𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 | 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐙𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐋
BLOODHOUNDS

After the loss of the restaurant, the young girl, Tori, found herself thrust into a world she had never imagined. At just nineteen, she was suddenly responsible for navigating the complexities of adult life in the wake of devastating financial ruin exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The days that followed were a blur of bureaucratic meetings, legal consultations, and attempts to salvage what little remained of her grandparents' payments. Tori had no experience in managing a business, let alone a struggling restaurant, but necessity became her mentor. She quickly learned about debts, creditors knocking on the door, and the harsh realities of bankruptcy.

Despite the overwhelming challenges, Tori was determined to honor her grandparents' restaurant and their hard work. With the help of a few loyal employees who had been with the restaurant since its inception, she decided to reopen, albeit on a smaller scale. They cleaned, renovated what they could afford, and devised a streamlined menu that focused on the restaurant's most beloved dishes.

Word spread slowly among the locals about Tori's efforts. Some patrons returned out of nostalgia, others out of sympathy for her plight. The initial days were a struggle to break even, but Tori refused to give up. She took odd jobs during the day to keep the restaurant afloat and spent her nights poring over financial statements and marketing strategies.

Though... all went down hill after multiple employees started getting COVID. Several employees fell ill, and despite her best efforts to comply with safety protocols, the restaurant had to close temporarily. This left Tori into going bankrupt again and sadly she was on the brick of closing the shop. The loss of income during this period pushed Tori to the brink of financial collapse once more.

Until she was met with loan shark, Park Min-jung. Min made a deal with Tori about an interest rate... and illegal interest rate. Min-jung, sensed Tori's vulnerability, proposed a deal that seemed too good to be true—a substantial loan to cover expenses with a repayment plan that initially appeared manageable — obviously Tori what she was doing, but she did have faith in herself that the deal would go smoothly. However, buried deep within the contract were clauses detailing exorbitant interest rates and severe penalties for any missed payments. That's the part Tori forgot about.

The interest rates soared, far beyond what Tori could realistically afford. Each passing week brought more aggressive demands from Smile Capitals enforcers. They would loiter outside the restaurant, intimidating patrons and the two staff who still worked there. She found herself isolated, unable to seek help from those she once trusted. Sleepless nights became the norm as she struggled to keep up with payments, sacrificing her own wages and personal well-being to stave off the looming threat of foreclosure.

You see, her grandparents owned 8,067,600 won. 8 . Million . Won — which is 6,000 USD dollars.

Despite her efforts, the debts continued to pile up. Min-jung's demands grew more brazen, threatening to seize the restaurant if Tori couldn't come up with a substantial payment within a week. Desperation drove Tori to consider risky options—borrowing from other lenders at even higher interest rates or selling what little remained of her grandparents' belongings.

One fateful evening, Tori received a chilling visit from the CEO of Smile Capital, Kim Myeong-gil. Dressed in an expensive suit and flanked by intimidating bodyguards, Myeong-gil made it clear that time was running out. She demanded an immediate lump sum payment that Tori simply couldn't muster. In a moment of sheer panic, Tori realized she had been outmaneuvered from the start.

DECEMBER 5TH, 2020

Tori stood frozen in fear as Kim Myeong-gil, the imposing CEO of Smile Capital, delivered his ultimatum in the dimly lit restaurant office. His sharp gaze pierced through her, making her feel smaller than ever. "You have 48 hours, Miss Adam's... you're lucky that I'm being generous," Myeong-gil's voice was icy and authoritative. "Pay what you owe, or we'll take matters into our own hands."

Tori's mind raced, but there was no escape from the reality closing in on her. With trembling hands, she managed to utter, "Please, I beg you. Give me more time. I can't come up with that amount in such a short period." Myeong-gil's expression softened slightly, his calculating eyes studying her intently. "Time is a luxury you no longer have," he replied coolly. "However, there might be another way your pretty little self can settle your debt."

Tori's heart pounded with a mixture of dread and a glimmer of hope as Myeong-gil continued, "I have a proposition for you, Miss Adam. Work for Smile Capital. Prove your loyalty and dedication, and perhaps we can renegotiate your debt."

Tori hesitated, her mind reeling with disbelief. Working for the very man who had driven her into this corner seemed like a nightmare. Yet, desperate times called for desperate measures. With a deep breath, she nodded reluctantly, "I'll do it. Just give me a chance."

Myeong-gil's lips curled into a wicked smile, a gesture that sent chills down Tori's spine. "Good. Report to my office tomorrow morning. Don't be late."

DECEMBER 6TH, 2020

The next day, Tori entered Smile Capital's imposing headquarters, feeling like a lamb walking into a lion's den. The sleek, modern interior and bustling atmosphere intimidated her. She was escorted to Myeong-gil's office by his stern-faced assistant, who left her standing nervously outside the closed door.

Inside, Myeong-gil sat behind a polished desk, exuding power and control. He gestured for Tori to sit, and she did so cautiously, her hands trembling in her lap.

"Your first task," Myeong-gil's voice was steely, "is to learn the ropes of our operations. You'll start in the lowest position and work your way up. I expect absolute dedication and discretion."

