An internationally wanted fugitive for attacking a nation’s capital.

A representative of a state-owned enterprise from that country.

A mediator who was the ‘friend’ of the fugitive and also indebted to that state-owned enterprise.

“You’re Jeong Taeui, right? My boss mentioned that you’ve been a great help.”

Jeong Taeui had no choice but to remain silent for a moment at Malik’s words.

Although he had anticipated this, hearing his name mentioned explicitly by Malik and then the existence of his ‘boss’……

Before Jeong Taeui could wonder, Malik clarified.

“Ah, to be precise, it’s your brother Jeong Jae-ui. I brought you to the Seringe mansion, didn’t I? I wonder if you felt comfortable there.”

At that moment, Jeong Taeui realized who Malik’s boss was.

A person which is hard to forget even after decades.

“Ah…… that……”

But not remembering the full name quickly, Jeong Taeui realized. Yes, his boss’s mansion was also destroyed by a barrage of cannon fire from the person sitting next to him.

As Jeong Taeui recalled this, he smiled awkwardly. Ilay, perhaps thinking the same, chuckled softly.

Malik casually tilted his teacup and shook his head gently.

“At that time, my boss didn’t expect Jeong Taeui and Riegrow to have such a ‘deep relationship’.”

How could he have known that in his absence, his mansion would be bombed?

The one who responded to Malik’s gentle sarcasm was Ilay.

“A deep relationship…… Do you want to see how deep that relationship goes?”

The face with a friendly smile. It was rare to see Ilay with such an expression.

At the same time, Jeong Taeui felt an instinctive threat from the contradiction of Ilay appearing unusually friendly. His hand on Jeong Taeui’s thigh increased its pressure.

“If you want, I can show you how ‘intimate’ it is from the waist down. However, there will be a fee.”

Just as he was about to mention the fee, Jeong Taeui jerked and looked back. Ilay had pulled out a pistol and released the safety. Before anyone could stop or evade it,

*Bang―!*

The teapot shattered into pieces. The sound of fragments scattering everywhere.

The large ceramic teapot, decorated with countless intricate flower petals, was completely shattered beyond recognition, leaving only the handle and base.

Malik had frozen the moment Ilay pulled out the gun, finally looking slowly at the shattered remains of the handcrafted teapot in front of him. He realized that it wouldn’t have been surprising if it were their blood and flesh scattered instead of shards.

He didn’t know what kind of person was in front of him. Despite now posing as ‘Riegrow’s Man Visiting Tarten,’ he was still ‘Crazy Rick’ – who could calmly attack a nation’s capital.

“……Thank you for your kindness, but I’ll postpone the viewing for another time.”

Malik remained silent for a moment, then forced a smile, speaking as if nothing had happened.

The representative of Malik’s bitter sentiment was Christoph. He calmly drank tea, indifferent to the chaos around him.

Christoph frowned and set down his teacup. Then he glared at Ilay.

“What are you doing? The shards sprayed everywhere, and I can’t drink tea anymore.”

“Sorry about that. If you want, you can drink from my cup. Though I’ve already drunk from it.”

Ilay casually offered his cup. Christoph looked at the teacup and turned his head with an angry expression, not intending to take it.

These people are really abnormal.

In this situation, hosting distinguished guests at home, they didn’t see shooting a gun as unusual.

Jeong Taeui lightly pressed his aching temple with his thumb. Meanwhile, Richard, the most seemingly normal one, was apologizing politely to Malik with an embarrassed look.

While Richard sincerely – or seemingly sincerely – apologized and Malik responded generously, Jeong Taeui skillfully took the gun from Ilay’s hand then sat on it while observing Richard handle the situation. Suddenly, he noticed Richard raising his hand to wipe his eye.

A shard had hit and caused a small wound under Richard’s eye.

“Oh…… Did a shard hit you? Are you okay?”

Jeong Taeui’s question drew everyone’s attention to Richard. Richard shook his head as if it was no big deal.

“It’s fine. Just a minor wound.”

Richard rubbed the red spot under his eye. Although the wound wasn’t serious, he had still been slightly injured, and Richard looked at Ilay with a very friendly expression.

“Tarten and Riegrow have had a long-standing good relationship. Our relationship is just as deep as yours.”

