"Why? Why is he here?"
Yeonwoo thought, shaken, as she looked up at Mikoto. Why was that devil here? Relief had washed over her as she believed she would never have to see this man again, especially after six long years had passed since that haunting night. But now, here he was, standing before her eyes. The memories she thought she had buried resurfaced instantly. His devilish smile, his demonic laughter overlapped with the face in front of her, dragging back the sole nightmare she had desperately tried to escape and forget. Her breathing became shallow, her heart pounded as if it would burst through her chest, and her body shivered, soaked in cold sweat. Overwhelming fear gripped her heart and body, freezing her in place, unable to speak or act. Was she going to relive that nightmare again?
"Mom, who's that?"
The sudden voice startled Yeonwoo, snapping her out of her fear and replacing it with nervousness. She turned to see Yong looking curiously at Mikoto, who was now gazing back at the boy.
'So, this is him.' Mikoto thought, eyeing the six-year-old boy who had appeared. The child was quite tall and muscular for his age, with messy black hair and amber eyes similar to his own. There was a clear resemblance in his features as well. This was undoubtedly his child. On top of that, the word "mom" that the boy had used for Yeonwoo further confirmed it. This was the kid who bore his blood.
'Oh no.' Yeonwoo thought, her nerves flaring. She couldn't let Yong be here, not now. If Mikoto decided to take any action against her, it would endanger Yong's life. She knew her son would try to protect her if he sensed danger, and with Mikoto's ruthless nature, that would be fatal. Yong was her everything, the only source of her happiness. Losing him would destroy her, and she couldn't let anything happen to him. Just as Yong always protected her, she needed to protect him now, even if it meant risking her own life.
"Sweetie, this is just a friend from the past. You don't have to worry." Yeonwoo said, forcing a reassuring smile despite her turmoil. She had to keep her son from becoming suspicious; Yong was sharp and mature for his age. He wouldn't easily believe her words if he sensed something was off. "Why don't you go up and shower? By the time you're done, dinner will be ready." She needed him to leave, so if anything were to happen, it would be to her alone.
"Mm," Yong nodded, though he couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling. The atmosphere and especially the man standing at the door felt off. The man's striking appearance, his tall height, red hair, and the same amber eyes as his own, left an unsettling impression. When their eyes met, Yong felt a creeping sense of dread, as if something sinister lurked behind that gaze. Still, he didn't press it further. He trusted his mother's words for now and sensed that the man didn't seem to have immediate ill intentions. However, he made a mental note of the ominous feeling.
With that, Yong headed upstairs, ready to shower. He'd ask his mother later about the man. He couldn't shake off the idea that this person might be a threat to her.
Yeonwoo exhaled in relief once her son disappeared upstairs, but her heart didn't calm down. The real problem was still right in front of her. Turning back to Mikoto, she braced herself, knowing she couldn't hide her nervousness. Her body trembled; it was impossible not to be scared of the man who had made the last six years of her life a living nightmare. Even so, she had to endure it, for her son's sake.
"You're overthinking things." Mikoto said, noticing her anxious expression. "Let's go inside and talk." He could tell she was still afraid of him. The events of six years ago had clearly taken a toll on her.
'Huh?' Yeonwoo blinked in surprise. 'He wants to talk?' She looked up at his expressionless face and eyes, noticing something different. They weren't filled with the same sinister, crazed look they once held. Instead, they were blank, void of any emotion. But this didn't ease her fear. If anything, it made it worse. Why did he want to talk? What could he possibly want now? There was nothing left between them, or so she thought. Then a sudden realization hit her. Could he possibly know? Could he know about Yong, about him being his son? But she quickly dismissed the thought. There was no way he should know. She couldn't admit it herself, this man, this devil, as the father of her child. However, despite her denial, a deep, unsettling feeling remained that he might know something. She just hoped the day would end peacefully without any harm coming to Yong.
Yeonwoo didn't respond but nodded, feeling she had no choice. Refusing him might anger him, and if he chose to use force, she wouldn't stand a chance. It was better not to provoke him.
