Double Junk - 37

Chapter 37

Seokju crossed the corridor in front of his room and stepped onto the large wooden veranda. The veranda was located next to the front entrance, offering a clear view of the main gate and the front yard. The front yard was the largest among the courtyards inside the house and was often used as a place where the servants lined up to greet Seokju when he returned from work.

However, today, the neatly maintained atmosphere of the yard was noticeably different.

Twenty of his gang members were present. They stood there, wearing their upper garments with their legs bare, looking determined, while the servants who had been sleeping due to the late hour were now gathering.

Seokju and Myungjin were standing on the veranda. Ajin, who had followed them, stood behind Seokju, with only his face peeking out. His bangs were tied back, and his hair stuck up stubbornly. Ajin tried to push it down while glancing around, eventually noticing a figure lying in the center of the yard.

“Um…”

The face was so disfigured that it was unrecognizable, but judging by the bulky figure and the sagging flesh that looked like jowls, it was the same pig that had punched Ajin in the face a few weeks ago in front of Seokju.

The pig was lying on its knees on the ground. Drool mixed with bl00d was dripping from its open lips, and it couldn’t be determined whether it was mucus or bl00d that was running down from its nose. It seemed to be breathing, but there was no movement.

“What is this?”

Seokju, looking down at the pig, asked, his scarred chin twitching. Myungjin, who was scratching below his chin, promptly gave the account, as if he had been waiting for that question.

“This bastard sneaked into the house late at night.”

“Why?”

“He was trying to steal drugs. I don’t know if he wanted to sell them or if he needed them himself, but he went to the back house and found that the door was locked. So, he broke into the warehouse in the backyard, but all that was there were weapons.”

“…”

“So, he took a gun and went straight into Geumtae’s room, pointing the gun at him, and demanded drugs.”

“Is Geumtae okay? Was he injured?”

“Right. Where do you think Geumtae, the guy who can be injured so easily, is? He woke up and kicked that bastard with his leg. The gun went flying into the yard, and the door panel got smashed.”

“…”

“It was noisy, so the son from the surrounding rooms all rushed out and joined the fight. They discovered these guys in the process.”

Myungjin pointed to the pile of stolen items in front of the pig. There was a dirty gun on the dirt floor, a wristwatch that presumably belonged to one of the gang members, a small folding knife, the crystal glass that Seokju used for drinking, and some mysterious sunglasses.

Fortunately, there was no sign of the philopon, but all the items were definitely stolen from Seokju’s house.

Seokju’s expression became cold and detached. He stared at the pig that had been beaten. He seemed to be contemplating what punishment to mete out. Everyone watched him intently.

Soon, Seokju’s mouth, which had been tightly sealed, opened.

“Let’s do it as we planned.”

At his words, the gang members all smiled and nodded.

The sleeping servants were summoned to the front yard. The reason for the gathering was Myungjin’s orders. The courtesan also appeared, her face unwashed, unable to get rid of her drowsiness. Ajin tried to approach her.

However, Seokju grabbed his elbow and pulled him back to his side. Ajin looked up at him, but Seokju was gazing at the sprawled pig.

Soon, all the servants and gang members had gathered. It was a late-night assembly that crossed midnight, and its purpose was unexpected. Myungjin glanced around and called out a sturdy man standing next to a stone.

“Hey, Geumtae.”

“Yes, boss.”

“There’s no linen.”

“Oh, yes! I’ll get it right now.”

Geumtae disappeared quickly. When he returned, he was holding a single sheet of transparent plastic, enough to cover only one room. The gang members spread it out on the ground.

And then, the pig was dragged on top of the plastic sheet. A few minutes ago, the pig had regained consciousness and tried to assess the situation by looking around, but it was too late.

Myungjin, who had been standing on the veranda, descended onto the plastic sheet. His giant foot covered one side of the sheet entirely. With a smirk, he began a powerful speech in a booming voice.

“Listen well, everyone! We are like a family. Whether you’re a gang member or someone working in the house, living under the same roof makes us family in one way or another.”

“… ”

“So, if anyone troubles us, we will go and give them a beating, seek revenge, take care of them if they’re hurt, and if the business is good, we’ll give more money than now. Why? Because we’re family!”

“… ”

“But there are things that families should never do to each other! That’s betrayal. Huh? Betrayal and stealing. Those are things that are absolutely unacceptable. Absolutely. Both I and our boss Seokju here hate it very much. We’ve suffered way too much.”

“… ”

“Stealing is just like betrayal. At first, you slyly sell trivial things, then you start stealing house pillars, and then you even sell the house, and eventually, you sell your family members too. Right?”

“… ”

“Backstabbing us from behind, slacking off a bit, that’s fine even among family. But betrayal and stealing are not okay. They are things that thoroughly expose us.”

“… ”

“That’s why our Taeho family gives a strong punishment for betrayal and stealing.”

Myungjin took a deep breath, and then exhaled heavily. He looked around at the people. The gang members stood there with unexpressive faces, and the servants, who had been anxious just a few minutes ago, now stood together, their shoulders touching. Faces that had been pale and frightened only moments ago now appeared sullen.

Myungjin pursed his lips, scrutinizing the male servants gathered to one side.

