The Two Faces of a Traitor (3)

More than twenty pairs of eyes turned toward the source of the voice, but Choi Cheol-kyu didn't show a hint of pressure. He walked straight toward his target, Im Si-chan. '180 centimeters, fair skin, a buzz cut, right?' Perhaps because his appearance was so distinct, Choi Cheol-kyu was able to identify him at a single glance.

"The office door was locked. I was worried you might be nearby, so I wandered around, and I finally found you."

Im Si-chan, despite his exhaustion, looked at Choi Cheol-kyu with a puzzled expression at the man's slightly fussing demeanor. "What are you talking about...? Do you... know me?"

"Of course I do. How could I not?"

Im Si-chan couldn't grasp the situation from Choi Cheol-kyu's words alone. He had a mountain of things to worry about right now. "Ah, you must be incredibly tired. Is everyone alright?"

At Choi Cheol-kyu's words, Im Si-chan looked around at his subordinates and let out a sigh. "..."

A silent sigh. Choi Cheol-kyu clicked his tongue as he looked at the exhausted, bruised men. "Tsk, tsk, tsk... you must have had a rough time. If you need a place to rest right away, I can book some rooms at that inn over there. How about it?"

At the mention of an inn, a desperate look appeared on the faces of his subordinates, and Im Si-chan couldn't let that slide. 'I don't know who this is, but... I can't refuse...'

In the end, Im Si-chan made a choice he wouldn't have made under normal circumstances. "I... would appreciate it."

"Oh, don't mention it. Come on, follow me quickly."

As Choi Cheol-kyu walked briskly, the subordinates began to follow him fiercely, like castaways in a desert who had just discovered an oasis.

"There are only three rooms left..."

At the innkeeper's words, Choi Cheol-kyu rented the three rooms without a word, and the subordinates, not caring at all that the rooms were cramped, flooded into them like a tidal wave.

"Manager, you should come in too."

At the words of Kim Gi-deok, who was calling him with bloodshot eyes, Im Si-chan shook his head with a bitter smile. "I'll go in later, so you go in and get some sleep."

"Then, excuse me first. I'm truly sorry."

Before Kim Gi-deok had even entered the room, the sound of the men who had already gone in snoring began to vibrate through the area. Even though the doors were closed, the snoring pierced through and could be heard all the way at the counter.

"Could you... buy me a cup of coffee?"

At Im Si-chan's weak request, Choi Cheol-kyu nodded. "There's a tearoom right next door."

At the owner's words, Choi Cheol-kyu looked at Im Si-chan with a smirk, and Im Si-chan nodded. As soon as they entered the tearoom, two women who looked to be in their late twenties sat down next to Choi Cheol-kyu and Im Si-chan, respectively.

"Hey, can we have a drink too?"

Choi Cheol-kyu then rattled off, "Girls, look at our situation right now. This isn't the time for that."

When he pulled out two 5,000-won bills and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠handed them over, the women created a quiet atmosphere with expressions of moderate ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠satisfaction, and thanks to that, the conditions for a conversation were finally met.

"Enjoy your drink."

The elderly female owner placed the iced coffee on the table. Im Si-chan, suddenly overwhelmed by thirst, downed the iced coffee in one go. "Whew..."

"Have this one too."

At Choi Cheol-kyu's words, Im Si-chan finished the second iced coffee in one go, forgetting even to say thank you. "Whew... thank you. I was suddenly so thirsty..."

"It's nothing. That can happen."

"That aside... honestly, I have no idea who you are..."

At Im Si-chan's words, Choi Cheol-kyu looked around. The furthest corner of the tearoom. It was at the opposite end from the counter where the owner was, and there were no other employees or customers nearby. Nevertheless, Choi Cheol-kyu lowered his voice as much as he could.

"Of course. We've never met in person."

Seeing Choi Cheol-kyu lower his voice, Im Si-chan also lowered his voice as much as possible. Thanks to this, their conversation became inaudible unless one came very close.

"What on earth does that mean..."

"Because I'm with YK."

"Pardon?"

For a moment, Im Si-chan raised his voice, but he managed to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stop himself from saying anything else. His mind and body were exhausted, making it difficult to have a deep conversation as he usually would. Furthermore, the shock that the opponent was YK was further unsettling Im Si-chan's heart.

"Actually, the reason I came to find you is because I predicted that Manager Im was in a difficult situation."

"You... predicted it...?"

"Yes. In fact, we found out that you were involved in pro-North Korean activities and demanded a direct apology from CES."

"A direct apology...? What are you talking about?"

"It means that an executive from CES would come to YK Department Store and apologize for what happened. In other words, our proposal was to have an official discussion. Since it was confirmed that there was interference in internal affairs, practical consultation was necessary."

Currently, Choi Cheol-kyu's words were 100 percent lies. However, these lies were based on rationality, and Im Si-chan currently had neither the ability nor the means to distinguish whether these words were false or true.

"Then CES..."

As Im Si-chan trailed off, Choi Cheol-kyu nodded. "Yes, it's just as you think. CES denied their relationship with you, and thanks to that, we lost the way to use you."

"Haha... hahahaha..."

Im Si-chan covered his eyes with his hands. And tears flowed out from between his covered fingers, dripping onto the ice in the empty coffee cup, wetting the inner walls of the cup. 'Is this the reward for over 17 years of loyalty? Was it really that hard for the company to just say once that I wasn't that kind of person?'

Im Si-chan was not a person with an evil nature. He had simply taken on the role of the villain for the sake of 'the good of CES.' Of course, that could not justify his actions, but at least Im Si-chan had thought that CES would recognize his loyalty. Though, that had become a past with no meaning now.

