By Zephyria 
Also, under Kwon Rae-i were the Jeun Faction and its members, and they began to take charge of the businesses that had been suspended until the successor was decided after Chairman Kwon’s death. Moreover, by merging with the existing businesses of the Jeun Faction, the formation of an unprecedented large-scale organization was beginning to emerge.
And that wasn’t all?
A shocking rumor spread throughout the industry that the murder charge against Woo Tae-hwon, the Gyeongjeong’s hitman and leader of the action squad who was known as a traitor and had a wanted poster issued for him, was actually a false accusation.
In fact, it was the eldest Kwon Tae-oh who killed the Chairman.
Of course, opinions were divided on this.
If it was a false accusation, why hadn’t he immediately protested? Why had he been hiding until Kwon Rae-i took over the main house of Gyeongjeong? And why was the real culprit the only remaining enemy of theirs, the eldest Kwon Tae-oh? Furthermore, there was even a survivor’s testimony that Woo Tae-hwon had tried to run away with money and a passport.
On the other hand, there was no clear evidence or witness that he was not the real culprit. Therefore, most people believed it was just a verbal incitement.
In any case, Woo Tae-hwon was a traitor to Gyeongjeong and a murderer who killed his own father, but the fact that Kwon Rae-i was spreading absurd rumors to restore his honor and taking him as his close aide caused a great stir.
Of course, Woo Tae-hwon was a key figure who had to be recruited even if it meant overlooking some sins. No one was unaware of his great power as Chairman Kwon’s closest aide and the leader of Gyeongjeong’s action squad. The skill of the hitman Woo Tae-hwon was so well-known that anyone would want to keep him by their side.
If the elders of Gyeongjeong were followed by the foundation, the residence, the Jeun Faction’s subordinates, and even Woo Tae-hwon… even the eldest son, Kwon Tae-oh, would have no way to oppose them.
In fact, the difference between the two had widened to the point where it could be considered a virtual victory.
‘In the end, the youngest will take everything.’
The huge and terrifying monster called Gyeongjeong is swallowed whole.
It will be chewed and swallowed to become Kwon Rae-i’s nourishment.
Gyeongjeong is now Kwon Rae-i’s hands and feet, eyes and mouth, blood and flesh.
Kwon Rae-i is Gyeongjeong, and Gyeongjeong is Kwon Rae-i.
As his status rose to this level, his influence naturally grew even if he just stayed still.
First of all, the Gyeongjeong members who had abandoned Kwon Hyeon-oh and attached themselves to Kwon Tae-oh were trying to change masters again. Using all sorts of connections and networks to contact the new Gyeongjeong or kneeling in front of the Gyeongjeong gate without hesitation, crowds gathered every day. Of course, it wasn’t just the subordinates who followed Kwon Hyeon-oh who sought out Kwon Rae-i.
All of the members who followed Kwon Sang-oh, and even some of those who followed Kwon Tae-oh, changed their minds and offered to come under Kwon Rae-i. They acknowledged him as the new owner of Gyeongjeong and pledged to devote themselves to him until the day they died.
Kwon Rae-i did not mistreat those who came to him. Regardless of who their former master was, he treated them all equally, cutting off only one joint of their little finger and accepting them as subordinates. If you collected all the cut little fingers, they would weigh at least a pound.
And so, in February.
In the harsh passage of time, the season changed.
* * *
The Separate House, bathed in sunlight, exuded a warm and cozy atmosphere. The bright afternoon light streamed through the cracks in the windows, softly coloring the wooden floor inside. There was a stove that always maintained the same temperature, and a bed where one could lie down and rest comfortably.
This place was like a last refuge to escape the chaos and violence and catch one’s breath. Even at this moment, the main house of Gyeongjeong and the outside beyond its walls were in a state of urgency, but this Separate House seemed to be detached from such bloody horrors.
Time flowed slowly through the Separate House, and a serene peace resided within it. The old Korean house, each and every part of it was a memory.
The wooden pillars bore the traces of passing years, and green moss grew in the cracks of the white walls. The floorboards and stairs creaked pleasantly when the wind brushed against them. Wherever one looked, it felt like a familiar hometown.
