BKR Ch 16

After putting Dohan on the bus, Kim Jihan took a taxi and headed somewhere.

His destination was Daeyeong Military Hospital, where he had previously brought Dohan to the emergency room. Getting out of the taxi, Kim Jihan walked towards the main entrance.

“Young Master, you’ve arrived.”

Secretary Yoon, who was waiting at the entrance, bowed deeply to him. He held a large fruit basket in one hand and a flower basket in the other.

Ding-

The two stepped out of the elevator and walked down the hospital corridor.

“This way, Young Master.”

Secretary Yoon guided Kim Jihan to a private room. Entering the room first, Secretary Yoon looked at the hospital bed.

Cha Woohyuk, lying on the bed, was still asleep. Secretary Yoon quietly placed the two baskets he had brought onto the table facing the bed.

Kim Jihan, who had been silently watching, spoke softly.

“Thank you for your hard work. Please leave for a moment.”

“Yes, sir.”

Secretary Yoon bowed his head and withdrew.

Click, as the door closed, a quiet stillness fell over the room.

Kim Jihan walked towards the table where the baskets were placed, pulled out a chair, and sat down. He leaned forward, clasped his hands together, and looked at the bed in front of him.

Cha Woohyuk’s sleeping face was entirely wrapped in bandages, except for his eyes and mouth. This was because most of his facial bones had been damaged, requiring surgery on his entire face.

The eyes visible between the bandages were bruised dark purple. There was also considerable swelling, as the surgery had been recent.

“…….”

Various emotions welled up in Kim Jihan’s eyes as he observed the result of his own actions.

But he quickly erased those emotions, changing his gaze to a detached one. He stared blankly at Cha Woohyuk for a moment before shifting his gaze to the window.

Tick, tock.

Time passed slowly. An hour had already gone by.

Cha Woohyuk still hadn’t woken up. Even so, Kim Jihan didn’t wake him, simply staring out the window in silence.

Finally, Cha Woohyuk opened his eyes.

Through his blurry vision, he saw Kim Jihan sitting at the table in front of him.

“….!”

Cha Woohyuk momentarily doubted his own eyes. Though his jaw surgery made it difficult to open his mouth, a groan escaped his cracked lips.

“Ah… uh…”

Hearing the sound, Kim Jihan turned his gaze from the window. As Cha Woohyuk met his hazel eyes, goosebumps rose on his skin and his knees trembled.

A bone-deep fear.

The perpetrator who had done this to his face was right in front of him.

“Su… Succe…ssor…”

The deeply ingrained fear was amplified to the extreme by the fact that this man, who had also arrested his entire family, was the nation’s first successor.

“Sor… Sorry…”

Cha Woohyuk, realizing he hadn’t recognized the true apex predator veiled in secrecy, trembled like a leaf. He continued to plead with a mouth that could barely form words.

“Please… p-please… save… me…”

As if Kim Jihan would kill him right there and then.

As if he were the one who would send his arrested family to the gallows.

“…….”

Kim Jihan silently watched Cha Woohyuk, who was pleading with him, the perpetrator. He stared for a long time with an unreadable expression. The usual smile he wore was gone without a trace.

Gasp…

Cha Woohyuk swallowed a groan, feeling an unexpected, suffocating pressure from Kim Jihan’s quiet demeanor. He had never experienced such a chilling coldness before.

He was no longer the Kim Jihan he knew.

“Sob… I’m sorry… I really am…”

Cha Woohyuk felt a strangeness towards Kim Jihan. The man in front of him, with his immense status, became even more terrifying, and he squeezed his eyes shut and sobbed.

Kim Jihan simply watched Cha Woohyuk, who was almost in a state of panic from fear, maintaining his silence. Then he lowered his gaze to the floor. He remained motionless.

There were no other words or reactions from him. For a while, only silence lingered between the two.

As the silence continued, Cha Woohyuk, who had been trembling and crying, slowly began to regain his senses. His reason, paralyzed by extreme fear, gradually returned to stability.

“Ugh…”

Slightly calmer, Cha Woohyuk cautiously looked at Kim Jihan again. His body was still trembling, but he no longer cried or pleaded.

As if waiting for this calmness, Kim Jihan, who had been staring at the floor in silence, finally spoke.

“I thought you wouldn’t want to see me… I considered sending someone with a message instead.”

“…….”

“But I think it’s right to deliver this myself.”

Kim Jihan took a white envelope out of his pocket and walked towards Cha Woohyuk. Cha Woohyuk flinched as he approached.

