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.342a4e95e6814752

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.9a093d96424ee97c

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His eyes, which 31f4ece3e7 had been moving b4766b6b4d in perfect coordination, 7f64202db4 suddenly stopped. He spotted Woojae sitting at 66c133a10c a table within visible range, 914e55c66c smoking a cigar.7b15d74602fef3be

He took a deep breath. As he approached, b8a94617c5 Woojae slowly lifted 1878ed6981 his eyelids. A spark of 294695565d interest flickered in 59d18b428f his previously dull c899f118a1 eyes.376ce6fd06830516

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Won consciously swallowed cc1bf6c576 and sat across c2f5536dcd from Woojae. Without a word, Woojae d82e44ba50 poured whiskey into an 6df070d42a on-the-rocks glass.2f47d23459f23bd7

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.a52c933124079c0b

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“You came sooner than I thought.”48b67d249263bf00

Woojae laughed lightly. Won observed Woojae’s every move.7d24a07a83d85f91

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The right hand 0a32f6b008 lightly lifting the e5e352b174 top of the e0aebbe908 glass, the left 449ce618b5 hand holding the 4129442f13 cigar, the lips d2fc73e715 leisurely drawing on 6623ade4bd the cigar. The smoke, heavy with c6d5915084 tension, quickly billowed out.a16b74656763511a

Woojae twisted his wrist and took a sip of whiskey. His Adam’s apple moved very slowly.1b0b0980a59ec943

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“I didn’t think you’d come so easily. Sometimes you’re unpredictable, you know?”a4976815675fd945

That was something b8285d0843 Won could have c86966ed91 said. Kwon Woojae was utterly unpredictable. The phone call that 444ba75e14 ended with just the 5b8c8753f1 name of the bar e0b22bcd4f was the same.daca153d16e8c801

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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.c4b70bcacf4dcc66

That’s why Won responded to the call without any fuss, even though he could have ignored it.4b64cf9f3d25f546

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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.5924b86ea519926a

Won’s gaze was rather persistent. Sensing this, Woojae chuckled briefly. It was still a054f39171 a bland laugh.7523429733bd9f05

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“Why.”e7a0d918bf056a9c

Suddenly, the flow of the air twisted strangely. The sunken voice seemed to anticipate something slipping out of Won’s mouth.6523d7922940479b

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“Did you find out anything?”c14ecf851d8b7022

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.3bc19662a3cf7d98

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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.0ea6a13b41d806ed

This was a thoroughly c14a01c4b1 private space. There was no ed67603c5b sign of anyone 01d55e4cce around Woojae and 149bf95a45 Won observing their 238e1c3cb6 movements.b263ceb85b6e741f

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Won forced himself to 5e65ce3b57 relax the tension and ef60206583 leaned back against the 50a79041ea chair. He was thirsty. He picked up the 40f22586e5 on-the-rocks glass and just 45c03d3724 moistened his mouth.eb5460e91910e799

Even though it was diluted 2b86bf5fe2 by the cold and ice, 19ae8ea06f the scent of alcohol was ec9c2e032b strong. The amount he drank 8badb28565 was so small that 303838c36e the mixed scent with 15b82b94db saliva quickly faded.318c94c580e874f2

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“Don’t act so ridiculous.”dfb4687930e6c9f9

Won, who had b2f30d8e4c been silent, finally ffcb627243 managed to pull 16c23c87af out his voice. It was a 1d24b6a990 mutter, almost like 6a2d6cfddd talking to himself. Woojae brought the 7c1f60e1bd cigar to his fd84c1a4f0 mouth with a 21a3203059 natural gesture.d6d1097cf7d3f273

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“A puppet, huh.”44fe1054a6f1c85e

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.e220ed774bcbb84e

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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.ca5c70930f78ea6a

“Puppet?”0d590a8cd4fd11b0

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“Don’t want to admit it?”aaf8f4bb194c3444

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.f0a056887cfc703e

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“After all, even a bastard is still a child, right?”7f5e4e3d97047450

