The night air was freezing on the rooftop overlooking the city. Moonlight hit the long scar running from Myeong-gil's forehead to his jaw and made it look like a pale snake. He stood with his hands in his pockets and watched the half finished building a few blocks away.
"That hotel will have our casino on the top floor." Myeong-gil spoke with a low voice. "I want a hundred billion in revenue every year."
Kim Jun-min stood next to him and nodded. Myeong-gil let out a thin and hungry smile as he kept his eyes on the construction site.
"Macau is closed off right now so the junkies are looking for a place to play. We will give them a suite every week and let them lose their minds. We will record everything on hidden cameras. Once the money is high enough Jang-do will give the evidence on Director Hong to the police. The hotel will lose all its value and we will buy it for almost nothing."
Myeong-gil turned his head and stared into Jun-min's eyes.
"We need a hundred billion ready before we finish Hong Min-beom. We are still short fifty billion."
"Yes sir. That is the correct number."
The smile disappeared from Myeong-gil's face instantly. His eyes turned into chips of ice.
"Then start squeezing everyone. Sell everything that has even a little bit of value. Do it now."
Jun-min hesitated for a second and shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
Myeong-gil raised an eyebrow.
"What is the problem? Did something happen?"
"One of the teams doing the homeless ID scam went missing. And the crew working the fake contracts got beaten up by a shop owner. They are in jail now."
Myeong-gil's jaw went tight. "Why am I just hearing about this?"
"I am sorry Boss. You were busy with the Lil Group business so I did not want to bother you."
"Fine. Find the missing team because I do not like loose ends. But tell me how our men got taken down by a regular shop owner."
Jun-min chose his words carefully. "The owner found the secret clause in the paper. When the boys tried to shut her up a customer stepped in. He is an immigrant from Japan and used to be a boxer. We found out where he lives. Do you want me to send a crew to finish him?"
Myeong-gil tilted his head back and forth while he thought about it.
"Do not kill him yet. See if we can hire him instead. Those immigrants usually give up and join us once you show them enough cash."
"I understand Boss."
---
Joe walked into his small one-bedroom apartment. The place was tiny and only had room for a bed, a small stove, and a bathroom.
He sat on the mattress and reached for the stack of cash sitting on the nightstand. He fanned the bills and the smell of fresh ink hit his nose. He started thinking about what happened earlier that afternoon.
They had been walking up the stairs after they finished eating at the restaurant. Hyeon-ju was looking at the stitches on Geon-woo's face with a deep frown.
"When do those come out?"
"Tomorrow morning." Geon-woo smiled at her.
"Does it still hurt?"
"No it is not that bad."
Hyeon-ju took a sip of her coffee and made a disgusted face. "Ugh, I told them I wanted it hot. Why is this like ice?"
Woo-jin walked next to her and laughed. "Juju, everyone drinks coffee cold these days. It is the new trend."
"I do not care about your trends."
Hyeon-ju let out a loud sigh. Joe cleared his throat and looked at the ground.
"Um, Hyeon-ju?"
"Yeah? What is it?"
"I know I just started yesterday but I really need an advance on my pay. My landlord is going to kick me out if I do not pay the rent tonight."
Hyeon-ju stopped walking and stared at him. Joe rubbed the back of his neck and felt embarrassed.
"Actually never mind. It was a bad idea to ask. I am sorry."
Suddenly Hyeon-ju started laughing. Her dimples showed as she leaned over and gripped her stomach. Joe blinked and looked at Woo-jin but Woo-jin was snickering too.
"What is so funny? Why are you laughing?"
Geon-woo smiled at him. "It is just that you have been so serious until now. Seeing you look worried like that was a surprise. It is good to know you are a human being after all."
Hyeon-ju wiped a tear from her eye. "Exactly. You were acting like a robot. Fine, I will give you the money in advance. I cannot have my staff living on the street."
Woo-jin made a heart shape with his fingers and struck a pose. "Juju, look at me. I am getting so thin. I wish someone would pay me early too."
Hyeon-ju threw her empty paper cup at his head. "You? Go learn how to listen to orders first!"
Woo-jin dodged the cup and grabbed his chest like he was dying.
"Ah, you have broken my heart!"
Joe remembered the scene and a real smile grew on his face. He put the money neatly into his desk drawer and turned off the lights. He felt like he could finally sleep well for the first time in a long time.