[“You should have called two minutes earlier. Instructor Jeong Changin was talking to me here until then but Mao was in touch so he just left a while ago.”]

It was a quiet, indifferent, and a bit languid voice.

And hidden deep inside is a fang and scary claws.

“……..”

[“It won’t take long. He’ll probably be back in about 10 minutes.”]

Jeong Taeui was too familiar with this voice.

And he also knows that the person who owns this voice will definitely recognize him with just those two hellos.

[“In the meantime, let me talk to you. Or it would be better if you tell me what’s going on, I’m listening.”]

A faint smile mixed in his voice.

After pondering the voice that was still pouring into his ears word by word for a long time, Jeong Taeui softly lowered his voice.

“….Ilay.”

Ilay Riegrow.

He never thought that someone other than his uncle would pick up the phone at this hour. He knew that uncle might be sleeping or wouldn’t answer the phone for a few different reasons, but he never expected someone else to answer the call. And what’s more, that other person was that man.

[“It’s been a while, Taei. You unfaithful!”]

[“From the sound of your voice, it seems like you’re still doing well, right? You must have been worried since you’ve never contacted me again, huh? Whether you’re injured or not, and where you are, you should update me a bit, shouldn’t you?”]

He whispered softly. Even though Jeong Taeui had heard this voice many times, he still almost lost his reason for it.

He really paid attention and was looking for him.

How long has it been since Taeui heard that person’s voice?

Not that long. No, Taeui thinks he just heard this voice yesterday. That was the voice and face that entered his dreams, every day.

Everything becomes strange. His restless heart continuously echoed with thumping….., thumping…..slowly.

[“Where are you now?”]

He asked briefly. With that gentle and gentle voice, it felt like his heart was being strangled by someone.

Jeong Taeui was silent for a moment then smiled bitterly. He suddenly realized something while still shaking in fear when he heard this man’s voice.

“Deep down, he felt an unnamed excitement. He didn’t know what the happiness creeping into every cell of his being was. Perhaps it was the joy of having stayed away from this man for so long, or maybe… alright. He couldn’t even admit that it was simply an unnamed joy.”

Taeui’s bitter smile seemed to have entered the receiver. Ilay was silent for a moment.

[“You seem to be doing well. I’m happy that you’re doing well. If there’s anything good, please tell me. These past few days, I feel like I want to die.”]

The past few days seemed to appear with every word Ilay said as if he had really gone through such a gloomy and dark time.

Hearing that strange low voice, Jeong Taeui instinctively jumped.

“If I were next to this man right now, I’d be dead.”

“Do you feel like you want to die… But you don’t have any reason to do so. Ilay, UNHRDO will always operate well, and it’s also the place where you can freely do what you want and carry out everything according to your wishes. So, what is the reason for wanting to die? Could it be that you’ve gone through something unpleasant?”

Taeui slowly opened his mouth. He initially wanted to add more sarcasm and irony to his words, but since he was only an amateur, his ability was limited. However, it still sounded alright. After all, the other man wasn’t someone who couldn’t understand his clumsy sarcasm.

[“….You’re so proud.”]

The smile disappeared from his voice. His heart was pounding.

Taeui thinks that the feeling of horror right now is more like pleasure. Maybe this is also how people feel when watching horror movies.

[“Taei. You’ve suffered quite a bit while you’ve been here.”]

Suddenly, Ilay said something seemingly unrelated. Jeong Taeui raised his eyebrows and listened to those words. He slowly spit out each word.

“Oh right, I went through such a miserable time working alongside you. My colleagues turned their backs on me because of that damned reason, and besides that, the fact is that I also played a part in the disgrace of UNHRDO. So, how could I not have suffered greatly while being there?”

Jeong Taeui smirked.

Fragments of memories at that place appeared one after another through Ilay’s short words. Each event flashed through his mind. Those things that can’t be easily erased are never things that Taeui wants to remember.

“…..You talk like you know everything. But do you think you really understand people’s hearts?”

That’s right. Jeong Taeui whispered bitterly through clenched teeth. You. You are the one who has belittled others’ minds and considered them insignificant; you can’t understand anyone’s feelings at all. But if you could feel those emotions and still acted that way, that would be a hundred times worse.

Ilay laughed. It seemed he felt more comfortable not having to hear Taeui’s sarcastic laugh anymore.

[“You’re exaggerating, Taei. I mean right now, because you’ve been through a lot too, I can only give you one piece of advice. It’s very important for you.”]

Jeong Taeui was silent for a moment. Ilay’s low voice seemed to be whispering right next to his ear.

“Oh, I’m looking forward to this, what is it?”

He asked reluctantly. After that, Ilay slowly gritted her teeth and whispered each word, each word in a voice that seemed to come from the dark shadow.

