Gutter Chapter 4.1

“Hey, open the door.”

Bang, bang, bang!

“We know you’re in there, open up!”

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

The dull thudding assaulted his ears. The distant sound grew closer as his consciousness returned, until it felt as though it was happening right in front of him.

Yeonjo forced his heavy eyelids open.

“You son of a bitch. If you don’t open the door, we’re breaking it down.”

A gruff, phlegmy voice roared from outside. Yeonjo scrambled to sit up.

A searing pain shot through his hips, as if his pelvic bones were collapsing. The agony radiated through his limbs, like an electric shock.

“Ugh…”

He groaned, managing to turn the doorknob and open the door. A stocky man with a buzz cut and a tacky flower tattoo on his shoulder stood outside. He looked every bit the gangster. He scanned Yeonjo from head to toe.

“Are you Cha Yeonjo?”

“I… am.”

“Hyungnim… No, the manager said you have to work today, so get ready quickly.”

“Ah, work.”

Yeonjo’s voice was raspy, each word a struggle. His voice was weak and strained, almost unintelligible. The gangster, noticing this, clicked his tongue.

“Your face is a mess. Tsk, tsk.”

“……”

“Still, you have to work. You’ve been out for three days. Don’t you think?”

“Um, what day is it today?”

Having heard he’d been asleep for three days, Yeonjo asked for the date.

“Friday! It’s our busiest day, so you can’t just lie around here.”

“Friday…?”

Yeonjo’s lips parted in disbelief. He had been with Boss Gu between Monday night and Tuesday morning. To wake up and find it was Friday… How long had he been asleep?

“I doubt you’ll be able to do much work looking like that…”

The gangster shook his head, as if he had just seen something unpleasant. He handed Yeonjo a sheet of paper covered in writing.

“Anyway, you’re supposed to work from today onwards, and this is your penalty notice.”

Seeing Yeonjo staring blankly at the paper, he became impatient.

“Look, damn it. You received the advance, but you didn’t show up for work, which means there’s a shortfall. Huh? You have to pay your debts. Absences are always penalized here.”

The paper listed the amount Yeonjo owed to Phoenix, including penalties for the days he had been unable to work due to his injuries. The penalties included daily quotas for alcohol sales, accommodation fees, and other miscellaneous expenses. Even after deducting the payment he received from Boss Gu, he was still over one million won in debt.

Yeonjo was speechless, staring at the list of debts and penalties.

“You better work hard to pay that off. Make sure you show up for work from now on. Got it?”

The gangster chuckled, looking at Yeonjo’s swollen face, then turned and left.

A fellow host, who shared the bathroom, poked his head out of his room to check on Yeonjo. He gasped at the sight of Yeonjo’s face and quickly retreated.

Now Yeonjo was curious about his own appearance. Just how bad was it? It still stung whenever he spoke or moved his facial muscles, but at least Boss Gu hadn’t used his fists.

He had been slapped, so it couldn’t be that bad, just some bruising. Thinking optimistically, Yeonjo looked in the bathroom mirror.

“…What the hell is this?”

“Tell me about it.”

Another host, passing by, chimed in from outside the bathroom.

Yeonjo’s face was a mass of purple and blue bruises. He looked like a pale, monstrous apparition. His cheek and cheekbone, where he had taken the full force of Boss Gu’s hand, were swollen like basketballs. The bruising around his eyes was less severe, but his eyelids were so puffy that his double eyelids had disappeared.

The inside of his mouth was sore, making it painful to swallow. Large bruises covered his abdomen and lower body.

In short, he was a wreck.

And all he had to show for it was more debt. Even after enduring that beating and being subjected to that, he had no money left. The room salon had calculated his penalty based on a daily rate of 400,000 won for each day he missed.

He had planned to hire a caregiver for his grandmother after her surgery, but now he had no money left and would have to work to pay off his debts. If he didn’t work today, the debt would only increase.

A faint smile touched Yeonjo’s lips. Even after all this, he was still in the red. He often thought his life was a hopeless tangle. It had always been this way, so he wasn’t even surprised. He simply accepted his reality.

What he couldn’t understand was why Boss Gu had looked at him with such disgust. The memory of Boss Gu’s disdainful gaze was seared into his mind.

Because he was after money? If that was the case, it would be harder to find someone in this place who wasn’t after money. Like everyone else, Yeonjo was here for the money.

He had been beaten badly, but Boss Gu’s money had ensured his grandmother’s successful surgery. It was worth it. More than worth it.

Perhaps Boss Gu treated all the hosts this way. Yeonjo decided to erase the memory of the man’s cold expression from his mind. He hoped he would never have to see him again. Though he wasn’t sure if that was possible.

“You’re really going to work looking like that? Oh, come on. You’re lowering the standards.”

“Did the team leader actually okay this?”

As Yeonjo emerged from his room, ready for work, he was met with disapproving stares from the other hosts.

“No. The manager told me to come in.”

“Oh, well then…”

They seemed to understand his predicament, seeing his battered state, and nodded amongst themselves. It seemed Boss Gu’s word was law here.

“Of all people, why did it have to be Boss Gu?”

“It would have been better to just get beaten up by some other gangsters.”

“Hey, did you know? There are plenty of girls who’d gladly go with Boss Gu.”

“He’s got a terrible personality, but he’s well-built.”

“And they say he’s got a huge dick!”

“Bullshit. Don’t call him ‘oppa’.”

“Why not? Eunhwa told me he’s got a monster cock. She said she thought she was going to be ripped apart.”

“What good is that? Didn’t you hear what happens if you get on his bad side?”

Ignoring their whispers, Yeonjo left the dormitory. A black van waited outside to transport the hosts to Phoenix.

Since everyone had different starting times – early evening, night, dawn – the van seemed to make five or six trips a day.

“Hello.”

“Honey, you’re really coming in looking like that?”

The team leader gasped as Yeonjo entered Phoenix, where preparations for opening were underway. The other staff members reacted similarly.

“You look like you need at least two more days off.”

“Boss Gu told me to come in. The penalties keep adding up if I don’t…”

“Even so… How are you going to work looking like that? No client is going to get hard looking at that bruised face.”

“He told me to come in, so… I’ll work.”

Yeonjo said, struggling to lift his heavy, swollen eyelid. The team leader was taken aback by his quiet determination.

