Chapter Text
Kim Seungmin was what society would call a dog. He sells his skills to the highest bidder, wears their collar, do their dirty work. All in all not that bad of a deal as he would say. It’s a bonus that his specific skills were quite sort after. Medicine. Especially in Miroh as most government jobs were no longer available.
Miroh was the farthest thing from safe. The government had fallen just over twenty years ago due to ‘unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances.’ But if someone were topick up an old history book, like Seungmin had, facts would point to a self destructive system built on greed and the downfall of the citizens. In other words it was corruption in its purest form. Even though he was technically there for the aftermath of the downfall he couldn’t remember much. Seungmins more prominent memories came from late childhood closing in to his teenage years. He heard of them first in the markets. Groups slowly forming as makeshift leaders, it wasn’t like they were much better than the government itself. All fighting for the next open piece of land that they canuse, not caring for the lives they take along the way. But he supposes that it gives people hope, a future of sorts.
Its one of the many reasons that Seungmin had chosen to stay a ‘dog’. A neutrality in the chaos. Most dogs unlike those who have skills in the medical field do have whats called an overarching collar, an owner who dictates what they can and can’t do, who they can and can’t help. Medics typically don’t do this because it makes them more valuable due to the small amount who study medicine, they can wait for the highest bidder and take all the profit themselves. Once a dog has an overarching collar it is quite hard to shake as some unfortunate souls have found out the hard way.
Some souls that Seungmin calls his friends, which leads him to where he is now. Patching up a dongsaeng of his, Kyehoon.
“Kyehoon-ah what did I say about being careful?” He said as he picked the bullet hole with tweesers.
“It wasn’t exactly my fault, what I needed was in the line of fire.” Kyehoon retorted pulling a face when he felt the other man pull at his skill. “Hyung! That hurts!”
“You know this wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t taken the job.” Seungmin managed to secure the bullet and pull it out. “You’re lucky they all seem to be shit shooters.”
“And you know that its not up to me”
“Well I would love to know who it is.”
“I would love to tell you, but I can’t.” Looking away from where Seungmin was preparing the dressing, Kyehoon noticed the new equipment. “You got an upgrade Hyung?” The equipment he was referring to was laid precisely in a box that looked relatively new. It ranged from sharp looking scalpels to actual surgeon needles, unlike the D.I.Y ones that Seungmin had made.
“Oh… Yeah had a good client, some rich guys daughter was sick. Managed to get a good pay out of it though.” He forcefully held the youngers leg down as he began to wrap it.
“I Thought you… uh… only helped the more desperate, isn’t that why you always reject the big clients?” Kyehoons knuckles were turning white with the amount of pressure he was using to grip the table.
“Normal I do try to do that, but I also have to provide for myself somehow.” Seungmin taped the bandage and dressing making sure its secure before giving it one final pat. “Alright your done. Although I have one final question.”
“Yes Hyung?”
“You’re owners, they don’t know its me that services you, right?”
“I haven’t told them, no.” Kyehoon got up from his seat and picked up his bag. “If they did I have a feeling they’d demand I bring you in. I mean you’re practically a legend, being the Puppy.M and all.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
“Oh really?” Have you not heard people in the streets? The puppy medic, Puppy.M helping any no name nobody except the people with money. You are quite literally a crowd favourite.” Seungmin rolled his eyes as he packed away his supplies. “Not only that but I heard any big group who has had a taste of what you do tries everything to get you to wear their collar.”
He continued to ignore the younger as he moved towards the door. “Yeah, well it was great to see you again, maybe next time it could be under better circumstances?” Without giving Kyehoon a chance to say another word, Seungmin gave him a quick pat on the shoulder and headed out the room walking the hallways of the stingy hotel.
What did the big groups think they had over everyday folks? Although it wasn’t as practiced, it was his philosophy that a doctor should always put the lives of those who need it more first. That’s what angered him most. If he chose to work with a group like Kyehoon had then he wouldn’t be able to do that anymore. But at the same time the way he works means he just has enough to get by never enough to get what he wants.