For weeks, Tori immersed herself in the cutthroat world of Smile Capital. She learned about investments, negotiations, and the intricate web of alliances and rivalries within the company. Myeong-gil was a harsh taskmaster, pushing her to her limits with long hours, demanding assignments, and relentless scrutiny.

Tori's journey at Smile Capital was fraught with challenges. She faced resentment from colleagues who saw her as an outsider and suspicion from clients who questioned her sudden appearance in their dealings. Myeong-gil's expectations were relentless, his critiques sharp and unforgiving.

Despite the hardships, Tori surprised herself with her resilience. She absorbed knowledge like a sponge, learning to navigate the complexities of corporate politics and business strategies. She endured sleepless nights studying financial reports, mastering presentations, and honing her negotiation skills.

As Tori's proficiency grew, so did her unease. She witnessed firsthand the ruthlessness of Smile Capital's tactics—manipulating markets, exploiting loopholes, and crushing competitors without mercy. Myeong-gil's world was one of calculated risks and moral ambiguity, where success came at a steep price.

Yet, Tori found herself strangely drawn to the challenge. She began to understand the allure of power and wealth, the seductive pull of success in Myeong-gil's eyes. Her loyalty was tested time and again as she wrestled with her conscience, torn between her debts and the ethical boundaries she once held dear.

Months passed, and Tori's transformation was undeniable. She had earned Myeong-gil's grudging respect with her dedication and sharp intellect. However, as she climbed higher within Smile Capital's hierarchy, she discovered unsettling truths about Myeong-gil's true motives and the extent of his influence.

One evening, Tori stumbled upon incriminating evidence linking Smile Capital to illegal activities that threatened to destroy countless lives. Shocked and disillusioned, she confronted Myeong-gil, demanding answers.

"You knew what this company was capable of," Tori's voice trembled with anger and betrayal. "You used me, manipulated me into this."

Myeong-gil regarded her with a mixture of disappointment and admiration. "You wanted a chance, my dear," he said calmly. "You took it. Now you understand the price of ambition."

"You're just a fucking monster..." Tori mumbled, but unfortunately he heard her disgusted words. His shit eating smile slightly dropped and he tilted his head. "Excuse me ?"

Tori swallowed hard, looking down. Myeong-gil's eyes narrowed into silts as he intertwined his fingers and leaned up against his desk. "May I remind you that your hands are just as dirty as mines. You've done crude things that left people in shambles... the nerve of you, my dear." Myeong-gil slowly got up out of his chair and made his way towards Tori. She tensed up, her hands becoming shaky.

He moved in back of her, taking a loc of her hair. and tucked it behind her ear. His face moved closer to hers — she could feel his hot breath ghosting over her, which made her physically sick. "Watch your mouth," Myeong-gil's voice was a whisper, but it carried a weight that made Tori's blood run cold. His touch on her hair sent a shiver down her spine, his fingers lingering just a moment too long before he released her.

Tori fought to keep her composure, her mind racing with fear and disgust. She could feel the walls closing in around her, trapped in Myeong-gil's menacing presence.

"You aren't going to do anything to stop me anyways." Myeong-gil's voice was a dangerous murmur, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and malice. "You're nothing but a pawn in this game, Miss Adams. Remember that."

"Now get out."

Tori balled her hands into fist, but he was right. She had no backup, nobody else to help her stand against him. She didn't say anything and just left out of his office.

But that's okay.

She had her own back — soon, she was going to stop working for them, and expose them. It was quite hypocritical... but she didn't care.

Though.

What she didn't know, what that Myeong was already on her back.

In the days that followed, Myeong-gil's retaliation was swift and merciless. Tori found herself marginalized within Smile Capital, her responsibilities stripped away one by one. Colleagues who had once supported her now avoided her gaze, fearful of being associated with her downfall.

Myeong-gil tightened his grip on the company, consolidating his power and rooting out any dissent. Tori's every move was scrutinized, her work sabotaged subtly but effectively. Meetings she once attended were now held without her, decisions made behind closed doors where she had no voice.

Yet, Tori refused to back down. She fought tirelessly to uncover more evidence of Smile Capital's wrongdoing.

One evening, Tori received a chilling message—a photograph of her apartment building, now with a red crosshair ominously drawn over it. The silent threat was clear. Myeong-gil had found her weakness and was prepared to exploit it to crush her once and for all.

Fearing for her safety, Tori went into hiding, moving from one safe house to another. She lived in constant fear, always looking over her shoulder, never staying in one place.

As the days went on, Tori couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. It was nearly midnight when her phone rang, insisting she come into work immediately. She hesitated, her intuition tingling with unease.

Arriving at Smile Capital, Tori's worst fears materialized before her eyes: her grandparents, dear and frail, were bound and held captive by Myeong-gil, a figure she had only heard whispers of in the darkest corners of her workplace. Her heart sank as she realized the danger they were in, and she knew she had to act swiftly to save them.

"I've known... we all have known what you've been up to... trying to find out things about us... you were going to quit and try to take us down, hm ?" Myeong's voice was still calm and deep with that sickening smile.

And that how it ended...

The young girl cried out, her eyes were puffy and red and her hands shook violently. They were covered in blood... her grandparents blood.

Betrayal.