Korean Blood

Deed

“We have arrived sir.” The driver said, looking at Kwan in the rear view mirror.

“You and Kwan can go into the restaurant first grandma, I need to make a quick phone call.” Luclea lied.

“Let’s go grandma,” Kwan said as he stepped out of the car and stretched his hand out for his grandmother to grab onto. In front of them was the tall 5 story restaurant draped with red and gold cloths all over the outside of the building in an attempt to hide the building's imperfections. On the first floor was a restaurant and the other floors were apartments, with clothes lines hanging from each balcony.

As Kwan and his grandmother began to walk into the restaurant, Kwan shot the driver and Luclea both a look and walked inside. He knew that Luclea did not need to make a phone call, it was just an excuse he gave to his grandmother so she would not worry about where he was. Luclea and the driver both waited until Kwan and his grandmother disappeared into the restaurant before they did a full sweep of the back, sides and front of the restaurant and all the surrounding areas.

“Everything looks clear just wait here, someone should be dropping off two suits for Kwan and I just put them in the trunk and don’t let my grandmother see.” Luclea told the driver.

“Yes sir.”

Before Luclea even entered the front door his eyes began to water from the strong smell. After taking in a deep breath he pushed open the warped and cracked wooden door, scanning the room looking for Kwan and his grandmother.

“We are here dear.” Kwans grandmother shouted, waving her hand to get Lucleas attention.

“Wouldn't you rather sit by the window? I told Kwan I wanted to sit next to a window but he made me sit far from it.” She told Luclea as he came to sit across from his grandmother in the booth.

“I like this corner, it's nice and quiet.” Luclea told his grandmother trying to convince her that this was a good spot. He knew that Kwan would never allow his grandmother to sit next to a window as it was a huge risk especially when in areas like this. His concern was not mafia related but specifically crime related to the slum they were in. Which is notorious for its version of “gangsters” who liked to throw rocks in windows to rob restaurants. There was no issue nor fear of being able to handle them but he did not want her anywhere near the crossfire.

“Do you want me to order for you?” Kwan asked his grandmother pointing at the menu to change the subject.

“ Well the prices go up since we were last here, forty thousand Won is too much for Bulgogi. I don't want to spend that much.” She told him.

“Its “went” , and grandma, I will buy you a hundred orders of Bulgogi if that's what you want. The price does not matter, what matters is making sure you eat.” Kwan told her in a reassuring tone.

“I am just angry that they are charging this much, no one in this area can pay for these prices.”

“Well, do you want to fix it?” Kwan asked.

“Yes I wish I could make things right, but for now I will just have Bulgogi.” She said in a determined tone.

“You know, you might be onto something Grandma. All of the restaurants and convenience stores have raised their prices drastically, but you would think the slums wouldn't be affected by inflation.” Lucela said.

“Grandma, will you excuse me while I go to the restroom really quickly?” Asked Kwan.

“Hurry back dear.” She said in a sweet tone as Kwan walked away.

“I don't think he will take long, let's pick out some sides.” Luclea told her as he knew exactly what Kwan went to do.

The smell of dead fish became stronger and stronger as Kwan walked closer and closer to the kitchen. He kept walking until he reached a black curtain that blocked off the kitchen entrance. Just as he was about to pull back the curtain, the sound of pans crashing and shoes shuffling could be heard. With a loud sigh Kwan pulled out his phone and called Luclea who instantly answered before the first ring was done.

“Vse v poryadke, ser?” Is everything alright sir? Lucela calmly asked.

“Yes, just make sure the dove does not leave her seat, I don’t want her to see nor hear anything that is going on.” Kwan told Lucela before hanging up and sliding his phone back into his pocket. Reaching down to ankle, Kwan grabbed his pistol and attached a silencer to the end of it and shoved it into his belt behind his jacket.

Yanking the curtain back Kwan was surprised to see who he had recognized as the restaurant owner and a few of his employees backed into a corner. While four men wearing suits had knives and guns pointed towards them.

“nuguna yeong-eoleul ihaehal su issnayo” Can everyone understand English? Kwan asked to which he received a couple of head nods but mostly confused faces.

“I do not know nor do I care about what is going on here, I just need to speak with the owner for a brief moment.” Kwan informed the room.

“And who the f**k are you, huh?” One of the men with guns asked. Kwan had no response as his eyes wandered to the man's tattoos peeking underneath his shirts sleeve that looked familiar.

“Are you gay or something, I ask you a question who the f**k are you.?” He said as he pointed the gun at Kwans head.

“Its “asked” and are you planning on using that gun or not?” Kwan asked the man. Kwan could not stop thinking about the man's tattoo as it looked very familiar. Then out of nowhere it struck him.

“f**k you.” The man yelled as he swung at Kwan in an attempt to pistol whip him. Only to be surprised when Kwan not only dogged his swing but took his gun from his hand in the process. Without any warning Kwan swung and punched the man in the jaw then in the face without enough time for the man to dodge, knocking him unconscious before failing to the ground with a loud thud. Kwan began to walk closer to the other men with weapons who were all shocked at what just happened in such a short amount of time.

“Now I originally came here to speak with the owner, but now I think there is a bigger issue at hand. I need all three of you to take your shirts off,” Kwan said, tossing the now unconscious man's dirty pistol to the floor. “And I need the rest of you to go inside that pantry.” Kwan said, pointing to the door labeled “Pantry”, across from them. Slowly the restaurant workers began to stand listening to Kwans orders.

“NO don’t move, he is not the one in charge of her, WE ARE!!” One of the men with a knife in his hand yelled to the workers. Kwan let out a loud and annoyed sigh as he was trying to exercise the most patience he could in a situation where he was being disrespected.

“Now I am sure the reason you all are here is because you are trying to collect money from this restaurant as you think it's in your territory,” Kwan said, pointing to the men with weapons. “and I am also sure that that's why you have raised your prices so much, in order to pay these people who I’m sure come way too often to collect money from you as well as pay your employees.” Kwan said, pointing at the restaurant workers and the owner who was shaking his head in agreement.

“So what? Don’t think you scare us just because you knocked one man out, you caught him off guard is all.” The man with the knife said walking closer to Kwan.

“Well this time I would like to inform you that I am about to kill you, that way you won't be caught off guard.” Kwan said as he pulled out his golden pistol and shot the man in the head.

“Now I will not say this again. You two take your shirts off and the rest of you go inside the pantry before I shoot everyone in this f*****g room.” Kwan told them sternly. The men dropped their weapons and began taking their shirts off frantically while the workers locked themselves inside of the pantry just as he told them.