Double Junk - 24

Chapter 24

“…”

Seokju clenched his lips tightly.

In the silence that followed, Ajin realized he had made a careless remark. He had no significant connection to the people who died in the gambling den. They were either members of the Jung-ho faction or thugs personally hired by Geum, the owner. They all had nasty personalities, tormenting and mocking not only the prostitutes working in the gambling den but also the staff.

Ajin had his own share of misfortunes there, being beaten up for simply catching someone’s eye, being cornered and harassed when noticed, or even getting hit with a beer bottle for causing trouble. The staff members sometimes fought and used their fists, and he had witnessed someone dying from having their throat slashed.

Even the deceased staff member Myungjin had an unpleasant personality and used to torment Ajin. However, Ajin didn’t think it was a great loss that he had died.

Ajin bit his lip, realizing that he shouldn’t have brought up this topic. There was no point in scratching old wounds, especially when he had no real ties to the deceased.

Ajin hesitated, then decided to change the subject.

“No, it’s nothing. Should I call a doctor? Delaying the treatment might make it worse.”

Ajin tried to get up from the couch, but Seokju grabbed his waist and made him sit back down. He sat down on the floor beneath the couch and crossed his legs.

Seokju looked at Ajin, and their eyes met. Ajin rolled his eyes, and Seokju’s expression seemed rather troubled. He might have been worried that Ajin would hit him for once.

Ajin clenched his lips and sighed. Seokju, however, unexpectedly brought up a different topic.

“We don’t sell drugs in Korea.”

“…Yes?”

“We don’t sell drugs domestically.”

“Oh… so you only sell them abroad?”

“Yes. But occasionally, we do give them to Koreans. Like members of the National Assembly, high-ranking government officials, or… people from rival organizations.”

“…”

“Are you familiar with the Jung-ho faction? They’re the largest organization in Seoul.”

“Yes, I know.”

Ajin nodded. There was no way he wouldn’t know. They would come to the gambling den periodically, laughing and taking money from Geum, the owner. Every time they came, they would create a ruckus and harass the prostitutes, including Ajin’s older sisters.

“The Jung-ho faction has been the most concerning organization for us since Taeho faction set its sights on expanding to Seoul. To expand our business, we needed to come to Seoul, but almost all the territories were controlled by the Jung-ho faction. So we had to find a suitable location.”

“…”

“However, we couldn’t just waltz in like amateurs. They’re real gangsters. Nowadays, gangsters don’t just break into businesses and say, ‘This place is ours now.’ Instead, they use threats to extort money and obtain written contracts.”

“Wait, did you threaten our boss as well?”

A crack formed in Seokju’s previously calm expression. He glared at Ajin, and it felt as if a cold chill emanated from his black pupils.

“‘Our boss’? Ajin, your boss is a thing of the past now.”

“Oh, I mean, Geum, the boss.”

Ajin quickly corrected himself, and Seokju’s expression softened. Ajin licked his dry lips and even glanced at the gun that Seokju had placed nearby.

“No, we didn’t threaten him.”

Seokju slowly shook his head.

“Instead, we gave him drugs. I didn’t personally go there. I had someone else secretly distribute the drugs because they wanted to use them.”

“…”

“But our drugs… they are strong, and they taste really good. After trying it a few times, Geum, the owner, started inquiring about it and eventually came to us. He was in a serious state of addiction by then. He couldn’t even think straight.”

“Yes, our, I mean, Geum, the owner, liked the stuff.”

Geum, the owner of the gambling den, had started coming to work irregularly. Sometimes, he would show up looking like a beggar. Despite wearing expensive clothes, his face resembled a beggar who hadn’t eaten for days. Some even suspected that he was terminally ill.

“Geum asked for drugs in exchange for money.”

“…And then?”

“But, as I said, we don’t sell drugs in Korea. No matter how much money you offer, we won’t sell.”

“Why not? Wouldn’t you make more money if you sold a lot?”

Seokju chuckled at Ajin’s innocent question. He ran his hand over Ajin’s soft calf as he continued speaking.

“There are already organizations that sell drugs by region. We started late, and because of that, we need to be cautious. It reduces risks and obstacles.”

“…”

“Nevertheless, Geum begged us and offered the gambling den in return. He promised to provide drugs if we helped him take it over.”

“So, did you give it to him? Just like that?”

“Yes, we did. Just like that. We agreed, had a formal agreement, and received the land lease. In return, Geum got drugs that could last him for a decade.”

