CH3 | MCT

100,000 Won (2)

"Kang Tae-soo, what the hell are you talking about all of a sudden?"

His younger brother, Han-soo, always called him by his full name like that.

They had once been such close brothers. But at some point, because of Tae-soo’s mistakes, their relationship had turned cold.

‘Han-soo is like this because of me. I should have set things right, but instead, I ran away and ignored it.’

Tae-soo closed his eyes.

Memories of the past surfaced.

When they were kids, he had once taken Han-soo out to play, holding his little brother’s hand.

But then, Tae-soo got distracted by the scent of money and abandoned Han-soo to chase after it.

Back then, whenever he caught a whiff of money, he lost all sense of reason.

His family searched frantically for Han-soo and finally found him in the middle of the market.

Han-soo had said that his brother had left him behind.

That was when it started.

The way Han-soo looked at him like an enemy.

The way he spat out "Kang Tae-soo" instead of calling him "Hyung."

From then on, Tae-soo couldn't face him. Guilt weighed him down, and every time he saw Han-soo, he avoided him.

But that only made things worse.

And so, things had remained broken between them—until Han-soo’s death.

‘Even after he died, I regretted it so much. I won’t make the same mistake this time. I’ll fix it. I’ll mend our broken bond.’

One step at a time.

He would bring him back to how we used to be—brothers who stood side by side.

Tae-soo made up his mind.

"What’s with the ‘Kang Tae-soo’ crap? Call me Hyung."

For the first time ever, he didn’t turn away.

For the first time, he pushed back instead of avoiding his brother.

For the first time, he tried to fix what was broken.

"I’ll call you Hyung when you actually act like one."

"Then start calling me Hyung now. Because I will."

Han-soo glared at him, his hostility clear.

It was a look Tae-soo had grown used to.

And that familiarity only made his heart ache more.

Because all this time, he had left Han-soo to suffer alone.

Han-soo, who had once been just a scared, abandoned child, had grown up with his quills permanently raised, like a wounded hedgehog.

But now wasn’t the time to dwell on the past.

First, the promissory note.

Tae-soo straightened up.

"What are you waiting for? Lead the way."

"What the hell are you doing?"

"We're going to settle Dad's debt before we get screwed over by those loan sharks."

Tae-soo shook the promissory note in his hand.

"Take a look at this. That bastard Oh Chun-sik tricked Dad into taking full responsibility as a guarantor."

"What?"

Han-soo snatched the document and scanned it carefully.

The more he read, the more the anger in his eyes burned.

"This... This is complete bullshit! This is fraud! How the hell is this even legal?!"

"Exactly. So let's go before things spiral out of control."

Tae-soo took the promissory note back and tucked it into his pocket.

Then, he added a sharp remark.

"Prioritize what actually matters. What's more important right now?"

Han-soo shut his mouth.

"What are you waiting for? Lead the way."

"...Follow me."

With a scowl sharp as the cutting wind, Han-soo took off running.

"Pfft, trying to act cool."

For some reason, Tae-soo gritted his teeth and sprinted after him.

"Are we seriously sprinting now?"

"You're imagining things."

Tae-soo shot past Han-soo in an instant.

Didn't feel like a hallucination.

Han-soo clenched his jaw and sped up.

Dust billowed in thick clouds behind the two brothers as they raced forward.

Meanwhile, back at home

The moment Tae-soo and Han-soo left, their mother gently caressed the bundle of money wrapped in her skirt.

A few crumpled 1,000-won bills.

But most of it—just a pile of coins.

A total of 100,000 won.

"My son’s money... How could I possibly bring myself to spend it?"

The compensation they received for their demolished shack: 100,000 won.

The money her eldest son had painstakingly saved: 100,000 won.

"They may be the same amount, but how could I ever compare the two?"

He must have saved it by not spending, not buying, not eating.

For years.

And yet, she had only ever thought of him as useless.

"If he had this money, he should’ve at least bought himself something nice to eat."

She couldn’t bear to touch it.

But the reality was, they were about to be thrown out onto the streets.

"I should listen to Tae-soo. I should trust in my son."

Strength filled her weary body.

She wrapped the bundle tightly, holding it close like a treasure.

For the first time, 100,000 won felt heavier than gold.

"At times like this, I swear, my son is more reliable than my husband."

Tears glistened in her eyes, but a smile spread across her face.

Why had she never realized just how dependable her eldest son had become?

"I always thought Tae-soo was a fool… but now, I see he was meant for great things."

After all, he was her son.

Not just any son—her eldest.

How could she not want to believe in him?

"Even if it’s just big talk, I like it. A man should dream big. Thank God he didn’t take after his father, that small-minded fool. Yes, that’s how it should be."

Even if they were just words, they filled her with joy.

For a moment, she felt a thrill of excitement.

"When Tae-soo gets back, I should make him a hot bowl of hangover soup. He looked like he drank a lot. I should’ve fed him before sending him off."

She quickly moved to the kitchen.

