DTD 2

A week had passed. Thankfully, there were no suspicious followers nor any accidental encounters with any of the apostles. It felt like returning to my life before discovering Simeon was Sang. I couldn’t ask for more if the days continued peacefully with occasional requests.

[Do you also do deliveries?]

A request came through the usual open chat.

[Yes. As long as the contents aren’t dangerous.]

[It’s just a regular bouquet.]

[Then, using a regular flower delivery service would probably be cheaper.]

[I don’t want to reveal my identity. Can’t you take the request?]

At the time, I had no idea. But this was the beginning of a fateful encounter.

[No, I can. Please tell me the delivery location.]

Honestly, I was suspicious. There was no reason to use my service, which was several times more expensive than an ordinary one, just for a bouquet delivery. So, I kept my guard up, heading to the station locker where the client said they’d placed the item. I was ready to flee at the slightest hint of anything suspicious.

Maybe my suspicion was unfounded. The subway was as usual, and even the bouquet in the locker seemed perfectly ordinary. Despite being far from summer, the square metal container was filled with blooming blue hydrangeas.

Carefully extracting it, I noticed a note attached to the bouquet.

[To my beloved]

The meticulous handwriting and the sweet perfume scent on the note gave me an ominous feeling.

“Could this be… an affair?”

I finally understood why they chose me over a regular service. Clients who wanted to send gifts anonymously and expensively usually enjoyed affairs. I had learned that over my long tenure in the errand business.

[Item confirmed. It’ll be delivered within 30 minutes.]

I sent a message to the client and then input the address into the GPS in my car. The delivery location was a commercial building in Songdo. I hoped I wouldn’t get caught up in a lovers’ quarrel…. Musing over trivial worries, I stepped on the accelerator.

About 30 minutes later, tall buildings appeared in the distance as I approached.

“Is that it….?”

Ding—.

A cheerful notification announced that I’d reached my destination. Still suspicious, I parked across from the commercial building and slightly rolled down the window. Behind the office workers emerging for lunch, I saw the ten-story building.

The delivery was to be made to the first floor of that building.

“Huh…?”

But the entire first floor was a flower shop. Thinking I might have made a mistake, I rechecked the message. The location was correct. So, was I delivering flowers to a flower shop…? Well, there’s no rule saying a pâtissier can’t receive a cake as a gift, but it was strange.

I pocketed my phone and carefully lifted the hydrangea bouquet from the passenger seat, cradling it like a baby. I absentmindedly watched the flower shop while waiting for the pedestrian signal to change. Quite a few customers were coming and going. It seemed I had suspected the wrong person.

As soon as I entered the shop, I greeted the part-timer tending to the plants.

“Hello, I’m here to deliver flowers.”

“Flowers…?”

The part-timer blinked with wide eyes.

She looked about twenty, with her long tied-back hair fluttering like her light pink chiffon dress. Her neat appearance was straight out of a romance drama, perfect for a flower shop worker.

“Could you tell me who sent it?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t reveal that.”

It seemed the recipient was the owner, not the part-timer. So, I couldn’t say.

“It’s for the owner….”

The part-timer mumbled to herself, frowning in distress.

“I’m sorry, but could you wait inside for a moment? The owner must personally receive gifts sent to the shop. Otherwise, we get in trouble….”

Usually, I left immediately after a delivery. Staying longer only brought more hassle. I intended to do the same this time but couldn’t further inconvenience the distressed part-timer.

“Sure.”

“Thank you!”

She set aside the rag she was using to wipe plants and led me inside. Whether it was a break room or a space for receiving reservations, it was quite cozy.

As I stood awkwardly by the door, she gestured for me to sit on the sofa.

“Please make yourself comfortable.”

Unable to refuse her gentle smile, I quietly sat down. As she placed the bouquet on the table, its sweet fragrance filled the air. The scent was oddly artificial, likely her perfume.

Where had I smelled this before? As I pondered, she brought me a warm cup of tea.

“Please drink this while you wait. I’ll contact the owner right away.”

“Thank you.”

Somehow, I ended up being served tea.

After the part-timer quietly closed the door and left, I was alone in the break room, holding the mug. As I blew on the hot tea and took a sip, it tasted neither like green nor black tea. It was a peculiar flavor, perhaps from trendy tea leaves. Grimacing at the bitter aftertaste, I picked up my phone. I needed to update the client on the current situation.

[I delivered the flowers, but the recipient wants to know who sent them. Is that okay?]

A notification sounded in the room as I was about to drink my tea. Placing the cup down, I followed the sound to find someone else’s phone beside the water dispenser. The part-timer must’ve left it while preparing the tea.

Wait a minute. Didn’t she say she would contact the owner? How was she planning to do that without her phone? Something felt off. Just in case, I tapped the screen, revealing the most recent message.

[I delivered the flowers, but the recipient wants to know who sent them. Is that okay?]

It was the message I’d just sent to the client.

What’s going on? Why was the message I sent to the client on the part-timer’s phone…? Could the client be her? Even if I generously assumed she sent flowers to herself, why did she pretend not to know? My suspicions grew like a snowball.

“Ugh…!”

Suddenly, a severe dizziness struck, making my vision spin. I lost my balance, stumbling over the sofa. Grasping the table to stand, I found my body unresponsive. My stomach churned, and everything around me seemed to waver.

The part-timer’s tea flashed in my mind. It was a trap.

No wonder it tasted bitter; she must’ve spiked it. Whatever the reason, I needed to get out of there. Struggling to move my arm, I crawled towards the door, but the handle turned with a click.

Creak—.

“Oh my.”

Seeing me collapse on the floor, the part-timer covered her mouth in feigned surprise. But I soon realized her expression was an act. The corners of her mouth curved into a sinister smile.

“Just lie there for a while. The owner will be here soon.”

“Why… are you doing this…?”

“Do you really not know?”

As I weakly grasped her ankle, I felt an unfamiliar texture. It didn’t feel like a living person’s skin. It was cold and hard, like touching a metal pole.

Suddenly, a memory from a few days ago surfaced. A hunter in a black frill dress with a silver prosthetic leg who’d struck down a salamander. Although she wore a mask, I remembered the rest of her appearance vividly. I felt a chill run down my spine.

She looked exactly like the girl in front of me.

“An… apostle?”

I murmured in a trembling voice, and she smiled lightly.

“You should stay put. The boss has been eagerly waiting to meet you.”

Boss…. She’d only use such honorifics for one person.

“Oh, you’re here? I followed your instructions.”

I sensed someone outside the door as she shook off my grip and stepped back. The sound of elegant, leisurely footsteps approached—the same as in the dark alley. As a long shadow fell on the floor, my body started to tremble involuntarily. I didn’t know why. Was it fear of what was to come or joy at this long-awaited reunion?

In the next moment, he knelt before me. After a long, silent pause, he suddenly grabbed my chin, forcibly lifting my face from the floor. His grip was rough.

Unable to control my drugged body, I heard him click his tongue softly and speak softly.

“Why are you trembling so much?”

The deep voice snapped me to attention.

“You…”

“Why are you so nervous? Are you scared? You’re worried I’ll do something bad?”

As my eyes finally focused, a winter landscape unfolded. Pale skin like the dawn sky, calm black hair, and cold, shining black eyes. His bone structure was still sharp and beautiful from his forehead to his chin. Just meeting his gaze made me feel like I was encased in frost.

Only one person could evoke such a sensation in me.

“You have no idea how hard I worked to find you, Mr. Hajae.”

My body felt heavy, like waterlogged cotton, and I didn’t want to move a single finger, much like in my unpleasant memories back in that old inn room. 

Back then, my throat stung from the shards of glass embedded in it, but right now, my entire neck was stinging for an unknown reason.

As I slowly opened my eyes, a stark white ceiling greeted me. This wasn’t the flower shop where I collapsed after taking medicine; it was somewhere completely unfamiliar. An ominous feeling began to creep over me. As I hastily sat up, a soft touch met my skin.

“What the…?”

I was not only lying in a bed but wearing different clothes from earlier. I was now in an oversized white T-shirt and shorts, and my pockets, of course, were empty. With my phone missing, I was at a loss for what to do next.

Then, from a distance, I heard a soft laugh. When I looked up with a start, I faced an unexpected figure.

“Good evening.”

His silhouette was so dark I thought he may’ve even taken my shadow. Jet-black hair, black eyes, and a black suit. Only his skin contrasted as white as frost in the middle of winter. His thin double eyelids gave his eyes a cold look, but when he smiled, they curved gently, adding a touch of warmth.

He was still as beautiful as ever. Even more than my trivial memories.

Seven years ago, he was just a pretty child; now, he exuded a mature, somehow dangerous charm. It was as if, should he offer me a bite of the forbidden fruit, I would gladly accept. My gaze lingered on his prominently colored lips, and then I returned to reality. He gave me a subtle smile as if amused by my confusion and stress.

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“No…”

This wasn’t the kind of reunion I wanted. No, we weren’t supposed to meet again. But what’s done is done. I needed to react as casually as possible to avoid any misunderstandings or revelations. Yes, as if he were a stranger.

The man before me was just someone who resembled Sang. Calming my turbulent emotions, I opened my mouth.

“Where… am I?”

“You’re where you wanted to be.”

It seemed to be the heart of The Apostles’ base, but from inside the pristine room, it was difficult to tell. I opened my mouth hesitantly. 

“But… you speak as if you know me.”

“We’ve met before.”

“Really? I’m pretty sure I’m meeting you for the first time.”

I swallowed dryly, and he lowered his head with a small laugh.

“Haha, you’re good at joking around.”

What’s this? He wasn’t originally the type to laugh so easily. I used to have to ask if he liked something or gauge his reactions constantly. Yet, the man before me couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. But somehow, his constant smiling was scarier than his expressionless demeanor.

Is he smiling because he recognized me as Johan…? No way. If that were the case, he would at least be angry. I couldn’t discern the dark intentions hidden behind his gentle smile.

Feeling anxious, I glanced around, and perhaps sensing my tension, he spoke to ease it.

“Are you hungry?”

“Pardon?”

“Eat this.”

He picked up a plate from the table next to the bed and handed it to me. It held a sandwich cut into four pieces. Though I appreciated the gesture, I was too tense to eat anything at the moment.

“…My stomach doesn’t feel great.”

I tried to refuse politely, but he persisted.

“You should eat.”

His gentle voice and smiling face contrasted oddly with his forceful attitude. The reality of my situation started to sink in. I was someone captured here, and the person holding my life in their hands was the man in front of me. I wasn’t in a position to refuse his kindness simply because my stomach felt uneasy.

I hesitated as I took the plate and prepared to eat the sandwich. What if there’s something in this, too? As I stared at the sandwich filling, he seemed to read my anxiety and smiled gently.

“Don’t worry. There’s nothing in it.”

Even if something was in it, I would have to eat it. Still, I appreciated his words of reassurance.

Forcing the sandwich into my mouth, I felt something brush against my uvula with each swallow. When I cautiously touched my neck, a sharp thorn pricked my fingertips. So that’s why my neck had been stinging.

“What… is this?”

