A Contracted Gangster Who Has to Die to Survive - Chapter 35
I could feel the attention of airport security and domestic and international travelers alike following us as we moved through the terminal.
“Are they filming a movie or something?”
“I don’t see any cameras. What if they’re actual gangsters?”
With his arm in a cast, a jacket draped over his shoulders, and dark sunglasses covering his face, Choi Taejoon looked straight out of last night’s gangster movie.
Especially leading the pack of men in black suits, he was the perfect image of a crime boss.
Maybe we should’ve brought some decorative folding screens to complete the look.
I glanced behind me and spoke in a low voice.
“Um… S-Sir?”
Choi Taejoon didn’t even turn his head as he replied.
“What? People whispering about us bothering you? Just ignore them.”
“N-No, it’s not that, it’s just….”
It’s embarrassing….
I thought I had gotten used to this, but that was only true when I was within the world of gangsters.
I liked attention, sure—but not this kind. My face burned, and I could feel the stares searing into the back of my head.
I stole another glance behind me and started counting. How many of them were there?
Since arriving at the airport, more than a dozen men had been trailing after us.
But amidst the sea of black, one familiar face stood out.
“Kim Minsoo?”
The moment our eyes met, he gave me a quick wink in acknowledgment.
He’s alive!
I had been worried after what happened in that warehouse, but it looked like he had made it out okay. No matter what happened, he was the closest thing I had to a friend here.
Even if he had to die eventually, I hoped he’d at least survive long enough to finish his part in this story.
“What are you looking around for?”
Choi Taejoon’s voice pulled me back.
“Uh, Minsoo… Thank you for looking after him.”
“Minsoo? Who’s that?”
“Huh?”
“Who is he?”
“Oh, um… Kim Minsoo. He’s a friend of mine.”
From the look on Taejoon’s face, he had no idea who Minsoo was. Then how…?
“A friend?”
“…N-Never mind.”
I hastily brushed it off and scratched the back of my head.
Just before we entered the departure area, Choi Taejoon turned to Secretary Kim and gave him a simple command.
“Send the guys in quietly.”
“Yes, sir.”
With just a few words from Secretary Kim, the men behind us dispersed without a word. Finally, the intimidating entourage was gone.
Only then did the excitement of boarding a plane kick in.
My heart pounded with anticipation—this was my first time flying.
“This is my first time at an airport. It kind of looks like a KTX station….”
“I thought your hometown was Jeju Island.”
Oh, crap.
“Well, when I came to the mainland, I, uh… took a boat.”
“A boat, huh.”
I hadn’t expected Choi Taejoon to remember that I’d mentioned Jeju Island before. It was something I had said in passing, but he had actually remembered.
“When was the last time you went back?”
He was asking when I had last visited my family home.
“I don’t even remember.”
“It’s been a while, then.”
“Sir… If it’s okay, could I visit my home while we’re there?”
He nodded easily. “Go ahead.”
“Thank you.”
They weren’t really my siblings, but the thought of those kids suffering because of the parents they were born to… It didn’t feel like something I could ignore.
“You just need to complete the boarding procedures and head inside.”
With a much lighter heart, I stepped up to the security checkpoint.
Even though Choi Taejoon was tall, the head of security was over two meters. Even Secretary Kim was taller than average. Compared to them, I was completely swallowed up between three towering men.
Our imposing presence drew every eye in the vicinity. I could hear hushed murmurs even without straining to listen.
“Dad, that guy has a tattoo on his neck!”
“Dad, who would win in a fight? You or that guy?”
“You idiot! Dad’s way stronger! He knows taekwondo! Right, Dad?”
“Shh! Quiet!”
A flustered father hurriedly clamped a hand over his child’s mouth.
Some travelers subtly moved away to another security line, while others kept their distance but continued to sneak glances at us.
Despite the minor commotion, we made it through security without a hitch.
Now, all that was left was to board the plane.
“Where are you headed, Executive Director Choi Taejoon?”
The voice came out of nowhere.
Just as if they had been waiting for us, several men appeared in front of us.
“Who the hell are you?”
The head of security immediately stepped in front of Choi Taejoon.
The men, as if in sync, pulled out their identification badges.
“Central Investigation Bureau, Violent Crimes Division 7. I’m Senior Inspector Lee Jinsoo. You are Executive Director Choi Taejoon, correct?”
“What is this about?”
Secretary Kim stepped forward, speaking on our behalf.
“We need you to come with us and answer a few simple questions.”
“Is it urgent enough to justify tracking me down at the airport?”
“The situation calls for it. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be. Just cooperate.”
“Are you following proper procedure?”
The officers exchanged glances, looking momentarily uneasy at Secretary Kim’s firm questioning.
“Well… no, not exactly.”
