The Ultimate Revenge
“This bastard…… he’s actually gotten healthier.”
There were two holes in the solitary confinement cell. One was a small, semi-open slot used only for passing in meals, and the other was a small rectangular opening at eye level that the guards used to peer inside. Through that hole, the sight of the "Dog Butcher" looked surprisingly healthy.
‘Did going to prison actually work in his favor……?’
It was true. Under normal circumstances, the Dog Butcher would have died from alcohol-related complications. But by being sent to prison, he was forced into sobriety and a regular lifestyle, which had inadvertently improved his health. Even after his release, he hadn't reverted to his old ways. That was because he had learned a lot in prison. Of course, he hadn't learned anything good. He had picked up skills in intimidation and how to gather a gang, growing his influence enough to be recognized as the boss of his own territory. It wasn't for no reason that he had formed a connection with Inspector Kang.
A mere two years. In that short span of time, the Dog Butcher had succeeded in carving out a small nest for himself in a district of Seoul. Of course, that was only until recently.
‘I don’t like it.’
Yoon-gi didn't want the Dog Butcher to live a life like this. A life of endless, grueling struggle. That was the only kind of life the Dog Butcher deserved. Without that, it felt like this knot of resentment in his chest would never untangle. ‘But how?’
Of course, there were plenty of ways to take revenge on the Dog Butcher. The fastest and most effective method would be to frame him as a pro-North Korean sympathizer and turn him into a half-crippled wreck. But Yoon-gi felt that wasn't enough. His grudge against the Dog Butcher was far too deep. So, Yoon-gi stood there, staring at the man, lost in thought.
‘Pro-North, pro-North, pro-North…… pro-North…….’
Suddenly, an incredible method of punishment flashed through Yoon-gi’s mind. A method that even he found deeply satisfying.
“Yeah…… you deserve to go through at least that much.”
Yoon-gi’s cold words seeped into the solitary cell, and the Dog Butcher reflexively turned his head. But by then, Yoon-gi had already headed up to the first floor of the police station.
“I am truly sorry, but he said he already threw the wallet away. On top of that, he’s such a spendthrift that the money is also……. I am so sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. Just, later on, please make sure to get your story straight with my friend’s father.”
“Of course.”
It had been a week since Kim Gyu-sik received "special treatment." Overwhelmed by pain, Kim Gyu-sik had confessed to every crime he had committed, which promised a significant prison sentence. But for Yoon-gi, only two things mattered right now. For the sake of one of them, he decided to tell a white lie.
“Nobody would doubt the police if they said they recovered the money.”
The police of this era were certainly corrupt, but they were also, paradoxically, trusted figures. When a dispute arose, if the police said, “Do this,” everyone listened. It was a mix of fear and trust. That was why it could be utilized like this.
“Your friend will be very happy.”
“He’s a good friend.”
“Should we award him a certificate from the police station to help with his future entrance exams?”
“No, there’s no need for that. While it’s necessary to compensate for the damages suffered, I have no intention of harming others just to gain an advantage.”
Because Yoon-gi had drawn a clear line, Seo In-pyo gave up on the idea of over-the-top sycophancy, much like the disciplinary action against Inspector Kang. However, there was still one situation left where he needed to show extreme loyalty. Because there was one more thing Yoon-gi wanted.
“How is Kim Gyu-sik’s condition?”
“He’s still alive. His mind is intact, too. Since we need him to be sane for the trial, everyone is carefully adjusting the intensity.”
Seo In-pyo asked indirectly if he intended to put him on trial. Yoon-gi thought for a moment before explaining what he wanted. A brief silence followed.
“Pardon?”
For a moment, Seo In-pyo thought he had misheard.
“Would it be difficult?”
“Ah, no. I’m terribly sorry, but I was just wondering if I heard you correctly. Do you truly desire that?”
“Yes. I have to create that kind of future for the guy who dared to touch the people around me.”
“Hmm…….”
It was a request Yoon-gi had never imagined. But Seo In-pyo couldn't flatly refuse it. He had received much from Yoon-gi, which was certainly a reason. But what truly captured Seo In-pyo’s heart was the phrase, “the guy who touched the people around me.” He, too, was one of the people around Yoon-gi. That meant if anything ever happened to him, Yoon-gi would provide the same kind of revenge.
“I know this is a rude question, but would I also be included in ‘the people around you’?”
Yoon-gi smiled and nodded.
“Of course.”
In truth, Yoon-gi had considered solving this through Guster or Colson rather than Superintendent Seo In-pyo. But that would have inevitably required lying to them. He didn't want to lie to the people he cherished, which was why he chose Superintendent Seo In-pyo. Of course, it was also true that if Superintendent Seo In-pyo were ever harmed, Yoon-gi would help him.
“To execute that method, it’s impossible with my power alone. Well, not entirely impossible. If I use my connections working on the West Sea side…… it’s possible. Three people. I only need to persuade three people.”
