Projection Novel (Completed) - Chapter 55

“…” The executives craned their necks to check the contents of the case. Gasps were heard here and there, and the auditorium began to buzz. Cheon Sejoo, standing behind Shin Gyoyeon, couldn’t confirm what was inside the case, but he could infer its contents from the stench of decay.

“I wanted to show you something more intact, but unfortunately, I had to send the head to the Chairman. So, please be satisfied with this.” Shin Gyoyeon spoke softly, then smiled broadly and gestured with his chin. Chae Beomjun then picked up the case from the floor and walked forward. He handed the case to the executive sitting at the very end of the front row. It was a sign to pass around the fate of the traitor. In the process, Cheon Sejoo could confirm what was in the bag: a neatly peeled back-hide with DG’s tiger tattoo, its symbol, etched into it. Since the design had changed once over time, with the Chinese character “Dae-gam” inscribed on it, no one doubted that the owner of that tattoo was Kang Junmyeon.

In the silence, the executives’ expressions gradually changed as they realized what kind of death Kang Junmyeon had met. Shin Gyoyeon’s smiling face, as if nothing had happened, was chilling.

“If he tried to sell out the organization without knowing his place, he must have been prepared for that much. I even feel a bit grateful that I killed him cleanly, but…” Cheon Sejoo quietly gritted his teeth at his smiling words. Kang Junmyeon’s body, which he had last confirmed, was in no state that could be described as having been “killed cleanly.” Though, it might be clean in Shin Gyoyeon’s perspective.

“Anyway, I didn’t call you here to talk about what’s already happened. It’s just that these days, perhaps because the succession process is delayed, there seem to be a lot of ridiculous schemes being hatched here and there.” The biggest of those ridiculous schemes was Kang Junmyeon’s, and among those gathered here, there were a few who were also planning similar things. Shin Gyoyeon continued, glancing at those who bowed their heads and avoided his gaze.

“It seems some people are mistaken. They imagine that the organization exists because they are in it, and that they exist because the organization does… Such absurd fantasies.” Having said that, Shin Gyoyeon slowly turned his head and scanned the executives. Some avoided his eyes, while others met his gaze directly. At their reactions, Shin Gyoyeon squinted his eyes, smiled pleasantly, and then looked up at Baek Seonghwan, who stood beside him.

Baek Seonghwan nodded, then stepped forward, pushing through the executives to grab someone and pull them to their feet. Cheon Sejoo held his breath, watching his actions. Finally, Baek Seonghwan dragged the person he had gripped by both arms and stood him before Shin Gyoyeon. Cheon Sejoo swallowed a silent sigh and clenched his fist as he met the trembling eyes. Han Jonghyun stood directly in front of him.

Shin Gyoyeon slightly raised his gaze to look up at Han Jonghyun and said, “I’m sure everyone here knows about our Director Han Jonghyun.”

Han Jonghyun was a notorious troublemaker within DG. He caused so much trouble that no one was unaware of his antics, yet the fact that he received no punishment due to Shin Gyoyeon’s protection made him even more famous.

When Han Jonghyun was dragged forward, Shin Ji-han, who knew him well, frowned and crossed his arms. Shin Ji-han, who ran a club in Cheongdam-dong, was Shin Gyoyeon’s younger brother and virtually the one who brought Han Jonghyun into the organization; their relationship was quite close.

“I know many of you have been curious about Director Han. Every time Director Han caused trouble, and every time I took no action, you must have lost sleep wondering why I kept Han Jonghyun around.” A few executives nodded. Shin Gyoyeon watched them, leisurely crossing his legs. Leaning deep into the chair, he placed his hand on the armrest and tapped his fingertips, as if counting, as he spoke.

“To be honest, I was just curious. How many people would show resistance if I gave power to a pathetic, worthless piece of trash like Han Jonghyun, who has no abilities whatsoever?” Han Jonghyun’s body flinched. His condition, seen from behind, was pathetic. There were bluish marks around his shirt-covered neck, as if he had been strangled, and his dangling hands trembled severely. He kept twitching his legs as Shin Gyoyeon continued to speak, as if he wanted to run away immediately.

The CEO also expects something from me, Han Jonghyun’s bitter voice, which he had heard once, echoed in his ears. Cheon Sejoo slowly felt a rising uneasiness and clasped his hands behind his back. His palms were damp with sweat.

