Chapter 53: Embers and Nerve Gas

‘Crackle, crackle.’

The sound of logs burning echoed quietly under the dark, rural night sky.

“This is what I call a real barbecue party!”

A staff member from the camera team for  muttered in an excited voice. Just as they said, a whole pig was currently roasting over the fire in my front yard. I had personally scouted the pig from a nearby farm.

“Just take it. I already talked to my father about it.”

“What do you mean, just take it? If Hyung-taek heard that, he’d give us both a piece of his mind.”

“Why Hyung-taek?”

“Because he’d give a long lecture about how even friends should keep their financial dealings clear and professional.”

At my words, Jin-gu let out an awkward laugh.

“Even so, we found the cows that ran away thanks to you. One pig is a small price to pay compared to their value…”

“The police officers are the ones who worked hard to find them.”

For the record, the cows that had disappeared from Jin-gu’s farm recently were found quickly thanks to the formidable investigative power of the Republic of Korea’s detectives. When they actually put their minds to it, they have more than enough ability; it’s just that getting them to that point is the hard part.

“And I’m not paying for this with my own money anyway.”

“Huh?”

“Speaking of which, your house takes card payments, right?”

“I mean, of course we do, but…”

I immediately pulled a black card from my pocket.

“Then charge it to this card.”

“What is that?”

“A corporate card from a major conglomerate.”

“!”

“Don’t you watch the news? Our farm just signed a massive contract. This is a celebratory dinner covered by the film investment company.”

‘Thwack!’

Only then did Jin-gu respectfully hold out both hands to receive the card.

“I shall serve you the freshest specimen with all my heart and soul, dear customer.”

“Fine. Make sure it’s a plump one.”

“Yes, sir!”

The result of that conversation was the scene currently unfolding before my eyes.

“Mmmmmm!”

Min Ha-ru, sitting side by side with Seol-i on the wooden bench, swung her legs back and forth with an expression of pure bliss.

“This feels like we’re on a group trip for a party! I love it!”

“Seol-i too!”

“Yeah! Do you like having so many people here, Seol-i?”

“Yes!”

“Then, who do you like the most out of everyone here?”

Min Ha-ru asked with a hint of expectation in her voice.

“Uncle!”

“Yeah, I already expected that answer.”

Min Ha-ru wore a mischievous smile. Even though she was the self-proclaimed leader of the Seol-i Cult, she seemed completely unfazed.

“Then, who’s second after Uncle!?”

Aha. So that was her real goal.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Everyone nearby pretended not to listen while leaning in closer. Shin Hye-seo was no exception. My mother and father were busy receiving constant thanks for hosting such a wonderful gathering. Furthermore,

—Seol-ah! The Revive uncles are here too!

—I told you, Seol-i only has one uncle. The Revive misters are here too!

—…Still, being called a mister in our early to mid-twenties is a bit sad.

—Even Hyesung is in his late teens…

—Who cares? As long as we can be chosen by Seol-i…!

…Even the members of Revive were attending the party via video call.

“I like everyone!”

“…Aw, man!”

However, that devious scheme ended in failure. Disappointment washed over Min Ha-ru’s eyes. It was the same for everyone else.

“At this point, is it possible that Seol-i’s world is divided only into ‘the Prosecutor’ and ‘everyone else’?”

“Well, that is a very extreme dichotomy…”

—Hey, at least we’re on the same level as Seol-i’s father.

—Let’s work a little harder. So that Seol-i’s world can become a trichotomy.

Of course, the determined Min Ha-ru did not give up.

“I’ll work harder so you’ll like me even more, Seol-i!”

“I like you too, Sister!”

“Hehe!”

Min Ha-ru couldn’t hold back any longer and pulled Seol-i into a hug. I took in every detail of the scene with all my senses.

‘Chirp, chirp.’

The sound of crickets, which you’d only expect to hear deep in the mountains, filled the background like a choir.

‘Crackle!’

Whenever sparks flew up, golden shadows danced across everyone’s faces.

“Look, a shooting star!”

“Wow! It’s my first time seeing a shooting star!”

When someone’s exclamation burst out, others immediately joined in. The warm flames drew people into a circle, and thanks to that, the early autumn night breeze, which was now quite chilly, felt refreshing instead. We gathered to laugh, talk, drink, and appreciate the scenery nature provided. In this moment, everyone forgot their respective positions and became one, like a family that had lived in the same house for a long time.

“It’s a night where everyone is healing.”

Just then, the actors slinked over to my side.

“I’m saying this now, but I’m actually a bit jealous.”

“Hmm?”

“I was worried, but I never dreamed the place where you stayed, Hye-seo, would be this nice. I think I finally understand why my fellow actors go all the way to Jeju Island to buy second homes.”

“…It’s all thanks to the Prosecutor.”

At Shin Hye-seo’s words, Jeong Do-hee paused for a moment and gave a meaningful smile. However, that reaction was fleeting.

“Hye-seo, how long do you plan to stay here?”

“Huh? That’s…”

“I know. I heard the news that the police searched your house. But you can’t just stay here indefinitely, can you?”

Shin Hye-seo’s face stiffened instantly. She knew it too. Considering everything that had happened, she was reaching her limit.

“Is there a need to discuss such heavy topics at a gathering like this?”

Just in time, Jo Woo-sun approached with a bottle of alcohol.

“I’d like to offer a drink to my savior.”

“Please, don’t do that.”

“Then, should I call you my benefactor?”

“Please, stop.”

