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The rest of the men raise their glasses yet again and shout their approval. Soju sloshes over the rims. A girl comes to wipe up the mess and Do-gil slaps her on the ass, then throws his head back in deep laughter at the frightened yelp she gives.

A lieutenant named Nam Joo-wan, with slicked hair and a wiry frame leans over the table and grins at me. “I always knew you’d rise fast, Jin. A little quiet, but deadly like a viper. You’ve done the Baekho proud.”

I nod in answer, expression tight and unreadable.

Do-gil raises his voice over the competing chatter and laughter. “Is it true what I heard? You’re calling Baek-ho-ui Chim on Seung-min at the next gathering?”

His question garners everyone’s attention. The room hushes at once. All eyes swivel to me.

Jae-hyun’s grin fades as he puffs on his cigar and says nothing.

I pick up my untouched soju and take a sip. “Seung-min has forgotten who his superior is. It’s time I remind him.”

“Oooooh!” the men jeer, hooting like obnoxious spectators at a sparring match. Several of them bang their fists on the table, rattling the empty dishes and bottles.

“Damn,” one slurs. “This is going to be better than the last one. Jin-tae’s going to have Seung-min crying for his mother.”

The men’s excited speculation bounces around the table.

I hardly pay them any mind. It’s Jae-hyun who draws my focus. His silence is louder than anyone else in the room as he smokes his cigar and stares across the table in my direction. I’d noticed his eyes were sharper than usual even as he walked into the room, and I was right. He’s more sober than I’ve seen him in a long time.

For a man who usually drinks until he forgets his own name, it’s out of character.

When he finally does speak, everyone else falls silent.

“Yes… Jin-tae has every right. Perhaps Seung-min’s grown too big for his boots. If Jin wants to teach him a lesson, then I’ll allow it. He already taught the Bulgeomhoe rats a lesson—andthe witness girl too.”

The mention of Monroe pulls at something deep inside me.

I remain composed on the outside, though my jaw sets.

Everyone’s eyes turn to me yet again, this time tinged with awe.

Joo-wan whistles. “So the rumors are true? You left that girl’s place bathed in blood?”

Do-gil chuckles darkly. “I wish I could’ve seen it. They say you used your blade on her. Tore her up until she was unrecognizable.”

“It was a kill,” I answer tightly. “Just like any other.”

“She was a looker too, wasn’t she?” Joo-wan asks. “Shame. But that’s what happens when you get in our way. No one is spared.”

My hands curl into fists under the table.

They talk about Monroe like she was meat. Like her supposed death is some performance they missed and want an encore of.

And still Jae-hyun hasn’t looked away. He’s still watching me carefully.

I take another sip from my glass of soju, grateful when the topic changes.

The room devolves into more drunken chaos; one captain has passed out face down in a plate of sliced pork. Another tries to get the server to suck his dick under the table.

The noise swells around me, all of it mindless torture.

I can’t stay here. I would rather be at home.

…with Monroe.

Clearing my throat, I rise from the table. “I have debts to collect in Seobusan. I’ll take my leave.”