Mikoto stepped inside, closing the door behind him as Yeonwoo led him to the living room. He glanced briefly at her figure as she walked ahead, but his gaze quickly moved away. Even so, Yeonwoo flinched, feeling his momentary stare, her body sweating with nervousness as she wondered what might happen next. Once they reached the living room, they sat on two separate single chairs opposite each other, with a small table between them.
Silence filled the air as time stretched on.
Yeonwoo sat with her head lowered, fiddling with her hands. She couldn't bring herself to speak, her mind was solely focused on the question of why Mikoto had come.
"The way we met and the current circumstances don't exactly make for a pleasant conversation," Mikoto finally said, breaking the silence. Yeonwoo didn't look up but listened intently, as this was the answer she had been anxiously waiting for. "So, I'll get straight to the point."
Yeonwoo looked up at him, her expression still filled with worry, but she listened, bracing herself to hear the reason for his sudden arrival.
"That kid." Mikoto started. Those two words made Yeonwoo's heart drop to the bottom. Her eyes widened in panic. Did Mikoto know about the child being his? But how? How could he know? Yeonwoo screamed internally. She was certain Mikoto couldn't know, he wasn't there when she gave birth, nor had they seen each other for six years. For him to suddenly show up now because of Yong meant he knew something. But there shouldn't have been any trace of her delivery. She had left the Fist Gang before she gave birth, wanting to raise her child peacefully, away from the chaos. But it seemed that was no longer possible. The thought that Mikoto might do something, to take Yong away or worse, terrified her. If Mikoto made any move against Yong, she knew she couldn't stop him. She'd have to sacrifice herself to protect her son. She couldn't let anything happen to Yong, no matter the cost.
"What's his name?" Mikoto continued, looking at the panicked Yeonwoo.
**'His name?'** Yeonwoo was stunned. Why did he want to know Yong's name? She couldn't figure out Mikoto's intentions, which only made her more afraid. But she had no choice but to answer.
"Yong." Yeonwoo said hesitantly, watching Mikoto, trying to gauge his aim.
"And the last name?" Mikoto added.
"Kim. Kim Yong." she replied, her voice clearly laced with nervousness. The anticipation of Mikoto's next move was taking a toll on her mind and body.
"Hmm, I see." Mikoto leaned back in his chair, tilting his head slightly upward to gaze at the ceiling. "So you don't consider this child one of my own." He continued, still staring at the ceiling. His words froze Yeonwoo in place.
A cold feeling rushed through her body, drenching her in cold sweat. It felt like an icy hand was gripping her heart, and the world around her spun. Her breathing became ragged. Mikoto's words made her feel like she was trapped in an ice cellar.
'He knows.' she thought, fear gripping her. Her worst nightmare had come true. Mikoto knew about the child and knew he was the father. But how? Why did he know? She couldn't understand. Six years had passed, and even if he still remembered her, she believed his purpose here would be driven by his own depraved desires, not knowledge of the child. She had ensured that no one knew about her son except the trusted few from the Fist Gang. How could he have found out? Did he somehow discover the hospital where she gave birth? Even if he knew she had a child, why was he certain the boy was his and not someone else's, especially since she had been on her own for six years?
"I-I don't understand what you're talking about." Yeonwoo said, her voice shaky but steady as she forced herself not to break under the pressure. She needed to feign ignorance. Maybe he didn't know and was only speculating, trying to force her to confess. She couldn't admit that he was the father. She refused to accept it. How could someone like him be a father? It was wrong.
"There's no need to hide it. I have the papers linking the child and myself with matching DNA." Mikoto said, lowering his gaze to meet hers. He watched her trembling. "Besides," he continued, leaning slightly forward, his tone calm and expressionless. "It's only natural for me, as the father, to come and check on how you both are doing, isn't it? Yeonwoo Kim?"
'No!' she wanted to scream but couldn't. His words hit her like a truck. Mikoto knew that Yong was his child. 'As the father?' She couldn't accept him in that role. How could he speak as if they were a family? He was a devil who thrived on causing pain, not someone who could be part of a happy home. She felt helpless, forced to wait for whatever he planned to do next. Her only hope was that Yong wouldn't suffer because of Mikoto's actions.
