Free Web NovelJust as promised, Chief Ma captured Bae Wonchun the next day and brought him to the factory.
Sure enough, having lived the life of a thug, he reacted completely differently from the kids I saw yesterday.
There was venom in his eyes.
This might actually be fun.
“Take the tape off his mouth.”
Chief Ma peeled the tape from his lips.
The moment it came off, Bae Wonchun started screaming profanities.
“You fucking bastards! Who the hell sent you?! You don’t know who I am, do you?! I’m Bae Wonchun! Bae-fucking-Wonchun!”
“Yeah, sounds right. You really brought the right guy. Bae Wonchun from Geukseong Construction, right? Nice to finally meet you. I’ve really been looking forward to this.”
Without realizing it, a smile crept onto my face.
Bae Wonchun stared at me, trying to figure out who I was.
“Who the fuck are you?! You little shit, lost your damn mind?!”
I couldn’t help but scoff.
“Is that really your concern right now? Who I am? Come on, Wonchun, get a grip on the situation. What, is your head just for decoration?”
“What? You little motherfucker—!”
Thud!
Chief Ma kicked him hard.
Still tied to the chair, Bae Wonchun fell backward, and Chief Ma followed up with fists and kicks.
He wasn’t even using a weapon—just hands and feet—but in an instant, Bae Wonchun’s face was a complete wreck.
“Enough!”
Chief Ma dragged him over and made him kneel in front of me.
Blood was running freely from his nose and mouth, but he still stared me down with grit. I had to give it to him—he had some backbone.
“I’m not asking twice. Who told you to run over Park Hyunseong with a car?”
At that, Bae Wonchun looked genuinely startled, like he hadn’t expected this to be about Hyunseong at all.
“Park Hyunseong? Why the hell are you bringing up that kid’s name?”
Tch. So he’s got guts, but no brains.
I clicked my tongue and stood up.
“Didn’t I say I wouldn’t ask twice? Chief Ma, tame him a bit. I need to make a call.”
“Yes, sir.”
I stepped outside and called the hospital.
— Hello?
“Ma’am, it’s Muhyuk.”
— Muhyuk? Do you want to speak to Hyunseong?
“Yes. Ma’am, have you eaten?”
— Of course, it’s already late. Hyunseong, it’s Muhyuk. Take the call.
After a few moments of rustling, Hyunseong’s voice came through.
— Yeah.
“Sigh... your mom’s nearby, so just answer with ‘yes’ or ‘no.’”
— Okay.
“I caught the guy who did it.”
— Huh? Really?
“I’ll explain the details later. Just know I’m going to make him pay back everything, exactly the same. Just wait. And... I’m sorry.”
He was speechless for a while.
“I’ll visit tomorrow. I’m hanging up.”
As I ended the call, I suddenly craved a cigarette.
I’d quit after coming back, but times like this always triggered the urge.
Looking up, I saw the full moon and stars shining brightly, not caring one bit about how I felt.
‘This happened because of me. Fuck, what a shit feeling.’
Soon after, the factory door opened and Chief Ma stepped outside.
“Did he calm down?”
“Yes.”
When I returned inside with Chief Ma, Bae Wonchun was collapsed, soaked in blood.
At a glance from Chief Ma, the men dragged him back in front of me.
“This is your final chance. Think carefully. Fuck loyalty or whatever. Whether Jo Hyungu gave the order or not, I’m going to strip that bastard down to his underwear and ruin him. So don’t hope for anything. Was it Jo Hyungu?”
He didn’t have the strength to speak, but he nodded a few times.
“Let me summarize, and you nod if I’m right. Park Hyunseong refused to back down during national team selection, so Jo Hyungu gave you the order. You paid those punks over there to hit him with a car. That’s it, right?”
“Y-Yes...”
“God... what a fucking mess.”
A sigh slipped out.
Standing from my chair, I told Chief Ma,
“Cripple them just enough so they can’t walk out of here. Then sell them off to the salt flats.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll head out first. Clean up and join me.”
