“Ugh…”

How much time had passed?

As his senses returned, Park Gyu-min groaned. Then, like someone waking from a nightmare, he gasped and opened his eyes wide.

For a moment, panic overtook him, but he quickly regained his composure, controlling his breathing.

“A kidnapping! That bastard An Su-ho said I was kidnapped…!”

He remembered it vividly. It wasn’t a dream—it was all real.

Slowly, he raised his head to take in his surroundings.

“Where… am I?”

He tried to survey the area, but his view was obstructed by wooden boards, making it hard to discern his location.

I’ll have to get up, won’t I?

Reluctantly, he decided to lift himself.

At least the place wasn’t completely dark—there was light, indicating he was indoors.

He cautiously raised his body, peeking over the boards.

“...!”

The moment he looked beyond, he froze. His breath caught in his throat.

His head dropped back down, and he curled into a ball on the floor.

Thud, thud, thud—

His heart raced uncontrollably.

What was that? What did I just see?

His mind reeled, trying to process what his eyes had glimpsed.

The scene beyond the boards looked like something out of a horror movie, smeared with blood and gore. The most terrifying sight was a figure crouched at the center of it all.

“That… that was a person…! It had to be a person!”

Clenching his teeth, Park Gyu-min stifled the scream threatening to escape. But fear crept through his body, making him tremble uncontrollably.

“Where the hell am I? What did I do to deserve this? Why are they doing this to me?”

In moments of crisis, the human mind works at lightning speed. Yet no matter how he spun his thoughts, he couldn’t think of a way out.

He could do nothing but lie there, paralyzed with terror. After all, he wasn’t an awakened player or a Hunter—just a powerless civilian.

And then…

“Grrrrrr…”

A guttural growl reached him from beyond the boards, like the wail of some monstrous beast.

Sh-sh-sh…

The sound of something scraping across the floor.

It was moving.

And the noise was growing louder.

Why is it getting louder?

A chilling realization struck him—it was coming closer.

His heart pounded wildly in his chest.

What do I do? What can I do? What choice do I have?

The sound was now mere inches away.

Finally, when he couldn’t bear it any longer, Park Gyu-min’s fear erupted.

“AAAAAHHH!!”

Unable to hold back, he scrambled up, bursting out of the boards. The wooden planks shattered as he fled like a madman.

But he didn’t get far.

In the stark white room, he ran straight into a wall, slamming into it with a sickening thud.

Pain barely registered in his mind—his terror drowned out everything else.

“AAAHHH! HELP ME! PLEASE! SOMEBODY, ANYBODY! PLEASE SAVE ME!”

He was on the brink of losing his sanity.

And then…

Clink, clink…

The sound of chains rattling brought the movement to a halt.

Park Gyu-min blinked through his tears, trying to understand. He could see now that the figure was chained around the neck.

“Grrr…”

The creature tugged at its chains but lacked the strength to break free. After several futile attempts, it collapsed in place.

Finally, Park Gyu-min’s screams subsided. Still trembling, tears and snot streaming down his face, he began to examine the figure.

It’s… a person?

In disbelief, he whispered, “A… a person…?”

“That’s right, it’s a person.”

The voice startled him, coming from just beside him.

He turned his head, and there stood Su-ho.

“You… you!”

“‘You?’” Su-ho repeated with a raised brow.

With that single word, Su-ho summoned a weapon into his hand—a blood-red club crafted through his Blood Weapon skill.

Without hesitation, he swung it down, shattering Park Gyu-min’s wrist.

CRACK!

“AAAAAGHH!!”

The gruesome sound of bones breaking was followed by a howl of agony. Park Gyu-min collapsed, clutching his wrist and writhing in pain.

Coldly, Su-ho stared down at him.

“Vice President, get a grip. You knew you were kidnapped, and yet you’re still acting recklessly? Are you stupid, or are you doing this on purpose?”

“Ughhh…”

Park Gyu-min could only sob, clutching his mangled wrist.

But Su-ho didn’t feel the slightest bit of pity.

Reaching out his hand, Su-ho cast a skill.

[Heal Activated.]

As the healing magic took effect, Park Gyu-min’s wrist slowly began to mend.

“Stop whining. It’s annoying.”

“W-why are you doing this to me? What did I do to deserve this?”

“You really don’t get it, do you?”

Still speaking in casual tones, Su-ho raised his blood-red club once again. Before he could bring it down, Park Gyu-min dropped to his knees, grabbing at Su-ho’s pants.

“I’m sorry! I mean—I’m really sorry! Please don’t hit me again!”

“You should’ve said that earlier.”

Su-ho dragged a nearby chair over and sat down, speaking with a calm smile.

“Now that you’ve come to your senses, let’s have a serious talk. I’d rather not have to hit you again.”

“Yes, yes! I understand!”

“But just to make sure you’re paying attention… You see that thing over there?”

Su-ho gestured toward the chained figure.

“That’s Im Chang-shik. He used to run a gang in Yeongdeungpo, dealing drugs and loans. You’ve read about him, right?”

“Im Chang-shik? Oh, yes, I’ve heard of him!”

“I’ve been keeping him around as a personal project. Would you like to take a closer look?”

Su-ho grabbed Im Chang-shik by the scruff of the neck and displayed his face—a grotesque mess of scabs and dried blood. The sight made Park Gyu-min shiver uncontrollably.

After tossing the man back to the ground, Su-ho returned to his seat.

“Let’s be clear. Whether you live as Park Gyu-min or end up like Im Chang-shik depends entirely on what you do from now on.”

“I-I understand…”

“Good. Now that we’re on the same page…”

Su-ho tossed a notebook and pen at him.

“Start writing. From the draft-dodging scandal to the bribes you’ve taken from Son Baek-geum. List every crime you’ve committed at the APA, whether you led it or just went along. Leave anything out, and you’ll be joining Chang-shik.”

“A-all of it?”

Su-ho sighed and summoned his club again, smashing it into Park Gyu-min’s shoulder.

CRACK!

“AAAGHH!!”

This time, his shoulder and collarbone snapped under the force.

Su-ho let him writhe in pain for a moment before using Heal again.

“Don’t make me repeat myself. Next time, I’ll break all your limbs.”

“Y-yes! I understand! I’ll write everything down!”

Trembling, Park Gyu-min picked up the pen and began scribbling furiously.

Seated comfortably, Su-ho watched him.

“Nothing gets results like this.”

Su-ho had learned from experience—many people don’t respond to kind words. Force is faster and more effective.

He had no intention of resorting to violence unnecessarily. His goal was to take control of the APA far faster than in his previous life, using its resources to crush his future enemies.

Time is precious.

When Park Gyu-min finally handed over the notebook, shaking, Su-ho skimmed through it.

“Well, well… I knew you were scum, but this is impressive. No wonder Pi Seong-yeol has you under his thumb.”

“What… what do you mean?”

“You seriously don’t know?”

As realization dawned, Su-ho began to lay out his plan, breaking down the web of betrayal around Park Gyu-min.

By the end, the Vice President was pale and groveling.

“Please, help me survive. I’ll do whatever you say!”

Kneeling at Su-ho’s feet, Park Gyu-min pledged his loyalty.

With that, Su-ho had gained another pawn.