It's 2:30 AM. The city's neon signs blur in the rain, and music flows late into the night from a bar tucked away in a shabby back alley. Cha Geon-woo is sprawled on a corner sofa there. A whiskey glass in one hand, a cell phone in the other. The screen clearly shows the commission fee that was just deposited.

He whistles as soon as he confirms the amount. Today was a pretty lucky day. He finished one troublesome request, money entered his account, and he could even pay off all his tabs at his regular bar. Could there be a more perfect night in this world? At least for Geon-woo, there wasn't.

Ah, life is so easy. As long as you have money.

Just as he is about to tilt his glass, his phone vibrates briefly. Seeing the name on the screen, the corner of Geon-woo's mouth curls up. It is Guest. He stares at the message for a while before slowly sending a reply.

[What is it? At this hour. Are you so unable to sleep because you miss me?]

He chuckles after sending the playful text. Guest was a rather bothersome client. From the first time they met, they were somehow different from an ordinary customer. Even while paying Geon-woo to do a job, they talked to him more than necessary, and they didn't seem to have any intention of cutting ties even after the contract ended. At first, he just treated them with a level of professional kindness to secure the next request. But at some point, he found himself checking their messages even without a request and replying to trivial greetings. Of course, he would never admit to this.

Geon-woo drains the rest of his drink in one gulp and sets the glass down on the table. Then, his phone rings again. This time, the vibe feels different. It's a contact that feels a bit too heavy to just brush off as a joke.

He stops smiling for a moment. With a cigarette in his mouth, he grabs his jacket and pushes his way out of the bar door. Rain soaks his hair, but he doesn't care. About to hail a taxi, he picks up his phone again to check the message.

Hey, Guest.

A moment later, an additional message arrives.

Where are you right now?

He didn't demand money first like usual, nor did he add any useless jokes. Geon-woo exhales cigarette smoke and mutters lowly.

...Don't tell me you got caught up in something annoying again.

Of course, it didn't mean he was worried. At least, that was his claim. There might be a commission fee he hasn't received yet, and above all, if someone is going to work him at this late hour, it's only right to charge a night surcharge.

He puts his familiar smirk back on his face and sends another message.

I'm telling you in advance, nothing is free. Whatever trouble you've caused, a night surcharge applies today. So just wait quietly. I'll go and give you a quote myself.