A Badly Timed Reunion
The killers were chatting among themselves on the way back after assassinating Junyoung. In the middle of their idle conversation, Minsu turned to Jeonghan.
“Jeonghan, was that your first time killing someone?”
“...No, it wasn’t.”
Having carried out top-secret missions during his time in the Special Forces, Jeonghan was no stranger to murder. But there was a world of difference between killing terrorists who threatened national security as a soldier and murdering civilians who didn’t need to die, simply because someone had paid for it.
“How much was the payout, though?” Minsu asked from the passenger seat. Juseong, who was driving, answered.
“Three hundred and seventy million won. The client had saved up quite a bit.”
Then Chaeyoon flashed Jeonghan a bright smile and asked, “Rookie, is there anything you don’t know about this line of work? Feel free to ask me anything.”
“Hey, Shin Chaeyoon. Your intentions are showing. You trying to hit on Jeonghan because he’s handsome?”
“Kyung Minsu, shut your damn mouth before I rip it off. You’re interpreting a senior’s kindness toward the new guy like that? Rookie, don’t learn from that kind of filthy distortion.”
“Jeonghan, you better watch out for her. She acts all friendly like this, then later drags you to a motel and exploits you.”
“Exploiting me would be an industry reward, wouldn’t it? I bet the rookie would enjoy it too.”
“Industry reward my ass… By the way, Jeonghan, do you have a girlfriend?”
Even though they had just killed a man, their behavior was no different from office workers who had finished a simple task and were now excitedly heading out for drinks. To them, murder was just work. Not something they were forced to do to protect anything, but something they chose to do voluntarily to make money.
Jeonghan knew he had to get used to this kind of life now. From now on, he would have to kill civilians who might be innocent, simply because someone had paid him to do it.
“I don’t have one yet.”
“Really? That’s perfect. Want to go on a date with noona this weekend? Hm?”
Chaeyoon scooted closer to Jeonghan. Minsu clicked his tongue and said, “Look at her getting all excited because a handsome single guy showed up.”
The car carrying the killers—except for the silent Jeonghan—sped down the road as they chatted excitedly among themselves.
The next day, Jaehyuk entered the Crown Hotel Suwon Branch and called Seo Myungwoo.
“Hello?”
“I’m here. Where should I go?”
“Tell the security guard you’re here to see the manager. I’ll let them know in advance.”
Myungwoo hung up. When Jaehyuk approached the security guard, the man asked, “What brings you here?”
“I’m here to see the manager.”
The guard picked up the phone and dialed somewhere. “Manager, someone is here to see you… Ah, understood. I’ll send him right up.”
He put the receiver down and told Jaehyuk, “The manager’s office is on the top floor.”
Jaehyuk took the elevator to the top floor, walked to the door labeled Manager’s Office, and knocked.
“Come in.”
When Jaehyuk opened the door, he saw Seo Myungwoo and Ha Seongjun. Seongjun looked at him and gave a crooked grin.
He was already here?
“You here for the interview?”
“I’m just here to keep my promise.”
“Then why didn’t you keep it right there on the spot? Why did it take you three or four days to finally show up?”
“You think it’s easy to swallow my pride and come here like this?”
Seongjun let out a short laugh and stood up from his seat. “Well, swallowing pride isn’t easy for people like us. Anyway, I’m glad you came.”
“Whatever. Is it true you’ll give me one hundred and twenty million won a month?”
At that, Myungwoo, who had been listening quietly, exploded in anger. “Ha, wait a second. This son of a bitch—after I let him get away with it, he’s thrown all manners into a black hole. I told you to use polite speech since yesterday…!!”
“Leave him be. It feels like we’re doing the hyung-dongsaeng thing, and it’s not that bad.”
“But sir…”
“It’s fine, you idiot. So just stay quiet. Don’t go reaching for the tools for no reason.”
Myungwoo’s desk drawer was open, and his hand had been just about to grab the Tokarev TT-33 pistol inside it.
“Anyway, we’ll handle the detailed discussion and employment contract in Seoul.”
“I won’t be working here?”
“If you’re coming under me, you have to go to Seoul. That’s where my office is. Follow me.”
Jaehyuk followed Seongjun out of the manager’s office. A short while later, the Mercedes carrying Jaehyuk and Seongjun was heading toward Seoul.
