Red Mansion

The first floor of the Red Mansion had more amenities than residential units. There was even a clinic, though it was staffed by a quack doctor, as well as a restaurant, a beauty salon, and a study room that taught Korean and numbers to people of all ages, like a school. Some people had never even stepped outside since they were born.There were a total of five convenience stores. Two years ago, Sung-kyung started managing Store No. 3 in place of his parents, who had fallen ill during the epidemic that swept through the mansion. It was around that time that Chungrim took charge of the Red Mansion. Naturally, the two began to become acquainted.It wasn’t that they had meaningful conversations. Sung-kyung had no real friends and lacked social skills. Chungrim wasn’t particularly gentle either, so there wasn’t anything special between them.But Sung-kyung watched Chungrim’s every move.“It’s so damn hot.”Standing in front of the old ice cream freezer that emitted hot air, he pushed open the dusty lid. He stuck his face in to cool off. Chungrim did this every time he came to the store. Sung-kyung worried the ice cream on top would melt, but he never stopped him. No one in this place could stop Chungrim.Sung-kyung glanced at him while organizing empty bottles. Chungrim stood with his arms draped over the rusted, old freezer and his legs stretched out behind him. His broad shoulders and prominent shoulder blades were noticeable. He looked uncomfortable in that hunched position due to his height. Sung-kyung wiped the sweat from his chin with the back of his hand and moved. His old slippers dragged on the cement floor.The dusty fan blades barely turned. He forced the head of the large fan that created lukewarm air to turn. With a stiff sound, the fan directed its weak breeze toward Chungrim.Turning around to check the wind’s direction, Sung-kyung found Chungrim already staring at him. The freezer lid was still wide open, and Chungrim leaned against it as if sitting. His cheeks were flushed, and his shirt was unbuttoned to his chest, showing he was quite hot.“It’s not cool at all.”Chungrim grabbed an ice cream, fanning his half-buttoned shirt. Sung-kyung stared intently at his back. He remembered Chungrim wore that same shirt 24 days ago. It had smelled more of cigarettes than cologne that day. Details Chungrim himself might not remember easily unfolded in Sung-kyung’s mind.“Just ring it up.”The freezer lid, open since Chungrim arrived, finally closed. The time to freely observe his back was over.“Yes.”He opened the rusty store door with effort. Originally half aluminum and half frosted glass, it was now covered with calendars, price tags, and other clutter. He could have left it open, but Sung-kyung purposely closed the door again and headed to the counter. His old slippers dragged on the cement floor. Though the distance was short, he walked slowly, as if to prolong the time.In contrast, Chungrim, who was impatient, walked straight to the fan. He casually hit the fan’s head, changing its direction with an indifferent touch.The lukewarm wind blew toward the store counter. Sung-kyung’s bangs fluttered slightly as he sat at the counter and opened the sliding window. The wind barely reached him, not enough to cool his sweat. He wiped his sweaty palms on his thighs. There was something to note. Probably…He turned the fan toward me. My heart races even in this lukewarm breeze.Sung-kyung scanned the label stuck below the counter. Ice cream, 1,000 won. Though he knew the price well because Chungrim often bought it, he double-checked.“1,000 won.”Chungrim still held the ice cream. The bag was starting to get wet, indicating it was already melting. He waved the bag in the air and approached the counter.“Half of it’s melted, and you still charge 1,000 won?”For a moment, he thought he had misread the price and checked again. It was 1,000 won.“You’re running a strange business.”With a mischievous smile, Chungrim reached into his back pocket. Despite his teasing, Sung-kyung kept his mouth shut.Chungrim never failed to pay or ran a tab. He often left money worth several times the price of the ice cream. He took out a few 10,000 won bills and placed them on the counter.