Chapter 33: El Municionero (1)

Chapter 33: El Municionero (1)

The season had changed, and autumn had arrived.

November in Seoul was chaotic. The once proud public safety, celebrated as one of the world’s best, had deteriorated, making it less safe than before. Children could no longer play late into the night, and even the less crowded streets had become places to be cautious of, even in broad daylight. The frequency of patrol cars with sirens blaring through the city had noticeably increased. Each day, headlines in the media were adorned with stories of criminals with extraordinary physical abilities, who ran through the streets, evading police pursuit, and committing crimes that were once rare or deemed impossible. The shadows over the city, inhabited by millions, grew larger and darker with each passing day.

However, despite all this, Seoul was still considered one of the safest cities in the world. This wasn’t just because Seoul’s safety had declined less than the global average but also because the entire human system was woefully unprepared for the new era. The severe economic downturn caused by the Chinese-origin pandemic had only aggravated the situation.

In such a world, I was facing a young troublemaker.

“Hey, mister[1]Ahjussi .”

The kid, who was puffing on a cigarette, glared at me and exhaled a puff of smoke. The way this youngster referred to me as “mister” sounded more like “uncle” and had a rough pronunciation. There was light-colored lipstick smudged on the cigarette filter. She extinguished the cigarette against the wall he had been leaning on and straightened up.

“Why are you staring like that? Do you have business with us?”

The group of punks who had been standing next to me started to move around me as if they were annoyed. Their hands were in their pockets, shoulders slouched, and they struck poses that suggested they thought they were cool. While they might have recently become adults in terms of age, mentally, they were still stuck in their school uniforms.

I didn’t pay them any mind and called out the target’s name.

“Do Won-hee.”

She flinched. The cigarette, which had been burning slowly, weakened. Today’s prey, Do Won-hee, had a fierce look in her eyes.

“Ajussi, what’s going on? How do you know my name?”

“Baek Seungyeon. Remember?”

“...Hah, bastard.”

This time, the target burst into a mocking laugh.

Four years ago, Do Won-hee, who was in the third year of middle school at the time, had driven Baek Seungyeon, who was in the same grade and was now part of this group of delinquents, to suicide. It involved repeated physical assaults, bullying, extortion, and extended periods of forced prostitution. However, due to the protection and influence of her parents, who were part of the upper-class cartel, Do Won-hee had received a remarkably light sentence in court, with only one year of probation. This was despite the fact that at the time, Baek Seungyeon had been in a coma, and a tenuous relationship of power existed between Do Won-hee’s uncle and Baek Seungyeon’s father.

“This fucker.”

Do Won-hee flicked her cigarette and stared at me from head to toe.

“You know that girl’s father, right? How did you know I was here? You didn’t stalk me, did you?”

“I did.”

“You did what? Seriously, it’s unbelievable. Hey, ajussi. That’s a crime, a crime. Do you want to visit the prison with your friend? Should I send you there right now?”

The henchmen laughed. The confident Do Wn-hee took one more step closer to me and raised her chin.

“Why, does that girl’s father ask for more money? If he needs money, he should come and beg himself. But he sends his friend instead? Isn’t this a matter of courtesy? If a lame person kneels down and begs, well, I can show some courtesy to my father and ask for a favor.”

I shook my head.

“It’s not like that.”

“Then what is it?”

“He asked me to make you die. For sure, with his own hands.”

“...What?”

Beep, beep, beep, beep...

The sound of a signal indicating the reverse of a large cargo truck came from the narrow alley at the end. The white side of the 25-ton trailer blocked the setting sun from the west. It was one of the mobile workshops operated by the organization. Do Won-hee, feeling an unusual atmosphere, stiffened her expression.

“What? What is this?”

The exit on the opposite side of the alley was blocked by a van that came to a halt and the sound of footsteps descending from it. Five men dressed in Western clothes with their hands neatly folded. They were the security personnel from the security team, including Kyung-tae. Do Won-hee stepped back a little more as she looked at me.

“Do you know who my father is?”

“I do. But do you know who I am?”

“Who even are you!”

