The place where he lived was not far, just a small dorm room a few houses away from the old bookstore. When they arrived there together, he knew that this guy was traveling freely and had no specific destination. Young man also heard him tell the unfortunate incident he had to go through yesterday. Anyway, Italy is also famous for cross-border pickpocketing.

“I didn’t know it even happened on the train.”

He comforted him as he told the story.

The more he looked, the more he felt that he was the embodiment of an angel, a living Buddha. He had a good personality, an easy-going nature, and exquisite tastes. He didn’t know much about ancient books, but he had heard a lot about them. People like him are truly rare and hard to come by.

Having the same interests is the best way to bond with someone, and he was extremely fond of this guy.

When they arrived in front of the dorm room, the guy went inside for a while. Oh, if he could get his favorite book, he would wait as long as it takes. Finally, he came out with a large sports bag in his hand and a book.

“Is this the book you were looking for?”

He blinked a few times and took the book.

“Pablo Ayers! I’ve been searching for it tirelessly!”

He exclaimed with excitement, one hand holding the books, the other holding the guy’s hand and shaking it vigorously.

“Thank you, thank you!”

“Hahaha what’s going on? Alright, now….”

The guy looked at the watch on the hand that was tightly held by him and pulled his hand back. He shifted his attention to the sports bag hanging on his side.

“Are you planning to leave right away?”

“Yes, I don’t plan to stay here for long. Staying in one place for a long time makes me anxious, so I have to go somewhere else.”

He couldn’t understand why he felt anxious staying in one place for a long time, but he thought that everyone has at least one strange personality trait.

He was extremely regretful to say goodbye to this guy, whom he already loved so much despite having just met him.

“It’s a pity to say goodbye here, if you come to Berlin in the future, please contact me. My contact information is… oh, oh my god. I didn’t bring my business card…”

He reached out and searched for empty pockets, then sadly withdrew his hand. Then, suddenly, he remembered the 50 euros he had just borrowed from the young man.

“That’s right! The money. I have to return the borrowed amount to buy the book. If you give me your contact information, I will definitely send it back to you later.”

“Why? Oh… contact information?—No, it’s okay, it’s nothing. See you next time if fate allows.”

When he asked the guy for his contact information, the guy looked confused for a while and waved his hand. He had intended to shake his head and say that he couldn’t give away his information, but then he suddenly muttered what was in his head and said.

“But you live in Berlin, right?”

“Oh, right. I live there. I was planning to go to Salzburg. But I can’t go there or anywhere without a penny in my pocket.”

He sighed as he remembered that he had to call James – his secretary – who was very nagging. Then, it was the guy’s turn to sigh, after thinking for a while, he cautiously said.

“It’s difficult to go to Salzburg because it’s the opposite direction, but now I’m on my way to Berlin. If you think it’s okay, you can come with me.”

“The car is a bit small though.”

He added and pointed to an old car parked in the parking lot next to the bookstore.

His eyes lit up with excitement.

He was extremely happy that this guy had saved him from James’ nagging. Salzburg could be skipped, if he called James here, he would surely be blown away to Salzburg.

He carefully placed his precious book in the box next to him, then held the guy’s hand with both hands.

He must be an angel for sure.

“I would be very grateful if I could go with you. And then, if you haven’t decided where to stay in Berlin, I would be very appreciative if you could give me the opportunity to repay you by staying at my place. It’s spacious and there are few people, so you won’t feel uncomfortable.”

In response to his polite request and his hands tightly holding the guy’s hand – the guy looked a bit confused, but then smiled shyly and nodded.

******************************************

Taeui realized that sometimes habits can be terrifying.

When he first entered military school, he struggled without eating or sleeping for a week. He even thought he would die there. He couldn’t enjoy his meals and his body became weaker and weaker as it didn’t receive enough energy. His stomach also became weak, so even though he didn’t want to eat, he had to force himself to swallow.

Like Jeong Taeui back then, there were probably many others who thought they would die and then survived and overcame everything. Even when talking to his classmates, the topic of training sessions remained painful but memorable memories.

However, those training courses did bring certain value. Although they didn’t happen frequently, the rigorous training sessions usually took place during the transitional period, under scorching heat or freezing cold. Taeui didn’t know how many curses were uttered during those times.

In reality, those challenges were clearly tests of willpower, as the physical pain was nothing compared to the mental pain one had to endure. His mind was shattered in that irrational world, where he had to obey absurd orders.

And then the time for his graduation came.

Towards the end of his studies, the training became much more bearable. His endurance increased, and it seemed like he had a talent for it. It seemed like he had gotten used to it in his own way. When standing among the ranks of soldiers, he truly felt what it was like to adapt to the environment.

After graduating from the military academy, he quickly joined the military as an officer in a rural area. Many unfortunate young men were dragged into it and had no choice but to be under Jeong Taeui’s command. But there was nothing to boast about, as there were still many others above him.

