Chapter 141
Chapter 141: December 31, January 1 (4)
Park Je-hwang tossed headache medicine into his mouth.
In his own home.
Friends fighting right before his eyes.
His fiancée Ye Bo-yeong and Kim Do-han.
Ye Bo-yeong seemed to need Kim Do-han's help for Miraejegwa Group's business ventures.
Since entering Gukmubon, Kim Do-han had been throwing his weight around, riding on the coattails of his father, Minister Kim Mu-ok's influence.
"Hey! Kim Do-han. Are you seriously doing this? Have you forgotten who got your father his four stars, even when his military academy seniority was lagging behind?"
"I remember perfectly. It was Je-hwang's father who did it."
"Hey! That's because our father spread the money around!"
"Shut up!"
Park Je-hwang bellowed.
Ye Bo-yeong and Kim Do-han flinched.
"If you want to fight, go fight at your own place. Why are you making a scene in my home!"
The two muttered under their breath as they headed outside.
People who hadn't even bothered to visit him in the hospital, and yet here they were, talking money right in front of his face.
It was utterly absurd.
Ding-dong—!
The apartment doorbell rang.
Park Je-hwang irritably stood up, yanked the door open, and shouted.
"Hey, you little—! I clearly told you……. Grandfather?"
The one who had rung the bell, was President Park Jae-yeol.
Park Je-hwang carefully set down his coffee and watched his grandfather's expression.
All these months, he had been holed up in the hospital without a word.
Had he come to reproach him?
"Your home is a mess."
"Ah. My friends just came by. I'll call the housekeeper to clean it up soon."
"Je-hwang."
"Yes. Grandfather."
"Do you trust me?"
"Of course."
Park Je-hwang answered in a deflated voice.
But the words that followed from Park Jae-yeol were entirely unexpected.
"The Nameless Hero came to visit. Ghost says he wants to take you through the 37th floor climb."
"Pardon?"
Park Je-hwang blinked.
"He says he'll make you the first conqueror and a Golden Tower climber."
Park Je-hwang found it utterly preposterous.
"I don't believe a word of that! That person is the one who left me in this state."
Park Je-hwang pointed to the faint scar still marking his face.
Park Jae-yeol calmly reasoned with his grandson.
"That's exactly why I asked. Whether you trust me."
"Grandfather!"
"What's there not to trust. At this point, things can't get any worse."
"……."
Park Je-hwang hesitated before asking him.
"What if they do get worse? What if Ghost—that person whose identity I don't even know—slits my throat inside the Murim Tower?"
At that, Park Jae-yeol met his grandson's gaze directly.
"If they wanted to kill you, they would have done it long ago."
"……!"
Park Je-hwang swallowed without even realizing it.
"Think about it. There is nothing to gain for the Nameless Hero or Ghost in this situation. The Iron Instrument God's Sword has been recovered by them, and their existence is already fully exposed. Going through the trouble of luring you all the way to the Murim Tower just to kill you there—I find that difficult to imagine."
"S-still, you never know if there's some chance……."
Park Jae-yeol looked at his grandson with an expression of utter exasperation.
About to turn 28, and still acting like a child.
"Your master Hwangbo Geom has reappeared."
"What? Master?"
"That's right. Hwangbo Geom says he will begin climbing again."
"That……. What does that have to do with me?"
Park Jae-yeol noticed the bitterness toward his master laced in his grandson's words.
"It has everything to do with you! Because the floor Hwangbo Geom is climbing this time is none other than the 37th."
"Th-that's impossible! How can Master—?"
"Hwangbo Geom said it with his own mouth, so it must be true."
At that, Park Je-hwang shot to his feet and cried out.
"That cannot be! The glory of conquering the 37th floor is mine! Grandfather, you clearly made me that promise!"
"……."
"Grandfather. No. It cannot be. Please stop Master. That senile old man is trying to take what's mine right now—."
Crack!
Unable to hold back any longer, Park Jae-yeol struck his grandson across the face.
"……!"
"And you, knowing that, haven't moved an inch from that hospital all this time?"
Park Je-hwang, stunned by the first blow he had ever received in his life, could not utter a single word.
Thud!
Park Jae-yeol slammed the table.
"Follow the Nameless Hero's proposal! Climb the tower with Ghost!"
"Ugh……."
Park Je-hwang bit his lip until it bled.
"I made a promise with him. Tonight at midnight, the moment the countdown ends, you will enter the 37th floor immediately."
"Grandfather!"
"I will be waiting in front of the Murim Tower."
Park Jae-yeol rose from his seat, having considered his message delivered.
At that moment, Park Je-hwang stared down at the floor and asked him.
"Grandfather……. You know of Hwarang Gwanchangs, don't you?"
"How could I not."
"When Gwanchangs died, the morale of Silla soared, and Silla achieved victory over Baekje's General Gyebaek at the Battle of Hwangsanbeol."
"……."
"Right now, I feel exactly like Gwanchangs. Are you not thinking of using me so that Kim Yu-sin—no, Taejong Muyeol—can rise to glory?"
