CHW Ch 1

I’ve been hounded by creditors my entire life, but being stuffed into a car trunk was a first. Maybe because the hideout was located deep in the mountains, the ride was absolutely miserable. The car’s wheels rattling over the bumpy road felt just like my life. Damn it, what a life. If I’d known it would come to this, I wouldn’t have discharged from the military; I’d have gone AWOL with a weapon instead. Getting locked up in prison would’ve been far better than dealing with these bastards.

“Ptoo.”

My mouth, bruised from a few slaps, was leaking blood. With my hands tied behind my back, I couldn’t wipe it off, so I spat it onto the trunk floor. Suddenly, the car stopped, and the engine shut off. A moment later, I heard the sound of a car door opening and closing, followed by faint footsteps crunching on gravel. Then, the trunk door began to open. Well, after driving for over an hour, it was about time.

Blinding sunlight flooded my eyes. As I squinted, someone grabbed my collar and yanked me out of the car, throwing me to the ground.

“If you’re unlucky, you’re a ghost’s bitch. Think your mom’s five hundred is all settled, huh?”

The sound of gravel confirmed we were near a river. A long stream flowed to my left, and the area was covered in pebbles. The mid-May sun was so scorching that even the gravel touching my face felt burning hot. But what was more infuriating was the amount of money the guy mentioned.

“How much did my mom borrow?”

“Five hundred.”

“Five hundred? You stuffed me in here like luggage for that? Man, are you screwing with me? I thought it was at least ten million.”

Writhing like a shrimp, I forced myself to sit up and snapped back. Kang Man-sik, with a dumbfounded look, smacked me hard on the head.

“You little bastard, still haven’t fixed that mouth of yours. Can’t you talk pretty with that halfway decent face of yours? Your mouth is too damn rough for that face. Ever seen Jeon Ji-hyun or Jeon Do-yeon curse like that, huh?”

“What’s so pretty about a guy with a dick that I’d listen to you, hyungnim? Forget it. Who paid off that money? Can’t be my dead dad, definitely not my mom or brother. Don’t tell me it was Jungsook imo?”

I retorted bluntly, and Kang Man-sik chuckled, nodding. Grabbing the hair I’d carefully grown out over three months since my discharge, he shook my head roughly and said, “Our Minjo, you’re screwed starting tomorrow. How are you gonna survive under that woman, Kim Jungsook?”

I knew it. Kim Jungsook had covered my mom’s debt before. But back then, it was less than a million won, and I was dragged along right in front of her, so it was manageable. Now, with no contact, how did she know to pay it off? And for nothing in return?

No way there was no price. For that less-than-a-million debt, I worked three full months as an ashtray at the house and coffee shop she ran. On top of that, I delivered coffee on a bicycle, carrying a tray, and constantly faced humiliating situations. She exploited my labor so ruthlessly back then, so how could her character have changed after a few years? As a minor, I got off with just that, but now, as an adult, she’d surely demand an even steeper price.

“Your big sister’s coming soon, so this hyung’s gonna head out. We’re not in some love triangle, and one of us has to step back. Stay strong, kid! With all the history we’ve got, you think she’d throw you into a shit pit and roll you around?”

A shit pit would be paradise, damn it. That woman—what kind of woman is she?

Kang Man-sik roughly let go of my head, started toward the car, then turned back to look at me.

“Oh, right. Almost forgot to mention.”

“What?”

“Later, suck my dick. I didn’t know until today how perfectly straight your teeth are.”

“Oh, just get lost.”

He’d teased me like that countless times. But he’d never actually touched me. Kang Man-sik talks like that, but he has zero interest in messing around with anyone with a dick.

Well, as Kang Man-sik said, maybe I was lucky. These guys would do anything to collect money, yet I’d somehow never been messed with in that way. My filthy mouth was partly because of guys like Kang Man-sik. I figured if I was dirty in at least one way, they’d leave me alone. Of course, that got me beaten up a ton.

Less than five minutes after Kang Man-sik left, Madam Kim Jungsook appeared in all her gaudy glory. She must’ve just come from meeting a man, dressed to the nines in a way that was utterly tacky. Permed hair tied up, miniskirt, black stockings, high heels—she was screaming “I’m a madam” with her entire body.

With a cigarette dangling from her heavily lipsticked lips, Kim Jungsook puffed out a couple of clouds of smoke, then grabbed my hair and shoved her face close to mine. Breathing heavily into my nostrils, she said, “That bitch, your mom, acted like my sister, then ran off with my money, Minjo. What should we do about it?”

What kind of dogshit nonsense was this? I should’ve just shot myself when I had a gun in my hands. I should’ve died as a soldier. Why the hell did I become a civilian again?

“I’ve searched high and low, but that damn woman’s nowhere to be found. So, Minjo, shouldn’t you, at least, pay back your auntie’s money?”

