The War on Crime.

October 1990.

A special presidential order was announced to suppress growing public outrage over political corruption and shift the national atmosphere.

In the past, military regimes that seized power through coups had cracked down on political gangsters like Lee Jung-jae. The Fifth Republic, which took control through the December 12 Coup, also established an extralegal military facility known as the Samcheong Reeducation Camp to round up gangsters.

It was meant to appease the public—but where there is light, there is also shadow. Innocent victims inevitably appeared.

Starting last year, major crackdowns had already taken place on the five major violent crimes. But °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° this presidentially declared “War on Crime” was on a completely different level.

It was a sweeping purge of organized crime networks that no amount of personal connections could shield one from.

And yet, despite the overwhelming force, not a single gang affiliated with Cheongpunghoe was arrested.

They survived intact and tightened their grip on Seoul, which greatly empowered Cheongpunghoe.

“What kind of bullshit is that supposed to be?”

No adult would immediately understand a 17-year-old high schooler saying something like this. But conveniently, Chairman Cheon had just shown up, giving me an excuse to speak.

“You saw the car that came for me earlier, right?”

“Yeah, I’ve never seen that car around Busan before. Who was that guy?”

“He’s my maternal grandfather. He says there’ll be a major crime sweep soon. I’ve caused my fair share of trouble, so he gave me a little warning. Since you said it yourself—we’re connected now—I couldn’t just ignore it, so I’m telling you.”

“······.”

“I’ve said what I needed to say. The rest is up to you. I’m telling you to get out of the rain before it hits. Don’t spread rumors in the name of loyalty or whatever—just take a few of the people you really trust and go into hiding. Don’t trust anyone. Even your boss.”

I walked off the rooftop, leaving behind a stunned Park Dongsu.

Whether he would actually act on what I said was entirely his choice.

But if he survived—and felt grateful to me—maybe, just maybe, he’d help me one day.

* * *

In the car heading up to Seoul.

Chairman Cheon sat quietly in the backseat when he suddenly spoke up.

“Myeonghun, what’s your take on my grandson? Just like you said, it really did feel like I was talking to an old snake with a belly full of secrets.”

“Yes, I thought the same, sir.”

“For seventy years, I’ve prided myself on reading people. But I can’t get a read on that kid.”

“Is that so?”

“I’ve seen more people than most while doing this money business... I don’t do collections myself anymore, but back when I was young, I went around collecting debt. Met every kind of bastard. The bold ones who borrowed money and acted like they owned it. The beggars who cried for mercy. The cowards who hid. The punks who showed up with gangsters and tried to threaten me... And I survived all of them to end up here. So I figured I understood people pretty well. But now, at the end of my life, this brat’s the one testing me.”

Manager Ha gave a small smile.

“So... he got under your skin.”

“Got under my skin, huh... The cheeky brat made a deal with me. If he gets into the best university in Seoul within three years, I have to give him a present. Hah! Of course he got under my skin. If even half of him has my blood, then he ought to be like that. He damn well better be.”

“Yes, sir.”

Chairman Cheon laughed for a long time before stopping and giving an order.

“Find a small house in Busan and give it to the boy. Put it in Muhyuk’s name. Whether that turns out to be the last thing I give him—or the beginning of something bigger—depends on the boy.”

“Yes, sir.”

No further conversation was exchanged until they reached the chairman’s mansion in Pyeongchang-dong.

But the corner of the old man’s lips curled upward in a faint smile he himself didn’t notice.

* * *

Chairman Cheon moved fast.

The move happened as soon as my grandmother was discharged from the hospital.

It was a standalone house with three rooms, a ten-minute walk from my school.

“Muhyuk...”

“Grandma, don’t say anything else. He showed up after seventeen years calling himself my grandfather, so I took what I was owed. I asked him for living expenses and a house so I could take care of you. You don’t have to work anymore. Just stay home and rest.”

“...Isn’t this too big a favor to accept?”

