How much would this be worth in cash? Soo-hyun contemplated as he looked down at the Buddha statue in his hand. What made this small statue so special? According to what he’d learned from Kim Tae-shin, it had been taken during the Japanese occupation, put up for auction by a Japanese collector, and purchased by Chairman Yang. For an astronomical price.

Though he hadn’t been told the exact amount, the fact that they were willing to give up diamonds for it meant it must be worth well over several billion won. Soo-hyun placed two duffel bags down, packing the Buddha statue, diamonds, cash, and bonds into one, and clothes into the other.

Next, he looked around the room to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything. Having stayed here for over two months, he felt somewhat attached and a bit sad to leave. Compared to the rooftop room where he had to shower with cold water even in the dead of winter, this place had been practically heaven.

The manager, Lee Yun-cheol, had also been a wonderful person. He treated Soo-hyun like a brother and was always kind. Soo-hyun placed the manager’s scarf—bought from the department store—on his bed and sat at the desk to write a short note.

[Hyung. Thank you for being good to me all this time. I have some business and need to go far away. I’m sorry for leaving without saying a proper goodbye. Please stay healthy.]

After attaching the note to the gift, he let out a small sigh. He could almost see the manager’s surprised face when he returned from his night shift. A bitter smile crept across his face. My relationships always end like this.

Soo-hyun took out his flip phone and called Kim Tae-shin. The man answered immediately, as if he’d been waiting.

[Hey, Baek Soo-hyun. Have you left already?]

“No. I’ve packed my bags. About to leave now.”

[It’s snowing. Hurry up.]

“Yes…”

[You haven’t changed your mind, have you?]

“Of course not.”

[Security’s tight these days, so if not today, there won’t be another chance. Remember that.]

“I know. I’ll be there soon.”

Hearing the urgency in his voice made Soo-hyun anxious. After hanging up, he took a deep breath. Then he pulled out his smartphone to check Yang Ho-beom’s messages. There had been no contact since a morning text asking what he was doing. Without hesitation, he took the phone to the kitchen and put it in the microwave.

Moments later, sparks flew and smoke rose. Soo-hyun took out the damaged phone, carried it to the bathroom, lifted the toilet lid, and dropped it in. Finally, he took out a cigarette and put it between his lips. Smoking was prohibited in the room, but right now he felt he might suffocate without one.

Crouching on the bathroom floor, he smoked the entire cigarette and checked the time. Two hours left. It would take over an hour by taxi to reach Gungpyeong Harbor. With his bags packed, all he needed to do now was hurry out.

***

Kim Tae-shin sat in the back seat of his car, looking out the window. The harbor area was dark and deathly quiet. The falling snow gave it a certain charm. With no one around, the car’s heater blew hot air. Checking the time, his face showed clear irritation.

“This bastard told him to come at 11, and he’s coming exactly on time. No flexibility at all.”

One of his subordinates in the front seat turned around.

“Are you hungry, boss? Should I get you something?”

“No need, you punk. How could I eat now? That Buddha statue will be in my hands any minute.”

Kim Tae-shin’s eyes gleamed maliciously. He couldn’t understand how Baek Soo-hyun had gotten hold of the multi-billion won Buddha statue that Chairman Yang claimed was stolen. Plus dozens of diamonds. And then to bring them and propose a deal? It was like sticking his head into a lion’s mouth. He could only laugh at the foolishness.

“Did you tell Captain Park in advance?”

“Yes. The men are waiting on the boat.”

“Tell them to cut him up properly when they dispose of him. If the body is discovered, it’ll be a headache.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll tell them to chop him into small pieces.”

Kim Tae-shin grimaced at his subordinate’s words.

“You bastard. Using the word ‘chop’? That’s creepy.”

“I’m sorry, boss.”

“Anyway, pay attention. Once this is done properly, I’ll feel a bit better.”

“Just trust me.”

The subordinate thumped his chest with his fist. Kim Tae-shin smirked and flipped through Soo-hyun’s fake passport. Soo-hyun couldn’t possibly imagine that he was about to become fish food.

This was actually merciful. Thinking about how Yang Ho-beom had infiltrated his organization still made his blood boil. Because of that, he had personally dealt with three of his most loyal men. He didn’t know how Yang Ho-beom had persuaded them, but they had originally been Kim Tae-shin’s people.

Now it’s your turn. See how it feels to have your people taken away.

Just imagining Ho-beom’s anger made him tingle with excitement.

Or maybe he should cut off all of Soo-hyun’s fingers before throwing him into the sea and send them as a gift to Ho-beom.

“Boss.”

“Yeah?”

“Look. He’s coming.”

Tae-shin closed the passport and looked ahead. Through the swirling snow, someone was walking toward them. He carried a large duffel bag in one hand, wearing a thick jacket with his face hidden behind a baseball cap and scarf. Soo-hyun kept nervously checking his surroundings before spotting Kim Tae-shin’s car and stopping. He looked like a herbivore being stalked by a predator. Tae-shin slapped the passport against his palm and smiled menacingly.

“Let’s go, Joon-sik. Our sucker has arrived.”

Opening the door and stepping outside, his subordinate opened an umbrella. Four more men waited in another vehicle behind them in case of unexpected situations. Soo-hyun remained frozen in place, staring in their direction. When Tae-shin motioned for him to come, he quickly glanced around before hurrying over with quick steps. Completely unaware of his fate.

