Chapter 221: Sacrifice (2)

Chapter 221: Sacrifice (2)

Kang Woojin or Kiyoshi remembered the only person he respected, who had thrown herself from the railing. Misaki Toka. That unattached, lonely smile, and, for some reason, her school uniform buttons that looked as if they had been forcibly torn off.

It must have been you, Ginzo.

Although it seemed like he was bullying Misaki Toka, Ginzo had always looked at her in a strange way. It was because he had a sick obsession with women. Thats why that laugh doesnt suit him now.

Its not that Ginzo shouldnt smile, but he shouldnt forget.

It wasnt intense hatred. Rather, there were no emotions. It just reminded him of the need to complete the homework. The worn piece of paper in Woojins pocket right now. The paper listed nine names.

At that moment, having finished talking with the woman, Ginzo started walking again.

-Swish.

Kang Woojin also started walking, observing indifferently. Ginzo didnt realize that a stranger was following him. It had been more than a month, but he hadnt noticed a hint, and Kang Woojin had already figured out his personal habits in that month.

He was somewhat tall. But smaller than Woojin. Woojin had the upper hand.

It might not look like it, but Ginzo has a family and young children. He also has a decent job. The routine of going to work and coming home. The time he leaves the office, the time he takes the subway, the bars he frequents, the acquaintances he meets, his travel routes, his secret lover, the illicit encounters he engages in once a week, the karaoke girls he meets under the pretext of business trips.

Perhaps Kang Woojin knew more about Ginzos life than Ginzo himself did. He meticulously recorded and stored his life and his existence.

Konakayama Ginzo entered his company.

8:48 AM. Three minutes later than yesterday.

Kang Woojin or rather Kiyoshi pulled out an old cellphone. It wasnt registered under his name. He bought it from one of the homeless people in an empty lot a little away from the station. Not just one, but several. The camera hes holding is also a film camera.

He had already gathered enough of Ginzos secrets.

Its enough. Now, lets set up the fireworks. First, using his company and family as leverage, he would shake him. Woojin sent a text to Ginzo. The content was brief.

Hmm what should I start withyes, an affair would be good.

A minute after sending the text, Ginzo called. Woojin answered the phone with an expressionless face.

Hello.

From the other end of the phone, Ginzo yelled angrily.

Y-you! Who are you?!

Does it matter? First, come outside the company.

He hung up immediately. The phone rang again, but Kang Woojin ignored it. Across the street, with a face mixed with despair and anger, Ginzo burst out of his office. Woojin watched him with a blurry gaze for a while.

What method would be best?

He had no thoughts of granting Ginzo comfort of death immediately. Slowly and gradually, he would strangle him. After today, a smile like earlier will cease to exist.

And the final end?

Well, I cant get an answer from him, so Ill decide myself. Anyway, youll be isolated. From today onwards, the dessert youll taste for over a month is going to be aa mental hell. Anxiety, vigilance, discomfort, restlessness, creepiness, and all similar feelings.

It should be enough for today?

Leaving the raging Ginzo behind, Kang Woojin entered a nearby fast-food restaurant. He was just a bit hungry.

From that day, every day, one of Konakayama Ginzos secrets was delivered.

The number changed frequently. But the opponent was clearly the same.

Damn it!! Who the hell are you bastard!!

Every day was disgusting for Ginzo. His wifes suspicions deepened, and he couldnt work properly at work. Even the women he had affair with didnt look appealing to him anymore. A person becomes extremely anxious the moment their tranquility is broken.

Ginzo spent each day in agony, ending it with alcohol.

But every morning, a text message arrived without fail.

Why are you doing this to me?

Ill give you money if you want, and women if you want them. However, the anonymous otehr party made no demands. He just slowly took away Ginzos life each day.

Then.

Kuk! Auk-

Reeking of alcohol, Ginzo struggled to open his eyes. It was because his body was swaying. And it was cold. Why was it so cold? Ginzo let out a faint groan as he slowly got up.

Huh?

His eyes widened in an instant. He realized that he was lying on a swaying boat floating above the sea.

It was at this moment.

Awake?

The man sitting in front of him, expressionless, came into Ginzos view.

Long time no see, Ginzo.

It was Iyota Kiyoshi.

20th, Kyoto, Japan.

Late afternoon. In the fishing village Ine Funaya, where the ocean is in front and lush mountains behind, the underwater town that seemed to float above the sea was usually bustling with tourists, but since yesterday, it had been crowded with a filming team.

It was the team of The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger.

