5. I bought it because I thought it would suit you, Noona.
Having returned to the hotel, Minseong sat in the room's chair and took off his blood-soaked shirt. Fortunately, the wound on his side wasn't deep, but thick, crimson blood oozed out heavily.
"I can't even go to the hospital... Ha. Guess I'll have to do everything myself."
It was something that could be resolved with a simple suture, but in Korea, where firearm usage was illegal, hospitals were unconditionally required to report any patients with gunshot or stab wounds.
So what if he went to the hospital with a stab wound on his side that anyone could tell was from a knife?
It was as obvious as fire that he would be surrounded by police and forced to explain what had happened.
"Reminds me of the old days."
As a member of Nemesis, he had performed all sorts of missions and suffered countless major and minor injuries, so he could easily treat a wound like this by himself.
Minseong grabbed the strong whiskey he had set beside him and took a long swig straight from the bottle.
After downing two or three gulps, a burning sensation rose from within.
This was enough to forget the pain, if only for a moment.
Minseong took out liquid disinfectant from the plastic bag on the table and poured it over the wound.
He felt a stinging pain, but the treatment hadn't even begun yet.
After sprinkling powdered hemostatic agent, Minseong pulled out a medical skin stapler and closed the wound.
Each time the metal staples clicked into his skin, sharp pain dug through his raw flesh.
It hurt several times more because he wasn't anesthetized, but Minseong didn't let out a single groan, biting his lower lip hard and enduring it.
Having stapled the wound shut with three metal pins, Minseong covered it with sterile gauze and finished the treatment by attaching a thin, transparent medical film to prevent bacteria from entering.
"Why does this feel harder than beating up bad guys?"
Minseong lamented, lifting the whiskey bottle again and drinking.
"To think I got stabbed dealing with such pathetic scum. If Sing saw this, he'd never let me hear the end of it."
He had blurted out his comrade's name unintentionally and shook off the gloomy mood that followed.
There was something he needed to worry about first.
What on earth was that strange phenomenon where time slowed down?
"It happened twice, not once. Looking at that, it clearly wasn't an illusion or my imagination."
It had been a very brief moment, but time had slowed down, excluding himself.
It was something he would never have believed had he not experienced it himself.
"Well, waking up in someone else's body after dying is impossible in the first place."
Perhaps because he had already experienced too great a shock, Minseong was in a state more magnanimous than anyone.
He had become so tolerant that if a madman ran around naked on Gangbyeon-daero right in front of him, he'd just brush it off thinking, Ah, I guess people do that when they're bored.
This meant that while he had been surprised as any ordinary person would be, he accepted the situation relatively calmly.
"It's definitely an ability I gained when my body changed."
In urgent moments, being able to see the opponent's movements all at once and respond several beats faster was an incredible ability.
"The problem is, I haven't accurately grasped the ability yet, and I can't control it at will."
When the ability activated and how long the time lasted.
And he didn't know whether it activated automatically under certain conditions or if he could use it freely.
"One thing's for sure: the ability activates when some kind of threat is directed at me."
Both times the strange phenomenon had manifested so far were moments when the opponent was about to attack him.
Of course, it hadn't activated against every attack, so he needed to look into the details more, but...
"Ah, I don't know. It's not something I can solve right this moment anyway."
He could figure it out slowly, given time.
It was an ability close to cheating, but since he didn't know when it would activate and couldn't control it freely, he needed to observe it a bit more.
Minseong stuffed the blood-soaked shirt into a garbage bag, changed into new clothes, lay down on the bed, and sought sleep.
***
The next day.
Minseong drove to the department store located next to the Express Bus Terminal.
Minseong took the elevator up to the first floor, scanned the area where luxury jewelry brands were gathered with his eyes, and entered the store that occupied the best spot.
"Welcome. Is there something you're looking for?"
The female employee stuck close to Minseong's side with a kind smile.
Usually, when a man visited a jewelry store alone, it was often to buy a gift for his girlfriend or parents, so he was classified as a customer sure to make a purchase.
Therefore, it was only natural that the employee's service became even more attentive.
"I'm looking to buy a necklace as a gift."
"I see."
The employee inwardly cheered and asked gently.
"Who will be wearing it?"
"I'm giving it to my sister... I don't know her size well, so I was just going to get a necklace."
"May I ask your sister's age group?"
Minseong pondered his memories for a moment and spoke.
"Twenty-seven... No, she had her birthday last month, so she's twenty-eight now."
But that younger brother of hers hadn't even given her a birthday gift, let alone taken her wedding funds and blown it all on coins.
Thinking about it again, it was a truly pathetic act.