***

After leaving the airport, Ho-beom sent Director Yoon, who had accompanied him on the business trip, in a separate car and got into another vehicle that had been waiting. Park Tae-jun and another subordinate sat in the front seats. He lowered the window halfway, lit a cigarette, and watched Director Yoon’s car disappear into the distance.

Originally, he was supposed to arrive in Korea tomorrow morning, but he had urgently changed his schedule. Director Yoon must have noticed something was off. It didn’t matter if it reached Chairman Yang’s ears. As he exhaled a long stream of smoke, Tae-jun passed a tablet back to him. There was a photo on the screen. Though taken from a distance and with the face well-covered, it was clearly Baek Soo-hyun.

“He left the hotel ten minutes ago and took a taxi. Our men are following him.”

Two days ago, Soo-hyun had met Kim Tae-shin at the department store. CCTV footage showed them entering emergency exits on different floors. He didn’t know what they discussed, but that wasn’t the important part. Ho-beom had another reason for rushing back.

This morning in Hong Kong, Park Tae-jun had contacted him. Kim Tae-shin had made a fake passport for Baek Soo-hyun through a broker. Since Kim Tae-shin had previously been involved in smuggling people out of the country, there was a strong possibility he was planning to smuggle Soo-hyun out.

Ho-beom closed the window and looked outside. Two days of snowfall had turned everything white. Fortunately, the temperature was high enough and the roads had been cleared, making driving conditions manageable.

Throughout the journey, Park Tae-jun was on the phone with someone, receiving real-time updates on Soo-hyun’s location. After driving for over an hour, they passed a sign for Gungpyeong Harbor. He was incredulous. So he really was planning to flee the country.

His eyes grew cold. He had changed his mind and even prepared a gift, but now his mood was ruined. This guy had a special talent for pissing people off. And to trust Kim Tae-shin because he had no one else? Kim Tae-shin had no reason to help Soo-hyun. The smuggling was just an excuse; he was probably planning to feed him to the fish.

“F*ck. He should have trusted someone trustworthy.”

Suddenly, it struck him as funny. Am I trustworthy then? Perhaps to Soo-hyun, Kim Tae-shin and I are the same kind of person. Still, he couldn’t understand. Until recently, Soo-hyun had shown no signs of wanting to escape. What changed his mind? Could he know about Seo Min-jun’s visit to the family home?

The more he thought, the more irritated he became. If he caught him now, he wouldn’t let him off easily. He’d either lock him up or torment him all night until he couldn’t walk. Just then, the car reached the harbor and drove inside. Through the white snow, several black cars were visible in the darkness.

The car stopped, and Tae-jun got out to open an umbrella. Ho-beom waved him off and strode forward. The red scarf Soo-hyun had given him two days ago fluttered in the wind. With each step, the snow crunched beneath his feet, leaving clear footprints.

At the scene, Ho-beom’s men and Kim Tae-shin’s group were facing each other in a standoff. In front of Kim Tae-shin stood Soo-hyun with his back turned. He wore his usual knee-length oversized jacket, baseball cap, and scarf. He held a duffel bag in one hand, head hanging low like a criminal.

As the distance closed, Kim Tae-shin spotted Ho-beom first and raised his hand in greeting. “Hey, Director Yang is here. I was just talking with your subordinate.” His casual attitude made Ho-beom’s stomach turn. He decided he would tear that bastard apart today. But first, he’d deal with Soo-hyun.

Ho-beom’s men bowed deeply in greeting.

“You’ve arrived, sir.”

They quickly dispersed, and Ho-beom walked behind Soo-hyun’s back.

Hey, Baek Soo-hyun.

No response. Angered, he closed the distance in one stride and grabbed his shoulder roughly.

Soo-hyun turned around.

No, it wasn’t Soo-hyun.

Ho-beom’s expression turned predatory. He violently removed the baseball cap, revealing an unfamiliar man who flinched in surprise. Though similar in height and build to Soo-hyun, he was a complete stranger. Ho-beom glared at him with murderous eyes.

“Who the hell are you?”

The man was young and clearly had the look of a street thug. Though he tried to appear tough, he couldn’t hide his fear.

“I… I was paid to run an errand… They told me to come here and deliver a letter…”

Letter? Ho-beom looked at Kim Tae-shin with confusion. Kim Tae-shin had apparently already seen it, judging by his furious expression and shrugged shoulders. The man nervously pulled something from his pocket. It was a folded paper, and his hand trembled with fear.

Ho-beom snatched it and unfolded it.

[Brother Tae-shin. I’m sorry. I think you’ll need to use the diamonds I gave you earlier for hospital bills. Because Yang Ho-beom will soon find you and beat you senseless. And if Yang Ho-beom is there now, would you please tell him something for me? Tell him I never want to be involved with him again, even if I die, so don’t look for me. Take care and stay healthy. (No need to send my regards to Yang Ho-beom.)]

Ha, f*ck. He couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. His cheeks trembled and his chest swelled as he suppressed his rage, which was boiling like lava. What? Never want to be involved again? Don’t look for me? Is this for real? Not even joking. Grinding his teeth, he crumpled the paper viciously and glared at Kim Tae-shin with bloodshot eyes.

Kim Tae-shin, usually shameless, smiled awkwardly.

“Don’t look at me like that. I got played too.”