Seringe Island (Seringe I)

[Area 840 km². Population around 150,000. The island is located on the Indian Ocean coast, about 45 km off the coast of Tanganyika. It is a flat island with coral reefs and limestone, situated in a tropical monsoon climate. From April to May and November to December is the rainy season, from June to October is the hot dry season with southwest winds, and from December to March is the cool dry season with northeast monsoon winds. The average annual rainfall is about 1,500 mm. Early in the season, the relatively high temperatures are quite pleasant due to the southwest winds.

The main crops are coconut trees, clove trees (a type of spice), and rice grown in flooded areas. Additionally, various food crops and fruits are also very common. Along with fishing, the island’s residents are self-sufficient in food.]

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Jeong Taeui attentively read the information, as if he wanted to memorize every detail, then closed his laptop.

He didn’t know any information about that island, an island in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa. How many square kilometers it covered, its population, climate, and main industries. Therefore, it would be more helpful if there was something like a map of the island, but he couldn’t find anything like that on any website.

It was considered a small island—only half the size of Jeju Island. But even if it was small, finding one person there wouldn’t be easy. However, fortunately, Kyle’s brief explanations were more useful than any encyclopedia with basic lines of information. The residential areas were divided into three or four parts. Among them, especially noteworthy were the mansions of foreigners – mainly Middle Eastern tycoons – located in several areas along the southeast coast.

Jeong Jaeui might be there. No, there’s a high possibility that he is actually there.

Jeong Taeui hobbled over to the bed and threw himself down. The sun was at its peak, although the sunlight couldn’t penetrate the room due to the eaves covering, it still persistently sneaked through the window, which was so wide that it could even be used as a door. The light spilled through, dazzling.

Taeui casually rested an arm on the window ledge, which was only a hand’s breadth higher than the bed, and looked outside. The cool blue pool was just a few steps away. Jeong Taeui lay face down, gazing at the pool and wriggling his heavily plastered leg.

The empty bench beside the pool had an open book on it, indicating that someone had been there not long ago. On the small wooden table next to it was an empty beer can. Taeui just noticed the presence of that beer can now.

“…….”

Jeong Taeui licked his lips and glared at the can. It was Schultheiss beer. Damn it. He wanted to drink beer too. Yet he drank alone.

Jeong Taeui sulkily mumbled to himself, thinking about the man who had been sitting there a moment before.

After a late lunch, while Jeong Taeui was rolling around in his room, that man had brought an old book from the library and sat by the pool to read. A while later, when the weather got hotter, he jumped into the pool for a while and then climbed back onto the bench to read leisurely after swimming. Truly a leisurely and relaxing vacation.

He thought to himself how lucky it was. Surprisingly, Ilay didn’t interfere with what Jeong Taeui was doing. Whether he napped in his room, snacked in the dining room, or read in the library, Ilay didn’t interfere and just enjoyed his own leisure time by swimming in the pool or reading books.

Well, it’s not too surprising. Even when he was at UNHRDO, aside from his daily tasks, he didn’t care what Jeong Taeui did. Even with others, Ilay RieGrow was very indifferent.

It’s scary, although he always seems unconcerned with others, he seems able to see through anyone.

But anyway.

Sometimes, this man would suddenly become so animalistic that it sent chills down one’s spine. Maybe that also fits the aspect of “seeing through everyone” in him.

For example, at this moment.

Just now, when Jeong Taeui was sitting by the window using his laptop and planning to go to Rita for something to eat, he glanced out the window. Ilay seemed to have just finished swimming; he was toweling himself dry and sat down on a long chair, leisurely opening his book.

Jeong Taeui got lost in his thoughts for a moment while watching the man. He didn’t seem to notice what Jeong Taeui was doing. Should he pretend to go to the supermarket to buy ice cream? If he took the opportunity to escape, would he succeed? If faced with a normal opponent, he might risk it. In a one-on-one situation, although he might get injured, he was confident he could escape safely.

But he’s not a normal opponent…

Jeong Taeui clicked his tongue and sighed as Ilay turned the page.

Right after that.

“Success largely depends on judgment. That’s a premise applicable in most situations… There’s a saying: ‘What seems trivial actually contains the core wisdom, doesn’t it?’ ”

Ilay quietly tapped his fingers on the page, reading the lines from Eagle Wall in a low voice. Although he didn’t show it, Jeong Taeui’s heart shook for a moment. He rubbed his chest, pretending nothing happened, then said: “What does that mean?” and tilted his head. Ilay indifferently looked away from the book to Taeui.

“I don’t think this is wrong.”

But what is it? Jeong Taeui shrugged. Ilay looked back at the page and spoke with a tone that lacked meaning.

“For example, before embarking on an adventurous journey, choose the time when your physical condition is at its best… Just that alone can be considered a correct judgment. Regardless of whether the adventure will be truly feasible later on.”

Jeong Taeui lightly tapped his plastered leg on the floor. From the lower back down, his body felt lethargic like a sponge soaked in water since early morning, and for a moment, he couldn’t move, feeling like a stranded fish.

