Hyeon Jun looked at the dark painted ceiling of the room while blowing smoke from his mouth. It was an electronic cigarette with his favorite cinnamon scent. As an athlete, he no longer dared to touch tobacco. Because he still didn't want to retire and didn't want his lungs to weaken prematurely. At twenty-six, he could still hold his breath underwater for nearly four minutes, the same as when he was a teenager.
He was in a penthouse luxury apartment called Haebyon Hill in Seoul. It was an apartment owned by his family's criminal organization that controlled an underground business in nearly a third of South Korea. Officially they were in the gambling and real estate business. They refer to their legal endeavors as a sideline. However, over the past dozen years this side business has become very profitable. Serpent Fang's leader had once intended to do completely honest business, but the world would never take them seriously.
Because in reality their money and wealth will never be clean from blood no matter how hard they wash it. But, it was inevitable. The authorities always need someone to fix their problems. Covering up crimes, laundering money, disposing of corpses, threatening political opponents and many other things.
Serpent Fang did their job immaculately, undetected and never disappointing. In the past, they helped politicians and officials, now they have started to enter politics and try to mingle with the people by carrying the name of their organization.
"Are you satisfied, Jun? Father has complied with your request to study martial arts in the USA for five years. Now you have returned home with success, earned a title and become the pride of Korea. But according to your promise too, it's time for you to show your loyalty to Serpent Fang," Lee Dae Woo, the head of the organization, said.
He spoke on the sofa opposite his son. Around him also guarded the gangsters who had now begun to shed their sloppy impression. They covered their tattoos, styled their hair and were forbidden to have their nose or ears pierced. It was because their leader said that being a gangster was serious work.
But, of course each of them could at least use their kitchen knife to kill. They were trained from the start, from skinning a chicken to a crocodile with just a dagger. Some of them specialize in eliminating evidence ranging from weapons, gunpowder leftovers to human corpses. There were also those who were educated and charismatic because they were tasked with dealing with officials and the police.
Information was their power. Serpent Fang collects disgrace and evidence of crime from their clients dating back three decades. Not many prosecutors or police want to deal with them. Only a few, namely those who have no sin and do not like money. The numbers were only less than five percent and they weren't strong enough to challenge the leader of Serpent Fang.
Plus, Serpent Fang had a strict policy of never dealing with drugs. Because if they start touching that hot stuff - the FBI and Interpol from a foreign country would be allowed to hunt them down.
"I don't want to stop being an MMA athlete, that's my life now..I don't want to use my skills to take to the streets and beat up people," Hyeon Jun said firmly.
"You wouldn't do that, you my son. There is a field agent who would do that. What I mean is, you're my only son and you're going to inherit this organization..You have to start right away, Jun!" Dae Woo, who was big and scary-faced, snarled. He was dashing and although a little fierce he was quite handsome. It wasn't surprising that he was now very popular.
Lee Dae Woo joined a political party and now he was about to run in the Seoul mayoral election. His organization has polished it in such a way. Making him a charismatic and handsome middle-aged man to attract voters.
"Isn't my current status in your favor? I'm very popular in Korea now that I've become a UFC MMA champion in the first season I joined. You can say that you are my father and your popularity will rise too."
"You think I didn't think of that? Without you telling me I've also taken advantage of it. I'm the one who finances your schooling in the USA of course I have to make a profit. But I'm talking about you, Jun! Where's your loyalty? You're always avoiding this because I'm going to force you!" Lee Dae Woo pounded the table. Hyeon Jun couldn't help but flinch for a moment. He couldn't deny his father's intimidating figure. Even with just a look in his eyes someone would give up and reveal all his secrets.
He hoped Hyeon Jun would be like him? Become a mafia leader? Hyeon Jun didn't want it.
"What if I don't want to?" Hyeon Jun asked while keeping his tone calm.
"You know the punishment for organizational traitors. Are you ready to lose your kidney and die of pain or be thrown into the Gyeongpo Sea? Which one?" Dae Woo said seriously.
"Crazy man! I am your son, am I not?!" Hyeon Jun snapped.
"Everyone under this organization is my son! Everything you do is for the organization. I'm running for mayor of Seoul. You became the proud athlete of Korea. It's all for the sake of the organization! If not you, there is always someone who can replace you. So you know where you are right now? Carry on with dad's job or lose a kidney?" Dae Woo threatens. He wore his sleeping robe which was now slightly exposed revealing a tattoo that was no less than his son's.
"Whatever, as long as you keep quiet. And away from my kidney!" Hyeon Jun left. He lost this time. He did not understand, all the achievements and wealth he made would never satisfy his father. He wants his son to be a successful gangster. He once said he hoped Jun would expand his organizational efforts to Macau or Genting Highland.
"Young master Jun! Have you looked at Twitter yet today?" Someone immediately spoke to him in an urgent tone while sticking his smartphone to Hyeon Jun's nose.
Hyeon Jun never remembers the name of his organization lackeys. Moreover, he just returned to Korea. That man had dyed blonde hair and was slightly stiff. That's why Hyeon Jun gave him a stupid nickname.
"Ah, corn head number one. Why such a fuss?" Hyeon Jun calls him that, because corn head number one has a colleague whose hair was dyed the same. Hyeon Jun was upset, and a bunch of men in black suits urging him like this made him even more irritated.
"Isn't it true that the woman you met in the dressing room wasn't a makeup artist? I already guessed it when we passed. Why didn't I recognize her? Is it because she doesn't wear makeup?? Aaah damn it! I should have asked for a photo!" The skinny, light brown haired youth groaned as he tugged at his hair.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Look at today's trending topic, Young Master Jun! South Korea UFC MMA Champion and Song Mi-Rae are said to be dating. They have a testimony that you two met in the locker room alone!" Another minion chimed in excitedly.