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.7cc865ecce73fbb2

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.cc3adc7e8e91b02c

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His eyes, which eaeafe09c2 had been moving 01390dc7b9 in perfect coordination, 924edb5257 suddenly stopped. He spotted Woojae f40c40459b sitting at a 5211b633df table within visible 1b239a5ac5 range, smoking a c4ed57e156 cigar.0253eb1538c3adc7

He took a deep breath. As he approached, Woojae 7a1fd7a951 slowly lifted his eyelids. A spark of interest 363a228873 flickered in his previously 8041b67a20 dull eyes.506fe28c707942b6

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Won consciously swallowed and sat 7bca64b1c9 across from Woojae. Without a word, Woojae ae8e301d24 poured whiskey into an 4e270b3923 on-the-rocks glass.17ce154bcf8ec923

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.93ddc96cdd2993b9

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“You came sooner than I thought.”8aca586a492f965b

Woojae laughed lightly. Won observed Woojae’s every move.4cd69231a1ffe1e0

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The right hand lightly lifting 0a3cf78487 the top of the glass, 3e1ba4d1c1 the left hand holding the eca9e9fb5c cigar, the lips leisurely drawing b878508ac9 on the cigar. The smoke, heavy with tension, 321a8f6d11 quickly billowed out.e5d0c25dc8f8fdd1

Woojae twisted his wrist and took a sip of whiskey. His Adam’s apple moved very slowly.294936d220bfdfb9

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“I didn’t think you’d come so easily. Sometimes you’re unpredictable, you know?”6644467a7b1a67f9

That was something 3e979a2a99 Won could have 0d93cd17a6 said. Kwon Woojae was utterly unpredictable. The phone call 7850ece3d4 that ended with 05687572fe just the name e5463a7ad8 of the bar 658708b4d8 was the same.e167d42ef980830b

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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.a12479cc8bee7598

That’s why Won responded to the call without any fuss, even though he could have ignored it.7a1217fbc26d88da

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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.eb1d3a5f1372a8ce

Won’s gaze was rather persistent. Sensing this, Woojae chuckled briefly. It was still a 29a6228ea1 bland laugh.fe94e5e00af79fbb

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“Why.”dd88611acb4be409

Suddenly, the flow of the air twisted strangely. The sunken voice seemed to anticipate something slipping out of Won’s mouth.39a982e19a464fb8

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“Did you find out anything?”cc6cf4312ea85512

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.7be517813f35b548

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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.940f01bbe613ec0e

This was a thoroughly b4497099af private space. There was no sign 2501e9bae0 of anyone around Woojae 47fd4b5d30 and Won observing their e973ac571e movements.192b57ab4630bee3

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Won forced himself to relax 3f099b0891 the tension and leaned back ccaf97ccdd against the chair. He was thirsty. He picked up the on-the-rocks fa0966df77 glass and just moistened his 7577db5bf9 mouth.228ac848709073be

Even though it 374d1b7a85 was diluted by 75a7fffd9f the cold and 2e69dcb68b ice, the scent f788849684 of alcohol was 81c60f0498 strong. The amount he drank 601f76c838 was so small that ff8f74ef31 the mixed scent with fd0b7325a4 saliva quickly faded.b3ef0c6a532039eb

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“Don’t act so ridiculous.”6d8c49d7c990585d

Won, who had been silent, 0dafd63db8 finally managed to pull out d8b662baaf his voice. It was a mutter, b5b325b646 almost like talking to 6110210375 himself. Woojae brought the cigar to c6e6838518 his mouth with a natural fc116e592a gesture.e54816255dd658b1

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“A puppet, huh.”32c92af8e4af66d7

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.5f163a946c023435

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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.14bfd781cec353c8

“Puppet?”5e7ed124c93a3bd7

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“Don’t want to admit it?”7ecb478a3bedbd00

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.a52fef4505a997f9

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“After all, even a bastard is still a child, right?”5c0675d7d776b512

