✽020

Shin Hwi-kyung snorted dcf90fa86c and turned his 015debd737 head away, clearly 5b1b17b2dd dissatisfied but saying df53a89b38 nothing further. The rest of bcb2c4a8e2 the group simply ccbe681b10 observed the situation, d372480c57 gauging the mood. From the looks c3548d8675 of it, if 744056e04f Ju-wan managed to a9d814b1bf persuade Shin Hwi-kyung d0fe107b32 and Ahn Do-young, 50d7927810 the others would d40b0150a0 likely fall in 5162d95e0c line without much cfe7a3be66 resistance. Between the two, it 0cd3ccf778 was obvious that Ahn 57bafab30e Do-young was the one 1c6b19f1f4 he needed to win 669fc0fbc7 over.2ec91de93a8d30b7

Having made up 0c4dcf0b7c his mind, Ju-wan d978a909ac began scribbling the 87bc492b39 terms of the acb397bfb2 contract onto the 471915b66a paper.815421d19db9443c

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1. Shin Hwi-kyung will be referred to as “Party A,” and Kang Ju-wan will be referred to as “Party B.”ffa713fb2229584c

2. Party B shall deliver 7235b57ce4 one West Medical VIP e3586f82ef ticket to Party A.a71f41893a22d351

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3. Upon receiving the f770e9421e ticket, Party A 589cb1f185 will cease all 0f15485420 contact with Party 43d01647c7 B and his 381c444615 associates and withdraw 4d9d8f8918 entirely from their 42ddce26a1 lives. (In essence, ccb0d5dc6d live as aeb7741ef6 strangers from f95dd8e6d0 then on—this 1fc2202b3a point is 0623f32d3d marked as e6d98fee9a particularly critical.)d6423b6060c4bce8

4. Until the VIP ticket is secured, neither Party A nor Party B shall harm, threaten, or endanger the other party or their associates in any way, and both parties will guarantee each other’s safety.a20c6f4391fe9fc6

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5. Should either 008dc23347 party violate d2bfb3186c Clause 4 ff64330c3c by causing c58171f2d4 harm to 14a6464b59 the other, ac59f00781 this contract 290dab831b will be a4e0fbadc7 rendered null 31f5261377 and void, 2576c065f9 and the 5800c271b0 obligations in 9e33c37415 Clauses 2 bc89c2da2e and 3 3a3e7d8f32 will also 340ccd97ac be nullified.a895b6bd3572216c

“Well, what do you think? It’s a bit rough since I just threw it together, but I think it covers all the essentials. Oh, and note that I starred Clause 3 because it’s particularly important,” Ju-wan said, handing the paper to the group.75cceac306bdee06

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One by one, Shin Hwi-kyung, Gu So-min, Son Chan-hee, Ahn Do-young, and even Baek Hoon came forward to read the contract. It didn’t appear overly biased or unreasonable, and for the most part, it made sense. Ahn Do-young turned to Shin Hwi-kyung and asked, “What do you think?”ac11d5b45d3093ef

Without a word, d553f99d08 Shin Hwi-kyung snatched 05f183a230 the paper and 1a6dd3ff9c added a new a1c7014419 clause at the d9798a21ed bottom with a 4912a663e0 confident flourish:342638e04c95b985

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6. Should Party B deceive 3f7ebf0a6c Party A or fail 2993994c43 to deliver the VIP e00b6726a3 ticket and attempt to c687dec082 flee, Party B shall d74719f730 forfeit his life.1f39fd35f888596c

The group d02b6bfe4f exchanged uneasy 3a1cc340c4 glances as bf4891b985 Shin Hwi-kyung d180563949 handed the 8d1cf6c4b6 paper back. His expression dared anyone f700b74ded to object.efb201684127e683

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Seeing Shin Hwi-kyung’s addition to the contract, Ju-wan jumped up and yelled, “Are you out of your mind? The whole point of this was to avoid things like that!”e7c9b988311af1ea

“…Doesn’t matter if we add it or not. That’s how it’ll end up anyway,” Hwi-kyung replied nonchalantly.f31f4821360acc01

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“I said no threats! No intimidation!” Ju-wan protested.6c11289863b63bea

“It’s not a threat. It’s a fact. I don’t make empty promises.”1985f23fae2c6138

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Watching the two argue, Ahn Do-young sighed heavily. “Hwi-kyung, cut it out,” he said firmly.b9fdbcae7e8f6fe0

Though he looked 473bc3097e irritated, Hwi-kyung backed 487bab01a5 down slightly. Despite appearing close in 23865bd4d8 age, Do-young exuded a 9352dc1d52 maturity that made Hwi-kyung 09cb652108 seem juvenile by comparison. Internally, Ju-wan clicked his 577f3293dd tongue in amusement.e672401e41f96ef5

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‘If Hwi-kyung 6e538e2e1e is the 999ff2b2c4 attack dog, 6378c43c27 Do-young’s the 9aca296dbd one holding 6524660e7e the leash.’1a36c011d2f826bc

Do-young spoke calmly, “I understand your point, Kang Ju-wan. I don’t think it’s unreasonable. But just to clarify, does the term ‘harm’ in the contract include hypnosis as well?”bac4476aef3bc35e