It wasn't even something he had done, yet he didn't know why he felt so guilty.
'But when I try to ignore it, my chest just feels tight.'
While Minseong was inwardly conflicted, the employee smiled broadly and offered the sofa.
"Please have a seat here, and I'll pick out some good products to show you."
The employee brought him simple refreshments and cookies, treating Minseong with genuine care.
"This is made of 18K white gold with our brand's signature diamond pavé setting. It goes well with both casual and formal outfits, so it's a popular model among young women. If you want a more elegant atmosphere, we also have a model with mother-of-pearl here. It's a bit tricky to maintain, but many people love the subtle colors it reflects when it catches the light."
As Minseong listened seriously, the employee's explanation grew even longer.
After examining the necklaces the employee had shown him for a while, Minseong chose one in champagne gold with a diamond pavé setting and the brand logo engraved on the side.
"You have excellent taste. The price is 10,900,000 won."
Without a word, Minseong took out his card from his wallet.
"How many months would you like for the installment plan?"
"Just pay it in full."
Minseong was a man who had never once swiped his card for installments.
Moreover, the original body's credit was at rock bottom, so he couldn't even get a credit card—only a debit card—and installments weren't possible.
"Understood. Shall I gift-wrap it as well?"
Minseong hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
It was because the loan shark had threatened him yesterday, mentioning family, which reminded him of the original owner's family.
What weighed on his mind the most was the money his sister had lost after investing in coins.
Anyway, Minseong was going to live a different life from now on, so he could have just cut ties and lived on, but perhaps because he had the original body's memories, he couldn't turn away.
So he decided to repay the money and give her a gift with his apology as well.
'She must have been hurt in many ways because of her pathetic brother all this time.'
Just showing her that he had cleaned up his act would probably be enough to make her happy.
After a while, Minseong stood up, swinging the shopping bag in one hand.
"Thank you. Please come again."
The employee came out to the entrance behind Minseong, bowed deeply, and saw him off.
Having purchased the gift, Minseong rolled up his sleeve to check the watch on his wrist; it was exactly 11 a.m.
Minseong took the elevator down to the third basement parking lot.
Despite being a weekday morning, the spacious parking lot was packed with cars, almost no empty spaces remaining.
Minseong checked the location numbers written on the pillars and slowly made his way.
After walking for some time, he found a pillar marked H13 and stopped.
Located in an inner corner of the underground parking lot, it was a blind spot with no passersby and no CCTV coverage.
Minseong surveyed his surroundings and confirmed there was no one nearby.
Then he opened the stainless aluminum fire hydrant case installed on the parking lot wall.
With a clank, inside the opened hydrant, between the emergency angle valve and the hose, was a black ready bag.
Minseong grabbed the ready bag, closed the hydrant case again, and left the spot as if nothing had happened.
He went straight to his car parked on the second basement level and got into the driver's seat.
He placed the shopping bag with the necklace in the passenger seat, put the ready bag on his lap instead, and opened the lid.
Inside the ready bag were one Glock 19 handgun, a silencer, six magazines loaded with 15 rounds, and two boxes of 9mm ammunition.
Small and light, yet easy to use, it was a model he had favored for a long time.
Firearm purchases were banned in Korea, but they could be obtained without difficulty through the dark web.
Minseong grabbed the carbon-made grip and picked up the handgun.
A familiar, weighty sensation.
He pulled the metal slide back and assumed a firing stance while seated in the driver's seat.
When he pulled the trigger, he heard a dry 'tak.' Minseong made a satisfied expression and lowered the gun.
Minseong put the gun back in the ready bag, set it down on the passenger floor, started the engine, and exited the department store's underground parking lot.
***
A cafe near the Kyobo Tower intersection.
He was sitting by the window where sunlight streamed in, sipping coffee, when he saw a woman with a familiar face enter the cafe.
It was Minseong's sister, Choe Jiyeong.
She had graduated from a junior college and had already been working as a salesperson at a large bookstore for five years.
Despite her difficult life, she was always bright and lived diligently.
Minseong didn't know how to handle this feeling that was both familiar and alien, and hesitated for a moment.
In the meantime, Jiyeong, who had been looking around, spotted him first and approached, waving her hand.
"What brings you all the way out here?"
"Just had some business. How was lunch?"
"I just ate something simple with my coworkers."
Jiyeong wore a smile the entire time, seemingly happy to see her brother's face after so long.
"Then let me at least buy you something to drink."
On the other hand, Minseong was inwardly flustered by the kindness given without any conditions.
He was past twenty years old; she should find it annoying that her younger brother still held out his hand to her, so why did she look so happy?
