On Friday, the promised day arrived, and Ahn Seo-eun called.

- Is there still no case? You can go, right?

“There’s always a case, but not one that stops me from leaving work.”

- That’s a relief. Can I come pick you up today?

“I don’t mind, but isn’t the appointment at 8 o’clock?”

- You need to wear party attire to the party venue.

Seo-eun had a point. There wasn’t really anything suitable for a conglomerate’s party in his wardrobe. He couldn’t exactly show up in his police uniform.

When it was time to leave work, Oh Gaeng draped his arm around Shin Haesu and the rookie’s shoulders.

“Fish cakes and tteokbokki, deal?”

“Deal!”

“I have plans.”

“Oh, I also have plans to meet my girlfriend.”

Oh Gaeng narrowed his eyes at the rookie’s sudden change of heart.

“You brat, you’re always glued to Haesu anyway! Whatever! I’ll go with the team leader!”

“Not team leader, but division chief. I am Kwak Su-cheol, chief of the Violent Crimes Special Investigation Unit. Let’s go, you’re buying.”

“Come on, where’s the fairness in that? A superior should—”

Oh Gaeng grumbled as he got ready to leave. And so, the four members of the Violent Crimes Unit left the station together.

A sleek black sedan was parked outside the station entrance. Leaning against the car was Ahn Seo-eun, dressed in a black see-through dress with a white jacket draped over her shoulders.

“Wh-what the hell? Is there a film shoot happening at the station today?”

“Exactly, right? She looks like a celebrity… I feel like I should know who she is.”

While the officers hesitated at her striking appearance, Seo-eun spotted Haesu, straightened up from the car, and smiled at him.

“She’s smiling… at me?”

“She’s looking at me.”

“You fools, it’s obviously me.”

“Have you been waiting long?”

At Haesu’s words, the team leader, Oh Gaeng, and the rookie all snapped their heads toward him. Seo-eun glanced at the officers, placed a hand on her chest, and gave a graceful bow.

“Hello. I’m Ahn Seo-eun, Haesu’s friend.”

“Ah, ah, Ha-Haesu’s friend.”

While Oh Gaeng stuttered, the rookie flexed his bicep and proudly declared,

“I am Senior’s eternal right-hand man! Woo Gang-cheol!”

At that moment, the team leader stepped forward and extended his hand to Seo-eun.

“I’m Kwak Su-cheol, chief of the Violent Crimes Special Investigation Unit and the one who has to put up with this guy. Nice to meet you.”

“Yes, nice to meet you. Haesu is lucky. His colleagues seem very reliable.”

The officers grinned, clearly in no hurry to leave.

Haesu opened the backseat door first.

“Let’s go. See you all on Monday. Let’s not see each other on the weekend.”

“Wait, why are you leaving so soon? Seo-eun, would you like to have some fish cakes before you go?”

“Why are you trying to keep her? That’s not cool.”

“Senior, take care!”

Thud.

Once Seo-eun had finished greeting them and stepped into the car, closing the door, the officers’ noisy voices were finally cut off, leaving a peaceful silence.

Seo-eun glanced out the window, watching as the officers continued to sneak glances at the car even while crossing the street, and let out a small chuckle.

“They’re amusing people.”

“They’re capable detectives.”

“I thought Haesu was the talented one, but it turns out you just got lucky with your team?”

Seo-eun’s teasing remark made Haesu nod seriously.

“That’s right. Though, I am talented too.”

Seo-eun covered her mouth and let out a soft laugh, her long lashes accentuating the curve of her smiling eyes.

“Let’s go. Chief Kang, let’s start with his hair.”

“Yes, Director.”

The hair salon Seo-eun took him to was far from the local barber shops Haesu was used to. From the entrance, neatly dressed staff members opened doors and escorted them to a VIP room.

The VIP room resembled a high-end boutique. Long, glittering crystals cascaded from the ceiling, harmonizing with an elaborate chandelier.

The kind of place that could easily intimidate most people into silence.

But Seo-eun sat comfortably, as if it were her own home, and gave instructions to the hairstylist.

“Then, I’ll begin the haircut.”

“Go ahead.”

For the first time in his life, Haesu experienced having three people fuss over his hair at once.

It’s said that women visit salons when they feel down or need a confidence boost. He wasn’t sure how much this place cost, but he was starting to understand the sentiment.

After getting his hair done, he moved to the makeup room. As he left, he ran into Seo-eun in the hallway.

She didn’t step aside or say anything—just stared at him blankly.

Her gaze reminded him of what had happened at the hospital before, making him clear his throat awkwardly.

“Ahem, it’s nice that they covered the scars too.”

“Oh, yes, it looks seamless. Let’s go.”

The outfit was chosen at a dazzling boutique he had never seen before. A dark navy double-breasted suit with black pinstripes.

“We didn’t have time for a custom fit, unfortunately.”

“This is as good as custom. It’s rare to find something that fits my shoulders.”

“It doesn’t seem to fit that well, though.”

To prove her wrong, Haesu lifted his arm and tried to rotate it—only to stop midway. Any further, and the fabric would definitely rip.

