Chapter 131

Chapter 131 – Traces of the Mask #1

Park Jung-hwan looked quite different from Tae-hyuk’s memories .

As a politician of the opposition, he had the image of an upright person, no matter the angle that the photo was taken . He had neatly cropped hair 365 days a year and he always dressed conservatively .

‘However, now it is a hoodie and cargo pants . ’

He always wore branded products from department stores . But now, Park Jung-hwan, who insisted on luxury suits worth millions of won, wore such casual clothes…

It felt like seeing the real life of a celebrity .

‘Well, he isn’t a politician right now . This might be more natural . ‘

He had hair that wasn’t combed properly and the butt of a cigarette in his mouth . If he didn’t have the same face then Tae-hyuk really would’ve thought that he was someone else . Mister Park put the cigarette butt in the ashtray and asked .

“Did you need more Psychotropic Incense?”

Psychotropic Incense . It was the official name of the fragrance that deprived people of their reasoning . Tae-hyuk spoke with a red face, like he was embarrassed .

“These days, too many new followers are entering . I’m sorry but I used almost everything . Heheh, this time a bit more…”

He was like a subcontractor dealing with a large company’s sales department . It was true despite Cho Min-hyuk being the ruler of a cult with more than 1,000 followers . Mister Park sat down in front of Tae-hyuk and declared .

“Let’s finish this full play . Phantom . ”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“This isn’t an interrogation . Surely you didn’t think that I wouldn’t notice?”

The grovelling expression disappeared from Cho Min-hyuk’s face . It instantly filled with derision . Tae-hyuk, who was disguised as Cho Min-hyuk, pulled out the opera mask .

“Of course, Mister Park . ”

“I wanted to meet you, but I didn’t think you would want to meet me first .

The Yakuza were embedded deep in South Korean society . Their eyes and ears were everywhere . It was impossible for them not to be aware that he smashed Sun . However, it wasn’t about the cult .

Tae-hyuk’s purpose was to meet with Mister Park . He just used Cho Min-hyuk as the bait . Mister Park came here to meet Phantom, not Cho Min-hyuk .

Tae-hyuk confirmed that there was no one outside the window and said .

“I guess you came by yourself . ”

“The price of South Korean oil is a little bit expensive . I always use public transportation . Anyway, are you planning to kill me?”

“You must be very nervous about it . You are wearing a bulletproof vest under that hoodie . ”

“Hah . Did you notice? I am a little timid . Well, it is nice to meet you . I am Mister Park . ”

Tae-hyuk shook Mister Park’s hands .

Tae-hyuk activated a crime skill while holding his hand .

‘Spying!’

[The Hawk Eyes attribute has been triggered . ]

It was one of that attributes of Spying that he spent 10 affinity points to gain after upgrading to a Noble . He had the ability to view the detailed ‘status’ of the other person after touching hands . He could see the name, abilities and current psychological state .

Mister Park’s name appeared in front of Tae-hyuk’s eyes .

‘…What? Park Jung-hoon? He isn’t Park Jung-hwan?!’

His profession was acting as the spokesman of the Oyabun . His intelligence was 50 points and his leadership was 63 points .

‘Doesn’t Hawk Eyes kick in when holding hands… Hurry up and let me see his psychological state . ’

He ignored the things that weren’t important .

[Oyabun commanded that Phantom should be brought to our side…]

Tae-hyuk arranged his confused head and spoke calmly,

“Would you like a cup of coffee? The boss seems to be a little busy, so I will make it . ”

“Huhu, thank you . ”

Tae-hyuk drank the coffee while thinking about Mister Park’s real name .

‘Park Jung-hoon rather than Park Jung-hwan . And the same face . They must be twins . ’

Park Jung-hwan, who died two years ago, eventually returned to politics . Then he was killed again after that . Park Jung-hoon, his twin brother, was the politician .

‘The opponent is the Yakuza . In order words, the Yakuza will enter the political world . ’

He found the last piece of the puzzle .

‘Something went wrong and Park Jung-hwan was murdered . There is a high possibility that the person was associated with the Yakuza . Then they put the guilt on a guard who was near the murder scene . ’

It was Seo Tae-hyuk who obtained a job as a guard after the army .

‘This is the method… The true culprit is among the mafia . ’

It seemed that winning the mafia game was a condition to update to King . Tae-hyuk narrowed his eyes and looked at Park Jung-hoon .

‘First, they want Phantom . Isn’t it okay to check it out?’

“I don’t know the type of beans so I mixed them roughly . If it doesn’t suit your taste then tell me . ”

“Haha . The taste of the coffee made by Phantom… Thank you . ”

Park Jung-hoon drank the coffee that looked more like Chinese medicine . Then he looked at Tae-hyuk with sharp eyes .

“I would like to speak plainly, Phantom . I would like you to join the organization . ”

“Do you mean to become subordinate to someone else?”

“Haha . You can think of it as a scouting proposal . We are prepared to offer one million dollars as a down payment if you want . ”

“That seems a little small . ”

Park Jung-hoon’s tension increased at Tae-hyuk’s words .