Most welcome of all was the acacia tree standing in the middle of the garden. Fortunately, the acacia had survived the winter safely and was beginning to bud at the ends of its frozen branches. The signs of small and fragile life were the most certain harbinger of spring.
“Tae-hwon.”
A faint shadow was cast between the paper doors.
In the middle room of the Separate House, the bedroom with the best view of the garden and the acacia tree, were two people.
Woo Tae-hwon was lying on the bed with his eyes closed as if dead, and Kwon Rae-i was carefully stroking him beside him.
Since that night, Woo Tae-hwon had collapsed and not woken up.
Even when a doctor was called, there was nothing wrong with his physical functions, and he only said that he was sleeping. Perhaps he was seeing lost memories in his dreams.
‘For 10 years…’
Kwon Rae-i let out a slow sigh and swept Tae-hwon’s hair in the opposite direction. It was always a pleasure to touch his fine black hair, but a hint of regret that couldn’t be hidden was revealed at his fingertips.
“Tae-hwon. Tae-hwon.”
He was prepared to handle whatever happened to Woo Tae-hwon when he regained his memory. He vowed to chase after and catch Woo Tae-hwon, even if it meant locking him up, tying him up, or doing worse. But, not like this…
“Tae-hwon. Tae-hwon. Honey… how can you oversleep like this? You’re going to be late.”
Kwon Rae-i quietly whispered and changed the part in Tae-hwon’s hair. He watched the hair rise up, chuckled, and then divided it into two pigtails. Kwon Rae-i grinned as he looked at the black hair that had risen up like horns.
“If you don’t wake up, I’m going to keep playing tricks on you?”
He was smiling, but his eyes were affectionate.
His blue-gray eyes were darkly sunken, and his eyes were also dim. He was staying up every night worrying about Woo Tae-hwon, and he was busy moving to stabilize the chaotic organization, so it couldn’t be helped. Rather, Kwon Rae-i was resolving his passion for the unconscious Tae-hwon with work. If he devoted himself to work, he could forget Woo Tae-hwon’s absence for a while.
“Haa… Tae-hwon, you’re really too much.”
Kwon Rae-i, who had been playing with Woo Tae-hwon’s two horns for a long time, gave up and lowered his hand. He neatly arranged his hair again and climbed onto the bed. He lay down with his cheek against Tae-hwon’s chest and hugged his waist. He repeatedly confirmed the slowly heard heartbeat, the proof that Woo Tae-hwon was still alive, and continued to talk to himself.
“Whether Kwon Tae-oh is the real culprit, or who killed Father, I… I value Tae-hwon much more than such truths.”
“……”
“Of course, I want to clear his name if it’s all a false accusation. But still. What’s the point if Tae-hwon disappears?”
“……”
“Succession, Chairman, what is all this…? I, from the beginning, wanted to come back here with Tae-hwon, to look at this scenery together once more, that’s why I did it…”
Kwon Rae-i whined like a child, unlike his usual self.
He could do that because no one was listening. Not even Woo Tae-hwon could hear his confession right now.
Only the nostalgic air of the Separate House comforted the lonely Kwon Rae-i. The sunlight, softly filtering through the branches, left shimmering light fragments at the edge of the garden. The chirping of birds from afar also consoled this desolate afternoon.
Kwon Rae-i embraced Woo Tae-hwon, clinging to him like a lonely child, and slowly closed his eyes. Was it because the time they spent together was excessively warm? That time when they shared their hearts and desired each other. Now that he was alone, it felt so cold. Even though spring was rapidly approaching outside.
“Tae-hwon. Don’t abandon me.”
“……”
“Don’t leave me alone and go.”
“……”
“You said we’d go to the end together. I’ve only come halfway, but if you do this alone, Tae-hwon…”
The tranquility of the Separate House was as perfect as he had wished for, but Kwon Rae-i, who had returned there, felt a dark unease. That feeling was consuming his heart like an invisible, deep shadow. Time seemed to have stopped.
Kwon Rae-i and Woo Tae-hwon, the two of them, rotting together like corpses.
Just as he was about to sink completely, Kwon Rae-i slowly opened his eyes.