Chapter 4 - Chew Rules

Smoke from the incense coiled thickly around the room. The steady rhythm of fingers drumming against the table filled the heavy air. Gang Chul—a stern man in his late thirties—sat at the head of the table, his patience thinning. He wore a dark suit, his lapel was decorated with a golden pin: the insignia of he Gang clan and the Sun clan symbol. 

Chul looked up just as three men barged through the doors. 

Do.

Goo.

And Chew.

The remnants of the Sun clans.

"범석이 죽었어?" Goo barked, slamming both hands on the polished wood.

(Beom-seok is dead?)

"네. 그는 죽었어요," Chul replied flatly.

(Yes. He is dead.)

Goo let out a furious curse, striking the table again, before pacing towards the door, muttering under his breath. 

Do pulled a chair and faced Chul.

"강 선생님, 우리 어떻게 해야 하나요?" He asked.

(Mister Gang, what are we to do?)

Chew sauntered Do at the table, propping his feet carelessly. He popped a piece of spearmint gum into his mouth, chewing with exaggerated, sticky loudness.

"강범석 씨가 안타깝게도 별세했습니다. 유가족분들께 깊은 애도를 표합니다," Gang said, rising to his feet. 

(Kang Beom-seok is dead. My sympathizes go to his family.)

He paused, letting the words hang in the incense-thick air.

"하지만 이는 우연한 죽음이 아니었습니다. 이는 계획적인 공격의 결과였습니다," he adds.

(However, this was no random death...this was the result of a calculate attack.)

Do leaned forward, intrigued. 

"...계산된 공격?"

(A...calculated attack?)

Goo stopped pacing and Chew froze mid-chew, his jaw going slack for a minute.

Without another word, Gang pulled something from his lapel— a blood-smeared mask. He tossed it on the table., and it slid to a stop between them.

The three men stared at it, stunned.

Chew snorted.

"가면 때문에 죽었나요?웃기네. 결국 내가 주최하려던 요트 파티에 안 갈 것 같네," He said with a dry chuckle, leaning back into his chair. 

(Killed by a mask? How funny. Looks like he won't be making it to the yacht party after all.)

"The mask was worn by the killer," Gang said, his eyes flickering with a glare towards the disrespectful Chew. 

Do leaned closer, squinting at it.

"이 가면 알아요..."

(I know this mask)

"우리 모두도 마찬가지다," Chew rolling his eyes.

(So do we all.)

He dropped his feet from the table and adjusted his rumpled blazer as he stood. 

"강철, 우리 모두는 가면에 대해 곰곰이 생각하는 것보다 더 중요한 일을 하고 있어요," he said, with a charming smile.

(Gang Chul, we all have better things to do then sit around musing over a mask.)

He turned towards the door, waving a hand dismissively.

"강범석은 잘못된 사람을 화나게 했고 그로 인해 그는 죽게 되었습니다," he said, not bothering to hide in indifference.

(Kang Beom-seok pissed the wrong person off and it got him killed.)

"범인이 누구인지 알아요, 츄민준이에요," Gang called after him, his voice cutting through the room. 

(I know who the killer is, Chew Min-joon)

Chew froze mid-step, then turned on his heel. A flicker of an amused smile flickering across his face.

"오, 진짜?" He said, arching a brow. 

(Oh, really?)

Gang nodded without hesitation. 

Chew rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling. He sauntered back to his seat, raising both hands. 

"그걸 먼저 말했어야지," he grinned.

(You should've led with that.)

Do bowed his head, chuckling softly as Goo muttered under his breath, "괴물."

(Freak.)

Gang inhaled sharply.

"The killer is skilled. Dangerous," Gang explained, his tone grave. "그녀는 빅 대디를 위해 일하는 악마, 쿠미호입니다."

(She's a demon working for Big Daddy — a Kumiho)

"Kumiho?" Do blinked, incredulous. 

"Why is she coming after us?" Goo asked, now at attention. 

"I don't know," Gang admitted. "But she must be stopped. This mask was found around 8:20 p.m. yesterday—"

"Ha!" Chew snorted. "The people who found his body should be fired."

Gang shot him a warning glare, his jaw tightening.

"However," he continued, his voice careful, "His head was....missing."

Goo squeezed his eyes shut in disgust. Chew stuck his tongue out in mock horror before grinning. Do shook his head grimly. 

"Kumiho might take a three day rest," Gang wanred, his gaze narrowing at Chew.

"And after that...she is coming for you, Min-joon."

Chew let out a loud laugh, standing. 

"걱정하지 마세요. 저는 범석이처럼 되지 않을 거예요," he assured Gang. 

