A Contracted Gangster Who Has to Die to Survive

Cohabitation? What a joke.

Several uneventful days had passed.

Since that day, Choi Taejoon had been completely absent, leaving me alone in his house for a few more days.

To make matters worse, my phone was smashed beyond repair, cutting off any means of contacting the outside world.

The housekeeper, who only came in the mornings, seemed to have specific instructions to avoid any conversation with me.

Though I was used to being alone, it was bearable for a day or two at most. With no phone or computer, I had nothing to do but watch TV, and it was starting to drive me insane.

I was beginning to understand why those tragic, confined characters in novels lashed out so violently.

Being locked up like this all day—no wonder people go astray!

Just as I was thinking about how meaningless and monotonous today was going to be, Kim, Taejoon’s secretary, showed up around dinner time, claiming to be on an errand.

“Open this.”

He placed a thick envelope on the table.

“Hyun Woo Kyung has been assigned to the Executive Director’s security team. Your work begins next Monday. The details are in the file—please review them.”

The envelope wasn’t the most exciting part. It was the phone he handed over next.

“A phone! Finally!”

“It’s for work purposes,” he replied curtly.

I stared at Kim, who remained formal and composed.

By now, he probably suspected me of having some ulterior motive for approaching Choi Taejoon. He was likely investigating me already, trying to find an excuse to push me away from Taejoon. But instead of doing that, he’d been ordered to assign me to the security team, which must have heightened his suspicions even more.

Still, I was just as confused.

Did he save me that day and then suddenly decide I had potential as a bodyguard? That seemed unlikely when I recalled the way he looked at me, as if I were an idiot.

Judging by Kim’s expression, even he didn’t seem to fully understand Taejoon’s intentions. He was probably just following orders, frustrated but obedient.

I set the phone down and opened the file. It was filled with guidelines about security work and information I needed to know about Taejoon’s schedule and safety.

“Um… I’ve never done security work before,” I confessed.

“You’ll manage,” he replied indifferently.

To be honest, the so-called security job was likely more about standing in the background like a prop.

“If you have any questions, you can contact this number.”

Kim placed a business card on the table. When he stood up to leave, I quickly stopped him.

“Wait a moment.”

“…Yes, what is it?”

“I was wondering if I could order some things online or go out briefly to shop. Would that be alright?”

“……”

“It’s just that I don’t have proper clothes or other necessities right now.”

The suit I used to have was shredded in the accident, and the shoes I wore were beyond repair.

“All I have left are the tracksuit and loungewear I’m wearing now. I still have money, though—remember the cash from the other day?”

I gestured toward the wad of money I’d received outside the bar.

“I’ll check on that. Is there anything else?”

“Uh… no, wait. Yes, actually.”

“What is it?”

I looked up and met his gaze.

“About Executive Director Choi….”

At the mention of Taejoon’s name, Kim’s eyes narrowed.

“He’s a busy man,” Kim replied tersely.

“No, I’m not saying I need him. It’s just… he hasn’t been home for days, and I was wondering when he might return.”

Kim stared at me with suspicion, waiting to see what I’d say next.

“To be honest, it feels wrong just idling around in someone else’s house. I was even thinking of helping with the chores, but the housekeeper doesn’t seem to want me to do anything.”

I forced a smile to lighten the awkward mood.

“Really, I’m just curious….”

Kim folded his glasses and rose from his seat. Slowly buttoning his jacket, he looked down at me.

“Hyun Woo Kyung, let’s not create situations where we’ll have to see each other for unpleasant reasons.”

Though his tone was calm, it felt like a chilling warning—especially since I already knew how this story ended.

His voice was so measured that it was hard to hear without watching his lips move.

I lowered my voice even further to respond.

“I won’t cause any trouble.”

“…Make sure of that.”

Without another word, Kim walked out, ignoring my polite goodbye.

In the original story, it wasn’t clear how Kim discovered that Hyun Woo Kyung was a police officer. It only stated that he found “decisive evidence” but didn’t explain the process.

If only I knew, I could prepare myself or think of a way to prevent it.

But regardless, I had to avoid being discovered by Kim.

“Forget it,” I muttered to myself.

To calm my unsettled mind, I decided to unwind with a drink. I grabbed a few cans of beer and settled in front of the TV for the first time in a while.

