Lee Kanghyun’s fugitive life was truly heaven. Kang Yujun’s second house was deep in the forest, so no noise could be heard except for birdsong. The highest-quality bedding was fluffy like clouds, and the refrigerator was packed full of simple instant foods.
Best of all, no one was looking for him.
“Ah, happiness.”
Lee Kanghyun lay sprawled out on the sofa, rolling around and crunching on candy. Outside, there was an uproar about him being a murderer or whatever, but being inside this fortress, it felt like a story from another country.
Kang Yujun had left this place a few days ago. Leaving behind the words ‘I’ll resolve it and come back, so don’t move a muscle.’
That guy will handle it. He’s Korea’s top hunter. He’s got money and good public opinion.
Lee Kanghyun peacefully picked up the remote. He thought he’d watch the news since he was bored. He was also curious how creatively they were cursing him.
Beep.
As soon as the TV screen turned on, red subtitles filled the screen.
[Breaking News] Police issue ‘arrest warrant’ for S-rank Hunter Lee Kanghyun – Nationwide manhunt
“Huh?”
Lee Kanghyun stared blankly at the TV.
[Hunter Lee Kanghyun, suspected of murdering home intruder… ‘Detention investigation inevitable due to flight risk’]
[Police “Unable to locate Hunter Lee Kanghyun’s whereabouts, considering possibility of illegal departure”]
[“Self-defense claim” dismissed, “Autopsy results reveal clear signs of torture”]
The situation was taking a strange turn.
“As expected. Someone’s pulling strings behind the scenes.”
It seemed he’d really gotten into serious trouble. Yellow hair, that bastard must be behind it. Honestly, he was a bit surprised. He thought he was just one crazy criminal, but it seemed there were even bigger forces behind him.
Lee Kanghyun pondered. If an arrest warrant had been issued, would they come here soon to catch him? That would be troublesome. He picked up his phone to check if there was any contact from Kang Yujun.
[Don’t watch the news. Turn off the TV and phone.]
There was a text from him. His expression naturally furrowed.
What? Why shouldn’t I watch? Because of the arrest warrant?
Normally, he would have thought there must be a reason Kang Yujun said such a thing and would really be rolling around disconnected from all electronic devices.
However, having seen the news about the arrest warrant being issued, he needed to check the situation.
He changed the channel. The screen switched to a National Assembly hearing room.
Amid countless camera flashes going off, a man sitting in the witness seat could be seen. He was dressed in a neat suit. But his eyes were soaked in fatigue.
He was someone Lee Kanghyun knew well. It was Kang Yujun.
What the hell is this?
—Witness Kang Yujun. Answer as the representative of Yunseul Guild. Where is Hunter Lee Kanghyun right now?
A man wearing a National Assembly member badge grabbed the microphone and barked.
—Currently, Hunter Lee Kanghyun’s whereabouts are unclear. There are suspicions that Yunseul Guild is systematically harboring a criminal. Is this true?
Kang Yujun remained silent. Countless cameras zoomed in on his face.
—Answer. Does it make sense for someone called a national hero to shield a murderer?
—Shouldn’t you take responsibility as the Guild Master for the cruel murder committed by Hunter Lee Kanghyun?
—By any chance, is Hunter Kang Yujun also an accomplice? I heard you were at the scene together.
A bombardment closer to accusations than questions poured down. The usual Kang Yujun would have retorted cheekily or argued back. But the Kang Yujun on TV right now had an expressionless face and wasn’t saying anything.
—I’m sorry.
After a long while, the words that came from Kang Yujun’s mouth were an apology.
—Everything is my oversight. However, Hunter Lee Kanghyun…
—Enough. I’m asking where you hid him!
One National Assembly member cut him off and shouted. Kang Yujun continued speaking without answering his question.
—Hunter Lee Kanghyun is innocent.
—Look at this, this. We need to search and seize Yunseul Guild!
“……”
Lee Kanghyun stared blankly at that scene.
“That idiot, really.”
Something hot welled up from inside.
Kang Yujun did nothing wrong.
So why are you apologizing there?
You’re a hero, and yet you’re trying to shield someone like me.
The comfortable sofa felt like a bed of thorns.
Annoying.
Going out is annoying. Explaining is annoying, and standing in front of people is even more disgusting.
But watching that sight was even more irritating. Seeing Kang Yujun intercepting and eating the curses he should be receiving, his pride was so hurt he couldn’t stand to watch.
“Ha, fuck.”
Lee Kanghyun spat out a curse and bolted upright.
“Killing my appetite.”
He irritably turned off the TV. Then he strode into the dressing room. Suits that he normally wouldn’t even glance at were laid out in abundance. They were all Kang Yujun’s.
“I’m borrowing some.”
