Before the guests arrived, staff training began, and the content covered roughly the following points: Never initiate conversation with guests under any circumstances. Respond politely and kindly. Maintain a smile and show respect even when faced with unexpected behavior.

After the training, Soo-hyun entered the venue, took his position, and stood waiting as guests began to arrive one by one. The people exiting luxury vehicles all wore masks. According to a fellow staff member, that was the concept of today’s party. Dressed in gowns and tuxedos with masks, it resembled a Western masquerade ball. The only difference was that as time passed, couples began disappearing upstairs one by one.

With mixed feelings, Soo-hyun served drinks when he caught a glimpse of himself in a pillar mirror and momentarily fell speechless. He wished he could have worn normal attire rather than a tuxedo. Being forced to wear only suspenders over his n*ked body already felt embarrassingly perverted, but having to wear rabbit ears on top of that?

Female staff wore bunny outfits, but among the male staff, he stood alone. He wanted to remove it immediately, but that fat pig watched from a distance, making it impossible.

Soo-hyun ground his teeth, vowing to slit that pig’s throat before leaving this place.

“My, what a handsome rabbit?”

Perhaps because of his outfit, mischievous guests showed interest from various directions. Some subtly touched his b*ttocks, while others openly asked if he wanted to go upstairs. Though supposedly a party for rich kids, it differed little from the Oasis where he worked—equally depraved.

While refilling empty food platters and pouring champagne, the guests’ sticky gazes continued. ‘Maybe I should hook a rich person here and change my fortune. That wouldn’t be bad.’

As he imagined this, a guest staggered past.

Trying to avoid collision, he stepped aside, but his back touched someone’s body. As he turned to apologize, Soo-hyun paused momentarily. The person, apparently a guest, wore a pink rabbit mask that revealed only the lower part of his face. He stood at least a hand span taller than Soo-hyun and appeared noticeably well-built. The only difference was that instead of an elaborate mask, he wore one roughly made of paper. Even the ears bent back and forth, leaving only the rabbit’s face.

The man either ate food or chewed gum, moving his jaw leisurely and repetitively.

“I apologize, sir.”

When Soo-hyun stepped aside, the man blocked his path. Thinking it might be coincidental, he moved to the opposite side, but the man blocked him again. Soo-hyun forced a smile, politely gestured for the man to go first, and stepped aside again.

But the man put both hands in his pants pockets, stepped forward again, and stared down at Soo-hyun. Though his face remained hidden behind the mask, the coldness in his eyes visible through the holes appeared unmistakable. Instinctively, Soo-hyun sensed it would be better to avoid involvement with him.

Hoping the man would pass by soon, the man opened his mouth.

“Can I have it?”

Soo-hyun’s eyes widened at the unexpected question.

“Pardon?”

“That.”

The man gestured with his chin toward the headband Soo-hyun wore. Oh, that’s what he meant. ‘I was confused when he asked if he could have it without specifying what.’

Soo-hyun glanced discreetly toward the pillar. The pig watched, but it didn’t matter. The guest had asked for it first, so he wouldn’t rush over to make a fuss. Seizing the opportunity, he quickly removed it and handed it over, and the man put it on his own head.

The man wore the headband over his mask and asked a nearby man how it looked. The man wearing a black mask with feathers responded not with words but with a small nod. He had a snake tattoo on the back of his hand and treated the rabbit like a superior. As Soo-hyun watched and tried to slip away, the man grabbed his arm.

“I’ll give you a tip.”

What did the pig say during training? Don’t refuse tips, right? Standing politely and waiting, the rabbit brought his hand to his mouth. Soo-hyun feared the worst, and indeed, the man took out the gum he had been chewing instead of money. Before Soo-hyun could react, the man reached out and stuck the gum on Soo-hyun’s n*pple, then smirked.

Ah, sh*t. Forgetting the pig’s warning, Soo-hyun’s face contorted.

“It was bothering me because it stood out.”

Soo-hyun clenched his teeth and forced the corners of his mouth upward.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Don’t mention it.”

