BKR Ch 5

“You want to see the body?”

A middle-aged man sitting in a chair raised an eyebrow. On the large desk sat a triangular nameplate engraved with ‘Brigadier General Kwak Joonyoung, Commander of the 1st Special Abilities Brigade.’

Standing before him was a young man in uniform. His name tag on the left side of his chest read ‘Jeokho,’ and the epaulets of a lieutenant colonel gleamed under the fluorescent lights.

A massive underground bunker located on Yeongam Island. This vast bunker, spanning eight floors beneath the entire island, was a top-secret location known only to those in key positions within the military command.

Its purpose was the establishment of the ‘1st Special Abilities Brigade.’ This long-standing plan began with Yeongam Island, inconspicuous to enemies, as its secret base.

“The body has long since sunk to the bottom of the sea. They said he died during an operation on an enemy ship. How could we retrieve it?”

Brigadier General Kwak chuckled wryly, looking at Jeokho, who had just returned from a long battle. Jeokho stepped closer.

“Then is his death certain? Not just a temporary loss of consciousness due to doping side effects?”

As the distance closed, Brigadier General Kwak nodded quickly.

“Yes, the squad members deployed with him confirmed his death. They said Heukma’s heart completely stopped.”

Heukma (Black Devil). It was the designation of Seo Dohan.

“To lose an S-Class like that…” Brigadier General Kwak trailed off, sounding regretful.

This combat weapon, created in utmost secrecy on Yeongam Island, was classified into four ranks: S, A, B, and C. The highest rank, S-Class, was powerful enough for a single individual to annihilate an entire unit. Consequently, a death was a significant loss of power.

“But I never expected you to come straight to my office after hearing the news, even neglecting your training. Has this ever happened before?”

Brigadier General Kwak looked quite surprised. This deviation from the icy demeanor of the handsome man was unexpected.

With a cold face, Jeokho opened his mouth.

“Seeing is believing. I only heard he died from cardiac arrest during doping, but I haven’t seen it myself.”

Embroidered on the armband of his strong forearm was a red tiger. It was a unique signature that only S-Class individuals could wear.

“In other words, I haven’t personally confirmed the death of my subordinate. Even though I’m his senior.”

And Dohan, wearing an armband embroidered with a black devil, was Jeokho’s direct subordinate.

“Ah…” Brigadier General Kwak opened his mouth as if in understanding. Jeokho’s tone was so commanding that even he, the highest-ranking officer here, felt like a subordinate.

“Hmm, I understand what you mean. Anyway, the death has been officially confirmed through the squad members there, so go back.”

However, Brigadier General Kwak pretended not to feel the pressure and casually put a cigarette in his mouth. But Jeokho remained standing. Brigadier General Kwak felt uneasy.

“Is there anything else?”

“What if he faked his death using the side effects and deserted?”

Brigadier General Kwak, lighting the end of his cigarette, shook his head.

“That’s absurd. How could he desert in the middle of the ocean… Besides, he doesn’t have ‘Katra’ out there, does he?”

He exhaled a puff of acrid smoke.

“As you know, Katra is the only thing that suppresses the aftereffects of doping. The body can’t withstand it without it.”

Having stated the reality, Brigadier General Kwak scanned Jeokho and thought, ‘Monster.’

If ordinary people were honeybees, these individuals, whose cells were transformed by drug doping, were giant hornets. Monsters of a different dimension, capable of annihilating 30,000 honeybees with just 10 of their kind.

In exchange for obtaining such overwhelming combat power, ‘Katra’ was what alleviated the terrible aftereffects.

“He’ll definitely crawl back, begging to be saved, suffering from the severe aftereffects. Or he’ll just die.”

Though not explicitly stated, Katra was a drug strictly controlled by the military command. Deserters could never get their hands on it.

“Well, maybe he’ll last a month or two…”

Another puff of smoke, thicker this time. Jeokho stared into the hazy air.

“In any case, Heukma is dead… Whether he died then or will die in the future.”

“Yes, so stop thinking such tiring thoughts. Desertion is just suicide.”

Brigadier General Kwak spoke soothingly.

Although a monster capable of crushing his head in a second stood before him, he wasn’t so cowardly as to show fear. If he were, he wouldn’t be able to hold the position of commander here.

“Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes.”

Brigadier General Kwak flicked off the ash and looked over Jeokho, who answered obediently.

The leader of the first generation of S-Class. The undisputed strongest and a man like a tiger stained with blood.

Everyone trembled in their boots before him, overwhelmed by the murderous aura emanating from his entire being. Countless lives had withered at his hands. A splendid physique and handsome appearance to match his brilliant skills. The word ‘overwhelming’ perhaps suited him best.

