Three Eight-Chapter 45

Hongju chewed on his lower lip as he watched Mu-gyeong, who had emerged freshly dressed.

"Gu Madam contacted you."

Mu-gyeong tossed his phone from the island bar over to Hongju. He barely managed to catch it and immediately checked the screen. It was just past noon, but the message had come early that morning. Guppping was probably asleep now—if he replied, he’d only get cursed out again. He double-checked the text telling him to go to Gwangpal’s house.

"Debt’s cleared, so he’s sending you out to collect right away, huh."

Before he even noticed, Mu-gyeong was standing shoulder to shoulder with him, looking down at the screen. The rush of scent made Hongju shrink away a little.

"Gu Madam really has no shame, doesn’t he?"

"...Yeah."

His answer came out as a crawl, eyes still fixed on the screen. But even if he wanted to pretend not to notice the heat in that stare, he couldn’t ignore it.

Like last time, the two had a light meal together. Now dressed in freshly laundered clothes that carried a clean scent, Hongju quietly waited for his chance. He kept checking his phone like he was expecting something, hoping Mu-gyeong would loosen his guard.

"Hey. You ready?"

Maybe it was a call he wasn’t supposed to overhear—Mu-gyeong, buttoning up his shirt, wedged the phone between his shoulder and ear as he stepped into the bedroom. Clack. The sound of the door closing made Hongju spring up from the sofa. Silently, he slipped out of the sitting room and headed down the hotel hallway toward the elevator.

"...Why isn’t it working?"

His finger stabbed at the floor button in panic, but no light came on. Broken? Alarmed, he started hitting every other floor button as well. The mellow instrumental music playing inside picked up in pace, as if to pressure him.

Maybe he’d taken too long—just as the elevator doors started to close, a flat hotel keycard slid through the narrow opening. Immediately, the doors eased back open.

"Now where are you rushing off to?"

Mu-gyeong stepped in, dressed sharp as ever. Just one more person in the elevator, yet the air felt suffocating with the pressure he exuded. He tapped the basement button with the card key, and only then did the button light up. It was like even the elevator only obeyed certain people.

"I have to go collect."

It was early, but he didn’t have a better excuse. Mu-gyeong rolled up one sleeve and glanced at his watch with a quiet scoff.

"You think anyone’s gonna give you a medal for being early?"

Hands in his coat pockets, he kept his eyes fixed on the display above. The quiet hum of music was the only sound in the silence. When they reached the parking level, Mu-gyeong left only a curt "follow me" before heading to the car. Hongju hesitated in front of the passenger door.

"I have to go collect debts."

"Then go. Who’s stopping you?"

With one hand resting on the car roof, Mu-gyeong tilted his head. He hadn’t said "don’t go," but everything about the situation made it feel like he was being cornered. Hongju clenched his hand, the bandage on his palm crumpling under his grip. Mu-gyeong gave a slight nod of his chin.

"......"

Realizing there was only one option, Hongju got into the car. Once the engine started, Mu-gyeong drove as if he had a destination in mind. The roads looked familiar at first—but soon, they veered into a place Hongju didn’t recognize.

"Where are we going?"

"Got something to check on real quick."

Hongju squinted out the window. Instead of the run-down neighborhoods he was used to, sleek new buildings stood in neat rows. He scratched his cheek, trying to hide his frustration. Why not just leave him at the hotel? Why drag him all the way out here? How was he supposed to get to Gwangpal’s from here?

"I’m heading there anyway. That Gwangpal house or whatever."

"Why the house?"

"Just. After playing a few rounds, I kinda liked it."

The way he said it, he sounded genuinely amused. Hongju let out a small sigh. Must be nice, having money—clearly he didn’t know how much of a pit the house really was.

"Most of the guys who go there have been beating the game for decades. They’re no different from full-blown pros."

"That so?"

Mu-gyeong’s fingers tapped rhythmically on the steering wheel. It didn’t match the seriousness of the warning, and Hongju wet his lips.

"Be careful. Gwangpal’s house deals in huge bets. One bad round and you could lose thousands."

Mu-gyeong just shrugged. He wasn’t even pretending to listen. Hongju turned his body slightly toward the driver’s seat, trying to be more direct—but before he could speak, a cold voice cut in.

"Don’t remember asking you to worry about me."

Instead of replying, Hongju just shook his head. Not that Mu-gyeong would’ve seen it.

"I told you to watch Gu Madam. But you’re always worrying."

It sounded like a reprimand, like he was being called out for overstepping. Hongju’s lips parted, but no sound came out.

"Every time—it’s ‘don’t lose money,’ ‘don’t join the game,’ ‘don’t go,’ ‘you’ll get hurt.’"

