KTS Ch 20

To think he couldn’t hold him in his hands and could only imagine him.

Sa Gongjun regretted it. He should have kept him locked in Yeonhui-dong, never letting him step outside. If he had, he could be touching Woojung to his heart’s content right now.

He couldn’t understand why he had given Woojung more than planned, causing this mess. Looking back, it was something that had never happened, neither as a businessman nor personally.

Look at the results of acting unlike himself.

“I don’t like people like that, mister.”

The image of Woojung running away without looking back the moment a gap opened was vivid.

If he could never see Cheon Woojung again like this.

The thought alone made his breath catch. A primal anxiety and restlessness. And beyond that, an emptiness. The absence of his one-sided imprint partner made Sa Gongjun feel emotions he had never experienced before.

His trembling hand tore open the lid of the pill bottle. The doctor had warned against mixing alcohol with sedatives, but he couldn’t hold back.

🌸

A sky-blue plastic wristwatch chimed, signaling eight in the evening. Woojung, lying face-down on the bed, fumbled in the dark to turn off the alarm.

He took the medicine and pulled his pants down to his knees. He glanced at his left thigh. Bruises from injections lined up in a row. He gauged the spot and rubbed it with an alcohol swab, exactly two centimeters from where he’d injected yesterday.

His tightly pressed lips thinned and curled inward. There was no other way to endure the pain.

“…Ugh.”

His stomach felt uneasy. He lay down for a moment to catch his breath. His activity range had shrunk, probably because he was just sitting and eating. He paced the small room, tapping his lower back.

There was no improvement. The smell of the medicine even started rising from his throat. He grabbed a plastic bag by the window and popped a lime-flavored lollipop into his mouth. After sucking on it a few times, his queasy stomach settled slightly.

Staying cooped up in the room from lack of energy only made him feel more drained. Thinking he should sit by the pool’s sunbed and get some fresh air, Woojung got ready and stepped out.

He ran into Todd on the first floor.

[Hey, Woojung.]

[Hello.]

He taped an A4 sheet to the middle of the glass door.

[What’s that?]

[A job posting. Sitting still changes nothing, so I’m trying something.]

Woojung stepped closer to Todd, who turned and looked down at him.

[Woojung, can I ask you a favor?]

[If it’s something I can help with.]

[It’s no big deal. Could you check for any awkward phrasing? It’s my first time writing a job ad, so I’m not sure if it’s right.]

Woojung scanned the printout Todd had posted.

Job Posting

[Todd, you’re hiring staff here?]

[Yeah. It’s too much to handle everything alone. I posted it on job sites too, but no calls for days. This neighborhood might respond better to analog methods, so I printed it out.]

If he earned money, he could stay here longer. With his current funds, he’d barely last a month before returning, but if he earned money here, he could buy more time.

[Is it weird? Should I change it?]

Woojung’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Todd.

[Hey, Todd. Could I possibly apply too?]

🌸

Between nine and eleven in the morning, the hotel lobby was filled with people checking out. Guests sat on plastic chairs in the tiny two-pyeong lobby, fanning themselves while waiting for call taxis.

The reception staff held a brick-sized walkie-talkie, giving instructions to someone.

[— Woojung, rooms 4 and 6 on the second floor are empty, and rooms 1, 5, 6, and 7 on the third floor are empty.]

[I’ll start with the third floor.]

[— No, Woojung, do the second floor. I’ll handle the third.]

[But then Todd has to do more work.]

[— I’m fine. So, Woojung, just clean the second floor today and rest. You worked hard dealing with that group yesterday.]

[The boss here is weird. He wants to do everything himself.]

Laughter crackled through the walkie-talkie.

Woojung had landed a job at the Chambri Hotel. It was a short-term contract until a permanent employee was hired, but that was enough.

He pushed a basket cart piled with blankets and amenities to the second floor. The stiff wheels took effort to move, and after a few steps, sweat dampened his back.

