Chapter 21
Who is he? What is he?
What kind of person is he, really?
After mulling over Hunter’s true identity for what felt like forever, Hyungoh hung his head in defeat as the questions just kept piling up. The more he thought about Hunter, the more tangled everything became. He’d never despised anyone this much in his entire life. Hunter would probably be both the first and last person he’d ever truly hate.
Hunter had always put Hyungoh in danger. It was like he had some personal vendetta, constantly throwing obstacles—big and small—in his path at every opportunity. From claiming to be his guardian and dragging Hyungoh to America, to injuring the boss and fleeing—his current predicament. And every bit of the fallout landed squarely on Hyungoh’s shoulders.
“It’s been several years now. The boss isn’t as worked up about it as he used to be, so try not to worry too much.”
“How many years ago are we talking?”
“Let’s see… about six years, I think.”
“But why did he run in the first place? I don’t know all the details, but from what I’ve heard, anyone who tries to leave the organization or betray them ends up dead as payback.”
“Aha. So you want Hunter dead?”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant! I’m just curious why someone in the Underboss position—such a high-ranking role—would even have a reason to run…”
An Underboss who strategically oversees the organization’s members and is practically second-in-command within the Family—why would he flee? How? For what reason? No, where did he even go? Is there anywhere he could go? Is he even still alive?
From the start, Hyungoh couldn’t wrap his head around how Hunter had climbed to the Underboss position in the first place. Sure, he’d suspected Hunter had ties to the Gostin Family, but he never imagined he’d been an Underboss. At most, he figured Hunter might be some low-level member, but he turned out to be an executive.
The Gostin Family wasn’t some small-time outfit—it was a massive criminal empire with connections spanning the globe. Which meant this criminal “Hunter” was part of it all, wielding serious influence.
It made Hyungoh uneasy. While he didn’t exactly have warm, fuzzy feelings for Hunter, he’d always thought of it as something from another world—well, considering Michael, maybe not entirely another world—but knowing a family member was completely wrapped up in a place like this left him feeling dazed and somewhat anxious. No, honestly, he felt extremely anxious.
If he was going to run, why not just quietly slip away on his own? Why go so far as to leave the boss half-crippled?
“If we knew something that important, we would’ve found him ages ago.”
“Pardon?”
“We don’t know either. We have no idea what went through Hunter’s head that made him hurt the boss and take off.”
Only God knows, Herick said. Well, maybe the boss knows. There must have been disagreements at first, little things here and there. Hyungoh’s frown deepened at Herick’s frustratingly vague answer. Once again, my uncle’s dumped a puzzle in my lap.
“Here we are.”
Hyungoh and Herick stood before the back door of the mansion after walking through a garden blanketed with colorful flowers. As Herick raised his hand to knock, Hyungoh hurriedly grabbed him.
“You’re coming in with me, right?”
“If you don’t want me to, I can wait outside.”
“N-no, of course I want you to come in.”
“Haha.”
Herick looked down at Hyungoh, who was wringing his hands and sweating bullets, and laughed. He’s cute, but… Herick still felt a twinge of disappointment.
“Then let’s go in together.”
“Ah, um, wait a second…”
“I’m telling you, there’s no need to be so scared.”
“Easy for you to say…”
While the two of them bickered at the door, it suddenly swung open. Hyungoh gasped. Michael, dressed in the same style as earlier but slightly neater, was staring intently at him.
“Why aren’t you coming in?”
Michael asked in a low voice with a faint smile. Startled by his sudden appearance, Hyungoh whipped his head around to look at Herick with wide eyes. Why is he here? Herick avoided eye contact, gave Hyungoh’s shoulder a gentle pat, and went in first. Michael stepped aside as if inviting Hyungoh to enter.
I can’t get used to this. Hyungoh carefully stepped onto the dark red carpet and stole a glance at Michael. I really can’t see him as the Michael from before. Michael casually hooked his thumb in his black suit pants pocket and pushed the door shut.
Michael had grown remarkably tall. They say even mountains change in ten years, and that cute, small boy had become like this… After staring blankly at Michael’s impressive build for a moment, Hyungoh caught Michael’s eye and quickly looked away.
In the past, awkward situations like this would occasionally unfold when Hyungoh was with Michael. Sometimes, as if possessed, Hyungoh would find himself staring at him. Sometimes he’d even go as far as touching Michael’s face. But these weren’t things Hyungoh did intentionally. His hands moved on their own, you could say. Saying it like that makes him sound like some cowardly pervert making excuses, but… Michael approached Hyungoh, who was awkwardly scratching his head, and spoke casually.
“Sorry for the trouble. You must be tired after just getting here today.”
“It’s no trouble at all.”
“My father is very curious about you.”
Father?
