Upon hearing Jeong Jaeui’s words, Raumaan fell silent. He seemed displeased.

But in the very next moment, a strange expression crossed his face. It wasn’t exactly a surprise, but Jeong Taeui couldn’t quite name it. He wondered if Raumaan had remembered something important or realized something, or maybe it was just a flicker of astonishment.

“……—?”

Jeong Taeui thought it was strange.

The frozen expression of the Arab man, as if he had just realized something, and Jeong Jaeui silently standing before him.

Jeong Taeui looked at them suspiciously, unable to understand anything. Only silence enveloped them all. The strange atmosphere was somewhat uncomfortable, and Jeong Taeui licked his lips and scratched his head.

“Hearing you say that is really embarrassing, thank you for saying something so wonderful……”

Jeong Taeui mumbled, unable to hide the awkward look on his face.

Gilsangcheon. Jeong Jaeui’s Gilsangcheon. Those were things he had heard many times. Although he didn’t know the reason or the veracity of it, he was often called that by people around him.

However, hearing it from Jeong Jaeui himself, he still felt a bit embarrassed. As if his brother was bestowing a great favor upon him.

But Jeong Taeui didn’t know what else to say, so he remained silent.

Raumaan looked at Jeong Taeui with a cold expression. His icy, glassy eyes seemed to pierce into every corner of Jeong Taeui’s thoughts, and finally, he turned away.

He walked away without saying a word. No greeting or even a glance back. Raumaan ascended the stairs and strode down the corridor, followed by the guard from earlier.

Only Jeong Taeui and Jeong Jaeui were left.

Nothing had changed. Everything was the same as before he came. The breeze was still refreshing, and the sky was dazzlingly clear. Birds flew among the dense branches, flowers exuded their strong fragrance, wafting in the wind with every breeze. Everything remained as it was.

In this quiet and peaceful place, they met for the first time.

The only thing that had changed was that the silence was no longer a comfortable one; the air had become heavy and stifling.

Jeong Taeui quietly looked down at his feet. He was barefoot, not even wearing shoes. From the room to the corridor and then to the yard, he had walked barefoot with Jeong Jaeui everywhere.

The smooth floor and the even yard with soft grass didn’t hurt his soles. Inside, soft carpets were spread out, and there wasn’t a single pebble hidden under the grass, probably because the gardeners and housekeepers meticulously cleaned every day.

Jeong Taeui wiggled his toes. Under the grass, dirt clung to his feet. Slowly, Jeong Taeui turned around.

Behind him, Jeong Jaeui had sat down on the chair he had occupied earlier and opened his book again.

“…….”

Suddenly, all the strength seemed to drain from his body. It felt as if the tension in his heart had just been released.

“What is this? Am I the only one feeling suffocated and heavy here?”

Jeong Taeui sighed and mumbled, sitting down. In a nearby bush, not far from Jeong Jaeui, he sat down, not caring if his clothes got dirty. Jeong Taeui pulled his legs up, hugging one knee with his arm, and lazily looked at Jeong Jaeui.

As if nothing had happened, he sat there looking at him for a long time, feeling relieved. So, Jeong Taeui suddenly asked, without hesitation.

“Am I really Gilsangcheon?”

Jeong Jaeui’s eyes, which were on the book, lifted to meet his gaze for a moment before looking away. Jeong Jaeui simply nodded without saying a word. *Rustle* a page turned in the book.

“Why.”

This time, Jeong Jaeui didn’t look at him anymore, as if he was engrossed in the book and not listening to what he was saying, offering no response. But Jeong Taeui remained silent, waiting, because he knew he would soon have an answer.

Not long after, Jeong Jaeui spoke.

“It just is.”

“……..”

A brief answer.

It felt as if all the strength drained from Jeong Taeui’s shoulders, unable to bear the weight of his body, he felt like collapsing to the ground. Jeong Taeui muttered, “Hyung.”

