1 week later
With all the pressure on the police department and the lack of video of what happened, the police would close the case as 'self-defense'. Having no choice they released Gyun, who was also coincidentally released from the hospital with medication for his injuries.
It took nearly a full day of processing from the hospital to release him, and it was already dark out by then. Picking up his phone, and a variety of other things that were on his person upon admission to the hospital.
Though he wasn't nearly fully healed, he'd been through more pain in his life before, and with the help of the painkillers, he would be able to function. And he didn't want to owe 'them' any more than he had to, getting involved with 'them' any more than he already was a way to die quickly even for him.
Walking down the hospital corridors, Gyun was dressed in the clothes that 'she' sent him, a black designer jacket patterned on the back in exquisite embroidery was an insignia of a demon curled in a fetal position crying blood onto a red rose. It was 'her' insignia, that represented 'them', and directly underneath the image were the words 'Live Die Live' with a black undershirt, and a pair of black pants accompanying the look.
Though he detested the organization they were, he had no choice as the clothes he wore before were confiscated and taken as evidence. And he surely wasn't going to wear the hospital gown, so it was a bit unfortunate that he was forced to wear the clothes that 'she' sent for him.
Outside the hospital, parked on the sidewalk were a trio of black luxury cars, Rolls-Royce models of the latest year, the windows were tinted so no one could peer inside. But Gyun knew who was inside, a group of 4 men in grey suits stood on guard near the center car, the suits which Gyun noted seemed to be tailored suits, based on how well the suits fit them.
The guards were tall and well built, one of them sported a neck tattoo of a man holding up the world on his back that Gyun could see, he was also the only one wearing a watch, an expensive watch that cost somewhere in the tens of millions won range, he had an aura of strength, he was someone Gyun had met before a former 'contractor' who went by the code name 'Atlas'.
The guards stepped aside as Gyun approached the car, still standing on the sidewalk he leaned over and knocked on the window.
"Don't think we're friends because of this"
The window rolled down ever so slightly, and a puff of cigarette smoke wafted up and out the cracked window. A cold and borderline sleepy female voice spoke from the other side of the window, "There's no such thing as friends in this business"
Gyun stood straight, though he couldn't see her he stared at exactly where she was through the tinted window about to reply.
But the voice continued as another puff of smoke wafted out the window, "Though we don't have friends we do have family, or I guess not we...you"
Freezing briefly but regaining composure quickly thoughts raced through his head, -so that's why Mom or Daegun didn't visit me, they didn't know I was in the hospital-
Though his face didn't change, Gyun's voice held a sense of deep-seated malice "Are you threatening my family?" the tone of his voice promised violence if the answer was anything but a no.
The voice remained calm not fazed at all by Gyun's anger, "I didn't say exactly that...but who's to say I'm not, what? Why? Are you going to stop me?" her sleepy voice froze over all the sleepiness and playfulness vanished from her voice.
After a moment of silence, Gyun sighed calming himself, ignoring her provocation "What do you want in exchange for the information on Ryeo Dae-Hyeon and the cover-up?"
The voice scoffed, "That's a good boy, good boys were meant to follow orders, ah and I made an excuse to your family for why you were gone for a week, and that annoying cafe manager you don't have to worry about it, we handled it" As the voice relaxed again to its playful and sleepy self, a yellow envelope extended out from the cracked window.
Gyun took it but didn't open it instead tucking it into the jacket pocket, "Same as last time?" glancing around.
"You know the drill...*puff of smoke* no survivors as always burn the building and we'll handle the aftermath, you've got 2 weeks to handle it...oh and no weapons, use your hands this time."
Nodding Gyun turned around to leave, but the voice spoke again "Don't you want to know where those rats that attacked you went?"
"No" his response was immediate and cold, he didn't want any favors from someone like her
Turning to walk away, he was already a few steps away, when the voice called out one more time "You can keep the jacket, it suits you!" it was a teasing tone that grated on Gyun's ears.
Pulling up the hood of the jacket he ignored her as he ignored her, pulling out his phone and putting in his earbuds as he walked home for the first time in a week.
As he was a distance away he could feel a pair of eyes on him that caused the hairs on the back of his neck to rise in anticipation. Whipping his head back he saw the trio of Rolls-Royce's driving away, though he couldn't see 'her' he could sense her insane look on him. It was so disgusting that it made his skin crawl.
Chuckling as he continued back on his way, muttering under his breath as he listened to his music as he jogged away, "Guess she's still dangerous even after getting into management, damn crazy bitch still scary as ever"
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Opening the door to the apartment, he walked in quietly avoiding making any noise as he walked inside. His footsteps made no noise as he stepped inside the apartment taking off his shoes he was sure everybody was asleep by now as he walked to his room.
As he grabbed the handle, he felt a shiver down his spine as the hairs on the back of his neck rose up.
Ducking he dodged an imminent slap from his mother, stepping back utilizing the entirety of his skills he used expert head movement dodging every slap before rolling backward.
His mom stood there in her pajamas with an angry-looking face, "You were supposed to get home from school after your field trip at 2, it's almost midnight where have you been?! You idiot what were you doing for 10 hours!"