Hyungoh followed Michael through a short hallway into the living room. Around a long table, well-dressed gentlemen in tailored suits sat on sofas, engaged in pleasant conversation. The flames crackling in the fireplace barely lit up the dark space.
Though tense, Hyungoh quickly scanned the room. His left leg trembled involuntarily when everyone’s gaze shifted to them as Michael appeared, but he steadied himself, afraid of making a bad impression by looking too intimidated.
Hyungoh’s wandering eyes soon locked onto one spot. Besides those seated on the sofas, several people stood around them, and among them, Hyungoh made eye contact with Marsha, who stood at attention by the fireplace. Marsha hadn’t changed much except for her slightly shorter hair. As always, with her stoic expression, she acknowledged Hyungoh with her eyes. Hyungoh, looking slightly relieved but still awkward, nodded back.
“Welcome.”
Mate, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, raised his hand in friendly greeting. His physique, with shirt buttons that looked ready to pop, was robust enough to put any personal trainer to shame. Herick, standing with his arms folded next to Marsha, shot Mate a sideways glance. Aren’t you just Mr. Friendly. At his sarcastic tone, Mate’s eyebrows twitched.
“Sit down.”
At the raspy voice, everyone turned toward an elderly man sitting alone in a single armchair. With his knees covered by a red blanket, he was fiddling with the IV stand beside him. His slightly unfocused eyes, hair almost gone but carefully slicked back with mousse, and the deep wrinkles on his face showed just how many years he’d lived.
Federico Gostin. That was him.
“Michael, sit beside me.”
“Yes, Father.”
Michael gently pushed Hyungoh’s back to guide him forward. Since the seat next to Federico was empty, Michael and Hyungoh sat there. Finding himself seated next to Mate by chance, Hyungoh awkwardly returned Mate’s curious smile.
“So you’re Choi. Korean, are you?”
Federico slowly pointed at Hyungoh with his gnarled finger.
“Y-yes. Korean, from South Korea.”
Hyungoh answered with a slightly trembling voice.
“Korea… I remember partnering with a Korean company once to distribute Diyetzda. Sales profit was higher than in Japan, if I recall. From a business standpoint, quite impressive people.”
I see. Haha. Hyungoh forced a laugh to match the pleasant atmosphere. However, his mind was in complete chaos, like riding a never-ending roller coaster.
D-Diyetzda? Sweat trickled down Hyungoh’s back. This drug popular in Russia—the name means “Childhood”—was a type of hallucinogen. The fact that it had been secretly distributed in Korea was recently exposed, leading to the arrest of implicated politicians and celebrities.
The key point here was that the team that busted the organization smuggling this drug into Korea was the very team Hyungoh had been part of just a few weeks ago.
“But that’s all in the past now.”
Federico clicked his tongue regretfully. Too bad. One of the men on the sofa shrugged. Who knew the police would catch on? Is South Korean security really that good? He glanced at Hyungoh as he spoke.
Hyungoh slowly lowered his head. Since their drug smuggling operation in Korea had been exposed, with news reaching several countries, the related organizations must have taken a serious hit. But he hadn’t known the Gostin Family was involved. Just how far does this man’s reach extend? When Hyungoh stole a glance at Federico, their eyes met. Hyungoh flinched and forced an awkward smile.
“You resemble Hunter.”
The chattering stopped instantly at Federico’s words. Yes. You look like Hunter. Federico repeated in his slurred speech.
Hyungoh, who had been fidgeting with his fingers, froze. Federico was staring intently into Hyungoh’s eyes. Whatever he was thinking, he pressed his dry lips together and touched his two fingers.
He was gauging Hyungoh’s reaction. It felt like if Hyungoh showed even the slightest weakness, Federico would pounce and tear out his throat. Even half-crippled, even too old to properly control his own body, he was definitely a mafia boss. In the suffocating silence, everyone’s attention was focused on him. Hyungoh could clearly hear someone swallow. Right now, everyone was on edge, united in tension.
Ah, except for Michael.
“He doesn’t look like him at all.”
Michael said with a serious face. Herick, standing behind them, seemed to sense the uneasy atmosphere and covered his face with his hand. His head gradually drooped.
“Not all Asians look the same.”
“I wasn’t talking about appearance, Michael. The aura surrounding him is very similar to Hunter’s.”
“The aura.”
Michael glanced down at Hyungoh. Hyungoh rolled his eyes and silently pleaded with Michael. You’re not going to say anything weird, right? Right? Herick quietly stepped closer from behind and gently placed his hand on Michael’s shoulder. When Michael glanced at Herick, Herick had a forced smile on his face while his eyes were cursing up a storm.
After looking back and forth between Hyungoh and Herick, Michael rested his chin on his hand and gave a soft, smiling look. It was like a child holding a knife, smiling brightly with an innocent face that seemed to know nothing.
“Well. Since Choi is Hunter’s nephew, I suppose there could be some resemblance.”