“Well, fortunately, nothing like that happened. Everyone seemed to understand where the power truly comes from. In fact, there were even people who came to me, wanting to be like Director Han.” Having said that, Shin Gyoyeon laughed, as if genuinely amused, and added, without knowing their place.

Then he stood up and reached out. With a sharp grip, Shin Gyoyeon painfully seized Han Jonghyun’s hair, turning his head to face the executives. The air felt taut. In the tension, where one couldn’t even breathe freely, only Han Jonghyun’s faint sobs echoed.

“Save, save me…” 

“It was you who climbed over the line…” At that moment, a chilling voice directed itself at Han Jonghyun. Shin Gyoyeon pressed down on his head, forcing him to his knees. Thud, Han Jonghyun’s legs buckled, and he clung to Shin Gyoyeon’s trousers with both hands. Unaware that his scalp was being pulled, Han Jonghyun bowed his head and pleaded in a hoarse voice.

“CEO, CEO, save, hiccup, save me…” But no one listened to his plea. Shin Gyoyeon roughly threw Han Jonghyun aside, straightened his attire, and turned around. His indifferent gaze landed on Cheon Sejoo. Understanding the intention in those eyes, Cheon Sejoo swallowed dryly and stepped forward.

Taking his place behind Han Jonghyun, he grabbed Han Jonghyun’s hair, just as Shin Gyoyeon had, forcing him to face forward. Bloodshot, tear-filled eyes looked up. Han Jonghyun saw Cheon Sejoo and mouthed words. Save me. The message felt like it was choking him.

“The money you eat and drink, the money you wear and use, where do you think it all comes from?” Shin Gyoyeon asked, as if genuinely curious. He frowned and smiled, then sat back in his chair and continued in a relaxed manner.

“Of course, the organization exists because you are here. But before that, you can maintain your positions because the organization exists. Giving you power, giving you rights, providing you with a way to make a living… isn’t that all the organization does?” Please save me, it’s really not me. I never betrayed you. Han Jonghyun sobbed and mumbled repeatedly, but his pleas faded, buried by Shin Gyoyeon’s voice. Even though he squeezed, his voice was too small. Given the marks left on him, it seemed Baek Seonghwan had already dealt with Han Jonghyun once.

Ignoring Shin Gyoyeon’s words, Cheon Sejoo looked down at Han Jonghyun with a cold gaze. Don’t get close to Han Jonghyun—that was what those words had meant. Chae Beomjun, Shin Gyoyeon, they knew something like this would happen to Han Jonghyun. Then, since when? Why did Han Jonghyun betray Shin Gyoyeon? Despite being so desperate? Despite wanting his family’s recognition so badly…?

Or, precisely because of that. If Han Jonghyun had sided with Kang Junmyeon, who promised to use him so he wouldn’t waste any more time… Cheon Sejoo’s face turned pale. He remembered meeting Han Jonghyun in early winter, last November. Meeting Han Jonghyun there hadn’t been a coincidence. He wasn’t wandering the neighborhood to get drugs; he was there to contact Kang Junmyeon…

“The reason I called you all here is simply to give you a warning. You must understand your place… Don’t you agree?” Suddenly, Shin Gyoyeon’s sharp voice pierced his ears. Cheon Sejoo snapped back to reality and looked sideways. Shin Gyoyeon was looking up at him. His gaze, staring intently, seemed to be asking Cheon Sejoo the same thing. What are you thinking, not knowing your place?

Cheon Sejoo hardened his expression and pulled out the sashimi knife he had stored in his pocket. The feel of the handle in his hand was not unfamiliar. His mouth dried up at the thought that the blue blade, touched by his hand, would soon claim Han Jonghyun’s life, but Cheon Sejoo easily steeled himself.

Yes, he had done this many times. He had to do as Shin Gyoyeon commanded. Because he had promised to dedicate the rest of his life to him in exchange for Hyein’s revenge.

This was all… “It’s really not like that…” As Cheon Sejoo thought that, he was thrown into confusion by Han Jonghyun’s tearful denial.

Whose work was this, anyway? He couldn’t say it was for Hyein. She had never wanted such an outcome. Hyein had told him to become a great doctor and care for the poor. It was impossible that she would have wanted him to become a demon who harmed people like this.

“If you want to shake up the organization, you can come to me.” 

“Save me…” 

Then, for whom? For himself? But Cheon Sejoo also didn’t want to do this. It was all just something Shin Gyoyeon ordered him to do; he genuinely didn’t want to harm Han Jonghyun.