But Jeong Jaeui fell silent again, as if Jeong Taeui would never get an answer even if he waited forever.

“Because when we were young, whenever I got sick, you would get sick too, right?”

“That could be a reason, but not entirely.”

“Then what is the reason? I get sick, you get sick, and then I bring you luck, isn’t that too unscientific?”

“In essence, science is nothing more than a collection of general results from countless accumulated experiences.”

“…….No, what I mean is……”

Jeong Taeui clicked his tongue. Jeong Jaeui wasn’t someone who couldn’t understand what he meant. Furthermore, when he was puzzled by something, Jeong Jaeui would point out the part he couldn’t understand before.

But then……

Jeong Taeui suddenly sighed.

He directed his gaze to the distant sky. The sun had reached its peak and was slowly setting. In just a few hours, when the sun set, darkness would envelop everything. Another day, like any other day.

Nothing better, nothing different. After all, there’s no such thing as a big deal in this world. And whether Jeong Taeui really was Gilsangcheon, what difference did it make? He didn’t know if he brought bad luck to him, but if it was good luck, then that was fine. If Jeong Jaeui didn’t want to talk about it, then it wasn’t important enough to warrant an answer.

Jeong Taeui shook his head. “Hmm” – he sighed and then smiled.

“Taeui. You are quick-witted. You always have been. Should I say your senses are very sharp?”

Jeong Jaeui said. He marked the page, closed the book, and looked at Jeong Taeui. Jeong Taeui frowned slightly and then smiled again.

“So are you.”

Jeong Jaeui said, then bit his lip. As if looking at a stranger he had just met for the first time, Jeong Jaeui slowly looked at Jeong Taeui. From head to toe, he observed him carefully, as if trying to find the trace of someone he didn’t know in him.

Jeong Taeui widened his eyes, then lowered them and stared at the hand resting on his lap. It was a hand that had been part of his body since birth, but now it seemed particularly unfamiliar. Just like Jeong Jaeui in front of him now. Perhaps even in his eyes, he felt that Jeong Taeui was unfamiliar.

Jeong Taeui looked at his brother again.

But he was Jeong Jaeui – another Jeong Taeui. Someone who didn’t even recognize his feelings for his younger brother.

Jeong Taeui smiled.

“The reason is really unconvincing……”

Jaeui also gave a faint smile.

As if the conversation had ended, he stood up. His steps were slow and gentle as he ascended the stairs, passing in front of Jeong Taeui.

His feet glided over the smooth white stones. Walking along the corridor, Jeong Taeui looked at the back of Jeong Jaeui, who was five steps ahead of him.

His straight and resolute back. Just like his demeanor, unchanged as always.

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

This place is completely isolated from the outside world.

Although there are eight doors in the corridors and a small side door, this annex is completely secluded and seems to exist separately.

The four grand and magnificent doors are tightly locked, although they are certainly not just for decoration. These iron doors seem to need several people to open them even if they weren’t locked.

The four side doors at the end of the corridors are divided into two. Doors leading inside and doors leading outside…… The inner doors lead to the bedrooms or workrooms, while all the doors leading outside are locked, except for one.

Of course. Even if you step through that door, you are not really outside because it only leads to a courtyard still within the building. However, despite being enclosed by towering walls, the courtyard is so spacious that it doesn’t feel confining at all.

The other three doors – Jeong Taeui didn’t know where they led – seem to be doors leading out of the annex, but two of them are locked. Not only locked but also plastered over the seams with gypsum, rendering them inoperative.

The remaining one is the only entrance. But that is where the Arab man stands. He is both the doorkeeper and the watcher of Jeong Taeui.

There is a small square pond in the courtyard – he doesn’t know its purpose. Jeong Taeui thought it was a swimming pool, but it is too shallow, only reaching his thighs and not suitable for swimming. Additionally, the water in it is too cold, and there are no fish, yet it sits in the middle of the courtyard. Jeong Taeui lay prone on the ledge and groaned as he swished his hand in the water.

