8. Already Have

“Su-nam.”

As soon as he opened the front door, he saw Jaguar standing in the hallway. Overjoyed, Ju-wan quickly knelt and opened his arms. However, the beast didn’t approach quickly, but merely stared at Ju-wan as if dealing with a stranger. It didn’t seem that he was displeased by having his name called. His bright yellow eyes simply contained Ju-wan quietly, without any emotion.

When Jaguar didn’t approach even after waiting for a long time, Ju-wan felt his energy drain. Had the animal completely forgotten him while they were apart? It wasn’t as if they had been together for a very long time, nor was it mandatory for the beast to remember him, but as much as he had missed him, the disappointment was great.

Jaguar merely flicked his tail slowly and stared blankly at Ju-wan’s party. He didn’t immediately approach Kwon Su-hyeok, who stood behind Ju-wan, either.

“Why is Su-nam acting like that?”

Ju-wan looked back at Kwon Su-hyeok with a worried face. Kwon Su-hyeok looked down at Ju-wan in silence before casting his gaze toward Jaguar. The beast still didn’t approach, nor did it go anywhere. It didn’t seem like he was sulking because he had been left alone. If that were the case, he would have already turned his head and disappeared, as he had been used to being left alone at home since he was young.

An animal’s intuition was bound to be more sensitive than a human’s. Thus, Jaguar must have clearly perceived that Ju-wan’s aura had changed significantly from a few days ago. For instance, in the way the voice calling him, the gestures, and the gaze had become noticeably softer. Since the appearance was the same but the atmosphere was entirely different, he seemed to be suspicious.

“Nothing to worry about. He’ll stop eventually.”

Kwon Su-hyeok replied nonchalantly and entered first. As Kwon Su-hyeok approached, Jaguar, who had been looking at him with his head held high, quietly rubbed his face against his leg and then slowly circled around him. He didn’t forget to continuously tickle his leg with his tail. Kwon Su-hyeok, as if accustomed to it, stroked the beast from its head all the way down its spine.

Jaguar, who had been quietly enjoying Kwon Su-hyeok’s affectionate touch with his eyes closed, suddenly snapped them open. Then, he stared intently at Ju-wan, who was still lingering at the entrance.

Ju-wan reached out toward him again, lightly curling and unfolding his hands. As his hands repeatedly curled and opened softly, as if calling a baby, Jaguar flicked his round ears and focused all his attention on the movement.

“Su-nam, come here.”

When Ju-wan called Jaguar again, the beast lifted his head and looked up at Kwon Su-hyeok. Once Kwon Su-hyeok nodded, only then did he slowly walk toward the entrance. The silhouette of his body, swaying flexibly from side to side with every step, was still elegant.

Ju-wan without hesitation tightly hugged the neck of Jaguar, who had walked up to him. A hot body temperature, incomparable to a human’s, rushed into his embrace. The glossy fur also wrapped around him pleasantly.

Jaguar, who flinched at the sudden hug, soon calmed down. Whether it was because Ju-wan’s scent or weight was familiar, he gradually let down his guard and sat down on the floor. His front paws were also neatly gathered. When Ju-wan rubbed his cheek against the beast’s face, even his two ears drooped slightly. His tail, touching the floor, occasionally surged from side to side like a wave.

“Have you been well?”

Ju-wan continued to ask questions that Jaguar couldn’t possibly understand while kneading the beast’s face. Kwon Su-hyeok’s subordinates, who would have looked after the animal in place of Jeon Mi-nam for a few days, were appalled by this reckless display of affection. This was because every time Ju-wan touched Jaguar’s cheeks, the beast’s sharp canines were slightly revealed. They didn’t know how many cushions had been torn apart by those teeth and claws. He usually growled even if their eyes just happened to meet.

It was unbelievable that a beast so sensitive and ferocious was now purring like a cat. Setting aside Kwon Su-hyeok, who was the master he had followed since childhood, it was simply puzzling that he was acting so docile when he likely didn’t consider Ju-wan to be of a higher rank than himself.

“I missed you.”

After a long while, Ju-wan pulled back and gently scratched under Jaguar’s chin. A deep smile spread across his lips. Jaguar tilted his head. The men watching the two exchanged puzzled looks. They wondered if this was the same dried-up patient who seemed to be living only out of obligation. That was how dramatic the change was.

“I’m going to rest now, so you can all leave.”

Kwon Su-hyeok gave instructions while unbuttoning his shirt. At that, his subordinates, including Jeon Mi-nam, bowed their heads in unison.

“Yes. We will see you tomorrow.”

“Please get some rest, President.”

Ju-wan tactfully stepped aside. Jeon Mi-nam, having seen the subordinates out first, gave Ju-wan a slight bow. Ju-wan returned the greeting in turn.

Soon, even Jeon Mi-nam stepped outside, and the front door closed automatically. The presence of the men felt outside gradually faded until it vanished completely. Suddenly, the house felt empty.

Ju-wan aligned his sneakers with Kwon Su-hyeok’s dress shoes and headed toward the living room with Jaguar. Around that time, a half-naked Kwon Su-hyeok headed toward the bathroom, and for a moment, their eyes met.

“Are you going to wash up?”

Normally, he would have ignored him, but Kwon Su-hyeok silently nodded. Then, he brushed past Ju-wan and entered the bathroom. Soon, the sound of the shower could be heard from inside.

Ju-wan resumed his steps and went to the living room sofa. As soon as he sat down with a long exhale, Jaguar burrowed in behind him. Perhaps not intending to push him off completely, Jaguar stopped wriggling once Ju-wan was pressed against the edge of the sofa. He simply tapped Ju-wan with his tail, thumping him lightly. Ju-wan leaned his travel-weary body fully into Jaguar’s warm body heat.

Every time Jaguar breathed, his massive body surged in large waves. That movement was transmitted directly to Ju-wan, softening his heart. The steady vibration was so comfortable and leisurely that he felt he could fall asleep right then and there.

After some time, the bathroom door opened, and the sound of damp footsteps led toward the living room. As usual, Kwon Su-hyeok approached the living room wearing only a loosely thrown-on robe. He hadn’t even properly dried his soaking wet black hair.

As that characteristic scent drew near, Ju-wan slowly pulled his body forward from where he had been leaning back. In the process, he slipped off the sofa and landed on his buttocks on the floor.

Kwon Su-hyeok suddenly climbed down from the sofa and stared blankly at Ju-wan sitting on the floor. He let out a shallow chuckle, as if finding it absurd. Then, he tossed the towel he was holding to Ju-wan, who was looking at him as if trying to pierce through him.

“Wash up.”

“Yes.”

Ju-wan obediently picked up the towel and stood up. He could feel a blatant gaze fixed on his back until he passed Kwon Su-hyeok and entered the bathroom. Of course, it could have been an illusion. Even so, he felt an unprecedented tension until the door was completely closed.

He turned on the shower, from which water droplets were still dripping. The stream of water, at just the right temperature, quickly soaked his stiff body. He was completely exhausted, despite having only taken a plane and a car in succession. He didn’t know if his stamina was truly that low or if traveling was originally this draining. Rubbing his face, he spent a long time loosening his knotted muscles with the warm water.