Woojung fanned his clothes outside, opened the entrance door wide, and entered an empty room. He quickly scanned the bed, nightstand, table, and bathroom. Thankfully, the room’s condition was decent.

Woojung changed the bed sheets, swapped the pillow covers, and swept the floor with a broom. He cleaned the bathroom thoroughly and wiped the mirror dry. Finally, he dumped the room’s trash into the cart and moved to the next room.

This room was much dirtier. Dried food stuck to the table, trailing to the floor and even into the bathroom, leaving marks everywhere.

He knelt down. The constant injections in his left thigh made the muscles ache like they were tearing. He extended his left leg and shifted his weight to his right.

Crawling across the room, he scrubbed the floor with rags in both hands, then grabbed the table to stand.

“…Ah.”

His vision spun. A giant mosaic circle seemed to swallow him. Shaking his head, Woojung dug into his apron pocket and took a sip of water.

[Second floor cleaning’s done.]

[— Good job. Oh, right. Woojung, want to have dinner together tonight? I got some meat.]

The offer was kind, but he had no appetite. Just thinking about meat made his stomach feel full.

He hadn’t even finished the fruit and salad he’d bought at the mart.

After a moment’s thought, Woojung spoke cautiously.

[Todd, I appreciate it, but can I rest a bit and come out later? I’m not feeling great… sorry.]

[— It’s fine, it’s fine. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. Go rest.]

[Alright, I’ll head in first. Call me if there’s a room service request.]

[— Will do.]

Woojung pushed the cart into the storage room and headed to his room. He showered immediately and collapsed onto the bed. After half a day of work, sleep overwhelmed him. He used to handle tougher jobs with ease, so this was strange.

After a nap, he went to the mart.

He bought two compression bands for his thighs. Since starting the injections regularly, sitting and standing or even walking on flat ground had become difficult.

Honestly, the thought of giving up crossed his mind a dozen times a day. But he couldn’t, because he worried that if he gave up, it would harm the baby inside him.

On the way back from buying food, he walked more slowly than usual. Things he hadn’t noticed before caught his eye. A general store, a fruit shop, a fish market.

Then he saw a bank.

It felt like he’d forgotten something important.

Adjusting the plastic bag, Woojung stopped in his tracks. He realized he’d missed the date he promised to send money to the loan shark.

Limping back to the Chambri Hotel, Woojung checked the calendar at the reception desk. It wasn’t just a little late.

Two months had already passed since he arrived. He needed to prepare to return soon. Thinking of facing the loan shark upon entering Korea gave him goosebumps.

Turning on his phone would probably cause chaos. Or maybe Sa Gongjun had already cut it off.

What a disaster.

He left his items in the room and went to the bank. He asked about the process for sending money to Korea. There was a limit on the amount he could transfer. He’d boasted about paying it all at once, but he had no choice but to send a fraction of the promised amount.

🌸

Three forty-five in the morning. Sa Gongjun’s phone rang.

— Executive Director, this is Choi Seokhyeon. Can you take a call?

Was there urgent business to call at this hour?

Sa Gongjun thought of the company tasks for the week. The final decision between Busan and Manila for the new project was pending, but it wasn’t urgent enough for Secretary Choi to call at dawn.

Ruling out possibilities, one remained. He had a hunch. Sitting up against the bed’s headboard, Sa Gongjun spoke.

“It’s fine, go ahead.”

— Money was withdrawn from Mr. Cheon Woojung’s account.

“Account?”

— Yes. Tracing the bank, it’s based in the Philippines.

Sa Gongjun put on a robe tossed on the bed bench and headed to the terrace.

“Where in the Philippines?”

— We’re narrowing it down. It’s a bank common in Manila, so we’re focusing there. It won’t take long. At most, we’ll locate Mr. Cheon Woojung within a week.

He could have Cheon Woojung back in his hands. Excitement surged, but unease crept in. He wished he could grab him now. The week ahead felt longer than ever.

