A child who looks like me

Sunday night.

“Let’s get rid of Jung Jiheon together. What do you say?”

Chae Eun-yeop had come all the way to Bae-il’s place to persuade him.

The person who pushed Kim Jin-goo into the reservoir had fled overseas immediately after the job. That was why the Cheolwang gang had cooperated so readily in their statement. Since Cheolwang had also suffered losses because of Eun-yeop’s business, Bae-il couldn’t touch them either.

For Eun-yeop, Kwon Bae-il was like a rope thrown down from heaven.

“If you follow my instructions, I’ll give you a billion won.”

“……”

“What do you say? Tempted?”

After listening quietly to Eun-yeop’s sly offer, Bae-il finally spoke up after a long pause.

“What exactly do you think you’re saying?”

The murderous glint in Eun-yeop’s eyes dimmed. Wrinkles creased his brow.

He thought this guy would jump at the opportunity.

But he wasn’t about to give up so easily. Eun-yeop smirked, curling one side of his lip. The gall of this guy.

“Don’t try to play innocent with me. I came here knowing everything.”

But there were some things Eun-yeop didn’t know. He was unaware that it was Kwon Bae-il himself who had earned credit for his capture.

“You look tired. Why don’t you go home and get some rest?”

Bae-il spoke gently, like a police officer coaxing a troubled youth.

The more he did, the more it made Eun-yeop grit his teeth.

“You think you’re safe? Huh?”

He yelled at Bae-il’s back as he turned to leave.

“If you don’t do it, that Jiheon bastard will kill you first!”

Bae-il’s steps halted momentarily at Eun-yeop’s sinister words. But he didn’t turn back.

Unable to contain his anger, Eun-yeop finally turned and walked away, his face twisted with rage.

***

The following evening.

Once his preparations were complete, Eun-yeop waited quietly in Jiheon’s apartment underground parking lot. Knowing Jiheon’s car made everything easy. He had secretly attached a tracker to Jiheon’s car at dawn.

He had also acquired an illegally modified car, swapped its plates, and attached tape that could cleverly cover the license plate, waiting for Jiheon.

“Kwon Bae-il, if you won’t do it, I’ll kill him.”

I have to eliminate that Jung Jiheon bastard.

Having hardly slept, he briefly nodded off but instantly reacted when the tracker alerted him that Jiheon’s car was approaching. With his eyes open, Eun-yeop glared at the parking lot entrance.

After a short wait, he saw Jiheon’s car entering the apartment parking lot. From a distance, Eun-yeop started his engine and held his position. It was easy to predict Jiheon’s path as he left his car and headed toward the apartment entrance.

There was only one chance. He’d ram into Jiheon right in front of the entrance.

Jiheon finally stepped out of his car. He seemed to be in a rush, moving quickly toward the entrance. Watching him hurry, Eun-yeop turned on his headlights, flooring the gas pedal.

Jung Jiheon, goodbye.

Vroooom!

But then—!

“What the—!”

A nearby parked car suddenly swerved in front of him.

Screech!

Crash!

Eun-yeop slammed the brakes, but it was too late. His car wouldn’t respond, spinning out of control as it crashed into the unknown vehicle.

There was no time to even scream as the two cars collided and shattered.

Jiheon saw the blinding lights speeding toward him. His body, recalling a similar accident from seven years ago, had already stiffened as though the crash had already happened. His movements felt heavy as he braced himself.

Screech! Crash!

Everything happened in an instant.

Another car had pulled in, blocking the one coming at Jiheon and forcing it aside. With a deafening noise, the two cars collided and spun sideways.

Jiheon, forced to dodge, was flung off to the side as the two vehicles—similar in weight—smashed into each other and were nearly split in half.

Panting, Jiheon tried to catch his breath.