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A small smile cracked through Gyun's typically expressionless face, as he washed the dishes as his family enjoyed breakfast on a Saturday morning. There was a simplicity in doing something so simple with his family that couldn't be compared to anything else.
Though his mom caught him returning home late, she still believed that he'd been on a field trip with his school. That 'she' had provided to his family for his week-long disappearance, he was still beaten for a few minutes, his mother still hit hard enough to leave a few bruises and made to do the dishes for a month.
As he finished washing the dishes, he dried his hands before heading to his room to change into the clothes he was given by 'her'.
After being scolded by his mom, he opened the yellow envelope to read the contents, the target was a small-time gang that was especially violent and disrupting business for 'them' that were operating out of an upscale famous club 'OneNight' in Gangnam. Estimated members number 40-50 potential guards all experienced thugs, possibly firearms. The second in command is an ex-mercenary from the Afghanistan War. The leader was an ex-cartel sicario defector who ran away with tens of millions of laundered U.S dollars from a Mexican cartel and established roots in Seoul, the report said he was quite dangerous despite being in his 40s.
Though it would be a difficult mission, 'they' would be also giving the mission to a team of an ex-triad enforcer who was on the rise in the underworld making a name for themselves as ruthless but discreet 'trackers'.
Gyun had run into them once a few months ago when he first got involved with 'them' he went under the code name 'Hound' a fitting name since his skills are only at that of a guard dog. He was meticulous and cutthroat but not the most skilled in combat, if Gyun had to give them a danger rating, he classified them as a 20 out of 100. But since he was efficient and listened to orders well it shouldn't be a big issue, and since 'they' would handle the cleanup there was no reason to be overly discreet.
He would have to move quickly, inside were pictures of the layout and a disposable phone to contact 'Hound'. As well as a key to a subway locker in Gangnam with the gear that Gyun would use to handle the gang.
Though he wasn't fully healed yet it didn't matter since the deadline was two weeks, his fractured sternum wouldn't change much whether it was one day or two weeks.
He went to his room, amidst the laughs of his family his smile vanishing as he pulled out the disposable phone dialing the only number in the phone.
He closed the door as the phone rang, sitting on his bed he waited until the call connected on the third ring.
A gruff but respectful voice came over the phone, "Ah is this our friend 'Van Gogh'? You're quite early don't tell me you want to start the mission already?"
"Is this Hound ?"
Gyun could hear in the background Chinese, he honestly forgot who was who, he spoke in rough Chinese but it was still understandable. "This is why you should get separate codenames, I can't tell the difference"
A short laugh came over the phone, "Well tell us the day and time and we'll be ready bu-"
Gyun hastily covered the phone, as his brother opened his room door, putting on a bright expression.
"What?"
Daegun glanced around, "Mom wants to know if you want to go to help her with shopping today?"
"Yeah sure, what time?"
"I don't know in like an hour maybe"
"Yeah that's fine"
"Ok well, I'll tell her" Daegun closed the door nodding, Gyun uncovered the phone but to his horror, the phone hadn't been muted.
His expression immediately fell, his face once again emotionless his eyes empty as they stared at the phone awaiting a response.
After a moment's silence, the respectful tone that 'Hound' was keeping with him had vanished, "Hey 'Van Gogh' I knew you were young but living with your mom?"
Internally sighing to himself for making such a dumb mistake, "My personal and professional life are quite different but that has nothing to do with the mission, we have less leniency as independent contractors so we can't afford to miss the deadline so do-"
"Hey 'Van Gogh' tell me do you have a sister? That's right if she's related to you, she'll probably be beautiful." the tone was disgusting, Gyun could imagine the expression on the man's face on the other side of the phone
Gyun's tone soured "That's right I never should have shown trash like you any shred of professionalism, we meet across the target location tomorrow at 10 PM, and we go through the front-"
Interrupted Gyun, 'Hound's voice spoke over him with that revolting tone"Well even if you don't have a sister, you do have a mother right?"
Breathing in deeply in an effort to calm himself, "See you Hound" Hanging up the phone, he sat silently for a moment on his bed. Before reaching across his bed to his nightstand and in the drawer was his pain medication, he took two pills along with his anti-depressant medication.
He felt lazy not working out but it was best not to aggravate his injuries more than he would tomorrow, so he sat down cross-legged on the floor to meditate since it was the only physically straining exercise he could do to strengthen himself, he set an hour-long timer to remind himself.
Breathing in and out rhythmically at very specific intervals, he separated his mind from all distractions. An hour flew by quite fast as Gyun's phone alarm rang.
Opening his eyes, he felt refreshed mentally, his mind felt less tired and more focused as he sat up. He found that he was sweating from maintaining intense focus for an hour, taking off his clothes and tossing them into his laundry basket he opened his closet to change into a pair of clothes but his closet was empty besides a single white dress shirt.
-Well I guess it makes sense I haven't clothesshopped since I first arrived back in the modern world...but there is 'that'-
Gyun glanced behind him in the corner of the room was the designer outfit, 'she' gave him the night before.