Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Pigeon's Pitch
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Lee Jae-hyun stared at the man in front of him with a baffled expression.
The man approached with a gait that screamed cheap in a subtle way, then bowed his head to Oh Seo-hyun in greeting.
“Hello! I’m Gu Chan-hyeok, the pride of Daepo Club MDs—call me Pigeon!”
“...Yes, Pigeon. Nice to meet you.”
Oh Seo-hyun nodded with a lukewarm expression.
At the same time, she began sizing up the man’s appearance.
He was the typical thug type, with a fake smile plastered on his face and a gold watch on his wrist.
For someone like her who’d never set foot in a club before, having this guy suddenly introduce himself felt both bewildering and awkward.
“So, did you come alone by any chance?”
“Yeah, just me.”
She glanced briefly at Lee Jae-hyun before answering.
Pigeon’s lips curled up, apparently not thrilled with her openly saying she’d be parting ways with her group.
“There’s a really top-notch big brother on his way right now. We’re setting up the VIP room for him as we speak. I think you’d fit right in if you joined...”
Oh Seo-hyun let out a snort at the words from the man who’d introduced himself as Pigeon.
Lee Jae-hyun was a bit surprised to see her regain her composure so quickly.
It was her first time in a club, and her first time being approached by an MD like this.
Yet once things got real, she shook her head with practiced ease.
“Top-notch big brother? What do I care? Who is he? We’ve gotta be on the same level to play.”
“Our VIP guest—you don’t have to worry about the level. You won’t regret it, I promise.”
“Come on, everyone and their dog calls themselves VIP these days.”
Pigeon looked slightly flustered by Oh Seo-hyun’s response.
He’d pegged her as a club newbie, figuring it’d be easy to lure her away.
On the other hand, Oh Seo-hyun nonchalantly fired back at his reassurances.
She knew full well there were more so-called VIPs in clubs than you could count.
This was her subtle probe to figure out if the target she and Lee Jae-hyun had in mind—Park Man-seok—was the one.
“Ah, no need to worry about that. This guy isn’t just any VIP. He’s VIP of VIPs! No official rank, but around here, we call him VVIP!”
“...Big brother? He must be pretty old, huh?”
“Oh, sis! Trust me just this once—you won’t regret it. No worries at all.”
“I’ve got my tastes too. You gotta tell me his style. How old is he? If I go in and he’s just some total uncle type, I’d have to bail right away. And coming right back out would be embarrassing.”
“Well... he’s a bit older. But he’s generous and knows how to have fun. Trust me, he’s a solid guy.”
Pigeon rubbed his fingers together subtly, signaling the man had money.
Oh Seo-hyun’s expression shifted slightly as she caught the gesture.
Unlike when he’d just said “VIP,” things were starting to take shape.
Older, and loaded.
But that wasn’t enough to pinpoint exactly who the VIP was.
It matched Park Man-seok’s profile, sure, but guys like that weren’t exactly rare.
Oh Seo-hyun opened her mouth casually.
“So... what does he do?”
“He’s in construction, small scale. He’s legit solid—come check it out. If it feels off, just give me a signal and I’ll pull you right out.”
Oh Seo-hyun flicked her gaze toward Lee Jae-hyun.
The word “construction” clicked for both of them—they now knew the guy in the VIP room was likely Park Man-seok.
Of course, it might not be.
Still, with so many matches, the odds were good.
Oh Seo-hyun nodded as if agreeing to go, then held out her half-finished glass to Lee Jae-hyun and spoke.
“You do your thing. I’m heading out. Don’t call first—I’ll text after I’m done having fun.”
“Yeah. Hit me up.”
To outsiders, it looked like friends out clubbing, each finding their own playmate.
But Lee Jae-hyun and Oh Seo-hyun both understood each other perfectly.
“Don’t call first” wasn’t about not interrupting.
“Recording.”
A call could cut off a recording mid-way.
As detectives who recorded often, Lee Jae-hyun got it without issue.
And “hit me up” meant exactly what it said—call if things got urgent.
“Then allow me to escort you.”
“Sure.”
Pigeon bowed with a grin once their exchange ended.
Oh Seo-hyun gave a vague nod and started walking.
It was a meeting with Park Man-seok, so potentially risky.
But her face remained perfectly calm.
After waving goodbye, Lee Jae-hyun blended into the crowd and tracked Oh Seo-hyun with his eyes.
Watching Inspector Oh Seo-hyun head upstairs with Pigeon, he called out to Serhen inwardly.
“Serhen.”
“Oh, this place... it’s pretty fun.”
A spot blending song, sticky dances, and booze.
Just the kind of place a demon would love.
Seeing Serhen scan the club, Lee Jae-hyun spoke up.
“Second floor, Oh Seo-hyun Inspector.”
“Got it. She’s there. Shall I follow?”
“Please.”
