# Chapter 120
Raymon, walking outside, asked his secretary who was following like a shadow.
“The substitute?”
“I have one prepared.”
At her words, he opened the Director’s office door without delay. Inside was a middle-aged man prepared by the secretary.
“It’s an honor to meet the famous Director Raymon.”
Raymon responded with a painted-on smile to the man approaching with a bright grin.
“The honor is mine.”
“Why did you call for me?”
Raymon could instantly read the man’s eyes, gleaming with desire and expectation.
“Perfect for a puppet.”
However, he couldn’t fulfill what the man wanted.
“Pardon?”
Because he would become his puppet.
Looking at the confused man who didn’t understand his words, Raymon slowly raised his hand.
“Be thankful to me for making you useful.”
“What do you—”
Before he could finish speaking, the man lost consciousness and collapsed to the floor. Raymon walked toward him with a satisfied smile.
“He’ll be usable for a while.”
Raymon, who had been kicking the man’s body as if dealing with something filthy, extended his hand and placed it on the man’s head.
At that moment, a red energy began to drain from the man’s head. Raymon felt the life force entering him, as if he was familiar with it.
“Not a good compatibility…”
It was terrible for what he had expected. He clicked his tongue at the energy that couldn’t even quench his thirst. In fact, Raymon’s original ability wasn’t immortality.
That was merely a convenient way of putting it; his real ability was puppetry.
He could control others like puppets and absorb the life force of those who became his puppets. That’s why Raymon had been able to live until now.
That was also the reason he gained power. He built connections by controlling the CEOs of large corporations with his puppetry. Controlling this country wasn’t even a difficult task.
But that too was gradually reaching its limit. There was a limit to the life force his body could accept.
Now, no matter how much life force he absorbed, it was far less effective than before. His skin was becoming increasingly dry and wrinkled, and his entire body was showing abnormal reactions.
He would die soon.
So he needed to finish everything before then. It didn’t matter even if all his plans failed.
Whether a success or a failure, it only had meaning if it happened while he was alive.
* * *
Kay now understood why Haylen had been anxious about his death. Realizing that only a few hours remained before the operation, he began to feel increasingly nervous.
Haylen, who was among the top-tier S-class ability users, was unlikely to die. Yet his thoughts kept flowing toward the worst-case scenario.
Then suddenly, a thought occurred to him. He was this anxious just thinking about the boss of ‘Alice.’ How anxious must Haylen have been about him, who was much weaker? Moreover, Haylen even had trauma related to his death.
Kay finally began to wonder why Haylen had allowed him to participate in the operation.
After pondering for a moment, he left the room and approached Haylen, who was sitting on the sofa. Sensing his presence, Kay cautiously opened his mouth.
“…Back then, why did you allow me to participate in the operation?”
What about him could have given Haylen such confidence? Despite the sudden question, which would have given him reason to think, Haylen immediately spoke after an inscrutable smile.
“Because I thought falling into hell together would be good too.”
Kay had said that if he was with Haylen, even falling into hell wouldn’t be so bad. That’s why Haylen could allow Kay to participate in the operation.
In truth, Haylen just needed Kay. It would be even better if they could be happy together, but even if it was hell, it didn’t matter. As long as Kay was there.
But Kay wouldn’t feel the same way. After suffering so much, he would want to be happy. However, Haylen was an obstacle blocking Kay’s wishes.
That’s why Haylen had been obsessed with Kay’s death. Though he knew their lifespans were connected, the current Kay was unhappy.
Of course, his primary thought was that he didn’t want to experience Kay’s death again. But at the same time, since he couldn’t make him happy, he wanted to at least create enough time for Kay to find happiness.
He thought that was the minimum atonement.
In the midst of these thoughts, Kay’s words were unexpected. Just like himself, who only needed Kay, Kay also said he was fine with just Haylen.
It was like a miracle he hadn’t even dared to dream of. It was a salvation for him, who wanted to extend Kay’s living time because he couldn’t make him happy.
Having heard those words, Haylen could let go of the weight of Kay’s death, at least a little.
But Kay, unable to grasp Haylen’s thoughts, didn’t understand and frowned.
“It’s natural you don’t understand. But those words saved me.”
