/Back then…/

Jeong Changin paused as he stepped into the room.

As soon as he opened the door, he could clearly feel the icy cold atmosphere and a chill running down his spine.

Riegrow was sitting at the desk.

With one hand propping his chin, he was silently lost in thought. His cold eyes seemed to have frozen to the point where only a dark hue remained.

What is this? He had only been out of the room for at most twenty minutes, yet upon returning, the atmosphere had become so suffocating it felt as if his chest was being squeezed.

Jeong Changin struggled with himself for a moment, he didn’t want to enter his own room but couldn’t turn back either. So, he quietly walked in. Jeong Changin knew that once Riegrow’s cold eyes turned dark and his face expressionless, it would be dangerous.

He quietly closed the door behind him and tilted his head. Perhaps Riegrow knew he was there, but he didn’t glance up, remaining silent in his thoughts. When there were matters to discuss, Ilay, his brother, Jeong Changin and UNHRDO would connect and meet face-to-face if possible. In the past, when the two brothers were on the other side of the earth, they would often talk on the phone with multiple layers of security, though it wasn’t an ideal method. Despite blocking numerous signal-detecting devices to confirm the source of the call and prevent information leaks, nothing was perfect; once security was activated, detection could still occur.

Calling as much as they wanted was possible but not advisable frequently. Hence, they only discussed minor issues over the phone and reserved important discussions for face-to-face meetings or trusted messengers.

This had become a routine, and even after Riegrow moved to Hong Kong, they occasionally met. Given the nature of UNHRDO’s operations, the cables inside the branch were considered safer than externally secured cables, making external security devices unnecessary when in the same building.

Today was no different, they were to discuss work, specifically the power dynamics within the branch. Riegrow had come to his office after a long time to discuss these matters. However, just as they began talking, Maoli contacted Changin with a similar issue, causing him to leave for about ten minutes, or possibly up to twenty.

Riegrow browsed the bookshelf while waiting and was lost in thought with an expressionless face when Jeong Changin entered the room.

“…..”

This doesn’t look good.

Jeong Changin thought as he approached Riegrow with a nonchalant expression. In his memory, this atmosphere never led to a good outcome, especially if the person in front of you was an ice-cold monster.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting. Are you reading a book?”

He pretended not to notice the current state, but Riegrow didn’t respond. It seemed he was still immersed in his own thoughts, not even glancing up once.

Jeong Changin wanted to lower the uncomfortable atmosphere as much as possible. It had only been a few dozen minutes, surely there was a reason for this.

Jeong Changin was wearing the uniform required for the evening meeting with his superiors. He took it off and quietly tilted his head. Alright, one issue at a time, try to think of a plausible point.

Riegrow’s mood had been bad for a while. He exuded a menacing aura so intense that even those unaware of his previous cruelties could clearly perceive it. Jeong Changin knew exactly when this started.

It was the night Taeui left UNHRDO.

That day, Jeong Changin’s heart sank. His nephew had come to bid farewell without a word. 

When Taeui arrived, he only carried a sports bag and nodded slightly through the half-open door. Jeong Changin saw him off with a simple nod, as if he were invisible.

“Uncle. I think you’re using me.”

After returning from the fourth floor that day, his nephew spoke to him with a sigh. Although Jeong Changin didn’t think so, if the exploitation the boy mentioned was a burning desire for something, he was right.

Even though his nephew was angry and cold towards him, Jeong Changin still remembered the boy. Even if his ultimate desire was far from what people thought.

After Taeui left, Jeong Changin sat in silence for a while before slowly standing up. Such matters were trivial and mundane. He still had a lot to do. The things he created should be disposed of by himself.

Jeong Changin went to Riegrow’s room, considering him an accomplice. Because he had helped him in this matter.

It was late, but he didn’t care.

Riegrow, even while asleep, could immediately wake up if anyone stood before his door. Jeong Changin knocked without hesitation. Contrary to expectations, there was no movement. Perhaps he was in the bathroom or listening to music and couldn’t hear. Jeong 

Changin knocked again, this time louder. Then, he heard a sound from inside.

“Rick? I’m coming in.”