“Alright, then get out.”

Jeokho raised a hand to his forehead.

“Annihilation.”

Leaving the commander’s office, Jeokho lifted the corners of his cold lips slightly.

‘Kid…’

A face that had captivated his attention long ago flickered before his eyes. Like a flower blooming in a white snowfield. No, perhaps a doll would be a better description. That’s how beautiful and lovely he was.

But there was no soul in his expression. His small, frail body swayed weakly from malnutrition.

Everyone asserted that the child wouldn’t last long.

‘…You’ve grown a lot.’

Their predictions were proven spectacularly wrong. With jet-black hair, pitch-black pupils, and movements as swift as a haze, coupled with a cold disposition, the child later became the strongest S-Class, known as the ‘Black Devil.’

However, his snow-white face had never once broken into a smile. His vacant eyes never sparkled for anyone. Like a hollow mannequin.

Of course, that didn’t matter. Once he caught his eye, his heart grew uncontrollably. He waited, trying not to touch him until a time when his conscience would allow it, until Dohan reached the age Jeokho was when they first met.

‘But to escape like this?’

The fact that he had cherished him only intensified the betrayal.

Without ever holding him… A hot fire surged in Jeokho’s eyes. The lingering attachment he couldn’t let go of transformed into an immeasurable rage.

✦✦✦

Warm morning sunlight streamed through the window. Dohan frowned and opened his eyes. Recognizing the unfamiliar surroundings, he quickly looked around.

‘Where…?’

It was a spacious room he had never seen before. Lying in a soft bed, Dohan hurriedly examined himself. He was still wearing his uniform, but his bag and jacket had been removed. Thankfully, they were neatly hung on a hanger in the corner.

Turning his head towards the table beside the bed, he saw a menu with the hotel’s name on it. On top of it was a note. Dohan quickly reached for it.

[Again♥ I saved you. – Jjin]

Crumple- He crumpled it without hesitation, instantly understanding how he ended up in this hotel.

‘Crazy bastard…!’

At the same time, Dohan gritted his teeth as he remembered the man’s lips pressed against his.

He’s not normal, no matter how he thought about it. He knew it from the first time he poked his shoulder. And when he spouted nonsense about seaweed! And when he bought him that expensive beef! This vile creature, worse than tigers, plagues, or war!

Dohan, trembling with rage, checked his wristwatch and jumped up in surprise.

‘Class!’

But due to the sudden movement, he felt dizzy and collapsed back onto the bed.

‘Ah… Right.’

Clutching his spinning vision, Dohan felt relieved as he remembered something.

‘It’s Saturday…’

✦✦✦

Early morning. Dohan, having arrived at school, walked down the hallway towards his classroom. Almost there, he spotted a cadet who was noticeably taller than the others walking towards him. As expected, it was Kim Jihan.

“Oh? Ddo…”

Kim Jihan raised his hand with a welcoming face as he saw Dohan approaching. But Dohan coldly turned his head and slipped into the classroom through the back door.

“…”

Kim Jihan, the object of his greeting suddenly gone, awkwardly wiggled his hand in the air, then smiled faintly and entered the classroom.

After the theory class, it was lunchtime.

“Jihan, let’s go!”

The cadets he usually hung out with called Kim Jihan.

“I’m good. You guys go ahead.”

“Why? You’re really not coming?”

The cadets asked again, but Kim Jihan just waved his hand without answering. Eventually, they headed to the cafeteria on their own. Other cadets also streamed out of the classroom.

Now, there were very few people left in the classroom. Only then did Kim Jihan turn his gaze to Dohan. Dohan was taking out a soy milk from his bag. A book was open on his desk, and earphones were plugged into his ears.

He was always the same. He didn’t look at anyone and didn’t acknowledge anyone.

‘He’s completely ignoring me.’

Kim Jihan inwardly clicked his tongue at Dohan’s coldness, not even sparing a glance at him despite their lips having touched. He took out a heavy lunchbox from his bag and strode towards Dohan.

Thud, he sat down brazenly in the empty seat in front of him, but Dohan still didn’t look at him. He was just peeling the plastic off the straw.

Tap, tap-

Kim Jihan tapped on the desk.

“…”

No reaction. Tap, tap, he tried again, but to no avail.

“Ddo?”

“…”

“Ddodo?”

“…”

“It’s Jjin.”

He was being treated as if he didn’t exist.

Kim Jihan narrowed his eyes at Dohan, who persistently ignored him, then shifted his gaze to the corded earphones.

‘CD player.’