“Boss Gu is such a twisted bastard. He beats you to a pulp, then… You know what? Just go inside. I’ll waive the penalties for today and tomorrow.”

Boss Gu’s subordinate, the one who had brought Yeonjo here, interjected.

“That won’t do. You know what the manager is like.”

“There are limits to how accommodating you can be.”

“I don’t know, I’m just following orders.”

“Oh, for crying out loud…”

The team leader sighed, glancing at the subordinate, and decided not to argue further. She sent Yeonjo to the waiting room. However, even with makeup and styling, it was impossible to conceal the bruises and swelling.

Kim Hyungpal, seeing this, assigned him to dishwashing duty in the kitchen. So instead of serving clients, Yeonjo spent the day doing odd jobs.

Even on a good day, Yeonjo struggled with being on his feet for extended periods. Several days of continuous storage room cleaning and endless dishwashing was too much for his body to handle. Being forced to stand and work for over ten hours was excruciating. More importantly, since he wasn’t working as a host, his debt, disguised as penalties, continued to accumulate.

By the time the bruises and injuries on his body had healed, his debt had ballooned to several million won.

In some ways, it was a more brutal system than loan sharking. Healthy and diligent individuals could quickly earn their desired amount and leave, but for someone like Yeonjo, whose weak constitution forced him to take days off, the debt quickly spiraled out of control.

“Where’s Cha Yeonjo? Isn’t he supposed to work today?”

“He’s sick. Apparently, he’s on death’s door.”

“What? That oppa is always sick.”

He overheard the conversation outside his room in the dormitory. Pushing himself too hard at the room salon, doing odd jobs under Boss Gu’s pressure, had resulted in a severe bout of flu. He was simply not built for strenuous physical labor.

After several more days of feverish delirium, his debt had grown substantially. A younger host had once remarked, “Oppa, this isn’t the time to be comfortably sick, you need to get your act together.” He finally understood what the younger man had meant.

As soon as he could sit up, Yeonjo rushed to the hospital to get medication. After finally recovering, he was able to join the others in the van to work.

How many days had he lost because of his weak body? He sighed deeply. It was all because of that encounter with Boss Gu. He needed to avoid any further interactions with him. Though he doubted that was possible.

He resolved to avoid Boss Gu as much as possible until he could pay off his accumulated debt.

“Is doing some chores at the room salon really that much to complain about?”

“…I guess not.”

Yeonjo mumbled in response to the other host’s chiding. He didn’t need the reminder; his insides were already burning with anxiety.

“Oppa, you better resign yourself to working your ass off for the next few months.”

“Most people manage to earn something here, but Yeonjo is already in the red.”

The heavily made-up women added their comments, the rumors already spreading. The guard sitting next to them glanced at them silently.

When Yeonjo didn’t respond, the conversation died down. The van soon arrived at the underground parking lot, and the guard got out first, opening the door. Following his instructions, they all boarded the elevator to Phoenix.

Initially, Yeonjo thought the guards accompanied them everywhere to prevent altercations between clients and staff. However, after a few days, he realized they were there solely to monitor the staff.

“The afternoon shift is early today. Oh my, look who it is. Our elusive friend has joined us?”

The team leader, who was giving instructions to a waiter, greeted him. The place was bustling with activity, preparing for opening. Yeonjo bowed his head in greeting.

“You’re looking better today.”

“I’m all recovered now.”

“You need to be healthy to handle second rounds.”

Yeonjo was relieved to see a familiar face in this unfamiliar environment, even though the team leader probably didn’t feel the same.

Just then, a man in a tight black t-shirt entered the room salon. He scanned the room with a grim expression, then pointed directly at Yeonjo.

“You’re Cha Yeonjo, right?”

“…Yes.”

“You’re being transferred. Follow me.”

The man in the t-shirt jerked his head, chewing gum. The eyes of the surrounding staff members turned to Yeonjo.

“What? What are you talking about?”

The team leader stepped forward, demanding an explanation.

“His sales are consistently low, so he’s being transferred.”

“Did you know about this?”

“No.”

Yeonjo shook his head, surprised by the sudden announcement. Everyone else seemed equally surprised, exchanging confused glances.

“I understand his sales are down because he couldn’t do second rounds, but why be so harsh? It’s not that serious.”

“Team leader, do you know how expensive real estate is here? He’s borrowed money and is only accumulating debt. We need to move those who aren’t chosen to a lower-tier establishment.”

“What are you talking about? Are your eyes on your toes? Look at his face. He couldn’t be chosen because he was sick, not because he had a problem with his appearance.”

The team leader retorted incredulously. The man in the t-shirt, his face marred by small scars, chewed his gum and scanned Yeonjo up and down.

“I don’t deal with those with dicks between their legs, so I wouldn’t know. I’m just saying we should follow protocol. Okay?”

“Strictly speaking, it’s Boss Gu’s fault he’s in this state. Why go this far?”

“Hey.”

“What?”

“It’s Boss Gu-‘nim’. Show some respect.”

Why is he being like this? He’s being downgraded because he wasn’t chosen. Transferred? Where to? Who knows.

The other staff members, who had gathered around, whispered amongst themselves. Judging by their conversation, it seemed the transfer wasn’t simply a change of venue but a demotion to a lower-tier establishment.

The man in the t-shirt, who had been relatively compliant until now, hardened his expression at the mention of Boss Gu.

“And for fuck’s sake, did Hyungnim just take him for free? He paid for him, legally! It was partly for training!”

“Oh my god, why are you shouting? It’s the middle of the day.”

“If he hadn’t been kicked out of the room in the first place, none of this would have happened. Hyungnim doesn’t touch those who do their job properly. He brought this on himself.”

Tired of arguing, the team leader sighed and rubbed her temples. Since Boss Gu was in charge of this area, they had to follow his orders, regardless of their opinions.

“So where are you taking him?”

“Gangbuk District.”

“What? But why there…? Gangbuk isn’t even in Boss Gu-nim’s territory!”

Yeonjo anxiously glanced between the team leader and the man in the t-shirt. The team leader’s reaction indicated it wasn’t a good place. It was unlikely a downgraded host would be sent somewhere better than Phoenix.

“Boss Gu-nim is in charge of that area now. Anyway, that’s the situation.”