The rabbit released the wrist he had been holding. Though brief, his grip had been strong enough to make Soo-hyun’s wrist throb. As the man passed by with his companions, he unexpectedly emitted a pleasant scent. After the man moved away, Soo-hyun peeled the gum off his n*pple and threw it on the floor. There were many people messing with his n*pples today. Still, he should feel grateful the man took that grotesque headband.

Soo-hyun continued moving among the people, serving champagne. However, despite looking everywhere, he couldn’t find the man from the photograph. He needed to find someone with blonde hair. Blonde hair… As the party progressed, the number of people remaining in the hall noticeably decreased.

Unable to find the man, Soo-hyun felt both anxious and a need to use the bathroom. After speaking with another staff member, he left the party area and headed for the restroom. Following the corridor, he spotted a bathroom some distance away and hurried toward it, but a staff member blocked his way.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m looking for the bathroom.”

“This is for guests only. Go outside.”

Ugh, they’re really something. Damn it. As he turned to leave, he heard someone’s voice from behind.

“Just let him in. We all eat and sh*t the same things, why discriminate against people?”

Soo-hyun’s eyes widened as he turned around. The man who had just exited the bathroom was definitely the person from the photograph. After searching everywhere, here he was. But his hair wasn’t blonde; it was black. He must have dyed it recently. Soo-hyun scanned the upper part of the man’s shirt. Due to the tightly fastened buttons, he couldn’t confirm whether the man wore a necklace. He had been told it would definitely be worn on his body…

“Go ahead.”

When Lee Young-jun gestured, Soo-hyun shook his head. I’m fine now.

“Ah, that’s good then.”

Lee Young-jun put his mask back on. It was black with embedded jewels and feathers. What a shame. If he had recognized him a little earlier, he could have stolen it when he went to the bathroom. As Soo-hyun tried to follow Lee Young-jun, the man suddenly turned around. To avoid being caught staring, Soo-hyun naturally shifted his gaze elsewhere.

“You there,”

Lee Young-jun pointed directly at Soo-hyun.

“Me?”

“Could you bring some drinks to the fourth room upstairs? If you tell the manager, they’ll prepare it for you.”

What a stroke of luck. Hiding his joy, Soo-hyun bowed respectfully. Yes, I understand. The man put his mask back on and disappeared into the crowd. Soo-hyun quickly moved to find the manager. When he mentioned the fourth room upstairs, the manager checked somewhere and then prepared the drinks. When Soo-hyun asked about appetizers, the manager just gave a meaningful smile instead of answering.

Soo-hyun loaded everything onto a cart and began moving it upstairs. As he exited the elevator and walked down the corridor, the wheels made a dragging sound against the floor: drr-ruk, drr-ruk. His hands sweated from tension. Knock, knock. After knocking on the door, Lee Young-jun appeared a moment later. He seemed to have just washed, showing moisture on his face and cheeks. The moment Soo-hyun confirmed the shiny necklace chain around his neck, his eyes flashed.

“Sir, I’ve brought your drinks.”

“Come in.”

Entering with the cart, Soo-hyun saw a small table. The man held a mobile phone, seemingly having been on a call. While setting up the bottles, glasses, and ice basket, Soo-hyun noticed a small box on one side. And next to it, a syringe cap.

As he stood up, Soo-hyun realized that one entire wall of the room was glass and paused momentarily.

“There’s a terrace outside. The swimming pool is right below.”

After saying something Soo-hyun hadn’t asked about, the man gave him a suggestive look.

“Didn’t you say you needed the bathroom earlier?”

Lee Young-jun pointed to the inner part of the room. The bathroom’s over there. And it would be better if you washed up before coming out, he added. Soo-hyun finally understood why the manager had said appetizers weren’t necessary. Well, this actually worked out well. At least he wouldn’t need to use force. You’re willingly sticking your head into the tiger’s mouth.