“…If you get tangled up with money issues everywhere, it gets complicated, so you paid it off for your own convenience, huh? I almost misunderstood.”

“Where? It’s all out of love for you. I’m the one who changed your shitty diapers. You think I wouldn’t cover a measly five hundred?”

Grinning, Kim Jungsook pressed her red lips onto my forehead. Then she whispered, “So, let’s take a picture to send to your mom. It’s for both our sakes, so bear with it even if it’s gross.”

“Huh?”

Kim Jungsook said something incomprehensible, stepped back, and gestured to the guy she’d brought along. What happened next made me want to vomit, as a revolting stench of blood overwhelmed me.

“Ugh!”

It was pig’s blood poured over my body. The blood, dripping from my head, was sticky, like it had been boiled once. Bound and collapsing, I gagged as the blood flooded my mouth and nose. That bastard—I’d thought it was odd he was holding a bucket earlier. All I could see was a black plastic bag, so I never imagined it was blood.

Amidst this, I heard a shutter sound. Barely opening my eyes, I saw Kim Jungsook taking pictures of me with her phone.

“If you want to save your son, hurry up and bring the money, you bitch. If you spend even a single won, I’ll tear him limb from limb.”

Muttering threats I’d long grown immune to, Kim Jungsook sent the message and snapped her phone shut. She smirked, her red lips stretching wide, and laughed at the guy next to her.

“You gotta do this much to get their hearts racing, right? Man, this looks straight out of a murder scene.”

Then, blocking me as I crawled toward the river, she said with a straight face, “Listen, Woo Minjo. Starting today, you’re working under me again. Run away, and you know what? I’ll slice up your balls and dick and eat them like sashimi.”

…And that’s how I’ve been working under Kim Jungsook for three weeks now. Naturally, in those three weeks, there hasn’t been a single call from my mom, who ran off with Kim Jungsook’s three thousand.

“Minjo, you bastard, where the hell are you now? There’s a ton of deliveries piling up!”

“Minjo, you bastard, I’m right here, not going anywhere.”

“Then why aren’t you answering quick! Whatever, take Hyun Yang and get to Jangheung Livestock pronto. Stop by Gimoon Construction on the way back.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

In short, I was a hostage. Like it or not, I had to stay tied to Kim Jungsook until my mom showed up with the money. If I ran, she was the type to actually slice up my balls and dick for sashimi, so I had no choice but to work day and night without rest at her coffee shop, house, and bar. Meanwhile, the interest kept piling up.

“Oh, Hyun Yang! You gotta wear heels when you go to Gimoon. If you don’t, they’ll turn you away at the gate.”

“I already got turned away last time for not wearing them. But what’s the deal with that?”

“The gatekeeper’s a pervert. Crazy guy, super fat.”

“Is Gimoon’s boss the pervert?”

“How would I know? I’ve never slept with him. Ask him today. ‘Are you a pervert?’”

“Someone’s gonna die. But isn’t he supposed to be crazy hot? And I heard his dick’s huge. Like, massive.”

I didn’t know then, listening to that crude conversation, just how much worse my life was about to get.

🍀

Jangheung Livestock, a thirty-minute drive to a remote area, was a feed factory run by Hwang Nobyeong, a well-known figure in Mugwang City. Every livestock farm in the area used Hwang’s feed. The factory spanned twenty thousand pyeong, with a sizable workforce, making it a respectable mid-sized enterprise.

You might think it’s a waste to spend an hour round-trip just to sell a six-thousand-won coffee, but Hwang Nobyeong’s other nickname was “the big-spending boss.” With his oily appearance and massive build, his generosity matched his size. Not only did he pay delivery fees by the minute, but he also paid coffee prices equivalent to a girl’s daily wage—a rare kind of person. How rare? He never forgot to tip the carman. Coming from a wealthy family, spending money freely, and with no nagging wife, Hwang Nobyeong was quite popular among the girls for his age.

Hwang Nobyeong had taken a strong liking to Hyun Yang, the new girl at Amber Coffee Shop, and ordered coffee daily. At twenty-eight, Hyun Yang was undeniably beautiful, even to me. The way the over-fifty Hwang doted on her, like he’d give her his liver and gallbladder, made me think his devotion could lead to marriage. Thanks to that, I, the carman, got some extra cash too. Today, he gave me an extra bill compared to yesterday, so I scored fifty thousand won—a fortune that’d cover snacks for a few days.

Hyun Yang had been inside for fifteen minutes and still hadn’t come out. After a certain amount of time, the carman had to call for the girl’s sake, as they often got held up by unwanted advances. A call urging them to hurry because deliveries were piling up usually got them released reluctantly.

Since I didn’t have my own phone, I used the shop’s phone to call Hyun Yang, but Hwang Nobyeong answered instead. And, damn it.

—Why the hell do you keep calling, huh?

