PAHO 30

“…I have nothing to ask of you.”

“Is that so? My thoughts are a little different from yours. Seeing as my prideful little puppy came all the way here for money, it’s clear that you’re in some kind of trouble.”

“Don’t just assume things.”

“I’m not finished talking yet.”

Na Taebeom, tilting his head crookedly, licked his lips.

“If you’ve seen the news, you’ll know that the Seoul City Council issued a special enforcement decree a few days ago to strengthen passage inspections. Of course, there were complaints, but they were ignored. What do you think the reason is?”

“……”

“That amazing Samwon Group that has the Republic of Korea wrapped around its little finger is after you. Under the pretext that you caused them immense damage.”

He had suspected it, but the pursuit was faster than he had expected. Nam Gyeonhwa, who had bitten his lip tightly, said.

“That’s not… my fault.”

“It’s not. I deliberately let you take it in the first place. But what does that matter to a corporation? There were casualties, and they need to make up an excuse to tell the shareholders later, so wouldn’t they need to create a plausible issue to make an example of someone? As it happens, our little puppy became that example. But because of the timely blockade, it’s become difficult for them to approach recklessly, hasn’t it?”

“……”

“Conversely, it’s inconvenient because you have to prove your identity when going from the bottom up, but the longer this drags on, the more of a headache it will be for them. The hidden assets and bills they’ve concealed to avoid the scrutiny of the Financial Supervisory Service and civic groups, and even the drugs that those money-grubbing morons love so much, are only supplied from here.”

“So? It’s all thanks to you?”

Na Taebeom, who had let out a small laugh, snapped his fingers with a click.

“The day before yesterday, I heard through the special police unit that Doctor Yeo Eunjae was preparing some documents. It was an application to register a patient at the National Medical Center, and since a name with the same surname as you was written on it, I thought it was probably the kid’s name. But I wonder if you know that the National Medical Center is supported by the Samwon Group.”

“What does Samwon Group’s support have to do with Haejin being registered as a patient.”

“It has everything to do with it. If by some chance you get caught, it’ll be a huge story in the media, won’t it? Then, no matter how hard you try, there’s probably no chance the kid will receive special treatment.”

“No, Haejin is… different from me. He’s already completed the special citizenship application, and if he just gets through the screening period safely, he can be protected regardless of me.”

Yeo Eunjae had said she would put in the effort. She said she would mobilize her connections as his biological mother, so it was better for Nam Gyeonhwa to desperately believe her. Na Taebeom snorted.

“What if, by some chance, he doesn’t get through the screening period?”

“That won’t happen. I won’t let it happen either.”

“Is that so? Then I can just lift the blockade right away.”

“It’s not like you won’t do it just because I tell you not to.”

“I will do it for you.”

Na Taebeom, grabbing his arm, gently pushed Nam Gyeonhwa. His back hit the door with a thud, and their gazes drew closer from the recoil.

“I can even watch your back during the screening. There will be some conditions attached, but at least you won’t have to run around pathetically.”

“Conditions…?”

“Wouldn’t it be rewarding for me to be your backer if I get something out of it too?”

Nam Gyeonhwa silently looked up at Na Taebeom. With a low breath, Na Taebeom continued.

“Act as bait while the Samwon Group is tracking you.”

“Bait…?”

“Literally, become a decoy. So that Samwon will come out actively.”

It was a rather absurd suggestion. Nam Gyeonhwa, who had frowned as if displeased, answered bluntly.

“If what you say is true, I’m as good as a rat in a trap, so how am I supposed to be a decoy.”

“That’s the point. The fact that Samwon is chasing after you so relentlessly instead of just covering it up moderately makes you a sufficiently tempting bait, doesn’t it? Besides, if the premise that you’re under me is added, from their perspective, you’ll look like a useful informant, not a disposable pawn to be made an example of.”

“…In short, you’re telling me to be a double agent.”

“That’s right. If they try to win you over, you’ll just leak some information here and there and get some good information in return. Simple, right?”

Of course, it was anything but simple. This wasn’t a psychological game against an ordinary person, but the mighty Samwon Group. How could a flimsy scheme work against a corporation that dominated the country to the point of being called the ‘Samwon Republic’? It would not be easy even for a professional agent who had prepared for many years. Nam Gyeonhwa, who had let out a deflating sound as if dumbfounded, retorted indifferently.

“They’ll come to win me over just because I’m under you? Why do you think a big corporation would be wary of you? Besides, there’s no way such a flimsy relationship would work.”

“Hmm, then, instead of a flimsy relationship, let’s make it groundbreaking. We can say you’re my sex partner.”

“What?”

“Rumors have already spread far and wide in the area that I’ve developed a taste for men’s assholes. I’ve never even tried it, so I don’t even know what it tastes like.”

At those words, Nam Gyeonhwa, who had been glaring at him murderously, suddenly shoved Na Taebeom away and at the same time, kicked the back of his knee as hard as he could. Instead of rushing at the fallen Na Taebeom to subdue him, he unhesitatingly opened the door.

“I have no intention of getting help by becoming your plaything, nor do I want to, so don’t you ever even approach me again. Especially if I see you interfering with anything related to Haejin, I’ll wring your neck then. Got it?”