Kim Jihan looked down at the trembling with an impassive expression, then placed the thick envelope on the table beside the bed and spoke briefly.

“I’m sorry about your family.”

Kim Jihan’s eyes wavered for a moment as he mentioned the family. Many things flashed through them, things he couldn’t show anyone.

He had once had a proper family.

Although it had been twisted and broken by his father. Recalling that process, family was nothing but hell to him.

The only comfort he could offer was to hand over an envelope of money.

This was the world he lived in, and the only courtesy he could extend to others. Of course, he didn’t know if this would be enough to console the family.

The phantom image of a family unit left in his mind felt so distantly remote to him.

Shaking off the lingering image in his head, Kim Jihan turned around.

As he left the room, he saw a nurse and a doctor in the hallway ahead.

Kim Jihan slightly raised the corners of his mouth. The usual mask was back on his expressionless face.

Tap, tap-

His confident footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Projecting the ingrained image of the superior successor he was expected to be, he left the ward with a dignified air.

✦✦✦

Brigadier General Kwak Junyoung was in a better mood than ever.

The Berserker unit of the 1st Special Abilities Brigade had succeeded in occupying Ferbia, the capital of Chersill. The main base of the armored troops had been completely destroyed.

With this achievement that would go down in the annals of the military, Kwak Junyoung’s long-awaited promotion was confirmed.

‘Capital Defense Command!’

Along with a promotion that would add another star to his shoulder, he would become the Capital Defense Commander, the position he desired most.

Along with this tremendous advancement, he would finally be able to leave this dreadful Yeongam Island.

He had been assigned there as a Lieutenant Colonel long ago, and finally, after enduring the humiliation of being looked down upon as a non-academy graduate and surviving for 10 years in this place teeming with monsters, he had become a two-star Major General.

‘Yes!’

Kwak Junyoung, having achieved his long-held dream, cheered and pumped his fist in the air.

Knock, knock—A knock sounded at that moment.

“Lieutenant Colonel Jeokho is here to see you.”

“Send him in.”

Kwak Junyoung quickly composed his expression and lowered his arm.

Jeokho, who had returned from conquering Ferbia, entered the office, along with a middle-aged man he had never seen before.

“Annihilation.”

Jeokho, dressed in a black uniform, saluted with his hand to his forehead. His presence filled the office with an unmistakable tension.

“I heard the news, sir. Congratulations on your promotion.”

“Ah, thank you. But I’m still a Brigadier General.”

Kwak Junyoung readily accepted the pleasant greeting. Then he turned his gaze to the unfamiliar man.

Reading his gaze, Jeokho immediately introduced the man.

“I met him in Ferbia. His name is Ken Jo. He’s a Korean-Chersillian.”

At the mention of Chersill, Kwak Junyoung’s expression instantly turned serious.

“You revealed the location of this place to a Chersilian!”

Kwak Junyoung raised his voice urgently.

However, Jeokho remained completely unfazed.

“He’s brought information that’s just as important. It’s about the S-Class Black Mage and Cheongyeon.”

“What?”

Kwak Junyoung’s face registered shock. It was understandable, given the sudden mention of both the S-Class Cheongyeon and the Black Mage, who had died six months prior.

As if waiting for his reaction, Jeokho gestured towards Ken Jo with a nod.

“Ken Jo here will explain.”

Then, the middle-aged Ken Jo, dressed neatly unlike when he was a prisoner, stepped out from behind Jeokho.

Ken Jo, being a foreigner, bowed deeply to Kwak Junyoung instead of saluting. Then, raising his head, he spoke politely.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, General.”

The conversation grew lengthy. The three sat on the visitor’s sofa in the office and continued their discussion.

“What do you think of my suggestion?”

Jeokho, sitting on one side of the sofa, asked.

“…….”

Kwak Junyoung, sitting on the single-person sofa in the center, remained silent. Then, he slowly began to speak.

“The Black Mage deserted… He pretended to be dead to avoid pursuit, and Cheongyeon helped him. He’s already obtained a fake ID…”

Kwak Junyoung listed the facts as if organizing them, then rubbed his forehead with his hand.

‘Damn it!’

A curse welled up inside him.

With the Capital Defense Command right before him, desertion at a time like this! And not just anyone…

Berserker desertion.

The moment this reached the ears of the military commanders, he knew he’d face severe disciplinary action, let alone a promotion. What was even more pathetic was that they had been unaware for six months.

He might even be discharged.

‘What a damn mess!’