He had secretly asked the staff about the price earlier. Just this suit alone cost as much as a mid-sized car.

Expensive things certainly had their worth. Even though it was just another dark-colored, striped suit, it somehow looked entirely different. Simply changing clothes made his already overflowing confidence skyrocket.

As Haesu checked himself in the full-length mirror, Seo-eun approached and murmured softly while looking at the reflection.

“You look handsome.”

Haesu didn’t bother denying it. Thanks to Seo-eun, he had a proper new experience.

The inauguration party for the president of Geonyeong Trading was held in the banquet hall on the top floor of Geonyeong Hotel.

After dismissing Kang Chief for the evening, Seo-eun gently placed her hand on Haesu’s arm inside the elevator. When their eyes met, she winked.

“This is just how it’s done.”

As they stepped out of the elevator, a massive double door resembling a wedding hall entrance came into view. Two men in black suits stood at the front, collecting invitations.

Seo-eun handed over a black invitation adorned with a gold sticker, and the door was opened for them.

Inside, a banquet hall with a ceiling as high as three floors unfolded before them.

A red carpet was spread widely across the floor, and stand tables were sparsely arranged, each topped with wine and fruit.

At both ends of the hall, buffet-style dishes were laid out, and servers carrying trays moved carefully through the space.

Every man in sight was well-built, and every woman was slender. It was practically a gathering of the elite.

Haesu, who barely watched dramas or movies, found this kind of place completely unfamiliar.

“Something feels off.”

“You noticed?”

“Everyone here has a bodyguard. It’s not like we’re in a dangerous place.”

“Exactly. Just wait and see how…”

At that moment, a woman in a fiery red dress approached Seo-eun.

“Oh my, Daeseong Entertainment’s Director Ahn Seo-eun?”

Her voice was unnervingly high-pitched, as if she were on the verge of gasping. At her arrival, Seo-eun furrowed her brows slightly and turned her head.

As the woman spoke, other guests, who had only been sneaking glances, began inching closer.

“It really is Ahn Seo-eun.”

“The aloof princess? What brings her to a party for these reckless brats?”

“She never ages…”

Ignoring the murmurs around her, Seo-eun addressed the woman in red.

“It’s been a while.”

“Indeed. Was it four years ago that you told me all I was good for was selling my body?”

“Three years.”

“A girl who lives in her own little world… What brings you here? Lost your shine? Ah, I heard Ahn Gi-jun got promoted to executive director of Daeseong Electronics. Pass on my congratulations, will you? Fathers spoil their daughters when they’re young, but your charm must be wearing off by now.”

Seo-eun glanced at Haesu before sharply narrowing her eyes and leaning in close to the woman.

“Your mouth is still as cheap as the rest of you. Next year, you’ll be hitting thirty, won’t you? Hurry up and trap some random guy into marrying you. It’s the one thing you’re good at. You think you’ll still be marketable when you’re old and talentless?”

At Seo-eun’s calm yet cutting remark, the woman’s lips trembled uncontrollably. Eventually, she widened her eyes in fury and raised her hand.

“What… What?! You bitch—!!”

Slap!

First strike, victory.

Predicting the woman’s outburst, Seo-eun landed the first slap, blocking her attack.

The bodyguard beside the woman immediately frowned and stepped forward, reaching for Seo-eun. But before he could touch her, Haesu intercepted his wrist mid-air.

Snap—

The bodyguard tried to shake off his grip, but he failed. Instead, he glared at Haesu as if he wanted to kill him.

“Let go.”

Haesu calmly met his gaze and tightened his grip.

Crack—

“A-Ah…”

The bodyguard’s face rapidly turned red, his head drooping, his body bowing. It was as if a silent scream filled the air.

“What are you doing? What the hell is this?! That bitch just slapped me!”

The woman screeched like an angry sparrow, but the bodyguard remained speechless.

At that moment, Seo-eun lightly touched Haesu’s back. Only then did he release the bodyguard’s wrist.

Now free, the bodyguard turned so red it looked like blood would burst from his face. His fury exploded as he lunged at Haesu.

“You bastard! I’ll kill you—!”

Clap, clap, clap!

Just then, a man in a wine-colored suit appeared, clapping his hands. He held a microphone in one hand.

-Ah, ah, enough, enough! Good evening! The atmosphere is already heating up! Ladies and gentlemen, and of course, a special thanks to the president of Geonyeong Trading for hosting us today. I am attorney Yong Ji-woong. Please, do not call me ‘Yongbyeon’—use my full name!

At his joke, the crowd burst into laughter.

As he appeared, servers began clearing the stand tables from the center of the banquet hall.

The guests instinctively moved toward the edges of the room.

-I see plenty of fine bodyguards here tonight! My heart is already racing! And what’s the highlight of the party?

He cupped a hand to his ear, prompting the crowd to respond.

“Fight!”

“Fight!!”

He raised his hand high and shouted.

-That’s right! A fight!! No more preamble—let’s get started! Who will sponsor the first match? Raise your hand!

-Ah, the star of tonight’s party! The president of Geonyeong Trading!