“What should I give those three?”
“I will verify that myself.”
“Are they tight-lipped?”
“Don’t worry. If I didn’t have that much discernment, I wouldn’t be in this position right now.”
The world is filled with an amount of corruption people can’t even imagine. But why does that corruption never come to light? It’s because those involved are tight-lipped. Why would they speak up when it’s certain they’ll suffer the moment they do? That was why Superintendent Seo In-pyo answered with confidence.
“Furthermore, I will never mention the Chairman’s identity. If I just say it’s an order from the top brass, you won’t have to offer as much compensation as you think.”
Yoon-gi smiled at the quick-witted Seo In-pyo.
“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yes, just leave it to me.”
“I can see a future where Superintendent Seo becomes a Police Commissioner within two years.”
Yoon-gi’s final blow. Seo In-pyo vowed to carry out Yoon-gi’s instructions with all his might.
“Huff, huff, huff!”
Kim Gyu-sik was running, forcibly suppressing the breath that was reaching his throat.
“Stop right there!”
The words from behind, words that should absolutely never be heard. The North Korean soldiers rushing toward him, shouting in fluent North Korean, were pure terror itself to Kim Gyu-sik.
‘Why, why on earth am I in North Korea!’
A while ago, Kim Gyu-sik had opened his eyes to water splashing all over his face. The salty, fishy smell of seawater. That was why Kim Gyu-sik had woken up in a foul mood, asking, “No, why are you spraying seawater on me?” But it wasn't anyone spraying water. It was an old, small boat run aground on the shore. He had been lying there.
The moment he tried to stand, he felt his soaked clothes. At first, he couldn't grasp the situation. No, at the very least, he didn't think this was North Korea. Even when he saw the North Korean residents flocking toward the shore where he was, Kim Gyu-sik didn't think this was North Korea. But when he confirmed that the people’s conversations were in North Korean dialect, horror slowly began to dawn on him.
‘No way. Are they all acting?’
But it was absolutely not acting. Unless they were insane, there was no one in South Korea who would dress in North Korean military uniforms and shout “Long live Kim Il-sung.”
[Follow us!]
Kim Gyu-sik, having grasped the situation as best he could from the North Korean soldiers’ words, began to run like a madman. The result was now. By some miracle, the North Korean soldiers weren't shooting, but the problem was that there was nowhere to run.
‘No, is it even possible for a mountain to have absolutely no trees!’
It would have been nice if he could at least run into the mountains. Unfortunately, there wasn't a single tree on the mountain. A barren mountain, just as he had heard in rumors. Because of that, Kim Gyu-sik fell into despair as he watched the North Korean soldiers getting closer and closer.
‘Why on earth am I…… why am I……!’
Kim Gyu-sik, the only one who didn't know why he had to suffer such a fate. Although his body had become somewhat healthier from quitting alcohol and cigarettes in prison, he couldn't ultimately overcome the North Korean soldiers trained with pure malice.
“Argh!”
“You little bastard, didn't I tell you to stop?”
With a military boot planted in his back, Kim Gyu-sik collapsed to the ground, and the North Korean soldiers, panting for breath, stomped all over his body.
“Comrade, this came out of the boat.”
“What is this?”
Documents related to Kim Gyu-sik, contained in a waterproof bag.
“This bastard was a criminal in South Korea. Report to the platoon leader immediately!”
A de facto death sentence. There was zero possibility that Kim Gyu-sik, who was neither a civil servant, a celebrity, nor even an ordinary citizen in South Korea, would receive proper treatment in North Korea. There was no room to use him for propaganda, either. He would probably end up in the Aoji coal mines or the Yodok concentration camp.
Watching this scene, Choi Deok-bae’s eyes went wide as if he were dumbfounded. A defection that went beyond even being a pro-North sympathizer. Yoon-gi had effectively carried out the greatest revenge possible in South Korea.
‘Truly, it makes me laugh just thinking about it.’
Hearing of the Dog Butcher’s end from Choi Deok-bae, Yoon-gi couldn't stop laughing. ‘Who said revenge is hollow? It feels this good!’ When he watched old movies about revenge, the ending was always the protagonist feeling a sense of emptiness. But after carrying out the revenge himself, Yoon-gi could clearly feel that his insides were being thoroughly cleansed.
‘For a while, I’ll be able to sleep soundly.’
Now that Choi Deok-bae and the Dog Butcher had definitely made contact, it was also possible to ask Choi Deok-bae to check on his status whenever he felt bored.
‘It’s a shame. I should have made him make contact with the thief, too.’
Just as Yoon-gi was genuinely feeling regret, Choi Deok-bae spoke up.
“Yes!”
Truly, Yoon-gi’s answer contained not even a single gram of dissent, and Choi Deok-bae gave a bitter smile. Choi Deok-bae’s words didn't end there. However, the topic was a bit different.
“Pardon?”
“Ah, there’s a place like that?”
“Hmm…….”
Yoon