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Chapter 40




< Revenge or Contract Killing. [Subscription Serial Start] >
#40
Revenge or Contract Killing.
As I scrutinized him, my grandfather said,
“Go to your room and talk to him.”
I got up from my seat and headed to my room on the second floor. He followed me up the stairs.
Once inside, I straddled the bed and looked at him again.
Without asking if he could sit, he faced me with an expressionless face, not avoiding my gaze. He was observing me as well.
“What were you doing before you came here?”
“I was in Africa.”
“Africa...”
No wonder his skin had a brownish tint, as if he had been tanned. It seemed he had been in Africa.
“What did you do there?”
“I worked as a mercenary. I quit and came back after receiving a call from Mr. Ha.”
The way he mentioned Mr. Ha made it seem like they were very close.
“What’s your relationship with Mr. Ha?”
“We grew up together since we were young.”
“Hmm... Is that so?”
His expression didn’t change at all as he answered.
It felt like talking to a robot.
“Can you follow me and only listen to me? No matter what Mr. Ha or my grandfather says, can you only listen to me?”
“Yes, I came back with that intention. However, I haven’t decided if I will completely follow you yet.”
I smiled slightly at Ma Seokdae’s words.
“Take your time to think about it while following me. For now, you don’t have to go to school with me, but you should accompany me for other schedules.”
“Understood.”
Although I wasn’t sure if he would become completely mine, his honesty in expressing his thoughts was more reassuring.
‘But, a mercenary. Did Mr. Ha also work as a mercenary? If they’ve known each other since they were young, and if they had a connection since their teenage years, I might be able to learn more about Mr. Ha.’
While I was thinking, he stood there silently.
“Oh, you can leave now.”
Ma Seokdae bowed and left the room.
* * *
Ha Myunghoon and Ma Seokdae were sitting face to face.
“You’ve aged a lot.”
“Saying that to me? Your face looks pretty bad too.”
Despite their usual stoic expressions, a hint of joy was visible on both their faces.
“Settle down in Korea now. Don’t keep moving around abroad. Stop the mercenary life; you never know when you might die.”
“Hahaha, you telling me that? You shouldn’t be saying that.”
They continued their conversation, asking about each other’s well-being.
“Take good care of the young master. Remember, his word is the priority, no matter what I or anyone else says.”
“Yeah, I’ll make up my mind after seeing if he’s someone I can truly follow. Don’t worry.”
The trust Ha Myunghoon had in Ma Seokdae was evident on his face.
“I’ve left the room next to mine empty, so you can use it. Let’s gather the kids once. It’s been a long time since we’ve all met. I’ll ask for the chairman’s permission and let you know.”
Ma Seokdae nodded.
“Are they all doing well?”
“They’re always the same. They only move when I call them, otherwise they live their own lives.”
“Is the chairman planning to hand everything over to the young master?”
Ha Myunghoon shook his head.
“I don’t know. Don’t even try to find out, and don’t worry about it. When the chairman retires, I’ll disappear too. You’ll take over.”
“Okay.”
“Take good care of the young master. I introduced you because I trust you the most.”
They smiled at each other.
* * *
After being introduced to Ma Seokdae, I was passing the time without much to do.
“I’ve thought about what you said before... I’ll need your help.”
This was what Han Minkyung said when she called me to meet alone.
I smiled and responded to her words.
“You made the right decision. Don’t feel pressured.”
“Thanks. I’ll stop tutoring and other things at the end of this month. I’ll pay you back slowly after I start working after graduation.”
I had given up after not hearing from her for a few weeks...
“Of course. Were you planning to take it without paying?”
I made a light joke to ease her burden.
“I’ll send you two hundred thousand won per month to your account.”
“Eh? That much?”
I nodded at Han Minkyung, who was surprised and opened her eyes wide.
“Don’t worry about household expenses; focus on your studies. We’ll take the exams together, and you don’t have to worry about money until you graduate. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“...I feel bad, but I can’t refuse.”
