With that cutting remark, two pairs of frosty eyes landed on Ha-Young.
One pair belonged to Old Master Wang, his gaze a blend of disappointment and disapproval, silently reprimanding her for daring to criticize his son. The other pair, equally frigid, was Hyun-Jin's, his eyes blazing with a silent but palpable fury for belittling his beloved.
An oppressive silence blanketed the room, so thick it felt like the air had been sucked out. The temperature seemed to plummet, and Ha-Young shivered, her fear amplifying with each passing second. Her father's soul-piercing glare was something she had long endured, but Hyun-Jin's intensity was a chilling revelation—unexpected and unnerving.
It felt as though the wind of Antarctica had swept through the windows. The air around Hyun-Jin was so cold she half-expected to see icicles forming on the walls and frost creeping up the glass. His bone-chilling look cut through her, turning her blood to ice.
Even her mother couldn't ignore the severity of Hyun-Jin's glare. Mrs. Wang's eyes flickered anxiously between her daughter and stepson, worry etched deep into her features.
Old Master Wang, however, focused solely on Hyun-Jin, noting the unusual crack in his usually composed demeanor. His son's loss of control and display of emotions troubled him far more than Ha-Young's fear. Clearing his throat, he aimed to regain Hyun-Jin's attention and restore the room's balance. Behind his calm exterior, his mind was already strategizing the lessons and discipline he needed to provide to his son.
With the room's tension still palpable, Old Master Wang's voice sliced through the frosty silence. "You say you went back home, Hyun-Jin, but I didn't find you in your room this morning. Does that mean you spent the night at Platinum Enclaves?" His tone was firm, pressing Hyun-Jin for an explanation..
Nodding his head, Hyun-Jin responded, "That mansion's been empty for almost a decade since you gifted it to me. It's only right for me to use it now that I am back."
Old Master Wang nodded understandingly, but as Hyun-Jin confirmed his decision to stay away from the family mansion, a pang of betrayal pricked his heart. He had anticipated this move from Hyun-Jin, aware of his son's little schemes behind his back. Yet, facing the reality was more jarring than expected.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of loss, as if a prized possession was slipping out of his control. His son, whom he saw as an extension of his own will, was asserting independence. This rebellion felt like a personal affront, a challenge to his authority, prompting him to lash out at Hyun-Jin with harsh words.
"Then again, you've lived most of your life alone," Old Master Wang said, his tone dripping with hurt and sarcasm. "So it must be difficult to mingle into the family all at once."
The remark, veiled in cynicism, cut through Hyun-Jin's heart like a serrated blade,
He could never fathom how the whole family was filled with hypocrites. Wasn't he always alone because everyone abandoned him?
From the moment he was born, he was left in an orphanage.
He vividly remembered those harsh years—cold, barren walls that echoed with the plaintive cries of abandoned children, and the gnawing ache of hunger that never relented. Each day was a battle for survival, every night a struggle against the chill that seeped through threadbare blankets.
As if these hardships weren't enough, the warden's wrath was a constant terror. She vented her anger on the children, inflicting punishments using their worst fears against them, leaving lasting scars on their fragile souls. Her punishments were as distinct as they were merciless, leaving scars both physical and emotional on the young souls trapped within those walls.
Then after 8 years of the toughest survival, the Wang family came forward to adopt him, but it was no sanctuary. Instead of warmth and acceptance, he found a different kind of cruelty waiting for him. The old man, always testing his limits, subjected him to relentless and grueling training that made the orphanage seem like a fleeting refuge. As he grew older, expectations grew more demanding, pushing him to the brink of exhaustion and despair.
Upon finishing high school, he was abruptly sent away to Europe, thrown into perilous tasks that risked life and limb. Old Master Wang's belief in the survival of the fittest left him feeling abandoned once more, as he fought to survive without support or solace, while his adoptive father observed from a distance, detached and unmoved.
Thinking back on these memories, Hyun-Jin's appetite vanished, his thoughts consumed by the weight of past traumas. Each memory was a sharp thorn piercing his soul, leaving behind wounds that never truly healed.
"I see you didn't touch much of your meal," the Old Master remarked abruptly, his tone carrying a hint of impatience. "If you don't have an appetite, then we must get going."
Hyun-Jin nodded silently and followed Old Master Wang as they made their way through the expansive Wang mansion.
Situated on the outskirts of the city, the estate boasted everything one could imagine—a sprawling mansion adorned with opulent chandeliers, marble floors that gleamed under soft lighting, and luxurious amenities that included a private shooting range and a range of recreational activities.
In no time, they arrived at the shooting grounds, but this was no ordinary shooting range. Here, instead of targeting inanimate objects, the practice involved shooting live birds. Wang Il-Sung personally oversaw the breeding and selection of these avian targets. Each bird was meticulously chosen, often of high importance, and carefully nurtured before being released for shooting.
Hyun-Jin observed the scene closely. The sky above hinted at impending rain, casting a somber hue over the expansive grounds. Neatly arranged guns gleamed in the dim light, contrasting sharply with the barely discernible figures of birds stationed at the far end of the shooting range.
Meanwhile, Old Master Wang stood poised nearby, meticulously preparing his stance and adjusting his grip on the gun, his demeanor exuding focus and determination. It was a stark contrast to the melancholic ambiance hanging over the shooting grounds.
As he readied himself, his movements deliberate and practiced, he gave a subtle signal. In response, a moment later, a bird was released into the air. The bird fluttered gracefully against the overcast sky, it's freedom brief as it became target in the shooting range.
"Don't you think these birds are stupid?" Old Master Wang remarked bitterly, his voice laced with disdain. "I feed them, pet them, take care of them. Yet, the minute the cage is opened, they try to fly away, forgetting all the kindness."
Hyun-Jin understood the underlying message, a subtle comparison to his own situation, but he kept his expression neutral, masking any reaction. As the bird flitted across the sky, attempting to grasp its freedom, Old Master Wang's voice took on a tone of superiority.
"But what they don't know is that no matter how well they fly in different directions, we humans are far more intelligent than them," he continued, his finger poised on the trigger. "We anticipate their moves and take our shot when they least expect."
With a precise aim, the bullet dropped from the gun and struck the bird, bringing it down to the ground.
"It's your turn, son," Old Master Wang said, passing the opportunity to Hyun-Jin.
Although bird hunting was never to his liking, Hyun-Jin knew he had no choice. He aimed the gun as the next bird was released on his cue. However, when his finger hovered over the trigger, hesitation gripped him. This was the bird which he took care of over an year, which was gifted by Old Master Wang himself.
The weight of his decision settled heavily on him. Memories of the bird's growth and the care it received flashed through his mind, conflicting with the expectation to shoot. His hesitation was palpable, a silent protest against the cruelty of the game.
But just because he didn't shoot didn't mean someone else wouldn't.
Pang!!
The sudden crack of the gunshot echoed through the air, the bullet striking the bird and ending its flight abruptly.
Hyun-Jin stood in shock, his eyes widening as he watched the bird plummet from the sky. His grip on the gun loosened, fingers trembling slightly as the weight of what had just happened sank in. A mix of sorrow and guilt clouded his expression, his features contorted in disbelief.
"Why did you hesitate, Hyun-Jin?" Old Master Wang's voice cut through the silence, a hint of disappointment lacing his words.