TE Ch 15

“Why bet a p-person?”

“Because I’m money, and money is me.”

He shrugged and placed another card down. Hongju looked at the newly placed card with a sullen expression. The March card, and…

“…..”

‘光’ written in the left corner. Hongju’s hand was a 3-8 gwang pair. It was the highest hand in the hierarchy, capable of sweeping most pots. Hongju glanced up at Mookyeong. He only checked his cards and then placed them face down on the box again.

“Let’s say we’re done betting since neither of us has anything more to bet. I have 5 points.”

The black fingertips of his gloved hand flipped over the cards. It was indeed 5 points. After confirming Mookyeong’s hand, Hongju also flipped over his cards.

“3-8 gwang pair. I win this round.”

“You got a good hand.”

He picked up the ballpoint pen that was lying on the box and casually placed it on Hongju’s left ear. Hongju supported the pen precariously balanced on his ear with his hand.

“So, what will you do since you won?”

He could see his raised lips and the long dimple at the corner of his mouth. He’s smiling like that, so maybe he’s not that scary after all. He didn’t seem like the same person who had slapped his cheek just a few days ago. Hongju fumbled with his ear and pulled out the pen.

“It’s just a practice game, what’s there to win? Anyway, this is how you play Seotda.”

Hongju stuck the pen in his pocket and quickly gathered the scattered cards. His hands were very busy putting the cards back in their case.

“Haha.”

This time, Mookyeong’s laughter echoed in the empty gambling house. The low vibrations tickled Hongju’s ears.

 

* * *

 

Perhaps it was because his pride was quite hurt by Boss Mookyeong’s threats, but Koo Bbing often took Doksa to big games. Everyone in the gambling house was aware that he was trying to win more money than Mookyeong’s investment so that he could immediately betray him. Of course, Mookyeong himself was also well aware of this fact.

“He’s still playing Seotda with Doksa.”

Even when Mookyeong didn’t call for him, Hongju made frequent visits to the room at the end of the hallway. It was usually every couple of hours, and the information he relayed was mostly the same. About an hour ago, a regular customer brought in a rich sucker. There was no way Koo Bbing would let go of such prey.

Even though his main job was setting up games, Koo Bbing played as much as a card sharp. He mostly played the role of losing with bad hands, but sometimes he played in place of a sharp because he didn’t want to pay the commission. Judging by the fact that he even woke up the resting Doksa to drag him to the game, it seemed like he was planning to make a big score.

“Looks like he’s got the straw in deep.”

Mookyeong wiped the rim of the beer can with a tissue before taking a sip. Hongju remembered how he always sat on a handkerchief and only leaned slightly on dirty desks. Those clean habits suited Mookyeong better than the filthy gambling house.

“Tell him not to think about recouping his losses, and to cut his losses if he loses money. Unless he wants to ruin the gambling house.”

He didn’t play the game, but he always acted like he was an expert on gambling.

“He won’t lose with Doksa.”

“What’s so different about him?”

Mookyeong quickly finished a can of beer. Watching his Adam’s apple bob, Hongju swallowed his thirst. He thought he should go to the convenience store later and buy a bottle of water.

“By the way, when is Madam Koo’s backer coming? I’d like to see his face.”

“Backer?”

“Yeah. The whole area is in chaos because of the redevelopment, but he’s been holding out, so he must have someone he’s relying on. I don’t think he’s just getting by on luck.”

“Why… are you curious about that?”

Hongju’s eyes widened as he asked.

“When I probe Madam Koo, he just shuts up, saying there were always small accidents. I knew it was dirty from the start, but I should know if I’m stepping in mud or a sewer.”

“…..”

“The way he’s hiding it so carefully makes me even more curious, you know?”

It was a casual tone, but his eyes were gleaming. Hongju could tell that he wasn’t just asking lightly.

“And you seem to know, Koo Hongju.”

There was no way Hongju wouldn’t know. He had been by Madam Koo’s side the whole time he was chasing away construction companies and protecting the gambling house. As if he knew all of Hongju’s conflicts, Mookyeong drove the point home.

“You know you have to stand in the right line to get ahead in life, so why are you hesitating?”

He tilted his head and finished the rest of his beer. Hongju, chewing on his lip, looked out the door and scanned the surroundings. There were people passing by, but no one was paying attention to them. He looked around again and then moved closer to Mookyeong.

“He’s close with some gangsters. When they tried to demolish the place, he got help from them to make it look like an accident involving the workers. Then there’s some law that says they can’t continue construction and have to stop.”

Hongju licked his lips and added more explanation. Maybe it was because he was revealing the gambling house’s secret, but his heart was racing.

“He said that if they buy time like that, they’ll eventually get more compensation. It didn’t work out as planned, though…”

“I thought he was an idiot, but he’s got some brains.”

“The gangsters used to help with crackdowns at the old gambling house and practically lived there. But this isn’t their territory, so they can’t come.”

“Ah.”

Just as Mookyeong was about to reach for a new beer after crushing the empty can, there was a commotion in the hallway.

“You fucker! Are you kidding me?”