After a long shower, he dried his hair immediately. His whole body felt languid, and he felt he could fall asleep at any moment. He felt he should finish what he had to do before that.

While shaking his hair under the blast of the hairdryer, Ju-wan suddenly paused. As he brushed the hair away from his ear, he naturally recalled the events at the Macau hotel. The touch of Kwon Su-hyeok’s hand, which had gently massaged his ear and caressed his exposed white neck.

“…….”

He tentatively stroked that area with his own hand. However, unlike when Kwon Su-hyeok’s touch had reached him, he felt no particular emotion. Far from his heart fluttering, it didn’t even feel ticklish. Was it simply the difference between his own touch and that of another?

No, that couldn’t be it. When Woo Hyeong-seok’s biological father or Jang Jin-woo first laid hands on him, he had only felt surprised and bewildered; he hadn’t felt even a hint of a positive emotion.

He rubbed the fogged-up mirror clean with his hand. Then, he turned slightly to the side to look at his neck. The nape of his neck, which had throbbed even when pressed lightly—making him wonder if it had bruised—was hardly visible. However, even the area around his Adam’s apple, which Kwon Su-hyeok had only nibbled on, was reddish; he could easily guess the state of his nape, which had been properly bitten, without even looking. It must have been a deep purple hematoma.

On the way back, he had been preoccupied with one thought. Kwon Su-hyeok had not mistaken Ju-wan for someone else, nor was he intoxicated to the point of losing his judgment. He had also said that if he simply intended to satisfy his lust, it didn’t necessarily have to be Ju-wan as the partner.

If so, only one reason remained. No matter how he calculated it, no matter how much he reconsidered, the answer remained the same.

In fact, Kwon Su-hyeok’s attitude had also changed noticeably. He had always observed Ju-wan from time to time, but now he watched him more openly and obsessively. It had reached the point where even Baek Do-un, who had been silent due to a severe cold, had remarked, “A hole is going to be poked in Ju-wan’s cheek.”

Then, what happens now?

His heart pounded again, just as it had when he accepted Kwon Su-hyeok’s kiss. He rubbed his cheeks, which were heating up of their own accord, to cool them down. Then, he fastened his robe tightly and stepped outside.

Kwon Su-hyeok was sitting on the sofa drinking. When Ju-wan appeared, the gazes of both him and Jaguar fixed on him simultaneously.

“I thought you fell into the sink.”

Muttering as if to himself, Kwon Su-hyeok set down his glass and stood up. He strode straight toward Ju-wan and gripped his wrist. He didn’t apply much strength, so it didn’t hurt.

“I should sleep now.”

Stating this while looking clearly into Ju-wan’s eyes, Kwon Su-hyeok led Ju-wan toward the bedroom. Ju-wan followed him obediently without resisting.

Upon reaching the bed, Kwon Su-hyeok took off his robe. A body that looked as if it had been meticulously crafted by the Creator was revealed without concealment. Ju-wan’s gaze naturally drifted to the scars scattered across his body, which he hadn’t noticed before.

But that was only for a moment.

“Uwah.”

Suddenly, Kwon Su-hyeok scooped up the blankly standing Ju-wan. Because he was lifted so effortlessly, a scream escaped him involuntarily. His hands, with nowhere to go, gripped Kwon Su-hyeok’s shoulders. In doing so, their eyes naturally locked.

Kwon Su-hyeok continued to maintain eye contact as he slowly climbed onto the bed. The moment he set Ju-wan down, he was as careful as if he were handling a baby. Naturally, it resulted in Kwon Su-hyeok occupying the space above Ju-wan’s body. Ju-wan’s face, which had been blank for a moment at the sadly familiar composition, stiffened. His shoulders also flinched and froze. He opened his mouth to protest, but no voice came out.

Meanwhile, Kwon Su-hyeok’s face slowly approached. Ju-wan’s eyes squeezed shut in anticipation. Kwon Su-hyeok stopped his movement upon seeing this, then lowered his head again and pressed his lips to Ju-wan’s forehead. Simultaneously, Ju-wan’s eyes flew open.

“Sleep well.”

The voice, calmer than usual, made the fine hairs on Ju-wan’s ears stand up. Kwon Su-hyeok lay down beside the frozen Ju-wan and pulled the blanket over them. The large, soft blanket wrapped their bodies cozily.

As Ju-wan slowly turned over, Kwon Su-hyeok’s arm reached out from behind and pulled Ju-wan’s chest and abdomen toward him. His face naturally touched the back of Ju-wan’s head. His back was completely pressed against Kwon Su-hyeok’s thick chest. It was to the point where he could feel Kwon Su-hyeok’s breathing and heartbeat.

Despite his intense tension, Kwon Su-hyeok soon began to breathe evenly. That languid breath seeped relentlessly into Ju-wan’s ear.

Jaguar, who had followed them into the bedroom late, leaped lightly onto the bed. Then, seeing that his usual sleeping spot had vanished and the two were stuck together without a gap, he stared blankly at Kwon Su-hyeok with his bright yellow eyes.

Perhaps because of the beast’s piercing glare, Kwon Su-hyeok, who had closed his eyes to try and sleep, opened his eyelids again. Soon, a tense atmosphere flowed between the two, just like the day they first met.

“Su-nam, come sleep here.”

The confrontation between the two ended immediately after Ju-wan patted the spot in front of him. Jaguar licked his lips regretfully and lay down where Ju-wan had patted. He stubbornly kept his tail wrapped around Ju-wan’s waist.

Ju-wan barely managed to pull his arm out from under the blanket and hugged the neck of Jaguar, who was clinging tightly to his side. Before long, the sound of even breathing was heard from Kwon Su-hyeok again.

The firm chest and body heat that fully embraced his back, and the hot yet cozy energy of the beast filling his arms. Surrounded by the two, he felt a conviction that he was safer than ever. Sleepiness soon rushed in. He let his flickering eyelids slide shut. He fell into a deep sleep, to the point where he wondered when he had last slept with such peace of mind.

“Mmm….”

His eyes opened without any resistance. Slowly, the high ceiling filled his vision. It felt as if something was repeatedly tapping his thigh; Jaguar, who had woken up first, was touching Ju-wan by fluttering his tail. Buried deep in the blanket, Ju-wan only moved his head to stare up at Jaguar.

Looking from below, the way his mouth curled roundly, as befitting a feline mammal, was quite cute. He reached out slightly and fiddled with Jaguar’s snout. As if it tickled, Jaguar stuck out his tongue and licked his own snout. He was likely trying to shake off the bothersome hand, but Ju-wan fiddled with the beast’s whiskers with a playful face. The beast, who had been dodging his hand by moving his head here and there, eventually leaped down from the bed.

Standing before the closed door, Jaguar looked back. It seemed he wanted the door to be opened.

“Are you going out?”

Jaguar simply tapped the door with his front paw again. Ju-wan instinctively reached for the spot beside him to open the door, then paused. It was the place where Kwon Su-hyeok had lain asleep all night. Only a faint warmth remained there. Suddenly, the strength and body heat of the arm that had embraced him as if to bind him seemed to revive.