“It’s a collar.”

He smiled brightly.

“In case you do something unpredictable.”

Is this really the Sang I know? For the sake of distrust, he had wrapped a thorny vine-like collar around my neck. It fit so snugly that only a finger could slip between the vine and my neck.

Now aware of it, the collar felt even more uncomfortable, and I unwittingly complained.

“You’d give a beast a softer collar than this.”

“So?”

“So…? What do you mean, so?”

His nonchalant questioning, as if it were no big deal to put a collar around someone’s neck, left me flustered. Ignoring my reaction, he approached me with long strides and stopped right before me. The shadow cast over my head seemed especially large and high.

“Do you want me to be more gentle with you?”

“No, it’s just…”

When did he grow so tall? He used to be a head shorter than me, and I had to look down at him.

As I stared up at him, I felt an inexplicable sense of pressure and turned my head away. Then he lifted my chin with his index finger, forcing me to meet his gaze. His half-lidded eyes held a peculiar sense of displeasure.

“Don’t avoid my gaze.”

The low voice sent chills down my spine.

The Sang I remember… The boy who struggled to meet anyone’s gaze, even his closest friend, would often run away when our eyes met. But he was different. He found me avoiding his gaze ‘displeasing.’

This isn’t Sang Heo. This is ‘Simeon’ with Sang’s face. That’s all I can see.

“It’s like I’m tormenting you.”

Sang, no, Simeon, quickly relaxed his expression and smiled. His fingers, pressing my chin, moved naturally, tracing down my neck. His touch stopped on the bulge of my Adam’s apple.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

Simeon persistently caressed the skin, which was irritated by the thorns.

“……..”

“In any case, it’s necessary for us to have a conversation.”

His gentle touch felt almost ticklish. As I swallowed nervously, his cold fingers gradually covered my entire neck. His long fingers, which had elegantly moved chess pieces, now tightened a little around my throat.

The lack of oxygen made my mind go blank, and the sensation, both terrifying and strangely titillating, caused my eyes to tremble. I accepted Simeon’s touch without resistance, and his smile deepened.

“You have such a slender neck.”

It was the face he showed when he received a new toy as a child.

As soon as Simeon released his grip, I felt dizzy. Coughing dryly, my neck, still held by his hand, burned. Simeon watched my gasping self with delight. Glaring at him, questioning his actions, Simeon continued without flinching.

“If you reveal any information about The Apostles, the collar will tighten, cutting off your head.”

“What… are you talking about…?”

“If you’re curious, you can try it.”

It was chilling how easily he spoke such violent words.

“After all, you won’t die, right?”

Simeon already knew my secret.

“Uh…”

I should have pretended not to know, but his direct question caught me off guard.

No one knew about my curse of immortality except my parents. And with both of them now deceased, that secret was mine alone. Yet, he had discovered my deepest secret after only a few encounters.

“How… did you know?”

“I tried several times while you were asleep, but I wasn’t successful.”

What had he tried, and what wasn’t he successful at? Despite my puzzled expression, he continued calmly.

“Until now, I haven’t met anyone I couldn’t beat. You’re the first, Mr. Hajae.”

Simeon looked at me with interest. His black eyes seemed to lick me like a tongue. Even with clothes on, I felt as if I were completely exposed. Noticing my tension, Simeon chuckled softly.

“I’ll save my questions regarding your immortality for later. Let’s get to the point now.”

I had no time to ponder his words. Suddenly, Simeon hooked his finger into the thorn collar and pulled, causing a sharp pain at the back of my neck. As I grimaced, his lips curled slightly.

“What…”

“It’s better to be honest.”

Simeon leaned down to meet my eyes. His pitch-black eyes, devoid of light, looked eerie.

“How much do you know?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t play dumb. I know you’re not the only one who’s been tailing us lately.”

Was he trying to coax information out of me? Simeon’s voice was as smooth as a leaf rustling in the wind, yet his face remained cold and stern.

“Which organization are you from? What did they promise in return for information?”

“What are you talking about…? Ugh!”

Feigning ignorance, I found the collar tightened further. The sharp thorns pierced my delicate skin, and soon, hot blood would start to trickle down my neck. 

His face was suddenly so close, reflecting my face like it did seven years ago, on the day we first spoke. But this time, it lacked the excitement and curiosity it once held.

“Don’t make me angry. Despite everything, I find you quite likable.” 

I saw my pale, frightened face in his steely black eyes.

Is this tightening sensation around my heart fear or despair? My body trembling confirms its fear. But this isn’t fear from physical pain or the pressure of the situation. It’s because the man with Sang’s face is saying and doing things Sang would never do. The shattering of expectations and familiarity hits harder than expected.

Did I misunderstand Sang all this time?

“Still nothing to say?”

The tension constricts my breath, but I can’t escape his grasp. I’m not even allowed to avert my gaze.

As I stubbornly kept my mouth shut, Simeon removed his finger from the collar. Only then did the thorns digging into my neck withdraw, allowing me to breathe again. As I struggled to catch my breath, Simeon pulled something out of his jacket pocket and handed it to me.

“Are you still playing dumb?”

A notebook. The one where I scribbled everything about Simeon, comparing his traits and habits with those of Sang. No wonder he suspects me of spying on The Apostles.

But I didn’t make any excuses. Carelessly speaking would only dig my own grave. Simeon opened the notebook and pointed to a part I had blotted out with black ink after writing Sang’s name. 

“What did you write here?”

Damn it. No matter how much I think, I couldn’t find a good reason. In this case, lying was my best option. I looked Simeon straight in the eye with a steely face.

“Nothing. I was just frustrated because I didn’t know who you were.”

“I’m supposed to believe that?”

“Yes. Anyway, no matter what I say, you won’t believe me until you hear the answer you want.”

Simeon listened to me and then burst out laughing. Whether he was amused or found it ridiculous, I didn’t know. His enigmatic smile seemed to enjoy this tug-of-war. Then, Simeon took a photo from the notebook and showed it to me.

“Then what about this?”

Here it comes. Now that he’d seen the secret photo, there was no escape. I should’ve deleted it right after sending it to the client. Why did I keep a copy?

I looked up at Simeon with a resigned heart.

“If I tell the truth, will you believe me?”

Simeon raised an eyebrow as if telling me to go ahead. My future depended on this moment. Like a student called to the principal’s office, I clasped my hands and confessed.

“Somebody hired me to take your photo. I gathered information and took notes since I didn’t know when or where you’d appear.”

“Who hired you?”

“I don’t know. The request was anonymous.”

According to the contract, I shouldn’t reveal the client’s details. But what does that matter now when I might disappear without a trace?

Nervously watching Simeon’s reaction, I saw him frown slightly.

“So, Mr. Hajae, you’re saying you accepted an anonymous request to take my photo and just did your job?”

“Yes.”

Nodding sincerely, Simeon gave a sly smile.

“That’s quite a plausible lie.”

“You still don’t trust me?”

“If you were in my position, Would you trust someone who kept a notebook and photos of you?”

I wouldn’t believe them either. It does sound like a lie. But it’s the truth, so what can I do?

A sigh of frustration escaped me. Seeing that, Simeon showed me the photo again and asked.

“Then why did you keep this printed photo?”

“That’s…”

“Isn’t the job done once you send the file?”

Relentlessly digging, I had no choice but to tell the truth.

“I just… wanted to keep it.”

It’s true, but he won’t believe me.

As expected, Simeon smiled softly, shaking his head.

“You should’ve claimed to be a stalker. I would’ve found that cute.”

“I’m not kidding.”

“Neither am I.”

I was so frustrated that I could jump out of my skin. This could all have been solved if I’d told him I’d noted Sang’s characteristics down to confirm he was Sang and kept the photo because I believed he was. 

But I’d never confess that.

With nothing more to say, I bit my lip. In response, Simeon calmly spoke.

“You know you look very suspicious, right?”

“…Yes, I know, but…”

“You know, but?”

“That’s really the extent of it.”

I looked at him with an expression like I’d been wronged, but Simeon didn’t bat an eye. Trying to evoke sympathy in front of an iron fortress was futile. Where did the kind-hearted Sang go? Why was he replaced by this cold, smiling face?

“You’ll have to stay here until we clear you of all suspicion.”

I had prepared for the worst, even torture, but it seemed that wouldn’t happen immediately.

After putting the photo back in the notebook and slipping it into his pocket, I absentmindedly watched his fingers move. Those long, elegant fingers were the same as before.

However, upon closer inspection, I noticed small wounds on his index finger. He must’ve pricked himself on the thorns when tightening the collar. Unable to ignore it, I unconsciously grabbed his wrist.

“Hey.”

His well-arranged eyebrows slightly furrowed, but he didn’t seem displeased.

“Are you ready to tell me now?”

“No, I’ve already told you everything…”

I brought his hand close to examine the wound. It was deeper than I thought, with blood already starting to trickle out. He’d probably leave it untreated due to his personality, so what I did next was pretty much instinct.

“See… I knew you’d get hurt.”

I insisted as I showed him the wound to see for himself.

“Make sure you treat it. Don’t just leave it because it’s bothersome.”

“……..”

“Hey, are you liste…?”

I expected him to respond sarcastically, but Simeon’s reaction was different. He stared at me with a puzzled, almost confused look.

Without the sinister smile on his face, he finally looked like Sang.

No, Simeon had always been Sang. He just hid behind a smiling face. I’d mistaken him for a different person because he was so different from my memory.

“What’s wrong?”

As I asked, Simeon’s expression changed. The calm smile returned, and Sang was gone.

“Are you worried about me?”

Instead of shaking off my grip, Simeon pulled my hand toward him. I ended up standing in front of him, feeling his imposing presence.

“Well…”

As I backed away, a large hand suddenly reached out. Instinctively closing my eyes, I heard a low chuckle. Then, I felt a cool touch on the back of my neck where the thorns had pricked me.

“Shouldn’t you worry about yourself first?”

“Ugh…”

Even a light touch made the wound feel overly sensitive. His cold fingers sliding over my skin felt like a snake, sending chills down my spine. As I flinched, Simeon withdrew his hand and whispered in a low voice.

“You really are an interesting person.”

With that, he left the room. I sat back down on the bed only after he was gone.

“Haa…”

What is happening? I knew we’d meet again someday, but I never imagined it would be like this. 

But I have no intention of revealing my identity, and once the suspicion clears, I’ll leave and never see him again.

The problem is, I don’t know when that will be. It could take a day or several days, and until then, I might have to face Simeon several more times.

But I’m not as scared of him as when we first met. When I woke up in this room and saw him, I wondered who this cold-blooded man in Sang’s skin was. But in the end, Sang is still Sang.

“You haven’t changed, have you?”

Sang, who grew up alone, never showed his pain. When I noticed his minor wounds or changes in complexion, he would get confused, not knowing how to react. I saw that old Sang in Simeon just now.

Despite how the differences, he was still Sang. The boy who resembled the cold winter.

Feeling relieved and curious, I wondered what had changed him so much. Although his appearance had changed a lot, his personality remained the same.

“What happened to you…?”