He gritted his teeth. Kwak Junyoung glared at Ken Jo sitting on the sofa with eyes full of resentment.

Ken Jo, the enemy spy.

“Him. Can we trust him?”

Kwak Junyoung asked with a dubious expression.

“Yes, you can trust him.”

Jeokho answered firmly, glancing at Ken Jo sitting opposite him.

“Among the prisoners captured in Ferbia were his family members. We’ve even confirmed their family relationship through acquaintances. They are currently being transported here. Naturally, I’ll share their information with you, sir.”

Ken Jo also spoke solemnly.

“If you guarantee the safety of me and my family, I’ll cooperate in any way.”

“Hmm…”

Kwak Junyoung felt somewhat relieved.

Spies were always prepared to die, but their families were an exception. They were effectively the best hostages.

Having made up his mind, Kwak Junyoung leaned forward and clasped his hands together.

“Anyway… this must never be disclosed.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Only we know. Absolutely.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jeokho replied readily. Kwak Junyoung carefully recalled the plans Jeokho had mentioned earlier.

“So, about your suggestion earlier… you’ll personally go and capture Berserker, and you want me to make a temporary ID?”

“Yes.”

‘This…’

Kwak Junyoung knew it well.

It was practically impossible to capture a deserter Berserker with military police or special agents. Of course, confidential information would have to be leaked as well.

‘There’s no other way.’

He was effectively trapped in a dead end.

The only fortunate thing was that the person who would resolve this situation was Jeokho. He was an undefeated general who had never failed a single operation.

Kwak Junyoung, though uneasy, felt relieved by this fact alone.

He had practically no choice. Watching Kwak Junyoung, Jeokho secretly sneered.

“Okay, fine. Who are you taking with you?”

Kwak Junyoung, having steeled his resolve, asked. Jeokho thought of the individuals he had already chosen.

“I’ll take two. White Wolf, Golden Lion… and Cheongyeon.”

Kwak Junyoung’s eyes widened at the last name.

“Cheongyeon? Weren’t we going to deal with him here?”

“We need to take him as bait.”

Jeokho’s eyes flashed.

“Isn’t it natural for a wild animal released from humans to immediately go looking for its young?”

Jeokho’s words echoed in the office.

His low voice harbored a deep rage unknown to anyone.

✦✦✦

The last day of the semester.

The military academy cafeteria was bustling with students who had come for lunch. Cadets in comfortable fatigues carried their trays, each looking for an empty seat.

Among them were Kim Jihan and Dohan.

Screech-

Kim Jihan, back at school after his disciplinary period, pulled out an empty chair and sat down. Dohan placed his tray on the table in front of him and pulled out a chair.

Kim Jihan looked at Dohan, sitting opposite him, with a slightly curious gaze.

It was a first.

For them to be eating together in the cafeteria.

Normally, Dohan would have detested such an open space… Kim Jihan, learning that Dohan hadn’t once visited the cafeteria while he was away, spoke to him in a rather gentle tone.

“Eat a lot.”

Dohan picked up his spoon without replying. The smell of food in the cafeteria had already stirred his empty stomach with hunger. He wanted to eat quickly.

Kim Jihan, who had been confined at home until yesterday by his father’s order, also picked up his spoon for soup. The two continued their quiet meal.

However, it wasn’t long before the cadets around them started murmuring.

“Hey… who’s that?”

“Was there a kid like that?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never seen him before.”

Hearing this, Kim Jihan raised his head and looked around.

The cadets in the cafeteria were constantly glancing in his direction.

“Isn’t that the scrawny kid?”

“Ah, right. That first-year.”

“Wow… he’s changed.”

The subject of their whispers was clearly Dohan. Reading the surprise and admiration in their voices, Kim Jihan turned to look at Dohan.

His gaze was captivated by the sight of a young man, no longer bearing the appearance of someone ill.

His previously gaunt face now had defined, smooth contours, and his rose-tinted lips below a high-bridged nose were lusciously ripe.

His translucent skin was as white as snow. It blended beautifully with his jet-black hair and eyes, creating a mystical and alluring aura.

“…….”

Kim Jihan stared blankly at Dohan as if time had stopped.

The noisy surroundings suddenly fell silent, as if a noise barrier had been activated. As if a distortion had occurred, his vision was filled with the face of a single person.

Thump, thump.

An unfamiliar beat pulsed through his body.

Kim Jihan blinked his dazed eyes, as if waking from hypnosis. He tilted his head, finding it hard to believe that Dohan could have changed so much just from gaining some weight.