His ears tingled and heated up. Then, as Jaguar hit the door again, he snapped back to his senses. He quickly got out of bed and opened the door. Jaguar quickly squeezed through the gap and went outside.

As he followed him out of the bedroom, the smell of appetizing food wafted through. Looking into the kitchen, Jeon Mi-nam was preparing a meal wearing an apron, having arrived at some point. Perhaps because of the sign of Jaguar running out, Jeon Mi-nam, who turned around just in time, discovered Ju-wan and gave a light bow. Ju-wan also gave a small bow.

“You’re awake.”

“Meal preparations are almost finished. Please get ready.”

“Ah, yes.”

Jeon Mi-nam turned back and focused on the cooking. A fierce bubbling sound came from the pot on the stove. The spicy scent suggested it was kimchi stew. His stomach, which had been quiet, growled. Hunger rushed in at the thought of eating Korean food for the first time in a while.

Ju-wan moved back to the living room. Kwon Su-hyeok was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper. Sensing Ju-wan’s blatant gaze like a ghost, he immediately turned his head to meet his eyes. Before, looking at him had been nothing, but now it was a bit awkward. He fiddled with his fingers for no reason and greeted him.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yeah.”

“Me too. I didn’t have any nightmares today.”

“…That’s a relief.”

The corners of Kwon Su-hyeok’s mouth seemed to soften slightly. It was such a minute change that it could have been an illusion. Perhaps because he was preparing to go to work, his appearance was perfect from the morning. Thus, Ju-wan became concerned about his own state. He repeatedly smoothed down his slightly sticking-up hair with his hand.

“I’ll go wash up.”

Instead of answering, Kwon Su-hyeok gave a slight nod. Under his straight gaze, Ju-wan headed to the bathroom. As soon as he entered, he stared at his reflection in the mirror for a long time. It wasn’t because his silky hair was sticking up or because his face was a bit swollen. An expression he had never seen on his own face before was there. He couldn’t definitively say what emotion it was, but it was clear that he was strangely flushed. It was so unfamiliar that he rubbed his face several times for no reason. Then, his heart began to beat subtly fast.

He hurriedly splashed cold water on his face. His face calmed down, but the unstable pounding of his heart did not subside.

After finishing his shower, he went back to the living room. Jaguar, lying on his belly at Kwon Su-hyeok’s feet, paid attention to the approaching Ju-wan. He approached and crouched down, gently stroking the beast’s back. The feel of the fur wrapping around his palm was still soft. He felt that even when he was depressed, having Jaguar by his side would be a quick comfort.

After some time, Kwon Su-hyeok’s hand suddenly touched his earlobe.

“…Ah.”

Startled, he looked up and immediately met Kwon Su-hyeok’s heavy gaze. He had leaned his upper body toward Ju-wan at some point and was lightly fiddling with the back of his wet hair and his delicate, damp ear. His heart, which had calmed down, began to beat violently again. It felt as if heat flickered wherever Kwon Su-hyeok’s fingertips touched. When Ju-wan’s pleasant stroking stopped, Jaguar raised his head curiously. Ju-wan unconsciously held the beast tightly and shrunk his neck. He also kept his lips tightly closed. It was because he felt a moan might leak out if he didn’t.

Around that time, Jeon Mi-nam walked out from the kitchen. Simultaneously, Kwon Su-hyeok’s hand dropped away as if by magic.

“President, the meal is ready.”

He followed up by asking what he would like to do. This was because Kwon Su-hyeok had almost always skipped breakfast. Come to think of it, the smell of food wafting through the house had only started since Ju-wan arrived.

Ju-wan peeked up and looked at Kwon Su-hyeok. Kwon Su-hyeok gestured toward the kitchen with his chin.

“Go on.”

He himself seemed to have no particular intention of eating. Jeon Mi-nam immediately turned and went back to the kitchen. Then, Ju-wan, who stood up, suggested to Kwon Su-hyeok.

“Let’s eat together.”

“…….”

“They say it’s not good to skip breakfast.”

Kwon Su-hyeok stared at Ju-wan without a word. When Ju-wan started toward the kitchen and looked back to check, he shook his head slightly and stood up.

On the dining table, a variety of side dishes, including kimchi stew and rolled omelets handmade by Jeon Mi-nam, were laid out. They looked as if they had been bought from a side-dish shop, but thanks to that, the table was abundant. Around the time Ju-wan and Kwon Su-hyeok sat facing each other at the table, Jeon Mi-nam brought a piece of meat and placed it in front of Jaguar. Jaguar, slowly rising, waddled toward the piece of meat. Jeon Mi-nam observed Jaguar meticulously, checking if he had lost weight or if there were any wounds. Fortunately, there seemed to be no such problems.

Jaguar, about to fill his belly, became conscious of the gaze and growled, revealing his sharp teeth. Jeon Mi-nam obediently turned his back on the beast and went back into the kitchen. Then, he took off the apron he was wearing and draped it over the sink. Ju-wan, about to take a spoonful, offered him a meal as well.

“Mi-nam, please sit too. I’m fine eating while standing.”

“No, I’ve already eaten.”

Ju-wan, who had half-lifted his buttocks, sat back in the chair. Pressing a person who declined would be burdensome, and also because Kwon Su-hyeok was watching Ju-wan as if trying to pierce through him while holding his spoon.

He silently scooped rice into his mouth. The taste of the kimchi stew, which moistened his mouth spicy and refreshingly, was superb. Even after just one bite, his appetite surged, making him wonder if the food had always been this delicious. As someone who had gone on an overseas trip for the first time, Ju-wan had no way of knowing that a natural seasoning called ‘homesickness’ had been mixed in.

Without a word, Ju-wan put plenty of rice in his mouth until his cheeks puffed out and chewed diligently. Kwon Su-hyeok stopped eating and admired the sight. Neither Ju-wan nor Jeon Mi-nam noticed that his gaze had become warm.

Jeon Mi-nam did not forget to report today’s scheduled routine to Kwon Su-hyeok.

“President, I think we should give him some exercise today.”

Kwon Su-hyeok simply nodded, his eyes still on Ju-wan. Then, Ju-wan, who had been focused on his meal, suddenly looked toward Jeon Mi-nam. It was because he was curious about who was being told to do ‘exercise,’ the meaning of which was clearly passive. Jeon Mi-nam, easily guessing the meaning of that gaze, looked out toward the living room. There, Jaguar was in the middle of tearing apart and eating the meat.

“Since he originally lived in the wild. This house is too small for him. Moreover, he’s blocked on all sides. Although he’s been accustomed to indoor life since he was young, instincts cannot be ignored, so he’ll be stressed without knowing it. Furthermore, if the amount of exercise is low, muscles tend to atrophy, so he must be exercised periodically.”

“Then does he go outside?”

“Yes.”

Ju-wan, who had been listening quietly, stared blankly at Kwon Su-hyeok. Kwon Su-hyeok frowned slightly, as if not knowing his intention.

“What is it?”

“Can I follow?”

“Do as you please.”

He replied in a tone that sounded absurd. Then, just as he was about to scoop rice again, he added one more thing.

“And from now on, don’t ask for permission for every little thing.”