“No, it’s not. It’s something we’re allowed to receive. One day, I’ll grow up and buy you an even better house so you can live in luxury. Until then, just stay healthy. Got it?”

“My baby... when did you grow up so much? Come here and let Grandma pat your butt!”

“Ah! Grandma!”

That evening, we ate grilled pork belly together in our new home.

I had never shared a meal like that with Grandma before. I was truly happy.

A few days later.

After eating the breakfast my grandmother made, I put on my uniform and left for school.

Now that it was truly autumn, the path to school was speckled with fallen, colorful leaves.

As I walked into the cool breeze, silently grateful to be alive again—

“Hey! Muhyuk!”

A voice so loud the entire neighborhood looked around rang out.

The voice belonged to none other than Myungsoo.

“...You’ve got some lungs.”

“You moved, right? When’s the housewarming party? I need to eat your grandma’s cooking again. When is it? Should I bring something?”

“...Not happening.”

“What? That’s not right! You moved! You’ve gotta throw a housewarming!”

“Shut up and let’s go.”

“Muhyuk! Let’s go together!”

Then, another figure ran toward us. It was Park Hyunseong—the one with the cop father.

Me, Myungsoo, and Hyunseong... the three of us were always together. Friends who shared our wild, stormy youth.

Hyunseong had been in and out of holding cells thanks to his dad, but never got any real punishment.

“Ugh, you bear-sized bastard! Get lost!”

“You bean-sized brat, what’s your problem now?”

“You two start fighting the second you see each other. Let’s go.”

Physically the biggest guy at our school: Park Hyunseong.

Short but with great social skills: Lee Myungsoo.

And their leader—me, Kim Muhyuk.

As I walked between Myungsoo and Hyunseong bickering beside me, I truly felt like I was back in high school.

The school gates came into view.

“Ah... shit, it’s the Bald Eagle. I’ll head in later. You guys go first. If he asks, tell him I went to take a dump. Got it?”

As Myungsoo backed away, we spotted a severely balding teacher next to the gate, holding a broken pool cue.

“I don’t like that teacher either. You going in?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Got it.”

As Hyunseong and I passed through the gate—unsurprisingly—the Bald Eagle called us out.

“Hey! Park Hyunseong! Kim Muhyuk! Get over here!”

We stopped with sour expressions.

He smacked the cue in his palm and approached.

“Not wearing your uniform properly? Park Hyunseong, where’s your school badge?”

“I forgot, sir. I’m sorry.”

“Tsk. Wear it next time. Go on inside.”

As we were about to leave, the Bald Eagle grabbed me.

“Hyunseong, you go. Muhyuk, stay here.”

“...”

“Not going?”

“Yes, sir.”

Hyunseong looked back at me a few times before slowly heading into the school building.

“Kim Muhyuk! Uniform not worn properly?”

“What’s wrong with it?”

Everything—uniform, name tag, school badge—was perfect. My grandmother had ironed it so sharply it could’ve passed for a soldier’s dress uniform.

“What’s wrong with it? You are, that’s what. Kim Muhyuk, stop getting into trouble. You penniless brat, always picking fights. Got money to pay compensation?”

“...”

“Not gonna answer?”

“Understood.”

“I’m watching you. One more screw-up, and not even Hyunseong’s dad can save you. Got it?”

“Yes.”

Nickname: Bald Eagle.

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, it was common for teachers to accept bribes. But this one was especially greedy for money.

‘After the rumors started that my mother’s side was rich, he suddenly got real friendly with me.’

I kept my face composed.

He gave me a once-over with narrowed eyes, then waved me off like shooing a bug.

“Go.”

“Yes, sir.”

I gave a curt nod and passed the gate.

In the classroom, I threw down my bag and took a seat. My good mood was instantly ruined by that bastard Bald Eagle.

I got even more irritated when the kids started watching me nervously.

“Stop acting like I’m gonna eat you. Just do what you usually do.”