Before long, the rich aroma of simmering broth filled the house.

A soft hum escaped her lips as she worked.

"Just a moment ago, I felt like I had lost everything. Funny how fickle the human heart is."

Now, it felt as if she had gained the whole world.

***

Outside a grand two-story western-style house

A mansion, complete with a spacious courtyard, came into view.

"This is the place."

"We’re about to be thrown onto the streets, yet this bastard—who owes us money—lives in a house like this?"

Tae-soo’s anger flared.

How could someone living in luxury borrow 100,000 won and dump the debt onto someone else?

Ungrateful bastard!

"Let’s take a good look at his face."

"Agreed."

That 100,000 won had turned their household upside down.

And yet…

"There are a lot of people here before us."

A crowd had already gathered around the house, murmuring amongst themselves.

As Tae-soo and Han-soo approached, someone by the gate called out.

"You here to collect money too?"

"You too?"

Nods all around.

So that was it.

Oh Chun-sik had skipped town despite owning such a grand house.

Because he had borrowed money from more than just one or two people.

"If we’re too late, we won’t even get a spoonful out of this mess."

When it comes to debt collection, the first ones in get the best cut.

Tae-soo moved toward the front gate, but hands reached out to grab his sleeve, pulling him back.

"Don’t go in. Stay here. There are thugs inside causing a ruckus."

"It’s too dangerous to step foot in there."

"They’ve been beating people with clubs and throwing them out."

"They’re absolute scum. No questions, no warnings—just straight-up violence."

Could it be? The loan sharks are already here?

Tae-soo's eyes blazed with fury.

'Loan guarantees! My father’s murder! A shallow grave in the mountains!'

Just thinking about loan sharks still made his teeth grind.

Then, a desperate scream rang out from inside.

"Stop! Stop it! You’re going to kill him!"

It was his father's voice.

"P-please, don’t hit him!"

Tae-soo's eyes locked with Han-soo’s.

But before his younger brother could react, Tae-soo bolted inside first.

The house was in utter chaos.

"Agh! Stop! It hurts! Please, just stop!"

A group of thuggish-looking men surrounded someone, mercilessly beating him down.

A gang-up.

Fortunately, the one being beaten wasn’t their father.

Their father was clinging to one of the loan sharks, pleading desperately.

"Please, stop! You’re going to kill him!"

"Hey, old man! Get out of the way while we’re still being nice."

Ignoring the warning, their father shielded his friend, who was taking the brunt of the beating.

"Chun-sik, didn't you promise to pay them back?"

"Then tell him to pay up right now. He doesn’t have the money, does he? So of course, we’re pissed!"

From the floor, a battered Oh Chun-sik wailed.

"Ask him! He co-signed! He’ll cover the debt for sure!"

"Chun-sik! Co-signed? What are you talking about?"

Their father froze in shock.

But Chun-sik didn’t have time to care—he was too busy clinging to his attackers, begging for his life.

"I’ll pay back every penny, plus interest! As soon as the mine starts producing—"

"And if we don’t feel like waiting?"

Thud!

"Shit! If you didn’t want this, you shouldn’t have taken out a damn loan or at least paid it back on time!"

Whack! Whack! Whack!

"You really thought you could mess with loan sharks and get away with it?"

"N-no! I swear! As soon as the mine starts running, he’ll pay instead!"

"Who? This old man?"

"That’s exactly why loan guarantees exist, isn’t it?"

At his friend's words, their father could only cry out in despair.

"Chun-sik!"

The men cast a brief glance at him.

But how much money had Oh Chun-sik borrowed?

Looking at his ragged clothes, it was clear he had nothing—not even enough to eat, let alone repay the debt.

And so, the beating resumed.

Their father clenched his eyes shut before gritting his teeth and throwing himself at the loan shark’s waist.

"Enough! The debt is the crime, not the man!"

"If you don’t have money, you’re already guilty. Now, get off me!"

"I’ll let go if you stop hitting him."

"Ah, for fuck’s sake. This old bastard—!"

The loan shark swung his club with full force.

"No—!"

Their father squeezed his eyes shut.

But before the blow could land, someone darted forward, grabbing the loan shark’s wrist in a firm grip.

"Tae-soo!"

Seeing his son’s back shielding him, their father gasped.

"Han-soo! Get your father!"

"Come this way, Father!"

Han-soo quickly pulled their father aside.

The loan shark glared at Tae-soo, his wrist still locked in place.

"You little shit—who the hell are you?"

"A creditor."

A tense silence hung between them.

Tae-soo and the loan shark stood locked in a standoff, the club trapped between them.

"Choose your targets properly."

"The fuck did you just say?"

"I’m a creditor. He’s the debtor. Why are you beating the wrong guy?"

The loan shark, Song Jin-gu, scowled, his already fearsome face twisting into something even more menacing.

"You better relax. You’ve got a lot of energy to spare, huh?"

"Oh? You got a problem with that?"