With that, Jeong Changin slightly opened the door and looked inside. At that moment, he felt as if he were suffocating.

A shocking scene unfolded before him. Even in his dreams, he couldn’t imagine this.

Riegrow was tied up.

His wrists were cuffed to the bedpost, leaving him unable to move.

Riegrow, like a madman, slowly lifted his eyes, looking towards Jeong Changin. It was as if he had just woken up from unconsciousness.

However, his vision was still blurry. His eyes blinked a few times as if gradually restoring the clarity of his once murky consciousness.

At the same time, Jeong Changin detected a familiar yet strange scent. Despite the air conditioning, the smell of Chloroform lingered.

It seemed to be the cause of Riegrow’s unconsciousness.

Who could have done this to him?

Perhaps Jeong Changin was the first to consider the possibility, not needing long to think of an answer. There was no reason. As soon as the question arose, he immediately thought of someone.

That nephew…… before leaving, the boy must have struck the right spot and fled.

Jeong Changin clicked his tongue, stepped into the room, and approached Riegrow. The key to his handcuffs was placed on the bedside table. Whether it was one of the things driving him crazy or not, his gaze was so icy it was as if something within reach was rendered futile by his still-murky consciousness.

Changin didn’t know if the key had caught his eye while he was still trying to escape the metal shackles. He picked up the key and glanced at the clock. By this time, Taeui would be on a ship bound for Hong Kong. Even if he used all his strength to chase now, it would be too late.

He unlocked the cuffs. Then, Jeong Changin tossed the chloroform-soaked towel from the nightstand into the bathroom and closed the door. He thought that once Riegrow’s wrists were freed, despite the chloroform’s effects, the monstrous man would miraculously get up and run to the dock immediately. But contrary to his expectations, once Riegrow regained freedom for his hands, he lay there silently for a long time.

“….Are you okay?”

Jeong Changin spoke and brought him some water. His gaze remained fixed on the ceiling, still hazy and unstable.

‘Indeed a monster’ – Jeong Changin thought. The towel soaked in chloroform still faintly scented the air. If its smell remained strong on the towel and hadn’t dissipated, not much time had passed. Yet, he had already regained consciousness.

‘Because he’s not like a human’ – A long-forgotten voice automatically flashed through his mind.

“…..What time is it?”

Riegrow spoke. It was the first time Jeong Changin heard such a deep, cold voice. He silently looked at the clock and gave the time. Perhaps Riegrow could estimate the time himself, and if it wasn’t too late, he might still chase his nephew. But upon hearing the too-late time, Riegrow remained silent.

With Jeong Changin’s support, he sat up. His gaze was low while drinking water. After emptying the glass, he rested for a moment before leaning his head against the bed. He remained silent except for his determined eyes, seemingly resisting the lingering effects of the drug in pain.

If one said he simply fell asleep, it wouldn’t be wrong; he just didn’t move. Only then did Jeong Changin realize this was not the right time to talk. He clicked his tongue and thought of his nephew for a moment. Somehow, everything seemed off course.

Riegrow missing his target was nearly impossible. However, Jeong Taeui wasn’t like other people; once determined to escape, finding him would be difficult.

Riegrow, who had been silent as if dozing, suddenly muttered.

“How on earth did you raise your nephew?”

Jeong Changin directed his gaze towards him. His voice was still soft and hazy, like speaking in a dream.

He sat down in a chair, having heard similar things in the past, and responded with a question.

“Sometimes the boy is very reckless, right?”

The answer didn’t seem to address Riegrow’s question. Indeed, reckless. Even Jeong Changin wouldn’t recklessly act without knowing the consequences. Fundamentally, Jeong Taeui was the same. From his usual behavior, he wasn’t the type to act recklessly without certainty.

But sometimes things just happened that way. Instead of thinking carefully, the body or emotions reacted first. It made outsiders feel both eerie and intrigued.

Jeong Changin glanced at Riegrow, whose facial muscles were tense. His cheeks were both flushed and swollen. He didn’t need to ask the reason for this. Riegrow must have been handcuffed and severely beaten.

He hoped his nephew could run far away.

