Fallen Lightbringers' Return

Chapter 41: Plans in Motion

"So, what do you think," Oh Sanbaek nervously asked Park Hansoo. "I'm sure you can't stand that Lee Dojin either right? If we do something like this, we are sure to get rid of him tomorrow. Another plus side is that you get to earn some money with it too. See it as some kind of investment, I'm sure you can arrange something, right?" If they could get this guy's approval, it would help tremendously with his plan of getting even with Lee Dojin. The only problem was that he could not get a read on this guy; It was vexing.

Park Hansoo rubbed his chin. He was in deep thought, his brows occasionally furrowing. "You have done your research." He paused. "Still, I don't know."

"Oh come on," he replied, clicking his tongue. His arm in the cast hurt like hell, and every time it stung, his wrath for Lee Dojin grew exponentially. Oh Sanbaek took a sip of his coffee. It was still hot, lightly scalding his tongue as he pulled back.

The two of them sat in a posh cafe around Hongdae station. It stood on the second floor, and the two of them had a window seat, giving them a great scenery of the many students and young workers shuffling through the street, buying little trinkets from outdoor stores, watching street performers, or looking for an appropriate club to join; It was Friday night. The busiest time of the week. Oh Sanbaek chose this place deliberately, to make him appear more trendy. He also ordered a coffee, instead of the usual iced americano, because he thought it would make him seem mature. Everything had been intricately designed for him to leave a favorable impression. However, it was still not going as planned.

"See, even if you tell me all this, there's no reason for me to believe you. Yes, you know how to talk, but that's it," Park Hansoo said. "Yes, you are right, I'm not a fan of Lee Dojin. Still, what makes you think that I'd like you? This isn't a war game where the enemy of my enemy is my friend or something. Frankly, I find your assessment unrealistic."

"Okay, okay, I got it," Oh Sanbaek relented, he threw his only good arm up into the air to signify defeat. "If you are scared, just say so. I don't really care it's your loss."

"Hold on, who said I was scared?"

"Oh sorry, it must have slipped out of my mouth," he said and smirked. "But am I wrong? I heard that you pride yourself in your money and business acumen, but seems like it was all baseless rumors, seeing how you can't tell a jewel from a stone."

Park Hansoo squinted his eyes. "With jewel, do you mean that sweatshop you guys run, which has turned their own students into prisoners and free labor?"

"We are having record-breaking revenue. Is there anything wrong with making some money by the side? If you don't lose a few of your morals, you won't make it in this society. You know, more and more people from our school are getting into the business." He scoffed. "Aside from money, you have something else you want, right? Say, you like Kim Jyejin, don't you?"

Park Hansoo's left eye twitched. He took a sip from his tea. "...You really did your research." He had tried his best to keep it a secret. How did this guy find out about this?

That was true, Oh Sanbaek thought to himself. That was just his way. As a coward, a weakling, a small-fry, the only weapon he could wield was information. His strength lay in his tongue. At first, he thought Lee Dojin was the same as himno, for a long time, he was. But times have changed. He could only acknowledge, he was wrong. Still, may it be for a greater purpose or sheer envy, he could not stand seeing someone like him rise up. So ever since Lee Dojin broke his arm, he dreamed of revenge and gathered as much information as he could.

He had even gotten mixed up with the local gangs around the neighborhood. Yes, that was correct, the men dressed in black had come to school because of himOh Sanbaek.

"You know a lot, but you don't understand it," Park Hansoo said and laughed. Well, not everyone could be as gifted as him, he thought. "Sooner or later, your little game is gonna implode. I don't want that on my resume."

Oh Sanbaek shook his head. He was deeply disappointed. "No. It's you who does not understand. We have Do Jiwoon on our side. You have never met him, so it is hard for you to see, but that man is different. He's no human, you'll see." Thinking about that person, sweat dripped from his face. "At times, I think he's some esper or something. Maybe a dude with a superpower. With him by your side, you'll never lose. I swear that on my life."

As a coward, he had a penchant for finding strong people. They had a certain aura with them, a light, that felt warm and embraced him. Clinging onto them, that's how he survived. But Do Jiwoon; that man was different. All he could see were wailing ghosts, and blue, ocean-deep eyes that drove even the abyss into despair.

