The Cop Is Too Strong [EN]: Chapter 130

130. Reverse Kidnapping

After Bae In-sung and his group left the police substation, a heavy silence settled over the room. Inspector Ahn Ji-sung walked outside, staring blankly at the night sky, lost in thought.

Having declared war on a chaebol [a large South Korean business conglomerate], the reality of his decision weighed heavily on him, filling him with worry.

“Are you alright?” Hae-soo asked, concerned.

Inspector Ahn sighed, his gaze still fixed on the sky. “I’m not alright… To be honest, I’m scared. What can a commoner like me do against a chaebol?”

“Just follow your conscience,” Hae-soo replied. “Even if they’re acting tough now, they’ll agree to a settlement if you demand it. They have no choice.”

Hae-soo’s words strengthened Inspector Ahn’s resolve. He turned, a determined look in his eyes. “No. Too many people have probably taken their money and turned a blind eye to their injustice. He’s lived his life thinking everything can be solved with money. That’s why he acted that way.”

Inspector Ahn swallowed hard, meeting Hae-soo’s gaze. “If I, a police officer, don’t stand up against money, who will? I won’t give up until the end.”

A strong determination shone in his eyes. Hae-soo nodded in agreement.

“…I understand. I’ll help you until the end.”

* * *

Ilseong Electronics, Bae In-sung’s office.

His secretary, a sharp-eyed woman with glasses, was delivering a briefing. “…Inspector Ahn Ji-sung’s wife works at Hansarang Insurance, and he has one daughter attending Hakgye Women’s High School.”

“Perfect. Cut off all of his wife’s insurance clients, pressure the company to force her to resign, and give some pocket money to the high school daughter’s classmates to make her life a living hell. And what about that nasty-looking guy?”

“Detective Shin Hae-soo was originally a detective in the Violent Crimes Division. He’s currently on temporary assignment to the summer substation.”

Bae In-sung frowned. “So that’s why he was acting up – because he’s a detective? Then we need to crush him even harder. Tell me everything.”

“Well… other than having a slightly larger fortune than most police officers, there’s nothing else. He doesn’t seem to have any family or close friends. It seems like the detectives he works with are his whole world.”

“A cop with a decent amount of assets? I like him even less. If he doesn’t have anything scandalous, we’ll just have to invent something. What would be good…”

Bae In-sung tapped his fingers, looking around the office, then snapped them. “Ah! I’m a genius! Find me a pretty woman who likes money. We’ll say a current detective tried to rape her, but the righteous businessman Bae In-sung happened to be there and subdued him on the spot! How’s that?”

“Excellent. I’ll find an actress right away.”

“An actress? You’re going to hire an actress?”

“Ah, no. I’ll find a woman who can *act*.”

“Ah, okay.”

Bae In-sung dismissed his secretary with a satisfied expression. He imagined Hae-soo falling for his scheme and groveling before him, and he grinned.

“I’ll poke those arrogant eyes out. A cop dares to defy me.”

* * *

A few days later, the secretary visited Bae In-sung’s office again.

“Chairman.”

Bae In-sung immediately perked up, greeting him with eager eyes. “Well, did you find an actress?”

“Yes, she’s ready, but there’s new news.”

“What is it?”

“That policewoman you saw back then. She lives in the same building as Detective Shin Hae-soo. There’s a possibility they’re living together.”

“Ah, that pretty one? Oh… really? That cocky bastard is living with a beauty? He’s a real dog, isn’t he?”

He plopped down on the sofa, tapping his leg, and pondered for a moment. After about 30 seconds, the tapping stopped.

“Hey, tell the actress to change the script. This is going to be even more fun. Killing two birds with one stone.”

“How should we proceed?”

“Can’t you figure it out? Secure the policewoman first, lure that nasty bastard out, release the actress there, and have our guys call the police. As for the poor policewoman who lost her ‘owner’… I’ll just have to comfort her myself.”

“You’re truly outstanding.”

He gave a playful smile at his secretary’s flattery. “Right? Hurry up and send the guys to bring her. Ugh, I’m hungry.”

“Yes! I’ll proceed immediately.”