Though we’re similar in many ways, Sang and I walk different paths. It seemed that our futures wouldn’t be smooth.

My hope of meeting Simeon soon was completely shattered. He didn’t come to my room the next day or the day after that. The door was locked from the outside, and the dark window seemed made of special glass that prevented me from seeing outside.

No matter how often I asked the person who occasionally came in to bring meals when I could leave, it was useless. At least they were giving me meals regularly, which I was thankful for. I tried to cut the collar around my neck with a plastic fork, but it only hurt my hands, so I gave up.

“I… I’m really being held captive.”

I sprawled out on the bed and stared at the plain ceiling.

I didn’t even have my phone or any books. Being stuck in a completely white room with no one to talk to was driving me insane. I couldn’t just waste time waiting for the charges against me to be cleared.

Unable to stand it any longer, I got up abruptly and went to the window. I was so frustrated that I wanted to break the glass, but I had neither the tools nor the strength to do it, so I just screamed at the top of my lungs.

“Ah, I’m going crazy! At least let me get some fresh air!”

At that moment, I heard the click of the door unlocking. Startled, I turned around and saw Simeon standing by the door, looking at me. He covered his mouth with a hand and chuckled as if he’d seen something amusing.

“It’d be troublesome if you went crazy.”

His cheerful face somehow made my heart feel warm. It felt like I was finally seeing something real. The atmosphere differed from when we first met; the tense undercurrent of mutual wariness had disappeared.

As I just stood there staring, Simeon cleared his throat and approached me.

“If you missed the outside world, you should’ve said so.”

“How could I? I haven’t seen you…”

“Sorry. It wasn’t intentional neglect.”

“I guess you were working…”

After all, he was the leader of a famous guild. Of course, he would be busy. Still, if you lock someone up, shouldn’t you check on them once in a while? I couldn’t say that out loud, so I just shrugged.

Simeon must have sensed something because he lowered his head slightly and studied my expression.

“Have you been very bored?”

His voice and tone were so kind that I almost said ‘yes’ without thinking.

It felt like I was becoming a sulky dog because its owner hadn’t come home. I was just trying to demand my right to daylight, so to speak. I wasn’t in a position to complain since I was being held under suspicion, but I pressed my lips together and frowned, making the corners of his mouth lift slightly.

“I’m kidding.”

Even his murmured voice carried a hint of laughter. Simeon then passed by me and stopped in front of the large window.

“Unfortunately, this window doesn’t open.”

He tapped the glass, and the area he touched gradually turned transparent. The thought of finally being able to see outside made me rush to the window, only to be struck by a sudden shock.

“What the…”

I had assumed I was kidnapped to a flower shop in a busy area and that the Apostles’ base was nearby. But outside, there was only an endless expanse of blue waves. It was the sea. There wasn’t a single island in sight. I couldn’t believe it even though I saw it with my own eyes, and my mouth hung open in shock.

“Where… where is this?”

“It’s an island.”

“That much I can see!”

A remote island in the middle of the ocean. No wonder no one could find the Apostles’ base.

As I looked down, I saw the beautiful scenery of the sea. There was a walking path along the island’s edge, wildflowers peeking out from between the rocks, towering cliffs, and waves crashing white against them. It reminded me of the scenery at Jeongdong Cathedral, where I had been with Sang.

But now wasn’t the time to be lost in admiration.

“The sea…”

I was completely isolated.

A hollow sigh hit the glass wall like a wave and scattered. It was laughable that I had even dreamed of escape for a moment. There was nowhere to hide, even if I managed to get out of this building. As I stared blankly at the undulating sea, Simeon asked nonchalantly.

“How do you feel? Any better?”

No, I feel even more like I’m going to lose it…

Looking at the wide horizon and the strength of the waves, this place must be at least an hour away from the mainland. So… they must have taken me by car from Songdo to a port, then by boat to this island? It couldn’t have been a plane, right?

A sense of unease washed over me.

“What did you do while I was asleep under the influence of sleeping pills?”

“…Who knows.”

I tried asking a sharp question, but Simeon had no intention of telling me anything. Seeing his insincere smile no longer made me angry. Knowing he’d only find it amusing, I was too drained to get worked up.

How did the shy guy who used to blush just by making eye contact turn into such a sly person, making things difficult for me?

“Do you want to go out?”

“Can I?”

“If I go with you.”

I take back what I said about being in trouble. I had been feeling so stifled. I eagerly followed Simeon.

The hallway we entered for the first time looked like a luxury hotel. The deep gray walls and white marble floor combined to create a clean atmosphere. However, it didn’t feel cozy like a hotel. Maybe because the doors were only on the right side at regular intervals. This place, uncomfortably quiet, felt like a shiny, clean prison.

As I quietly observed my surroundings, a middle-aged man with white hair walked towards us from the opposite side of the hallway. He must have been an Apostles’ employee as he stepped aside and bowed lightly as soon as he saw Simeon. His polite treatment of his superior reminded me once again.

Simeon was indeed the head of this massive guild.

For some reason, walking side by side with him didn’t feel right, so I slowed my pace to linger back slightly. Simeon also slowed his pace as he leaned towards me and whispered.

“Why?”

“Ha, no reason…”

I pretended not to notice his curious gaze.

How long had we been walking? We finally found a door leading outside. As soon as I opened it, a vast landscape unfolded before me.

“The sea…!”

The endless blue waves made me exclaim in awe. It felt liberating.

As I took a deep breath, the salty smell of the sea filled my nose.

“Wow, it’s been so long since I’ve been to the sea.”

The sound of the waves seemed to be calling me over. I walked towards the cliff’s edge like someone possessed, and a worried voice came from behind.

“Careful, it’s dangerous.”

“Oh, it’s fine.”

Waving my hand dismissively, I stood at the edge of the steep cliff. Looking down at the dizzying drop, I felt more thrilled than scared. The crashing waves made me want to jump in right away.

A strong hand grabbed my shoulder as I leaned slightly towards the sea. I turned around to see Simeon frowning and shaking his head. Knowing what he was worried about, I deliberately smiled brightly.

“Don’t you think it would feel refreshing? To jump from a place like this.”

His eyes widened in surprise. His face turned pale, showing his confusion. Did I say something wrong? Before I could ask, Simeon gave a wry smile and murmured.

“…I never thought I’d hear someone else say that.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Don’t worry.”

Simeon quickly regained his composure. It felt like he’d said something meaningful… was it just my imagination? Noticing my puzzled expression, Simeon smoothly changed the subject.

“How’s your injury?”

“Oh, it’s almost healed.”

“Already?”

“Yeah, my body’s like that.”

I pulled back my collar and turned my neck slightly to show him. Simeon eagerly bent down to examine the wound. His eyes shone with curiosity, just like Sang’s when he was solving the Rubik’s Cube.

“Really…? That’s amazing.”

His eyes scanned my body like he was admiring a jewel in a display case or a restricted artwork. Had anyone ever looked at me this way?

Unable to endure his blatant gaze any longer, I cleared my throat and turned towards the sea.

“More importantly, there’s no way to escape in a place like this.”

“…Were you planning to escape?”

“I was just saying.”

I laughed awkwardly and watched him carefully. The air had noticeably cooled. The way he silently smiled was terrifying. I realized it was best not to mention the word ‘escape’ around him, even by mistake.

Silence fell. I closed my eyes, listened to the waves, and suddenly became curious.

“Can I ask you something?”

“As long as you don’t expect an answer.”

As I expected. Whether Simeon answered or not, I had nothing to lose, so I asked.

“Why don’t people know that The Apostles’ base is here?”

Even if it’s in the middle of the ocean, it’s strange. Nowadays, satellites are so advanced that you can scan the entire world map with a few clicks, including the sea. Yet, people still don’t know where The Apostles’ base is. Persistent and tenacious journalists must have scoured maps to find it.

“The more I think about it, the stranger it is. It’s not like they hacked the satellites…”

“Has someone hired you to gather information again?”

“No, it’s not like that.”

I clammed up and listened to the waves. It was quiet. Despite throwing the question out, there was no answer. I wondered if he still doubted me and glanced at him. Simeon, with a mysterious look in his eyes, stared at the sea and muttered.

“We’re under his protection.”

The quietly lingering smile on his lips vanished like a fog. It blurred whether his words were true or false. His blessing? Surely, he couldn’t be talking about God…

As I was deep in thought, I sensed someone approaching from behind.

“Guild Leader Simeon.”

A staff member I had never seen before approached and whispered something to Simeon. I could sense that it was time to leave. Of course, the business was only for Simeon, but given that I was under surveillance, there was no way I could wander around alone.

I regretfully took in the view of the sea one last time when Simeon spoke in a gentle tone.

“Mr. Hajae, you don’t have to come in just yet.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. After all, the staff will be watching you.”

Being able to stay outside was a relief, even with surveillance. I quickly nodded before Simeon could change his mind.

“Then I’ll stay here.”

“Sure. Stay as long as you want.”

A cold wind blew past. I reflexively closed my eyes, and when I opened them, Simeon was right in front of me. He gently brushed my hair, which had been tousled by the sea breeze, and whispered softly.

“But, if you plan to run away, please let me know in advance?”

His smile, which had always been cool, suddenly seemed lonely.

“I… don’t like it when people disappear without a word.”

****

It’s been about a week since I’ve been trapped on this remote island. Sitting in front of the full-length window, staring at the sea, has become my daily routine. Watching the waves nibbling at the cliff and the sea surface dyed in sunset colors makes me feel like I’ve returned to the past—to the time when I lived with Sang, to the days when we laughed and chatted without a care in the world.

But was I really without worries back then?

Thinking back, those times were much more painful than now. Whenever I looked at Sang, the thought of ‘I must leave someday’ brought a sense of guilt. Still, I forced myself to smile because I didn’t want to be remembered as sad by him. I just mistook that for happiness.

However, memories are always beautifully wrapped. Pain and sorrow are all glorified as the fever of youth. And so, the reality of my life becomes increasingly unhappy. I become a foolish person who can never escape the past.

“…I should be living in the present, not the past…”

Sigh… A long breath fogged up the glass in front of me. It looked as if frost had formed on it.

Someone came to the room as I sat, hugging my knees, staring at the sea.

Knock, knock—.

When I answered the knock, the door opened. It was Simeon, looking neat in a black shirt.

“Busy?”

“How could I be?”

There’s nothing to do in this room except gaze at the sea.

“What brings you here?”

I got up from my seat and casually changed the subject. Simeon answered straightforwardly.

“I thought we could play chess together.”

“…Pardon?”

Wasn’t I being suspected of espionage? Instead of an interrogation, he casually suggested playing chess, which made me feel uneasy. What if they lose interest in me and dispose of me without anyone knowing?

I looked at him suspiciously and asked again.

“Now?”

“Yes. The guild members hardly know how to play chess.”

“I don’t know how to play either.”

“Liar.”

For some reason, his firm tone, as if he knew everything, made me feel small.

“Uh… Is it that obvious when I lie?”

“No. I just guessed, but thank you for being honest.”

