(Truth pt.1)

Kim In-woo felt strangely lethargic today.

Of all days, it had to be when Lee Sun-ho was away on a distant business trip. Though he still had nightmares occasionally, it had been a long time since those memories from that place had infiltrated his daily life… Today particularly, last night’s nightmare left a long lingering tail that took quite a while to shake off.

Perhaps because he had such unlucky thoughts, what followed was a series of misfortunes.

On his way out after getting ready, his shoelace came undone and he almost tripped stepping on it, the americano from his regular cafe was unusually bitter today, and on his rare visit to the broadcasting station he encountered two accident scenes and kept hitting red lights, ultimately making him late.

Not only was he late, but In-woo couldn’t speak properly during the talk show he attended to promote his upcoming movie. Though he didn’t appear often on variety shows, he wasn’t bad at talking and always got decent reactions, but this time it was a complete mess.

Normally he would have gone to the company as he had something to discuss. But his condition must have shown, as his manager suggested he go home and rest if he wasn’t feeling well. In-woo didn’t refuse the manager’s consideration.

Since nothing specifically hurt, In-woo drove to the Han River hoping to get some fresh air. It was the spot where he usually came on dates with Sun-ho. This area was strangely empty of people, and today was no exception.

With his face hidden behind a hat and sunglasses, In-woo bought a can of cola from the store and sat down on a bench. This was the spot where he sat with Sun-ho. His mood improved slightly as a pleasantly cool breeze wrapped around his body.

In-woo concluded that he must be feeling down because Sun-ho wasn’t by his side.

After starting his own business, Sun-ho frequently went on overseas business trips. Despite the initial worries, Sun-ho’s company, now in its second year, was frighteningly expanding its momentum. It was a time when he needed to focus intensely on work, and naturally In-woo had to understand if work kept him busy. Especially since Sun-ho had thrown everything into helping In-woo when he was just starting out.

He said it would take about ten days, so it was still far from his return, yet here he was already feeling lonely… If Sun-ho, who prioritized In-woo above even the company, found out, he would get on the next flight back immediately.

Got to pull myself together. Better stop this pathetic behavior and go home.

As he was drinking the remaining beverage from the can while trying to shake off his troubled thoughts, a shadow fell over In-woo. He slowly looked up.

There stood an extremely beautiful person. But more than just their facial features, it was their unique aura that captured In-woo’s attention.

Their platinum blonde hair glinting in the sunlight and unusually transparent silver eyes gave off a very mysterious atmosphere. They had a slim build but were unusually tall. Almost as tall as Lee Sun-ho or maybe even taller.

While their overall features and skin tone suggested they were Caucasian, there was something oddly different. Their skin had a pearlescent sheen that felt both unfamiliar yet familiar…

“You still reek of pheromones from that human who isn’t even an omega. How many days has it been and it still stinks.”

In-woo, who had been staring at the person before him as if entranced, suddenly came to his senses and frowned. Though he didn’t understand what they meant, it didn’t sound like anything good. If this was some malicious fan who recognized him, it would be better not to engage.

As In-woo tried to get up and leave, the person grabbed him firmly. Did he run into some crazy person? He tried to shake off their hand but they were terrifyingly strong.

“Don’t you recognize me?”

“Stop talking nonsense and let go.”

“How stupid must you be to forget already when it’s only been 6 years.”

In-woo froze at their words that came out like a sigh. Six years ago was definitely around the time Kim In-woo experienced things he didn’t want to think about. Around this time six years ago, Kim In-woo was in Radel’s cage…

As In-woo glared at the person, he suddenly had a lightning realization and trembled. The fear he had forgotten over the past 5 years had merely shrunk and lay dormant. In this moment, that terror awakened from the tiniest trigger and swallowed In-woo whole.

Earth. He thought he had already forgotten that distant land. Kim In-woo gasped for breath, caught in the feeling of reverting back to a weak pet human.

He tried to shake off their hand like having a seizure but couldn’t overcome their powerful strength. The person watched In-woo’s struggles with a calm face before breaking into a grin.

“Now do you remember me?”

He remembered indeed.

The person who first bought him when he was sold there. The one who rolled and kneaded him with their hands as if they would crush him to death, then passed him off to Radel like it was a game – it was this person before him.

“Ezel…”

At the correct answer In-woo gave, the person before him, Ezel, smiled brightly.

Kim In-woo stepped backward but couldn’t escape due to the grip on his wrist. Turning pale, In-woo looked around for help but there was not a single person in sight.

5 years ago, In-woo had received plenty of warnings about Ezel from Raseti. That Ezel, the last remaining royalty of Arkea, was extremely hostile and dangerous to other species.

When Ezel was still young, Arkea’s mother planet was invaded by the Skeld tribe. The currently nearly extinct Skeld tribe were extremely cruel murderers. Through one-sided massacres all royal family members except Ezel were killed, but Ezel alone survived. The reason for their survival was none other than that the Skeld’s commander-in-chief took a liking to Ezel and made them his plaything.

Afterwards, Ezel endured hundreds of years of abuse until the anti-Skeld alliance rescued them. When first rescued, Ezel was heavily drugged with barely any proper consciousness, and their body modifications were so advanced they had lost almost all characteristics unique to Arkea.

After barely recovering, Ezel began to extremely reject species other than Arkea. Not just pushing other species out of Arkean territory, but to the level of believing they should be exterminated.

Of course, they couldn’t kill all hundreds and thousands of species existing in the universe. If they did such a thing, an anti-Arkea alliance would form instead of the anti-Skeld alliance. Ezel compromised with reality and didn’t openly try to kill other species, but they viewed other species as insects that could be stepped on and killed at any time.

‘You’re just letting such a crazy person be?’

‘There are circumstances why we can’t kill them.’

Raseti, answering In-woo’s fierce question, also showed strong signs of disapproval towards Ezel. They didn’t give any further explanation, but In-woo didn’t ask more as it wasn’t something he particularly wanted to know about.

But maybe he should have listened more then. Though it probably wouldn’t be much help in the current situation anyway.

Cold sweat broke out on the hand held by Ezel. Ezel looked down at the hand with a frown, then soon put on a smile as if awkwardly acting.

“You don’t have to be so scared.”

“…”

“As if I would kill my friend’s lover?”

“…What?”