“Oh, our big boss must be super busy, huh? The thing is, our sister’s got a ton of deliveries piled up right now.”

—It’s almost done, ugh, just wait.

“Of course, I’ll wait. But while I’m waiting—”

—Oh, damn, shut it. Yes, yes, good job! Like that, keep going!

“…”

From the other end came crude words and moans, as if Hyun Yang was sucking him off. I couldn’t tell her to stop and come out in this situation, and listening any longer would rot my ears, so I just hung up. Damn it. If they’re gonna do this, they should book a separate time. For the sake of the other girls doing the same job, this shouldn’t happen, but Hyun Yang, new to the coffee shop gig, probably didn’t know better.

If she went around sucking dick at delivery stops, gossip was inevitable. “Amber Coffee Shop’s Hyun Yang sucks dick, so why don’t you?” It’d spark fights among the girls, and even between shops, and then, damn it, I’d be the one caught in the middle, screwed again. In just three weeks, I’d seen this kind of thing multiple times, and the thought alone made me shudder.

I debated what to do, but since the deed was done, I decided to give her a heads-up when she came out. It was awkward for me, a guy and not the boss, to say anything, but it was better than letting it reach Kim Jungsook’s ears and causing a mess.

True to her word, Hyun Yang came out of Hwang Nobyeong’s office exactly five minutes later. Her neatly applied lipstick was completely gone, and her eyes were smudged with black. Spitting on the dirt ground, she pulled gum from her purse and started chewing. Hwang Nobyeong followed, still unsatisfied after one round, his crotch visibly bulging. Though hidden by his pants, it looked massive even at a glance.

Hwang Nobyeong, after adjusting himself a few times, hugged Hyun Yang as she greeted him. He whispered something in her ear, and Hyun Yang’s expression looked pretty pleased. Today, it seemed Hwang had decided to make her his girlfriend. Well, a big-spending boss is the best in this world. And if his dick’s big too, that seals the deal.

Worried we’d be late for Gimoon Construction, I rolled down the window and urged Hyun Yang.

“No time, noona! Gimoon Construction! Gimoon Construction!”

Shouting and showing the watch on my wrist, I caught Hwang Nobyeong’s expression souring. As Hyun Yang replied and started toward me, Hwang grabbed her wrist and said, “Did Boss Choo specifically request you? Why are you going there?”

“Nah, they don’t do specific requests. It’s just close by, so they send me.”

“Then send someone else. Don’t go.”

I understood his worry—afraid of losing his girl to the famously handsome and well-endowed Boss Choo—but work is work. Acting like this already meant their relationship wouldn’t last long.

Luckily, Hyun Yang had a strong work ethic. Knowing there weren’t many girls available for delivery today and that switching girls would make us late, she rejected Hwang’s suggestion.

“What’s that about? There’s no one else. Everyone’s out today; it’s just me and Byeol Yang.”

“Should I call Jungsook? See if there’s another girl?”

“Oh, oppa, why are you like this? I’m working right now.”

“Then just clock out here. Don’t go running around hurting your feet. I’ll cover your daily pay through tomorrow.”

Hyun Yang, who’d been looking annoyed, brightened at that and turned to Hwang.

“For real?”

“For real! I don’t lie.”

“Then, oppa, can you talk to auntie for me? I’m a bit scared of her. Please?”

“What’s there to be scared of? Alright, wait.”

Hwang pulled out his phone and started calling Kim Jungsook. Hyun Yang, watching with anticipation, suddenly turned to me and winked.

“Hey, Jungsook! It’s Nobyeong, Hwang Nobyeong. Nah, no problem, I just wanna take our Hyun Yang out for some fresh air today.”

No matter how much money Hwang had paid, I’d need to finish the delivery to Gimoon Construction to get approval. There was no way we’d make Gimoon’s requested time if we swapped girls. And Gimoon’s Boss Choo was scarier than Hwang.

But, contrary to my expectations, approval came through shockingly fast. After finishing the call with Kim Jungsook, Hyun Yang cheered and hugged Hwang.

“What’s that, oppa! Oppa, you’re a real man, huh?”

Climbing into the back seat, handing over the coffee bundle, and packing her things, Hyun Yang’s face looked brighter than ever—like her actual age. Out of nowhere, she ruffled my hair from behind.

“Sorry, Minjo. You’re suffering because of me.”

“Nah, what suffering? A guy who just drives, suffering?”

“She might call, so just in case, take these.”

“Huh?”

Hyun Yang tossed the red heels she’d been wearing onto the passenger seat. Changing into flats, she got out of the car and said, “Don’t twist your ankle. Be careful.”

🍀

I got turned away three times for not wearing heels.

“Man or woman, no exceptions. If it’s five p.m., come in heels.”

I nearly yelled “Screw that!” but since it was them, I had no choice but to comply. Back at the car, I yanked off my socks and shoved my feet into the heels Hyun Yang gave me.

