I Became a Scoundrel of a Chaebol Family-Chapter 227

23.  Loyalty

"You are doing very well. Although there are many areas where your knowledge and skills are still lacking, if we only consider your potential, it could be said to be historic. Now, there is only one task left for you. To completely settle your past life and swear absolute loyalty. Truly." freёwebnoѵel.com

Suh Aram had been thinking for hours with her eyes closed. She contemplated what kind of life lay ahead for her.

She had lived a hellish life, and by a stroke of luck, caught Muyeol's eye and her story turned into something out of a movie. If she hadn't experienced it herself, she wouldn't have believed it.

'Absolute loyalty...'

She vowed it over and over again.

And she said it too. To her master, Muyeol.

So there was no change in her feelings. She had resolved to be loyal, and she would take that feeling and oath to the grave.

However, she couldn't help but slightly doubt her ability to truly embody 'absolute' loyalty. No matter how resolute and steely a person's will, controlling one's emotions to that extent is difficult.

Is it really possible?

In that sense, the mission to "settle your past life" could be seen as an opportunity. A chance to compare the desperate life she had lived with the life she now enjoyed, to reinforce her loyalty more firmly.

"We have arrived."

The driver's words made Suh Aram open her eyes. It was time to temporarily return to her former life, after months of a glamorous and luxurious existence in Prestige.

'It's been a while...'

As she stepped out of the car, she was greeted by a dilapidated apartment complex that could hardly be described as developed.

On the other side of the narrow road was the underside of glamour. If she raised her head and looked far into the distance, she could see countless towering skyscrapers casting luxurious and decadent lights, but there was no sign of «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» such grandeur nearby.

Rusted railings, protruding wires, and oil-stained grounds reflecting the light made the area feel like a gray swamp. The exterior walls of the old apartment complex had long lost their original color, with spiderweb-like cracks visible between irregularly peeled paint pieces.

Even the dimly lit windows created illusions like the empty eye sockets of a skull, resembling a massive abandoned house.

"Was it always... like this?"

Though it was a familiar place, Suh Aram felt a sense of alienation. She had been aware of her bottom-of-the-barrel existence while living here, but she had not felt such disgust.

She just accepted it.

But now, it was different. Even approaching it brought a strong sense of repulsion, almost enough to make her nauseous. She felt like she might retch if she wasn't careful.

She unconsciously started to pinch her nose but, remembering her purpose, she lowered her hand.

"I can go in alone." "Yes."

She bravely endured all the discomfort. Walking on the filthy water-pooled ground, she headed towards the space she had once lived in.

'I've been paying the rent. It should still be there.'

As she thought, her home, where she had barely survived amid mounting debts, still stood, albeit shabbily.

"..."

Perhaps the most chilling aspect was the multiple palm prints left all over the door. Unfamiliar fingerprints were also found on the doorknob.

It wasn't the landlord's.

Someone had tried to break into her house.

The list of potential culprits was...

'...'

Too long to bother recalling.

Beep.

She opened the door of the 'home' for the first time in a long while and was greeted by the musty air of the cramped house.

"I'm back."

.

.

There was nothing in particular to take. No mementos worth keeping.

Just settling things. Letting go of attachments.

If there was anything of value, it would be the few photos she had taken with her mother when she was healthy.

"Indeed, my mother and I were saved. So... I must repay that."

As she spent about an hour tidying up the house, she once again confirmed it. Her past life was nothing but flailing before falling into an abyss.

A life without dreams or hope, with a foreseen end full of despair and corruption, and walking down that path despite knowing the grim outcome.

Despite feeling the imminent consequences, she continued her daily life.

She worked multiple jobs each day. The concept of personal time did not exist for her; she dedicated all her time to earning money, and when she couldn't bear it, she took a brief rest before returning to work.

But even then, after paying for her mother's medical bills, she was in the negative. Each time, she had to borrow money at exorbitant interest rates because she couldn't even cover the hospitalization costs otherwise.

By mid-year, she had reached her limit. A stage where even accumulating debt was no longer sustainable.

Those who had seen her situation and lent her money readily began to press her subtly, and some outright demanded her body or suggested prostitution.

If it hadn't been for Muyeol, she would likely have been captured by loan sharks, sold for her body.

Whether by her own will or not.

And even then, there was no guarantee that she could restore or even save her mother.

Truly, it was hell and an abyss.

"I was saved, as was my mother. So... I must repay that."

Having carefully packed the photo frames, she left her house again. Now, without any lingering feelings, reluctance, or second thoughts.

Whether she lived a life well-treated by Go Muyeol, ended up as an insignificant secretary, or even if she became nothing but a toy for his pleasure,

it would still be better than living like scum stuck in the sewer. What remained was only certainty.

As she stepped outside, something felt off. The subtle breathing and intermittent vulgar laughter from a distance were familiar sounds.

In her previous powerless life, whenever she heard those sounds, she would shudder with disgust and escape from the scene as quickly as possible. There was nothing else she could do.

"Hey, long time no see?" "You've gotten prettier, haven’t you?"

The grotesque creatures fueled by vile desires revealed themselves. Wearing shabby shirts, their emaciated bodies, and eyes stained with cheap lust showed no fear or apprehension.

They slowly approached her, their intentions transparent.

They clearly wanted her body.

'Well, now that there are no more loan sharks...'

Previously, they had always looked at her with lewd intentions. However, they hadn’t dared to touch her because the loan sharks were protecting her.

It wasn’t really for her sake but to preserve the ‘value of the merchandise.’ They were convinced that Suh Aram could fetch a high price in the flesh trade.

Such a valuable commodity could not afford to be damaged by these scoundrels of filthy places.

But now, those loan sharks were gone. Cleared out by Director Han at the command of Go Muyeol.

"Where have you been? We’ve been tired of waiting..."

Even from a hundred meters away, the repulsive smell of the monstrosities seemed to reach her as they dribbled saliva while approaching. Yet, Suh Aram remained composed.

"I’m not coming here anymore. Never again." "What?"

"So, let me say goodbye properly."

She pulled out a gun and aimed at the forehead of the one closest to her.

"Mu-,"

Bang!

The bullet pierced through the man’s forehead, and he collapsed in disbelief.

"What, what...!"

The rest were in panic. But Suh Aram did not spare them.

As the empty shells hit the ground, she had already pinpointed everyone’s location.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

She fired repeatedly without a moment’s hesitation. Each pull of the trigger brought one more down, swiftly clearing the area.

Not a single shot missed, just like the certainty she felt now.

+++

In the special ward of the City of Prestige. The patient who had occupied a large room alone, whose eyes had been trembling, finally started to open them after a long, long time of unconsciousness.

Sensors detecting this sent alerts. Doctors and nurses rushed to check her status.

"All vital signs are within normal ranges!" "Finally!"

Her trembling eyes finally began to open. Squinting and straining, she gradually lifted her eyelids to embrace the light.

"Ah...uh..."

Her mouth twitched.

"Where... am I?"

And, though groggily, she regained consciousness.

"Contact them immediately!" "Yes!!"

That day, Suh Aram found her faith.