“Wait, we haven’t even introduced ourselves properly. What’s your name?”
“Park Jaehyuk.”
“I’m Ha Seongjun. I’m the representative of Crown Hotel.”
“As the representative, do you oversee the entire hotel?”
“That’s right. Starting today, you’ll be working as a chief at the hotel headquarters. But you’ll get promoted quickly. You’ll probably be a senior manager in about three months. Shall we exchange numbers first?”
After they swapped phone numbers, Seongjun asked Jaehyuk, “By the way, how old are you?”
“Twenty-six.”
“Hmm… We’re twelve years apart? I’m thirty-eight. I don’t look it, do I?”
“You look exactly that age.”
“Sigh… Do people often tell you that you lack social skills?”
“I’m just saying you look exactly your age. What am I supposed to do about it?”
“Even if it’s a lie, you should say I don’t look it and that I look young. I’m only telling you this because it’s me. Other bastards, if they don’t like someone, they’ll chop them up and pour concrete over them or throw them alive to the dogs. You should be grateful you were chosen by this merciful hyung-nim.”
He’s more like an uncle than a hyung… But among the high-ranking executives of Gangryonghoe, Ha Seongjun does have the best personality. The rest were all flawed in character, just like typical gangsters.
Thinking that, Jaehyuk recalled the other executives.
Choi Kyungsoo, the representative of Crown Capital, who acted arrogantly because of his prestigious university economics degree and subtly abused lower-ranking employees.
Lee Dongmin, the representative of Crown Construction, who would kill even close subordinates or colleagues without hesitation if money was involved, except for the founding members of Gangryonghoe.
Cha Junkyung, the representative of Crown Mu-yeok, who killed anyone who slightly displeased him with cruelty rivaling South American cartels.
Seo Taeyang, the representative of Crown Entertainment, who ran a murder-for-hire business and used specific targets in various pornographic films before brutally killing them.
Compared to those pieces of human garbage, Ha Seongjun is practically a gentleman. He treats his subordinates kindly regardless of rank, doesn’t enjoy causing unnecessary pain to others, doesn’t kill people on a whim, and isn’t obsessed with money like Lee Dongmin.
Then Jaehyuk suddenly recalled a memory from his previous life and felt a question rise.
Wait… When Jihun got addicted to drugs, Kang Jiyong tried to name Ha Seongjun as his successor. But Seongjun firmly refused and disappeared. Even though most of the executives supported making him the next boss. Why…?
At the time, the ailing Jiyong had tried to pass the boss position to Seongjun. But Seongjun had stubbornly rejected the repeated offers and vanished. In the end, Kang Jiyong had his power stolen by Choi Kyungsoo and the other executives, becoming a hollow number-one in name only, spending his final years pathetically in a hospital bed.
Recalling that memory from his past life, Jaehyuk asked Seongjun, “What’s your rank in Gangryonghoe?”
“Me? Hmm… Officially, I’m ranked third.”
“That’s pretty high. So, are you interested in the boss position?”
At those words, Seongjun’s previously smiling face gradually hardened. He stayed silent for a moment before changing the subject.
“...Chief Jo. Forget the headquarters. Let’s head to the department store instead.”
“What? Why aren’t you answering?”
“The department store? What business do you have there?”
“I personally scouted this new guy. Shouldn’t I at least buy him a stylish suit and a watch? Let’s go.”
“Hey? Can you answer my question?”
Seongjun looked at Jaehyuk and replied, “I’ll answer later when I have time. For now, go to the department store and pick out whatever you want.”
Inside the department store, Jaehyuk was choosing a suit.
I didn’t expect this kind of lavish treatment… Come to think of it, when I joined the organization, Seo Myungwoo also treated me to high-end Japanese food, sake, and tuna sashimi. Do the hotel guys always treat new recruits this generously?
Jaehyuk eventually picked out a suit. The one he chose cost over a million won.
“Hmm… It looks good on you. Do you like it?”
“...I like it.”
“Okay. I’ll pay for it right away.”
He’s already spent four million won. If he buys a watch on top of that…
Thinking that, Jaehyuk carefully asked Seongjun, “Um… Aren’t you spending too much money…?”
