Chapter 181

< The Thieves (6) >

***

Arrived at the place where Jang Gun-i was waiting, running like the wind.

Only one thing was suspicious: a dog thief.

‘Ah, what a relief!’

Jang Gun-i seemed fine.

When he spotted Jin Hyuk, he stuck out his tongue and wagged his tail, hardly looking like a dog in trouble.

Huuuu-.

Taking a deep breath, I felt my heart rate slow and my body temperature drop.

The changes in my body were fascinating, but there was no time to marvel.

Hiiik-kiing-.

As Jin Hyuk arrived, Jang Gun-i, who had stopped howling, whimpered pitifully.

‘So, it was the thieves after all.’

Two black motorcycles were parked where Jang Gun-i was pacing anxiously.

It was the path leading to the back mountain where Choi Tae-yang and Yook Seong-chan went to dig up arrowroots and Yoo Jin went to pick chestnuts.

‘These damn brats…’

Jin Hyuk gritted his teeth.

Hiii- kkiii-.

Six lives, sounding like rain-soaked, sick dogs, sent pitiful glances at Jin Hyuk. Trapped in a cramped chicken coop, unable to move an inch.

Anger surged.

Without realizing when he had approached, Jin Hyuk hooked his fingers onto the metal chicken coop.

Kwa-ddeuk-!

He tore it apart just like that.

Yook Seong-chan’s Mary, someone’s Doku, the fighting dog Champ, and three others whose names he didn’t know.

Even after urging people to keep them in a safe place, some still ignored it.

But it wasn’t entirely their fault. In a scattered village where not all households are close, taking a dog to visit a neighbor is a tedious journey. It’s better to appreciate the effort of those who come to entrust their dogs rather than blame those who don’t.

“Go. Go home.”

They say a barking dog doesn’t bite, but was he caught just for barking?

Whatever, it didn’t matter.

– “Someone drenched in dog blood is no different from a dog-hating grim reaper. A fighting dog? Hey, in front of a dog dealer, it’s just a piece of meat, like a mouse in front of a cat.”

The dog that smelled that didn’t resist but lowered its tail and backed away.

Even if he’s full of bluster, Jo Il-hun is a man of many talents. Though not deeply knowledgeable, his wide-ranging chatter is helpful in daily life. Thanks to him, we could understand more deeply how these scary dogs were caught.

‘Thieves who even steal fighting dogs.’

Watching the large dogs return to their respective homes, Jin Hyuk felt more indignation than pride. The anger was clearer than the residue left in Kim Eung-nyeo’s family, now fading into the darkness.

He took out the secure phone.

He disliked using back channels, but this was a time for it.

Since it wasn’t for personal gain, the old man would understand.

Dduru-ruk-, before even one signal rang.

As if waiting for the call, Hong Ki-jun appeared on the other end.

– Hmm, Jin Hyuk.

His voice was always warm.

‘Ha, why am I so happy just to hear his voice?’

Maybe it’s the soul imprint effect, but hearing Hong Ki-jun’s voice puts my mind at ease.

Perhaps because my head was hot, Jin Hyuk rambled on about the situation.

– No need to apologize. If it’s Jin Hyuk’s request, I’ll help. Wait. I’ll call the police chief…

“No, no. It’s just that, uh-.”

Uhh-.

Anger surged to the top of my head, and my thought circuits seemed to stop. My body is growing, but for some reason, my mind isn’t what it used to be. Like an air conditioner out of coolant, blowing only hot air.

Anyway, calling the police chief for dog thieves is overkill.

“I called you because you’re the fastest to help. If I report it one by one, who knows when they’ll reach this countryside.”

It’s not a job for the SSS. Jin Hyuk judged so.

Not only are they personnel who shouldn’t be exposed, but the stationed members are currently enjoying a feast. Even Jin Hyuk, who left in the middle of eating galbitang, didn’t want to ruin their fun.

If a strong SSS agent caused unnecessary injuries to the thieves during the arrest, it could lead to headaches.

‘Handing them over to the police is the surest way.’

If the opponents are simple thieves, there’s no need to worry about future troubles, making it the most humane solution. This might reflect Jin Hyuk’s desire to live as a human.