Riegrow lowered his still dazed eyes to his hands, which seemed not to have fully regained their strength. He then began moving one or two fingers, observing their movement as if exploring how his hands looked.

“He likes it. I don’t know why. Even when looking back at it like this.”

Riegrow whispered as if telling a casual story. This was the first time Jeong Changin had seen him like this. He looked as if he were drunk to the point of madness.

A light breath escaped. It was a long, low sigh, as if releasing heavy burdens.

Riegrow half-closed his eyes. He knew that once he closed his eyes, no matter how hard he tried, he would once again fall into unconsciousness.

Jeong Changin stood up from his chair, knowing that this time Riegrow wouldn’t wake up again. He might not even know what he had said when he truly woke up the next morning. On the boundary between consciousness and unconsciousness, he was now quickly falling more into unconsciousness.

Jeong Changin stepped forward, turned off the light, and walked out the door. At that moment, as he was about to fall asleep, a deep, hoarse voice echoed in the air.

“He must hate me terribly.”

Jeong Changin didn’t clearly hear those words. It was a vague voice. At first, he thought Riegrow had said it, but he wasn’t sure if he heard correctly.

As expected, Riegrow fell into unconsciousness again. Jeong Changin tilted his head in contemplation but then quietly closed the door and left.

After that day.

Since then, Riegrow had become increasingly brutal and out of control. He had always been a cruel man, enough to be called a madman from the early days, but when he came to the Asian branch as an instructor, he had restrained himself a lot. Although the members of the branch were constantly injured, both seriously and lightly, no matter how severe the injury, they could still survive.

When Riegrow moved to the Asian branch, Kyle had seriously said: “UNHRDO must be crazy to let him be an Instructor here” But then he was surprised when no one died after a few months.

But…

Riegrow seemed to have reverted to being a brutal killer as before.

At first glance, it seemed nothing had changed. There was no difference in his expression, voice, and way of speaking, or even in how he handled certain issues. As usual, it was the cold smile and slow, indifferent, yet slightly twisted tone.

But it seemed the brutal monster had returned. Now, no member could easily say anything in front of him as before.

Because 2 people had died at his hands.

In 3 or 4 days, Eoryeong Prison witnessed an unprecedented event where an Instructor entered and was quickly released, though it was a very short time.

He couldn’t truly say Riegrow had changed, but anyone could easily sense it. Even Jeong Changin now felt like walking on thin ice when facing this frightening and unstable monster.

If it had been before, Riegrow would have spared Jeong Changin some face. But now, if anyone bothered him even a little, he would immediately twist their neck and tear them apart without a word.

But he was still doing what he had to do, and he wouldn’t use those gloves unless there was a reason unless someone crossed the line.

Jeong Changin knew Riegrow wouldn’t touch him to a certain extent, so he could keep a reasonable distance from him. In fact, if it wasn’t for work, the connection between the two of them wouldn’t exist, so it was easy to control it.

Even now. Riegrow had been to a company in Hong Kong last weekend for a few days and also told his brother that sooner or later, he would receive a contact. Then today, he received a short call from outside and came to Jeong Changin’s room late at night to talk about it. Then he was called out by his superior for a while, but when he returned, the atmosphere in the room had become strange.

Jeong Changin hung his uniform on the hook, then turned around and began to slowly observe Riegrow.

At that moment, Riegrow suddenly spoke.

“I just received a call from you, and I’m still thinking about what to do. It was a call from an outside line, and all signals were cut off.”

Jeong Changin slightly raised his eyebrows. His mind flashed a few clues about the reason for Riegrow’s bad mood. A call from outside. Only a few people could call from outside at this time. Among them….

“….”

Jeong Changin scanned through each person, and his whole body seemed to tense up. Because he didn’t know exactly who the caller was. And the reason Riegrow looked at him with such cold eyes.

“Did you have a hand in it too?”

Riegrow coldly said. Jeong Changin was speechless for a moment, then sighed.

“Alright. I helped the boy…. If I didn’t, I would have lost a nephew.”

Riegrow looked at him without saying a word. Those blue eyes were so cold. It seemed he wanted to say something but eventually only asked briefly what he wanted to know.

“Where is he?”