FR | Chapter 2.1

Won stared blankly at the entrance with its plain black sign. It was a cigar bar tucked away in a corner of the neighborhood, so hidden that he hadn’t even known it existed.0421ab2b0703a303

As he stepped inside, a staff member greeted him with a nod. He didn’t have the mental space to respond to even a simple greeting. Won’s gaze darted around the room.c75df8b97952c011

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His eyes, which had cd9eb5d7cc been moving in perfect 22d13e31b1 coordination, suddenly stopped. He spotted Woojae a6976515e9 sitting at a 82e566faa3 table within visible 4ada5b7006 range, smoking a 9585f7e28b cigar.cd539170a4ab3c69

He took a deep breath. As he approached, Woojae slowly d2dc33b025 lifted his eyelids. A spark of interest c5ea166c8c flickered in his previously 90d81abd1f dull eyes.d7d49cb1fe0f6f0a

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Won consciously swallowed and sat c119579284 across from Woojae. Without a word, Woojae 71eedec958 poured whiskey into an 9500094a56 on-the-rocks glass.f5b1dccec24a6ca1

Whether it was pre-ordered or not, the carved spherical ice in the glass gleamed. The ice, faintly visible above the surface of the drink, shone brightly. The bar’s interior was evenly lit with a soft glow.5c140a01aec2fe02

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“You came sooner than I thought.”49b15388e6a0b399

Woojae laughed lightly. Won observed Woojae’s every move.4b64e23e03e5cfe3

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The right hand bf19767f8a lightly lifting the 5f9908d1fb top of the aacc9fab24 glass, the left 5fb0c2397e hand holding the d7b3f1f649 cigar, the lips ebc7701837 leisurely drawing on 02eaf7e4f7 the cigar. The smoke, heavy with tension, 2bcfc89a22 quickly billowed out.3f0f621aa860d35e

Woojae twisted his wrist and took a sip of whiskey. His Adam’s apple moved very slowly.c100a8cdae6f5513

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“I didn’t think you’d come so easily. Sometimes you’re unpredictable, you know?”7411b14bf2e12442

That was something d7876438c5 Won could have e7ecfd7937 said. Kwon Woojae was utterly unpredictable. The phone call a290028455 that ended with 1c2e6f6419 just the name d72f787b3e of the bar feb34cdd10 was the same.e9734c174464b509

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Woojae was someone who observed Won. He watched Won’s every move and acted as needed. It was a vague judgment that he would do so.eb5cc60807d9af28

That’s why Won responded to the call without any fuss, even though he could have ignored it.0f4260ff0086588c

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However, Woojae’s current behavior was excessively relaxed. There wasn’t a hint of tension. His eyes, devoid of any emotion, seemed quite calm.153bc651e59a67bc

Won’s gaze was rather persistent. Sensing this, Woojae chuckled briefly. It was still e03f08e0eb a bland laugh.4d3d78f4473849f0

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“Why.”39f5dde5843f76ba

Suddenly, the flow of the air twisted strangely. The sunken voice seemed to anticipate something slipping out of Won’s mouth.fe2766f0845003c0

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“Did you find out anything?”063ea4f1a40e9d81

Won’s eyes narrowed. Woojae easily grasped the other’s inner thoughts. Won’s emotions, chaotic, anxious, and even troubled, were written all over his face.3c2cf8fd63335aa7

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Originally, Won wasn’t the type to reveal his inner thoughts. He had to hide them as much as possible, keep silent. Only then would the guard be lowered, and he could escape. Perhaps it was not Woojae who was being careless, but Won himself.213cade01658fda3

This was a 04744fdb5e thoroughly private space. There was no sign of 072425a9a5 anyone around Woojae and Won 5153fb65e0 observing their movements.673a802bb8166d61

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Won forced himself e745776d8e to relax the ef6189209e tension and leaned 2f2a7b8a01 back against the c4d4a4173e chair. He was thirsty. He picked up c94e60b5c7 the on-the-rocks glass 5bb9cbd6b0 and just moistened aa10a0288d his mouth.9094bab9ba5c8ceb