At my plea, not only Jo Woo-sun but also the two lead actors and Shin Hye-seo burst out laughing.

“Woo-sun! I’ll be the one to serve the Prosecutor, so don’t drink too much. Didn’t you say you have to leave early tomorrow morning?”

“Oh? Where are you going?”

At my question, Jo Woo-sun gave a bitter smile.

“My father is very ill.”

“Ah…”

“Fortunately, filming ended early, so I don’t think I’ll have to live with any regrets.”

Having said that, Jo Woo-sun bowed ninety-degree from the waist toward me.

“Again, I truly thank you. For helping me avoid a lifelong regret.”

“…”

Wait. Was it just my imagination that Jo Woo-sun and I seemed to overlap for a second?

‘I had that exact same mindset when I first decided to return home.’

I didn’t know how long of a break he would take, or if it would take longer than expected to start working again for the sake of his healing, but…

“I’ll be cheering for you from afar, Mr. Jo Woo-sun.”

“!”

Jo Woo-sun’s eyes widened before curving into long crescents. The reactions of the other actors were much the same.

*Crackle, crackle!*

The dark night sky. The light from the logs illuminating the surroundings. The flames of that warmth brightly lit up the smiling faces of the actors.

***

A dark office with the lights out.

“Chairman.”

Secretary General Park Cheol-gi bowed his head with an apologetic expression.

“I just received word from the Philippines.”

“…”

“He says he is being pursued by a large number of unidentified individuals.”

It was a conversation where many words were omitted. However, that alone was enough to convey the meaning.

“What about the lawyer’s family?”

“They are currently staying in LA. Originally, we planned for Lawyer Jin to stay in the Philippines for at least five years, and then after things quieted down, we were going to wash his identity and reunite him with his family, but…”

“That’s gone down the drain.”

Chairman Hwang Man-cheol of Shinhwa Group sank into his chair.

“Who is it? Who dares to aim for the back of my head?”

“We aren’t certain it’s the investigative authorities, but we are currently verifying.”

“What about our people?”

“They arrived locally a few days ago and are on standby.”

“In the worst-case scenario…”

As if there were no need to say more, Secretary General Park Cheol-gi nodded.

“We will handle it on our end.”

“How?”

“!”

Secretary General Park Cheol-gi flinched. Normally, the Chairman would have just nodded at this point, but he had countered with a “how.” That meant he was paying a great deal of attention to this matter.

“…We plan to make him take his own life by using his family as leverage.”

“Ritual suicide… how classic and barbaric.”

Chairman Hwang clicked his tongue softly.

“Humans are selfish creatures. When their own life is in danger, they prioritize themselves over their family. After all, you can always get a new wife or have more kids, but you only have one life, don’t you?”

A capable subordinate must understand even vague talk perfectly.

“There are professionals in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, who specialize in VX.”

“What is VX?”

“It’s a type of nerve gas. It’s also the tool North Korean leader Kim Jong-un used to assassinate his brother, Kim Jong-nam.”

Only then did Chairman Hwang slowly turn his gaze toward the window.

“I must be getting old; it seems I’m having trouble with my hearing.”

Secretary General Park Cheol-gi’s expression brightened instantly. He had finally received the signal of approval.

***

The office of Prosecutor Seo I-re at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.

“One week.”

Department Manager Kang Dae-ho, who had visited early in the morning, made the declaration.

“Seo I-re. That’s the time you have left.”

“…”

“That charge of disclosing confidential investigation information. If you don’t find evidence to prove guilt within one week, the case will be buried without exception.”

“…”

“I’m telling you clearly. I can’t cover for you beyond that. Reporters are already causing a massive uproar asking if minor disciplinary action is appropriate when a suspect died during the investigation.”

There was still no answer.

‘As if anyone couldn’t tell she and Baek Seo-jun are a pair of psychos.’

Department Manager Kang Dae-ho let out a sigh. It was obvious what was going through her head.

‘She has no intention of giving up.’

If it ended like this, her demotion to some backwater countryside she’d never heard of was guaranteed. If she didn’t want that, she’d have to take off her robes and join a law firm. As with any organization, there aren’t many places willing to take a prosecutor who resigned after causing a scandal, but she was a literal princess. No, even if that didn’t work out…

“Your senior who quit and left, I heard he made 3 billion won this time.”

“!?”

Seo I-re, who had been listening silently, snapped her head up.

“Oh? When your Department Manager talks, you look at me like I’m a dog barking in the street, thinking ‘bark all you want, I’m going my own way,’ but you’re interested in news about your senior?”

Department Manager Kang Dae-ho’s lips curled into a smirk.

“Since we’re on the subject, just go seduce Baek Seo-jun. From what I can see, he’s a top-tier husband candidate. Stop having these useless thoughts.”

He spoke with finality.

“You can’t do this. You’ll get hurt.”

“…Even so…”

For the first time, Seo I-re spoke.

“I’m going to see this through to the end, Chief.”

“Fine. I’m sure you will.”

Department Manager Kang Dae-ho turned his body around.

“I’ve warned you. I won’t take responsibility for whatever happens next.”

***

I made one request—or rather, a favor.

—Secretary General. By any chance, could you give me a call before you carry out the operation on that lawyer who went into hiding in the Philippines?

*Buzz!*

The reply to my text came quickly.

—We are planning to raid his residence right now. I am also on-site.

—Wait a moment!

I hurriedly typed out a text.

—I have a good plan. Would you be willing to listen to it just once?

I had already been targeted before. If I let the same thing happen twice, I’d be a complete fool.