Chapter Text
The dim cellar contained items expected on the black market. Illegal substances, unregistered firearms, crossbows, explosives, etc. However, In-ho couldn’t help but notice a rather unusual “product”.
In the far corner was a man sitting in a dog crate, head cradled in his palms.
“I had someone put this binder together for you. It’s our clients who own the most debt. Contains all their personal information. Addresses, immediate family, work history…”
In-ho accepted the binder but quickly lost interest in what the marketeer was saying, his words temporarily becoming white noise.
“So…Is there anything else I can do with you? I have a few assault rifles left if you still need those.”
In-ho’s head snapped forward but soon went back to the cage.
“I’m fine, but can you explain that?”
He said, pointing to the kennel.
“I thought you didn’t sell humans. Only objects.”
“Well, I’m not exactly selling him . Only his organs. It's better to keep him alive so they’re fresh. Anyway–”
“Can I take a look at him?”
The marketer paused, caught slightly off guard by the question. Still, he nodded.
“Oh, yes, yes, of course.”
He led his client to the cage, violently kicking it upon arrival. The man inside shrieked.
“Get up, Horsie! You know you’re not allowed to sleep!”
In-ho raised a brow.
“Horsie?”
He inquired. The marketer smiled.
“Yeah, he’s a gambler. Not even a good one. Borrowed more money than he could ever pay back and blew it all on horse races. His creditors were so pissed that they sold him to me. They even told me to keep him breathing and suffering for as long as possible.”
In-ho looked down at the captive man. He was clearly starved for comfort, hugging his knees and shivering with terror.
“I think his real name is Gi-hun, but I just call him Horsie.”
In-ho hummed, kneeling down so he could get a better view of the living organ donor. It reminded him of a dog in an animal center.
“I see. Not to question your business practice, but wouldn’t you make more by selling his body?.”
The marketer let out a short laugh.
“Not with this one. He’s a beat-up, middle-aged dimwit. The clothes on his back are probably worth more than he is.”
Gi-hun’s eyes fell to the cage floor as he burned with shame.
In-ho tilted his head as he observed the man’s features. The marketer was clearly telling the truth about his creditors' fury. The pitiful thing’s battered face was all different shades of red, black, and blue.
“I think you’re exaggerating. He’s not that bad.”
In-ho could see Gi-hun perk up at the “compliment”.
“I’m sure he’ll look better once all those cuts and bruises fade.”
The marketer clicked his tongue,
“Maybe, but the cost and maintenance isn’t worth keeping him alive that long. Besides, some of his organs have already been reserved. He’ll be completely gutted by the end of the month.”
The marketer explained as if it were the most casual thing.
The glimmer of joy in Gi-hun’s eyes was quickly snuffed and replaced with terror. He leaned his head against the side of the kennel before letting himself sob like a lost child.
In-ho could only describe it as pathetic.
So deliciously pathetic.
“Speaking of.”
The marketer began, walking behind his client. When he was in view again, In-ho saw that he was holding a spoon, scalpel, and a jar of clear fluid.
“One of his buyers should be on the way.”
In-ho stood back up, puzzled.
“What are you doing?”
The marketer set his tools on a metal rolling tray.
“I have to scoop his eyes out now. If you’re not squeamish, you can watch.”
Gi-hun scooted back as far as the cramped cage would allow him.
“No, no, please! I promise I’ll pay! I mean it! I really mean it this time! Please–AUGH!”
The marketer dragged Gi-hun out by his dark, greasy hair, grunting in frustration.
“Too late, gutter rat! Now come on! I need to get those eyes out of your head and in that jar by midnight!”
As In-ho silently observed, the pit of his stomach grew warm. He couldn’t help but take guilty pleasure in Gi-hun’s desperate pleas. The poor thing was so frightened, In-ho was surprised he didn’t send himself into cardiac arrest.
Soon, Gi-hun was too hysterical to even beg. Instead, he let out bellowing sobs, while thrashing his limbs.
In-ho took a deep breath.
It was sweet. Sweeter than music. Even sweeter than Fly Me To the Moon.
Gi-hun’s eyes widened and his breath hitched when the marketer held up the silver spoon.
“Stay still or I’ll break every one of your fingers.”
The marketer barked, tightening his grip on his captive’s scalp.
The threat was enough to quell Gi-hun’s struggling, but not his whimpers.
“Oh, god…Mom…Mommy…”
In-ho’s chest and face started to burn.
He’s crying for his mother. Pitiful. Absolutely pitiful.
Suddenly, the marketer hissed and released his grip on Gi-hun’s tangled hair. He stepped back, his face twisted with disgust.
“You dirty mutt! You pissed on my good shoes!”
He scolded as Gi-hun smashed face-first into the ground. The thin man sobbed even harder and instinctively covered his head with his hands, anticipating a beating that would take him to the edge of his grave.
“Sir, p-please help!”
It took In-ho a moment to realize that the captive organ donor was pleading to him.
The poor thing had shamed himself and was now begging a complete stranger to save his hide. In-ho entire body tingled and he felt almost light-headed with arousal.
The marketer lunged at Gi-hun, grabbing him by the throat. He readjusted his grip on the spoon, but when he was mere centimeters from Gi-hun’s face–
“Wait.”
In-ho finally spoke and Gi-hun’s mutilation was delayed again.
“Can I buy him?”
The marketer smiled, thinking it was a joke. However his grin fell when he noticed In-ho's neutral expression.
“Oh, you’re serious?”
“Name your price.”
The marketer paused, briefly considering it. Then, he clicked his tongue.
“I’d love to, but you’re a little too late. I did the math and I’m already set to have a decent fortune by selling his innards and—”
“I’ll pay double.”
The marketer dropped Gi-hun, stunned.
“You’re fucking with me. You’ll pay double? For a piss rat?”
“That’s right. I’ll take him off your hand and you’ll receive double what you would have made.”
Gi-hun, on his knees, looked up at In-ho, his mouth agape. After so many years of misfortune, he couldn’t believe his luck. While it was still degrading being sold to another man like some exotic pet, it was certainly better than the chopping block.
“Alright. I suppose we all have our own taste.”
The marketer shook In-ho’s hand.
“It's a deal.”
Gi-hun crawled to his savior, hugging his knees and sobbing tears of relief.
“Thank you, sir! Thank you, thank you!”
He exclaimed, nuzzling In-ho’s thighs like an affectionate cat.
“I’ll get some clean pants and underwear for him. I imagine you don’t want piss on your expensive car seats.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
In-ho said, absent mindlessly stroking the hair of his impulse purchase. Gi-hun melted into the touch, unable to recall the last time he was touched without being hurt.
***
When In-ho picked him up and threw him over his shoulder, Gi-hun could instantly smell the perfume on his neck. He couldn’t exactly pick out the notes but it was rather masculine with a fresh fruity undertone.
It smelled like something Gi-hun couldn’t even dream of affording. This man clearly had more money than he knew what to do with.
That was the most confusing part. When he begged the man to rescue him, Gi-huh didn’t expect him to actually do it. He was mere seconds from having his eyes gouged out, and this stranger threw stacks of money at his captor to save his skin.
It made Gi-hun’s stomach flutter with fondness. He settled into In-ho, allowing himself to be carried up the stairs and out of the cellar. He couldn’t help but smile when they reached the top.
What an amazing, charitable man.
***
In-ho also had a lot on his mind.
How can I make this miserable thing cry for me again?