Convict Unit: Black Parade

There was once a man named Robert Johnson. Born in Mississippi in 1911, he was a musician who died in 1938 at the age of twenty-seven.

Legend has it that one night, at a crossroads, he met the devil. He was asked his wish, and he struck a deal, selling his soul to create a kind of music the world had never heard before.

This was the birth of the blues, the music that would one day become the progenitor of rock.

Ghost launched into a lengthy genealogy of music, tracing the line from the birth of the blues to rock and roll, and finally to rock itself.

She explained how the blues, once scorned as “black music,” rose to become a pillar of the mainstream by embracing the sorrows and the zeitgeist of the common people.

Jae-hee, frankly, couldn’t have cared less and didn’t understand half of it, but it was the first time he’d ever seen Ghost try so hard to explain something. He found that part amusing, so he listened intently, one hand nursing his bruised jaw.

And the conclusion he came to was this: “Isn’t it the same with trot music?”

“What.”

“Trot, and its even more obscure subgenre, old-school Korean—it used to be looked down on as low-class music for entertainers. But it eventually gathered the sorrows and spirit of the people and rose to become a respectable part of the mainstream!”

“…”

“It was oppressed and scorned by the establishment, but in the end, it won everyone over with its musicality. Sounds a lot like rock! See? Rock and trot are basically twins!”

“…”

“Ah! You were about to hit me again, weren’t you?!”

Fist raised, Ghost trembled with rage.

“Ugh… No! Rock has the spirit of social criticism… of freedom, resistance, and rebellion! A true soul that other music just doesn’t have!”

“Get a grip, Master! Conquer the darkness within!” Jae-hee proclaimed with a hopelessly innocent face, armed with an unassailable truth. “All music is beautiful in its own right!”

“Graaaaargh!”

Just as the light radiating from the boy was about to purify the wicked rock snobbery festering in Ghost’s soul, a cool, low baritone voice drifted in from outside the park where they sat.

“Yo, rock-poser.” The voice continued, dripping with amusement. “Still at it, I see.”

“…”

“That whole rock-supremacy schtick of yours. It’s exhausting just listening to it. The world ended thirty years ago, and you’re still clinging to that rock-poser pride. It’s pathetic.”

Snapping back to her senses, Ghost’s piercing blue eyes narrowed from beneath her white hair as she looked toward the voice.

A lethal smirk played on her lips. “Well, well. Long time no see… you damn metal geezer.”

Approaching from outside the park was a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair.

He wore sunglasses despite the late hour, with a bandana tied over his long hair. Dressed in a sleeveless leather vest, his body was decked out in glittering silver necklaces, earrings, and other accessories.

It was a fashion known as the “metal look,” another relic of a bygone rock era.

“Judging by your getup, I take it you were at the rock fest too, metal geezer.”

“We were right behind you. You were headbanging like a maniac, rock-poser. You should watch that neck of yours. At our age, you get too carried away, throw your back out, and that’s the end of you.”

“Are you really in a position to be giving me advice about age? Shouldn’t you be writing your will by now, metal geezer? Did you even have the stamina to stay on your feet in the standing section for the whole show?”

As the two traded barbs, Jae-hee just looked back and forth, completely lost. 

Ghost clicked her tongue and made the introduction. “Say hello, kid. This is ‘Iron Knight,’ Shin-woo Jo.”

Her next words made Jae-hee’s eyes go wide.

“He’s the great hero who saved the world thirty years ago.”

“Huh?”

The metal geezer—Iron Knight—cracked a grin.

For thirty years, the Hunter Guild known as “The Knights” had been solely responsible for the Cheongnyangni Gate, a Permanent Gate from which monsters periodically invaded.

This man was their Knight Commander.

Hunter Callsign: Iron Knight. Real name: Shin-woo Jo.

An S-Rank Hunter, one of the Old Five Heroes, had just appeared out of nowhere.

“Whoa, it’s an honor to meet you, sir!” Jae-hee bowed a full ninety degrees.

