Taesung
I sit on my bed, with scattered papers in front of me, sleepily watching the muted TV. I continue my studies by secretly watching Korean TV series and YouTube videos. I still don't understand most of the words, but I'm slowly starting to get the hang of it. I know the whole alphabet — it only took me a few hours — so I have no problem reading individual letters. I have more trouble pronouncing foreign words correctly, though.
I scratch the back of my neck with a pen, i still itches like hell. More than two weeks have passed since Hyunjin forced me to get a gang tattoo, and I still feel like I have something on my body that doesn't belong there. A foreign mark.
I still don't agree with tattoos, having something permanently marked on your body that means nothing to you seems pointless and unnecessary, but I have to admit that I was worrying about it unnecessarily and exaggerating its significance. The tattoo itself was done in less than an hour, and surprisingly it didn't hurt at all, even though the spot is not ideal. The skin at the back of the neck is quite sensitive, after all.
I reach for the healing ointment on the bedside table. I put a little on my fingers and the pleasant, soothing scent of aloe fills the air as I carefully massage it into the back of my neck. The ointment cools my skin.
I put the ointment back on the table, pick up the remote control and start flicking through the channels. On YTN (Yonhap Television News), a 24-hour news channel, they are currently broadcasting a report warning about a newly widespread drug called Cyanex in Seoul. It is a blue powder that supposedly renders you insensitive to pain. The police are at a loss, not knowing what to do. They don't know how to prevent its spread or where it comes from. They are also desperately asking citizens to come forward with any information about their possible contact with the drug.
Something tells me that this is the work of an experienced mobster like Hyunjin, it would suit him perfectly. Therefore, I don't think the police will find out, where the drug originally came from.
Tooniverse is currently showing an interesting animated fairy tale, about demon hunters. From what I remember, it's currently going viral on YouTube and is the most-watched fairy tale on Netflix, even surpassing Squid Game. I must admit that the fairy tale has a lot of catchy, rhythmic songs that people all over the world are singing and recording videos of, focusing on the individual choreography of the songs. I confess that sometimes during the day, I find myself unconsciously humming one of these songs. It brings a little sparkle and silliness to my otherwise practical day.
The Seoul Broadcasting System is currently broadcasting a reality show called The Devil's Plan, which caught my attention because I love logic games and that's exactly, what this show is about. The first series features twelve contestants, including celebrities such as actors and singers, as well as ordinary people such as students, a lawyer and a freelance reporter. In each episode, all contestants play a main game, and in the afternoon, those who did not end up in jail because they earned a high number of points play a smaller game. These points are very important for this game.
Today's episode features a game called Equation High-Low, which is like numerical poker. Initially, I didn't fully grasp the concept, but once the game began, I quickly grasped the rules. It's quite simple, players bet chips on either one, the smallest number, or twenty, the largest. Players are dealt cards with numbers from one to ten, as well as cards with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and square roots. The aim is to create an equation with a result as close as possible to the number they have bet on.
From the very first episode, I have had a favourite contestant that I support and hope will win. The players try to form alliances with each other, but I don't think this style of play is ever a very good tactic. After watching the tenth episode, I switch to OCN.
Having taught myself taekwondo, I found the series Weak Hero intriguing. Set in a school environment, it explores the issue of bullying among classmates, but I like it because I can identify with the main character, Yeon Si-eun. He just wanted to study in peace, but he got dragged into all this mess. He spends every episode fighting, and he's always covered in dirt and blood with bruises all over his face and body. But what I admire most is Park Jihoon's acting performance as this character. His facial expressions are magnificent. He only smiles twice in the whole series, once with his eyes and once without moving a single facial muscle.
I check the clock, it's almost time for my training session with Hyunjin. I've spent too much time channel surfing and watching TV shows today. I turn off the TV, tidy up my notes and leave the room. I head downstairs, humming the tune of a song called "Soda Pop" by the fictional band Saja Boys from that cartoon about demon hunters. I had no idea it would be so catchy. Now I can't get it out of my head. It sticks in my mind like an urgent whisper.
Downstairs, Taeju is sitting on the sofa in the open-plan living room with a beer in his hand, watching TV. Hanil and Janil are together in the kitchen and I can hear their voices carrying through the space as they talk excitedly about something.
„Training?" Taeju calls out to me, but he doesn't take his eyes off the TV. He's completely absorbed in the film. I look at the screen and see K-pop Demon Hunters. I'm surprised because I would never have guessed that he would be into cartoons. As far as I know, he's thirty-five, unmarried and childless. However, I keep my comments to myself and answer his question.
„Yes, martial arts with Hyu..., with the boss, and then target shooting with Hanil." He raises an eyebrow at my hesitation to address our boss by name, and turns his head towards me. I hold my breath, wondering what will happen next. However, Taeju only raises one corner of his mouth.
„Go on, don't keep the boss waiting." I don't wait for anything else, turning on my heel and disappearing one floor below to Hyunjin's home gym. Was that a half-smile I saw on his face?
I descend the stairs into a spacious room full of brand new exercise equipment. Half of the floor is covered with soft tatami mats used for martial arts training, while the other half is bare grey concrete. Two heavy punching bags hang from the ceiling, which can be used to practise punches instead of sparring with a live opponent.
Hyunjin is lying on a weight bench, doing bench presses to strengthen his chest and arm muscles. Judging by the weights on the bar, he is lifting 140 kilograms, which is impressive given his physique. He does one last lift and returns the equipment to the rack.
„Ready to be defeated?" he asks dryly, picking up a bottle of water and downing the last of its contents in a few quick gulps.
„And you?" I answer his question with a question. He stands up, moves closer to me and slaps the back of my head. I immediately grab the spot he hit.
„Manners!" he growls, passing me and heading for the tatami mat.
„I'm sorry, sir. Are you ready to lose?" I ask more politely than is strictly necessary, while at the same time challenging him.
„I'm ready to win." I follow him to the tatami mat, remove my shoes and step onto the blue surface. I remove the rubber band from my wrist, tie my hair into a tight bun on top of my head and put on a pair of gloves. Not boxing gloves, but special military gloves with hard pads on the knuckles. Getting hit in the face with them hurts like hell.
„Me too." I try to provoke him, but I know it's probably useless. Why am I even trying? Hyunjin picks up the training pad that I'll be attacking with. He takes his stance and braces himself, and I start with a series of punches and kicks.
... ༺༻ ...
BLOOD DEBT (피의 빚)