Clenching and unclenching his fist, Sa Gongjun’s voice hardened.

“Get clearance for the private jet and secure enough manpower on the ground.”

— Yes. What about the board meeting scheduled for the day after tomorrow?

“Proceed as planned. It’s a meeting with the entire LX board, so canceling won’t do me any good. I’ll handle all schedules until departure.”

— Understood.

🌸

The board meeting stretched to three sessions. Sa Gongjun’s faction pushed for investment in Manila’s new port, while Sa Jaewoong’s faction stuck to Busan Port.

Both sides stood firm. Ultimately, LX reviewed additional analyses from internal researchers and external consultants before concluding. The investment would go to Manila’s new port.

It was essentially a battle marking the end of the succession race. Yet, Sa Gongjun found no joy in the victory. The pointless tug-of-war only delayed his chance to hold Cheon Woojung.

Knock, knock. A tap on the executive office door made Sa Gongjun open his eyes.

“Executive Director, it’s Choi Seokhyeon.”

“Come in.”

“The cruise CCTV investigation results are in.”

Secretary Choi approached the office bookshelf. Pulling a hardcover book from the bottom shelf, the bookcase slid aside, revealing a hidden room.

A space furnished in dark gray and black, softly lit by yellow indirect lighting. Sa Gongjun followed Secretary Choi into the secret room.

“The staff who tampered with the CCTV is a security team manager. We caught evidence of a large deposit and traced its source.”

“And?”

“During the investigation, we found a paper company in the British Virgin Islands linked to the orchestrator. We traced the accounts through Swiss and Hong Kong banks, and… Director Sa Jaewoong is at the end.”

“Does Sa Jaewoong know Cheon Woojung?”

“They’ve never met face-to-face. The director began investigating Mr. Cheon Woojung only after his whereabouts became unclear.”

Sa Gongjun paced a few steps and sat on a couch. Secretary Choi followed, sitting opposite.

“He was digging into my medical leave and stumbled upon Cheon Woojung’s existence. Lacking solid info, he’s probably probing.”

“I agree.”

“So Sa Jaewoong’s watching how I’ll react.”

“What’s your plan?”

Sa Gongjun tapped the armrest with his fingers, lost in thought.

“The best defense is offense. We push back against Sa Jaewoong. If he set up a shell company in the Virgin Islands, there’s a purpose. Check if funds flowed elsewhere.”

As if waiting, Secretary Choi handed Sa Gongjun a tablet.

“Besides the money to the security team manager, we found evidence of bribes to a Busan regional assembly member for the port project, and a local influential figure is involved too.”

Seated on the couch, Sa Gongjun quickly scanned the documents.

“Estimating the bribes and entertainment, the assembly member faces imprisonment and dismissal, and a warrant could be issued for Director Sa Jaewoong for bribery.”

“Not bad.”

“The concern is, LX will take a hit too.”

“You think so?”

“Do you see it differently?”

“Well, to hold a company worth 570 trillion, this level of risk seems worth taking. It’s something we’d have to face eventually.”

“I have no disagreement with you, Executive Director. My job is to provide situations that aid your judgment and set up the results you want. Tell me what needs to be done, and I’ll arrange it.”

“Assemble LX’s legal team and prepare to cut off Sa Jaewoong’s tail.”

“Yes.”

“His wife’s side might push back. Review the issue list we’ve collected and prepare a couple of big ones.”

“Understood.”

Sa Gongjun scrolled through contacts for the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office and its special investigations unit. His selection of the right person came soon after.

Returning to the executive office, Sa Gongjun grabbed his coat without a moment’s rest and nodded toward the door to Secretary Choi.

“Head to the airport now?”

“Let’s do it.”

As Sa Gongjun and Secretary Choi sat side by side in the backseat heading to the underground parking lot, Secretary Choi handed him a sandwich.

“What’s this hassle? I’ll eat at the lounge.”

