Nameless St☆r: Codename Anastasia

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/59089204.

Rating: Explicit
Archive Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Graphic Depictions Of
Violence
Category: M/M
Fandoms: 코드네임 아나스타샤 - 보이시즌 | Codename Anastasia - Boyseason
(Webnovel), 코드네임 아나스타샤 | Codename: Anastasia (Webcomic)
Relationship: Kwon Taekjoo/Zhenya
Characters: Kwon Taekjoo, Zhenya (Codename Anastasia)
Additional Tags: Translation
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2024-09-20 Updated: 2024-10-12 Words: 64,872 Chapters:
12/?
 Nameless St☆r: Codename Anastasia
by foolish_zainka

Summary

Non-profit fan translation of 'Nameless Star' from Codename Anastasia. By fans, for fans.

Notes

Since the official English translation of the first volume of CA is coming out this winter
(yay!), I've decided to translate the second volume for those who can't read Korean. Please be
patient with me, as translating and formatting takes a bit of time.

The characters will communicate in different languages.

•RUSSIAN DIALOGUES ARE IN ITALICS

•ENGLISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD
•KOREAN DIALOGUES ARE NOT FORMATTED
•SPANISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD ITALICS
 Restart
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

VOLUME 6

Outskirts of Havana, Cuba.

In this small town far from the city center, everything was quiet, even in broad daylight. Dust
swirled over the road, baked by the sun, disturbed only by the occasional passing of a worn-
out truck or bicycle, both weathered by time.

None of the tightly packed buildings lining the narrow road were in good condition. All of
them had a terrible appearance, with peeling paint and deep cracks. Tangled electric cables
clung to the walls like twisted vines, snaking past each window. Only the faint echoes of TV
or radio sounds filtering through the permanently open windows served as a reminder that the
buildings weren’t abandoned.

Even the only apartment complex in the city wasn’t spared. The walls and doors had
weakened under the relentless heat, making it difficult to expect any soundproofing. You
could feel the vibrations every time a neighbor opened or closed their door. The wooden
blinds had long lost their ability to shield the inside and now merely blocked out the
scorching sun. During the occasional rainstorms, even the blinds had rotted. There was no
internet service, let alone network coverage. It felt as though time had slowed to a crawl in
this place.

The stifling nighttime humidity became unbearable as the sun rose, to the point where rubber
sandals stuck to the pavement under the blazing heat. No one dared to go outside until the
afternoon when the heat had subsided a bit. Around that time, on the third floor of the last
house in the block, the normally silent front door opened with a creak.

An Asian man stepped out, moving his hand. A man cooling himself in the hallway, a woman
hanging laundry, and an elderly man staring out of the window all paused, curiously
observing the peculiar foreigner.

“Alright, I’ve finished showing you around the place where I’ll be staying for a week, so how
about we head out and explore the area for a bit? You see, the cool thing about this place is
that the hallways are arranged in a pattern similar to the letter 'ㅁ' in Korean, with a courtyard
in the center. There were already many apartments of this style in Korea before, weren’t
there? If you look over here, you’ll find the central staircase leading to the courtyard, and
there’s another set of stairs leading outside at both ends of the hallway. Though I don’t think
there’s an elevator here. I mean, this apartment only has three floors anyway. From here, you
should be able to see the panoramic view of the city I showed you earlier through the
window. It seems small, but there are a couple of stores and plenty of residential areas,
though I must admit it’s hard to navigate because there are no traffic signs or directions. It’s
still daylight, but there’s hardly anyone walking around outside. It’s incredibly hot in Cuba,
so I guess everyone’s just staying indoors to rest. I mean, to be totally honest, I just stepped
out, and I already want to go back inside. The air is so stifling it feels like I’m in a sauna. I
heard this place gets a lot of showers.”

The Asian man chattered nonstop toward his camera. Judging by his attire and behavior, he
seemed like a typical tourist. To be more precise, he was a vlogger sharing his life
experiences through his recordings.

“Honestly, there’s not much to show you guys around here. There’s no special area or
historical monument nearby, and most of the city is residential. It would’ve been great if there
were at least more businesses, but I found a grand total of three restaurants. I couldn’t find a
decent café or convenience store either. Though there is a supermarket over there. Should we
check it out?”

After thoroughly scanning his surroundings with the camera, the man headed toward a nearby
small store. Inside, cracked glass displays and a few counters contained a sparse selection of
groceries and miscellaneous items... barely twenty products in total.

The store owner tensed up, suspicious of the strange foreigner. Her daughter, who had been
playing nearby, quickly hid behind her back. The Asian tourist continued nonchalantly,
pointing his camera at them.

“This supermarket is probably the only one in the city. It’s more like a neighborhood store, so
there’s not much to choose from. They’ve got a few soft drinks, snacks, maybe some packs of
tissues. Why don’t we buy something since we’re here?”

The foreigner suddenly paused to wave belatedly at the shop owner’s daughter.

“¡Hola!”

The little girl, hiding behind her mother, shyly smiled and responded with a soft “Hello” in
return. Even at first glance, her frail and fragile appearance was highlighted by the
transparent tubes running to her nose. Meanwhile, the store owner’s expression remained
clouded with caution.

“I’ll take that drink over there... No, not that one. The orange one next to it.”

The store owner kept grabbing the wrong drink despite his repeated attempts to correct her.
The Asian tourist captured every moment unfolding with his camera.
“To be honest, I’ve felt it since I arrived, but I find it really hard to communicate properly
with the locals here. Most people seemed to understand English at the airport or in the city,
but elsewhere, it’s difficult, even to buy a bottle of water. I wonder if it’s because Cuba is
mostly a communist country that English hasn’t spread much around here. According to a
friend of mine, if you use a U.S. mobile operator, you won’t have coverage for your entire
stay in the country. So, I got myself a Cuban SIM card, but I still have no coverage, haha. My
plan was to enjoy a quiet, peaceful week somewhere, but without internet access, there’s not
much you can do. Anyway, if you ever plan to visit Cuba, I definitely advise learning some
Spanish in advance and not relying on having internet access during your stay.”

The talkative tourist handed a dollar to the store owner. She accepted it with a conflicted
expression, although she seemed somewhat grateful. It appeared she didn’t have enough
money to give him change. With an indifferent gesture, the man let it slide and turned to
leave.

“Gracias. Alright, here’s the drink I just bought. The bottle’s pretty warm. I’m not sure if you
can tell by the light, but it’s about 4 PM. By now, it should be cooling off, but it’s still
scorching hot. There’s not much more to see around here, so I’m heading back home.”

The tourist captured the city’s panorama on his way back to the apartment, occasionally
greeting residents he met along the way. Most responded with a smile, but some shot him
dirty looks.

Unfazed, the man continued with a smile. As soon as he reached the front door, he locked it
and tossed the camera onto the floor. Then, he approached the window and tore off the
stifling mask from his face. Beneath it was revealed the face of Kwon Taekjoo. The
boundless smile from moments before was nowhere to be found, now replaced by an
expression of boredom and indifference. Kwon Taekjoo grabbed an apple rolling aimlessly
across the table and stared outside the window. He glanced down at the store he had just
visited. He hadn’t detected anything suspicious... yet. With a crunch, he bit into the apple and
carefully surveyed the surroundings of the store. Four days had already passed.

A week ago, Kwon Taekjoo had received a summons from the Chief Director. He had been
enjoying a few days of rest after successfully completing his previous mission—or at least
that was what he was supposed to be doing.

However, he had spent day and night at the mercy of Zhenya, which prevented him from
truly relaxing. After enduring Zhenya's demands one after the other, Kwon Taekjoo finally
thought he deserved a break, only to be called back to headquarters. Needless to say, he
wasn’t pleased.

“You called for me, sir?”

“Ah, you don’t look too good. And your voice doesn’t sound great either. What happened to
you?”

“With all due respect, sir, I believe the matter at hand is more important than what happened
to me.”
“Well, I’m sorry for calling you in during one of your rare days off,” said the Chief Director,
offering a barely convincing apology.

“It’s an emergency; how could I complain about losing a day off? Anyway, what’s going on?”
Kwon Taekjoo asked, a bitter expression on his face, trying to get straight to the point.
Fortunately, Director Kwak didn’t bother with more pleasantries.

“Alright, I’ll cut to the chase then. Last night, several national corporations and public
institutions were hit by a cyberattack. The malware they used was similar to a Trojan horse.”

“... A cyberattack? Didn’t we just implement a reinforced security program across all public
institutions? I thought all employees had received official instructions to use it as well. Was it
all compromised?”

“They were very clever about it... they used the very same security program we distributed to
break into the system. They embedded the malware directly into the automatic update file, so
even if the program's monitoring detected it, it couldn’t identify it as a threat. As a result, all
the affected companies and institutions had their servers taken down, with all their data fully
encrypted.”

Even after hearing Director Kwak's explanation, Kwon Taekjoo remained skeptical. The
country’s security was clearly in crisis due to the large-scale cyberattack, but fighting
cyberterrorism—especially in the realm of cyber threats—wasn’t part of his responsibilities.
Faced with this situation, only one conclusion crossed his mind as to why he had been
summoned.

“Did this attack come from North Korea?”

Alongside China and Russia, North Korea was a major player in the world of cyber hacking.
Despite its isolationist and secretive nature, North Korea had developed its national
operations to excel in strategic information warfare. The regime claimed it was a tactical
move to swiftly address evolving international issues, but it was merely a pretext. Their
highly skilled hackers targeted government agencies, military installations, critical
infrastructure, businesses, and media, with South Korea being their primary target. A few
years ago, one of South Korea’s largest telecommunications companies experienced a
massive service outage after its financial institution was infected with North Korean
malware.

But Director Kwak shook his head at Kwon Taekjoo’s guess.

“I don’t know if I should feel relieved to say this, but no, it’s not them. Our cyberterrorism
response team analyzed the malware and found multiple file extensions originating from
Cuba.”

“Cuba? But why would they...?”

“They’re demanding 5 million dollars to decrypt the data from each affected institution.”
Of course, they would ask for that. Recently, many hackers had been deploying ransomware
against major corporations and public institutions, demanding large sums in return. They
would even target financial institutions directly and extort cryptocurrency funds. Some of
them had organized into a group commonly referred to as the ‘cyber gang’ to increase their
share of the profits from attacks.

Interpol had been working tirelessly to stop the cyber gang, but their efforts had been futile.
Not only was it difficult to identify each member of the gang, but authorities in China,
Russia, and other implicated countries like North Korea weren’t cooperating in the
investigation. This was one of the reasons why it was suspected that they were protecting the
cyber gang.

