“I was surprised. I just didn’t want to show it. I didn’t think you’d have any dealings with them.”

Ju-eon answered while untangling his blood-matted hair with his fingers.

“You must be really disappointed.”

“…No.”

“……”

“Do you think I didn’t even expect enough to be disappointed?”

At Yun-jae’s silence, Ju-eon asked with a sinking heart. It seemed to hit the mark, as Yun-jae’s shoulders stiffened.

“Did you suddenly develop mind-reading abilities?”

“No! It’s just that when I heard you were detained because of me….”

“……”

“……”

“The people who locked you up sure have loose lips.”

“So it’s true.”

“Don’t let it weigh on you.”

Yun-jae’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. He wasn’t trying to guilt Ju-eon into anything. Ju-eon hadn’t even asked him for help. He knew full well it was just his own selfishness. Yun-jae ignored the dull ache in his chest. Ju-eon looked at Yun-jae’s profile. For the first time, he could see what Yun-jae was thinking. If he had realized this a little earlier, would things have escalated this far?

‘Not that it matters anymore….’

The thought that there had been a point where things could have been set right only made it more painful.

“So how did you escape?”

“They underestimated me because I was just a researcher. I gave them a taste of their own medicine.”

“You didn’t get hurt?”

“I just snuck out. What about you? How did you get out? It couldn’t have been easy.”

“There was someone inside who helped me.”

“What about them?”

“I got out first.”

Ju-eon didn’t feel the need to go into detail about how the final victor of the backstabbing relay had ended up letting him go. He kept his explanation short and to the point.

“They underestimated me because I’m a guide, so I gave them a taste of their own medicine too.”

He playfully flexed his arm to show off his meager muscles, and Yun-jae let out a dry laugh without resistance.

But soon the laughter died, and silence settled between them. Looking out the window, they seemed to have left the outskirts, as the traffic now grew heavy. As Ju-eon bit his lower lip in frustration at the congestion, Yun-jae suddenly brought up a moment they had both been avoiding.

“I’m not saying this to ask for forgiveness.”

“……”

“Don’t forgive me, Ju-eon.”

The truth was, he wanted to be forgiven. If he had met Ju-eon just a little earlier, he might have begged for forgiveness, pleading that he needed him the most. Even now, he wanted to do that. If he explained everything, Ju-eon, with his kind heart, might reluctantly forgive him.

‘No.’

Yun-jae’s hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly that the veins on the back of his hands bulged. Letting Ju-eon go had only left him with regret. He had coveted someone he couldn’t have. He had known the midsummer night’s dream would end, yet he had hurt Ju-eon to satisfy his own selfishness.

“Yun-jae. I….”

“I didn’t say it to hear your answer.”

Ju-eon opened his mouth, unsure of what to say, but soon bit his lower lip and trailed off. He was no longer someone who could give Yun-jae advice or guidance. But even though they weren’t that close anymore, he didn’t want to let go completely.

“Can’t you leave Congressman Yeo?”

“I hid you out of my own selfishness, and when it was found out, you got hurt. You don’t need to feel indebted for that.”

“I won’t say I don’t feel any guilt at all. But I feel like I’ll regret it if I don’t say this.”

“……”

“Maybe you went to him willingly at first, but not anymore. Just like you know me well, I know you too. You don’t want to be there.”

“……”

“Leave.”

Yun-jae had abilities, and those abilities could still shine even outside Yeo Ji-woong’s grasp. Whatever the initial circumstances, now it would be better for him to leave. Yeo Ji-woong resembled a rotting tree. Ju-eon, who had stood far away and observed, and Yun-jae, who had been overwhelmed by its size up close, naturally saw things differently.

It wasn’t just that. Ju-eon hadn’t expected to say this, but he felt he had to. Even if he trusted Ju-eon, he still craved even a shred of sympathy.

“My nephew. He’s Myung-hwon’s younger brother.”

Pause. Ju-eon, who had been about to press Yun-jae further, froze. During their time together, Yun-jae had rarely mentioned his family.

That one short sentence explained many things. Why Yun-jae still hadn’t thought of leaving, why he had endured unjust treatment. A heavy, complicated feeling pressed down on Ju-eon’s chest.

“…I had no idea.”

“I never told you.”

