Chapter 372: Joseon

A week had passed.

During that week, a lot of things happened.

Michael was able to befriend the two girls, Maine and Lisa. During their time at the canteen when they were eating and helping out Michael with notes of the classes he had missed out on, the girls were trying to get closer to him more by flirting, like accidental body contacts for example, but they quickly stopped it when they learned that Michael is already dating someone.

Which of course, made the atmosphere awkward at first, but they eventually got along together in the end and even exchanged phone numbers.

Following that day, Olivia accompanied Michael to look for a house at Emerald Bay, where Amanda and Jenny's place is located.

There weren't any vacant houses near their place, so Michael told Olivia that he wouldn't mind buying a house from its current owners.

Coincidently, there was a family that's preparing to move away and was planning to sell their house, and the location was great too as it was ten or so houses away from Amanda's place.

Michael even threw fifty thousand dollars on top of the agreed price just so that the family would move out within two days, which the owners happily agreed to and promised that they would move out in two days time.

So with that, Michael had successfully purchased a house and got his stuff moved in on the third day, and where his parents surprisingly weren't opposed to his sudden decision of moving out.

While on the other hand, Olivia also received a sum of money as payment for helping Michael out after the latter who constantly insisted to take the money even though Olivia had refused it.

Michael moved in in his new home three days later, and hosted a simple housewarming party for close friends only two days later.

Present.

Joseon International Airport.

An attractive looking man in a long black coat around mid to late twenties had just made his way past the airport gate.

His appearance quickly attracted a lot of eyes towards him, where a lot of women who saw him couldn't help but glance at him a second time and wondered if he was a celebrity or something.

While men who are with their girlfriends couldn't help but quickly pull their girlfriend's attention away from him by pulling them away from there or kissing them on their lips.

"Omo, is he a celebrity?"

"I doubt it, he doesn't have anyone other than him. He's probably just someone handsome, why don't you try getting his number? His looks are in your strike range after all"

"How about you do it? You know what, nevermind. Let's just go or we'll be late for our flight"

"Fine, it's not like we're every other girls out there who quickly falls over heads to someone just because they're hot"

Almost the same conversation was taking place with every girl who was together, but some other girls were just amazed by his air and appearance and then continued on their way as they really couldn't care less about it.

After all, just like what the girl said earlier, not everyone will like someone just because they are handsome.

"Goddammit, it wasn't even that long ago from my last job, but here I am again" Michael grumbled to himself as he hailed a taxi to his hotel.

Michael had wanted for Randy to take on this job using his name because the latter is well versed in Hangul, and the reason being is that the Republic of Joseon was one of the countries he was active before, but the guy outright refused him saying that he's already retired, and that would become pointless if he takes the field again.

Michael was able to understand him, and in the end, he ended up coming here even though he could only make simple conversations in Hangul and wouldn't be able to understand words that have more depth in it.

But he still came because the pay is good, and he can always play Fate Online using the Game Helmet he brought with him in his free time.

'Good thing I can always hire a translator at the branch'

Thought Michael to himself as he watched the passing scenery through the window.

Almost an hour later.

Michael arrived at a luxurious hotel where he had reserved a room on its third floor.

Arriving in his room, he quickly took off his clothes, took a quick shower and decided to get some rest first before he starts the business he came here for.

Night fell.

Bam! Bam!

Somewhere in Hanyang, one man is currently beating a young man on the ground, who's around early twenties inside a room in one of the large buildings at the outer reaches of the city center.

"Bastard! We told you to perform well! How dare you fall down while performing!? Are you trying to get us into trouble!?"

One of the two men kept beating the kid up, while the latter just curled up his body for protection while groaning in pain every time he got hit, while another young man covered in bruises was huddled up on a corner in fear as he would flinch every time he sees his friend get hit.

"You two should be thankful that you are talented and making us a lot of money, or else we would have already fed you two to the dogs!"

After hitting the young man a couple more times, the gangster looking man stopped and spit on the young man before he and his other companion who had been watching all this time, left the room.

"Tell our makeup artists that they better make a good job hiding those bruises on their bodies"

"Yes hyungnim"

After the two men left, the young man on the corner quickly ran up to his friend and called out to him worriedly.

"Jong Woo, are you still alive?"

"I'm fine Mike, already got used to this constant beatings we get from them"

The young man called Jong Woo slowly stood up with the help of his friend Mike, and got him to take a seat on the only sofa in the room.

Then Mike brought out a first aid kit from the wall cabinet, and both of them started cleaning the small cuts on their bodies and covered them with a band aid.

"Is there really no hope to get out of this? Are we just gonna live like this where we are beaten for the simplest mistakes, and not even having enough to eat when we're stars and making them a lot of money? I really wonder what those people outside who thinks that were living luxurious life, but it's actually the actual opposite of it"

"How could they treat their talented artists like this who are making millions for them?"

Mike started grumbling in pain as he truly regretted coming to this black hearted company who treats their talents like they are disposable things.

"What can we do? There's still three years left in our contract, and if we try to run away. We'll only be getting ourselves and our parents in trouble with this group of mobsters" replied Jong Woo as he stood up and headed towards the door while limping.

"Hey, where are you going?" Mike quickly called out to him.

"Out to get some fresh air, and don't even think of coming. Instead, you should quickly go back to the dorm and get some rest. We have more work to do tomorrow" replied Jong Woo as he closed the door behind him.

"Dammit! Is there really no other way?"

Mike couldn't help but get frustrated at their hopeless situation, and just wanted to cry his heart out.

Jung Woo left their company building and just walked aimlessly at the streets of Hanyang with no direction.

The young man didn't even notice that he had already walked miles away from where he started and only realized it when he arrived before a small establishment in an alley, called Kyungsung Bar and Inn.

"Huh? There's actually a place like this in this deserted alleyway? Looks kinda fishy, but the entrance door and especially the words written on the sign looks quite luxurious like those Inns in Nippon Federation"

'Shall I take a look inside? I'm rather curious now that I've come this far'

After deliberating for a few seconds, Jung Woo finally decided to go inside to take a look and quench his curiosity.

He wasn't even that scared at the thought that this might be mobsters' place, and he would probably just get a beating if he came to the wrong place.

.

"Welcome! Are you here for a drink or looking for a place to stay the night?"