Kwon Taekjoo shrugged, as if indifferent.

“Isn’t the standard procedure to refuse such demands?”

“Yes, but the situation has become more complicated.”

“Why?”

“Apparently, some of the encrypted data contains confidential national information.”

Kwon Taekjoo let out a long sigh. While it was clear that the criminals themselves were to
blame, he was damn tired of seeing his country targeted time and time again.

“If we don’t comply, they’ll seek other sources of income. They might sell our information to
North Korea, for example,” Director Kwak responded, presenting the worst-case scenario.

Externally, North Korea and South Korea were still hostile toward each other. Even with
occasional shifts in political power, any peace achieved was always short-lived and quickly
gave way to new conflicts. There was no way the Cuban hackers were unaware of this fact.

“Even if we give in to their demands, isn’t it essentially the same result? Nothing would stop
them from contacting North Korea once they’ve pocketed our money.”

“Considering they’ll do anything for money, that’s a likely scenario. Based on recent North
Korean activity, it seems they’ve already shared some information.”

Suddenly, a recent news headline flickered in Kwon Taekjoo’s mind. A report had indicated
that a large truck meant for fuel transportation had been seen at a North Korean nuclear
facility. In response, North Korea had claimed that the truck was inspecting parts of a facility
damaged by heavy rains. But the explanation was unconvincing, especially given the
upcoming meeting of the Republic of Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Council.

“Did the leaked confidential information include military data?”

“Correct. Much of the data involves military training programs, coordination plans between
South Korea, the U.S., and Japan to counter the North Korean nuclear threat, and direct
communication line codes for diplomatic security. The most concerning detail is the dual
contract related to the arms agreement between the U.S. and South Korea. International arms
trade usually operates through discreet networks. If those were exposed to the public, it
would create significant problems, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes. Very significant problems. Especially for those at the top,” Kwon Taekjoo remarked
with a sarcastic tone.

Director Kwak let out a small chuckle at Kwon Taekjoo’s comment. Even though these
interactions were carried out discreetly, there was likely a long list of individuals involved in
sharing the profits—government officials, intelligence agencies, weapons manufacturers, and
brokers. It was a common, or rather corrupt, practice that had been so deeply entrenched for
so long that it was difficult to point fingers at any one person. The issue was that, once that
hidden network was exposed, it would be hard to get out of it without severe repercussions. If
there were any disruption in the supply of arms, the country’s national defense would also
naturally be affected.

Kwon Taekjoo ran his hand through his hair, visibly irritated.

“So, we’re supposed to clean up their mess again?”

“What else can we do? Regardless of how we feel, our job is to protect national intelligence
above all else.”

“Well, the problem is that we don’t have a way to catch these Cuban hackers. How are we
supposed to do something even Interpol couldn’t?”

“It wouldn’t help to get tricked by the same method again, right? After the last major hacking
incident, it was required that all confidential information be embedded with a domestic spy
program.”

“A spy program?”

“That’s right. The moment the hackers open the data they stole; it’ll track their exact location.
If it had been designed as malware to penetrate their equipment, we would have been
discovered immediately. But since the spy program is disguised as ordinary data, it’ll be
difficult for them to realize something’s wrong.”

Director Kwak pushed a tablet toward Kwon Taekjoo as he explained. The screen displayed a
satellite map with a specific location marked on the outskirts of Havana, the capital of Cuba.

“They’re here?”

“Yes. According to our suspicions, we believe the attack was carried out by the ‘Electric
Hammer.’”

“Electric Hammer?”

“It’s one of the leading members of the most prominent cyber gangs in Cuba. Our analysis of
the infected malware revealed the source code signature associated with ‘Electric Hammer.’
Of course, we won’t be sure it’s them until you conduct a direct investigation.”
Director Kwak had said “investigation,” but Kwon Taekjoo knew he meant eliminating the
criminals and destroying all the data they had managed to obtain—especially before they
could hand it over to North Korea. Chasing a target hidden behind a computer screen, with no
physical limitations, was like being tasked with catching a ghost.

“And by the way,” Director Kwak added, “the United States probably has a general idea of
what’s happened. If they find out that the dual contract between us was leaked, they’re likely
to pin the blame on us. They might even already be aware of the situation and have taken
measures. If possible, you need to retrieve the data before they do. After all, long-lasting
allies don’t exist... there’s no need to go against them and end up in a disadvantaged
position.”

“Jeez, it feels like we’ve spent over half a century tiptoeing around the whole world.”

“Well, if we want to avoid ending up in an even worse position, it’s up to people like us to get
things done. Here, take this.”

Director Kwak handed Kwon Taekjoo a new passport. In it was the blurry photo of a man in
his thirties.

“You are to head to Havana immediately.”

And just like that, he had been sent to Cuba, disguised as a travel YouTuber. Supposedly, the
real YouTuber had gotten into a personal conflict and was arrested in another country, which
gave Kwon Taekjoo the green light to borrow his identity until his mission was complete.

At first, Kwon Taekjoo thought it would be better to disguise himself as a local, but he
realized that the town was so small that he would only raise more suspicion that way. Plus, it
seemed like the locals weren’t too distrustful of him, even though they were slightly
uncomfortable with foreigners. Apparently, other tourists and YouTubers had visited the area
from time to time.

Kwon Taekjoo sat in a battered chair and put on wireless earphones. After a few taps, a brief
chime rang from the earpiece, followed by Yoon Jongwoo’s voice.

[“Hello?”]

“How’s the situation over here? I still haven’t noticed anything strange. The store owner
doesn’t seem to know anything either.”

[“They seemed like an ordinary family to me too.”]

“Are you sure you traced the location correctly?”

[“Yes. Unless the detector malfunctioned, that store is the only suspicious place. The amount
of data transmitted to and from that location is abnormally high compared to the
surroundings.”]

Upon arriving in the city, Kwon Taekjoo had pretended to explore the area while activating a
fiber-optic cable detector. The result was a strong signal around the store he had just visited,
meaning fiber-optic cables were installed throughout the area. It would have made sense for
an internet café or a lodging establishment, but for such a small shop?

It was totally impossible that the shop owner had undertaken a large-scale construction
project to install fiber-optic cables for her own personal use. Even putting aside, the high
costs, she wouldn’t have received permission from the public authorities. On the other hand,
it also indicated that this small shop was receiving unusual national support.

But why?

There was only one conclusion to be drawn from all of this: this suspicious front shop housed
the so-called Electric Hammer, who was receiving protection from the Cuban government.

“Yes, it makes sense for someone like him to use such a low-profile cover. Who would
suspect that a shabby little store could be managing hundreds of dollars in transactions every
night? It’s unarmed and doesn’t look like anything more than a family-run shop,” Kwon
Taekjoo muttered.

[“Exactly.”]

“The only flaw is that, for such a small store, it has an impressive number of hidden security
cameras. So? Do you think you can replicate the layout inside?”

[“Yes. Something close, at least.”]

“‘Close’? Do it properly, kid. Do you think I’m suffering through this hell just to get a half-
finished map?”

[“Are you even suffering? You could’ve fooled me; it sure seems like you’re enjoying
yourself. You say you hate it, but your acting skills are improving every day.”]

“Oh? You must be pretty confident to be running your mouth like that. Two hours. Have it
ready by then.”

[“What? That’s impossible. It’ll take me at least half a day to finish the 3D simulation!”]

“Since when do we have the luxury of working at a relaxed pace? Stop whining, kid.”

[“But—”]

“Time is critical in this mission. I have to finish it tonight. So, stop complaining and get to
work.”

[“Uugh! Sunbae!”]

Kwon Taekjoo ignored Yoon Jongwoo’s groaning and turned off the transmitter. Then he
raised the volume on the listening device he had installed in the shop. Through his earpiece,
he could hear the shop owner and her daughter chatting, along with the voices of the nearby
residents. The conversations were being translated in real-time on his laptop, though they
often cut out. Most of what he could capture were purely mundane talks, like asking someone
how their day had been or deciding what to have for dinner.

It wasn’t long before the sun began its slow descent. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the
window shutters, its rays as bright as the sun’s low position in the sky. Soon, the entire town
was bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. In the distance, a dog barked, mixing with
the laughter of children, as neighboring houses that had been quiet started turning on their
lights one by one. Everything was peaceful.

For his part, Kwon Taekjoo’s eyes remained fixed on his laptop screen, where the footage
from the store’s eight security cameras was playing in real-time. His sharp gaze followed
every movement, analyzing the scene with silent intensity. The quiet in the room was
interrupted only by the hum of a fan in the background and the occasional crunch as he bit
into an apple.

As nightfall set in, the city became enveloped in deep silence. The lights in the houses began
to flicker off. Kwon Taekjoo silently slipped out of his apartment and quickly approached the
store. He had equipped himself with military-grade gear designed to block any thermal
signals, just in case. Wrapped in darkness, with no streetlights in sight, his two eyes glowed
beneath his night-vision goggles.

As he neared the store, a faint clinking sound echoed in the distance. Moments later, a
security laser passed right by his goggles—a barely visible infrared beam undetectable to the
naked eye.

Had Kwon Taekjoo advanced without noticing it, the alarm would have gone off instantly,
compromising his cover. For what appeared to be a simple family-run store, the level of
security was abnormally high.

Kwon Taekjoo dodged the security laser with quick, precise movements. Yoon Jongwoo had
already hacked into the security cameras around the shop, looping the footage from the
previous night. But even so, Kwon Taekjoo ensured that he moved through the blind spots.
His opponent was an experienced hacker—there was no telling when their security systems
might be reset.

However, Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t detect such movements from inside. After scanning the
area again, he slid a tiny microphone through a crack in the front door. The device was
designed to pick up even the faintest sounds and amplify them. Still, all he could hear was the
hum of a fan, the ticking of a clock, and the sound of steady breathing. Perhaps everyone was
asleep.

After another cautious sweep of the surroundings, Kwon Taekjoo pulled something from his
clothing. It was a powerful laser cutter disguised as a pen. He slipped his hand through the
metal bars on the window grate and silently sliced through the wooden shutters. Through the
newly created hole, he tossed in a device resembling a yo-yo. The small apparatus rolled
smoothly across the floor before coming to a stop, releasing an odorless, transparent gas. It
was a mild sedative.
While waiting for the gas to spread through the house, Kwon Taekjoo moved to the front
door. After inserting a small piece of iron into the lock and turning it a few times, the lock
clicked open.

“I’m going in.”

[“Understood. G1 proceeding with entry.”]