"And there's another reason I came here today." Mikoto said blankly, watching her. Yeonwoo's eyes locked onto his, bracing for his next words. "I'm here to tell you what you need to do next."
"W-what?" she stammered. What did he mean by "what you need to do next"? Did he want her to do something? Did it involve only her, or her son as well? The thought made her sick. Could it be that Mikoto intended to force her to get rid of Yong? It wasn't unheard of for a father to demand such a thing if he didn't want the child. But no, she wouldn't allow it. She'd do whatever it took to keep Yong safe.
"By tomorrow night, someone will come to pick you and the child up, so be ready." Mikoto said, making Yeonwoo's eyes widen. "You'll be living at my place from now on."
'Living with him?' Yeonwoo was stunned.
"I-I don't want to." Yeonwoo gritted out, clenching her hands as they rested on her thighs, her head bowed. How could it be that simple? To live together in the same house? It wasn't easy. Their relationship didn't exist beyond the trauma he inflicted on her. He wanted her and Yong to live with him? It was absurd. For him, it might be easy to say, since he felt no remorse for his actions. But for her, it was impossible. Her heart rejected him, rejected his very presence. Perhaps the only thing she could be thankful for was that he had brought Yong into her life. The past six years had been her happiest moments, and her son was her only light. But living with Mikoto? She didn't know if she could do it.
"So, you refuse, huh?" Mikoto said, noticing her clenched fists. "Then there's no other choice but to do that." He continued, making Yeonwoo's heart sink in fear. "Not only do you refuse to acknowledge me as the child's father, but you also refuse to live with me. So, there's only one thing left to do, and that is none other than…" Mikoto leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and added in a calm but deadly tone. "To kill the child."
Yeonwoo's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat, her head still tilted down.
'Kill Yong? Did he say he wants to kill Yong, her son?' She couldn't process what she had just heard, it was too sudden, too cruel. Those vile words, spoken so casually, so calmly, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Had he lost all humanity? Did he feel nothing as he spoke of killing a child, his own child at that? What kind of monster was he? Fear overwhelmed her, but another emotion surged within her: anger. She was furious.
"You! How can you say something like that, you sick scum!" Yeonwoo lifted her head, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked at the apathetic face of Mikoto. Her expression was filled with anger and disbelief. Just what kind of person was sitting in front of her? What kind of sick monster could speak like this? Was there not even a trace of humanity left in his heart, or was there never any to begin with? At first, when she saw him and heard how he spoke, she thought he had changed, his demeanor was calmer now than in the past, which surprised her. But it seems his mind is still the same, the mind of a devil. There was not a single bit of goodness in this man's heart.
"Say something like that? It seems you're misunderstanding something, so let me make myself clear." Mikoto said calmly, watching Yeonwoo's reaction without a hint of concern. "The only reason I came here, the only reason I even remembered you existed, was because I found out I have a child I knew nothing about for the past six years." He continued, his gaze locked on the furious Yeonwoo. "The child is the only thing currently linking us, the only reason we're speaking now, because that child bears my blood and yours. Beyond that, nothing connects us." Mikoto leaned back in the chair, resting his arms on each armrest, his eyes never leaving Yeonwoo's. "And if you're not going to acknowledge me as the father, then there's no reason for me to acknowledge the child as mine, even though he bears my blood." Mikoto added. "A foreign child bearing my blood? Not possible. So I can only get rid of him." He finished his sentence coldly.
"You! You truly are the worst!" Yeonwoo said through gritted teeth, her tears flowing uncontrollably, her eyes glaring hatefully at the indifferent Mikoto. Was this even human speech? Did he not realize what he was saying? No, he fully understood, he simply didn't care. Those eyes, void of any emotion, showed just that. He had forgotten about her, but she had never forgotten him, always remembering him with fear. She couldn't force herself to refuse, not after hearing his vile words. There was no choice left; she had no doubt he would carry out his threat and kill Yong if she refused. She couldn't allow that, she couldn't let anything happen to her son. Yong had been her light for the past six years, unknowingly helping her just by being there, making her genuinely smile despite her nightmares. If he were to disappear, life would lose all meaning. She wanted the best for her son, so she had to accept Mikoto's offer. She and her son would live with him, no matter how painful it was. As a mother, she would do anything to keep her child happy.