“Boss Gu is moving up in the world.”

So that’s why he’s acting so cocky. The team leader muttered under her breath.

Whatever the outcome, Yeonjo couldn’t intervene. He wasn’t privy to the details, and even if he spoke up, it wouldn’t change anything.

Whether he stayed at Phoenix or went to Gangbuk, he would still be selling his body. He had already sold his virginity for a hefty price, so he wasn’t in a position to complain.

He felt like nothing more than a commodity being traded, but it didn’t faze him. As long as he could pay for his grandmother’s medical bills and his debt.

“Honey, there’s nothing we can do. Pack your things.”

The team leader, seemingly resigned to the situation, gave Yeonjo a cursory instruction. She still looked at him with a hint of pity, as if she regretted his fate, but that was all. Boss Gu’s decision was final.

“I don’t have anything to pack.”

“Simple and efficient. Come on.”

The man in the t-shirt beckoned him. Just like that, Yeonjo was transferred on the very day he returned to work.

As he turned to leave, the team leader winked and mouthed “Bye bye.” Yeonjo simply bowed and followed the man.

🚬

As soon as he arrived at the new establishment, Yeonjo regretted it. He had anticipated that the facilities would be worse than Phoenix, but the reality was far more dismal.

Phoenix was considered a high-end room salon. The interior was spacious and clean, the menu expensive. Since the clients spent large sums of money, the hosts and female staff were treated relatively well.

In contrast, the room salon he had been demoted to was cramped and poorly ventilated. The decor screamed 2000s nightclub, the rooms small and poorly soundproofed, allowing moans and other sounds to echo through the thin walls.

Dark stains marred the carpet, seemingly ignored. Unlike Phoenix, which catered to celebrities, businessmen, and politicians, this place seemed to attract mostly ordinary office workers. Moreover, there seemed to be a high demand for male hosts, with the ratio of female staff to male hosts almost equal.

“We needed another host, but… Did this one cause trouble at his previous place?”

The older man, who introduced himself as the owner, asked as soon as Yeonjo entered with the man in the t-shirt.

“Did he, perhaps, try to scam a married guy and get caught?”

“He just had negative sales.”

“Hmm, I doubt that.”

The owner scrutinized Yeonjo with a skeptical gaze, as if inspecting a defective product.

“If you have any dirty secrets, tell me now. So I can take them into consideration when running my business.”

“Oh, come on. I don’t have any secrets. You’re so suspicious, old man.”

The man in the t-shirt snapped irritably. Unfazed, the owner raised his voice.

“How can I not be suspicious? The staff here is already a mess, and I don’t need any more troublemakers!”

“Hyungnim, or rather Boss Gu-nim, was just training him, that’s why he’s injured. Other than that, he’s no trouble.”

“…Training? Figures. Did the manager actually train a man before?”

The owner tilted his head, as if he’d never heard of such a thing.

“Does it matter?”

“No, I guess not…”

“Here are his documents. Review them carefully. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

The man in the t-shirt, after a few more words with the owner, left, leaving Yeonjo behind. The owner immediately grabbed a passing host and put Yeonjo in his care.

“Hey, take him and show him the ropes.”

“Ugh… What a pain.”

The host, who had been eyeing Yeonjo warily, reluctantly led the way. Though he treated Yeonjo dismissively, Yeonjo managed to learn the layout of the place and memorize the basic menu.

This place was much more explicit than Phoenix. Everything, from fondling to sex, was permitted in the rooms, with a detailed price list for each act and duration. It was unsettling information. He had thought he was resigned to selling his body, but seeing the itemized price list made him nauseous.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, the entire establishment had been booked weeks in advance by a construction company hosting overseas clients, so there was nothing for Yeonjo to do that day.

Returning to the dormitory early, Yeonjo decided to visit his grandmother in the hospital. He had been worried about getting permission to leave for personal reasons, but the guards readily agreed. They probably knew he wouldn’t run away, knowing they had all his personal information. The documents the man in the t-shirt had given to the owner were full of sensitive details that could be used against him.

“Oh my, your grandson is here! He was waiting so eagerly, but he fell asleep. What a shame….”

Another patient, lying next to Yeonjo’s grandmother, greeted Yeonjo with a sympathetic look. The elderly woman seemed to know a lot about his grandmother, suggesting they often chatted.

“I brought some fruit. Please, have some.”

“What a handsome young man. It’s no wonder your grandmother brags about you all the time.”

The elderly woman smiled as Yeonjo diligently stocked the small refrigerator in the room with supplements.

“Are you a student?”

“No.”

“Silly me, you said you work at a company, didn’t you? Then you’re not married yet?”

Embarrassed, Yeonjo nodded. The elderly woman excitedly offered to introduce him to her granddaughter. Yeonjo simply smiled in response.

The conversation continued, touching on hospital life, chemotherapy, caregivers, and boasting about children.

Yeonjo, who had been listening quietly, suddenly stood up as his grandmother opened her eyes.

“Grandma. How are you feeling?”

“My Yeonjo is here?”

“Yes, just now.”

“Why didn’t you wake me? You must be busy.”

“No, I’m not busy at all. You should sleep when you’re tired.”

Yeonjo helped her sit up in bed. His grandmother’s complexion looked better than before. The surgery had been successful, and she seemed more comfortable, the pain less intense.

“Grandma, your hands are so cold. Ah, I bought you some heat packs and thermal underwear. And this tea is supposed to be good for you. There are also supplements in the refrigerator, make sure you have them warmed up every morning.”

Massaging his grandmother’s wrinkled hands, Yeonjo rummaged through the shopping bag, pulling out the items and explaining how to use them.

“You’re more caring than my own granddaughter. I’m so envious.”

“I told you, my grandson is a good boy.”

“I spoke with the doctor earlier. He said if you keep eating well and continue with the treatment, you’ll be able to go home. So make sure you tell me if anything hurts and don’t skip meals.”

“Yeonjo, are you sure you’re alright with the hospital bills? It must have been very expensive…”

His grandmother hesitated, then held his hand tightly as she asked.

“Don’t worry about that.”

“But it’s not a small amount. Staying here costs money. Old age is a curse…”

“Don’t say that, Grandma. A friend helped me out, so everything is taken care of. You don’t need to worry about the money.”