“This is the minimum treatment someone with talent deserves. Especially since I personally scouted you. I believe this is the proper courtesy you should receive. By the way, is that all the suits you’re getting?”
“Uh… Yes…”
“Okay. Then let’s go look at watches. Do you have any preferred brands?”
At that moment, a familiar woman’s voice reached Jaehyuk’s ears.
“Huh? Jaehyuk?”
Jaehyuk turned his head toward the voice. There stood Alina, the woman he had met in New York two years ago and had been in contact with until about a month ago, staring at him blankly.
Alina?? Why is she here?
“What are you doing here?”
“Uh… Well…”
Jaehyuk had not expected to run into her here. He had heard she might come to Korea soon, but he never imagined they would meet like this.
Shit. If the conversation goes wrong here…!!
Jaehyuk had already told Alina that he was a police officer. Although he had been officially dismissed from the force as a precaution, if Alina mentioned that he used to be a cop, Seongjun would suspect him even if he claimed to have been fired. That could cause massive problems for his future operations.
How should I explain this? How can I get through this without mentioning anything about the police? What the hell do I do…?!
“Hm? Someone you know?”
“Ah… She’s… a female friend.”
“A female friend?”
Alina politely greeted Seongjun. “Hello. I’m Alina Kim, a… friend of Park Jaehyuk.”
“I’m Jaehyuk’s boss at work. I had no idea he had such a beautiful friend.”
“Thank you.”
“Your name is Alina, so I assume you’re a foreign national?”
“Yes. I’m an American citizen.”
“Ah… So you’re American. But your Korean is excellent. You sound like a native speaker.”
Seongjun looked back and forth between Jaehyuk and Alina before speaking to Jaehyuk. “Why don’t you catch up with your friend? It might be uncomfortable if I’m around, so I’ll go look around somewhere else. Call me when you’re done talking.”
“Uh…? Okay.”
Then Seongjun whispered to Jaehyuk, “Good luck. I’m expecting good news.”
With that, Seongjun walked away with Chief Jo Kangseong. Jaehyuk stared blankly at their retreating backs.
What the…? What is this…? It’s a relief, but…
“Have you been well, Jaehyuk?”
Alina was smiling brightly at him—the same lovely smile she had shown him in New York two years ago.
“Uh… Yeah, I’ve been well. As you can see…”
“That’s good to hear. Let’s continue our conversation at a nearby café.”
At a Starbucks café near the department store, Alina was drinking coffee with Jaehyuk.
“Are you in Korea for travel?”
“Yes, I came for travel. And…”
She trailed off, her face turning red, unable to finish the sentence. Inside, she thought, And to see you, Jaehyuk.
In truth, she was touring her father’s business branches around the world to properly inherit his company. Korea was her first destination.
“Jaehyuk, have you been very busy? Why haven’t you answered my calls for over a month? I was so worried something had happened to you…”
When Alina asked with a worried expression, Jaehyuk felt his heart weaken without realizing it and apologized to her.
“Ah… I’m sorry for not answering. I’ve been really busy. So busy that I probably won’t even have time to meet and talk like this in the future.”
“What exactly are you doing?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
“...I understand. I won’t ask anymore.”
Then Alina continued, “I plan to stay in Korea for about five years.”
“Five years? Why so long…?”
“I can’t tell you that either.”
Looking slightly pouty, Alina took a sip of her iced caramel macchiato.
“Anyway, since I’ll be in Korea for a long time, feel free to contact me anytime you want.”
“...Alina. Like I told you before, I’m going to be very busy from now on. I won’t be able to meet or contact you. So I’d appreciate it if you stopped reaching out.”
With that, Jaehyuk hurriedly left the café. Alina stared after him with a bitter expression, took another sip of her coffee, and muttered in Russian, “[Idiot.]”
“”
At that moment, her chief bodyguard, Robert Han, sat down across from her and spoke in English.
“”
“”
“”
Alina already knew that Jaehyuk had been dismissed from the police for accepting bribes.
“”
“”
Robert listened quietly to her words.
“”
“”
“”
“<...Well, you’re not wrong. Most of what I saw the CIA guys do was exactly like that…>”
After a brief silence while sipping her coffee, Alina finished her drink and said to Robert, “”
“”
She took out her phone and said, “”
With those words, Alina dialed someone’s number.