It was understandable. The sick face of Dohan he had first seen was distinctly different from his current appearance. He felt an inexplicable sense of dissonance.

Dohan had changed so much that it would be difficult to recognize him as the same person if they were placed side by side.

Only because he saw him every day, because the change was gradual like clothes getting wet in a drizzle, he hadn’t noticed it until now.

Kim Jihan looked around again. The cadets in the cafeteria were all glancing at Dohan’s face and buzzing with excitement.

Kim Jihan’s eyes cooled as he observed this.

“Hey.”

Kim Jihan abruptly called out to Dohan.

“Wear a mask from now on.”

“….?”

Dohan, who had been concentrating on his meal, raised an eyebrow at the unexpected remark. He mouthed, “Why?”

“…….”

Kim Jihan blinked blankly without answering. He had spoken without thinking and couldn’t find a reason.

Tsk, Dohan clicked his tongue, thinking that Kim Jihan was saying something strange again. He then picked up a side dish with his chopsticks, seemingly ignoring him.

Grind, Kim Jihan’s jaw clenched.

Kim Jihan glanced at the corner of the ceiling. Rolling his eyes quickly, he gave a belated answer to Dohan, who was chewing on his pork cutlet.

“Your throat, the virus. You’ve just recovered, do you want to suffer again?”

‘It’s not a virus.’

Dohan muttered inwardly and just focused on eating. He couldn’t exactly explain that it was a side effect of the drugs, so he had nothing to say.

“You must wear it. That’s the only way to block the virus.”

Kim Jihan didn’t stop.

“Even now, the droplets in this place…”

Click, Dohan finally put down his spoon. He then brought a finger to his lips. The meaning was clear.

‘Shut up.’

Only then did Kim Jihan close his mouth.

Although he shut his mouth, he glared at Dohan with eyes blazing with fire.

‘What’s wrong with him?’

Dohan couldn’t understand why Kim Jihan was suddenly staring at him with an angry look while he was eating. And why was the air around him turning so cold?

In any case, he didn’t know the reason, so he ignored it and continued his meal.

Whoosh, suddenly Kim Jihan stood up with his tray. He strode to the food counter, dumped all the barely-eaten food, and walked towards the exit.

“….?”

Dohan stared blankly, spoon in hand, at Kim Jihan abruptly leaving the cafeteria.

After lunch, the training finally concluded with a speech from the headmaster. Summer vacation, a whole month long, was about to begin.

Dohan left the school building with a sense of relief that he had successfully completed the semester. He ignored the upcoming end-of-semester party. He had no intention of attending anyway.

Thud, thud-

The sound of measured footsteps grew closer. Glancing over, he saw Kim Jihan walking beside him, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

‘What?’

Dohan narrowed his eyes, remembering how Kim Jihan had left the cafeteria without a word. Why did he leave like that and then so casually reappear?

…He was truly an incomprehensible person.

The two walked side-by-side towards the school’s main gate.

As they walked, Kim Jihan looked around. White tents were spread across the vast lawn. Everyone was busy preparing for the party.

The end-of-semester party was the only time alcohol was allowed within the strict confines of the Ami Military Academy.

This event, which took place twice a year, was a big festival where all the cadets could gather and drink together while listening to the military band and singing military songs.

However, there was no regret in Kim Jihan’s eyes as he passed by.

Having already received an academic warning, he knew that a second one would inevitably lead to his deployment to the front lines. In such a precarious situation, he felt no need to attend a drinking party crowded with cadets.

Whew—A whistle suddenly blew from somewhere. Kim Jihan turned his head towards the sound.

“….?”

The senior cadets gathered on one side of the lawn were all looking in the same direction. Kim Jihan curiously followed their gaze.

They were looking at Dohan.

Some even craned their necks to get a better look.

“…….”

Dohan, seemingly unaware of the attention directed at him, continued walking, looking straight ahead. A senior cadet whistled again, trying to draw his attention.

Whew!

“Ha…”

An amused laugh escaped Kim Jihan’s lips. He glanced over the scene with an amused look, then, as if to show off, slung his arm around Dohan’s shoulders.

“….!”

Dohan looked at Kim Jihan, who had suddenly put his arm around him, with a surprised expression.

They were in an open space under the gaze of all the cadets.

“I didn’t eat much earlier, so…”

Kim Jihan leaned towards Dohan, unfazed.

“Let’s have our own end-of-semester party and have a drink. I’m really hungry.”

Dohan glared at him with a look that said, “Who told you to eat so little?” He then shrugged his shoulder as if trying to shake off Kim Jihan’s arm.