Nam Gyeonhwa, who had shot the words out coldly, turned his head as if the answer wasn’t even worth hearing. A loud laugh was heard from behind him, but he didn’t pay it any mind.

As he passed through the hallway and came out to the elevator entrance, a fidgeting Gwon Jongdae approached him with a surprised face.

“Oh, oh, are, are you leaving already?”

Nam Gyeonhwa, who had silently gotten on the elevator, pressed the close button. The moment he confirmed it was going down normally, a deep sigh escaped him. As the tension drained away, his whole body began to ache, starting from where he had been hit. I should have hit him more before I left. Forcibly suppressing the rising anger, he slowly calmed his breathing. After a warning like this, Na Taebeom probably wouldn’t bother him anymore. Even if he did, he didn’t want to care anymore.

“Haah.”

Nam Gyeonhwa, who let out a big, involuntary sigh, looked up at the elevator lights. In any case, if Haejin’s problem was solved, he too had no reason to remain here. Depending on the situation, he planned to cross over to China, or go even farther away. In exchange for granting the absurd request, the Wild Dog members were supposed to take care of everything from the passport to the train tickets, so all he had to do was wait quietly.

He had thought she had left long ago, but the car was still there. Jo Hongbin, who had rolled down the car window, waved her hand with a pleased expression.

“You came out quickly, sweetheart?”

“You didn’t leave?”

“Of course I had to wait. So, what did Director Na say to you, sweetheart?”

“…He didn’t say much.”

“Really?”

“Since I came here as you asked, I will be taking the money you promised to give me.”

Despite his deliberate avoidance of the question, Jo Hongbin gestured to the driver without a word. Soon, the sound of the trunk opening with a thunk was heard.

“Sweetheart, just a moment.”

Jo Hongbin, who had stopped Nam Gyeonhwa as he was about to leave with the bag of money, thrust her hand into her pocket.

“If you ever need money, contact me. I’ll give you a big discount on the interest just for you. Or being a sponsor is fine too.”

“……”

“Well then, see you again.”

She gave a light wave of her hand and rolled up the car window. Instead of watching the departing car, Nam Gyeonhwa turned on his heel.

Nam Gyeonhwa, checking the digital calendar, anxiously wrung his hands. It was the day he had promised to meet the Wild Dog named Song Sangyeol, but even as night fell, there were no familiar faces among those visiting the medical center.

He couldn’t just wait indefinitely, but the situation was not good for him to go to the Wild Dogs Union and demand answers. Day after day, lists of people classified as illegal residents by the city of Seoul were being posted. Since the majority of the Wild Dogs Union were also unregistered individuals not registered with the Residents’ Office, there was a high possibility they would react sensitively.

At the sudden sound of a cough, his complicated mind cleared in an instant. He reflexively approached the bed and, upon seeing the pale-faced Haejin, frantically pressed the emergency button.

“What’s wrong!”

Yeo Eunjae, who had rushed in with a nurse’s aide, immediately pulled in medical equipment from outside as soon as she saw the painfully gasping Haejin. While the two men moved frantically, Nam Gyeonhwa could only stand still in the corner and watch as if he had turned to stone. This whole situation felt like a punishment.

“Fortunately, he’s stabilized.”

Yeo Eunjae, who had called Nam Gyeonhwa out of the hospital room, continued her explanation with a rather serious expression.

“But it’s too early to be relieved. If by some chance his bronchial stenosis worsens from here, it will have a major impact on his brain as well.”

“On his brain too?”

“Yes, so before that happens, we either have to send him up to the medical center, or we have to get a supply of clinical drugs from the medical center and use them. Have you heard from the Residents’ Office about the screening?”

“No, not yet, there’s been no word.”

“Haah, are they dragging their feet like this because they think it’s not urgent for them. Then I’ll have to try contacting other hospitals for now. If there’s a child suffering from the same pediatric illness, we might be able to send him there.”

As Yeo Eunjae let out a big sigh, the pager in her pocket rang. Just as she took out the pager and was about to check the message, a figure hastily running from the far end of the hallway came into view.

“D-doctor! Doctor! Here, here, p-please help! Quickly!”

The person who came running, screaming as if he were about to run out of breath, was none other than Kim Hangyeol. He stopped in front of Yeo Eunjae, turned around, and showed the person on his back.

“Sh-shot, he was shot by a gun. L-left chest, the, the bleeding won’t stop.”

“Quickly! Here, lay him on the bed, quickly!”

Yeo Eunjae, who had parted the curtain and brought out the bed on the opposite side, took the injured person from Kim Hangyeol’s back and moved him. As soon as he confirmed the clearly revealed face, Nam Gyeonhwa felt as if he were at a loss for words.

It was the Wild Dog member who had promised him the forged passport and train ticket.

Nam Gyeonhwa, who had been staring blankly at him, fixed his gaze on the trembling Kim Hangyeol. Only after their eyes met did Kim Hangyeol recognize Nam Gyeonhwa and burst out with a choked cry.

“A-according to the member who was with him, he was shot… at the station. They said he was a person of suspicious identity.”

“A person of suspicious identity? Not an unregistered individual?”

“I-I don’t know. Th-they arrested all the members who went with him, and only me and… one other person barely made it back. This has never happened before. In the first place, it doesn’t make sense for them to dig up something that happened in Nakdo and arrest him.”