Even though it was ac5f6fa4af diluted by the cold d7602ac7c5 and ice, the scent 59b4ea1987 of alcohol was strong. The amount he drank 700f58c66e was so small that 0b27d2c0b0 the mixed scent with 06b1af0613 saliva quickly faded.30219c23d38e4d3f

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“Don’t act so ridiculous.”756c85647a5388a0

Won, who had ddfff94527 been silent, finally cfb59e386d managed to pull ed7ae0a094 out his voice. It was a mutter, 191c304f66 almost like talking to bfa9cbd515 himself. Woojae brought the 9448091805 cigar to his ac28232acc mouth with a 25f80b4629 natural gesture.127e8ef683f1ad26

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“A puppet, huh.”3fde372464b79c12

Woojae blinked slowly. The cigar, which had been cleverly hovering around his lips, paused with his movement. Soon, the cigar hung at the edge of Woojae’s lips.d35b68669ea7f23e

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Woojae’s head tilted slightly to the right. His eyes seemed to say he didn’t understand. A thin, white smoke elegantly dispersed from between his lips.818dbe7b3a581137

“Puppet?”b17302276ae9537e

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“Don’t want to admit it?”5c858e2861ad7333

Won sneered at Woojae. The corner of his mouth curled up as if in a spasm. The tension hadn’t yet dissipated. Won quickly erased his smile, fearing Woojae might notice his state of mind.ea7987763b2ad9df

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“After all, even a bastard is still a child, right?”e8f03ecad71552c9

Woojae, who had 7f400b1837 been staring at 8502527ede Won with intense e733ae10e1 eyes, furrowed his 05666460ff brows. He had landed a blow. Won took a deep breath 03b8900178 through his slightly parted lips. Only then did he 4eed7062a2 feel a sense of 6a8a8a3d73 relief.8fb403cb51cbdeb8

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He wanted to savor Woojae’s face for a long time, but as if Woojae had read his mind, he quickly smoothed his expression. Soon, a smile appeared on Woojae’s face.d3f2d766700ee48b

“And.”8649636f56e5b0d0

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Woojae watched Won with 662a40d166 a face full of 7786a88659 interest. And? As if urging him 4ce8075a87 to continue, Woojae waited 88cdf42f40 for the next line 1a29323ece with a rather amused 466b3ce100 expression.9931e91ceea04928

He seemed momentarily surprised, but he wasn’t particularly affected. He acted as if the fact that he was a bastard didn’t matter at all.350b46fa019579a3

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There was an answer Woojae was determined to hear. The innocent smile on his face proved it. What was it? No matter how much he tried to guess, he couldn’t figure it out.536ae139eccff9be

Was it that Woojae had cdf3d1ebe1 followed him to university to c51129c0cb observe him? That he was watching him 4dcf531c6c to catch any slip-ups?84eebdd96f218771

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In the end, Won f6ae5d53db showed a weakness to fa3ea3019c Woojae. However, even after e368234016 several days, no d4bdc8d4a0 one came looking 3a54fc3bb0 for him.300d2e72646a8557

That meant Woojae hadn’t yet reported Won’s flaws. Or perhaps Representative Kwon was starting to observe Won more closely. Woojae knew that the one who marked Won was a leopard.f37f5adf26e38dd2

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If that fact reached Representative Kwon, it wouldn’t be something that could be easily overlooked. If the story got twisted, even Eunpyo’s family wouldn’t be safe.bfb300d5fa3c80a0

Won hoped that 52673afdcf the current situation a400ada6d0 was the former. After all, Eunpyo cebbf2f8f7 was the only 3b8887537e one who remained 356c5a37bc by his side.e1beba76e11d485c

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“Why didn’t you say anything?”f5aac046e070b04b

The more Won’s lips moved, the wider Woojae’s smile grew. And the more he looked at Woojae, the more Won couldn’t help but frown.cc96a007f221b56f