After one last scan of the area, Kwon Taekjoo opened the door and stepped inside, making
sure the hinges didn’t creak.

He stood for a while, surveying the silent interior. There wasn’t a single light source, making
it difficult to discern what was where.

Kwon Taekjoo switched on the flashlight mounted to his rifle and quickly studied the interior
of the house. His specialized goggles made the search easier, projecting a 3D map of the
internal layout as well as his current position.

Moving with impeccable precision, he navigated from the living room to the master
bedroom. Inside, the store owner and her partner lay unconscious side by side. He thoroughly
searched the room for any other presence, even peeking inside the wardrobe, but found no
traces of anything unusual.

Kwon Taekjoo exited the master bedroom and entered the adjacent room. He paused at the
sight of the little girl sleeping there. It wasn’t surprising that he had heard such sharp
breathing... the girl still had tubes connected to her nose. The sedative he had released earlier
likely hadn’t fully affected her. Should he remove the tubes now? He hesitated, reluctant to
carelessly handle someone as young and delicate as her.

[“Sunbae, did you clear the area?”]

“...Yes, mostly.”

Kwon Taekjoo quietly withdrew from the girl’s room, carefully closing the door behind him
to avoid any potential disturbance.

In order to find a connection to the “Electric Hammer,” Kwon Taekjoo had conducted a
background investigation on the family living in the house. They had lived here for
generations. The parents had two older sons, along with the youngest daughter, who suffered
from congenital respiratory failure. The eldest son had died in a car accident, while the other
had gone missing.

Kwon Taekjoo had been closely monitoring the store, keeping an eye on it in depth, but had
found no one else besides the couple and their daughter. A series of tragedies had left the
three of them as the only remaining occupants.

But now, as he stood inside the house, Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t shake off a strange feeling of
unease. There wasn’t a single family photo in sight. The same applied to any personal
belongings of the deceased or missing sons.
Kwon Taekjoo’s mother had been unable to get rid of the belongings of his late father and
brother. In their home, there were still numerous family photos displayed on the walls from
years past.

Of course, everyone dealt with the loss of a loved one in their own way, and not all people
handled it like his mother. But while it was understandable in the case of a deceased child,
the house seemed too devoid of any trace of the missing son.

Another suspicion lingered in his mind. Perhaps the belongings of the two sons never left
because they were still being used—by them.

The fiber-optic cables scattered everywhere, the excessively high security measures, the
identification of the hacker’s residence by the NIS’s espionage team, and even the
circumstances of the missing family members... it all confirmed his suspicions. If the Cuban
government was indeed protecting the “Electric Hammer,” then it would have been easy to
hide them under the guise of being dead or missing, thus evading any investigation.

“Where are they hiding?”

Kwon Taekjoo slowly began searching the entire house. According to what he could deduce,
the hackers’ hideout was hidden within the house, somewhere they could operate without
attracting the attention of others. The house only had one floor, so the only possible location
was the basement.

First, Kwon Taekjoo needed to find an entrance to the basement. He did a 3D scan of the
interior structure, searching for any access points. Someone had been hiding here in secret for
years without raising suspicion among the neighbors.

The entrance would have to be somewhere inconspicuous, easy to overlook, even if

discovered by accident. Kwon Taekjoo scanned the 3D map again. His gaze locked onto the
pantry inside the kitchen. It was too narrow, surrounded by walls on all sides, making it
impossible to see from outside.

Kwon Taekjoo headed straight for the pantry. It was sealed with the same material as the
wall, so if it weren’t for the 3D map, he would have walked right past it without noticing.

To inspect the pantry’s contents more closely, he flicked on a lighter. The flickering flame
kept tilting to one side, apparently affected by a light breeze—although there should have
been no airflow in a wall without cracks.

With certainty in his movements, Kwon Taekjoo removed the cleaning supplies and flour
stored in the pantry and placed them on the floor. Then, he ran his hand over the deep
counters.

Suddenly, something snagged against his hand. Instantly, he pulled at it, causing the entire
pantry to fall forward with a loud thud. Behind it was a steep stone staircase leading
downward.

“I found their little rat hole.”

[“G1 confirms discovery of hidden passage.”]

“I’m going in. Stay put until I call you.”

[“G1 proceeding with hidden passage entry. Standing by. Sunbae, please be careful.”]

After Yoon Jongwoo’s final words of caution, Kwon Taekjoo turned off the transmitter. He
gripped his rifle tightly, ready to fire at any moment, and descended into the darkness.

When he finally reached the bottom of the steep staircase, another door stood before him. On
the other side was most likely the hideout of his targets. As if preparing for a possible
confrontation, he switched his goggles to thermal imaging mode and attached a small grenade
to the door, which would immediately blow the lock once activated.

After taking a deep breath, he detonated the grenade and fired a stray bullet through the
broken gap in the door. The bomb he had tossed acted as both a smoke screen and tear gas.
Everyone in the room burst into coughing fits, stumbling blindly as the air filled with a sharp,
stinging gas. From their silhouettes, Kwon Taekjoo counted at least five people.

“Cough... It’s an intruder!”

One of them managed to slip past the chaos, rushing toward the exit with a knife in hand. As
they got close enough for Kwon Taekjoo to make out their figure, he sidestepped and grabbed
their arm. He snapped the wrist, forcing the knife to drop, and swiftly struck the back of the
man’s neck as he lost his balance. With a sharp blow to a pressure point, the man collapsed,
unconscious.

The next moment, the room erupted in a hail of gunfire. Bullets zipped through the thick
cloud of smoke. Kwon Taekjoo pressed himself against the wall, waiting for the barrage to
subside. Soon, the attackers halted, seemingly trying to pinpoint his movements. Seizing the
opportunity, Kwon Taekjoo fired back in the direction of the incoming shots. Unable to
respond, his opponents crumpled to the ground with a cry.

Once the gunfire ceased, Kwon Taekjoo stepped into the room. The smoke had significantly
cleared by now. Through the fading haze, Kwon Taekjoo could make out the figures of
several young men sprawled on the floor, as well as a small boy huddled behind them, hands
covering his ears. He couldn’t have been older than fifteen or sixteen. His face was smeared
with tears and snot from the effects of the tear gas.

The boy stared at Kwon Taekjoo with a terrified expression. He bore a striking resemblance
to the shop owner’s daughter with the nasal tubes. Could this be the missing second son?
Behind the boy was a series of computers and a storage unit capable of holding an enormous
amount of data.

“Oh, wow...”

With technology becoming more accessible to younger generations around the world, Kwon
Taekjoo had heard that the average age of hackers was getting younger. Still, he couldn’t help
but let out a sigh of disbelief at seeing a boy so young involved in a cyber gang that had
threatened national security.

The boy looked around at the bodies of the men who had been protecting him. All of them
were dressed in military gear and armed with assault rifles. They were probably stationed
here to both protect and keep an eye on the boy.

“Drop your weapon and raise your hands,” Kwon Taekjoo ordered the lone boy. Though
the kid was shaking in fear, he seemed incapable of releasing the gun he clumsily gripped.
Instead, he lifted his trembling arms to point the barrel at Kwon Taekjoo.

Kwon Taekjoo sighed. After a brief exchange of words, he strode toward the boy with long
steps. Nervously, the boy pulled the trigger.

But the bullet shot harmlessly toward the ceiling. Kwon Taekjoo had swiftly sidestepped,
knocking the boy’s hands aside. His own gun struck the kid’s face, causing blood to spill
from his nose. While the boy instinctively held his nose, Kwon Taekjoo quickly subdued him,
pinning his arms behind his back. After securing the boy, he informed Yoon Jongwoo of the
situation.

“Area cleared.”

[“G1, the site is cleared. Proceed with data retrieval.”]

Kwon Taekjoo took a deep breath and scanned the room again before pulling out the prepared
USB devices and plugging them into the main PC and the storage units. Once the USB was
recognized, he quickly copied all the backup data and temporary files. Of course, this wasn’t
the end of the process. It wouldn’t be long before the USB’s formatting program
automatically activated, permanently erasing all files from each PC.

It was then that a loud vibration shook the floor above. The entire ground felt as though it
was being pushed down by a heavy force. Although faint, Kwon Taekjoo could make out the
roar of an engine. Something was approaching the house rapidly from above.

Perhaps the boy had already called for backup from the Cuban military. But even the boy
seemed unsure of what was happening. Maybe the neighbors had notified the authorities after
being awakened by the gunshots. But still, for a neighborhood call, the response was
incredibly fast.

Kwon Taekjoo tried to assess the situation by speaking directly into his communicator.

“What’s going on?”

[“Sunbae, a couple of strange vehicles are moving in on the location.”]

“How many?”

[“Two. They look like armored cars.”]

“Are they police special forces? Or the Cuban military?”

 [“They don’t have flashing lights. No identifying emblems either.”]

“Find out who they’re connected to.”

[“Understood.”]

By that time, the data retrieval had finally completed. Kwon Taekjoo yanked the USB out and
tucked it into his inner pocket.

At that moment, he sensed a presence behind him. Someone was coming down the stairs. The
boy, still tied up on the floor, seemed to have noticed the footsteps too and trembled in fear.

Kwon Taekjoo focused intently on the approaching footsteps before quickly turning to face
them. His rifle aimed directly at a familiar face. It was the little girl with the nasal tubes. Just
as he had feared, the sedative hadn’t fully worked on her due to her condition.

The girl, for her part, seemed unable to comprehend the situation. Why were her parents
asleep like they were dead? Who was the dark-skinned man in front of her, and why was her
brother tied up in front of him? Who were the men on the floor, and why was there blood
splattered everywhere? To her, everything must have seemed like a nightmare. She shuddered
violently, as if in shock. It was as if she were hyperventilating.

“Calm down, don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you,” Kwon Taekjoo tried to reassure her,
extending both hands in a non-threatening manner. But the girl looked as if she were on the
verge of bursting into tears. A wet spot began to form at her feet.

As Kwon Taekjoo agonized over the situation, the sound of the engine grew louder and
clearer. As if it were a signal, Yoon Jongwoo’s voice rang through the transmitter.

[“Sunbae! I think it’s a U.S. PMC (Private Military Company). I don’t like the look of this.
You need to get out of there!”]

Moments later, something tumbled down the stairs with a series of thuds, stopping in front of
the blank-faced girl. It was a high-powered grenade—one capable of easily demolishing the
entire basement.

“Damn it, take cover!” Kwon Taekjoo shouted in horror. A moment later, a massive
explosion rocked the room, plunging everything into darkness.

