Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Chief Jo—no, Manager Jung… there’s someone trying to harm Se-eun. Please protect her.
Jung Jin-woo stared at the message from Do Ye-rip for a long moment without saying a word.
What nonsense was this?
His blood boiled.
If this message had come from anyone else, he would have immediately called them to unleash his anger.
But since it came from Do Ye-rip, it was clear it was sent out of genuine concern after much thought—for Jung Jin-woo and Oh Se-eun.
[Thanks, Ye-rip! I’ll take your advice.]
He replied, feeling as if his blood was simmering.
What Se-eun meant to him?
He would rather die than see harm come to her.
“These bastards have no fear.”
“Calm down, Chairman.”
“How do you expect me to calm down?”
Hearing the situation, Ko Yun-seok smirked at Jung Jin-woo.
“Leave this matter to me.”
“And what exactly will you do?”
“It’s time for another lesson for the gangsters. Their heads are thick; every ten years, they need to be reminded who their master is.”
“A lesson for gangsters?”
Jung Jin-woo blinked. Educating gangsters—what did that even mean?
“Before your father started his business in Korea, he educated the gangsters first. Some of those materials are still around, so it’s time for another lesson. Anything with low intelligence needs repetition; otherwise, they forget quickly.”
“How can you educate gangsters?”
Gangsters are violent, lawless groups. How could anyone educate them?
“It’s not that difficult. Last time, we laid a solid foundation. But I will take ‘Shadow’ with me. Is that alright?”
“That’s easy enough, but… can’t I go too?”
Ko Yun-seok shook his head.
“It’s better if the Chairman remains unexposed. Let me handle this alone.”
Jung Jin-woo was curious how gangsters were educated, and he wanted to see who Shadow was.
Still, if Ko Yun-seok opposed it, it was best to stay out.
“Very well. Then…”
With Jin-woo’s permission, Ko Yun-seok straightened his lean frame.
“Time to taste some blood again.”
A smile spread across Ko Yun-seok’s face, revealing his canines.
The wealthy, ordinary middle-aged gentleman façade was gone. In an instant, he looked like a ruthless predator, his eyes flashing with cruelty.
[So, you received it too?]
“Yeah… it came to me too.”
[What should we do? Feels like a bloodstorm is coming…]
“Just tell it like it is.”
[Unbelievable… ten years of silence, and now suddenly they want us to gather?]
“Are you on drugs or something?”
[If I weren’t, would I be scared like this? Since they’re all going, we’re going too. You’re doing it too.]
“Just be honest and confess.”
[Will they forgive me then?]
“Hiding won’t help. If you resist, you’ll end up like the Gwangtae faction—scalped, maimed, or worse.”
[Where can we run? Nowhere to go.]
“Don’t talk nonsense. Chang-jae is still missing.”
[Maybe we should all just fight together…]
“Shh!”
Wi Jeong-bong covered the phone and looked around nervously.
Even the idea of it sounded terrifying.
“Don’t think about that. Do as you’re told, and your family will survive.”
[O-okay… you be careful too.]
His voice trembled, but the warning seemed understood.
“Yeah, you keep safe too. Stay put. Go in.”
[U-uh.]
Won Ki-taek, the fist of the Mokpo Sagori faction, was thoroughly scared.
Everyone might think about fleeing, if they could. But even if they ran, it wouldn’t help. With severed ankle and knee ligaments, they’d suffer for life. Modern medicine could repair them, but pain would return whenever it rained.
A single act of defiance would…
“Phew…”
Wi Jeong-bong sighed, recalling those who had vanished without a trace.
It wasn’t important whether they had been buried or cut into pieces. What mattered was that anyone daring to disobey or challenge would meet the same fate.
[Wuuuuuu… Wuuuuuuu.]
A call came—Ma Cheon-deuk, holding the Gyeongsang region.
“Hey, Ma boss!”
[Boss! Did you get it too?]
“Yeah, I got it.”
[What should we do?]
“Do as you’re told.”
[A gangster’s pride is important, right? Coming or going only when told—that’s for lackeys.]
“Ma boss… don’t think about anything else. Big trouble will come if you do.”
Ten years ago, Ma Cheon-deuk was a mid-level officer during the massacre, so he might not know the full story.
[gulp!]
He swallowed dryly. If Ma Cheon-deuk caused trouble, blood would spill again.
“Have I ever told you to do as you like?”
[Nope. Boss, you’re a gangster of gangsters, never follow the easy path.]
“Glad you understand… Listen, do nothing foolish. That person isn’t someone to mess with—they might be stronger than even the President.”
[Good joke, boss.]
“No joke. Listen… if you act up, big trouble.”
[…….]
“Remember, you and I! We are the true fists that unite Yeongnam and Honam. I say this because I care.”
[If you say it like that… tsk… boss! When you visit, I’ll treat you properly. But… what about Boss Kim Doo-chil?]
Kim Doo-chil, a nationally known gangster. Ten years ago, one wrong word from him ruined an organization.
[Seems like Doo-chil’s side is connected to the Samhaphoe son and the Russian cartel. They’ve grown globally.]
“They might have grown, but they’re still just gangsters. Their level is different.”
[Understood, boss. I’ll come visit.]
[Click.]
Before Wi Jeong-bong could respond, Ma Cheon-deuk hung up. Even in the same country, cultural differences were clear.
If only Kim Doo-chil didn’t cause trouble, things could go smoothly. But like Ma Cheon-deuk said, he wouldn’t stay quiet. A reckless wild card, unable to distinguish friend from foe.
“This time, it must be quiet.”
Otherwise, people would vanish, and organizations crumble. Wrinkles formed on Wi Jeong-bong’s forehead.
“Th-this place…”
Bright light poured before him.
His hands were tied to the chair, unable to move.
“Kim… Doo… Chil…”
A middle-aged man’s voice came from the light. Familiar.
A nightmare-like voice he could never forget.
“What… what’s going on?”
He couldn’t remember. Only riding the elevator with four subordinates. The flickering lights, nothing more.
“I’ve watched you… you’ve done many things you shouldn’t… not listening, huh?”
“What do you mean? It’s a misunderstanding. Evidence?”
“……”
“Framing innocent people… nonsense…”
“Don’t mistake this for a court. If I say you’re dead, you’re dead.”
[Rustle, rustle]
Paper turned.
“Sadang-dong Odae Electronics CEO, abduction and assault… Incheon Wolmido, meth and fentanyl smuggling… 10 kilos, colluding with customs…”
[Shhhrrrr…]
Paper flipped continuously, each sheet recording Kim Doo-chil’s crimes.
“Kidnapping, murder, drug trafficking. Should we let you live?”
“Y-yes?”
“You begged for mercy before, and we gave it, but no change. Is running a nightclub so hard?”
“N-no… it’s not like that…”
He answered quickly, unable to speak further. Ten years ago, he had sat in this chair. Begged for mercy, gave a knee ligament, survived.
The same person. Behind him, even scarier forces.
“Please… just let me live. I swear I’ll… I’ll live quietly.”
“No use. You wasted the one chance. Nothing you say matters now. Sorry.”
Tears and snot mixed down Kim Doo-chil’s face.
A cold-blooded, merciless man, feared even by gangsters, had reduced Kim Doo-chil to sobbing and begging.