??? – That Man’s Bloodline, That Blood’s Destiny

* ??? – That Man’s Bloodline, That Blood’s Destiny (2)

In the midst of a banquet within that enormous Korean-style house, a bald man slipped out. He casually loosened his tie, comfortably stretched his neck, put on sunglasses, and headed toward the village.

Sseuueueup, Huuu.

Once he felt he was a good distance away, he stuck a cigarette in his mouth, exhaled smoke, and looked around. The unidentified man somehow accepted this bizarre rural landscape, where several enormous and extravagant buildings sprawled in addition to the Korean-style house he had just left, and entered one of the buildings.

Not as grand as the Korean-style house he had just exited, but a large, neatly kept tile-roofed house. This place, too, boasted its land with a stone wall around the perimeter, but unlike an ordinary village, it was meticulously maintained. Inside, burly men were sweeping the yard, and many women were bustling about – it was not a place that seemed to belong in this era.

“Big Brother, you’ve arrived?”

As soon as he stepped into the place, men gathered around him. Some were dressed in simple, era-appropriate clothing, while others, like the bald man, wore sunglasses and suits. Behind them, women in modest attire quietly lowered their heads and moved away from the men.

“Has it already ended? I heard important matters related to Doryeon-nim were being discussed. I’m surprised you’re back so quickly.”

“There was no reason for the elders to fight this time. They quickly came to an agreement, as if the argument they had last time was a lie, and finished the discussion.”

“Unanimously?”

“Yeah.”

The bald man made a clicking sound with his tongue while the sunlight flashed on his sunglasses. Girls dressed scantily, so thinly that their nipples were visible through their clothes, slowly approached him and bowed their heads twice in response to his gesture.

“What is it you require, Elder?”

“Where are the remaining seed bearers now?”

“The seed bearers do not have scheduled training today and have not come here. I believe they have all returned to the homes of the respective elders and are focusing on physical conditioning in the back quarters.”

“So, besides Serim, no one is in the training room?”

“That seed bearer was moved from the training room to solitary confinement in the punishment room. She seemed displeased that she wasn’t sold this time and has been reflecting there all day.”

“That moron, I told her it wasn’t her fault she wasn’t sold this time. But it’s just as well. I’ll have a word with her, so don’t let anyone enter until I come out of the punishment room.”

“Elder, it is forbidden to touch the seed bearers, as they are merchandise.”

“At my age, I don’t get a hard-on for such young girls. I’m really going to talk about work-related matters, so if I’m late, report it to Manim.”

“Understood.”

Seemingly convinced by his words, the women quietly retreated, and the bald man moved with a stern gait into a large warehouse behind the tile-roofed house. Although it was called a warehouse, the inside was neatly organized, unlike the exterior. It was a peculiar place with a considerable area and tools that looked like they could be found in SM-related AVs scattered everywhere.

Apart from being neatly organized, the humid scent of women permeated the air. The smell of females in heat that wouldn’t dissipate no matter how much it was ventilated. As he said, this punishment room was a place to torment merchandise (slaves). Therefore, such smells, deeply ingrained in the building, never disappeared, but he entered the warehouse, where only the lights were on, without anyone else, took off his shoes, locked the door, and headed to a corner of the room as if he were used to it.

‘Is it here today?’

In the corner of the room where he stopped, there were three cabinets. Made of thick steel, these cabinets were elongated vertically, unlike ordinary ones, as if they had been deliberately made to hold people from the beginning. The word “solitary confinement” that the woman outside had said to the bald man. It was a blatantly shaped cabinet that needed no explanation of its meaning.

“Are you there?”

“───Yes.”

As expected, a woman’s voice came from the thickest and narrowest place among the elongated cabinets. A place where she couldn’t even bend her knees or arms, confined to a space tailored to that man’s height and build. In the iron cage where not even light entered, she quickly replied, only letting out shallow breaths as if she wasn’t uncomfortable.

“What brings you here?”

‘I want to say, what are you doing there.’

The bald man took off his sunglasses, wiped the lenses with a handkerchief from his pocket, cut off the unnecessary conversation, and spoke only of the main point.

“Do you know that the elders gathered today?”

“Yes. I heard they gathered because of a story about Doryeon-nim. It’s still the time when they’re in the middle of talking, so are you the only one who came out, Teacher?”

“That story is already over. Everyone is enjoying the banquet now, so I slipped out in the meantime. The reason I came to find you is related to that story. No matter how I think about it, you are the right person for this job.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What could Doryeon-nim and I have to do with each other? Please leave this useless woman who couldn’t even be sold and remained in the village alone and use someone else.”

“Are you still sulking? Is that why you’re locked up in solitary confinement?”

“Why wouldn’t I be sulking? For decades, I’ve put in blood, sweat, and tears to become the possession of one man, honing myself. I entrusted myself to joy, thinking of myself being shipped out soon. However, I tried so hard to become a good seed bearer in order not to betray the expectations of the village elders, but to be canceled the day before. I’m so ashamed and embarrassed that I would have bitten my tongue and died if I wasn’t in solitary confinement.”

