Still… let's go back for a moment to the history of this place, and let me tell you something else: it is rumored that even Boyar Cristea passed through these lands… What do you think our man was up to?– I don't know!– He wanted to hide his fortune among those rocks, but he also lost part of his precious gold there because one of the chests rolled off the tree trunks it was being transported on. Thus, a portion of the boyar's wealth ended up in the depths of the lake.
The girl turned toward me, laughing…
Why is it that every time I come to the Buzău region, I always remember everything Lylly told me about these places? Tears began to stream from my eyes. I had to stay strong.
Somewhere near the lake, a woman stood with her back to us. No one dared to approach her.
– I can take you only this far. There's your car! I'm not going any further.
The gypsy turned back. I didn't even get the chance to thank him.
– Are you really planning to go up to her? The Countess grabbed my sleeve and whispered to me.
– Yes!
– FĂ, but… aren't you afraid?
– Why should I be?
– Well… she's a witch… She even lit a bonfire around herself… I don't think this is a good idea. Let's go back!
Anna had even lost her usual "FĂ" from her speech.
– Countess, I came here to find someone, not to fear a woman! Stay here if you want. So please, let me go!
Without saying anything more, the Romanian woman let go of my sleeve and took a few steps back.
– If until now, I've loved everything esoteric… now… I don't know if it's the scenery of this night or the fact that I haven't taken my pills, but FĂ… be careful! When I get home, I'm throwing away everything related to this…
The woman had begun to tremble.
– You better not! If you're so scared, why don't you go wait by the car with the other girls?
– You need me!
The ambassador's wife shouted at me out of nowhere. I hadn't even turned my back on the Countess yet.
– FĂ, FĂ, don't be reckless! That one's a real witch… What shaman, what mage… those ones are dangerous, FĂ!
Anna was trying to keep Eun-hee close to her.
Without saying a word or even looking at her, the South Korean woman made a swift move, freeing herself from the blonde's grip.
Hye-jin followed her.
– Fine, FĂ, but don't say I didn't warn you!
The Romanian woman's voice started to shake.
– I'll wait here, she continued, her words choked.
The fire lit by the gypsy woman illuminated the place intensely, filling the air with a strange aura. Although she had heard us, the woman of Roma ethnicity didn't seem interested in us; on the contrary, she seemed to be performing some kind of ritual.
I, who don't believe in spells, magic, or other nonsense, felt no fear. I watched her as if she were an actress in a TV show.
I carefully stepped toward the place where the gypsy woman stood. The damp ground forced us to take slow, deliberate steps—nobody wanted to tumble down the slope.
Should I ask them if they came wearing heels?! Nah! What am I, a butler?
Without caring anymore, I kept climbing the steep slope. I nearly fell a few times. I didn't even turn to see what the women behind me were doing. From time to time, I could hear them asking if I was okay.
Clearly, I was turning into the old Green!
– Finally, you've come!
As soon as she uttered that sentence, she stopped dancing, allowing me to see her better.
The gypsy woman was astonishingly beautiful. If you didn't know what she did, your heart would have already been hers. She was dressed entirely in purple. Even the headscarf she wore was the same color. Her nails were long, but her hands were covered in wounds. Around her neck, she wore a cross as big as a lifetime, made of gold.
– Madam, I hope I haven't…
– I know who you are. Stay calm. Everything here is "protected." The spirits have not allowed anyone else to enter.
She picked up a burning piece of wood and started dancing around me with it.
– What kind of ritual is this supposed to be? You know I don't believe in such things.
For me, tales like "at dusk, a girl will cross your path" or any other similar phrasing are nonsense. Of course, if you step outside, you're bound to meet someone!
Stop with the lies! I came here for the car and…
– Yes, yes, you have work to do! Look around you!
Everything was shrouded in fog.
How strange. By now, I should be choking, struggling to breathe.
Where did the stick in her hand disappear to?
– Are you surprised?
– Do you want me to lie or…
– That's what I thought. Give me your hand!
I did as she said.
What was the point in asking her why? It all seemed like a trick anyway.
With a black raven's feather dipped in the still-hot ashes of the fire, she drew a triangle on my left hand, placing an eye inside it.
I had seen this symbol before… on the tympanum of the church in my neighborhood… but it was long ago… I had just arrived in Buzău… and met Lylly…
I felt like crying.
– You will need protection.
– Who would bother protecting a nobody like me?
Do you really think I'm that foolish?
I was there for everyone, but for me… almost no one was there.
Everyone had an excuse.
– And if I told you this is your last mission…
– I don't care!