‘Now, how do I keep these guys detained?’

Thump-thump-.

Even when he heard the news of Hwang Yeong-mo’s death, his heart raced too fast, even after running a full kilometer at full speed. Apart from the comfort from the reliable backer Hong Ki-jun, his anger towards the dog thieves was immense.

While pondering briefly, Hong Ki-jun, who had finished another call, comforted Jin Hyuk.

– Don’t step into danger and wait. I’ll be there soon.

“Thank you.”

– No. Thank you.

Hong Ki-jun is always like this.

He ends every call with thanks, but never says what he’s thankful for.

Kwa-ddeuk-.

After hanging up, he crushed all the chicken coops. It seemed like only by venting his anger could he calm his blood pressure. If asked to pay, he’d give a few pennies. My dad’s rich.

Even after tearing apart all the metal chicken coops and rolling them into balls, not a single scratch was left on his hands.

After making a few balls out of the wire mesh, he clapped his hands.

“Jang Gun-i?”

But Jang Gun-i was nowhere to be seen.

Come to think of it, I didn’t hear Jang Gun-i panting during the call.

“Ha-, where did this brat go?”

But I’m not worried.

It’s Jang Gun-i.

Only then did I chuckle, a hollow laugh.

‘This guy? Did he call me to save his friends?’

To think I’d be used by a dog in my lifetime.

*

At this moment, there was no greater relief than knowing Jang Gun-i was safe.

Peace like a river in my heart, digestive juices like a waterfall in my stomach.

‘I’m hungry.’

Two bowls of galbitang and two plates of pork ribs were completely burned off with just one full-speed run.

The lost fuel can be replenished, and to do that, I need to finish this and return to the feast. Logical, as always.

Woo-woo-.

Jin Hyuk hurriedly followed Jang Gun-i’s howling.

Rrr-. Krrr-.

Now, he could distinguish which dog it was just by the threatening sounds. The one growling so fiercely was none other than Gwang-ma. Despite being a really sweet and affectionate dog, he looked like a mad dog when baring his teeth at a mole or a slug. His actions were the opposite of his growls.

‘He’s holding someone.’

Sure enough, following the sound to Choi Mi-kyung’s house, he found a motionless figure in the middle of the yard. Perfect camouflage for the darkness, but too visible on the cement-paved yard. The bare feet and socks made the soles of his feet stand out.

Maybe the clean soles were thanks to Gwang-ma.

Rrr-.

That Gwang-ma always made combat sounds when licking something.

“Enough.”

Gwang-ma, who had been licking the right sole, immediately distanced himself as soon as Jin Hyuk spoke.

Hong-shi was sitting by the dog thief’s head, guarding the escape route.

‘Why is Jang Gun-i riding on his back?’

I thought I understood him well after living together for so long, but Jang Gun-i is a really strange dog.

Heh-heh-heh-. He kept licking the nape of the subdued person’s neck, with excessive secretions.

Jang Gun-i’s loyal subordinate, Cheon-ma, was pressing the dog thief’s back with his front paws, as if giving a dog massage. He usually spends time pressing Hong-shi’s back. Ah, does he think he’s a cat?

“Get down. He’s not a wild boar.”

Heh-heh-heh-.

But it’s a relief he listens to Jin Hyuk.

Jin Hyuk always warned the dogs. They must never hurt people.

Gong Seok-du, who looked up and saw Jin Hyuk, urgently shouted.

“Hey, hey! I’m just passing by-.”

“Shh-.”

Jin Hyuk crouched by Gong Seok-du’s head, putting a finger to his lips while petting Hong-shi’s head in praise.

Even if it’s the 20th century, who would believe the ‘just passing by’ excuse?

“I’m in a really bad mood right now, so only answer what I ask.”

Rrr-.

To Gong Seok-du’s ears, it was another growl.

Does someone who handles dogs so well speak dog language? For a moment, a strange thought crossed his mind.

“Who else is there? Where are they?”

Gong Seok-du rolled his eyes.

“Don’t roll your eyes.”

“Th-th-the-.”

Gong Seok-du stammered.

“Don’t stammer.”

“Behind the health center-.”

Huh?

I asked about accomplices because there were two motorcycles, but what does the health center have to do with it?