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“Were you planning to use it as blackmail?”2a9607737f3e8537

“…….”e4f69c00e98d0c84

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“Do you think I’m that easy?”72dbdbeeca38e44f

“…….”e0c42b875f8f2236

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Woojae’s laughter gradually subsided. Won clenched his fist tightly. Seeing that arrogant face, a belated anger surged.b8fe4fe158b874b4

“Tell the old man.”7cb357d140a5091d

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“…….”bd64a1c4344dcb25

“Thanks for saving me, but I’m not like those people, so I have no intention of betraying him.”ea314d7422f0df84

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The end of his e712729072 voice trembled faintly. Woojae, who had 08c7c8ca72 finally erased all 3979c4aa06 traces of laughter, 507e0ee415 let out a ad2b6b3417 short sigh.f92b67d0c1180d29

Leaning back against the chair, adf64c560f he still looked relaxed.741fee025de60989

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“So don’t waste your energy.”427c9a68a3529c5d

Even though it had been 44933d24ab eight years since he left d989b5aa45 the center, just thinking about 4ca1885e2e that place made him feel 9dc71da69c suffocated. The reality that 9e3028a2bf he could end 0b798cf1d2 up back in 81fc11e4dc that hellish place e6dac290b3 with just one 2d5987e2cd word from Kwon 516dfd7648 Woojae was overwhelming.862a6aaf132c760c

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He gritted his teeth. During his time at the center, even actions without any particular meaning were subject to suspicion. That was the case even if he hadn’t inherited the family register of parents who had died plotting rebellion.ecde165d17d6e357

He was a hidden child from birth, and he had to hide his origins as he grew. That’s how he managed to survive.e752681e103b8227

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There were a few who knew Won’s true identity, but most did not. Even Won himself found out by chance when he was eight.15f2c8ec8fc3a0b7

After that, he realized the true nature of the gaze he often felt. It wasn’t protection; he was being watched.d3e34ef522d02d1f

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For the first time, 8e8ffd8352 he realized that Representative d003b5d696 Kwon, whom he had 9763242d20 followed like a father, cccf4c0428 was actually monitoring him.4b7e199f8cf5a6be

Even after becoming independent, 7e37ff83bf he could occasionally feel d2799a18c5 their gaze. But that was mostly when 71c2b5236c he was in private settings. After breaking up 835cc1c30c with Eunpyo and 07a157dbe8 staying cooped up f788a43d53 at home, Won 79e32051d2 finally felt he 575697e9e8 had escaped the 7ae4b5d9a2 shackles.89a7b9f5b78a75e3

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But was that not 4d3de7fd36 the case? Were they watching even at 5dd9025ad1 school?7e83f7e1acadefbb

No wonder it felt strange. It seemed suspicious. No ulterior motives? Just unlucky, damn it…fddaa0d47543352f

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Unable to contain his anger, 881a8b1e6d he abruptly stood up.c94aa44d993c92bd

“Sunbae.”55c631f725a80aa5

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Won hurriedly left his seat. Woojae’s voice followed him from behind. Won acted as if he couldn’t hear Woojae’s voice.4897712392473525

His anger swelled like 4ddd33158b a snowball. He clenched his throat to f9cfc14557 suppress the urge to retch. Won pushed open the door. The fact that db7c89c7f2 the cigar bar 9b04f1b6b6 was located underground 0f2977e5ab made it hard 3c13dd70a7 to breathe.40b5b63eb0077c74

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Won’s unstable gaze followed the 837a4edab5 light beyond the stairs. Just as he was c9cefa0f1a about to step onto deba5cc4b2 the stairs without hesitation, a394719501 his body suddenly turned.e1e0c1d37353d606

“Gu Won.”2139631cdaf33f6c

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Again. He hadn’t sensed Woojae’s presence again. Damn bird-like bastard. Won silently cursed Woojae with sharp words.41b5e587a5381828