Everything is so difficult. That’s all he could think about now.

Jeong Taeui had been here for a few days. Both he and Jeong Jaeui were under house arrest here. Jeong Jaeui had been living here for several months and seemed to consider living in such a place as normal.

In reality, he couldn’t do anything else. No, maybe he also wanted to live a life like this, just like Jeong Jaeui.

The truth is he was exhausted. The days when he could allow his body and mind to rest seemed so far away, so he was ready to accept such a quiet life. His body, always in a state of being chased, and his mind, tormented every day, seemed ready to embrace such a peaceful life.

But.

“I’m scared of him……”

Jeong Taeui lay prone and buried his head in his arms. The water up to his elbows was icy cold.

Ilay. Ilay Riegrow.

What is he doing out there now? A hundred percent bet that his mood must be very, very bad right now.

This place is completely isolated from the outside world, and he couldn’t hear any news. So Jeong Taeui was quite worried.

“……”

Jeong Taeui slapped the water. A few red flower petals floated to the surface, bobbing with the waves.

“Ilay…….”

He quietly whispered his name. Like the sound of the wind.

Maybe this was for the best.

He could escape from him if he stayed here.

No one from the outside could touch this place. Neither T&R nor UNHRDO could access it, which is why it took them so long to find Jeong Jaeui. If they made any mistake, the owner of this place would immediately move Jeong Jaeui elsewhere and wouldn’t let it go. So, he couldn’t act rashly either.

This applied to Jeong Taeui as well, as he was now with Jeong Jaeui.

In this place, he could avoid the relentless pursuit and the constant lurking threats. It would be a bit inconvenient since he couldn’t go outside, but that’s it. As long as he could escape the terrifying and eerie situation.

“Yes. Thinking about it, this is good. Maybe I could even live here happily…… if I don’t go insane.”

Jeong Taeui lowered his head and then lifted it again. He suddenly felt his ears burning.

He lay prone and pushed himself forward a bit, submerging his head in the water. Bubbles rose to the surface.

What was he doing?

It was meaningless. Anyway, he had managed to get away from him (at least temporarily), so why was he thinking about going back to him once more?

‘Not only am I schizophrenic, but I’m also crazy, Jeong Taeui. I must be insane to think that he might just click his tongue a few times with a cold expression and say, ‘He ran away again.’

……, ……., It can’t be like that.

Then, suddenly, a question popped into his head.

‘What does Ilay think of Jeong Taeui?’

“……!!!!”

Jeong Taeui quickly lifted his head, spluttering.

He couldn’t hold his breath any longer. Water dripped from his soaking wet hair, soaking his neck and clothes.

Jeong Taeui panted heavily and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. Suddenly, his gaze fell on a pair of feet standing a few steps away from him.

Feeling strange for a moment, Jeong Taeui stared at his own bare feet, then at the leather shoes in front of him. Somehow, his bare feet and those shoes looked so different.

Jeong Taeui looked up and saw a familiar but cold face.

As usual, with a ‘friendly’ smile on his face, the man with the long name Raumaan Abid Al Saud stood there.

“Ah……. How long have you been there?”

Jeong Taeui squeezed the water out of his soaking wet hair and asked. Raumaan replied briefly, “For a while” and looked down at him.

Jeong Taeui knew he had come to the annex because he had seen him pass through the corridor to the office earlier. Since the only places Jeong Jaeui usually frequented here were the office and this courtyard, if he wasn’t found here, he was definitely in the office.

At least once a day, Raumaan would come here to meet him. Not to chat but always with some business-related purpose.

“Have you decided to accept my offer today?”

“If you don’t accept, you won’t be able to leave here.”

“If you agree, I promise to let you go and also give you a corresponding sum of money.”