As he headed to the bathroom, he heard the man’s voice. Judging by his mention of “ten large ones,” he seemed to be making some kind of deal. Soo-hyun rolled up his pant legs and retrieved a knife he had pilfered from the kitchen. He tucked it into his back pocket and quietly opened the door, only to hear voices from outside.

At first, he thought the man still spoke on the phone, but it was a completely different voice—deeper and more resonant. Perhaps a guest had arrived? Sh*t, this guy isn’t expecting a threesome, is he? That would put me at a disadvantage.

Peering through the wall with just his eyes, Soo-hyun’s face contorted. There was only one uninvited guest, but even from behind, his height and build were no joke. The bulging forearms visible below his rolled-up sleeves suggested that one punch from him could shatter bones. As Soo-hyun’s gaze moved lower, he froze.

The crumpled rabbit mask and headband in the intruder’s hand caught his attention. The perverted rabbit who had stuck gum on his n*pple earlier stood right there. The rabbit approached Lee Young-jun with heavy steps. Lee Young-jun, wearing a fearful expression, retreated backward, while the rabbit tossed the headband and mask onto the table and immediately picked up a glass.

“Ch-Chairman Yang. I, I—”

Without mercy, the rabbit struck Lee Young-jun’s head with the glass he held. With a thud, Lee Young-jun staggered and fell to his knees. When he raised his head, blood flowed from where his head had split open. Soo-hyun watched with a frozen expression.

“Where is it?”

The voice sounded unimaginably menacing. Though Soo-hyun could only see his back, the killing intent felt palpable. Soo-hyun squeezed his eyes shut. Damn it. Who the hell is this guy? When Lee Young-jun didn’t answer, the rabbit effortlessly grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the glass wall.

“I’m asking you. Where is it?”

The tone suggested he searched for something. Could it be…? Soo-hyun’s mind flashed to the necklace. Lee Young-jun, trembling, shook his head.

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

What a pity. As soon as the words ended, the rabbit pulled something from his waist. The movement happened so quickly that Soo-hyun didn’t immediately recognize it was a knife. In an instant, the rabbit’s hand plunged the knife into Lee Young-jun’s stomach. With a choking sound, Lee Young-jun’s upper body lurched forward, and his white robe began turning red in the blink of an eye.

Watching this, Soo-hyun froze in shock. Sh*t. Something’s definitely wrong here. He looked at the entrance. The door remained closed, but it stood close enough that he could escape if he ran for it. But then what? Would he get away safely?

He quickly thought it through. If he hid and waited here, he probably wouldn’t be noticed, but if Lee Young-jun happened to die, there was a high chance he’d be framed for murder. Hadn’t he already experienced it once? How merciless the law can be to those without means.

Soo-hyun felt dizzy from the rush of old memories. Biting his lip hard to regain his senses, he looked outside again to see the rabbit whispering into Lee Young-jun’s ear while supporting his upper body.

“Does it hurt? If I twist it just a little here, all your intestines will be severed.”

For someone who had just stabbed another person in the stomach, his tone sounded too calm and gentle. Lee Young-jun, moving his lips, grabbed the hand holding the knife. Veins bulged on his forehead, and the floor became soaked with blood.

“Do you feel like answering now?”

Lee Young-jun painfully nodded. His breathing grew irregular. Soo-hyun came to his senses and turned his head. A black shirt, which appeared to have been removed by Lee Young-jun, caught his eye. Soo-hyun took it and covered his face like a mask before looking outside again. Below Lee Young-jun’s neck, as he slumped bleeding, a cross-shaped necklace dangled and swayed. It matched the one he had seen in the photograph.

“Mo… Mo…”

“Mo?”

Soo-hyun clenched his molars. I have only one job. To take the necklace and leave. Focus on that. Having made his decision, Soo-hyun rushed out. Lee Young-jun’s eyes widened as he spotted Soo-hyun first, and the rabbit turned around a moment later.

Ah, so that’s what the rabbit’s face looks like.

With all his might, Soo-hyun threw himself at the rabbit.