Chapter End Notes

Support the author by purchasing the novel on Ridibooks.
 Restart
Chapter Notes

The characters will communicate in different languages.

•RUSSIAN DIALOGUES ARE IN ITALICS

•ENGLISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD
•KOREAN DIALOGUES ARE NOT FORMATTED
•SPANISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD ITALICS

See the end of the chapter for more notes

“Ugh...”

Kwon Taekjoo groaned as he opened his eyes. Disoriented, his mind felt clouded, as if he had
lost consciousness again. The first thing that hit him was the overpowering smell of
gunpowder and dust in the air. He tried moving his body, his limbs aching and cramping, but
still functioning. His earpiece transmitter must have been destroyed, as all he could hear was
an ear-piercing ringing sound. Frustrated, he yanked it out and tossed it aside, but the ringing
in his ears persisted.

Kwon Taekjoo realized there was blood trickling down his forehead, a thick scarlet liquid
dripping over his eyes. He must have suffered a scalp wound during the explosion. The blood
blurred his vision, staining everything in a murky red.

His surroundings were covered in pitch-black darkness. From what he could tell, the entire
house had collapsed due to the explosion. Before he could be buried alive, he scrambled
toward a small gap between two fallen structures, barely making it out alive.

“Damn it...”

Kwon Taekjoo cursed under his breath, just as he began lifting his bruised, battered body off
the ground. Suddenly, something stirred in his arms. It was the little girl with the nasal tubes,
squirming weakly beneath him. Instinctively, he must have shielded her from the blast with
his body. She was still barely conscious, her breathing labored but clear, and her heartbeat
rapid. Thankfully, she didn’t appear to have any external injuries.

“Uhh... ahhh...”
The girl began to regain consciousness, and when she opened her eyes to see Kwon Taekjoo,
her face turned white with fear. Kwon Taekjoo immediately covered her mouth to stifle her
scream and put a finger to his lips. He met her eyes and gently shook his head. Though
clearly terrified and on the verge of tears, the girl nodded in understanding.

Kwon Taekjoo still had no idea who had carried out the attack or what their exact purpose
was. Yoon Jongwoo had indicated that it might be a PMC, but Kwon needed more details.

Holding his breath, Kwon Taekjoo listened for any sounds outside. For a moment, all he
could hear was the heavy thud of military boots moving across the ground. Not long after, he
heard the sound of car doors opening and slamming shut. There seemed to be at least four
vehicles. Facing them head-on would be a challenge in any case, but with the girl in tow, it
would be nearly impossible. His only choice was to wait patiently for them to leave.

Moments later, the roar of the armored vehicles’ engines filled the air as they began to drive
off. It seemed they were abandoning the site, likely believing they had completed their
mission.

Cautiously, Kwon Taekjoo peeked out from his hiding spot. The area was mostly clear now,
except for a few distant figures. Sensing his opportunity, he gestured for the little girl to
follow him as he crept toward safety. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering back
toward the house, filled with an overwhelming sense of loss.

“Pablo...”

Kwon Taekjoo followed her gaze to the boy lying unconscious on the ground. It was the same
boy he had subdued earlier, the one they now knew as the real "Electric Hammer." Most
likely, he was the brother of the girl. His lower body had been crushed by the rubble from the
collapsed building. Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t be certain if he was still alive.

He didn’t have any obligation to save them both. In fact, his mission was to retrieve the data
and escape before his identity was compromised. Under normal circumstances, he would
have already made his getaway. But as he looked at the little girl, desperately clinging to
hope for her brother’s survival, he couldn’t just turn his back and walk away.

“Aah... get out of there first,”

“No! Pablo!”

She cried, resisting as Kwon Taekjoo pulled her away. He dragged the girl out of harm’s way,
even as she kicked and scratched him in desperation. Once she was safe, he returned through
the narrow gaps between the wreckage. When he reached the boy, Kwon Taekjoo checked for
a pulse. It was weak, but there—he was still alive.

With a sigh, Kwon Taekjoo reached into his now-tattered military gear. His hand found a
small device, something he had carried for emergencies. A compact tool resembling a pen. It
was unlikely that it had survived the blast, but he held onto a glimmer of hope. He placed the
pen-shaped tool underneath the large slab of debris pinning the boy’s body and activated it.
The mechanical actuator inside began to buzz, slowly lifting the heavy piece of rubble.
As soon as there was a small opening, Kwon Taekjoo grabbed the boy by the collar and
yanked him free from the debris. Sweat drenched his body as he heaved the unconscious boy
through the narrow passage, feeling dizzy and lightheaded from the exertion.

“Ha... damn it. Why do I have to go through this crap?” he muttered under his breath.

He finally managed to drag the boy to a safe distance and collapsed to catch his breath. The
girl, her face streaked with dirt and tears, immediately rushed to her brother’s side, calling his
name over and over again. Kwon Taekjoo glanced around at the destruction. He had no idea
what had become of the boy’s parents, but judging by the state of the house, it was highly
unlikely they had survived. It was a grim situation, but Kwon Taekjoo didn’t have time to
linger.

As the girl continued crying, the lights of nearby houses began to flicker on one by one. It
seemed that the neighbors had been alerted to the commotion. In all likelihood, someone had
already reported the incident to the police or local authorities. At this point, it was up to them
to care for the two children.

With no time to waste, Kwon Taekjoo forced his exhausted body to rise and sprinted back to
his own apartment. He bounded up the stairs, two at a time, making his way to the rooftop to
track the armored vehicles. It didn’t take long for him to spot the tail lights of two massive
vehicles speeding toward the outskirts of the town. Based on their size and the fact that they
had arrived so quickly in the dead of night, he had no doubt that they were the ones
responsible.

Yoon Jongwoo had mentioned the possibility of a U.S. private military company (PMC). But
how had a PMC managed to get into Cuba? Were they working under some kind of disguise,
just like Kwon Taekjoo? And for what reason?

“The United States probably has a general idea of what’s happened. If they find out that the
dual contract between us was leaked, they’re likely to pin the blame on us. They might even
already be aware of the situation and have taken measures.”

The words of Director Kwak echoed in Kwon Taekjoo’s mind. It was possible that the U.S.
had discovered the leak of the dual contract, just as they had feared. But would they really
take such drastic action as blowing up the hacker’s hideout without waiting for the NIS to
act? It wasn’t out of the realm of possibility, considering the U.S. had a tendency to bulldoze
over anyone in pursuit of their own security and interests.

The problem was, they had interfered without any prior warning or authorization. The leak of
confidential information was a delicate matter, not something you casually shared with even
your closest allies. So how had they found out? What was most troubling was the precise
timing of their attack—it was almost too perfect, as if they had been waiting for Kwon
Taekjoo to make a move. It was as though they had known his every step, every detail of his
plan, up until the last minute. Maybe they had been watching him from the start.

If Kwon Taekjoo hadn’t made it out alive tonight, he would have been left to take the fall for
an attack being framed as terrorism. Cuba would undoubtedly argue that innocent citizens
had been sacrificed, and South Korea would be forced to bear the full burden for the civilian
and financial damages. And yet, the U.S. still called itself an ally of South Korea? A bitter
laugh escaped Kwon Taekjoo.

“Those bastards. Is this how they decided to play?”

Kwon Taekjoo gritted his teeth. Not only had they sabotaged his operation like sneaky rats,
but they had thrown everything into chaos. There was no way he was going to let them get
away with it.

At that moment, the distant wail of a police siren pierced the night. It seemed that someone
had finally reported the incident. Kwon Taekjoo needed to escape before they cornered him.

He hurried down the stairs, only to run into a resident who had stepped out to check on the
noise. The man froze when he saw Kwon Taekjoo’s disheveled, bloodied appearance and let
out a terrified scream. The commotion drew more curious neighbors out of their homes. One
of them quickly alerted the police, who had just arrived at the scene, immediately pointing at
Kwon Taekjoo.

“...Shit.”

With no other choice, Kwon Taekjoo rushed back to the rooftop. Without breaking stride, he
sprinted toward the edge and leaped onto the neighboring building. The police scattered in
confusion, surrounding both buildings in their pursuit. Several officers raced up the stairs,
hoping to cut him off.

“Stop right there!”

The police burst onto the rooftop, immediately aiming their guns at Kwon Taekjoo as he
backed away, assessing the situation. Without warning, he dashed toward the edge of the
rooftop. The officers opened fire, but Kwon Taekjoo didn’t hesitate. He vaulted over the
railing.

In an instant, his figure disappeared from the rooftop. The police, who had been firing
warning shots, rushed to the edge to peer over. But Kwon Taekjoo was nowhere to be found.
All that remained was the faint smoke wafting from the shattered windows of the crumbling
buildings.

“He’s over there!”

The officers quickly radioed for backup. Those stationed below spread out, trying to surround
the area. Some of them rushed up the building’s stairwells to close off any potential exits.

Suddenly, the loud roar of an engine echoed from inside the dark building. A sleek, black
motorcycle shot out of the shadows like a predator on the hunt. The police, stunned for a
moment, quickly scrambled to react.

It was none other than Kwon Taekjoo. For emergencies just like this, he had personally
modified the motorcycle, boosting its power to an astonishing 300 horsepower with a top
speed of 400 kilometers per hour. The vehicle moved with the grace and agility of a cheetah,
practically gliding over the ground.

The police, caught off guard, hastily called for reinforcements. Within minutes, several patrol
cars had joined the chase, blocking off Kwon Taekjoo’s escape from all directions. But with
swift and precise maneuvers, he deftly weaved through narrow gaps that normal cars couldn’t
pass through.

The police radios buzzed with frantic communication as they chased after him relentlessly.
The wailing of sirens blared from every direction, making it feel as though they might split
his head open. Kwon Taekjoo kept accelerating, leaving the growing swarm of police cars far
behind.

However, his night-time escape came to an abrupt halt. A police car had cut him off, blocking
the road ahead. With residential buildings on both sides, there was no room to escape. He was
surrounded, with squad cars encircling him from the front and back, trapping him like a
cornered animal.

Despite the looming obstacles, Kwon Taekjoo pushed his motorcycle to the maximum speed,
charging straight at the squad car ahead. The two vehicles hurtled toward each other at
breakneck speed. The officers braced themselves for the impending collision, but just as they
were about to crash, Kwon Taekjoo lifted the front wheel of his motorcycle and soared over
the police car in a breathtaking leap. For a moment, the officers stood in stunned disbelief,
watching as the motorcycle seemed to fly above them. Then, with renewed urgency, they
resumed their chase.