His grandmother seemed to have more to say, but seeing Yeonjo’s firm expression, she closed her mouth. They then talked about mundane things, like the hospital food, the cool night air, and her afternoon walks.

After making sure his grandmother had warmed up her supplements, Yeonjo prepared to leave. Reluctant to let him go, knowing he couldn’t visit often, his grandmother held his hand in silence for a long time. When she finally let go, Yeonjo felt a lump in his throat and quickly excused himself, almost fleeing the room.

His heart felt heavy as he left, but he was relieved to see his grandmother’s condition improving. He pushed aside other thoughts, focusing on paying off his debt. If he could pay it off and even earn some money, that would be even better. The work was exhausting, but he wouldn’t have been able to afford the surgery otherwise.

However, the thought of Boss Gu kept nagging at him. Despite their limited interactions, the memory of that first, forced encounter and the subsequent payment weighed heavily on his mind.

He still remembered the look of disgust in the man’s eyes. Was that his usual demeanor, or did he particularly dislike Yeonjo? In Yeonjo’s experience, it was usually the latter. Whenever he, an orphan, made a mistake or showed any sign of ambition, he was often met with contempt, as if he was reaching for something beyond his grasp.

He was used to such treatment, but for some reason, that man unsettled him. He felt disgusted, exposed, and angry. It was a confusing mix of emotions. That’s why he hoped he would never cross paths with Boss Gu again. Though he knew it was inevitable, working in the territory Boss Gu controlled.

He needed to find a different job as soon as he paid off his debt. That was his best option for now.

Resolving to work hard, Yeonjo returned to the dormitory.

🚬

The next day, Yeonjo arrived at the new room salon on time. Getting chosen by clients wasn’t difficult, but for someone with a low tolerance for alcohol, the job was grueling.

A man who introduced himself as a tax accountant seemed amused by Yeonjo’s quick descent into tipsiness after just a few drinks and kept pushing more alcohol on him. Yeonjo’s vision blurred as he downed the strong, unfamiliar drinks.

Moans echoed from the next room, but the client next to Yeonjo seemed uninterested in physical intimacy or a second round. He simply listened to Yeonjo’s slurred ramblings. He occasionally caressed Yeonjo’s thighs and waist, which Yeonjo interpreted as a cue to initiate something, but he was stopped. Another drink was placed in front of him.

Just as he thought he couldn’t take another sip, the client finally stood up, suggesting they go to a nearby motel.

Yeonjo was relieved. In this world, sex translated to money. It was also proof of his ability to work. He wanted to prove his worth, to show that he was useful.

Sex with the man was still painful. However, unlike Boss Gu, the client didn’t slap him, whip him with a belt, or kick him. He seemed to derive pleasure simply from penetrating Yeonjo’s helpless, intoxicated body.

As Boss Gu had instructed, even in his drunken state, Yeonjo put the condom on the man’s penis with his mouth and only used lubricant with the client’s permission. He fought to stay conscious, determined not to cum without permission, even as his mind swam.

However, unlike his involuntary climax with Boss Gu, he felt nothing, no matter how much the client thrust inside him. He remained flaccid throughout.

As time went on, his limbs grew heavy. Even as the man’s penis moved roughly inside him, he couldn’t move or change positions. His muscles felt like they had melted.

Perhaps it was because his encounter with Boss Gu had been so brutal. Compared to that, the client’s penis was smaller, and he finished much quicker. Though the client constantly insulted him with vulgar language, Yeonjo thought it was bearable compared to Boss Gu.

He remembered little else. When he finally regained consciousness, he was lying alone in the motel bed. The client had left, leaving a slightly larger than usual tip and his contact information.

A splitting headache, a heavy body, a slight sense of emptiness, and money. That was all Yeonjo had when he woke up.

Sex wasn’t a big deal after all. He thought dryly. He went to the bathroom, washed up, pocketed the money, and left the motel.

🚬

After that, Yeonjo’s weak constitution and low stamina continued to cause problems. Returning to work that afternoon, he was plagued by indigestion and a lingering hangover.

Even hangover remedies were useless. Trying to ignore the churning in his stomach, he was summoned to a room as soon as the room salon opened.

Drinking every night and entertaining clients was taking its toll. He could barely focus on their conversations, constantly asking them to repeat themselves.

He was even called out by a manager and reprimanded. It seemed one of the other hosts in the room, who had been watching him with disapproval, had complained.

He tried to focus, but his body felt heavy and numb, as if he had been severely beaten. The smell of food and cigarettes triggered waves of nausea and headaches. Finally, after accepting a drink from a new client, he threw up.

He was kicked out of the room and dragged away by the guards. Seeing Yeonjo’s pale face, the owner impassively informed him that his earnings for the day would be negative.

Since Yeonjo was clearly unfit to work, the owner sent him back to the dormitory, offering a perfunctory piece of advice about managing his health.

Although he felt much better the next day, Yeonjo wasn’t happy. At this rate, his debt would only increase, and he might have to resort to loan sharks again.

How did the other hosts manage to show up for work every day, smiling as if nothing had happened?

He lacked their stamina, and his poor health was evident in his appearance. He envied the other hosts, who could handle their alcohol.

Should he run away? The thought crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. He had overheard conversations among the staff, and the stories about those who had run away without paying their debts never ended well. Especially in Boss Gu’s territory.

Moreover, the room salon had all his information. They probably knew about his grandmother, too. He had foolishly mentioned his responsibility to support his family when asking for permission to visit the hospital. It was a stupid mistake. He should have been more careful.

Should he start exercising? Would improving his physical condition help? Lost in thought, he was startled by a waiter rushing into the waiting room.

“Hey, you guys are up next. Everyone here, follow me.”

Without further explanation, the waiter hurried them along. Fifteen hosts, including Yeonjo, followed him, bewildered.

Stopping in front of a room, the waiter instructed them to check their appearance.

“Why is that asshole so uptight today? Is it an important client?”

“Leave him alone, he’s always like that.”

“Whenever he fusses like this, the client always turns out to be a pain in the ass. Ugh.”

Complaints filled the air, but the waiter seemed oblivious.

“When the door opens, go in five at a time.”

Since Yeonjo was standing near the front, he was in the first group to enter the room. The hosts whispered excitedly, speculating about a high-roller client, given the waiter’s anxious behavior. Yeonjo stared at the floor, following the others as they began to walk.