His handsome face, smiling at me, looked annoyingly smug. Soon after, Simeon opened the door, and a guard outside brought in a chessboard. The guard’s movements were skillful as he set up the board on the table, suggesting he’d done this more than a few times.

After the guard left, Simeon walked over to the table and casually asked,

“White?”

As he pulled out the chair on the white side of the board, it felt like he was escorting a lady. Though I didn’t appreciate it, I sat in the chair he pulled out for me and glanced up.

“Are you giving me the first move?”

“Of course, you’re the guest.”

Starting first as white is more advantageous than starting first as black. So, back in the day, I would always let the illusion play white, and I would play black. But now, seven years later, our positions have completely reversed, which felt nostalgic.

I wondered how much his skills had improved over the years. Nervously, I made the first move, and Simeon quietly admired.

“D4, huh? A rather standard opening.”

“I’m not that skilled.”

We exchanged a few moves. The one using unexpected strategies wasn’t me but him. I thought he would aggressively push from the start, but he was steadily moving his pieces, tightening the noose, just like when he first interrogated me.

Thud—. 

His sudden words followed the crisp sound of a chess piece being placed.

“We finally caught the rat who was tailing our people.”

“Ah…”

“They’re unconscious now, but when they wake up, they’ll spill everything.”

Does he think I’m on the same side as the person tailing him? If so, that works in my favour.

“That’s good news.”

“Good news?”

“Now, all that’s left is to clear my name. Like I said before, I was just paid to take those photos and send them to the requesting client.”

With that, I moved my pawn to capture his knight. Having lost his first piece, Simeon seemed rather pleased as he murmured.

“We’ll see about that.”

He’s a person I can’t figure out at all. Didn’t he ease his guard on me so I could move around freely? Shouldn’t he be interrogating me for information instead of playing chess if he still suspects me?

Why is he taking such good care of me and ensuring I eat three meals daily? Is he intrigued by my immortal body? Or is it because I resemble Johan?

I quietly moved my pawn to place his queen in check and asked,

“Do you still suspect me?”

“Still?”

Simeon, who I thought would move his queen to escape, leisurely moved his rook to capture my pawn.

“I’ve never trusted anyone.”

Why do I feel like I’m losing despite being in the lead with my points? The opening I’d started with and the pace I was trying to maintain somehow seemed futile in this game he’d started.

“You went into that alley back then, didn’t you? Even breaking through the barrier.”

“I didn’t force my way in; I just slipped through.”

Despite my defending myself, it didn’t change anything

“That’s why I suspect you.”

“…What?”

“I placed conditions on the barrier so only certain people could enter.”

Conditions? A sudden ominous feeling swept over me. As I stiffened, Simeon spoke after a pause.

“Only those who know my face could enter.”

Damn it. I never expected him to place such a condition on the barrier. As I froze in place, Simeon, mimicking my earlier move, moved his pawn to capture my knight. His long fingers holding the knight felt like a noose around my neck.

“When did you see me?”

“I don’t… I don’t know. Maybe we crossed paths somewhere.”

“You didn’t find out by investigating me?”

“No, I didn’t, really. No matter how much I searched, there was nothing about you.”

I looked him straight in the eye, pretending to be frustrated. As expected, Simeon responded without a hint of surprise. Our intense battle of nerves continued through the chess game. When I captured a pawn, he did the same. When I pressured his queen, he used that move to pressure my king.

In the meantime, the score evened out.

“Well, fine. It’s not like you can talk about it with anyone outside.”

Did I just dodge a bullet? I swallowed dryly, feeling like thorns were wrapping around my neck. The thorns seemed sharper than usual, but it was probably just my imagination.

As I hesitated to make my next move, Simeon suddenly made a strange move. He moved aside the bishop, who’d been protecting his queen, as if he was intentionally clearing a path for me to capture her. Despite having a prime opportunity, I hesitated to move my piece.

Was it a trap or an accident? Knowing he wouldn’t make such a novice mistake, I didn’t want to miss the chance to capture his queen. Eventually, I moved my remaining rook to capture the queen. The rook, now in the middle of the enemy territory, was quickly captured by a pawn, but I gained an advantage overall.

…Or did I? Feeling uneasy, I didn’t make the next move right away. As I continued to contemplate the game, Simeon spoke to me softly.

“Do you accept any kind of job?”

“As long as it’s within legal boundaries.”

I moved my pawn to protect my king and continued speaking.

“But after taking that photo job, I’ve decided not to take any more human-related jobs.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to go through this kind of situation again.”

Apparently, finding my words amusing, Simeon chuckled.

“That’s unfortunate. I was planning to give you a job.”

“…What job?”

“I want you to find someone who took care of me in the past.”

As he said that, Simeon moved his bishop to capture my pawn. The only knight protecting my king was gone. Despite being in a critical situation, I couldn’t afford to be distracted. With Simeon’s words, it wasn’t this chess game, but more importantly, my life was at stake.

“Someone who took care of you…?”

“Yes. They suddenly disappeared, leaving only a letter, and I don’t know where they went.”

“Ah…”

“If you can find them for me, I promise to give you whatever you want.” 

His calm voice conveyed sincerity.

Watching him, it seemed like this wasn’t the first time he’d tried to find Johan. He must have continuously tracked Johan’s traces. It was a stroke of luck that the Apostle’s intelligence hadn’t exposed my whereabouts until now.

“Do you have any news on his whereabouts?”

“They said he died in a bus accident.”

Unconsciously, I gripped my pawn tightly.

I had heard that there were two unidentified bodies from a fire during a past bus crash. Coincidentally, I had disappeared that dawn. There was only one bus to the city, and that bus crashed on its first trip. They might have guessed that one of the unidentified bodies was me.

I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze, so I stared at the chessboard instead, trying to gauge his reaction.

“I hate to say this, but… isn’t it possible that he’s really dead?”

Simeon immediately replied without hesitation.

“He’s not dead.”

“How can you be so sure?”

I felt a sense of defeat when I looked up after swallowing hard.

“Because I haven’t seen his body with my own eyes.”

Simeon was smiling satisfactorily.

From that moment, I lost track of how I was moving the chess pieces. Even if it was a bad move that tightened the noose around my neck, I wasn’t aware of it. I moved piece after piece as if I were being chased. When I came to my senses, all my paths to retreat were blocked.

“Checkmate.”

A resolute voice put an end to the game.

Before I knew it, his two bishops had surrounded my king. Even though my mind had been elsewhere, it was the first time a game had ended this quickly. But more shocking than so swiftly losing was his final statement.

He believed Johan wasn’t dead because he hadn’t seen the body. I never thought he’d think that way. Even after discarding my past, I can never be at ease. If I let my guard down, I will fall victim to his sharp moves, just like the chess game.

“…You’re impressive. With this level of skill, you must’ve beaten almost everyone.”

“Thank you. As you said, there’s no one I haven’t beaten yet.”

Simeon muttered as he glanced over the chessboard as if reviewing the game.

“But I can’t seem to beat you, Mr. Hajae.”

“You just did.”

“Not this.”

His dark eyes landed on the left side of my chest.

“I’m talking about that.”

What? Was he talking about my heart? Now that I think of it, Simeon said something similar when I first woke up.

‘I tried several times while you were asleep but couldn’t beat you.’

He couldn’t beat me? Is he aware I can’t die? Victory and life… Two seemingly distant words were intertwined with some kind of connection. I wasn’t sure of the meaning behind it.

“Does this have anything to do with your abilities?”

I asked, thinking I was being sharp. But Simeon looked at me strangely, neither confirming nor denying it.

What is this silence? Did I ask something I shouldn’t have? I glanced at him, and Simeon smiled coldly.

“No way, you don’t know what my ability is?”

“That….”

“You said you searched for me online? In that case, you should’ve easily discovered it.”

“So….”

“At least it’s more widely known than the fact that I have two moles on my index finger.”

Damn it. He read all the notes I wrote down. It’s embarrassing, but I have nothing to say. I was so focused on comparing his habits and appearance with Sang’s that I didn’t take note of basic information like his abilities.

Feeling embarrassed, I cleared my throat unnecessarily.

“If you want to keep it a secret, you don’t have to tell me.”

“It’s not exactly a secret, but just telling you outright feels a bit disappointing.”

“What the….”

How twisted is his mind? Of course, I’m hiding my curse, too, but that’s a life-or-death secret. On the other hand, Simeon said his ability is well-known enough to be found by searching, yet he doesn’t want to tell me.

Is it just to tease me? I couldn’t understand his behavior, and my face twisted involuntarily. Even though I stared at him openly, Simeon ignored my gaze and stood up.

“You know. Mr. Hajae. They say all relationships start with curiosity.”

He placed his right hand on the table, leaned forward, and extended his left hand toward me. There was a scab on his elegant finger from when he pricked it on the thorn crown. Then, he knocked over the white king in front of me with his index finger.

“So, keep being curious.”

His whisper was chillingly low.

“Just as I am about you.”

****

The next morning, a visitor arrived at my door early. I thought the knocking was a simple signal that breakfast had been delivered, as usual. But when I opened the door, the bodyguard standing there was empty-handed. He looked at my disheveled appearance, having just woken up, and spoke indifferently.

“Follow me.”

“Pardon? Where to….”

“You’ll see.”

His firm attitude made me quickly wash up and follow him.

I was filled with all sorts of worries as I walked down the prison-like corridor. It’s not like we would play chess again, and I hoped they hadn’t decided to interrogate me. Worst case scenario, maybe I’d be tortured… Anxiety made me break out in a cold sweat all over.

We arrived at a room at the end of the corridor. The bodyguard knocked briefly and then opened the door.

“Master Simeon, I’ve brought him.”

The moment I followed him in, a heavy tension enveloped me.

The dark room was illuminated by only one blue light. Under the eerie glow, a man was kneeling facing the wall. His hands were tied behind his back, and a black blindfold completely blocked his vision. Even with half of his face covered, the fear emanating from his tightly shut lips was palpable.

The object of the man’s fear must be him. When I glanced over, I saw Simeon sitting on a chair with two guards, his dark eyes gleaming in the shadows. He smiled quietly at me, a smile so cold that I couldn’t even force a smile in return.

“Come here.”

The bodyguard led me to the kneeling man. The man flinched at the sound of our footsteps and hunched his shoulders. When the bodyguard removed his blindfold, a surprisingly young face was revealed. The disheveled man immediately raised his voice upon seeing me.

“That’s right. It’s him!”

“…What?”

“This guy ordered it.”

His bloodshot eyes rolled wildly. Suddenly, Simeon’s words came to mind.

‘We finally caught the rat who was tailing our people. He’s unconscious now, but he’ll spill everything when he wakes up.’

So this is the guy. That’s why he’s locked up here. But why is he suddenly dragging me into this? Is he trying to pin the crime on me, someone he’s never seen before?

I glared at him, telling him to shut up, but the man ignored me and continued to accuse me as the ringleader.

“I-I was just following orders.”

I couldn’t stand his nonsense any longer and stepped forward.

“Excuse me. What are you talking about?”

When I tried to approach, the bodyguard immediately extended his arm to stop me. At that moment, Simeon, who’d been quietly observing, spoke up.