It didn’t seem like he was too bothered to answer every single question. Rather, he seemed displeased that Ju-wan felt the need to ask for permission for every little thing. It was as if he felt pity for Ju-wan, whose habit of being monitored and raised like livestock had become so ingrained that he believed even the most trivial actions required approval. If he simply viewed him as prey to be devoured one day, there would be no reason for such things to bother him.

Ju-wan wasn’t unaware of this. So, he stared blankly at Kwon Su-hyeok. Was it sympathy? Or did it mean that from now on, he would respect Ju-wan as a human being? Either way, Kwon Su-hyeok seemed to be a much kinder and gentler person than he had imagined.

Ju-wan bit the end of the disposable spoon and mumbled softly.

“Thank you.”

Kwon Su-hyeok couldn’t take his eyes off Ju-wan’s fluttering lips, and only after a long while did he lift his spoon again.

After the meal, they prepared to leave immediately. In truth, it was quite late compared to before. As Kwon Su-hyeok put on his coat and headed for the entrance, Jaguar, who had finished all the meat, trudged after him. Ju-wan, leaving half his meal behind, also walked toward the entrance. He offered a belated greeting to the back of Kwon Su-hyeok, who was just about to put on his shoes and leave. He didn’t expect much of a response.

“Have a safe trip.”

“…….”

However, Kwon Su-hyeok stopped just as he was about to leave and turned around. Then, he strode toward Ju-wan and suddenly wrapped his hand around the back of Ju-wan’s head, pulling him firmly toward himself. Caught off guard, Ju-wan bumped his forehead against Kwon Su-hyeok’s shoulder and ended up hugged tightly. Kwon Su-hyeok’s signature scent wafted over him.

Jaguar’s bright yellow eyes were completely fixed on the two entwined figures. It seemed the animal was puzzled, as it had never seen such a behavior before. Without any further skinship, Kwon Su-hyeok let Ju-wan go. He gazed intently at Ju-wan’s startled face for a moment before turning away. Jeon Mi-nam, also quite surprised, belatedly bowed his head toward Kwon Su-hyeok.

Soon, the front door closed. Ju-wan stood there blankly staring at the closed door, fidgeting with the edge of his ear. He didn’t seem embarrassed that Jeon Mi-nam had suddenly witnessed his hug with Kwon Su-hyeok. Or perhaps, Jeon Mi-nam’s existence had simply vanished from his consciousness.

Only after some time had passed did Ju-wan gently stroke the head of Jaguar, who was still staring up at him intently. Then, as if nothing had happened, he returned to the kitchen.

When he was held by Kwon Su-hyeok, it felt as though a whisper, small as a breath, had touched his ear. It might have been an illusion, but it sounded like he had said, ‘Okay.’ Since the timing and situation made it seem like a response to Ju-wan’s greeting, his heart fluttered for no reason. His ears flushed uncontrollably once again.

Jaguar managed to curl his body up in the backseat. Ju-wan carefully closed the door to ensure the animal’s tail or legs didn’t get caught in the gap, then climbed into the passenger seat.

“Then, I will start the car.”

“Yes.”

Jeon Mi-nam started the engine and moved the car immediately. Ju-wan kept glancing back, worried about Jaguar in the backseat. However, Jaguar seemed quite accustomed to traveling this way, merely lifting his head slightly to look out the window. The space was woefully insufficient for his size, but he didn’t toss and turn or act sensitive. Rather, he seemed excited about the rare outing, moving his tail incessantly.

The car sped quickly down the road. Ju-wan’s gaze was mostly fixed on the window, but unlike his first outing, he didn’t turn his head and react strongly to every minor sight. It was becoming a normal part of his daily routine.

Since it was just past 10 AM on a weekday, the roads were deserted. The car, gliding smoothly without hitting a single red light, entered a highway. As the high sound barriers blocked his view, Ju-wan glanced back at the backseat. Even though there was nothing to see but cars racing as if competing, Jaguar was watching them with pure interest. Did they look like fast-running beasts of various shapes and sizes in his eyes? He looked just like a curious child or a cat.

“By the way, where are you training Su-nam? It would be problematic if people saw him….”

Jaguar was not a pet. Though he didn’t know for sure, unless one was a professional trainer, it would be impossible to personally care for and raise a jaguar. Bringing a wild beast into the country without a permit would also be illegal. Wouldn’t it be troublesome if Jaguar were spotted by people?

Even if they secretly let him loose in a deserted area to run and play, there was no guarantee of safety. He could accidentally encounter someone passing by, or it would be a disaster if someone reported that a wild beast had come down from the mountain.

Unlike the worried Ju-wan, Jeon Mi-nam maintained a calm expression.

“You don’t have to worry about that at all.”

“…….”

He didn’t provide a detailed explanation. Did he have some kind of secret advantage? Ju-wan was curious, but he couldn’t ask further. This was because Jeon Mi-nam was focusing entirely on driving, keeping his eyes fixed on the road and the side mirrors. In fact, he hadn’t uttered a single word first until they reached their destination. It seemed unrelated to his naturally taciturn personality. Far from being unskilled, he was a proficient driver who maintained a proper level of tension and never looked away. He was truly a diligent man.

Ju-wan leaned toward the backseat and gently stroked Jaguar’s fur. Jaguar, who had been preoccupied with the view outside, immediately turned his head. He even nudged Ju-wan’s hand with his snout.

Though he didn’t express it, it must have been quite burdensome to stay curled up in such a cramped car. A life that should have lived running and rolling across vast prairies had been trapped in a tiny city. Ju-wan felt a sudden wave of pity for him.

The car, which had been maintaining a steady speed on the quiet highway, exited through a ramp. It then immediately entered a narrow, winding unpaved road. Outside the window, skeletal trees that had dropped all their fallen leaves passed by quickly. Empty fields after the harvest also flickered past. Though not very high, layers of mountain ridges came into view.

The road gradually narrowed until they reached a point where the car could go no further. Without any sign of panic, Jeon Mi-nam stopped the car and turned off the engine.

“We have arrived.”

Ju-wan stepped out of the car with a bewildered expression. He looked around the desolate space overgrown with weeds and parched brush. The ground Ju-wan stepped on was part of a vast wild field that seemed to stretch endlessly. The ridges of low mountains surrounded the area like a folding screen.

It was impossible to go further inside, and there were no signs of anyone having visited. Unless a herbalist or a wild ginseng hunter specifically climbed down the mountain, it seemed impossible to spot Jaguar. Jeon Mi-nam’s further explanation confirmed this thought.

“This is land that the President personally looked for and purchased after he started living with that fellow. All of this plain and those mountains. It’s a development-restricted zone, so even real estate agents don’t cast an eye on it, and a caretaker periodically patrols the area to strictly control people’s access.”

Jeon Mi-nam immediately opened the back door. As if he had been waiting, Jaguar leaped out, kicked the ground hard with his powerful legs, and bolted. Ju-wan had guessed the animal would be fast, but seeing it with his own eyes made his jaw drop. The leisure and laziness he had shown at home were nowhere to be found. He ran all over the wide field without knowing exhaustion. He was like a fish that had found water.