The door opened, and a strong smell of cigarettes wafted out. He heard a voice, speaking excitedly.

“This stuff is amazing when mixed with alcohol. As long as you control the dosage, it’s clean and there are no problems… Huh?”

The man with the pomade hairstyle, who had been passionately explaining something, stopped mid-sentence. The man next to him, wearing a thick gold necklace, also frowned, looking at the hosts standing at the entrance.

“What the hell? They’re all men? The manager said we didn’t need any boys.”

Yeonjo flinched at the word “manager.” Could it be…?

“Oh, is that so? There must have been a miscommunication.”

The waiter bowed deeply, apologizing. He muttered to himself, “Damn it, I was told he was into men, too.”

Yeonjo nervously scanned the room.

Unlike Phoenix, this room had a small stage with a standing microphone, like a karaoke bar. Behind it were sofas and tables for the clients. Boss Gu sat in the middle of the sofa.

Yeonjo’s heart leaped into his throat. A chill ran down his spine.

Why was he here? He was supposed to be managing the territory, not acting as a client.

“Then we’ll excuse ourselves.”

“Stop.”

Boss Gu commanded curtly. The waiter, who had been pushing Yeonjo and the other hosts out of the room, froze and turned around.

“Excuse me?”

“Hyungnim, are you going to choose?”

The man with the gold necklace asked. Boss Gu’s eyes fixed on Yeonjo.

Yeonjo felt his stomach drop. The memory of that night in the storage room flashed through his mind.

Please, just let me go. Let me leave.

He pleaded silently. But the words “get out” never came. The waiter, realizing he had made a serious mistake, shifted nervously. The other hosts stood awkwardly, waiting.

“Well… these guys would know more about this kind of product. It’s pretty common in this business. There are even guys who specifically look for this kind of stuff. Haven’t you all tried Kill Shot and Heaven? They were all the rage back then.”

The man with the pomade hairstyle broke the silence, chattering next to Boss Gu. The man with the gold necklace responded.

“I’ve tried Kill Shot a few times. It feels good when you take it, but the aftereffects are a bitch. Something like that won’t cut it in our territory.”

The dismissive tone irritated the man with the pomade.

“Oh, this is different from that cheap stuff. Think of it as an upgraded version of Kill Shot. Once this hits the market, everyone will be hooked. Just give us a chance, and we’ll prove its effectiveness.”

“How much is the dosage?”

“I’ll show you a sample. Our technicians have perfected the formula, you won’t be disappointed.”

The man with the pomade pulled a box containing vials and a template from his bag. He seemed completely uninterested in the hosts standing before him, focused solely on his sales pitch. The other men on the sofa seemed equally indifferent.

Only Boss Gu stared intently at Yeonjo.

He leaned back against the sofa, one arm draped over the back. The ice in his glass clinked.

“Donggeun, a light.”

At Boss Gu’s words, the man with the gold necklace, who had been preoccupied with the drugs, snapped to attention. “Yes, Hyungnim,” he replied, his voice filled with respect, and fumbled in his pocket. He quickly produced a lighter and lit Boss Gu’s cigarette with both hands.

Yeonjo stared blankly at the drinks and snacks on the table, hoping this would all be over soon. As the silence continued, the waiter fidgeted, unsure if he should discreetly leave the room.

“Look at me. Stop looking away.”

The voice cut through the noise, piercing Yeonjo’s ears. Though not loud, it jolted him as if he had been shouted at. He snapped his head up, meeting Boss Gu’s gaze, his body freezing under the man’s intense stare. Boss Gu’s eyes held him captive, like a thick, inescapable mire.

“Do you want another beating for disrespecting a client by avoiding eye contact?”

“N, no.”

Terrified, Yeonjo shook his head. The man with the pomade, pointing at Yeonjo, interjected.

“Do you know him?”

“Of course he does. Hyungnim is in charge of this entire area now.”

“Ah, I heard. Congratulations, Boss Gu-nim.”

“What should we do, Hyungnim? Should we send them away?”

“Let’s test it out now.”

Boss Gu said, taking a drag from his cigarette, his arm still draped over the sofa. Ash fell onto his shirt, but he didn’t seem to care. He looked like a thug.

“Hyungnim, how do you want to… Ah. On him?”

“We’re confident in this product. It’s made by an expert with over 20 years of experience in compounding. We can provide as much as you need for the test today!”

The man with the pomade took a small vial filled with purple pills from the box and placed it on the table. Boss Gu examined the strange-colored pills, then nodded towards Yeonjo.

“Good. Let’s see how it works on him.”

“Exactly! It’s amazing when you’re fucking someone and they take it. It gets the blood flowing…”

“What are you waiting for? Get over here.”

Boss Gu interrupted him. Since his gaze remained fixed on Yeonjo, the waiter and the other hosts all glanced at him.

Yeonjo broke out in a cold sweat, feeling like he was standing at the gates of hell. The encounter with Boss Gu made his stomach churn. The memory of the pain he had inflicted was still vivid.

He could sense the blatant hostility in the man’s eyes. But why him? Was this another way for Boss Gu to express his disgust?

Unanswered questions swirled in his mind, tormenting him.

“Hey, hurry up.”

Someone nudged Yeonjo’s stiff back. He stumbled towards the sofa. His heart pounded as he approached Boss Gu.

One of Boss Gu’s subordinates discreetly moved aside, making space for him. Yeonjo forced his aching body to sit next to Boss Gu.

Everyone in the room held their breath, watching them.

“Give him the drug.”

At Boss Gu’s command, the man with the pomade snapped out of his daze and took a purple pill from the vial, dropping it into an empty glass.

“You put one pill in at a time…”

“Pour the drink.”

Boss Gu interrupted him again. Trying to appear calm under the intense scrutiny, Yeonjo picked up a bottle from the table with both hands and poured the drink into Boss Gu’s glass. His hands trembled slightly from nerves, but he gripped the bottle tightly, careful not to spill.

The pill dissolved quickly in the amber liquid, disappearing without a trace.

“Well then, let’s wrap this up… Shall we call it a day?”

The man with the gold necklace suddenly stood up. The others, including the man with the pomade, looked at him in confusion.

“Huh? Now?”