“Ugh, my damn life.”

Thanks to Hyun Yang’s tall frame and big feet, the heels fit fine, but the high heels hurt my toes like hell after just a few steps. How do they wear these all day? It made me respect the girls, while also wanting to beat the crap out of the pervert gatekeeper. Of course, the real problem was Kim Jungsook, who ordered this nonsense.

“Minjo, you go and serve it up nice. Even if it’s you today, they’ll let it slide.”

Wearing open-toe red heels and holding the coffee bundle Kim Jungsook packed, I looked up at the rundown prefab buildings. This cluster of attached structures was Gimoon Construction’s office. Even more remote than Jangheung Livestock, it looked like a rural housing complex from afar. The dark exterior and curtained windows gave it a perpetually eerie vibe, amplified by the densely planted trees around it.

They had a flashy headquarters in the city, but Boss Choo always worked from here. Supposedly because he liked to “quietly beat people up” or something. That was just the girls’ speculation from their delivery runs, though.

I headed toward the largest building in the center. Standing before the grimy front door, I looked at the doggy door at the bottom.

“Damn it…”

The girls had to stick their heeled foot through the doggy door and wait until they were told to enter, but they all hated it, saying it felt like their ankle might get chopped off. Given the place, that fear was understandable. Now that I was in their shoes, I realized sticking your ankle through that doggy door took serious guts.

I had to do it three times. First, I got turned away for sneakers, then for socks, then for bare feet. I was crazy for stubbornly trying three times out of sheer spite.

If they still didn’t open the door after I followed their rules, I planned to call Boss Choo directly from the number on his card. I’m the ace of Amber Coffee Shop, here to serve you delicious coffee, but they won’t open the door because I’m not wearing heels. What should I do? Should I just leave?

If they had eyes, they’d better look closely. I rolled up my pant leg to expose my right ankle, shoved my foot through the doggy door, and rang the bell.

“Five p.m. delivery!”

A moment later, I heard giggling from the other side, followed by, “Pull your foot out, kid.” When I did, the door swung open, revealing the gatekeeper I’d been dying to see.

Dressed in a black suit, he was about my height without the heels, but his bulk was three times mine, and his face was incredibly menacing. Not a single scar, but his entire being screamed perfect thug. Facing that mug, I was glad I hadn’t mouthed off. Gimoon’s lackeys were on another level—nothing like Kang Man-sik. The overwhelming intimidation made me shrink back instinctively.

Holding the door, the guy scanned me up and down, then let out a dry laugh.

“You crazy? You actually did it just because we told you to?”

“…Huh? Oh… haha.”

“Why didn’t you go all out and wear a skirt too?”

Clicking his tongue at my heeled ankle, he grabbed my arm and started dragging me inside.

I expected a typical home interior with linoleum flooring, but the moment I stepped out of the heels, it was rough wooden planks. Barefoot, my soles would’ve been shredded by splinters. The gatekeeper was wearing dress shoes, and a sidelong glance showed the other guys were too. That meant I’d have to serve coffee to Boss Choo looking like this. Praying he was only as perverted as this guy, I entered what looked like the living room—and froze. For some reason, about a dozen huge guys were gathered, looking ominous.

Crazy… No wonder Kim Jungsook packed two extra thermoses today. She must’ve known and sent me anyway.

“Who’s that, Jungsik?”

“Says he’s the five p.m. delivery.”

Someone asked, and the guy holding my arm answered. His name must be Jungsik.

“Five p.m.?”

The moment the words left his mouth, the guys, each doing their own thing, turned to look at me. Their eyes dropped from my face to my feet in an instant. Then their expressions shifted, like they were seeing some lunatic. After a few seconds of chilling silence, the one who seemed like the leader asked Jungsik, “What’s that, a chick?”

“No.”

“Then why’s he wearing heels?”

“Well… I was messing with him, but he actually showed up in them. Thought he was nuts.”

The leader stood and walked toward me. Staring for a few seconds, he tapped my toes with his shoe.

“Really?”

“…Huh?”

In a flash, the man’s hand shot out and roughly grabbed my crotch. It happened so fast I didn’t even react until he’d groped me a few times and let go. Realizing what had happened, I stumbled back.

“What, what…?”

“What? Just checking if you’ve got a dick. It’s nice and firm.”

Catching me as I nearly fell, the man jerked his chin toward a room in the back and said, “Alright, go on. Get in there.” Then he added a menacing warning: “Don’t look around, just pour the coffee.”

🍀

“Hyungnim, the coffee’s here!”

One of the big guys shouted as I turned the chipped doorknob and entered. But I froze before taking a single step. Right in front of the open door, a man and woman were going at it.

“Oh, damn!”

A massive man, wearing only a loosely draped shirt, had a woman bent over a huge desk as big as his frame, thrusting from behind. Each movement made the desk creak and wobble. No doubt, this was the rumored Boss Choo.

