Crucible 1/?
a vessel of a very refractory material used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat. In philosophic terms, a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development. A severe test.
If I'm being honest, I've always been aware of my privilege. As a matter of fact, I'm incredibly grateful everything was handed to me. Being on top of the world definitely has its own growing pains. Every step felt like walking in roses with thorns. So beautifully terrifying. I only see how far I've come if the violence comes around again. My hands were stained red, but it didn't hurt.
Today, of all days, I have paid my karmic debt in full.
His brows look over the report, idle hands hold the corner of the page, and he flips as his eyes scan through the monthly finance reports. After a suspicious amount of unfinished deals passed by their radar, Hyukmin couldn't help but notice a pattern in the quarterly reports. One of the group's worst fears arises again, an issue he hoped he won't have to deal with while working for his cousin's underground affairs.
After discovering this side of the family's immense wealth, the truth was unraveled with a simple talk. Still higher ranking than most, he wishes he could accompany her in more physical aspects of the realm. But with his father's wishes not to put his cousin in danger, he's been tasked to be the new financial analyst of sorts for all their underground deeds. He’s done incredibly well. Maybe too well.
"Minseo, it's urgent," his footsteps hurried to catch up with her, herself packing up for the day; the office was as quiet as her silence. "Minseo—"
"It's the end of the day—" her purse flings over her shoulder, unsatisfied that she was needed at the end of her legal duties. "How urgent?"
"You're about to lose 10 billion won, kind of urgent—" He shot it at point, both their faces blank.
Minseo places her purse down to sit again, and Hyukmin follows her side with files in hand. She sat as they were pushed to her view, looking over the transactions from their deals. She was confused.
"You know I don't touch illegal deals in a legal setting," she muses, looking over her shoulder. "Are you sure this isn't—"
He shakes his head, organizing each paper for her to see better. They were scribbled with circles and question marks that didn't make sense.
"The last quarter of the year with exports went through with this receipt for the weaponry," he points to a circled total of a receipt, another finger pointing to the bank statements that didn't match. It made sense. "And the next one has done the same. All up to this quarter. That could only mean one thing and one thing— someone is taking advantage of you."
Hyukmin still had to learn the ropes of their underground family as he was blessed with parents who kept him away from the violent part. Minseo's face fell to irritation when he found out he was telling the truth and that someone had broken her trust.
A sudden vibration fills the gap of their realization, himself feeling his pockets. He took his phone out, and their faces softened at the name on the screen. It was Hyejung, with a photo of herself and her son Jinwoo.
"Go home," she gathered the files as the phone rang.
"Are you planning something?"
"I'll take care of this. No one will know for the time being. Keep gathering what you know."
"I can help you." He offers.
"You already did." She answers. "And thank you."
He doesn't move. She cocks a brow before he attempts a sentence. Though he was older, Minseo held an aura that could be compared to fear. Besides, it was for his own good not to delve too much. With much hesitation, he answers the phone with a cheerful voice. He leaves before she can make her own phone call. Another man answers on the other end.
"Shake your branches, little tree," she speaks the code word known within her most trusted circle for help. They had to finish the sentence to prove loyalty to the family. She waits for a response.
At the other end was Ryunosuke, who became alert yet confused by the sudden sentence. It's been a long time since that had grazed him. But he didn't question it. His voice was alert.
"Toss gold and silver down on me."