6. More And More (2)

Ju-wan sat alone in the drawing room. It was late, and there were many things he needed to ask Kwon Su-hyeok—whether he could go to sleep now, and which room he should use.

However, Kwon Su-hyeok had been on the phone ever since he sent Baek Do-un and Jeon Mi-nam away. It remained so even after Ju-wan, unable to wait any longer, had taken a shower and come out. Whether he was discussing business or not, his expression and tone were quite serious, making it difficult for Ju-wan to interrupt.

Suddenly, Ju-wan looked down at his wrist. He had felt a stinging sensation even while showering; there were finger marks on the area where Kwon Su-hyeok had gripped him.

From time to time during the call, Kwon Su-hyeok glanced back at Ju-wan. Whenever Ju-wan stared back, wondering if he was about to say something, Su-hyeok would simply avert his eyes and continue the conversation.

With a low sigh, Ju-wan opened the brochures lying in front of him. They introduced famous tourist spots in Hong Kong and Macau. Of course, they were entirely in English, so he couldn’t understand what was written. Fortunately, there were many photos, making them reasonably interesting to look at.

Once he had finished with the brochures, he flipped through the hotel’s own directory. It listed the hotel’s facilities, available services, and the room service menu.

Around that time, a shadow fell over a corner of the brochure. Simultaneously, a familiar scent wafted over. Puzzled, he looked up to find Kwon Su-hyeok had approached and taken the room service guide from him. Su-hyeok then picked up the extension phone and dialed a specific number. He began speaking fluent English, as if the call had connected immediately. Ju-wan found himself focusing more on the voice, which was lower than his usual tone. Every word felt clear and crisp as it hit his ears.

After hanging up, Kwon Su-hyeok tossed the guide onto the table and sat on the sofa. He unbuttoned his shirt and leaned his back deep into the sofa. Sensing Ju-wan’s steady gaze, he asked, “What?”

Ju-wan did not hide the question that had been lingering in his mind.

“Am I just acting as a pillow for you to keep by your side while you sleep?”

“Where is this coming from all of a sudden?”

“I have no particular intention of running away, but even if you didn’t trust me, having other people monitor me would have been enough. As you can see, I’m not in a state—physically or stamina-wise—where I could beat those people up and escape. Maybe if it were just one person, but…”

Kwon Su-hyeok barely managed to swallow a sudden burst of laughter. The idea that he might be able to handle “just one person” sounded utterly ridiculous.

As Ju-wan said, if he had brought him all the way to Hong Kong out of fear that he might run away, it would have been far more efficient to keep him tied up at home with guards. The problem was that such a calculation had never existed in the first place. He hadn’t deeply considered why he had brought Ju-wan along or if it was absolutely necessary.

“So,” Kwon Su-hyeok began, clarifying Ju-wan’s question. “You’re wondering why you had to follow me all the way here?”

“…I’ve been thinking about it. Are you preparing for a situation where you might need a blood transfusion?”

Ju-wan asked back with a certain level of conviction. He felt there could be no other reason for his and Baek Do-un’s trip to Hong Kong. Kwon Su-hyeok neither denied nor affirmed it; he simply gazed at Ju-wan. He seemed to be probing Ju-wan’s intentions, his pitch-black eyes moving slowly.

If Kwon Su-hyeok’s condition became critical, he might drain every drop of Ju-wan’s blood to transfuse into himself. It was inhumane, but considering his position, it wasn’t impossible. Of course, even if that happened, it couldn’t be helped. In exchange, he had gained a limited amount of freedom.

Ju-wan remained calm while waiting for an answer. He showed no sign of worrying or fearing things that hadn’t happened yet. Anyone would probably want to break that steadfast, expressionless face at least once.

For a moment, a mischievous smile spread across Kwon Su-hyeok’s face. His usually rigid lips formed a shallow arc.

“And if I am?”

“…”

Ju-wan fell into thought for a moment, staring at some spot on the table. The words he wanted to say were on the tip of his tongue, but he wasn’t sure if it was his place to interfere. Even if he tried to dissuade him, it didn’t seem like Kwon Su-hyeok would listen.

And yet, the things he had heard from Baek Do-un weighed on his mind, and he couldn’t stop thinking about Kwon Su-hyeok, who had lived as if abusing himself. Finally, he spoke.

“If you need a transfusion, it means you’ve been seriously injured. To the point where your life is in danger.”

“Is that something a man who willingly put his hand in a beast’s mouth should say?”

“At least that was to save a life.”

A chuckle escaped Kwon Su-hyeok. It was a clear sneer.

“Ridiculous. If the reason were that wholesome to begin with, there would have been no need to take you from that hospital.”

That was true. If Kwon Su-hyeok were bleeding for a righteous reason, he could have just been treated at a hospital. Then Ju-wan wouldn’t be here now.

After a brief silence, Ju-wan added a plea.

“…Please don’t get hurt.”

“Why? Are you suddenly scared of having your blood drawn? Do you want to prolong your life for even one more day?”

“No. You can use me as much as you need. That was the condition for leaving the hospital. Separate from that…”

Ju-wan suddenly looked up. Kwon Su-hyeok was reflected clearly in his round, clear eyes.

“I just hope you don’t get hurt.”

For a moment, Kwon Su-hyeok’s face went blank. The sneer that had been perched on his lips vanished instantly.

But soon, a hollow laugh broke out. To say he could use him as much as he liked—the more he chewed on it, the more absurd it felt.

“You’re definitely not normal. You often say things that sound like a screw is loose.”

Despite the reprimand, Kwon Su-hyeok didn’t seem to be in a bad mood. The deep smile on his face didn’t fade easily.

Ju-wan couldn’t take his eyes off him. He stared at him with a gaze different from before. Feeling as if he were being observed, Kwon Su-hyeok frowned.

“What are you looking at?”

“I didn’t know… you knew how to smile like that,” Ju-wan murmured in a bewildered tone. Kwon Su-hyeok paused, as if caught off guard.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Ju-wan turned his head toward the door first. Kwon Su-hyeok also stood up abruptly and strode toward the door. Whether he knew who it was or not, he opened it without hesitation. A hotel employee entered, pushing a trolley.

Kwon Su-hyeok and the employee shared a brief conversation. They seemed to be discussing where to set the food since there were many tables in the room. Soon, the employee took various trays from the trolley and placed them on the sofa table. There seemed to be at least five or six dishes. A bottle of champagne with a space pattern engraved on the gold bottle sat on one side. Having finished the setup, the employee bowed politely, just as he had upon entering, and left.

A pleasant aroma wafted from the trays. Kwon Su-hyeok approached Ju-wan, who was sitting blankly, staring at the table without eating. He then personally removed the covers. A variety of delicacies unfolded: from a thick steak to seafood dishes using mud crab, pasta, sandwiches, fried rice, various satays, and stews.

“Eat.”

Kwon Su-hyeok commanded the still-motionless Ju-wan and poured champagne into a glass. Soon, a fragrant scent added to the air.

He wasn’t particularly hungry, but his stomach began to react. Ju-wan said, “I’ll enjoy the meal,” and picked up a fork and knife. The steak, which looked firm on the outside, sliced through as if by magic. Juices burst from the cut surface, giving it a glistening sheen. He slid a piece of meat into his mouth without any sauce. The inside was so tender it felt like it would melt, while the seared, crispy exterior provided a savory and chewy texture.

As if possessed, Ju-wan cut another large piece and put it in his mouth. His cheeks soon puffed out roundly. As he chewed with his eyes fixed entirely on the steak, Kwon Su-hyeok, who was drinking champagne, fixed his gaze on Ju-wan.

It wasn’t a fleeting glance. Afterward, Kwon Su-hyeok continued to watch Ju-wan eat, occasionally sipping his champagne. Despite likely being hungry from skipping meals just like Ju-wan, he didn’t touch the food. His expression was more relaxed than ever. At a glance, he even seemed leisurely and amused, as if he had found pleasure in fattening up his prey.

Ju-wan stood on the balcony connected to the bedroom, gazing blankly at the view. He wondered if this was why the feast of lights that never went out even late at night was praised as a million-dollar night view. Despite the late hour, he felt it was a waste to go to sleep.

People intoxicated by the enchantment, like Ju-wan, did not return to their homes or accommodations but strolled along the river. They took photos and videos, sat anywhere with their companions, and laughed while talking. He had envied such a simple life enjoying small happinesses, and now he too was blended into that same scenery. Of course, from the top-tier room to the expensive food, nothing about it could be called ordinary.

Suddenly, sensing a presence behind him, he turned his head. Kwon Su-hyeok, who had just finished showering, was entering the bedroom. Ju-wan’s eyes were naturally drawn to his black hair, which seemed darker from the moisture. Soon, their eyes met.

Ju-wan shook his head at Kwon Su-hyeok, whose gaze seemed to ask if he had something to say. Then, he cast his gaze back over the sea that held the night. The boundary between the sky and the horizon was blurred. The lights of ferries and sightseeing boats floating leisurely, and the skyscrapers stretching high as if competing, lit up the profound darkness, creating a unique atmosphere. The thought of sleeping continued to feel like a waste.

After a long while, he closed the door and entered the bedroom. By then, Kwon Su-hyeok was already lying in bed. Perhaps out of consideration for Ju-wan, he was shifted completely to the right. Having turned his body toward the wall and having a habit of sleeping naked, his broad, firm back was clearly visible. For some reason, Ju-wan felt a recurring sense of relief.

Perhaps noticing Ju-wan’s gaze, Kwon Su-hyeok suddenly spoke.

