Chapter 137: Hate

TL: Aniea

“Sniff sniff! Kyaa-! How long has it been since I last tasted air this fresh? Hey, Kang Woo-ju! What the hell are you, really? With clout like this, you'd think I'd have heard your name at least once before they locked me up.”

"Quiet down and just lead the way."

"So prickly. Still, you could at least tell me who these big fellows are, couldn't you?"

“.......”

Kim Hee-tae made a joke while glancing at the men in suits standing behind him.

But those who had been forewarned didn’t even twitch an eyebrow, and Kang Woo-ju was no different.

Instead, when Kang Woo-ju silently glared at him, Kim Hee-tae shrugged his shoulders for no reason and stepped forward.

“Still, can’t I at least take off this mask? This might be the last outing of my life, and it’s so suffocating.”

“.......”

Before leaving the prison, Kim Hee-tae had changed into clothes prepared in advance by Kang Woo-ju.

The top and bottom were overall plain, but his face was completely covered with a mask and sunglasses, and on top of that, a deeply pressed cap.

"If you'd like, I can finish you off right here and now."

“Aigoo, you’re so scary I can’t even talk.”

“Get in the vehicle.”

“Ah, yes, yes.”

Realizing that no matter how much he ran his mouth, it didn’t work on Kang Woo-ju, Kim Hee-tae boarded the vehicle without a word.

It was a top-class van, the kind celebrities ride in, so the interior was quite spacious, but with Kang Woo-ju’s bodyguards sitting on both sides, it felt rather cramped.

‘...Just what the hell is this guy?’

Having gone through the entire process, Kim Hee-tae was still curious about Kang Woo-ju’s identity in his heart, but he didn’t bother asking again.

There was no way he’d get an answer anyway, and the fact that he was accompanied by such big men clearly meant he wasn’t an ordinary person.

“We’re departing.”

As Seo Baek-ho, sitting in the driver’s seat, spoke in a stern voice, Kang Woo-ju lightly nodded. Kim Hee-tae observed that scene carefully.

Of course, this was the first time he’d seen Seo Baek-ho today, but instinctively, he could tell this man wasn’t normal either.

What stood out first was his physique, easily twice the size of a well-built man in his twenties.

He wasn’t like typical gangsters who just bulked up their bodies, his was packed with firm, solid muscle.

‘...I wouldn’t stand a chance in a head-on fight.’

Even though Kim Hee-tae himself wasn’t small in build, the pressure he felt from Seo Baek-ho was on a completely different level.

Of course, if it were just that, he wouldn’t rate him so highly. The real issue was the look in that guy’s eyes.

‘He’s definitely not a cop.’

He could tell just by looking into his eyes.

Call it the aura a person gives off. Separate from the physique, the gaze with which he looked at others was entirely different from that of an ordinary person.

Even though he probably knew that Kim Hee-tae was a serial killer, he showed no hesitation in facing him.

If things went wrong or if Kang Woo-ju gave the order, he’d probably twist his neck without a second thought.

‘...Impressive.’

Kim Hee-tae honestly admired it.

The fact that someone like that could be used like a tool. Even if the ones next to him weren’t quite at Seo Baek-ho’s level, they were no joke either.

Lately, even inside the prison, things had been noisy due to the emergence of a new generation of gangsters in their twenties. Maybe Kang Woo-ju was their leader.

‘As expected, I know how to pick a person.’

With Kang Woo-ju, it was clear that his wish would be granted without difficulty. No, he might even be shown a world beyond that.

Even at this moment, Kang Woo-ju didn’t spare him a single glance. Imagining the moment when that expression would crumble made Kim Hee-tae’s heart pound with tension.

“I’ll guide you properly.”

Vroooom-!!

Reaching that point in his thoughts, Kim Hee-tae obediently gave the address of his hideout, and Seo Baek-ho, gripping the steering wheel, stepped on the gas without a word.

.

How much time had passed?

The vehicle carrying Kang Woo-ju and his group, based on the information given by Kim Hee-tae, quickly left the area near the prison and headed toward the outskirts of Seoul.