“Keep the change for some snacks.”His shirt fluttered as he passed the counter, revealing the outline of his waist. The faint breeze from the fan brushed over Chungrim and reached beyond the counter. A refreshing scent filled Sung-kyung’s nose, different from the musty, sour sweat smell of the Red Mansion residents. It was a luxurious, fresh scent Chungrim often used. Sung-kyung took a deep breath quietly, as if to fill his body with the air Chungrim had left behind.Chungrim sat on a blue plastic chair in the store corridor. Though it was a cheap chair with a cracked backrest, it looked different when he sat on it. Chungrim’s straight fingers tore open the ice cream wrapper.Due to repeated melting and refreezing, the ice cream had lost half its shape, already slick and shiny. Chungrim took a bite and brushed his hair back. Despite the weather, his neatly combed hair didn’t get messy.“Damn, it’s hot.”Sung-kyung picked up the 10,000 won bills Chungrim had given. Instead of the safe, he quietly placed them in the bottom drawer. He had received many such tips from Chungrim. Seeing the bills piling up in the drawer, Sung-kyung smiled silently, satisfied. There were so many things Chungrim had touched.“Hey.”Amid the rattling fan blades and the loud noise of the old ice cream freezer, Chungrim’s low voice mixed in. Sung-kyung, who had been staring down at the bills, lifted his head. Chungrim was likely calling him. On days Chungrim came to collect payments, most residents stayed quietly at home.“……”The guess was correct. Chungrim was looking in his direction. Sung-kyung completely pushed aside the old cloth covering the sliding window. It was better to have it drawn when sneaking a glance, but unnecessary when facing someone directly, which rarely happened.“What is it?”He pretended to organize the cigarettes next to the safe. His hands kept moving to the same spots. All his attention was naturally on Chungrim.“Aren’t you hot?”Chungrim was rolling the ice cream stick in his mouth, then he pulled it out with a sucking sound, leaving his lips glossy and pink. If you touched his lips now, they’d probably feel really cool. Sung-kyung swallowed dryly, his throat sticky with thirst.“…I can manage.”Sung-kyung was good at enduring. Whether it was this heat, poverty, hunger, violence, or desire, he was used to bearing it all.“Huh, really?”Why endure it, though? Chungrim seemed to murmur this to himself as he took a big bite of the ice cream, chewing it. His strong jaw muscles stood out with each movement. Sung-kyung wanted to finish organizing the empty bottles but remained seated, watching.The hallway was quiet, occasionally punctuated by the distant sound of a door opening or closing. The slow-turning fan continued to blow lukewarm air, and sweat trickled down his back. Despite the stifling heat, Sung-kyung didn’t complain. The old clock ticked loudly. Chungrim had been in the store for seven minutes.“This is boring.”With a final bite of the ice cream, Chungrim stepped forward, making a loud noise as he threw the stick and wrapper into a blue trash can. Sung-kyung watched every move intently.“It’s done!”A rough-looking man peeked around the corner.“Yeah.”Chungrim nodded lazily and left the store without a word. Sung-kyung’s eyes followed his every step.Chungrim exuded an air of wealth and elegance from behind. His shoes were spotless, his shirt sleeves rolled up, a watch on his wrist, a wallet in hand, and occasionally, he twirled a car key around his finger. Even to the naive Sung-kyung, everything Chungrim owned seemed expensive, unlike his own shabby belongings.The residents of Red Mansion feared Chungrim and his twin brother. They were known for their quick fists and use of threats rather than persuasion. While Sung-kyung was aware of their terrifying reputation, his feelings towards Chungrim were slightly different.Sung-kyung had been observing Chungrim for the past two years while managing the store in his parents’ stead. He would likely continue to do so. Whether it was fear, admiration, envy, or inferiority, he didn’t feel the need to clarify his emotions. Red Mansion was chaotic and disorderly from the start, and he had adapted to it. Despite being preoccupied with daily survival, Chungrim’s presence was significant and heavy in Sung-kyung’s life. He was the only person who remained unmoved by his persistence.After watching Chungrim’s receding figure, Sung-kyung checked the clock on the store wall. He opened the bottom drawer and took out a notebook, calculating the time Chungrim had spent there.