I stepped outside to gather my thoughts. It didn’t take long for Chief Ma to follow.
“I’ve given instructions to take care of them as ordered.”
I gave a tired nod.
“I’m exhausted. Let’s go home. I need some rest.”
I got into the backseat, and Chief Ma gently shut the door before starting the car.
“We’ve arrived, boss.”
His voice woke me.
I must’ve dozed off...
“Good work today. Let’s talk tomorrow.”
Leaving Chief Ma behind with a bow, I went into the house.
Too tired to shower, I just stripped and collapsed into bed.
When I opened my eyes, the morning sun was already streaming in through the windows.
‘Still feel like shit...’
I was sure I’d had a dream, but I couldn’t remember it at all.
I had breakfast with Grandfather and then headed to visit Hyunseong.
When I opened the door to his hospital room, he was still asleep.
I sat beside him and quietly looked at his face.
‘You stubborn idiot. As if just enduring it would solve anything. You should’ve told me.’
But I knew. Even if something like this happened again, he wouldn’t say a word for fear of being a burden to me.
Just as I closed my eyes, thinking about how to tell him—
“You’re here?” freewёbnoνel.com
He had woken up without me noticing and was looking at me.
“Just now. Did you sleep well?”
He sat up slowly.
“Are you okay to move?”
“Yeah. Something up?”
Stubborn as he is, he’s quick to catch on.
“Is it that obvious?”
Hyunseong silently nodded, eyes locked on mine.
“What? What is it?”
I just kept looking at him.
“...How does it feel, knowing you can’t compete anymore?”
“Huh? I’m fine.”
He said that, but of course he wasn’t.
“I’m sorry. This happened because of me.”
“Why’ve you been saying that since yesterday?”
I didn’t know how this would sound to him—but I «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» didn’t want to lie.
“It wasn’t an accident. Someone ordered the hit. Your so-called ‘senior’s’ dad gave the order because you wouldn’t forfeit the national team spot.”
Hyunseong showed no reaction at all. That only made it harder to bear.
“I never imagined my ambition would cause this. I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.”
“What the hell are you babbling about this early in the morning? How is this your fault?”
“You pushed through because of what I said about going for the national team.”
“Sigh... Muhyuk. You think I tried to make the team just because I’m your friend? Come on. I’d already invested years in judo. I just wanted to win. That was bigger.”
For someone who usually never talks much, he was laying it all out.
“This was my choice. I’ll deal with the consequences. You’ve got nothing to feel sorry for. What, am I your underling? I’m your friend.”
“Of course you are. Why’re you stating the obvious?”
“But if you keep saying it was all because of you, what does that make of the years I put into this? Just stop.”
His nonchalant tone made it even sadder.
“Still...”
“Hey, Kim Muhyuk!”
Startled, I looked at him.
It was the first time I’d seen him angry since middle school.
“Okay, okay, I won’t say it again. Don’t get mad.”
“If you say you’re sorry one more time, I’m never speaking to you again.”
“Alright! Damn it. Got it.”
He chuckled.
“I thought you forgot how to speak dialect, but guess not.”
“...Ha.”
He was one of the very few people I could open up to. A precious friend.
“So what do I do now? I can’t follow you around like Chief Ma if I can’t even do strenuous exercise.”
“There’s a lot you can do. But hey, you’re talking a lot today, huh?”
“....”
He immediately clammed up.
I burst into laughter.
“But still, the bastard who did this to you—I’m going to crush him. Not just because of you. Because of me.”
Hyunseong knew my stubbornness well enough not to argue.
“I’m heading out. I’ll come by again tomorrow.”
“Don’t bother. Myungsoo said the same.”
“Too bad. I’m coming!”
Outside the hospital room, Chief Ma was waiting.
“Find out everything you can about Geukseong Construction. Active projects, financials, shareholders, anything.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll head to school for now. If I call later, come pick me up then.”
Chief Ma gave me a cautious look.