– Or perhaps you'd like to know…
She leaned close to my ear, cupped her hands, and whispered:
– Give up the case, and you will live.
I started laughing.
– Do you accept the risk?
– I've always taken responsibility for my actions.
– Then…
The woman snapped her fingers.
The fog lifted.
The night was over.
The sun awaited its moment to rise from behind the mountain crest.
I cast a quick glance around—but there was no trace of the Countess or the two South Korean women.
I was kneeling, facing the sunrise.
I was handcuffed.
I was covered in wounds.
I could feel my end approaching.
Beside me, someone had unsheathed a katana…
That sword… it's mine!
I recognized my weapon instantly.
Yet the one wielding it… was not me.
I could hear cars screeching to a halt, people running and shouting, or at least that's what it seemed like—because I couldn't understand a word of what they were saying. They were still far from where I was being held.
Coincidence or not, it was the exact same place where I stood now.
I recognized the entire landscape.
– FĂ, hold on a little longer—don't die! I'm here!
The Countess?
What is she doing here?
– Madam, hurry and finish—then we run…
A thunderous wolf's howl echoed from the forest, followed by thousands of packs approaching menacingly.
For a few seconds, the sheer terror of it all made everyone freeze.
From the east side of the mountain, the Dacians seemed to be descending.
From the west, the Romans' battle cries rang: "Roma, Divide!"
The Egyptians had brought their war chariots.
And the Greeks had arrived with the Spartans…
Why were so many tribes here?
The Pakistani intelligence forces had arrived.
The police from Buzău.
And…
Hye-jin, whose voice I heard shouting.
– Did they all come to watch you die? Get up!
– Madam, there's no time…
I laughed in the face of imminent death.
I wanted to lift my hands in prayer, as priests do at the Holy Altar—but I couldn't…
One strike was enough. My head was severed. And then I saw that, despite all the noise, there was no one to save me.The Countess was crying and would have hit someone, but she didn't know whom to strike first. Everyone who had come to my aid remained frozen. Now, nothing could be done anymore. Who was my executioner? I don't know. I couldn't see their face, only their hands—and yes, indeed, it was a woman... a young one.A snap of fingers was heard once again.
- So, is it worth it? Isn't this the very reason you left Japan?The witch had brought me back—to the present.
- That is the future you wanted to show me. But how do you know it cannot be changed?
- Give up the case, and what you saw… will not come to pass.
I turned my gaze back, though I could see nothing through the thick fog. I could hear Eun-hee trying to stifle her sobs. After a deep sigh, my answer came: NO! I am the Green Tiger, the head of Tora, and my word remains the foundation of my actions. I will never take it back.
- For your recklessness, you will pay with your head!
- The car, please! I have a case to solve! Leave these phantoms be!
- Fool!
With a mere breath, the gypsy blew away the mist around us.
- I'm not a fool; it's just that time holds no power over me. What can I do? This is who I am. I love, yet I never feel that love returned, not even halfway. I don't have time for confused emotions or clouded eyes right now...
- You will regret choosing to continue the case.
- If I could not find happiness… I will find joy in the happiness of others, even if I am but an empty shell inside.
I flashed a fake smile. I excel at that.
- I see I cannot change your mind… Still, if you ever need help… call the wolves with dragon tails.
The gypsy walked past me. You'd think we had never met, had never spoken.
Wolves with dragon tails… another piece of witchcraft. Nonsense!
I glanced back. I wanted to see her one last time—the one who had foretold my future—but she had vanished. Had I truly spoken to such a person, or was I now seeing things?
Come on, Green, you don't have all night. You still need to play ambassador.
After taking a few deep breaths to clear my mind of everything I had just witnessed, I was determined to get to the car. I barely took a step when I felt something under my foot. I bent down to look.
A skull… and a raven perched upon it.
What was this supposed to mean? A clue? Did the gypsy forget her "crystal ball"?
Before I could fully regain my senses, I shouted to the Korean women standing close to the car:
- Eun-hee, Hye-jin, don't touch the car! Whatever you do, don't touch it!
- Why?
The ambassador's wife looked at me in astonishment.
- Hye-jin, don't just stand there! Get her away from it. We need to secure the area.
- Are you out of your mind?!
Anna had reached me.
- We traveled all this way, wasted so much time, and now… you're telling us we can't touch the damn car? Don't you realize that could be the key to solving the case?
- Let's take some safety measures first. We can't take any risks.
I barely finished speaking when I heard a lighter being flicked.
They were here! But… how? When? Where?
I looked in every direction, but I saw nothing.
I could only feel my heart pounding violently.