(Don't worry. I won't go out like Beom-seok.)

Turning on his heel, he strode to the exit without a care in the world. The door slammed shut behind him. Goo let out a heavy huff, crossing his arms. 

The metal doors of the train slid open. Seo-yeon wearily stepped out, dragging her suitcase behind her. She stopped mid-step, feeling the vibration of her phone in the pocket of her leggings. 

She answers with looking. "Hello?"

"Seo-yeon?" Ae-cha worried voice crackled through. 

Seo-yeon's face lit up.

"Ae-cha! How's school?" 

"It's horrible without you," Ae-cha admitted, her voice cracking. 

"I'll be back soon," Seo-yeon promised. 

That, in itself, is a lie.

"Seo-yeon," Ae-cha said, sounding more nervous now. "I asked a teacher to help me open the dorm room since you took the key. She opened it and....I saw a trail of red. It led to the closet."

Seo-yeon heard her take a deep breath. 

"They found..." Ae-cha's voice quivered, right on the edge of tears. "They found Baek Duri."

Seo-yeon nodded slightly to herself. 

The assassin she had dispatched. 

"Were the police called?" Seo-yeon asked.

"Yes," Ae-cha answered, sniffing loudly. "But they haven't even investigated!"

Seo-yeon's cold gaze softened at her friend's frustration.

"Don't worry, Ae-cha," she assured her. "They'll find the perpetrator soon—"

Her phone buzzing again, cutting her off. She looked down. 

An unfamiliar number. 

"I'll call you later," Seo-yeon said quickly. 

"Okay," Ae-cha whispered. 

Seo-yeon ended the call and answered the new number. 

"Seo-yeon," a man's voice sang through line. "Do you have the head?"

Seo-yeon's frown deepened. "Yes," she said, deadpan, glancing up at the sign overhead: Incheon.

"Oh, and don't worry about the police," the man added, almost cheerfully. "I paid them off."

The call ended without another word.

Seo-yeon slipped her phone away and strode forward, her suitcase rattling behind her.

She needed a break. 

Then, it's back to work.

Chew gnawed on his gum as a soft ping rang out. The elevator doors slid open.

He strolled out. The bright lights barely made him flinch but the loud thumping music drew a deep frown. He flicked a floating bubble away from his face, his gaze cutting across the indoor poolside. 

His younger brother spotted him and ran up to him.

Ji-woo's black hair was even disheveled than his own, and a rubber ducky floaty was snug around his waist. His trunks dripped a trail of water behind him. 

"형!" Ji-woo cheered brightly, a wide smile stretching his face. 

(Big Brother!)

Min-joon stopped chewing, placed a heavy hand on his bare shoulder, squeezing roughly.

"Send them away," he whispered, nodding towards the women in bikinis.

A blonde in a red bikini splashed champagne on a black-haired girl in a black bikini, both of them laughing loudly.

Ji-woo blinked, hesitantly. "하-하지만 형님..." he stammered. 

(B-But big brother...)

A loud crack split the air.

The women gasped.

The DJ hastily cut the music.

Ji-woo staggered back, tears springing to his eyes.

"Don't be such a baby!" Min-joon snapped, his patience fraying thin. "Get these...lovely ladies out here!"

His face broke into a fake, cold smile.

Ji-woo nodded, quickly, rushing to order the women out. 

They didn't need to be told twice, hurriedly gathered their things and filing out. The DJ packed up his laptop and DJ controller, bowing stiffy before stumbling out the door.

Min-joon spat his gum into the wrapper, flicking it hard at Ji-woo's head. It bounced off and landed on the floor.

Ji-woo barely flinching as he bit back broken sobs, the sound echoing in the now empty room.

"울지 마!!" Min-joon ordered him, his voice sharp.

(Stop crying!)

"짜증나,"

(It's annoying.)

Song Hwan, a man with a constant cigarette dangling from his lips and red shades perched on his nose, marched into the room, bowing low to Min-joon.

"사장님, 그들이 왔어요," Hwan said, adjusting his sliding shades. 

Min-joon smiled at the news. He spun on his heel, unbuttoning his jacket in a smooth manner. 

"환, 그 사람들을 보내," He replied, strolling over to his brother. 

(Send them in, Hwan.)

Hwan straightened and nodded. 

Min-joon draped the jacket over his shoulders. 

"Go into the bedroom, Ji-woo," Min-joon said, wiping his brother's tear-streaked face with a napkin pulled from his pocket.

"You're twenty-five—too old to cry like a baby."

He guided Ji-woo away from the window, shoving him towards the side door. 

"가다!"