"So we just asked the police to let you go. In the first place, the reason you were framed as pro-North Korean is for a rather ridiculous reason."

"Could that be..."

Choi Cheol-kyu continued with a bitter smile. "It started when Assistant Manager Choi Jong-hyo shouted at the police, 'Long live Communism, you bastards!' The police interrogated Assistant Manager Choi Jong-hyo about his backers, and he accidentally mentioned you as his backers."

"Ha..."

Confirming the fact that the reason he had suffered so much in the basement was because of a piece of trash who had spouted nonsense in a fit of anger, Im Si-chan couldn't help but sigh. 'It's funny that I was framed as pro-North Korean for something like this, and it's pathetic that my life was abandoned by CES for something like this...'

Im Si-chan covered his eyes again, wetting the inner wall of the cup. And a moment later. When Im Si-chan took his hands off his eyes, his expression was a bit puzzled.

"But... why did you ask them to let us go? There wouldn't be any profit for you."

As he said, YK had no reason to ask the police for a favor. Just making the request would mean owing a debt to the police. Having taken on the role of the villain, Im Si-chan had a habit of not easily trusting the situation, and so he looked at Choi Cheol-kyu with a bit of suspicion.

"There is profit, of course."

"I don't know what that profit is."

Choi Cheol-kyu smirked and showed Im Si-chan an expression full of goodwill. "CES abandoned you."

"...That's right."

"They abandoned your subordinates, too."

"...That is correct."

"That is why President Ryu coveted you."

For a moment, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Im Si-chan's eyes widened. "What on earth is that..."

"You know, don't you? Between pros. President Ryu values your ability very highly. You managed to break through President Ryu's leadership and create a mole in the secretary's office. How about it? You must know enough about YK's welfare."

He had been abandoned by his original organization, and the location of the safe where he kept his money had all been blocked. Furthermore, the accounts containing his operating expenses must have all been confiscated. Im Si-chan felt that he had no options. However, Im Si-chan still tested the waters.

"I am... an enemy in a different sense. If someone like me goes to YK, can I receive proper treatment... or rather, can I even work?"

Choi Cheol-kyu again showed a good-natured smile. "Our President said this."

"A traitor..."

At Im Si-chan's monologue, Choi Cheol-kyu quickly added, "If you join us, CES will forget that they abandoned you and denounce you as a traitor. But that is exactly why we can trust you."

Im Si-chan covered his eyes with his hands again. But this time, the cup wasn't wetted. Instead, the thin coffee cup could be seen vibrating irregularly with a chuckling laugh.

"This is something... I don't seem to have a choice."

"However, I don't intend to measure your treatment poorly based on that. What I want to hear is an answer of either 'Yes' or 'No'. Which one will you choose?"

Im Si-chan straightened his posture and said to Choi Cheol-kyu, "Who are you?"

"Ah, my introduction was late."

Choi Cheol-kyu had intentionally not introduced himself, but he rattled off as if he had forgotten and straightened his own posture as well. "My name is Choi Cheol-kyu. Have you heard of me?"

"Ah... the one they say is the second-in-command at YK Department Store..."

"That is correct."

Im Si-chan was deeply impressed by the fact that the second-in-command had come to scout him. "One last thing... what will happen to my subordinates?"

"What use is it to cut off their arms and legs and only take their heads? 'We' welcome 'you all.' At the very least, we will guarantee more stable treatment than what you have received until now."

Finally, the wall of doubt Im Si-chan had built collapsed. Although it was not a wall of doubt collapsed by the truth, Im Si-chan chose to go to YK, and he would never know the truth for the rest of his life. 'Even if I find out the truth as time passes, I won't regret the past.'

Choi Cheol-kyu hid his inner thoughts and reached out his hand to Im Si-chan, and Im Si-chan grabbed that hand tightly, boarding the ship named YK.

* * *

"Listen well. A man is muscle! You need muscle to have a harmonious household! You there! You often collapse on the bed because you lack arm strength, right? You, specifically, do ten more push-ups!"

At the words of Cha Pil-gyu, Yoon-gi's bodyguard and a muscle man, the man who was pointed out screamed and began doing push-ups. This scene was something that everyone in Im Si-chan's group, including Im Si-chan himself, was experiencing.

Whose order could they refuse? Starting three days ago, Im Si-chan's group was receiving training that literally made their mouths taste like bile due to the hellish physical conditioning. Was the Special Forces training camp about this level? However, even though the people receiving the training looked exhausted, they had no complaints. A decent house and not-bad living expenses. With the rewards that were realized as soon as they threw themselves into YK, they were able to quickly abandon CES and believe in Im Si-chan's words.

Of course, the work they had to do would not be much different from their days at CES. However, receiving money and receiving recognition were completely different, so they began to blend into YK faster than expected.

"Truly, the Chairman's way of attracting people is amazing."

Yoon-gi just shrugged his shoulders and didn't answer, but Fernandez didn't ask again either. Instead, he asked Yoon-gi for the reason he had called him.

"For what reason did you call me here?"

The place where Fernandez was currently was a building with no tenants at all. Yoon-gi was renting the taekwondo gym on the 3rd floor to train Im Si-chan's group.

"I have to build the second branch soon."

Yoon-gi, who had stopped looking into the taekwondo gym, went down the stairs and got into the car he had kept waiting, and Fernandez also followed Yoon-gi into the car.

"Is there anything special you want to instruct regarding the second branch?"

"Yes."

Yoon-gi nodded and continued, "Can you teach me how to paint?"