[Y]oo Jin-ho entered the hall, enveloped in a quiet atmosphere and the gentle fragrance of fresh flowers. As he glanced around, his gaze shifted to the memorial altar, where photographs captured moments from the life of the deceased.
He observed the images with a sense of detachment, while the soft murmurs of condolences filled the air. Jin-ho had no personal connection to the deceased, but his friend Han-sol had insisted that he attend.
While scanning the room, fragments of a conversation reached his ears:
"I heard they recently discovered his body dismembered," whispered one attendee.
"Really? Wasn't it reported as an accident, a collision with a delivery van?" questioned another.
"I'm not entirely sure. Some people claim it was a deliberate and cold-blooded murder."
Jin-ho furrowed his brows at these unsettling words. The conversation stirred a feeling of unease within him, urging him to take action. He searched the room with his gaze, hoping to locate Han-sol amidst the mournful crowd.
Finally, he spotted Han-sol standing in a secluded corner of the room. Grief was evident in his features, along with a hint of something else...
Jin-ho quickened his steps as he hurried toward his friend, a multitude of questions swirling in his mind.
"They were looking for you, Han-sol!" A man dressed in a somber black suit appeared, his eyes swollen from tears and his voice trembling with sorrow.
Upon seeing this stranger, Jin-ho came to a halt.
"I-I sent him instead because you were unavailable!"
Jin-ho's breath caught in his throat, and his heart nearly skipped a beat. The weight of the man's words hung heavily in the air.
Han-sol frowned, a touch of sadness weighing upon his brows. "So what are you trying to say? Are you implying that his death is my fault?"
"That's not what I meant," the other man denied, attempting to interject.
"Well, it certainly sounds like it to me!" Han-sol cut in sharply. "I didn't ask him to steal my clients or anything. This was bound to happen sooner or later."
"I understand that competition among hosts is fierce," the man tried to reason, "but don't you think this is going too far?"
Han-sol shook his head dismissively and shrugged. "I don't mean to be insensitive, but what do you expect me to do about it, huh?"
The other man rubbed his eyes wearily before speaking in a calm tone, "I want you to stop!"
Han-sol's voice rose slightly, "w-What?"
"Stop seeing her! It's only going to bring trouble!"
"Leave her out of this, will ya?" Han-sol responded defensively, bitterness lacing his words.
"Listen! I know it's been tough for you, but this isn't the way, man! You'll end up in deep trouble if you don't put a stop to it!"
Han-sol clicked his tongue, avoiding the man's gaze. "I appreciate your concern, but I'll handle it on my own."
Before the other man could respond, Jin-ho interrupted, abruptly entering the scene. "What's going on here?" he asked, causing both men to startle and turn their attention to him. Jin-ho was dressed in a tight-fitting suit that belonged to Han-sol, emphasizing its ill fit and lack of flattery.
Upon catching sight of Jin-ho, a glimmer of recognition flickered in the stranger man's eyes. "Han-sol, do you know this guy?" he asked with a hint of curiosity.
"Yeah, he's a friend! He'll be staying at my place for a while. We both attended the same high school as Hyun-seo!" Han-sol explained, noting the man's sudden interest in Jin-ho.
The stranger man paused, his eyes carefully studying Jin-ho from head to toe, as though appraising him. Han-sol's instincts immediately kicked in, sensing a potential threat, and he felt the need to intervene.
"Listen, don't even think about trying anything funny," Han-sol warned sternly, his protective instincts taking over.
The man's attention snapped back to the present, breaking free from his contemplation, and he redirected his gaze towards Jin-ho. Disregarding Han-sol's warning, he posed a question to Jin-ho. "Tell me, young man, are you perhaps in search of employment?"
Jin-ho hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by the unexpected inquiry. He arched an inquisitive eyebrow at Han-sol, seemingly looking for guidance.
The well-dressed man, emanating an aura of refinement, quickly introduced himself. "Oh, forgive my oversight! Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am known as Mr. Kang, the proprietor of a prestigious Korean host club called Wine Mystic. Han-sol here happens to be one of my most esteemed employees."
Jin-ho's mind quickly connected the dots, realizing the situation at hand. He was well aware of Mr. Kang's reputation and the renowned establishment known as Wine Mystic. The club had gained fame for its opulent atmosphere and exceptional service, attracting affluent clientele seeking unforgettable experiences.
"So, you're claiming to be the owner of that esteemed host club?" Jin-ho questioned, his tone tinged with intrigue.
Mr. Kang's smile widened, gratified by Jin-ho's recognition. "Indeed, you seem to be familiar with my establishment. Wine Mystic takes pride in handpicking the most charming and talented individuals to entertain our esteemed guests. Jin-ho, you possess a certain charm that could be quite appealing to our clientele. How about giving it a try?"
Jin-ho's curiosity was piqued, and he glanced back at Han-sol, seeking his opinion. Considering his current unemployment situation, Jin-ho found himself genuinely considering the offer. However, Han-sol's objections were clear as he shook his head, wearing a stern expression.
"Nah man! Nah," Han-sol objected firmly. "That kind of life isn't for you. You're meant for something better, something more meaningful."
Mr. Kang, determined to convince Jin-ho, turned to Han-sol and argued, "Come on! With Hyun-seo's unfortunate passing, Wine Mystic needs a new number one. Jin-ho could fill that role perfectly!"
Han-sol firmly held his ground, objecting to Mr. Kang's proposition. "But Mr. Kang, earlier you were urging me to quit. You clearly didn't think this was the right path for any of us."
Mr. Kang clarified his intentions, addressing Han-sol's objections. "Han-sol, I wanted you to stop seeing her, not to abandon the host life entirely. But since you're so strongly against it, I'll leave the decision to him."
With a final gesture, Mr. Kang handed Jin-ho a business card and walked away, leaving Jin-ho to weight his choices.
After a brief moment of staring at the business card, Jin-ho's eyes narrowed, and a sudden concern crossed his mind. "say! You're not involved in anything shady, right?"
Han-sol averted his gaze, his hand nervously running through his hair. "No, no! I swear, it's nothing like that!"
Jin-ho pressed on, recalling a peculiar detail. "But wasn't there something about Hyun-seo dying in your place or some such thing?"
Frustration laced Han-sol's voice as he exclaimed, "Come on, let it go! I already told you it's nothing!"
Jin-ho let out a resigned sigh, realizing that persuading Han-sol to open up was futile. If he wanted to share, he would do so willingly. Besides, Jin-ho acknowledged the possibility of being mistaken. Perhaps there was nothing to worry about after all.
Pushing aside his unease, Jin-ho made his stance clear. "You know what? I'm uncertain about what's really going on, but I'm genuinely considering Mr. Kang's offer."
"Huh? Is there any way I can change your mind?" Han-sol asked, hope tinged with concern evident in his voice.
Jin-ho shrugged, contemplating the question. "I can't think of any at the moment. But why are you so against it?"
Han-sol desperately wanted to warn his friend about the potential dangers, how things could take a turn for the worse, just as they did for Hyun-seo. However, he understood that if he revealed too much, Jin-ho would only become more intrigued and eager to dive deeper into the situation. Han-sol didn't want that.
He didn't want to drag Jin-ho back into the life he had fought so hard to leave behind. So, he chose a different approach. "I was just saying, it's hard to imagine someone like you hoeing around in a host club!"
Han-sol scoffed at Jin-ho's remark. "Oh, please! What could be worse than being a host?"
Jin-ho smirked confidently. "The arena," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of danger that sent a shiver down Han-sol's spine. Deep down, Han-sol understood exactly what Jin-ho was alluding to. Indeed, there was nothing worse than the arena.