<p> </p><p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';">손이 덜덜 떨렸다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">보스의 본명은 극구 기밀사항</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">암살단의 간부도 모르고 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">끝까지 신원 비공개를 고집했던 보스는 암살단이 해산되었을 때도 체포되지 않고 도망친 걸로 알고 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">뉴스도 암살단의 보스가 누군지 알아내지 못했다고 방송했고 설아조차 알지 못한 것이 보스의 본명이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">맥주와 큐브 스테이크 나왔습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.” </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">바텐더가 잔과 접시를 설아와 리나 앞에 내려놓았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">언니</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">죄송합니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">저는 일이 있어서 가보겠습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">응</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">안 먹고</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">죄송합니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.” </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그녀는 자리를 박차고 나왔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">스마트폰으로 경기특수범교도소를 검색해보았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">법무부 홈페이지가 먼저 떴다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">홈페이지에 적힌 문의전화를 걸었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">-</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">지금은 문의시간이 아닙니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">제기랄</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">…” </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">해가 지고 있는데 전화를 받을 리 없었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그녀는 주변을 살펴보았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">술집과 도박장 밖에 보이지 않았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">이곳에 녀석의 은신처가 있을까 생각해보았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">스마트폰으로 피스메이커즈를 검색해보았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">이번에는 위키가 먼저 떴다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그녀는 평소에 위키를 신뢰하지 않지만 그것을 신경 쓸 정신이 없었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">[</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">피스메이커즈 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">: </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">음모론에서 언급되는 동아시아 계열 비밀결사단체</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">]</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">위키의 내용은 대한민국과 일본 등에서 일어나는 사건 사고들이 피스메이커즈와 연관되어 있다는 음모론이 있다고 설명했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">당연히도 피스메이커즈의 정보보다는 음모론과 음모론을 소재로 한 만화</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">영화</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">소설 등을 소개했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">스마트폰을 끈 뒤 한숨을 쉬었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그 후 집으로 걸어가는 동안 캣 콜링을 하는 허름한 차림의 남자들에게 주먹을 날리고 싶었지만 꾹 참고 집에 들어갔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">인터넷으로 피스메이커즈를 검색했지만 음모론 이야기만 나오고 딱히 정보는 없었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">짜증이 난 설아는 법무부 사이트에 면회신청을 남기고 이불 속에 들어가 잠이 들 때까지 누웠다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">차가 없었던 설아는 고속버스를 타고 경기특수범교도소에 도착했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">다행히 보스와 연락이 닿아 빠르게 면회가 성사되었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">면회를 하러 왔다고 하니 교도관 한 명이 나와서 안내 해주었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">면회방에 들어가면서 교도관이 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">대화 내용은 녹취된다는 거 아시죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">네</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">…” </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">불안한 느낌이 들었지만 일단 알았다고 했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">자리에 앉자 얼마 안 있어 보스와 교도관이 문을 열고 나왔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설아야</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">…” </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">보스가 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">순간적으로 보스라는 말이 입에서 나올 것 같았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설아는 잠시 생각을 하더니 입을 열었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아저씨</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">잘 지내셨습니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?” </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아저씨라는 단어 말고 딱히 보스를 부를 방법이 없었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">지금 보스라고 불러봤자 좋을 건 하나도 없다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그가 암살단의 주동자라는 것을 최대한 숨기면서 피스메이커즈의 이야기를 꺼내는 수 밖에 없었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그래</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그래 여긴 어떻게 알고 온 거냐</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">전화가 왔습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">누구한테서</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">누군지는 모르지만 자신을 그리마라고 소개했습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그 녀석한테 전화가 왔다고</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">누군지 아십니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“…</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">혹시 어디서 전화가 왔니</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">술집에서 갑자기</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">…”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">혹시 아성</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아성</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">한국의 그림자</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">양면의 지역</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사람들은 그 슬럼가를 그렇게 불렀다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">지역명은 잘 모르겠지만 그 술집도 아성 쪽에 있었던 거 같습니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그렇구나</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">…”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아저씨</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">제 동생</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">살아있습니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">뭐</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">제 동생 설우요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">살아있나요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“…</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">미안하다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">왜 속이신 거죠</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">어쩔 수 없었어</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">… </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그 녀석들이 그 애를 너의 약점으로 이용할 게 무서웠다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그래도 이건 아니지 않습니까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">차라리 그 애가 죽었다고 생각하는 게 너한텐 나았을거다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">나도 그 애가 어디서 뭘 하고 있는 지 몰라</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그 녀석들이 제 동생을 데리고 있다고 합니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">혹시나 했는데 정말이었을 줄이야</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">…”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">더 이상은 말해줄 수 없다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설아야</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">내 눈을 바라봐줄래</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?” </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설아가 그의 눈을 바라보았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설아 많이 컸구나</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">조그마한 때가 엊그제 같은데</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">…” </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설아는 보스의 눈을 보자 알 수 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">성</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">룹</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">본</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">사</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">지</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">하</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">금</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">일</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">오</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">전</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.’ </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">보스는 설아에 대한 잡담을 늘어놨지만 눈을 규칙적으로 깜빡였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그는 모스 부호로 설아에게 무언가를 말하고 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그만 가 봐라</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">…” </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">보스가 말했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">안녕히 계세요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.” </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설아는 인사를 하고 교도소를 떠났다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">강남으로 가는 길</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그는 아성그룹의 본사를 찾아가기로 결심했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">인터넷에 검색하니 쉽게 주소를 알 수 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">버스에서 스마트폰으로 아성그룹에 대해 검색하고 있는데 리나에게서 전화가 왔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설아야</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">무슨 일 있어</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">일도 그만두고</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">…”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아닙니다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">집에 사정이 있어서</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.” </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설아는 얼버무린 뒤 전화를 끊었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아성그룹</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">유명하진 않지만 확실히 대기업에 속하는 복합기업이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">회장의 이름은 이기수</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, 76</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">세의 여성이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">흑의 난 이전부터 설립되어 체계적인 경영과 독특한 마케팅으로 단숨에 대기업으로 성장했다고 한다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">다른 대기업과 달리 사생활을 철저히 비밀에 부치고 있는 지 알 수 있는 내용은 많지 않았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">인터넷 백과에도 다른 대기업 회장들의 프로필은 다여섯 페이지는 거뜬히 나오는데 반해 이기주의 프로필은 한 장도 채우지 못했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설아는 혹시 모를 상황에 대비하여 사원증을 위조해 품 속에 숨겼다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">버스정류장에 내린 후 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">15</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">분쯤 걸었을까</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">아성그룹의 본사가 보였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">거울의 모습을 한 매직미러로 촘촘히 세워진 독특한 디자인의 건물이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">주변으로 도로와 도서관이 보였다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">이런 곳에 비밀이 있을 거라고 짐작가지 않았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">건물 입구엔 다행히 경비가 없었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">누구나 자유롭게 들어올 수 있을 것 같았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그녀는 말쑥한 정장을 차려입고 로비로 들어섰다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">로비에 서있는 안내원의 눈을 피한 채 엘리베이터로 들어갔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">응</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">지하가 없어</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?’</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">엘리베이터 버튼 중에 지하가 없었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. 1</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">층부터 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">7</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">층 까지만 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설아는 엘리베이터를 빠져나왔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설아는 당황했지만 이내 수긍했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">누구든 비밀장소를 그렇게 쉽게 내주진 않으리라</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그녀는 그렇게 생각하고 사람들 눈에 보이지 않게 로비를 살펴보았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">누군가가 말을 걸지 않도록 주의하면서 여자화장실로 들어왔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">암살단에 있었을 때 배운 것이 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">패닉 룸도 방이기 때문에 환풍구가 필요하다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">환풍구의 구조를 익히면 패닉룸이 어디 있는 지 알아낼 수 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">여자화장실 벽에 있는 환풍구가 눈에 띄었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">청소용구함을 열자 수리중이라는 표지판이 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설아는 표지판을 여자화장실 문 앞에 몰래 놓았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">갖고 있던 스위스 아미 나이프로 환풍구의 창살을 떼어내고 안으로 들어갔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">비좁은 환풍구를 기어다니면서 기억을 되짚었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">환풍구는 미로처럼 퍼져있었지만 로비를 둘러본 설아는 환풍구가 어색항 방향으로 뚫려 있는 것을 알아냈다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그 곳으로 기어들어갔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">조금 비좁았지만 패닉룸이 있어서 그런지 꽤 움직일 만했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">패닉룸이 있다는 것은 그만큼 보안이 중요하다는 뜻이다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">환풍구를 비상구로 활용하기 위해 일부러 사람이 이동하기 쉽게 제작되었다고 추측했다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">어느 정도 환풍구를 따라 가니 환풍구 구멍이 아래로 깊게 뚫려 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">소리가 나지 않게 천천히 구멍의 벽에 힘을 줘가며 환풍구 아래로 내려왔다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">환풍구 밑은 꽤 큰 터널이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">바닥과 벽이 시멘트로 되어있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">푸른 빛이 도는 전등에 인위적인 냉방이 느껴졌다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">앞으로 점점 걷다보니 사람의 목소리가 들렸다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">따당</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">삥</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">하프</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">!”</span></span> </p> <p style="text-align:justify;line-height:160%;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;"> </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">터널 앞으로 작은 환풍구 구멍이 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">설아는 그 밑을 엿보았다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">새하얀 와이셔츠와 검은 정장을 입은 남자 둘 여자 둘이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">단정하게 머리를 빗은 거대한 체구의 남성</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">마른 체형의 금발 남성</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">긴 장발을 가진 글래머러스한 여성 그리고 앳된 얼굴을 가진 단발 머리의 키가 작은 여성이었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">그들은 고급스럽게 꾸며진 호텔 느낌의 방에서 포커를 치고 있었다</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span> </p> <span style="font-size:10pt;color:#FFFFFF;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">이봐요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">거기 누구에요</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">?” </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"><span style="color:#000000;">설아가 뒤<span style="color:#000000;">를 돌아보니 정장을 입은 남자</span></span><span style="color:#000000;">가 서있었다</span></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';color:#000000;">.</span></span>
출처 보완 |
2021-08-06 09:30:52
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