"You’re still not scared after seeing all this?"

Song Jin-gu’s eyes narrowed even further.

"If you’re a loan shark, just go after the debtor. Don’t go picking fights in the wrong places."

"Hah! This little shit—"

"Enough of that. I’ve got business with the debtor over there, so I’ll be on my way."

Before they could react, Tae-soo skillfully untangled himself from their grip.

It was clear he wasn’t dealing with loan sharks for the first time.

"Oh, and I’ll be borrowing this for a moment."

Snatch.

Before Song Jin-gu even realized it, Tae-soo had swiped the club from his hands.

Song Jin-gu’s face twisted in anger.

"This bastard just disrespected our boss!"

The men around them glared, ready to pounce.

But to their surprise, Song Jin-gu raised a hand, stopping them.

"Hold up. He said he’s got business with the debtor."

"But boss, he’s being way too cocky—"

"It’s fine. I get the feeling this guy’s been in this game for a long time. He feels… oddly familiar."

Well, no shit.

Tae-soo had spent five years suffering under loan sharks, drowning in debt.

Not from these guys specifically, but all loan sharks were the same breed of scum.

Step. Step.

Tae-soo walked toward Oh Chun-sik, club in hand.

With each step, an indescribable pressure and fury radiated from him.

'Oh Chun-sik. Because of you, my parents died in misery.'

Tae-soo’s eyes burned with pure rage.

Even the loan sharks, sensing his overwhelming energy, instinctively took a step back.

"Tae-soo! You’re here!"

Oh Chun-sik, curled up like a shrimp, brightened at the sight of him.

"I knew you’d come! And Han-soo too! You guys came just in time! Hurry and help your uncle out!"

"Why would I?"

"Huh?"

Oh Chun-sik looked up, confused.

What he saw was Tae-soo grinning down at him like the devil himself.

"I saw it all. You selling my father off to these loan sharks."

"T-That was a misunderstanding—"

"And you spent our family's compensation money too?"

"T-Tae-soo?"

"Nice house, by the way. The furniture and appliances all look brand new. How much did all this cost?"

"Th-That’s not…"

Tae-soo’s eyes flashed.

"Oh, and I took a really, reaaaally close look at the promissory note."

From his jacket, Tae-soo pulled out the document and waved it in front of Oh Chun-sik’s face.

And just as quickly, he slipped it back into his jacket.

"A… promissory note?"

"Written by your own hand. And so full of difficult Chinese characters, like you were trying to make it unreadable. Here, take another good look."

Once again, the promissory note flicked in and out of view, as fast as a frog snatching a fly.

The loan sharks watching couldn’t help but murmur in admiration.

"Whoa, flashing the note like that… That’s high-level street intimidation."

"Who the hell is this guy?"

Meanwhile, Oh Chun-sik’s face had gone completely pale.

"T-Tae-soo, this is all just a misunderstanding!"

"Misunderstanding? You can say that even after looking at this?"

The promissory note appeared again—just long enough for Tae-soo to jab a finger at two specific words: loan guarantee.

Then, it disappeared even faster than before.

Oh Chun-sik clamped his mouth shut, looking absolutely terrified.

"Mr. Oh Chun-sik," Tae-soo sneered, "I think you understand exactly why you're about to die."

"W-What?! Watch your mouth, kid! How dare you talk to your uncle like that?!"

"Uncle?"

Tae-soo’s smile disappeared in an instant.

"You did this to my father, and you still dare to call yourself my uncle?"

Smack!

"Keuk!"

"My mother cried because of you. Because of you we ended up on the streets."

Smack!

"My father, who used to smile at the sight of a promissory note written by his so-called best friend of 40 years, cried too."

Smack!

"Loan sharks are the root of complete ruin! You don’t know that? You filthy bastard who tore apart another family!"

"Tae-soo! Just get me through this and—!"

"Shut up, you piece of shit! Why the hell should we clean up your mess? Who the fuck do you think you are?!"

Fueled by rage, Tae-soo tightened his grip on the club.

His strikes were relentless—so brutal that Oh Chun-sik couldn’t even protest anymore.

"You really think this loan guarantee is solid?"

"You’re telling us to pay off your debt?"

"My father, who’s never even seen that kind of money in his life—why the hell should he be dragged away by loan sharks?!"

"Ran away in the middle of the night? In a house this nice? With these expensive appliances? Living it up like a king?"

"Meanwhile, because of you, we’re out on the damn streets!"

"Oh Chun-sik, after all this, can you still call yourself human?"

The loan sharks watching from the sidelines muttered among themselves.

"Boss, that guy's no ordinary punk."

"Brutal. He’s beating the bastard just right."

Song Jin-gu nodded in agreement.

"Never seen him before."

Then, his eyes shifted.

Standing silently, watching everything with cold, calculating eyes, was a young boy.

Tae-soo’s younger brother—Han-soo.

"If it’s Kang Han-soo, the troubleshooter from Yeongdeungpo… I’ve heard of him."