This was one of the scenes created by the war. Enemy air raids caused frequent communication disruptions, naturally leading to internet outages. As a result, analog devices like this were revived. Wristwatches also became essential.

Fortunately, a special unit of their country had succeeded in assassinating the enemy president a year ago. Thanks to that, the tide of the war turned in their favor.

Their troops were still occupying enemy cities and expanding their national territory. The communication network was also recovering to some extent, and most daily life was possible. It was all thanks to that special unit.

However, their identity remained hidden from the world. It seemed to be a security strategy to prevent exposure to the enemy.

But what is he listening to…? Kim Jihan stared at the corded earphones, then suddenly, out of curiosity, he took one and plugged it into his own ear.

“…!!”

An unexpected melody pierced his heart.

[Swan Lake]

The music he loved the most, and the music that pained him the most.

Kim Jihan’s lips gradually curved downwards as he listened to the piece he hadn’t heard in a long time. His eyes were fixed blankly on the air. He remained motionless in that state, as if the music had pulled his soul out of his body.

Finally, unable to stand it any longer, Dohan tapped on the desk to bring him back to his senses. Tap, tap- At the sound, Kim Jihan blinked his dazed eyes as if waking from hypnosis.

“…Ah.”

Kim Jihan, his focus returned, immediately removed the earphone from his ear.

“It’s… good music.”

And he offered the earphone back, saying something unprompted.

“Thanks for letting me listen.”

Dohan continued to stare at him with a strange look, his face stiff and devoid of even a hint of a smile. It was truly unfamiliar. He had tried so hard to ignore him, but his eyes were drawn to him unconsciously.

Perhaps sensing the questioning gaze, Kim Jihan forced a smile. He placed the lunchbox on the desk and jerked his chin towards the classroom door.

“…Let’s go.”

His low, subdued voice sounded strangely moist, as if tinged with emotion. And unlike him, he even avoided eye contact, which caused an unexpected conflict to bloom in Dohan’s chest.

‘Alright…’

Dohan, feeling inexplicably disturbed, finally bit his lip and closed his book with a snap.

‘Let’s see what he’s up to.’

For now, he decides to follow, feeling uneasy about refusing.

His role in the 1st Special Abilities Brigade was assassination. If Kim Jihan tried anything funny again like last time, Dohan would make him disappear from this world without a trace. Secretly and swiftly, like no other.

A quiet stillness filled the music classroom during lunchtime. The large space held a podium, a piano, drums, and other instruments.

Kim Jihan approached the piano and turned a chair at a nearby desk to face it. On the way here, Kim Jihan had reverted to his usual self. Dohan sat facing him.

“First, beef porridge. And this is a multivitamin, what’s this? Ah, red ginseng. And also sword bean tea…”

Kim Jihan’s lunchbox was like a magic box, endlessly producing items.

Does he expect me to eat all of this? Dohan glanced over the items with astonishment.

Even if they were all good for him, he couldn’t force it all down his throat, which hurt even to swallow saliva. Repeatedly forcing food down would completely drain him, leaving him with no energy to eat any more.

“Here.”

Just then, Kim Jihan suddenly held out a white pill.

“It’s a painkiller. Your throat hurts, making it hard to swallow, right? This one works quickly, so take it first.”

Suspicion flickered in Dohan’s dark pupils.

‘Poison?’

One should never take pills offered by others without caution. This was common sense, especially for Dohan, who had been a special assassination operative on Yeongam Island.

This is suspicious… Dohan watched Kim Jihan with more vigilance than ever. He had to be extra cautious, having risked his life to desert.

“Why aren’t you taking it?”

Kim Jihan, oblivious or indifferent to Dohan’s apprehension, continued to offer the pill.

“Should I feed it to you?”

“You’re really something.”

Dohan finally retorted coldly.

“Why are you doing these pointless things?”

A sharp gaze pierced Kim Jihan. This time, he had no intention of letting it slide.

“Wow, look at you, all prickly like a porcupine! To someone who’s trying to take care of you.”

Kim Jihan raised an eyebrow, seemingly bewildered by Dohan’s reaction.

“Why take care…”

“I showed you with my actions last time, don’t you remember?”

“Vile ulterior motives.”

Dohan brought up what he remembered clearly.

“Vile?”

Kim Jihan chuckled, then laughed softly.

“You’re really underestimating my pure heart. What’s so vile about it?”

“Because you have a bad motive.”

Dohan voiced his suspicion of Kim Jihan.

“A bad motive? What motive?”

Kim Jihan tilted his head, feigning ignorance. With wide, innocent eyes and slightly pursed lips, he looked genuinely guileless.