[“Don’t get caught.”]

It seemed like this voice came from hell.

Those were things he had heard before. But that time it wasn’t too terrible. That’s because the person who said those words was his uncle, and he was simply giving him advice, literally.

Jeong Taeui suddenly got goosebumps, his hands that no longer had any blood left unconsciously grabbed himself.

“…….. Thank you for the advice, I will keep it in mind. I also know how to value my precious life.”

Jeong Taeui said bitterly, suddenly, a laugh rang out from inside the receiver. For a moment, he seemed to calm down before the familiar sound.

Ilay whispered with a cold smile.

[“Valuing life… ..? A person who knows how to value his life would run away like that? I thought you had already decided to give up your life that day.”]

“No way. If this life wasn’t precious, I wouldn’t have to endure those rotten days in that place.”

There were a few times when I had to hold back the thought of wanting to wring his neck down just because I regretted the rest of my beautiful life.

When will he be defeated by someone else?

Is it because this is just a phone call, or because he thinks he can outsmart him? Jeong Taeui had said everything in his heart to Ilay. Anyway, this is just a phone call and it can’t be traced, so he had to shout loudly when such a thing

[“Jeong Taei. I’m actually starting to worry about you… What the hell are you planning on doing when you see me later?”]

Ilay sighed and muttered as if he was really worried. That made him feel like a cat playing with a mouse. Jeong Taeui responded with words from the bottom of his heart.

“Of course, we will never meet again, you fool. I would die before I let you catch me, I’m sure you’re going crazy trying to find me, right? But where do you plan to catch me?”

After Jeong Taeui nonchalantly fired a shot, Ilay was silent for a while.

*Tock, tock*

A familiar sound came from the stethoscope. The moment he heard those rhythms, Jeong Taeui seemed to be able to picture in his mind the whole appearance of Ilay right now. He will sit on the chair in front of the desk, holding the receiver in one hand, with the other hand slowly tapping the armrest of the chair or on the table.

As always.

Suddenly, his heart felt like it was rolling in waves. He still unconsciously does that familiar movement and sometimes doesn’t even realize it. He was still there, just like before.

A feeling of longing and perhaps even bitterness crept into his heart, replacing the dark anger.

Taeui still remembered how angry he was when he left that place. Perhaps life at UNHRDO has not yet completely faded from his memory. Maybe he will remember him one day, when time passes and memory gradually fades and bad memories gradually disappear. But even then, he would probably still remember this man the same way as before. That’s because he still appears in my dreams every day. He is always here, in Jeong Taeui’s memories.

Jeong Taeui let out a vague breath that he couldn’t even tell whether it was a laugh or a sigh. Ilay was silent for a moment at Taeui’s words and then suddenly spoke.

“You said you didn’t want your teeth broken, right?”

Jeong Taeui was momentarily startled by his sudden question. But without needing to recall his memories, he soon remembered what he had just said to Ilay on the last night before leaving UNHRDO. Although the meaning was slightly different, the main idea was the same.

But it would be great to see the sharp fangs of this monster that attacks people being worn away.

Jeong Taeui remained silent, not wanting to correct Ilay. And silence also seems to be an affirmation. Ilay smiled slightly. That silly smile was filled with anger as if the memories of that day were vividly recalled in his every word.

[“Okay. Since it’s so precious, I’ll spare your life.”]

He said smiling. But it seemed like it was no longer just laughter. A gray color covered his voice. It seemed like he was angry. The anger was suppressed to the point of being unbearable and then seeping out like venom filling every word of Ilay.

[“Do you think I will kill you so easily? Didn’t you say that you hate being around me so much? If so then prepare to enjoy such a horrible life until you die. I want you to suffer like that every day.”]

The frost blurred Jeong Taeui’s voice, word by word. And it also covers Jeong Taeui’s heart.

[“No matter where you hide, no matter how long it takes, don’t you think I can find you? Don’t worry, at any cost, I will definitely bring you back in front of me.”]

The anger seeping into Ilay’s heart also seemed to pierce straight through Jeong Taeui’s cold chest.

He was silent for a moment. Taeui thought he would be angry. That’s right, with Ilay’s temperament, he probably won’t just get angry for a moment and then calm down immediately. Maybe he was even silently cursing and planning to tear him apart. A thought popped into his mind. For something like this, perhaps even Jeong Taeui himself or anyone else would get mad.

But he completely did not expect Ilay’s silent, silent rage at this moment. Ilay’s persistent, gloomy, dark, even somewhat difficult feeling of discomfort seemed to penetrate through the receiver and envelope Jeong Taeui.

“….Just do what you want if you can.”

Jeong Taeui spoke softly. His breathing, his anger, and his every gesture seemed to be lingering right in his ears.