“I know you’ll say it doesn’t suit your taste and skip it.”

Sa Gongjun let out a hollow laugh. Gauging the sandwich’s size, he handed half to Secretary Choi. He took a bite while looking out the window. They were already on the highway to Gimpo Airport.

“Cheon Woojung’s location?”

“We’ve narrowed it down using the Philippine bank as a starting point. When you arrive at Manila Airport, we should be able to guide you directly to Mr. Cheon Woojung’s residence.”

The time to hold Cheon Woojung was near. Food could hardly taste like anything.

Forcing down the meal, Sa Gongjun crumpled the sandwich wrapper and tossed it into the trash.

🌸

Woojung pulled a trash bag from the basket cart. A foul smell brought on nausea.

“Ugh.”

He set the bag on the floor and dry-heaved. The stench of leftover food and someone’s body odor churned his stomach. Facing the wall, he rubbed his chest to steady his breathing.

“Haa…”

As his stomach settled, he looked around. Todd had been turning a blind eye to his limping. He couldn’t keep causing trouble while working.

Woojung rubbed his belly with his palm and whispered.

“Sorry, the smell’s really bad, isn’t it?”

What should he do with the baby inside him?

Woojung pondered this the entire time he worked at the Chambri Hotel. Some days, from waking in the morning to falling asleep at night, all he thought about was what to do with the baby. His current finances, future living expenses, his situation—he considered every detail.

The top concern was, of course, money. Fortunately, it wasn’t dire. Paying off the loan shark would free him from struggling, and returning to Korea, he could access single-parent benefits. Having a baby didn’t seem like it would financially ruin him.

Still, his heart wavered. Some days he felt he should keep the baby, others that he should let it go. He felt that responsibility and determination alone weren’t enough to be a father.

Every time he wondered if terminating the pregnancy was best for everyone, he spent sleepless nights tormented by guilt. Food barely went down.

Nothing changed, only time slipped away. He thought a person could waste away just from worrying. It seemed better to think about how to live with the baby instead.

After long deliberation, Woojung decided. He might not be a rich dad, but he wouldn’t be a dad poor in heart. With that resolve, he chose to have the baby.

That evening, Woojung rushed to the local mart. He bought heaps of vegetables and fruits to fill the room’s fridge.

On his way to check out, he came across a baby goods store. Had it always been there? It felt new.

Woojung approached the store. A pair of white shoes sat in front of a mannequin. Impulsively, he picked them up. They fit in one hand with room to spare. Small, cute, fascinating. Would his baby wear these someday?

It felt strange. After a moment’s thought, Woojung asked a store clerk.

[Can I have these shoes?]

Back at the Chambri Hotel, Woojung placed the baby shoes by the sunniest window in his room. He sat at the foot of the bed, staring at them for a while. It struck him that it had been three months together, yet he hadn’t spoken a word to the baby.

“Hi. I’m, uh, I’m… well, Dad.”

At first, it felt awkward, like talking to himself. But it grew familiar. Now, he greeted the baby morning and night, chatting whenever time allowed.

To be completely honest, the fact that he was no longer alone, that he had a family to share precious moments with again, brought Woojung more joy than anything.

“I’ll clean up quick, and then we’ll go for a walk. That’s okay, right?”

As if the baby understood, or perhaps his own words were hypnotic, his queasy stomach began to calm.

Now’s the time. Woojung narrowed his eyes, held his breath, extended his arm, and turned his head as far back as possible to tie the trash bag. He washed his hands in the empty room and radioed Todd.

[I’m going to take out the trash.]

[— Can you manage that much alone?]

[Yeah, one in each hand. Just two bags.]

[— Come back soon. I’ll be checking the rooms that have checked out.]

Woojung stepped out of the Chambri Hotel.

The sunlight was blazing, and the air was muggy. The moment the scorching sun hit him directly, dizziness swept over him. Woojung leaned against the hotel’s front gate wall, waiting for it to pass.