Dohan coldly stared at Kim Jihan, who was wearing a mask of innocence while clearly hiding dark intentions. Then he lowered his gaze and scanned the items on the desk.

Porridge, medicine, tea, red ginseng… Kim Jihan’s offerings.

“…All of this doesn’t make sense to me.”

Dohan slowly began to speak, looking directly at Kim Jihan.

“You’re always surrounded by people, and most of them readily engage in friendly banter with you, with their amicable attitudes and amusing words. Unlike me, who’s always cold.”

Kim Jihan listened quietly.

“But why me? Why would someone like you, who has nothing to want for, choose me to shower with one-sided affection and all this care?”

Dohan faintly lifted one corner of his lips.

“No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t make sense. Unless you have a bad motive… Don’t you think so?”

Kim Jihan still didn’t answer. His gaze remained fixed on Dohan’s face. The words he heard from the military doctor kept echoing in his mind.

‘…He’s malnourished.’

Perhaps because he had learned something he hadn’t known before, Kim Jihan could clearly see Dohan’s condition after that.

A gaunt face devoid of vitality. Dry, pale skin and bloodless, chapped lips… How could this be a normal appearance? How could someone be so malnourished?

And a hoarse, cracked voice. Kim Jihan believed that his throat was the reason he couldn’t eat properly. A person starving to death while still alive. It would be dangerous to leave him like this.

“Do you have an answer ready?”

Dohan wondered if the unresponsive Kim Jihan had even heard him properly.

“Yeah.”

Kim Jihan nodded obediently.

“Then tell me.”

Kim Jihan exhaled softly, placed his arms on the desk, and leaned forward. Looking at Dohan’s attentive face, he spoke in a serious tone.

“…You’re really pretty.”

Ugh! Dohan’s temples throbbed. That was the best answer he could come up with?

“What nonsense…”

Dohan’s eyes widened.

“Nonsense?”

Kim Jihan raised his eyebrows at the sudden glare.

“You don’t know how high my standards are. I’m telling you you’re pretty for the first time in my life, and you should feel honored. Ah, but you do need to gain some weight. A healthy beauty is better, right?”

Dohan was dumbfounded.

“Honestly… I can’t have a normal conversation with you.”

“This is perfectly normal.”

“No, it’s already beyond that. You’ve gone too far teasing me.”

Kim Jihan still looked clueless.

“What exactly have I gone too far with?”

Dohan looked at Kim Jihan, who asked so innocently, with an equally incomprehensible gaze.

“I have some sense of aesthetics too. If you’re saying that while looking at me like this, doesn’t that mean there’s something wrong with your eyes?”

Of course, Dohan knew what he looked like. His original appearance, full of life and health. But his current haggard state due to drug side effects felt like a distant past glory that would never return.

“Something wrong?”

Kim Jihan chuckled in disbelief. He placed his palm under his chin and displayed his face as if it were a work of art.

“Then let’s see if there’s something wrong with my taste. Look at my face. I’ve never seen anyone more handsome than myself in my entire life. That’s the conclusion my eyes have reached. See? Normal, right?”

“…”

Dohan was speechless. Seeing him point at his own face and say that, he definitely wasn’t normal… But the content of his words was normal. There was no room for refutation. That was even more frustrating.

“And you.”

Kim Jihan pointed at Dohan’s face.

“You’re ‘kind of’ my type if you put on some weight on your face. Your features are sharp. My eyes are accurate.”

Dohan was even more astonished. To be openly called someone’s type by another man. Are people outside Yeongam Island usually this free-spirited? Is this how they date here?

“Kind of…?”

But that word was quite bothersome. An ambiguous word unacceptable to him, a former top-tier S-Class.

“Quite.”

Kim Jihan quickly replaced the word. Dohan’s eyes narrowed further.

“Quite?”

“Ah, totally.”

Kim Jihan finally smiled brightly, as if understanding why Dohan was glaring at him.

“Of course you’re totally my type. If you gain a little more weight, you’ll be perfect. You wanted to become my ideal type that badly? I didn’t realize.”

That wasn’t what he meant… Dohan opened his mouth, but his tongue wouldn’t move as he intended.

“Here.”

Kim Jihan offered the painkiller on the tissue again.

“Anyway, stop being stubborn and take it. You’ll collapse again during afternoon training.”

Dohan listened quietly. Unanswered questions still lingered in his mind.

Why is he taking care of me like this? Is it really because of my looks? Even so, isn’t that too simple? Kim Jihan has impressive looks and specs… He’s not stupid. So he could be scheming something.

“Listen carefully.”

