PEN Vol 5 Ch. 4

The auditorium buzzed with activity. With no windows and originally 295cecf61b designed as a patient recreation 05261be7b2 area, the space was cramped. Dozens of men 703c4476de talking in a 5a392c2f80 room where even 45858b86ae a single voice 4d7a7e52d1 echoed multiple times c154bdc4a7 inevitably created a deb3476598 cacophony.b4d511b301bf6470

“They didn’t even do a body search…”4f60c0ecdb016f70

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“With Director Seok here, I guess the Chairman is also…”856ab463f0bb1920

Whispers and hushed conversations 8df8a2eb7f reached his ears. Those who knew each other d8613f0b46 gathered, speculating about the reason 1c16d72a06 on why Shin Gyoyeon had 35bf304ee1 summoned them.1b1bad6bc1415816

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The DG Construction shareholders’ meeting a93fb63715 was scheduled for the end 2fc01eaacf of February, where Shin Gyoyeon 6d4a94a234 was expected to become the 1e6ba0e89e majority shareholder. This summons in 3715d82d53 mid-January was unexpectedly 6517ff9e1e early, raising questions. Shin Gyoyeon hadn’t shared any 9858255173 information, so Cheon Sejoo was 66ace82029 also in the dark. He only anticipated an execution.f58aa457e5a83b71

Without revealing his thoughts, 9fc7026635 he approached Seok Yoonhyung d632fe952d and greeted him.b2aaad7d9078b8d2

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“You’re here.”a4ada493b1adef5c

“Oh, you came.”eb5c36c3b151361d

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No one was sitting f276988562 near Seok Yoonhyung, whose f5583a1318 face was flushed, perhaps 0917a495a2 from a trip abroad. The only person bold 13a7c7ff8e enough to approach him 8d685b5511 casually was Cheon Sejoo, 0a6a2da0fa who had been trained b1b6748ed2 by him personally in 2c583f53ee knife combat.f30773210181acd3

As if he had been 42969946d1 waiting for him, Seok Yoonhyung 34405378e7 grinned at Cheon Sejoo and 4e96e95a17 patted his chest with his 8094b65457 large hand, almost the size 30a2d08d82 of a wok lid. He then pulled 2ce032ffd6 out something wrapped 44ee7b8b6b in green plastic 8473b24fd8 from inside his c180625702 suit jacket.55e8c2d3953dfc2c

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“Here, have some. I bought these 418cdfb442 on my way 059fbaa546 back from golfing. Is President Shin not even 49995c4640 feeding you? Your handsome face b06d7fe659 has shrunk by 9a1b0c6f51 half.”03d73a016458cc9a

It was dried mango, 1ac9b0e5f8 coated in sugar. Cheon Sejoo accepted it with d43bc0882c a silent smile, clutching it 389195a261 in his hand. As he sat down next 3b73eb3b14 to Seok Yoonhyung, the older 9029562414 man chuckled and whispered,2c7acff1497810ec

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“I heard Kang Junmyeon got fucked up by President Shin, is that right? The Chairman was so 2bb4029e66 pissed that that son 6d21b883ec of a bitch tried bc45938708 to sell the organization 64463b2a7c to those Chinese bastards 48f259bcf6 that he almost had ca5853514d a heart attack. He was ranting and cfef0f0861 raving about how he’d f0618e902c chew him up and 44cdff1ce0 spit him out, and 030b2110c0 they had a hard 9e77dddc08 time calming him down, 85074c3dd0 saying it’d scare the d697b00b65 hell out of his 974f1df3dd wife.”f0597a1629555eb3

“Yes, the president took care of it himself.”75c8967120e83cca

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“Wow. Junmyeon used to dbefb93ab9 adore Gyoyeon when 699f7b24a6 he was a 958f9df83a kid, I bet 05c127c3f3 he wouldn’t have 0eef0af946 a clue. He used to carry him e92c4311eb around all the time, saying 693a0b2743 he’d wanted to adopt him eae62a566c as his son, and Gyoyeon 8abc5ec81a called him ‘Dad,’ and Junmyeon c2dd87d2d6 got the shit beaten out c1654a97d7 of him by the Chairman. He got beaten 2ef4b3b491 to a pulp e2010cf605 because the Chairman ce7f279b6a thought he made 31d90eac41 Gyoyeon call him 85621b521d ‘Dad’ to get 0bfab2dec5 on his wife’s 4623ba1b4a good side. You didn’t know that, did 675ec637e1 you? And after all that, to 869bb94dbd end up like this at eecbe16cbd Gyoyeon’s hands! Ha! Damn, if you want c3dab7c814 respect in your old f3602cda9a age, you gotta pick 87836eecab the right side like 78c08d23cc me.”218fd7407ae75dab