Richard added: “Perhaps you already know this” as if confirming it. Malik simply nodded without saying anything.

A short silence followed.

At that nuanced tone, Jeong Taeui regretted starting the conversation. He sighed and took a sip of tea.

He shouldn’t have come here. He shouldn’t have gotten involved in this. If he had refused, things might have been different. Even if they had insisted, he should have resisted.

From start to finish, every word was full of implications. None of it was straightforward; everything had hidden meanings. It was exhausting to decipher these subtle words.

“Yes. I can’t say everything I heard was true.”

Malik seemed to want to ease the situation and spoke.

“The two of Tarten seem more harmonious than what I’ve heard. To be honest, before coming here, I heard that their relationship was quite tense.” 

“However, upon arriving, I heard they are closer than ‘normal’…… Ah, sorry.” 

Malik smiled gently and fell silent. But if he truly thought it was rude, he wouldn’t have said that much. Jeong Taeui quickly understood that those words were not just a challenge but also a mockery. Just as Christoph’s expression instantly darkened and Ilay raised his eyebrow slightly with a faint smile, understanding as well. 

Only Richard remained clearly surprised, unaware of the rumor. 

Jeong Taeui quietly looked into his teacup and then glanced at Christoph, still convinced of his same-sex relationship with Richard, beginning to believe it was true. Jeong Taeui wondered how to correct Christoph’s misconception. 

Unaware of Jeong Taeui’s thoughts, Richard transitioned from surprise to a smile. 

“It seems the false rumor of our discord reached you? Haha, although we once had a competitive relationship due to family circumstances, that has nothing to do with Tarten not having conflicts. As you can see, Christoph and I have a very close cooperative relationship.” 

Richard smiled brightly, looking at Christoph as if seeking agreement. Just looking at Richard’s amiable face made it seem like they were best friends. 

Not smiling at this moment would be very bad.It would only make the dangerous rumors everyone had heard seem more credible. Jeong Taeui agonized over this but couldn’t tell Richard. 

Unlike Christoph, who foolishly didn’t consider Jeong Taeui touching his genitals a homosexual act, Richard had no such thoughts. Jeong Taeui worried about how Richard would react if he heard the rumor.

Meanwhile, Christoph felt like a serious victim, shrinking away as Richard smiled at him without saying anything. His gaze was akin to that of a rapist standing before the police and saying: ‘Rape? We were in a consensual relationship, just a bit of a misunderstanding, right?’ with a friendly demeanor.

After hearing Richard’s concerned words: “You don’t look well today; maybe you should rest early? If you’re too tired, let me help you back” Christoph shook his head vigorously. 

Jeong Taeui could only swallow bitterly and watch them in silence.

Richard, always gentle and friendly to everyone, seemed to pay extra attention to Christoph. Perhaps it was to emphasize their close partnership, but Jeong Taeui suspected Richard enjoyed Christoph’s disgusted reactions more.

“Wow, whatever they talked about, it must be interesting. I didn’t expect Christoph to endure this situation so easily……” 

Jeong Taeui muttered to himself quietly enough that no one else could hear, but Ilay’s eyes curved slightly as if he had heard Jeong Taeui’s ant-like whispers.

Just then.

Christoph, knowing Richard was enjoying his pain, couldn’t take it any longer. 

Christoph looked up at Richard with his usual expressionless face, while Richard calmly smiled back, seemingly awaiting Christoph’s inevitable reaction.

After staring at Richard coldly as if ready to devour him, Christoph blinked a few times, then suddenly softened his expression as if resolved about something. 

Jeong Taeui, watching Christoph with concern, almost spat out his tea.

Christoph was smiling. Just like he practiced every night with Jeong Taeui.

The smile was still somewhat stiff and not entirely natural, but Christoph was smiling. Seeing him smile like that, he looked like a portrait.

It was a smile that said: “It’s okay” but the fact that the smile was directed at Richard was unsettling.

And Richard. The smile disappeared from his face.

Richard’s face went expressionless, as if he had been unexpectedly struck. He even seemed angry, with a stern look.

Richard stared at Christoph without blinking, his gaze fixed on Christoph’s eyes and mouth.