[July 13th, a total of 8 minutes. Bought a 1,000-won ice cream and paid with 30,000 won. Wore a beige shirt and a large silver watch. No cigarette smell, but strong cologne. Asked if I was hot. Should I have said yes? If it was so hot, why did he turn the fan towards me? It wasn’t even cooling. Still, it felt good because his cologne came with the lukewarm breeze.]He wrote down his thoughts and feelings as they came to him. After jotting the last question mark, he looked up and stared at the now quiet hallway. His eyes, stung by his long hair, didn’t blink once.＊＊＊The residents of Red Mansion generally lived disconnected from the outside world. Most of them had no means of making a living outside. Some engaged in shady activities to earn substantial cash, making this place perfect for them.With over 600 people crammed into the mansion, an epidemic outbreak was inevitable. Not even the mansion’s predators were spared. The Kwon brothers also succumbed to the disease. The mansion then fell into the hands of their twenty-something twin sons.Those who underestimated the young twins caused trouble. The twins displayed the corpses of these troublemakers in the common area under the central sky bridge. Anyone who caused a ruckus met a similar fate. Even those who refused to pay rent were dealt with harshly.The twins ruled Red Mansion with a more brutal and oppressive hand than their father. Dissenting voices grew quieter. This happened when Sung-kyung was just past eleven. The restaurant owner he helped with chores was found dead in the common area, accused of stealing drugs.Ten years later, the fierce twins shifted their focus to expanding their businesses and influence. Red Mansion became too small for them. This was welcome news for the residents. Taking over the mansion was their youngest sibling, Chungrim, who resembled his brothers but was different in some ways.Most people feared Chungrim. His crude and vulgar behavior made everyone uncomfortable. However, exceptions always exist. Sung-kyung, for instance, was excited by the strange tension Chungrim brought.“Two cans of beer.”This man, who often bought beer, lived in the first room on the fourth floor. Sung-kyung recognized him from occasional encounters on the stairs. The man, fanning his shirt, spoke brusquely. Before Sung-kyung could point to the household refrigerator by the display stand, the man barked.“Give me some cold ones, kid!”His raspy voice was filled with phlegm. The refrigerator was so old that drinks and beer weren’t cold, so Sung-kyung kept a few in an icebox. The regular customer knew this.He opened the icebox at his feet and took out two small cans of beer. There was only one kind of beer. The lid of the icebox had a handwritten sign in marker: ‘Beer 2,000 won, Drinks 1,000 won.’ His fingers slid over the wet surfaces of the cans.“4,000 won.”The man unfolded a crumpled bill, glancing nervously towards the hallway. His face was quite flushed. Another man, likely his companion, dragged a plastic table in front of the large fan. The noise of metal scraping against the cement floor was loud. Sung-kyung neatly arranged the 4,000 won and put it in the safe.“Hey, store.”The man, now opening a can of beer, called out to Sung-kyung.“Don’t go to the common area today if you can avoid it, got it?”The common area was under the largest sky bridge, where you could sunbathe for a long time if you timed it right. Since he lived on the fourth floor, Sung-kyung didn’t visit often, especially not after taking over the store. He wasn’t very curious but asked politely.“Why?”“You don’t know the twins are here today?”Placing his hand beside his stubbly cheek, the man whispered. Sung-kyung shook his head. Unlike Chungrim, the twin brothers mainly used the main entrance, so he had no way of knowing their comings and goings. The man, seemingly excited to show off his knowledge, returned to the counter and bent down to meet Sung-kyung’s face.