‘Damn it. What is he?’

Jeong Taeui cursed inwardly and headed to the dining room. Although he had thought about going for ice cream with no ulterior motives, that thought vanished.

After receiving an egg tart from Rita, Jeong Taeui calmed down and returned to his room. He angrily looked at Ilay reading by the pool right outside his window and opened his laptop. At that moment, Rita came and called Ilay, saying he had received a call from Hong Kong and should go to the office.

Hearing that, Ilay showed a moment of displeasure, as if being called by the company during a vacation. But he still got up and left.

Look at that, he seems to hate being interrupted by work during a relaxing time… Jeong Taeui mumbled to himself, looking at his laptop, his brows furrowed as Ilay disappeared from sight.

But thinking about it, it’s not like he was called during a vacation; he had clearly left UNHRDO without permission. There’s no reason to be displeased just because he got a call.

“If it’s a call from Hong Kong, are they calling him back quickly? If that’s the case… When will he leave here…”

Jeong Taeui half-rolled on the bed, talking to the air, looking up at the bright blue sky, his eyes squinting from the glaring sunlight.

In reality, what he was curious about wasn’t when Ilay would return to Hong Kong, but how Ilay would decide to deal with him. Unless he leaves UNHRDO, he still has to return to Hong Kong; what will he do with him then?

Would he let him go gently, or drag him to Hong Kong and then deal with him without a trace, or maybe break his limbs and lock him up somewhere?

Jeong Taeui spread his fingers, counting the possible scenarios in his head with fear. The last one was particularly unpleasant. It would be better if it was the third scenario. The first one seemed unlikely, even if he escaped death and was reborn. Considering the situation, the second scenario seemed the most likely.

“But that’s still not good.”

Jeong Taeui mumbled with a sigh. Just yesterday, he seemed to want to give up when he said: “If I stay with him, it doesn’t matter if it’s Hong Kong or anywhere else in the world, it’s all the same.”

Seringe.

Where his brother was.

The brother he had tried so hard to find all this time but couldn’t find any trace of had been kidnapped. And that’s where he might be, the brother he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Jeong Taeui slightly opened his eyes under the dazzling sunlight. He raised his hand to shade his forehead, blocking the light, and whispered to himself.

“Kidnapped and imprisoned…”

That was truly unfamiliar.

Jeong Jaeui with “Kidnapping and Imprisonment.” It seems like there’s a lot of connection when placing these words together. But in reality, it doesn’t fit at all.

Many people and organizations have coveted Jeong Jaeui since he was young. They tried everything to kidnap him. But not once did they succeed, no matter how hard they tried. If Jeong Jaeui was really kidnapped and imprisoned…

“Unless the perpetrator is someone luckier than him….”

“I don’t think such a person exists, but even if there were someone that was lucky, they wouldn’t have to kidnap Jeong Jay in the first place.”

Suddenly, a deep voice sounded right next to him.

‘Damn it. No one jokes like that.’

Jeong Taeui quickly closed his eyes (pretending to sleep), perhaps due to his mood, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his leg.

He remembered that he had closed the door when he came in. If he remembered correctly, the door with its rusty hinges would make a faint creaking sound when opened or closed.

“Leisurely, aren’t you? It seems you sleep very well despite the sunlight shining in.”

“….Yeah… I didn’t sleep well last night.”

Jeong Taeui mumbled, trying to appear as weary as possible in front of him. He didn’t have to act too much because he was genuinely tired. Taeui closed his eyes, wanting to play the role of a mute. But he knew that the right to remain silent had no effect on the man in front of him, no matter how he acted.

“Is it because the bed isn’t comfortable? My brother specifically paid attention to the guest room. Let’s see, even the bed you’re lying on was custom ordered and took several months to arrive.”

Ilay had been standing silently like a cat entering the room. Creak, the wooden floor made a slight noise. For a moment, he felt furious and clenched his fist.

‘The bed isn’t comfortable? You say that? This bastard.’

But Ilay—that damn Ilay Riegrow, the one so gentle it could be described as a special trait, intentionally asked despite knowing the real reason why he didn’t sleep well. Jeong Taeui gripped the blanket tightly, and Ilay watched his knuckles turn white before speaking.

“Why are you gripping so tightly… with that strength, you could catch a bear.”

Jeong Taeui squinted at him through the sarcastic laughter in his voice. He could see Ilay’s long, white fingers slowly caressing the back of his hand, then fondling the joints.

Ilay’s nails gleamed like glass under the light. One thing was for sure, Jeong Taeui’s extremely ordinary hands were more suited for punching or holding weapons than those pretty white hands.

However, Jeong Taeui quietly withdrew his hand from Ilay’s pale fingers and said.

“I swear, if I had to fight a bear, it would be your hand, not mine.”

Ilay laughed. He sat down on the edge of the bed beside him, and as he sat on the blanket draped over Jeong Taeui, it pulled down slightly but didn’t shift much.

