It feels like a hundred years of fatigue piled upon another hundred years. Taeui no longer has the strength to retort, only shaking his head. But that damned guy has two wicks* burning in his eyes, seemingly determined to have a fight today no matter what.

(*‘눈에 쌍심지를 켜다’ is an idiom in Korean. Here, ‘쌍심지’ (ssangsimji) literally means ‘two wicks,’ but in this context, it represents an angry, blazing, or fierce gaze.)

“Who’s joking, you bastard!”

“Is this guy crazy……. What, offended because someone said you’re so undesired even by homosexuals that your pride got hurt, huh? If you joke, at least make sure it matches what you’ve done, I don’t get what you’re planning—probably thinking you’ll clap and say that as a gay man, any man would do—no one would listen to such nonsense! Stop! I’m busy! I’m tired!”

Taeui turned his heel after giving Jeongpil a mouthful and walked away. From behind, Jeongpil continued to yell: “You bastard! What if I’m not kidding?” But he had no intention to respond seriously.

Okay――sure, we’ll see about that later.

Without bothering to look back, just lazily waving a hand, Taeui laughed scornfully. This guy must have picked up something wrong from somewhere……. or maybe yesterday’s injury from hitting the chair wasn’t right.

Suddenly, a sense of responsibility and unease hit him.

At first glance, it seemed fine, but what if he was hit in the wrong spot…….?

While Taeui frowned and sunk into his thoughts for a moment.

“HEY!!!”

A loud shout rang out behind him. Ah, yes, that must be Kim Jeongpil. This sharp shout felt so familiar.

For some reason, it gave him a sense of reassurance. Therefore, even when a hand reached out to grab his shoulder, Taeui didn’t feel worried. Yeah, with this style, maybe the guy plans to turn him around and land a punch. If that’s the case, he could happily return the favor.

Taeui thought this man surely wanted to exchange a few punches, so he clenched his hand into a fist. And just as he was turning around, something familiar flashed by in the corner of his vision. “Huh…….” – He hesitated, his eyes losing focus for a brief moment. Up above, on the level retreating half a floor back, someone was leaning on the railing, looking down.

It wasn’t clear how long he had been standing there, leisurely enjoying the sight of the two getting ready to fight. From the morning until now, that face looked particularly joyful.

It seemed he really enjoyed watching him and this guy fight……. Taeui glanced and pouted. Just then…….

“Jeong Taeui, you..!!”

The moment Jeongpil grabbed Taeui’s shoulder, turned him around, then immediately seized his collar and pulled hard, Taeui realized too late. Just a brief distraction and he’d almost taken a full blow.

‘Tsk, like this, it’s better to punch in series to feel satisfied.’ – Taeui thought as he drew his fist back, preparing to counterattack.

But Jeongpil pulled Taeui in again. And closer. Too close.――Close enough that their lips touched.

“…….―――!!!”

AAHH!

The scream was stuck in his mouth. No, in fact, it couldn’t even come out, having been swallowed inside Jeongpil’s mouth.

Of course, Taeui could have immediately punched him in the face, kicked him away, or retreated at incredible speed. But he couldn’t do any of those things, he just stood there frozen like a stone, unable to move an inch because his mind was completely blank.

It was just a brief touch of lips. But as it slightly lingered, those clumsy lips opened slightly, and his tongue gently licked inside. Even then, Taeui remained motionless, only when the man watching from the half-floor above began to step away from the railing did he slightly stir.

The incident was as shocking as a bolt of lightning striking Taeui’s head, so he raised his hand to slam hard on Jeongpil’s head and then retreated. But it was too late. He only wished he’d seen wrong, but the face of the man who had been smiling excitedly no longer had any trace of joy.

Jeongpil, having taken a resounding hit, slightly frowned but did not retaliate. Perhaps, for the first time, he didn’t strike back after being hit. Instead, he rubbed his lips lightly with the back of his hand, his face showing slight embarrassment.

“I told you, I wasn’t kidding.”

“…….alright, not a joke at all. You damn lunatic.”

The end of Taeui’s sentence was slightly choked.

Anh hurriedly looked up and saw the man on the half-landing start to walk. Not too fast, not too slow, he was heading towards the stairs leading down to this place.

The stairs were at the end of the corridor, though a bit far away, it would only take about 1-2 minutes for him to walk down the corridor, go down the stairs, and walk back here.

Oh God. During that time, there was no point in trying to escape; all that could be hoped for was that his eyes were clear, and he would see that you were only the victim……. but as for this guy, this time he’s as good as dead.

Taeui seriously contemplated.

This was no joke.