The health center is over 3km away.

“Old man, if you want to go back in one piece, you better tell the truth.”

I’m in a bad mood because I left my meal!

“R-really! One is waiting there!”

“Who came on the motorcycle?”

“How would I know? I’m lying here, how would I know where the guy with legs ran off to…”

Listening, it made sense.

Gong Seok-du’s dumb-looking face added credibility. In a situation surrounded by dogs, lying flat like a toad, he wouldn’t dare to scheme.

“Jang Gun-i. Keep this guy here.”

Heh-heh-heh-.

Jang Gun-i jumped back onto Gong Seok-du’s back and wagged his tail.

“Hey, hey-.”

“Resist, and he’ll eat you.”

“Eek-!”

At Jin Hyuk’s sharp threat, Gong Seok-du pressed his cheek tightly against the cement floor.

‘Just a bluff. Really, a dog eater?’

It’s just to let you experience the position of the weak.

The helplessness of the victim, the fear of the weak.

‘Experience what you did to the dogs.’

Jin Hyuk, heading home, paused and looked back.

Heh-heh-heh-.

Jang Gun-i was glaring at Gong Seok-du’s nape with a crazed look in his eyes.

Excessive drool dripped onto Gong Seok-du’s nape.

Each time, Gong Seok-du shrunk his neck.

‘Hmm…’

Ah, surely not.

Jang Gun-i isn’t that kind of dog.

Woo-.

Jang Gun-i gave a low, commanding growl.

Gwang-ma, liking Gong Seok-du’s feet, started licking again.

Cheon-ma resumed the massage.

“Uhh-uhh-uhh-. God, Father-.”

Gong Seok-du’s sobbing prayer received no response.

***

Near the health center at the village entrance.

Kim Woo-don, a distributor, sat in the driver’s seat of a 5-ton truck, anxiously waiting for his partners.

Gong Seok-du and Ma Gun-cheon.

They’re skilled and have been friends for a long time, so they work well together, or so they said.

Newbies use less mobile vehicles or wear whatever clothes, but Gong Seok-du and Ma Gun-cheon wore black uniforms. Not only that, when they entered a farmhouse, the dog barking would stop, and they’d come out carrying heavy dogs.

Kim Woo-don made some money this year thanks to the record-breaking heatwave.

Because there were no adult dogs to sell.

When supply issues arose, they resorted to stealing dogs from homes. Ma Gun-cheon suggested it.

“Why aren’t they coming…?”

It takes three hours to reach Cheonan, where the buyer is waiting, via the national highway.

Though road conditions have improved recently, most of the route is dark, two-lane rural roads.

It takes less than an hour to fill the chicken coops on the motorcycles and return, but it’s been over two hours with no news.

And it’s not like he can drive a large truck full of dogs into the countryside in the middle of the night.

He tapped his feet nervously.

Vroooom-.

“Huh? What’s that sound?”

Vroooom-. Screech-.

He thought he heard an engine, then the sound of tires screeching loudly.

Seeing red lights, Kim Woo-don quickly ducked.

Thud-.

“Ouch-, damn.”

Ducking quickly, he hit his forehead on the steering wheel.

Rubbing the sore spot, he cautiously rolled his eyes.

‘One, two, three.’

Why are there so many patrol cars in this backwater?

No sirens, just the devil’s tongue-like red lights silently tearing through the night, heading to the village where Gong Seok-du and Ma Gun-cheon went to work.

“Damn it-.”

Kim Woo-don sensed it was over.

What’s needed at times like this is-.

Speed.

He fumbled for the car key.

The key was properly inserted, but why is it so hard to find when in a hurry?

Click-click-. Click-click-.

Adding insult to injury, the starter motor, which was fine, started acting up.

“Ah, damn it, really. Huh?”

As he grumbled and tried again, Kim Woo-don froze when he looked ahead.

As if he’d seen a ghost.

Sure enough, there was a person standing right in front of the driver’s seat.

“Who…”

As he moved his lips.

Crash-!

Thud-thud-thud-.

“Ahhh-!”

Kim Woo-don hit his forehead again.

A loud noise followed by a tremendous vibration.

It felt like hitting a utility pole at high speed.