TE Ch 13

“Let go.”

“I’m not asking for money out of greed.”

Mookyeong chuckled and heartlessly brushed off the hand clinging to his coat.

“Let go. It’s my fault for leaving the fish with the cat. I forgot you were a card sharp too.”

“I, I don’t deal cards. I just filled in for a bit.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Mookyeong dusted off his coat as if shaking off something dirty and headed for the chair. He settled down on the neatly placed handkerchief and crossed his legs. The toes of his shoes were so shiny that not a single speck of dirt was on them.

“Yes. So, I’m… different. From those people.”

Hongju desperately tried to defend himself. He had to hold onto the deal and keep it going. It would be difficult to escape the gambling house on his own, but with Mookyeong’s help, it would be easier. Hongju could feel it instinctively.

“I’m sorry I got distracted. I’ll, I’ll find him right away.”

He had to somehow find Koo Bbing’s location and prove that he was useful.

“How?”

“I can find him.”

Mookyeong took out a cigarette from his suit jacket. While he was lighting it, Hongju kept repeating that he would find Koo Bbing. Mookyeong rolled up his sleeve, checked his wristwatch, and exhaled smoke between his lips. Mixed in with the smoke was a command.

“10 minutes. Bring him here.”

Mookyeong pointed to the floor with his index finger. Ten minutes was not nearly enough. Moreover, it was even less time to find someone who wasn’t answering his phone.

But Hongju said he would do it and immediately left the room. He took out the cell phone Manager Yang had been using and called Koo Bbing. The ringing went on and on. Manager Yang, who had been talking on the phone just a moment ago, was also nowhere to be seen.

“Have you seen Koo Bbing?”

“I don’t know.”

Seeing Choi Gun blinking stupidly, Hongju turned around. First, he needed to check if the car was there. When he heard that the call had gone to voicemail, he pressed the number again. Hongju’s gaze, as he hurried down the stairs, fell on Manager Yang.

“Where’s Koo Bbing?”

“Why are you asking about Koo Bbing?”

“Hurry up!”

At Hongju’s outburst, Manager Yang frowned. His hands, which had been crossed over his chest, moved to his waist. Meanwhile, Hongju quickly scanned the dark surroundings. Blue car, blue… He saw a car parked neatly on one side. The car was there, so where did he go?

Ring, ring. The ringing tone continued in one ear. It wasn’t like he was making calls to recruit a card sharp. Where the hell was he and what was he doing? He bit his chapped lip.

“Damn it, are you crazy?”

Manager Yang took a step closer as if he were about to slap him. Hongju pressed the number again and said something that would make Manager Yang freeze.

“Boss Mookyeong is looking for him.”

“…Boss Mookyeong?”

As expected, Manager Yang hesitated and looked flustered. Hongju looked around the snow-covered alley. Not a single strand of Koo Bbing’s hair was visible. He had been going to Gwangpal’s gambling house often lately. Did he go in someone else’s car? It takes 20 minutes to get there by car.

“You don’t know where he is?”

Because Manager Yang kept beating around the bush without answering, the conversation wasn’t going anywhere. He only had 10 minutes. It felt like a minute had already passed while arguing with Manager Yang.

“Mijin. He said he was going to see Mijin.”

Koo Bbing’s ex-girlfriend. He said he was going to see Mijin, but he left his car behind… Hongju remembered something and started running.

He ran like crazy to a nearby motel without even having time to check the time. It was about a 5-minute walk, but since he ran, it must have taken less time. Hongju burst through the door and rushed to the counter.

“Koo Bbing’s here, right?”

The owner, who was watching TV and peeling a tangerine, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

“He took a room for a few hours. Why?”

“Which room?”

Seeing the owner blinking slowly, Hongju stomped his foot fiercely. The old man just smacked his lips.

“Hurry up. It’s urgent!”

“…..”

The owner pursed his lips, stained with tangerine juice. Hongju, frowning, headed for the first room on the first floor. As he reached for the doorknob, ready to search every room, a desperate cry came from behind.

“Room 202, second floor! Kegh!”

A series of ear-piercing coughs followed. Hongju let go of the doorknob and ran straight to the second floor. He went up the stairs and turned right, where he saw the sign for room 202. Bang, bang. He knocked on the door urgently. Bang, bang! The shabby door rattled every time Hongju knocked.

“I know Koo Bbing is here. Come out quickly.”

Bang, bang, bang! His knocking became more and more forceful as he was pressed for time.

“What the fuck!”

A sharp curse came from inside. Relieved to hear the familiar voice, Hongju grabbed the doorknob and shook it.

“Come out quickly. We have to go to the gambling house.”

After several more urgings, the door burst open. Koo Bbing, with a towel wrapped around his waist, came out with a red face.

“You, you crazy bastard. What are you doing here?”

Koo Bbing raised his hand without even listening to Hongju. His head snapped back from the force of the blow, but he didn’t even have time to feel the pain. The 10 minutes Mookyeong had given him were still ticking away.

“Boss Mookyeong is looking for you.”

“…What?”

“Why didn’t you answer your phone? He’s looking for you.”

“Boss Mookyeong?”

Why? Koo Bbing muttered and scratched his head. He didn’t even have time to frown at his sweaty face and reddened skin, which didn’t suit the weather.

“He said it was urgent and to bring you within 10 minutes.”

“N-Now? 10 minutes?”

Whether he was flustered or not, he grabbed Koo Bbing’s arm and pulled him. Then, he hesitated and backed away.

“Wait, you bastard.”

He moved inside with relatively quick steps, but Hongju was anxious. He couldn’t stand still and kept tapping his foot. Koo Bbing came out, having hastily put on some clothes. He could hear someone inside complaining, but Hongju was busy urging Koo Bbing.