This Jeongpil guy had a history. Last time, Taeui had to drag him out (after hitting him with an iron chair) to save his life. But this time, he wasn’t sure if he could do the same again……. this time, he really might die.

At that moment, Jeongpil suddenly mumbled something and raised his eyebrows, but Taeui completely ignored it. “Hey, you better run……. oh, never mind, it’s useless…….” – Taeui muttered to himself, answering his own thoughts. Jeongpil confusedly said: “Hey, the guy behind you…….”, but it didn’t matter anymore. Whether it was the President of the United States or Charlie Chaplin behind him, in Taeui’s eyes, there was only the figure of that man walking towards the stairs on the half-landing above.

Hence.

Taeui completely failed to notice Jeongpil’s eyes dazedly looking over his shoulder as if something had caught his attention. He didn’t even notice the way Jeongpil blinked bewilderedly, muttering as if seeing something strange: “Hey, that guy is holding something in his hand……. but now that I look again, that guy…….”

He didn’t realize that the point of focus in Jeongpil’s eyes was slowly approaching this way, and his eyes were widening bit by bit.

Because of that.

So Taeui didn’t know there was a trembling hand behind him that had just plunged a knife in.

*Phmph!!!*

The blade sank nearly to the hilt.

The knife almost pierced through his back, then was quickly withdrawn, slicing a deep gash in his flesh.

“Huh…….?”

In that instant, he didn’t even realize it was pain.

Jeongpil’s eyes widened, his whole body freezing in immobility, and when the knife fell, he reflexively pushed Taeui hard. Thanks to that, the knife aimed at the middle of his back only hit his shoulder and carved a deep line before springing out.

At first, Taeui didn’t know what had happened.

Even when he heard Jeongpil’s scream: “Who are you?!”—when he saw Horgan standing behind him with a knife in hand, his face as fierce as a demon, as if he had completely lost his mind; even when feeling the blood scorching hot as it flowed over the fingers tightly gripping his shoulder, he still didn’t comprehend what was happening. Only when Horgan’s murderous gaze looked straight at him did Taeui begin to understand everything.

“——Horgan”

Only when that name escaped his lips did the pain from the knife deeply embedded and tearing at his shoulder surge into him. Taeui slightly recoiled, feeling that even speaking would aggravate the wound, so he clamped his mouth shut.

“It’s all because of you. You two colluded. From the very beginning, the two of you planned to make me end up like this…….!”

Horgan gnashed his teeth, babbling in a voice far more frenzied than usual. Perhaps he had overdosed on painkillers. His eyes gleamed with an eerie brightness. They had completely lost any semblance of sanity.

“What the hell are you doing?! Hey, are you okay?!”

Jeongpil’s face had turned completely pale and serious, he shouted loudly then turned to look at Taeui with a face distorted by anger and confusion. But even he was bewildered, only able to stare back and forth from Horgan to Taeui.

It was rare to see that guy so flustered, and normally it would be the perfect moment to mock him, but Taeui just didn’t have the strength to do so……. oh, what a pity.

Taeui’s mind was also spinning in a delirious state, as strange thoughts cropped up in such a dangerous situation.

Horgan moved closer to Jeongpil, randomly waving the knife, and shouted: “Get out of the way!!” Jeongpil quickly stepped back, almost getting slashed by the blade.

Even amidst the mind-numbing pain, Taeui couldn’t help but click his tongue when witnessing that scene.

Indeed, no matter how disgraceful one may be, this old man has undergone military training, even if it’s administrative work. But the old man has quite a solid skill foundation. Horgan’s knife-wielding actions do not reveal any flaws. This is a person holding a knife, and furthermore, it’s someone who truly knows how to use the weapon. And he is facing two people who are unarmed, with one even injured.

The situation is really dire. Although luckily the knife didn’t stab his back, the deep blade cutting through his shoulder severed some major artery, causing blood to gush out incessantly. If this continues, he fears that before long he will lose blood and pass out.

Taeui presses tightly on his shoulder, where the bleeding shows no signs of stopping, clicking his tongue slightly. The blood is so hot it burns his hand.

Indeed, yesterday he tried too hard. If only he had been more restrained.

Because he clearly feels his body, already not in good condition, is now gradually losing balance. If he collapses now, he won’t be able to stand up by himself. Taeui has to muster strength to keep his legs, wanting to buckle, from falling.

Horgan doesn’t even bother with Jeongpil; he turns to stare intently at Taeui. His eyes, his expression, even his twisted open mouth, all resemble the face of a demon.

