Karmic Retribution (5)
“Let’s go. It’ll be more comfortable than a taxi.”
Yun-seok climbed into the limousine that Tenor had called and headed to the hotel. As he’d said, it was indeed far more comfortable than a taxi. Even setting everything else aside, there was a soundproof partition between the seats and the driver’s compartment, ensuring their conversation couldn’t be overheard.
“Then, could I hear about the situation in Murim on the way?”
“Of course. A report was just compiled and sent to me in document form.”
It hadn’t even been twenty minutes yet, and they’d already prepared a full document? He kept noticing it, but their efficiency was truly remarkable.
“It might be easier to understand if you read along while I explain.”
After pulling up a concisely summarized report on the tablet, Tenor began his briefing as if they were in a corporate meeting. His style was completely different from Eshton’s, who mixed in side stories and jokes to keep things lighthearted, but this format had its own merits. He stuck strictly to the essential information, wasting no time.
“How’s that? Any questions?”
“No, I understand everything.”
It wasn’t complicated enough to require deep comprehension in the first place. Word of the Heavenly Demon Cave’s guardian sword had spread through Murim, drawing martial artists from all over and causing massive chaos. That was the gist of it.
Namgoong So-so must have returned to Murim because of this too…
Still, something felt off. And that was because the Sword Demon had said as much.
The Heavenly Demon’s return had nothing to do with this incident. She’d simply come back to meet someone. For the record, even the Sword Demon didn’t know who that person was.
Is that person involved somehow?
Yun-seok unconsciously rubbed his chin—an old habit that surfaced when he was deep in thought. Could this mysterious figure be a threat to the Heavenly Demon’s life? It was possible, but he couldn’t be sure.
Well, it’s something that happens in a month or two anyway. No signs of it yet.
With only the fragmented info from Elle, it was too early to piece together the causal chain of future events. In the end, Yun-seok admitted he couldn’t conclude anything for now.
But he didn’t feel impatient.
I haven’t even decided what to do yet, so no rush.
He’d forged a strange bond with the Heavenly Demon, but Yun-seok had no desire to get entangled in other dimensions’ affairs. So why was he gathering intel like this? Simple curiosity. He desperately wanted to know why he, of all people, had ended up in Murim.
Knowing the future isn’t always a good thing.
Soon, Yun-seok quietly gazed out the window. The car sped along, landscapes blurring past in a rush. Much like the unresolved thoughts swirling in his mind: the Heavenly Demon’s death, a precious opportunity, Elle’s desperate wish, and more.
“We’ve arrived.”
After another thirty minutes or so, they reached the hotel. Heading up to the suite with Tenor, he came face-to-face with the guy right away.
The punk sitting meekly amid the agents.
“Long time no see.”
Yun-seok greeted him first. Kang Hyung-woo, who’d been perched primly on the sofa, sweat pouring down his face in silence, finally turned his head.
But…
“W-who are you?”
Kang Hyung-woo didn’t recognize him. Not surprising. Yun-seok was ten centimeters taller now, and wearing a mask to boot.
A snicker escaped him. He’d never imagined Kang Hyung-woo could look this docile.
With a flick, Yun-seok removed his mask wordlessly. Only then did Kang Hyung-woo glimpse the face beneath.
No dramatics ensued. Shock flickered briefly in his eyes, followed by confusion. His thoughts were obvious.
He’s wondering why I’m here.
Kang Hyung-woo had been summoned to the Tower too, so he knew Yun-seok was a challenger. But that was it. He had no clue how strong Yun-seok had become or what kind of existence he’d turned into. If he did, he wouldn’t dare pull this stunt—he’d be cowering in fear.
“You look like you’ve got a ton of questions, but don’t bother. I’m not answering, and I didn’t bring you here for that.”
“Yun-seok… hold on, hear me out. There’s some misunderstanding—I can clear it all up. For real.”
Even his tone was already sniveling. It might’ve been a tired old script to anyone else, but to Yun-seok, it felt oddly fresh. Not just because it was Kang Hyung-woo. Most of the people Yun-seok had killed hadn’t begged like this. They’d spat curses and resentment instead.
Yun-seok quickly pinpointed the difference.
He still thinks he can survive this.
Even now, he believed he wouldn’t die here. That’s why he was watching his words, fretting over the aftermath. Utterly absurd, but…
He was a little curious what nonsense the guy would spew.
“Misunderstanding?”
No need for long speeches. Yun-seok gave him an opening, and Kang Hyung-woo pounced.
“Yeah, a misunderstanding! I don’t know what these guys told you, but it’s all wrong. I went to greet your parents after so long. Then some weirdos showed up, and I was just trying to help if they were in trouble. That’s it!”
Had he prepped this on the way here? It sounded plausible—if it weren’t coming from Kang Hyung-woo.
“Then what’s this text? Timestamp says you sent it ten minutes before coming to our house.”
Yun-seok pulled out his smartphone nonchalantly and showed the message from that morning.
Kang Hyung-woo’s legs began to tremble upon seeing it. Having endured him for so long, Yun-seok knew it was his tell for extreme anxiety.
“W-wait. I can explain everything.”
