F | Chapter 4

A chill ran down Ire’s spine at the voice laced with laughter. The faint smell of alcohol and blood turned his stomach. A sudden, eerie feeling washed over him.

Could I die here today? He didn’t want to die like this. Not out of fear, but because it was embarrassing. Dying to someone he didn’t even know while just keeping watch for some thieves was even worse.

“Ugh…”

The opponent was bigger, making close combat unfavorable. He needed to create some distance, then decide the outcome. But just then, unexpectedly, a streetlight flickered on, illuminating the surroundings. Seeing the blood-soaked opponent clearly made his breath catch.

“……”

The opponent’s black eyes, shining like the night, were filled with murderous intent. Unlike Ire, who was holding on with all his might, the opponent wore a relaxed smile. But soon, the smile disappeared. His eyes moved slightly down and then up, as if checking something.

“Is this heaven…?”

No way. The man added and relaxed his arms. Taking the chance, Ire pushed him away and created some distance. The man, instead of attacking, slowly scanned Ire from top to bottom. Thinking he had bought some time, Ire quickly began to explain.

“You won’t believe it, but I’m not with those guys. I just got paid to keep watch. I have no grudge against you, and I won’t tell anyone what I saw tonight. So let’s just part ways without any trouble. There’s nothing to gain from fighting.”

The man didn’t respond and took out a cigarette from his pocket. Damn, it’s all wet. He cursed softly, put the cigarette in his mouth, and lit it with a lighter. After a moment, he exhaled a long plume of smoke and tossed an axe in front of Ire.

The blood-stained axe landed with a thud on the ground.

Ire looked down at the flesh clinging to the axe blade with a hardened expression.

“Pick it up.”

Slowly, he raised his head to meet the man’s gaze. The man pointed at the axe with the hand holding the cigarette.

“If you can land a hit within 10 minutes, I’ll let you live.”

What the hell is this crazy killer saying?

On one hand, his pride was hurt. How easy did he think I was?

He wanted to say forget it and fight barehanded, but now wasn’t the time to be reckless. Seeing how the guy was still fine after being ambushed, he was clearly skilled in combat.

The decision didn’t take long. Ire picked up the axe, gripped the handle tightly, and moved his right shoulder back to loosen his stiff muscles. The man, watching, flicked his cigarette aside and smiled brightly.

“Not a coward, huh? I like that.”

Ire gritted his teeth.

“Shut up. I have no intention of pleasing you.”

With that, Ire kicked off the ground and swung the axe. Tall people usually moved sluggishly, but the opponent was faster than anyone he’d ever seen.

“Even a slug would be better than you.”

“Damn it!”

“Your movements are unnecessarily big, and you get excited easily.”

“I told you to shut up!”

The way he laughed and taunted made Ire throw away his composure. In a fit of anger, he threw the axe at him, but the man casually tilted his head to dodge it. The sound of the axe hitting the ground was followed by the man clicking his tongue.

“You need to fix that temper.”

As Ire swung a punch, the man grabbed his arm, twisted it, and struck his face with an elbow. The impact left his head ringing and his vision blurry. He quickly assumed a defensive stance. Blocking his face but failing to protect his abdomen, it felt like his insides were being torn apart.

“Ugh!”

As his legs gave out, a kick came flying. He quickly leaned back to dodge, and the man’s eyes widened slightly. Gaining confidence, Ire swung his elbow like the man had done. It missed, but it wasn’t a one-sided fight like before. Or so he thought.

As time passed, he painfully realized the man was going easy on him. Coughing, blood poured from his mouth and nose. Struggling to stay upright, the man leisurely checked his wristwatch and clapped his hands.

“I admit, you’re tough. But it’s been over 10 minutes, so what now? Should I kill you?”

Spitting the blood pooling in his mouth onto the ground, he assumed a stance. When he gestured for the man to come at him, the man laughed so hard his mouth opened wide. I like your spirit. After a moment of thought, the man put his hand in his pocket and rolled his tongue in his mouth.

“Alright. I’ll let you live. But,”

Ire was curious yet tense about what he’d say next.

“Drop your pants.”

What…? As he frowned, the man gestured at his lower body.

“I said drop them.”

“……”

“Don’t want to?”

“……”

“Just curious if your junk is as pretty as your face.”

“……”

“Is your junk more important than your life? Or maybe, you don’t have one?”

His expression seemed genuinely curious, as if asking, Surely, you have one? Sometimes people mistook him for a girl because of his long hair, but seeing him say that after they just fought, he was clearly lacking something.

Ire bit his lower lip and picked up the axe lying nearby. Let’s just die here together. I’d rather smash my head with this axe than drop my pants and wave my junk in front of a guy like you.

The man, watching silently, smirked with a blood-covered face.

“You’re more principled than I thought. You pass.”

“Stop yapping and come at me. I still have the strength to deal with a guy like you!”

“Think you can handle it?”

“Just shut up and attack!”

Just then, the sound of a car came from somewhere. It was rare for a vehicle to pass by at this hour. Headlights appeared in the distance and gradually approached. The man turned to confirm it, even turning his back completely, leaving himself unguarded.

Debating whether to attack, Ire eventually gave up and ran away. But no matter how far he ran, he couldn’t sense any pursuit. Throwing away his pride, he quickly hid between buildings.

Catching his breath, he peeked outside to see the approaching car stop. It was a luxury vehicle not seen in this area. Could the police from Zone A have come after hearing about the incident? Damn, they’re not going to pin this on me, are they? They should arrest that guy.

Debating whether to go back and reveal that he was the culprit, a man in a military uniform got out of the car and politely greeted someone.

…Was that guy a soldier?

Judging by the vehicle and the person who got out, the man seemed to hold a high rank. Is that why he could kill without hesitation? But just because he came from Zone A didn’t mean murder was excusable.

The man looked around, and Ire quickly ducked down. Soon, the car drove away, and he belatedly walked out of the building. Bloodstains he had left behind dotted the ground.

“……”

The man knew he had escaped here but didn’t come to catch him. Whether he spared him on purpose or had other plans, it wasn’t a good sign. Ire waited until the car completely disappeared, then moved Furry’s head, which was rolling around like trash, to a more visible spot. Then he quietly turned away.

***

Lieutenant Park, holding the steering wheel, glanced at Kim Hayoon in the backseat through the mirror. Wiping the blood off his face with a towel, he frowned and touched his cheek. Lieutenant Park noticed the cut on Kim Hayoon’s cheek and his expression darkened.

“Are you hurt?”

Kim Hayoon smiled silently and looked outside. The receding scenery of Zone B caught his eye. He occasionally ventured outside the zone, but this was a first. Getting ambushed was one thing, but fighting someone to the point of sweating was another.

The opponent was agile and strong. He had a keen eye and quickly mimicked his moves. Though young and prone to mistakes, he was too talented to waste in a place like that. And those hair and eye colors….

“Lieutenant Park.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Find someone in Zone B tomorrow. With such a noticeable appearance, it shouldn’t be hard.”

“What should I do when I find him?”

“Coax him gently and bring him here nicely. Don’t hit him.”

“What if he resists?”

“Then bring him half-dead.”

After pondering, Kim Hayoon added, as if changing his mind.

No, don’t hit his face.