“Is it true?”

“Of course not! This is the first time I’ve ever seen this man.”

When I turned around, I saw Simeon’s calm expression. He smiled faintly, but I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Since he called me here, it seemed like he was trying to confirm if the man’s words were true. If he believed him over me, I’d be in trouble.

“Surely… you don’t believe him, do you?”

A heavy silence followed. Frustrated, I strode toward him. Another guard tried to block my way, but Simeon raised his hand to hold them back. For the first time, I looked down at him. Yet, the power dynamic was still in his favor.

Simeon, who’d been looking up at me silently for a while, gave a lazy smile.

“I believe you.”

“What?”

“I believe what you’re saying, Mr. Hajae.”

Simeon mumbled and then closed his eyes gently. Suddenly, he started moving his hands in the air, like when he was fighting the salamander under Mapo Bridge. Feeling I shouldn’t interrupt, I stepped back and quietly watched him.

I thought he was playing chess again, but his finger movements were clearly different. He turned his wrist as if inspecting something, then grasped it with his thumb and middle finger, moving only his index finger.

That’s a Rubik’s cube. The way his fingers moved was like notes dancing on a musical score. Soon, his hand stopped abruptly. It seemed he’d already solved the cube. The guard immediately approached the man. Despite his scream-like outcry, the guard put the blindfold back on, making him tremble.

“Wait. What are you doing!”

Ignoring his near-screams, the guard forcibly lifted the man and placed him in front of Simeon. Sensing something ominous, the man started speaking desperately with a pale face.

“It wasn’t me. He threatened me. He told me to dig up information on you…!”

His desperate voice filled the bluish room. But Simeon remained calm with his eyes closed. The more the man trembled in fear, the deeper Simeon’s smile grew.

“I’ll say this only once.”

His whisper was hypnotic, like the Garden of Eden snake urging man to eat the forbidden fruit.

“If I move this finger, you will die.”

“W-What?”

“So, tell the truth. If you confess everything you know, I promise not to kill you.”

Faced with the fear of death, the man froze like a stone. In contrast, Simeon leisurely caressed the invisible cube. I felt a touch of regret as I was suddenly reminded of Sang in the distant past.

Since long ago, Sang would always leave the last side of a Rubik’s Cube unsolved for a while, gently touching its edges as if savoring the lingering feeling. It made me think he genuinely enjoyed puzzles.

But the thing he holds now isn’t an ordinary cube. If what Simeon says is true, the moment the ethereal cube is solved, the man dies. Yet, there wasn’t the slightest hesitation in his movements as he worked on the cube.

No way… It can’t be. Even though I knew he wouldn’t kill a person easily, a sense of unease took hold in a corner of my mind.

“I already told you! It’s that guy!”

The man screamed at the top of his lungs, struggling non-stop.

“I… I…”

The man, who seemed about to breathe his last, suddenly collapsed with a thud.

Maybe it was the blue light, but his face looked particularly pale. I immediately approached him and placed my fingers under his nose. I could feel a steady breath. He was just unconscious. Only then did I feel a sense of relief.

A long shadow fell over my head as I laid the man on his side to keep his airway open. Startled, I looked up to see Simeon’s face, slightly grimacing. He looked down at me for a while, then gave a smile that could’ve been either a sneer or a smirk.

“How kind of you.”

“Pardon…?”

“You’re even worried about the person who tried to frame you.”

His eyes narrowed, a cold gleam in them.

Sure, the man who tried to frame me was indeed detestable. But I couldn’t ignore someone who’d collapsed right in front of me. Even if it made me seem like a hypocrite, I had no words to argue.

“I wasn’t… worried. I knew you wouldn’t kill him.”

“On what grounds?”

“You’re not someone who plays with other peoples’ lives.”

Simeon looked genuinely surprised as I met his gaze directly.

“You speak as if you know me very well.”

“I have an eye for people.”

Simeon gave a bland laugh, seemingly not expecting that answer.

“You’re right. I didn’t intend to kill him.”

His gaze then moved past me to the unconscious man. There was not a hint of pity in his cold eyes. Only contempt, disgust, and a bit of boredom filled his expressionless face.

“Well, if he’d caused more trouble, I might have changed my mind.”

“…Caused trouble?”

“Like if he continued to insist you were his accomplice…”

Would he kill someone for such a trivial reason? I wanted to ask but couldn’t find my voice.

That was no joke. The murderous intent that had filled the room moments ago was real. The bound man probably passed out from the panic it’d caused him.

Swallowing hard, I muttered to myself.

“You’re… serious, aren’t you?”

“Always.”

His smile, spreading across his face, was disturbingly beautiful. I stared blankly at him as he extended a hand to me. Unable to refuse his courteous gesture, I cautiously took his hand and stood up. He gently fixed my disheveled hair, smiling faintly.

“Thank you for thinking well of me, but I’m not as good a person as you think, Mr. Hajae.”

“What do you…?”

“I have to get rid of the things I dislike right away,”

His eyes, filled with hostility, briefly glanced toward the man on the floor,

“And I must have what I want.”

Then, in a soft tone, he looked at me.

“Anyway, you must be tired today, so rest well.”

With that, Simeon turned away, his eyes smiling warmly.

“Please escort Mr. Hajae to his room.”

He remembered to politely request that from the guard who’d brought me.

Just when I thought it was over, the man lying on the floor twitched. His chapped lips moved.

“Ugh….” 

But Simeon didn’t even glance at him.

“Take care of him.”

He left only a cold command.

****

Simeon said he believed me. Does that mean he’ll let me go soon?

Today marks the tenth day of my captivity. The sky, always clear, was unusually overcast. Even the usually calm sea was ferociously crashing against the island today as if the scenery was angry with me. Or maybe it was just depressed.

Just then, I heard a knock. When I opened the door, I saw an unexpected visitor.

“You…!”

There was no way I could forget her with her soft, latte-colored hair and the pretty dimples when she smiled—the florist, or more correctly, the Apostle with the silver prosthetic leg. I vividly remembered the innocent face that had offered me tea with sleeping pills.

“Long time no see. How have you been?”

She greeted me casually and handed me neatly folded clothes. It was the hoodie and pants I wore when I collapsed at the flower shop. I accepted them but couldn’t shake off my suspicion. She laughed lightly and said,

“Congratulations.”

“What?”

“The Guild Leader has decided to let you go.”

Is this finally my escape? Even though the long-awaited day had arrived, it didn’t feel real. As I wore a perplexed expression, she kindly added,

“The man who framed you as the mastermind has confessed everything.”

“Confessed what?”

“He admitted he approached you to gather information about The Apostles as a reporter.”

It turns out he was the man who’d asked me to take photos of Simeon. It was all part of his plan to frame me if he ever got caught. The absurdity of being used as insurance by a stranger made me laugh.

Anyway, this cleared me of all charges.

“Go on and change. We’ll be waiting outside.”

After she closed the door, I quietly changed my clothes. Is this how a prisoner feels before being released? I thought I’d feel relieved, but something felt off. Was I regretting that I wouldn’t see Simeon again?

“…Ugh, please get a grip.”

I took one last look at the sea filling the large window. For some reason, the sky filled with clouds looked even gloomier, and the waves seemed fiercer. It felt like the island was trapping outsiders from leaving.

Finally, when I stepped out, she was waiting and took a step ahead.

“This way.”

Following her, a low voice echoed in my head.

‘But if you’re going to run away, can you tell me in advance? I hate it when people disappear without a word.’

Why did that come to mind now? Simeon was the one who ordered my release. I wasn’t running away but leaving rightfully. Yet my heart felt heavy.

Why? Because his expression seemed lonely then? Or because it reminded me of my past mistakes? Whatever the reason, I felt I’d regret it forever if I didn’t see his face one last time.

Suddenly stopping in the middle of the hallway, she looked at me, puzzled.

“What’s wrong?”

“Can I… see him before I go?”

“Who?”

“Simeon.”

I expected a refusal, but she nodded readily and turned around.

“Follow me.”

The Apostle’s headquarters was like a maze. An outsider could easily get lost. After passing through winding hallways and climbing stairs, I marveled at the lack of CCTV cameras despite the tight security.

As I followed her, a worry surfaced.

“Am I not bothering him?”

“It’s fine. The Guild Master should be in front of <Portrait of Saint-Germain> by now.”

“What’s that?”

“One of the spirit objects we’ve collected.”

Spirit objects are classified from E-grade to S-grade based on their rarity and the risk of their abilities. Anything below A-grade can be freely traded and transferred, but only the state or associations can own S-grade spirit objects.

Wealthy collectors or hunters own most spirit items. Simeon, an S-grade hunter, must own many of these relics. <Firebird’s Breath>, which he’d won at the auction, cost 1.5 billion won. I wondered how much all his relics combined would be worth.

Lost in thought at the mind-boggling numbers, she asked suspiciously,

“Surely, you know what spirit objects are, right…?”

“Y-Yes, I do. I just don’t know what that portrait you mentioned is.”

“<Portrait of Saint-Germain>?”

“Yes, that.”

She calmly began explaining, almost like a curator at a museum.

“A long time ago, there was a count named Saint Germain. He was known as the last alchemist of mankind.”

“An alchemist?”

“Yes. It’s said he turned lead into gold in front of the public.”

Some called the man a fraud, while others praised him as a unique alchemist. Overnight, he became famous, with sightings reported all over the world.

But everyone described Saint Germain differently. Some said he was a gentleman in his forties; others said he was a white-haired old man. As testimonies varied, people grew suspicious.

“Several people probably impersonated him, right?”

“No one knows. It’s a legend.”

She shrugged lightly and continued.

“So <Portrait of Saint-Germain> changes its image with each new owner.”

“The portrait… changes?”

“Yes, it reflects the face the owner imagines.”

A count with no face, both a swindler and a seeker of truth. A fitting spirit item for such origins.

“It’s fascinating.”

“Right? Anyway, the Guild Leader gazes at that painting whenever he has time… like Pygmalion.”

Comparing him to Pygmalion, who fell in love with the statue he created, made me realize just how often Simeon must be looking at that portrait. More than anything, I was curious about whose face <Portrait of Saint-Germain> was showing now, given that it changes to the face imagined by its owner.

Soon, she stopped in front of a door. The black wooden door was intricately engraved with curved patterns, exuding luxury at first glance. She stepped back after knocking on my behalf, signaling me to enter. Bowing slightly in thanks, I quietly opened the door and stepped inside.

Thud—.

Even though I closed the door carefully, the sound echoed loudly; the room inside was that quiet.

In the middle of the completely white room, a black figure stood, his hands clasped behind his back, staring blankly. In front of him, a painting that appeared to be <Portrait of Saint-Germain> covered the wall. The moment I met the eyes of the young man in the painting, smiling brightly at me, it felt as if my heart stopped.

His brown hair was glowing red, dyed by the sunset’s light, and his gently curved eyes had a mischievous glint. His face was so innocent and lifelike as if he might start talking to me at any moment, that I unconsciously covered my mouth and stepped back.

The young man in the painting was me. No, it was my face from when I was ‘Johan’.