It was rare to see a society that distinguished social classes as fiercely as in the military. If someone wanted to rise up, they had to endure having their shoes licked by others.

Jeong Taeui didn’t have many acquaintances, but there was a 1st lieutenant whose name and face he knew, a man who seemed to be the epitome of strength and weakness. Whenever he had a break, the lieutenant would go to the brothel, gather with other men, brag about women, and talk about how enjoyable it was to relax with them.

Among those who were tormented by him, there was one person whom Jeong Taeui also knew, although they only exchanged a few words while on military marches. He had a delicate and handsome appearance, a perfect face and personality for that wretched man.

Of course, he despised that man.

He was always in a state of fear of being caught by others, he vomited several times and sat huddled in a corner, even trembling with the cuts on his wrists and had to go to the hospital many times.

But that didn’t last long either. As time went by, his obedience also reached its limit. Occasionally, he would fight back when the wretched man found him.

Meanwhile, the wretched man only knew how to go around boasting about his ‘achievements’ in a blatant manner, and how he had messed with that guy. He even complained to some of his close friends. Taeui didn’t know if it was true or not, but he heard that the wretched man even physically abused other subordinates.

But that didn’t mean the soldier was forever stuck in that mud. Taeui heard that after his discharge, he went to college and got married early.

Surely he had also tried to get used to that rotten environment.

The story was told by a classmate of Taeui’s when they were drinking water. At that time, he thought it was nothing strange. No matter how painful and difficult it is, you will gradually get used to it. It may be different for each person, but it doesn’t take much time to get used to all of that as long as you are not bound by it.

“Maybe I have also gotten used to being hurt….”

Jeong Taeui muttered while looking up at the ceiling in confusion. As soon as he finished speaking, a cold voice echoed.

“Have I hurt your heart?”

He was startled.

Jeong Taeui shrugged, his arm pinned down all night unable to stretch. He silently got up from the bed, looking at the old lady standing silently in front of the door.

“No… But maybe that’s right, Rita.”

“The meal is ready. The master is also waiting for you, go down there. If the master has fulfilled the master’s duty, I hope the guest will fulfill the guest’s duty.”

The old lady turned back slowly with a hoarse voice.

It was just a gesture, but it felt like a cold wind that made him freeze.

Jeong Taeui was scratching his head and walked out of the room while the sound of the old lady’s footsteps faded away in the hallway. He entered the bathroom in the room, washed his face, and looked up. A small drop of water covered his familiar face. In fact, a face that you have been familiar with for decades can also become familiar to someone you have only known for a few months.

He sighed, yes, there are things that he will get used to in just a few months. And he is deeply feeling that right now.

He has only been at UNHRDO for a few months, but he feels like he has already gotten used to the life there. 

When Taeui wakes up in the morning here, he immediately feels uncomfortable. The faint sound of the air conditioner that he can only hear when lying still in a quiet space, a room without windows, odorless air, everything that has surrounded him for months has disappeared.

In a room where sunlight shines through the window along with the noisy sounds outside like this, along with the mixed air and the taste of a normal life. He feels uncomfortable.

That’s probably because he has gotten used to life at UNHRDO.

Jeong Taeui wiped his wet face and thought: “It’s worth it.”

Yes, a few months may be enough time to get used to something.

And there are also some things that you will get used to in just a few days. Like now.

He dreamed a dream that he has dreamed of every day. Sometimes there are days when he doesn’t dream, but they say that dreams still appear even when you think you don’t dream, so it may be because he has forgotten it. But in reality, that dream has been repeating in his mind every day.

The dreams have different contents, but they all have the same ending. In addition, it is extremely consistent with what has happened before.

…..Ilay.

Jeong Taeui bitterly bites his taste. He has decided to never meet him again – and if he has to meet him, it will be the ultimate disaster of his life. No, it’s not a disaster, it will be the final ending in the tragedy of his life.

Taeui didn’t even think that he would meet him in his dreams. Yesterday, or even just a few minutes ago. He seemed to not have predicted that when he sank into sleep last night, but he continued to dream of him. If this continues, he will try to see if Ilay will still appear in his dreams tomorrow night and the night after. He really wants to see if it will continue throughout the rest of his life or not? Or will it continue for how long?

Yesterday, before going to bed, he even prayed that if he still appears, at least he should appear with a human-like image. For example, when he eats, reads a book, or his appearance when he meets other officers.

“Damn it… I guess I have to pray sincerely once again….”

Jeong Taeui grumbles while brushing his teeth. Maybe if he hears his prayer, he might dream of Ilay with the most human-like image he can see. When thinking about the dream for a moment, he becomes horrified and foams at the mouth.

Jeong Taeui shakes his head and quickly rinses his mouth, remembering Rita’s words that the host is waiting for him, then quickly changes his clothes.

He apologizes for making the host wait for dinner……Well, the host doesn’t even care about that and happily chats with other guests with the appetizer.

Jeong Taeui quickly enters the dining room.