Suddenly, Kim Jihan’s smile vanished.

“If the number of times you collapse keeps accumulating, you’ll be expelled for health reasons. You don’t want to be dragged to the front lines and be deprived of even this freedom, to be worked to the bone, do you?”

‘Expelled…’

Dohan understood that part well enough. Nevertheless, he still eyed the pill suspiciously. Kim Jihan, noticing his suspicion, took out the unopened pill case from his lunch bag.

“See? It says anti-inflammatory painkiller.”

After showing the case, Kim Jihan took out a pill, put it in his mouth, and swallowed it with water.

“See, I took it too. Satisfied? You don’t think I’d poison you, do you?”

How did he know? Dohan averted his gaze. Kim Jihan clicked his tongue as he took out his cutlery case.

“If I wanted to, I would have finished you off last time when you fainted. Why would I bother bringing you to a hotel, undressing you, carefully washing you…”

“You undressed and washed me?”

Dohan jumped up.

“Figuratively speaking. I would have ended it then, why would I bother cooking porridge and bringing it to you, trying so hard to save you? Don’t you think so?”

“…”

“If you really don’t want to eat, fine. Just the porridge…”

Click, the sound of a pill being taken out stopped Kim Jihan mid-sentence. Dohan was taking the painkiller out of the case and putting it in his mouth. He swallowed it with water, the tiny pill going down his throat.

Dohan silently endured the pain of swallowing. In any case, Kim Jihan’s kindness wasn’t harmful for now. Rather, it was a chance to eat properly. As he said, there was nothing good about being expelled.

‘Let’s just survive for now.’

That was exactly how he felt.

Kim Jihan opened the lid of the porridge container and handed it to him. Dohan took a small spoonful and tasted it. Thanks to the finely ground ingredients, it was thankfully easy enough to swallow.

Kim Jihan, watching quietly, opened his own porridge container and slowly began to speak.

“By the way, when I undressed you back then, your skin…”

“Cough…!” Dohan choked on his porridge.

“Why such a direct reaction? I didn’t see anything! I only took off your jacket, how could I see anything? I’m telling you in advance in case you misunderstand. I’m not a pervert.”

Dohan glared at him through narrowed eyes, despite his cheerful smile. Kim Jihan continued to eat his porridge, unfazed.

He seems like a pervert no matter how I look at him… Dohan suppressed his uneasy feeling and took another spoonful of porridge.

After a few more spoonfuls…

‘Huh…?’

Perhaps it was the effect of the painkiller, but swallowing became gradually easier. The pain noticeably subsided. Dohan felt a secret surge of emotion as he continued to fill his empty, shrunken stomach with porridge.

It was a painless meal, a sensation he hadn’t experienced in a long time.

✦✦✦

“It’s been a while, Cheongyeon (Blue Lotus).”

At the sound of Jeokho’s voice from behind him, the walking man turned his head.

A black suit covering his entire body, and a large sword, as tall as a person, strapped to his back. Unlike his combative appearance, the man’s face was beautiful and gentle. Embroidered on the armband of his strong forearm was a vivid blue lotus.

“Annihilation.”

Cheongyeon saluted, bringing his hand to his forehead, upon seeing Jeokho, his leader. Jeokho silently raised his hand to his forehead in response.

The base of the 1st Special Abilities Brigade on Yeongam Island. Just before their deployment to enemy territory, they had a rare encounter at the massive circular embarkation area connected to the bunker. The surrounding gates were marked with numbers clockwise, each holding a state-of-the-art submarine on standby.

Jeokho stepped forward, closing the distance between himself and Cheongyeon. Cheongyeon looked at his senior from the first generation with a puzzled expression.

Jeokho, who led the Red Tiger Assault Team, the strongest berserker squad, was a taciturn individual who rarely initiated conversation. Yet, he was now approaching him and speaking.

“Board first.”

Cheongyeon nodded to his squad members waiting behind him. The members immediately walked towards the submarine.

Berserkers operated in squads. One S-Class leader and nine lower-class members, a total of ten people formed a squad.

Standing in front of Cheongyeon, a second-generation S-Class, Jeokho began to speak.

“Heukma died in the last naval battle, right?”

“Yes.”

Cheongyeon felt a sense of unease at the sudden mention of Dohan.

“I asked the higher-ups, and they said the squad that infiltrated the enemy warship at the time…”

Jeokho glanced at Cheongyeon’s armband.

“Blue Lotus Squad.”

“…”

“Heukma went there for annihilation support.”

A fleeting shadow of anxiety crossed Cheongyeon’s transparently expressive face. Jeokho’s sharp eyes didn’t miss it.