“I’ve repeatedly told you that it’s not your fault you couldn’t become that man’s seed bearer. It just naturally collapsed with the change in power this time. You were simply unlucky.”

“But doesn’t that mean that the person who will be my master is now gone? I worked so hard to remodel the walls and make my appearance and body, but it’s no longer needed. In the end, I’m destined to remain in the village or spread my legs like a woman on the street.”

“Rest assured. I’ve brought you a good story for someone like you.”

“To such an incompetent woman… a good story…?”

The woman trapped in the cabinet took a deep breath and made a sound as if she was suffering from the sweat and fumes filling the interior, flagellating herself. Saying, “There’s no way there’s a good story for someone like me,” she banged her head repeatedly in a place where she couldn’t even move her body, shedding tears.

“It’s probably just leftover stock… I already know what it’s going to be like even if I don’t hear it…”

“I’m telling you not to be so negative. Far from being leftover stock, I’ve brought you a groundbreaking story.”

“Do you think we don’t know anything? We know what happened to the women who were left unsold last time. You don’t have to try to please me or our merchandise like that, because I know what’s going to happen, so please don’t give me false hope.”

The bald man, as if unconcerned whether she was flagellating herself or not, put his sunglasses back on and continued what he was saying. As if he was used to this situation, he leaned against the wall where the cabinet was and fiddled with his phone.

“It’s about Sunok Manim’s grandson, Junseo Doryeon-nim.”

“Doryeon-nim, you say?!”

Thump! Thump! Thud!

“O-oh, uh…”

The cabinet shook violently as soon as Junseo’s name came up, even though she had been so negative just a moment ago. Perhaps a little surprised by the sudden change in atmosphere, the black eyes inside the sunglasses blinked, but that bewilderment was only momentary. He quickly regained his composure and continued what he had to say to her.

“Anyway, answer my question. How much do you know about Junseo Doryeon-nim?”

“Well, I know most of the circumstances. Other women besides me were also educated that way, weren’t they? In case I get sold to the outside world, I might meet him somewhere, so I’ve heard everything from his appearance to his current situation. But I’ve always thought that there’s no way we’ll ever meet because Doryeon-nim doesn’t even know about the existence of this village.”

“Are Manim and Doryeon-nim like people in heaven from your perspective?”

“Yes, of course. This village is a place that even high-ranking government officials can’t touch. Sunok Manim is a true omnipotent being that even the best guys in the secular world can’t even make a peep to. Not to mention Doryeon-nim, who is of that bloodline. Isn’t it the same for the teachers who work here as well as us merchandise? We’ve been treating you with familiarity because you’re people who were picked up by Manim or the elders like us, but is it not just us who feel that way?”

“Rest assured, it’s as you think. She’s the one who takes in ruffians like us. It’s thanks to them that the bloodline of violent guys like us continues in this era, and we’re even able to be in respectable positions… Ah, ahem! Wait, it seems like the story is going off track, but let me get to the point.”

“Is it really a story about Doryeon-nim?”

“Didn’t you just say that you wouldn’t have a chance to meet Doryeon-nim?”

“Yes.”

“That was also a story from when that man was alive. You know that, right? That man is dead. I don’t know if one of the elders killed him on purpose or if it was a real accident. You can be happy. A conclusion was reached at today’s meeting. Now that that scoundrel is dead and there is no pillar to succeed Manim’s house, the story has become that we should bring Doryeon-nim.”

“Is that true? I’m happy that Doryeon-nim is coming to the village. I can really shed tears, not just pretend. Anyone would be happy that Doryeon-nim, not that scoundrel, is succeeding the house. Manim’s family will be at peace for the next hundred years. But to be honest, I don’t know what that has to do with me. I’m definitely happy, but I don’t understand.”

“You still don’t get it after I’ve said this much?”

“You’re not going to give Doryeon-nim’s embrace to a mere piece of merchandise like me, are you? I don’t remember being raised to be such a presumptuous woman. It’s a scary thing to even imagine.”

“So you’re aware of your place. You poor thing.”

The bald man with sunglasses chuckled quietly while sliding his phone. He thought she would understand after he had said this much, but the other person was someone who knew her place too well, so surprisingly, they couldn’t communicate. But whether he liked that or not, he didn’t show any displeasure and instead revealed the real point in a relieved voice.

“If you know about Doryeon-nim, it’ll be faster to talk. Currently, Doryeon-nim doesn’t know about this village and is very fond of the family relationship he’s building now. But we have to bring him here someday, so the story has come up that we should start moving, and honey trapping has been suggested as a method.”

“A honey trap for Doryeon-nim? Really?! Ha, is this a joke?! I’m not falling for it!”

“What, you don’t like it?”

“To be honest, it’s nothing short of sacrilegious… It’s a story that makes me tremble just hearing it… The other merchandise who hear this story will have the same reaction as me…”

“That’s true…”

At the word sacrilegious, the bald man opened and closed his eyelids a few times behind his sunglasses, deeply sympathizing with the word. It was a sentiment and tone that could be found in historical dramas, but he realizes that he himself was being drawn to that sentiment. The Manim he follows is a true omnipotent being, and he is a follower of that. He even feels a sense of duty in leading Doryeon-nim to the village, so he can’t erase the embarrassing feeling.