“Are you planning to watch Hyungnim have fun?”

“Ah…”

“Let’s go. I’ll contact you within this week.”

The man’s words felt like a death sentence to Yeonjo. The man with the gold necklace, who seemed adept at reading Boss Gu’s mood, quickly ushered everyone out of the room, leaving Yeonjo alone with him.

Yeonjo wished the earth would swallow him whole. Of all the bad luck. To encounter him again, at work. What if this kept happening?

“Drink.”

“Excuse me?”

Startled, Yeonjo snapped out of his thoughts.

“Are you deaf? Drink.”

He pushed the glass, now containing the dissolved pill, towards Yeonjo. Yeonjo swallowed hard, accepting the amber liquid.

A thousand thoughts raced through his mind. Why him? Boss Gu clearly didn’t like him. Quite the opposite, in fact. Having lived his entire life as an orphan, Yeonjo was acutely sensitive to hatred, even if he often missed the signs of affection.

Whatever the reason, Yeonjo had endured countless unfair situations. He was resigned. After all, he had sold himself that day. He had no choice but to accept it.

“Huu…”

He quickly downed the drink before the man could resort to violence. It burned his throat, the alcohol potent.

“It’s too strong, ugh!”

Unable to finish it in one gulp, he coughed. Boss Gu’s jaw tightened, mistaking his reaction for defiance.

“Cough, cough, haa…”

“Ah, I forgot the most important thing for a money-grubbing bastard like you.”

He took out his wallet, just like last time. This time, instead of bills, he pulled out a wad of 50,000 won notes, too many to count.

Yeonjo’s eyes followed the yellow bills as they fell to the floor like trash. A shiver of fear ran through him, but his mind raced, calculating how much of his debt he could pay off with that amount.

Boss Gu repeated his command in a monotone.

“Drink it all.”

Even though he knew it was drugged, Yeonjo tried to force down the rest of the drink. But the burning sensation in his throat and stomach stopped him.

He bent over, coughing uncontrollably. Was it the high alcohol content, or the unknown drug? He felt a wave of nausea, his body rejecting the drink. Or perhaps it was his visceral aversion to Boss Gu.

“If you don’t drink it all by the time I finish this cigarette, you’ll be drinking it with your ass, not your mouth.”

Despite the cruel threat, Boss Gu’s voice remained flat as he tapped the ash from his cigarette into the ashtray.

Pouring alcohol into his ass… Yeonjo knew he wasn’t bluffing. He forced down the rest of the drink.

He could tell the drug dissolved in the alcohol was some kind of aphrodisiac, but the uncertainty of its exact nature made him uneasy. He swallowed the burning sensation, placing the empty glass on the table. He felt a strange squirming sensation in his stomach.

“So, what should I do now…?”

“Do I have to explain everything to a whore like you?”

He stubbed his cigarette out in a dish of snacks. Was he expecting Yeonjo to crawl back under the table and suck his cock? Yeonjo’s mind raced, desperately trying to figure out how to please Boss Gu.

“Go up there and jerk off. Make it enticing.”

Boss Gu said, seeing Yeonjo’s hesitation. He pointed towards the karaoke machine, or more precisely, the small raised platform that served as a stage.

“Excuse me?”

Slap!

As soon as Yeonjo asked, Boss Gu’s hand lashed out. The blow felt as though his skin had been scraped raw against the pavement. He clutched his cheek, unable to scream.

“I told you not to make me repeat myself.”

“I’m… sorry.”

Even though he knew what to expect, the pain was excruciating. He collapsed onto the carpet, then crawled on all fours towards the platform. The dim lighting in the room amplified his fear.

Gasping for breath, Yeonjo grabbed a chair on the platform and pulled himself up. It was a tall bar stool. A standing microphone stood beside it. He fumbled for the seat, finally managing to sit down. Boss Gu watched him, his expression unreadable.

Yeonjo’s trembling hands reached for his belt buckle. Shame burned his face. To masturbate in front of someone… He had never even imagined such a scenario. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had masturbated. This was so humiliating that he would rather be forced and penetrated like before.

He took a deep breath. The sight of the 50,000 won bills scattered on the floor reminded him that this wasn’t entirely a loss.

He pulled his pants and underwear down to his thighs and took hold of his flaccid penis. He stroked it a few times, but felt nothing. Who could possibly masturbate with that terrifying man staring at him?

But he had no choice but to obey. He began to pump his hand, worried that he might not be able to get hard.

He suddenly remembered the grotesque dragon tattoo on Boss Gu’s back, over the burn scar. The twisted dragon, staring at him with a fiery orb clutched in its claws. The chilling feeling he had felt upon seeing it for the first time was the same feeling he was experiencing now, looking at Boss Gu’s face.

“Uh.”

“You’re almost hairless. Did you shave it to make it more appealing to clients?”

“N, no…”

Yeonjo shook his head, continuing to stroke himself. Everything about Boss Gu, his words, his actions, his gaze, reinforced the feeling that Yeonjo was nothing but a prostitute. The atmosphere in the room, carefully orchestrated by Boss Gu, amplified the feeling.

The money scattered on the floor, the strong alcohol, the dim lighting, the bitter smell of cigarettes, and the unknown drug now coursing through his veins.

Yet, he remained frustratingly unaroused. No matter how much he stroked himself, he felt nothing, not even a flicker of arousal.

He glanced nervously at Boss Gu, worried that he would be punished for not performing properly.

Boss Gu, sitting with his legs spread wide, watched Yeonjo as if he were watching a movie, a glass in his hand. He took a sip, his sharp gaze still fixed on Yeonjo.

Yeonjo noticed a bulge in Boss Gu’s crotch. The outline of his penis was clearly visible through his tailored pants, starkly erect.

“……”

A sudden flush crept up Yeonjo’s face. He shrank back, a strange feeling washing over him. He hadn’t felt anything before… but the moment he realized the man was aroused, the blood in his own body seemed to heat up.

Though he knew it was the drug, he felt ashamed of his reaction, as if a secret had been exposed.

“How does it feel?”

Boss Gu asked, as if reading his mind. The ice clinked in his glass.

“…It… tingles…”

Yeonjo barely managed to answer, his voice a breath. His previously lifeless penis was beginning to harden. Startled by the change, he bit his lower lip.