“Ah! Ugh!”

The woman, still clothed, was pinned down by a hand bigger than her face, taking Boss Choo’s thrusts. Her pained moans spilled out nonstop. Just from the way she was being crushed, it was clear she wasn’t enjoying it.

However, what was even more shocking was that Boss Choo, in the midst of his thrusting, was covered in blood, as if he had committed a murder. I wondered if he had gotten that way from handling the woman roughly, but fortunately, aside from her pained reaction to his thrusts, the woman seemed unharmed. That meant…

Suddenly, Boss Choo, who had been looking down at the woman while thrusting, snapped his head up. His blood-soaked face, with eyes blazing with excitement, locked onto me, frozen in place. The moment I met those ferocious eyes, my senses snapped back to reality.

“I’m sorry! I’ll come back later!”

“No, no, it’s fine. Come in.”

Saying this, Boss Choo abruptly stopped moving, gripping the woman’s head as his entire body shuddered violently. His face contorted dramatically, and both of his bulging pectoral muscles twitched.

“Fuck… damn.”

Anyone who had ever had sex would recognize he was climaxing. I immediately bowed my head. Not enough, I bent at the waist until my forehead nearly touched my knees, muttering softly, “Then, excuse me.”

Fearing the sound of my heels might ruin the mood, I lifted my heels and tiptoed on the balls of my feet. Heading toward the sofa on the right to set down the coffee bundle, I flinched in shock once again. Not just a flinch—I gasped aloud, nearly dropping the bundle to the floor. Two men, completely naked and drenched in blood, were slumped in a corner by the sofa, tangled together like corpses. That’s why Boss Choo looked…

Just as I was about to check if they were dead or alive, Boss Choo, who had appeared out of nowhere, plopped down on the main seat of the sofa, letting out a loud sigh. Then, with a kick, he roughly shoved the table aside.

“Put a ton of ice in it. Or I’ll crack your skull.”

“Yes? Oh, yes.”

Turning to respond, I nearly bit my tongue. Hanging between Boss Choo’s legs was a dick so massive it was almost the size of my calf, with only a slight exaggeration. And the length—why even mention it? With a tiny bit of embellishment, it looked easily thirty centimeters long. Surrounded by a jungle of thick pubic hair, the enormous dick was still rock-hard, practically glued to his stomach. It looked so solid it could double as a club. I instantly understood why the woman had been moaning in pain.

“…”

I couldn’t help but swallow hard. No wonder there were rumors about a “whale dick.”

It wasn’t just his dick—Boss Choo’s entire physique was colossal. He was so tall—probably around two meters, almost touching the ceiling—and his frame was staggeringly broad. His neck and thick chest were like a sturdy oak tree unshaken by a typhoon.

If the gatekeeper Jungsik’s body was all soft fat, Boss Choo was made of armor-like muscle, looking tough enough to deflect bullets or blades. He was a beast, plain and simple. His hands resting on his thighs were equally impressive. Thick, long, and massive, a single blow from those hands would kill someone like me instantly.

Not a single rumor about him had been exaggerated. Even his handsomeness was true. But he didn’t have a kind face by any stretch. As someone who made a living through crime, his glare alone was ferocious enough to crush your spirit. A shallow scar near his eye defined him in one phrase: “Absolutely not someone to mess with.”

Suddenly, the calf-sized dick between his tree-trunk thighs twitched forcefully, as if flexing on purpose. A low chuckle followed.

“What. Wanna eat it?”

I must have been staring at the unprecedented majesty of his dick without realizing it. Boss Choo was intently watching my face, distracted by his manhood. He twitched his slowly softening dick again, teasingly saying, “If you wanna eat it, just say so. I’ll let you have a taste. It’s delicious.”

“No, no, I’m sorry.”

My face burned. Maybe because he was the first real gangster I’d met, his joking words sounded like a threat, making my heart pound. If I acted cocky, I’d surely end up in pieces.

I sat on the very edge of the sofa, hurriedly unpacking the coffee bundle. Though I called it the edge, it wasn’t far from Boss Choo—the room was small, and the sofa wasn’t that big.

“What, you a hostess too?”

“Huh?”

“I’m asking if you’re a hostess. You’re here to pour coffee, right?”

“No, I’m not a hostess. I’m a carman, just filling in today… because we’re short on girls…”

“…”

I gave a slight smile and waved my hand, but Boss Choo started staring at me intently. His long, narrow eyes narrowed further, and his dark pupils fiercely scanned my face. After a while, he nodded to himself, muttering, “I see…”

I had scooted closer to the table to avoid tripping over my heels when the woman, having composed herself, came over and collapsed onto the opposite sofa, looking exhausted. She had a pretty face but seemed a bit older—maybe mid-thirties?