“In that case, why don’t you go handle that first? Our flight is about to depart, so if you’ll excuse us—Sir, this way.”
Secretary Kim gestured toward the departure gate and began escorting Choi Taejoon forward. But before we could take more than a few steps, the detective stepped in front of us again, blocking our path.
“And what now?”
Once again, Secretary Kim took the lead.
“Executive Director Choi Taejoon, we need your cooperation as a witness in the investigation of Vice Chairman Gil Sanghoon’s murder and robbery case.”
The moment the detective finished speaking, a chuckle slipped from Choi Taejoon’s lips. No matter how many times he denied being the culprit, they refused to believe him. It must have been frustrating.
Even I knew the real perpetrator was Kang Jae-wook, not Choi Taejoon.
Taejoon retrieved his sunglasses, which he had set aside while passing through security, and slid them back on. Then, in a slow, deliberate tone, he spoke.
“What kind of cooperation are you asking for? As far as I know, I’ve already given a sufficient statement.”
His low, weighty voice carried an undeniable sense of authority.
The detective hesitated for a split second but quickly regained his composure, stepping forward as if to grab Taejoon’s arm.
“It’s just a few questions. If you cooperate, this won’t take long. Come with us.”
Before the officer could make contact, Secretary Kim forcefully shoved his arm aside, positioning himself protectively in front of Taejoon.
“If you need cooperation, get a warrant first.”
“A warrant?”
The detective’s expression twitched in annoyance.
“If I do go through official channels and get a warrant, it’ll be even worse for you. Are you sure you want that?”
His sudden change in tone—dropping from formal speech to a blunt, almost condescending one—made Secretary Kim’s face darken with irritation.
“Go ahead. There’s nothing to hide.”
“Look at this gangster punk acting all high and mighty.”
“If you had any real evidence, or even a valid reason, the prosecution would’ve already issued a warrant. But they didn’t, did they? That means you can’t get one.”
The detective folded his arms and took another step closer, his face now inches from Secretary Kim’s.
“Kim Seon-oh. You think you know what’s going on?”
Kim Seon-oh? That must be Secretary Kim’s real name.
Did he and this detective have some kind of history?
Secretary Kim scoffed.
“Lee Jinsoo… Senior Inspector, was it? Looks like you got promoted. Still playing cop, huh? You worked hard to get that badge, so maybe try not to lose it over some stupid power trip.”
“And you? Looks like you’re having fun playing errand boy for a thug. You must love licking Choi Taejoon’s boots, huh? Feeling important?”
“Watch your mouth.”
“All I did was politely ask for a moment of his time. Politely.”
Ignoring the provocation, Secretary Kim turned to Taejoon and gave a slight bow, gesturing toward the gate.
“My apologies, sir. You may proceed with boarding.”
“Go where? Choi Taejoon, we need to talk.”
We only had about 20 minutes left before departure, but it was clear the detectives weren’t going to let us go that easily.
“Sir, this way, please.”
“Grab him!”
At Inspector Lee Jinsoo’s sharp command, the officers sprang into action, rushing toward Taejoon.
“Choi Taejoon, just come with us for a moment!”
The instant one of them reached for Taejoon’s arm, his head of security intercepted, twisting the officer’s wrist with brutal efficiency.
“You son of a—!”
The officer let out a pained groan as he stumbled forward.
“Ugh—ah! Let go of me!”
In the chaos, some officers reached for their handcuffs, others grabbed their radios, and a few even threw punches. But the security team was faster.
“How dare you lay a hand on an officer?”
“Funny, didn’t you guys put your hands on my boss first, Detective?”
“You criminals think you’re so righteous?”
The head of security let out a dry laugh.
“And cops harassing innocent citizens is perfectly fine?”
“Innocent? Even stray dogs would laugh at that.”
As the confrontation escalated, bystanders began screaming. The growing tension and the alarmed reactions of the crowd forced Inspector Lee Jinsoo to hesitate.
Passengers were watching, whispering, pulling out their phones. Some were already recording.
Now they were the ones in trouble.
“Arrest all of them for obstruction of justice!”
And just like that, the first person they grabbed—was me.
The cold touch of metal against my wrist sent a shock through my system.
Wait, what?
What is happening?
Am I actually getting arrested by the police now?
“W-Wait, hold on! I didn’t do anything! Why me?!”
“That’s enough.”
Before things could spiral any further, Choi Taejoon pulled me behind him, gripping my shoulder tightly. His sharp eyes scanned the scene, assessing the situation.
Including Lee Jinsoo, there were seven officers in total.
If they were really just here to gather additional witness testimony, there was no reason for so many of them to show up at the airport like this.
Taejoon’s voice dropped to a quiet murmur, more to himself than anyone else.
“What the hell do they actually want?”
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