There were easily 70 to 80 Japanese staff members gathered at the far end of the tightly packed houses floating above the sea, near several boats that were docked.

The shooting conditions were not great.

Director~nim! Please check the monitor!

While a few cameras were set up on land, a couple had to be on boats. Thanks to this, two of the filming team members had to get onto a gently bobbing boat with cameras hoisted on their shoulders. Meanwhile, the overall director in-charge of the site, Director Kyotaro, who had a head full of gray hair, was checking the monitor at a position set up on the dock.

As their brief conversation ended, two boats carrying cameras and another with soft lighting approached them. A drone also soared high in the sky. Soon, as preparations seemed to be completed, Director Kyotaro, who had been standing in front of the monitors, sat down. Several monitors showed Kang Woojin and Yasutaro.

Finally, The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger was appearing on the monitors.

Many people were watching it. Most notably, the globally renowned original writer Akari was right beside them. Japanese maestro Director Kyotaro closed his eyes and took a quiet deep breath.

Hoo-

He then exchanged signals with the key staff around him. Camera, audio, lighting. All okay. Director Kyotaro slowly picked up the megaphone, and the over seventy staff members all gulped and remained silent.

Behind them, the eerie yet tranquil Ine Funaya village dock was filled with Director Kyotaros first command.

Action!

In an instant, aboard the wooden boat, Kang Woojin blinked for just a short moment.

-Swish.

He brought out Iyota Kiyoshi. It was very brief. It was impossible for anyone at the shooting location to notice. However, Woojins whole body was already filled with Kiyoshi.

Although floating on the deep sea, Kang Woojins emotional currents were incredibly weak.

Emptiness. Futility. Blankness.

His calm and eerie eyes faced the camera directly. His posture was upright.

With an expressionless face, he simply performed the act of staring. The monitor displayed an inscrutable Kang Woojin. For some reason, Director Kyotaro, glued to the monitor, slightly opened his mouth. Something about him?

To be able to show nothingness so effortlesslywho else could portray such clear emptiness?

There was no desire in it. Yet, his blurry eyes seemed unyielding.

At that moment.

Uh-

Yasutaro, lying in front of Woojin, or rather, Ginzo, slowly got up holding his head. Meanwhile, the blurry and absent-minded gaze of Kang Woojin, who was looking into the camera, also shifted downwards. Ginzos eyes widened as he assessed the situation.

Huh?

He was startled, causing the boat they were on to sway slightly. Surely, he should be in a bar, so why was he on a wooden boat on the sea? Where is this? That was the meaning in Ginzos eyes.

Into his ears came a mans voice, steady in tone.

Awake?

Ginzos gaze shifted forward. It was too dim to see the mans face clearly. Ginzo squinted. Meanwhile, the mans voice was unwavering.

Long time no see, Ginzo.

Wh-who are you!

Youll know. Were old classmates.

What?

Woojins stiff face just moved his lips.

Ans Im the one who have been keeping you awake every morning.

!!!

Ginzos eyes widened further as he hastily pressed his back against the end of the boat.

You- you!! Youre the one whos been sending the texts!

Im also glad to see you. But lets save the greetings for later.

-Creak.

Suddenly, there was a noise next to Ginzo. The sound of a similar wooden boat. In a moment, a shocked Ginzo turned his head to the right. An unknown man was rowing a wooden boat. Slowly approaching.

When Ginzo, who was wondering what was going on, turned his head forward again.

Ugh!

Ginzo almost vomited out of shock. Woojin, who had been sitting at the end of the boat, was now just a fists distance away. His expressionless face, his indifferent eyes, were right in front of him. A mannequin? There was no change at all. There was not even a slight tremor on Woojins face.

Yet it was terrifying and eerie.

So you make this kind of expression too.

At this, Ginzo stammered, mouth agape. Meanwhile, Woojin, who had been quietly observing him without blinking, spoke in a calm voice.

Are you okay? Calm down.

Wh-who are you!

My introduction? Of course, I plan to tell you. But later.

Soon, the sound of the wooden boat was heard again.

-Creak.

Before he knew it, the unkown mans wooden boat had come close. The expressionless Woojin pointed towards that boat and calmly explained to Ginzo.

Rather than me, let me introduce him first. Hell be the one to ravage you, say hello. (TL: Ravage = r*pe)

At this point, Ginzo, or rather, Yasutaro playing Ginzo, looking at the mannequin-like face of Kang Woojin in front of him, was genuinely about to pee his pants.

Wait, wait, wait! Dont genuinely get scared. Its just acting, just acting.

It was unconscious.