Three months ago, when he first started the medication, his stamina had plummeted rapidly. Despite diligently taking the pills and injections to replace alpha pheromones, he felt as weak as someone lacking the medicine entirely.

Even with his eyes closed, it felt like his vision was swaying.

“Are you dizzy too? You shouldn’t be…”

Woojung thought he’d need to visit an omega-specialized hospital as soon as he returned to Korea and began walking.

At the village dump at the alley’s entrance, he disposed of the trash bags and turned around.

The scenery of the new port site seemed different from yesterday. Drawn as if entranced, Woojung approached the barricade.

A foreman in a yellow helmet shouted as he moved about.

[Make sure the banners are securely fastened so they don’t flap or fall in the wind.]

Workers climbed ladders. A familiar blue banner snapped open with a pop against the wind.

Woojung stared blankly at the banner. It displayed a message welcoming investment from a company. Below it were the Philippine flag, the operator’s logo, and a Korean company’s logo side by side.

A logo with white waves on a blue background and a signature.

Woojung knew that company well. The same pattern was on the lanyard of his access card during his time on the cruise.

A sigh-like breath escaped Woojung’s lips as memories surfaced.

“…Oh.”

The workers, having finished hanging the banner, began wrapping the barricade with fabric bearing the wave logo.

[No need to cover the entire area. Focus on the entrance.]

“…No, no way.”

The towering barricade seemed ready to collapse onto him. Woojung’s breathing grew rapid.

Limping backward, Woojung turned around. He adjusted the compression bandages on both legs hidden under his shorts and headed to the Chambri Hotel as fast as he could.

🌸

Sa Gongjun’s voice echoed in Woojung’s mind like a reverberation.

“If I catch you, you’re dead.”

Woojung shook his head vigorously and tapped his temples with his hand.

He knew Sa Gongjun wasn’t someone who worked on-site. He knew a man running a company in Korea wouldn’t show up in Manila. But he couldn’t calm his anxious heart.

Just before turning the alley corner, he looked back. The cruise company’s logo was clearly visible on the distant barricade. Hiding so close, he was bound to get caught eventually.

If, by any chance, he came face-to-face with Sa Gongjun again.

It was horrifying. Woojung tried not to entertain useless hypotheticals. Instead, he thought of what he needed to do now. He could no longer stay in Manila, so he had to find a new place to go.

Options were limited. Wandering abroad while pregnant was too much. A work visa was needed for long-term stays, but it would be nearly impossible for a pregnant omega.

Woojung decided to return to Korea. But he resolved to go to the farthest place from Seoul. He’d head to Busan first, hide, and look for a remote island to stay on until childbirth.

Get it together.

Leaving Manila was the priority now. With determined eyes, Woojung flung open the Chambri Hotel’s entrance.

[Woojung, it’s hot out there; you worked hard. I’ve got sparkling water with ice…]

He passed Todd with a pale face, grabbed the stair railing, and rushed to the fourth floor.

Panting, his right slipper came off and got stuck in a stair corner. He had no mental space to retrieve it. He climbed the stairs with only one slipper.

“Haa, haa…”

His hand gripping the railing trembled.

Why were past events flooding back at this moment? Looking back, Todd had mentioned the new port. He’d said a Korean company was considering investing in the site.

Woojung blamed his own carelessness as he recalled the moment. If he’d paid more attention then, he wouldn’t be fleeing like this now. It was all belated regret.

“…Key, the key.”

Standing in front of room 407, Woojung rummaged through his pockets. A couple of lollipops came out. The wrapper from one he ate yesterday. As he breathed heavily, the candies fell around him.

He bent to pick them up. He couldn’t leave these behind. He needed them to settle his stomach when it wouldn’t calm.

Then, a pair of slippered bare feet entered Woojung’s vision. Startled, he gasped and stood up. His vision spun. Leaning against the wall, he checked who it was.

[Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. Your slipper came off.]

“…Oh.”

Confirming it was Todd, Woojung slid down the wall. He braced himself with his palm, barely holding himself up.

[Look at that cold sweat. Why are you trembling so much?]

The thought that Sa Gongjun might force him to terminate the pregnancy made him feel like his blood was draining.

Yes, the problem wasn’t just his anymore. Closing his eyes, Woojung covered his belly with his palm. Here was a small being he had to protect.

Woojung gripped the door handle tightly, putting strength into his knees. He held the key with a wooden figurine and tried to insert it into the lock of room 407. His hand shook so much he couldn’t align it.

“I have to go, I need to go.”

[Korean?]

“Before that person comes here… Before he hears about me. I have to leave before that happens.”

[What do I do? I can’t understand when you speak like that. Can you say it in English?]

Todd’s flustered voice finally registered. Woojung covered his eyes with the back of his hand, then removed it. He hadn’t realized he was speaking Korean. His mind was racing, everything a mess.

[Sorry, Todd. Something urgent came up, and I’m out of sorts.]

[What’s wrong? I’ve never seen you like this, Woojung.]

[I think I have to leave now.]

[Leave? You said you’d leave in three weeks.]

[Yes, you’re right. But circumstances… I meant to stay until you hired a full-time staff, I really meant to keep that promise this time. But I don’t think I can. Sorry, I’m sorry.]

With a click, the door opened. Woojung left Todd outside and rushed into the room.

He grabbed the backpack from the corner. Opening it wide, he stuffed in whatever he could. A T-shirt hanging behind the door, the smallest items from the window—chocolate bars and the baby shoes.

He rushed to the nightstand, yanked open the drawer, propped the bag underneath, and swept in the injection kit and medicine packets. Items he couldn’t catch spilled onto the floor.

[Here, let me help.]

[It’s okay. I’ll do it.]

Woojung, who usually couldn’t squat due to leg pain, folded his legs and sat. He hurriedly gathered the injection kit. He didn’t even feel the pain.

[Slow down, slow down.]

Helping Woojung, Todd stared at the box. The syringe image on the front was clear. Worsening health, reduced appetite, recent secret dry-heaving—everything pointed to one thing.

[…Woojung, are you…]

[…….]

They looked at each other. Woojung’s eyes were anxious, Todd’s confused.

[How is a pregnant omega alone like this?]

Woojung felt a chilling dread. It couldn’t be, but everything felt threatening now.

[…How, how did you know I’m an omega?]

[Well, those with traits receive some common education about pregnancy and childbirth. That’s a kit to replace alpha pheromones, right? We use similar ones in the West. But Woojung, this kit must be tough on your body. Was your leg pain because of this too?]

Woojung, still on the floor, scooted back and sprang up. He snatched the injection kit from Todd’s hand.

[…Thank you for everything. I’ll go now.]

Todd grabbed Woojung’s wrist.

[Wait, Woojung.]

[Let go, please.]

Startled, Todd raised both hands to shoulder height. Woojung’s trembling body was palpable.

[Sorry. I didn’t mean to pry, I just…]

[…….]

[If you need help, tell me. I’ll help.]

It was a practical offer. If he could get help until he reached Manila Airport. Shamelessly, should he ask? As he hesitated, Todd extended his hand. It was something Woojung had never imagined.

[If you need it, I can share pheromones. I’m an alpha too. It’s much better than relying on those drugs…]

The moment he heard that, a foul smell seemed to come from somewhere. Woojung ran to the room’s bathroom, retching for a while. Todd’s worried voice came from outside, but he had no time to care.

After emptying his stomach, Woojung opened the bathroom door. His pale face was gaunt. Todd was at a loss, frantic.

[Are you okay? Oh, I said something stupid.]

[Todd, I know it’s shameless, but I have a favor.]

[Anything, just say it.]