“As a demon, I don’t do favors. Every deal needs a clear price, right?”
Serhen replied.
She’d follow Lee Jae-hyun’s lead without a deal if kids were involved in crimes or if the evil karma tempted her.
But otherwise, she always pushed for a trade.
As Lee Jae-hyun pondered what to offer this time and started to nod—
Pigeon reappeared out of nowhere, beaming as he hurried forward.
“Oh, big brother! You’re here!”
Ahead of him stood a man in a suit.
Shiny luxury suit, shoes, watch—the guy responded to Pigeon’s greeting with a lazy wave, exuding cockiness.
Even a rough estimate put his outfit in the tens of millions won range.
From Lee Jae-hyun’s spot, the stairs blocked a clear view of his face, so he couldn’t confirm it was Park Man-seok for sure.
“Yeah. That you, Pigeon?”
“Yes, big brother. You’re a bit late tonight.”
“Ah, work piled up. Those day-labor grunts bitching about money like they’re entitled...”
The VIP grumbled.
The blaring club music and dim lights meant Lee Jae-hyun didn’t catch everything.
But he picked up key words.
Work. Day labor.
Lee Jae-hyun slipped closer through the crowd.
“Underlings always got that one endless greed, right?”
“Yeah, spot on. Like they do shit worth anything.”
Pigeon buttered him up smoothly.
The way he clasped his hands politely screamed experience.
“So, how’s the water tonight? Decent?”
“Oh, big brother! You know our style. We screen at the door—cut anyone who doesn’t make the cut.”
“I know. Still.”
“Look around—you’ll see. Crystal clear tonight, pure as can be. Makes you wanna swim in it. Haha!”
Pigeon burst out laughing.
The man glanced around and smirked.
As they chatted, Lee Jae-hyun edged closer and checked their faces.
Angular features, bushy hair.
Sunken eyes, but sharp and deep.
No doubt about it.
The man was Park Man-seok, the one Lee Jae-hyun was after.
His greedy vibe mixed with a steely expression showed he wouldn’t be an easy mark.
“Come on, big brother! Can’t have you standing here forever. Let’s go—I’ve got it all set up.”
“Yeah. You didn’t bring any weird ones, right?”
“No way. If I don’t satisfy you tonight, I’ll quit on the spot.”
Pigeon grinned wider in the cheerful mood.
What he wanted was tips from VIPs.
The richer the guest, the fatter the tip.
Someone like Park Man-seok could easily drop hundreds of thousands without blinking.
“Alright, let’s check it out. Gotta see what Pigeon lined up for me. Expectations are high.”
“Hahaha! Right this way.”
Pigeon, dreaming of his tip, smiled as he led Park Man-seok upstairs.
Serhen, who’d been watching, swallowed hard.
“You’re after that guy?”
“Yeah.”
“Sweet. I’ll keep my eyes peeled up there and let you know if anything happens.”
With that, Serhen shot upward to the second floor in a flash.
Lee Jae-hyun let out a small chuckle and watched Park Man-seok’s back as he climbed the stairs.
* * *
Staring at the drink Oh Seo-hyun had left behind, Lee Jae-hyun sank into thought for a moment.
Serhen’s attitude had flipped the instant she saw Park Man-seok.
Eyes gleaming with greed.
She’d even swallowed visibly.
To Serhen, Park Man-seok looked like a real feast.
And so far, the only ones to spark that look in her were straight-up murderers.
Lee Jae-hyun couldn’t help but tense up.
That’s when a woman approached him cautiously.
“Um, are you here alone?”
“Yeah, still sin—”
Lost in thought, Lee Jae-hyun reflexively opened his mouth at the voice, then cut himself off.
He’d almost blurted out a meme that didn’t even exist yet.
Too late?
The woman lit up at “sin—” and reached out to lightly grab his arm.
“Oh, really? Wanna hang out together then?”
“No thanks. I’m waiting for someone.”
“Aww... Leaving a catch like you alone is a crime. Let’s play, just us.”
Lee Jae-hyun tried to backpedal belatedly.
But the woman was already into him, pressing closer with sultry eyes.
“Really, I’m good. Have fun.”
Lee Jae-hyun politely removed her hand and turned down the offer.
Shrugging at the double rejection, the woman turned away.
How much time passed?
“Here... right now...!”
“Yes...”
Beyond the club’s thumping music filling the space, frantic voices reached his ears.
He turned toward the sound and saw staff bustling about.
“What’s going on?”
Clubs saw incidents all the time.
Staff didn’t react like this unless it was major.
Either something serious had blown up... or a minor issue big enough to hit sales.
Likely the latter.
A burly guy fiddled with his earpiece, then turned and headed up the stairs to the second floor.
At the same moment, Serhen appeared before Lee Jae-hyun.
“Things are getting weird up there.”
The second she spoke, Lee Jae-hyun bolted into action.