Then he slowly settled into the leather chair opposite Ji-ho. The two bodyguards stood silently behind him — their imposing presence felt like a living threat in the dimly lit room. Ji-ho's hands were tightly bound, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and defiance.
Ji-ho struggled to move his lips and finally managed to ask,"What… what is all this? Why am I here?" His voice was shaky but trying to hold steady.
Mr. Han responded with a cold, calculated smile that didn't reach his eyes,"Did you really think you'd always be safe? Did you believe… no one was watching you?" His tone was low, menacing.
"I… I don't understand," Ji-ho said, trying to keep his composure, "What have I done?"
Leaning forward, Mr. Han placed a thick envelope on the polished table between them. The envelope looked heavy, likely filled with cash. There was a terrifying silence — like the predator sizing up its prey — in Mr. Han's cold, unreadable gaze.
"You did the job well… maybe too well," he said with a mysterious smirk, "And those who perform too well… must be kept under close watch."
Ji-ho's breath hitched. His mind raced — "What kind of trap is this?" Panic and confusion swirled inside him.
Desperation crept into his voice as he shouted, "What do you want from me?!"
Leaning in closer, Mr. Han's expression hardened, voice turning even colder and more commanding,"I don't want much from you. I gave you a job — a chance to chase your dreams. But now, you must do exactly what I say. No exceptions."
He slowly drew a gun, aiming it steadily at Ji-ho."Now you have only two choices, Ji-ho… Either you obey me fully," — his voice was sharp as a blade — "or you disappear into this darkness forever."
Ji-ho's eyes widened as the gravity of the situation hit him. He realized Mr. Han wasn't just asking for illegal work; he wanted him to surrender his will — worse than any crime.
Summoning all his courage, Ji-ho locked eyes with Mr. Han and said firmly,"I was brought here just for a chef's job. Beyond that, I won't do anything for you. Understand? Let me go.
At Ji-ho's defiant tone, the cold mask on Mr. Han's face cracked, replaced by a fierce, burning anger. His eyes blazed with silent fury as he stared down Ji-ho — a clear warning that this was far from over.
As if his eyes wanted to punch out his emotions. His voice was as cold as ice, and as sharp as swords."Don't ever try to raise your voice in front of me again…"he said, every word burning with the fire of a threat,"…if you want to stay alive."
For a moment, the air filled with both coldness and fear. But Mr. Han controlled his anger — locking the boiling fire inside himself.
He leaned back slightly, wearing that familiar smile he always gave before trapping his prey. His demeanor was now sweet, but poisoned with venom.
He pointed with his finger towards the envelope in front of him."Are you looking at this envelope?"His tone was like that of a salesman,"There's so much money inside it that even if you work your whole month, or even a year… you'll never make this much."
Mr. Han leaned forward a little. His face painted the picture of Ji-ho's best possible future — but the color of his true intention was still dark.
"And if you listen to me… you can get double this amount in just one night. No risk to life, no trouble. Just do the work I tell you."
He took a cold breath, as if his patience was barely holding on the edge.
"And yes… if you agree, you will be released from here without any harm. You can live your life freely — just do what I say. But…"
He sharpened his gaze fiercely,"…if you refuse, then understand this — there will be no question of treating you kindly."
He placed his hands on the table like he was holding the control of the game."Think about it, Ji-ho… if you want something better for yourself, it's better to listen to me."
But by then, Ji-ho was quietly moving his hands — rubbing and struggling to free himself from those ropes. His breath was fast, but his eyes full of courage.
And then… snap.
The rope came undone.
With a sudden jerk, he kicked the table hard with his foot. The table scraped and hit Mr. Han's knees. With a loud thud, Mr. Han slipped backward.
At that moment, Ji-ho tried to run for his life — but Mr. Han shouted angrily,"Catch him! Don't let him go!!"
The bodyguards moved like lightning. One grabbed Ji-ho by the shoulder, another held his waist tight. The third stood right in front of him, like a cage had closed in.
Now Ji-ho was trapped between the three — tightly restrained.
Mr. Han glared at him venomously,"Make sure he remembers this — even when he walks, he should think twice."
And then… the beating began.
One punched him hard in the face, another kicked him in the stomach. The third drove a knee into his back. With every blow, Ji-ho felt himself breaking more — but his spirit still burned fiercely inside.
Blood dripped from his lips. His face was bruised, a wound marked near his eye, and one arm felt like the bone was shattered. Every breath was pain. Every movement, torture.
Mr. Han raised his hand and signaled to stop. The bodyguards stepped back. Mr. Han stepped forward — smiling, but his smile hid a deadly promise.
"What do you think?"he said, leaning down close."That you'll escape this so easily? No, Ji-ho… you came here on my terms — and you'll leave only on my terms."
"I thought maybe I'd convince you with kindness… but it seems you don't deserve mercy."
Ji-ho, gasping painfully, snapped back with anger,"What makes you think threats will make me obey? Never!"
His voice cracked but his resolve was stone strong.
"I'll tell everyone who Mr. Han really is! The man who pretends to be honest in public… inside, he's a devil!"
Mr. Han chuckled softly and stepped back."Go ahead… try telling someone."
He tapped his hands lightly, brushing off the threat,"You won't leave this place alive. Who will you even tell?"
"Take him to the basement — lock him up with the others.