Even a Lonely Squirrel Has Its Burrow - Chapter 108

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Perhaps because winter was already just around the corner, the days felt unusually short. As he moved further toward the outskirts, the number of buildings visible dwindled, making the surroundings feel even darker than usual.

Sa Muheon lowered his gaze to the phone in his hand. Checking the message from Garam, a faintly drawn smile appeared on his lips. The message began with Garam saying he had just arrived home and was about to have dinner with Jang Seokgyu, ending with a casual farewell for the next day.

[Enjoy your dinner, see you tomorrow.]

After sending a short reply, the notification number beside the message quickly disappeared. The last thing he saw was a squirrel emoji Garam had sent, waving its tiny hand, marking the end of their brief exchange.

“The building is just ahead.”

As if on cue, Manager Han’s voice broke the silence, signaling their arrival at their destination.

The car slowly came to a stop in the open lot in front of a construction site. As Sa Muheon stepped out of the car, he was met with a sharp, dry chill. The construction site, located in a remote area, was already shrouded in darkness. A quick scan of the surroundings made it clear that there were unlikely to be any prying eyes nearby.

After briefly surveying the area, Sa Muheon began walking toward the building. The stairs, still covered in dust from ongoing construction, creaked beneath his steps. The sound of his footsteps echoed loudly through the hollow structure. Manager Han followed closely behind as they ascended to the second floor, where someone was already waiting for them.

“Oh my, Director Sa. You must have had a hard time coming all this way.”

It was evident that President Yoo had been watching his approach, yet he only now put on a show of casual banter, flicking the cigarette from his mouth carelessly onto the ground. He crushed the still-burning ember under his shoe before stepping toward Sa Muheon, naturally extending a hand.

Sa Muheon merely glanced at the outstretched hand before shifting his gaze upward once more.

“Haha… Well, there’s no need for lengthy discussions.”

Though his expression stiffened slightly, President Yoo forced a smile and guided Sa Muheon further inside. Even as he moved, Sa Muheon’s attention remained fixed on the office door ahead.

It wasn’t long before a loud noise broke the silence, and the office door swung open. Through the open doorway, two men emerged, supporting a limp figure between them. Though the person’s face was obscured, his build left little doubt—it was the very man Sa Muheon had been waiting for.

“Sit him over there.”

President Yoo gestured with a tilt of his chin toward a spot where construction materials were scattered. A worn-out chair sat in front of them. Sa Muheon stopped a short distance away, observing their movements. The men dragged the unconscious figure over and sat him in the chair. With confident strides, President Yoo approached.

Once close enough, he grabbed a fistful of the man’s hair and yanked his head upward. Despite the humiliating act, the unconscious man remained unresponsive, his eyes firmly shut. Thanks to President Yoo’s action, even from a distance, Sa Muheon could now clearly make out the man’s face.

It was undoubtedly Ryu Beomju.

“I didn’t expect much… but you’ve handled this properly.”

“Haha, come on now, why would you say it like that?”

President Yoo let out a boisterous laugh. Though he didn’t seem entirely pleased with Sa Muheon’s words, he was willing to brush it off.

Sa Muheon waited for his laughter to die down before speaking again.

“You said you’d handle the finishing touches yourself. Now that I’ve confirmed it’s really Hong Manager, there’s no reason for me to stay here any longer.”

“Well, if you want, you’re more than welcome to stay and watch.”

Wearing a sly grin, he spoke with a nonchalant air, even lightly tapping the still-unconscious Ryu Beomju’s cheek. Watching him, Sa Muheon couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Would he really be able to handle this properly?

Still, with Ryu Beomju already unconscious and bound, there was little room for error.

“…Ha.”

Sa Muheon let out a sigh, deliberately loud enough for others to hear. He had seen enough. Rather than wasting more time here, he figured it was far more worthwhile to return home and see Garam, who was waiting for him.

“Arghhh!”

But at that moment, a piercing scream rang through the space.

Sa Muheon’s head snapped toward the source of the sound, where President Yoo clutched his hand in agony. Blood dripped relentlessly from his fingers.

His terrified gaze was locked onto Ryu Beomju, still seated in the chair.

At some point, Ryu Beomju had regained consciousness. He wore a vicious smile, his eyes locked onto President Yoo.

“Damn it, you bastard…!”

President Yoo gritted his teeth, struggling to speak through the pain. Judging by the amount of blood, it seemed that Ryu Beomju had bitten off part of his finger.

Yet, confident that his opponent was still bound, Yoo seemed to believe he still had the upper hand. He barked an order at his men.