Because of the yellowed, dried brush, Jaguar’s golden fur acted like camouflage; if one didn’t follow his movements intently, it was easy to lose sight of him. Jaguar enjoyed the freedom granted to him for the first time in a while, entering the edge of the mountain, running back out, and then dashing to the opposite side. He looked happy.

“Su-nam seems to be in a good mood.”

“Yes. It’s been a long time.”

“It reminds me of when I was young. I can’t remember the name of the region now, but the place I lived was like this. The market only opened once every five days, and it was a quiet rural village where you had to take a car for a long time to get there. I didn’t have any proper toys to play with, so like Su-nam, I used to use wild fields like this as my playground.”

Ju-wan sank into a vague reminiscence. Jeon Mi-nam simply listened to him without any response. Ju-wan pictured the neighborhood he had lived in, his grandfather’s hanok, and his own childhood self who had been quite a troublemaker. He felt sad that even those memories were becoming blurred and fading away.

After being lost in thought for a while, Ju-wan suddenly snapped back to reality and looked around. He was sure he hadn’t taken his eyes off Jaguar, but the animal was nowhere to be seen. Was he simply hidden by the brush?

“I can’t see Su-nam. Where did he go?”

“He’ll be back soon.”

Jeon Mi-nam stated with certainty while looking at his wristwatch. As if to prove those words, Jaguar appeared from the edge of the mountain. Because of the distance, he couldn’t tell for sure, but it looked like he was carrying something in his mouth.

Just as he had when he ran off, he sprinted back, pushing off the ground with his sturdy legs. Each time, something grayish flopped limply from his snout. His golden fur fluttered brilliantly in the wind. When his large front paws hit the ground with a thud, thud, it almost felt as if the entire earth was shaking. The sight was somehow touching and moving, so Ju-wan just stared blankly, unable to look away for a single moment.

Eventually, Jaguar slowed down in front of Ju-wan. Ju-wan instinctively reached out to hug him but hesitated. To such a Ju-wan, Jaguar dropped what he was carrying. After staring at it to figure out what it was, Ju-wan’s eyes widened, and he turned to Jeon Mi-nam. Jeon Mi-nam also looked quite surprised by Jaguar’s unexpected behavior, which he had never shown before.

What Jaguar had brought to Ju-wan was a wild rabbit. There were no large movements, but seeing its small, fluffy body trembling slightly, it was fortunately still breathing. Ju-wan stared at Jaguar, bewildered.

“Is this… for me?”

Jaguar looked up at Ju-wan, looking utterly triumphant. Like a male who had brought a plump prey to a female he was courting and felt immensely proud of himself.

Ju-wan took in the scenery passing quickly outside the window. The yellowed, dried grass and trees preparing for winter looked as if they would crumble without shape at a single touch. He couldn’t feel vitality anywhere.

However, after enduring the harsh winter, the grass and trees that had held their breath in silence, as well as the insects and animals that relied on them for life, would awaken again and be filled with vigor. When that time came, the azalea flowers he used to pick and pop into his mouth during his childhood when the mountains and fields were his playground would bloom everywhere. He might even hear the sound of a stream flowing, which had served as a gentle and sweet lullaby whenever he lay down anywhere.

Though not visible, it was easy to imagine. Even if he couldn’t feel it right now, it was as vivid as if it had happened yesterday. Because this was a space that layered old memories onto his mind, it happened naturally.

If he were allowed to stay by Kwon Su-hyeok’s side until full spring arrived, and if the opportunity came to visit this place again with Jaguar, he would be able to feel and see it for himself. As they returned, leaving behind the wild field that naturally reminded him of his childhood with its scent of familiar earth and dry leaves, his heart swelled uncontrollably. He felt as if he had come very close to the happiest moments of his life.

“What do you intend to do?”

“Pardon?”

“About that thing.”

While Ju-wan had been immersed in various reflections, the silent Jeon Mi-nam finally spoke. Only then did Ju-wan look down at the rabbit curled up on his lap.

The creature was shivering violently, curling its fluffy body as much as possible. It certainly wasn’t because the inside of the car was cold. It was an animal that was naturally timid and wary. Moreover, it must have been terrified to be in the same space as Jaguar, who could swallow it whole if he wanted to, and to be moving further and further away from its habitat.

Ju-wan gently stroked the rabbit, which continued to tremble.

“I want to help it, even just a little. It’s hurt.”

The rabbit was still alive. However, blood was flowing from its bitten neck, soaking the surrounding fur. If he just let it go, predators would surely smell the blood and swarm. If that happened, he couldn’t even guarantee it would survive the night. Even if it hid successfully, there was a high possibility that the wound would fester and its life would be in danger. He knew the misery and pain of being powerless all too well from his own experience.

Therefore, he wanted to care for it at least until its wound healed. So that it wouldn’t be helplessly taken by a predator without even being able to escape. Since it was a life Jaguar had hunted as a gift for Ju-wan, it was his responsibility to keep it alive and return it.

“Oh? Su-nam is here?”

Baek Do-un, who had opened the door, greeted Jaguar as he slid through the gap. Jaguar simply passed him by haughtily, as if ignoring him.

Baek Do-un didn’t mind and cheerfully told Ju-wan and Jeon Mi-nam, who were still standing outside, to come in. He remained beaming even as Jaguar dirtied the floor with footprints. He seemed certain that he wasn’t the one who would have to clean it up.

In contrast, the more Jaguar prowled and explored every corner of Baek Do-un’s house, the darker Jeon Mi-nam’s expression became. When the sound of something falling and breaking finally echoed, he hurried toward the noise.

“Just sit anywhere. The house is a bit of a mess.”

Baek Do-un pointed to the sofa in the living room. Ju-wan, visiting his home for the first time, was quite taken aback. Unlike his usual neat and tidy image, Baek Do-un’s house didn’t seem like a place where a human lived. It was a stark contrast to Kwon Su-hyeok’s house, which was so organized that not a single speck of dust could be found.

Clothes, thrown off at some unknown time, were scattered across the sofa, and old newspapers and magazines lay sprawled haphazardly. Convenience store bags, snack bags, and empty beer cans rolled around in disorder, making it difficult to know where to step.

“Now, don’t be shy, just sit!”

Baek Do-un pushed the back of the blankly standing Ju-wan. Just then, Jaguar leaped onto the sofa and took over the entire thing. He even nudged Baek Do-un’s belongings scattered around him off the sofa with his snout or paws.

As a result, Baek Do-un and Ju-wan, who no longer had a proper place to sit, just sat on the carpeted floor. Meanwhile, Jeon Mi-nam took off his coat, hung it neatly on a chair, and rolled up his sleeves. Then, he began to organize the most noticeable items one by one.

Baek Do-un did not decline his kindness. He didn’t even offer a polite “leave it be,” but instead said, “Thank you.” He seemed accustomed to having people serve him. Since he had almost inherited the work Kwon Su-hyeok does, perhaps he had grown up in a wealthy family.

“And what is that?”

Baek Do-un gestured toward the rabbit that Ju-wan had been holding preciousy. Ju-wan loosened his arm slightly to show the creature’s ears.

“A rabbit.”

