Chapter 44.2

Chapter 44.2

The unlit fishing hall was as cold as the open air. The stench of fish hung thicker in the dark. The black water in the sunken pool gleamed faintly under the moonlight streaming through the windows, perfectly still, without even the smallest ripple.

“Mmph! Mmmph!”

The man sprawled in front of the fishing pit began thrashing when he spotted Gukhyun. It was Sungang. Beside him, seated casually in a fishing chair with a rod in hand, another man turned his gaze toward them.

“You’re a bit later than I expected. Thought I’d die of boredom waiting.”

Seokchan set the fishing rod into its holder. The fishing hall must have been cold; he had a cashmere blanket draped over his coat.

“Maybe don’t send me a f#@ked-up address next time. Just call.”

“Oh, please. You think I’d call you? I’m scared of you, remember?”

“Then why keep doing sh*t that makes me angry?”

“You think I want to? You know I’ve never wanted to be on your bad side, Gukhyun.”

“Mmph! Mmmph! Mmmph!”

Seokchan glanced down at Sungang, who was squirming on the floor with his arms tied behind his back.

“Frustrated, huh? Want to say hi to your boss?”

Seokchan grabbed the blue tape covering Sungang’s mouth and jiiiik—ripped it off.

“Khhk-! Hyungnim! Go! Just go! I don’t care what happens to me!”

Sprawled at Seokchan’s feet, Sungang screamed at Gukhyun, voice cracking.

“These bast- they won’t even- mmph! Mmmph!”

Seokchan grimaced and slapped the tape back over his mouth. Sungang shook his head wildly in protest, but with his arms bound tight, the struggle barely registered.

“See, this is why I keep it shut. My ears can’t take the noise. The upstairs tenants will think there’s a riot and come running down.”

“Mmmph! Mmph!”

Even with his mouth sealed again, Sungang glared up at Seokchan, his eyes bloodshot, straining against the veins. One couldn’t make out the words, but it wasn’t hard to guess: he was cursing him out every way he knew how.

“At least you can tell I stopped the bleeding, right? I couldn’t bring myself to go too far. I used to be real fond of Gang-ah.”

Lifting the fallen cashmere blanket back over his shoulders, Seokchan nodded toward Sungang’s ear.

“I took good care of him, so if you send him to the hospital now with his ear, they’ll be able to save him. Our Gang-ah worked his a** off running errands for Executive Director Kwon/ Would be a shame if that pretty face of his wasn’t enough and he ended up missing an ear too, right?”

When Seokchan reached out to gently stroke Sungang’s cheek, Sungang jerked his head violently, shaking off the touch. Seokchan stopped, dropping his hand, and turned his gaze toward Gukhyun.

“I knew I’d take heat for this, but I still tried to show you some consideration. So try to see things from my side, yeah?”

“Oh, you mean I should consider Director Yun’s position?”

Gukhyun’s voice carried a faint laugh as he began to move, slow deliberate steps. With every stride that closed the distance, the wariness in Seokchan’s eyes deepened.

“Must be tough, trying to play both sides. If you’ve already switched teams, why not just own it? Admit you’re a son of a b*tch, Director Yun, instead of flapping around like a damn bat.”

“Right. Then if you understand how tired I am, stay still and let them tie you up.”

Seokchan gave a subtle signal with his eyes. From the shadows, four large men rushed out. Two from the front, one from the side, and one from behind.

Gukhyun dropped his stance and struck the two coming at him head-on. One took a hit to the jaw and went flying; the other caught a fist to the gut, let out a choking grunt, and toppled into the water with a pungdeok.

He flipped the man coming from behind and slammed him to the ground, pinning his neck under his boot. The one watching for an opening froze at the scream that followed, face turning pale. Fumbling, he yanked a jackknife from his pocket and snapped it open with a chak.

In the chaos that erupted in an instant, Seokchan shouted, his voice almost a shriek.

“Stop! If you want Kang Sungang to live, stop right there!”

Then he kicked Sungang hard in the shoulder. The blow sent Sungang sprawling backward, eyes wide as he tumbled into the dark water.

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