"It seems there's nothing more to discuss." Mikoto said as he stood up, looking down at the seated Yeonwoo. "As I said, someone will come to pick you up tomorrow night, so have your decision ready by then." He turned and walked towards the exit. "Farewell." He said as he left, leaving Yeonwoo alone in her own internal struggle.
Mikoto stepped out of the house, closing the door behind him. He paused at the doorstep, taking out a packet of cigarettes. He lit one, taking a deep puff and blowing out smoke. He glanced to his right, where a vehicle had been parked just moments ago.
Earlier.
"Do we always have to do this?" a voice complained.
A sigh came from Han Sang-Hui, a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and shaved sides. He wore an old styled uniform.
"You don't have to ask that every time." Replied another man, Kim Yeong-Cheol. He was also middle-aged, with short black hair peppered with white strands, a sign of his age. He wore a black business suit and glasses.
"And you two always seem to start arguing from here." A third voice chimed in, this time from a young woman. She looked mature, with long brown hair and black eyes, wearing glasses. Her outfit consisted of a dress shirt and a tight black skirt. Her name was Shin Sera.
The three of them were inside a car parked at a distance from Yeonwoo's house. Sera was in the passenger seat, Yeong-Cheol was driving, and Sang-Hui sat in the back.
As employees of the White Tiger Job Center, they had been sent here by Tom to check on Yeonwoo's house, a task they had done many times before.
'He really doesn't know when to stop.' Sera thought. Tom's constant concern for Yeonwoo bordered on stalking, even if it was just to ensure she was okay. It was clear he liked her, but at some point, this needed to end.
Just as Sera was thinking this, she noticed someone approaching Yeonwoo's house. He was young but very tall, taller than even their boss. His hair was a fiery red, ruffled and spiked, with amber eyes. He wore a black leather jacket, a white shirt underneath, and black pants and shoes.
'Who's that?' Sera wondered as she watched the young man walk up to the doorstep and ring the doorbell. Yeonwoo opened the door, though Sera couldn't see her clearly. The young man entered after a few moments.
"You guys saw him too, right?" Sera asked, still watching.
Yeong-Cheol and Sang-Hui nodded.
"Should we report this?" Yeong-Cheol asked, recalling Tom's instructions.
"No, nothing has happened yet. We'll wait and see." Sera decided, her eyes fixed on the entrance.
Some Time Later.
The young man exited the house, closing the door behind him. He lit a cigarette and stood there smoking.
"It seems everything is fin-" Sera started but suddenly stopped, her eyes widening. A wave of dread washed over her, her heart pounding hard in her chest. An intense, inexplicable fear gripped her, as if someone had just pierced her with a sinister gaze.
"Drive." Sera ordered abruptly.
"Huh? Why?" Yeong-Cheol asked, confused by her sudden urgency.
"Drive! Now!" Sera shouted, turning to him with a panicked expression. Startled, Yeong-Cheol quickly hit the gas.
"What happened?" Yeong-Cheol asked as they sped away.
"Yeah, what happened?" Sang-Hui chimed in, equally confused.
"I... I don't know." Sera stammered, still shaken. The feeling of something watching her, something dark and dangerous, lingered even though she couldn't explain it. "I don't know why I felt that way. It just happened."
"Huh?" Yeong-Cheol and Sang-Hui exchanged puzzled looks. Was this some kind of new, inexplicable instinct?
"Just forget it." Sera sighed, her body slowly relaxing, though the unease in her heart remained.
"Must have been your imagination." Yeong-Cheol said, though he looked at her with lingering concern.
"Like yours any better." Sang-Hui chuckled from the backseat.