She shouted fiercely and took another step back, showing clear fear in her body language. With her back against the wall, Do Won-hee called one of the henchmen who had moved a little less than her.

“Hey, Beomgyu! Do something!”

She had nowhere else to go.

It seemed like she didn’t have the courage to look at her henchmen as they entered the bathtub.

“I-I really made a mistake. Please forgive me just once. Will you?”

I ignored the sobbing voice and watched Sergeant Baek as I carried out the orders.

“Sergeant Baek Yeong-hun. Can I consider you my subordinate now?”

“...... Yes.”

“Good. From now on, speak freely.”

At this, Sergeant Baek Yeong-hun’s gloomy gaze, which had been fixed on the prey, turned toward me. His deeply sunken eyes were like dry wells, filled only with a cold chill and determination. I felt a small sense of satisfaction knowing that there was no sign of regret. While it might be difficult to expect blind loyalty, the likelihood of betrayal seemed slim. These were the eyes of someone without desires other than survival.

“Do you remember the terms of our deal?”

Sergeant Baek asked with a faint smirk.

“I owe my life, and I will repay it with my life. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s right.”

“When do I start working?”

“After we’ve got your body in shape.”

Just a month and a half ago, Sergeant Baek had been a homeless man suffering from malnutrition and alcoholism, his body severely damaged. To build up the physical stamina required for a voyage, he would need a considerable period of care and rehabilitation. Circuit engraving and adjustment were not yet under consideration. It might be different if natural awakening became inevitable.

In any case, it would take quite some time to secure the first submarine. Just three days ago, I received a call that we had finally found a ‘Connection Seller’ from the White Chief. Even if I were to board a plane to Houston the day after tomorrow, there were many obstacles to overcome before ultimately achieving success.

From the end of the workspace, a faint sobbing sound could be heard.

“Please spare me... I’ll give you as much money as my dad has...”

Do Won-hee. Outwardly, she appeared to be just a scared college girl crying, but there was no one here who would be fooled by that facade. After all, no matter how you look at it, she was a murderer. Tears of a murderer, whether adult or not, were crocodile tears. If ever there were tears I would shed, it would be the same.

“I can arrange a separate place for you.”

Ignoring anyone else’s gaze and taking enough time to vent one’s anger, I made the proposal, but Sergeant Baek slowly shook his head and declined.

“We’ll finish it here.”

“Aren’t you going to regret it later?”

“It’s fine. Just make sure that brat’s parents are well taken care of.”

“Alright.”

Parents who helped absolve their child’s guilt would soon shoulder their own responsibility. It would be a simple traffic accident. I also planned to expose the corruption of her uncle in the military at some distance and bury it. There would be a lot of rumors for a while, but the alibi was thoroughly prepared.

“What are you talking about?”

Do Won-hee, who had stopped crying, asked urgently.

“What are you going to do to my parents?”

It seemed like her love for her parents ran deep, no matter how she appeared.

“Speak! Tell me!”

Approaching with a limp, Sergeant Baek Yeong-hun violently pushed down his daughter’s enemy. No matter how weakened he had become, Baek Yeong-hun was still a former soldier by name. The cries of the prey soon turned into a choking sound. The hand with manicured fingernails dug into the former soldier’s forearm, and the foot in sneakers kicked the empty ground for a moment. Do Won-hee’s arms, weakened by the loss of strength, fell lightly on the cold floor. Reddish blood gradually flowed from her congested eyeballs. If you were to put red ink on a white canvas, it would look somewhat similar.

The former soldier continued to exert force with his grip for quite some time afterward.

1. Ahjussi Author's Thoughts

Disclaimer:

This novel is a work of fiction! While it may incorporate elements inspired by our "real" historical world, including historical events, settings, and cultures, it is important to note that the story and characters are entirely products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, living or deceased, or actual events is purely coincidental. This work should be enjoyed and interpreted as a work of fiction and not as a representation of historical facts or reality.

Also, if you find some error in translation please do let me know by tagging me (@_dawn24) in our Discord server. Since this series is kinda hard to translate. But I'll try my best to make it at least readable :)

Enjoy reading~!