Park Jae-yeol regarded his grandson for a long moment before opening his mouth.
His tone was one of sheer exasperation.
"At least Gwanchangs left his name in history."
"……!"
Creak—.
Through the narrowing gap of the closing door, Park Jae-yeol left his final words.
"Do not be late. This is your last chance."
* * *
[10 PM]
Park Je-hwang picked up his phone, his chest tight with frustration.
First, Ye Bo-yeong.
Beep— beep.
She didn't answer.
"Damn it."
Next, he called his mother.
She didn't answer either.
It was suffocating. He just wanted to talk to someone.
"I'll have to go find her."
He had no idea where Ye Bo-yeong was, but he at least knew where his mother would be.
‘She'll be there again, as usual.’
He got into his Lamborghini supercar, the engine roaring, and drove to the dermatology clinic.
It was late at night, but the lights inside the dermatology clinic were on.
A nurse came into the treatment room where Park Je-hwang's mother sat.
"Ma'am, your son is here."
Park Je-hwang's mother, who had been receiving an injection in the treatment room, lifted drowsy eyes toward the nurse.
"Who?"
"Your son, ma'am."
"My son?"
She shook her head several times as though her mind hadn't cleared yet, then—
"My son?!"
She shot upright from her seat.
"Q-quickly, give me the reversal injection!"
"Yes, yes, ma'am."
"Hurry!"
After receiving the reversal injection and snapping back to her senses in haste, she straightened her clothes and greeted Park Je-hwang.
"Son. Why did you come?"
Her tone was rather cold.
Park Je-hwang suddenly felt a tightening in his chest.
"Why, am I not allowed to come here or something?"
"No, it's just—you never call, and then you show up out of nowhere. I was a little startled."
"The new year isn't far off."
"How funny. You came to lecture me again, didn't you."
Just then—crash!—
A nurse, rushing out of the treatment room, caught herself on something and stumbled, dropping the syringe and medications she was carrying onto the floor.
Park Je-hwang frowned, noticing that his mother's eyes were still slightly glazed, and watching the nurse frantically scramble to pick up the psychoactive drugs.
His mother immediately hurled an insult.
"You stupid girl!"
"I-I'm sorry."
The nurse hurried to gather them back up, but—
Crack!
Park Je-hwang pressed his foot down on the syringe the nurse had grabbed, crushing it.
"Hey."
"……Yes?"
The nurse looked up at Park Je-hwang with a trembling face, and Park Je-hwang formed his right hand into a pinch shape, dragged it across his mouth horizontally as though zipping it shut.
"You understand?"
The nurse, thoroughly frightened, nodded vigorously and rushed out of the treatment room.
"My goodness. Our Je-hwang. Thinking of his mother, all grown up now."
"I told her not to say she saw me."
"Figures."
Park Je-hwang said nothing, simply looking at his mother.
"Why are you staring like that?"
"Is it the drugs again?"
"What do you mean again? It's just medicine. Ugh, you're so annoying. If you're here to lecture me, just leave."
"……What about Father?"
At Park Je-hwang's question, she gave a dismissive snort and answered.
"Don't know. Wherever he is, dead or alive."
"You're not contacting him?"
"After getting thoroughly scolded by your grandfather last time, he sulked off and won't even pick up calls. He's probably out somewhere again, leading a crowd of people around hostess bars."
"Good grief."
Park Je-hwang exhaled and sank into a chair.
His mother continued.
"That would actually be the better scenario. I'm more worried he'll cause some disaster again under the pretense of running one of his terrible business ventures."
They were words that made no sense.
He had come here because he was suffocating, and yet rather than finding relief, his chest only grew tighter.
"I wish I could ask Grandfather to have him committed to a psychiatric facility."
"Oh my! Je-hwang, that's a bit much."
Hearing Park Je-hwang's mutterings, this time she was the one who erupted in anger.
"Hey! What are you saying? Your father went out of his way for you so many times as his only son, you know."
"What do you mean went out of his way?"
"Don't you remember? When you were in high school—hey, what was his name. That incident. Your father covered the whole thing up and even—"
"Alright, enough! I don't know. I don't even remember."
Park Je-hwang waved it off with a shake of his hand.
"And Mother, you're really too much! I was in the hospital that long, how could you not visit even once?"
"Sa-in said you were fine. That you were doing well."
"Even so!"
She responded as though envious.
"You were at Sa-in's hospital, so of course they took good care of you. You were in the VIP ward, weren't you? Ugh. If it were me, I'd be delighted to check in. I'd just ask Sa-in to give me all the injections I want—."
"Oh, stop it!"
Park Je-hwang shouted, clearly having heard enough.
She smirked and asked her son.
"By the way, Je-hwang."
"What."
"Are you having problems with Bo-yeong lately?"
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, nothing. It just doesn't feel like it used to."
"What doesn't?"
"Never mind. Don't worry about it."
Park Je-hwang frowned and pressed further.