“That’s enough. Sleep.”

It was a voice that didn’t carry a hint of drowsiness. Perhaps that’s why, though it was unlikely, it felt as if Kwon Su-hyeok had intentionally stayed awake to wait for him. Even the blunt command to hurry up and sleep sounded like a “goodnight” greeting.

He quickly climbed into bed. Worried that he might disturb Kwon Su-hyeok, he lay completely against the left edge, careful not to shake the mattress. Because of this, a vast empty space remained in the middle. Because the bed was exceptionally large, the void was even more prominent. At home, the jaguar had occupied that space, so it hadn’t been as noticeable.

“…”

After staring at the high ceiling for a long time, Ju-wan suddenly turned toward Kwon Su-hyeok. So that if he were to suffer from nightmares again as usual, he would see him immediately upon opening his eyes. For some reason, he felt his heart would calm down quickly if he did that.

“Goodnight.”

Kwon Su-hyeok remained silent despite Ju-wan’s greeting. Looking at his blunt back, Ju-wan slowly closed his eyes. His body curled up slightly out of habit. Buried completely in the cozy bedding, drowsiness soon washed over him in waves. Both his body and mind were at peace.

Even if all of this were a vain dream that would vanish upon waking, or a sweet dream that would end in an instant, it felt like it would be okay.

“Ju-wan, wake up now.”

He woke with a start at the familiar voice. He thought he had only closed his eyes for a moment. That he hadn’t actually fallen asleep. This was because he hadn’t had the nightmares that repeated every day. However, the sunlight pouring over his eyes as the curtains were flung open was too vivid to be an illusion.

Baek Do-un approached Ju-wan, who was lingering with his eyes covered, and pulled away the blanket he was practically buried in. Seeing that Ju-wan wanted to sleep more, as he kept rubbing his head against the pillow, Do-un grabbed his shoulder and shook him lightly.

“Hurry up.”

Reluctantly, he lifted his eyelids. Perhaps because he had slept deeply without dreaming, the drowsiness vanished surprisingly quickly. There were no particular aftereffects from the sudden flight and travel. His body and mind felt refreshed.

He slowly rolled his eyes to scan the surroundings. The high ceiling, the spacious bedroom, the large window, and finally, Baek Do-un’s smiling face as he sat on the edge of the bed entered his field of vision in sequence. It seemed it hadn’t been just a one-night dream.

Baek Do-un pulled the arm of Ju-wan, who was just staring at him, and finally hauled him up.

“You have to eat breakfast. I almost starved to death waiting for you to wake up.”

“…Ah.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes.”

Baek Do-un even personally retrieved Ju-wan’s slippers that had slid under the bed. Saying “Thank you,” Ju-wan instinctively checked the spot beside him. Kwon Su-hyeok was not there. They had clearly fallen asleep together, but the pillow and blanket were relatively neatly arranged. He had no way of knowing when he had woken up and left.

“Su-hyeok said he left early this morning,” Baek Do-un whispered, easily grasping Ju-wan’s curiosity. He then took Ju-wan by the arm and led him to the bathroom.

“Wash up first.”

“Okay.”

Assuming there was a set schedule, he obediently did as he was told. The bathroom, which Kwon Su-hyeok must have used first, was filled with that characteristic scent.

As he slowly looked around the spacious bathroom, Ju-wan was slightly surprised by his reflection in the mirror. Was it because he had eaten too much last night? His face felt slightly swollen. Or perhaps he had gained weight. Either way, compared to when he had first left the hospital, his complexion and overall appearance were much more human.

He entered the shower booth and washed briefly. The provided gel smelled similar to Kwon Su-hyeok’s scent. Even when using the same fragrance, the scent isn’t exactly the same because everyone’s body odor differs. Still, because it was a familiar scent profile, his body relaxed quickly.

He stepped out while drying his hair with a towel. He locked eyes with Jeon Mi-nam, who was talking with Baek Do-un in the drawing room. Both of them nodded their heads in unison. Watching this, Baek Do-un clicked his tongue with a dissatisfied expression.

“What’s with that desolate greeting?”

“I’ll give you the clothes to change into.”

Jeon Mi-nam quickly stood up and took clothes out of a bag to give to him. Before Ju-wan could even take the clothes, Baek Do-un pulled him down to sit beside him. He then pushed a travel book he had been looking at toward him.

“Where should we go today?”

“Pardon…?”

“Why are you so surprised? We’ve come all the way to Hong Kong; we can’t just stay cooped up in the hotel.”

“That’s true, but we didn’t come here for a vacation, did we?”

“If we didn’t come for a vacation, then what, did we come for work? What kind of work would you be doing here, Ju-wan?”

Ju-wan looked blankly at Baek Do-un, who asked back teasingly. His puzzled gaze soon shifted to Jeon Mi-nam. He also seemed equally unsure.

“Geez, are you going to keep spacing out and wasting time? Go change your clothes, hurry.”

Baek Do-un pushed Ju-wan back into the bedroom. He even closed the door completely. Jeon Mi-nam stared intently at him as he returned to sit on the sofa without a word. He seemed to have something he wanted to ask.

Baek Do-un spoke again while flipping through the travel book.

“Do you think Su-hyeok brought Ju-wan all the way here just to prepare for an emergency?”

“If not, then why…”

Jeon Mi-nam had a look of total confusion.

“Right. If not, why would that Kwon Su-hyeok go through all this trouble?”

Baek Do-un took his eyes off the travel book and gave a meaningful smile. Jeon Mi-nam couldn’t fathom his intentions at all. He was so dense.

“Think about it. If that were the calculation, it would have been much simpler to just draw the blood in Korea beforehand. Whether he deceived them with animal blood or whatever, finding a way to bring it in is Kwon Su-hyeok’s specialty. That would have been far easier than creating a non-existent passport, wouldn’t it?”

“Ah…”

A low exclamation escaped Jeon Mi-nam. He seemed surprised by the unexpected realization.

“For some reason, I think that bastard Kwon Su-hyeok doesn’t even realize what kind of error he’s making. Or he’s pretending not to know.”

Baek Do-un murmured as if he were singing a song. His expression looked quite amused, and perhaps mischievous. It might be a wild guess, but if his conjecture were correct, all of Kwon Su-hyeok’s recent strange behavior would be explained. Of course, for Jeon Mi-nam, it was a realm he couldn’t understand.

After being lost in thought for a moment, Jeon Mi-nam sighed softly. Suddenly, the color drained from his face.

“What is it? Is there a problem?”

“Well… actually, early this morning, I delivered the camera memory card found in Park Ju-wan’s hospital room to the CEO.”

For a moment, Baek Do-un’s face went blank. Soon, he leaned his back against the sofa and let out a smirk.

“A storm is coming. Or perhaps a tsunami.”

Either way, he felt it wasn’t something to be grinning about.

* * *

The casino was heavily armed with sleek marble floors and golden wallpaper. Ornate chandeliers hanging from the ceiling cast a yellow glow, luring in the wolves hunting for a sudden windfall.

However, the interior was nothing short of a chaotic marketplace. Dozens of slot machines emitted their own distinct noises, and gamblers of various nationalities cheered or spat out curses in their respective languages without pause. It was difficult to even breathe through the thick cigarette smoke filling every corner. The vision was blurry, as if standing in a fog.

In the midst of it all, there was a man who had not left a corner slot machine all day. The whites of his eyes had long since turned yellow, and the capillaries had burst. In such a state, he puffed away at his cigarettes, staring intently at the slot machine’s cylinders. The motion of pulling the lever was purely mechanical. There was no particular joy or interest. He was simply lingering on the baseless belief that since he had continuously donated money in one spot, it was about time he got some back.

But time and again, he only lost money. Even when he won occasionally, it was pocket change compared to his expectations or what he had lost. The chips he had exchanged were starting to run low. Finally, the man’s impatience exploded.

“Damn it, fuck! Is this a scam?”

He vented his frustration by slamming the innocent machine. Those around him paid him no special attention. In a casino, such people were a common sight.

The man, huffing to himself, eventually picked up a chip from the floor and carefully inserted it into the machine. His eyes fixed once more on the images spinning rapidly inside the cylinders. In a way, it was dull and excessively blind, but in reality, there was no better means of escaping reality.

When would be the best time to strike? Just as he held his breath, eyeing the timing, a hand suddenly reached out from behind and wrapped around the man’s hand. Then, it pulled the lever. The result was obvious. The man’s eyes twitched.

“You piece of shit, which son of a bitch…!”

He finally snapped, springing up from his seat. It seemed he needed to release his accumulated rage, even if it meant beating the intruder to a pulp.

“…Gasp!”

However, the man froze upon seeing the man behind him. Even his heavy breathing vanished as if by magic. And for good reason; the person looking down at him oppressively was none other than Kwon Su-hyeok. His knees shook as if he had encountered the Grim Reaper.

“P-President…”

“Don’t make a scene. Follow me quietly.”

Kwon Su-hyeok’s voice echoed in his ear, more desolate than ever. The man reflexively shook his head.

But Kwon Su-hyeok turned away, as if there were no room for compromise. Immediately, his subordinates subdued the man from both sides.

As he was forcibly dragged away, the man looked around desperately. He felt he had to ask someone for help. Would the guards protecting the casino help if he asked?

Perhaps reading his thoughts, one of Kwon Su-hyeok’s subordinates struck the man’s vital point. In an instant, the strength drained from his body, and his limbs went limp. The subordinates treated the man like a piece of luggage.

The guards guarding the entrance noticed something suspicious and blocked the group.

“Excuse me, but what is happening, guest?”

