By Zephyria 
After a moment of hesitation, Ha-jin slowly rose from his spot. He rummaged through the boxes of bottled water stored in the warehouse. Taking out enough bottles for everyone, he handed them out one by one.
The faces of the exhausted survivors instantly brightened. Finally, standing in front of Eden, Ha-jin handed him a bottle of water and a handkerchief.
“For your face.”
Eden looked up at Ha-jin, puzzled by the sudden act of kindness.
“The blood isn’t wiping off well. Use this to wipe it. And drink some water.”
Eden stared silently at Ha-jin before reaching out to take the items. Before he could offer a word of thanks, Ha-jin abruptly sat down in front of him.
“…What is it?”
At Eden’s wary question, Ha-jin offered the water bottle and handkerchief again.
“I don’t think I properly thanked you earlier.”
Eden didn’t take his eyes off Ha-jin as he accepted the water. Gulp, gulp. He drank half the bottle in just two gulps, all the while maintaining eye contact with Ha-jin.
Watching the man’s seemingly relaxed face, Ha-jin spoke with difficulty.
“I really appreciate you saving me on stage. If it weren’t for Jeong Tae-geon, I would have been helpless.”
Eden’s eyebrows twitched slightly. He stared into Ha-jin’s deep charcoal-colored eyes before wetting the handkerchief with water. The damp cloth swept across the hardened bloodstains on his cheek. The unhesitating touch caused the white skin, which suited the man’s cool demeanor, to flush red before subsiding.
“How do you know my name?”
Eden, frowning at the metallic scent of blood rising from the wet handkerchief, turned his gaze back to Ha-jin.
“You’re a famous person. I was too out of it to recognize you earlier… But when I heard you speaking English on the phone, I realized it was you. I’ve seen you on TV.”
Nothing filled the rather desolate house with warmth like a TV. Ha-jin was in the habit of turning on a current affairs channel every evening, and thanks to that, he had first become aware of Jeong Tae-geon’s existence a few months ago.
Eden, or Jeong Tae-geon, the man before him. He was the Director of Technology Development in the Aerospace Industry Division at ‘Blue Works’, the world’s leading American defense company.
‘So, Eden Jeong, the CTO who is visiting Korea this time, is famous for being the youngest CTO in Blue Works history. Is that right?’
‘Oh, I’m sure that’s not the only title he holds. The fact that he’s the first Asian executive is also a unique part of his resume.’
‘Speaking of unique resumes, another thing that comes to mind is that CTO Jeong initially made a name for himself as a genius engineer, not in management, right? I understand he designed the weapons system software for the F-27, which is considered the most formidable fighter jet in existence.’
‘Haha. It’s not that surprising for an engineer to become a CTO, but it still means he’s capable. It’s impressive.’
‘Honestly, I think the fact that he’s a former Special Forces soldier is the most unexpected thing of all. I know it’s incredibly difficult to get into Delta Force, the strongest unit in the US military… It’s like there’s no end to the surprises. You’d get criticized for writing a biography like this, wouldn’t you?’
The protagonist of the banter exchanged between a middle-aged man with white streaks in his sideburns and a sharp-featured female announcer was none other than Jeong Tae-geon. Half of what they said was incomprehensible, so he had essentially glossed over it, but the announcer’s final comment, “former Special Forces soldier,” had remained etched in his memory.
Perhaps that was why. The moment Ha-jin recognized him, he couldn’t help but understand the man’s skill in wielding a knife so freely.
As impressive as his dazzling resume was, his appearance was equally outstanding, and the articles describing him always included the title ‘visiting Korea,’ so he had vaguely perceived him as some kind of celebrity.
Ha-jin cast his gaze over Jeong Tae-geon’s unusually red lips and waited for his next words.
“Magician.”
…Magician? Ha-jin made a disgruntled face at the somewhat ridiculous title. Eden suppressed a sigh, as if he had been bothered.
“The thank you isn’t necessary. When you think about it, I didn’t save the magician.”
“……”
He doesn’t… know my name? Coming all the way to Sangwon City, which is quite far from Seoul, to see a show, I thought he would at least know my name. Ha-jin, scratching his head, was about to correct the ridiculous title when it came from his mouth.