On occasion he’ll take up a larger offer, like the rich guys daughter but that wasn’t for the money. She was on the verge of death and without medical support she wouldn’t have made it, and with all the medics usually taking higher prices regardless of how rich the man was the girl wouldn’t have gotten what she needed. That was the main reason Seungmin helped, sure the money was a great incentive but in reality he was always doing what he thought was right by his philosophy. At least that was his plan.
Then the message came. Perhaps it intrigued him a bit too much. Maybe he should have known better.
Twelve thirty in the morning lying on his side while staring at the glow of his phone while the UNDERDOGS app was open. The little letter icon in the corner let him know that he had over a thousand requests for his services as the home screen reminded him of how broke he truly was. A measly two fifty currently available for withdrawal. Blinking slowly he clicked on the icon.
…Home…
Account ; Puppy.M
Kyehoon ; Dog – ‘hey Hyung, I could use some…’
Amount ; Free , Status ; Complete
Zoinu10 ; Owner – ‘Please, My daughters ill…’
Amount ; Negotiable , Status ; Complete
Breap88 ; Owner – ‘There was an attack and…’
Amount ; $100, Status ; Complete
User231 ; Owner – ‘My boys in a gang, he…’
Amount ; $98, Status ; Complete
Kilu_123 ; Dog – ‘Im not sure if you help dogs…’
Amount ; $130 , Status ; Complete
Lupal249 ; Owner – ‘Heard your good could…’
Amount ; $10K , Status ; Unread
Plea__* ; Owner – ‘Am in need of medical…’
Amount ; $24K , Status ; Unread
Lyna12 ; Owner – ‘How much would it take…’
Amount ; negotiable , Status ; Unread
Hight5S ; Owner –‘You could be ours if…’
Amount ; Negotiable , Status ; Unread.
… Load more …
Seungmin rolled his eyes as he began to delete over half of the requests most of them were just asking him to become their dog full time, which wasn’t something that interested him in the slightest. It was when he was refreshing the page after the mass deletion did he see it.
Fishj12A ; Owner – ‘My kid ate some berries…’
Amount ; $45 , Status ; Read
Accept – Reject
_Ashss_ ; Owner – ‘A fight broke out and I…’
Amount ; $125 , Status ; Read
Accept – Reject
Fan201_* ; Dog – ‘My friend was on a mission…’
Amount ; $30, Status ; Read
Accept – Reject
Rando1zx ; Owner – ‘My girl is interested in Med…’
Amount ; Negotiable , Status ; Read
Accept – Reject
Pupers1Kna ; Dog – ‘Could you please do me a…’
Amount ; $85 , Status ; Read
Accept – Reject
Truman12 ; Dog – ‘I heard from a friend you…’
Amount ; $50 , status ; Read
Accept – Reject
_Yura_1 ; Owner – ‘My husband wont stop coughing…’
Amount ; $120 , Status ; Read
Accept – Reject
Lov_Us0 ; Owner – ‘There was a fire and my kids…’
Amount ; $210 , Status ; Read
Accept – Reject
_Hyung_ ; Owner – ‘I have a weird Request…’
Amount ; Negotiable , Status ; Unread
… scroll to top …
Claiming to have a weird request isn’t new to Seungmin, a lot of people seem to have ‘weird’ requests that turn into nothing but a completely normal thing. Maybe that was why he decided to humour the random man. To see if it was a desperate attempt to get him collared or if it was just a weird circumstance that needed medical support. Either way Seungmin was really just trying to get a laugh out of wherever this conversation would take him. Of course he wasn’t expecting to get a respond straight away.
...back...
_Hyung_
H - I have a weird request if you would be interested.
What is it? - P
H - I’m sure you’ve heard of Stray kids, yes?
If this an attempt to become my full time owner you’re out of luck - P
H - I don’t work for them, I’m what you could call an enemy of theirs
Rival group? - P
H - I suppose
What do you want? ; P
H - Information
Haven’t you read my profile - P
I’m a medic, not a hacker - P
H - I know that’s what makes you perfect for the job
H - I need you to infiltrate somewhere, It will be long term
Are you dense I just told you I’m a Medic- P
H - A medic that not many big groups have seen
So? - P
H - Have you heard of Red Lights?