Then, a village with such a dreary atmosphere appeared before their eyes, making one wonder if such a place could really exist in Seoul.

Since they had deliberately chosen to come at a late hour to avoid people’s attention, the surroundings had already grown quite dark.

Streetlights were sparsely installed, and the high walls made it almost impossible for passersby to see inside.

“This place hasn’t changed at all.”

On the contrary, Kim Hee-tae wore an expression that suggested he was rather satisfied, and he began to take the lead.

Kim Hee-tae walked forward without hesitation. Behind him, Kang Woo-ju’s group silently followed.

They passed through narrow and steep alleys several times, all heading deep into the village to its innermost part.

As time passed, the expressions of the bodyguards, except for Seo Baek-ho, were not merely displeased but gradually became drenched in an indescribable tension.

“How much farther are we going?”

“We’re almost there.”

“You said the exact same thing earlier.”

“Did I? I’m getting old these days, my memory’s a bit fuzzy.”

“This bastard....”

“Enough.”

Just as one of the highly strung bodyguards stepped forward, Kang Woo-ju stopped him.

With an expression no different from the moment they had departed the prison, practically robotic, he looked at the bodyguard.

That harshly inorganic gaze made not only the approaching bodyguard but even the others flinch and step back in that instant.

“We’re here. For real this time.”

Pfft-

Amid the eerie atmosphere, Kim Hee-tae alone smiled. He raised his finger and pointed somewhere, and at the end of it stood an old house with a blue roof.

In truth, it looked more like a storage shed than an actual house, but no one paid that much attention to it.

“Whose house is this?”

“I don’t know either. It was an empty house that I tidied up and used. When I first came here, it was pretty much like a haunted house.”

“.......”

Kim Hee-tae casually recounted criminal facts with a completely indifferent expression. His tone was like someone explaining what they had for dinner last night.

Even Seo Baek-ho furrowed his brows at that, but Kim Hee-tae simply shrugged his shoulders lightly.

“Hmm. Where did I put the key again?”

Kim Hee-tae rummaged through some flower pots carelessly toppled in a corner of the wall and pulled out a key.

Creeeaak- Clack-!

With a sound close to a scream, the gate opened. The unoiled gate creaked loudly as it barely made way.

“.......”

Ugh-

It felt like walking into the gaping mouth of a monster. The bodyguards frowned deeply at the ominous sensation.

They quickly controlled their expressions, but it was obvious to anyone that they didn’t want to go inside. Kang Woo-ju then issued an order.

“You two stay here and guard the entrance.”

“It’s dangerous! We’ll go inside instead!”

“I won’t say it twice.”

“...Yes. Understood.”

At Kang Woo-ju’s command, the hesitant bodyguards finally lowered their heads.

For a brief moment, their expressions showed a complex mix of relief and anxiety, but Kang Woo-ju didn’t pay it any mind.

No, ever since arriving at this place, his gaze had remained fixed on the gate, or more precisely, toward the inside of the building.

“Lead the way. Kim Hee-tae.”

“Of course.”

At Kang Woo-ju’s toneless command, Kim Hee-tae stepped into the house without hesitation.

***

“This way.”

With a beaming smile, Kim Hee-tae continued guiding them as if in a great mood.

Perhaps because the yard was larger than expected, the path inward felt endlessly long.

...Disgusting.

I had felt a sense of revulsion toward Kim Hee-tae ever since I began investigating him, but the moment I set foot in the yard, it crossed the line.

Even though I was deliberately keeping my gaze away from him, I felt like the moment my focus slipped even slightly, my poker face would collapse.

‘Not now.’

I barely held back the urge to knock him down right then and there.

If it were me a year ago, I wouldn’t have been able to hold back the rising anger and would have punched him without hesitation.

But now, the rationality of [Kang Joo-heon] and [Kang Ba-ram], which had taken root in a corner of my heart at some point, held me back.

Of course, it wasn’t as if I had conversations with them like someone with multiple personalities, but the emotions I felt while immersed in those roles still lingered faintly.