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" Yeong-Cheol snapped irritably, glancing at Sang-Hui through the rearview mirror.
"You don't remember how you sometimes act out of place too? Looks like your age is catching up with you before it got to me." Sang-Hui teased, smirking as he watched Yeong-Cheol's annoyed expression in the mirror.
"You bastard-" Yeong-Cheol was about to retort, but before he could continue, Sera suddenly shouted.
"Hey, watch out!" Sera's warning made Yeong-Cheol whip his attention back to the road. His eyes widened as he saw a figure standing directly in front of the speeding car.
"S-Shit!" Yeong-Cheol cursed, realizing he had no time to react. The person was too close, and at this speed, a collision was inevitable.
But instead of running the person over, a loud impact reverberated as if the car had slammed into a solid wall. The vehicle came to a jarring halt, sending all three occupants lurching forward from the sudden stop.
As the impact subsided, groans filled the car.
"Ugh..." Sera groaned, clutching her head. The abrupt stop had rattled her, the seatbelt jerking her body to a sudden stop shook her brain, making her feel dizzy. 'What just happened?' She thought, her vision slowly clearing. She unbuckled her seatbelt and looked around. She was certain they had hit a person, but the impact felt like slamming into a massive steel barrier. The car windows were shattered, and the windshield was cracked.
'Huh? Where did they go?' Sera was about to call out for Yeong-Cheol and Sang-Hui, but they weren't in the car. Confused, she looked around.
"Did they-" Sera started, but before she could finish her sentence, a hand suddenly gripped her neck from the open side window and yanked her out of the car.
"Ugh!" Sera gasped as she was lifted off the ground by a vise-like grip around her throat. She raised her hands, trying desperately to pry off the iron grip, but it wouldn't budge. She was suffocating.
"So, care to explain why you were monitoring that house?" A calm voice asked. Sera forced her eyes open and found herself face-to-face with the person holding her by the neck. Her eyes widened in recognition, ruffled, spiked red hair, two strands hanging in front of his face, and piercing amber eyes that stared at her with a chilling indifference. It was the young man who had entered Yeonwoo's house earlier.
'Where-' Sera frantically glanced around with her eyes for her colleagues but froze when she spotted them lying on the ground nearby. Her eyes widened even more when she noticed their condition. Yeong-Cheol and Sang-Hui's arms and legs were twisted at unnatural angles, their faces sunken in. They weren't dead, but they were severely injured.
'He did this?' Sera's gaze darted back to Mikoto, who wore a blank expression, giving no hint of what he was thinking. She knew how skilled Yeong-Cheol and Sang-Hui were, it wasn't that simple for anyone to handle them. Yet it had taken this young man less than ten seconds since the impact to incapacitate them both. Fear gripped her heart, this was the first time her life felt truly threatened.
"So?" Mikoto asked again, but Sera could only stare at him, unable to respond. "It seems you're not willing to talk, huh?" He continued, slowly raising his left hand toward her. "Then let's have some fun, shall we?" He placed his hand on the top of her dress shirt, making Sera's eyes go wide.
'What is he doing?' Sera glanced nervously at his hand resting on her shirt. 'He's not thinking of doing that, is he?' Panic surged through her as she realized what might happen next.
The sound of simultaneous unbuckling filled the air as Mikoto swiftly undid the front of Sera's dress shirt, exposing her bare stomach and her bra-covered chest. Sera's eyes widened in shock as she glanced down at her now partially exposed body. Panic surged through her as she looked back up at Mikoto, who remained expressionless.
He then raised his hand again, this time positioning it directly on her bra. Sera's heart pounded wildly, a mix of fear and dread gripping her. 'What is he doing?' she thought frantically. It felt like a prelude to something far worse, and the realization hit her, if he didn't stop, she might actually be violated. The overwhelming pressure left her feeling utterly helpless.
"I-I'll talk, s-stop!" Sera managed to choke out, struggling against his grip. She surrendered to the fear. Any woman would in her situation, knowing that her life was on the line. Her words made Mikoto pause. He glanced at her, noting her frightened expression.