“I think I know it’s a rabbit. Where did it come from?”

“Su-nam caught it for me.”

“Su-nam did?”

Baek Do-un, who had taken the rabbit from Ju-wan to examine its wound, looked at Jaguar with a puzzled expression. Jaguar, who was sitting behind the two of them as if reigning over them, lifted his chin triumphantly. He had heard that pet cats brought insects or mice to express affection for their owners, but a rabbit? Was he just as generous as he was large? Or perhaps it wasn’t a simple gesture of goodwill.

Baek Do-un let out a scoffing laugh and admonished Jaguar.

“Su-nam, you shouldn’t do that. Your Hyung will scold you.”

Jaguar, who couldn’t possibly understand those words, opened his mouth wide and yawned. Then, he showed a lukewarm reaction, licking the bridge of his nose with his long tongue.

Only his bright yellow eyes remained fixed on the rabbit that had been passed to Baek Do-un. As if it bothered him that Ju-wan had given the prey he personally caught to someone else, he flicked his tail back and forth.

Ju-wan reached out and gently stroked the rabbit’s small face. The rabbit continued to shiver.

After carefully examining the wound, Baek Do-un managed to find a medical kit in that messy house. He then took out tweezers and disinfectant. He applied the disinfectant to a cotton ball and gently dabbed it on the rabbit’s torn neck. Following that, he stitched the gaping skin with a suturing needle and thread.

Having finished the emergency treatment, Baek Do-un patted the rabbit, as if praising it for enduring the pain of treatment without anesthesia.

“It must have hurt, but you held up well.”

“How is it, Doctor?”

“The wound isn’t that deep, so it shouldn’t be life-threatening. I’m not a veterinarian, so I can’t guarantee anything, but I think it’ll be fine in about a week.”

“…That’s a relief.”

Ju-wan let out a sigh of relief. He reached out to soothe the rabbit, which remained curled up and motionless. In an instant, the rabbit moved its hind legs busily and hopped right under the sofa. It was so quick that there was no time to stop it.

Ju-wan quickly lay flat on the floor to look under the sofa. Jaguar, who had been lying leisurely until then, suddenly stood up and jumped down. He then began swinging his front paws wildly toward the rabbit hiding beneath the sofa. The rabbit was trembling violently, with only its backside exposed and its head buried deep in the corner. When his paws couldn’t reach the creature, Jaguar bared his teeth and growled.

“Su-nam, stop it. You’re scaring it.”

Ju-wan pulled Jaguar away, who was pushing in so recklessly that the sofa was shaking. However, no matter how hard he hugged and pulled, the beast wouldn’t budge. Only after Ju-wan climbed on top of him as if pinning him down and blocked those bright yellow eyes with both hands—effectively blocking the rabbit from view—did he finally quiet down. If it had been anyone else, he would have struggled to shake them off and retaliated, so it was impressive how quickly he calmed his excitement.

Watching this, Baek Do-un chuckled.

“It seems Ju-wan has a knack for taming beasts? You’d be great as a zookeeper.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s a joke, but I’m half-serious, so think about it later. Also, it would be best to leave the rabbit here. Otherwise, that little guy will probably be crushed to death by Su-nam at the very least. The wound needs to be disinfected regularly, too.”

Baek Do-un urged as he slid his arm under the sofa. Ju-wan helped him by holding Jaguar down as if crushing him to prevent him from lunging again. After struggling for a while, Baek Do-un announced he had it and pulled out the dust-covered rabbit. It was clear that if he took the creature to Kwon Su-hyeok’s house, its safety could not be guaranteed.

“Then I’ll leave it in your hands, Doctor.”

“Sure. I was lonely being by myself, so this works out well.”

Baek Do-un stood up while cradling the rabbit in his arms. At that, Jaguar snapped his head up and glared at him warily. Baek Do-un pouted as if he were being treated unfairly.

“Alright, I won’t eat it. I told you, I’m not eating it!”

Whether he didn’t trust Baek Do-un at all or not, Jaguar kept his head stretched out and watched intently until the man entered the bedroom to put the rabbit away. Ju-wan soothed him, saying, “Don’t do that,” while gently stroking the beast’s heated nape.

Soon, Baek Do-un returned and went to the kitchen to get some juice. He even opened the cap of the juice bottle himself before handing it to Ju-wan.

“By the way, where were you coming from?”

“I was taking Su-nam for some exercise.”

“Ah, I see. That’s probably the only place where that guy Su-nam could actually hunt a rabbit. Was it boring? I’ve followed along once, and there’s absolutely nothing around.”

“No, it was nice.”

“Nice? Come on, you’re lying.”

“I’m serious. It’s been a while since I’ve been to such an open space to get some fresh air, and it reminded me of when I was young.”

“When you were young?”

“Ah… I don’t know if I told you, but I lived in the countryside with my Grandfather until I was eight. That’s why the place we went today felt familiar and comfortable. For a moment, it felt like I had visited where I used to live.”

Baek Do-un sipped the juice while observing Ju-wan’s expression. Whether he was reminiscing about the past or simply sharing his impressions of today’s trip, a lingering bitterness hovered over him. A certain hesitation could be felt in the way he constantly fiddled with the juice bottle. On the other hand, there was a vitality in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. Just from thinking about his childhood for a moment.

Though he didn’t know for sure, the happiest moments of Ju-wan’s short life would undoubtedly have been then. Why wouldn’t he miss that place, that time?

“Don’t you want to go back?”

“Where?”

“Your hometown, I guess? The place you said you lived.”

“I don’t even remember where that is anymore.”

“Is that all?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking if you’re giving up in advance simply because you don’t know where it is.”

Ju-wan stared blankly at Baek Do-un without a word. The question felt as if he were asking if Ju-wan was blocking his own freedom because he still felt bound to Kwon Su-hyeok.

Of course, it wasn’t that he didn’t think about it at all. He felt that if he went out, he must report it to Kwon Su-hyeok, just as Jeon Mi-nam did. Even if the reason why he had first pulled Ju-wan out of the psychiatric hospital had changed from the reason he kept him close now, he believed he couldn’t complain about being restrained since it was the freedom Kwon Su-hyeok had granted him.

Of course, Kwon Su-hyeok had told him not to seek permission for every little thing in the future. However, it was uncertain whether a trip to a distant place filled with past memories fell into that ‘little thing’ category.

“Why don’t you try telling Su-hyeok?”

“…….”

Despite Baek Do-un’s suggestion, Ju-wan remained silent without a word of agreement or refusal. Even if it wasn’t by his own choice, living in Kwon Su-hyeok’s house had allowed him to meet good people like Jeon Mi-nam and Baek Do-un, see a wider world, and become friends with Jaguar, who offered a warmth and comfort beyond that of a human.

Yet, Ju-wan himself had given nothing to Kwon Su-hyeok. Not even a single drop of blood, which had been the original purpose, had been drawn. It weighed on his mind to ask for something again when he had only been unilaterally receiving. If he continued to receive only favors and kindness, the weight of his indebtedness would only grow heavier.

Baek Do-un pushed Ju-wan’s back repeatedly with a confident voice.

“Just try mentioning it once. If you ask, Su-hyeok won’t refuse.”

