Seo Jin stood still, processing everything.
He looked at the man on the ground, then at So Jeo.
As they stepped out, Seo Jin finally spoke. "…That's it?"
So Joe glanced at him briefly, as if weighing whether to answer or not.
"For today."
"And what if he does not pay?"
"Then we come back."
A pause.
"And next time—"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"It won't end with warnings."
They all walked toward where the car was parked.
The driver respectfully came to open the door for So Jeo to enter. Seo Jin pulled the other side open before slipping in.
The door shut, and the engine started immediately, the street fading as they drove off.
The atmosphere in the car was quiet. There was nothing to say between them.
"What about my mother?" Seo Jin asked out of the blue.
There was a moment of silence before So Jeo replied, "She's still in there."
Seo Jin's brows furrowed slightly. "Nothing can be done?"
"I'm sure you can tell that my work is complicated. Getting too exposed to the outside world, that might involve the police, is out of the question," So Jeo explained.
He hadn't planned on adding anything else, but when he caught the worried look on Seo Jin's face, he spoke again.
"We will try our best to help your mother."
Seo Jin, though still worried, could only nod.
The driver drove fast and straight without stopping due to the lack of traffic. Seo Jin expected them to return to the mansion.
But instead, the car slowed down in front of a compound, completely different from the last one. The building was cleaner and not abandoned.
"Out," So Jeo said.
Seo Jin nodded and stepped out of the car, followed by So Jeo. Another car parked behind them, and two large men stepped out.
"Lead us," So Jeo said.
Seo Jin's brows furrowed in confusion. "Huh?"
"I want you to collect the loan from the debtor," he explained.
"But—"
"There is no 'but.' I already taught you how we deal with debtors. This should be easy."
"Lead us," he added coldly.
Seo Jin still stood rooted to the floor, deep in thought.
"Think about your mother's safety," So Joe said, then fell silent. He had said more than enough.
Seo Jin had nothing to say. He nodded and stepped forward, stopping at the door.
He banged his fist against it.
No response.
He hit it again, twice, with more force.
A few seconds later, the door was pulled open, revealing a man with an annoyed expression.
"What?" he asked, clearly not noticing So Jeo at the side.
"Push the door," something whispered in Seo Jin's mind, and without thinking twice, he pushed the door open and stepped inside, forcing the man to stagger aside.
"Your debt," Seo Jin said, going straight to the point without wasting time.
The man scoffed, regaining himself quickly. "I'm not paying."
Seo Jin was briefly taken aback by the audacity, but remembering how So Jeo handled things, he studied the man closely.
Behind him, he could feel it—So Jeo standing there, watching, clearly not intending to interfere.
But that presence gave him a strange sense of confidence.
"Say that again," Seo Jin said, taking a step closer. His tone didn't rise; if anything, it became quieter.
The man frowned, irritation flashing across his face. "I said I'm not—"
Seo Jin moved before he could finish.
His hand shot out, grabbing the front of the man's shirt and slamming him against the wall.
For a brief second, Seo Jin felt relief that the man wasn't skilled in martial arts like his trainer.
The man clearly wasn't good at physical combat, judging by how easily Seo Jin overpowered him.
The impact knocked the breath out of him instantly.
Seo Jin didn't rush. He held him there, their eyes locked.
"Think before you speak," he said.
The man's expression shifted as realization dawned on him.
Seo Jin released him.
The man dropped slightly, coughing as he tried to regain himself.
Seo Jin stepped back, giving him a little space.
"You owe," he said. "Then pay."
The man steadied himself, glaring at Seo Jin, pride and anger evident in his eyes.
"And if I don't?" His voice was rough, laced with defiance.
Seo Jin rolled his eyes. "it does not matter"
The man clenched his jaw in anger.
"My boss does not like delays," Seo Jin continued.
"Bring what you have," So Joe said from behind, drawing the man's attention.
At the sight of So Jeo, the man instinctively cowered. It was his first time seeing him, and he couldn't help but feel intimidated by his presence.
"Didn't you hear what the boss said?" one of the large men added, kicking the debtor's leg.
The man winced in pain, hopping on one leg.
"We did not come here to argue or negotiate with you," So Jeo said.
"So are you going to pay, or should I have my men break your legs?"
"I will pay," the debtor said quickly, struggling to speak through the pain. He wasn't even sure if his leg would still function properly later.
"You have no choice."
"Wait," the man said as he hopped back inside.
The two men followed him without hesitation.
Seo Jin and So Jeo could hear drawers being opened, followed by hurried movements.
Moments later, the debtor returned with the two men behind him.
"Take it," he said, holding out the cash.
"Take it," So Joe ordered.
Seo Jin nodded and collected the money from the man's hand despite the firm grip.
"Count it," So Jeo added.
Seo Jin nodded and began counting carefully.
"If you make any mistake, you'll cover it from your own pocket."
The cold words made Seo Jin extra careful.
Where was he going to find money to balance up? After he carefully checked the money, "$600." He said.
" It's not complete." So jeo said,
The debtor stiffened
"You have until tomorrow," So Jeo added calmly. "He won't be the one here but me"
" I'll come myself."
The debtor's face went pale.
"Understood?"
"…Yes."
"Good."
So Jeo turned away.
"Let's go."