It was Koo Bbing yelling. Neither Koo Bbing nor Manager Yang usually raised their voices in the gambling house, except when they were berating the employees. The fact that he was yelling so loud that the whole hallway could hear meant that something had happened at the card table.

“Who started cheating first? It was you, Koo Bbing. You think I didn’t notice you using your hands? You did the same thing last time!”

The face of Koo Bbing, who had been grinning earlier saying a sucker had arrived, was nowhere to be seen. The commotion in the hallway made people in other rooms stick their heads out. When they heard that he had cheated to win money, their gazes turned to Doksa. He tilted his head slightly and just stroked his chin.

“What the fuck are you talking about? Who brought the card sharp, and now you’re trying to pin it on me?”

“Do you have proof?”

Koo Bbing’s face was red and he was trembling. He looked like he was so full of rage that he would explode if anyone touched him.

“The great Koo Bbing is so washed up he has to resort to cheating. You’ve really hit rock bottom, haven’t you?”

“Fuck, this guy doesn’t know when to shut up!”

The thug rushed over and tried to restrain Koo Bbing. Then Koo Bbing started to struggle even more violently. Despite his struggles, the two men on the other side just chuckled and laughed. The man who had been called a sucker was carrying a large sports bag, and it was so full of cash that it wouldn’t close properly. Koo Bbing had been excited earlier and had taken quite a bit of money to the game. Did he lose it all?

“Why has Koo Bbing become so pathetic? There are days when cheating works and days when it doesn’t. I’ll give you a tip, so go make yourself a nice, cool drink.”

The man took out a few thousand-won bills and tucked them into the front of Koo Bbing’s shirt. Koo Bbing’s face became even more furious. Manager Yang, who had arrived late, assessed the situation and approached.

“What’s going on here?”

“This guy deliberately brought a card sharp, a card sharp! And then he has the nerve to accuse me of cheating! This nobody doesn’t know his place!”

The thug was holding him back, but Koo Bbing’s struggles were fierce. The usually calm thug was even breaking out in a sweat. Noticing the guests’ stares, Manager Yang stepped in to defuse the situation.

“Ah, our boss had a bit too much to drink during the day, that’s all. You know how people get riled up over nothing when they drink during the day.”

“What do you mean, day drinking? He must be upset because he lost money even after using a sharp and even signals. Who’s going to come here to play cards if they’re scared? It’s safer to play online while watching the monitor. Ptooey.”

The surroundings became noisy. At the man’s sarcasm, Koo Bbing turned red to his neck and trembled.

“Why are you saying such scary things? Our boss has stopped doing that kind of thing. He just plays a few rounds of cards to prevent dementia, that’s all. Anyway, you made a killing today, so come again next time. Go safely.”

The two men chuckled and left the hallway.

“You shouldn’t just let them go, I’ll break their fucking hands!”

“Take the boss inside. It’s time for him to sober up, haha.”

Manager Yang signaled to the thug. Noticing that the thug alone wasn’t enough, Doksa stepped in to help. He was about to go and help too, when a small weight was placed on his shoulder.

“The gambling house is running smoothly.”

Mookyeong was leaning on Hongju’s shoulder, sipping his beer. His eyes were filled with amusement, as if he were watching something interesting.

“Oh my, why are you all out here? You could cheat, and I wouldn’t even notice. Go back inside.”

Manager Yang smiled, his gold tooth gleaming. As he went from room to room to smooth things over, he spotted Hongju. His one remaining eye also landed on Mookyeong, who was standing right next to him.

“You-!”

Perhaps it was because Mookyeong was there, but Manager Yang just clicked his tongue and turned away. The chaotic atmosphere quickly settled down thanks to Manager Yang’s efforts.

“How much did he lose?”

Mookyeong sipped his beer and muttered to himself.

“He changed 2,000 earlier.”

“He’s lost his mind.”

Mookyeong finished the rest of his beer and crushed the can. He threw the empty can into the trash can at the entrance of the room and took a step. Since his arm was still draped over his shoulder, Hongju had no choice but to follow him.

Mookyeong headed towards where Koo Bbing’s voice could be heard. Hongju was worried that he might get caught in the crossfire if he went now. Mookyeong’s steps were relentless, as if Hongju’s hesitation was invisible to him.

The two entered the inner room between the desk and the restroom. It was where the safe was.

“You said he was a sucker. He’s a sharp; his hands are quick.”

Doksa was also red-faced and smoking. Even he, who always smiled gently, seemed quite upset.

“Fuck, I’m sure…”

Koo Bbing’s face was also red and flushed. He was huffing and puffing, saying it was unfair that he lost hundreds of millions in the last game and that he had obviously brought in a card sharp.

“How much did you lose?”

Mookyeong asked casually, as if he didn’t know anything.

While knowing everything. Hongju glanced at his face, but there was no sign of nervousness or anxiety that came with lying.

“2,000. Ah, it pisses me off to lose that money.”

If Hongju had asked, he probably would have been cursed at or punched for not reading the room. But Koo Bbing answered dutifully, even though he was sighing.

“That’s all?”

The tone of his voice, asking as if it were absurd, was laced with ridicule.