Who hasn’t - P
H - Its owned and run by Stray Kids
Not like its in their turf or anything - P
H - which is why it’s the perfect place to get information
H - but if I were to send in one of my own they would no doubt be shot on site
H - therefore I need someone like you to go in
You want me to enter their territory for you to get info? - P
No offense but that sounds like a suicide mission for anyone - P
H - I’ll pay well
How nice of you - P
But money can only go so far and what of my other clients - P
H - 2 Million and you can help other clients
Are you insane? - P
H - I want Stray Kids turf and this is the best way to get their strategies
I understand that but how will infiltrating a night club do that? - P
H - Does this mean you’ll do it?
This isn’t an overarching collar, right? - P
H - No
And how will payment work? - P
H - I’ll pay you in instalments until you get me what I want
H - Then I’ll send the rest of the amount, deal?
Deal, What do you need me to do. - P
H - I’ll send you the first steps tomorrow, I’m under the impression
H - that you know who each leader of Stray Kids are, correct?
I know their names and faces, is that enough? - P
H - for now, yes, anything else you need to know, I will tell you
Alright - P
Accept – Reject
Mission accepted
Post late night Seungmin was having a bit of a heart attack. The first round of instructions came through and now he was tearing his closet apart trying to find club attire. God he was such an idiot, why would he agree to something so stupid. Was it really worth the money? Sure it would set him up for a long while, allowing him to help the everyday people regardless of what they could spend on him. But at the same time he was risking his life. If Stray Kids were to find out about this there is no doubt his head would be on the chopping block.
The guy had asked for his name and then told him he was setting up a job interview. A job interview, for a club. A club that Seungmin honestly had zero interest working in. Why did he do this to himself, he should have just denied the request from the start instead of humouring the owner. And the guy gave him no direction of what to wear! He could have at least helped him out a little bit.
He wasn’t even sure what the job the guy applied for him was. Reaching his hand back into the closet he pulled out some leather pants. Was that appropriate for a job interview, probably not. In fact it definitely wasn’t but maybe for a night club it was? Seungmin didn’t know, he hasn’t gone to a job interview ever and he refused to step foot anywhere near night clubs.
Cutting his losses he decided to wear the pants as well as a white collar shirt. Looking in the mirror, the pants where a bit too tight and hugged against his skin but he didn’t have time to change. The interview was in half an hour and the place was twenty five minutes away while he was supposed to arrive at least ten minutes early. Sprinting out the door he locked in behind him and ran down the staircase of his apartment block.
Lucky for him streets were pretty much empty this time of night, thanks to smaller groups who think terrorising people is a fun pass time. Did he run into any himself. No. Which was a bit weird because he usually heard the gun fire and laughter from his windows around this time. Seungmin was sure he was going to run into at least someone, but the streets seem deserted. Did he want to run into anyone, of course not but it felt wrong not too. It was almost peaceful.
Would have felt peaceful if the reason he was running to a night club wasn’t for a job. Maybe in a different world he could have been rushing to meet his friends instead. Or maybe he was running late for a nine to five.
By the time he arrived at the club he arrived to the club and through security he had five minutes before the interview and he had to somehow get through the groups of people to the bar. Taking a deep breath Seungmin decided to just rush it, trying his best to not just shove through people the feeling of bodies against him was almost claustrophobic. Barely touching another person contaminated him in sweat, trying to squeeze past another laid breathes against his neck but he managed it. He got through the crowd and got one of the bartenders attention
“What can I get you tonight?” The guy was young but polite as he asked with a smile on his face.
“I have uh, a job interview?” Seungmin said while looking down at his outfit. Perhaps club attire wasn’t the best idea if he looked like a club goer. The younger blinked a few times before leaving to talk to someone for a few minutes.
“Kim Seungmin?” When he nodded the younger opened the entry to the bar and led him through a door towards a corridor. Letting him into a room with a desk and two chairs. “The owner will be with you shortly.” The owner? Surely if its just a random worker they would need the owner to interview him. The person who owns it will probably be under Stray Kids, which means Seungmin will need to leave at least a good impression, as well as get the job. Maybe he should have asked what the guy applied for him to be.
Safe to say when the door opened and the owner walked in, it wasn’t who Seungmin was prepared to see. With confident steps the other man walked towards the desk and sat down with a file. One that Seungmin could only suspect was the resume he gave the man he was working for.
“You’re Kim Seungmin?”