For some reason, the tone and voice of his advice were buoyant, as if he were anticipating something pleasant.

Around the time Jeon Mi-nam was preparing dinner, the sound of the front door opening was heard. Jeon Mi-nam walked straight to the entrance while checking the time. As he suspected, it was still too early for Kwon Su-hyeok to return. He usually prepared the meal to match the time of his return, but he wasn’t even halfway finished.

Did something happen? His expression hardened with anxiety. As Jeon Mi-nam strode toward the entrance, Jaguar, who had been lounging on the sofa, followed behind him with his usual plodding gait.

“Ah, President. Are you home already?”

At the entrance, Kwon Su-hyeok was just taking off his shoes and stepping inside. Jeon Mi-nam quickly hid his surprised expression and greeted him politely as usual. Jaguar, who had followed him, also stared at Kwon Su-hyeok with curious eyes, leisurely wandering around him.

Kwon Su-hyeok gently stroked the back of Jaguar, who was rubbing against him, while staring blankly at the empty hallway. Even as he straightened his bent upper body and moved toward the living room, and as he passed the kitchen toward the bedroom, he continued to look for something.

But Ju-wan’s presence was felt nowhere. The bedroom light was off. Had he already fallen asleep?

Just as Kwon Su-hyeok was staring at the bedroom inquisitively, the sound of a door opening was heard behind him. Immediately, a strong scent of sweet soap wafted over. He turned his head instantly. Ju-wan, coming out of the bathroom, looked at Kwon Su-hyeok with a puzzled expression.

Soon, he approached Kwon Su-hyeok while lightly shaking his wet hair with a dry towel. He stopped a short distance away and gave a slight nod.

“Welcome back.”

There was a hint of questioning in his greeting. It seemed he too found Kwon Su-hyeok’s early return unexpected.

Kwon Su-hyeok didn’t respond and simply looked down at Ju-wan. Being the sole recipient of his quiet yet persistent gaze made the area around Ju-wan’s neck feel itchy.

“Um, do you have something to say…?”

As Jaguar approached, Ju-wan leaned over slightly to pet him. Kwon Su-hyeok’s gaze, which had been fixed on him, naturally drifted toward his opening collar before quickly turning away. Kwon Su-hyeok immediately took off his coat and strode into the bedroom. For some reason, he seemed angry.

Ju-wan patted Jaguar’s back, who was obediently accepting his touch while slowly wagging his tail from side to side, and then followed Kwon Su-hyeok into the bedroom.

Kwon Su-hyeok, who was unbuttoning his shirt, paused at Ju-wan’s action of following him and closing the door tightly. He was still damp and smelled strongly of sweet soap. The redness lingering on the tip of his nose, ears, and around his eyes kept drawing his gaze.

Haa, a deep sigh escaped. This was like a bird without a shred of caution flying straight into the open maw of a predator. As if charging in wasn’t enough, the bird even closed the mouth for him.

Kwon Su-hyeok turned and strode toward Ju-wan. At that, Ju-wan reflexively stepped back. Despite being so tense, he didn’t immediately open the door to leave. He simply stared intently into Kwon Su-hyeok’s eyes.

Was he testing his patience?

Kwon Su-hyeok clicked his tongue shortly and approached Ju-wan without hesitation. Ju-wan, stepping back a couple more paces, came to a sudden halt as he hit the wall. But Kwon Su-hyeok continued to close the distance.

Even cornered, Ju-wan faced Kwon Su-hyeok boldly. Not to be outdone, Kwon Su-hyeok pressed right up to his face and pushed his knee firmly between Ju-wan’s legs. He clenched his tingling hand into a fist and slammed it against the wall above Ju-wan’s head. His breathing became quite rough.

“…Ugh.”

When Kwon Su-hyeok’s hand touched his cheek, Ju-wan’s brow furrowed slightly. His stiffly resisting body sank slightly under the pressure of Kwon Su-hyeok’s knee. Engraving Ju-wan’s reaction into his eyes, Kwon Su-hyeok slowly slid his hand down. He gradually swept over his chin, shoulder, and waist, then slipped his hand behind him. He then gave a firm squeeze to the small, round buttock. The sensation of the flesh filling his hand felt like a fire igniting inside him.

Ju-wan flinched at Kwon Su-hyeok’s sudden and aggressive physical contact, but he didn’t resist and remained quietly held by him. His eyes were still fixed straight on Kwon Su-hyeok.

“I’m feeling particularly thirsty.”

Kwon Su-hyeok murmured as if lamenting, then lowered his head and took Ju-wan’s earlobe into his mouth. At that, Ju-wan’s shoulders stiffened completely. He pushed his hot tongue deep into the ear canal. As the inside of the ear became instantly wet and ticklish, Ju-wan’s body trembled finely. For some reason, the more he tasted, the more unsatisfied he felt. It wasn’t just an appetite; it felt as if his vision were spinning.

Kwon Su-hyeok pulled Ju-wan closer and nibbled on the soft earlobe with his sharp teeth. The hot breath escaping him echoed repeatedly inside the wet ear. Ju-wan bit his lower lip and groaned. His whole body repeatedly turned hot and then cool. An indescribable tingling sensation surged up from where his buttocks were gripped tightly by Kwon Su-hyeok and where his groin was pressed completely against those thick thighs. The more he twisted to avoid it, the more stubbornly the other licked his ear and neck.

Only after a long while did Ju-wan finally manage to push Kwon Su-hyeok away.

“Wait a moment.”

Only then did Kwon Su-hyeok lift his head and meet his eyes. A heat that hadn’t been there before was boiling in those pitch-black pupils. Perhaps because it was difficult to suppress the surging desire, thick veins had risen on his jaw and forehead. Hearing the ragged sound of his breathing, Ju-wan felt apologetic.

“I have something to say.”

Kwon Su-hyeok tried to push away all other thoughts and focused on Ju-wan. Uselessly, the moment Ju-wan opened his mouth to continue, his gaze became fixed on those plump lips again.

“Tell me.”

“I want to go to the place where I used to live.”

“The place where you used to live?”

“I lived in the countryside until I entered elementary school. I thought that I’d like to go back at least once.”

“Where is that?”

“I don’t remember. Not at all.”

“…….”

Ju-wan looked up blankly at Kwon Su-hyeok, who had fallen silent. He seemed lost in thought for a moment. Was it too difficult after all?

Just as he was about to give up, Kwon Su-hyeok suddenly opened the bedroom door and walked out. He didn’t seem angry, but his movements were so decisive that Ju-wan quickly followed him.

By the time Kwon Su-hyeok burst into the kitchen, Jeon Mi-nam was placing the prepared meal on the table. To the man who asked what was the matter, Kwon Su-hyeok gave an instruction without any further explanation.

“Find out where Park Ju-wan lived during his childhood.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jeon Mi-nam didn’t bother to ask why.

Ju-wan, who had followed Kwon Su-hyeok out, stared at him with bewildered eyes. He hadn’t been given permission to go yet. But it felt like he had received an even better answer. To actually search for a place he didn’t even know the location of—he didn’t know how to express his gratitude.