“Is… that so.”
Although he didn’t know in what way Haylen felt saved, it was good if Haylen’s heart was even a little at ease. After all, he didn’t want to see him thinking about his death.
“And when this operation is over, I have something to tell you.”
Kay tilted his head, thinking they had shared everything through their conversations so far. Was there still something Haylen was hiding?
Although he wasn’t unaware of the questions in Kay’s eyes, he didn’t have the courage to say everything now. Haylen still needed time.
He had been trying to tell him continuously about their connected lifespans. But whenever he tried to speak, his mouth froze, unable to utter the words.
Though he knew Kay wouldn’t, he was afraid he might be distressed. He was scared that Kay’s condition, which had been improving, might be irreparably damaged.
Looking at Haylen, who was slightly averting his gaze as if asking him to pretend not to notice, Kay gently spoke.
“Is that a promise to return safely?”
It meant he wouldn’t ask now. Though he was curious, it wasn’t something he needed to force out.
“Yes, it’s a… promise.”
At Kay’s consideration, Haylen’s darkened face brightened, and a gentle smile formed. Kay could feel the belief that Haylen would be safe growing within him as they made the promise.
* * *
The painful groans never ceased. It was the same even as the sun set and the pitch-black night approached. Zenon, volunteering to nurse Alice in her serious condition, kept watch.
Though he couldn’t see Alice often due to the numerous missions that overworked him lately, this week he had no missions. That’s why he could nurse Alice.
Since he had mostly dealt with his own illnesses on his own, Zenon took care of Alice without difficulty.
“Alice, can you endure a bit more?”
Zenon, who had placed a wet cloth on Alice’s forehead to combat the rising fever, asked in a whisper. Everything was extremely cautious, fearing her condition might worsen.
Tomorrow was finally the day to rescue her. If she could endure just a little bit more, not only himself but also Alice could go outside.
It meant liberation from this hellish place. So he hoped Alice could hold on just a bit longer.
“…If it’s just a bit.”
Alice, who had been coughing with her raspy voice, spoke with difficulty. Her eyes were blurred, as if maintaining consciousness was challenging.
Zenon didn’t want to ask for help from Alice in such a serious condition, but he had no other option. He hesitated, moving his lips before finally speaking.
“I need your help tomorrow.”
“What… are you going to do?”
“We’re going to escape from here.”
At Zenon’s words, Alice’s eyes trembled, perhaps in surprise.
“But…”
She trailed off, as if asking if that was possible.
“It’s okay. Other people have agreed to help. Including your brother.”
Zenon said the most reassuring words he could. But Alice couldn’t help but show a different reaction from what Zenon expected.
In fact, she already knew. That the person Zenon and Kay called her brother wasn’t her real brother. Somehow, she had very faint childhood memories. Memories from when she was just born.
In those memories, someone who appeared to be her brother was lying fallen miserably. Her parents and others were the same. Alice intuitively realized they were dead.
Perhaps because that scene was etched in her mind, the memory seemed to fade but never truly disappeared. Even though she couldn’t feel sadness.
Even if they were family, she had never met them and didn’t feel the need for them. She just viewed them indifferently, as if looking at strangers.
Anyway, since her brother was dead, the brother they mentioned must be someone related to her family. The unpleasant memories resurfacing made her feel her mood sinking.
It was always like this. Even though they just barely existed in her memory, recalling them made her feel bad.
“Night view…”
Alice looked at the snow globe to divert her thoughts. It was a gift from Kay. Perhaps because it was the only thing that belonged to her, she could feel at ease watching the slowly falling snow.
“What about the night view?”
“I’m curious. How it would feel.”
The only night view she knew was inside that round globe. Tiny pieces clustered together, emitting light.
So Alice was curious about what a real night view would look like. Could it possibly be more beautiful than the snow globe Kay had given her?
Since the most beautiful thing she had seen so far was the snow globe, she couldn’t help but compare.
“…You’ll be able to see it tomorrow.”
“Mm…”
She wasn’t expecting it. But if a miracle truly happened, she might be able to see the night view. A gentle smile appeared on Alice’s lips.
“I’ll help.”
With those words, Alice fell into a deep sleep as if fainting.