“Front, or back?”

“Front…”

“Good. Keep stroking.”

Yeonjo obeyed. It was definitely different from before, when he had felt nothing but dryness. A tingling arousal spread through his body, making his lower back ache. With every stroke, the urge to cum intensified. The tip of his penis flushed a deeper shade of pink.

He felt like he was about to climax. He gritted his teeth, tensing his lower abdomen, trying to hold back.

“H, how long do I have to do this…?”

“Until I tell you to stop.”

His voice was firm, as if Yeonjo’s struggles were of no concern to him.

While Yeonjo wanted to disappear from embarrassment, Boss Gu seemed unfazed by his own arousal, making no attempt to hide it.

His sharp, predatory gaze, his harsh features, his imposing figure… Even from a distance, he seemed like a hungry beast, ready to pounce and devour Yeonjo.

“Huuh, uh, ah…!”

He was a wild predator, and Yeonjo was nothing but a helpless herbivore, begging for mercy. To be aroused in front of this man, like prey offering itself to its predator… in this humiliating situation…

He must be losing his mind. Even if it was the drug’s effect.

“Haa… haa.”

Yeonjo closed his eyes, refusing to acknowledge the rising pleasure, a betrayal of his own will.

“Don’t close your eyes. You should know who you’re spreading your legs for.”

But Boss Gu caught him.

“Hup… uh.”

Yeonjo opened his eyes and bit his lip. The strange sensation had spread to his lower abdomen. Pre-cum oozed from the tip of his penis, making it slick.

“Ah! I, I can’t anymore…!”

He was at his limit. He couldn’t take any more stimulation. He writhed, his thighs clenching, his body trembling. Pleasure and pain warred within him, his forehead slick with sweat.

“Stop.”

“Haa… haa…”

“Prepare your ass. Make it easy for me to use.”

Just as Yeonjo was about to cum, Boss Gu gave him permission to stop. He quickly pulled his hand away from his throbbing penis, gasping for air. He then reached down and began to prepare himself, as instructed.

Despite having done this before, he felt repulsed. His entrance was still tight, and the insertion of his fingers sent shivers of discomfort through him. He licked his fingers, then spread his buttocks, pushing his fingers in as deep as he could. It would lessen the pain later.

His desperation to escape the situation grew.

“Ah!”

Perched precariously on the stool, Yeonjo’s hips twitched. Though the intrusion was initially unpleasant, as he inserted his second finger, a strange warmth spread through his lower abdomen. He could feel his inner walls clenching around his fingers. At the same time, an unbearable itch, centered where his fingertip touched, made him writhe.

“Huh, huu… ah, it’s too much…”

Boss Gu watched Yeonjo’s reaction with amusement, picking at the snacks. He seemed accustomed to such displays.

Sitting on the bar stool, Yeonjo spread his thighs wide, inserting his third finger. Though his insides remained dry, the entrance was now significantly looser.

The problem was the tingling sensation that shot up from his perineum with every movement, even though he wasn’t inserting his fingers deeply. His penis, stimulated solely by the actions at his rear, throbbed, threatening to erupt. He desperately suppressed the urge, knowing he would be punished if he came without permission. He looked pleadingly at Boss Gu.

“Ugh, huhp…! I, I’m ready…”

“Put on a condom and come here.”

Boss Gu gestured with his hand, still holding a snack, as Yeonjo choked back a moan. Yeonjo shakily got off the stool.

Boss Gu’s dark eyebrows twitched as he watched Yeonjo’s unsteady gait.

“Crawl.”

“…….”

Yeonjo immediately dropped to the floor and crawled down the platform, kneeling at Boss Gu’s feet. He felt the bills crinkling under his knees and hands. He reached for Boss Gu’s pants, then hesitated, remembering something.

“I don’t have any condoms… Should I get some from outside?”

Boss Gu’s face darkened at the interruption. He raised his hand. Yeonjo instinctively cowered, expecting a slap. But instead, his gloved hand reached past Yeonjo and pressed a button on the table.

Yeonjo sighed in relief, placing a hand over his racing heart.

“Yes, Manager. How can I help you?”

A voice came through the speaker, a dedicated line for the VIP rooms.

“Bring a box of condoms to the room.”

“Certainly. Is there anything else you require?”

Boss Gu ignored the question and ended the call. Yeonjo looked at him, surprised. The thought of someone entering the room and seeing him naked and kneeling in front of Boss Gu filled him with dread.

“Um, can’t I just go get them?”

He pleaded, forgetting his fear.

“Looking like that?”

Boss Gu scoffed, looking down at him. His dark eyes raked over Yeonjo’s pale body. Yeonjo blushed as he felt Boss Gu’s gaze linger on his erect penis.

Even he thought it was a ridiculous suggestion. To go outside and get condoms while naked and hard.

“Don’t be absurd. Just take out your cock and suck it properly.”

Boss Gu nudged Yeonjo’s bony ankle with his shoe. Remembering his place, Yeonjo unzipped Boss Gu’s pants with his teeth. Though it was awkward with Boss Gu sitting down, he had experience undressing men this way.

The zipper slid down. He fumbled with the fabric, then nudged the tip of Boss Gu’s penis with his nose. He could feel it twitch at the teasing touch. He placed his hand on Boss Gu’s rock-hard thigh and expertly pulled out the penis. It was so large that he felt his jaw dislocate just from pulling it out of the underwear.

The thought of having to deepthroat that massive cock filled him with dread. He buried his face in Boss Gu’s groin, licking the shaft meticulously. The feeling of the hot, wet tongue against the throbbing veins sent shivers through him. His breathing quickened.

The acts that had previously felt purely mechanical now began to stir something within him. Boss Gu’s cold expression, his imposing figure, his hard, throbbing cock, his strong hands, his electrifying gaze… As he became aware of these things, a familiar ache returned to his lower abdomen.

Was he really losing his mind? What was in that drug that made him aroused by another man?

“Ung…”

Pushing aside the intrusive thoughts, Yeonjo quickly engulfed the man’s penis. The heat from his lower body seemed to have spread to his head, making him dizzy. He wanted something, anything, to quench the burning desire that consumed him.

“Uung, ump, huung… huung.”

He opened his mouth as wide as he could, taking the head deep inside, and began to bob his head. Even now, the size was hard to accommodate. He felt like he was choking even before it reached his throat. He tightened his lips, stifling the moans that escaped him.