‘Not yet. Just a little more....’

Though it was a slim chance, there was still the possibility that the body of the eighth victim, Park Ga-eul, might not be here.

And even if she was found here, Kim Hee-tae would probably only be mildly irritated.

That couldn’t be allowed.

That alone would never make him pay for his crimes.

‘There’s no realistic way to increase his punishment any further.’

Kim Hee-tae had already been sentenced to death, the maximum penalty under the law. From his perspective, nothing else really mattered anymore.

I wanted to plant despair in a bastard like that. Even if it couldn't compare to the fear the victims felt, I wanted him to suffer at least a little.

I don’t know if this is the right choice. It might just be a selfish outburst of mine.

And yet-

I chose to punish him, willingly.

‘...There’s not much time left.’

The method to deliver the greatest despair to Kim Hee-tae. Having fully immersed myself to mimic him, I realized it without much difficulty.

Using [Kang Joo-heon], who had also been a psychopathic murderer, I saw through his twisted desire.

Then, through [Kang Ba-ram], who despised criminals more than anyone, I came up with a plan to shatter that desire.

“Now, get ready! The show begins!”

Having guided us all the way to the basement, Kim Hee-tae shouted in a tone like a cheap comedian.

With a steel door clearly different from the rest right in front of us, he glanced at me and Seo Baek-ho.

As soon as he placed his hand on the doorknob, Seo Baek-ho subtly moved in front of me in case something happened.

Clack-!

Regardless, Kim Hee-tae opened the door immediately. And inside, we were met with something that far surpassed even a criminal’s imagination.

“Long time no see! What do you think!? Isn’t it awe-”

“Yeah, just die already.”

Crack-!

My heavy fist smashed into his face as he turned around. Even as he fell, Kim Hee-tae looked up at me with eyes full of confusion.

Thud, thud, thud-!

I answered by completely crushing the bridge of his nose.

“Stop. He’s already unconscious.”

Unable to watch any longer, Seo Baek-ho grabbed my hand. Fueled by adrenaline, I nearly struck back reflexively, but managed to hold myself back.

“Let go of me.”

“Don’t become a monster.”

“And you say that even after seeing this scene...!!”

“Miss Eun-ha would be heartbroken.”

“.......”

The moment Kim Eun-ha was mentioned, the rage that had surged to the top of my head cooled ever so slightly.

Through that tiny gap, cold rationality quickly seeped in and began to take control of my body.

Before long, I released the strength in my hands, and seeing this, Seo Baek-ho silently stepped back.

“Seo Baek-ho-ssi. This place....”

“Leave it to us and head back first.”

“I can’t do that.”

“I’m sorry, but this isn’t a request.”

Seo Baek-ho stepped forward, blocking my view. It was the first time he had ever shaken his head, when he had never refused any favor before.

His tone and expression were so firm, yet I could still feel the consideration for me behind them.

“I will escort you.”

In the meantime, bodyguards who had come after hearing the commotion surrounded the area. They instantly assessed the situation and split up tasks like pros.

I was half-forced to leave the scene, led away by one of them.

.

.

.

“Woo-ju-ssi.”

The moment I opened the door and stepped into the house, a familiar voice reached my ears.

Startled, I quickly looked up,

And locked eyes with Kim Eun-ha.

“Eun-ha-ssi!? You’re off work way too early-”

Woomph-!

Before I could even get a word out, she strode over and hugged me tightly with all her strength.

My brain, unable to process the situation, effectively shut down. I stood frozen like a statue, unable to move.

“Um... uh... so...”

“I hate you.”

Just as I was hesitating, not knowing what to say, her voice pierced straight into my mind again.

Even as part of me insisted it couldn't be so, something in the tear-soaked tremor of her voice left me unable to say a single word.

After that, I simply moved by instinct. Carefully, I returned her embrace, and a slight tremble came from within her arms.

“...I’m sorry.”

“.......”

In a silence that felt like it would last forever,

We had the deepest conversation of all.

*****

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