The day he met Han Jonghyun at Hwagak, Cheon Sejoo had listened to his life story, empathized with him, and pitied him. But the relationship between Han Jonghyun and Cheon Sejoo was merely one where he could briefly cast a sympathetic glance, and that was all. Therefore, the fleeting emotion, which he had thought was simply passing by, was now confusing Cheon Sejoo.

“That would yield a better result than this, anyway…” 

“CEO… Cheon, Chief Cheon! Cheon Sejoo!” And finally, when Han Jonghyun, pushed to the brink, uttered his name, Cheon Sejoo snapped back to attention.

Han Jonghyun’s frightened eyes turned to Cheon Sejoo. It was then that he felt a visceral revulsion, enough to make his heart throb. Han Jonghyun clung to Cheon Sejoo’s hand, which held his hair, and opened his mouth.

“I, then…” 

“…” 

The moment he anticipated the words that would follow their soft whisper, Cheon Sejoo stopped thinking and tore Han Jonghyun’s fragile skin with the knife aimed at his throat. In an instant, his vision turned red. His fingertips became soaked in hot fluid. A gurgling sound, words unformed, flowed out as foam.

Shin Gyoyeon raised an eyebrow and looked at Cheon Sejoo. Meeting his gaze, Cheon Sejoo silently lowered his head. Clang, the sashimi knife he threw down fell into the pool of blood. As the blood spread, the blue blade instantly lost its luster and was submerged. Like a fading life.

Cheon Sejoo withdrew his blood-stained hand and released Han Jonghyun’s hair. Thud, the body that fell with a heavy sound convulsed. Watching him, he returned to his place and stood with his hands behind his back. His expressionless face was directed forward. But contrary to his seemingly calm face, his fingertips were faintly trembling.

He knew what Han Jonghyun had been about to say. If he had revealed his name, he wouldn’t have been safe either. The murder just now was not carried out at Shin Gyoyeon’s command. It was an act Cheon Sejoo performed of his own free will for his own safety. This was the first time such a thing had happened.

His first murder had been in the name of revenge. When he came out of the detention center and faced the moment of revenge again, Cheon Sejoo brutally murdered the perpetrators, thinking that living was better than dying. They deserved to die, after all.

But now. Even though Sejin wouldn’t necessarily be in danger if he himself were harmed, his hand moved based solely on that one assumption. As if it were natural to take another person’s life to protect someone else…

It didn’t matter that Han Jonghyun was doomed to die from the start. Cheon Sejoo felt a deep sense of disillusionment at the fact that he had become just like those belonging to the organization.

“Do I need to say more?” While he clenched his trembling hands, trying to shake off the shock, Shin Gyoyeon concluded the situation. At his command, Baek Seonghwan and his subordinates conducted body searches on the remaining executives, and those who possessed cell phones without permission were called aside.

Shin Gyoyeon sat silently, observing the scene, until he suddenly turned his head and looked at Cheon Sejoo. A sharp gaze fixed on Cheon Sejoo, who stood expressionless with his hands behind his back. He felt cold sweat trickling down his spine under Shin Gyoyeon’s scrutinizing gaze.

“Chief Cheon.” Perhaps because there were still people present, Shin Gyoyeon still wore his good-guy mask. Though, he wasn’t sure if it mattered anymore.

“Yes, CEO.” Cheon Sejoo answered respectfully, silently meeting his gaze. Shin Gyoyeon’s face was somehow amused. It was not an expression one would show with a corpse at their feet, and goosebumps erupted all over his body. Hiding his unease, he bowed his head, and then Shin Gyoyeon spoke again.

“I felt it from the first time I saw you.” 

“Yes.” 

“You are truly cold-hearted.” 

“…” 

Shin Gyoyeon’s expression remained unchanged, so there was no way to tell if it was a compliment or a sneer. As Cheon Sejoo swallowed dryly, he said with a hint of a smile in his voice.

“You have no qualms about killing someone you’ve met multiple times. Chief Chae could never do that…” Multiple times. Did that include their meeting in the alley? Shin Gyoyeon’s intelligence network wasn’t limited to just the disposal team. It wouldn’t be strange if he already knew about that day’s meeting. Cheon Sejoo ignored his voice and silently bowed. Naturally, he picked up his knife from the pool of blood, mentally mapping out escape routes in case Baek Seonghwan’s subordinates attacked. If Shin Gyoyeon already knew that he had met Han Jonghyun that day, he might try to kill him here.

“It seems that your resolve is still valid.”