“He’s with us; I think he’s completely wasted.”

“Shall we help you?”

“It’s fine. We can handle it ourselves.”

The guards glanced at the limp man. Because he had skipped meals and spent his time immersed in alcohol and cigarettes while clinging to the slot machine, he smelled strongly of alcohol. The guards exchanged glances for a moment and then let the group pass without further interference. In truth, a customer who didn’t spend money was not a subject for protection. They had no need to take responsibility for what happened outside the casino, nor any will to get involved.

The man was immediately put into a car and transported elsewhere. The car drove for a long time, leaving the Cotai Strip, where luxury hotels and casinos were lined up. Eventually, it stopped at a secluded open lot located on the outskirts of Macau. It was late at night, but it was a place that seemed devoid of people even normally. Not even a single light from a residence could be found. By then, the man regained consciousness and, as soon as he was dragged onto the bare ground, fell to his knees and begged desperately.

“P-President! Please spare me. I will tell you everything in detail. I-I haven’t processed all the goods yet. I can tell you where the remaining ones are stored. I’ll return everything. Of course I should. So please, just spare my life…”

“You couldn’t process them, not that you chose not to, right?”

The man was the broker who had led a large-scale drug deal with Thailand, only to embezzle both the money and the goods before disappearing. It wasn’t as if he had worked with him only once or twice. He knew very well how Kwon Su-hyeok dealt with traitors. Yet, he had foolishly acted on a momentary greed.

The problem was that he couldn’t dispose of that large quantity of goods all at once. It was a situation similar to disposing of stolen property. No one stepped forward to buy all the high-value goods, and even the big shots of the black market waved him off, saying it was too burdensome to get involved. There was a limit to selling them off in small batches. Moreover, with all the parties involved in the deal frantically searching for him, he couldn’t risk showing himself here and there. He had even gone to the Hong Kong black market to open a sales channel, only to hear news that someone was looking for him. Fearing he might be caught, he had been hiding ever since.

“I was completely wrong. I am a man who deserves to die. Please spare me, I beg you.”

The man clung to him, nearly sobbing. Kwon Su-hyeok looked down at him with an utterly indifferent face. In those cold eyes, there was absolutely no room for negotiation.

“If you stabbed me in the back, you shouldn’t have been caught again.”

The man’s face turned pale. His jaw began to chatter. Kwon Su-hyeok’s subordinates pinned the man’s shoulders and head down. He wouldn’t survive. He would definitely die. In the depths of absolute despair and terror, the man began to pant from hyperventilation.

“Take him and clean this up quietly.”

At Kwon Su-hyeok’s subsequent order, his subordinates bowed and said, “Yes.” The man squeezed out his remaining strength and thrashed about.

“Hic! P-President! Please spare me!”

He clung on desperately. However, Kwon Su-hyeok ignored him once more and got into the car. His car soon left the open lot.

The remaining subordinates gagged the man, tied him up tightly, and shoved him into the trunk. As the door closed, the man slammed his head against the trunk, struggling desperately to survive. Unfortunately, there was no one to hear those sounds.

The car carrying the man soon disappeared into the deeper darkness. In the place where everyone had left, only a deathly silence lurked.

* * *

As soon as I finished showering, I collapsed onto the bed. My vision seemed to spin, and the dizziness remained even when I closed my eyes. I was completely exhausted, barely managing to breathe. Perhaps because I had walked so much, my feet were sore and burning. In truth, I hadn’t walked that much in ten years.

I was so tired that I lost my appetite. Even though I skipped dinner, I wasn’t hungry. My body was completely spent, and I didn’t dare move a single finger. I hadn’t realized my stamina had hit rock bottom to this extent.

Looking back at the day’s activities, it felt like a distant memory. If I were told to do the exact same thing again tomorrow, I don’t think I could.

Right after having breakfast with Jeon Mi-nam and Baek Do-un, we went to a place called ‘Ocean Park.’ As expected of a theme park, there were many children and students. Baek Do-un didn’t seem particularly fond of rides or looking at animals. Jeon Mi-nam was equally out of place. Still, the reason they had made it the first destination seemed to be out of consideration for Ju-wan, whose body was that of an adult but whose memories and experiences had stopped at eighteen.

There, we crossed a mountain on a very shaky cable car. The round, pumpkin-shaped cable car was made almost entirely of glass, except for the floor. It was likely intended for enjoying the beautiful scenery, but because of the dizzying height, I stared at the pillars the entire time. When we reached the peak, the people passing below looked like ants, so it was understandable.

Because it was adjacent to the sea, the wind blew incessantly. As a result, the small cable car often shook with a creaking sound. Each time, the three of us reacted differently. Baek Do-un cheered with strange noises, while Jeon Mi-nam kept his mouth shut and tightly clenched the two fists resting on his knees. Ju-wan, without much change in expression, simply slid his hand to grip the center pillar.

The place where Ju-wan showed exceptional interest was the aquarium. He couldn’t take his eyes off the feast of various marine creatures swimming leisurely in the wide tanks. Intoxicated by the brilliantly shimmering scales and flexibly moving fins, he stood before the large aquarium for a long time. Doing so made him feel as if he had entered the deep sea, calming his mind.

We stayed at Ocean Park for quite a while, watching the dolphin show and visiting the zoo. Afterward, we moved to Stanley for a late lunch and browsed Stanley Market to aid digestion. We also strolled slowly along the beach, admiring the sunset.

Seeing that Baek Do-un and Jeon Mi-nam, who followed the same schedule, were perfectly fine, it seemed Ju-wan himself was the problem. He felt he should probably start exercising, even if just a little. His limbs were tingling, and he felt as if he might come down with a body ache.

Before long, Jeon Mi-nam entered the bedroom. After placing a change of clothes on the bed, he re-confirmed Ju-wan’s intentions with a concerned look.

“Are you really going to skip dinner?”

“Yes. I just want to sleep today.”

“Still, just in case, I’ll prepare some simple food.”

“Ah, um…”

Jeon Mi-nam, who was about to turn and leave, looked back inquisitively. Ju-wan had already pushed himself up to a sitting position. His round eyes gazed at Jeon Mi-nam quite anxiously. Unlike his usual self, he hesitated, wondering whether to ask something. I waited in silence.

“That person… isn’t he coming back today?”

“Do you mean the President?”

“Yes.”

“He is staying in Macau for business. It will take about two to three days for him to return.”

Ju-wan nodded with an “Ah.” There wasn’t much change in his expression, but for some reason, he seemed a bit disappointed. It could have been a misconception.

Soon, Ju-wan slowly slid under the covers. His hair wasn’t completely dry, but he wasn’t in a state to care about such things. He felt that if he didn’t rest right now, he would be so worn out that he wouldn’t even be able to wake up tomorrow. He was soon completely buried in the bedding.

“Are you going to sleep?”

“Yes. I’m a bit more tired than usual today.”

“It’s not easy to keep up with Mr. Baek’s pace. Then, please get some deep rest.”

“You sleep well too, Mi-nam.”

Ju-wan’s voice was half-sleepy as he gave his farewell. Jeon Mi-nam personally drew the curtains and dimmed the bedroom lights. Then, after checking on Ju-wan one last time, he closed the door and left. His faint presence soon faded.

As the surroundings became quiet, his body relaxed further. The feel of the bedding against his skin was still soft and comfortable. It felt as if he could fall into a deep sleep at any moment.

After trying to sleep without moving for a while, Ju-wan suddenly fidgeted. He moved his legs, which had been still, and changed his position several times.

He was too tired. The soles of his feet were still burning, and his swollen legs felt heavy like water-soaked cotton. Since he had just showered with warm water, his whole body was languidly relaxed. His eyelids were so heavy that he didn’t dare open them again. On top of that, the freshly changed, fluffy, and cozy bedding. The conditions for a deep sleep were perfectly met.

Yet, for some reason, he couldn’t fall asleep.

He rolled over to the other side. Just that action caused a groan to leak out. Nothing changed. His body was aching and tired everywhere, but sleep wouldn’t come.

The only difference from last night was that Kwon Su-hyeok wasn’t there. Since he didn’t have to share a bed with another person, there was nothing to be cautious of, so shouldn’t it be more comfortable?

Just in case, as he always did, he moved to the edge of the bed and curled his body up tightly. Then he tried hard not to think about anything.

However, the more he tried, the more the sleepiness slipped away, and his heart pounded unstably. He desperately wanted to fall asleep, but he had no idea what to do.

“Huh? Ju-wan, you said you went to bed early yesterday, so what happened? You look exhausted.”

Baek Do-un’s eyes widened. He was holding that problematic travel book in his hand again. Jeon Mi-nam placed a glass of milk in front of Ju-wan and subtly checked his complexion. Just as Do-un said, Ju-wan looked as if he had spent the entire night awake. The area around his eyes was puffy, and his skin looked a bit rough. Water was dripping from his hair, but he just sat there blankly without any thought of drying it. He had no interest in the breakfast ordered via room service.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

When Jeon Mi-nam expressed subtle concern, he finally shook his head.

“No. I just couldn’t sleep.”

“Really? Weren’t you tired from walking around all day yesterday? I slept like a log.”

“I was tired, but… it felt unfamiliar.”

Ju-wan haphazardly poked a salad without any dressing and pushed it into his mouth. The movement of his jaw chewing and swallowing was purely mechanical. Judging by his flat expression, he clearly didn’t even know what it tasted like.

Baek Do-un and Jeon Mi-nam exchanged meaningful glances. Baek Do-un shook his head first and shrugged. Jeon Mi-nam was equally unable to guess why Ju-wan was acting this way.