However, Kim Jihan pulled Dohan closer and whispered affectionately in his ear.

“I have painkillers in my bag, so tell me if you have trouble swallowing, okay?”

The surroundings quieted down. The two looked close enough to be mistaken for a couple, even from a distance.

Kim Jihan smiled at Dohan with a satisfied look. Dohan, bewildered, simply allowed himself to be led away.

✦✦✦

It was late afternoon after they had a meal and drinks at a restaurant near the school. As always, the two boarded the bus that arrived at the school bus stop.

“Oh, it’s raining?”

Kim Jihan, looking out the window, raised an eyebrow at the raindrops splattering against the bus window.

“…….”

Dohan, sitting in the next seat, didn’t respond. He had earphones in his ears.

“It’s raining harder.”

As the rain intensified, Kim Jihan, his eyes slightly flushed from the alcohol, looked at Dohan again.

“…….”

Dohan still didn’t react. However, inwardly, he was marveling at the incredible amount of alcohol Kim Jihan had consumed at the restaurant.

‘Heavy drinker…’

Kim Jihan was a true alcoholic. He would chug down any 500cc glass of beer in one go, endlessly. He had drunk several glasses in a row, but didn’t seem very drunk.

Dohan, on the other hand, who had never had alcohol before, only drank water. Carbonated drinks irritated his throat, making them difficult to swallow.

“It’s really coming down now.”

Kim Jihan, after watching Dohan’s continued lack of response, finally pulled out one of his earphones and brought his lips close.

“It’s raining.”

Only then did Dohan look at him with an expression that asked, “So?”

“Do you have an umbrella?”

Dohan turned his head away without replying.

Seeing this, Kim Jihan muttered while looking back out the window.

“….No.”

“Run!”

Kim Jihan, getting off the bus, dashed through the pouring rain. He already knew the way to Dohan’s house.

“….?”

Kim Jihan, running at full speed, looked to his side, which was unusually quiet. There was no one beside him. Bewildered, Kim Jihan stopped running and looked back.

He saw Dohan leisurely strolling along behind him, unconcerned about getting soaked in the rain.

“Are you out for a walk?”

Kim Jihan, with a dumbfounded expression, ran to Dohan and grabbed his hand. Dohan’s mouth opened slightly as his fingers were once again interlaced with Kim Jihan’s.

“Let go of…”

“No, you’ll catch a cold!”

Kim Jihan declared firmly and pulled Dohan towards a closed shop in an alley. The old awning above the shop offered some protection from the pouring rain.

Pitter-patter.

Kim Jihan brushed the rain off his waxed hair and looked up at the downpour.

“Wow… it’s pouring.”

The rain was so heavy that streams of water were flowing like a river on the ground.

Watching the relentless downpour, Kim Jihan chuckled with a slightly smug look.

“The end-of-semester party is ruined. Serves them right for being unnecessarily nosy.”

What is he talking about? Dohan glanced at him, muttering strange things, and abruptly stepped forward.

“Where are you going!”

“….!”

Kim Jihan quickly grabbed the back of Dohan’s neck and pulled him back. Dohan, lightweight, was easily pulled back.

“Don’t get rained on! If you catch a cold in your condition, it’ll be a disaster.”

Remembering how Dohan had almost died recently, Kim Jihan threw his arm around his shoulder, intending to prevent him from darting off again.

“Aren’t you going to let go?”

Dohan glared at him sharply.

“No.”

Completely immune to Dohan’s glare, Kim Jihan didn’t even blink.

Dohan frowned at him, fussing over a little rain.

“I won’t catch a cold from this…”

“Just wait a bit. It’s a shower. It’ll stop soon.”

At that, Dohan looked up at the grey sky. After staring at the dark clouds for a moment, he spoke again.

“I don’t think it’ll stop soon.”

“Let’s go when it lets up a bit. If we go now, we’ll be soaked like drowned rats. Our clothes, our bags, everything.”

“We can dry them.”

Kim Jihan shook his head firmly at the indifferent reply.

“No, my bag will be ruined if it gets wet. It’s not about the money, it’s a limited edition, so it’s hard to find the same one. Also, my shoes are custom-made…”

He listed every reason to avoid getting wet. Dohan’s mouth dropped open as he listened.

“You’re such a slave to material possessions.”

Dohan said with a look of disdain.

Nevertheless, Kim Jihan smiled brightly and looked at the falling rain again, tightening his grip on Dohan’s shoulder.