But it was Do Jiwoon that saved him, even if only indirectly. His name alone had made those goons back off. And it was the same guy who had promised Lee Dojin's fall. How could he not take the opportunity?

Park Hansoo was blissfully oblivious to all of Oh Sanbaeks racing thoughts. "Listen, Lee Dojin or Do Jiwoon.. . these two mean nothing in front of me," he said and let out a peal of boisterous laughter. "What's the annual income of their parents? What prospective colleges do they have lined up? How much do they have in a trust fund? Compared to me, these two are just lazy commoners. They will both disappear with me lifting a single finger, just watch. In the end, it will be I, Park Hansoo, who will reign supreme."

Oh Sanbaek eyes turned dark. "I see," he muttered. He had realized, there was no point talking to this dude. What a shame.

The rest of their meeting ended in a standstill, with neither of them accomplishing anything. Frankly, Oh Sanbaek regarded Park Hansoo as a buffoon. They parted ways after a bit more small talk. In front of the cafe, Il Chunghoo, had been waiting, smoking a cigarette, while occasionally catcalling women he deemed pretty enough.

"It didn't work out," Oh Sanbaek said, "let's go."

Il Chunghoo lifted his head and tilted it. He said no words, but one could tell he was confused.

"You joking? Did you forget? It's me Oh Sanbaek."

"Of course I know who you are, retard." He slapped Sanbaeks head. "I was just thinking why we were there again."

"How are you this forgetful? I was just talking to Park Hansoo. You know, that dude that's going to the same school as us? Well, forget it. It didn't work out anyway." Oh Sanbaek clicked his tongue. "

"Sure. But I'm just wondering, why do we have to do this tomorrow? I mean, it's not like we are doing badly. Business is booming. So why go through all that risk," Il Chunghoo asked. "It's like he has a specific day in mind, and is frantically preparing for it.

"You idi.. . wait that's actually a good question." Oh Sanbaek mulled over his words. "Well, it's hard to tell what he thinks. But he is always right." And in the end, all that mattered to him was to get back at Lee Dojin.

...

".. .Yes Mom. No, you don't have to worry. Yes, everything's alright." In a dark booth, shrouded by the darkness of the night, the voice of a girl rang out. From afar, the shadows obscured her completely, though one may infer from her voice that she was shaken to the core.

A mechanical buzz occasionally returned. The sound of a phone, and the person on the other side.

The girl continued talking, her voice shaking ever so slightly. "Yes Mom. I will. We are treated well here, and the food is great. Don't worry. Yes, I will behave from now on. Yes Mom. Love you too." A long beep echoed within the booth. The line had been cut.

Only a few meters apart, there were another group of people silently observing her. They showed no reaction. In the middle sat a young man. He remained silent, with a warm smile, and if no one paid attention to him, he may have just phased into the background. The boy used to have dark, black hair, but as he let it grow out, people came to realize his roots were white. His blue eyes remained glued on the girl.

The girl looked at him. "I've done everything you asked, please don't hurt me. Please." A streak of light quickly shone upon her. She had short brown hair, with full lips and glassy eyes. Tears flowed down her cheeks, but it was hard to tell, as she was doused in cold water. She was stark-naked, as she sat, shaking from the cold, next to the corded phone. The girl shifted around her bare butt itching from the cold concrete rubbing against her. Still, the humiliation was suppressed by the absolute fear she felt.

"Why would I do that, aren't we friends? I'm not a brute." Do Jiwoon squatted in front of her. "You got to talk to your mother. Isn't that great? A lot of people would die for that chance."

The girl shuddered, as she whimpered forward, crawling on her knees. She grabbed his feet and prostrated. "I'm sorry, I won't resist anymore. Please, just let my friends go."

"We are all friends here."

As he said so, his phone rang. Without even looking, he declined the call. It had happened rather often these days, but nobody dared ask him.

He walked out of the booth, ignoring the girl. Still, she kept her head down. The other people remained inside, glued to the spot.

Do Jiwoon looked at the moon, which reflected in his irises. "Tomorrow is going to be fun," he said and licked his lips.