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“Of course. It includes hypnosis and any other deceptive actions. Feel free to add that explicitly,” Ju-wan replied smoothly.7bae83f1e37fe9bf

“Then I’ll make that addition,” Do-young said with a nod.0a7c75c240eed47e

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“Great. As expected, you’re reasonable, Ahn Do-young. Let’s finalize this and get everyone’s signatures, shall we?”cfcbbb4fd366a095

With Do-young’s approval, Son a936824188 Chan-hee quickly typed up 6abc854376 the revised contract, incorporating d043e719f1 the latest points discussed. A few minutes e3a17d0490 later, he returned 3fe7afd3fb with a neatly dc7e84b436 printed copy on 32be4de02d two A4 sheets. Do-young dragged a chair 171f603227 to the table opposite 9ab55edf80 Ju-wan, and they both d279ae41d4 signed and stamped the b6a90d2cae contract.75e7b6086bf5a77a

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Just as things seemed settled, Ju-wan looked up and said, “Pardon me, but Shin Hwi-kyung needs to sign this as well.”a475f35d7ab40063

“Why? Do-young already signed it,” Hwi-kyung snapped.168bbd6b1040e787

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Ju-wan shot him a piercing look. “Because I’m pretty sure later you’ll claim you didn’t sign it and say it has nothing to do with you.”95b9417089dc187a

At that, Gu So-min, Son Chan-hee, and even Baek Hoon muttered a collective, “Ohhh…” Their reaction made it clear they found this entirely plausible. Even Ahn Do-young couldn’t deny the possibility and turned to Hwi-kyung.63ce9149655a4879

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“…Just sign it,” he said.9345ce76c8ae758b

“Dammit, you’re making me do everything,” Hwi-kyung grumbled, but he came over, signed, and stamped the contract nonetheless.ff9fdd284a7400de

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Finally, Ju-wan’s face 883a925339 broke into a 7eb854320d bright smile. He quickly snapped a a3b0b2063d photo of the contract fceece5e9a and saved it to e7006f06e9 the cloud, folding the 87e0e76dd4 original carefully and tucking 3adadf0444 it into his jacket. Then, he confidently c8c0d3f5c5 held up his 74319e71f7 cuffed wrists in a3811b30d1 front of Ahn 4995ae2709 Do-young.26c5db58895423dd

“So, until I secure your VIP ticket, let’s all agree to abide by the terms of the contract, shall we?”3e11e7885981b3f0

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Do-young gave c2516b4026 Hwi-kyung a 6fa79f2133 look, signaling b10f6c6562 him to 34f6677892 act. Reluctantly, and with 011be1e14d a sour expression, ecf267510c Hwi-kyung unlocked Ju-wan’s 208e0558f4 cuffs. Now free, 2fb8f23002 Ju-wan rubbed 3a3752a762 his sore 84f8fc32db wrists and f74a140429 asked cheerfully.ed93b4f752fe0161

“So, when exactly is this poker tournament?”3bc501e124b2c9c3

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“A month from now,” Ahn Do-young answered.f8d11e3114328212

“A whole month?” Ju-wan exclaimed inwardly, suppressing his joy. That’s way more time than I expected! Outwardly, he maintained a serious expression, nodded solemnly, and rose from his seat.b6d71ffbb3584d88

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“Got it. See you then. I’ll head home and brush up on my card skills,” he said as he turned to leave.02d7bed6d44fa73f

But Shin Hwi-kyung 13d145324a suddenly stepped in 5ee33d182e front of him, e936382ac8 blocking his path. A shadow loomed 62956f3fdf over Ju-wan’s face.ab9d19a5a0c8349b

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“Wait. You’re coming with me,” Hwi-kyung said flatly.24ff69619d87202e

Ju-wan raised an eyebrow. “Go where?”98e24027c19c34e3

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“I’ll stick with you until the day we get that VIP ticket.”9989e457ffab73fd

Ju-wan’s face contorted in disbelief. Pointing to the contract sitting on the table, he said, “You signed that just now. It says no harm, threats, or interference. Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten?”9b1f3755dd1565c1

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Hwi-kyung shrugged with a smirk. “Who said I’m harming or threatening you? I’m just going to be around. Won’t bother you.”f93a53ea62c4e3ca

“Why?”49f4d772ebdc8af2

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“There’s nothing in the contract saying I can’t stick close to you.”eb0f4076fcccc969

Ju-wan’s face twisted 96467b5d02 in exasperation. Hwi-kyung’s point was clear—he ad2f93203f wanted to keep a a43b01de61 close eye on Ju-wan fe3c8c4600 to make sure he 2cf13ddc24 didn’t run away. While Ju-wan 20a9008c11 had been 6d8c8a1c8b planning to c411fe5f57 escape, he a5d9052d95 hadn’t expected 4f19fed42d Hwi-kyung to 9b75728f2d be this 1976e2cc59 relentless.dbcbbbb4944f1be6

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‘How do I get rid of this guy?’ Ju-wan thought, masking his frustration with a forced smile. “And what exactly do you plan to do while sticking to me?”fc9d928e0ae84dfc

