"This is just the beginning. Our goal isn't to take down this one person, but to take them down one by one."
Yoon-ki spoke to the female protagonist, who was a little different from the one who had to survive strongly.
"Your efforts weren't in vain. Hard work never betrays. Let's prove it. You can do it."
"...That's true. A world where money isn't everything, where power isn't everything. I should enjoy it and then die. Why should I live in resentment?"
Only then did the female protagonist smile brightly.
***
The next day, the news was full of Yoon Jong-cheol. A corrupt member of the National Assembly, a money-mad man, a murderer blinded by money. All true, but destined to be false. A story that would turn into a false accusation. But this time, it would be different. He would be dragged down to the same level as me, left to crawl trembling in fear, helpless. Yeo-ju finally resolved, and, moreover, she believed she could achieve it, knowing she wasn't alone.
“Lady, it’s a success. Now let’s extort money through threats and release the rest to completely ruin the situation!”
“I’ve prepared everything I need to threaten. Just get started.”
“Now let’s change everything.”
After a powerful "fighting" shout, we each returned to our seats, filled with hope. Things were going so smoothly. It was almost like torture of hope, how things unfolded so smoothly before we could even question whether it was right.
“The threat has been sent. You must be shaking now, right?”
“If it’s 1 billion, there’ll still be some impact.”
A small blow, a sum I couldn't even imagine. I laughed out loud. How ridiculous. That kid lives in a different world from mine.
"Let's not negotiate. Spend it whether you get paid or not. I'll drive you to hell."
At that moment, my emotions burned so intensely that it was difficult to put into words. Even though it was Yoon Jong-cheol now, the thought of those who would tear me apart one by one, the thought of crushing those who had lived bright lives like me, made me determined to change. But perhaps the fact that it all started with Yoon Jong-cheol was a source of pride for me. That sense of responsibility, the urgency, the indescribable complexity of achieving something. No excuses needed. I'm tired of living in this world anymore.
"Hey, lady... I got a reply. He said he'd give me as much money as I wanted. He said to meet me at the warehouse tomorrow night at 9:00."
And Yoon Jong-cheol took the bait. It felt simpler than he'd expected. He knew things would go smoothly.
"I'll tell you I'm going. But just in case, let's not go in a group. I'll go alone, so you all report me to the police as soon as I get the money and spread the word. Yoon Jong-cheol is suspected of murder and will need to be investigated. He also doesn't have any money, and the police will probably be on the hunt, so he'll be completely finished."
“You must be like a rat trapped in poison. Surely you won’t hurt anyone again, right? I can’t stand to see this mess escalate, so I’ll spare you.”
“Let’s see it through to the end!”
But we were reckless. Why did we rush in without knowing anything? Perhaps we were destined to have to label the impossible as foolishness.
***
“I’ll go out for a bit. Buy something to eat.”
“Really? What are you going to buy?”
“Melona when you come~”
“Then I’m Bingbibig.”
“What, you’re buying ice cream? I’m excited.”
“Hey guys, I’m going to buy you some food. What kind of Melona is this?”
Why are you having ice cream in broad daylight without even eating?
“Oh, let me buy some ice cream too.”
“If you eat rice, you have to have ice cream.”
“I want to eat melona instead of rice”
“Oh, what the heck, I was excited. That’s why I was excited too~”
Are you kidding me? These things really work in times like these.
"Yeah, I'm not going to buy it."
I left the hideout. I saw a new snack shop opening nearby, and I thought I'd grab something to eat there. I suddenly remembered seeing a flyer and decided to give it a try. I figured tteokbokki, sundae, and fried food would be enough.
But it seems this was also a mistake. The hideout I returned to after buying food was filled with nothing but cold silence. I've been fooled. I never thought he'd actually come, or come at this hour of the day. My whole body feels chilled. Fear, terror, leaves me speechless.
“Come out, Yoon Yeo-ju”
And when I hear his voice, my legs finally give out.
“...Yoon Jong-cheol..?”
“You even called my name. Do you think I’ve become too easy on you, Yeoju?”