Like a cat, Jeong Taeui thought. But no cat or animal can defeat a bear…

Jeong Taeui buried his face in the blanket and shook his head. He wasn’t feeling well today. His head had been spinning since morning, making it hard to focus. He’d heard that even when someone is unwell, they can still concentrate, but Jeong Taeui felt outdated now, unable to think clearly.

Jeong Taeui sighed and suddenly turned his head. Since Ilay sat on the bed, he hadn’t sensed his presence at all. When a beast becomes suspiciously quiet, other animals around it must feel a chill.

The moment his gaze met Ilay’s, something was suddenly thrust in front of him. Jeong Taeui felt like he was almost hit in the nose and caught it just in time.

It was a can of beer.

“I just got it from the fridge, it’s still very cold.”

“… Thanks.”

He would have been more grateful if Ilay had handed it to him normally. Jeong Taeui carefully opened the can. If he hadn’t caught or dodged it, his nose might have been crushed, and he would have had to say goodbye to his sense of smell.

After downing the beer, he still felt a bit thirsty.

Jeong Taeui sadly shook the empty can, thinking he might get another one, when he caught Ilay’s gaze.

He was watching Taeui. His eyes were sharp as knives but utterly indifferent.

*Knock, Knock* His fingers tapped rhythmically on the chair as if he were thinking about something.

“…”

Jeong Taeui frowned and pursed his lips.

Wait a minute…. He didn’t seem irritated, but what did that look mean?

Jeong Taeui reached for the porcelain kettle on the table beside the bed. He tilted it back and drank straight from it. Rita would have a fit if she saw this, but he had no choice since the cup was on the bookshelf right behind Ilay.

He was thirsty, but not to the point of needing to drink water immediately. But because Ilay just stared at him without saying anything, the atmosphere grew more awkward.

At this point, if there was anything that put him in such deep thought, it was likely the call from Hong Kong a while ago.

Think about it, he had left without being on leave and without permission. He even used a private jet without following any necessary procedures. Although Jeong Taeui didn’t know much about UNHRDO’s complicated regulations, he could guess that Ilay was in big trouble this time. But it was still better than the incidents he’d caused there; at least this time, it didn’t involve anyone’s life. Even if he had to write a report, be jailed, or even demoted or fired, Ilay wouldn’t bat an eye.

“…….”

That jail… being locked up for a few months wouldn’t be a big deal.

Jeong Taeui put down the kettle and quietly looked at Ilay and asked.

“I heard you received a call from Hong Kong. Was it from UNHRDO? I guess it’s about you coming here…… Oh. Or is it about the arms deal?”

Only after speaking did Taeui remember that the second possibility was entirely plausible. But he figured Ilay wouldn’t say anything more about leaving without permission.

Ilay raised an eyebrow and nodded with a nonchalant “Ah” and shrugged.

“Nothing special, they just asked me to return soon. Tomorrow. The request was even signed by the General Director.”

“Tomorrow? If it’s tomorrow……”

“Considering the time difference, we should leave today.”

Ilay finished Taeui’s sentence. Jeong Taeui looked at him blankly for a moment.

“Today……”

He glanced at the clock on the wall. It was the time when the remaining hours of the day could start being counted down. Today didn’t have much time left. Depending on one’s perspective, one could say there was still plenty of time, but if they had to leave the country immediately, it was too rushed.

Jeong Taeui fell into deep thought and silently looked at Ilay. For a moment, he thought of the first possibility he had just considered (that Ilay would let him go peacefully), but quickly dismissed it. He knew well that life wasn’t that easy.

“If we have to leave today……”

Jeong Taeui slowly let go of his luck and waited for Ilay to say something more. But he didn’t speak for a long time as if he had a lot to think about. He only tapped his fingers lightly on the worn-out chair, then suddenly stopped.

“Are you going to find Jeong Jaeui……?”

He spoke unexpectedly. But at the same time, Taeui quickly realized that these were the most critical words from earlier. Once again, it was surprising. Although the usual way for people like him was to first probe the other’s intentions, he didn’t expect him to do the same with him. He thought Ilay would ignore his wishes and just do as he pleased.

“…… Yes. Do you want to help me?”

Jeong Taeui asked with a smile.

This man had to return to Hong Kong. Jeong Taeui had to go to Africa. Would he let him go right after capturing him? Just thinking about it seemed laughable. There’s no way that would happen.

Ilay’s gaze at Jeong Taeui became unreadable. His eyes, like thin glass blades, despite having seen them many times, still made him feel a chill each time.

Jeong Taeui grumbled softly with an unamused smile.

“Don’t look at me like that. I won’t ask for your help, just don’t get in my way.”

The last part was what Jeong Taeui wanted most, and it was also the future he hoped for.

He wondered if Ilay’s lips had slightly curved up. He uttered a few short words with lips that seemed to be smiling.

“In short, Jeong Taeui. You’ll come to Hong Kong with me by plane tonight.”

“……”

Jeong Taeui frowned and glared at Ilay with dissatisfaction.

Right. Just like this. This was more his style.

So why ask him at all? Jeong Taeui sighed bitterly.