ANTITOXIN Chapter 15

“With such a big fish entering, would only that house be in an uproar? All the other houses are going wild too. Every single gun-seller in South Joseon is now anxious to catch that bastard’s eye, that’s what I’m saying. But this bastard isn’t moving at all. They need to be called by him to scurry over and either suck his toes or suck his asshole, but it’s quiet. Not even the sound of a cough comes out. How would those gun-sellers feel. They’d be impatient, right? Going crazy, right? That’s why they even used people to try to uncover that bastard’s background. Because you have to know something to at least give off a scent. I don’t know much, but besides me, there must be several guys following that bastard around, you know? But what on earth is this.”

Clap! President Kim suddenly clapped his hands. It was a gesture meant to arouse interest. His intention worked properly. Seolwon, who grew curious about what happened next, inadvertently urged him on.

“Why?”

When the reaction came as desired, President Kim continued his explanation in an excited voice.

“This bastard contacted another house a few days ago, you see? Where do you think received it? A startup company that’s only been around for eight years. He told those fresh kids who make a living on subcontracts to have a drink together, that’s what happened. What do you think is the interesting part? It just so happens that I’ve played hand-in-glove once before with a guy who holds a high position in that startup. From my perspective, what is it? It’s Hallelujah.”

It was obvious what President Kim would say next.

“So… you are telling me to go to that meeting place?”

“As expected of Mister Shaman! Your intuition is art. You understand right away.”

“But how could I be in such a place…”

Hearing the story, it wasn’t an ordinary difficult place. Yet, an outsider who isn’t even a concerned party participating in such a place? It would be an impossible thing without a proper justification.

To Seolwon, who expressed his doubt, President Kim said with a confident face.

“Of course, I’ve set the whole place up. I told you earlier. I played hand-in-glove with a guy who holds a high position there. That gentleman almost got caught by his wife while keeping two households in the past. If I hadn’t looked past it and handed over the evidence, think about it. He would have been stripped of everything by his wife and ended up sitting on the street. He owes me a debt, so how could he hold out without listening to my request?”

“…”

He said he had prepared everything. By this point, it was truly difficult to pull his foot out. Since he had drawn up the plan perfectly, no matter what excuse he made, President Kim would not accept it.

At Seolwon’s appearance of being unable to refuse flatly while still showing a look of displeasure, President Kim smiled coyly.

“There’s nothing difficult at all. Go inside, look at that guy’s face, listen to the talk going back and forth, and then if there’s something you find out, let me know and it’s over. I’ll plug in the divination fee right away, so don’t worry.”

Words are easy.

“Even if I see him in person, I cannot give a firm answer that I can find out meaningful information.”

While there were opponents whose personal details were read smoothly like a vending machine just upon seeing them, there were also opponents whom he couldn’t grasp at all no matter how much he looked. For Seolwon, who had to read by relying entirely on his own intuition and spiritual energy, it was difficult to guarantee that he could obtain the degree of information President Kim desired.

“Right, right. Let’s just try for now. Damn it, there’s nothing to lose anyway. If it goes well, it’s good for both of us, and even if it doesn’t work out, there’s no loss for Mister Shaman.”

“…”

Looking at the way he spoke, even if it didn’t go well, there was a sign that he would unconditionally give the promised reward. It didn’t seem like he would hold this side responsible either. Just as President Kim said, it was a condition that wasn’t bad to that extent. No, conversely, it was to a level where it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it was an advantageous condition for this side. …Even so, the unpleasant feeling did not vanish.

“Well, then… we’re in agreement?”

President Kim, who was gauging his reaction, stealthily extended a formless contract. He had judged that in the end, he would respond to the proposal.

Only after hesitating for a while longer after that did Seolwon let out a faint sigh and press a stamp with his mouth.

“Yes.”

1—3

The meeting place was a restaurant flanking Namsan. Since it was entertainment, he had vaguely imagined a place like a bar with a karaoke room attached, but lo and behold. The establishment he encountered after crossing a large main gate and a wide garden possessed a Hanok-style exterior.