Taeui suddenly panicked. It was a vague fear. It was not fear of the pain and suffering he would face if caught. But it’s a little different that can’t be put into words.

He couldn’t imagine what the anger was in him now, it was a persistent anger covered by darkness. Jeong Taeui suddenly realized that he didn’t even know what was in that darkness. That is indeed very scary.

“Say hello to my uncle for me. And tell him that everything is going well.”

Jeong Taeui spoke briefly. He didn’t want to continue this conversation any longer because his heartbeat felt like it was exploding in his chest right now. He also wanted to block out the responses of the man on the other side of the receiver, because the vague breathing sounds in his ear were creepy.

This man is dangerous. I felt it from the first time I watched his video.

He’s too dangerous.

Because he had been close to him for a long time, he thought he must have become blind. He was so used to the dangerous atmosphere when he was with him that he became numb and indifferent to that danger.

So stupid.

[“…….. Wait…”]

When Jeong Taeui was about to hang up, a voice suddenly came from inside the receiver, even a bit urgent and vague. He seemed very anxious to call Jeong Taeui.

He turned back to the receiver that had just left his ear and waited for his next words.

But Ilay just remained silent without saying anything else. He was just silent like that, like he didn’t know why he called him back so urgently. Jeong Taeui waited patiently without saying a word.

Those quiet moments passed slowly. Only the sound of low breathing remained through the stethoscope. Those seemed to be the only sounds for him to determine that the person on the other side of the phone was still there.

Quiet. Neither of them spoke up first. The two remained silent, listening to each other’s breathing.

How long has it been?

Jeong Taeui vaguely heard footsteps coming from downstairs to the study room. In the quiet space, the sound of footsteps grew closer and then farther away. Only after hearing those shoes did Jeong Taeui startle himself out of the silence as if he had just woken up from a dream.

This was not a place where he could stay for long, a clock caught his eye. By now, Kyle should have finished drinking his tea.

“……Goodbye.”

Jeong Taeui spoke briefly and put down the receiver. The clicking sound also means the call is disconnected.

But even after he put the phone down, he still looked at it silently for a moment.

Jeong Taeui slowly tilted his head.

Strange.

He had actually just talked to Ilay, but it wasn’t as scary as he had imagined.

“Is it true that the memories are gradually fading?…..The parts that need to be forgotten are forgotten, but there are some things that don’t want to be remembered and remembered clearly.”

Taeui muttered to himself with a sigh. Although he knows those memories will take a long time to fade.

Jeong Taeui scratched his head. Try to understand what is going on with his heart right now.

“Would I want to meet him?”

As soon as he asked himself, he already knew the answer. Jeong Taeui shook his head vigorously. Maybe he wouldn’t kill him, but he probably wasn’t kidding when he said he would make him live the rest of his life in misery.

The moment he and Ilay meet, it is certain that his life will take a turn for the worse.

No. He doesn’t want to meet him either.

Jeong Taeui shook his head a few times then sighed and turned away.

Kyle said he would come back after a cup of tea but he hasn’t arrived yet. Maybe it’s because when he came back he was still on the phone. So it would be better if he went out now and told him that his call ended well.

That’s right. After thanking him, he will leave. Get out.

Leaving here….. Where is he going? Where would he have to go to find his brother? He didn’t even have a clue.

Jeong Taeui sighed softly, suddenly, he felt relieved. What’s it like to just go somewhere?

“But, I also really like everyone….”

Jeong Taeui silently closed the heavy wooden door of the office.

When he said he was still leaving, Kyle’s face visibly drooled. He always seemed sad when he had to say goodbye to his beloved friends even though he was used to seeing people come and go as if it were a part of his life.

It seemed that because he was so sad, he left first, leaving Jeong Taeui who became a bad person when he decided to leave here.

Jeong Taeui scratched his head and walked down the stairs, then burst out laughing.

Perhaps because of the feeling of regret when someone leaves like this, there must always be other guests coming to him now and then. Even for Jeong Taeui himself. He thought that he would visit this place again when time passed favorably and circumstances permitted him to do so.

“Actually, if it weren’t for that bastard, I’d still want to stay here a little longer… what are the petitioners in the narrow lane….”

Jeong Taeui grumbled dissatisfied and strode up the stairs.

At that moment.

“……..!”

When there were only five or six steps left on the narrow, shiny wooden staircase, Jeong Taeui carelessly slipped on the stairs, probably because he accidentally took a slightly wider stride.

His feet slipped in the air. By the time he tried to lower his foot on the next step, his body had lost its center of gravity.

“UGH”

He didn’t know if he screamed or not, he wasn’t conscious enough to realize it clearly. A loud noise echoed throughout the house.

Jeong Taeui fell down the stairs.