His gesture pointed to a young man in a blue suit, holding a wine glass, surveying the crowd with an arrogant gaze.

“Let’s start light—ten million won.”

-Ten million won! As expected of Geonyeong’s future! A solid opening bet! Now, challengers, step forward!

Among the fifty or so heirs of conglomerates in the banquet hall, there were just as many bodyguards. Six stepped forward immediately.

Haesu swiftly scanned their faces, noting that quite a few looked somewhat tense.

Several more hesitated before joining at their employers’ orders, bringing the total to ten.

They determined the two fighters by playing rock-paper-scissors, while the rest stepped back from the stage.

The announcer led the two remaining men to a table and had them stamp a document with their seals. Then, he made them stand in the center again and shouted.

-The first fight of the night is about to begin! On the right, we have Yugang Distribution! On the left, Hyesung Mart! Fight!!

At once, two bodyguards clashed. Without any protective gear, their expensive suits tore, nose bones broke, and teeth flew.

The match only stopped when one man, bleeding profusely, raised his hand and surrendered.

-We have a winner of ten million won! Victory goes to Yugang Distribution!

“Wow!! That was a great fight!”

“That was boring, so boring.”

“Hurry up and send in the next ones!”

Flesh was torn, bones were broken, yet the crowd cheered in excitement.

The third-generation chaebols were treating their bodyguards like fighting dogs.

Haesu was too shocked to say anything, and beside him, Seo-eun quietly spoke.

“At some point, this culture emerged. Bodyguards became fighting dogs, and instead of hiring them for their protection skills, they started selecting them based on whether they could win in matches like this.”

“So this… this is what you wanted to show me?”

Seo-eun met his gaze and silently confirmed. Meanwhile, the atmosphere grew even more heated as the chaebols threw checks onto the stage, raising the stakes and riling up the bodyguards.

“The man in the blue suit is the eldest son of Geonyeong Group, over there is the second son of Hyesung Group, and the one laughing behind his hand is the youngest daughter of JL Group…”

Seo-eun pointed out the people who were enjoying the spectacle the most.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg. Can you… punish all of these people?”

“No.”

Haesu’s answer was immediate. Seo-eun looked quite surprised. It wasn’t disappointment, but the subtle anticipation in her eyes faded.

“I suppose that’s true. Even for you, Haesu, these people make up the foundation of Korea…”

“I don’t know about all that. But I do know this needs to stop right now.”

“What? What are you—”

Before Seo-eun could stop him, Haesu leaped onto the stage. The staff had just finished cleaning the blood off the floor from the previous fight.

The announcer, delighted by the sudden interruption, called out to him.

“Oh? A new challenger! Who do you represent?”

“The South Korean police.”

“What?”

Haesu snatched the microphone from the announcer and stood in the center of the stage.

He slowly met the eyes of the countless people watching him with amusement and spoke.

-Mic test. If you’re someone who’s fine with being crippled for life, if you don’t care about pissing and shitting yourself, if you’re the kind of mutt who fights just because your master tells you to, then step forward.

-Piyuuu! Piyuuu!!

“Wow!!”

“That was crazy!!”

“He’s got guts!!”

Haesu’s words only amped up the excitement in the hall. Even the bodyguards who had no intention of fighting bristled at the provocation.

Meanwhile, Seo-eun anxiously stomped her feet in frustration.

To her, no matter how skilled Haesu was, he was still just a detective, busy with investigations. He wasn’t a trained fighter who had spent his life studying combat. How could he possibly go up against bodyguards who were former martial artists or special forces?

Click, clack.

In the end, she lifted the hem of her dress and strode onto the stage, grabbing Haesu’s sleeve.

“This isn’t right. Don’t do this. Get down.”

Haesu turned his head to meet her gaze.

The coldness in his eyes made Seo-eun feel as if her heart had been pierced by an icy spear.

“Stay back. This is the price for bringing me here.”

His eyes held an unyielding determination and fury.

Seo-eun realized she had miscalculated. This was not a man she could control in the first place.

At that moment, a man who had been watching Seo-eun closely raised his hand slightly.

“One hundred million.”

-One hundred million has been offered! Who will take on this spirited challenger?

The announcer, noticing Seo-eun’s distressed and regretful expression, slowly guided her off the stage.

With such a large sum at stake, the bodyguards ignored Haesu’s words entirely and flooded onto the stage. One stepped forward to face him.

Before the match began, the announcer brought both men to a table to sign a contract.

-This states that under no circumstances will either party hold the other responsible. Stamp your seals, and I, as an attorney, will notarize it. All set. Fight!

Seo-eun had no idea. She had no way of knowing that Haesu belonged to a realm of talent beyond ordinary reach.

Crash!

The moment the match started, the bodyguard lunged at Haesu, only for Haesu’s palm to strike his chin squarely.

The man lifted off the ground and collapsed.

One hit. It was over in a single blow, and the hall fell into an eerie silence.

But Haesu wasn’t finished. He walked over to the unconscious bodyguard, lifted his limp arm, and looked around at the others as he spoke.

“That wasn’t a taunt. It was a warning.”

Crunch!