Chapter 338 - Clash of the Idols (4)

SD was waiting for KJ at the docks and the latter arrived right on time. He observed the Nation's Idol who was browbeaten by the events which took place. It was hard not to pity the man who had only lost in life.

When KJ came closer, SD held out a packet of cigarettes for him.

"Care for a smoke?" he asked. 

"No," KJ said. His tone was flat and dead, devoid of any emotions. He did not know what to feel at all.

"Don't mind if I do," SD sighed. He took out a cigarette and lit it. He was not really a smoker but at times when he felt lost, a puff helped him. KJ did not say anything but leaned against SD's car, staring at the ocean before him. Everything was a blur to him. He did not even know whether he was doing the right thing by going to the President on his own. But nothing else mattered to him. All he wanted was for the chaos to end.

SD was also staring into the distance, his thoughts in a tangled mess.

"Twenty five years ago," he suddenly said. "I, too, lost everyone I loved."

He took another puff before continuing. "My parents were betrayed by their most loyal comrades. Their deaths weren't easy. Those men made sure that they would suffer in the most painful way possible. And they also made sure that I watched it."

He let out a grim snort, remembering the sight of his parents' mangled bodies in front of him. The world around him was falling apart and all his thoughts blanked out. He did not think about survival nor of revenge, his mind could not even fathom what had happened. It was a bleak future with no signs of hope ahead. Even death would not have affected him at that time.

KJ did not reply, his eyes on the view ahead but his ears listening to SD. Even without looking at the man, he could tell that SD was telling him the truth. The two men barely knew each other but for a moment, they were sharing an inexplicable camaraderie.

"You're not going there for revenge but to end it all," SD guessed. "Even if it ends you."

He threw the cigarette on the ground and crushed it with his foot.

"But you have a lot of other things to live for, Kwon Jiwon," he went on. "Are you really willing to throw it all away for a man who had snatched your loved ones away from you? Then aren't you letting their sacrifices go to waste?"

He looked at KJ who was still staring at the ocean. They did not speak for a long time but simply stood there in silence.

"I have no intention of letting anyone's sacrifice go to waste," KJ finally said. "I just don't want another person to die because of me."

He turned to look into SD's steely eyes.

"Even if I die today," he said. "I'll take him with me. No more bloodshed. This has to end now."

He had set his heart on it. There was no way he could let the President live longer. The man has outstayed his welcome on earth and it was time for KJ to finally put an end to this useless murder spree.

"Good," SD said. "Then do exactly as I say."

"And what is your payment for all this?" KJ asked. SD did not immediately reply to him but strode over to the driver's seat.

Before he got into the car, he said, "Live. Because if you die today, the person I care about the most in this world would be sad. And I can't see that person being sad."

KJ did not ask him anymore about what he meant by that but simply got into the car. SD revved up the engine.

"So what's your plan?" SD asked.

"I have none," KJ simply replied. SD smirked at his words.

"And that my friend," he said. "Is the perfect plan."

With that, they sped off onto the highway, heading for the mansion hidden among the hills. KJ had no idea of what lay ahead but it was risk he was all too willing to take. The thought of Dasom's body lying cold in the funeral home was haunting him. He did not want to leave his friend alone even for a second but it was his own fault that Dasom was dead. If he had been a little braver, he could have prevented Dasom's death.

As if reading his mind SD said, "Save up your grief, Kwon Jiwon. You'll need it when you finally bury your friend into the ground. The least you could do is bid him farewell knowing that the man responsible for his death is gone and will never strike again. Living in guilt isn't going to help in lessening the grief."

"How did you handle your grief?" KJ asked.

"I didn't," SD said. "I learnt to live with it until I can no longer feel anything."

KJ did not reply but merely nodded as they drove off.

Back in the mansion, the President was calmly sipping tea. His men were instructed to let Kwon Jiwon inside while Junhyung, who was standing next to him, looked nervous.

"Sir, do you think it's a good idea to let him in here?" he asked. "What if Abyss comes too?"

"The more the merrier," The President wheezed in his raspy voice. "This place is a fortress and almost impossible to infiltrate. Even if they come in, they can't escape. I know that their leader will also arrive with them to save her husband. We should give our guests a proper welcome."

"What about Ash Park?" Junhyun asked. "He was kept in the dark about the death of Kang Dasom. What if he takes action against us?"

"That kid is weak," the President scoffed. "He took over a few businesses and he thinks that he can beat me? I formed this Cartel! And he wants his inheritance but he has no idea what to do with it. The kid is weak and once I find a suitable heir, I'll get rid of him."

Junhyung's ears flickered at that thought. The President was out to replace Ash? Since Ziko, Oguri and the others were out of the picture, only Junhyung was capable enough to take over the reins of the Cartel.

"Sir, I-" he began but just then, a guard came running in.

"Sir!" he said with a bow. "We have spotted an unidentified car entering the premises."

The President grinned upon hearing that news.

"Our guest is here," he declared. "Let's welcome them to our humble abode."