[Can you call a taxi? To Manila Airport. I need it now, as fast as possible. Can you do that?]

[Okay. Going back to Korea is better. You’ll have easier access to hospitals. Wait a moment, I’ll call a taxi.]

[Thank you.]

While Todd called the taxi, Woojung scanned the room. Checking for anything missed, he looked beyond the open door.

The blue sky, dazzling sunlight as always, the summer sea scent carried by the breeze—everything was the same as yesterday. But something was off.

It was too quiet. Normally, the dirt path would be noisy with people, goats, and chickens trailing behind. But now, there was no sound.

Woojung stepped slowly. Standing at the doorframe, he looked outside. Due to the hotel’s structure, only the courtyard was visible.

Then, car engines roared from a distance. Not one—five, maybe more. Woojung clenched his now-damp fist tightly.

A horn blared from far away. A short, heavy sound, just once.

With anxious eyes, he looked at Todd, who was busy checking a message from the taxi driver’s app.

[They’re five minutes away.]

[Thank you.]

[They usually arrive early, so let’s head down soon.]

[Okay.]

He must have overreacted from tension. Thinking so, Woojung zipped up his backpack and slung it over his shoulders.

[Here’s my card. Message me when you reach Korea to let me know you’re safe. Include your bank account too.]

[Bank account?]

[You should get paid for this month’s work.]

Todd tucked his card into the front pocket of Woojung’s bag.

As Woojung exchanged final goodbyes with Todd, a horn blared nearby. Long, heavy, three times. It felt like a signal.

[Must be the taxi. Let’s go.]

Woojung nodded. A few steps from the room, a loud crash echoed. The sound of massive wheels spinning followed. Woojung and Todd locked eyes.

Something breaking sounded close by.

Todd ran out of the room.

Woojung followed.

Gripping the fourth-floor railing, Woojung and Todd looked down at the first floor. The usually peaceful courtyard with the pool and sunbeds was a mess, invaded by a black jeep.

Dust rose thickly. Woojung bent his arm to cover his nose, narrowing his eyes. It wasn’t a car for highways but one built for battlefields. The metal bars on the bumper, the oversized, menacing wheels and rims—they exuded that kind of intimidation.

A screech. The sound of a crumpled car door opening climbed the outer wall to the fourth floor.

Woojung’s gaze naturally followed the sound.

A man stepped out of the car. Polished black shoes crunched glass shards underfoot. A neat black suit, the opposite of the chaotic courtyard.

The man looked around slowly, then tilted his head back.

First floor, second floor, third floor.

Then the fourth.

The man saw Woojung.

Woojung saw the man.

Woojung held his breath, his vision blurring faintly.

It couldn’t be a mistake. He hoped it was. That was his first thought upon facing the man.

“You’ve been doing well, Mr. Cheon Woojung.”

“…How, how…”

A faint smile appeared on the man’s face as he looked up at Woojung. He lit a cigarette, as if contemplating what to do once he had Woojung in his grasp.

After a long pause, the man spoke again.

“I didn’t know you were doing so well that you’d set up house with another guy after making a fool of me.”

“…….”

“Well, thinking about it, it’s not surprising. That’s the kind of person you are, Mr. Cheon Woojung. Someone who opens up easily even to strangers.”

The man picked something up from the ground. It was a one-meter stainless steel handle from the hotel’s glass door. Testing its grip, he loosened his tie and wrapped it tightly around the handle’s end.

Todd, beside Woojung, clutched his head and let out a cry. Words followed, but Woojung’s pale ears couldn’t hear them clearly.

“Didn’t I warn you to make things clear when it comes to tying and cutting ties?”

Sa Gongjun tapped the stainless steel rod on the ground. He seemed to be gauging how much force and angle to use. Only then did Woojung face the reality of the vague fear he’d felt.

“Come down quietly, or run again. Choose.”

The chilling menace radiating from afar froze Woojung’s body stiff. He gripped the railing so tightly it creaked. Otherwise, he felt he’d collapse.

