Chapter 153: Purge Operation (3)

That evening.

Jang Won-gi went to see Jin Kyung-hee.

Having received confidential information from an insider at the educational office, he knew he couldn’t just sit idly by.

“…Vice Principal, the situation doesn’t look good. The media coverage and the fact that the educational office is conducting an investigation despite the Golden Circle’s influence… We might be in serious trouble.”

This time was different.

In the past, no matter what corruption they were involved in, the Golden Circle had always taken care of everything.

There were no media reports, and the issues never escalated. But now, no matter how he looked at it, something was off. The educational office had taken direct action, collecting testimonies from students related to “corruption.” It was only a matter of time before they acted on it.

In other words.

Someone had to take the fall.

With all this media scrutiny, there was no way the investigation would end with “nothing happened.”

Jin Kyung-hee’s face was stern as she spoke.

“Let’s wait. I’ve already contacted them. We’ll get an answer soon.”

“And if they decide to throw us under the bus? What then? I’m terrified right now. The Golden Circle has always handled things quietly, but nothing has gone right with Kim Hyunsung. If you think about it, the only way the Golden Circle can come out of this without repercussions is by sacrificing people like us. If we wait until they make their decision, it’ll be too late. We need to act now if we want to survive!”

Kim Hyunsung’s words.

They kept fueling his anxiety.

As unsettling thoughts began to swirl, his voice grew louder, causing Jin Kyung-hee’s eyes to narrow sharply.

“Mr. Jang! Calm down. Even if the Golden Circle makes an unfavorable decision, what can we do? You know what kind of organization the Golden Circle is. Do you think you can survive if you go against them? Can you bear the consequences of drawing a knife on them to save yourself? Just stay quiet and wait.”

“…”

He was at a loss for words.

She was right.

If they acted out of desperation.

Who knew what the Golden Circle might do to them?

Having witnessed their ruthless methods before, Jang Won-gi couldn’t argue with Jin Kyung-hee’s reasoning.

Just then.

*Buzz*

[Park Hyung-jun]

The awaited call captured their attention.

* * *

Park Hyung-jun requested a meeting.

Jin Kyung-hee quickly made her way to his office after parting from Jang Won-gi, and the moment she saw him, she immediately vented her frustrations.

“Can you please explain what’s going on? With the Golden Circle’s power, shouldn’t they have been able to stop the educational office’s investigation?”

“Well, things have gotten a bit complicated.”

Park Hyung-jun scratched his head.

They had tried to block the investigation.

But as the situation spiraled out of control, the higher-ups decided to cut their losses.

“To be honest, the person we serve is rather old-fashioned. Despite being the mastermind behind the Golden Circle, from its inception, they’ve insisted on never stepping beyond the bounds of the ‘school.’ I understand their reasoning. For years, the Golden Circle has ruined countless lives under the guise of school violence, and the public has never suspected a larger conspiracy behind it. In a world where predators and prey naturally exist, people chalk it up to youthful mistakes, never imagining there could be a vast, organized plot behind it. That’s why we’ve been able to operate as we have. If we were only thinking of immediate gains, we could make an exception for the Kim Hyunsung situation and just crush him. But our leader believes that even a single exception could lead to a collapse.”

“…So, are you saying we’re being thrown away?”

“I’m just saying this situation is unavoidable. It’s not a simple matter. While we can still handle the School Violence Prevention Committee’s involvement with the educational office, Jeonghan Daily has already picked up the story. You know what that means, right? Jeonghan Daily doesn’t move without solid evidence. Upon investigation, we confirmed that Senator Kim Pan-ho was the one who provided the source to Jeonghan Daily.”

“Senator Kim Pan-ho? Why is he involved in this?”

“If I had to guess, he’s likely using this issue to raise his political standing by solving a societal problem. That’s what politicians do, isn’t it? The problem is that this has already gone beyond what we can cover up. Kim Pan-ho has made his move, and Jeonghan Daily is on the story. They can’t just back off without losing face. So, something has to give. That’s the conclusion the Golden Circle has reached.”

At that moment.

Jin Kyung-hee felt her mind go blank.

He was openly saying they were being discarded.

In other words, the Golden Circle had decided to sacrifice Jin Kyung-hee and the other teachers to contain the situation.

Her expression hardened as she looked at Park Hyung-jun with eyes like a cornered wildcat.

“Do you think we’ll just sit back and take it?”

“What other choice do you have?”

“…”

“Think carefully. If you remain loyal, there’s a chance you’ll be reinstated later. But if you bare your fangs now and lash out, it’ll be over for you. All I can tell you is that we have our own plan to deal with Kim Hyunsung. And you already know, don’t you? This relationship has always been one of power and subservience. You’ve benefited greatly from this relationship, so now, as a subordinate, you must fulfill your obligations.”

Why?

Jin Kyung-hee suddenly thought of Jang Won-gi.

Just like she had said to him.

Park Hyung-jun was now throwing the same words back at her.

There was no other option.

She had to trust them.

“…You people are truly heartless.”

She tightly shut her eyes.

Thinking about the coming day at school.

She wished tomorrow would never come.

* * *

Park Hyung-jun’s decision was communicated to Jang Won-gi as well.

After ending the call with Jin Kyung-hee, Jang Won-gi stared into the empty space, his expression lifeless.

*Thud.*

“…It’s all over.”

On the other end of the line.

Jin Kyung-hee’s voice had lost all its strength.

Earlier, she had raised her voice, urging him to trust the Golden Circle, but now, she too realized there was no bright future ahead for them. After they were fired, what awaited them was obvious. Getting reinstated would be difficult, and their only hope would be for the Golden Circle to provide financial compensation.