“Ah, what is it? What’s going on?”

“I don’t know! He told me to find you. Why aren’t you answering your phone?”

At the petulant reproach, Koo Bbing yelled.

“How the fuck am I supposed to answer the phone when I’m getting laid?”

The two ran down the snowy street. He wondered if 10 minutes had passed. Without even having time to feel anxious, they headed for the temporary gambling house.

Hongju arrived first and led the way. As soon as they reached the third floor, he could smell cigarette smoke. The next thing he saw was Mookyeong, leaning against the desk with his legs outstretched, exhaling smoke. He calmly checked his wristwatch as he watched Hongju, who was gasping for breath.

“You’re late, and you came alone?”

“No.”

Before he could finish his answer, Koo Bbing came up the stairs panting. The corners of Mookyeong’s mouth, still holding a cigarette, curled up slightly.

“B-Boss Mookyeong, you were looking for me. W-What’s up? Phew.”

Koo Bbing panted, trying to catch his breath. The crumpled hem of his shirt, which he hadn’t even tucked into his pants, dangled from his lower back.

“Where were you, Madam Koo?”

“I, uh. I went to see my girlfriend for a bit.”

“Where with your girlfriend?”

“Well…”

Koo Bbing scratched his head, looking embarrassed. His ears seemed to have turned red. Seeing his hesitation, Mookyeong seemed to have guessed roughly what was going on and didn’t press further. Instead, he immediately got to the point.

“They said they didn’t get the advance payment. They’re not working starting tomorrow, so what are you going to do?”

“Huh? Ah, that, I was going to give it to them once the construction was halfway done, depending on how they worked… They’re not doing it? It’s not like I said I wouldn’t give it to them. These fuckers!”

Koo Bbing got angry and rummaged through his pockets. But his hand movements were frantic, as if he couldn’t easily find what he was looking for. He probably didn’t even bring his cell phone because he was in a hurry.

“They said they’re pulling out. I don’t know if we can find a new contractor. It’s a dangerous site, and Madam Koo’s reputation is so shitty that no one wants to take it.”

Hongju sensed the subtle change in Mookyeong’s demeanor. His sharp gaze flashed towards Koo Bbing.

“Ah, about that…”

“What are you going to do, acting like a lowlife just because you’re around gamblers and thugs?”

Mookyeong said, narrowing his eyes as if he were disappointed. Koo Bbing lost his words and just moved his lips. Manager Yang, who seemed to have gone to the restroom, came out, wiping his wet hands. He looked at Hongju with one eye, puzzled by the chilly atmosphere. But Hongju quietly avoided his gaze.

“What are you going to do, call those fuckers? Beat them up and make them work? Without even paying them? Who’s the one acting like shit here? I don’t even know who the real fucker is anymore.”

Mookyeong kept pushing Koo Bbing. It was definitely a crude way of speaking, but because of his low voice, it sounded like he was reciting a poem. Smoke drifted from his gently curved lips.

“I told you to use the investment money for the construction costs. But you’re out there getting laid like you have all the time in the world.”

“No, that’s not it, Boss Mookyeong–!”

Mookyeong stood up, placing both feet on the ground. A cold voice fell through the smoke he exhaled.

“I told you to do this without any problems. Did my words go in one ear and out the other?”

“…..”

“If you’re going to be like this, we can’t work together.”

At those words, Koo Bbing flinched as if he were having a seizure. It was the first time he had seen him so flustered.

“Wait a minute. Hear me out!”

He had moved everything from the gambling house here, recruited a new card sharp, and had to pay the rent for this building, which was being used as a temporary gambling house. The amount of money he would have to spend in the future was enormous, and if Mookyeong withdrew his investment, Koo Bbing would have to bear it all. Koo Bbing turned pale and spoke urgently.

“I’ll explain it well, and starting tomorrow morning, I’ll send all the workers to the site. Okay? I’ll take care of the payment and contact you; it won’t take long!”

He ran down the stairs without even waiting for an answer. Mookyeong turned his gaze to Manager Yang, who was standing quietly.

“What do we do? He says so, so should we trust him?”

“Haha. Koo Bbing is good at cleaning things up, so, well.”

Manager Yang, having roughly grasped the situation, let out an awkward laugh. His gold tooth flashed under his trembling upper lip.

“Who was it that asked to borrow some tails earlier?”

Manager Yang, muttering awkwardly to himself, headed for the hallway.

The only ones left were Mookyeong and Hongju. Mookyeong tapped the hand holding the cigarette. At the gesture to come closer, Hongju took a step. Mookyeong bit the filter and pulled down the zipper of Hongju’s padding jacket. As he hesitated, Mookyeong started to forcibly take off his padding.

“W-Why?”

Was he trying to take back the cell phone he had given him to use for contact? Was he going to call off the deal? Hongju desperately clutched his padding.

But it wasn’t easy to resist his strength. Mookyeong pulled the thin padding over his shoulders and then reached for his thin shirt. Hongju’s eyes widened and he struggled. It was a more violent resistance than before.

“Tsk.”

Mookyeong inhaled, still holding the cigarette in his mouth. His cold gaze stared down at him intently. Hongju let out a shaky breath.

After a moment’s hesitation, Mookyeong unbuttoned a few of his shirt buttons. Since he was wearing gloves, it was more like ripping them off. After grasping the scattered collar and opening it, he thoroughly examined his neck area. He even bent down and peered intently at his thin chest.

“You didn’t do it?”

Hongju was practically being held by the scruff of his neck, so he stood on his tiptoes, trembling. He couldn’t even swallow properly, afraid that the cigarette Mookyeong was holding might touch his collarbone.