Ahead of him was a long stone staircase leading to a higher platform. Without hesitation,
Kwon Taekjoo angled his bike toward the stairs, lifting the front wheel again to clear each
step. The rear wheel thudded against the stone steps as he accelerated rapidly, shooting up the
staircase. The police spotted him just as he cleared the last step, frantically shouting over
their radios as they scrambled to follow him.

After clearing the final step, Kwon Taekjoo sped across a rooftop wall and launched himself
off the edge, propelling the bike onto the roof of the next building. Without losing speed, he
continued jumping from rooftop to rooftop, in hot pursuit of the armored vehicles he had
been tracking earlier. Below, the Cuban police could only watch in astonishment as the sleek,
black motorcycle seemed to fly over their heads. They might have believed it was a winged
lion rather than a piece of machinery.

Finally, Kwon Taekjoo caught sight of the armored vehicles from the PMC. By now, they
must have realized they were being followed. It wasn’t exactly hard to figure out, given all
the police cars with flashing lights trailing behind them.

Kwon Taekjoo aimed his wristwatch at the rear of one of the vehicles and pressed a button on
the side. Instantly, the watch’s cover flipped open, shooting out a small tracking device that
stuck to the bumper of the vehicle. A moment later, the screen on his watch flickered,
displaying a basic satellite map and the vehicle’s location.
Before long, the road ahead forked into two directions. The two armored vehicles split up,
each taking a different path. Kwon Taekjoo chose to follow the one without the tracker.

Two men emerged from the vehicle, one poking out of the roof, the other from the backseat,
each armed with a machine gun and a rifle. They began firing relentlessly at Kwon Taekjoo,
bullets striking his helmet. The bulletproof visor cracked under the onslaught, and if it hadn’t
been reinforced, his head would have been blown clean off.

“Damn bastards. You really want to test me, huh?”

Kwon Taekjoo swerved his motorcycle into a narrow alleyway. The snipers on the armored
vehicle scanned the area anxiously as the roar of the motorcycle engine grew louder and
softer by turns. They caught fleeting glimpses of Kwon Taekjoo’s bike darting between the
buildings, only for it to vanish again.

How long had it been? The motorcycle’s engine roared louder as it neared, yet Kwon Taekjoo
was nowhere in sight. The sniper perched on the top of the vehicle, scanning the rooftops,
suddenly shouted in alarm.

“He’s up there!”

Before they could react, Kwon Taekjoo’s motorcycle came crashing down from above,
straight into the open hatch of the armored vehicle. As he descended from the roof, he
unleashed a relentless barrage of gunfire, tearing apart any chance of resistance. Once he
landed on the dented roof, he tossed a grenade inside the open hatch. Seconds later, the
vehicle rocked with a small explosion and began to slow down until it came to a complete
stop. Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t detect any movement from inside.

At any moment, the Cuban police would swarm the area. Their sirens were already
approaching fast. Just to be sure, Kwon Taekjoo quickly shot out the front tires of the
armored car to ensure it couldn’t escape before fleeing the scene.

Checking his wristwatch, Kwon Taekjoo saw the tracker moving steadily on the second
vehicle. Once the Cuban police began their investigation, it wouldn’t take long for them to
figure out who was behind the supposed terrorist attack. Technically, he didn’t need to chase
down the other vehicle to clear himself of any potential false accusations.

But simply letting them go didn’t sit well with him. After all, they had tried to kill him and
frame him for terrorism after meddling in his mission. He wasn’t about to let them get away
with it. They wouldn’t try the same stunt twice once they learned not to play dirty tricks.

Kwon Taekjoo revved his motorcycle, tracking his target as it continued to move. Weaving
between buildings, through narrow alleyways and staircases, he pushed himself to the limit.
Before long, he caught up to the second armored vehicle, speeding past police cars trying to
block his path. The police made several attempts to ram him off the road, but Kwon Taekjoo
slipped through every gap with expert precision.

The chase seemed endless as he circled around the city. At last, Kwon Taekjoo found himself
face-to-face with the second armored vehicle as it came charging toward him at full speed, its
power enough to crush anything in its way. The distance between them shrank quickly,
leaving little time for a final shot. Kwon Taekjoo gritted his teeth and charged head-on at the
approaching vehicle.

When they were close enough to see each other clearly, Kwon Taekjoo’s motorcycle
suddenly crashed to the side. Now free from his bike, Kwon Taekjoo slid underneath the
armored vehicle, his back scraping along the pavement. The vehicle’s massive tires
threatened to crush his body at any moment. Had he not ducked his head just in time, the
exposed, jagged metal beneath the vehicle would have torn his face apart.

In an instant, Kwon Taekjoo managed to escape from beneath the armored vehicle. When the
passengers inside realized he was still alive, they stopped abruptly. A sniper emerged from
the top hatch, aiming a machine gun at Kwon Taekjoo. But before he could fire, the vehicle
exploded in a massive blast. Moments earlier, Kwon Taekjoo had attached a high-powered
battery to the underside of the vehicle. The car flipped over onto its back, erupting into
another thunderous explosion.

“Haa, haa…”

Kwon Taekjoo crouched down, taking a moment to catch his breath as shards from the
explosion rained around him. In the distance, the faint sound of helicopter blades could be
heard overhead. When he looked up, the bright searchlights of a Cuban police helicopter
flooded him with light. In no time, a swarm of police cars arrived, surrounding both Kwon
Taekjoo and the armored vehicle, now reduced to little more than steel debris. Dozens of
laser sights focused on Kwon Taekjoo, painting his figure in red.

“Don’t move!”

“Hands in the air!”

“Haa… today’s not my lucky day…”

Kwon Taekjoo obediently lowered his weapon and tossed aside the rifle he had been
carrying. As he raised his arms, he subtly tore off a small device from his clothes, holding it
in his hand.

The armed special forces unit cautiously advanced toward him. Kwon Taekjoo knew this was
his last chance to escape before being completely cornered. As he waited for them to get
closer, he carefully shifted the small bomb in his hand. If things went wrong, Kwon Taekjoo
could easily get injured and trigger a panic-fueled shootout with the officers. But it was the
only card he could play at that moment.

“Don’t move! Don’t move!”

“Turn around!”

The special forces unit was nearly upon him when the hum of more helicopter blades
resonated above. Everyone on the scene, including Kwon Taekjoo, looked up at the sky. The
police helicopter’s spotlight, which had been focused on Kwon Taekjoo, faltered before
disappearing completely.

A new helicopter appeared in the distance. At first glance, Kwon Taekjoo could tell it wasn’t
a military unit. Its fuselage was so dark that it was barely distinguishable in the dim lights.
No identifying symbols or emblems were visible. The officers exchanged nervous glances as
the helicopter approached with an ominous intent.

Their confused whispers quickly turned into shouts of terror. The police helicopter had been
warning the newcomer to stay away when, without warning, the rebel helicopter shot it
down. Black clouds of smoke billowed from the falling aircraft as parachutes deployed from
the rogue helicopter. The Cuban police and special forces were thrown into chaos by the
sudden attack, scrambling to regain control and fight back. But before they could even react,
an unknown grenade exploded above them.

Blinded by the flash, everyone present cried out in shock. The bright white light
overwhelmed their vision, making it impossible to tell front from back. No matter how much
they blinked or rubbed their eyes, they couldn’t see a thing.

Meanwhile, the sound of the helicopter blades grew louder and louder. The powerful gusts of
wind whipped violently through everyone’s hair and clothing, making it almost impossible to
stay on their feet.

“Ah… what the hell…!”

Kwon Taekjoo, too, was struggling against the fierce wind and blinding light when, suddenly,
a long rope ladder descended from the helicopter. A large figure swung down toward him.
Kwon Taekjoo tried to defend himself, but a familiar scent overwhelmed his senses. When he
looked up in disbelief, a strong arm wrapped around his waist. His body instantly recognized
the touch.

“...Zhenya?” he murmured in confusion. The man in front of him let out a low, familiar
chuckle… a laugh he knew all too well.

"Taekjoo. Did you have fun causing trouble?"

Even in the midst of all the chaos, Kwon Taekjoo unmistakably recognized that distinctive
voice.

"It’s time to go home now."

How on earth had he found him? For someone with diplomatic ties, Zhenya seemed all too
eager to attack security forces in a foreign country.

"Crazy bastard," Kwon Taekjoo sighed as he tightened his grip around Zhenya’s neck.
Zhenya’s arm only squeezed his back tighter in response. Just moments ago, Kwon Taekjoo
had been on the verge of losing his mind, but Zhenya’s touch was all it took to calm his
nerves.
 The rope automatically began to coil upward again, effortlessly lifting them both into the
helicopter. The police fired at them belatedly, but the helicopter quickly ascended beyond
their reach.

Chapter End Notes

Support the author by purchasing the novel on Ridibooks.

 Restart
Chapter Notes

The characters will communicate in different languages.

•RUSSIAN DIALOGUES ARE IN ITALICS

•ENGLISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD
•KOREAN DIALOGUES ARE NOT FORMATTED
•SPANISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD ITALICS

See the end of the chapter for more notes

"Ugh..."

Kwon Taekjoo barely managed to catch his breath as he climbed into the helicopter. He
discarded his goggles, mask, and helmet—they had long since lost their usefulness. He ran a
hand through his flattened hair when, suddenly, Zhenya grabbed him by the chin and dragged
his tongue slowly from Kwon Taekjoo’s lips to just below his nose. The pressure on his
cheeks reminded him of the sharp pain he had been ignoring until that moment. His mouth
was probably torn on the inside, and his lips, now slick with saliva, tingled with a sudden
sting. Kwon Taekjoo suspected the moisture beneath his nose wasn’t just from Zhenya.

“Tastes strange,” Zhenya murmured, licking his own lips. Quite the ironic complaint from
someone who had the habit of licking Kwon Taekjoo whenever he pleased.

“Well, who told you to lick me?” Kwon Taekjoo snapped, frowning as he turned his head and
shoved Zhenya’s hand away.

“Let go of me, you bastard.”

“You always leave with your head held high, only to come crawling back bruised and
beaten.”

“Does it make sense to come back without a single scratch when I’m working as an active
field agent? If I cared that much about self-preservation, I’d have quit this job a long time
ago.”

“A single scratch?”
Zhenya looked Kwon Taekjoo up and down with disbelief. Truth be told, it was hard to find a
single part of Kwon Taekjoo’s skin that wasn’t covered in injuries. And that was without even
checking under his military gear. His ears were still numb from nearly being blown apart in
the explosion.