“Richard.”   

Christoph called softly. Richard finally changed his expression, but his usual smile didn’t return. He just raised an eyebrow, looking at Christoph.

Christoph smiled again, this time more naturally, with slightly curved eyes. 

“You’re hurt. If you leave it, it could get infected. Wait a minute, I’ll get some medicine for you.”

“Hmm? No need, it’s not that bad……” – But before Richard could refuse, Christoph had already stood up and left.

The room fell silent as the door closed.

Richard still didn’t smile. He seemed lost in thought, raising his hand to cover his mouth and chin. (Does anyone remember this gesture of Richard’s from Hidden Track Vol 2?)

The silence was broken by Malik, who had been quietly observing. He sighed in admiration. 

“From the first time I met him, I thought he was very…… um, handsome, but now I can see he’s truly elegant and dazzling. Haha, it’s hard to imagine he once belonged to a harsh world like the anti-riot task force.”

Hearing Malik’s sincere admiration, Jeong Taeui nodded. Indeed. How many people, upon meeting him for the first time, could imagine that he came from such a dangerous world?

It turned out that stiff smile was his way of leaving this place smoothly. Well, even if he didn’t return, no one needed to find and drag him back to continue the conversation.

“It’s hard to imagine him holding a weapon…… Have you ever seen it?” Malik asked with an admiring expression.

Another short silence passed.

In this mansion, it was easier to find people who hadn’t seen it.

The one to answer Malik was Richard, who had regained his smile. He nodded with a warm smile on his face. 

“Despite that, Christoph is an excellent warrior. I heard he was the top in T&R’s task force.”

Ilay nodded in agreement.

“Hmm…… Speaking of which, the person I serve is looking for a talent capable of leading their private security force. I’d really like to see his skills once.”

Malik nodded and spoke softly. Ilay smirked and spoke up.

“He’s one of Raumaan’s close friends with a private security force…… Perhaps they want to build a stronger relationship with someone from Tarten.”

Though it sounded like he was talking to himself, everyone in the room heard it.

……Again. Words with hidden meanings.

Jeong Taeui sensed the vague undercurrent in the air.

And Malik, one of the creators of this undercurrent, smiled slightly after a moment of silence.

“In fact, the people I serve hope to maintain a close relationship with Tarten even after the debts are repaid. The closest and strongest relationship possible.”

Malik finished his sentence with a pronounced smile.

Another short silence followed.

In the quiet, Jeong Taeui thought.

A ‘close and strong’ relationship with Tarten. In other words, one that could surpass even 150 years of history.

Malik didn’t just represent a national enterprise. Behind him was the immense power of a nation. Not comparable to a corporation.

Between a place with 150 years of relations and a place of concentrated power and wealth, if one had to choose……

Jeong Taeui scratched his cheek awkwardly.

He wasn’t a child, but facing such a choice seemed like a joke.

Richard pondered for a moment, then smiled slightly

“So you want to introduce Christoph to that esteemed person? I don’t know what he’ll choose, but I hope it will lead to a good relationship.”

Clearly, he didn’t want to prolong this topic. Malik followed suit, smiling and raising his eyebrows in a friendly manner before winking mischievously.

“Indeed. Haha, but don’t misunderstand. I have no intention of stealing your beautiful lover without consent.”

My God!

Jeong Taeui took a sharp breath.

He almost spat out his tea.

“……”

Jeong Taeui wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, looking up with an awkward expression.

This was a direct hit. A bomb right to the face.

Malik smiled warmly as if unaware of what he had just said. Richard, holding his teacup, paused and looked at Malik with a strange expression.

Trying to understand something, Richard tilted his head slightly, then frowned after a few seconds of still not understanding.

“Sorry, what did you just say……?”

“Oh, I was talking about Christoph Tarten. No matter how great his skills are, I have no intention of forcing him away without his consent.”

Malik still didn’t grasp the tension in the situation.

This time, Richard’s gaze turned to Jeong Taeui. He looked around from Jeong Taeui to the others in the room, trying to figure out if he had misheard or if there was something he didn’t know.

Jeong Taeui turned his face away to hide his unease. Richard’s eyes narrowed.

“Did you just say ‘beautiful lover’?”

