LOGINHyeon-sin did not have much time allowed to her. By the time she gathered her wits, the world had already settled into the deep darkness of evening.
Sunday evening in Gangnam was packed with cars on the road, much like any weekday. Leaning her head against the bus window, Hyeon-sin took in the familiar, passing scenery of Seoul.
Perhaps because the grim realization that this might be the last time dominated her mind, the streetlights she usually passed without a thought and the
Ga Gye-yeong did not shout out loud, nor did he point his finger or wave his hand aggressively.Yet Hyeon-sin knew instinctively at this very moment: she had been thoroughly denied and excised from the world that was Ga Gye-yeong.“Can’t you hear me? Go back. Hurry, vanish from my sight this instant.”Uttered in a low, suppressed tone that held back his rage, Gye-yeong's voice became a chilling arrow, piercing ruthlessly into Hyeon-sin's heart.Hyeon-sin trembled so violently all over that she could barely stand. Her lips twitched as if in a spasm, and her mind was already bleached completely white, leaving her unable to form a single thought.Though she had expected to some degree that he wouldn't welcome her, the hatred she faced in person was far sharper than she had imagined. All the words she had painstakingly prepared through the night for a final goodbye scattered pointlessly like bubbles. Her mouth felt parched and hollow, as
Hyeon-sin did not have much time allowed to her. By the time she gathered her wits, the world had already settled into the deep darkness of evening.Sunday evening in Gangnam was packed with cars on the road, much like any weekday. Leaning her head against the bus window, Hyeon-sin took in the familiar, passing scenery of Seoul.Perhaps because the grim realization that this might be the last time dominated her mind, the streetlights she usually passed without a thought and the busy movements of the people felt exceptionally beautiful and special today. Once she left this road, when would she ever return? With luck, a year... or perhaps there would be no promise of return at all.On her way from Gaepo-dong to Apgujeong-dong, she fortunately spotted a wine shop that was still open near Gang-mu's hospital. Hyeon-sin quickly pressed the stop button and got off. After much deliberation, she selected three fairly expensive bottles of wine and asked for them to be met
“Now, S. Let’s return to reality and get something to eat.”LF led Hyeon-sin away, his voice light and refreshed as if still riding the lingering high of the bungee jump. He brought her to a splendid restaurant overlooking the lake.“Yes, Senior.”Hyeon-sin replied mechanically and took a seat by the window. LF ordered the food with practiced, elegant gestures, and Hyeon-sin followed his lead in silence.Superficial chatter drifted across the table—the exceptionally brutal Korean summer heat, the park scenery, and meaningless daily routines. When the lavish course meals were served one after another, LF finally focused on the food and offered some to her.However, Hyeon-sin could barely swallow. Her fork moved cautiously as she worried about what difficult choice he would present today to push her to the edge of a cliff. How long could this perilous relationship last? She studied his unreadable expression across the table, trying to gauge the end o
Hyeon-sin bit her lip, swallowing the resentment in her chest. Reminding herself bitterly that her every choice decided the fate of those she cherished, she steeled her trembling heart.“Senior, let's continue our date.”The words from her mouth were unexpectedly calm. If she couldn't escape, she was determined to willingly drink this poisoned chalice.“As expected. You haven't forgotten our purpose today.”LF curled the corner of his lip, immediately catching the hidden meaning. Seeming genuinely pleased, he wiped the smile from his face, gazed casually at the surrounding scenery, and set off again.Every step he took was as light as a child enjoying a rare moment of freedom. Holding her hand tightly, LF admired the sunlight reflecting over the brilliant waves and even glanced at the ducks swimming leisurely on the water. Throughout the stroll, he asked what missions she had done in the meantime, and Hyeon-sin explained her past tasks in as much d
LF’s gaze settled on the round, white bag of puffed rice that Hyeon-sin held dearly. On a bright Sunday afternoon, it was a pedestrian snack that clashed terribly with the peaceful park scenery.“What is that?”“It's called puffed rice. It’s a snack I like...”“Throw it away.”Before she could even finish her sentence, LF delivered a cold command. The tip of his smooth chin already pointed toward a roadside trash can. To this arrogant man, whose violet eyes looked cruel precisely because they were spotlessly clear, the snack in her hand seemed like nothing more than unpleasant garbage cluttering his vision.Hyeon-sin’s hand trembled minutely. She forced a smile while reading his expression, but the smile hanging on his lips only turned into a sharper blade, cutting into her.“I just bought it, so it's a waste. It’s sweet and delicious.”“S, do not test my patience with such trivial things.”LF shook his head. If it was somethin
Hyeon-sin tried to calm her racing heart while looking past the chilling shadow behind Hermann.His appearance on the surface was a blatant signal that the claws of LF, the massive predator, had already reached her neck.“LF isn’t here. Our date is on Sunday. Are you looking for him already?”Hermann’s voice was too calm, sounding unrealistically low.“...How did you get in here? The hospital's security shouldn't be this lax.”“The CCTVs in this sector are currently dead.”The fact that Hermann, LF’s right hand and cold-blooded strategist, was moving personally made Hyeon-sin’s blood run cold. A single flick of his finger meant he was ready to destroy someone's life entirely or erase them from the world without a trace. The precious faces flashing through her mind squeezed her throat tightly.“What is your purpose here?”When Hyeon-sin asked sharply, Hermann gave a grim reaper-like smile and stepped closer. As the distance clos