“I was so close to finishing things without any complications this time, but then other guys
had to interfere… Wait, before that. Why are you here? I explicitly told you not to follow me,”
Kwon Taekjoo demanded, suddenly shifting the focus of his complaints to interrogate
Zhenya.

This wasn’t the first time Zhenya had shown up on one of Kwon Taekjoo’s missions. Every
time Kwon Taekjoo was on a mission, Zhenya followed him, almost flaunting his presence
for everyone to see. It was already a headache whenever he appeared, but Zhenya also had a
knack for directly interfering with Kwon Taekjoo’s missions, just like he was doing now. As
a Russian diplomat, Zhenya should have been careful with his actions, but it seemed he didn’t
care in the slightest.

“Are you saying I followed you?”

“What? Am I wrong?”

“Of course you are. I was simply running out of my usual cigars, so I came to pick out a few
that suited my taste. Cuban cigars are the best, after all. I was about to head home after
taking care of that, but by chance, I found my lover wandering around. So the reason I’m
here and why I picked you up is purely personal.”

Kwon Taekjoo clicked his tongue at the ridiculous excuse. Did Zhenya really think such an
absurd explanation would fly with both his country and Cuba? Sometimes, Kwon Taekjoo
wondered if Zhenya wasn’t just stubborn but also a bit too simple-minded. Did the world’s
complications really seem that insignificant and boring to him? Kwon Taekjoo always felt a
wave of frustration when he fell into Zhenya’s traps, and for some reason, he knew this time
would be no exception.

He brushed his bangs aside. Now wasn’t the time to vent his frustrations on Zhenya. Leaning
toward the window, he surveyed the situation below. A line of police vehicles chased after
them, their lights flashing. There didn’t appear to be any other air reinforcements, suggesting
they might avoid an aerial confrontation. Of course, that didn’t guarantee they’d escape
Cuban airspace unharmed.

“So, where are we heading? They’ll close off this airspace any minute now.”

“Well, considering a little thief just blew up their precious source of income, I’m sure they’re
desperate to catch him. You’d better lie low for a while.”

“Ha... You think I don’t know that? Where and how exactly do you suggest I lie low?”

“If you don’t have a place to hide right away, why not borrow a raccoon’s den for the time
being?”
“...A raccoon?”

Zhenya clearly wasn’t referring to himself. Maybe he had a contact nearby with a place to
stay. After all, Cuba and Russia had friendly relations, so it seemed like a reasonable
assumption. Still, it was hard to guarantee that kind of support from a Cuban when Zhenya
was helping someone who was literally an enemy of the state.

It wasn’t long before the helicopter began to descend slowly. Below them, a nearly 100-meter
yacht swayed gently over the deep blue waters. Was Zhenya really planning to land on it? It
seemed absurd to think that a not-so-little yacht was their grand escape plan while being
chased as potential terrorism suspects. The police vehicles that had been pursuing them
gathered at the dock, watching helplessly from the other side of the water.

Sure enough, Zhenya landed the helicopter on the yacht and turned off the engine. The rapid
revolutions of the blades slowed to a halt. As if nothing was amiss, the yacht’s crew appeared
to secure the helicopter. Not a single one of them was armed. One of the crew members
approached and opened the door with almost mechanical precision. Zhenya pulled Kwon
Taekjoo to his feet, snapping him out of his dazed state as he watched the scene unfold.

“Get off.”

Kwon Taekjoo let Zhenya lead him, but he couldn’t help staring around in disbelief. Just
moments ago, he had been fighting for his life in a high-stakes chase. Now, within minutes,
he found himself on a massive yacht. The entire situation was so surreal and disorienting that
he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“What is this?”

“I told you, it’s a raccoon’s den.”

“And who exactly is this ‘raccoon’?”

“Does it really matter?”

“Of course it matters! Have you forgotten the situation we’re in?”

“What situation? As far as I’m concerned, I’m just here for the strictly personal reason of
picking up some cigars… so, I guess we’re on vacation now?”

Kwon Taekjoo was about to lose it at Zhenya’s casual response. He couldn’t fathom how
Zhenya always stayed so calm and collected in the midst of chaos and upheaval. Even on a
battlefield, Zhenya would sip tea while bombs and bullets whizzed past him.

Even now, Zhenya walked away as if nothing was wrong. Kwon Taekjoo grabbed his arm
and spun him around.

“Stop playing games, idiot.”

“Who’s playing games now?”

“Don’t tell me you actually bought this yacht.”

“Why? Do you want it?”

“No. I’m asking if it’s yours.”

“If I wanted to, I could make it mine right here and now.”

“Ugh, stop beating around the bush and answer my questions. Whose yacht is this?”

“You’ll find out soon enough. But that’s not really what matters right now, is it?”

Zhenya continued to dodge Kwon Taekjoo’s questions and headed down to the lower deck
with a sense of familiarity, as if he were at home. Meanwhile, the yacht sailed slowly but
steadily toward some unknown destination. Kwon Taekjoo cast one last bitter glance at the
flashing police lights on the dock before following Zhenya.

The crew members they passed along the way greeted them again. Most of them were
Hispanic. For some reason, they all treated Kwon Taekjoo like royalty, despite the fact that he
was just a foreigner being pursued by Cuban authorities. He had no idea what was going on.

Since the yacht was enormous, they had to use an elevator to move between floors. Kwon
Taekjoo stood next to Zhenya in a glass elevator as they ascended to the second deck. The
interior of the yacht was visible through the transparent walls. On the other side of the glass,
he saw a vast open lobby, with crystal chandeliers hanging in the center. Soft music floated
through the air, and a heavy fragrance masked the typical smell of a ship. It all reminded
Kwon Taekjoo of a luxury hotel. He couldn’t help but worry about who might own this
extravagant yacht and what connection they had to Zhenya.

After a while, the elevator stopped. As the doors opened, a completely silent hallway greeted
him, a stark contrast to the lively lobby below. Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t sense the presence of
any crew members. He stood still, instinctively wary of his surroundings, but Zhenya stepped
out and nodded.

“This way.”

Kwon Taekjoo figured Zhenya might be planning to lay low here until they reached their
destination. After all, they had to be ready to act like stowaways. For a hiding place, the
yacht itself seemed excessively luxurious, but compared to the other areas they had just
passed, this space was quiet and welcoming.

“They said we could use the yacht’s facilities however we like during our stay.”

“Ha… who said that?”

“You don’t need to know that, Taekjoo.”

Zhenya remained tight-lipped about who had granted him such a favor. Even though they had
grown very close to one another, Zhenya still kept plenty of secrets. Of course, the same
could be said for Kwon Taekjoo, so he couldn’t exactly complain. All he could do was glare
in frustration at the back of Zhenya’s head.

Finally, Zhenya stopped in front of a set of large double doors with hinges that hinted at the
size of the room beyond. As expected, when Zhenya swung them open, a spacious room
unfolded before them. It was furnished with a large, comfortable sofa, a grand piano, and a
minibar, indicating that it was a living area. A ceiling fan buzzed softly above, and large
windows lined the walls, giving the room a bright and open feel. For now, it was nighttime,
so there wasn’t much to see outside, but in the daylight, the windows would no doubt offer an
impressive view of the vast blue sea.

As they ventured further inside, Kwon Taekjoo noticed a dining table large enough to
comfortably seat ten people. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling swayed with the yacht’s
slightest movement, casting a dazzling array of crystal and metal reflections that nearly
blinded him. Shaking his head, Kwon Taekjoo moved forward, searching for the bedroom.

He had expected to reach the bedroom by now, but instead, they found themselves in a large
chamber. One side led to a staircase, while the other opened onto an outdoor terrace. Kwon
Taekjoo looked at Zhenya in disbelief, but Zhenya merely shrugged and raised his eyebrows.

They headed up the staircase and finally reached the bedroom. When Kwon Taekjoo stepped
onto the last stair, a large window greeted him, along with a bed so enormous that even
Zhenya could lie comfortably in it with room to spare. Kwon Taekjoo was speechless.

The mattress, soft and plush, looked like a cloud of white cotton candy. Kwon Taekjoo’s
tired, worn-out body ached at the sight of it, drawn to the sweet temptation before him. If it
hadn’t been someone else’s bed, he might have been tempted to dive right in.

Kwon Taekjoo barely managed to locate the bathroom and veered off toward it. The previous
living area already had a large bathroom, but the one in front of him now was incomparably
bigger. The ceiling, floor, walls, sink, and even the bathtub were made of pure marble. Warm,
aromatic water shimmered in the spacious circular tub. Next to it, a minibar offered drinks or
water, and a door led to a private terrace. Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t help but feel a pang of
discomfort as he wondered what price Zhenya had paid for such luxury.

"Hey..."

Kwon Taekjoo turned to Zhenya with an uncertain look, but Zhenya grabbed him roughly by
the chin. His hand slid down Kwon Taekjoo’s neck, across his shoulders, and down his arms
before finally resting on his hands. He spread his fingers over Kwon Taekjoo’s palm,
carefully inspecting each of his ten fingers as if checking to make sure they were all still
there. Kwon Taekjoo was already familiar with this routine, so he let Zhenya touch him while
pressing on with the question that had been gnawing at his mind.

“Are you sure the owner of this yacht is someone we can trust?”

“Hmm. ‘Someone we can trust’... who, exactly, would you consider trustworthy?”
“It’s impossible that you convinced him with loyalty or goodwill. The owner must have had
something to gain by helping us.”

Zhenya smirked at Kwon Taekjoo’s comment, amused by the suggestion that it was
impossible for him to have made a “trustworthy” friend or ally. He even nodded in
agreement.

“We made a deal. They were quite satisfied with what I offered them. As for whether I’ll be
happy with what I got in return, only time will tell,” Zhenya said, crouching down to
thoroughly examine Kwon Taekjoo’s legs.

So Zhenya had struck some kind of deal with the yacht owner in exchange for ensuring
Kwon Taekjoo’s safety? Watching Zhenya smile as he hinted that he was still evaluating
Kwon Taekjoo’s worth was infuriating. Annoyed, Kwon Taekjoo yanked his leg out of
Zhenya’s grasp.

“Isn’t it risky to trust him so easily? He might be helping us now, but there’s no guarantee he
won’t turn on us when given the chance. If he’s willing to betray his own country for personal
gain, what’s to stop him from betraying us for a better deal?”

“Merchants naturally don’t trust each other. They simply covet what the other has. Their
greed is stronger than any kind of loyalty you’ll find out there.”

“So what, are you implying that you’re as much of a traitor as he is?”

“I’m just pointing out that not everyone shares your naive patriotism.”