“What’s the matter?”

A low voice startled me, making my shoulders twitch. Simeon was still facing away from me, staring at the painting.

I hadn’t expected him to miss me—no, Johan—this much. What kind of expression was he wearing as he looked at the painting now? Was it longing? Resentment? Or perhaps the look of someone who had fallen in love, as the female Apostle from earlier mentioned?

Suppressing my unsettling curiosity, I forced myself to answer as if nothing was wrong.

“Well, I was told I could leave now.”

“That’s right. So why haven’t you left yet?”

“You said so yourself.”

Taking a deep breath to steady my trembling voice, I continued.

“You said you hate it when people disappear without a word.”

Finally, Simeon turned to face me. His indifferent gaze made me feel strangely tense.

“And… I wanted to apologize.”

“Apologize?”

“For taking your picture without permission and selling it. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. I won’t even take similar jobs anymore.”

After this, I was considering quitting the errand business. Even if it meant earning less money, having a more ordinary job would improve my well-being.

In any case, it was my fault for causing trouble, so I silently bowed my head. Soon, the quiet room was filled with the sound of footsteps. The slow, deliberate steps stopped as our shadows overlapped.

“How much did you get for it?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking how much you were paid for that photo.”

Glancing up, I saw that Simeon was standing within arm’s reach.

“Three hundred… thousand.”

“Less than I expected.”

“It’s a lot for a photo.”

“Was the job just for the money?”

“Isn’t everyone working to make money?”

Even if he told me to give back the money I obtained illicitly, I wouldn’t be able to argue. But then Simeon made an unexpected suggestion.

“Then, if I give you more than that, will you stay here?”

For a moment, his enigmatic smile captivated me. The deep smile on his lips made it impossible to tell if he was joking or being serious. It seemed as sincere as ever. That’s why, even as a joke, I couldn’t bring myself to say ‘okay.’

“No. I wouldn’t do that.”

“…You’re firm on that.”

Simeon looked somewhat disappointed. A fleeting image of his younger self pleading with me to stay just one more night flashed through my mind, and for a moment, I nearly softened.

“Well, I should go now.”

Staying any longer would only bring back memories of the past. I hurried to leave the room but suddenly stopped in my tracks. Out of familiarity, I almost forgot something important.

“Oh, right. Can you take this off?”

I pointed to the collar around my neck, and Simeon immediately responded with a soft smile.

“Nope. I can’t do that.”

“Why? Are you worried I’ll talk?”

“Well, there’s that… but….”

For once, Simeon trailed off. Did he have a reason he couldn’t explain, even as the guild leader? He seemed momentarily lost in thought before suddenly reaching out to me. I braced myself, thinking he would touch the collar, but his large hand moved toward my face instead of my neck.

“It’ll come off on its own when the time comes.”

“What do you…?”

As his hand blocked my view, everything before me began to blur. It felt just like when I had taken the sleeping pill, my consciousness slipping away suddenly. As my legs gave out and I started to stumble, he easily supported me with one arm. Forcing my heavy eyelids to stay open, the last thing I saw was his beautifully blossoming smile.

“It was nice meeting you, Mr. Hajae.”

His voice whispered lowly as I lost consciousness.

“Ugh…!”

When I opened my eyes, I was sitting in the driver’s seat of a car. The scene outside was as peaceful as ever. My head hurt as if I had just woken up from a terrible nightmare. Just in case, I cautiously touched my neck, feeling the sharp thorns under my fingers.

“Of course. It wasn’t a dream.”

I looked around to see if anything had changed, and something on the passenger seat caught my eye.

A flower. A flower glowing redder than the sunset in the sky. The moment I saw the layers of petals stacked as if they had swallowed the sun, I knew what it was immediately. It was <Firebird’s Breath>, which I’d missed at the auction.

“Why is this… here?”

As I lifted the flower, I noticed a small note beneath it. The paper had a strong scent of the sea, and the handwriting was so neat that I recognized it immediately.

[To my dearest.]

The same phrase that’d lured me to the flower shop. There couldn’t be a more mischievous prank.

****

I ended up with a new addition to my household that was worth about the deposit for a studio apartment.

“This isn’t something that should be here….”

I wasn’t sure why he gave me such an expensive item, but I brought it into my home since I’d received it. I didn’t even have a vase or a proper jar, so I stuck <Firebird’s Breath> in a glass cup. When placed by the window, the gently swaying petals glowed softly, looking quite beautiful.

They say it’s a flower that brings disaster. At first, I felt uneasy about keeping it at home, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt a sense of kinship. After all, I was already cursed; what difference would a single flower make?

It’s been a week since I left the island. The first thing I did was quit being an errand boy.

[Are you still taking requests?]

[I’ve quit.]

[Why?]

[Personal reasons. If you keep messaging me, I’ll block you.]

Even when I got messages through open chat, I cut them off just as decisively as I did just now.

This time, I was determined to find a proper job. My life might be down to less than a year, but even now, why not try? After all, no law says I have to die right away. Living a normal life and then quietly passing away could be a blessing.

I even took new ID photos and submitted resumes to various part-time jobs. Despite my worries about my lack of relevant experience, I received a call from a café for an interview within a day. I ironed a white shirt that I’d shoved in the corner of my closet at some point and headed straight to the café.

Jingle—.

When I walked in, the fragrant smell of coffee filled the air. The large potted plants placed here and there, along with the wooden furniture, created a cozy atmosphere. As I studied the empty counter, a young woman’s voice called out from inside the kitchen.

“Welcome.”

“Uh, I’m here for an interview…”

“Oh! Please, have a seat wherever you like.”

As I waited at the closest table to the counter, a young woman in an apron soon emerged from the kitchen. She looked quite young, wiping her wet hands on the apron before sitting across from me.

“Mr. Hajae… Shin?”

“Yes. Hello.”

Wanting to make a good first impression, I greeted her with a soft smile, and the café owner’s face brightened.

“You’re much more handsome than in the photo. The customers are going to love you.”

“Haha, thank you.”

Is this what being handsome looks like? After the accident, I only heard that I looked straight-laced and polite. But it was a compliment, so I accepted it gratefully. The café owner seemed quite taken with me, leaning forward to ask more questions.

“Have you ever worked in a café before?”

“No. This would be my first time.”

“Hmm, then what have you done before?”

“Uh… I’ve done a lot of customer support… work for quite a while.”

“Oh, so you’re good with customers then.”

I’ve encountered many customers who would act out just because they thought they could stay anonymous while making a request. I figured dealing with customers at a café wouldn’t be worse than that—probably easier. I nodded confidently, signaling that I was ready to handle anything.

“Everything looks good, but… could you maybe take that off?”

“Sorry? What do you mean…?”

The manager’s gaze dropped below my chin. I only realized she was looking at the collar around my neck. I had gotten so used to wearing it that I’d forgotten it was even there—a thorny vine wrapped around my neck that not even dogs would wear.

I touched the collar gently and gave an awkward smile.

“Oh, this?”

“Yes. It might alarm some of the elderly customers since we’re close to a hospital.”

Come to think of it, people had been glancing at me a lot recently. I guess this was the reason.

I’d love to take it off too, but it wouldn’t budge no matter what I tried. Not even wire cutters or a knife that could slice through a watermelon could make a dent in it. I couldn’t explain that to her, so I just shifted uncomfortably, trying to avoid the topic.

“That might be a bit difficult.”

“Oh… I see. Well, I guess there’s nothing we can do, then.”

The manager sighed and shrugged, clearly disappointed.

“I’ll be in touch.”

I failed the interview. Never in my life did I think I’d be rejected because of a collar. This meant that other places would probably ask about it, too. Maybe getting a normal job wasn’t in the cards for me.

“…Thanks for your time.”

Feeling utterly deflated, I made to drag myself out of the cafe.

“Pfft.” 

When a burst of laughter hit my ears. It somehow felt like I was being mocked. I snapped my head toward the sound, only to see someone sitting alone in a corner wearing a mask. As I was about to glare at them for laughing, the individual took off their mask, and a shiver ran down my spine.

“Why…?”

Was Sang here?

He always dressed in shirts or suits, but he wore a knit sweater today, so I hadn’t recognized him. Even though he looked great in casual clothes, it took me a moment to snap out of my daze. As I blinked in confusion, Simeon grinned. It felt like the blood in my head turned cold.

I tried to turn away and escape, but his languid voice held me back.

“Mr. Hajae?”

Simeon gestured for me to sit across from him. Now that I noticed, he’d already ordered coffee, two drinks, one for him and one for me. It seemed like he knew I’d come and had been waiting. In the end, I slowly walked toward him, like a cow being led to the slaughterhouse, before eventually sitting down in front of him.

My throat was dry with tension. Instinctively, I reached for the cup, but then hesitated, wondering if he’d drugged it again. Maybe my resolve not to fall for the same trick twice showed on my face because Simeon chuckled.

“There’s nothing in it.”

“If it were you, would you believe that?”

I threw back at him the same words he’d said to me before, and the corners of his mouth lifted in a slight smile. He took my cup and took a small sip to show me it wasn’t poisoned. Only then did I feel reassured enough to take a sip through the straw. The cold caffeine felt refreshing.

“How did you know I’d be here?”

“By chance.”

His short response was casual.

“Liar. You followed me.”

“Well…”

He arrived at the café before me, so technically, it wasn’t following. Anyway, the claim that we met by chance was a hundred percent false. As I chewed the end of my straw suspiciously, Simeon kept smiling as if something amused him. Then, suddenly, he changed the subject.

“Why did you decline the job?”

“….That message this morning, was it from you?”

“I’m asking why you turned it down.”

His steady gaze felt intimidating, so I had no choice but to respond.

“I told you in the message. I quit due to personal reasons.”

“Whose decision was that?”

“Obviously mine!”

I raised my voice without thinking at the ridiculous question. For a moment, the café’s patrons turned their attention to us. Students who’d just come in to order coffee and office workers who’d been laughing and chatting paused and looked our way.

Instead of apologizing, I offered an awkward smile and bowed my head slightly, and the café’s lively atmosphere resumed. Although some customers were still glancing over, they seemed more interested in Simeon than me, so I let it be.

“Be honest. How did you know I was here?”

When I pressed him with a direct look, Simeon wordlessly pointed to my neck with his gaze.

The damn collar again. It prevented me from disclosing information about the Apostles, and it seemed he was also using it to track my movements. My head throbbed at that thought, and I downed the remaining coffee in one go. My head seemed to hurt even more.

“Thanks to you, I couldn’t even get a job.”

I grumbled, slamming the coffee cup down like a bottle of alcohol, and Simeon’s eyes softened.

“Then, do you want to come back?”

“No thanks. Stop with the jokes.”

“Even if I’m serious?”

That’s the problem. He’s always serious.

I pretended not to hear his last remark and tugged at the collar with my finger.

“You said it would come off on its own eventually.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“When exactly? I couldn’t even cut it with a knife… Is it really going to come off?”

Could that have been a lie, too? As Simeon just kept smiling silently, I couldn’t help but doubt him. I anxiously chewed on my straw as Simeon calmly sipped his coffee and spoke.

