Chapter 268: Just Keeping My Promise

The Japanese never change.

A country that has dragged East Asia into the abyss of war and has never once offered a genuine apology, along with its citizens who refuse to acknowledge this fact.

With an attitude that subtly belittles Koreans, they, just as they had used pro-Japanese factions to rot the Korean Empire from within during the occupation, left behind social evils like the Cheongpung Group after liberation and tried to manipulate Korea as they wished.

For such Japan, I could only be an uncomfortable presence.

I blocked Japan from entering the loan shark market, rattled their economy, and expelled the Japanese Yakuza from Korea.

They tried to re-enter Korea using the Il-seong Group, but that didn't go according to plan either.

Yoo Seung-han, who stood before me, was plotting a sinister plan under Japan's orders to take over Busan's underworld.

Then suddenly, I shook the foundations of the Cheonha Group's Busan branch. Their plans were exposed, and ultimately, he revealed the worst possible card.

As a result, Yoo Seung-han bled in front of me, kneeling and choking back his anger.

"Polar Bear."

"Yes, Boss?"

True to his nickname, Polar Bear fought Yoo Seung-haehanded but subdued him with barely any injuries. Thanks to that, I got a clear understanding of who Polar Bear really was.

He was never cut out to hold the position of Boss; he was much more like Dong-soo, a type that had similar tendencies.

Dong-soo could balance out his shortcomings because he had Lee Sang-geun as his right-hand man, but that wasn't the case with Polar Bear.

Yoo Seung-han, who was supposed to support him from Lee Sang-geun's position, was Japan's lackey, and if I hadn't shown up, Polar Bear would have met his e at Yoo Seung-han's hands.

"Your head is filled with vanity and stubbornness, putting yourself and your family in danger. You absolutely shouldn't be in the Boss's seat. Do you understand?"

"…I'm sorry."

"We'll discuss the future direction again when Chairman Yoo arrives. For now, let's figure out what to do with this rat…"

I let my gaze drift from Polar Bear to Yoo Seung-han, ws glaring at me as if ready to kill.

Despite being a battered wreck and kneeling, Yoo Seung-han still held strength in his eyes. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Manager, could we take out that glimmer in his eyes? Should we just start by pulling one of his left eyes?"

I was no merciful person. I could become even more ruthless to those who offended me.

"I'll do it."

As Polar Bear stepped forward to Manager Ma, he turned to seek approval.

"Polar Bear, this is just once.ot try to act on your own in front of me again. I still do not trust you, you know."

"I'm sorry."

"Alright. Let's test your skills. Take away that spark in his eyes. People like him generally don't lose their spirit easily, so I expect something from you."

"Yes, Boss."

Polar Bear replied earnestly. g him like that made me think he was indeed fit for a subordinate role rather than the head.

Polar Bear nodded lightly in mection before approaching Yoo Seung-han.

"You little brat, I believed in you so much… how could you do this to me?"

Polar Bear sounded a hint of r, but Yoo Seung-han looked up at him with a vile grin.

"Hyung, isn't this fun?"

"What's so fun?"

"It should've been me kneeling before you, but look how this turned out. Since you've been good to me, please let me go easy this time."

Yoo Seung-han seemed proud to be dying at the hands of his enemy. His provocation made Polar Bear grit his teeth.

"Shut it! Before I tear that mouth of yours apart!"

Polar Bear growled as he appro Yoo Seung-han and kicked him square in the face.

With a heavy thud, he crouched before the fallen Yoo Seung-han and spoke in a chilling voice.

"You won't die right away without one eye. Don't think of dying easy."

Polar Bear slid his thick fingnder Yoo Seung-han's eye. A sickening squelch filled the air.

"Aahhh!"

Yoo Seung-han screamed in torturous agony, but Polar Bear paid no heed as he hed out his left eyeball with force.

"Ugh… uhhh…"

Looking down coldly at the bloodied Yoo Seung-han, Polar Bear let the eyeball drothe ground and crushed it underfoot.

Turning around as if nothing had occurred, Polar Bear looked my way, noddlightly with a satisfied smile.

"The name Polar Bear really suits you."

"Thank you, Boss."

A moment later, as the warehouse door opened, Manager Ma's subordinate entered.

Getting closer to Manager Ma, he whispered a report. Hearing the news, Manager Ma said.

"He says the outside cleanup is all finished."

"That took quite some time."

"He said there were more people than expected, and they struggled. There were also several Japanese mixed in among the Busan branch members. A few of them died; will that be a problem?"

"Hmm…"

Just then, Polar Bear spoke up.

"I'll take care of it. Just leave it to me."

"…Can I trust you with this?"

"I'm an expert on things like this. Please give me a chance to redeem myself."

Polar Bear, fully receiving myrust, nodded emphatically with a determined expression.

He was trying hard to atone for his mistakes. That made me want to give him another chance.

"Alright. Then handle all the members here as you see fit. I believe you'll do well. And…"

I glanced toward the men led by Jeong Min-woo who had been dragged along. Polar Bear's gaze followed min

"Make sure those scoundrels over there can't mess with anyone again. Just don't kill them—just make sure they can't throw a punch again."

"Leave it to me."

"Jeong Min-woo, get up and come here."

When I called his name, Jeong Min-woo startled, looking up from his lowered head. His face was drenched in fear.

Seeing him in that state, it seemed he'd never play the thug again, but still, I needed to make sure.

"Hyung…"

"You go out of the warehouse like this and seek out that lady. Then kneel and beg her. Apologize to the market folks too."

Fearful at the thought of hearing something terrifying from my lips, Jeong Min-woo crawled over on his knees, trembling.

"If I hear even a whisper about you playing thug again, hitting your mom, or bullying anyone in the market, just wait and see. You'll face worse than this. Understood?"