“What did you say, you bastard?”

“There you go again, getting all worked up. Did I say something wrong? If you had died
fighting so valiantly out there tonight, your country wouldn’t have even blinked. And your
fellow countrymen? They don’t even know you exist,” Zhenya said bluntly, staring directly at
Kwon Taekjoo.

Then he crouched down and gently took hold of Kwon Taekjoo’s leg, carefully examining his
swollen ankle. He even checked his shin, knee, and hip.

“Don’t worry, Taekjoo. I don’t make deals that end in a loss.”

A sharp pain flared from his wounds under Zhenya’s persistent touch. When Zhenya pressed
on a small cut, Kwon Taekjoo flinched reflexively. Zhenya’s gaze locked onto Kwon
Taekjoo, his hands freezing mid-motion as he watched his face. Kwon Taekjoo felt an
unexpected flutter in his stomach, seeing how gentle Zhenya was being with him, fully aware
that he was more than capable of tearing someone apart if he felt like it.

“Enough. I’m not that hurt.”

“Well, it’s clear you don’t have any broken bones, though you’ll definitely need a few stitches
here and there.”
Zhenya nodded and stood up slowly, bringing his face right in front of Kwon Taekjoo’s.
Kwon Taekjoo could see his own stunned expression reflected in Zhenya’s pale blue eyes.
Warm breath brushed against his lips. Was Zhenya going to kiss him? Just as Kwon Taekjoo
was about to hold his breath, Zhenya noticed his expression and smiled, satisfied.

“Go wash up. You’re filthy.”

The fact that those words came from someone who had just seduced him with that pretty face
a moment ago made Kwon Taekjoo feel like the target of a cruel joke. In a burst of
indignation, he pinched Zhenya’s cheek. Zhenya raised his eyebrows as if surprised, but
Kwon Taekjoo shot him a disapproving glare and grabbed him by the back of the neck,
pulling him in for a kiss.

His tongue ran across the dry surface of Zhenya’s lips before slipping inside, capturing
Zhenya’s tongue. His movements were desperate and rough, as if trying to quench a deep
thirst. Kwon Taekjoo didn’t stop moving his tongue against Zhenya’s, not even letting him
adjust to the rhythm. Every time Zhenya tried to match his movements, Kwon Taekjoo would
pull away and suck on his upper lip. Zhenya would then try to bite his lower lip in response,
but Kwon Taekjoo stubbornly plunged his tongue back inside.

Under the full-body assault from Kwon Taekjoo, Zhenya slowly retreated until he was forced
to sit on a bench next to the bed. Kwon Taekjoo straddled him and resumed their heated kiss
with unwavering determination. Kwon Taekjoo’s relentless lips drained Zhenya of every last
breath, leaving his chin and upper lip numb. Their kiss carried the sweet taste of saliva mixed
with a faint trace of blood.

After what felt like a long time, their lips finally parted with a soft, wet sound. The only thing
filling their ears was the sound of their ragged breathing.

“Haa... Taekjoo.”

Zhenya’s chest rose and fell heavily, his eyes and lips flushed red. Small droplets clung to his
long eyelashes, trembling as they blinked. Kwon Taekjoo remained perched on top of him,
supporting himself with one arm as he looked down at him. Suddenly, Kwon Taekjoo flashed
a smile. It was the triumphant smile of a winner.

“What are you going to do now? You’re just as filthy as I am.”

“Hah?”

The corner of Zhenya’s lips curved upward as he cast Kwon Taekjoo a look of surprise. Still,
his intense gaze swept over Kwon Taekjoo’s features, as if waiting for something more.

Kwon Taekjoo stroked the edge of Zhenya’s ear and leaned in for another kiss. This time, it
was a gentle kiss, clearly different from the previous one. He pressed his lips against
Zhenya’s before softly nibbling on his upper lip. The warmth of Zhenya’s breath mixing with
his own, their tongues brushing against each other, felt intimately soft and tender. The tiny
hairs on Zhenya’s cheeks stood on end in response.
Only then did Kwon Taekjoo gradually pull away from him. At the same time, a ragged
breath escaped Zhenya, his damp lashes fluttering.

“Wait here. I’ll take a bath and come back.”

With a light pat on Zhenya’s flushed cheek, Kwon Taekjoo stood up and headed toward the
bathroom. However, he had barely taken a few steps when he felt a strong tug on his hair. In
the next moment, before he could even turn around, Zhenya had pulled him back into an
embrace, and they both collapsed to the floor under their own weight.

“Uugh, damn it, that hurts!”

“Taekjoo, you always tease me. Were you that impatient?”

“Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Ugh, let go of me. I can’t breathe.”

Kwon Taekjoo struck Zhenya’s arm with all his strength, but it was useless. Zhenya only
tightened his grip. Thanks to his unprecedented display of brute strength, it was becoming
harder and harder for Kwon Taekjoo to even breathe. He tried to wriggle free from Zhenya’s
arms, but his efforts were crushed as Zhenya’s full weight pressed down on him.

“Taekjoo, Taekjoo...”

Zhenya buried his face in Kwon Taekjoo’s hair, calling his name over and over again. Kwon
Taekjoo could feel his hot breath against his scalp and neck. A hard, unmistakable bulge
persistently dug into his hip. It was surprising how a simple kiss had reduced Zhenya’s
usually arrogant behavior to this. A sigh escaped Kwon Taekjoo.

“Hey, hold on a second! Ugh, just wait. Is this really the right time for this? Listen to me, you
idiot!”

“‘The right time’? Please. Humans are creatures that have sex even in times of war. It’s part
of our instinct.”

Kwon Taekjoo tried to resist, but Zhenya pinned him down, giving his chest a firm squeeze
while biting his neck. Kwon Taekjoo gritted his teeth as a sharp pain shot through him, while
Zhenya impatiently twisted both of Kwon Taekjoo’s nipples through his thick military
uniform and sucked on the back of his neck. When Kwon Taekjoo turned his head away,
Zhenya bit his ear instead, unfazed. Kwon Taekjoo struggled for a while before finally
managing to push Zhenya off with his elbow.

“Seriously, what the hell? Are you an animal?”

“You’re the one who pushed me over the edge, so you should take responsibility instead of
backing out.”

“We can do it later, just not here. I don’t want to do it while I’m still dirty.”

“Oh, so you wanted to do it in the helicopter? Or maybe try it in a lifeboat?”

“Don’t get smart with me.”

“Why don’t you stop complaining and relax for a bit? While we’re here, neither Cuba nor
Mexico can touch us,” Zhenya said, quickly addressing the source of Kwon Taekjoo’s
anxiety.

But the more Zhenya spoke, the deeper Kwon Taekjoo’s suspicions grew. What kind of man
owned such an extravagant yacht and had the power to protect them from both Cuba and
Mexico? And what had Zhenya offered in return? Was it something that could potentially
leave Zhenya vulnerable?

As Kwon Taekjoo remained silent, Zhenya turned him over by the shoulder. Kwon Taekjoo
looked at him with wary eyes.

“What? Are you still worried?”

“.....”

“You still don’t believe me?”

Kwon Taekjoo didn’t respond. He just stared at Zhenya with a conflicted look.

“Then trust me.”

Kwon Taekjoo’s eyes widened slightly at those words. Zhenya looked at him with piercing
intensity, a daring smile playing on his lips. His blue eyes, reflecting Kwon Taekjoo’s face,
were filled with confidence.

“Bet everything on me, Taekjoo. I’ll destroy all your worries completely.”

How ironic for him to say that, considering he was the very source of Kwon Taekjoo’s
worries. Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t help but laugh at Zhenya’s bold and absurd statement.
Suddenly, Zhenya’s face drew closer to his. Their lips intertwined as Zhenya’s rough breath
seeped into Kwon Taekjoo’s mouth.

Kwon Taekjoo was in trouble. His heart had softened the moment he heard Zhenya recklessly
tell him to trust him. There was no logical reason for it... no possible justification. And it was
all because he felt secure knowing Zhenya was on his side. He knew he couldn’t afford to
rely too much on Zhenya, but when it came to him, Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t help but be swept
away, unable to stand on his own.

With a frustrated sigh, Kwon Taekjoo grabbed the back of Zhenya’s neck, tilting his head to
draw Zhenya’s desperate tongue deeper into his mouth.

“Haa, haa...”

The remains of Kwon Taekjoo's mangled military equipment lay strewn across the bathroom
floor. Kwon Taekjoo leaned against the wall under the shower head with heaving breaths, his
chest rising and falling under the pressure of his harness. The undershirt that clung to his
body was already rolled up to the level of his neck. His nipples, which had been nibbled and
sucked, glistened with a wet trail of saliva. His half-ripped briefs stretched against the holster
on his leg, clinging desperately to the side of his thigh. Zhenya's eyes lifted with satisfaction
at the sight of Kwon Taekjoo totally disheveled.

Zhenya gazed intently at Kwon Taekjoo's flushed face and set to work diligently to stretch his
hole. Thanks to Zhenya having squeezed a whole bottle of body oil inside him, his entire hole
and the floor were slippery. Kwon Taekjoo pushed his elbows back and could barely support
his body.

“Mm, ugh, mmn...”

Another long finger pushed through. Kwon Taekjoo squeezed his eyes tightly shut at the
sensation of Zhenya's fingers stretching his walls and opening him deeper. Despite having
fucked Zhenya countless times, for some reason he could never quite get used to the feeling.
Numerous wounds, large and small, covered his body, but he had no chance to feel the pain.
Every cell in his body was uniquely attuned to the constant pleasure coming from below. As
Zhenya continued to stimulate him, Kwon Taekjoo's impatience increased. Every second and
every minute dragged on for what felt like an eternity.

Zhenya dragged his fingers against Kwon Taekjoo's inner walls one last time before pulling
them out, causing Kwon Taekjoo's fully opened knees to tremble. When Zhenya slipped his
fingers back in and focused on his sweet spot, Kwon Taekjoo gritted his teeth and held his
breath, his thighs tightening from the arousal. His cock rose, dripping at the tip. Zhenya
smirked as he watched Kwon Taekjoo's reactions.

“Taekjoo. Every time I touch you here, you collapse in my arms.”

“Shit... stop teasing me and just put it in me already.”

“You see, I really want to live up to your expectations and I know you like it rough, but don't
you think it's still a little early?”

“Haa, when have you ever.... Nngh, cared about that?”

“Why do something that would make you hate me?”

Kwon Taekjoo reached out to pull Zhenya's head closer, pressing their foreheads together
tightly. He stared into Zhenya's wide eyes and growled, “Fuck me, now.”

