It didn't take me long to run into someone, and truly, the way they stared at me, it was as if I was a ghost.

"B-Free let you go?"

"Hell no, you idiot."

I walked away before they could register what had happened, and found my way to a large, intricately designed double door entrance to a room.

This has to be where the big dogs are.

I raised my leg, kicking the door open, mainly for dramatic effect. If I was going to pull off this act, I had to go all out. I had to be dedicated to it.

I waltzed in like I owned the place, looking everyone right in the eyes.

Surveying the place, I assumed that the leader was the man sitting in the illustrious chair, his hands folded on the desk, with various men surrounding him.

I stared at him directly, not even bothering with the others anymore. They were lower than I was, or at least lower than I was pretending to be.

"Well well well, I must say, this was not the welcome I was expecting. I mean, I practically hand over Rap Monster to you, and you try to torture me? Come on now. I mean, it's not my fault that you sent inept maggots to do your work. Horrible shots, by the way, really. It's shameful."

The man looked amused, but when the two men closest to him stepped towards me, he held his hand up, calling them off.

"Aw, that's sweet, you got yourself some trained bitches."

I smirked at the strained expressions; they wanted to rip me apart, but they couldn't unless the bossman approved it.

The man let out a delicate laugh, contradicting his broad exterior.

"You said, you gave us Rap Monster?"

He didn't believe me, but he seemed to be interested.

Good, he should be.

I pulled out the scalpel, flitting it between my fingers in faux boredom as I lay myself across one of the chairs in front of the desk. I didn't let them know how sore I was; I acted like it was nothing.

It was nothing.
Genuine requires full belief, full exhibition.

The looks I got made me want to laugh, but I kept a plain look on my face.

"Oh, come on now, you don't think that he just chanced upon that gas station there, that day? I mean, he didn't really work there, he was scamming everyone. He is a scam artist, it kind of makes sense, wouldn't you say?"

I raised my eyebrows at the man, waiting for his response.

"Why would you do that?"

"Oh, it's all part of the plan. An original welcoming gift, that unfortunately failed to get sent. Again, not my fault, apologies." I waved my hand out vaguely, shrugging.

He seemed to be actually considering what I said, though the suspicion was clear in his eyes.

He's smart, of course.

But is he smart enough? I can only hope not. I had to be smarter.

"And what do you want?"

I tapped my finger on my chin, looking at the ceiling.

I didn't know if I was pushing it too much; I needed to be obnoxiously arrogant, but not enough to get me killed. These were dangerous people - I had to be dangerous too.

"Well, your undying gratitude for one. And, I want in."

The man on the boss' right snorted. "You're Bangtan's little bitch, why would we trust you?"

I shook my head in mock distaste, inhaling loudly. "Oh, watch the insults big boy, you might give yourself a headache using so many words."

"I ought to skin you - "

"Blaise, please."

"Yeah, Blaise, you'll hurt yourself - "

The boss gave me a dirty look, and despite my tough guy act, I was intimidated enough to shut my mouth.

"You want in, you get in just like everyone else, they started at the bottom."

Now we're here.

Now was not the time for stupid jokes.

"Aye aye captain, but I think I'm a little overqualified. Is there, perhaps, a placement test I can take?"

He seemed to find my disrespect refreshing, because he didn't sic his dogmen on me.

"No, but I'm sure you'll find a way."

"Sure, sure - "

The doors opened again, and I was jerked to my feet, shoved against the wall, the scalpel falling from my hand.

"B-Free, truly, you must control yourself around me, I'm just not that into you."

"Last words bitch, better think deeply."

I tried not to freeze as he pressed the blade against my neck. This was nothing, right?

I let my eyes wander to the boss, gauging what he would do.

I didn't want to panic, but he was taking his sweet time.

"I mean, I'm kind of new to this, but I'm pretty sure I'm not much use to you dead, sir." I was proud to keep my voice casual, despite the very, very sharp blade pressed to my jugular.

He waited just a moment longer, just long enough for the blade to cut into my neck.

"Boy, let her go. She's our newest runner."

B-Free gave me the dirtiest look he could muster, scowling and backing off.

I bowed to the man, giving him a grateful wink.

God, that was too close for my comfort.

"Timing was a little off, but thanks anyway."

I picked the scalpel up, just in case, and returned to the seat.

"That's my second in command you've angered there, better be careful. Be a doll and tell me why he wants to scalp you."

I inhaled sharply, nodding my head, scrunching my face up.

Second in command? Shit, that dumb bitch is even higher up than I remembered. That'll make it harder to climb to the top of this joint.

Just stick to the plan, it'll be fine.

"I guess I hurt his ego by escaping his torture room with minimal damage."

The man nodded, scratching his chin thoughtfully.

"Well, you're officially a runner. It's not glamorous, but it's better than these guys got first. I guess there was a placement test after all."

That tricky bastard....

"Well, I'll still be sure to get through it as fast as I can."

"Yeah, can't blame you for that."

"Well thank Hell, I wouldn't want to upset the boss on my first day, what an impression that would be."

"Oh, you've definitely left an impression."

Good, that's the whole point. It's working.

"You'll be assigned a partner. B-Free, get Bobby. He can show you around the ropes."

"How considerate. Do I get a leash too?"

I could tell I was wearing the man's patience thin. I should shut up, like, now.

"So, do I get your name, or should I keep calling you bossman?"

"I am Seung-Jae, and you?"

I smirked. "Sin. Pleasure doing business with you."