Damn it! I can't think straight under this kind of stress!
I ran toward the two women, grabbed them by their hands, and pulled them with me.
- COUNTESS, RUN, FOR GOD'S SAKE, RUN!
I shouted desperately at the blonde.
- Green, you're insane!
Not a moment later, I heard the lighter hit the hood.
- It's going to explode!
I barely had time to warn them before—BOOM!
I threw the women to the ground, shielding them with my body. Shards of glass and tiny metal fragments struck my back. My palms suffered, too.
Hye-jin tried to get up to see who could have done this. With a simple motion, I stopped her.
How was I supposed to tell them we had to stay like this until morning?
What about the Countess…?
- Who the hell just ruined my makeup and clothes?!
She was fine! That made me sigh in relief.
I quickly stood up and grabbed the strange skull lying nearby. It wasn't the best weapon, but better than nothing…
Footsteps approached us.
From another direction, another pair of steps was heard.
After a few hushed whispers I couldn't understand, the footsteps started moving away.
I tried to figure out where they came from.
I wanted to go after them, but what if someone else came and kidnapped Eun-hee?
Still, I couldn't understand their behavior.
Why did they choose to leave? We were vulnerable. They could have disposed of us in an instant.
Something wasn't right!
Was it another trap? Or just a show of strength?
The car kept burning like a torch.
- Are you all okay? I asked my companions while watching the vehicle.
- Yes!
- And now? Hye-jin awaited my answer.
- Whatever was in that car… we were never meant to find out.
- I'm putting those weirdos you talked to on the list.
The secretary was fuming.
- They're not involved! On the contrary, they know nothing. They just did what I asked them to…
- Then it's your fault!
The Korean woman lunged at me.
I let her hit me. I don't strike women.
- Hye-jin! Enough! It's time to go.
Eun-hee helped me up.
As we descended the mountain, hands suddenly grabbed my throat.
- You're ours! It doesn't matter if you're the real one or a fake, but we will make sure this embassy never has a replacement ambassador.
A man spoke in a slightly irritated tone.
They struggled to speak clear and proper Romanian, but something was off—something gave them away.
I struggled slightly.
I must admit, I wasn't expecting this, but…
- Don't struggle. It will all be over in a moment.
This time, it was a woman's voice.
Yes, for you! Because I intend to return to the case.
What do you know—I can't stall for too long.
I made them believe I had fainted.
As soon as I no longer felt hands clutched around my throat and they were convinced I had passed out, they dragged me another hundred meters until we reached a clearing.
- Tie his hands. We'll throw him in the trunk and put the two of them face to face. Then we'll see who's the real one, and we'll get rid of the liar.
- Fine…
But the moment they started executing their plan, I headbutted the man right in the face and yanked the woman's hair until I was left holding a few strands.
- Let me go!!!
Her scream only helped my companions find me faster.
The man regained his senses and rushed to help his partner, but he was met with that same strange skull I still carried—right to the head.
I can't say it was a fight to the death because, shortly after, Hye-jin arrived, pulled out her gun, and started shooting:
– Madam, stay behind me and don't move under any circumstances!
As soon as I heard gunfire, I threw myself to the ground and pushed down the woman I was holding hostage.
Terente slid down near me, pulled out his knife, and began slashing at whatever he deemed necessary, while the Countess most likely tossed her shoes:
– Take this, you crazy kidnappers!
– Stop! I'm fine! Enough, let's get out of here!
I tried to stop the pointless battle. We couldn't see anything anyway. The moonlight no longer reached this place. It was a useless fight.
– Your Excellency, are you alright?
Hye-jin moved closer to me. My earlier advice helped the secretary find me, yet I didn't understand why she was asking about my condition again.
– Yes! Let's go. Damn it! She left the ambassador's wife alone!
I got up immediately.
– Tere, cover me!
The gypsy didn't say a word, but he quickly jumped in front of the Korean woman, who was ready to shoot at any moment. I hurried up the slope from where the secretary seemed to have come down.
I just hope these guys aren't working with others, or else… we're screwed!
My heart started pounding, my pulse quickened, and my body had already released a heavy dose of adrenaline. I could feel my hands trembling. This wasn't the smartest decision I had made. I should've at least called Baba, but… no matter what, I couldn't satisfy myself.
– Are you a friend or an enemy?
Eun-hee whispered to me.
– Who do you think I am?
I replied in the same hushed tone. The woman fell silent, but behind us, the invisible fight continued.
I had to get everyone out of there safe and sound, and the first one to leave had to be the ambassador's wife.
I called out sharply:
– Tere!