Whoosh-

In truth, he didn’t care about his bag or shoes. A cold wasn’t a major concern either.

What mattered was this close contact with Dohan.

Thump-thump.

His heart was pounding again, just like in the cafeteria. An unfamiliar excitement, along with a pleasant floating sensation, washed over him.

‘What’s going on…?’

Kim Jihan found it strange that his heart, which had never reacted to anyone before, was fluttering like this. He wondered if it was the alcohol. He had drunk a lot for the first time in a while, and he was feeling a bit tipsy.

Then, was this strange excitement he felt from being close to Dohan also because of the alcohol? In the past, no amount of contact had ever affected him this much.

No.

Kim Jihan recalled the kiss they had shared before.

He realized that this heat wasn’t from intoxication; he had felt this strange feeling even when he was sober then.

Furthermore, the dark rain clouds now looked like iridescent, multicolored clouds. The sound of the pouring rain sounded like a sweet melody.

‘Something’s wrong.’

Kim Jihan looked around with bewildered eyes.

Beyond the pounding heart and strange feeling, even his senses felt different. The world literally looked different.

Something was definitely broken. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come up with such ridiculous excuses about his bag and shoes. Why did this closeness matter so much? Why did he want to stay close to Dohan, no matter what?

Even now, at this moment…

He didn’t want to be apart from him, not even a little.

“Let go. I’m going.”

However, contrary to Kim Jihan’s wishes, Dohan continued to be cold.

“Let go of me.”

As Dohan continued to try and move forward, shrugging off his arm, Kim Jihan finally frowned.

“Just stay still.”

“Let go.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Dohan finally shook off his arm forcefully and strode forward.

Splash!!

Suddenly, a truck sped down the alley, splashing a wave of rainwater onto Dohan.

“Ugh…!”

Dohan, unexpectedly drenched, squeezed his eyes shut as rainwater got into them. He rubbed his eyes with his hand and then looked down at himself, completely soaked like a drowned rat.

Pfft, Kim Jihan let out a soft chuckle from behind.

Dohan’s brow furrowed, seemingly having heard the small sound.

Immediately composing his expression, Kim Jihan approached Dohan and put his arm around him again. Dohan, his face dripping with water, turned to look at him.

“Well, since you’re already wet, let’s go.”

Kim Jihan smiled at the falling rain and started walking leisurely. Dohan, seemingly resigned, followed him without trying to shake him off this time.

The two walked calmly in the pouring rain.

Walking through the rain, Kim Jihan looked at himself, completely soaked. He had become a drowned rat, but a faint smile lingered on his lips. Because of a certain emotion that was permeating him, just like the rain soaking his body.

His heart pounded pleasantly.

As if intoxicated by the alcohol, the sound of rain, and the emotion, he enjoyed this relaxed feeling, his usually solid walls turning soft like wet paper.

He simply enjoyed this moment, a departure from the ordinary, a time where everything was an exception.

By the time they arrived home, it was dusk. The relentless rain had almost stopped.

“Shouldn’t you go home now?”

“No.”

Kim Jihan, his usually styled hair plastered to his forehead, smiled cheerfully.

“Ah, this is comfortable.”

Kim Jihan, having dried himself with a towel and entered the room, lay down on the floor as if he were at home.

Dohan, hanging his wet bag on a hanger, glared at him and took out a change of clothes from the dresser. As he headed straight for the bathroom, Kim Jihan asked,

“Taking a shower?”

Dohan nodded in response.

The bathroom door closed immediately. Whoosh—The sound of running water came from inside.

Kim Jihan looked around the empty room and walked towards the mirror hanging on the wall. Looking at his reflection, he brushed his wet hair back from his forehead. A pleasant smile still lingered on his lips.

Buzz.

His pocket vibrated. Kim Jihan took out his phone.

[I’ve contacted as many former special forces colleagues as possible. Including myself, there are five of us. Is that enough?]

It was a text from Instructor Jeong, whom he had spoken to at the kennel.

When Kim Jihan had mentioned the Class 1 spy, Instructor Jeong had brought up the need for colleagues and requested preparation time.

‘Ah…’

Kim Jihan’s smile faded as he read the text.

Class 1 spy.

If he succeeded in capturing the spy alive, a medal of honor would be guaranteed. The nation’s first successor would save the entire nation from the enemy’s threat, and he could demonstrate his potential as a leader of the world’s strongest nation to his father. The suffocating academic warnings would also disappear.

After thinking this far, Kim Jihan replied without hesitation.

[I’ll put it on hold for now. I’ll let you know later.]