The starting salary for new graduates at major companies was around fifty thousand won per month, at most.
Han Minkyung couldn’t hide her surprise at the offer of two hundred thousand won per month.
“It’s fine. Don’t feel bad.”
I meant it. Compared to Han Minkyung’s true value, it was nothing.
I couldn’t stop smiling, thinking that things were going according to plan.
“Oh! And keep it a secret from the others. There’s no need to tell them first, right?”
Han Minkyung’s face also showed relief at my words.
We changed the topic to the bar exam and then parted ways.
Next, I went to Myungsoo’s house to meet Hyunseong’s father.
“Hello, sir.”
Hyunseong’s father greeted me warmly, as it had been a while since we last met.
“Muhyuk, you look good. How’s life in Seoul?”
A drinking session was already underway. I naturally joined in.
“Have a drink, young man.”
Hyunseong’s father poured me a shot of soju. I took it with both hands, drank it, and then poured one for him.
Hyunseong’s father laughed heartily.
“Days of drinking with you guys are coming to an end, and time really flies. I suffered a lot trying to clean up after your messes. Don’t cause any more trouble.”
He drank the shot I poured for him in one go and then stood up.
“Muhyuk, come with me. I need to talk to you.”
While Myungsoo and Hyunseong looked puzzled, I followed Hyunseong’s father into Hyunseong’s room.
Once the door was closed, Hyunseong’s father took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth.
“Remember what you asked me about? The case involving your parents. It’s definitely suspicious. The investigation records are lacking, and it feels like they just went through the motions.”
Hyunseong’s father’s forehead was creased with worry.
“Is that so?”
He exhaled smoke and spoke with a bitter expression.
“With my decades of experience as a detective, I can tell there’s something. I want to dig deeper, but it’s been almost twenty years, and the detectives who handled the case have all retired.”
“Do you know who they are?”
He nodded heavily.
“But two of them are already dead. One has immigrated abroad, but I’m not sure where.”
Hmm... abroad. I’ll have to look into it.
Hyunseong’s father, noticing my deep thought, added,
“It’s too suspicious to be a simple robbery. I’m not sure if I should tell you this...”
He paused, flicking the ash from his cigarette.
“It’s fine. Please tell me.”
Hyunseong’s father glanced at my face and then looked down.
“Robbery murders usually only take valuables, not causing such severe... injuries.”
He closed his eyes tightly as he chose his words.
“Damn! I’ll just say it. There were too many injuries, especially on your mother’s side.”
As I listened, my expression involuntarily twisted. I covered my mouth with my hand to manage my expression.
Hyunseong’s father stopped speaking when he saw my face.
“Please continue.”
“...It looks like your mother was targeted. In such cases, it’s usually a matter of revenge or a contract killing. If it had been a proper investigation, they would have focused on that angle, but it just fizzled out with some local suspects.”
“...So it wasn’t a simple robbery murder?”
Hyunseong’s father nodded and stubbed out his cigarette.
“That’s my opinion. I want to dig deeper, but I’m not sure what I’ll find. Still, I’ll keep looking. Don’t worry.”
My mind was a mess.
‘Why would there be a grudge if they fled to Busan? Could it be someone related to my grandfather? No, if there was a grudge against my grandfather, it’s strange that he hasn’t found out about the contract killing.’
“Don’t worry? Muhyuk!”
I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up to see Hyunseong’s father looking at me with concern.
“Yes... I’m just surprised... Thank you for looking into it.”
“I should be the one thanking you. I should have looked into it sooner. I’m sorry. I didn’t think about it. I just thought they had passed away, not that there was more to it.”
“No, I didn’t think about it either. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have found out so quickly.”
“You should have. I should have paid more attention.”
Hyunseong’s father, blaming himself, looked at me.
“...Don’t tell my grandmother.”
“I understand