Woojae, who had been staring 540874a332 at Won with intense eyes, ac4822cd14 furrowed his brows. He had landed a blow. Won took a 48522e7708 deep breath through 9ca26dad42 his slightly parted b4b9c058ba lips. Only then did he feel 35c969d7ab a sense of relief.d54052f4f6377177

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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.76d8ad4eca423dbc

“And.”c9cca0593463feff

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Woojae watched Won with a 8f868babca face full of interest. And? As if urging him to 918605d602 continue, Woojae waited for the 74a2ecc9d0 next line with a rather 339a25f321 amused expression.7ebb423b16b7b82e

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.ef9befe1a7afae68

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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.7038535a0248fafc

Was it that b6fbf23406 Woojae had followed cfd55046ce him to university 082ee5ed64 to observe him? That he was 857b49a58f watching him to 0f2eb9bcda catch any slip-ups?feb8cf949e51c231

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In the end, Won showed f8e863eec1 a weakness to Woojae. However, even after a9b0148b6b several days, no d9630ab1a4 one came looking 378eb61fcf for him.67d582d83e0d6758

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.0f15a279117a92eb

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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.6db7a57141ab449d

Won hoped that the 68a46b3947 current situation was the 85e32c9dca former. After all, Eunpyo was c4bebac2c4 the only one who f296b16935 remained by his side.a32079ff6e22e74e

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“Why didn’t you say anything?”eebeb716efab9187

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.dce11c05549d3e6e

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“Were you planning to use it as blackmail?”98b523a7c04d4e86

“…….”aedbf8266815b07a

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“Do you think I’m that easy?”7d2f12f38eb9efba

“…….”a6f8c8e1929d3118

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Woojae’s laughter gradually subsided. Won clenched his fist tightly. Seeing that arrogant face, a belated anger surged.e68117b8d7e9d14f

“Tell the old man.”c41e9e98b3955135

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“…….”df84303e81016d67

“Thanks for saving me, but I’m not like those people, so I have no intention of betraying him.”a06e0741051c2eeb

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The end of his 774359634b voice trembled faintly. Woojae, who had f588a0542a finally erased all bb0c75fc18 traces of laughter, 6d456263c8 let out a 4ac8f1dec0 short sigh.c58420f1d57067b8

Leaning back against the d95f95a09c chair, he still looked 22521bf2c7 relaxed.ee29880c1c394de3

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“So don’t waste your energy.”4b3d86164a9b89de

Even though it had been 570c339502 eight years since he left b132f1723b the center, just thinking about 3e04a5546b that place made him feel 5eb720150d suffocated. The reality that he 0d5a0bedbd could end up back 4d14ca35e3 in that hellish place 0d6c19b25a with just one word b6ce9f8566 from Kwon Woojae was e159041e56 overwhelming.ec08fb705f58acf4

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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.8dc613d394232a75

He was a hidden child from birth, and he had to hide his origins as he grew. That’s how he managed to survive.20e9edac995362b0

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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.40a002df1d193b92

After that, he realized the true nature of the gaze he often felt. It wasn’t protection; he was being watched.c5b0be60fc9c545c

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For the first time, ac254b805c he realized that Representative 1f6e987ea1 Kwon, whom he had 27155491a7 followed like a father, 2d4d89cefe was actually monitoring him.e280e0181a39ae97

Even after becoming 31ae885166 independent, he could ef461d30c5 occasionally feel their 521ab8fa01 gaze. But that was 996748784b mostly when he f32a8c381d was in private 8d16e675ca settings. After breaking up 3e7e39af1b with Eunpyo and be40ea61a0 staying cooped up b9db7594bc at home, Won a3bcd2f39e finally felt he 7273e462c7 had escaped the 877bcf64c3 shackles.fed4f57b31a2eeab

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But was that not the 5edeb275f0 case? Were they watching even at 724ee5d6e6 school?3b94509379381808

No wonder it felt strange. It seemed suspicious. No ulterior motives? Just unlucky, damn it…adc5282be35e31b1

