The veil of retribution

chap 1 "Echoes of a Tragic Past"

"Happy birthday, Jihoon," his mother said softly, smiling as she placed the small cake in front of him. It was a quiet celebration, just the four of them- Jihoon,his brother, his mother, and father-gathered around the modest kitchen table. His father poured a drink, his mother beaming with pride. Jihoon felt his heart swell with happiness. But before he could respond, the moment shattered. The sound of the front door crashing open echoed through the house like a violent storm.

Before Jihoon could react, masked men stormed into the room, their dark figures moving with lethal precision. "Get down!" his father shouted, trying to shield them, but it was too late. The men pulled out guns without hesitation.

Jihoon's mother turned toward him, her voice calm but urgent. "Hide, Jihoon! Hide!" Her words were a lifeline in the chaos, but before Jihoon could move, the deafening bang of a gunshot rang out. Blood sprayed across the table, and his mother's body slumped forward, a crimson stream flowing from her temple. Her final words hung in the air-"Happy birthday, Jihoon"-and her voice died in a choking silence. Jihoon couldn't comprehend what had just happened.

His father rushed toward the gunmen, screaming for them to stop, but another shot rang out, and he fell lifeless beside her. Jihoon stood frozen, his breath caught in his throat, watching every detail in horrifying clarity as his family was murdered in cold blood. The killers showed no remorse, no hesitation, as they went about their work, wiping out his family as if they were mere obstacles.

It was a scene etched into Jihoon's mind forever-his mother's peaceful face, her last word for him, her lifeless eyes staring blankly into nothingness. All for money. Just because they wanted what his family had.

Jihoon had no choice but to hide, trembling beneath the floorboards as he watched the killers walk away, leaving his life in ruins. From that moment, the young boy who once had dreams and innocence died along with his parents. All that remained was a burning hatred and a thirst for revenge. The face of the man who led the massacre was seared into his memory-those cold eyes would haunt him for years to come.

12 years later...

The same face that haunted Jihoon for more than a decade now lurked in the back of his mind every day, fueling his every decision. Revenge became the driving force behind his existence, a dark shadow over every part of his life. He'd spent years plotting, imagining every detail of how he would kill those responsible for his family's death. He dreamed of watching them bleed, seeing the fear in their eyes just before he pulled the trigger-just like they did to his parents.

Living on his own since leaving the orphanage, Jihoon had struggled to survive. He found odd jobs wherever hecould, working late nights and early mornings just to scrape by. He had even managed to put himself through college, although the strain of balancing work and school was relentless. He couldn't afford to slow down, not when every step brought him closer to the day he would take his revenge.

"Professor, please," Jihoon pleaded, standing at the edge of his professor's desk, desperation in his voice. "I'm going to lose my job if I don't go to work tomorrow. Just one day. Please excuse me from class."

The professor looked up, unimpressed. "Jihoon, I've heard this before. You're smart, but if you have work and school, you need to manage your time better. We don't excuse students just because they have jobs. You're graduating soon- focus on your studies first."

Jihoon clenched his fists at his side, swallowing his frustration. Graduating soon... If only his life were that simple. As he walked through the hallway, his mind spinning with the impossible choice between work and school, he noticed Jin, his closest friend, waiting by the classroom door.

"What's up, Jihoon? You look stressed," Jin asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

Jihoon hesitated. He didn't want to burden Jin with his problems, especially when they involved far more than just school or work. But Jin's eyes lingered, waiting for an answer.

"It's nothing," Jihoon said, forcing a smile. "Just thinking about finding another job. The one I have now isn't working out."

Jin's concern deepened. "Really? I thought you had that restaurant gig. Did they fire you?"

"No, no. It's just... I need a job that pays better. You know, life's expensive." Jihoon laughed awkwardly, but Jin didn't buy it.

"Well, if you need a job, my dad's company is hiring. I can put in a word for you." Jin reached into his pocket and handed Jihoon a business card. "Meet him at the office on Saturday. He can help you out."

Jihoon looked down at the card, surprised. "Why do you carry your dad's business card around?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"You know, just in case. Don't overthink it," Jin said with a grin before heading back to his seat.

Back at his apartment that evening, Jihoon collapsed onto his bed, exhausted. As he emptied his pockets, the business card fell onto the floor. Curious, he picked it up and looked at the name of the company. Something about it seemed familiar.

He searched the company online, and when the owner's photo appeared on the screen, his heart stopped. It was him-the man from twelve years ago, the one who had killed his family. The face that had haunted his nightmares for so long stared back at him from the screen.

Jihoon's hands trembled. The card slipped from his fingers, and sweat dripped down his temples as his breath grew shallow. This can't be real. Was it fate, or some cruel twist of irony, that Jin's father worked for the same company that destroyed his life?

For a moment, Jihoon's mind raced with a thousand thoughts-should he run, hide again like he did as a child? Or was this his chance to finally face the demons that had tormented him for so long? The fear he felt as a child began to melt away, replaced by a cold resolve. He had spent his entire life preparing for this moment. There would be no more hiding.

Jihoon made his decision.

"I'm going to kill them. All of them."

"Hi, I'm the author! I'd love to hear your feedback on the story. Please let me know what you think. Thank you for reading, and I appreciate all your support!"