“Huu…”

“Ump, uuh, huung! … Huup.”

Loud, wet sounds echoed with every bob of his head. He could feel the muscles in Boss Gu’s thighs tense with pleasure.

“Manager, excuse me for a moment. I brought the condoms you requested…”

“Huh… huu…”

Suddenly, the door opened. The waiter stopped mid-sentence, taking in the scene.

“I brought the condoms.”

He added belatedly, standing awkwardly by the door, gauging Boss Gu’s reaction. Boss Gu, still receiving the blowjob, gestured for the waiter to approach. The waiter, glancing at the 50,000 won bills scattered on the floor, walked towards them.

“Guh!”

As Yeonjo tried to pull away, embarrassed at being seen like this, Boss Gu grabbed the back of his head and ground his face into his groin. Yeonjo choked, his throat completely blocked by the penis. The coarse pubic hair scratched against his nose and upper lip.

“Huu, fuck… Leave them there.”

“Yes, sir. If you don’t require anything else, I’ll take my leave.”

“Take your tip from there.”

“Thank you, Manager.”

The waiter averted his gaze from Yeonjo, who was practically being forced to suck Boss Gu’s cock, gathered the bills from the floor, and left the room. Boss Gu released his grip on Yeonjo’s hair only after the door closed.

“Wooo…! Haa, haa… Cough, cough!”

Released from the suffocating hold, Yeonjo braced himself with his arms, coughing violently.

His watery eyes darted towards the door, then he quickly lowered his head.

“Are you upset about him taking the money?”

“No…”

“Then why are you looking down?”

“Ow!”

Another slap. He grabbed Yeonjo’s chin, forcing him to make eye contact.

“I told you not to close your eyes.”

“I’m sorry, I won’t close my eyes.”

Tears welled in Yeonjo’s eyes. He looked up at Boss Gu. His pale face was reflected in Boss Gu’s dark pupils. His gaze was so intense that Yeonjo felt as if he was clutching his heart.

That unsettling feeling of déjà vu returned. Why did his gaze feel familiar? No one had ever looked at him like that before. It was unnerving, yet…

Pushing aside the creeping unease and confusion, Yeonjo reached for the condoms on the table. He put one in his mouth, as instructed.

Boss Gu watched him. Yeonjo, kneeling on the floor with his split lip, tears streaming down his face, was a pitiful sight. His eyes, lips, and cheeks were red and swollen.

“Uung, uh.”

Yeonjo slowly rolled the condom onto Boss Gu’s penis, covering the tip and the middle of the shaft. He used his hand to roll it down to the base. He succeeded on the first try this time, without being reprimanded. He held his breath to stifle the whimpers that threatened to escape, making him dizzy. Though his split lip stung, his erection persisted. He couldn’t believe it.

He was still aroused even after being caught by the waiter and slapped by Boss Gu. He felt less like a person and more like an animal in heat. Even now, the unbearable sensation prickled his nerves, driving him mad.

Moreover, he no longer felt the pain in his cheek. Despite the force of the slap, which had drawn blood, Yeonjo pressed his face against Boss Gu’s cock, looking up at him, desperate for him to do something, anything, to relieve the tension building inside him.

“Manager… please… I can’t take it anymore…”

Yeonjo whimpered, pleading with Boss Gu. Boss Gu gritted his teeth, muttering curses.

“Don’t whine. You should know better than to act coy after offering your ass like that.”

Despite his harsh words, he was also aroused. He lifted Yeonjo and laid him on the sofa, quickly positioning himself between his legs and aligning his cock with Yeonjo’s entrance.

“W-wait…!”

Yeonjo’s eyes widened at the thick, blunt hardness pressing against him. Even though he had prepared himself, it still seemed too large.

Knowing full well that Yeonjo was frozen in fear, unable to breathe, Boss Gu mercilessly pushed his cock into the tight hole. He frowned at the resistance.

“It’s still tight even with the drug.”

“Ugh, ah… please. Just a little… slowly…”

Clicking his tongue, Boss Gu thrust his hips forward.

“Agh!”

Yeonjo’s body stiffened as the penis entered fully, invading his insides. Without giving him time to adjust, Boss Gu pulled out and then slammed back in, repeating the motion with increasing force.

“Uh! Huuh, please, gently… huuh, ah!”

“Haa.”

“It, it hurts so much. Ugh, my stomach…”

“It’ll take a while to break you in.”

“Agh… ah, aah, too fast! Husp.”

Boss Gu pulled his cock almost all the way out, then slammed back in, hitting a spot deep inside that felt forbidden. Yeonjo bit his lip, suppressing a scream.

“Huu, fuck.”

“Haa… haa, ugh.”

The throbbing veins on the massive cock scraped against his inner walls, like a burning poker. But strangely, despite the agonizing pain, the brutal penetration only intensified the inexplicable pleasure that was building inside him.

“Huung, hak! Uung.”

Seeing the flush on Yeonjo’s cheeks, Boss Gu quickened his pace. His large, rough hands gripped Yeonjo’s thin waist, slamming his hips against him, sending his frail body rocking back and forth.

“Ah, stop… st, stop, please… not so hard, ung, if you do that…!”

Yeonjo’s face contorted in a grimace. It was agonizing, that huge cock ravaging his insides, yet he felt an unbearable yearning.

Whenever the penis hit a certain spot deep inside him, a tingling sensation shot through his body, making his thighs tremble. He wanted it to hit that spot again and again, despite the pain. He whimpered, his inner muscles clenching involuntarily.

“You’re clenching so tight, you’d crush an old man’s dick. Huh, what do you think about that?”

“I, I’m trying not to… ung! But it keeps clenching… hup.”

He mumbled, half-delirious, not even aware of what he was saying. Boss Gu continued his relentless assault, pistoning in and out, as if trying to crush the wet flesh that gripped his cock. Despite the pain, pleasure seemed to dominate, as Yeonjo bit his lip, whimpering.

“Haa…!”

As Boss Gu pulled his cock all the way out and then slammed back in, Yeonjo’s body convulsed, his inner muscles contracting. At the same time, semen erupted from his erect penis. Boss Gu’s lips curled into a snarl at the sight of the white fluid.