"What doesn't feel like it used to? Could it be……. Did you take money from Bo-yeong again?"
"No. What are you talking about."
She looked away evasively.
"It's true, isn't it? You took it again. Ah, Mother! Why do you keep asking Bo-yeong for money!"
At that, she burst out.
"Hey! Did I ask for it? Bo-yeong insists on giving it, so I accept it. She already knows my account number and just transfers it directly—what am I supposed to do about that!"
"Haa—."
Park Je-hwang ran a rough hand through his hair in frustration.
She slid the question back in casually.
"It's just that things have been a bit quiet lately. It's been two months already with nothing coming in."
"Mother!"
"I'm just saying……. So touchy. Get along well with Bo-yeong."
"I sent you a lot of money already. It's not a small amount!"
"You'll understand when you get to my age. The expenses pile up. You don't know anything."
There was no having a real conversation.
To outsiders, they were the president's family.
But there was truly no greater mess than this.
‘……Damn it.’
He let out a silent curse inwardly.
‘This is miserable.’
‘Some people get to be called heroes.’
‘And I'm just living and dying like this.’
Park Je-hwang breathed out a sigh heavy enough to shake the ceiling, then—
Scrape—.
He pushed his chair back noisily and stood up.
"I'm going."
"Already? Wait a little. Since you came all the way, let's at least have dinner."
"It's past 10 at night—what dinner are you talking about?"
Park Je-hwang gripped the treatment room door handle hard and walked out.
"Hey! Where are you going?"
"Me……."
Through the narrowing gap of the closing door.
Park Je-hwang's eyes flashed with resolve.
‘To try and leave my name in history.’
* * *
[20XX. December 31st. 11:59 PM.]
Miraejegwa Tower—once the tallest building in Korea before the Murim Tower was erected.
The area in front of that tower, rising high above Jamsil, was packed with the breath and warmth of the crowd.
Just seconds before the new year began.
They had gathered to share in the new year's countdown together.
Even the cold air of the winter night could not cool the heat of the massive crowd.
Everyone waited for that single moment, holding hand warmers, smiling into each other's faces.
"10!"
When the number appeared on the giant screen, the voices of the crowd shook the sky.
"9, 8!"
Young men with arms raised high embraced one another and cheered.
"7, 6, 5!"
Children on their parents' shoulders called out with shining eyes, and couples clasped each other's hands tightly, counting along in trembling voices.
As if the heartbeats of the crowd were beating in one rhythm, a thundering pulse like drumbeats rang through the plaza.
"4, 3, 2, 1—!"
"Happy New Year!"
In that instant, the sky above Miraejegwa Tower erupted in an explosion of joy.
Boom-boom-boom-boom— Bang! Bang! Bang!
The night sky transformed into a vast garden of flowers.
Crimson, gold, and teal bursts of light exploded all at once, pouring brilliant sparks across the Han River.
Bang! Bang!
The crowd screamed and stretched both arms toward the sky.
Some felt tears welling unbidden, others clung to their loved ones and shouted.
"This year, things are definitely going to work out!"
The fireworks tore through the sky and burst again.
The lingering glow of sparks scattered by the wind looked as though a cluster of stars were raining down.
I stood on the rooftop of the National Museum of Korea.
Taking in the magnificent spectacle.
‘With fireworks and booms like that, even the Year Beast would run away.’
[Kim Tae-yang asks 'what is a Year Beast?' +1 Happiness]
‘An incredibly fearsome monster.’
‘Something that would swallow a coward like you in one bite.’
[Kim Tae-yang says 'he has been devoured by things far scarier than that' +1 Happiness]
‘I know, you.’
‘People are scarier than monsters.’
‘Especially people who hold great power.’
‘Miraejegwa Tower—launching those fireworks.’
‘Ye Bo-yeong of Miraejegwa Group, a symbol of staggering financial power, is our enemy too.’
‘I've managed well until now, but.’
‘Seeing Miraejegwa Tower again made the enemies we were up against feel suddenly real.’
‘Are you scared, Kim Tae-yang?’
[Kim Tae-yang says 'I'm not scared…….' +1]
‘Despite the message, his trembling came through clearly.’
‘Is that so?’
‘Honestly, I'm scared too.’
‘Of how the Murim Tower will treat me going forward.’
‘And of the fact that my mother is alive.’
"……Don't worry."
I tapped my left forearm lightly with my right hand.
"I'll protect you."
[Kim Tae-yang looks at the fireworks and says 'Me too……' +10,000 Happiness]
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Happy 28th birthday."
I entered the tower.
[Entering the Murim Tower (Republic of Korea) 37th Floor.]
[First entry.]
[Mission (37th Floor): Eliminate 50 warriors guarding the 1st Gate of Poison Valley.]
['Silver Key' has been summoned.]
—You may raid the Republic of Korea's Murim Tower.
Hmmmm—.
[The door to raid the Murim Tower (Republic of Korea) 37th Floor has opened.]
"Now! Time to go meet Park Je-hwang."