The Morning After and the Suwon Dispatch
The room wasn't that dark, perhaps because it was the early dawn just before morning. Lee Jeonghan, who had been lying in bed, slowly stirred awake.
“Ugh… My head…”
The hangover headache made Jeonghan open his eyes with a deeply furrowed brow. He casually rolled over onto his side. But Yukiko, who had been lying right beside him only moments ago, was gone.
Huh…? What? Where did Yukiko go…?
Jeonghan blinked in confusion before sitting up. The sound of clattering came from beyond the closed door, so he left the bedroom.
“Huh? Yukiko…?”
“Oh, you’re awake? Sorry. Was I being too loud?”
“It wasn’t the noise. What are you doing over there?”
Jeonghan stared blankly at Yukiko, who was holding a cup. She answered while opening the refrigerator door.
“I got thirsty, so I came out for some water.”
“Ah… So that’s why you got up.”
“Why? Were you surprised when you woke up and I wasn’t next to you?”
“Not exactly surprised… I just wondered where you went.”
Yukiko took a sip from her cup and gazed at Jeonghan.
“Are you okay, Mr. Jeonghan? You drank quite a lot earlier.”
“Huh? My head was hurting a little until just now, but I’m fine.”
Suddenly Yukiko frowned and set her cup on the table.
“What’s wrong? Are you in pain?”
“It’s just… Never mind. We went pretty hard last night, so my back is killing me.”
“Does it hurt that badly? Want me to give you a massage…?”
Yukiko stayed silent, still frowning. Her expression seemed far more pained than simple soreness from sex should cause. But after a moment she steadied her breathing and forced a smile toward Jeonghan, as if nothing were wrong.
“It’s fine. It’s better now. Don’t worry about it.”
She took the visibly concerned Jeonghan by the hand and led him back into the bedroom.
A few days later, Monday arrived.
Park Jaehyuk entered the office after arriving for work.
On the surface it looks like any ordinary company. In reality it’s a massive criminal syndicate.
The scene before him could have belonged to any normal business. The employees looked ordinary, and the work they did seemed no different from standard hotel industry tasks.
“Assistant Manager Park Jaehyuk. Director Kim Kangshin wants to see you.”
A female employee called out to him. Jaehyuk followed her, and she guided him down to the basement.
Underneath the hotel, Gangryonghoe’s criminal operations were in full swing. The atmosphere carried the expected sinister edge associated with gangsters. Not only the Crown Hotel but their other businesses operated their true illegal enterprises underground as well.
The full members who participate in Gangryonghoe’s real business periodically meet with team leaders, directors, or executives as cover while conducting criminal work. Everyone else just pretends to do normal jobs.
Drawing on memories from his previous life, Jaehyuk followed the employee through the basement corridors. Soon she knocked on a particular door.
“Director Kim. I’ve brought Assistant Manager Park Jaehyuk.”
“Come in.”
When the door opened, Kim Kangshin was seated on a single sofa waiting for him. To Kangshin’s left sat Woo Sanggyu and Pi Jincheol. Kangshin gestured toward the empty sofa on his right.
“Assistant Manager Park, sit here. Deputy Song, you can leave and handle your other duties.”
“Yes, Director.”
Once Deputy Song had left and closed the door, Kangshin looked at the three men.
“It’s already been a little over two months since you three joined. How have you been settling in?”
His gaze as he asked carried an implicit warning that the wrong answer would have unpleasant consequences. Sensing the mood, Jaehyuk, Jincheol, and Sanggyu gave safe replies.
“It’s good.”
“Manageable.”
“It’s manageable for me too.”
Admitting you couldn’t handle it or voicing complaints here invited repercussions. Not only would the person be given grueling tasks to torment them, but their associates would be targeted as well. Since this was a colossal criminal syndicate rather than a legitimate company, such tactics were hardly surprising.
Jaehyuk had personally witnessed the fate of someone who announced they wanted to leave the organization.
Give the wrong answer in an atmosphere like this and the outcome is obvious.
“Anyway, I called you here to assign your departments.”