Jeon Mi-nam pushed a plate of various sandwiches toward Ju-wan. Instead of saying thank you, Ju-wan gave a slight nod and picked one up. Then he stuffed it into his mouth. In an instant, his cheeks bulged, and he chewed vacantly. He probably wouldn’t be able to answer properly even if asked what the main ingredient of the sandwich was.

“Hmm… is it because the sleeping environment suddenly changed? I heard many people are subtly affected by that. But you slept well on the first night, didn’t you?”

“I think it’s because I don’t feel at ease.”

“At ease? What do you mean?”

“It often happened at the hospital. Since I suffered from unwanted nightmares when I fell asleep, I eventually developed a repulsion toward sleeping itself. So I suffered from insomnia throughout my hospitalization. Even when I managed to close my eyes, I usually woke up after an hour or two. Sleeping pills only worked for a moment…”

“Oh dear. That must have been hard.”

“But since leaving that place, I’ve been able to sleep as if by magic. The day before yesterday, I slept deeply without any nightmares for the first time. I think I felt at ease without realizing it, knowing someone was beside me. I don’t know the reason, but when I look at that person’s back, my heart quickly settles even if I wake up from a nightmare.”

Once again, the gazes of Baek Do-un and Jeon Mi-nam collided in mid-air. Jeon Mi-nam looked considerably flustered, while Baek Do-un wore a peculiar smile.

“Ju-wan, by any chance, did you tell Su-hyeok that too?”

“Tell him what?”

“What you just said. That you feel at ease automatically when you look at Su-hyeok’s back, something like that?”

Without grasping the intent of the question, Ju-wan simply nodded. At that, Baek Do-un’s smile deepened.

“That could have been a disaster.”

“…Huh? Was it something I shouldn’t have said?”

“No, it’s not that. I’m just curious what Su-hyeok’s expression would have been. What a shame. Don’t worry about it. As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters.”

Baek Do-un waved his hand as if it were nothing and offered some fruit. Ju-wan was inwardly curious about what he meant, but he didn’t dig further. He simply used a fork to pick up the neatly cut fruit and push it into his mouth.

Watching Ju-wan continue to chew without any emotion, Baek Do-un gave a mischievous smile.

“Then, shall we try going to Macau today?”

As soon as the words were spoken, Ju-wan’s head snapped toward Baek Do-un. Seeing the expectant eyes asking if it was true, Baek Do-un’s smile widened.

* * *

Jang Jin-woo was sitting in a small cafe. He was in a corner, as far from the window as possible, with his back turned. For the time being, he didn’t want to be noticed by anyone.

Since fleeing Korea, he had spent his time drifting from one casino to another. Thanks to that, he became numb to the flow of time and could completely escape from reality.

But that was only temporary. If he didn’t immerse himself in something, fear and helplessness quickly overwhelmed him. He wanted to keep postponing questions like how much longer he could hold out like this, or how he should live his life moving forward.

He had simply been optimistic, vaguely believing that things would work out somehow. Macau was a city frequented by tourists, but that was mostly limited to the weekends. Once you left the Cotai Strip, lined with luxury hotels, and the central areas where tourist attractions were clustered, such crowds were rare. Among those places, Coloane Island was a small, quiet rural village, making it difficult to find foreigners. Even those who happened to find their way there usually lost interest quickly, leaving after snapping a few photos.

Settling in a place like that wouldn’t be so bad. In any country, the supply of medical services in outlying areas tends to be lower than the demand. If a doctor were desperately needed, it seemed they wouldn’t care much about Jang Jin-woo’s origins or background.

He had also considered partnering with organizations that primarily operated in Hong Kong’s underworld. He thought it might be decent enough. Most of them were in positions where it was difficult to visit a hospital even when sick or injured, so they would likely welcome a doctor like him. Moreover, if he lived hidden behind them, no one would easily find him. Not the police, nor Woo Hyeong-seok.

Suddenly, he looked out the window. Tourists, swarming like ants, held up their phones toward everything in sight. From famous landmarks to commercial buildings, ordinary streets, signs, and even a single blade of grass—they captured the exotic scenery in photographs. At times, one could glimpse a stubbornness, as if they couldn’t afford to miss a single thing.

Jang Jin-woo indifferently counted the people preoccupied with taking pictures. His gaze, scanning the joyful faces, was quite cynical. They were just noisy; it was nothing short of noise pollution. The noticeable increase in tourists meant the weekend was just around the corner. It seemed it was time to leave.

Just as he was about to turn his head back, he suddenly spotted a familiar silhouette. Though he wondered if it could be, he couldn’t take his eyes off that direction. When the person, who had been walking as if pushed by the massive crowd, stopped and looked around, he even bolted upright from his seat.

Startled, his eyes widened instinctively. From his parted lips, a dream-like name leaked out like a groan.

“…Park Ju-wan?”

Even though he saw him clearly, he couldn’t believe it. He shook his head repeatedly, as if trying to deny the sight before his eyes.

But even after some time passed, and even after rubbing his eyes and looking again, Ju-wan remained in his sight, refusing to disappear. There was a distinct difference from the last image Jang Jin-woo remembered. He had gained a bit of weight, his complexion had improved, the gaunt feeling was almost gone, and even his expression had brightened. The casual clothes, rather than a patient’s gown, suited him as if they had always been his. Still, his exceptionally slow gait and characteristic indifferent expression were the same as before.

The identity of the men accompanying Ju-wan was unknown. Likewise, why Ju-wan had come here, now, was a mystery. However, one thing he could speculate was that all of this must be related to Kim Je-guk and the person who had traded Ju-wan.

He hadn’t intended to do anything. He had searched for Ju-wan in Korea, but he hadn’t made a separate plan for what to do after getting him back in his hands. Nevertheless, without weighing the pros and cons, Jang Jin-woo leaped up and rushed out.

Senado Square was more crowded than usual. Every time he passed through the street, he would inevitably bump shoulders with pedestrians. Despite that, finding Ju-wan wasn’t difficult. It was because he followed blindly, concentrating all his senses solely on him.

One of the men accompanying Ju-wan scanned the surroundings vigilantly. Given the exceptionally large build, the black suit that defied the sweltering weather, and the pitch-black sunglasses, he wondered if he was a guard. Or perhaps a member of some organization.

Fortunately, it seemed they hadn’t noticed Jang Jin-woo’s presence yet. Jang Jin-woo continued to tail them, not knowing why he was hiding and following Ju-wan, nor what he intended to do upon meeting him. Despite being the one pursuing, his heart pounded frantically as if he were the one being hunted.

“Ah, it’s really hot.”

An irritated sigh escaped Baek Do-un. The air touching the skin was cool, but the sunlight was scorching enough to sting. The weather was poles apart from nearby Hong Kong. Ju-wan remained silent, perhaps because he was exhausted or because he couldn’t sleep last night. He simply wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand from time to time and fluttered his t-shirt to create even a small breeze. Baek Do-un handed him a portable fan. Then, saying he would buy some ice cream, he entered a nearby shop.

Even the breeze from the fan was lukewarm. While cooling his flushed face as best he could, Ju-wan suddenly held the fan toward Jeon Mi-nam, who stubbornly insisted on wearing a suit despite the heat. At that, Jeon Mi-nam, who had been scanning the surroundings thoroughly and warily, turned his head with a look of bewilderment. He even raised his hand as if declining, saying it was fine. Nevertheless, Ju-wan steadfastly blew air on him for a while before finally turning the fan back to his own flushed face.

Macau had a more exotic atmosphere than Hong Kong. Because it had been a Portuguese colony for a long time, most of the buildings were European in style, and even the ground was decorated with colorful tiles instead of paving blocks. The clear weather without a single cloud created the illusion of being in a completely different world. Perhaps thanks to the abundant sunlight, the entire city looked even more vivid. It was a feast for the eyes, like looking at a painting.

The road to the famous historical sites was lined with large and small shops packed closely together. Merchants came out of their shops to actively solicit customers. Because of the people whose footsteps were caught there, traffic congestion occurred repeatedly.

Yet, he didn’t entirely dislike being mixed in with them. On the contrary, it made him feel like he had truly come to a famous tourist destination. It was hot, tiring, and the excessive sunlight made his skin sting, but his mood kept lifting. He still couldn’t believe the fact that he, Ju-wan, was included among the people enjoying sightseeing without a care, but he liked it nonetheless.

“The ice cream melted already. Here, I bought beef jerky too.”

Baek Do-un, who returned shortly, thrust the ice cream and beef jerky into Ju-wan’s arms. As he said, the surface of the ice cream in the cup had already become mushy. It felt like if it were left alone any longer, it would turn into water and become inedible. With no other choice, they sat side by side and hurriedly ate the ice cream first. Jeon Mi-nam stubbornly refused Baek Do-un’s invitation to eat together. As if by habit, he did not let down his guard toward the surroundings.

“Boring guy.”

Baek Do-un clicked his tongue and ate all of the ice cream that was meant for the other.

The beef jerky was moister than expected. It felt as if he were eating seasoned meat grilled on a grate rather than dried meat. The sweet seasoning was deeply infused, creating a savory taste the more he chewed, and the texture was chewy rather than tough. Perhaps because it was grilled over charcoal, it gave off a deep, characteristic aroma.

After replenishing his sugar, he felt energized. Baek Do-un, who was cleaning up what they had eaten, stood up stealthily and tapped a coldly frozen bottle of water against the nape of Jeon Mi-nam’s neck. At that, Jeon Mi-nam jumped in surprise. Baek Do-un burst into loud laughter at the sight of his momentarily panicked face. Looking awkward, Jeon Mi-nam obediently took the water Baek Do-un handed him with a smirk and quietly quenched his thirst. His large Adam’s apple bobbed refreshingly. The bottle was emptied in one go.