(Go!)

Ji-woo sprinted away without saying another word, slipping through the door and shutting it behind him. 

Min-joon turned toward the elevator as the door slid open. 

He smiled wide at the sight of the four figures, spreading his arms in a grand, welcoming manner.

"아... 환영합니다, 친구들!" He greeted, his voice dripping with false warmth.

(Ah...welcome, friends!)

The guests made their way around the indoor pool toward Min-joon. Three men wore tailored suits in green, red and white. The sole woman among them wore a sleek black halter-neck dress, a golden yellow jacket draped carelessly over her shoulders.

Hwan, standing off to the side, smirked at the woman. She caught his gaze and frowned, her disgust evident. 

"민준!" Mangjeol Young-saeng, the man in the white suit, greeted warmly, stepping forward to embrace Min-joon.

(Min-joon!)

The two men separated, their smiles wide and practiced.

"영생씨, 잘 지내세요?" he asked him, a crease of mock concern on his brow.

(Young-saeng, have you been well?)

Young-saeng nodded, his bright grin unwavering.

"저는 잘 지내요, 형님," he replied smoothly. 

(I'm well, brother.)

"Good, good," Min-joon grinned, slinging an arm around Young-saeng's neck in a show of camaraderie. He led him to a nearby table, the others trailing behind.

Min-joon gestured for them to sit, then pulled a chair and settled from across them. "Now, I know you must be very curious as to why I called you here," he said, adjusting his chair. 

"네, 정말 궁금해요. 사실..." Young-saeng said, leaning forward slightly.

(Yes, we are very curious...)

"몇 년 전에 저희 서비스를 거절하셨는데, 전화해서 그 부하가 저희를 당신 집으로 오라고 했을 때 정말 깜짝 놀랐어요."

(You rejected our services years ago — so when we got a call from your man, inviting us here, we were quite shocked.)

Min-joon chuckled, reclining lazily in his seat. His sneakers tapped an impatient rhythm against the floor. 

"그럼, 왜 지금이야, 형님?" Young-saeng asked, curiosity edging his tone.

(So, why now brother?)

Min-joon straightened, flicking a glance to Hwan

"지하세계에 변화가 생겼습니다," he said coolly. 

(The underworld is changing.)

At that, Byeon Iseul snorted.

Min-joon's head snapped towards her, his smile vanishing. 

"내가 뭔가 재밌는 말을 했나요, 여자?" he asked, his voice low, carrying a slight growl.

(Did I something funny, woman?)

"응," she answered, leaning forward, a defiant glint in her eye.

"몇 년 전에는 우리가 필요 없었는데. 이제는 필요하대? 정말 웃기네," she scoffed. 

(Years ago, you didn't need us. Now you do? That's hilarious.)

A low humorous chuckle rumbled from Min-joon's throat

"너의 그 예쁜 입으로 봐," he warned. 

(Watch it with that pretty mouth of yours.)

Hwan let out a low chuckle, exhaling smoke through his nose. 

"그럼 우리는 왜 여기에 있는 걸까요?" Suk Tae-hyun, the man in the red suit asked, his eyes narrowing on Min-joon.

(So, why are we here?)

Min-joon met his gaze coolly.

"당신이 제안한 대로 나를 보호해 주시고, 쿠미호로부터 나를 지켜 주시기를 바랍니다," Min-joon answered, gravely. 

(Exactly as you once offered — I want you to protect me, and defend me against Kumiho.)

The man in the green suit, Eogeum Han-gyeol, leaned forward, skepticism etched on his face. 

"쿠미호? 하지만 그건 전설이죠," Han-gyeol said, his tone incredulous. 

(Kumiho? But that's just a myth.)

A smug smirk curled on Min-joon's lips.

"I assure you," he said smoothly, "she's real."

Iseul rolled her eyes, lounging back in her chair.

"What's in it for us?" She asked, her voice edged on boredom. 

"₩2000. As originally agreed," Min-joon answered, a flicker of smugness lighting his gaze towards Hwan. 

But before he could savor the moment, Young-saeng leaned forward, cutting in with an almost apologetic tone.

"Actually..." he said. 

"민준씨, 가격 변경했어요."

(Min-joon, we've raised the price,)

Min-joon's smile flattered. Hwan quietly removed his cigarette from his mouth, and dropped it to the floor, crushing it beneath his heel with a slow, deliberate stomp.

Iseul reclined deeper in her seat, her smirk widening. Han-gyeol and Tae-hyun exchanged amused grins. 

"W-What do you mean, you've changed the price?" Min-joon asked, his voice laced with confusion — and rising irritation. 