Honestly, it was impressive at this point. Still insisting on his innocence in this situation.
Yun-seok nodded silently, giving him ample time. But unable to scrape together a decent excuse, Kang Hyung-woo’s demeanor shifted soon enough.
“K-kidnapping! That’s what this is. Even challengers can’t just do this. Police! No, a lawyer… or let me call my dad!”
Clinging to his estranged father suggested he felt truly cornered. Or maybe he’d calculated that only Kang the chairman could bail him out now.
“Tenor, does Chairman Kang know who I am?”
“If you mean the head of JC Group, yes. He does.”
Tenor answered promptly, just as Yun-seok had expected. The moment Tower info went public, JC Group had jumped into related ventures like they’d been waiting. It’d be weirder if the boss didn’t know Yun-seok’s true identity.
“Can you connect me now?”
“I’ll have it set up in three minutes.”
True to his word, Tenor got the number without even asking Kang Hyung-woo and dialed. As the hold tone droned on, he asked Yun-seok’s preference.
“What should we do?”
“Tell him the situation.”
“Understood.”
The chairman picked up shortly after. Tenor identified himself first, then relayed events. The receiver wasn’t loud, but everyone present could hear clearly—no secrets here. Kang Hyung-woo included. He was a challenger too, after all, even if leagues below.
—So that bastard… tried to kill Manager Choi and his wife?
“Yes. We’ve taken him into custody.”
—…
Silence stretched from the other end. Sensing urgency, perhaps, Kang Hyung-woo suddenly bellowed loud enough for the whole room to hear.
“Dad! Dad! Help me! Don’t believe these guys—they’re all crazy!”
The agents glanced at Yun-seok, ready to gag him on a nod. But Yun-seok just shook his head quietly. Catching on, Tenor asked the chairman,
“If you’d like, we can let your son speak.”
—…He’s a son I’ve already disowned. No need.
Kang Hyung-woo’s shouts were unmistakable, yet the chairman refused. Effectively washing his hands of whatever they did next. But Yun-seok didn’t see it as noble justice. More like a businessman coldly excising rotten flesh after weighing the costs.
I’ve changed too.
The chairman hadn’t altered; Yun-seok’s worldview had. Since climbing the Tower, he’d wrestled endlessly with good and evil through countless trials. His perspective had broadened, turning more cynical than his naive days.
—If Yun-seok’s there, could I speak to him?
Yun-seok nodded, and Tenor handed over the phone.
“Long time no see.”
—…Yeah. Sorry about what that fool did. I apologize on his behalf.
“No need. We’re not related anyway, right?”
—Grateful you see it that way. Mind if I ask one thing? What do you plan to do with him?
The chairman broached his son’s fate cautiously. Yun-seok answered without hesitation.
“Kill him.”
Root and stem. Kang Hyung-woo wasn’t the type to repent. Let him go, and he’d just gather strength for revenge.
But…
—…
Had he never imagined Yun-seok would say that? Silence fell heavily on the line. When the voice returned, after an eerie quiet, the chairman didn’t plead for mercy.
He simply murmured,
—Now I know why you called me.
“Is that so?”
—You’ve truly become ruthless.
“The truly ruthless one was always him.”
—Please don’t tell Hye-in. She doesn’t know who you really are.
“…I won’t.”
Click. The call ended.
Yun-seok drew his Judgment Sword, eyeing Kang Hyung-woo. With it came the evil mark—and the karma he’d accrued in life.
Good:121
Evil:18,900
How selfish had he lived, harming others without a second thought? After scanning Seoul’s data all day, Yun-seok had never seen such a lopsided ratio.
Still…
“……”
Yun-seok let out a self-mocking laugh. It was ridiculous that everything Kang Hyung-woo had done to him amounted to so little… but even more ironic? It was barely one percent of his own evil score.
“You’re gonna kill me? Huh? Nah, you’re just trying to scare me, right?”
Yun-seok didn’t reply. He just stared blankly into his eyes.
Betrayal toward his father. Anxiety over the moment. Hatred. Vengeance. Fear… A storm of emotions churned within.
“Fuck…”
Staring into an opponent’s eyes meant they stared back. But Yun-seok couldn’t tell what Kang Hyung-woo read in his.
Whatever it was, the guy shuddered violently, then unleashed a torrent of filth.
“Why you?! Why should a worthless nobody like you look at me like that?! Fuck, you goddamn piece of shit!!”
Only one reason for the sudden shift: He’d finally abandoned hope of survival.
“You know that? I fucking hate you.”
No need to say it—he knew. And the feeling was mutual.
With a wet shunk, Yun-seok plunged the Judgment Sword into Kang Hyung-woo’s forehead. He probably didn’t even register what hit him. None of the challengers here had caught Yun-seok’s movement.
“We’ll handle the cleanup.”
Tenor said it without blinking. Dismantling the corpse would melt the floor too, even if they had the skill. Yun-seok shrugged it off and sank into the sofa.
And then.
Ding. A new message arrived.
Did she hate him but worry because of blood ties? She’d gone to the station to report his disappearance.
Karma. The price for good and evil deeds.
Yun-seok pondered. If karma truly existed in this world, then someday… he too might pay the price.