“Room 231 and, uh, was it 151 or 152… what number was it? Anyway, those two fought over drugs, and Room 231 bled out and got taken away. He died in the end. The twins came to handle it. Room 151 now―”The man made a cutting motion across his throat. Sung-kyung blinked slowly. This was all new information to him. He didn’t know about the fight between Rooms 231 and 151, or that someone had died, and certainly didn’t know the twins had arrived. While rumors spread quickly in the Red Mansion, they didn’t reach every corner. Moreover, Sung-kyung’s disinterest in anything not involving Chungrim played a part.“They turned the corpse into a rag and hung it up. We’re tough enough to handle it, but someone as skinny as you would’ve fainted.”Though he found the man’s ghostly pale face somewhat amusing, Sung-kyung kept his thoughts to himself.“I understand.”“Yeah. Stay away from there.”Was the man genuinely concerned because he was a regular customer? If so, he could have increased his spending, not just buying beer. Sung-kyung nodded noncommittally as he closed the safe.The man gulped down his beer and sat at the table. Sharing the beers with his companion, he began discussing the corpse they claimed to have seen. Since they were close to the counter, Sung-kyung had no choice but to overhear their gruesome conversation.“Man, those kids are tough.”“Given how long they’ve been running this place, only the really tough ones can survive here.”“Yeah, their younger brother isn’t ordinary either.”Though they wouldn’t dare say such things in front of the twins, the two men were enthusiastically criticizing the brothers. Just as they said, the twin brothers were particularly strict about murders and fights in the Red Mansion. Even after leaving everything to Chungrim, they would return if such incidents occurred. Whether accidental or intentional, they would kill anyone who took a life.Then they would display the bodies where everyone could see, whether in the corridors, in front of someone’s door, or, like now, in the common area. Until the twins ordered the bodies to be removed, no one dared to touch them. It was a clear threat: obey or end up like this.―Hello, can you hear me?A mechanical voice echoed from afar. The voice came through the small open window again.―There’s been an unfortunate incident in our mansion. You all know about it, right?It was the voice of Surim, the younger of the twin brothers. Though his tone was similar to Chungrim’s, it was a bit rougher.After resolving issues in the Red Mansion, Surim would always speak through the microphone. Carrying a large speaker of unknown origin on his shoulder, he would wander around with a square microphone in front of his mouth. As expected, his voice grew louder and then softer as he moved around the mansion’s central area.―We’ve handled it cleanly. Residents can sleep peacefully. Oh, and there’s a piece of trash that got caught stealing drugs and died in the common area, so be careful when passing by. Since we’ve caused some inconvenience, shouldn’t we show some generosity?The three men in the stuffy store listened intently to his voice, their expressions showing they could guess what was coming next.―This month’s rent will be halved! Nowhere else would offer such a big discount, right, bro?Surim chuckled through the microphone, his laughter echoing several times. A small cheer ran through the mansion. The twins’ voices must have reached those standing outside through the open windows. Some might have come out into the hallways to listen to their announcement.―Anyway, we always think about the residents of the Red Mansion day and night. Please remember that.The playful laughter was followed by several clattering sounds before the noise ceased.“Saved some money.”“I thought I’d have to lick my fingers after a few failed deliveries last month. Guess it’s my lucky day. Hey, I’ll buy more beer. What’s 4,000 won anyway?”Sung-kyung mentally calculated the rent. 300,000 won for the store. 150,000 won for Room 422, where he stayed with his parents. If the rent was halved, it would come to about 220,000 won.But that didn’t mean there would be any extra money. It always disappeared as quickly as it came in. Before his parents fell ill, the three of them earning money made things easier. Now, he was solely responsible for their living expenses from the store’s income, and the burden was enormous.He had long since gotten rid of the cellphone under someone else’s name. The monthly bills and the fees for borrowing someone’s identity were too much luxury. This month, he had to buy painkillers from the hospital and stock up on rice. The fan was still usable, so he wouldn’t need to buy another. Despite having a bit of leeway, the situation didn’t improve at all. Whether it was due to the heat or the reality, he felt suffocated.