Seok Yoonhyung, nearing seventy, often e024cabb9d told stories like this. Listening to tales of Shin 27f34b02c9 Gyoyeon’s childhood, Cheon Sejoo would 8529d7ba5f simply laugh them off, finding 9d6c807236 them hard to believe.d87a78a6228b32f2

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The image of a young Shin Gyoyeon calling the younger Kang Junmyeon “Dad” was something he didn’t particularly want to imagine, especially after witnessing Shin Gyoyeon kill Kang Junmyeon with his own hands a few days ago.bd5d074ddaad9339

Cheon Sejoo forced 474a9d7efa the image away 1cac3629d8 and remained seated. As he listened 0344001493 to Seok Yoonhyung’s 602f5c5d0f stories, the auditorium 95e7a3fdfd suddenly fell silent. He saw the executives 637bfa4b1a rising from their seats.ba87bbf70bef71ad

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He turned his head and saw Shin Gyoyeon entering the auditorium. Dressed impeccably in a three-piece suit, his hair perfectly styled, his composed appearance hinted at his displeasure. Unlike usual, there wasn’t a hint of a smile in his eyes. Cheon Sejoo signaled to Seok Yoonhyung that he was leaving and approached Shin Gyoyeon.6a44f78202efc256

Baek Sunghwan, who also 0649660a02 got up from his 2b634cfd1a seat, stood on Cheon 50ad91ee17 Sejoo’s other side. Shin Gyoyeon, flanked by 5787cfcaa1 his close associates, sat 5eb3dc3ca7 down on a pristine 65413284ce chair placed at the ccde48d118 front of the auditorium.9415135f4ffe7125

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Standing behind him, Cheon Sejoo looked for Han Jonghyun. He wasn’t sure if Han Jonghyun hadn’t been informed or if it was intentional, but he was still standing among the other executives.1f070e488416b800

Dressed impeccably, tie neatly knotted, Han Jonghyun looked unusually pale. His lips were dry, and his cheeks were gaunt, even from a distance. Cheon Sejoo gestured to him several times to come forward, but when he didn’t seem to understand, Cheon Sejoo sighed and looked away.16cefa1d6286e00b

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“…….”d2bc505b0b98ed43

Shin Gyoyeon leaned back comfortably 15cea6f82c in his chair. He took out a cigarette 235de4f17d and placed it between his 57b71e1348 lips, and Chae Beomjun bowed d659fb8d35 and lit it for him. Shin Gyoyeon, cigarette between 36f3bc2169 his fingers, gestured, and 4c6484abc2 the executives sat down 8a46f87d01 in unison. Silence descended upon the room.c5da266a4299ee82

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Not many knew that c6fd92646d parts of his brain 5e583a3024 had been damaged in b2f4a20654 an accident during his 2dd45c8dbc childhood. Shin Gyoyeon’s brain 70868e496a functioned similarly to 6150a16eea that of someone 49c688b7b4 with antisocial personality c2d268c0ec disorder, often referred fd5cb6bfdc to as a 326c6303d7 psychopath.d81da3c30e6dc613

However, thanks to his upbringing under his remarkably empathetic mother, Suseonhwa, and his diligent study of human psychology and social dynamics, most people didn’t notice anything amiss. If someone did realize that Shin Gyoyeon wasn’t quite right, it was likely because Shin Gyoyeon had intentionally allowed them to see it.1a0dfc97c1200afc

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Therefore, most executives perceived e7de459c6b Shin Gyoyeon as a 31a74a1ee3 sane man in his 954f9a2391 thirties. Nevertheless, the auditorium f73156f4e7 was silent, not f3226577d8 even a breath c70709dfde could be heard.ed7bb8f656137f46