“Ugh, it’s so hot. Pour me one too after you’re done with the boss.”

Her polished Seoul accent drew my attention, and finally, Boss Choo’s gaze left my face. I’d been so tense that sweat was trickling down my back. I understood perfectly why the girls refused to come back to Gimoon after one visit. Handsome or not, he was terrifying.

“Gimme a cigarette.”

Boss Choo flicked his fingers at the woman. His voice, like a cavern, felt like it was coming from right beside me.

The woman lit a cigarette with her lips and handed it to him. Boss Choo took it, placed it between his lips, and stripped off his blood-stained shirt, wiping his face, neck, armpits, abs, and even his dick. After sniffing it—whether from sweat or blood—his face twisted in disgust. “Fucking disgusting, these damn bastards,” he muttered, tossing the shirt toward the men he’d clearly beaten.

Taking advantage of the moment, I opened the thermos lid filled with ice and poured in the strong, cold black coffee Kim Jungsook had prepared. Then I added two teaspoons of sugar and shook it vigorously. Summer or winter, Boss Choo always drank it this way, I’d heard. That’s why the coffee bundle for Gimoon Construction only contained a thermos of cold black coffee and a sugar jar—no creamer to avoid confusion.

The most expensive thing at the coffee shop was this thermos. Kim Jungsook never skimped on it, saying lukewarm coffee hurt sales, no matter how pretty the girls were. It had to be scalding hot or brain-freezingly cold. “If it’s neither, it’s worse than plain water.” For the first time today, I was grateful for Kim Jungsook. If I’d opened the lid to find the ice melted, I might’ve ended up like those guys sprawled out over there.

Since Kim Jungsook had told me over the phone, I wasn’t sure if I’d mixed it to Boss Choo’s taste. What if it was too sweet or tasteless? My hands trembled as I shook the bottle. Surely he wouldn’t hit me, I thought, pouring the coffee—minus the ice—into a thick glass. I’d heard no girl had ever been hit at Gimoon… But, Woo Minjo, you’re a guy with a dick.

Carefully carrying the dew-covered glass, I moved toward Boss Choo. With nowhere else to look, I stared at the frothy coffee and respectfully handed it over with both hands. But instead of taking the glass, Boss Choo’s hand reached for my face, nudging my bowed chin upward.

“Took you long enough. I’m all cooled off.”

“…I’m sorry.”

His fingers grazed under my chin as they withdrew. Then our hands overlapped as he took the glass. The touch felt oddly meaningful, making me uneasy, though it was mild compared to earlier. Still, seeing him beat people and screw like that confirmed he was a pervert, and I wanted to get out of here fast.

I figured I’d pour a glass for the woman and give the rest to the guys outside, so I started moving back to the sofa’s edge. But the coffee, now in Boss Choo’s hand, was set down on the table without a single sip. The cigarette he’d been smoking was tossed aside too. “What’s this?” I thought, when suddenly his upper body leaned toward me, his hand grabbed my rolled-up right ankle, and my body toppled backward. “Ugh!” Falling flat on the sofa, I looked up to see his eyes glinting fiercely.

“You fucking bastard, you messing with me? Saying you’re not a hostess.”

“No, no, I’m really a carman, I swear I’m not a hostess.”

“If you’re not a hostess, why the hell are you wearing these?”

“It’s because the guy at the door, uh…!”

My ankle was gripped so tightly it hurt, yanked up toward his chest. My legs spread wide like scissors. Boss Choo pushed my other thigh, resting on the sofa, up with his knee and pressed it down hard. His blood-splattered face leaned close to mine.

“You know what happens if I catch you screwing with me? You’re dead.”

“No way, boss. Screwing with you? How could I dare? That’s not it.”

I only have one life—how could I possibly mess with Boss Choo? It’s not like that. That lackey Jungsik at the door said he wouldn’t open unless I wore heels, so I just did what he told me. It’s not just me—he does that to all the delivery girls. Panicked by his “you’re dead” threat, I hurried to explain, but suddenly the woman on the opposite sofa burst out laughing, clapping so loudly it hurt my ears.

“Oh, this is that bastard Jungsik’s doing!”

Boss Choo’s face whipped to the side. The woman, stubbing out her cigarette in the ashtray, looked at him with a grin.

“You know, that fat kid guarding the door. The youngest here, Lee Jungsik. I got screwed by him a couple times when I first came. He makes you stick your foot in the doggy door, and if he likes it, he opens the door quick. If not, he takes forever. Look at this kid—definitely got messed with by him. His clothes and behavior don’t scream ‘I dress like this.’ What, did he tell you no heels, no entry? Right?”

Yes, sister. Absolutely correct. You’re freaking awesome. Her words couldn’t have been more spot-on, and Boss Choo’s head turned back to me.

“That true?”