However, Jeong Jaeui’s answer was always the same. Judging by their conversation, it seemed like these questions and answers had been repeated daily since he was detained here. So Raumaan didn’t seem disappointed or angry at his refusal. He would just add, ‘Let me know whenever you change your mind.’ and then come back the next day.

Today was no different. When Raumaan entered the office, Jeong Taeui noticed and lay down by the pool in the courtyard, listening to the distant greetings, just like every other day. It seemed their conversation had ended while Jeong Taeui was lost in his thoughts, head down in the water.

Jeong Taeui looked at Raumaan, who was still just looking down at him without saying anything, and he pushed aside the wet hair sticking to his face.

Was he angry because Jeong Taeui dunked his head in the pool? He didn’t think that act had any religious significance.

Jeong Taeui smiled and spoke.

“Why do you look so scary…… It makes me think that while I had my head underwater, you wanted to grab me and drown me.”

Raumaan raised an eyebrow and laughed softly, ‘haha’, at his joke.

“You truly are Jeong Jaeui’s brother. Very perceptive, just like him.”

“…….”

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and now a joke for a joke?

Jeong Taeui smirked and looked at him with narrowed eyes, trying to gauge his attitude. But Raumaan changed the subject before he could tell if he was joking or serious.

“How is this place? Is it comfortable?”

“Ah…… Although not being able to know what’s happening outside is a bit uncomfortable, it’s fine. It’s very comfortable here.”

“That’s good.”

Raumaan nodded and smiled.

Seeing him like that, Jeong Taeui wondered if the man who had wanted to kill him with a cold face before and the one smiling at him now were the same person. One day he wanted to kill him, and the next day he was smiling and greeting him politely as if nothing had happened. Could he have a split personality?

But after spending a few short days here, he realized that wasn’t the case.

Raumaan was completely the kind of person he never wanted to meet unless absolutely unavoidable, encountering him by chance in a place like this.

No matter how bad his personality might be, Jeong Taeui didn’t think his character was compatible with his own.

In fact, he knew a man who was nothing short of a devil, and of course, his personality was extremely terrible. If someone said, “He has a good personality,” he would be ready to tear that person’s mouth apart.

But beyond the personality issue, there was something about this man named Raumaan that made him uncomfortable being around him.

Thinking back, he didn’t understand why. No, objectively speaking, Raumaan was admirable in many ways, but the man seemed to have thorns all around him, making Jeong Taeui feel uneasy.

However, just as Raumaan was about to leave, Jeong Taeui suddenly spoke up.

“Ah, but.”

However, as soon as he said those words, Jeong Taeui immediately regretted it. Unconsciously, he had grabbed Raumaan’s sleeve. The icy black eyes glanced down at his hand. He quickly let go, and Raumaan silently dusted off his sleeve before responding quietly.

“What do you want to say?”

“I want to get out of here.”

Although he knew these words were useless, Jeong Taeui still said them. It was just like how Raumaan came every day to meet Jeong Jaeui to persuade him to create weapons, even though he knew he would be refused.

Raumaan was silent for a long time after hearing Jeong Taeui’s words. He stopped walking and looked down at him.

“You want to go outside.”

“That’s right. I……— I have unfinished business outside.”

“Outside. Does it have anything to do with Ilay Riegrow of T&R or Xinlu of Ling Ho Long?”

Jeong Taeui was silent. His face briefly turned pale but quickly regained its composure. Thinking about it, it wasn’t strange that Raumaan knew. He probably had all the information on how Jeong Taeui ended up here.

Jeong Taeui looked straight at him and smiled.

“You know too well.”

“Last night at the mosque, I met a friend and chatted for a while. There was a rather interesting topic.”

Jeong Taeui raised an eyebrow at his words. Raumaan slightly curved his lips into a smile.

“Yesterday morning, a friend of mine came here to vacation and said he was beaten to near death by a man named Ilay Riegrow.”

“…….”

“He said he was looking for you.”