“Hey, store! Bring two more cold beers.”With no time to lament, Sung-kyung moved at the call. Though he was irritated by people ordering him around in a place that wasn’t even a restaurant, he had to endure it. He couldn’t afford to lose the discount on next month’s rent.“Wait a moment.”He responded curtly and grabbed two cans of beer from the icebox before leaving the store. After drying his wet hands on his apron, he accepted four crumpled 1,000-won bills. Coins jingled in his apron pocket as he stuffed the bills inside.On the way back, he organized the empty bottles someone had left beside the store’s door. Lining up the bottles neatly, he clapped his hands and returned to the counter.“……”Chungrim was standing there. Surprised, Sung-kyung only opened his mouth slightly, unable to utter a sound.“Did you hear?”Chungrim tapped his earlobe with his index finger, asking if he’d heard the twins’ announcement. Answering such a familiar question, Sung-kyung hurriedly checked the time. It was 1:23 PM, the hottest part of the day. After quickly verifying the time, he straightened up. He could feel the men at the table watching him.“Yes, I heard.”“You saved some money, right?”Not sure of his intention, Sung-kyung could only nod. Chungrim reached out and took a piece of candy from the open cash drawer. It was a cola-flavored candy.“Then buy me some candy. My brothers always leave me with a sugar crash.”“…”Why is he asking me to buy him something like this when he has plenty of money? Sung-kyung glanced at Chungrim.“Thanks.”Without waiting for an answer, he began to tear open the wrapper. Because of the heat, the wrapper didn’t come off easily, sticking to the candy. Sung-kyung couldn’t bring himself to stop him.“…Okay.”Sung-kyung answered softly, rummaging through his apron pocket. The candy cost 200 won. He pulled out a few coins, leaving him with 200 won left. After a moment of deliberation, Sung-kyung put all 400 won into the cash register. Even though every penny mattered, this interaction with Chungrim was worth more than the 400 won.“Pick one more. What flavor do you want?”“Hmm.”Chungrim, rolling the candy in his mouth, grabbed a white stick. He repeatedly put the candy deep into his mouth and pulled it out. The sound of saliva filled the air. Sung-kyung cleared his throat slightly, feeling a tickle in the back of his throat.“These are all cheap-looking.”“Sorry?”“They look too tacky to eat.”Sung-kyung glanced at the container holding the candy. Aren’t all candies the same? How can some look tacky? He blinked in confusion. Chungrim, not moving a muscle, ordered:“Strawberry-flavored.”He answered in terms of the scent, not the taste. Sung-kyung checked the candy wrappers one by one until he found one with a strawberry on it and placed it on the counter.Chungrim pocketed it without a word. The pink candy clashed with his expensive, flashy shirt. He stood up straight, hands in his pockets, sucking on the candy. His demeanor was mischievous as he walked toward the stairs, without saying goodbye. The cool scent lingered around the counter. Sung-kyung took a deep breath out of habit.“…”Suddenly, Chungrim stopped and turned around. Sung-kyung, inhaling the scent, locked eyes with him. Despite the distance, it felt like they were face-to-face. Sung-kyung’s neck tensed as he held his breath.A glimpse of Chungrim’s white candy entangled with his sticky tongue flashed between his bright red lips. Sung-kyung’s gaze was fixed on his lips. A small cracking sound broke his concentration. Chungrim was biting the candy, resembling a beast crushing bones.As the candy shattered, the white stick slid out of Chungrim’s mouth. His lips curled slightly before he turned away and disappeared.“Phew.”Sung-kyung exhaled, his shoulders slightly rising and falling. As Chungrim disappeared down the corridor and his shoulders settled, he realized something. Chungrim usually visited every four days, especially during the cooler times of the day. Why did he come today? Was he just following the twins? Chungrim, much like the twins, was unpredictable.That unpredictability always excited him. Sung-kyung tilted his head and silently laughed. His unruly bangs hid his innocent smile from everyone.