“How did you get here..”
"A little brat like you belongs in the palm of my hand, my lady. Put that down quickly. I know it's your doing."
I'm screwed. Damn it. I need to think fast and get out of here. I might actually die.
“What are you talking about... Grandfather... I really don’t know...”
In desperation, I deny it for now. Please, nothing can happen. That bastard would do anything, no matter what.
“I know it’s your doing, so tell me quickly before you bring all the kids here.”
“I told you I didn’t do it...?”
“Look behind you, you didn’t do anything even after looking behind you?”
My already pounding heart suddenly sank. I turned around with a sense of pressure. No way. Really. It can't be. She must have run away. Please.
But as expected, nothing happened. Four miserable people, covered in blood and tied up, stood before me.
“Do you want to see your friends die?”
This is clearly madness. How could this be happening otherwise? Let's regain our senses first. Even if we're in a tiger's den, we can survive if we just keep our wits about us. I tried to compose myself.
“Do you want to see what happens to your father?”
"shut up!"
But it doesn't last as long as you might think. Who dares to speak with that foul mouth? The raging anger shows no signs of abating.
"Lady, this isn't the time for you to be angry. You know what I'm like. Do you think I'm joking?"
I unclenched my fist. I know. He's crazy. He's not normal. I know full well he could actually kill children.
"So, hurry up and give it a go. I'll give you some money. 1 billion won is too much, but 500,000 won... wouldn't that be fine?"
Yoon Jong-cheol spoke, his hands behind his back. Anyone could tell he was at ease. "Are we really going to just accept 5 million won and end it like this? I absolutely don't want that. No matter what happens, even if it means killing them, those kids have to experience this world. But I can't sacrifice them. The very act of having to go through this conflict is humiliating.
“Lady, don’t accept it!”
“Aren’t you going to shut up?”
At Beomgyu's shout, the man next to him shouts and swings his club.
“Choose quickly. Do you want to come to your senses only after you cut off each of those guys’ balls? You don’t have a choice in the first place.”
"..."
Now, the urge to just quit surged through me. People like us have no choice, you know. I know. That's why we tried to change things. But it was doomed from the start. Actually, this wasn't the beginning. It was just our foolishness. Believing something could work when it couldn't. Even if you want to change the world, you need someone to do it. Getting hurt, sick, dying. I don't want that. Even revolution isn't achieved alone. Protecting people is important. It's definitely not some self-justification.
"Only in cash. And 500 is too little. It should be at least 2,000."
Effort is bound to betray you. You know this all too well.
At my words, Yoon Jong-cheol laughed heartily.
"Two thousand? Is that all you need? I'll give it to you. I can give it to you right now, in cash or gold. Hey, bring it."
He threw a black bag in front of me. He didn't even bother checking the money. It didn't matter whether it was there or not.
"You can go now. Let's tell the press that it's a joke."
"Oh, that? It doesn't matter. I've already secured it all with money. Either way, you'll have no choice but to kneel before me. So let's just live quietly, okay?"
Ah. Was that so? At that moment, a huge nail was driven into my heart. I can never forgive them. Those who succumb to money and power, those who abuse their power, they're all the same.
My whole body trembled. I couldn't control my anger. I could have easily ended it, yet I was doing this. In the end, I was insignificant, kneeling before him. It was so miserable that I couldn't change this world.
As I stood there speechless, he quietly turned around. Soon, when all his men had left, I too left.
"I'm sorry. I've been betrayed by my efforts again. It's something I'm used to, right? It doesn't work no matter how hard I try, and it still won't work no matter how hard I try. That's why I'm quitting. I believed that if I tried this hard, I'd be able to do it this time, but you guys got hurt. It probably cost 2,000. I'm not the type of person to mess around with things like this. It'll probably be enough for the hospital bills. I'm sorry."
I was a fool to expect this. Money brings power, and power brings everything. I wanted to break off this relationship that was going around and around without any talent, but if this is the result, isn't that weak?
Tears shed with teeth clenched tightly are understood as an accurate look at reality.