“I don’t think you should go to school alone anymore.”
“My identity isn’t widely known yet. I just want to attend school like normal, at least for now.”
“...”
“Just for a little while.”
“...Understood.”
“I’ll take the car. You grab a taxi.”
I sent Chief Ma off and arrived at campus.
A breeze brushed past me—summer’s heat had finally lifted.
It had been a while since I’d seen the school like this.
“Muhyuk!”
As I entered the lecture hall, Oh Hyunwoo waved at me. Everyone had already gathered.
I sat next to Myungsoo.
“Just came from visiting Hyunseong?”
“Yeah.”
“Who’s Hyunseong?”
“He’s been our friend since we were kids. The three of us were like the Three Musketeers.”
“If he’s your friend, he’s mine too. Introduce me sometime—I’d like to meet him.”
Everyone nodded in agreement at Oh Hyunwoo’s words.
“How’s exam prep going for everyone?”
“We’ve been studying together pretty regularly. But someone here—who started the study group—hasn’t shown up even once.”
Yoon Jaeha joked, and Han Minkyung picked it up.
“Well, maybe he doesn’t need to study. Arrogant, isn’t he?”
“I’ve been busy flying back and forth from the U.S. I’ll join in starting now.”
“No thanks. Studying with the top student only makes the rest of us feel miserable.”
Everyone laughed. I nudged Myungsoo in the side.
“Gonna borrow him for a sec.”
I pulled him out of the lecture hall.
“I’m probably going to be swamped for a while. Hang around with the others, build some bonds. When Hyunseong gets discharged, his mom said she’d cook dinner at your place. I’ll drop by then.”
“Why?”
“Some complicated stuff came up. I’ll explain later.”
He didn’t ask for more.
“Got it. Don’t you know how sociable I am? You don’t need to worry. I’ve been hanging out with them anyway. It’s way better than prepping alone.”
“Good.”
“So you’re leaving today? You’ll flunk if you skip too much. Go back in.”
“If it gets worse, I’ll just take a leave. I’m going to class today. Just letting you know.”
“Alright.”
I attended two classes before heading out early.
When I got home, I called Chief Prosecutor Yoon.
“Chief Prosecutor Yoon. It’s Muhyuk.”
— Been a while, junior.
“How have you been?”
— Well enough, thanks to you.
“Word is, you’re the most popular prosecutor among the juniors these days.”
— Haha, so they say.
After a light laugh, I got to the point.
“You remember that favor I mentioned before? The one you promised? I think it’s time I use it.”
— You’re going to use the favor?
“Yes. It’s a personal matter. But it’s something I really need your help with.”
— Hmm. Alright. Go ahead.
“There’s a company called Geukseong Construction. I plan to take it over soon. Once everything’s in place, I’d like the prosecution to make a move.”
— Geukseong Construction? Never heard of it.
“It’s not a major conglomerate. But it’s a well-known builder in the Chungcheong region. Headquarters are in Seoul. I’m still collecting data—once I’m ready, I’ll explain in detail.”
— Isn’t that a waste? You could use that favor for something much bigger later. When I become Prosecutor General, maybe?
Honestly, I hadn’t expected I’d ever need to use it.
Back then, I’d just wanted to have a tie to the courts and a debt from Yoon. My plan had been to turn my gain into his gain.
“Just know that this is important to me. It’s a gangster-run company disguised as legit. I’m going to let someone else take the actual assets and turn the president into a pauper—then send him to prison. Tax evasion, whatever. As long as we have the documents, it should be easy work, right?”
— Even without them, it has to be done. We’ll talk in person soon.
“Alright, I’ll hang up now.”
I ended the call with Prosecutor Yoon and turned to Chief Ma.
“Find out everything, as fast as possible. I don’t want to just kill him—I want to strip him of everything and throw him in jail. Once he’s in there, anything can happen.”
“Yes, sir.”
Of course, before that, I planned to put his son in the exact same position as Hyunseong.
< I Think It’s Time to Use It. > End.
