Chapter 28
“…So, did you finally decide which Family to deal with?”
“Yeah. Since the Cenaline side is offering more money, let’s boldly give up on the Mandro Family.”
“What did they say they wanted this time?”
“You know that machine we made a few weeks ago, the one that cleanly extracts blood? They said they’re coming to pick it up.”
“Really? Today?”
“Those guys are impatient. They might already be here.”
Small voices went back and forth. Hyungoh, who had been lying with his mouth hanging open, suddenly jerked. His eyes flew open in shock.
Hyungoh had been unconscious in the narrow trunk for several hours. When he opened his eyes and couldn’t see anything in the darkness, he panicked, thinking Jake might have gouged out his eyes, but he barely realized he was trapped in a trunk from the rattling sound and the faint smell of gasoline.
“Urgh… damn it…”
Hyungoh clutched his head. The spot where he’d hit the floor earlier was throbbing. Although most vehicles typically have emergency release mechanisms inside the trunk, this one didn’t.
I need to get out. He considered kicking hard to try to open it, but decided against it, figuring it wasn’t a good idea to cause a commotion and alert them that he was awake. Even if it did open, if he couldn’t control his body properly and got run over by a car behind them, that would be disastrous.
If the car would just stop, he’d at least try, but for some reason, it wouldn’t stop at all. What, are there no traffic lights? Or are they just ignoring them while driving?
His head felt like it was splitting open. His severely bent legs kept cramping and then relaxing. He tried inserting his hand through a small gap to open it, but only ended up scraping his nails with no effect.
How did I end up like this?
At that sudden thought, Hyungoh felt a surge of emotion. His entire body ached. Why am I suffering like this? What did I do so wrong?
Has Michael woken up by now? Will he come looking for me? Or maybe he’s believing Jake’s lies.
I said I wouldn’t run away!
“This time it’s really not my fault…”
He felt so wronged. What if he thinks I ran away again? Won’t he search for me with burning rage, feeling betrayed?
Or… maybe he’ll give up on me now.
A scenario automatically formed in Hyungoh’s mind.
Yes, Choi. Seeing that you’ve run away from me twice, it seems you genuinely don’t want to stay by my side. I won’t hold you back anymore. I wish you well.
This isn’t right. Although he knew it was an absurd fantasy, he began to feel anxious just in case. Don’t give up on me, Michael. You need me. Since you brought me here to use me, at least try to use me to your heart’s content.
The car stopped, perhaps having reached its destination. Hyungoh tensed. He heard car doors opening, and the footsteps of two people gradually approaching. Hyungoh hurriedly closed his eyes.
“But why specifically the Cenaline Family again? They’re too scary. It seems like they’d retaliate brutally if there’s even a small problem.”
“Hey, Simon. Are you underestimating my skills right now? Among all the tools that have passed through my hands, not a single one has had any issues.”
“No, what I meant is… of course. I didn’t mean it that way.”
Joy, whistling happily, opened the trunk.
“Still, it’s better to check one last time to be sure. Luckily, we now have a good test subject.”
Joy, who’d lightly picked up Hyungoh, kissed him on the forehead.
“So, who’s coming this time?”
“I don’t know. Probably one of the capos. Like always.”
“I hope that man comes. The one with the cross tattoo on his arm.”
“Why?”
“He’s handsome. Let me feast my eyes.”
“You really have no taste, Simon. What’s handsome about that rude bastard?”
“Even if his personality is terrible, if he’s handsome, that’s all that matters.”
Simon glanced at Joy and muttered.
“Wait, what time is it now?”
“Twelve o’clock.”
“Oh my! It’s already time for them to arrive. Let’s hurry inside.”
Joy, carrying Hyungoh, ran quickly. With his eyes closed, his hearing became more sensitive. He heard the jingling of keys, and soon a door opened with a creaking sound. It seemed to be their base.
“Oh my god!”
“Whoa!”
Joy shouted in surprise. Simon, who was following behind, also jumped noisily.
“Oh my, I’m sorry, I was just startled… hohoho. Good evening.”
“You’re late. Basic punctuality, absolutely no basics.”
“I’m sorry. Can’t believe we’re a whole two minutes late, unbelievable.”
What an unlucky bastard. Joy muttered very quietly in a voice tinged with laughter.
One more person has joined. With the situation heading for the worst, Hyungoh sweated profusely. I need to time my escape well. Get a grip, Choi Hyungoh.
“Please wait a moment, I’ll bring the machine right away.”
“Hold on.”
The man stopped Joy, who was trying to leave quickly.
“What’s that?”
“Oh, this? It’s my new lover, hohoho.”
“An Asian?”
“Yes, yes, indeed. Now if you’ll excuse me…”
Joy flashed an artificial smile and quickly climbed the stairs. Feeling a burning gaze on the back of his head, Joy glanced at the man from the Cenaline Family. He was sitting with his legs crossed, staring intently at Hyungoh.
What’s with him? Why is he eyeing someone else’s property? Joy hugged Hyungoh tighter with a huff. Hyungoh’s eyelids trembled at the pungent perfume emanating from Joy’s chest.
“Wait, baby. I’ll be right back.”
Joy kissed Hyungoh’s forehead once more. Listening to the fading footsteps, Hyungoh carefully opened his eyes.
Having confirmed no one was around, Hyungoh quickly sat up. The door was firmly closed, and there was a window in front of him. How lucky can I be? Isn’t this the perfect timing to escape?
Hyungoh quickly wiped the sweat that had soaked his neck. Who knew life could be this thrilling? From what I heard, they seem to want to use me as some kind of test subject, but they don’t seem to intend to kill me right away. Is that somewhat fortunate? Hyungoh thought as he stealthily approached the window.
Looking outside, he could see another house not far away. Fortunately, it seemed to be a village where people lived. Though there weren’t many people around, probably because it was late, now that he knew this was a village, he couldn’t waste any more time.
Opening the window as quietly as possible, Hyungoh carefully placed his foot on the roof. You’re doing well, Choi Hyungoh. Now just move carefully. Just as Hyungoh, exhaling a deep breath, was steeling his resolve, his sweaty hand accidentally slipped off the windowsill, causing him to roll down the roof.
“Ahhh…!”
Suppressing his scream as much as possible, Hyungoh instinctively covered his head. Fortunately, thanks to the bushes piled up below, he wasn’t badly hurt.
I-I survived. If I had hit my head again this time, I would’ve been on the path to the afterlife. Clutching his wildly beating heart with one hand, Hyungoh struggled to move his trembling legs. As he got up, staggering, he felt someone’s presence behind him.
“…”
Ah. Please.
Hyungoh stood frozen like a stone. Clearly, someone was standing behind him, looking at him. But why was there no movement? Cold sweat tickled his cheek, running down to stop at his chin.
“You…”
The man spoke. Hyungoh closed his eyes slightly, as if everything was over. I was wrong. My legs won’t listen at all. Due to the extreme tension, his feet, which had become one with the ground, couldn’t have been more useless.
“Hyungoh?”
Hyungoh, who had been biting his lips with his head bowed, suddenly opened his eyes.
Huh?
Hyungoh turned his head stiffly. A man with his black shirt sleeves rolled up halfway was approaching him step by step. His face, hidden by darkness, gradually became clearer.
Hyungoh’s mouth slowly fell open. It was a familiar face. His pupils shook violently from the mixture of confusion and joy.
He was no different from before, or rather, his atmosphere had grown somewhat darker. His short crew cut and sturdy physique remained the same, but the playful energy that used to be felt in his gestures and tone was now nowhere to be found.
“…Theo.”
Theodore Cooper. It was him.