“Why didn’t you? If you’d told me earlier, I would’ve done something…!”

“Well. Maybe I was just getting too comfortable. Maybe I’d gotten used to the environment Yeo Ji-woong provided.”

“……”

At the same time, Ju-eon felt a surge of contempt for Yeo Ji-woong’s vile manipulation. Perhaps his expression betrayed his emotions, as Yun-jae spoke again.

“I didn’t tell you to make you worry. I just… wanted to tell someone that I’m not staying there because I want to. Sorry.”

“Yun-jae.”

The words “I forgive you” didn’t come out. To say he could forgive him now would be a lie, and that would only deceive Yun-jae.

But it was also an undeniable fact that his safety had been secured through Yun-jae’s sacrifice. Yun-jae’s method was wrong, but his feelings weren’t.

“Thank you for coming to save me, Yun-jae.”

Before they knew it, the car had stopped. Without saying it, they had arrived at the place Ju-eon had been longing for.

Where Yeo Myung-hwon was.

Because of the important meeting, part of the parking area inside the building was restricted, so they couldn’t drive any further in.

Yun-jae’s eyes widened as he looked at Ju-eon. His face filled with astonishment, seemingly hearing sound for the first time in his life.

Yun-jae carefully chose his words. The unexpected gratitude from Ju-eon left him defenseless, his chest crumbling. Ju-eon’s words stripped him of any pride he might have tried to maintain, and Yun-jae’s lips trembled.

“Ju-eon. We….”

Pathetically, he wanted to at least be friends. He felt like he was dying without him. He had thought he was the one taking care of Ju-eon, but he was wrong. He didn’t know why living alone now felt so unbearable.

Countless words brushed against the tip of his tongue inside his closed mouth.

“Wait.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t you hear something?”

“…What is that sound?”

But contrary to Yun-jae’s wishes, the conversation didn’t last long.

“Ahhh!”

“Please, someone call the police…! There are too many injured… Ugh….”

The sound was loud enough to be heard inside the car, coming from somewhere beyond. Both of their attentions immediately turned outside.

People poured out like a herd of cattle. Ju-eon recognized the common expression on their faces. He had seen it before, when a dungeon break had occurred.

Is there a dungeon here?

Ju-eon didn’t have time to think for long. Before he could finish his thoughts, an explosion erupted in the highest floor of the building visible from the car.

Boom!

As the glass shattered, flames surged violently into the sky. Black smoke billowed out from the fire, darkening the sky. Soon, building debris began to fall to the ground.

Thud. Thud.

Each time the charred debris hit the ground, the screams of fleeing people echoed.

Ju-eon’s face turned pale.

“I’m going.”

“Wait….”

Clack.

Yun-jae tried to stop him, but Ju-eon had already jumped out of the car and disappeared into the chaos of people. The cold air from outside rushed into the car as the door shut. Yun-jae stared blankly at his hand, which still carried the sensation of holding onto the edge of Ju-eon’s coat, until the cold air turned warm again.

**

At that moment, Yeo Ji-woong watched the situation unfold from the topmost floor of the building without evacuating.

Partly because he thought it was a sight worth seeing, and partly because he felt annoyed by the actions of those who had been bothering him recently. Today, he could witness what happened to those who defied his will, so it seemed only right for him to be there.

“If they’d just done what they were told, like the dogs they are.”

When the hunt ends, the dog gets eaten. Today was the day of the hunt, and also the day the dog with his bloodline would be devoured.

“Tsk.”

Yeo Ji-woong clicked his tongue and clasped his hands behind his back. Not long after, his aide, who had been standing firmly behind him, received unexpected news and frowned. Though Yeo Ji-woong had seemed to be in a good mood for the first time in a while, the aide couldn’t avoid delivering the report.

“Congressman. Kang Yun-jae, who was at your residence, has just left without permission.”

Yeo Ji-woong, who had been gazing down through the wide glass window, turned his eyes toward the aide. The aide lowered his gaze under the snake-like, oppressive stare.

“What? Didn’t I tell you to keep an eye on him?”

“Th-they said he slipped away while they were off guard.”

“Ha… Do you think I pay you to slack off?”

Smack.

The aide’s cheek was struck sharply, his head snapping to the side. The ring on Yeo Ji-woong’s finger left a long scratch on the aide’s cheek.