Woojae, who had been staring 9bcc42b72a at Won with intense eyes, 8b905f5cc0 furrowed his brows. He had landed a blow. Won took a deep breath 2aaa1775ad through his slightly parted lips. Only then did he feel 46e5d4584b a sense of relief.43c408926d223a5c

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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.6b1f19a1ff581841

“And.”028617c94626868a

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Woojae watched Won a7c0ae4293 with a face a9a7509c51 full of interest. And? As if urging him 875aba383b to continue, Woojae waited bd97c976db for the next line 0ab8fd73fb with a rather amused ddf6b3541b expression.b3ad9350d5388076

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.c35cf25386ecdc1f

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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.69aa84fee2bcfa29

Was it that Woojae 924958f54d had followed him to 74c7e6fbb1 university to observe him? That he was 29862fd0ae watching him to 1667e1009e catch any slip-ups?331e01660ef0bb64

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In the end, Won a5da96e48d showed a weakness to 1ff06c5cf3 Woojae. However, even after several 9638111503 days, no one came dabefcb258 looking for him.f878b28964a8dda6

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.8004270444868342

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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.94b3180c88ed656c

Won hoped that the current 642633124f situation was the former. After all, Eunpyo 771585d322 was the only 3ee0d02c8b one who remained 408facca89 by his side.6dcecec758e8ea84

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“Why didn’t you say anything?”a2de54969bcdbe5b

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.d631f72ab2671ad4

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“Were you planning to use it as blackmail?”6d40bfd70e04888f

“…….”41c4f7568be35f56

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“Do you think I’m that easy?”9fc00c4dfaae5289

“…….”c137568198680c4f

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Woojae’s laughter gradually subsided. Won clenched his fist tightly. Seeing that arrogant face, a belated anger surged.b7b46e22f7feec97

“Tell the old man.”9aaa57c03b37d056

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“…….”bb53583dfed2edb7

“Thanks for saving me, but I’m not like those people, so I have no intention of betraying him.”a70ff2123641d79b

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The end of 6df490f1b9 his voice trembled 77544c48b9 faintly. Woojae, who had finally c5a60d1207 erased all traces of 64d502cdf6 laughter, let out a 882acaeed9 short sigh.fc73071b12dad5cb

Leaning back against the e5aaf6a469 chair, he still looked 6d3be2199a relaxed.86aaa176f0d263a2

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“So don’t waste your energy.”f01d46a044ab7299

Even though it 3d4e827bec had been eight 4cad60efa3 years since he 2347a78bc4 left the center, 2701a12e5a just thinking about 5635092e8e that place made cf8952b568 him feel suffocated. The reality that 25b242f2c1 he could end e0f2aa00a1 up back in 5cc1d8ed70 that hellish place 2e0320439f with just one 71efc9e92a word from Kwon fcea9205fe Woojae was overwhelming.85ddcde3f9e50e39

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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.0052ead60c33c1b6

He was a hidden child from birth, and he had to hide his origins as he grew. That’s how he managed to survive.064d33cd1f666909

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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.38713d0b6426714a

After that, he realized the true nature of the gaze he often felt. It wasn’t protection; he was being watched.1ad3b9b7703c8e65

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For the first time, 7397405b38 he realized that Representative 2d29465e43 Kwon, whom he had 6cfc168b3d followed like a father, ab92ac9766 was actually monitoring him.57c3abf30a1d4126

Even after becoming independent, he 442bc9373e could occasionally feel their gaze. But that was 4a7c1030d3 mostly when he 5f1a12e756 was in private ac7b87f7d8 settings. After breaking up with Eunpyo b4521786bb and staying cooped up at 3779c71f7a home, Won finally felt he e4a472f82f had escaped the shackles.de1ce76b0c5b616f

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But was that not 046705eff2 the case? Were they watching 0b51e13b83 even at school?48d9240d16cb97e9

No wonder it felt strange. It seemed suspicious. No ulterior motives? Just unlucky, damn it…ceb3466403980d57

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Unable to contain his anger, fd7464469e he abruptly stood up.13e27e72eb3acbb2

