Chapter 32: Fists and Fleeing

“Have a drink.”

“Just tell me what you know about No Jae Sik.”

“Why’re you so pathetic now? No fun.”

I smirked at his obvious baiting. The original Seung Hyun must’ve hated being called pathetic and played along. This guy knows how to push Seung Hyun’s buttons—definitely an old acquaintance.

When I kept my hands in my pockets, unmoved, he poured himself a glass and raised it for a toast.

“We smashed each other’s heads back then. It’s been a while—let’s drink and call it even.”

Bullshit. I’m not a cop, but I know drinking in a place like this, with this vibe, is a recipe for disaster. It’s a drama cliché.

The table was pre-set before I arrived—how could I trust anything he offers? Even if he made it in front of me, I wouldn’t trust this guy. I glanced at my phone, checking the time. Ten minutes had passed.

He kept grinning, but when I showed no interest in eating or drinking, his face hardened.

“Hey, don’t be rude when I’m being sincere. Don’t you want to know where No Jae Sik is? I even flew out for this.”

“…”

Seung Hyun’s social circle gave me whiplash. Why did he hang out with this creep? What was missing in your life, Choi Seung Hyun?

His insistence on getting me to drink only made me more determined not to.

“Actually, I don’t need to know.”

I really wanted to, but not enough to risk this. Plus, I’ve got an interview tomorrow morning.

Curiosity killed the cat. I don’t know why the original Seung Hyun asked this guy for help, but I know the novel’s ending. There’s no real need to chase a minor detail like Seung Hyun’s biological father.

I’ll just raid Father’s HR department later.

Decided, I gripped the pepper spray and pocketknife in my coat pockets and stood.

But as I turned toward the door, Han Sung’s brother grabbed my elbow, yanking me back into the chair.

“Don’t embarrass me like this.”

“Let go!”

I shook him off, swinging my right fist at his shoulder. In the motion, the pocketknife in my hand was exposed. The blade stayed closed, but he instantly recognized the handle.

He let out a hollow laugh.

“Damn, Seung Hyun. I’m hurt, man.”

“Hurt my ass.”

“No Jae Sik was last in Hong Kong, now Vietnam.”

I froze.

“Vietnam…?”

Did Mother pay to send him abroad? Or is he constantly on the move?

Before I could process, the hulking guy lunged. A loud thwack echoed, and my vision flickered black. A dull pain hit my head.

I collapsed, then was yanked up by my collar, my turtleneck stretching with a ripping sound. My head throbbed, disoriented. Glaring at him, I saw his fist swing again. With a grunt, blood spurted in my mouth.

The sudden violence blurred my vision, my face stinging. Straddling me, he spoke.

“Seung Hyun, getting hit by you back then hurt me—body and soul. I set this up to reconnect, and you bring a knife? When have I ever done you wrong? I’m really hurt.”

His weight crushed me, suffocating. He looked like a scheming historical drama villain but built like a boar. Trembling, I reached into my left pocket. The pepper spray was still there, but my focus was shaky.

“I did everything you asked. Found No Jae Sik, hooked you up with girls when you were lonely, drank with you, got you drugs, stayed by your side…”

Then, he suddenly reached for my waist, pulling up my shirt. His slimy, hot touch froze my mind colder than the violence. With all my strength, I yanked out the spray and blasted his face with the soju-pepper-muscle rub mix. A sharp stench spread as he screamed.

“Argh!”

Seung Hee’s fancy cosmetics came through. Gotta thank her later.

As he clutched his face, yelling, I rolled away, stumbling to my feet. The world spun from the blows. But this monster, tears and snot streaming, charged again.

He grabbed my shoulders, slamming me against the wall. I gasped as my back hit hard. Panting, he snarled.

“Seung Hyun, throwing a tantrum? Crying about being lonely to reel me in, and now this…!”

His eyes gleamed, deranged. I’d die if he caught me. Focusing all my will, I drove my knee into his groin. A crisp sound, and he staggered.

Grabbing his collar, I punched his nose. A crack of breaking bone—satisfying.

“Ugh!”

Two hits, and he crumpled. I panted. I meant to hit harder, but this body’s leaner than my old one, so my punches were weaker—annoying. Staggering, I grabbed the doorknob. Thankfully, it opened.

As I stepped out, something grabbed me. Turning, I saw the lunatic clutching my coat like a tug-of-war rope, still on the floor.

What’s this guy’s grudge against me?

“…Seriously.”

I pulled my arms out, leaving the coat. He collapsed with a thud. Hope he gets a concussion and croaks.

I bolted through the iron door, retracing my steps. Black-suited men eyed me suspiciously but didn’t stop me. Despite my calm facade, my heart pounded.

Blood kept trickling into my mouth, salty. As I neared the exit, loud music and flashy lights returned. Fearing someone would grab me, I held my phone to my face and hurried out.

Ten minutes felt like ten hours. Outside, the early winter wind hit me. Freezing, but the cold air made me feel alive. Still, I couldn’t relax—those suited goons might chase me. Every footstep around me sounded unnaturally loud.

Taxi, where’s a taxi? Police? Ambulance? What do I say? What’s fastest?

As I looked around frantically, a familiar voice called.

“Hyung!”

Squinting into blinding headlights, I blinked.

Do Yoon was running toward me, his gray coat flapping. Among the fast-moving crowd, he seemed in slow motion.

His face, lit by the nightlife’s glow, looked on the verge of tears.

He charged as if to hug me but, seeing my face, grabbed my elbows tightly instead. His grip was strong. I groaned his name.

“Do Yoon…”

I must’ve imagined his teary look. His eyes burned like scarlet flames in the winter night. Biting his lip, he scanned me silently, then grabbed my wrist, pulling me to a car. All I saw was his straight back, but his trembling hand betrayed him.

Inside, the warm heater enveloped me. Do Yoon sat beside me, took a deep breath, and said shakily to the driver.

“Nearest emergency room, please.”

Relief hit as I entered a safe space. Slumping into the soft car seat, I waved weakly.

“I’m fine, just need to rest at home…”

That’s when Do Yoon shouted.

“Rest?! Do you see yourself right now?!”