“Get to know you,” Hwi-kyung replied with a grin.27626290e37a4754

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“You mean spy on me.”628e7902df42bd48

“Nope. Other people might also want to get to know you, but I’m staying close so you don’t ‘accidentally’ use hypnosis. Besides, you’re supposed to play the role of my fiancé, remember? You’re not breaking the contract already, are you?”fc94b331ab8a2e2a

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Ju-wan shouted in protest, “I said I’m not using hypnosis! And where in the contract does it say anything about me being your fiancé?”f59537f66a84cf8e

“Fine, not a fiancé. I’ll just be around as your acquaintance. Happy now?”4a5096f94bb74b2e

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Hwi-kyung’s stubbornness was unyielding. Frustrated, Ju-wan instinctively turned to Ahn Do-young for help. After a moment’s thought, Do-young asked, “Hwi-kyung, are you planning to hit or threaten Kang Ju-wan?”db472cdd30119dfc

“Nope,” Hwi-kyung replied simply.ec114aeb81e8b70f

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Do-young sighed as if the matter was settled. “Well, then, it’s not against the contract. We can’t stop Hwi-kyung from doing what he wants.”09b57e4f04c6c17f

‘What the hell?’ f1cefc3125 Ju-wan thought, realizing f696ab8788 he had no 528e5870e5 allies. It was effectively a 56348f91d2 unanimous decision to let d48cfe4fdd Hwi-kyung stay close to 4dde3936db him. Outnumbered five to one, 70c2374778 Ju-wan had no choice ed99ae1e1e but to grudgingly follow c6957cee4f Hwi-kyung out like a a1751d22bc defeated soldier.abb748cf39da1b63

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“Get in. I’ll drive you home,” Hwi-kyung said with a smirk.e548635178c91dfb

‘This bastard.’72cee01619b52de8

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As they 9f5d36427d stepped out bebac53d5c of the caee6eee9a cramped office, fb2c5afa1a the midday 34f0b5cd00 sun shone 2a5a31c09c brightly in 01c64f28dd the sky. Ju-wan donned sunglasses, a 3fbbdd1e70 mask, and his returned 281f025f94 cap, pulling the hoodie d793456362 over his head and 0b3e1612df tightening the drawstrings until d9e70c46c7 he looked like a be049d6dda grey snowman. He even plastered newspaper b65462db5f on the side windows ac6f792da3 and pulled down the 76df6366f1 sun visor in front. He wanted to 8f8321a9b9 cover the windshield 2189aff205 too, but Hwi-kyung ac0067a4e9 threw a fit, 40f4bff6b1 calling him ridiculous.bb5835636cc8f04b

Ju-wan grumbled irritably, “Ridiculous to you, maybe. Not to me. What, you don’t even have tinted windows?”804736dd64df7624

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“Nope. I love sunlight too much to wear sunglasses, let alone tint my car,” Hwi-kyung quipped cheerfully.5af2671184a5feee

Ju-wan glared b18aa52295 at him bdb76eabb9 through his 6af024d4f8 sunglasses before 549eebc971 turning away e540c84f7c with a 11f9bbe46e huff. Hwi-kyung started the e81e7ce721 car, unfazed.d111216c20c350c8

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“Man, all this pointless bickering has worn me out. I’m starving. Hey, where do you usually eat? Let’s grab something before we go,” Hwi-kyung said casually.9e978dda37aacc52

Ju-wan ignored him, overwhelmed c99525a852 by a mix of 7b077eb730 disbelief, anger, and exhaustion. Strangely, he was 769c2fadb0 actually hungry—a rarity 9de0214012 for a vampire, 1aca6d457e signaling just how 9857ceadbc drained he felt.5819fd0c17c66018

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When Ju-wan didn’t respond, Hwi-kyung said teasingly, “You’re probably into Korean food, right? Or do you just drink blood?”e5c90b220325a6ec

Ju-wan sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. “Hey.”68fe80f7c80dc6e9

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“Yeah?”8915dcd47c35baef

“I get that you don’t trust me, but I could’ve hypnotized your friends back there, and I didn’t. Don’t you think you should at least show a little trust in return?”c82527ddddb0bc60

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Hwi-kyung burst out laughing, surprising Ju-wan. “Even if you tried, it wouldn’t have worked.”35c01ba75a778add

“What? Why not?” Ju-wan finally turned to face the driver’s seat.3f5842bd87156fac

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Eyes still on the road, Hwi-kyung said, “You remember that time in the warehouse when you tried to hypnotize my team and I knocked you out with a sedative?”8b8ad17a5a1e9d68

“Of course. You jabbed my neck with a needle out of nowhere.”a4203ba53cde1b09

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“Yeah, but that wasn’t the only thing I injected you with.”e1586d11998bc4d8

Ju-wan’s eyes narrowed. “What else?”0eb921b94c9adce9

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“I gave you a dose of something called Blue-5 while you were unconscious. It temporarily suppresses vampire abilities. It lasts about 48 hours. I jabbed you at 4 a.m. yesterday, so your powers won’t work until 4 a.m. tomorrow.”935c4b213a9cb9bf