun.
Snapped secretly while he slept.
"...Boss. Who's this guy that we're going all out?"
"Hoo."
Kangyul sighed softly and gazed out the window.
Remote area—few people on the street.
After a quiet moment, he spoke.
"...A murderer."
"Murderer? Call the cops right—"
Jang Deokcheol reached for his phone but froze at Kangyul's next words.
"He hasn't killed yet. Or rather, hasn't been caught yet."
"What?"
"This guy's about to kill. Something horrific and vile."
Jang Deokcheol frowned.
No joke—Kangyul's face and tone were dead serious.
'But predicting a murder?'
His mind raced with confusion.
Less than an hour later, Bae Jihun pulled up to the motel.
Unlike the lean Jang Deokcheol, he was paunchy with shaggy hair—a proper uncle type.
"Whoa, traffic was a bitch. So, Deokcheol, this your kid?"
Bae Jihun ruffled the unfamiliar Kangyul's hair.
Jang Deokcheol startled and swatted his hand away.
"This is the boss. Get it together."
"Since when's your kid the boss? Haha!"
Bae Jihun laughed, thinking it was a gag.
But Jang Deokcheol's stone face said otherwise.
"...For real?"
"Yeah. Your employer."
"Ah, sorry, boss. Haha, you look so young."
Kangyul just nodded silently.
'Guy seems flaky. Hope he can handle the job.'
"I'll wait in the car."
Kangyul got in the back seat.
A foul stench wafted up from the floor.
Oh Yangchun's odor had soaked in during his blackout.
"What kinda company has a kid for a boss?"
"Don't ask. Target photo's in your texts."
Bae Jihun checked the picture of Oh Yangchun.
"Mind if I ask why we're tailing this guy? Looks like a bum."
"I don't know details. Just do it thoroughly and don't pry. He's no saint."
Bae Jihun memorized the face, staring hard.
Jang Deokcheol pulled out a thick envelope.
Cash he'd prepped earlier.
"Two million upfront. Extensions via transfer."
"Thank you, sir!"
Bae Jihun bowed, taking it with both hands.
"Photos of everywhere he goes, everyone he meets—all intel to my phone."
"Got it. Leave it to the pro."
Jang Deokcheol gave final instructions and got in the car.
The drive back to Seoul was silent.
"Boss. Straight to the office?"
"No. School. And get it detailed on the way. That bastard's stink's giving me a migraine."
"Yes, sir."
It took multiple interior cleans to banish Oh Yangchun's smell.
Back home, Kangyul collapsed on the bed.
His head felt heavy, fever rising.
'Guess I'm a coward too.'
Reborn, he'd felt lucky, invincible.
Snaring a mere killer? No big deal.
Wrong.
'...Hoo. Fine. Can't kill him myself? I'll do what I can.'
Best he could do: stop Oh Yangchun from killing.
'Deal with the rest later.'
Kangyul drifted off.
For the first time in ages, a high fever kept him bedridden two days straight.
But luckily, it vanished clean by Sudden Attack finals day.