Kangshin handed each of them a sheet of paper. The three scanned the contents.
Crown Hotel Security Team…
While reading, Jaehyuk asked, “Won’t we be doing field work? Managing the house, drugs, Tongnamu—that sort of thing?”
“The security team doesn’t just stand guard. They handle everything related to security—including the tasks you just mentioned.”
Jincheol, still looking over the paper, followed up. “Does ‘everything related to security’ include drugs, Tongnamu, and house management?”
“Obviously. Distinguishing real product from fakes so customers receive only the highest quality is security. Monitoring to ensure no one skims Tongnamu or Almaengi is security. Patrolling the house for suspicious behavior is security too.”
“More work than I expected.”
“Right? That’s why the security team is both important and offers a wide range of experience.”
Kangshin continued, “Starting the day after tomorrow, the three of you will be dispatched to the Suwon branch to assist Manager Seo Myungwoo. They’re short on manpower for managing the businesses there.”
Seo Myungwoo… Looks like we’re meeting again.
To infiltrate Gangryonghoe, Jaehyuk had deliberately caused a scene at the illegal gambling den in Seo Myungwoo’s territory. His original plan had been to lose to him on purpose, catch his eye, and enter under his wing. But when Ha Seongjun—third in the syndicate’s hierarchy—suddenly appeared, Jaehyuk had used his full ability to overwhelm and defeat Seo Myungwoo in order to impress the superior.
Jaehyuk scanned the paper once more. “It says here we’ll return to Seoul after two months. Is that correct?”
“Yes. You’ll work in Suwon for two months and then return. It might run longer than scheduled, but when you come back all three of you will be promoted to deputy manager.”
“Understood.”
“Then go handle your remaining tasks.”
The three stood and left Kangshin’s office. Once outside, Jincheol suddenly asked Jaehyuk, “So why the hell did you pick a fight with Manager Seo Myungwoo in Suwon?”
“It’s kind of a long story…”
“Long is fine. Let’s hear it.”
“I went to the house to play poker, got scammed, and beat the boss. Turns out that boss worked for Manager Seo Myungwoo.”
“Then you went one-on-one with Manager Seo Myungwoo?”
“Yeah. After I took him down I fought the boss. Got my ass handed to me pretty spectacularly.”
Sanggyu, who had been listening quietly, asked with clear concern, “Will that be okay? You crushed Manager Seo Myungwoo’s pride like that… You think he’s going to look at you favorably now?”
“I’m not sure. That part does worry me a little.”
Despite his words, Jaehyuk wasn’t actually concerned.
Ha Seongjun’s direct subordinates like Im Gamhun or Seo Myungwoo don’t usually hold grudges against people Ha Seongjun has personally acknowledged. It should be fine.
The Crown Hotel executives were fiercely loyal to Ha Seongjun and would follow his word without question. Therefore Jaehyuk was confident that Seo Myungwoo, who served Seongjun, wouldn’t mistreat someone Seongjun had approved.
The lack of manners might still be an issue… But he seems like a straightforward guy. If I show proper respect and play along, he should warm up quickly.
Just then someone spotted Jaehyuk and called out.
“Assistant Manager Park. Take Assistant Manager Pi and Assistant Manager Woo with you to Room 3 and help transport some goods.”
“Understood.”
“Make sure you wear a gas mask before entering. If you go in without one you’ll end up a junkie.”
“Yes.”
So they’re moving drugs.
The three headed for the room. While carrying out various minor tasks in the basement, Jaehyuk secretly gathered information on every criminal operation running inside the Crown Hotel.
That night, back at the villa where Jaehyuk was staying, he had collected every piece of information he had written down and was organizing it on his laptop. Everything he had heard or seen from his past life until now—plus the additional data received from informant Jeong Seunggyu. He was compiling everything that could tighten the noose around the cartel connected to Gangryonghoe.
Jaehyuk’s fingers flew across the keyboard. The laptop screen filled with photographs and dense lines of text.
It would be better if I had solid physical evidence to back all this up… Without it, any premature move could easily backfire. That’s why I haven’t released any of it yet.