“What are you waiting for?! Hold him down, now!”

One of Yoo’s subordinates hesitated before stepping forward cautiously. Though Ryu Beomju remained bound, the fact that he had just attacked right in front of them made the man approach warily.

It was then that Sa Muheon noticed something odd.

There were two of Yoo’s men positioned behind Ryu Beomju. However, only one responded to the order. The other stood frozen in place, trembling uncontrollably.

There was no time to think further.

The moment the subordinate reached Ryu Beomju’s side, the supposedly bound man sprang to his feet.

The restraints on his wrists had already been undone.

Realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, Sa Muheon opened his mouth to warn them, but Ryu Beomju was faster.

“Ghhhk!”

The man who had approached him found his throat seized in Ryu Beomju’s grip. He struggled desperately to break free, but in mere moments, his body went limp.

With an air of disdain, Ryu Beomju flung the lifeless figure aside. His hand, now free, glinted with nails as sharp as an animal’s claws.

But he wasn’t finished.

Turning his attention to President Yoo, Ryu Beomju’s lips curled into a smirk.

President Yoo, still clutching his bleeding hand, instinctively staggered backward. The fearless demeanor he had shown earlier had vanished completely. His face was pale with fear.

Yet, perhaps still believing Ryu Beomju was immobilized, he continued to back away, trying to put as much distance between them as possible.

But that assumption was entirely wrong.

Ryu Beomju, watching the pitiful retreat, suddenly let out a small chuckle. It was a relaxed, knowing smile—one that a predator might wear while watching its prey’s final, futile struggle.

“What was it you said earlier…?”

Ryu Beomju spoke leisurely. His voice, echoing strangely in the vast space, seemed to amplify President Yoo’s fear, making his face grow paler by the second.

“If you had left me alone while I stayed quiet, I wouldn’t have gone this far out of consideration for our past ties.”

“You, you bastard…! Stay right there! Don’t come any closer, I said don’t come closer!”

President Yoo kept retreating while shouting at Ryu Beomju. Although Ryu Beomju remained standing still, President Yoo sounded desperate, as if the man were already tightening a noose around his neck.

Ryu Beomju, seemingly in pain, pressed a hand against his head for a moment before lowering it. His hand was stained with his own blood.

“Why do you insist on stirring up trouble when I’m just minding my own business?”

The moment those words left his mouth, Ryu Beomju crouched slightly.

In the next instant, a low growl rumbled through the air, followed by the sight of a massive tiger.

As soon as Ryu Beomju returned to his true form, the loose ropes that had bound his ankles snapped and flew apart.

The enormous tiger, despite its size, moved with incredible speed. It lunged forward in an instant, closing the distance between itself and President Yoo. Without hesitation, it sank its fangs into his neck.

“Guh… keuhk…”

A choked sound escaped—barely even a scream.

The moment President Yoo’s body went limp, the tiger released its grip on his neck.

Slowly, its head turned toward the remaining employee.

The man had already collapsed onto the floor, trembling uncontrollably.

After taking in the sight of the quivering figure, the tiger shifted its gaze in the opposite direction.

There stood Sa Muheon.

Manager Han rushed to block his path, but Ryu Beomju moved just a fraction faster.

Whoosh—! 

Before Sa Muheon had a chance to react, the massive tiger pounced, bearing down on him.

Sa Muheon stared at the beast hurtling toward him. Even if he tried to dodge, escaping this place without injury seemed impossible.

In the end, it was his own lack of preparation that had brought him to this point. Sa Muheon acknowledged his mistake.

The moment his thoughts concluded, pain erupted as his shoulder was slashed.

“Urgh…!”

A searing agony, like fire scorching his flesh, engulfed him instantly.

Sa Muheon staggered back, clutching his shoulder. At that moment, the deafening sound of gunfire rang out inside the building.

Bang—!

Ryu Beomju, who had appeared ready to continue his attack, flinched.

While he hesitated, another gunshot echoed.

Bang!

This time, the massive tiger visibly staggered.

Ryu Beomju seemed to hesitate for a brief moment before abruptly turning and leaping out of the building.

Another gunshot followed, but this time it missed.

Unscathed, the tiger landed on the dirt ground outside and bolted straight into the forest beyond.

“Director!”

Only after watching Ryu Beomju’s retreating figure did Sa Muheon finally collapse to the ground.

Manager Han’s voice called out to him, but the pain was far stronger than he had anticipated.

Sa Muheon felt his consciousness slowly slipping away.