“Did you see the body yourself?”

“Yes.”

“Was it definitely cardiac arrest?”

“Yes.”

“The cause?”

“Due to oral medication taken during doping.”

Cheongyeon answered as calmly as possible to the barrage of questions. Then he feigned a puzzled expression.

“Lieutenant Colonel. Not only me, but all the members confirmed the body. I don’t understand why you’re bringing up something that’s already been officially confirmed.”

A hint of amusement flickered across Jeokho’s lips.

“Isn’t it a terrible waste? After succeeding in assassinating President Osek, this happened.”

“Of course it is, but…”

Cheongyeon trailed off, swallowing hard. Jeokho’s terrifying aura, even when he was silent… How many people did he have to kill to exude such a murderous aura? Cheongyeon couldn’t even begin to fathom the number of enemies Jeokho had eliminated.

Jeokho took another step closer, standing right in front of him.

“Still…”

A tiger’s murderous gaze pierced Cheongyeon’s eyes.

“You should have retrieved the body.”

Cheongyeon’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

“Did you have to leave it in that cold sea?”

Under Jeokho’s sharp gaze, Cheongyeon shook his head, pretending to be unconcerned.

“Well, we had to fight…”

“Really? You cared for him so much, yet you’re surprisingly cold. Different from what I thought.”

Jeokho’s lips curled up meaningfully. He scanned Cheongyeon, who couldn’t react, and turned away.

Then he added one more thing.

“You always retrieved the bodies of your comrades.”

Cheongyeon couldn’t respond this time either. Indeed, compared to others who had considerably lost their human emotions through endless cycles of training and killing, Cheongyeon was still relatively compassionate.

This was also evident in the atmosphere of each squad. For example, Jeokho’s squad members couldn’t even look him in the eye. On the other hand, Cheongyeon’s squad members relied on him and followed him with affection, like brothers.

Jeokho headed towards the submarine gate marked with the number ‘1’ with his squad members. Cheongyeon watched his retreating figure with a pale face.

‘That dreadful bastard…’

Jeokho’s unusual interest in Dohan had persisted since they first arrived here. Every time he encountered Dohan, he would scan his small, white face with eyes burning with an unpleasant passion. Cheongyeon could never forget that heated gaze.

The flames hadn’t died down even after the young Dohan grew up and officially became a berserker. And he eventually appointed Dohan as his direct subordinate. To keep him within his grasp, by any means necessary.

Cheongyeon still couldn’t forget that time. How Jeokho treated Dohan after becoming his direct superior, how he constantly approached him…

And now, even with the official confirmation of his death, he was still clinging to that thread, trying to pry information from him.

‘Dohan…’

Cheongyeon desperately suppressed the sudden surge of fear. Jeokho’s tenacity was unparalleled, and he never gave up, no matter what. That’s how he became the strongest here, the leader of all berserkers.

‘Hide well. Don’t ever get caught…’

If Jeokho found out that Dohan was alive, he would personally take action, no matter what. He would never give up, even in death. He would find him, by any means necessary. And he would make sure Dohan could never escape him again.

That was what Cheongyeon feared the most.

✦✦✦

The afternoon class was obstacle training, navigating a muddy, rough terrain.

Dohan, who was among the first to finish, headed straight for the school building while his classmates, who weren’t exempted, began the remaining training.

He was going to the shower room assigned to each classroom. He wanted to quickly wash his mud-caked body while his classmates were away.

Dohan, who had always used private shower rooms on Yeongam Island, had never showered with anyone here either. Even when covered in dirt and dust, he would only wash after everyone else had left.

By the time he left school, dusk had fallen. When he arrived home, it would be dark evening. Only then could he lay down his exhausted body, which was no different from a corpse.

I can go home early today… Dohan quickened his pace, eager to get home and rest.

Beep – He passed through the door unlocked by fingerprint recognition and entered the shower room. Silence filled the changing room and shower area.

After confirming that no one was there, Dohan went to his locker and entered the passcode. As he opened the door, a small mirror inside reflected his appearance.

‘I wasn’t like this before…’

His face, once admired countless times, was so emaciated that it was hard to recognize him. Looking at himself in the mirror, Dohan lowered his gaze with a bitter feeling. His gaunt body, starved from lack of food, was hidden within his loose gym clothes.

Dohan truly didn’t want anyone to see him like this. This was why he always showered last, even if it meant going home late.

Anyway, no one was here now. Dohan sighed in relief and reached for his shirt.

Beep – Click.

Suddenly, someone entered after pressing their fingerprint on the scanner.

“…!”