“We’ve seen most of what there is to see, so shall we have lunch and go to the hotel?”

That was welcome news. Ju-wan and Jeon Mi-nam nodded without needing to decide who would go first. Baek Do-un immediately took out a travel book and opened a page he had folded in advance. It was a page introducing famous restaurants.

“Hmm, it’s quite far. We should take a taxi.”

The three of them caught a taxi across from the square. The taxi slowly left Senado Square and entered a main road. Once they got there, there were almost no vehicles. When they rolled down the windows, a cool breeze drifted in. Thanks to that, his sticky body soon felt refreshed.

After driving for a while, they entered the entrance of a quiet village. Occasionally, place names like ‘Coloane’ and ‘Hac Sa Beach’ appeared on the signs. Before long, the taxi entered the parking lot of a local restaurant. Even though it was slightly past lunchtime, there were many cars. At a glance, it seemed there were no seats at the indoor tables, nor the outdoor ones. Some people could be seen writing their names and waiting for their turn.

“It’s over there. A Macanese specialty restaurant. The reviews are good.”

Baek Do-un quickly got out of the car and headed to the counter. Fortunately, it seemed a seat would open up after two more teams. While waiting, he listened to an explanation about what kind of food the restaurant sold and how famous it was. He said the dishes originated from Portuguese people living in Macau cooking their home country’s cuisine with the ingredients available there. For that reason, they possessed characteristics that seemed to combine Cantonese and Portuguese cooking methods.

The restaurant’s customers seemed to be mostly locals rather than tourists. There were quite a few people chatting flirtatiously with the staff, perhaps regulars. Even though it was a weekday, no one seemed rushed. They ate leisurely while conversing and laughing together. That leisure was strange and enviable.

Eventually, it was the three of them’s turn, and they entered the shop. Nothing was ordinary—the interior, the props, the tables, chairs, tablecloths, and tableware. He even felt as if he had truly come to Portugal.

As they sat in the assigned seats, an employee approached and handed them the menu. Baek Do-un checked the preferences of Jeon Mi-nam and Ju-wan and ordered the food on his own.

Up to that point, everything went smoothly, but a long time passed after ordering and the food did not come out. The staff simply came by occasionally to place water, pre-meal bread, and olives in order.

He put an olive in his mouth, rolled it gently, and crushed it bit by bit. The fragrant and salty taste stimulated his appetite. The ordered menu began to be served around the time the numerous olives had run out. It included steamed clams in cream, thick grilled rib meat, suckling pig barbecue, and curry crab. The reason he couldn’t close his mouth was that the size of each menu item seemed to be enough for at least two people.

“Looks delicious. Come on, eat up.”

“…I will enjoy the meal.”

He carefully savored each dish. Since they were foods he was eating for the first time, he had been nervous in advance, but they suited his taste like a miracle. It was definitely a taste he had never experienced before, yet it wasn’t jarring at all. When he scooped some sauce and mixed it with rice, he could eat it endlessly.

“Wow, what is this? Ju-wan, how is it? Delicious, right?”

He nodded vigorously to Baek Do-un, who was constantly admiring the food and seeking agreement. Then, as he was about to continue eating, he suddenly stared at Jeon Mi-nam. Since entering the restaurant, he had been scanning the surroundings the entire time and wasn’t even eating properly. Following his lead, Ju-wan looked around, but there was nothing particularly noticeable.

Just as he was about to ask why he wasn’t eating, Jeon Mi-nam suddenly stood up from his seat. The gazes of Ju-wan and Baek Do-un immediately locked onto him. Other customers at different tables, who had an undeniable presence, also glanced at him as he stood tall. The employees, wondering if he had some business, approached as if they might, but didn’t quite.

“Mi-nam, what is it?”

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“Hmm?”

Without any further explanation, Jeon Mi-nam hurried out of the shop. Watching this, Baek Do-un tilted his head and wondered if his stomach hurt. Then he quickly lost interest and focused on his meal again. Ju-wan silently followed Jeon Mi-nam’s trail, then looked puzzledly at the restroom sign on the wall. The restroom was on the opposite side of the exit he had used.

At the very least, it seemed he hadn’t left like that because of an urgent need to use the bathroom.

“What are you doing, Ju-wan. The food will get cold. Eat plenty while it’s delicious.”

“…Ah, yes.”

While saying he understood, Ju-wan couldn’t take his eyes off the exit. It was because he was quite concerned about Jeon Mi-nam, who had been wary of the surroundings the entire time.

* * *

It was around midday when Kwon Su-hyeok woke up. He hadn’t been able to fall asleep until dawn, and only managed to close his eyes after drinking. And he had to suffer through the same nightmares. When he opened his eyes with a groan, not only his entire body but even the sheets were damp. As his blocked breath burst out, a deep dizziness washed over him. Even though he had slept for quite a while, his head wasn’t clear and only throbbed.

He sat up abruptly in irritation. Beads of sweat that had formed on his forehead dripped onto his knees. With the sudden awakening, it felt as if his cranial pressure plummeted. The dizziness intensified, and the world spun before his eyes. No matter how much he pressed his temples, the headache showed no sign of disappearing. Eventually, he irritably slammed the phone on the bedside table. The phone, ripped out violently, clattered to the floor.

“President, are you alright?”

Sensing something unusual, the subordinates waiting in the drawing room rushed in. Kwon Su-hyeok remained bent over, only breathing heavily and repeatedly. When Kwon Su-hyeok was in such a low mood, stepping forward rashly only led to a bad outcome. That was why the subordinates hesitated for a long time, only glancing at each other.

Kwon Su-hyeok whipped off the blanket and got out of bed. At that, one of the subordinates quickly approached and draped a robe over his shoulders. It was an infinitely cautious and agile movement, fearing that his touch might brush against him and increase his displeasure.

Kwon Su-hyeok leisurely passed by the breath-holding subordinates and entered the bathroom. As soon as the door closed, the remaining subordinates organized the bedroom in an orderly fashion. They even cleared away the phone that had fallen on the floor, hiding it to one side where it couldn’t be seen.

As soon as he entered the bathroom, he turned on the shower. A stream of ice-cold water poured over his head, soaking even the robe. As his skin began to freeze rapidly, he finally felt the tangled thoughts in his head clearing.

Until a few days ago, he had been relatively fine. Although the days he had nightmares were more frequent than those he didn’t, he didn’t feel as foul as he did now upon waking. Was it because the sleeping place had changed? No, for that to be the case, the one night he spent in Hong Kong was fine. It was the same then that Jaguar, who had always shared his body heat close by, was absent.

As he wiped his wet face upward with both hands, he paused at a thought that suddenly occurred to him. His sharp eyes glared at the innocent wall, fiercely pursuing a certain hypothesis. Between the sleeping places in Hong Kong and Macau, there was only one thing that had changed. But could it really be because of ‘that’? No, surely not. He couldn’t believe it. He didn’t want to believe it.

Lost in thought, he finished his shower slowly and came out. The subordinate waiting at the door quickly handed him clothes to change into. In that moment, the subordinate flinched at the chill emanating from Kwon Su-hyeok.

Unaware of that, Kwon Su-hyeok was lost in other thoughts while silently putting on his clothes. He shook his head as if trying to deny something, and occasionally let out a short laugh. Then he sank into deep contemplation again, laughed as if it were absurd, and shook his head once more. By the time he went out to the drawing room, his brow was deeply furrowed by a single thought that wouldn’t leave his mind.

“Would you like to eat?”

“No.”

“Then perhaps some coffee….”

Kwon Su-hyeok shook his head as if annoyed, then went to the mini-bar himself and took out a bottle of water to drink. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he quickly emptied the bottle. Thanks to that, his consciousness became clearer than before, but the doubt that had sprouted in his mind deepened along with it.

No, still. How on earth, there’s no way.

Certainty and denial clashed in his mind several times. Despite the cold shower, it felt as if his insides were becoming noisy again.

“President. I was going to wash the clothes you wore yesterday, and in the pocket, there was something like this….”

While he was trying to deny it again by shaking his head, a subordinate approached cautiously. He shifted his eyes to glance at the object being held out. It was a memory card.

Come to think of it, he had received it from Jeon Mi-nam before leaving Hong Kong. Since then, he had been so busy with work that he hadn’t had the chance to check what was inside. He had only been tipped off that a hidden camera had been installed in the hospital room where Ju-wan was admitted, and that this had been retrieved from it.

To the silent Kwon Su-hyeok, the subordinate asked what he should do. Before long, Kwon Su-hyeok gestured with his chin toward the laptop on the sofa table.

“Turn it on so I can check.”

Jang Jin-woo lingered in front of the restaurant where Ju-wan’s party had entered. He could have gone inside and watched, but since lunchtime was passing, there was a high risk of his tailing being discovered. It seemed safer to hide among the parked cars and watch from a distance.

A long time had passed since Ju-wan’s party entered the shop. Had the meal not finished yet? Since there were no suitable cafes or restaurants nearby, it seemed he had no choice but to wait until they came out again. He regretted belatedly that he shouldn’t have let the taxi go if he had known it would be like this.

More than that, was it really Ju-wan? Judging by his appearance and behavior, it was undoubtedly him, but it seemed he had become a completely different person in the time they hadn’t seen each other. It hadn’t been that long since Ju-wan disappeared. He wondered if it was possible to become that healthy in such a short time.