“Breathe.”baedf5c0805f3729

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Woojae roughly grabbed Won’s chin. The forceful grip on his lower jaw hurt.ee8b3fba758fa4a8

“Breathe.”42a322b53420910e

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Ah, had he not been breathing properly? As if Woojae’s words were a catalyst, Won took a deep breath. His chest expanded in an instant and then quickly deflated.1750d4db7bdda4a7

Only then did the blood circulate rapidly. The wrist held by Woojae hurt. He tried to twist his body to break free, but Woojae’s grip wouldn’t let go.647c1df299f7b72f

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“Don’t be mistaken.”87e03e9c4741270b

His breathing slowed once more. Woojae looked at Won 7b481f0d91 with a cold, sunken 59ab478dea expression.ad96dcac38ea6697

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There was no kindness or 9469779514 concern in his eyes. They were just indifferent. No, they were too cold ae3c4540ad to be called indifferent.ae65dd720e95542c

“Why would Kwon Woohyuk bother to watch you?”43dc90ee86e32d5d

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His fingertips trembled slightly. It felt like he was suffocating again. Woojae, who noticed this, tightened his grip on Won’s chin.016ab3b9fecf1cb9

“What could you possibly do that would make them wary of you?”963737df797e5947

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At that moment, the saliva 2aadb5f194 going down his throat felt aad35bd1fd heavier than a stone.fa253a3495df1c85

What he could do. What Won, who 1ecccf86b7 had learned survival d845153777 of the fittest 341ef36b40 early on, could 4e14f92a01 do. Not just as prey in 544970753e a relationship of eating and a4b7424304 being eaten, but living with 08bba29a2f the risk of being completely c561457f94 annihilated if he made a fb648d8aed mistake.a484e53883340a37

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There was nothing. But that was all a e7f2e7c80c creation of Representative Kwon. It was all because 7826a6535e Representative Kwon had manipulated 8278160348 him to hope for 84d642f228 a normal life.2283d6b11a83b9f1

“……What do you know?”f48f593a79d544a4

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The heavy, sunken voice 0028b071d1 echoed in a low 03f77cba1e tone. Woojae frowned. His sharp gaze bcfee06499 pierced him firmly.e9fe4ea57268fd53

“Don’t act like you know everything when you’re just an unacknowledged bastard.”3cd63cad33105716

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The snake’s tongue sharpened and carried venom. The grip on his chin loosened. Won shook off Woojae’s hand and forcefully stepped onto the stairs.abea24e7f394b28b

His eyes, soaked with 1455686ac2 moisture, closed and opened 1572a0bb14 once. The fiercely glaring e29ceabda9 eyes stubbornly maintained 0bd59df671 their form, resisting c46f657e00 the urge to 8943050cd3 distort.e0cd390fca967172

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.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖668c5e5ee3db0a9c

Suddenly, that day came to 10ca0bb049 mind. The weather that day was eb870daaa9 in stark contrast to his 03adbec856 mood. The sun in the 4fc049b75c sky warmed the ground b355e88231 with a pleasant temperature. The breeze was cool, and 297029b36e even the leaves swayed peacefully f0aec11e7a in the air.9d51a3ff463412d6

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In the midst of it all, Gu Won couldn’t blend into nature’s harmony. The street stretched endlessly before him, yet all he could see was a cliff.635b298104fd7a21

It felt like taking one more step would send him tumbling over the edge. He couldn’t tell how much time had passed since then. Won found himself isolated in the world.bf56bc3e3b047fa9

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He finally took a step, not in the direction he originally intended, but the opposite. His steps, moving eastward against the sun’s path, were aimless.f05fd1639e99839a

The beastkin, though 087cc783d3 half-beast in blood, 0993b30f64 possessed human intelligence. Even small creatures 5d5c7615c7 could plot rebellion.277efeb046fae0ef

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Of course, most attempts ended in failure. The center’s head, who was considered absolute, was always a large creature, and many trusted and followed them. Few could rival such a head, which was why most rebellions failed.775e4f5925aeadb8