“...”

“Goddamn... Have I ever bullied any of you? I’ve been in fights, sure, but I’ve never touched you. Stop walking on eggshells. Please.”

I said no more after that. I just tidied my desk and looked out the window.

Ten minutes later, the back door opened and Myungsoo walked in.

“Muhyuk! The Snake’s not here yet, right?”

And right behind him, the Snake slapped him on the back of the head.

“There I am. What are you doing? Why aren’t you inside?”

“Argh!”

“I didn’t even hit you hard. Get in.”

Watching Myungsoo get smacked made me feel a little better.

“Alright, you all know today you’re getting your test scores, right? Look forward to it.”

“Yes, sir...”

“If your scores dropped—if your grades dropped—you’re dead.”

Dongsung Technical High wasn’t a prestigious school, but it had a high college acceptance rate for a vocational school.

So the academic standards were strict.

There were plenty of smart kids, and I had enrolled here to find work after graduation.

Myungsoo and Hyunseong, though good students, came here because of me.

‘Test scores...’

I had a bad feeling.

And then, during lunch—

—Ahem. First-year, Class 8 student Kim Muhyuk, please come to the staff room. I repeat, Kim Muhyuk, please come to the staff room immediately.

“What now? Did you get into trouble behind my back?”

“No.”

“Why’re they calling you then?”

“Dunno. I’ll go check.”

“Aw man, I wanted to go to the snack bar! Hurry back.”

As I got up and opened the classroom door, Hyunseong was just coming in.

“I’ll be back. Gotta go to the staff room.”

“Alright, hurry back.”

“Don’t fight, you two. Wait for me.”

“Okay.”

Leaving those two alone bothered me a little, but I made my way quickly to the staff room.

I opened the door and called out loudly.

“Kim Muhyuk here. You called for me?”

The previously noisy room fell dead silent.

“Come over here, punk.”

It was the Bald Eagle, wearing a disgusted expression.

“You know why I called you?”

“No, sir.”

“I’ll ask again. You really don’t know?”

“No, I don’t.”

“This punk’s unbelievable.”

“...”

The Snake, my homeroom teacher, stepped in between us.

“We don’t have proof yet, do we?”

“C’mon, Mr. Park. How could this delinquent possibly rank first in the school? He must’ve cheated or done something shady.”

Ah... just like before. When I studied like mad and finally got good grades in my second year of high school, the same thing happened.

“Kim Muhyuk. Just be honest. You really expect me to believe you came in first? That you only got five questions wrong in all subjects? Would you believe that if you were me?”

“...”

“See, Mr. Park? Look at this punk not answering.”

“Muhyuk, tell me the truth. Did you really cheat?”

“I did not.”

“This little shit... Go get your grandmother. I let your crap slide before, but now you’re screwing with school exams? Did your precious grandma teach you that?”

This teacher... he crossed the line.

Anger surged through me.

Say whatever you want about me—but not about Grandma.

I raised my head and glared at the Bald Eagle.

“Look at this bastard’s eyes. You got a death wish?”

“Sir... I’ll speak for myself.”

“Mr. Park, are you seeing this? This little shit’s looking at me like he wants to kill me. Kim Muhyuk, do you want me to hit you?”

My teeth ground audibly.

“Teacher... You need to apologize for what you said about my grandmother.”

“What? What did you say?”

“You don’t know for sure if I cheated or just studied hard. So why insult my good-hearted grandmother? She’s not someone you can talk about like that.”

Every teacher in the room turned their attention to me and the Bald Eagle.

“Hahaha... This crazy bastard. Still not coming to his senses. What, you think you’re talented?”

“Wanna make a bet? Bring me the test right now. I’ll solve it in front of you. If I get the same score, you apologize to my grandma. If not, I’ll drop out of school.”

Every teacher’s jaw in the staff room dropped at my bombshell declaration.

< Teacher. You’ve crossed the line? > End