“I want to appeal this matter too, but there’s no other way. It’s a matter that the elders have decided together and that Manim has personally approved.”

“Doryeon-nim is not an object! What do you think people’s hearts are made of?!”

“It’s funny to hear you, a piece of merchandise, say that. Do you have such consideration even though you’re an object?”

“To have that merchandise play with Doryeon-nim! You’re saying something that even I, who am less than human, know!”

“Hahahahak!”

The bald man’s sunglasses flashed as he laughed at the words of the woman thrashing inside the cabinet. When he quietly said, “That’s why I chose you because you’re so loyal,” she quickly stopped thrashing and became quiet.

“Listen carefully. This time, we’re going to pick out some of the leftover women who seem decent and scatter them around Doryeon-nim. This is a matter concerning the survival of the village, so all the elders will strongly support it, and the woman who successfully completes the mission with constant reporting will become Doryeon-nim’s legal wife.”

“What? Doryeon-nim’s legal wife? Did I hear something wrong?!”

“That’s right.”

“Are you crazy?!”

“Idiot, of course it’s a lie. It’s an easy-to-understand condition presented to deceive the other women. In reality, the legal wife position will be given to a young lady that Manim has chosen from the secular world, and you will receive the concubine position. Of course, if that concubine doesn’t keep her place… she’ll be sold to a foreign country… or become dog food…”

“Even as a concubine, it’s more than enough to overstep my bounds!”

“That’s right. That’s why Manim is not happy about it right now. She’s smiling while holding the banquet, but her insides are rotting. It’s ridiculous that a mere piece of merchandise is becoming Doryeon-nim’s concubine. But it might be a surprisingly good chance. If you just keep your place, you can become a concubine.”

“What’s the reason for telling me that?”

“You’re supported by our family. We’re trash who can only beat or kill people, but we haven’t forgotten our loyalty to Manim. You also have discernment, so you wouldn’t think of putting your blood into Doryeon-nim’s family, would you? Then you’re the right person after all. If other women presumptuously demand the concubine position and try to put their blood in, you can push them aside and bring Doryeon-nim.”

“Listening to those words, it sounds like the other merchandise will actively aim for Doryeon-nim’s blood. To dare to try to control Doryeon-nim as they please. Hasn’t merchandise with such rude thoughts already been disposed of?”

“That family’s bloodline is special, so this kind of thing happens.”

“Special, how?”

“It’s obvious even without looking. The elders are thinking of picking one piece of merchandise each from their families and sending them near Doryeon-nim, ordering them to get pregnant. If they’re lucky, they’ll get pregnant with a boy and get their hands on the thing that only the men of Manim’s family produce. I don’t think they’re aiming for the village chief position, but even that is unpleasant to me.”

“You’re talking about the magic wand that was attached to Doryeon-nim and that scoundrel’s crotch, right?”

“Yeah. It’s enough to have one of those in Manim’s family. I can’t hand it over to the elders who dare to trample on Doryeon-nim’s kindness and only think of taking the child and bloodline.”

The woman in the cabinet seemed to sympathize with the tone, which seemed genuinely unpleasant. An atmosphere that seemed to be raising her fighting spirit even flowed out as she trembled her shoulders.

“What will happen to me after it’s over? After I’ve rejected all the conditions presented by Manim.”

“I’ll sell you to the place you were supposed to be sold to in the first place. Isn’t that what you wanted? If that’s not enough, become a nanny for the child that Doryeon-nim will have. Manim likes women who know their place like you, so she’ll gladly allow that much.”

“……………”

“You especially have received a lot of grace from Manim and the village.”

“Yes.”

“If you want to repay the grace of Sunok Manim’s family, now is the only time. If you really want to repay the favor, don’t let any rats into Manim’s family.”

She held her breath for a moment at the bald man’s words. But that wasn’t because of surprise, but because she was suffocating for another reason.

“Are you happy?”

“Of course.”

The bald man slightly opened the entrance to the cabinet. It was locked so that it couldn’t be opened from the inside, but it could be easily opened from the outside. As soon as he opened it, a slight sob was heard from inside, but he finished the story as if he hadn’t heard it on purpose.

“Take it. What I’ve opened now is a site where Doryeon-nim is uploading photos as a joke. If you’re going to contact Doryeon-nim, do it through that. You don’t have to return the phone, but don’t forget to constantly contact me at the number saved there. If someone else comes later and brings up this story, pretend you don’t know about the work I proposed and cooperate.”

“Understood.”

“But, this is just between us. I also like Cinderella stories… what about you…?”

“Stop it. I have no intention of doing anything presumptuous.”

“Is that so.”

Then he turns his back, saying that’s enough. He was testing her true feelings for the last time, but she didn’t get caught as if she had no interest at all. Even though she had never spoken to him before, she was a follower of Junseo to the bone.

‘She’s a good product. My eyes weren’t wrong after all.’

I was thinking of burying her if she said something nonsense…

The bald man left the place with regretful words.