In the Shadow of Gyeongseong: Part I

Chapter 17: Horrors in the Cabin

Then-footsteps. Heavy ones.

He opened his eyes.

Soon-ja was coming down the stairs, her expression sharp with frustration, anger simmering just beneath her tired eyes.

She didn't say a word. Walked straight past him.

Jin-woo stood abruptly, reached out, grabbed her arm-and firmly turned her to face him.

"어디 가는 거야?"
("Where are you going?") he asked.

Soon-ja yanked her arm free.

"당신이 우리 아들 위해 싸울 생각이 없다면,"
("If you're not going to fight for our son,") she snapped, her voice cracking,

"내가 할 거야."
("then I will.")

Tears brimmed in her eyes.

"민재 감옥에서 꺼내겠어... 내가 직접 해야 해도!"
("I'll get Min-jae out of that prison-even if I have to do it myself!")

Jin-woo exhaled, long and weary.

"진정해..."
("Calm down...")

"난 당신이랑 달라!"
("I'm not like you!") Soon-ja shouted. Her voice trembled.

"우리 아들이 감옥에서 고통받는 걸 보고만 있을 수는 없어! 내가 대신 들어가야 한다면 그렇게라도 할 거야!"
("I won't sit here while our son suffers in a cell! If I have to take his place just to set him free, I'll do it!")

Without warning, Jin-woo pulled her into a hug.

She resisted at first, but then broke, sobbing into his chest. Her fists clutched at his uniform. His hand gently ran across her back.

His own tears fell-quiet, unseen.
But only for a moment.
He blinked them away, jaw tightening.
Then, his voice turned firm.

"내일... 짐 싸. 부산 집으로 가."
("Tomorrow... pack your things. You're going to our home in Pusan.")

Soon-ja blinked, confused. She pulled back from the embrace, eyes locked with his.

"무슨 말이야... 무슨 계획이야?"
("I don't understand... What are you planning?")

Jin-woo held her gaze.

"내일부터 민재 탈옥시킬 계획을 시작할 거야. 넌 안전해야 해. 부산에서 민재를 기다려."
("Tomorrow... I'll begin the plan to break Min-jae out. But I need you to be safe. You'll wait for him in Pusan.")

Soon-ja stared at him, stunned.
Then-slowly-hope flickered in her eyes.

Jin-woo stepped closer, placed both hands on her shoulders.

"내가 살아서 돌아오지 못할 수도 있어... 하지만 우리 아들은 꼭 돌아오게 할게."
("I might not make it out alive... but I swear to you-our son will.")

And with that, she threw her arms around him again, holding tighter than before.

Afraid to let go.
Afraid she might lose more than just a son.

That night, in the depths of Seodaemun Prison... the silence settled in, unaware of what the night was about to bring.

Inside Kang-hyun's VIP cell, Min-jae sat on the bed, his back leaning against the wall, flipping through the worn pages of a book. His brows were faintly furrowed-not because of the text, but because his thoughts kept drifting elsewhere.

The sound of footsteps broke the silence.

Kang-hyun entered, carrying a thin, white foldable mattress under one arm. The fabric was old, patched, and stained-far from clean, but still a luxury in this place.