The men accompanying Ju-wan looked dangerous, but their actual attitude toward him wasn’t particularly oppressive. Whenever he spoke with them, Ju-wan’s expression grew brighter than usual. Jang Jin-woo was riddled with curiosity—what exactly was their relationship, and why were they sightseeing in Macau?

Absentmindedly looking up to keep an eye on the shop, his heart sank. Ju-wan had suddenly poked his head out the door to look outside. Had he been spotted?

Without realizing it, Jang Jin-woo flinched and ducked down low. His heart hammered violently. A chill ran down his spine, and the nape of his neck grew damp with cold sweat.

What should he do? He rolled his eyes, desperately contemplating a way to handle the situation.

He looked down at the ground aimlessly and froze. His own shadow had been swallowed by a massive one. His head turned slowly, like a rusted machine. He couldn’t even afford to breathe carelessly. He felt as if his heart would leap out of his chest if he dared to open his mouth. Soon, his vision locked onto the figure behind him. His eyes widened instinctively.

“Do you have some business with us?”

The one asking, while blocking Jang Jin-woo’s retreat, was the large man accompanying Ju-wan, Jeon Mi-nam.

* * *

As the memory card was recognized, a single folder appeared. Inside were several video files. The filenames seemed to be the dates the videos were recorded. They were relatively recent.

“Shall I play them?”

The subordinate who had turned on the laptop looked back at Kwon Su-hyeok. Kwon Su-hyeok didn’t answer immediately, instead staring at the other subordinates standing in a line. They were his closest aides, including Jeon Mi-nam, who always followed him like shadows to attend to his needs. They were also the ones who had witnessed from the closest vantage point what happened to those who betrayed Kwon Su-hyeok. There was nothing that needed to be kept secret from them. The same applied regardless of what was recorded on the memory card.

Despite this, Kwon Su-hyeok raised his hand, signaling them to stop for a moment. That memory card had been obtained from a hidden camera installed in Ju-wan’s hospital room. This meant that Ju-wan’s private life was recorded there in its entirety.

Of course, it didn’t matter what was captured inside or what kind of shame Ju-wan might feel because of it. He knew that should be the case, yet he felt an inexplicably unsettling sensation.

Ultimately, Kwon Su-hyeok gestured with his chin toward the door. At the unexpected command, the subordinates exchanged confused glances. Then, under the direction of one man, they bowed quietly and left.

The door closed with a soft thud. Kwon Su-hyeok played the video himself and sank deep into the sofa. Sitting with his long legs crossed, he stared intently at the black screen where nothing yet appeared.

The mechanical hum of the laptop grew louder as the video began. Ju-wan, dressed in patient clothes, was sitting alone on the bed. He was leaning his back against the white wall. For several minutes, there was no significant movement. It almost seemed as if the video had frozen. Even so, the running time continued to tick forward.

After some time, Ju-wan slowly climbed down from the bed. He walked toward the empty opposite wall and brought his right hand toward his face. Then, with that hand, he began to write something on the wall. Though he held nothing in his hand, the name ‘Park Ju-wan’ appeared on the wall. It looked as if he had bitten his finger to draw blood.

Soon, the dim hospital room brightened slightly. It seemed someone had visited. Even so, Ju-wan paid no mind and remained absorbed in writing his name.

Then, a man in a white coat strode in and grabbed his wrist. Just as he guessed the man might be a doctor, the man roughly pulled Ju-wan up. Perhaps lacking strength, Ju-wan fluttered helplessly at his touch. A few words were exchanged between the two, and soon Ju-wan was thrown onto the bed.

The man immediately pinned Ju-wan down and stripped off his pants. The elastic waistbands and underwear were pulled down to his ankles in one motion. His head was buried completely in the pillow, making it seem as if he couldn’t even breathe properly. It looked as though he might suffocate if left like that. Ju-wan’s two hands, gripping the blanket tightly, turned white and trembled violently. He looked miserable.

The man didn’t care, preoccupied only with satisfying his own desires. No sound could be heard, but it was clear the man was roaring like a beast. He vented his lust to his heart’s content, slapping the thighs and buttocks of a person who could barely resist and was simply waiting for the moment to pass. From start to finish, neither condoms nor lubricant were used. Consequently, the semen was sprayed entirely inside Ju-wan’s body. Perhaps the tender flesh had torn, as a faint trace of blood appeared at the point of contact.

Having finished his one-sided gluttony, the man straightened his disheveled clothes. He roughly pulled up Ju-wan’s pants and patted his head as if he had done something good. Throughout it all, Ju-wan remained motionless, like a discarded mannequin. He seemed calloused to being subjected to such atrocities. It felt certain that this hadn’t happened only once or twice.

Ju-wan didn’t move until the man left the narrow hospital room. Only after a long while did he stir. Even then, he merely managed to turn toward the wall.

Ju-wan’s hand trembled thinly as he pulled up the fallen blanket. That frail, lifeless movement burned painfully into the viewer’s eyes. Falling asleep in such a state, he must have woken up in the early hours plagued by terrible nightmares. Then, facing a reality worse than any nightmare—surrounded by white walls on all sides—he must have trembled in profound despair. Like that for one year, three years, five years, perhaps ten.

The image of Ju-wan lying curled up, staring at the empty white wall, would not leave his mind. Just seeing that made him feel as if he understood why Ju-wan looked relieved the moment he opened his eyes and saw Kwon Su-hyeok, and why he stubbornly greeted him every time he went out or went to sleep, even knowing no answer would return. In a place where no one treated him as a human being, hadn’t he felt as if his very existence was being denied at every turn?

The Ju-wan on the screen was motionless, like a dead person, simply waiting bleakly for time to pass. Watching this quietly, Kwon Su-hyeok slowly clenched and unclenched his fist.

But only for a moment, he immediately pulled out the memory card. The video filling the monitor froze, and an error message soon appeared. Kwon Su-hyeok tightly squeezed the now-quite-hot memory card. His sharp gaze remained fixed on the innocent laptop screen.

It wasn’t that he harbored any specific thought. More accurately, he couldn’t think of anything. He felt disgusted. He was more irritated than ever before. It felt as if a sudden flame had ignited inside him, and the black smoke rising from it spread through his veins, filling his head. He couldn’t fathom the cause.

The small memory card was crushed formlessly in Kwon Su-hyeok’s grip. His clenched hand turned white from the sheer force. When he opened his hand again, the memory card had become almost powder. He unhesitatingly poured it into a glass of water. Then, he lifted the glass with the floating debris and slowly flipped it over the laptop. The water poured out, quickly seeping between the keys and into the vents.

Whether the motherboard fried or not, the monitor went black. Reflected there was Kwon Su-hyeok’s face, now as cold as ice. He immediately stood up and walked toward the door. As he flung the door open, the subordinates waiting outside bowed in unison.

“Find and send me all the data on the medical staff of the Central Psychiatric Hospital immediately.”

“Pardon?”

At the abrupt command, the subordinates all wore bewildered expressions. Then, facing Kwon Su-hyeok’s stiffened face, they bowed their heads deeply again.

“Understood, President.”

Kwon Su-hyeok’s complexion was the same as usual, yet different. Usually, no emotion was visible, but now he seemed to have transcended everything. One might say he was in a state where he was beyond rage, to the point where nothing else was visible. In times like this, one must never cross him.

“Names, ages, places of origin, backgrounds, residences, and current locations. Everything.”

He added this as if grinding his teeth. Indeed, his suppressed breath was rough and unstable, as if it could explode at any moment. It felt as though something terrible was bound to happen.

* * *

Jang Jin-woo froze solid while facing Jeon Mi-nam. Since when had he been caught tailing them, who was the man before him, and how should he behave? His mind raced brilliantly, but no appropriate response came to him.

Surprisingly, despite his size and menacing impression, Jeon Mi-nam spoke in a refined manner. His voice was deep, but relatively calm. However, perhaps due to prejudice or the unique aura he radiated, he didn’t feel gentlemanly at all. His instincts kept sounding alarms that if he got entangled with this man, something terrible would happen. Even a shallow thought suggested there was nothing to gain by letting them know he had been following them.

Had even that thought been read? Jeon Mi-nam pressured the silent Jang Jin-woo by adding one more sentence.

“I know you’ve been following us since the plaza.”

“I’m not sure. I don’t know what you’re talking about, sir.”

Jang Jin-woo forced a bright smile. Fortunately, his voice flowed out calmly without stiffness. He was already a master at hiding his inner thoughts and presenting a thoroughly fabricated face to others.

There was no significant change in Jeon Mi-nam’s expression. Or rather, it was more accurate to say his expression couldn’t be read because of the pitch-black sunglasses that hid his eyes. Since he had already lied, he decided to try and shake off the man’s suspicion completely.

“The situation is a bit awkward, but it’s a pleasure to meet a fellow Korean in a place like this. I heard this is a spot most tourists don’t know about. Apparently, it’s a restaurant mainly visited by locals, so it’s rarely listed in travel books. Until recently, I also thought of Macau as nothing more than a city of gambling. I never had a reason to come this far inside. But to think there was such a quiet and leisurely village… I usually just killed time at the casinos whenever I came to Macau; it seems I’ve been wasting my time. Ah, today I went to the plaza for a change of pace because I was bored of just losing money at the casino. You must have been there too? I saw quite a few Koreans while walking alone. One person asked me to take a photo, and I gladly did, and they recommended this restaurant. The taxi driver knew it well too, so I thought it would be a trustworthy place to eat. It seems our paths happened to overlap. If you don’t mind me asking, how did you get here, sir?”

