Revenge - Monday, April 7, 2003, 07:00
“Kuhk!!!”
I was back again.
I couldn’t let Seo Hyun-sook get away with treating my women so carelessly. Right before death, my body had gone limp and drained, but I held on, swallowing blood and enduring through sheer willpower. I had to avoid getting caught at all costs. It was grueling, but I pushed through—for revenge against Hyun-sook and those men.
If I acted normally, the fallout would hit Ye-rin and Soo-min too. But killing Hyun-sook myself could jeopardize the future. No, I needed something better.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!
I sorted out my thoughts. Hyun-sook was already playing queen bee, having trained multiple men under her. I’d turn that queen bee into my footstool—train her myself.
I vaguely recalled hearing about SM clubs in Itaewon, where pros handled the training. I had no expertise, and my amateur attempts wouldn’t cut it. So, I headed to Itaewon to find someone.
First, I searched online for hotspots. Packed up and went. It was early, streets mostly empty. Following the info, I slipped into Itaewon’s back alleys.
The narrow lanes grew eerie. Shut doors lined both sides. Deep in, one building had an open entrance—dark stairs leading down, faint light leaking from below. Just like the sites said.
I descended slowly. A door at the bottom. I eased it open.
A red-tinged hallway stretched ahead, rooms branching off. I strode forward confidently. Footsteps approached.
“Who are you? How’d you get in?”
A burly man blocked my path. I swallowed hard, nerves on edge.
“Uh, I heard you do training here.”
He eyed me up and down.
“For yourself? Maso?”
“No! Not me—someone else.”
“Hm. Training someone else? Come this way.”
He led me deeper. First time here, a twinge of fear, but worst case, I’d bite my tongue. Death didn’t scare me anymore after a few loops.
He ushered me into the deepest room.
“Sit here and wait.”
I sank into the sofa.
A woman entered soon after.
“You want training done?”
She sat, crossing her legs. Mid-20s, stunning. Leather jacket hugging a killer figure.
“Yes.”
“Who? Not you, right?”
“A 21-year-old college girl.”
“College girl, huh. She wants it?”
“N-no, not exactly.”
She shot up.
“Ha! You piece of trash, treating people like criminals?”
“W-wait, hear me out. She trained me and let me go. I want revenge.”
I bullshitted, no real training scars to show.
“Oh? So the target’s one of our own?”
“Yeah.”
She pondered, then sat.
“Hmmm... Reverse-training a colleague? Tricky...”
“I never consented—kidnapped and forced. I want payback.”
“So they kidnapped you and trained you against your will? Not a colleague then—just trash. Fine, I’ll help.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed 90 degrees.
“Not free, though. 50 million won. Ready?”
“Pardon?”
“Think I’d do this for nothing? Or become my slave—50% off. Tempted?”
Wild offer.
“Submit to me, and your revenge is done.”
Tempting for anyone else—real shot at payback.
“20 million upfront, 30 million after. I can wire now.”
Business mode kicked in; I straightened, shoulders back. Her eyes shifted—respect?
“Whoa, rich boy, huh? Call me Fire Moth. That bitch is in for it, whoever she is.”
“Deal?”
“Sure. Who’s the target?”
“Seo Hyun-sook. 21. Korea University, PE major, judo. That’s all I got.”
“Ehh? Seo Hyun-sook? Black Spider??”
Fire Moth jumped up, shocked.
“Not sure if she’s Black Spider, but why? Problem?”
“Uh... she’s beyond my skills.”
Her bravado crumbled.
“Too strong for me. And ruthless—does anything for herself. Even we avoid her.”
Hyun-sook was a big shot here, bigger than I thought.
“Impossible?”
She hesitated.
“Not absolutely... but not me. I’ll introduce someone. Too early now—come back at 5 PM.”
“Someone else?”
“Yeah. Only one who can beat Black Spider.”
“Who??”
“Can’t say—might refuse. Just show at 5.”
I left, escorted out. Home by 10, skipped school to dodge Hyun-sook. Headed back to Itaewon on time.
Fire Moth knew her—possible trap? Didn’t matter. Knife tucked away for suicide if needed. I’d loop and try another way.
Downstairs, the same guy greeted me.
“This way.”
In the room: Fire Moth and another woman, masked. White tee, jeans—curves obvious, clashing with the vibe.
“Cha Hyun-su.”
I sat opposite.
“You want training?”
Her voice was husky, low. Casual banmal from the start—veins twitched in my forehead, but I held it.
“Yes.”
“Target’s Black Spider?”
“Heard that from her; name’s Seo Hyun-sook.”
“Hmmm...”
She stroked her chin, deep in thought.
“Time to deal with her, I guess...”
“I run Itaewon branch. Code name: Milka.”
Blush under the mask? High rank explained the attitude.
“Milka-nim?”
“Cough—just Milka. That’s usual.”
“Got it, Milka.”
“Your Seo Hyun-sook, Black Spider—she’s one of our trainers. Aggressive, rumors of training civilians.”
Per Milka: Friction with local trainers from her antics. Unproven kidnapping rumors kept them off her. My tip changed that—branch head stepping in.
“If true, we can act. Details?”
I explained, embellished: Met in gen-ed class, chatted at Yongsan laptop shop, then she turned aggressive with my girlfriend there, threatened us. Added the six guys under her.
“Hm, six men... Move fast before she notices. Today work?”
“Fine by me. Know where she lives?”
“Roughly. No key—grab her outside.”
“I know her door code.”
“How?”
Bag over head during kidnapping, but old locks beeped tones by key. I’d memorized the pattern: 6556.
“Oho, smart. Tonight then?”
“Let’s.”
“Fire Moth quoted 50 million. Mine’s double: 50 upfront, 50 after.”
“Pricey.”
“Illegal work—risk premium.”
“Deal. Show your face first.”
“What?!”
“100 million blind? Gotta see who I’m hiring.”
“Hmph...”
“Fine—swear secrecy. Leak it, and you’re gone without a trace.”
“We’re partners now. No trouble from me.”
She paused, then removed the mask.
“Gasp!”
I knew her: Shim Soo-ryun, KFC women’s champ. Innocent face, killer body—huge fanbase. Undefeated till retirement.
“You know me.”
“Yeah... fan. Never guessed Shim Soo-ryun ran Itaewon branch...”
That pure face training others? Mismatch, like her fighting persona.
“Cough... No leaks. Ever.”
“Promise. Wiring now.”
50 million via telebanking.
“Received. My guys are tailing Black Spider—word when she’s home. Wait here.”
We ate—Milka shy, socially awkward despite rank. Could she really train? Title inspired trust.
“Key to training: listen up.”
Gruff tone masked nerves.
“Carrot and stick. I’m stick; you’re carrot.”
“Me too?”
“Duh. Just breaking her? You’d kill her yourself. To make her your slave, play good cop.”
Logic checked out. She breaks Hyun-sook; I comfort, build dependence.
“She likes you—why else risk this? S-types fall hard into M. It’s a mirror: even doms wonder about submitting.”
Lecture till the guy reported.
“Milka-nim, Black Spider entered her apartment.”
“Time. Let’s move. Ready?”
I nodded. Me, Soo-ryun, Fire Moth, two guys—piled into a car for Hyun-sook’s place.