The problem was.

‘There’s never been a precedent for that. In this organization, failure means the end.’

The Golden Circle was a merciless organization.

They had built an impenetrable fortress over the years, and anyone who had faltered along the way had been discarded without mercy. That was how they maintained their strength. The organization had always thrived by cultivating a reputation for success, and there could never be any evidence of failure. While some criticized the Golden Circle’s ruthless methods, those very methods had also made them what they were today.

His eyes twitched uncontrollably.

What should he do?

He couldn’t figure it out.

“…Honey, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. You go to bed.”

It was his wife.

He brushed her off with a vague response, then stepped out onto the balcony to light a cigarette.

This house.

The mortgage alone would take 20 years to pay off.

His two children were each pursuing expensive interests—one in soccer and the other in piano—so he had no idea how much more he’d have to spend on tuition in the future. He had heard that a piano education might even require studying abroad. The cost of a single performance for a career in music was astronomical, so there was no way he could accept the prospect of losing his job now.

The Golden Circle would never compensate him for his future lost earnings.

And being a teacher came with the benefit of a solid pension if he retired properly.

‘I’m not like Vice Principal Jin. She’s already gotten her fill, but I haven’t.’

At that moment, suddenly.

Kim Hyunsung came to mind.

He had heard about him through the Golden Circle.

Backed by Myungjin Construction, and reportedly generous to those who followed him.

He was the only one to have repeatedly foiled the Golden Circle’s plans—an unprecedented individual.

“…Damn it. Something’s gotta work out.”

He grabbed his phone.

Then.

[Kim Hyunsung]

After a moment’s hesitation, he dialed the saved number.

* * *

The night felt long.

It had been only a short while since he met with Jin Kyung-hee, but now, in the middle of the night, Jang Won-gi found himself kneeling before someone.

*Thud.*

“I’m sorry, Hyunsung.”

His knees were on the ground in front of Kim Hyunsung.

Fortunately, Kim Hyunsung had agreed to meet him, and in a pitiful voice, Jang Won-gi began to speak.

“You know it wasn’t my decision to torment you, right? It was all under the Golden Circle’s orders, and Vice Principal Jin Kyung-hee was pressuring me. I couldn’t refuse her commands. Otherwise, like the previous principal, I would’ve been the first to lose my job. With a 20-year mortgage and two kids to raise, I had no choice but to accept their disgusting demands, for the sake of my family.”

He was full of excuses.

Seeing that Kim Hyunsung remained silent, Jang Won-gi continued to babble.

“I’m not saying I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m truly sorry, and I sincerely regret my actions. So, please… could you consider taking me under your wing? I heard you built close relationships with teachers like Kim Young-chul [1] when you attended Cheonil High. I can do the same. I know it’s shameless to say this, but when I’m in someone’s pocket, I always make sure to do my part.”

He got to the point.

Kim Young-chul.

That was why he had come to Kim Hyunsung.

Hearing that Kim Young-chul had supported Kim Hyunsung and prospered because of it, Jang Won-gi thought he still had a chance.

Kim Hyunsung’s expression remained calm.

He gave no indication of what he was thinking, and he didn’t react to Jang Won-gi’s plea.

“Teacher. Do you know Yang Minho?”

“…Minho?”

He flinched.

Of course, he knew.

Yang Minho had been a star student who graduated from Daeseong Future High five years ago. He had excellent grades and was full of potential. But those same grades had annoyed the wrong people. And it was back then that Jang Won-gi had truly started working with the Golden Circle.

“Senior Yang Minho couldn’t get into Korea University and ended up at a different school that matched his grades. It was still a prestigious university, so to most people, he seemed to have a successful life. But that senior never managed to shake off the trauma of what he experienced in high school. It’s ironic, really. For the bullies, school violence becomes just a nostalgic memory, but the victims remain trapped in that moment for life. That’s how it was for Senior Yang Minho. He hated the idea of being bullied again, so he acted like a high school student in university. He reacted violently when anyone tried to provoke him, throwing punches without hesitation. Because he was a grown man fighting like that, his reputation was ruined, and he eventually joined the army in an attempt to run away. But do you think the military was a safe place for someone like him?”

The military.

A harsh environment.

Especially for someone with a trauma from violence.

“Of course not. Three years ago, that senior killed himself in the military.”

“…What?”

“What? You didn’t think this would happen?”

Kim Hyunsung’s expression turned cold.

He couldn’t maintain any respect for someone like this.

The man in front of him, wearing the mask of a teacher, was utterly revolting.

Looking at Jang Won-gi’s wide, shocked eyes made Kim Hyunsung want to tear them out.

“You knew, didn’t you? When you ruined a student’s future on the Golden Circle’s orders, you knew there was a chance they might end up dead. Just because they didn’t die while still in school doesn’t mean you’re not responsible. Senior Yang Minho died because of you. Do you understand? You, and people like Kim Young-chul, are all deluded if you think that you can continue to live comfortably while benefiting from me. No matter how peaceful it looks now, I’ll make sure to destroy every last one of you. So.”

Jang Won-gi’s eyes shook violently.

Beneath his gaze.

Despite being just a high school student, Kim Hyunsung exuded an overwhelming sense of malice.

“Just accept it. What can you even do by struggling? Apologies and atonement mean nothing now. Your life is already beyond redemption.”

***

Footnotes:

[1] Kim Young-chul was one of Hyunsung’s teacher back in Cheonil high. He was one of the teachers who tormented him on his past life. He first appeared in chapter 1 of the manhwa.