“Naturally that isn’t all . The organization already has a lot of Korean branches . You can become the chief of those places . ”

“Doesn’t it sound like you want to use me as the face?”

“Think of it as a symbol of hope . ”

Tae-hyuk contemplated it for a moment before muttering,

“What will happen if I become the chief? What is my share of the profits?”

“I’m sorry, but the organization has heard of your abilities . Firstly, you will need to go to Oyabun and demonstrate them to him . Then you’ll get around 10% of the profits earned . ”

10% of the profits obtained from South Korea . It was a lot of money for one person, meaning that they valued Phantom quite highly .

“It is a decent deal . ”

“Haha . Of course, you are free to think about it slowly . There is still some time left before the Yakuza will start earnestly working in South Korea . ”

Park Jung-hoon pulled out a business card from his wallet . It was a piece of white paper with nothing written . It was actually a memory card that looked like a business card .

“Once you connect it to a laptop, the program will automatically install . Think of it as a complex way to contact us . ”

“Hrmm . ”

“So please get in touch . Ah right . ”

Park Jung-hoon approached Tae-hyuk and whispered .

“Even if you refuse the proposal, I suggest that you refrain from touching the Yakuza . No matter how outstanding your abilities, you are just an egg . Then I am busy so I’ll go first . ”

Park Jung-hoon sent Phantom a menacing smile and left the cafe .

Tae-hyuk drank the cold coffee . It tasted as terrible as its color .

Then he quietly muttered,

“I’m going to pull down that mask . ”

@

Tae-hyuk couldn’t walk around in the opera mask, so he changed his face into a familiar criminal . Then he released the boss of the cafe that was tied up in the warehouse .

“Don’t worry . There were no customers . Ah right, I placed the money for the coffee I drank in the register . ”

“Kuoooook…”

He wanted to say something but the other person was Phantom . Tae-hyuk smiled and walked out of the cafe . He used the excuse that he was going to a language course so he still had some time left .

It was a remote place so he had to walk five minutes to get to the bus stop . He was walking down the dark road when there was a sharp scream .

“Kya, aaaack! S-S-Save me! Anyone!”

Tae-hyuk usually would’ve ignored it, but then he realized an interesting fact .

‘If they want to attack someone in such a remote place, wouldn’t they come by car or motorbike? There are no people around, so shall I test my Vehicle Theft skill?’

The crime was happening in a nearby place . After a while, Tae-hyuk would act and steal the vehicle .

‘Stealing from people committing a crime . They won’t bother to report it to the police . ’

Tae-hyuk grinned wickedly as he walked towards the place where the screams were heard . Then he saw an unidentified attacker trying to hit a woman . There was a big weapon in his hand, like he wasn’t just trying to steal money .

As expected, there was a car nearby . The woman begged .

“P-Please help me… If I don’t pay these people then they will shoot me with a gun…”

Tae-hyuk sighed and scratched his head,

“Huu… Are you a foreigner?”

The woman looked at Tae-hyuk with big eyes .

She seemed to be asking why he didn’t save her immediately . She had long silver hair that went to the waist and blue eyes . Her beauty was too much to be walking these streets alone .

The girl nodded with tearful eyes .

“Yes, I am from Russia . ”

“I’m sorry . Shouldn’t you make this play more plausible?”

“W-What…?”

Tae-hyuk sighed and looked at the gunman trying to attack the woman, as well as the car he came in . The gunman were holding the famous Soviet submachine gun, the PPSH-41 . They weren’t the newest weapons, but were a favourite among the mafia .

And…

“Who would attack someone while riding a Mercedes?”

“……”

It was also the S class that went for more than 200 million won .

“Besides, don’t you know that submachine guns aren’t common in South Korea?”

“……”

All expression disappeared from the woman’s face at Tae-hyuk’s words . Then she abruptly grabbed the gunman standing beside her .

“I told you that you should use knives, Semon . ”

“But, Young Lady . At least this much is needed…”

“Have you forgotten? Our opponent is someone who fought against Big Brother . Don’t you think he can deal with these toys? Still, he didn’t do anything because he realized it . ”

“Yes, I understand . ”

The woman from Russia grabbed her skirt with one hand and elegantly bowed .

“Zdrastvooyte (Hello in Russian) . I am Caterina Ivankov . I came to meet you . ”

Tae-hyuk asked,

“Me? Why?”

“I know you are Phantom . We found out that you would be here at this time…”

“Young Lady . Stop it . ”

“At any rate, the reason I came is simple . I want to have Phantom as well . ”

A proposal? No matter how he looked at it, the atmosphere wasn’t romantic enough for such a thing .

Either way, it was clear that she wasn’t an ordinary foreign woman . Perhaps…

“Young lady, no, Boss . Saying such words can be misleading . I will explain on her behalf . The person standing in front of you is the handpicked successor of the Ivankov family, and one of Red Mafia’s bosses . Kataros (Caterina) Ivankov and Ivankov desperately needs your help . Won’t you help us?”

This young lady was a boss of Red Mafia? And they needed his help?

Tae-hyuk narrowed his eyes and looked at the other person .

The Yakuza and the Red Mafia . Both of them started to reach out to grab Phantom’s mask .