"Then talk," Mikoto said, retracting his left hand but maintaining his hold around her neck. "Who are you? What organization do you belong to? Who is your leader? And why were you monitoring that house? Give me four simple answers. And if I catch you lying, which I will know instantly..." Mikoto's eyes turned cold, laced with a crazed look. "I'll rape you, right here." He finished, making Sera's eyes go wide with terror. She could tell he was serious, no hesitation, no doubt. He had likely done something like this before, and it shook her to the core. She knew lying wasn't an option.
"My name is Shin Sera." She said, her voice more stable now as the grip on her neck loosened enough for her to speak. "I'm from the White Tiger Job Center. Our leader's name is Tom Lee." She continued quickly, not daring to waste any time, fearing what he might do if she hesitated. "We were monitoring the house because we were tasked with checking on a woman's well-being, on our leader's orders." She finished, looking at Mikoto with pleading eyes, hoping he would accept her answers and let her go.
'Never heard of them.' Mikoto thought, assessing her response. He could tell she wasn't lying, but the organization's name and the leader were unfamiliar to him. 'And their task...' She mentioned they were checking on Yeonwoo's well-being. It seemed their leader, Tom Lee, had a connection to her. The only people Yeonwoo was close to were from the Fist Gang. 'I'll need to ask Charles if he knows anyone named Tom Lee.' Mikoto decided, thinking of the only person he knew from that group.
'As for this Tom Lee...' If Charles didn't know him, then Mikoto would wipe out the entire White Tiger Job Center. He didn't have time to deal with them now, but if they got close to Yeonwoo again, he wouldn't hesitate to take action.
Mikoto released his grip from Sera's neck, letting her fall to the ground. She coughed, rubbing her sore neck, trying to soothe the pain from the prolonged grip. Looking up, she saw the red-haired kid walking away. Her tense body relaxed, but the fear remained. Today could have taken a drastic turn if he had decided differently. She felt thankful that, at least, Mikoto hadn't gone through with his words.
But little did she know, Mikoto had almost done it. He had been quite tempted by her figure but decided against it, realizing it wasn't the right time. He had other priorities, but he made a mental note that this wouldn't be their last encounter. After all, he still wanted to have some fun with her, and now he had the information to make that happen.
The Next Day, Nighttime
"Mom, are we really going to live at Dad's place tonight?" Asked a small voice. It was a six-year-old boy with short, messy black hair and amber eyes. He wore sports clothes and sneakers, this was Yong Kim.
Yeonwoo, closing a small suitcase filled with their clothes, looked at her son and smiled. "Yes, sweetie," she replied. "We'll be going to live at his place from now on."
Yesterday, Yeonwoo had told Yong about Mikoto, which made the boy more curious than excited. She explained that Mikoto was the man who had visited their house yesterday. Yong had asked why Mikoto suddenly appeared and why she hadn't said anything when he was at the door. Yeonwoo had replied that it was a surprise for him, and Yong nodded in understanding. Yet, he wasn't naive, he could sense the tension between his parents. He knew it wasn't a happy relationship, and he couldn't shake off the sinister feeling he had gotten from the red-haired man, his father. Yong felt he needed to be on guard, not just for himself, but to protect his mother.
The doorbell rang suddenly, startling Yeonwoo. She knew it was someone sent to pick them up, making her feel anxious.
"Let's go, Yong." She said, taking the small suitcase as she walked towards the door, Yong following closely behind. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door to find a man standing there. He had slicked-back black hair and black eyes, wore business attire, and had glasses perched on his nose. This was Mikoto's right-hand man, Hyun-Woo.
"You must be Miss Yeonwoo." Hyun-Woo said, and Yeonwoo nodded. "My name is Hyun-Woo, Sir Mikoto's assistant." he introduced himself. "It looks like you're ready. Shall we go?" He noted the suitcase and the child standing behind her. 'Definitely his son,' Hyun-Woo thought, noticing Yong's amber eyes, just like Mikoto's. He was also surprised by the boy's height and the well-developed muscles visible even through his clothes. It was clear the kid had inherited his boss's genes and would likely become quite a powerhouse in the future.