Dohan quickly withdrew his hand from his shirt. It was none other than Kim Jihan who had entered through the opened door.

‘I thought he would come with the others…’

Dohan was extremely bewildered to see him here, as he had always been on the training ground until the training ended.

Kim Jihan glanced at Dohan, who had arrived at the changing room first, and walked towards his own locker. Dohan anxiously watched him enter his passcode.

Opening his locker, Kim Jihan suddenly spoke.

“Wash up first.”

“What about you?”

Dohan couldn’t help but ask. There were showerheads lined up in each stall… Surely he hadn’t come here for something other than showering?

“I’ll wash after you.”

Kim Jihan replied, looking at Dohan. His autumn field-like eyes scanned Dohan’s mud-caked, messy appearance.

“Are you going to leave while I wash?”

Dohan, still unwilling to undress in front of anyone, asked to confirm.

“Leave where? You’ll wait here.”

Kim Jihan nonchalantly pointed to a bench where the shower stalls were clearly visible. Dohan’s eyes narrowed coldly at his brazenness. Was he suggesting he would watch him shower?

“You should go first.”

Dohan spat coldly and slammed his locker door shut. Kim Jihan turned his head and looked around the changing room.

“Should I wait outside?”

“No, you’ll wait here.”

I’d rather be the hunter than someone’s prey. Dohan believed that giving back to a shameless person in the same way was the best approach.

Kim Jihan’s beautifully curved lips curled up even more.

“Why don’t you wash first?”

“I said you go first.”

Dohan didn’t budge. Kim Jihan tilted his head.

“Then shall we shower together?”

“No.”

At the blunt refusal, the corners of Kim Jihan’s lips twitched slightly.

Thump, Kim Jihan closed his locker door and walked to a bench in the corner of the changing room, sitting cross-legged.

“Then let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors.”

What is he talking about now? Dohan frowned. Kim Jihan raised his hand and made a fist.

“The winner washes first, how about it? It’s a fair game where we both have an equal one-third chance of winning. The winner can ask the loser to leave if they want.”

A look of exhaustion appeared in Dohan’s eyes. He was starting to find Kim Jihan’s antics annoying.

“Isn’t this how men settle things? A duel.”

Kim Jihan spoke in an even more suggestive tone.

But Dohan had no intention of playing along. One-third meant that while the opponent had the same odds, he also had the same chance of losing. Thinking this far, he felt like just showering last.

Suddenly, his vision swam.

‘Ah…’

His malnourished body was failing him again, unable to withstand the strenuous training. He finally had a chance to go home early, but he had to endure this state until nightfall. It was unbearable.

Lost in thought, Dohan suddenly had an idea. He opened his locker again and took something out from inside his uniform jacket. Clutching it in his hand, he walked to a bench on the opposite side, a little distance away from Kim Jihan, and sat cross-legged.

“Let’s just change the method. Coin toss.”

Dohan showed him the shiny silver coin in his hand. Kim Jihan’s eyes followed the coin.

“If it’s heads, you win. If it’s tails, I win. Exactly fifty-fifty odds. Isn’t that fairer?”

Dohan emphasized that this was better than the odds Kim Jihan suggested, showing him both sides of the coin. Kim Jihan readily nodded, looking at the small coin from afar.

“That sounds good.”

Seeing him agree so readily, the knot of frustration in Dohan’s chest began to loosen.

In fact, this coin had the same image on both sides. In other words, it was a double-tailed coin. So no matter which side landed face up, it was his victory.

“Then I’ll toss it. Heads is me. Tails is me.”

Now this lucky coin would help him. Dohan held the coin in his hand, ready to toss it.

But Kim Jihan suddenly held out his hand.

“Let me check that coin first.”

“What?”

Dohan stopped mid-toss. Kim Jihan rubbed his high nose bridge with his fingertip.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Sometimes, during the coin manufacturing process, double-faced coins with the same image on both sides come out, and there are a few in circulation. I was wondering if that was one of them.”

Double-faced? Dohan, hearing the unfamiliar term, felt a pang of guilt, but outwardly remained calm.

“Do you think I’d have such a defective product?”

Kim Jihan, still holding out his hand, nodded.

“Of course not, but let me just see it. We can at least check for a fair game. Come on, give it to me.”

Dohan froze like a statue, still holding the coin. Kim Jihan extended his hand further.

“Give it to me.”

“…”

“Aren’t you going to show me?”

Kim Jihan, scanning Dohan, who couldn’t bring himself to hand over the coin, withdrew his outstretched hand.

“Alright, I won’t look. But…”

“…”

“You’ll spend time with me after school.”

“What?”