Those were all things Hongju had said to Mu-gyeong. Hearing them back now, it really did sound like someone fussing over someone they cared ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) about. But all of it had just been part of his report... hadn’t it?

The car came to a smooth stop at a red light. With nothing to focus on ahead, Mu-gyeong turned his attention to him. Hongju quickly leaned back against the seat and stared at the trunk of the car in front of them.

"Anyone would think you’ve got feelings."

"I don’t. I’m just doing what you told me to."

Afraid that silence might be mistaken for guilt, he forced the words out, scratching at his tight throat.

"You really don’t?"

Mu-gyeong tilted his head against the headrest, eyes fixed on Hongju.

"No. I don’t."

Sssup.

The sound of breath being drawn in through his teeth lingered for a long time. Hongju stayed tense, ears straining toward the faint sound coming from his right.

"Why? I think I’ve been pretty good to you."

Mu-gyeong wasn’t wrong. Since he’d shown up, the constant, indiscriminate violence had decreased, and the crushing weight of his debt had lightened.

But all of that had come with a price, hadn’t it? If it was ever found out that he was colluding, he could be beaten to death. And he’d had sex he didn’t want. His hips still ached with the aftereffects, and there were faint bruises left on his neck.

"......."

Hongju shut his eyes tight, recalling the searing pain of something being shoved in so deep it felt like it would tear him open. His lashes quivered faintly. The car started moving again, signaling the light had changed. After a long pause to steady his breath, Hongju slowly opened his eyes and moved his lips.

"You sound just like Gu Madam."

"Hah."

Mu-gyeong’s low laugh seemed to brush teasingly against his already-useless left ear.

"It hurts to be compared to that old fuck, you know."

His tone was flat, still tinged with laughter, which made Hongju let down his guard for just a moment.

The car started to veer toward the shoulder and came to a stop in a deserted area. Mu-gyeong grabbed Hongju’s jaw roughly and yanked him toward himself. Startled, Hongju flinched, blinking wide.

"Did I force you to suck me off? Did I beat the shit out of you?"

"......."

"You just lay there, and I did all the work. Fucked you, came for you. Yeah?"

Hongju pressed his trembling lips tightly together and held his breath. Mu-gyeong was gripping his jaw hard enough to shatter it, and even swallowing was impossible.

"......."

Still, he didn’t answer. Mu-gyeong let out a breath and then yanked his face even harder. His whole torso lurched forward, and then came the kiss—brutal and violent. He forced Hongju’s mouth open, tongue thrusting deep inside.

"Mm—"

His mouth was stretched wide enough to make his jaw throb. That hot muscle coiled and scraped and shoved inside, grinding against his tongue, sucking and pressing down. When Mu-gyeong’s pointed tongue jabbed nearly to the back of his throat, Hongju’s eyes squeezed shut. His throat tightened, body twitching, and just then, Mu-gyeong bit down hard on his lower lip.

"Think about it again."

His voice dropped low as he loosened his grip slightly and lowered his gaze. Blood began to seep faintly through the saliva-slicked line of Hongju’s mouth. Mu-gyeong stared as the red welled up between the ridges of his lips, then exhaled hotly.

"Still think I’m no different from Gu Madam?"

"......."

Does silence mean yes? With a quiet smirk, Mu-gyeong leaned back in again. He crushed their lips together, tore through Hongju’s mouth without restraint. His hot tongue raked over the soft inner flesh. He scraped the roof of his mouth, then bit down hard again on his bottom lip before pulling away. This time, more blood beaded and pooled around his lips.

"Answer me."

Harsh breathing came through Hongju’s parted lips, but no words. Mu-gyeong rubbed his thumb roughly across his lip, mixing blood and saliva, smearing it into a long trail at the corner of his mouth. Still, his eyes were fixed on the flicker of Hongju’s tongue peeking through those bloodied lips.

"I even listened to all your whining, didn’t I?"

"......."

"Am I still just like Gu Madam?"

His voice was even colder now, demanding an answer. If he stayed silent this time, Mu-gyeong looked ready to shred his mouth to pieces. Hongju swallowed the sting in his lips and forced out a sound.

"...No."

Barely more than a whisper, but thankfully, it seemed Mu-gyeong heard it.

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"You should’ve said so from the start."

He finally sounded satisfied. The looming shadow over Hongju’s pale face receded.

"This one doesn’t count toward your debt. That was for fixing your attitude."

Hongju wiped his lips with the back of his hand. The hot, wet smear of spit and blood stuck to his skin. The metallic taste that had become far too familiar made goosebumps ripple down his back.