Richard asked calmly, still keeping a gentle smile on his face.

Malik seemed to misunderstand Richard’s question in another way: “Oh”, he nodded appreciatively. 

“Yes. Very beautiful. It’s hard to find someone as beautiful as him. Moreover, not only his appearance but also his talent. It’s truly admirable to have such a lover…… I hope praising someone’s lover isn’t considered rude in your culture. I only admire, with no other intention.”

Malik added with a respectful tone, noticing the subtle change in Richard’s expression. But he had misunderstood something.

This time, Richard’s gaze turned back to Jeong Taeui. Jeong Taeui felt uneasy and turned away.

Damn it, why keep looking at me?…… He must know Ilay is a poker face master, so looking at him is useless.

Despite trying to maintain a neutral face, Jeong Taeui clearly couldn’t hide the unease and anxiety in his eyes.

Richard looked at Jeong Taeui with a quiet, mysterious gaze. Then he smiled lightly and shook his head. 

“It seems you misunderstood. Christoph and I are cousins. Although he helps me a lot, there’s no such thing. I already have a lover. And of course, she is a woman.”

Jeong Taeui thought about Richard’s naivety, certainly not understanding the true meaning of the word ‘lover’ when recalling the sexual activities he accidentally witnessed at the bar a few days ago. It was more of a dominant-submissive relationship than love. It was debauchery.

Malik seemed surprised, blinking and staying silent for a moment. Then he spoke with an embarrassed look.

“Oh…… is that so? Sorry for the rude misunderstanding. I must have misheard.”

This time Malik apologized with a confused face. Richard smiled kindly and shook his head.

Jeong Taeui hoped that Richard would let this go, or if he investigated the rumor, that he wouldn’t make Jeong Taeui the target.

……But.

Jeong Taeui looked at Malik with a friendly smile.

He was just surprised. Not just by the content of what was said, but also by the fact that Malik knew about it.

It was a trivial rumor. Though unaware of how far it had spread, at least it hadn’t gone beyond the Tarten mansion.

If Malik knew about it, then he wasn’t just a kind and cheerful person.

Well, the one who came here for the final negotiations certainly wasn’t an easy person.

Jeong Taeui sighed lightly: “Hm.” In any case, facing a difficult opponent was not a good sign.

The atmosphere here was really uncomfortable. Perhaps because everyone was in an enclosed space, only exhaling carbon dioxide, making the air stuffy.

Jeong Taeui decided to stand up to open the window, both to escape this discomfort a bit when suddenly the door burst open without a knock.

Christoph, who he thought had found a reason to leave, walked in with strong steps.

“Christo……”

But before Jeong Taeui could call his name, Christoph smiled.

It was a natural smile. His eyes sparkled like a child’s with genuine joy and happiness. And surprisingly, that smile was directed at Richard.

Wait, Richard had just heard about that terrible rumor and denied it.

But now, such a bright smile directed at Richard only increased the suspicion.

Jeong Taeui wanted to stop Christoph, but before he could stand up, Christoph had already reached Richard.

“Richard, let me apply some ointment for you. It’s not good to leave scars around your eyes. Fortunately, I have some good ointment with me. I’ll apply it myself.”

Richard wiped all expressions from his face and stared at Christoph after seeing such an innocent and pure smile that even Jeong Taeui was surprised. He stood still as Christoph approached and examined the small wound near his eye.

Richard seemed like he wanted to say something, but when Christoph seriously examined his face and the wound, he kept his mouth shut. He probably realized it wasn’t the right time to speak up.

Christoph, unfazed by the atmosphere, opened the ointment jar with a smile after confirming the wound’s location near Richard’s eye.

“It must hurt a lot. Hold on a bit. This ointment is very effective.”

Even showing a sympathetic tone, Christoph filled his fingertip with the ointment.

At that moment, a familiar smell immediately reached Jeong Taeui, who was sitting nearby.

“…….!”

Jeong Taeui quickly stood up to stop Christoph but was a step too late.

Christoph carefully applied the ointment near Richard’s eye, while Richard looked at him with a puzzled expression. It was Tiger Balm.

Richard’s expression, who was looking at Christoph suspiciously as if he had eaten something wrong, changed not long after.