“You, you will be the first to die. I’ll kill you, to see his face twisted with grief, then I’ll kill him too…….!!”

It’s easy to understand who Horgan is referring to. Surely he is mentioning that man, who probably has already disappeared down the hallway and is descending the stairs.

“Anyway, he will come soon. When he arrives, show him your corpse.”

Horgan’s eyes squint with a sly smile, eyes gleaming with malice. He clearly knew Ilay was standing there just a few minutes ago. Perhaps that’s why, as soon as he saw Ilay leave, he chose this moment to approach.

Damn it.

The stairs that earlier felt so close now seem infinitely distant.

How long will it take for him to get here? Perhaps enough time for Horgan to swing that deadly blade dozens of times.

“At least I must hold on…….”

Taeui grits his teeth and faces Horgan.

But as he steps forward, a sudden wave of dizziness hits him, making his legs lose balance. The world around him becomes blurry for a moment, then sharpens. It’s as if a heavy weight presses on his body, causing him to stagger.

In his dizziness, Taeui tries to maintain balance after nearly tripping several times, and Jeongpil, who has been watching all this time, exclaims in surprise: “Jeong Taeui?!”

Only after stepping back 2-3 steps and leaning against the wall does he regain some stability. Taeui blinks several times before realizing what’s happening to his body.

“There’s something on that knife…….”

Taeui forces his eyes, gradually blurring, wide open, staring intently at Horgan. Seeing Taeui’s face slightly change color, Horgan smirks, baring his teeth in a smile.

“I’ve only slowed you down like a cornered, crafty rat. Ah——your mind may blur, but don’t worry, the pain won’t reduce at all.”

The moment those words end, Horgan tightens his grip on the knife and lunges forward. The sharp blade aims straight for Taeui’s heart, and he narrowly avoids it in the nick of time. The knife’s tip tears through the hem of his clothing.

“STOP IT! DAMN IT, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? ARE YOU CRAZY?!”

From behind Horgan, Jeongpil yells and charges in, but he can’t get close as Horgan spins around, swinging the knife wildly towards him, forcing him to retreat.

Meanwhile, a brief opening in Horgan’s defense appears. Normally, if two people join forces, even if he has a weapon, they could subdue him. But the vague heaviness spreading sluggishly throughout Taeui’s body prevents him from moving as he wishes.

“What the hell are you? Ah, right, you’re always his archenemy, aren’t you? Then step aside; I’ll gut this one open soon enough, so just stand there and watch.”

“What?! Hey, you bastard! Do you want to die?!”

Jeongpil delivers a kick to Horgan’s side, a perfectly aimed strike that makes Horgan hesitate for a moment, his eyes widening and letting out a short groan. But immediately, he grabs Jeongpil’s leg and stabs the knife into his thigh. Jeongpil’s scream of agony echoes sharply.

“Kim Jeongpil, move away…….!”

Taeui forces his eyes, swimming with dizziness, open wide and shouts loudly.

This matter has nothing to do with him. The fact that someone else got hurt because of him was more distressing to Jeong Taeui than enduring the pain himself.

Hearing Taeui’s scream, Horgan turned his head to look at him. The old man’s eyes shone with madness: “Admirable”, he said as he approached.

“If it wasn’t for you, things wouldn’t have been this difficult. If you hadn’t conspired with him to hinder me, I would have had those documents long ago. Why did you have to get involved…….! Why not ask your talented brother to make a new one, driving me to this point over some trivial data…….?!”

Horgan slowly approached. He raised his fist as if to punch Taeui’s face before pulling out the knife.

Realizing the dire situation, although Taeui knew it might be futile, he still mustered his last bit of strength and launched his whole body at Horgan, hitting him hard. Simultaneously, he landed a punch to Horgan’s face as he staggered for a moment.

“You’re the villain, daring to steal from others and then scheming to sell it off!”

At that moment, he tried to seize the opportunity to grab the knife, but unexpectedly took a punch from Horgan to the head. Even though the punch landed, Horgan didn’t flinch and swiftly swung the knife towards Taeui’s hand. He narrowly dodged it, but the blade still grazed his arm with a shallow cut. Immediately after, another punch from Horgan struck deep into his stomach, causing Taeui to gasp for breath and fall back, slamming into the wall.

His earlier punch seemed to have been quite accurate, causing Horgan to stagger and glare at him with furious eyes.

“What’s so important about that nonsense formula of Jeong Jaei’s that you’d go out of your way to protect it…….!”

“Then don’t steal it, you bastard!”

Taeui shouted, then clicked his tongue. Damn, his vision keeps blurring and clearing again. His head was spinning.