He scrolled through the file listing individuals connected to Cha Jinyong: SJ Group Chairman Choi Daehun, Hanmin Ilbo editor-in-chief Lee Kanghyun, Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office Chief Prosecutor Jang Seungtae, and the leader of the pseudo-religious cult Gwangsaenggyo, Cheon Manhyeong. Every name belonged to a giant with immense influence over South Korean society.
The person most deeply tied to all of them was Gangryonghoe’s second-in-command, Choi Kyungsoo.
The evidence proving collusion between these powerful figures and criminal organizations like Gangryonghoe is most likely in Choi Kyungsoo’s hands…
But Jaehyuk still lacked the strength to confront Choi Kyungsoo alone. The man’s personal network, power, and wealth. The special forces veterans under him, including Ju Taeyeol and Kang Taehyun. And the enormous criminal syndicate called Gangryonghoe itself. The only silver lining was that Choi Kyungsoo’s relationship with the boss, Kang Jiyong, was far from ideal.
This is probably around the time their relationship starts to sour. If I can use that…
Jaehyuk glared at the photograph of Choi Kyungsoo on the screen.
I will destroy Choi Kyungsoo.
"Hello?"
"Are you very busy right now?"
"No. I’ve gotten off work. What’s the matter?"
"I have information for you, so come to the Yes Club like before."
"What kind of information?"
"For now, I’ll just say it concerns Gangryonghoe."
"Can’t you send it by email?"
"Online is too easy to trace. Offline is safer. Anyway, be at the club by nine."
Jaehyuk slipped the phone into his pocket and immediately left the villa.
At the Yes Club, Jaehyuk ran into Sebin as soon as he stepped inside. The blonde woman was drinking a cocktail. She wore a short-sleeved crop top, bright long jeans, and white sneakers. Recognizing him, she asked in a low voice.
“You came to see the pigeon, right?”
“Yes.”
Sebin stood and began walking. Jaehyuk followed. She led him to the same spot where he had previously met Jeong Seunggyu.
Seunggyu still had the same red hair, but this time he wore a turquoise short-sleeved shirt that openly displayed irezumi tattoos of Hannya on both arms. Baggy jeans and black work boots completed the look. He sat on the sofa with one leg crossed.
The atmosphere he gave off was completely different from before.
Unlike the first time I saw him, he reeks of yakuza now. Looks like one of the han-gure I saw in Japan in my past life.
Seunggyu waved at Jaehyuk and asked casually, “Been well?”
“What information are you giving me?”
Seunggyu pointed with his left index finger at the manila envelope on the table beside a glass of liquor.
“Information on Choi Kyungsoo, second-in-command of Gangryonghoe.”
Perfect timing.
Jaehyuk had just been thinking about taking Choi Kyungsoo down first. This information was exactly what he needed.
“I prepared it because I thought it would be necessary for your future moves.”
“Thank you.”
Jaehyuk sat on the sofa and expressed his gratitude. Seunggyu’s expression grew serious.
“As you know, Choi Kyungsoo is the one who killed your uncle.”
“I’m aware.”
“Even so, don’t act too hastily or let your emotions take over.”
Seunggyu picked up the glass, took a sip, and continued.
“They say revenge is a dish best served cold.”
Jaehyuk picked up the envelope and carefully read through the documents inside.
Just as I expected. The relationship between Choi Kyungsoo and Kang Jiyong is starting to deteriorate.
“Choi Kyungsoo’s relationship with Kang Jiyong isn’t good right now. If you use that opening skillfully while Kang Jiyong still holds influence, you should be able to land a solid blow.”
“Then we’ll need a trigger that makes their rift irreparable.”
“Exactly. The problem is I don’t know how to create that trigger.”
Seunggyu frowned slightly, deep in thought. At that moment Jaehyuk’s eyes lit up.
“I actually have a plan. Would you like to hear it?”
“A plan?”
At Seunggyu’s question, Jaehyuk looked at him with eyes brimming with confidence that his scheme would succeed.