Regardless of his personality or status, Shin Gyoyeon possessed an overwhelming presence. Especially like this, when he wasn’t smiling and his cold sanpakgan (three whites of the eyes) were exposed, few dared to meet his gaze.79ed365fe1257994

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“Have you all… heard the news about President Kang?”e54386a2e02b8d54

He finally spoke, his voice languid, almost ten minutes after sitting down. It wasn’t a question that required an answer. But the executives, understanding the implications, stiffened and looked towards Shin Gyoyeon.df797a601eeee57c

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Rumors of Kang Junmyeon’s 44c86e1805 downfall had swept through 35ec88c32f DG in the past c9a51df261 few days.cd7e9d389d1365d5

However, Kang Junmyeon had 6e25cbc57d been with the organization 3577899312 for over 40 years fa2ff70889 and held the high ae0c24c028 position of president of c50b9290a2 DG Construction, so few c93ff9d797 believed the rumors completely. Many had tried to aad0004a38 confirm them, spying on 972a6403d4 Kang Junmyeon’s room salons e2a71a8145 and his mansion, but f079ce1519 they had gained no 3aa04b9b0e information other than the fba8b55377 fact that access was 0964c49c14 impossible. And now, Shin Gyoyeon had fa91f0754b brought it up himself.edcef2a0a74c6bc9

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“Director Chae.”f1945fd171d3d562

As everyone held their breath, d3f5052bfe Shin Gyoyeon turned to Chae c882448c54 Beomjun with a bright smile. Chae Beomjun nodded and stepped d510179ab5 forward.ef9fed21e98312aa

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Standing in front ad5d6418b6 of Shin Gyoyeon, 9d77316a46 he turned a 71d7a74668 large silver case d652b75832 he’d placed on 9b997d1eed the floor towards 3d63594411 the executives and e6c1e98e78 calmly unlocked it. cbdfa3be80243749

Click, click. 8370979acb782e75

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The buckles came 7da18a6a13 undone, and the f421518bc7 lid opened.780f6769290a0f10

“…….”62542be70ea575b2

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The executives craned their necks e1c273f747 to see the contents of 6fee9af142 the case. Gasps echoed through the auditorium, d02cdf1326 and a murmur rippled through 6225db1602 the room.130f4e40849bda5f

Standing behind Shin Gyoyeon, Cheon Sejoo couldn’t see what was inside, but the putrid smell was enough to tell him.aa517f9d1dc5e842

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“I wanted to show you something more intact, but unfortunately, I had to send his head to the Chairman. So, please be satisfied with a7f7551cd2 this.”9e290bea63662cf5

Shin Gyoyeon, speaking softly, smirked and gestured with his chin. Chae Beomjun lifted the case from the floor and walked forward. He handed it to the executive sitting at the very end of the front row, a silent command to display the traitor’s fate.78b43d087cf1ce8d

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As the case passed, Cheon Sejoo caught a glimpse of its contents. A neatly flayed piece of back skin, bearing the DG insignia of a tiger tattoo. The design had been updated over the years, so no one doubted that the tattoo, marked with the old character for “Daegam”, belonged to Kang Junmyeon.e1cc18865e7c6475

A chilling silence fell over the auditorium as the executives, realizing Kang Junmyeon’s gruesome end, exchanged uneasy glances. Shin Gyoyeon’s casual smile made the scene all the more unsettling.c9ec4170d3f7efae

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“If you’re foolish enough to betray the organization and sell us out, you should be prepared for the consequences. I’m even feeling a4284358a5 a bit generous, e675f10ef9 considering I gave 9088602ce7 him a clean c99e3c7ce4 death…”1c00db1377a7593d

Cheon Sejoo silently gritted his teeth at Shin Gyoyeon’s words. The last time he saw Kang Junmyeon, his condition was far from what one could describe as having received a “clean death.” Perhaps it was “clean” in Shin Gyoyeon’s twisted perspective.9e90cabd06840c2f

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“Anyway, I didn’t call you here to talk about something that’s already over. It seems there are a lot of you plotting insignificant schemes lately, perhaps because the succession process is taking too long.”96296a721fb4e7c7