“We needed a place to hide, and you, the show host, happened to be on stage. There’s no need to read too much into it.”
Ha-jin’s mouth snapped shut. The man wasn’t being modest. Though they hadn’t exchanged many words, there was clearly an invisible wall around Jeong Tae-geon.
It wasn’t just a matter of being wary of people. He was clearly the type who had no interest in anything other than himself, or those who were his people. Ha-jin, whose profession was based on people’s reactions, couldn’t fail to notice it.
Ha-jin, wetting his dry lips, shrugged.
“…Still, we saved each other in the end. There’s no harm in offering a thank you.”
“Alright, then.”
Eden replied coolly and lowered his gaze. His eyes were soon fixed on the wet handkerchief he was holding.
“I’d like to wash this and return it, but the situation doesn’t allow it. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. You can keep it.”
“Thank you.”
Contrary to his curt words, he surprisingly didn’t hesitate to use the expressions ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘thank you.’ Looking at it this way, he didn’t seem to have a particularly fixed personality. At first glance, he seemed like a robot who had only learned the bare minimum of etiquette to be observed….
The man, who had been fiddling with the wet handkerchief, suddenly raised his eyes. Their eyes met again. The man looked puzzled that Ha-jin was still sitting in front of him.
“Is there anything else you want to say?”
“……”
Ha-jin, suddenly nervous, cleared his throat. The real reason he had come to find the man…. Somehow, it seemed like the outcome would be obvious even without discussing it. Ha-jin spoke with difficulty.
“I’m sorry, but I have a good ear. And I’m quick to pick things up.”
Eden blinked slowly at Ha-jin, who was abruptly introducing himself.
“And I understand English a little… well, I’m pretty good at understanding it.”
“……”
A hint of displeasure began to creep into his gaze as he looked at Ha-jin. Ha-jin rubbed his damp palms on his thighs and continued.
“Someone like Jeong Tae-geon… I figured someone in your position would be rescued from somewhere else. I couldn’t help but overhear you mentioning a transport plane in your phone call earlier….”
Judging from the man’s phone call, he already knew the identity of the virus and was even anticipating the situation if he couldn’t board the transport plane. He also seemed to be discussing future plans with the man wearing glasses.
Even without having a keen sense, it was clear. The man before him was the only lifeline he had to survive this place.
‘Did you forget? The ‘Evolution Tech’ wireless new technology we were supposed to receive. It’s at the Dragon Cloud Research Institute. In the worst-case scenario, we’ll go there, so wait, whether it takes a few days or a few months.’
Moreover, his last plan involved Dragon Cloud. He didn’t understand everything, but the word ‘Dragon Cloud’ had definitely stuck in Ha-jin’s ear. Dragon Cloud City was where his younger brother, Jun-seok, was trapped in ‘Neverland’.
“Are you leaving tomorrow, by any chance?”
At Ha-jin’s hesitant question, Eden’s brow furrowed.
“Haa.”
He didn’t hide his weary sigh and lowered his voice.
“Stop beating around the bush and just say what you want to say.”
It was the reaction he had expected, but Ha-jin couldn’t help but shrink back like a child caught stealing ice cream from the supermarket.
The man didn’t give him any room to breathe and continued to pressure Ha-jin.
“If not, I suggest you return to your spot.”
“Th-”
“Whatever it is, you won’t get the answer you want.”
“Please take us with you.”
Ha-jin blurted out the words as if he were committing a crime.
“I won’t cause any trouble, I’ll be good. Like before, I’ll help with anything you need. Just give me a role, I’ll do whatever you tell me… Please, take Mi-so and me on the transport plane.”
He had to get out alive. Alive, he had to get out somewhere and turn his steps towards Dragon Cloud City, where Jun-seok was. He knew it was somewhat absurd to ask a stranger to take him and Mi-so, but with their lives hanging by a thread, he desperately wanted to grab onto anything.
The man scanned Ha-jin’s earnest face, narrowing the space between his eyebrows. After a brief silence, his lips slowly parted.
“Hmm, so that’s why you gave me water and a handkerchief….”
Then, he let out a cool laugh, as if he was at a loss for words.
“That seems like a very poor equivalent exchange.”