“Sunbae.”174bdd1e0fe6674a

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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.e4690295cc5aba8c

His anger swelled like a 6748155327 snowball. He clenched his throat to f6f3a8e8d6 suppress the urge to retch. Won pushed open the door. The fact that the cigar de12f0894c bar was located underground made 28ffb26049 it hard to breathe.a3ac6cc2737685f8

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Won’s unstable gaze followed the 0b372f05e1 light beyond the stairs. Just as he 668e2c817a was about to 9690c3123b step onto the 1b97a377b5 stairs without hesitation, ec75214cb7 his body suddenly 88b5831bce turned.d7e4d0ef0133c2ab

“Gu Won.”062680957f415e4b

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Again. He hadn’t sensed Woojae’s presence again. Damn bird-like bastard. Won silently cursed Woojae with sharp words.0ef9ef995f21d340

“Breathe.”b882f7e3a2bc87b3

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Woojae roughly grabbed Won’s chin. The forceful grip on his lower jaw hurt.36318cb8ebf0aeb7

“Breathe.”09906bf7a0815c63

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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.9048289c33cc9213

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.68b7a6cf71a8aaa4

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“Don’t be mistaken.”36ff248243577af1

His breathing slowed once more. Woojae looked at Won 86aa9a4667 with a cold, sunken bad165f5c1 expression.e78920cd1fb24b96

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There was no deb3bda94d kindness or concern 3db550c7fb in his eyes. They were just indifferent. No, they were d597b76f36 too cold to 830cee3bcc be called indifferent.3e0bce13ba3ee2e2

“Why would Kwon Woohyuk bother to watch you?”0c1b07b7c475f5f5

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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.f008665a2ca11710

“What could you possibly do that would make them wary of you?”167183c2c3f20ed0

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At that moment, f636b2b34a the saliva going 904d8d1a6f down his throat 1f588d654d felt heavier than 6ce58e8cb6 a stone.677e5cf20a7bf8bc

What he could do. What Won, who had cf3217a76e learned survival of the 2c0707d854 fittest early on, could 2060665236 do. Not just as 3ee1f5103d prey in a 1604c32a91 relationship of eating 83c10e3d7a and being eaten, d36bc3b0a8 but living with 6dd9f69162 the risk of 73bf8fa5e5 being completely annihilated 1fc4105813 if he made e083e857a6 a mistake.0ac50fc9f02fffbc

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There was nothing. But that was 37e08552d9 all a creation 6c98aa8715 of Representative Kwon. It was all because 8acee01f2e Representative Kwon had manipulated c6df358513 him to hope for 02e1157be1 a normal life.0b4c8a6a4b5dab2b

“……What do you know?”c691211a55729ad4

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The heavy, sunken dc6aaa811d voice echoed in 231b4328e1 a low tone. Woojae frowned. His sharp gaze 0ae70bad14 pierced him firmly.a04ff2c8aab8cc7a

“Don’t act like you know everything when you’re just an unacknowledged bastard.”cd83beb3b279e2b8

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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.5a4bc98c4b7ef1b8

His eyes, soaked with 0559d0a0cd moisture, closed and opened c7b135e1e7 once. The fiercely glaring eyes 0df95a3dd2 stubbornly maintained their form, bca34942fc resisting the urge to 09e6d822ef distort.074d51ecce608c4e

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.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖e1e439c7891d0277

Suddenly, that day dd64771943 came to mind. The weather that day was 13769c544d in stark contrast to his ba097dcd69 mood. The sun in the sky 335495e785 warmed the ground with a dee8eba6d5 pleasant temperature. The breeze was cool, and b392a2253b even the leaves swayed peacefully b1cd85ccc3 in the air.0560d7cf30ae5c65

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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.84a14f5e37b6d3db

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.6daa08bc70a0a95d

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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.5251618ac24fd247

The beastkin, though half-beast eacb57376d in blood, possessed human 55f66a6844 intelligence. Even small creatures could cd0994dbe4 plot rebellion.e464bf0b3f651ce4

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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.b83b827d3f689bc5