Burning Island (2)
The massive club in Gangnam, Burning Island. Six men approached the club's entrance. They were dressed in plain monochrome t-shirts and ordinary cotton pants or jeans, a look that seemed entirely out of place amid the venue's glamour.
Most of the club's guards did not treat them like regular customers. Instead, they stood before the group with visible tension, as if facing something utterly terrifying.
A few of the guards whispered among themselves in low voices.
"I've heard the stories about their reputation, but this is the first time seeing them in person."
"No kidding. What could possibly bring the third-in-command of the Gangryonghoe all the way here..."
Among them was a man who looked like a handsome movie actor—mid-180 centimeters tall with a powerful build, appearing to be in his early thirties, dressed in a wine-colored t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. He turned to one of his companions.
"Is Lee Seunghun here?"
Crown Hotel Representative
Third-in-Command of Gangryonghoe
"Yes. He's waiting inside."
One of Ha Seongjun's Trusted Aides
"Good."
As Seongjun stepped into the club with his subordinates, the thundering music and the crowd's wild cheers slammed into his eardrums.
"Quite the spectacle. It really lives up to its name as Gangnam's top club."
When Seongjun muttered the words, Kanghun replied.
"If a club like this opened inside our hotel, the profits would be pretty sweet, wouldn't they?"
"They would. As long as the entry fees come in properly."
A short while later, a large, obese man with a half-shaved head and a menacing face approached them and spoke.
"Are you Representative Ha Seongjun?"
"I am."
"The director is waiting for you."
The man guided Seongjun and his subordinates to a room. Two guards stood watch at the door. When Seongjun and his men tried to enter together, one of the guards blocked their path.
"The director's orders were for the representative to enter alone."
"How strict..." Seongjun muttered.
He turned to Kanghun, his trusted subordinate standing beside him.
"Kanghun, take the boys and wait in another room."
"Understood, Representative."
Once Kanghun had led the group away, Seongjun glanced at the large man, who politely opened the door.
Inside the room, Lee Seunghun sat on a sofa. He was locked in a deep kiss with a woman beside him—long black hair, wearing hot pants and a white crop top.
That damn bastard... A guest arrives and he doesn't even bat an eye, just keeps up his perverted games.
Watching the intense display of affection, Seongjun stared at Seunghun with clear displeasure, as though waiting to see exactly how long the act would continue.
While still engaged with the woman, Seunghun's eyes shifted. The moment he spotted Seongjun, he abruptly ended the kiss and waved his left hand in greeting.
"Well, if it isn't Representative Ha. You've arrived?"
Seongjun gave a light nod and took a seat on the sofa to Seunghun's left. Seunghun asked him.
"Shall I call another girl over?"
"Later. We have matters to discuss first, don't we?"
"Ah, of course. Mina."
The woman, who had been buttoning her hot pants and pulling up the zipper, tilted her head with half-lidded eyes. Seunghun offered her a gentle smile, his own gaze hazy as if intoxicated, and spoke in a soft, coaxing tone.
"Could my pretty one step outside for a bit? This is important business."
"Okayyy... Let's finish later..."
The woman named Mina rose from the sofa, walked past the empty seat to Seunghun's right, opened the door, and left the room.
The moment the door closed behind her, Seunghun turned to Seongjun.
"Anyway, about the meth I ordered a month ago. I requested a refund over the delivery delay quite some time ago... When exactly will the deposit be made?"
"It's currently being processed, so it will take some time. Please understand."
Seunghun's expression stiffened as he glared.
"You're not skimming off the top, are you?"
Seongjun's face hardened dangerously. Seunghun grinned.
"Just kidding. If I thought you'd do something like that, Representative Ha, I never would have gone into business with you."
Seunghun poured liquor into the empty glass in front of Seongjun. While Seongjun took out his phone and sent a text, Seunghun continued.
"By the way, I hear you're building another hotel in the XX district soon?"
"Yes. Plans include a high-end restaurant, casino, club, and more."
"From what I understand, contracts for the restaurant and casino are already signed, but the club is still pending."
Seunghun set the bottle on the table. Seongjun took a sip from the glass that had been poured for him.
"That's why I'm here to discuss opening a Burning Island branch inside the Crown Hotel."
Seunghun smiled brightly.
"That would be excellent. However, there is one condition..."
"A condition?"
"I'd like the entry fee reduced. Just for the next two years or so."
Seongjun's face twisted slightly in displeasure at the demand, but he smoothed his expression, willing to hear the man out.
"How much of a discount are you looking for?"
"The usual entry fee is around fifteen percent of profits, so how about half that—seven percent?"
"Seven percent... You must be in quite a bind."
When Seongjun replied with a sarcastic edge, Seunghun laughed and countered.