"Yes, we're ready." Yeonwoo replied, surprised by how professional Mikoto's men appeared. She had expected someone more thuggish, but Hyun-Woo looked more like a businessman.
"Let me take your suitcase, and let's get going." Hyun-Woo offered. Yeonwoo hesitated but decided it wasn't the time to argue over such things, so she handed him the suitcase. He turned and walked towards a large black jeep, with Yeonwoo and Yong following behind. Hyun-Woo placed the suitcase in the trunk before taking the passenger seat, while a uniformed driver in a business suit and hat sat behind the wheel.
The car drove off. After about 20 minutes on the road, Yeonwoo's anxiety only grew. The closer they got to their destination, the more tense she felt.
'I just hope nothing bad happens from now on.' Yeonwoo thought, sighing internally. She wished for a peaceful life, even with that man around. Looking at Yong, who was gazing out the window, she knew this was the only way to keep him safe. There were devastating consequences if she refused, she had no choice but to bring Yong close to Mikoto. She could only hope her son wouldn't be in danger or negatively influenced by his father. Her thoughts were interrupted as the vehicle came to a sudden stop, though it didn't seem like they had arrived yet.
"Sir, someone is blocking the road." The driver said, sounding confused. It was odd for anyone to stand in the middle of the road like this.
"I see that, and it looks like this person was waiting for us." Hyun-Woo replied, his expression unchanging. "I'll handle it. Make sure the doors are locked after I step out." He instructed as he exited the vehicle and approached the figure standing ahead.
'What is he doing here?' Yeonwoo's eyes widened when she recognized the man blocking their way. There was no reason for him to be here, and his presence could only mean trouble for her.
"To be blocking our way, you must be here for Miss Yeonwoo." Hyun-Woo said, stopping a few feet away as the headlights illuminated the figure. A huge and tall, muscular middle-aged man. He had long black hair tied into a bun and black eyes, and wore a black suit with a white glove on his left hand. This was Tom Lee.
"Well, I can't just let her be taken away. It's worrying as a friend." Tom chuckled, towering over Hyun-Woo, clearly unfazed. "I can't just turn a blind eye."
Tom had heard from Sera about what happened yesterday, a young man with red hair and amber eyes. That was all he needed to know. He was angry but also fearful. The kid had decided to resurface after six years and had shown up at Yeonwoo's place. It seemed Yeonwoo was about to be taken away, and Tom wasn't stupid. He knew his actions here could get him killed if that kid decided to act personally. But he couldn't just sit back. He needed to help Yeonwoo, at least by taking her away from here and figuring out the next steps. Perhaps he could arrange for her to go overseas or get a political figure to protect her. Tom despised people who forced others, especially women, into things against their will. It was infuriating enough that the "Red Devil" had forced himself on Yeonwoo in the past, and now this. He couldn't tolerate it any longer. He had to get Yeonwoo away first and then decide what to do next.
'100%.' Tom wasted no time, launching a devastating right fist aimed to end things in a second. But instead of landing the hit, his punch was dodged. Tom's eyes widened as shallow cuts suddenly appeared on his arm, from his forearm up to his shoulder, blood trickling from the wounds. He quickly backed away, looking at the man in front of him, Hyun-Woo, who now held a medium-sized dagger in his right hand, dripping with Tom's blood.
"That's enough reason for me to act." Hyun-Woo said, raising his left hand and removing his glasses, placing them in the chest pocket of his suit. His sharp, deadly black eyes locked onto Tom. "The boss has already decided to take Miss Yeonwoo." Hyun-Woo continued coldly. "And for you to stand here, becoming an obstacle before the boss, it only means you've chosen one thing... and that's death."
Tom's eyes widened further as the seemingly ordinary man in front of him started exuding a sharp and deadly aura he had never encountered before. The intensity was slowly rising.
"But before we continue, let me ask you something." Hyun-Woo said, his gaze fixed on Tom, who looked startled. "Do you know about Blackfield?"