“Betrayal… the moment it’s discovered, the neck will be severed.”

People gasped simultaneously. It was certainly a harsher punishment than what they expected. Even though it was a more lenient consequence than what was announced, it seemed more cruel and terrifying. The expressions on the faces of the people changed rapidly. Myungjin continued, unfazed.

“And stealing means we’ll cut off your arms.”

People grumbled in dismay. It seemed like a harsher consequence compared to betrayal. Myungjin, still unfazed, went on.

“The extent of arm severing varies depending on what you’ve stolen. As for this guy, he tried to steal drugs and even a gun, so we’re going to cut off his arms. Hey guys.”

Myungjin gestured towards the gang members. They approached the pig lying on the plastic sheet. The pig, sensing a threatening presence, suddenly rose. After taking a few blows earlier, it had gained an unexpected burst of strength.

“Ugh!”

It screamed as it dashed towards the door. However, the gang members were sprawled all over the hallway, making escape impossible. The pig could only take a few steps before it was caught and thrown back onto the plastic sheet. People sighed in relief.

“If you run away, we’ll cut your ankles as well, alright?”

One of the gang members stood on the fallen pig. Another man held the pig’s thrashing legs, and a third brought a large knife. Unlike the kitchen knives, this one was wide and sturdy, suitable for butchery.

Witnessing this, the pig began to scream, its bulging eyes teary. It cried out and begged Seokju, tears streaming down its face.

“Ah, boss! I made a mistake. I made a mistake, boss! Please spare me, boss! I wanted to make a living, that’s all. Just one chance, boss! Please, please!”

The pig struggled wildly, but it was held down by the gang members. Everyone watched, their faces changing rapidly, and Myungjin paid them no mind.

“Betrayal… the moment it’s discovered, we’ll cut your neck.”

People gasped in unison. Seokju’s voice was low and clear, and he spoke with such conviction. The memory of the employee whose throat had been cut at the gambling den came to Ajin’s mind. He remembered how the bl00d had gushed, how the man had fallen, and the sound of the spreading puddle of bl00d.

“And for stealing, we’ll cut off your arms.”

People grumbled in dismay. Although it was a kinder punishment than betrayal, it felt more ruthless and terrifying. People’s faces shifted like quicksilver, but Myungjin continued without hesitation.

“The extent of arm severing varies depending on what you’ve stolen. This guy tried to steal drugs and even a gun, so we’re going to cut off his arms. Hey, guys.”

Myungjin gestured towards the gang members, who approached the pig lying on the plastic sheet. The pig, sensing the imminent threat, suddenly sprang to its feet. After a few moments, it had gained unexpected strength and fought back vigorously.

“Ugh!”

It screamed and dashed toward the door. However, the gang members had spread out all over the yard, making escape impossible. The pig could only take a few steps before being caught and thrown back onto the plastic sheet. People sighed in relief.

“If you try to escape, we’ll cut your ankles too, understand?”

One gang member climbed onto the pig sprawled on the plastic sheet. Another man grabbed the pig’s flailing legs, while a third came forward with a large knife. Unlike the kitchen knives, this one was broad and sturdy, suitable for butchering.

Seeing this, the pig began to scream, its eyes bulging. It pleaded, tears streaming down its face. Ajin recalled the employee who had been choked at the gambling den, how he had fallen, and the sound of the spreading pool of bl00d.

At the muffled sound, Ajin tightly closed his eyes.

The gang members folded the bl00d-soaked plastic sheet. The servants, with pale faces, watched it in disgust. “Let’s go back to sleep now,” Myungjin belatedly ushered the servants inside. They hurried away as if they were running away.

Ajin, still with Seokju’s grip on his wrist, stood there, unable to move a muscle. The pig was carried away by the gang members to the hospital. They had said they would only cut off its arms; they hadn’t said they would kill it. The severed arms, below the elbow, were carried away by one of the gang members.

“Ugh…”

Ajin’s stomach churned. He had seen his fair share of knife fights while working in the gambling den, but this was the first time he had seen it up close. He felt nauseous, his body trembling, his chin quivering. Even though he was standing still, he looked as if he was shaking his head.

Images he shouldn’t recall kept flashing in his mind.

Cars, wheels, flickering lights, a body soaring through the air, the sound of tearing, these images filled Ajin’s vision. His body temperature seemed to evaporate rapidly.

Seokju couldn’t help but notice Ajin’s trembling.

“Are you cold?” Seokju asked.

“Uh… no…” Ajin replied awkwardly. Suddenly, Seokju felt very distant. He had just tied Ajin’s hairband for him. He was the one who gave Ajin candy and smiled so happily. He was the one who complained that he couldn’t sleep without Ajin. But now, he felt like a completely different person.

Ajin even had thoughts of pulling his wrist away from Seokju and running away.

Seokju held both of Ajin’s forearms. The skin beneath his clothes felt chilly.

“You’re cold,” Seokju repeated.

Ajin nodded weakly. He just wanted to get out of this place. Every time he looked at the front yard, he expected to see bl00d spattering, flesh being torn apart, and bones breaking.

Seokju led Ajin back to their room. As they stood in front of the door, Myungjin, who had followed them, called out to Seokju subtly.

“Seokju hyung. I have something to tell you.”