“…….”

“Ah, I’ve gone too far for a first meeting. This is who I am.”

Jang Jin-woo hurriedly took out his wallet. He then picked a business card from inside and handed it to Jeon Mi-nam. It wasn’t his own. It was a card he had received from a Korean businessman he had played baccarat with at the casino last night. It was a stroke of luck that he hadn’t thrown it away.

Jeon Mi-nam merely stared at the offered card without taking it immediately. Though he couldn’t track the movement of the eyes behind the sunglasses, he must have scanned the company name and the name written there. Jang Jin-woo was inwardly anxious that the man might make a verification call to the contact number on the card. He nervously watched Jeon Mi-nam’s reaction while hastily fabricating excuses to use in such a case.

Perhaps heaven helped him. Just then, Jeon Mi-nam’s phone rang. Jang Jin-woo gestured for him to ignore the interruption and answer the call. After holding out for a bit longer, Jeon Mi-nam reluctantly turned away and answered. Whether it was a work-related call, his tone of “Yes” was exceptionally polite.

Fearing Jeon Mi-nam might suddenly look back, he pretended to take photos of the surroundings with his phone. Fortunately, Jeon Mi-nam went straight back into the restaurant. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. A deep exhale escaped him. Cold sweat that had gathered without him noticing trickled down.

He hid in another spot and monitored the movements of Ju-wan’s group. Not long after Jeon Mi-nam returned to the restaurant, the three of them came out. They seemed to be leaving in a hurry.

Following them immediately posed a high risk of being discovered by Jeon Mi-nam again, so he simply watched patiently. Fearing he might be spotted by Ju-wan, he even put on sunglasses.

Soon, a taxi entered the parking lot. Ju-wan’s group got into the vehicle and hurriedly left the restaurant. Only when the tail of the taxi disappeared from sight did he move. He found a taxi that had just finished its meal and was about to resume business. He quickly climbed in. The taxi driver, welcoming the unexpected luck, asked where they were going. Jang Jin-woo didn’t reveal the destination hastily and sank into thought for a moment.

Following Ju-wan again was too dangerous and reckless. He was already suspected by Jeon Mi-nam, and his face had been seen. If he happened to encounter him again, he wouldn’t be able to escape as safely as he had this time.

And yet, his obsession with reclaiming Ju-wan was so blind that even he found it hard to understand. If he thought about it, his misfortune had begun immediately after Ju-wan disappeared. The tower he had spent decades patiently building had collapsed in vain, and everything had become a mess. Jang Jin-woo himself had been branded a wretched human even by his parents, his parents had burned to death, and there was no home left to return to.

Therefore, he had to get Ju-wan back. Because originally, Ju-wan was his. He had found something everyone else had thrown away and carefully picked it up. Then Kim Je-guk had arbitrarily snatched him away and hidden him.

Getting Ju-wan back wouldn’t return everything to the way it was. Still, Jang Jin-woo’s life might gradually return to its original orbit from that point. As long as Ju-wan returned as if nothing had happened.

To the driver who asked again where to go, he pointed in the direction the taxi with Ju-wan’s group had disappeared. He gave the vehicle’s number and added that he would pay any amount if the driver could successfully catch up to them.

The taxi driver nodded readily and stepped hard on the accelerator.

* * *

“Why all of a sudden? It was actually delicious for once, and I couldn’t even finish it.”

Baek Do-un’s complaints finally burst out inside the taxi. Jeon Mi-nam, who had stepped away for a moment, had urged the group to leave immediately upon returning to the restaurant. It was right after he had received a phone call. Jeon Mi-nam gave no explanation as to who the call was from or why they were in such a hurry.

“Something urgent has come up. Let’s finish the rest of the meal at the hotel.”

Whenever asked what was happening, that was the only response he gave. No doubt there had been a call from Kwon Su-hyeok. If he was going to call them like that, he shouldn’t have kept them by his side. Baek Do-un continued to grumble toward the absent Kwon Su-hyeok.

“Mr. Park Ju-wan also looks very tired.”

He added an excuse to the endless complaining. Only then did Baek Do-un’s gaze shift from the window to Ju-wan sitting next to him.

As Jeon Mi-nam said, Ju-wan looked quite exhausted. Was it because he hadn’t slept well last night? There were so many things he wanted to show and let him experience, now that he had come out into the world after ten years. He didn’t know if his greed in taking him around so much had become the cause.

“Ju-wan, are you feeling very unwell?”

Ju-wan shook his head to the worried Baek Do-un. It wasn’t a lie; he felt that the reason he hadn’t slept well last night was different from what Baek Do-un suspected. He vaguely hoped that if he met Kwon Su-hyeok today, he would find out the clear cause.

The taxi soon entered the Cotai Strip, where luxury hotels were lined up. Since the sun was still high in the sky, he couldn’t see the night view that was said to be as dazzling as Las Vegas. Even so, his mouth hung open at the gorgeous exteriors and scale of the hotels. Just imagining how beautiful it would be when darkness fell and the lights turned on made him feel excited.

Shuttle buses arriving incessantly from the harbor and the airport carried countless tourists. Thanks to that, the lobby was teeming with people. The hotel staff seemed accustomed to such situations, welcoming guests without any sign of panic. Dedicated staff were assigned to each team to move luggage and personally guide them to the reception desk.

Ju-wan’s group also blended into the crowd and entered the hotel. A fountain made of hundreds, thousands of crystals was the first thing to enter his sight. People were standing in front of it, taking photos and videos. The lighting changed according to the music, and streams of water poured out refreshingly. Baek Do-un whispered to the entranced Ju-wan that the fountain was the symbol of the hotel, that shows were held every 30 minutes, and that many people visited solely to see it.

I watched until the show ended, then followed Jeon Mi-nam. To the right of the diamond fountain was the casino, and to the left were the reception desk and the guest-only elevators. I had a preconceived notion that casinos were primarily used at night, but there were many people even at this early hour. Just standing in one place and looking around the hotel interior left me dazed. I lost track of time.

I suddenly snapped back to reality around the time Jeon Mi-nam raised his hand toward a man. A man dressed in a black suit strode toward the group. He then bowed deeply to the three of them. Without realizing it, Ju-wan bowed back.

“For now, you two please stay in your room.”

After a brief conversation with the man, Jeon Mi-nam gave the instruction to the two of them. He also directed the man to ensure they were escorted safely to their room. His expression was more serious than ever before. Ju-wan nodded obediently, saying he understood, while Baek Do-un burst out in frustration, asking if he really had to be stuck in a room even after coming all this way. Jeon Mi-nam gave a slight nod without much of a response and simply disappeared across the lobby.

“I mean, did we come here for a hotel tour?”

Baek Do-un grumbled until the very end before reluctantly following the man. The man guided the two of them to an inner elevator. It seemed to be a dedicated elevator for suites, operated separately from the general guest elevators. Thanks to that, they were able to escape the noise pollution.

The three of them boarded the elevator that arrived shortly after. When the card key was tapped on the reader, the light for the floor turned on automatically. Baek Do-un, who had been sulking the whole time, checked the amenities listed for each floor and noted, “Oh, there’s a pool.”

“I think I heard the pool facilities here are quite good. If Ju-wan is feeling up to it tonight, let’s go swimming together. Tomorrow is fine too.”

“Yes.”

Ju-wan didn’t even know how to float, let alone swim, but he nodded vigorously. It was out of a desire to somehow improve Baek Do-un’s mood.

Soon, the elevator came to a stop. The man led the way down the hallway and stopped in front of a room. Again, the doors were spaced far apart, suggesting the rooms were quite spacious.

“Here it is.”

The man opened the door first, entered, and stepped aside. The first thing that caught the eye was a large panoramic window. The gold exterior of the building opposite the hotel created a striking contrast with the deep blue sky. In the drawing room in front of it were a long sofa, a circular daybed, and a sofa table. The bedroom featured a large king-sized bed and an antique desk.

Baek Do-un flopped down onto the wrinkle-free bed. He patted the spot next to him, saying, “Ju-wan, you lie down too.” Ju-wan silently went to him and tentatively perched his hips on the edge of the bed. As if by magic, a hint of Kwon Su-hyeok’s scent seemed to waft by. Seeing that Baek Do-un wasn’t grumbling, it might have been an illusion.

“Then I will be waiting outside. Please call me if you need anything.”

The man bowed politely, then quietly closed the door and left. Baek Do-un pulled on the arm of Ju-wan, who had instinctively stood up to bow again.

“Hey, Ju-wan. I told you to lie down, don’t just stand there.”

“Ah, just a moment. I’ll wash my hands.”

Ju-wan managed to evade Baek Do-un’s touch and entered the bathroom. He hadn’t noticed while eating, but it felt as though the smell of food had subtly clung to his hands. When he opened the translucent door, he saw an interior that was neatly organized and completely dry.

Then, a comforting scent wafted through. It was undoubtedly Kwon Su-hyeok’s fragrance. The scent itself wasn’t of the soft or sweet variety, but it seemed he had now become completely accustomed to that characteristic coolness. Thanks to that, his heart, which had been beating faster than usual due to the unfamiliar atmosphere, quickly calmed down. His chest felt tight with emotion, as if he had encountered someone he had missed dearly.

* * *

Kwon Su-hyeok was sitting alone at the bar. After he informed the Thai client that the goods had been successfully recovered, they contacted him saying they would send a representative immediately. He then received a message from the introduced representative saying they would be about 30 minutes late. In a transaction based on mutual trust, nothing was more important than punctuality. Normally, he would have left the spot immediately without waiting.