Seemingly satisfied, Iron Knight let out a hearty laugh and shook his hand.

“Polite young fella, aren’t you? Good to meet you.”

Ghost clicked her tongue again and continued her explanation. “He was the captain of our Old Five Heroes—our team leader back then.”

“Hah. Though our actual orders came from that B-Rank punk, San Kim, who was Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces at the time.”

The man who had served as the supreme commander of the allied forces during the Gate War thirty years ago was none other than today’s president, San Kim.

And the one who had led the S-Rank five-person party—the special forces unit and the strongest team—was Iron Knight, Shin-woo Jo.

While San Kim devised the grand strategy, Iron Knight supported him by leading the Five Heroes on the ground with tactical commands. He was, by any measure, a hero and decorated veteran of the Gate War, second to none but President Kim himself.

As Jae-hee took in this explanation of the incredible figure before him, he couldn’t help but think, Wait a minute… why is his outfit also…

Seeing Iron Knight dressed in a rock fashion just as bizarre as Ghost’s, Jae-hee broke out in a cold sweat.

The introductions barely over, the two heroes immediately resumed their verbal assault.

“Tsk, tsk. Still can’t let go of that childish emo punk, can you? When are you ever going to grow up, rock-poser?”

“You’re one to talk, metal geezer. Metal’s expiration date passed ages ago. The whole genre reeks of spoiled milk.”

“That’s rich, coming from a genre that didn’t even last ten years.”

“Better than metal, which only boomers listened to even thirty years ago.”

“That’s rich coming from you, damn rock-poser! You wanna go? It’s been a while!”

“Oh yeah? Bring it on! Let’s finish the fight we couldn’t thirty years ago! Draw your sword!”

Of course, the two old-guard Awakened were empty-handed. They just grabbed each other by the collar and yelled for a moment before separating as if on cue.

Iron Knight snorted and jerked his chin. “Follow me. I’ll buy you a drink.”

“Hmph. Of course you’re buying. You’re loaded.”

Ghost gestured to Jae-hee. “Let’s go, kid.”

“Huh?”

“He said he’s buying. We can’t pass up free booze. Let’s drink the old geezer into bankruptcy.”

“But I can’t drink…”

Ghost gave him a wicked smile. “That geezer only goes to expensive places. You know what that means?”

“Wh-what does it mean?”

“It means the food is amazing, too.”

“…!”

“You’re hungry from the show, right? Perfect. Your culinary tour of Seoul starts now…!”

“Heck yeah!”

And so, the three rock fest attendees set off in search of a late-night bar, like a band heading out for an after-party.

***

Iron Knight led Ghost and Jae-hee to an unassuming establishment he called his regular spot.

The place was empty save for an elderly woman tending the shop. When she saw Iron Knight, she bowed deeply.

“This way, Commander.”

“Thank you as always, ma’am.”

She led the three of them to a clean, private room with floor seating in the back of the restaurant. They sat facing each other across a low table, Iron Knight on one side, Ghost and the boy on the other.

They started by ordering drinks. Iron Knight got a beer, Ghost an expensive distilled soju.

Beside her, Jae-hee ordered a Coke.

“Whoa!” His eyes lit up as he poured the soda into a glass full of ice and took a sip. “This is freaking delicious!”

The appetizers arrived next, and the owner’s skill was clearly extraordinary. Every single dish was exquisite.

Jae-hee took a bite of the spicy raw fish salad, his eyes widening. “Super-freaking delicious!”

“This kid’s reactions are quite satisfying, I must say.”

Chuckling, Iron Knight drained half his beer, then pulled a cigarette from his pocket and put it between his lips.

He gestured toward Ghost with his chin. “Want one?”

“No, thanks. I quit.”

“What?”

“I’m quitting.”

The cigarette fell from Iron Knight’s mouth as he stared, incredulous. “You’re quitting?”

“Yeah.”

“The chain-smoking Ghost? The mad specter of tobacco who’s never been seen without a cigarette? Quitting?”