Young-saeng's gaze flickered to his team, then back to Min-joon.

"우리는 백만원을 요구합니다, 형님," he said mockingly. 

(We want one million won, brother.)

The room burst into laughter.

Min-joon sat there silent, his gaze sharpening to one of bloodlust and fury, his chest rising and falling.

A false smile spread across Min-joon's face as the laughter died down.

"Yes, of course," he said cheerfully. 

Hwan snapped his fingers immediately.

Min-joon barely flinched as the front door slammed open. Three of his men strolled in— one of them carrying a black briefcase. 

The man approached the table and slammed it down onto the polished glass surface. 

Young-saeng eagerly popped it open, his eyes widening at the stacks of cash inside. Grinning, he snatched a bundle and began counting.

"I assure you," Min-joon said, adjusting his sleeves as he stood. "It's all there."

"우리는 부자예요..." Young-saeng turned to his team, awe-struck. 

(We're rich...)

Unseen by the others, Min-joon slowly drew a gun from behind his back. 

"우리는 부자예요!" Young-saeng cheered, laughing loudly. 

(We're rich!)

Isuel grabbed Young-saeng by the shoulder, shaking him joyously. Han-gyeol and Tae-hyun exchanged gleeful high fives.

Min-joon placed his finger on the trigger, the weapon expertly hidden behind his back. His voice was calm, almost gentle. 

"그게 당신에게 충분합니까?"

(Is it enough for you?)

Young-saeng looked up, still grinning. "응 형."

(Yeah, brother.)

"좋아, 좋아," Min-joon murmured — his smile faltering at the edges.

In a flash, he pulled the gun forward and fired. 

The sound echoed like a thunderclap.

Young-saeng crumpled instantly to the ground, blood pooling around his head on the polished marble floor. Without missing a beat, Min-joon tucked the pistol back out of sight.

Iseul screamed, scooting her chair back, her hands trembling. 

One of Min-joon's men slammed down the bloody splattered briefcase, sending it sliding off the table as it clattered to the floor. 

Hwan smirked lazily at the carnage, drawing out another cigarette.

His itch was scratched.

"Now, my briefcase is ruined! Spoiled by a bullet!" Min-joon complained, circling the table. He stopped behind Iseul, towering over her. 

"울음 멈추세요, 그는 죽었거든요..." he groaned, his voice laced with irritation. 

(Stop, crying, he's dead...)

Han-gyeol and Tae-hyun exchange stunned looks.

Min-joon continued, almost casually, ignoring Iseul's broken sobs.

"지난번에 여러분이 여기 왔을 때 그가 2천원을 요구했을 때, 저는 여러분을 모두 죽이고 싶었습니다."

(The last time you all came here and demanded two thousand won, I nearly shot him.)

He approached Young-saeng's corpse, staring down at it with utter contempt. 

"Take it away," he ordered.

Two of his men grabbed Young-saeng's by the arms, dragging the limp body across the floor, leaving a dark trail of blood behind. Iseul collapsed from of her chair, sobbing uncontrollably. 

Min-joon's eye twitched in annoyance. He stomped his foot against the ground. The trio flinched in unison. 

"너의 울음소리는 이제 지긋지긋해!" he barked, a vein bulging in his forehead. 

(Stop with the damn crying!)

He turned to each of them.

"네 일을 제대로 하지 않으면 아무것도 얻을 수 없어. 알겠어?"

(You don't get shit unless you do your damn job. Understand?)

Iseul wiped her nose with the back of her hand, blinking back fresh tears. Min-joon marched over to Iseul. With mocking gentleness, he bent down and wiped a free tear from her cheek. 

"Sorry about your boyfriend but he pissed me off," he said with a false, venomous smile, wiping the finger on his trouser in hidden disgust. 

Han-gyeol shot to his feet, earning a sharp, suspicious glance from Hwan. 

"Don't speak about him like that! You shot him! How dare you tell her not to cry!" He shouted, his fists trembling with rage. 

Min-joon turned slowly, his mouth twisted into a sneer. 

"어? 나한테 뭐라고 했어?" he growled, jabbing a finger at him. 

(Eh? What did you say to me?)

Han-gyeol stiffened, falling silent. He sat back down, slowly. 

Min-joon's sneer curled into a sinister grin.

"좋아, 좋아..." he said, almost sweetly. 

(Good, good...)

"I'll see you tomorrow."

The trio didn't dare move as Min-joon strolled leisurely to the front door. 

"Escort them out," he ordered Hwan. 

Hwan approached the trio, a sadistic smile spreading across his face. 

"Welcome, friends," he said cheerfully.