Just as he was about to speak after some deliberation, Kwon Su-hyeok, who had been looking down at the table in silence, beat him to it.

“And tomorrow, buy another set of cutlery.”

It seemed the disposable cutlery and wooden chopsticks placed for Ju-wan’s share had been bothering him. Jeon Mi-nam replied “Understood” without a word, and Ju-wan instinctively patted his chest. Even so, the ticklish feeling spreading from deep within his heart would not easily subside.

* * *

As the car came to a stop, Woo Hyeong-seok opened his closed eyes. His car had stopped in front of a building. It was a place Woo Hyeong-seok knew well. Originally, it had been a dilapidated two-story building that looked like it would collapse at any moment, but now it had been transformed into a quite impressive new ten-story building. He didn’t know for sure, but the building owner’s pockets seemed to be quite full.

“Hyung-nim, we have arrived.”

“I know.”

He pushed up his upper body, which had been leaning deep back, with some difficulty. The subordinate in the passenger seat quickly got out first and opened the door for him. With his support, he slowly stepped out of the car. As his body tilted forward, the unhealed wound on his abdomen was compressed, and a heavy pain surged, but it was tolerable.

It was a wound obtained while dealing with the hitmen sent by Jang Cheol-min. When he was actually injured, he hadn’t even known it hurt due to his single-minded determination to pay them back, but the aftermath lasted quite a while.

Because of that incident, even his funding had been cut off. The shops within Woo Hyeong-seok’s territory were still uncooperative with collections, claiming it was hard to even make a living, and recently, groups had emerged that were eyeing those shops. Some people were even trying to leave the organization due to the financial difficulties. One way or another, only money could gather and solidify people. Therefore, he couldn’t help but welcome even a summons like this.

As he entered the first floor, the guards openly glanced at Woo Hyeong-seok and his group. Perhaps they had been notified in advance by the higher-ups, as they didn’t block their path. They simply kept their heads out and watched intently until the group disappeared. The corners of Woo Hyeong-seok’s mouth curled up. Even those kinds of looks amused him.

The group took the elevator up to the 8th-floor office. When the elevator doors opened, a long hallway appeared. Following it led to the secretary’s office.

The secretary sitting at the desk stood up.

“Excuse me, but what brings you here?”

“I have an appointment to meet CEO Jo.”

“May I have your name?”

“I am Woo Hyeong-seok.”

All the answers were given by Woo Hyeong-seok’s subordinate. The secretary checked the schedule and then placed an intercom call to the CEO’s office.

“He says you may enter.”

The secretary personally guided the group inside. After passing through a spacious reception room, two large doors with a sign that read ‘CEO’s Office’ appeared. The secretary knocked on the door.

Soon, permission to enter came from inside. Woo Hyeong-seok left his subordinates waiting in the reception room and entered the office alone. Perhaps the business was quite urgent, as a middle-aged man sitting in the office walked to the door to greet Woo Hyeong-seok.

“It’s been a long time, CEO Woo.”

“Have you been well, President?”

“As you can see. Hey, bring some drinks over here.”

“Yes, sir.”

The secretary bowed deeply and left, closing the door.

Immediately after, the two of them moved to sit on a nearby sofa. The spacious office was scattered with artworks that would easily be worth one or two houses if put up for auction.

On the desk sat a nameplate carved from jade that read ‘President Jo Jung-man.’ Back when he was in the loan sharking business, it had been a cramped office swarming with all sorts of bugs and smelling of black bean noodles. He had said he changed careers a few years ago, and it seemed he had succeeded beyond recognition.

Before revealing the purpose for calling Woo Hyeong-seok, Jo Jung-man asked about his well-being, though he didn’t actually care.

“I heard you haven’t been seen around lately. Where on earth have you been and how have you been spending your time?”

“I was lying low for a bit. Some bug-like things suddenly started clinging to me.”

“Is that so? Were you badly hurt?”

“No. I’m fine. I took care of the bugs, too.”

“Still the same, I see.”

“It seems your business is prospering by the day, President? I’ve heard you’re making so much money you can’t even handle it, so you’re spending it in the restroom?”

“Hahaha, everyone exaggerates.”

Jo Jung-man laughed boisterously, his protruding belly shaking.

Around that time, there was a knock, and the secretary from before entered. He placed two cups of coffee on the table. Jo Jung-man waited for him to leave before getting to the point.

“Things aren’t actually going that smoothly. Just when things start to look up, there’s a thorn in my side that keeps blocking the flow. Even when I try to break into new clients, it’s not easy because of that guy, and it seems like my existing clients are subtly trying to switch over to him.”

Woo Hyeong-seok looked at Jo Jung-man with a faint smile. He could already guess why he had been summoned just by hearing that much.

The public reputation of Woo Hyeong-seok was not particularly good. He was the epitome of the old saying about burning down the entire house just to catch a rat. Because of this, those in the know avoided dealing with Woo Hyeong-seok even if they had urgent business.

However, when a task was truly delicate and a definitive conclusion was desired, people would call Woo Hyeong-seok, even if it meant risking such aftermaths. This was proof that Jo Jung-man’s ‘thorn in his side’ was not an easy opponent.

He had known Jo Jung-man since the latter was a loan shark. Before Woo Hyeong-seok had formed his own organization, he would occasionally answer Jo Jung-man’s calls to collect money from debtors. Their symbiosis continued until Woo Hyeong-seok’s organization grew and Jo Jung-man changed his business to trading. That didn’t mean there was any special loyalty between the two.

On the surface, Jo Jung-man’s business was trading, but in reality, it was closer to smuggling. He didn’t particularly discriminate by item. Everything from all sorts of explosives and firearms to artworks, jewelry, drugs, and even endangered flora and fauna. If there was demand, he even traded in people.

Since the price of smuggled goods was whatever the seller asked, accumulating wealth was only a matter of time. Thus, he must have sailed smoothly like a boat with the wind in its sails until now. Seeing as he had called Woo Hyeong-seok urgently after a long period of silence, the current problem seemed quite serious.

“Who is he? This thorn in your side.”

“As expected, I like how straightforward you are. But the only thing I know about him is his name.”

“You mean you’ve never even seen his face?”

“His face would come up if I investigated, but I’ve never met him in person. There aren’t any particular rumors, either. They say he procures exactly what the desired person wants, but I don’t know if that’s simply why he has such a tight grip on this area. Word is that he’s still a young guy. Yet, people who claim to have seen his face properly are rare. Well, they say he removes anyone who gets in his way, so maybe that’s why. Am I the only one bothered by him? Everyone else is just afraid to try and get rid of him rashly.”

“So, what’s the bastard’s name?”

“He’s called Baek Do-un.”

“Understood. I’ll do some background checks first. And I’ll be taking a generous fee for this case.”

“Of course. Just make sure you eliminate him properly.”

“Naturally.”

Woo Hyeong-seok immediately stood up and left the office. He had been feeling a bit disappointed that he hadn’t squeezed a single penny out of Jang Cheol-min, so he felt lucky to receive a request like this.

“Baek Do-un…”

He chewed over the only piece of information he had received. A deep smile spread across Woo Hyeong-seok’s lips as he walked down the hallway with a much lighter step.