What should I watch? As I flipped through channels, I stopped at a music program.

The broadcast was about to showcase a rookie group’s debut performance.

It reminded him of his own debut stage years ago. Back then, he was overwhelmed with joy, as if he had achieved everything in life—completely unaware of the thorny path awaiting him.

Feeling a pang of bitterness, he cracked open another can of beer.

What could his group members be doing right now? They must be in an uproar if they realized he had disappeared.

What about his aunt and sisters? They were probably worried sick about him. And the drama he was supposed to appear in with Do Hyun-tae? That opportunity was likely long gone.

Maybe, from the moment he ended up in this world, Hyun Woo Kyung ceased to exist in his original one.

Or perhaps time in his old world froze when he crossed dimensions.

If that’s the case, maybe when he goes back, he’ll return to the exact moment and place where he fell asleep.

He hoped so. That way, his family wouldn’t have to worry about him.

Before he knew it, several empty cans were scattered across the table. The alcohol hit harder since he hadn’t drunk in a while, leaving his body sluggish.

With slightly tipsy eyes, he glanced at the clock on the living room wall. It was past midnight.

If Choi Taejoon hadn’t come home by now, he probably wasn’t coming tonight either.

Rubbing his now-warm cheeks from the alcohol, he wandered toward Taejoon’s room.

“Excuse me for a moment—”

The door was always closed but never locked. Cautiously, he opened it and peeked inside. A strong wave of Taejoon’s favorite cologne greeted him.

“Just a quick look, and I’ll leave right away.”

Of course, no reply came. Mustering a bit more courage, he stepped into the room.

The space was filled with a large desk, bookshelves, and movie-like cabinets with dials.

“Why is this place so lifeless?”

On the opposite wall, there was another door that seemed to lead to the bedroom.

“So that’s where the bedroom is.”

In the original story, Taejoon’s bedroom was described as having a glass wall on one side, offering a breathtaking view of the Han River.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he opened the door to the bedroom, intending only to take a quick look before leaving.

But the moment he stepped inside, he couldn’t help but let out a silent gasp.

“Wow…”

A stunning view unfolded before him, completely different from the living room’s outlook. The stars in the black night sky sparkled as if they were right in front of him, and even the distant glow of car headlights looked beautiful.

He quietly perched on the edge of the bed, staring blankly out the window.

The soft pillow he touched felt like a cloud beneath his fingers. Tempted, he lightly rested his cheek against it.

His head sank into the pillow, and a soothing warmth spread through his entire body.

“This feels amazing… so good.”

Taejoon probably wasn’t coming home tonight anyway. Would it be so bad if he slept here just this once?

As his eyelids grew heavier, the glittering cityscape outside the window blurred like bubbles.

How much time had passed?

He must have dozed off, only to wake up at dawn with a stifling sensation pressing down on him.

“Hyun Woo Kyung.”

The voice calling his name dragged his half-asleep mind into motion.

Someone was calling him.

Was it his manager?

It didn’t seem like it was time to wake up yet.

The room was still dark, and dawn seemed far off. Groaning, he tugged the blanket closer and mumbled.

“…Hyung, just five more minutes. We don’t have anything scheduled today.”

But the sound of heavy breathing and the heat brushing against his lips jolted him fully awake. That familiar cologne tickled his nose.

His eyes shot open.

“Hyun Woo Kyung.”

“……!”

In the dim light, the shadowy figure became clearer—it was Choi Taejoon. His distinct scent filled the room, and the grogginess vanished instantly.

With a flushed face, Taejoon loomed over him, holding himself up on both arms as he stared down.

Even though Taejoon wasn’t putting his weight on him, he could feel the tension from his presence, as if their entire bodies were touching.

His dry lips parted slowly.

“Which Hyun Woo Kyung are you?”

What… does that even mean? Which Hyun Woo Kyung?

Taejoon’s bloodshot eyes were filled with confusion and fear, as if he were in some emotional turmoil—or perhaps intoxicated by alcohol or something stronger.

“Answer me. Who are you?”

“Uh, I’m Hyun Woo Kyung… 32nd descendant of the Yeonhan clan?”

“Ha…”

Taejoon dragged a wounded hand across his face.

When Woo Kyung tried to turn his head to avoid Taejoon’s intense gaze, Taejoon’s strong arm slipped behind him, pulling him into a firm embrace.