Jeong Min-woo nodded vigorously.

"Got it, Hyung! I won't do it again!"

"Good. Forget everything you saw and heard today."

"Yes…"

I pointed at Jeong Min-woo and issued instructions to Manager Ma.

"Let him go as he is. Just send one person with him to take him home."

"Yes, I will do that."

It's damn hard to rehabilitate a hometown kid. I sighed deeply, watching Jeong Min-woo leave the warehouse.

Once Jeong Min-woo had been escorted out by Manager Ma's subordinates, I spoke to Polar Bear.

"I'll trust you with this, so clean it up neatly and come find me again. That's when I'll decide how to deal with the situation."

After finishing his words, Polar Bear bowed his head and,g with the remaining subordinates, dragged the men from the market outside.

With the warehouse door closing again, only I, Manager Ma, and Yoo Seung-han, who was shaking on the floor with his eyes covered, remained.

"Bring that guy over here."

Manager Ma grabbed Yoo Seung-han by the hair and dragged him before me.

Yoo Seung-han clutched his injured left eye in pain, yet the gaze he directed at me still held life.

"His gaze hasn't extinguished yet."

"…J-just kill me."

"You want to die? Then tell me your plans. Otherwise, I'll make sure you die in a way you can hardly even imagine."

Blood dripped from the bubbling wound between Yoo Seung-han's fingers gripping his left eye.

But I felt no sympathy. Pointing at his remaining eye, I continued.

"First, I'm going to take out that last eye. I'll cut every tendon in your hands and feet and leave you on a deserted island on the west coast where no one will ever find you."

"…"

"You'll have to pull out your tongue too since you might try to kill yourself. I'll make sure you eat just enough to keep you alive while living like a beast. You'll want to die but won't be able to. There's a specialist who knows how to keep someone alive without killing them."

There are always those who are willing to die rather than reveal what they know. Whenever they think they're trained or have too much pride, such issues arise from time to time.

However, even those kinds of guys become useful once they undergo a thorough breakdown of their psyche from the bottom up.

If I made it so he couldn't die or live, in the end, they would reveal everything they knew to be able to die.

Knowing that I was someone who wouldn't just threaten but act on it made them even more afraid.

"If that happens, you won't be able to die even if you want to. Even if you're driven mad with the desire to die. If you want to live like that, just say nothing."

As I let out a sardonic chuckle, fear flickered across Yoo Seung-han's face.

It couldn't be helped. I was the one who spread the rumors about people who had become bodies that couldn't die or live.

Yoo Seung-han, who clearly recalled hearing those rumors, began to tremble.

"You probably think it's a lie. That's fine if you do. You'll find out when the time comes. I know your kind very well. Bugs like you who live clinging to your egos never listen when you're treated like people."

"…"

"So how about it? Do you still plan to keep your mouth shut?"

Finally, the strength drained from Yoo Seung-han's remaining eye. His gaze lost focus, and he simply stared at me without saying a word.

"Now your eyes have finally dimmed. Now we can finally communicate."

I wiped the smirk off my face and spoke coldly.

"Tell me everything you know. Just how many of your kind are in Korea right now, how many are infiltrating Cheonha Group, and who's behind you."

The Japanese Yakuza were certainly aware of what was going on. They couldn't shake the firmly established underworld of Korea through direct confrontation via the Cheonha Group.

That was probably why they decided to create internal discord to take it over.

Since Yoo Seung-han had risen to the position of vice president in the Busan branch, I could only hope he would know accurate information.

"…I…"

As Yoo Seung-han opened his mouth, he slowly began to spill what he knew. I remained silent, just listening.

I was surprised that he knew so little, and when he finished speaking, I blurted out.

"Is this all? There's no more?"

"We don't know each other. I saw the Cheongpung Group collapse in an instant, so to avoid such a mistake again, I only contact my handler in the homeland. I'm sure my handler does not know anyone else."

"So that's how it is…"

The Japanese Yakuza were persistent. Even they tried to advance into Korea as government crackdowns intensified, but they found it difficult since the Cheonha Group was already standing strong.

Thus, they had opted to eliminate me and dismantle the Cheonha Group from within.

I was left dumbfounded by the tenacity that resembled that of a cockroach — they just wouldn't die.

"So that's how it is… fine. I'll believe you."

"Now please kill me. I told you everything I know."

Having said his piece, Yoo Seung-han hung his head, pleading for death.

"If you want to die that badly, then by all means, do it. Manager."

"Yes, Boss."

"Cut the tendons in both hands and feet and throw him onto an island. Just do it the way the expert always does."

At those words, Yoo Seung-han's head shot up as he shouted at me.

"Hey… this promise is wrong, isn't it?"

"A promise?" That cry, full of injustice, was met with nothing but a cold smile from me.

"I make promises with people, not parasites like you."

"You vile…"

There was no longer any value in listening. As my gaze fell upon Manager Ma, he struck Yoo Seung-han and knocked him out cold in one blow.

I instructed them to take the unconscious man and send him to the island.

Checking my watch, I realized it was already close to midnight.

"Grandma will be worrying a lot."

The smell of spilled blood lingered in the warehouse, but what I longed for was simply to see Grandma. Her concerned face expressing worry about how dangerous things might get surfaced in my mind.

The salty sea breeze blowing in from outside mixed with the stench of blood, creating an odd atmosphere.

Just then, several cars pulled into the warehouse area.

The first person to step out of the car was Yoo Sung-jin. After scanning the surroundings, he quickly spotted me and headed straight into the warehouse.

Without caring that his suit was soaked in blood, he dropped to his knees right in front of me.

"I'm sorry. This is all my fault."

I looked down at Yoo Sung-jin with a cold gaze.