“It’s a spirit item.”

“Huh?”

“It’s called <Crown of Atonement>.’”

I gave him a questioning look, prompting him to explain.

“Long ago… in the now-ruined kingdom of Celia, there was an incident.”

In the past, strange rumors circulated in Celia’s palace. The queen was having an affair. No one believed it, as the lover was just a nameless commoner, but soon enough, the rumor proved to be true. According to the law, the queen should’ve been dethroned and executed immediately, but the king, who still loved her, decided only to impose a punishment.

“A punishment?”

“She had to wear that crown on her head.”

I felt my breath catch. Imagining this sharp, thorny crown being worn on one’s head was unsettling.

“When the king placed the crown on her, he made a condition: If she lived quietly for the next year, she’d be freed. But if she met the man even once, the crown would tighten and cause her a painful death.”

Even though the story wasn’t over, I could already predict the tragic ending.

Spirit objects are more likely to become sacred when they are fueled by people’s strong desires and the sacrifices made for them. The thorny crown must have grown into <Crown of Atonement> by feeding on the queen’s blood.

“…She went to meet him, didn’t she?”

“Yes. Because of that, the queen died, but the king kept her body in the palace.”

All the tragedy stemmed from the queen’s betrayal, but instead of feeling pity for the king, the king only seemed frightening. She tried to escape at the risk of her life, but even in death, she couldn’t get away from him. If I were in the king’s shoes, I would’ve let the person I loved go…

“It was quite the obsession.”

I murmured, touching the collar, and Simeon’s brows furrowed slightly.

“It was a great love. Even after being betrayed, he gave her another chance.”

His gaze shifted subtly, chilling as it passed over me.

The more I thought about it, the more ironic it seemed. A king who bound his queen to his side with a thorny crown and a queen who tried to escape even at the cost of her life. Isn’t my situation with Simeon eerily similar to the origin of <Crown of Atonement>? But I’m neither the queen nor the person Simeon longs for.

“Do you still think I’m like ‘that person’?”

“…….”

“Is that why you’re doing this?”

He stared at me silently without a word.

The suspicion I had been harboring grew into certainty in that bleak silence. I finally understood why Simeon gave me special treatment from the start and wanted to keep me by his side. It wasn’t just because I resembled Johan.

I was a substitute. Just as a child who loses their favorite toy finds a similar one, he is trying to fill the void left by Johan with me. Whether or not I’m Johan no longer matters. No matter how much I tell him I’m not Johan, or even if I show him proof, he will never let his obsession go.

“You know, Mr. Hajae.”

His quiet voice shattered the silence.

“Do you know why the queen tried to escape?”

“…Because the king didn’t try to understand her feelings and just wanted to keep her bound to him.”

“No.”

His dark eyes slowly roved over my face and settled on the collar.

“Because he allowed her freedom.”

Simeon smiled kindly. Seeing a hint of the pure-hearted Sang he once was in his expression sent shivers down my spine. From the moment he placed the collar on me—or perhaps from the moment we first met—I’d been in his grasp.

Suddenly, I remembered <Portrait of Saint-Germain>. In the painting, Johan is laughing happily against the backdrop of a sunset. Although his familiar face is comforting, the more I look at the painting, the more uneasy I feel. It is as if I were looking at a dried and pinned butterfly specimen inside a glass case.

Yes, it’s a memento. A keepsake of Johan’s happiest moment, locked away in a frame. And now, on top of that, he’s trying to keep me captive with this collar because I resemble Johan. His obsession has gone beyond attachment to a desire for possession that gently tightens around my throat.

Should I run away? But even if I did, Simeon would only pursue me with enjoyment, as if it were a game of tag. <Crown of Atonement> would reveal my location to him. I even considered cutting off my neck to remove the vines, but I stopped myself.

“So did you place a condition when you put this on me?”

Simeon nodded quietly. If the condition is met, I can be free of this curse.

“What’s the condition?”

“I’ll tell you if you take on the job.”

Of course. There was no way Simeon would tell me so easily.

“No, you—”

I was about to express my frustration when he suddenly interrupted.

“Sang Heo.”

Simeon suddenly said his name, his real name. 

“What?” 

I asked him, thinking I misheard. 

But he just responded with a soft smile.

“It’s my name.”

“Why… are you telling me?”

“Because I’d like it if you called me by my name, Mr. Hajae.”

His honest confession made my pupils tremble for a moment.

Sang Heo. I’ve repeated that name countless times in my mind, but I’ll never say it out loud. The moment I call him by his name, the carefully built walls around my heart will likely crumble. Honestly, I’m unsure how long I can hold out, but this is my last desperate attempt to avoid falling.

“Sorry, but I’m more comfortable with what I’ve been calling you.’”

When I firmly refused, a look of disappointment spread across Simeon’s face. As he quietly lowered his gaze, he reminded me of the Sang I knew from childhood. Fearing that my resolve might weaken, I quickly changed the subject.

“Anyway, if you’re asking me to find ‘that person,’ my answer is the same as before—it’s not that I won’t do it, I can’t. If you want to find a missing person, you’d be better off hiring a private detective.”

Even with all the Apostles’ resources, they couldn’t find me. So, no matter how skilled a private detective they might hire, they wouldn’t be able to find any trace of Johan. I spoke with confidence, but the conversation took an entirely different direction.

“Today, I’m here to request something else.”

“…What is it?”

“Once the task is complete, I’ll tell you the condition for removing the collar as your reward. How about it?”

How about it? As if I had any choice in my answer.

He never makes a move in chess or negotiations unless he’s sure he won’t lose. From the beginning, he held the upper hand. All I could do was choose from the options he generously presented, but even among those, the right answer was already decided.

“Alright. I’ll do it… whatever it is.”

“Wise choice.”

A satisfied smile bloomed on his face. How many people have fallen for that sly smile? Well, I’m not one to be easily fooled, especially not after knowing what’s behind that mask.

“I’ll send someone to your house tomorrow at this time.”

I was about to ask how he knew where I lived, but I swallowed my words. He already knew I was going to interview at this café, so would it be surprising that he knows my address? It’s better not to think too much about it.

“Well then, I’ll be off. Sorry about the job.”

“Yeah…”

Sorry, my foot. He’s the one who made sure I couldn’t find a proper job. Even when I shot him a look full of resentment, Simeon pretended not to notice. As I watched him rise from his seat, a trivial curiosity suddenly crossed my mind.

“But…”

That single word stopped Simeon in his tracks. He halted beside me, and I looked up at him to ask.

“Why did you put it around my neck? Shouldn’t it go on my head if it’s a crown?”

Was the question too abrupt?

The black eyes looking down at me were anything but ordinary. Soon, a large hand approached and softly cupped my cheek. I frowned at the cold touch, but only for a moment. He leaned down and whispered quietly.

“Because your face is too precious to hurt.”

The unexpected reason left my mind blank. His voice, laced with a hint of amusement, kept echoing in my ears. By the time I snapped out of it, he had already been gone for a while.

****

I left home a bit earlier the next day, just in case. When the appointed time arrived, a black sedan pulled up before me. The man who stepped out of the driver’s seat was the same bodyguard who’d stood guard while I was confined.

“Hello.”

I greeted him as warmly as I could, but he just walked over and opened the back door for me without a word. I knew that his politeness was entirely due to Simeon’s orders. So, I quietly got into the car.

“Where are we going?”

Of course, there was no answer. We drove in silence for quite a while until we arrived at an underground parking lot of a building. No matter how much I looked around, I couldn’t find any clues about our destination. Even when we entered the elevator, I stuck to the corner like a barnacle.

Finally, the elevator doors opened, and a woman in a modified hanbok bowed politely.

“Welcome.”

Behind her was an interior that reminded me of a traditional Korean house. The hall had an enormous tiger statue and long hallways stretched out on either side. The dimly lit room’s soft yellow lighting added to the luxurious atmosphere.

Is this a Korean restaurant? Judging by the interior and the staff’s attire, it looked like a place where a single piece of meat could cost 500,000 won. In any case, it was clear that this wasn’t a place I’d ever come to voluntarily. The staff slightly bowed her head, signaling me to follow. There were no open spaces, only private rooms. It was the kind of place where politicians or businessmen would secretly meet in movies.

Before long, the staff stopped in front of a door. When she knocked and opened it, I saw a familiar face.

“Welcome.”

Simeon, who’d arrived earlier and was waiting, greeted me with a smile.

“Was the journey here difficult?”

“I was just sitting in the back seat, so not really.”

I awkwardly sat down across from him and took a brief look around. The room was decorated as neatly as the lobby, with a touch of Korean traditional house charm. The subtle scent of cypress and the ink painting of red plum blossoms on the wall appeared to be meticulously chosen.

“If it’s a place like this, you could have told me in advance.”

“Why?”

“So I could at least dress properly.”

I would have avoided wearing a hoodie and jeans if I’d known. Seeing Simeon in a clean-cut suit made me even more conscious of my shabby attire. Simeon, however, didn’t seem to care.

“I like seeing you in casual clothes.”

“…Even if you say that, it doesn’t make me feel any better.”

“It’s a private room, so you don’t need to worry about what others think.”

After that, a staff member came in and served various Korean dishes, quickly filling the large square table. Since they went through the trouble of serving it, I ate but couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at me. People usually offer expensive meals when they’re about to ask for a big favor. I wondered if Simeon would be any different.

“So, what’s the request?”

At the very least, it would be something I could do. Trying to push my anxiety aside, I took a bite of the neatly cut rib. As I chewed, Simeon, who had been quietly watching me eat, spoke in a light tone.

“Please accompany me into the gate and help stop the rampage of the spirit beast.”

Cough—.

I nearly choked and almost spat out the food I was eating and took a gulp of lukewarm water to catch my breath. Even after thinking about it again, I was stunned. Enter a gate and stop what? A spirit beast’s rampage? Me?

“Hey.”

“Sang Heo.”

“No, I’m not calling you that.”

Even in this situation, he had the audacity to correct his title.

Thud—!

I slammed my cup down and looked up to see his face, utterly calm. He must not realize what nonsense he just spouted.

“Listen carefully. I’m not a hunter. I can’t fight monsters.”

“It’s okay. I only need your body.”

“My… body?”

“That immortal body of yours.”

At his silent signal, the bodyguard approached me. He placed a tablet in front of me. As the dark screen lit up, an image of an old, yellowed book appeared. It had a hardcover with a title written in a foreign language I couldn’t read.

“What… is this?”

“It’s an A-rank spirit item, <Codex Gigas>. Also known as the Devil’s Bible.”

<Codex Gigas> was a legendary book over 20cm thick that contained the records of various demons. It famously describes 72 demons said to have been sealed by King Solomon. Although a priest created it to resist demons, it was looted during wartimes and used as a summoning book by those who worshipped demons.

As I swiped through the images, the bizarre illustrations made me uneasy.

“Is this the spirit beast that’s gone berserk?”

“No. The book became a spirit object ten years ago and is now in Europe.”

“Then why…”

“Due to the rampage back then, some of <Codex Gigas>’s pages were lost.”