“One more beer, please.”A sudden voice erased his smile. A man approached the counter, handing over two thousand-won bills. Unlike before, he wasn’t rude, just politely asking for another beer. Sung-kyung took the last beer from the cooler and handed it over, taking the money. The man hesitated in front of the counter for a moment, then spoke awkwardly.“Thanks for your hard work.”It was remarkable how his attitude changed after seeing Sung-kyung interact with Chungrim. Their hierarchical mindset was all too clear. The man returned to his table to drink, whispering about how surprising it was to see Sung-kyung talk to Chungrim. Unlike before, their voices were now quiet. Sung-kyung checked the clock.July 14th — 2 minutes. Cola-flavored lollipop: 200 won. The strawberry-flavored lollipop remained uneaten. He said it looked too tacky. What did he mean by tacky? Does that mean he would eat something that doesn’t look tacky? The shirt he wore today was very flashy, and it suited him well, as always. It hadn’t been four days, and he usually didn’t visit during the hottest part of the day. Why did he come today? Why did he smile at me before he left?After writing down his thoughts, he hid the notebook in the bottom drawer. Just then, the two men drinking beer left. Sung-kyung cleaned the table, stacked the empty cans, and restocked the cooler with more beer from the fridge outside. The melting ice sloshed around in the heat.Even after buying candy and talking to Chungrim, Sung-kyung was still just the storekeeper. No matter what he did, he was always stuck in the old store. That’s why he kept watching Chungrim.＊＊＊There was also a hospital within the Red Mansion. Though it was just a few units put together. The quack doctor’s room, where he ate instant noodles, slept, and smoked, was also the examination room. Surgeries, treatments, and prescriptions all happened there.Today, Sung-kyung only needed to get the medicine. His parents were discharged, so he just had to pick it up. The table near the shoe cabinet served as the hospital’s desk. Sung-kyung stood in front of it, frowning. The elderly woman opposite him showed no change in expression.“One million won.”“Why? Why? It was different two months ago. It was 40 each, 80 in total. Please check again. Kim Guhyun, Park Heesook. Painkillers.”Sung-kyung clearly pronounced his parents’ names. The woman replied in a bored tone, chewing gum.“50 thousand each, so a hundred. You bought it like this in June too.”Her sing-song tone was meant to soothe but failed. Painkillers for the mysterious contagious disease were priced arbitrarily by the quacks. How could the price rise by 100,000 won in just two months? That’s how much it would be in a year. Sung-kyung bit his lower lip.“No, it wasn’t. It was 40 then, not 50. How can you raise the price without notice? It hasn’t even been that long—”With a sigh, the woman cut him off by tapping the table.“Then leave if you’re not buying.”“…….”“If not, shut up and pay.”Standing there in silence, the woman, visibly irritated, shouted at Sung-kyung while maintaining eye contact.“Doctor! Call room 110!”A sluggish response came from behind the open door, “Uh-huh.”Before his parents fell ill, Sung-kyung hadn’t been this strapped for cash. They had paid the full entry fee and had enough to cover three meals a day at the cafeteria. But after his parents fell ill, the cost of medicine, debts, and even the entry fee were draining their finances like sand slipping through fingers. It was enough to make anyone furious over a mere 100,000 won increase.“Coming here once every two months, trying to pull a fast one. So annoying,” the woman muttered softly. Sung-kyung’s heart raced with a mix of anger and humiliation. There were moments when controlling his emotions seemed impossible. An older doctor peeked his head through the slightly opened door.“Did you call?”“Why does the price of the medicine go up at every opportunity? You’re just exploiting the people here.”Finally, Sung-kyung voiced his thoughts, almost like a reckless act.