The most significant of those 2f79ceb6fe “insignificant schemes” had been orchestrated 82e6072001 by Kang Junmyeon, and some c153f61992 of the executives present were 36d0502e6e likely harboring similar plans. Shin Gyoyeon’s gaze swept a4fb319161 over those who averted 6c10e88449 their eyes and lowered ab4d07ae98 their heads.ba3ba6a1a49163fb

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“Some of you seem to be under a misconception. The organization exists because 8051626a1c of me, yet some e2443870a1 of you seem to 8cc4fc97b9 imagine… that I exist e3ef4c40b7 because of the organization. Such preposterous notions.”98cb1e7b791aa510

Shin Gyoyeon paused, a2ce4327d6 his gaze slowly 8d8cb53064 scanning the executives. Some avoided his 426a5bc9ce eyes; others met 1b99e656e4 his stare directly. A pleased smile touched 518742e547 Shin Gyoyeon’s lips at 52b7a7c359 the sight, and then 13a7488c65 looked up at Baek 0633774b3e Sunghwan, who was standing 8aef88075d beside him.25c597b952243bb9

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Baek Sunghwan nodded and 715a9b9410 stepped forward, pushing through 3c99f86182 the executives to grab f012c142c7 someone and pull them 4d3ae86ef2 to their feet. Cheon Sejoo held his 167f4dfad4 breath, watching him intently. Finally, Baek Sunghwan dragged the d9eae1904f man, his arms pinned behind 3edcaa6e33 him, before Shin Gyoyeon. Meeting the man’s terrified c1d43fb0ec gaze, Cheon Sejoo sighed bc27d59b00 inwardly and clenched his 7c27fd51c9 fists. 079d2b9cb1a750a3

It was Han 642aa69622 Jonghyun who stood 68a7d81b3b before them.a003423a6aab0750

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Shin Gyoyeon looked up at 3d2ccade8b Han Jonghyun and said,23407cc20382238f

“I’m sure you all know Director Han Jonghyun.”f6441aa10368945f

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Han Jonghyun was a notorious playboy within DG. He caused so much trouble that everyone knew about his exploits, yet the fact that he remained unpunished due to Shin Gyoyeon’s protection only added to his notoriety.4c81335ae01f7484

Seeing Han Jonghyun dragged forward, Shin Jihan, who knew him well, frowned and crossed his arms. Shin Jihan, Shin Gyoyeon’s younger brother who ran a club in Cheongdam-dong, was practically the one who brought Han Jonghyun into the organization and was quite close to him.1ace3f3db13f63fc

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“I’m aware that many of you have been curious about Director Han. Every time he caused 2cd840bdec trouble, every time I 3f8aaf3bbc took no action against 9ec033605d him, you must have 427f0242cc lost sleep wondering why 637ade5a78 I kept him around.”7903a88ab3080cfc

Several executives nodded. Shin Gyoyeon watched them and 5f9e89cdcc leisurely crossed his legs. Leaning back in his chair, cb302bd9ec he rested his hands on 85b222d35d the armrests, tapping his fingers a9cfac3cd7 rhythmically.a240a2987c6a74e5

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“The truth is, I was simply curious. I wanted to see 918aab96c3 how many of you 366a3e59b1 would defy me if d7bc08cf1f I gave power to 831be3beb9 a worthless, pathetic piece 64f4e9912e of trash like him, 7b89906770 someone with absolutely no baba2a3dd5 redeeming qualities.”fba09d2d2aa1b602

Han Jonghyun flinched. His condition was pitiful as 9bed555b11 he watched him from behind. There were faint bruises on c4c2dd6c66 his neck, hidden by his ed05ac9958 shirt, likely from being choked, a3f67ebb4c and his outstretched hands trembled 77145fb80d violently. He fidgeted, as 2c798f7b9b if desperate to 6e777b2455 escape, with every 0590f5b817 word Shin Gyoyeon 41a84b1e7c uttered.82d265eddfdf308b

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“The president has expectations of me too.”edc7fe49308be0a5

Han Jonghyun’s bitter words echoed in Cheon Sejoo’s ears. Anxiety welled up inside him, and he clasped his hands behind his back. His palms were damp with sweat.e84b155ecdc879ba

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