Within seconds, the Roma was by my side.
– Yeah?!
– Anna?
– I'm right behind you!
Hearing her voice eased my nerves a little.
– Tere, take the girls and meet me at the car. Keep them safe, got it?
– Don't worry, boss!
The group left immediately.
I went down after Hye-jin. Just as I was a step away from her, I heard her scream.
– Hye-jin, are you okay? Hey!
– That's what you get for shooting.
The man had apparently recovered, but I couldn't tell what he had done to the secretary or how serious the situation was.
– You'll pay for that!
I was beyond furious. My old instincts surged back to the surface, and I found the bastard instantly.
I broke his arm, slammed him to the ground, and gave him a beating he'd never forget. I had become a beast.
I could have pummeled him until morning if I hadn't caught a glimpse of the cross around my neck. Suddenly, I pulled back and frantically searched for Hye-jin.
The girl had fainted.
I lifted her into my arms and rushed toward a lit area.
Terente was waiting for us in front of the Countess's car. He had turned on the headlights and the engine.
– Bring me the medical kit!
I shouted as soon as I got there.
– What happened?
– I don't know!
– FĂ, tell me she's okay!
– I said, I don't know!
The man brought me the first aid kit and a blanket.
I laid the patient down and began to examine her.
– She has a contusion. She was hit on the head. Her vital signs are normal, but we need to check how severe the head injury is.
I took a sterile pad and some hydrogen peroxide and carefully cleaned her wounds, making sure her brow wasn't split open.
The Countess FĂ pulled a bottle of vinegar from her car, opened it, and waved it under the victim's nose.
Hye-jin woke up—and I saw stars.
The Korean didn't ask what I was doing; instead, seeing me bent over her, she assumed I was trying to kiss her and slapped me hard.
– Madam, you're a bit too violent for someone who was unconscious and in need of medical care two seconds ago.
Terente tried to scold her.
– You're next, buddy.
– I didn't do anything, ma'am!
– Hye-jin, you need to see a doctor.
Eun-hee hugged her tightly.
– Are we leaving before they call for reinforcements?
I stood up, still slightly dizzy.
– By any chance… was the car we came for the one that burned up there?
– Yes!
I answered the gypsy.
– Damn it!
The echo of his frustrated outburst rang through the forest.
– Terente, Kaluci told me you first found the car a few meters from the entrance. How did it end up there? Is there another access point?
– I wasn't there when they found it, but some of our contacts told us it was near the entrance. Later, others said it had been moved, and we eventually found it by the lake.
– Can you—
I was about to ask him something when…
– They sent me a few pictures. Here.
The boy handed me his phone.
Hye-jin snatched it out of his hand.
– This isn't our car!
The bodyguard snapped.
– FĂ, so we nearly died for nothing?!
The Countess was on the verge of a breakdown.
– The make and paint match, but our car has tinted windows, the original hubcaps, and a small scratch on the right rear door—which this car doesn't have.
– Back to Bucharest—NOW! Something's not right!
They stalled us—but for what? And why?
I was thinking aloud as we sped off, without even thanking the gypsy.
– Green, please be gentler when you drive. You're going to make me visit the repair shop tomorrow.
Anna grumbled from the back seat.
– Call the guard at the gate, Countess!
I turned to Hye-jin.
– You, call your most trusted person at the house—right now!
– And what should we ask?
Both women asked in unison.
– If they saw anything suspicious. If all the cameras are working properly, if there were any periods of inactivity, or if they suddenly malfunctioned. Tell them to report anything strange. Come on, move, move, move!!!
I pressed the accelerator to the floor.
– FĂ, you're already at 300 km/h, and he's not answering!
– He's not picking up for me either!
– Shibal Saekkiya! [Damn it!]
– FĂ, since when do you speak Korean? And could you maybe respect the traffic laws? You're putting us in danger—I'm going to lose my license again…
– Anna, we have an extremely serious diplomatic problem! And since no one is answering your calls… who knows what's happened?
Call someone else, Hye-jin—or check the cameras yourself on your phone. We can't afford another news story…
– "The residence of the South Korean Ambassador was broken into tonight. The entire staff is hospitalized."
The blonde was already reading the very headline I feared.
I slammed the brakes.
– And now you want to send us to the hospital too, or what, FA?!
– Give me two minutes!
I got out of the car.
If there was any clue in the house, it's gone now.
I fell into a trap.
Why was I so gullible?
What can I do now?
I need to calm down and think clearly.
– FĂ, how much longer are you staying out there?
– Hye-jin wants to drive, and she said if you don't get in now, she'll leave without you.