“…What did you say?”The doctor, who was stepping out of the examination room, adjusted his glasses, a crack evident on one lens. Sung-kyung snatched the two medicine bottles from the table. The woman reached out, but Sung-kyung was quicker. He pulled out an envelope with 80,000 won from his pocket and threw it onto the desk. Some bills poked out from the unsealed envelope.“This is all I can pay.”“Hey!”The woman jumped up and shouted just as the entrance door flew open. A large, intimidating man walked in. The old doctor pointed at Sung-kyung, veins bulging in his neck.“Catch that bastard!”“Trying to run off without paying the full amount!”The man, without a word, grabbed Sung-kyung’s collar and yanked him outside. The woman’s sharp exclamations and foul curses mixed together.“Let go! Let go!”Struggling was futile. The man slapped Sung-kyung hard across the face. The force turned his head sharply, causing his entire face to ache. Hugging the medicine bottles to his chest, Sung-kyung curled up as punches and kicks rained down on his back, thighs, and head.At some point, another burly man appeared and joined in the beating. Sung-kyung realized this when he saw an additional pair of slippers while lying on the floor.“Wait. Hey, isn’t this the guy from the corner store?”With that, someone yanked his hair forcefully. Unable to even groan, Sung-kyung’s head was pulled back. Something warm and wet trickled down his twisted mouth. He was used to enduring beatings.“Oh, it is? Hey, you son of a bitch, if you don’t have money, you should’ve at least brought some ramen, huh?”A mocking laugh echoed in his head as a large hand shook his hair violently. The sensation of his brain rattling made him nauseous. Clenching his teeth to suppress the urge to vomit, Sung-kyung spat out a mixture of saliva and blood. The man cursed as he looked at his stained shirt.“You son of a bitch!”That money was hard-earned, sacrificing sleep to clean and stock the store, skipping meals to save up. It was barely enough to cover the entry fee. Even after borrowing a significant amount from Chungrim’s group, the situation had only worsened.They charged nearly 500,000 won for a few cheap mattresses in the so-called hospital. The painkillers sold there were outrageously expensive, so he had to split them in half to last two days. Ignoring his parents’ suffering from the reduced medication, he had scrimped and saved desperately. How could they demand more?“I can’t pay. I don’t have any more!”Sung-kyung’s desperate shout echoed through the corridor.“Shut up, you’re bursting my eardrums. Is this guy crazy?”The man, covering one ear, squatted to meet Sung-kyung’s eye level. He was a familiar face from the store, though the look in his eyes was different now.At store 3, Sung-kyung had always seemed listless and indifferent, with his face hidden behind messy hair, making it hard to read his expression. Beaten and submissive, he seemed like someone who would tremble and comply with a few hits. But now, his eyes were wild and defiant.“Watch your eyes, or I’ll gouge them out.”“I can’t pay more. You raised it two months ago and now again? Exploiting people has its limits!”His scream was raw and strained.“Look at this guy’s eyes.”Living softly in Red Mansion wouldn’t have lasted long. The man, amused, swung his arm wide. Slap! Sung-kyung’s cheek burst with pain once more.“…….”Sung-kyung immediately lifted his head, glaring defiantly at the men. The larger man rolled up his sleeves, revealing muscles hardened by manual labor.Then the real beating began. The medicine bottles clinked inside his arms with each blow. Yet Sung-kyung held onto them. It was easier to endure violence than poverty.In the end, they took several ten-thousand won bills, beer, and cigarettes from the store. The total was close to 200,000 won. Lying on the floor, Sung-kyung calculated the loss.“Money-crazed bastards.”They thrived off exploiting the poor. He kept swearing even after they left. It took a while before he had the strength to move. Sung-kyung stood up, closed the cash register with a few coins rolling around, and exhaled deeply. Every breath seemed tainted with the smell of blood. His hands were raw from the beating.Holding his aching side, he sat in a chair. Fortunately, the men hadn’t checked the bottom drawer. Inside were the tips he had collected from Chungrim.“Doctor! Call room 110!”The woman’s sharp voice echoed in his memory. Deep in thought, Sung-kyung opened the bottom drawer and took out his notebook.