Before he walked out of the room, no one was outside to escort him to So Jeo.
He took it as a cue to find his own way.
The hallway was quiet like before, which was within his expectations, and he followed the direction he had memorized earlier.
It did not take long before he spotted an open door, revealing a parking area filled with cars. Instantly, he spotted So Jeo standing beside one of them.
So Jeo raised a brow at the sight of Seo Jin. He couldn't help but commend how sharp Seo Jin was. He had purposely not sent his men to bring him, hoping to see what he would do.
And he had actually found his way, fully dressed.
The clothes really looked good on him.
All of this happened only in So Jeo's thoughts, but his face never reflected anything. Blank. No emotions.
Seo Jin nodded in greeting.
"You are good now," So Jeo said, his tone not quite a question.
"Mm," Seo Jin hummed.
"Then get in," he said, pointing to the back of the car.
Seo Jin walked toward the door and opened it. He paused for a moment before getting in, his movements careful.
The door shut behind him.
A second later, one of So Jeo's men pulled the other side door open for him.
The driver made sure his boss was comfortably seated.
"Move," So Jeo spat.
Without hesitation, the car started and moved almost immediately.
Silence filled the car, the driver focused on the road.
So Jeo's eyes were closed. Only he knew whether he was sleeping or deep in thought.
After a few minutes, Seo Jin spoke. "What if he doesn't want to pay?"
So Jeo's eyes snapped open, but he didn't look in Seo Jin's direction.
"He will."
"And if he doesn't?"
This time, So Jeo's gaze shifted slightly.
"Then we take things physically."
Seo Jin stayed quiet, not asking what he meant by "physically." Who knew if he might be used as an example?
So Jeo, who had expected another question, was met with silence.
"Good," he murmured with a faint smirk that no one noticed.
The car moved swiftly through the road, no traffic slowing them down. Seo Jin leaned back slightly, his eyes fixed on the window.
The atmosphere was calm. He couldn't remember the last time he had experienced something like this. His thoughts drifted to his mother.
He just needed to work hard until she was free from that prison, and one day, he would drive her around, letting her enjoy the fresh breeze.
Seo Jin was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't notice when the car slowed to a stop.
"We are here."
The cold voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
The driver stepped out first, moving to open the door for So Jeo.
Seo Jin wasn't foolish enough to wait for special treatment. He pushed the door open himself without a word.
The street they stopped on wasn't busy, clearly a place people rarely came to.
A minute later, another car pulled up. Two huge men stepped out.
They didn't greet anyone or say a word. They just stood there, waiting.
"Follow me," So Jeo said.
Seo Jin followed.
They stopped in front of a building that looked like it hadn't been renovated in years.
A faded sign hung loosely on the door.
"Locked."
One of the men stepped forward and knocked.
Once.
Twice.
No response.
The man glanced at So Jeo. A small nod was all he needed.
He stepped back slightly before driving his foot into the door.
The wood cracked under the force.
A second kick, and the door burst open.
The sound echoed inside.
Seo Jin flinched slightly, but he didn't step back.
He walked in after them.
The air inside smelled stale and old.
A man stood in the room, frozen, clearly not expecting visitors.
His eyes darted between them, panic rising as he thought about whether to run or hide.
"I... I was going to call," he started.
So Jeo walked past Seo Jin, unhurried and calm.
The room fell into a strange silence as he stopped in front of the man.
"Were you?" he asked.
His tone wasn't loud, but it carried weight.
The man swallowed hard.
"I just needed more time—"
"How much?" So Jeo cut in.
The man hesitated. A big mistake.
So Jeo tilted his head slightly.
"Time," he repeated.
The man's lips parted, but no answer came out.
Seo Jin watched closely, curiosity filling his eyes. This was his first time seeing So Jeo in action. His words carried power and pressure.
"I can get it," the man said quickly. "Just a few more days—"
So Jeo sighed softly.
Not annoyed.
Just bored.
"I gave you time," he said.
The man stepped back slightly.
"I swear, I wasn't trying to—"
A hand grabbed his collar before he could finish.
One of So Jeo's men moved swiftly, lifting him into the air.
The man gasped, his words cutting off instantly.
Seo Jin's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't dare interfere.
The man struggled in the grip, pleading desperately.
"Please... I'll pay, I'll pay—"
"Now?" So Jeo asked.
Silence.
That was his answer.
So Jeo's gaze shifted slightly toward Seo Jin, as if telling him to watch carefully.
The next moment happened fast.
The man was forced to his knees.
A sharp sound filled the room.
A punch.
Seo Jin's eyes sharpened.
The man groaned, collapsing forward slightly, but the grip on him didn't loosen.
Another hit followed.
Seo Jin's fingers curled at his side, trying to steady himself.
After a few hits, Seo Jin raised his hand slightly.
The man stopped immediately.
The room fell quiet except for the man trying to catch his breath.
So Jeo crouched slightly, meeting his eye level.
"Next time," he said, his voice calm, "I won't come myself."
The man nodded frantically.
"Yes... yes... I understand—"
"Good."
So Jeo stood.
"Collect it," he said, already turning away.
One of the men moved to search the place.
Drawers, cabinets, hidden spots—until they found cash.
Not all of it.
.