His eyes softened slightly as he asked. From this, it was clear he had no idea how Gimoon Construction was rumored in the coffee shop world. Not knowing anything, he could easily think I was brazenly screwing with him. I nodded like a madman and answered, “Yes, exactly. Sister’s got it right. I came in sneakers, but like she said, they wouldn’t open the door without heels, so I had no choice but to change. There happened to be a spare pair the girls keep in the car…”

“…”

Between the beating, the screwing, and whatever had him so riled up, Boss Choo’s hand gripping my ankle was scorching hot. It felt like it would burn. But for some reason, I had the strange illusion that his dick was getting hard again. Awkwardly, I smiled at the naked Boss Choo, who was staring down at me in this uncomfortable position.

“I’m serious. I just did what I was told. I’m not a hostess, and I’m not trying to mess with you. Please believe me.”

Maybe it was my smile, but his grip on my ankle loosened slightly. I wasn’t skinny, just average height and build. But in Boss Choo’s massive hand, my ankle felt like a brittle twig. If he squeezed hard, it’d snap in two with a crack.

His gaze, fixed on my face, shifted to the ankle he was holding. In that tense moment, his thick thumb slowly circled my ankle bone. Startled by the unexpected slow touch, my entire foot twitched in his hand. His eyes shot back to my face.

“…Oh.”

“….”

I thought his intensity had subsided, but no—his gaze was as fierce as when he’d knocked me down. Damn it… They say I’m doomed to die young, Minjo. Minjo, you’re truly cursed this year.

Thankfully, it didn’t last long. He released my ankle, and Boss Choo returned to his seat. It wasn’t my imagination—his dick was indeed as hard as before. Several times larger than mine at full erection, it swayed heavily with his movements. If I had that thing attached to me, my knees would buckle, and I’d be crawling.

Forcing my eyes away from it, I sat up straight. My groin and the thigh crushed under Boss Choo’s weight throbbed.

Standing, Boss Choo downed the coffee without saying a word. He held out the empty glass to me.

“How old are you this year?”

“…Twenty-three.”

“If you’re lying about your job, what then?”

“Twenty-three’s true, boss. I got discharged three months ago.”

“….”

His gaze was chillingly piercing, as if seeing through any lie. Boss Choo stared at me silently for a moment before speaking again.

“I don’t mess with minors.”

“…Huh?”

“Next time, bring your ID.”

“Oh… Yes, I’ll do that.”

Only after hearing my response did Boss Choo turn away. Unfazed by the splintery wooden floor, he walked barefoot to the desk, picking up his underwear. His body, marked with scars big and small but free of tattoos, felt oddly out of place in his criminal world. Though, with a cigarette in his mouth, he was every bit the gangster boss.

As I poured a new coffee for the woman, I swore to myself. When I got back, even if it meant getting beaten, I’d grab Kim Jungsook by the collar. “If you pull this shit on me one more time, debt or no debt, I’ll burn this place down and run. Got it, auntie?” I also warned myself firmly: Minjo, you’re cursed, so watch yourself. Or something bad’s gonna happen.

“Mmm, delicious. You pour well. Where do you work, kid?”

The woman, downing her coffee in one gulp, lit a new cigarette and asked. I smiled, bowed, and answered only her question, suppressing the urge to say how much her presence here comforted me.

“Amber Coffee Shop.”

“Amber? Doesn’t suit your face. You should work somewhere like Apple or Peach.”

“I’ll look into it and maybe switch.”

“Pretty face, good personality. Damn, I want you.”

“Huh?”

The woman moved the cigarette from her hand to her mouth and rummaged through her purse. Soon, she handed me a crisp business card.

“If coffee shop work gets tough, come to me. I’m the boss here, and I’ll make you a lot of money. Well, I’m under someone, but still.”

I thanked her profusely as I took the card. Pulling it close, I saw it read “LUCKY Host Bar.” Her name was Kim Sunjin. From her “under someone” comment, she must be managed by Boss Choo. Made sense—every entertainment business in Mugwang City, from karaoke to gambling dens, arcades, music rooms, room salons, nightclubs, massage parlors, and restaurants, was supposedly under Gimoon’s control. So, a host bar would naturally be too. Even Kim Jungsook’s bar and house paid monthly tribute to Gimoon. The only business they didn’t touch, I’d heard, was coffee shops.

“Enjoyed the coffee. Here’s your tip. Think hard about what I said. Got it?”

“Thank you so much for this generous amount, sister. I’ll definitely consider your offer.”

I took the hundred thousand won she offered, spouting insincere words and bowing deeply.

A host bar. Why wouldn’t I have considered it? Even rolling in this muck, I couldn’t bring myself to pour drinks or sell my body. It’d be easier to just close my eyes and do it under this financial pressure, but I was still pure. I still had the strength to hold out.

As I collected the glasses, I felt a gaze and looked up to see Boss Choo standing by the window, watching me. The moment our eyes met, a thought hit me: I’d better tear up that business card.

