episode_0005

Devil Colosseum

In the space where Anderson and CEO Choi Myung-wol descended, there were more than 100 men in red clothes.

“Anderson Lee Junior, Choi Myung-wol.”

A man who seemed to be their leader called out to them.

“The fourth branch manager has been killed.”

“Damn, how do you know that?”

In a mannerless or rather contemptuous tone, CEO Choi Myung-wol wiped his red hair and said, “Did you find the body, or did you ask the dead ghost?”

“If we were killed, then it’s murder.”

“So, is that why you gathered combatants like this, causing disruption to our business?”

Anderson interjected as if he might fight at any moment. In fact, Devil Colosseum and CEO Choi Myung-wol’s subordinates were already reaching for their pistols.

“Small business owners like us suffer great losses if we stop operations for a day.”

“My loss…”

CEO Choi Myung-wol muttered. In reality, the halted business was owned by CEO Choi Myung-wol.

“Our demand is simple. If you don’t hand over the murderer of the fourth branch manager within 7 days, then pay the appropriate price.”

“…What?”

“What?”

Hmm, so even if it doesn’t concern you, you have to catch the murderer of the fourth branch manager, and if you can’t, you have to pay? These guys are really something, huh?

“Haha”

I laughed quietly, covering my mouth with my hand so they wouldn’t notice.

We’re not sure if the fourth branch manager is dead. But if he is, revenge must be taken to maintain the organization. So, they threaten the organizations in that area to find the culprit. But if they fail to find the culprit or if the fourth branch manager wasn’t killed, then these guys won’t be able to find the culprit, and they’ll extort money from the organization to save face and make small profits.

In any case, there’s no problem with the demand. Of course, assuming that the organization accepts the demand.

“I refuse.”

“…What?”

“I refuse.”

At Anderson’s firm refusal, CEO Choi Myung-wol also looked surprised and turned to look at Anderson.

“Why? Are you upset?”

“…”

“If you’re upset, declare war.”

The man’s face turned red with anger at Anderson’s words, and his body trembled.

“When I gather the thugs and count them, do you look strong?”

(Chuk! Chuk! Chuk! Chuk!)

At Anderson’s words, Anderson’s subordinates in suits stood behind him and assumed a posture.

“Shall we go back to those romantic times?”

A peculiar point here was that many of the Devil Colosseum’s sent organization members were young people. Or more precisely, they looked young. Members with acne on their faces, members dressed to look hip, and members who just looked young.

But Anderson’s subordinates did not seem to be shaken by the atmosphere that seemed like a fight would break out at any moment, even though they appeared to have experienced many tough situations at first glance.

“……”

The man seemed to know this fact and could not do anything about it.

“You have only one action to take, compensate for the loss of business and leave here now.”

“…”

“I like that idea too,” said President Choi Myung-wol, agreeing with Anderson’s opinion.

“…”

“Choi Myung-wol and Anderson have formed an alliance.”

The man judged the current situation in this way. Originally, he had expected there to be a conflict between Anderson and Choi Myung-wol when Anderson entered Myungwol Hall, and during that time, they had barged in to pressure their demands.

However, there was a third party unknown to the Devil Colosseum, Arthur Riddle, and because of him, the conflict was resolved, leading to an economic alliance turning into a military alliance due to their arrival.

“Let’s go.”

The man chose to retreat first. If the two were in a hostile state, this number would be enough, but if they were allies, this number would be insufficient to threaten them.

“Where are you going?”

Looking at the Devil Colosseum’s members moving, Anderson said.

“Compensation for the loss.”

And he reached out his hand.

“…”

“Surely you’re not just leaving, right?”

Oh, charisma.

Anderson’s appearance overflowing with middle-aged charm is very impressive. I should grow old like that.

“……”

Is it pride or life?

(Swish)

The man took out an envelope from his pocket and threw it to Anderson. It seems like he chose his life.

“…One more.”

“You’ll pay the price.”

“That’s for later.”

(Swish)

The man who threw another envelope to Anderson disappeared with his subordinates from Myeongwol Hall after glaring at Anderson for a few seconds in response to his words.

“The storm has passed.”

“But you received disaster relief funds, didn’t you?”

(Swish)

Anderson threw one of the two envelopes he received to CEO Choi Myeong-wol.

“…But why did Anderson receive the envelope when I’m the owner here in the first place?”

Come to think of it, it was strange. The person who should have received compensation was CEO Choi Myeong-wol, but somehow, Anderson had naturally taken the lead in negotiating the compensation, and Anderson was the one who received the compensation.

“You’ve worked hard today. Here’s your transportation fare.”

Anderson took out some bills from the envelope and handed them to Arthur.

“Well, not bad for 3,000 won after a job like this.”

Oh, by the way, the currency value here is different. One won is roughly about 1,000 won, and there’s a unit below one won called “jeon.” One jeon is roughly about 10 won. Just think of it as 1 won = 1 dollar, and 1 jeon = 1 cent for simplicity.

* * * * * * * *

Arthur’s house

“…”

(Tick, tock)

Arthur sat in a chair, crossed his arms, and tapped his fingers.

“The Devil’s Colosseum is looking for me…”

And he got lost in thought about the current situation.

“The 4th Division Chief… Alice… No, I killed her, and the Devil’s Colosseum is looking for the culprit.”

The Devil’s Colosseum doesn’t give up.