Perhaps because of that. Seolwon recalled his hometown house after a long time. Because that house was no less elegant in its exterior. However, whether because of the red lanterns hanging beneath the eaves, the atmosphere was quite different. If his hometown house exuded a tranquil yet dreary atmosphere, this place gave off a distinctively decadent feeling that would only be felt in an old gisaeng house.

The restaurant, which resembled that place quite a bit, gave Seolwon an impression that was discomfort rather than longing. It must be because it was a place he threw away and left. The surrounding energy also contributed to the discomfort. On top of flanking a mountain at the back, the fact that a dismal energy was thickly spread like fog made it a perfect environment for wandering spirits to gather.

A place where countless energies are intricately intertwined is precisely a mountain. Heaven and earth, humans and animals, life and death, Yang energy and Yin energy, vitality and stagnation, sound and silence… Countless energies that have existed since the beginning of time and accumulated until now, which cannot be fully expressed in words, would be pooling in that mountain. That energy would draw in souls.

The wind blowing from the mountain, the trembling of the trees, the whispering of the thickets. All of that is a kind of signal that calls for wandering spirits. In many ways, it was a place where he didn’t want to stay long. Although he would have no reason to come again after today anyway.

As he stepped into the main building, a woman dressed in a luxurious Hanbok came out to greet them as if she had been waiting.

“Welcome, Executive Director Hwang. It’s been a long time since I saw you.”

To the graceful greeting, the man standing in front of Seolwon responded.

“Uh-huh, it’s been a long time.”

The man was Executive Director Hwang Sanghoon of the K-Defense Business Strategy Team, the very man with two households that President Kim spoke of. The interesting thing was that he hadn’t found out because President Kim told him. Seolwon could just tell upon seeing him. It was because there was something that appeared vaguely as if in a spiritual mirror. What did he see, he saw two people locking arms with him. However, there was one bewildering part. The person locking his right arm was a woman, but the person locking his left arm was a man. It seemed one partner among the two households was a man. Even judging by the felt unfaithfulness, it didn’t seem like he was keeping only two households either. There would likely be more.

“How is business, is it going well? You’re living with grease on your lips, right?”

As if he had already come to the establishment several times, his attitude in treating the woman was quite familiar. It was an appearance that lent strength to the assumption that it wouldn’t end with two households.

“As you can see. It’s the Chrysanthemum Room at 8 o’clock today, correct?”

“Yeah. But by any chance, is there anyone who arrived before us?”

“No. You arrived the earliest.”

“That’s a relief. Ah, right, you know, right? Put a lot of care into it today. Because it’s an important seat.”

“By all means. Do you not know us?”

“I know. Because I know, that’s why I came here. But put even more care into it. Today this isn’t an ordinary drinking party. It’s a drinking party where my life is at stake. You get it?”

“Yes, yes. Don’t worry and follow me.”

Following the woman, Executive Director Hwang moved, and following Executive Director Hwang, Seolwon moved. Stepping inside, they passed a hallway extending to the right. The wooden floor laid on the ground was so smooth that Seolwon walked while putting strength all the way to his toes, wondering if he might fall by any chance. The steps of the woman who led the way only stopped upon reaching in front of the sliding paper door at the very end.

“It is here. Please step inside.”

The woman opened the sliding door and gestured politely toward the inside. This time too, Executive Director Hwang stepped inside first, and Seolwon followed inside while keeping a distance of about two steps.

The room where a large low table was placed was quite wide. The interior was as elegant as the exterior; a traditional folding screen occupied one wall, and on the ceiling, exposed rafters were beautifully arranged. The white porcelain kettle and cups placed on top of the table also contributed to the elegant feeling pursued by the restaurant.

Taking a seat at the middle point of the table toward the door side, Executive Director Hwang gestured to Seolwon, telling him to sit next to him. Approaching hesitantly, Seolwon sat quietly next to him as directed.

“You understand, right? Don’t make a single peep, just stay quietly and leave.”