Breaking eye contact first, I quickly packed the coffee bundle. The tip covered the coffee cost, so I just wanted to get out of here.

“Ugh, these idiots. Why’d they steal that stuff? Tsk tsk.”

The woman rose from the sofa and approached the men, who were now faintly stirring, not dead. Crouching beside them, she gently touched their bloodied faces and asked Boss Choo, “What’re we doing with these guys?”

“What else? Cut ‘em.”

“Where? Hands? They won’t be able to work then.”

“Where.”

Don’t look, Minjo. No matter how curious you are about the answer. But my eyes drifted to Boss Choo against my will. He was still staring at me. Exhaling smoke, he said softly, “Ankles. I don’t touch what’s mine.”

🍀

Soon, only Boss Choo and I remained in the room. Kim Sunjin had stepped out to take a phone call.

Having finished the coffee and hearing no requests for more, I quickly gathered the empty glasses and packed the bundle. Thanks to my mom and Kim Jungsook, I’d done this dozens of times, so my hands were swift. I packed everything as I’d brought it and, to avoid any trouble, wiped the table spotless. Then, rising from the sofa, I bowed to Boss Choo, now seated at the desk.

“Well then, boss. Have a good day.”

Like a room salon waiter, I shouted my farewell and backed toward the door. I planned to cover the coffee cost with the tip I’d received. Asking for money felt like it’d get me chewed out by that ferocious face. “You brewed shitty coffee and expect payment?” Even if he was a proper gangster, who knew if he had some thug tendencies? As I reached the door, a low voice stopped me.

“Forgetting something?”

Forgetting something? I paused and looked up at Boss Choo, who was lighting another cigarette. He blew a thick cloud of smoke in front of his fierce face.

“Coffee money.”

“Oh…”

Standing awkwardly, I forced a smile and continued, “You looked busy, boss, so I was gonna collect it outside.” Maybe because of all my experience, the words slipped out before I could think. Having dealt with bosses throwing fits over money more than once, speaking politely had become second nature.

“So I look busy to you?”

“….”

“Sitting here smoking like I’ve got nothing to do?”

“….”

Squinting one eye, Boss Choo flicked ash onto the floor and put the cigarette back in his mouth. Then, with a flick of his index finger, he summoned me. As I hesitated, he ordered curtly, cigarette still between his teeth, “You coming or not?”

His tone was slightly irritated. Wondering if I’d said or done something to upset him, I bent at the waist and moved to the desk. As I got closer, he placed his cigarette-holding hand on the desk. His thick, large hand was covered in small scars. His nails were clipped short and, surprisingly, clean—except for the blood splattered on them.

“When did I tell you to bow?”

“Huh…?”

“Stand straight.”

“…Yes.”

I immediately stood upright as ordered and looked at Boss Choo. His fierce eye squinted again, exhaling smoke. He must’ve inhaled deeply, as smoke poured from his nose too. Damn, I’d been forcibly quitting for three weeks to save money, and seeing him smoke so deliciously made my throat itch. With the hefty tips from Hwang Nobyeong and Kim Sunjin, maybe I’d start again.

He stubbed out the half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray. Blowing the remaining smoke in my face, he opened a desk drawer and pulled out a black wallet thicker than his hand.

“How much?”

“Just ten thousand won.”

“That’s for twenty cups of coffee.”

Damn. I didn’t know he’d ordered that much. Sometimes Gimoon got free coffee as a perk, so I assumed today was the same, but twenty cups? Why didn’t Kim Jungsook tell me exactly how much to collect? She’s too greedy to miss out on twenty cups’ worth. Maybe I should’ve just asked for fifty thousand, including delivery and ice fees.

“Uh… still, just ten thousand won.”

“Why?”

“The rest is… on the house.”

“On the house?”

At that, Boss Choo’s eyebrow twitched. His already fierce face grew twice as menacing.

“Your boss tell you to say that?”

“No, that’s not it…”

“Then?”

“I just…”

“What. You think I’m some cheap bastard who’s crazy for freebies?”

His aggressive tone made me swallow hard, missing my chance to respond. Meanwhile, his expression grew even more terrifying. He tossed the thick black wallet onto the desk.

“No answer to my question, huh? Do I look like that to you?”

“No, not at all.”

“….”

“I thought I didn’t brew the coffee well enough… that’s why I said it. I’m sorry. My mistake.”

…Crazy bastard. In this world full of deadbeats trying to mooch, this was the first guy throwing a fit over being offered something free. There’s no set type for deadbeats, and you never know how a rich, arrogant guy might act. He must be one of those. Thinking that, I apologized immediately. Bowing until my forehead nearly touched the desk, I shouted “sorry” again.

“Let me correct myself. Coffee cost, plus delivery and ice fees, comes to forty thousand—no, fifty thousand won.”