However, as Cheon Sejoo expressionlessly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from the blade, Shin Gyoyeon continued speaking.

At his mention of a “vow,” Cheon Sejoo silently gritted his teeth. Buried memories resurfaced. After committing his fifth murder since joining the organization, Cheon Sejoo had once asked Shin Gyoyeon, “Why did you bring me here?” To that, Shin Gyoyeon had countered,

“I was curious how far a person who throws away their life for a dead sibling would go for revenge for that sibling… Since an opportunity has arisen, should I ask? Cheon Sejoo, how far do you think you can go?”

And to that question, Cheon Sejoo had answered that he would do anything he was told. Because otherwise, everything would lose its meaning. It seemed like a vow to Shin Gyoyeon. Cheon Sejoo swallowed the bitter taste that rose like blood and looked up at Shin Gyoyeon. Taking in his emotionless eyes, he replied,

“That is correct.”

At his concise answer, Shin Gyoyeon’s eyes crinkled as he let out a laugh. Haha, with a truly amused laugh, he lowered his gaze to the body cooling on the floor. A faint smile touched his lips, and a low voice murmured,

“There are many interesting things happening these days. In many ways…”

Soon, Shin Gyoyeon turned his head and met Cheon Sejoo’s eyes, asking him in a genuinely curious tone, just like the day he had asked how far he could go.

“Which is closer to the guilt Cheon Sejoo feels?”

Shin Gyoyeon’s words frequently got on Cheon Sejoo’s nerves. Normally, he would listen and let them pass, but he was not in a state to do so now.

Moreover, his question resembled the very dilemma that had plunged Cheon Sejoo into deep despair just moments before. Feeling as though answering would be like tightening a noose around his own neck, Cheon Sejoo deliberately shook his head, feigning ignorance.

“…I don’t know what you mean.”

Shin Gyoyeon then smiled faintly and gestured with his chin towards Han Jonghyun. He asked again.

“Aren’t your hands trembling right now? Is the guilt Cheon Sejoo feels arising from the fact that you killed a person? Or is it stemming from the fact that you couldn’t become a doctor as your beloved sibling wished, but instead became a human butcher who only kills people? You understand the difference without me needing to explain it, right?”

The leisurely spoken words were truly shocking.

The question Shin Gyoyeon posed was intuitive, as if he could peer into his heart. Who would think this man was a psychopath? A ripple spread through his mind, and as he hesitated to answer, Shin Gyoyeon looked at Cheon Sejoo and smiled calmly, as if he understood. He soon stood up and answered his own question.

“From my perspective, it seems to be the latter, but I wonder what you think.”

“……”

It wasn’t a question that demanded an answer. Shin Gyoyeon simply cast a large stone into Cheon Sejoo’s mind and left. He felt Chae Beomjun, who was following him, look back at him with concern. However, Cheon Sejoo could not react.

He lowered his gaze to see Han Jonghyun’s corpse sprawled in a pool of blood. The body, collapsed with eyes not even closed, seemed to be glaring at him. In that resentful gaze, the ripples in his mind became waves, then swells. They grew rougher and rougher.

“Section Chief.”

Just as he felt a headache that threatened to split his skull, Baek Seonghwan’s subordinates approached and called him. He turned his head to see them holding bags. They had come to dispose of the body. Cheon Sejoo stared intently at the black bags that would become Han Jonghyun’s coffin, then silently began to walk away. Step by step, red footprints followed behind him as he moved farther from death.

Having left the auditorium and reached a restroom deep within the hospital, Cheon Sejoo belatedly checked his appearance in the mirror and laughed. Both his hands were covered in blood. Dried blood was on his shoes, and drops of blood had dried on the back of his left hand, which had gripped Han Jonghyun’s hair.

It was the face of a murderer.

“……”

Silently staring at himself, he suddenly closed his eyes, then opened them again.

“Is the guilt Cheon Sejoo feels arising from the fact that you killed a person? Or is it stemming from the fact that you couldn’t become a doctor as your beloved sibling wished, but instead became a human butcher who only kills people?”

Shin Gyoyeon’s words echoed painfully in his mind. Cheon Sejoo belatedly realized the change that had occurred within him and silently clenched his fists.

At first, it was definitely the former. He had felt revulsion and pain at the act of killing. But at some unknown point, Cheon Sejoo had grown accustomed to death, and in the end, he only felt guilt that he couldn’t become the person Hyein wanted him to be.

When was the last time he felt guilt for harming a precious human life? When did I become so nonchalant about killing people?