Seeing Taeui’s condition, Horgan smiled crookedly, then took another step closer, ready to finish him off.

“No more delays, end him now――”

“You bastard――”

But at that moment, from behind Horgan, Jeongpil threw himself at the old man’s back. Due to his bloody thigh, his leg unable to move, he could only drag himself to ram into Horgan with all his remaining strength.

“Now I understand, you’re not an instructor, you’re a thief, huh? Huh? Bastard!!”

“How dare you…….!!”

Horgan swung the knife. Unable to dodge because of the wound on his leg, Jeongpil had the blade cut deeply into his waist. A painful scream echoed.

‘Ilay, hurry up. ――Earlier I hoped you’d come later, but now I was wrong, please hurry up. That Kim Jeongpil might die at Horgan’s hands before you can kill him.’

Taeui tried to keep his eyes, which were gradually closing, from shutting, by rubbing and blinking repeatedly to stay alert. He seemed to see a large figure faintly at the end of the hallway.

As if realizing time was running out, Horgan frantically kicked Jeongpil and swung the knife wildly at his arms and shoulders. Then, he kicked the blood-soaked Jeongpil aside, who was screaming, and strode quickly towards Taeui.

“Hmph, I intended to give you more pain with a few more stabs, but now there’s an annoying intruder……. Now it’s your turn, JEONG TAEI!”

Horgan’s unwavering hand raised the knife high above Taeui’s head. Over his shoulder, Taeui spotted Ilay approaching from afar.

It was too far away to see Ilay’s face clearly, but he could imagine it. It must be an unusual face. Rigid and distorted, an expression not often seen…….Yes, look at that.

Just as Horgan’s knife descended, Taeui couldn’t take his eyes off Ilay, more drawn to the rare expression on his face than worrying about the incoming knife. And when he finally saw that face clearly, he let out a light chuckle.

‘Damn it. I should dodge, but my body won’t listen. Don’t look at me like that. I really can’t move…….Hope I won’t die. That face of Ilay’s is interesting and also too strange, but I don’t want to look at it for too long.’

Taeui looked up at the blade swinging through the air. He tried to twist his body slightly, thinking that if the stab hit his shoulder, he might survive even if he had to endure a few stabs. He gritted his teeth, accepting the situation.

And then…….

Unbelievable――truly, looking back at the memories of the past dozen years, this was beyond imagination.

Jeongpil shielded Taeui.

“―…….!”

He precisely hugged Taeui tight and bent down. Right before Taeui’s eyes, he witnessed the knife plunge deep into Jeongpil’s back.

There was no scream. An eerie silence enveloped the moment.

“Kim…….”

Even his mouth seemed paralyzed. He couldn’t even call out his name. Taeui just slightly parted his lips, staring at him as if in a nightmare. Horgan’s twisted face of rage was blurring before his eyes too.

“Hey, Kim Jeong…….”

“…….Damn it, it hurts like hell……. It’s all because of you, this is…….”

Jeongpil’s body slumped on Taeui, his entire weight pressed heavily on him. Jeongpil’s voice was faint, his words weak and intermittent like a vague whisper.

“You bastard, if you take that as my last words, I won’t let it be…….!”

Taeui shouted with a stiff voice, glaring at Jeongpil’s shirt gradually soaked in red.

Above their heads, Horgan, with bloodshot, furious eyes, raised the knife again like a madman. Taeui’s heart pounded loudly in his chest.

This can’t be. Someone will definitely die this time.

――Just as this thought crossed his mind…….

*CRACK*――something flew and struck the side of Horgan’s head hard.

“AGGHH!!”

Horgan screamed, clutching his head, and Taeui saw something fall beside the man. It was a pager, cracked and split in two but still recognizable.

There was no need to guess whose it was. In the next moment, the horrifying sound of bones and flesh being crushed echoed.

Since Jeongpil was still reeling and slumped over Taeui, obstructing his view, Taeui couldn’t clearly see what was happening. For a fleeting moment, he caught sight of Ilay’s expressionless face and Horgan’s twisted face in agony.

He had arrived.

Like in a movie, at the perfect moment, like a hero arriving to punish the wicked.

“…………..”

But the sounds that came were terrifying, nothing like the image of a hero.

The sound of tearing flesh, bones shattering, mingled with repetitive screams and groans of agony, made Taeui shudder.

What was this, these noises were nothing like a hero punishing a villain; they were more like the opening scene of a movie where the true villain demonstrates his cruelty……. And somehow, Taeui had a hunch that in this movie, no one would be able to defeat this villain until the very end.

