“Ugh...”

    How much time had passed?

    As his senses returned, Park Gyu-min groaned. Then, like someone waking from a nightmare, he gasped and opened his eyes wide.

    For a moment, panic overtook him, but he quickly regained his composure, controlling his breathing.

    “A kidnapping! That bastard An Su-ho said I was kidnapped...!”

    He remembered it vividly. It wasn’t a dream—it was all real.

    Slowly, he raised his head to take in his surroundings.

    “Where... am I?”

    He tried to survey the area, but his view was obstructed by wooden boards, making it hard to discern his location.

    I’ll have to get up, won’t I?

    Reluctantly, he decided to lift himself.

    At least the place wasn’t completely dark—there was light, indicating he was indoors.

    He cautiously raised his body, peeking over the boards.

    “...!”

    The moment he looked beyond, he froze. His breath caught in his throat.

    His head dropped back down, and he curled into a ball on the floor.

    Thud, thud, thud—

    His heart raced uncontrollably.

    What was that? What did I just see?

    His mind reeled, trying to process what his eyes had glimpsed.

    The scene beyond the boards looked like something out of a horror movie, smeared with blood and gore. The most terrifying sight was a figure crouched at the center of it all.

    “That... that was a person...! It had to be a person!”

    Clenching his teeth, Park Gyu-min stifled the scream threatening to escape. But fear crept through his body, making him tremble uncontrollably.

    “Where the hell am I? What did I do to deserve this? Why are they doing this to me?”

    In moments of crisis, the human mind works at lightning speed. Yet no matter how he spun his thoughts, he couldn’t think of a way out.

    He could do nothing but lie there, paralyzed with terror. After all, he wasn’t an awakened player or a Hunter—just a powerless civilian.

    And then...

    “Grrrrrr...”

    A guttural growl reached him from beyond the boards, like the wail of some monstrous beast.

    Sh-sh-sh...

    The sound of something scraping across the floor.

    It was moving.

    And the noise was growing louder.

    Why is it getting louder?

    A chilling realization struck him—it was coming closer.

    His heart pounded wildly in his chest.

    What do I do? What can I do? What choice do I have?

    The sound was now mere inches away.

    Finally, when he couldn’t bear it any longer, Park Gyu-min’s fear erupted.

    “You should’ve said that earlier.”

    Su-ho dragged a nearby chair over and sat down, speaking with a calm smile.

    “Now that you’ve come to your senses, let’s have a serious talk. I’d rather not have to hit you again.”

    “Yes, yes! I understand!”

    “But just to make sure you’re paying attention... You see that thing over there?”

    Su-ho gestured toward the chained figure.

    “That’s Im Chang-shik. He used to run a gang in Yeongdeungpo, dealing drugs and loans. You’ve read about him, right?”

    “Im Chang-shik? Oh, yes, I’ve heard of him!”

    “I’ve been keeping him around as a personal project. Would you like to take a closer look?”

    Su-ho grabbed Im Chang-shik by the scruff of the neck and displayed his face—a grotesque mess of scabs and dried blood. The sight made Park Gyu-min shiver uncontrollably.

    After tossing the man back to the ground, Su-ho returned to his seat.

    “Let’s be clear. Whether you live as Park Gyu-min or end up like Im Chang-shik depends entirely on what you do from now on.”

    “I-I understand...”

    “Good. Now that we’re on the same page...”

    Su-ho tossed a notebook and pen at him.

    “Start writing. From the draft-dodging scandal to the bribes you’ve taken from Son Baek-geum. List every crime you’ve committed at the APA, whether you led it or just went along. Leave anything out, and you’ll be joining Chang-shik.”

    “A-all of it?”

    Su-ho sighed and summoned his club again, smashing it into Park Gyu-min’s shoulder.

    CRACK!

    “AAAGHH!!”

    This time, his shoulder and collarbone snapped under the force.

    Su-ho let him writhe in pain for a moment before using Heal again.

    “Don’t make me repeat myself. Next time, I’ll break all your limbs.”

    “Y-yes! I understand! I’ll write everything down!”

    Trembling, Park Gyu-min picked up the pen and began scribbling furiously.

    Seated comfortably, Su-ho watched him.

    “Nothing gets results like this.”

    Su-ho had learned from experience—many people don’t respond to kind words. Force is faster and more effective.

    He had no intention of resorting to violence unnecessarily. His goal was to take control of the APA far faster than in his previous life, using its resources to crush his future enemies.

    Time is precious.

    When Park Gyu-min finally handed over the notebook, shaking, Su-ho skimmed through it.

    “Well, well... I knew you were scum, but this is impressive. No wonder Pi Seong-yeol has you under his thumb.”

    “What... what do you mean?”

    “You seriously don’t know?”

    As realization dawned, Su-ho began to lay out his plan, breaking down the web of betrayal around Park Gyu-min.

    By the end, the Vice President was pale and groveling.

    “Please, help me survive. I’ll do whatever you say!”

    Kneeling at Su-ho’s feet, Park Gyu-min pledged his loyalty.

    With that, Su-ho had gained another pawn.@@@@