Lee Kanghyun asked permission to the air. If he didn’t want to lend them, he could come here himself. He pulled out the most impressive-looking black suit from among the suits.
The height difference wasn’t much, but Kang Yujun had more build and muscle than him, so the clothes were a bit big. Still, it didn’t matter. It roughly fit.
The shirt hugging his body felt unfamiliar. When was the last time he wore a shirt? Was it at a funeral?
After wearing only loose t-shirts every day, the stiff dress shirt collar wrapping around his neck felt suffocating to death. But he endured it. Right now, this stuffiness was more bearable than the pitiful sight of Kang Yujun on TV.
Lee Kanghyun stood in front of the mirror.
His messy hair poked his eyes. If he went out like this, he’d just look like a homeless person in a suit. He picked up the hair wax on the vanity. When he opened the lid, a subtle fragrance wafted out.
“Of all things to do in my life…”
Muttering softly, he scooped some wax onto his palm and roughly rubbed it together. Without hesitation, he swept back his bangs. As his forehead was revealed, his impression completely changed. His eyes, which had always been drowsily relaxed, were sharply revealed, and his dark eyebrows and high nose bridge became distinct.
Lee Kanghyun casually glanced at the mirror once and turned around.
To others, it would be an appearance that would draw continuous admiration, but the person himself had no interest at all. He just thought it was good enough that his impression had become neat.
Preparation was complete. He headed to the underground parking lot.
Supercars were parked there. The colors were so flashy and loud. Usually, he only drove dull black cars for image management, but behind the scenes, he seemed desperate to drive such flashy cars. How did he endure it when his insides must have been itching so much? A snicker naturally escaped. It was so very like Kang Yujun.
Lee Kanghyun swept a glance around the garage. His gaze fixed on a red sports car parked in the innermost spot. He picked up the car key placed in the garage and climbed into the driver’s seat. He thought, What if someone steals it, leaving the car key in a place like this? Then again, there probably wouldn’t be anyone who’d bother coming all the way here.
Vrroom-!
An engine sound loud enough to shake the underground parking lot burst out.
“Wow…”
Really loud. Isn’t this level illegal tuning?
Anyway, Lee Kanghyun stepped on the accelerator. The car departed.
***
In front of the National Assembly building, it was truly pandemonium.
With the news of the arrest warrant being issued for Lee Kanghyun overlapping with Kang Yujun’s hearing attendance, hundreds of reporters, protesters, and streamers were tangled together.
KWAAANG-!
At the heavy, sharp engine sound coming from afar, people’s gazes all turned toward the road at once.
“What’s that?”
“What’s that sound?”
A bright red sports car came charging toward the main gate of the National Assembly building at an insane speed. Police officers tried to blow their whistles and block it, but the car showed no signs of slowing down.
Screech.
Along with the smell of burning tires, the sports car stopped right in front of the protesters. Everyone held their breath and stared at the red car. The tinting was dark, so the inside couldn’t be seen.
“Wh-who is it?”
“Wow, shit. That car looks crazy expensive.”
As the murmuring grew louder.
Whirr.
The sports car’s door opened upward. Black dress shoes suddenly popped out from inside the car and touched the ground.
The man who got out of the car slowly straightened up.
A perfectly fitted black suit, pomade hair slicked back to coolly reveal his forehead, smoothly extended legs.
“Huk…”
Someone drew in a breath. The reporters blankly lowered their cameras. They had forgotten to even press the shutter at the unrealistic visuals.
A celebrity? An actor? No, it was an aura beyond that. The man buttoned his jacket and frowned as if annoyed.
“Move aside.”
The moment they heard the low voice tinged with irritation, a name flashed through people’s minds.
“L-Lee Kanghyun?!”
“It’s Lee Kanghyun! Lee Kanghyun has appeared!”
“Lee Kanghyun has appeared”? What kind of reaction is that, like a monster showed up or something? He thought indifferently.
“Murderer! Get back!”
One protester came to his senses and threw a raw egg at Lee Kanghyun.
Whoosh.
Without even looking, Lee Kanghyun just tilted his head slightly to dodge it. The egg passed by his ear and splattered on the police shield behind him. He ignored it and moved his feet. Rather than Lee Kanghyun himself, other people were even more shocked.
The police officers were hesitating, only watching each other.
He’s a wanted person. We should arrest him. But because Lee Kanghyun’s eyes were coolly sunken as if they could drown a person, no one dared approach.
Lee Kanghyun didn’t care about those police officers either. He stopped walking and slowly scanned the numerous camera lenses. Then he looked directly at the broadcasting station’s live camera and opened his mouth.
“Since my Guild Master is inside listening to nonsense.”
He tilted his head.
“I came to rescue him.”
