Three Days Later
The story broke on every major news channel in South Korea.
KBS News - Morning Broadcast
The anchor's face was grave as she read from the teleprompter. "In what authorities are calling one of the largest human trafficking operations ever uncovered in South Korea, police have arrested over forty individuals connected to a massive criminal network operating out of Jeju Island."
Footage played across the screen. Police tape cordoned off a large cruise ship docked at Jeju Harbor. Officers in tactical gear escorted handcuffed suspects down the gangplank. Emergency medical personnel carried stretchers. Some victims walked on their own, blankets wrapped around their shoulders, faces blurred for privacy.
The anchor continued. "The operation, which had been running for an estimated three years, involved the abduction and trafficking of young women, primarily high school and college students. Authorities also uncovered evidence of illegal organ harvesting."
Cut to a press conference. Detective Ahn of the Jeju Island Police stood at a podium flanked by officers. Camera flashes went off like strobe lights.
"We received information from sources we cannot disclose three days ago that led us to a cruise ship anchored off the western coast," Detective Ahn said. His voice was steady, but his exhaustion showed. "What we found was beyond comprehension. Thirty-seven victims were recovered alive. We believe there may be more victims who were already transported overseas."
A reporter shouted a question. "Detective Ahn, is it true that students were involved in luring the victims?"
Detective Ahn's jaw tightened. "Yes. Several individuals who appeared to be ordinary students were actually working as recruiters for the organization. They would befriend potential victims, gain their trust, and then lead them into traps. We have arrested fifteen such individuals so far."
Another reporter called out. "What about the ringleaders?"
"The suspected mastermind, identified as Gong Cheol, is currently in critical condition under police custody. Several other high-ranking members of the organization have also been apprehended. We are working with Interpol to track down international connections."
---
Baki and his group were already at Jeju International Airport. They were leaving today.
Seongji Yuk asked, "Did Choi Sunjae and Dae Bujin leave with Minyul Cheon?"
Baki nodded. "Yeah, they did. Now that I think about it, I should have beaten up that Minyul Cheon guy too. The whole vacation went downhill because of him."
Seongji Yuk laughed. "Don't worry. I made sure to get some good punches in."
Baki shook his head. "I could tell by that bastard's appearance."
Behind them, Sally was helping Warren, who was bandaged like a mummy. For the kids, the trip to Jeju Island was memorable in both good and bad ways.
---
A Few Days Later
After a long time, Baki returned to White Tiger Job Center. Just as he entered, he saw Robert Choi pestering Manager Kim about something.
"Please answer the question, hyung-nim. How many women do you have anyway? What happened to that lady from last time?"
Baki was shocked to hear all this. He looked Manager Kim up and down, then muttered to himself, "Tch! Shameless old man! Even at this age he can't control himself."
But Manager Kim seemed to hear him, so he started to clarify. "Uhm... There seems to have been a misunderstanding. Assistant Choi, you can't spread bad rumors about me. Even Baki has started to believe your words."
Robert went around Baki and put a hand on his shoulder. "You won't believe me, Baki, but Manager Kim here is a certified playbo— No! He's a certified play-old-man. Do you know? He calls himself Codename 66. What is he, a middle schooler?"
Black lines started to appear on Manager Kim's forehead. It wouldn't have mattered if Robert said those things to him in private, but bad-mouthing him in front of a younger kid was absolutely shameless. Just as he was about to retort, Tom Lee entered the room and called out, "Baki, Manager Kim, meet me in the office."
Sera Shin, who was organizing files, looked at Baki's back thoughtfully as he left.
---
In the Office
Tom Lee said, "Baki, Manager Kim, listen carefully to what I'm about to say. This might be the greatest crisis since the founding of White Tiger Job Center. If things go wrong, it could lead to death."
Then he laughed. "I might die... from having too much work~!!!"
Baki picked at his ear, paying no attention to what Tom Lee had to say. If he'd been serious about this at first, hearing that Tom Lee might die because of having too much work made all his seriousness vanish.
Manager Kim remained serious, though. "What do you mean?" he asked.
Tom Lee replied with enthusiasm. "We're flooded with work right now! Starting with mercenary requests, we're receiving all sorts of tasks. In other words, it means our White Tiger Job Center is receiving attention, right? I can't believe we're getting so many love calls~~~"
But Manager Kim said, "That means... it's not really a good situation, is it?"
Tom Lee leaned toward Manager Kim. "Is it ever good to take someone else's money? Especially in this industry, garnering attention like this won't do anyone any good. There will be competitors, and they'll start to keep us in check."
For the first time in this conversation, Baki spoke up. "Old man, are you talking about the black market?"
Tom Lee laughed. "Maybe. Now that you mention the black market, I heard you did some interesting things during your vacation, Baki?"
Baki shook his head. "Nothing that interesting. Met some weird fellows. The whole trip went downhill. Tch! Trouble finds me when I least expect it. I also met a bunch from the black market. They were pretty strong."
Sera Shin entered the room. "Black Market—they're the biggest mercenary 'platform,' monopolizing the entire industry. Basically, they connect mercenaries with clients. But they also go beyond that. They punish mercenaries when they break rules. Of course, they're capable enough to do that, regardless of how big or strong the mercenary group may be. They're the ones maintaining the order of the global underground."
Then she looked at Manager Kim and said, "The black market has recently started to target Ares and White Tiger Job Center."
Manager Kim was a bit surprised to hear that. After all, Ares wasn't just any underground mercenary organization. It was a proper organization recognized by the Republic of South Korea.
Tom Lee walked toward the door, calling out, "Yeongcheol, let's go eat! Food! Where's Sangho?"
Yeongcheol replied, "He went ahead to eat."
Sera Shin called out, "Let's go together, Baki."
Baki nodded and called to Manager Kim. "Let's go, old man."
Tom Lee looked back at Manager Kim. "Ah! That's right, Manager Kim, back when I received Miss Kim Hun—"
But before he could finish his words, the whole place blew up. Baki immediately shielded Sera Shin. The others also took cover, but Tom Lee stood there, his eyes on a particular flower pot that had burst into pieces, its last remains still burning. His face was neutral at first, then became angry, then sad, then angry again.
Tom Lee clenched his fists and said, "...Manager Kim."
Manager Kim nodded. "Yes."
Tom Lee continued. "Yeongcheol, Manager Shin."
They also nodded.
Tom Lee spoke again. "Baki, you saw it too, right? Is this a declaration of war? Get ready! Those fucking bastards—don't leave a single bone! Chew them all up!"
Baki stretched his body and grinned madly. "Okay, old man! Anyway, I'm always up for a good fight. Better yet, a war!"