It’s important for the organization to show that the organization protects me. If you just discard members of the organization like trash, especially high-ranking ones, the loyalty of the members cannot be maintained. And this is a very good reason to expand the organization. Therefore, the Devil’s Colosseum will be searching for the culprit.

But CEO Anderson doesn’t want to wage war at the same time as CEO Choi Myeong-wol.

“…Then we just need to create a situation they don’t want.”

(Creak)

“Brother?”

Late at night, Alice opened the door and came in.

“It’s almost dawn, why aren’t you sleeping?”

Alice, who falls asleep without realizing it, asked Arthur why she couldn’t sleep.

“I can’t sleep.”

Is it because of that?

“Still, I have to sleep. I have to go to school tomorrow.”

“You have to go?”

“If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“……”

Alice looked at me quietly in response to my words.

“I’m going to bed.”

“Alice, it’s not your fault.”

As Alice tried to go back to sleep, I said to her,

“You don’t need to feel guilty. Just trust me, okay?”

“…Okay.”

Nodding slightly at Arthur’s words, Alice left the room.

“No need to feel guilty…”

As she entered the room, Alice murmured the words Arthur had said to her.

“It’s not your fault… I’ll just trust my brother.”

(Thud)

Alice left the room, and Arthur, lost in thought for a while, took out an old-fashioned phone.

(Ring, ring, thud)

Then he made a call to someone.

(Ringing, thud)

The other person picked up the phone before the signal sound could even finish. Despite the early hours when everyone was asleep.

“Arthur? Is that you?”

“Are you doing well?”

“Doing well?! Well~~~ are you doing well?!! You [expletive]! Calling after 8 years and asking if I’m doing well?!!!!”

“…”

He momentarily let the phone slip from his ear due to the explosion of swearing from the phone.

“Hey, I—”

“You [expletive]! What the hell!#$@!#$!!”

“……”

He expected it, but he still had to let the phone slip from his ear for a while due to the swearing that erupted faster than he thought.

“…Is it over?”

“For now.”

“I have a favor to ask.”

“Sure. This [expletive] called after 8 years and doesn’t even bother with greetings.”

“What’s the point of being friends?”

“What kind of crazy person leaves home and cuts off contact for 8 years!!”

“Hahaha”

“Why are you laughing, you [expletive]! $%^@@!!!”

“Um”

Sensing another wave of swearing about to start, he let the phone slip from his ear again.

[……]

“?”

It felt like another wave of swearing was about to start, but he heard no sound from the other end of the phone.

“What’s wrong? Why did you stop?”

“What’s the matter?”

“Oh, it’s nothing, I just feel like I’m going to die.”

“Tell me straight.”

“Hmm, the high-ranking member of the gang that’s causing trouble in my neighborhood tried to do something to my younger sister, and at that time, Alice stabbed him with a knife, and I finished him off and dumped him in the sea. The organization is looking for the culprit, but fortunately, we’re in a very close relationship with another organization that’s in competition with them.”

Perfect, it’s a perfect situation even when I look at it.

“Damn it, if you’re going to cut ties and live your life, you shouldn’t step into that world.”

“Hey, I’ll make a living by doing magic performances.”

“…You? Well, you were good at magic. So, what do you want?”

“Find me some organizations related to the Devil Colosseum.”

“You got involved with them?”

“Do you know about it?”

“I do. These days, many influential people watch the performances of the Devil Colosseum, and there are many sponsors. They’re even associated with some villains.”

“…That’s a problem.”

“But it’s not deeply or firmly connected. If it’s nothing serious, they’ll lend a hand, but if it seems dangerous, they’ll cut ties, right?”

“For now, organizations allied with them, organizations in competition or hostile to them, and people with high connections.”

“And?”

“Tell me about mercenaries, regardless of the villains.”

“…To fight directly?”

“Just in case. Oh, and also give me information about Chairman Choi Myung-wool and Chairman Anderson.”

“Anderson? Anderson Lee Junior?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“…That person…”

“Why? Is he an important figure?”

“He’s dangerous.”

Anderson, no, what kind of person is our Chairman Anderson?

“For now, since he’s someone we pay attention to on our side, don’t cause too much trouble.”

“Got it.”

“If you send the information today, that’ll be fine, right?”

“Thank you then.”

“…Looks like it’s tough to live quietly.”

“Haha, yeah.”

* * * * * * * *

At a bar where motorcycles that clearly belong to gang members are parked

(Vroom vroom!!)

(♪~♪~~)

Inside, burly bikers dressed in gang attire were drinking and having fun

(Clink)

Into that space walked Arthur, dressed as a magician

“Hmm? Haha! Hey guys, a magician is here!”

One gang member laughed and shouted upon seeing Arthur

“Hahaha!!”

“What’s with the outfit? A magician?!!”

“Yes, I’m a magician.”

“Hmm? Really?”

“I hit him and he hit back.”

“I have a very good proposal for all of you.”

Asa extended his hand and shouted to the people inside the bar.

(Whoosh, whoosh)

The attention of the people focused on Asa, who did not look harmless.

“I want to hire all of you.”

“Haha! Do you have the money?”

“Maybe magic performances make a lot of money?”

“Hahaha!!”

(Bang!!)

While the gang members laughed at Asa, the lights in the bar went out.

“What, what’s going on?”

(Growl)

Amidst the confusion of the gang members, a light came back on. It was the light directly above where Asa stood.

“Don’t worry.”

(Tick, tock, tick, tock)

Asa held up a pocket watch with one hand and smiled at the gang members.

“I’m good at convincing people.”