However, today, Kwon Su-hyeok silently tilted his glass. He was immersed in thought the entire time. Ever since seeing the video of Ju-wan, he couldn’t shake off the feeling of discomfort and unpleasantness.

He shouldn’t have been swayed this much. Living in this world, countless things far more inhumane happened all the time. Kwon Su-hyeok himself had lived without hesitating to commit all sorts of cruel acts.

But why on earth?

Even when he dealt with Kim Je-guk not long ago, he wasn’t as angry as he was now. He had simply found him annoying. Even when he heard through Jeon Mi-nam that it was Ju-wan’s biological mother who had committed him to the psychiatric hospital, and that Ju-wan’s life had been far from smooth before that, he hadn’t felt this surge of rage.

That was why he was bewildered. Kwon Su-hyeok didn’t know what he wanted or how to soothe the current indignation.

The grip on the glass tightened significantly. Because of this, cracks slowly began to form on the surface of the glass. If left as is, the glass would eventually shatter into pieces and injure his hand.

Right on cue, a subordinate approached Kwon Su-hyeok and bowed. Kwon Su-hyeok, who had been glaring at the innocent glass, shifted his gaze to glance at him.

“What is it?”

“The materials you mentioned, President, have arrived. It’s the personal information of the staff at the Central Psychiatric Hospital.”

He snatched the tablet from the subordinate. Then, he scanned through the newly transmitted data. He carefully examined the attached photos as well.

The document contained relatively detailed profiles of everyone in the hospital, from the chairman to the security guards. After confirming the current status of Jang Cheol-min, who was said to have died in a recent fire, he scrolled down. The appearances of the psychiatrists, including Kim Je-guk, who appeared next, were different from the person in the video. He had assumed the one in the white coat was the doctor; perhaps it was a wild guess.

As he continued to scroll, he paused. He focused all his attention on a single photo that appeared. There was no mistake. It was the man who had raped Ju-wan in the video.

His cold eyes shifted. Jang Jin-woo. The page detailed that he was the only son of the hospital chairman, Jang Cheol-min, as well as his education, major, and the medical accidents he had been involved in. Kwon Su-hyeok skipped all that information and focused on the very last section.

Jang Jin-woo’s last known whereabouts were at the airport. On the day his parents had the accident, he had fled the country as if being chased and headed for Macau.

MACAO. No matter how many times he looked, it didn’t change. Unless Jang Jin-woo had come looking for a place to die, heaven had made things easier for Kwon Su-hyeok this time.

Kwon Su-hyeok fell back into thought. If he deployed his subordinates right now to search every hotel in Macau, he could find Jang Jin-woo. The reason he didn’t give the order immediately was that the boiling rage inside him was still incomprehensible even to himself.

Unless someone maliciously interfered with him or betrayed him, Kwon Su-hyeok tried not to kill. It wouldn’t change his fate of falling into hell, but it was a minimum rule he had set for himself. For his anger and revenge to be justified, he felt there should be no one who suffered unfairly at his hands without guilt.

But for some reason, he felt he would break that rule this time. An endless murderous intent surged toward Jang Jin-woo, a man he had never once met.

It was then. Jeon Mi-nam, whom he had assumed was staying in Hong Kong, entered the bar. Since he hadn’t ordered him to come, it seemed other subordinates had contacted him urgently.

The problem was that Jeon Mi-nam was alone, without any companions.

“President.”

Jeon Mi-nam approached and bowed. Kwon Su-hyeok’s brow furrowed.

“…Why are you alone?”

“I’ve escorted Park Ju-wan and Mr. Baek to their room for now. I have something to report separately.”

“What is it?”

“There was someone tailing us from Senado Square. When I went to check personally, there was nothing suspicious, but it seemed they continued to follow us until we got here.”

“And yet there’s nothing suspicious? Are you sure?”

Jeon Mi-nam tried to convey the name and affiliation on the business card Jang Jin-woo had shown.

But in that instant, the tablet screen caught his eye. His gaze fixed on the photo displayed there. Unless they were identical twins, it was clearly the man who had followed the group. Jeon Mi-nam, who hadn’t seen the video of Ju-wan, couldn’t understand why Kwon Su-hyeok was checking his photo and information.

An uneasy premonition pierced through his chest with a chill. Kwon Su-hyeok watched Jeon Mi-nam, who remained silent for a while, with curiosity.

“It was this man.”

At the unexpected answer, Kwon Su-hyeok’s gaze immediately flew back to the tablet. Jang Jin-woo’s information was still displayed on the screen.

Jang Jin-woo was a beast who had spent a long time raping Ju-wan, solely preoccupied with satisfying his own desires. Such a man had discovered Ju-wan, who had finally come out into the outside world, and had secretly followed him. He surely hadn’t done it just to meet and ask how he was doing.

As a series of thoughts flashed through his mind, he bolted upright. The innocent tablet fell to the floor. Ignoring it, Kwon Su-hyeok hurriedly exited the bar, pushing Mi-nam and the subordinates aside.

After a brief moment of confusion at Kwon Su-hyeok’s frantic appearance, Jeon Mi-nam hurriedly followed him. The reason his heart was pounding violently wasn’t just because he was running.

* * *

Ju-wan washed his hands thoroughly and, while he was at it, brushed his teeth. His somewhat stale mouth soon felt refreshed. Perhaps he had gotten a tan, as various parts of his face felt hot and stinging. He washed his face with cold water to cool his skin. He quickly became alert. It would have been simpler to just take a shower rather than washing bit by bit, but he felt it would be rude to Baek Do-un to be away for too long.

Wiping the water from his face with a towel, he stepped outside. Baek Do-un’s gaze immediately landed on him. Seeing him grin, it seemed he had thought of something fun.

“Ju-wan, do you want to go see the casino?”

“Hmm… I don’t know.”

“Why? Aren’t you curious? You’re an adult, so you should enjoy the things you can.”

“I’d like to rest a bit.”

“Really? Then it can’t be helped.”

Baek Do-un quickly lifted one side of the duvet. Then, he patted the bedding again as if telling him to come lie down. It felt as if he were handling a child or an animal. Somehow, whenever that happened, Ju-wan found himself following along without hesitation. This time too, Ju-wan obediently lay down in the spot Baek Do-un had made for him. Then, to the man who was preoccupied with arranging his pillow and blanket, he brought up the casino.

“You should go, Mr. Baek. You’ll be bored.”

“Hmm. Should I? I can’t force someone who says they’re tired to drag along, and it’s a shame to just stay here after coming all this way… Then I’ll just take a quick look around, so do you want to take a nap? Mi-nam and Su-hyeok will be here soon.”

“Yes.”

“Just in case, make sure the door is locked. Don’t open the door for anyone except Su-hyeok or Mi-nam. Not even if they say they’re hotel staff.”

“Surely nothing will happen.”

“Kwon Su-hyeok is a man with many enemies, so we have to be careful.”

“I understand.”

Baek Do-un only stood up after receiving a firm confirmation. Just as he was about to leave the room, he waved his hand gently to Ju-wan, who was peeking his head out to look at him. Ju-wan nodded to reassure him. With a faint smile, Baek Do-un disappeared beyond the wall, and soon the sound of the door opening and closing was heard. The surroundings quickly became silent.

The cozy bedding wrapped around his body pleasantly. He felt he could sleep deeply like this. He rolled onto his side and gently rubbed his head against the fluffy pillow. His eyelids grew heavy from the cozy sensation. Drowsiness began to wash over him.

Just as he was about to curl up by pulling his legs toward his chest, something caught his toes. His fading consciousness suddenly became clear. He lifted the blanket to check the object he had kicked. A wallet had fallen there. The appearance looked familiar. He soon remembered Baek Do-un taking out that wallet to pay for the food at the restaurant. It seemed it had fallen from his clothes when he lay on the bed.

“…What should I do.”

He stared at the wallet with a troubled expression. Baek Do-un had said he was going to look around the casino. Money would be essential at the casino, so he would eventually have to come back for the wallet.

In that case, it seemed it would be less trouble if Ju-wan delivered it himself. As soon as the thought occurred to him, he sprang up from his spot.

When he opened the door and stepped out, the man standing in the hallway turned around. It was the man who had guided Ju-wan and Baek Do-un to the room a short while ago.

“Is something the matter?”

“Mr. Baek left his wallet in the room… May I take it to him?”

At the infinitely cautious tone asking for permission, the man’s expression became puzzled. It was because it sounded exactly like someone confined somewhere requesting permission for a brief outing. He had received instructions from Jeon Mi-nam to guide the two to the room and protect them. Since the nuance wasn’t to monitor them so they couldn’t go anywhere, the man readily granted Ju-wan’s request.

“Please do. Shall I go with you?”

“No. I’ll be back quickly on my own.”

Ju-wan bowed his head in thanks and hurried toward the elevator. It was around the time he turned the corner of the hallway and disappeared from sight that the man’s phone began to ring.

The man answered the call before the second vibration ended. The caller was Jeon Mi-nam. As soon as he replied, “Yes,” Jeon Mi-nam’s urgent voice was heard. The man’s face instantly turned pale. It was because an order had suddenly come down to closely monitor Baek Do-un and Ju-wan so they could not leave the room.

The man looked out at the empty hallway with a sinking feeling. Then, gritting his teeth, he sprinted down the long hallway in pursuit of Ju-wan.

“Huff… huff….”

Just as he turned the corner and stood where the elevator was visible, his distorted face slumped in futility. The elevator, which had already swallowed Ju-wan, was descending toward the lobby as if plummeting.