Applause and Bells
"In a few moments, the contract signing ceremony between Shinjin Construction and Daejeong Mulsan will begin."
The ceremony got underway with that announcement from the MC, a man made memorable by his thin metal-rimmed glasses. The venue was one of Shinjin Construction's large conference rooms, its interior arranged so immaculately that the care behind it was unmistakable. Centered on the stage, Shinjin Construction's staff—Shin Yo-sep's people—filled the seats to the right, while across from them sat the employees of Daejeong Mulsan, Kang Hyeong-seok among them: the business division, Sales Team 1, and every other department involved as well.
"This event commemorates the successful partnership between Shinjin Construction and Daejeong Mulsan. Please join us in celebrating it, and we hope you will look forward to the growth that lies ahead."
The atmosphere was solemn. Namgoong Min-ah of Sales Team 1, seated at the same table as Kang Hyeong-seok, had gone stiff as a board, and Kwak Young-ho's mouth must have been bone dry, because he kept reaching for the water bottle in front of him. Even so, the mood wasn't a bad one.
"Now, allow me to introduce the distinguished guests who have graced us with their presence today."
It came right after Kwak Young-ho had half-risen from his seat on instinct, realized it wasn't his turn, and sat back down with a sheepish grin.
"First, we are honored by the attendance of Chairman Shin Chang-soo of Shinjin Construction, and CEO Lee Beom-seok of Daejeong Mulsan. A big round of applause, please!"
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap!
To a storm of applause, the heads of both companies climbed onto the stage and shook hands.
"So the Shinjin Construction chairman came after all."
At Lee Jin-pyeong's words, Kwak Young-ho tilted his head toward the stage and answered.
"Well, sure. Executive Director Shin is his son."
Lee Jin-pyeong nodded an I see, and Namgoong Min-ah gasped in silent awe. Behind them, by contrast, Sales Team 2 wore looks of sour, conflicted envy.
"Ahem."
The Sales Team 2 department head, most uncomfortable of all, seemed to have something caught tight in his throat.
"We will now proceed to the signing of the main contract."
At the MC's cue, the two CEOs took turns signing their names to the agreements kept in blue hard-shell cases. Then the Shinjin Construction chairman began his congratulatory address.
"We at Shinjin Construction are truly honored to be joining hands with a firm of such outstanding capability..."
Seated where he was, Kang Hyeong-seok watched the stage. His first thought?
Looks like Shin Yo-sep takes after his mother.
And when the CEO of Daejeong Mulsan took the microphone, another thought followed.
Huh. So they really are holding a signing ceremony with Shinjin Construction.
Ridiculous as it was, it only became real to him the moment he laid eyes on his own company's CEO.
"Our boundless gratitude goes as well to Executive Director Shin Yo-sep, who personally drove this contract forward."
There it was—Shin Yo-sep's name, spoken from the lips of the CEO of Kang Hyeong-seok's own company. It struck him anew just how lofty a position Shin Yo-sep occupied, and how strange it felt that a man like that needed him.
Bzzt.
Having checked the message from Shin Yo-sep, Kang Hyeong-seok let a smirk slip and typed a short reply.
Then he glanced over at Shin Yo-sep, but the man, though he had clearly just read it, kept his face blank and his eyes fixed on the stage.
"Next, we will hold a commemorative photo session to mark the signing of the contract."
Photographers hauling cameras of intimidating size crowded in front of the stage and began snapping away. Before long, those photos would be hanging in prime spots at both companies—or might even be used for a newspaper feature.
Click-click-click-click!
"Next, we will have the executives' turn."
As the two CEOs stepped down, the executives—the core leadership of both firms—took the stage for their own photographs.
"Sir, we go up too, right?"
"Right?"
Click-click-click!
Watching the shutters burst in flurries up on the stage, Namgoong Min-ah spoke in a voice strangled with fright.
"Sir, I'm so nervous."
"Executive Director Shin put this whole thing together for us personally. What's there to be scared of?"
"Ooooh..."
There were political calculations behind it, of course. Shin Yo-sep needed to keep moving with Kang Hyeong-seok and to keep hunting the demon—but the two men belonged to different companies. Outwardly, the ceremony emphasized that Shin Yo-sep regarded Sales Team 1, Kang Hyeong-seok's team, as important; and even if Kang Hyeong-seok went on operating alongside him, it gave him cover from the stares and suspicions of his coworkers.
Clap-clap-clap-clap!
Unaware of any of this, the members of Sales Team 1 swallowed dryly and fought down their nerves as they watched the executives descend to applause. Kang Hyeong-seok, for his part, watched the stage with a placid face.
"Next, the members of Daejeong Mulsan's Sales Team 1."
It was his turn now.
"A-all right, up we get."
Sales Team 1 rose, led by Kwak Young-ho. The others managed well enough, but Lee Jin-pyeong and Namgoong Min-ah looked exceptionally tense—even Lee Jin-pyeong, who almost never let his feelings show, was visibly rigid.
"Mm."
Those who had badmouthed Kwak Young-ho and Kang Hyeong-seok on the rooftop hung their heads as if they couldn't bear to be seen. And just as the Sales Team 2 department head shot them a look of tangled envy—
Clap-clap-clap-clap.