“Either way, you’ll end up in my hands, so you’d better make a wise choice.”

Sa Gongjun took a deep drag of his cigarette. He exhaled long plumes of smoke several times. Woojung didn’t respond to his offer. He didn’t want to go down quietly and offer his life, nor did he want to be caught running.

Reading Woojung’s intent, Sa Gongjun laughed.

“Fine. If that’s your choice, go ahead and run as much as you want.”

“…….”

“If you manage to evade me for five minutes, I’ll let you walk out of here.”

Sa Gongjun checked his wristwatch. Tossing the shortened cigarette butt to the ground, he started climbing the stairs.

Clang, clang, clang. The chilling sound of metal hitting the stairs echoed with each step Sa Gongjun took.

How is he here?

Woojung stared blankly at the now-empty courtyard, lost in thought.

Maybe it’s for company business. Maybe he came to Manila for the new port investment as an executive director and stumbled upon him by chance.

Woojung’s fingertips trembled as he entertained these thoughts. It was all wrong. These were just hopeful wishes.

The man encircling the Chambri Hotel, ready to sweep away anything in his way, had only one purpose.

[Woojung, did you talk to that guy?]

How did he find this place? How did this safe haven of the past few weeks turn so threatening?

Tracing where it went wrong, Woojung breathed heavily. There was one thing he’d done outside his routine. The transfer to the loan shark. That trace must have reached Sa Gongjun somehow.

[Woojung, Woojung!]

Todd shook Woojung’s shoulders as he panicked.

[Who is that guy? Do you know him?]

[W-Well.]

A crashing sound came from somewhere in the building. The two, facing each other, flinched, covering their heads with their arms before opening their eyes again.

[Is this why you said you had to leave?]

Woojung’s eyes took in the exploded development zone across the street. He realized instinctively. Sa Gongjun would tear this place apart, find a convenient excuse, and stage it as an accident.

[I’m sorry for dragging you into this. I didn’t know he’d chase me here. If I’d known, I’d have left earlier. I’m so sorry. I’ll make it up somehow…]

[Let’s get out of here first and talk. Follow me. There’s an emergency staircase on the outer wall.]

Todd pulled Woojung’s wrist. Trying to match his pace, Woojung stumbled to the floor. His thighs, wrecked by injections, were failing him.

“Ah…”

Pain like tearing muscles made him bend over. He needed to move. But his legs wouldn’t listen. At this rate, they’d both get caught. He couldn’t let Todd, who had no connection to Sa Gongjun, be put in danger. Woojung wanted at least this person to escape safely.

[Go first. I’ll follow.]

[That’s nonsense.]

[I’ll get caught because of me. It’s better if you go get help…]

A thought flashed through Woojung’s mind mid-sentence.

[Todd, there’s police here, right? Can you call them?]

[Oh, right. I didn’t think of that.]

Todd pulled out his phone. Only the dial tone played. The signal from the base station was weak, and both internet and calls were dead. Waving his arm, he muttered anxiously.

[Why’s the phone acting up all of a sudden?]

A perfectly fine phone wouldn’t just fail. Woojung realized anew the extent of Sa Gongjun’s power. There was probably nothing on Earth he couldn’t bend to his will.

[Woojung, what do we do? The phone’s suddenly dead.]

Options were running out. With these legs, Sa Gongjun would catch him quickly.

[Todd, then you go first.]

[No way. I can’t do that.]

[It’s better than both of us getting caught. Go get help. Village people, police, anyone.]

[Woojung’s right… But.]

[There’s no time. Hurry.]

Hesitating, Todd nodded.

[Okay, then. I’ll be back fast. There’s a police station at the intersection. Hold on for three minutes.]

Todd ran from the fourth floor to the rooftop.

Left alone, Woojung gripped the railing and walked toward the elevator. Something was off.

The hotel was engulfed in silence again.