Dohan was taken aback by the sudden statement.

“Why would I…!”

Kim Jihan stretched out his hand.

“You don’t want to? Then show me the coin.”

Dohan froze, mouth agape. Kim Jihan grinned, looking at the frozen Dohan.

“And on weekends too.”

Dohan was so dumbfounded that he couldn’t hold back.

“What nonsense…!”

“Then show me the coin.”

Kim Jihan held out his hand again.

This was a complete disaster. Dohan thought this coin was the only one in the world. But that guy knew all about it.

He had tried to get rid of one problem only to create a bigger one.

“You’ll spend time with me after school and on weekends, got it?”

Kim Jihan, driving the point home to Dohan, who still couldn’t hand over the coin, clapped his hands together.

“Then shall we proceed? Heads is you. Tails is me. It doesn’t matter anyway, right? Now, toss it.”

He naturally reversed the heads and tails win-lose condition that Dohan had suggested earlier.

“…”

Dohan, suddenly facing a 100% chance of defeat, blinked and simply put the coin he didn’t even want to look at into his gym clothes pocket. Kim Jihan’s eyebrows curved.

“Why are you putting it back?”

“…”

“Not going to do it?”

“…Rock-paper-scissors seems better.”

Dohan pretended to be calm, looking away.

‘Damn it!’

But his whole body was writhing in embarrassment. What kind of situation was this for a renowned S-Class from Yeongam Island? To be outwitted by an ordinary person.

As Dohan gave up on the coin toss, Kim Jihan crossed his arms and raised his head triumphantly.

“So we’re back to rock-paper-scissors.”

His usual bright smile seemed particularly vibrant today. Kim Jihan rolled his eyes as if thinking about something.

“Hmm, but deciding the winner in one round is a bit boring. It ends too quickly…”

“…”

“Let’s do this.”

Kim Jihan leaned forward. Dohan turned his eyes to meet his exotic gaze.

A dimple deepened on Kim Jihan’s cheek.

“The loser of rock-paper-scissors takes off a piece of clothing.”

What…? Dohan’s lips trembled, and he jumped up from the bench. The temper he had been suppressing flared in his eyes.

“Are you out of your mind!”

Finally raising his voice, Dohan glared at Kim Jihan, who had made the outrageous suggestion of a strip game. Not only was he brazen and rude, but now this new layer was added.

‘Pervert!’

Dohan turned away, disgusted. He lost all desire to shower, go home early, or even try anything.

“Ah, I was just kidding. Did you get offended?”

Kim Jihan quickly said from behind, as if trying to appease him. But Dohan didn’t even bother to respond and walked towards his locker to lock it.

“I’m serious, I was going to shower first anyway. Look.”

What am I supposed to look at? Dohan, standing in front of his locker, turned his head with an irritated expression. Kim Jihan stood up from the bench and strode towards him.

“…?”

Dohan backed away from his imposing approach. His back hit the locker. There was nowhere else to retreat.

Kim Jihan, standing close to Dohan, grabbed the bottom of his gym shirt and pulled it up without hesitation.

“…!”

Dohan’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden action. His muscular torso was right before his eyes. Broad shoulders and a firm chest, at a distance of barely a handspan.

“What… what are you doing…?”

Dohan asked, dumbfounded.

“I told you I was going to shower first.”

Kim Jihan replied nonchalantly, his eyes curving gently. He observed Dohan, who was staring blankly at his upper body, and tilted his head slightly.

“Why are you staring?”

Kim Jihan reached out and placed a hand on the locker behind Dohan. With his other hand, he grabbed Dohan’s wrist, which was stiff as a statue.

“What are you so curious about?”

He asked in a suggestive voice, naturally placing Dohan’s palm on his firm chest muscle.

“Here?”

Dohan was completely flustered. To place his hand on his bare chest so casually. And why was his skin so needlessly smooth and hot?

“Or here?”

His hand, burning as if touched by fire, moved down to his sculpted abdomen.

‘Kill…’

For a moment, murderous intent and mercy clashed fiercely within Dohan’s mind. Should he just kill him? But he brought him porridge. Should he spare him because of the porridge? No, just kill…

His hand trailed past his sculpted abs, slipping between his skin and clothes, reaching his elegant pelvic bone.

‘Ah…!’

Feeling the distinct contours, Dohan felt dizzy and quickly turned his head away. The entrance with the fingerprint scanner, right in front of him, barely suppressed his boiling murderous intent. If he killed someone here, his identity would definitely be exposed.

“…Ah, right.”

Just then, Kim Jihan stopped trying to move Dohan’s hand lower.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t told you about this.”