* * *

At the same time, in the Ilseong Electronics CEO’s office.

The CEO’s office, with its high ceiling and wide space, even had a golf putting practice machine installed.

The CEO, Bae In-sung’s father, Bae Shin-joo, was practicing putting with a golf club in front of the glass window.

Knock knock

“It’s Yang.”

“Come in.”

At CEO Bae’s permission, the office door opened, and a man with short hair, a pale face, and cold eyes entered. He exuded a dangerous aura, like a well-honed knife.

Until he came closer, CEO Bae didn’t even look at him, only staring at the golf ball before opening his mouth. “I heard my son had a conflict with the police.”

“Yes, it doesn’t seem like it will end simply.”

“Really? What’s with the police acting up again? Make sure to take care of the back end so there’s no noise.”

“Yes, but there’s a problem.”

Clack

At Yang’s words, CEO Bae stopped swinging the golf club. Yang continued. “Detective Shin Hae-soo is among the people the young master is targeting.”

CEO Bae narrowed his brow slightly and finally turned his gaze to Yang. “Shin Hae-soo? Who’s that?”

“He’s a person of interest being watched by the association. Chief Ma has warned us to be careful.”

“Why is he messing with a person of interest…”

CEO Bae shook his head, drank a glass of water, picked up the golf club again, took a stance, and then straightened his back. “Ah, but I feel dirty.”

He faced Yang again, frowned, and asked, “Yang, are you Chief Ma’s lackey? Or are you my man?”

“…….”

Yang remained expressionless and didn’t answer.

CEO Bae had already anticipated this reaction, so he wasn’t disappointed. “What’s with Chief Ma giving warnings and making a fuss? He’s just a brute who uses his fists, isn’t he? He’s acting like he’s on top of the world just because he’s next to Teacher Cheon? Huh?!”

He slammed the golf club hard on the floor.

Bang!

“I’m Bae Shin-joo of Ilseong! The *real* owner of Ilseong! Do I have to listen to Chief Ma and his kind? Huh?”

But Yang stared straight at CEO Bae without even twitching an eyebrow, just like when he first came in. His wooden reaction made CEO Bae calm down and wave his hand. “I need to properly imprint the hierarchy on Chief Ma this time. Let In-sung proceed with his work as planned.”

CEO Bae turned around to play golf again, but he didn’t hear the answer he expected. He frowned, sighed, and turned his head back to Yang.

He was very annoyed by the way Yang was acting up today.

As expected.

As soon as Yang met CEO Bae’s eyes, he respectfully put his hands together and opened his mouth. “…CEO, it’s best to heed Chief Ma’s warning.”

“You son of a bitch!!”

Smack!!

The golf club hit Yang’s head squarely. Yang took the blow without moving an inch.

Drip drip

Yang bled from his head as if nothing had happened and remained still.

CEO Bae stared at the scene and then turned his gaze away. “Hoo, hoo… Anyway, Yang is good in every way, but I really don’t like it when Chief Ma’s name comes up. Get out.”

As CEO Bae pointed to the door with his index finger, Yang bowed briefly and turned to leave.

Before he left, CEO Bae tossed a word without looking at him. “Go to the hospital or something.”

Yang’s feet stopped at CEO Bae’s passing remark.

“Yes.”

Yang turned again, bowed deeply to CEO Bae’s back, and left the CEO’s office.

* * *

Boseong Plaza Police Substation.

The work shift changed again, and it was 6 PM, time to leave work.

Shin Hae-soo and Haru, dressed in plain clothes, left the police substation together.

Even in summer, her casual fashion hadn’t changed. Instead of leggings, she wore black stockings and a thin, hole-filled poly hooded zip-up.

“Why do you always wear a hood?” Haru asked, scanning Hae-soo’s outfit up and down.

“Why do you always wear the same clothes? Are you broke?”

Hae-soo was wearing black functional pants and a black round-neck short-sleeved t-shirt.

“Huh? Um, they look the same, but they’re the same clothes, but different clothes. I bought seven of the same t-shirts. One for each day of the week. It’s comfortable.”