Spirit beasts are nearly indestructible, but they can’t handle their power when they go berserk, causing them to come apart sometimes, like <Codex Gigas>. A damaged spirit beast doesn’t perish but instead divides its power among the fragments.

“How much of it was lost?”

“A total of eight pages. So far, the whereabouts of four pages have been identified.”

“…There’s still half left.”

“And last month, the fifth page caused a rift in the Daegwallyeong area.”

It’s hard to grasp how powerful this spirit beast must be if part of it traveled all the way here from Europe. And, strangely, the gate has remained open for so long. As far as I know, it’s rare for a gate in this country to stay open for over a month.

“A month has passed, and the gate is still open?”

“Yes. Several hunters attempted to close it, but they all failed and returned.”

I had no idea what they could have failed at. I’ve never entered a gate, so how could I know? Seeing my confused expression, Simeon added an explanation.

“To end the rampage of a spirit beast, you must enter the gate and complete a specific mission.”

“What kind of mission?”

“It varies depending on the spirit beast. Usually, it’s related to its origin.”

He then gave an example of a famous spirit beast from France, <The Fall of the Sun>. It’s the guillotine that took the life of Louis XVI during the French Revolution. To stop its rampage, the hunters who entered the gate had to reenact the emperor’s execution successfully. That was the mission.

“It’s like receiving a quest in a game….”

“Thinking of it that way makes it easier to understand.”

You have to complete a mission related to the origin. Naturally, given its reputation as the Devil’s Bible, I wondered what kind of mission <Codex Gigas> would require.

“Don’t tell me demons are wandering around inside the gate?”

“Not yet….”

“Yet?”

“We must summon and eliminate the demons depicted on those pages.”

So not only do we have to enter the gate, but now we also have to… summon something?

I almost made the sign of the cross over his face, which was smiling so brightly. I wished, just for a moment, that I’d lost my mind and misheard him. But when I looked at him blankly, Simeon, ever so kind, hammered the point home.

“It’s confirmed by the testimonies of the hunters who sealed the previous four pages.”

Not that I wanted such certainty.

After a brief moment of avoiding reality, I just accepted it. To untangle the vine wrapped around my neck, I had no choice but to follow Simeon’s plan.

With a sigh filled with resignation, I asked.

“So, which demon is on the fifth page?”

Simeon silently gestured toward the tablet with his eyes. Only then did the grotesque image on the screen, which had been on for some time, catch my attention.

It had nobody. Instead, it floated in the air with six wings attached to either side of its head. The white figure appears quite holy at first, but you realize it’s a demon once you see its face. Its oval-shaped head had no eyes or nose; only pale, withered lips remained. According to legend, even those praised it as an angel upon seeing only its pure white wings covered in feathers. But it’s not a human despite having a face, and it’s not a bird despite having wings.

It was a creature that couldn’t exist in this world.

“Phenex. Also known as ‘The One Who Sings of Eternal Rest.’”

Can we really win against something like that? I was more puzzled than worried.

“Aren’t the other guild members coming with us?”

“No. It’s just the two of us.”

“But… if hunters have been failing for a whole month, that means it’s incredibly strong, right?”

“It’s not that strong. It’s just that everyone keeps failing because of its abilities.”

At the mention of abilities, I lowered my gaze back to the tablet. The text below the picture read:

[Those who are captivated by the voice of Phenex will voluntarily throw themselves into its mouth. If you encounter Phenex, do not be swayed by any sound. Those with weak minds will eventually suffer complete mental disintegration.]

I couldn’t help but sigh as I read the last sentence.

[Do not summon out of foolish curiosity. Never forget that all those who have summoned him have been trapped in eternal rest.]

This was why he needed me.

An immortal body. No one was more suited to be Phenex’s summoner than me.

“Is this why you said you needed me?”

As I asked, I looked him straight in the eyes, and Simeon promptly nodded.

“Please lend me your body, Mr. Hajae.”

It wouldn’t do any good to leave the gate open. The rift would only widen, and who knows what might come out of it. Someone had to stop it. But I couldn’t help hesitating.

After all, it’s demon summoning. Who would’ve thought that I, who had been living in a cathedral and even received baptism, would take on such a task? I’ve lived long enough to see strange things. Well, maybe my parents in heaven would be glad that this cursed body is finally being used for the sake of others.

As I quietly pondered, Simeon cautiously tested my reaction.

“So, what do you think?”

“Well, it’s not like I have much choice… I’ll do it.”

A satisfied smile spread across his face.

“But don’t I need a hunter’s license to enter the gate?”

“I’ll handle that. All you need to do is successfully summon him, Mr. Hajae.”

It wasn’t just anyone; it was Simeon who guaranteed it, so I didn’t worry.

No, I’m the only one who needs to worry. It’s my first time entering a gate, my first time stopping a rampaging entity, and, of course, my first time summoning a demon. And I don’t have the power to help Simeon annihilate the demon.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay facing it alone? For safety’s sake, wouldn’t bringing at least one guild member be better?”

I cautiously asked out of concern, but Simeon responded with a smile and set the date to go to the gate.

“I’ll pick you up in three days.”

His relaxed smile even reflected a sense of experience. Of course, he must have entered the gate many times and subdued artifacts, but that confidence surely came from his unique ability, recognized as S-rank.

It’s time I learned about his unique ability, which only I have yet to learn. So, after finishing my meal and returning home, I immediately entered ‘Simeon’ into the search bar.

Fortunately, someone had already written an article about Simeon, and I read it thoroughly. The lengthy article was filled with videos of Simeon using his abilities to defeat monsters. As I carefully watched them one by one, I noticed something peculiar.

In every video, his hand movements were distinctly different. When facing A-rank monsters, he would overlay his middle finger on his index finger. That hand gesture is similar to placing small, light pieces in a game of Go. In another video, he used his thumb and index finger. It must be a game of chess involving pieces heavier and larger than those in Go.

In every video, he enjoyed a game. The types varied, from strategy games like Mahjong and Poker, where there’s a clear winner and loser, to simple puzzles cleared through predetermined actions.

But the outcome was always the same. The moment Simeon declared victory, the monster collapsed helplessly. It didn’t matter how strong or massive the beast was. In the end, only the victor and the defeated remained.

As I watched him use his abilities, I had somewhat expected it, but now I was certain.

Only Simeon, with his closed eyes, can see it. The puzzle embedded within living beings. The life-or-death game played just once. And the moment that elegant hand seizes victory, the defeated opponent breathes their last.

To the victor goes the glory, and to the loser, death.

The first move of the king will determine the fate of the game.

His unique ability, defined in simple terms, was known as ‘The King’s Gambit’.

****

Three days later, the promised day finally arrived.

I tried to study the gate more in-depth during that time, but I couldn’t find any useful information online. Still, I discovered something important about the Daegwallyeong Gate I’d soon visit.

The hunter who failed to stop the rampaging entity <Codex Gigas> was still in a coma. According to the book Simeon showed me, the hunter must have been captivated by Phenex’s voice and fallen into an eternal sleep.

“Haa…”

I was anxious. Even with my immortal body, I could still end up in a coma.

I mentally prepared myself and got ready to go out. Since I had no idea what would happen inside the rift, I chose clothes that would be easy to move in. But in the end, I just wore my usual hoodie and cotton pants.

When I stepped out at the exact time we had agreed, I saw a familiar car in the villa’s parking lot—a black sedan with darkly tinted windows. Although the license plate was different, it was the same model I had taken to the Korean restaurant a few days ago.

I got into the back seat without hesitation and greeted him warmly.

“Hello.”

Once again, there was no reply.

Am I heading to Songdo to meet Simeon together? Perhaps he was already waiting at the gate. Anyway, it takes over two hours to reach Daegwallyeong from here. With nothing to do in the car, I quietly closed my eyes.

How much time had passed? The car jolted as if we had driven over a speed bump, waking me up. I yawned and rubbed my eyes in a daze when a deep male voice suddenly rang out.

“Good morning.”

Startled, I turned to my side and saw Simeon sitting there. If the car wasn’t moving, I would have opened the door and jumped out immediately. Instead, I clung to the corner and just stared blankly at him. Simeon smiled softly and whispered.

“You can sleep more if you want.”

How could I possibly sleep in this situation… I was more awake than if I had been doused in ice water.

“Uh, when were you picked up?”

“Not too long ago. Maybe 30 minutes? I had some errands to run nearby.”

I fell asleep without even noticing someone getting in beside me. It was all because I had trouble sleeping and was worrying about the gate.

Feeling embarrassed, I slowly turned my gaze out the window and was surprised by the view. When I fell asleep, we were still in a city full of buildings, but now, endless green fields were stretched before us.

“Where are we…?”

“We’ll be there soon. The area near the gate is restricted, so we’ll have to walk a bit.”

I could see mountain ridges in the distance, so I could tell we were almost there. As we got closer to Daegwallyeong, I realized we were about to enter a gate. Simeon must have noticed the growing tension on my face as his voice softened.

“There’s something I have to tell you before we enter the gate.”

Simeon reached into his jacket’s inner pocket and handed me something.

“First, take this.”

It was a wristwatch. Without hour and minute hands, it was definitely a smartwatch. But with its black leather strap and antique silver bezel, it looked like an expensive analog watch. It was so light that I barely felt its weight in my hand.

I was curious why he gave me such a gift, but I put it on my wrist anyway.

“Why are you giving me this?”

I asked, puzzled, and Simeon wordlessly rolled up his sleeve.

What… is this? An identical watch was strapped to his wrist. The thought of it being a couple’s item crossed my mind for a moment, but I quickly dismissed it. Fortunately, Simeon seemed too focused on the watch to notice the brief change in my expression.

“Try pressing this button.”

Simeon pointed with his index finger to a small protrusion on the upper right side of the bezel. When I pressed the button, the screen displayed ’72:00:00′. I pressed the button again, and the countdown began.

“72 hours…?”

What could that number mean? I tilted my head slightly, and Simeon kindly added an explanation.

“It’s the maximum time a person can endure inside the gate.”

“What happens if you exceed that time?”

“Your body slowly breaks down at the molecular level, eventually becoming a part of the entity.”

…….What? Wait a minute. Why are you only telling me this now?

It felt like I had just signed a contract without reading the fine print on the back. Moreover, the navigation system announced we were about to arrive at our destination. Now that we had reached Daegwallyeong, there was no turning back.

As I stared blankly at him, Simeon spoke in a cheerful tone.

“Technically, only the body disappears while the consciousness remains, but that hasn’t been proven yet.”

“Why…?”

“Because the dead don’t talk.”

Should I just back out now…? Of course, I had guessed that staying in the rift for too long wouldn’t be good, but I didn’t know there would be a time limit.

“So, we need to summon and eliminate Phenex within 72 hours, right?”

“That’s correct.”

Simeon acted just like a teacher, praising a model student. Meanwhile, I had hoped that I was wrong.

Well, I’ve already decided to go in, so I should think positively. I’ll wrap this up quickly, even faster than the 72 hours. I’ll find out the conditions to remove the collar, get a regular job, and then… disappear somewhere he can never find me.