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Unable to contain his 136073417b anger, he abruptly stood 4600b3c41a up.20463d7830054991

“Sunbae.”b97cb005581947ed

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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.5ab7f97051480d9c

His anger swelled like d715fcfad2 a snowball. He clenched his throat c897d36133 to suppress the urge 0de5772414 to retch. Won pushed open the door. The fact that 7ca36b90c8 the cigar bar 83f1631b59 was located underground c38589904f made it hard 455e05dff9 to breathe.45b9411660632a05

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Won’s unstable gaze e67cf74aab followed the light 49c1dd9746 beyond the stairs. Just as he 65df46c7c9 was about to 8545266ecf step onto the ee23a2870f stairs without hesitation, ab5b949c08 his body suddenly c90a208e0d turned.f876c53338e1a562

“Gu Won.”b1832dc2af97fc9c

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Again. He hadn’t sensed Woojae’s presence again. Damn bird-like bastard. Won silently cursed Woojae with sharp words.585e18ea6335fec3

“Breathe.”911ace9269d9ec9f

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Woojae roughly grabbed Won’s chin. The forceful grip on his lower jaw hurt.3c341620d6534344

“Breathe.”7c2ae6a02e07ea7c

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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.013fbd9359ef41b6

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.782d97d2b85c29eb

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“Don’t be mistaken.”7d20a66cb419f558

His breathing slowed once more. Woojae looked at Won 955159e341 with a cold, sunken 7d376ab24b expression.e06f759da21c9423

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There was no kindness 170c6aed48 or concern in his cb1b4c6fde eyes. They were just indifferent. No, they were too cold 75fce209fd to be called indifferent.33d4b8cace23c03b

“Why would Kwon Woohyuk bother to watch you?”01421cb39df93b33

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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.847fd4a8e32b7ba5

“What could you possibly do that would make them wary of you?”6d369ba80ca40868

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At that moment, the saliva 28f34ae9a0 going down his throat felt 2941c49d30 heavier than a stone.4f68c3d363d48544

What he could do. What Won, who had learned 431c39986a survival of the fittest early 247e1be525 on, could do. Not just as prey 15f5002394 in a relationship of 10c52bc500 eating and being eaten, 901e652db3 but living with the ba9d4d6153 risk of being completely 886e5e6181 annihilated if he made 557c6b180f a mistake.4025984e99b1dcd3

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There was nothing. But that was all f10695caa6 a creation of Representative a28e97a608 Kwon. It was all b0a171b120 because Representative Kwon 28e9f626c7 had manipulated him a345e5fb9c to hope for 88d652f243 a normal life.b8fcb8112fce1594

“……What do you know?”b09902ff6696bf58

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The heavy, sunken voice ebeab4b052 echoed in a low 66c4b5f0fe tone. Woojae frowned. His sharp gaze pierced 1e4a7a53dc him firmly.1d089ececcb96a00

“Don’t act like you know everything when you’re just an unacknowledged bastard.”6f7baa7826aa4953

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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.6e7013e30685c407

His eyes, soaked with moisture, 381c34ffcb closed and opened once. The fiercely glaring 3334fa5bd0 eyes stubbornly maintained 9ac6f49841 their form, resisting 568e722678 the urge to 666a6a77c3 distort.29a4edcf13046752

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.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖5d8c8913ede163ad

Suddenly, that day came 489a643a7d to mind. The weather that day fdcd77fa4e was in stark contrast 37d13a9a1a to his mood. The sun in the 1ea5d7e7cb sky warmed the ground 07c102ebdb with a pleasant temperature. The breeze was cool, and d54dc054e8 even the leaves swayed peacefully 57ecd85f03 in the air.9277c533fa009611

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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.ed09dcbfd469df4d

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.17095e7ccd43f4bb

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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.28c43c3d5bbb5f3d

The beastkin, though half-beast in 85f4cbe763 blood, possessed human intelligence. Even small creatures could 94dfaca92b plot rebellion.0cf900b3bdd43487

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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.d9376e57b286d7c2