Haru stared silently at Hae-soo and nodded in acknowledgment. “I should buy seven sets too. When I cover my head with a hood, my mind calms down.”

“Um… I see,” Hae-soo calmly agreed.

Haru had passed the police exam in one go and was working together like this, but she had lived an abnormal life for a very long time, so she was emotionally unstable.

He understood her a little more today as he walked.

After walking silently for about 5 minutes, Hae-soo broke the silence. “Is tomorrow a day off?”

“Yes, not for Hae-soo, only for me.”

“Okay, just you. I’m working. What are you going to do tomorrow? Seo-eun has returned too.”

Contrary to Hae-soo’s expectations, Haru had already thought about it and quickly gave an answer. “I’m going to go to my house in Gangjin and sleep. I’m going to take a bath in the outdoor bath alone at home and have a comfortable and boring day.”

“Um, okay. That’s a good idea. Get some rest for the day.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Perhaps because she was looking forward to her day off, a slight joy flashed across Haru’s dry face.

Hae-soo and she entered the dormitory building together, and Haru came out again in just 5 minutes.

She carried only a light backpack, put her hands in her pockets, and walked to the bus stop.

Haru was now good at using public transportation in unfamiliar areas.

* * *

Gangjin City, Yongsu-dong, near the Reed Building bus stop.

Squeak.

The bus stopped, and Haru trudged off from the back door. Her hair was disheveled from sleeping.

The sun was setting when she got on the bus, but in just an hour, it quickly became a dark night.

The entrance to the Reed Building was on the main street, but the area near the bus stop was deserted. There wasn’t a single person in sight today.

“Kkuhahm-”

Unlike the bustling sea, this place was quiet.

She stretched languidly, put her newly bought wireless earphones in both ears, put on her hood, put her hands in her pockets, and started walking.

Thud thud thud

After taking a few steps, a gray van parked behind her suddenly accelerated.

Roar- Screech!

The van stopped in front of Haru, and as soon as the door slid open, two burly men wearing black masks got out and grabbed Haru, dragging her into the van.

Thump! Slam!

The door closed quickly, and the van immediately sped away.

The main street became quiet as if nothing had happened.

However, the inside of the van was not quiet.

Crack-

“Keuk!”

Haru grabbed the fingers of the man holding her right arm and twisted them back, then struck his chin with her elbow.

Thump!

She poked the eyes of the man on the left with two fingers and stabbed his Adam’s apple with a small fist.

Stab Puncture-

“Kuaaa, Keok!”

At the same time, a man in the back shouted, holding out a knife. His face was pale. “If you don’t stay still, I’ll cut your neck-”

Thwack-

Haru grabbed the man’s blade with her wallet and twisted it hard.

Just before the knife slipped from his grasp, she snatched it in mid-air and stabbed the man who had threatened her with the knife in the arm and collarbone.

Stab Stab-

“Aagh!”

Quickly twisting her body, she stabbed the palm of the man who was reaching out from her right and attacking again.

The blade pierced through his palm and popped out onto the back of his hand. However, the man gripped the blade in that state and couldn’t pull it out immediately.

In that gap, the man on the left, who had been stabbed in the eyes, shed tears of blood and strangled Haru’s neck.

Her pupils shone blue.

“You bitch, die!!”

She kicked the man who had been stabbed in the palm in the stomach, pulled out the knife, slammed the man strangling her against the side of the van, and mercilessly stabbed the arm strangling her neck.

Stab!

“Keuk!”

However, the man didn’t release his grip.

Without panicking, Haru grabbed the handle of the knife with both hands and tore his arm all the way to his elbow, like filleting a fish.

“Kuaaaaack!!”

Blood spurted out like a fountain, and the hand strangling her neck was released.

At that moment, she stabbed the man with a hole in his palm in the side and neck with the knife as he lunged forward. Haru turned around and slammed the knife into the thigh of the man holding his arm.

“Keuk!!”

Stab Swoosh- Swish-

From pulling out the knife to bringing it to the eyes of the man shedding tears of blood, only a few minutes had passed since Haru got into the car.

She glared at the man in the driver’s seat through the rearview mirror and opened her mouth. “Keep going, to the place you were going to take me.”