From a distance, he saw dim shadows. Perhaps the noise had drawn a few people closer.

Taeui lightly blinked his fading eyes. Now, he could pass out and still survive, but there was one reason he had to stay conscious.

“ya……. don’t kill him…….”

His voice was so faint it sounded like a mosquito, lost in Horgan’s horrific screams, making it seem like Ilay wouldn’t hear him. But somehow, that ghostly figure did hear. The sounds of something like pounding into a heavy bag abruptly stopped. The tearing flesh, breaking bones fell silent, leaving only Horgan’s helpless moans.

“Yeah, you’re right. Now’s not the time for that.”

The sound of something being thrown, followed by strong footsteps approaching Taeui, and Ilay’s cold voice, though with an unusual hint of anxiety, echoed. Taeui thought the voice didn’t sound like him as usual, then shut his eyes tight as something – maybe sweat or blood – trickled, making his eyes sting.

What a pity. He felt that, at this very moment, Ilay was showing a face rarely seen. But he couldn’t see it.

Ilay unhesitatingly flung Jeongpil, who was slumping over Taeui, to one side. Hearing Jeongpil groan in pain as he fell, Taeui knew that he was still alive. Then, Ilay bent down and gently lifted Taeui’s frail body, which was half-leaning against the wall. Ilay’s unexpected embrace was so gentle, carrying a warmth and familiarity that made Taeui feel immensely reassured.

“I can’t take my eyes off you for a moment without something happening…….”

Ilay clicked his tongue softly. That sound made Taeui feel a surge of anger rising within him. The way he spoke, implying that everything was Taeui’s fault, really annoyed him.

“Hey, you’re always――, …….”

He intended to loudly retort, but then his breath caught. His strength had run out. And especially, Ilay’s voice today sounded so unfamiliar and unstable that he began to doubt whether that voice truly belonged to Ilay or not.

But this embrace, this warmth, was definitely Ilay’s.

So gradually, Taeui relaxed his body, letting himself fully lean into those arms. Those arms were so warm and safe that he no longer felt any anxiety, not even while suspended in midair. Moreover, Taeui was sure that these arms would never let him fall.

Ilay took long, quick strides. Seeing that they were headed towards the elevator, it seemed he intended to take him to the medical room. Taeui, almost unable to stay conscious as his awareness faded, mumbled in concern the last lingering thought in his mind.

“Kim Jeongpil was stabbed too…….”

“Only stabbed enough to not die. Besides, the curious crowd gathering will take care of him, so don’t worry about it. Also…….”

Ilay’s words paused for a moment. It seemed like he was thinking carefully before continuing. Finally, his voice resumed with a hint of bitterness.

“If it weren’t for Horgan showing up, I was planning to snap his neck……. But he took the stab for you……. So thanks to that, he gets to live.”

Oh……. I see, is that how it is. Now Taeui suddenly recalled what had happened just before Horgan appeared, making him quickly fall silent. Maybe it was best to just pretend to be dead. In fact, pretending wasn’t necessary as the throbbing pain in his shoulder felt like it was burning him, and he gradually felt his consciousness flickering as if he was about to pass out.

“You’re not going to kill him, right, Horgan?”

Taeui drowsily mumbled in a half-conscious state.

He mustn’t kill him. Ilay was already about to go to court and faced the risk of being imprisoned for a few months. If he killed someone else, the situation would become even more complicated.

A few months. That wasn’t a long time. But if he couldn’t see him during that period, it might feel very empty……. yes. It would feel very lonely.

In the faint boundary between wakefulness and sleep, Taeui suddenly realized that Ilay had become an incredibly important part of his life.

As he sank deeper into the state of unconsciousness, his mind began to blur. Perhaps it was also due to the sense of security that Ilay provided.

“Hey, don’t kill him, don’t…….”

It was unclear whether his murmurs reached Ilay’s ears. But it seemed like Ilay heard them.

“Don’t worry. I’ll let him live. Being locked up in prison for a long time is something I don’t want at all…….. But.”

Ah. Surely he won’t kill him. Relieved for now. But why was there an additional condition at the end of the sentence? That made Taeui uneasy.

In the daze, Taeui awaited the next words with a sense of suspense until his consciousness gradually slipped into darkness. Before he could hear Ilay’s response, his mind had already fallen into a deep stupor.

Therefore, he did not hear the whispered monologue from Ilay:

“――Isn’t it the toes that are unnecessary and wouldn’t affect living?”

With a light kiss on the forehead, Ilay softly uttered those words. Perhaps it was a blessing that Taeui did not hear them because if he had, he wouldn’t have lost consciousness so peacefully.