The Lee mansion loomed ahead as Jinwoo approached, the ornate gates creaking open to let him in. The house was grand, a testament to the wealth and power his adoptive parents wielded, but it had never felt like home. Jinwoo barely interacted with Mr. and Mrs. Lee, and they seemed content to leave him to his own devices.
As he entered the house, the silence was deafening. The staff moved quietly, their presence almost ghost-like. Jinwoo headed straight for his room, his sanctuary in the otherwise lifeless mansion.
But today, something felt off.
The door to Mr. Lee's study—always locked and forbidden—was slightly ajar. Jinwoo paused, his curiosity piqued. He glanced around to make sure no one was watching before stepping closer.
Inside, the study was immaculate, filled with bookshelves lined with leather-bound volumes and antique decorations. But what caught Jinwoo's attention was a single book lying on the desk, its black cover embossed with golden letters:
5 Steps to Be a Hitman
Jinwoo frowned. The title was strange, almost absurd. Who would write something like this? He hesitated for a moment before reaching out and picking up the book. The leather cover was cool to the touch, and as he opened it, the faint scent of old paper filled the air.
The first page was blank, except for a single line written in elegant handwriting:
"To kill is an art. To perfect it, one must follow the steps."
Jinwoo's brow furrowed as he turned the page. The next section was titled Step 1: Understand the Enemy. It went on to detail psychological tactics, methods for gathering information, and how to exploit weaknesses.
As he read further, Jinwoo's heart began to race. The content was disturbingly detailed, almost as if written by someone with firsthand experience. Who in their right mind would keep something like this in their home?
"Curiosity killed the cat, you know."
Jinwoo spun around, nearly dropping the book. Standing in the doorway was Mr. Lee, his usual calm demeanor tinged with something sharper.
"I-I didn't mean to—" Jinwoo stammered, holding the book out like it was something toxic.
Mr. Lee stepped into the room, taking the book from Jinwoo's hands. He didn't seem angry, but there was an intensity in his eyes that Jinwoo had never seen before.
"You weren't supposed to see this," Mr. Lee said, his voice low.
"What is this? Why do you have a book like that?" Jinwoo asked, his voice trembling.
Mr. Lee sighed, setting the book back on the desk. "Jinwoo, there's a lot you don't know about this family. Things we've kept from you because we thought it was best. But now…" He trailed off, studying Jinwoo's face.
"Now what?" Jinwoo pressed, his fear slowly giving way to frustration. "You've been keeping secrets from me since I got here. What is going on?"
After a long pause, Mr. Lee finally spoke. "Jinwoo, our family... we're not ordinary people. The wealth, the power—it didn't come from running businesses or making investments. It came from something else. Something darker."
Jinwoo felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean?"
Mr. Lee's gaze didn't waver. "We're hitmen, Jinwoo. Assassins. Every member of this family has been trained to kill. And that book? It's a guide, passed down through generations. It's how we operate."
Jinwoo's mind reeled. "You're joking, right? This is some kind of twisted prank?"
"I wish it were," Mr. Lee said, his tone somber. "But it's the truth. And now that you've seen the book, you have a choice to make."
"A choice?"
"You can leave," Mr. Lee said, his expression unreadable. "We'll send you away, far from all of this. Or you can stay and learn the ways of this family. But know this: once you choose to stay, there's no turning back."
Jinwoo stared at his adoptive father, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief. A part of him wanted to run, to leave this bizarre nightmare behind. But another part—a darker, quieter part—was intrigued.
For years, Jinwoo had felt powerless, a victim of his circumstances. But now, the idea of learning how to protect himself, how to take control of his life, was tempting.
"What happens if I leave?" Jinwoo asked cautiously.
"We'll ensure your safety," Mr. Lee said. "You'll have enough money to live comfortably, but you'll never hear from us again. And you'll never speak of this to anyone."
"And if I stay?"
"You'll become one of us," Mr. Lee said simply. "You'll learn how to survive in a world that's more dangerous than you can imagine."
Jinwoo's heart pounded as he considered his options. This was insane—completely and utterly insane. But at the same time, it felt like a turning point, a chance to take control of his destiny.
Finally, he looked up at Mr. Lee. "I'll stay."
Mr. Lee nodded, his expression unreadable. "Then your training begins tomorrow."