Shin Yo-sep began to applaud, his eyes on Kang Hyeong-seok. Secretary Cho joined in next, and like a ripple spreading outward, the applause swept through the hall.
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap!
Once even the heads of both companies were clapping, the Sales Team 2 department head had no choice but to join in. Only after Kang Hyeong-seok and the others had mounted the stage to thunderous applause did the ceremony move on.
"You there, sir!"
The photographer pointed at Kang Hyeong-seok, then swung his finger toward the center.
"Just move in a little, please!"
Kang Hyeong-seok was an important person here—and the star of the show. Whether Shin Yo-sep had tipped the man off beforehand or not, the photographer framed every shot around him as much as he could.
"What's so special about him, that he's getting all this fuss."
No matter how the Sales Team 2 department head muttered through eyes brimming with jealousy, the photographer diligently poured his craft into Sales Team 1's shoot.
"You there, ma'am—yes, yes. Stand beside him, please. Sir, just a step back. There we go. Perfect!"
Directing every last detail like a wedding photographer, the man wore a satisfied smile at the corner of his mouth.
"All right, eyes on the camera! No, wait. Miss, you're far too stiff."
It was then that Namgoong Min-ah, frozen like a piece of machinery, flushed red and forced out a smile.
Click!
The expression she managed had come out rather striking after all, it seemed, for the shutter pressed again. Kang Hyeong-seok closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them. A crowd spread out before him, all of them looking his way. Somehow, he suspected this moment would stay with him for a long time.
"All right, one more shot!"
Lee Jin-pyeong, who had closed his eyes, bulged them wide open this time.
Click-click!
An awkward pride, nerves and butterflies. Flashbulbs glittering against the stage lights swept across their faces.
And as they came down off the stage, Lee Beom-seok, CEO of Daejeong Mulsan, tapped Kang Hyeong-seok lightly on the hand.
"Well done, Section Chief Kang."
A brief word of encouragement, delivered with a smile. Kang Hyeong-seok answered it with one of his own and returned to his seat. With the photos done, all that remained was the meal.
Rrrrumble.
A five-tier cart heaped with food rolled into the hall; folding tables were opened up and draped with deep navy cloth, and once the dishes were laid out, people began rising one or two at a time, plates in hand, to serve themselves.
"Eat up, Department Head Kwak!"
"Yes, Managing Director, sir! You enjoy your meal too!"
It was after Kwak Young-ho returned the greeting with a laugh that the managing director thumped Kang Hyeong-seok on the shoulder and murmured close to his ear.
"Section Chief Kang, come by the CEO's table later. He asked to see you."
"Sorry?"
"Why else would he call for you? Oh, right—Section Chief Shin, you come too. You two just got back from that long business trip together, didn't you?"
"Huh? Me?"
Shin Jeong-ah, standing nearby, blurted in surprise, and the managing director turned to her with a beaming face.
"Aigoo, our Section Chief Shin! My, you've done something enormous. Executive Director Shin Chang-yong didn't say anything about it?"
"You know how he is."
"Hahaha! However little he shows it, he's enormously proud. Says his niece has finally started earning her keep at this company."
Then the managing director flashed Kang Hyeong-seok a grin. It was the look of a man thinking: kid, I always knew you'd pull off something big one of these days.
The managing director headed back to the executives' table first, and Kang Hyeong-seok, caught up in a strange feeling, stared after him.
That was when it happened.
Tap.
As Shin Yo-sep passed by, he nudged the toe of Kang Hyeong-seok's dress shoe with his own. Then he looked back over his shoulder, relaying his words through his eyes alone: enjoy this moment today—don't think about a thing.
At that same moment—far from the lively, warm air filling Shinjin Construction, a cold and hollow stillness flowed through the mountain where the Buddha statue of the cult village had once stood.
Crunch. Crunch.
With every step the man took, his low ponytail swayed left and right. He wore a deep navy jacket so dark it was nearly black, and between his fingers something like a chain was wound, strung with bells small as grapes.
Hong Gyeong-soo—a dark shaman in black ritual robes.
"Hssshh—whooooo!"
Gasping for breath, exhaustion written across him, he tilted his head back toward the sky and swung his hands left and right.
Jangle-jangle-jangle-jangle.
The shaman bells wound around his fingers rattled, their sound fanning out wide.
Flap!
A crow swooped down and landed in front of him, rolling its jet-black eyes as it studied Hong Gyeong-soo.
"Fweeeeet!"
At his whistle, the crow bobbed its head and flapped its wings, and Hong Gyeong-soo watched every last movement with care. Then, tugging at the turtleneck around his neck, he spat out a low curse.
"Aish, you two rotten bastards—what the hell kinda mess did you stir up here..."
Brow furrowed, Hong Gyeong-soo turned on his heel. He made for the spot where two trees grew side by side, his stride knowing no hesitation.
Step.
Crossing the yellow police cordon, he swept the fallen leaves aside with his shoe and seized the iron plate that lay revealed beneath them.
Grrrrind—clunk!
The spot where the Buddha statue had stood. Looking down into the darkness below, Hong Gyeong-soo shook his shaman bells—as if to call out whatever lay within, like a shaman seeking to commune with something on the other side.
Jangle-jangle-jangle-jangle-jangle.
Chiming the shaman bells strung between his fingers, he slowly leaned his head into the deep dark.