Federico’s complexion wasn’t very good. He was clearly smiling, but since that was equivalent to a blank expression for him, Hunter had to read the atmosphere in the room.
The chilly air made his hair stand on end. Hunter sat on the sofa, silently facing Federico. Federico, who had been quietly looking down at his teacup as if lost in deep thought, opened his mouth.
“You seem to enjoy turning your back on me.”
“I can’t deny that.”
“Your reason for trying to prevent war is excessively flimsy.”
“Unlike my appearance, I’m not exactly perfect.”
“I’d like you to start telling the truth.”
“I already told you it’s not the right time yet, didn’t I?”
“Haha.”
Federico laughed out loud.
“Is that ‘time’ for me, or for you?”
“…For both you and me.”
“Wrong, Hunter. You can’t lie. Everyone may be enchanted by your silver tongue, but I can see through your intentions.”
“What an impressive lie detector you are.”
“Seeing how calm you are, you must have found the spy?”
Hunter kept his mouth shut.
“Sergei? Haha. Do you think I would pose such an easy problem?”
“…”
“It’s an intricate and cunning spy. His intelligence has become poison, aiming for my throat. Without any sense of gratitude, he crawls up and fans the flames.”
“…If he bothers you that much, why don’t you just kill him?”
“That wouldn’t be fun!”
Federico exclaimed.
“That’s not what I want. We made a bet, after all.”
Hunter kept his mouth shut again. Is this why he called me? Federico, who had crossed his legs and taken a sip of tea, stared at Hunter intensely.
“I’m looking forward to it. Who will submit first?”
Hunter, who had slightly pushed up his glasses, smirked. Today might be a bad day for Federico, but for Hunter, it was the best day ever. You’re finally starting to show hostility towards me. That’s a good sign. Showing emotions is the same as revealing vulnerabilities.
“I’m always on your side, Fede.”
“Of course.”
Their gazes collided in empty air. Hunter, who had never won a staring contest with him, was once again the first to look away.
“By the way, I’m thinking of stopping by my house to pick up some necessary documents.”
“Your house?”
“Yes. I left all the important materials behind because I was imprisoned so suddenly.”
“Hmm.”
“If you let me go willingly this time,”
Hunter paused before continuing.
“I’ll bring Michael.”
Federico’s eyes widened as if surprised. Michael?
Hunter nodded. The moment to make a decision was approaching.
Unstable Michael and hostile Federico. The two men were on edge, each for their own reasons. Hunter hoped for chaos within the organization. An uncontrollable chaos that would engulf and destroy the entire organization—that was the path Hunter wanted.
Only Michael could stand against Federico. He had a special ability, and that ability was powerful enough to put even Federico in danger. It would be good if Hyungoh could shake Michael up more. Hunter was tapping the sofa armrest when he suddenly stopped.
Yes. Hyungoh’s role would be important. Since a deep bond seems to have formed between Michael and Hyungoh, that child could certainly control Michael’s mood. Whether Hyungoh would follow my instructions is questionable. But that’s just a minor concern for now.
“Alright.”
Federico answered. He picked up his teacup again and took another sip.
Hunter organized his thoughts step by step. If he could bring Hyungoh and Michael, the subsequent plan was perfect. Federico would surely recognize Michael’s ability immediately and try to use it, and Hyungoh, given his character, would obviously try to protect Michael. He’s a child who enjoys pretending to be a righteous hero, after all. Hunter smiled mockingly.
Hyungoh needed to be between Federico and Michael’s collision. If those two were matches, then Hyungoh was nothing less than the spark to ignite them.
“Well thought, Hunter.”
Hunter laughed inwardly at Federico, who didn’t stop smiling until the moment he left the room. I can’t wait to see your distorted face. Mate, who encountered Hunter head-on as he came out of the room, flinched. What happened to make him have such a vicious expression?
“Have a car ready.”
“Where are you going?”
Hunter took out car keys from his coat’s inner pocket and threw them at a man who was loitering in the hallway. The man, who let out a short scream as the keys hit his head, turned his head sharply. He had been confidently squaring his shoulders, but upon seeing Hunter and Mate, he blinked as if flustered.
Hunter urged the man with a slight movement of his finger and leisurely replied while adjusting his clothes.
“Time to go home after a long while.”
* * *
Hyungoh opened his mouth. His body, which had been moving sluggishly as if drunk, gradually regained its senses. What did you say? A thick fog interfered with his vision. Hyungoh stared at Michael’s approaching figure.
“Michael, you…”
Did you just get angry at me?
It was the first time he had heard him yell. He had never raised his voice in front of me, not even once.
“Let go.”
Michael shook off Hyungoh’s hand. His aura, soaked in betrayal, made Hyungoh tense.
“Lies. Liar.”
“Calm down and listen to me.”
“I said let go.”
Hyungoh desperately grabbed onto Michael’s sleeve. Michael, who had stopped moving, spoke in a deeply subdued voice. His anger was fully contained within it.
Hyungoh’s back became damp. Michael’s attitude was unfamiliar. It seemed like he might grab a hammer and rush at him at any moment.
“I trusted you. Even while ignoring myself.”
“Listen, Michael. I wasn’t trying to run away.”
“In the end, I wasn’t wrong.”
Michael looked at the drifting fog as if in despair, then shifted his gaze to glare at Herick, who was hiding behind a majestic tree.
“In the end…”
Michael took a step closer to Hyungoh. In response, Hyungoh hesitantly stepped back.
“In the end, I…”
As Michael approached with big strides, Hyungoh kept backing away and ended up tripping over a rock. Behind him was a pitch-black lake. Hyungoh was terrified by the darkness with no visible end. When did we get here?
“Michael, step back.”
“Scared?”
“It’s not that I’m scared, we’re just too close to the lake.”
“So you’re not scared.”
Michael raised both hands side by side. His warm hands touched Hyungoh’s stomach.
“Death isn’t that far away, Choi.”
As his body tilted, Hyungoh reflexively stretched his hands forward. His fingertips barely grazed past Michael.
The water that touched his back stung. It felt like being pricked by thorns.
He couldn’t take his eyes off Michael. Hyungoh strained his eyes more at Michael’s wavering figure. His coldly frozen expression was looking down at Hyungoh as if mocking him.
Why?
He was sucked into the ground. It was a dark and chilly cliff. His hands and feet were freezing cold, and his pupils ached as if they would tear as his vision became increasingly blurry.
At this moment, Michael bent his waist. He was moving his mouth toward Hyungoh.
‘Mother.’
What? As Hyungoh opened his mouth, bubbles took away the air. He trembled, unable to breathe. Michael. Hyungoh barely moved his lips.
But something was strange. Michael should have been right in front of him. Is my vision wrong? Why is Michael’s hair pitch-black?
Who are you?
Gradually, the strength left his body. Hyungoh stretched his ice-cold palm in front of his eyes. It was a delicate hand. A silver ring was on the ring finger. A ring? Hyungoh carefully examined the ring that was twisted like a rope.
This isn’t mine.
Black hair fluttered near his ears. I said it’s not mine. As hair scattered in all directions, Hyungoh thought.
Between slender and long fingers, he could see a familiar school uniform. That’s not Michael either. Hyungoh moved aside the hand covering the person’s face from his sight.
Mother!
“Huk…!”
Hyungoh convulsed as if having a seizure. Something exploded like fireworks in his head at the gradually emerging horrific scene.
No way. This can’t be.
Hyungoh let out a silent scream as he faced a man who was crying profusely. A loosened necktie and a blood-stained shirt. A man pouring out his anger toward someone who was helplessly sitting down and sinking.
That man definitely had Hyungoh’s face.
