PTT - 59

After receiving permission from the guard outside, Si-heon stepped inside only to be greeted by a scene that made him furrow his brow. A large pool of fresh blood soaked into the gray marble floor.

The man who had been trembling and begging for mercy moments ago now lay lifeless. Still warm, his corpse was nudged with the tip of Young-nam’s shoe as she sat down on the sofa.

“You were almost late. That was close.”

“Let’s send him to the hospital first.”

“Do hospitals hold funerals these days? If you’re sending him anywhere, it should be to a funeral home.”

Blood smeared across her cheek had dried without being wiped clean. Opening a silver case on the coffee table, Young-nam retrieved a thick cigar. 

Click! With a sharp cutter sound, the end of the cigar was trimmed perfectly. She lit it with practiced ease, ensuring even heat distribution before taking a deep drag. Slowly, thick white smoke exhaled from her lips.

“What are you doing standing there? Sit down.”

Her perfectly applied red lipstick hinted at her obsessive personality—someone who tolerated no deviation from order. Suppressing his disgust, Si-heon took a seat across from her. As much as he wanted to call the police and have her arrested right then, doing so would leave everything unresolved. His jaw clenched tightly with cold fury.

“Take him out. I need this floor cleaned again.”

As soon as Young-nam dialed her phone, a guard waiting outside entered and bowed deeply. He carried a large bag big enough to fit a person, clearly accustomed to such tasks.

“Should I dump him where we usually do?”

“No, take him to Mount Sowang this time. We should rotate burial sites—somewhere with good water and air quality.”

“Yes.”

Wearing gloves and a mask to avoid leaving fingerprints or DNA traces, the guard stuffed the body into the bag with the same indifference one might use to pack luggage. Fighting the urge to scrunch his brows, Si-heon turned his gaze away from the corpse, his expression icy.

It took less than five minutes for the guard to sling the black bag over his shoulder and leave to dispose of the body. The bloodstain on the marble floor remained vivid. Bowing deeply at ninety degrees, he exited the building to handle the remains. Silence once again settled over the living room.

Savoring the aroma and taste of the cigar like fine wine, Young-nam fixed her gaze on Si-heon.

“Playing with people’s minds is quite amusing, isn’t it?”

“What do you mean?”

“The people you met in Russia. Gwak Seon-gi was one of them.”

Inhaling the cigar smoke deeply into her lungs—contrary to how cigars are meant to be smoked—she tilted her head back, gazing at the high ceiling with intrigue.

“When humans reach their breaking point, they lose rational judgment. Those gathered in that village weren’t always so naive. Overwhelmed by despair, they fell prey to manipulation.”

“So you toyed with them using clever words.”

“It wouldn’t be fun if I said otherwise.”

She chuckled softly, briefly resting the cigar in the ashtray.

“I exploit their desperation. For instance… Gwak Seon-gi was an abusive husband and father for years. The three family members he tormented eventually took their own lives. But here’s the irony—he forgot all about his crimes and wallowed in grief over losing them.”

“…”

“That’s the power of words, Baek Si-heon. More accurately, exploiting someone’s deepest vulnerabilities.”

She elegantly described her method of gaslighting others by exploiting their weaknesses. Picking up the cigar again, Young-nam drew hard on it until her cheeks hollowed.

“Did they worship you or Mayor Bang like gods? What do you gain by manipulating people’s emotions?”

“Worship? Disgusting. What matters is unity, capital, and capability.”

Most of the funds collected under the guise of a village fund flowed directly into Min Young-nam and Bang Won-gyeol’s pockets. Her innate ability to control others allowed her to puppeteer even a city mayor. 

But what Si-heon truly sought to uncover was Min Young-nam’s ultimate goal. What did she aim to achieve through Gwak Seon-gi and Cheonji Village? Fixing her with a cold stare, he spoke in a low voice:

“Mayor Bang has risen rapidly from his first term as a local councilman to becoming Seoul’s mayor, all while hiding behind you. So, what comes next?”

“You already know the answer, Baek Si-heon. You’re quick.”

Gwak Seon-gi, strapped with explosives, preached about rebuilding Korea with vacant eyes. A chilling memory surfaced in Si-heon’s mind.

〈My comrades and I intend to rebuild this nation from its roots. It won’t be easy; many will die, get hurt, face persecution. But the outcome will be beautiful and radiant.〉

〈…〉

〈It begins here at the Constitutional Court. This country’s constitution has been flawed since its inception. We’ll blow away the rotten laws and build anew, step by step. All for a peaceful and happy nation.〉

What Gwak Seon-gi envisioned was Bang Won-gyeol ascending to the highest seat of power. Now, the scattered puzzle pieces began falling into place.

“I’ve decided to move the plan forward slightly. Waiting four more years is testing my patience.”

It hadn’t even been a year since the last election. Was she planning to make Bang Won-gyeol a presidential candidate in four years? Si-heon stroked his chin, murmuring softly. Though it seemed far-fetched, nothing was impossible with Min Young-nam involved.

“Are you planning to replace the president and seize that position?”

“It’s been in motion for decades. The current leading presidential candidate is Seoul’s mayor. Once chaos erupts from terrorism, public support will skyrocket uncontrollably.”

So that was her final objective. Manipulating Bang Won-gyeol for over twenty years to achieve this sent chills down Si-heon’s spine. Ordinary people couldn’t fathom such schemes, yet Min Young-nam was executing them ruthlessly.

The conversation between the snipers he’d encountered two days earlier echoed in his ears. Their training for a critical operation—it all made sense now. She hadn’t merely established Korean communities; she’d built criminal organizations and massive money-laundering networks.

At that moment, Si-heon realized something: if she wasn’t stopped, an unstoppable wave would crash over the nation.

“The NIS must stop showing interest in Bang Won-gyeol and Cheonji Village. Understood, Baek Si-heon?”

“…Understood.”

“You’ll gain power beyond your imagination.”

Leaning forward, Young-nam cupped Si-heon’s chin and whispered seductively. Unflinching, he stared back at her, his piercing gaze unwavering. Smiling faintly, she traced his eye with her thumb.

“You’ll continue to serve as my hands and feet. Are you ready to play the loyal dog now?”

Swallowing his contempt, Si-heon twisted his lips into a bitter smile. He had to lock her away, no matter what. With deliberate emphasis on each word, he replied, the metallic scent of blood still lingering in the air.

“Let’s give it a try—this loyal dog act.”