“…”

“Tell me the truth. You’re not Ghost, are you?”

“Shut up, old man,” Ghost shot back, annoyed. She glanced sideways. “I’m just taking a break while I’m looking after the kid.”

Jae-hee, meanwhile, was happily stuffing his face, oblivious that they were talking about him.

Iron Knight let out a short, sharp breath. “What’s the deal with you two?”

“Just watching him for a bit. That’s all.”

“Huh…”

Just then, Jae-hee, his cheeks puffed out with food, exclaimed happily, “Thish ish sho good!”

“Hahahaha! Just watching him eat puts me in a good mood. Order more! Order everything on the menu!”

“Really?! Thank you!”

Having grown up in a harsh environment, Jae-hee had never learned the concept of a polite refusal. He proceeded to order every single item on the menu.

As expensive dishes began to pile up on the table, Iron Knight laughed with satisfaction.

“Good, good! Eat and drink as much as you want! I don’t need to save money!”

Ghost smirked, downing her glass. “Don’t you have that lovely granddaughter? The one you used to brag about so much? You should be saving your money for her.”

“She’s dead.”

The words, spoken so casually, made Ghost’s shoulders tense.

Iron Knight tossed back the rest of his beer and added a simple explanation. “A little while ago. Gate accident.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“What do you have to be sorry for?”

Accepting a fresh glass of beer from the owner, Iron Knight let out a long sigh.

“I should be blaming this goddamn world… and my own useless self for not being able to protect one little girl.”

“…”

“Ah, screw it! It’s the night of a rock fest! Let’s forget our troubles!”

Iron Knight raised his glass. “Tonight, we drink till we drop! Come on, drink up! Drink up!”

Jae-hee’s face brightened. “Can I eat till I drop?”

“Of course, young man! Let’s drop together!”

“Thank you, Sir Iron Knight!”

“Hey, none of that formal stuff. Call me Uncle! Uncle!”

“Thank you, Uncle!”

The two men started calling each other uncle and nephew, practically joined at the hip. Ghost looked at the spectacle, utterly exasperated.

And so, the three of them ate and drank until the sun came up.

***

The next morning.

Having come in at dawn, Jae-hee was buried in his blankets, fast asleep, when a sharp knocking at his door shattered his consciousness.

“Ugh… who is it…”

He stumbled over to the door and opened it to find Ghost standing there, looking impossibly fresh. It was as if she hadn’t been drinking all night, and as if she hadn’t been wearing that terrifying punk fashion yesterday.

Today, she was dressed in a neat, clean outfit. Her hair was pulled back in a tidy ponytail, revealing her face.

“We have somewhere to be early today.”

“Where…?”

“The most important stop on this whole outing.”

“Something more important than the rock fest…?” Jae-hee rubbed his puffy eyes with the back of his hand.

“That’s right.” Ghost checked her watch and held up five fingers. “I’ll give you five minutes. Get ready to go.”

“Huh? But I haven’t even washed up—”

Slam!

His master shut the door coldly in his face.

On the verge of tears, Jae-hee scrambled into the attached bathroom. “I wonder where we’re going on an outing today that she’s in such a rush!”

Five minutes later, having done little more than splash water on his face and wipe the sleep from his eyes, Jae-hee was hurried along by Ghost.

Vroom!

A sleek American sports car—a Ford Mustang—was parked in front of the hotel, its engine letting out a signature bestial roar.

Thunk.

The driver’s side door opened, and out stepped a dapper middle-aged gentleman in a dark, heavy suit and a stylish black coat. He wore a brown scarf draped casually over his shoulders instead of tied, a style that amplified his distinguished charm.

The man took off his sunglasses and smiled.

Jae-hee was completely bewildered, having no idea where Ghost was dragging him so early in the morning.

And as the two of them walked out of the hotel entrance…

“Rock-poser, and my dear nephew. Did you two sleep well?”

“Huh?” Recognizing the voice, Jae-hee pointed a finger, his jaw dropping. “No way… Uncle Iron Knight?!”