“…”

“But this idiot didn’t intend to hand over the gambling den. He thought the drugs would stay in the warehouse, a treasure chest that never runs out. The place was always in disarray, as if he never tidied up. It didn’t take long for things to turn sour. He had to talk to the customers, get permission from the Jung-ho faction… so much hassle.”

“…”

“But it’s fine. We expected that. However, we couldn’t delay. The land had clearly become Taeho faction’s, and the illegal occupation was managed by Geum.”

“So…”

“That’s why we killed him, and we killed anyone who recklessly came after us. Well, it was unexpected that Myungjin killed one of the staff members, but it scared the others. If no one starts blabbering recklessly, it’s all good.”

Seokju seemed utterly devoid of guilt or regret about the dozens of people, including Geum, who had died. Ajin couldn’t help but feel a significant distance from Seokju. They had spent several nights together, cuddled in his warmth, shared idle chatter, and yet, he felt like Seokju was not the person he imagined.

Ajin even considered that he had misunderstood Seokju and that he was simply an attractive man, someone who possessed the masculine traits he lacked. Seokju was an entirely different individual from what he had pictured.

As Ajin involuntarily shifted his upper body backward, Seokju’s eyes sparkled. His large hand wrapped around Ajin’s leg like a serpent. Under Seokju’s gentleness, Ajin was unable to move.

Seokju gently caressed Ajin’s cheek, as if hoping for his master’s affection.

“Ajin, I’m a bastard.”

“…Yes?”

“I may be a bastard, but I don’t treat my people that way. The Taeho faction is my family, and the staff who work in this house are now my people.”

“…”

“If you ask why I killed that staff member, if it’s to blame me, there’s nothing I can say. But if you’re worried I might harm you, don’t be.”

“…”

“Of course, I acted like a real son of a b1tch at first, but that won’t happen again.”

“…”

“I’ll give my people a lot of money, let them take time off when they’re sick, fulfill their wishes, and, if someone tries to make their lives miserable, I’ll readily step in for revenge.”

“…”

“They used to be Geum’s people, but I took their homes and workplaces and brought them here, so I have to take responsibility for them.”

Ajin’s throat moved soundlessly as it shifted up and down. Seokju, with eyes as dark as the night sea, gazed at him. The faint moisture above his eyes rippled like waves. Beautiful, yet simultaneously menacing.

Ajin felt an oppressive weight, as if trapped in those eyes. His shoulders slumped, and he found it difficult to breathe, as though he had fallen into deep water.

But it didn’t feel unpleasant. Seokju was calling him his own. He claimed that Ajin was different from the ones who had died at the gambling den.

It was a first in his life. Being treated so specially. Being referred to as ‘mine.’ Even though Seokju’s words still labeled him as a ‘jung,’ he was part of something, protected, and that alone was a fascinating feeling. Ajin had been a wanderer since he was separated from his parents as a baby, so this feeling was novel to him.

Ajin’s upper body, which had been pushed back, tilted toward Seokju. Sensing the change, Seokju closed his eyes and smiled.

From a distance, Seokju’s eyes seemed so manly, almost ferocious, but up close, they were beautiful. No, they were exquisite. When those eyes curved right in front of Ajin, he couldn’t help but smile in response.

Seokju kissed Ajin’s lips gently, and then whispered, “Just don’t betray me.”

“I won’t betray you. What would I…”

“That’s good, Ajin. Why is your foot like this?”

Seokju, who had been continuing his words, suddenly fell silent. It was only now that he noticed Ajin’s reddened foot. He grabbed Ajin’s ankle and lifted it, making Ajin fall backward as if he were tumbling into a somersault. His bangs swayed with the motion.

Ajin’s eyes widened. He hadn’t felt any pain since he had fallen on the sofa backrest, so it didn’t hurt, but he was surprised. He clutched the sofa, slowly getting up, and looked down at his foot, which Seokju was now holding. It was redder than before. Only now did he start to feel a tingling sensation.

“It’s been soaked in hot water.”

“Did you… put medicine on it?”

“No, it’s okay. It’ll blister a bit in a few days.”

Ajin replied nonchalantly. Seokju’s eyebrow raised slightly at his indifferent tone.

Ajin twisted his ankle. It seemed that having one’s foot held by someone higher up was quite uncomfortable.

But Seokju tugged on his foot with force. Ajin’s entire body was pulled down. He imagined himself being dragged along the floor. However, he ended up in Seokju’s arms, just as he had slid.