Hyun-Woo glanced up briefly, his eyes tracing the dark expanse of the night sky. "The night sky… it always brings back memories." He said quietly, almost to himself. "Everywhere I go, every shadowed corner, every battlefield, it all becomes Blackfield."
The Blackfield. A war-torn region infamous for its brutality. It was a place where only the ruthless survived, a battleground feared even by elite forces. Soldiers spoke of it in hushed tones. A wasteland where mercy didn't exist and survival was a fleeting hope. Across the globe, Blackfield was synonymous with fear. And in that desolate land, one name stood out, whispered by allies and enemies alike. A man who moved like a shadow, struck with precision, and left only silence and corpses in his wake.
That man's presence alone was a nightmare for global forces. His very name stopped hearts. A legend forged in blood and battle. And in that dark land, he earned a title that sent chills through even the toughest of men.
Hyun-Woo shifted into position, gripping the dagger in an inverted hold with his right hand, left hand forward, his left leg poised ahead, and his right leg set behind, ready to spring. He looked directly at Tom, his voice low, each word cold and final.
"In a place like Blackfield, there's only one end. And now... you're standing in it."
Hyun-Woo, the God of Blackfield.
Somewhere in Japan
Inside a traditional household.
"Bring him here."
A feminine voice sounded from a woman dressed in a black kimono, her long black hair tied into a bun. She was carefully preparing incense on a table, though her left pinky finger was missing. This was Somi Park.
"Yes." Replied a man in black business attire standing before the sliding door. He bowed his head and quickly left to fetch the person Miss Somi had requested.
A few minutes later.
The door slid open, and a figure walked in. It was a 17-year-old young man, tall at about 192 cm, with shoulder-length dark red hair. His eyes, with black sclera and dark red irises and pupils, matched his hair. He wore a black kimono that revealed his extremely well-developed muscles. This was Suoh Akaya.
"What is it, mother?" Akaya asked expressionlessly, looking at his mother's back.
"Do you remember when I told you that you have a father, but you would need to work hard to learn about him?" Somi asked, still stirring the incense as smoke rose.
"Yes." Akaya replied, nodding.
"It seems it's time for you to know him." Somi said, picking up three photos from the desk. She turned around to face her son, who wore a curious expression. "This is a photo of your father." she said, extending her arm for Akaya to take it.
'So this is my father.' Akaya thought, examining the photo. The man had vibrant red hair, different from his own dark shade, with two strands falling over his face. His amber eyes were similar, and his face bore a strong resemblance to Akaya's.
"Your father's name is Suoh Mikoto." Somi said, watching Akaya as he studied the photo. "And now this." She continued, handing him another photo. "This is your half-brother, Yamazaki Gun, who is one year younger than you."
'Half-brother, huh?' Akaya thought, looking at the young man with slicked-back black hair. His sclera were also black, but his irises and pupils were white instead of dark red.
"And now this." Somi said, handing over the third photo. "This is the person your half-brother is currently working with, Charles Choi."
"Mm." Akaya nodded, looking at the middle-aged man in the photo.
"As you know, all three are currently in Korea. It's better for you to go and work under Charles Choi first and meet your half-brother before meeting your father." Somi advised. Knowing Mikoto, she believed it was best for Akaya to avoid him for now. "In a week, I'll prepare a flight for you to go to Korea. Don't worry, everything you need will be provided." She continued.
"Understood." Akaya nodded, keeping all three photos.
"I'm really happy." Somi said, stepping closer to Akaya and looking up at him with a smile. "You've grown so much. Even though I couldn't always be there for you, you've become the perfect son any mother could want." She said, caressing his cheek with genuine maternal affection. Although she had never experienced this kind of love herself, for Akaya, she felt it deeply, a love she couldn't give Gun. Perhaps it was because of Mikoto, the man she truly loved, but she was happy nonetheless.
"So, be ready to leave for Korea, okay?" Somi said, stepping back and giving Akaya a warm smile.
"Understood, mother." Akaya nodded. He felt a quiet anticipation about meeting his father in the future. Beyond that, there was nothing else he needed to concern himself with.