Was it because they were family?
Minseong couldn't understand how she could smile so brightly and treat him like that for such a simple reason.
Even when he was Patrick, he had lived a life far removed from warm family affection, so no matter how hard he tried to act natural, his attitude stiffened on its own.
"Um. Then I'll have an Americano..."
Seeing Jiyeong subtly choose the cheapest menu, Minseong cut her off mid-sentence.
"Never mind. I'll just go buy it."
Minseong could naturally recall everything Jiyeong liked and disliked.
It was a strange experience—though she was someone he had clearly seen for the first time today, memories of living together for over twenty years existed in his head.
Jiyeong smiled softly as she watched her brother's back heading to the counter.
'He seems to be doing well. Thank goodness.'
The way he walked with his back straight and confident looked quite dependable even to Jiyeong's eyes.
His somewhat awkwardly curt way of speaking and stiff attitude concerned her somewhat, but Jiyeong took even that as a positive change.
"Thanks. I'll enjoy it."
Jiyeong smiled happily when she saw the caramel macchiato Minseong brought.
"You remembered I like sweet things."
Not knowing how to respond, Minseong simply nodded.
"Sitting like this reminds me of the old days. When you were a senior studying for the CSAT, I called you out to a cafe a few times to help you relax. Remember?"
"Uh... I guess."
"The cheesecake we ate then was so delicious."
"...Should I order you one?"
Did she want cake?
When Minseong asked awkwardly, Jiyeong burst into a bright laugh.
"No. I told you I already ate."
"You really are something," Jiyeong said.
"It's been a while since we last met, but aren't you too stiff? Treat me comfortably like you used to."
"Hm..."
Jiyeong suddenly looked at her watch, as if disappointed.
"But I only have ten minutes of lunch break left, so I have to hurry back. I wish I could talk more though..."
Jiyeong trailed off, swallowing her words in regret.
"Still, it's good to see your face after so long. Here. This."
"Huh?"
Minseong, who had been about to take out the gift he prepared, flinched at the envelope Jiyeong suddenly held out.
"What's this?"
"Pocket money from your sister."
Jiyeong grabbed Minseong's hand, which had momentarily blanked in bewilderment, and pressed the envelope into it.
"It's 200,000 won. I want to help more, but I have a lot of expenses this month, so I don't have much to spare. It won't be enough, but hang in there with this for now."
Was this woman a fool?
Minseong was dumbfounded by the pushover who had given him her wedding funds and was still trying to give him more.
He should be getting his back beaten for taking her money, yet here she was giving him pocket money?
Minseong felt irritation flare up, yet at the same time, a corner of his chest grew heavy.
"Ha..."
Looking at Jiyeong's bright face, knowing nothing, Minseong sighed and took out his smartphone.
"What's wrong?"
"Hold on. Ha... I'm seriously getting frustrated."
What was he supposed to do with this pushover of a sister?
Minseong pressed his forehead hard and opened his banking app to transfer 30 million won to Jiyeong's account.
"I just sent the money, so check it."
Even before he finished speaking, a notification chimed.
Jiyeong looked at the deposit message and asked with wide eyes.
"Money?"
"It's the money I borrowed from you last time."
"I told you to pay that back slowly. Huh? W-wait a minute."
Jiyeong said with a flustered expression.
"I only lent you 10 million won. Why did 30 million come in?"
"The rest is interest."
As he spat out the words, Minseong thrust the shopping bag at Jiyeong.
"And this is a gift."
"Huh? What's with the suddenness?"
The flustered Jiyeong instinctively hugged the shopping bag, then grew even more flustered when she saw the brand logo.
"Hey! This is expensive!"
"I bought it because I thought it would suit you."
It was only right to adorn a kind-hearted pushover with sparkling gold jewelry.
Minseong briefly regretted not buying one with a bigger diamond, but the recipient herself was flustered, not knowing what was going on.
"What money do you have to buy something like this?"
"Just know that things are going well with work."
"You..."
"Then, I have other business, so I'll get going."
Seeing Jiyeong not even know how to properly rejoice after receiving a gift, Minseong's heart grew complicated for no reason.
"Hey!"
Pretending not to hear the voice calling from behind, Minseong left the cafe with a swaggering stride.
Left alone, Jiyeong gazed at the door her brother had exited with a face full of worry and concern, then cautiously opened the shopping bag.
Opening the luxurious case, a golden, glittering necklace was revealed.
"It's beautiful..."
Jiyeong let out an exclamation of admiration without realizing it and stared at the gift her brother had given her for a long time, losing track of time.