"The order I placed about a month ago never arrived properly. I lost two hundred billion because of it. I was hoping you'd show some understanding."
This bastard has so much money that two hundred billion is basically pocket change...
At the barbed reply, Seongjun stared at him with a rigid expression, then stood up.
"I'll consider it and get back to you."
Seunghun answered with the relaxed air of someone who had nothing to lose.
"Of course. Take your time and contact me when you've decided."
Seongjun left the room. The moment the door closed behind him, Seunghun poured liquor into his own glass and took a sip.
"What a damn stickler."
Muttering to himself, he pulled out his phone and began scrolling through an album of women's photos. Among them was a picture of Lee Suyeon.
Gazing at Suyeon's photo with lecherous eyes, he muttered with clear regret.
"Sigh... This young one looks far more appetizing than that bitch from earlier... If only those broker bastards had delivered her properly, by now..."
As he continued staring at the photo and imagining Suyeon clinging to him seductively, a lecherous smile spread across his face—one that made his public image as Victory from the broadcasts seem laughable. He took out his phone and dialed a number.
"Yeah, it's me. That girl the Mansung High brokers missed last time. Didn't you say she attends Mansung High too?"
While Seunghun spoke on the phone, Seongjun—having left the room—walked through the club, slowly surveying the surroundings.
On the floor below, young men and women danced pressed close together or sat at tables drinking whiskey and cocktails.
Watching the crowd enjoy their drinking and revelry, Seongjun thought.
Burning Island... Even if we let it open and only take an average commission, it would still be an excellent revenue source. But if the real power behind it—that bastard Lee Seunghun—behaves like this, it's going to be trouble. Our margins are already scraping the bottom as it is...
As Seongjun moved toward a quieter area while taking in the club's atmosphere, someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to look.
The man wore a gray suit. He had black wolf-cut hair, sharp eyes, and a sleek jawline, appearing to be in his late twenties.
"Representative Ha Seongjun?"
"Yes. Who are you?"
The man smiled and introduced himself in fluent Korean.
"I'm Ryu Baikhan of Jawolbang. Could you spare me a moment?"
Jawolbang was one of Taiwan's major triads, alongside Honglyeonbang—which maintained close ties with Burning Island—and currently stood in direct rivalry with them.
If it's Jawolbang, they're the ones hostile to Honglyeonbang... What could they want?
Already in a foul mood from the unproductive talk with Seunghun, Seongjun responded to Ryu Baikhan with a hint of irritation.
"And if I don't have time?"
As if reading his mind, Ryu Baikhan replied.
"The club scheduled to open in the Crown Hotel. Isn't that the issue giving you trouble right now?"
Hearing those words, Seongjun frowned in displeasure at the possibility that this man had been watching them, and glared. Ryu Baikhan met the look with a relaxed smile.
"Let's discuss the details in the room I've reserved."
Seongjun and Ryu Baikhan entered the private room, which had been set with various whiskeys and appetizers. Ryu Baikhan poured Buffalo Trace whiskey into the glasses.
"So, what's the main point?" Seongjun asked as he sat.
"Currently, Jawolbang maintains business partnerships with several clubs in Korea, much like our relationships with Honglyeonbang and Burning Island. Among them, I can help arrange for Hedoness Palace to open inside the Crown Hotel."
"But there will be a price for that help. What exactly do you expect us to do?"
"A large-scale war between Jawolbang and Honglyeonbang is set to erupt soon. During that time, the Gangryonghoe should cooperate with our people in Korea to attack Honglyeonbang's business holdings."
"You help Hedoness Palace open in the Crown Hotel, and in return we strike Honglyeonbang's operations in Korea while the war rages?"
"Precisely. I understand that when Honglyeonbang first entered Korea, they promised the Gangryonghoe a share of their business profits as compensation. Yet now they're refusing to pay and acting as if we should cut them open if we dare."
"The Honglyeonbang bastards have grown arrogant. They've built their own networks while getting cozy with the Burning Island crew."
Ryu Baikhan took a sip of whiskey. Seongjun changed the subject.
"Your Korean is remarkably fluent, by the way."
At the comment, Ryu Baikhan's expression hardened, a complex mix of emotions crossing his face.
"......With K-pop and K-dramas trending worldwide these days, Korean content has become quite popular globally. I took an interest and taught myself."
Suddenly, Ryu Baikhan downed the rest of his whiskey in one go. Seongjun refilled the empty glass and spoke.
"I'll consider the proposal in a positive light. However, this isn't something I can decide alone, so I'll discuss it with our boss and contact you afterward."
Ryu Baikhan smiled at him, lifted his refilled glass, and extended it slightly in a gesture of toast.
"Let's do that."
Seongjun and Ryu Baikhan lightly clinked their glasses. The crisp sound rang clearly through the room.