“... Uh?”

Zhenya's expression changed to one of disbelief, as if someone had just hit him. Then a smile
broke out on his face and, for an instant, his blue eyes seemed to glow. He withdrew the
fingers that had been tightly enclosed in Kwon Taekjoo's hole and, instead, pressed
something heavy and warm against it.

“Oh, is this what I had to do to earn your compliments?”.

Zhenya smiled in satisfaction and pushed his cock in. Kwon Taekjoo's tender, wet hole
stretched to its limit as it slowly swallowed the shaft. His trembling inner walls convulsed at
the intense pressure. The corners of Zhenya's lips curled as he slowly pushed inside Kwon
Taekjoo, his cock twitching violently as he tasted the soft warmth enveloping him.
Meanwhile, Kwon Taekjoo's hands clung to the back of Zhenya's neck and arm, tensing with
each movement.

Not long after, Zhenya's hips pressed down on Kwon Taekjoo's balls with a hard slap. At the
same time, a thick vein bulged in Zhenya's smooth forehead. His pupils contracted, and the
hairs on his cheeks bristled.

“Haa... Taekjoo.”

“Ugh, uhn...”

As usual, Zhenya buried his face in Kwon Taekjoo's hair, rubbing his nose against the jet-
black locks as he peppered him with kisses. His cock tingled with pleasure as he felt the
tightness of Kwon Taekjoo's inner walls. Kwon Taekjoo felt as if his belly and abs were being
pushed and stretched in all directions.

There was no clear boundary between disgust and euphoria, nor between pain and pleasure.
Even though Kwon Taekjoo felt full, with his guts stretched and pushed to the limit, he was
still hungry for more. Oddly enough, he wanted to escape the choking oppression and, at the
same time, he wanted Zhenya to fuck him so hard he lost any coherent thought.

“Agh... Zhenya. Faster...”

“Of course, Taekjoo. Anytime you want,” Zhenya whispered, his voice heavy with desire.
The next moment, Zhenya's cock slid out of him only to thrust violently back in again and
again.

“Ugh, Ngh...! Nmm... I... Ahh!”

“Ahh, Taekjoo.... Taekjoo...”

Zhenya's groin repeatedly slapped the delicate skin over Kwon Taekjoo's hole with each deep
thrust, sending waves of tingling pleasure spreading outward. Kwon Taekjoo's hips trembled
under the intense burn building up between them. Zhenya continued to pound mercilessly
into him, as if trying to engrave the shape of his cock into Kwon Taekjoo's inner walls before
he could pull himself together.

The bathroom echoed with the sound of wet slaps, making a noise that could easily be
mistaken for a violent fist fight. Kwon Taekjoo's ears and head were almost numb from the
constant stimulation.

That was when the back of Kwon Taekjoo's neck and lower spine became cold before a
sudden warmth from below shot up through his body. The intense pressure and pain of
Zhenya's penetration began to melt into a sweet, intoxicating mix of sensations. Kwon
Taekjoo struggled to take more pleasure from Zhenya's cock, despite the fact that he kept
being thrashed around and pinned down by Zhenya's huge body. His moans were escaping
uncontrollably, unable to be restrained.

“Mmm, ugh, Zhen.... haa, ahh... I, ahh!”

“ Taekjoo... do you like it like this? Haa... do you like it, Taekjoo?”

“Ahh, there, ah.... ahh! Ugh!”

“Ugh... Here? You want it here? Mm, like this?”

“Haa! Ahh! Ugh, shit, shit...!”

Kwon Taekjoo let out loud moans, spurring Zhenya to fuck him even faster. Kwon Taekjoo's
inner walls grew hotter as the uneven surface of Zhenya's cock pressed against them. The
intoxicating aroma of warm body oil thickened the air. Kwon Taekjoo couldn't discern
whether his fuzzy mind was due to the intoxicating scent or the intense heat rising from
inside him.

The back of his thighs, which had been intensely rubbed, were red, burning, and sore. When
Kwon Taekjoo reached out to try to stop him, Zhenya grabbed his arm and pressed it against
the wall. Then, he pressed the lower half of his body even closer to Kwon Taekjoo, crushing
him.

"Ah, wait, ugh, just a moment, ah, hah!"

"Taekjoo... Ha, Taekjoo..."

Each time Kwon Taekjoo tried to pull back from the fierce stimulation, Zhenya pushed even
harder, breaking through any resistance, as if commanding him to surrender.

"Ah, mm, hah!"

In the midst of the frantic rush, Kwon Taekjoo slipped on the body oil. Instinctively, he
tightly wrapped his arms around Zhenya's neck. Then, as if it were a lie, Zhenya’s
movements came to an abrupt stop. The hole, which had been passively receiving Zhenya's
cock before, tightened around the hot flesh it held.

“Ha, ha... mm...”

“Нааа...”

For an instant, their gazes met. They were both so aroused they looked ready to bite each
other's necks at any moment. Their breaths were rough and hot.

Kwon Taekjoo looked at Zhenya with intensity as he slowly twisted his body, crushing it. The
shaft, which was half inside his hole, began to be engulfed deeper. Right after the reddened
member was completely swallowed, Kwon Taekjoo's abdominal muscles suddenly tightened.
At that, his inner walls clenched tightly, squeezing Zhenya's cock mercilessly.
“Haa, ugh...mm.... Taekjoo, not bad...”

Zhenya's brow furrowed at the unexpected, agonizing pleasure. The corners of his eyes, his
ears, and even his neck turned bright red. The corners of his mouth quirked upward, and his
cheeks tingled. Even his large body trembled slightly at the sensation. Kwon Taekjoo smirked
as he watched the change with amusement.

“You love it, don’t you, kid.”

“What?”

Zhenya twisted his lips into a smirk as he looked at Kwon Taekjoo. His blue eyes, filled with
a deep ecstasy, stared at him. He chuckled repeatedly, as if stunned by the unexpected
counterattack.

“Where on earth did you learn to play like this? Do they teach this to men in your country?”

“Teach? Only rookies need to learn stuff like this.”

“Ah, so you were born with it?”

“I’ve always been great at improvising.”

Kwon Taekjoo smiled broadly as he wiggled his hips. The cock, which was firmly trapped
inside him, was slowly sucked in and then pulled out, reddened by the friction. As it was
engulfed, the soft mucous membranes firmly surrounded the surface of the shaft, applying a
warm pressure; and as it was pulled out, the tight hole squeezed it as if it was about to cut it
off. The intense sensation caused thick veins to appear, not only on the cock but also on
Zhenya’s lower abdomen.

"Haa, ugh, mm... Taekjoo, mm... a little more…."

Zhenya accepted the sweet pleasure Kwon Taekjoo was offering. Seeing him enjoy the
sensation, Kwon Taekjoo couldn't help but smile slightly. He drew Zhenya’s now beautifully
flushed face closer and whispered in his ear in a deep voice, brushing his lips against the cold
earlobe.

"Zhenya, do you like it?"

Suddenly, Zhenya’s breathing, once steady, grew quiet. For a moment, it seemed as though
his back expanded with a deep breath. Kwon Taekjoo clearly felt Zhenya's cheek tighten as
he clenched his teeth. Smirking, Kwon Taekjoo squeezed his abdomen, firmly pressing
Zhenya's member inside him and gently crushing his own abdomen against Zhenya's.

“Haa, ugh... Your cock, it doesn't know what to do in here, huh? It's twitching so much that
everything in here is throbbing.”

“Huh?”
Zhenya laughed in disbelief. As he murmured "Taekjoo," almost as if complaining, he began
to rub his head against Kwon Taekjoo's shoulder. Then, Zhenya supported Kwon Taekjoo’s
bent waist and slowly licked from his neck to the back of his ear. Although he acted like a
playful dog, his nature wasn’t easily tamed. And this time was no different.

“You're squeezing so much inside and out that I should naturally match those expectations.”

The peculiar rough voice foreshadowed the upcoming storm. Next, Zhenya's cock, which had
been firmly trapped inside, was yanked out. No matter how hard he squeezed, it was no use.
The shaft slipped out almost completely, leaving only the head inside, all the while rubbing
gently against the entrance, creating an unsettling tension, only to be slammed in with such
force that a dry sound echoed, sending a shiver from Kwon Taekjoo's pelvis up his spine.

“Ah! Damn bast...”

The deeply scratched mucous membranes awkwardly tried to get involved around the shaft.
However, Zhenya immediately pulled back only to bury himself back to the root.

“Haa! Ah… Fu-Fucker...”

Kwon Taekjoo let out a groan that was almost a scream. His fingers, in response to the
stabbing pain, dug firmly into Zhenya's shoulders and back. But Zhenya paid no mind and
continued with rapid and deep hip movements, as if punishing the earlier teasing, keeping his
gaze fixed on Kwon Taekjoo as he repeatedly rammed him to his core.

“Ugh! Ah, uh... This damned...! Slow down.... Ah, ah!”

"Haa, there you go, baring your teeth again. You asked for it, Taekjoo."

I didn't? And suddenly, he changed the angle of his thrusting, crushing one side of his inner
wall. In that moment, Kwon Taekjoo clamped his mouth tightly. His jaw tightened, and his
rigid spine began to tremble uncontrollably.

Zhenya's lips curved into a silent smile. Right after, he slowly withdrew his cock and thrust it
back into that exact spot, eliciting a scream from Kwon Taekjoo as his body collapsed.
Without missing a chance, Zhenya continued to ram relentlessly, concentrating obsessively
on that spot. The constant pounding, crushing and squeezing deep inside him, sent electric
currents all the way to his brain, wrenching out moans of frustration one after another.

“Ah! Ugh, ah...! Ugh, ah, uh...”

"Biting so hard with intention, huh? Is that it?"

The pleasure, almost painful, poured over like a waterfall. Every sense in his body sharpened,
to the point where even the touch of a single hair was clearly felt. Zhenya's burning cock
seemed determined to force its way into his belly. Some of the mangled skin inside him clung
to the shaft that was thrusting out forcefully, only to be quickly pushed back in.

Zhenya licked Kwon Taekjoo's lips, forcing them open. Although Kwon Taekjoo bit his
tongue down as soon as Zhenya went inside, he ignored it as if he was used to it. The tongues
aggressively intertwined, and a subtle taste of blood appeared, only to be quickly neutralized
by the dense saliva that had been accumulating. Each time Zhenya's cock pierced and
prodded Taekjoo’s most sensitive inner flesh, Kwon Taekjoo's tongue reacted instinctively,
causing the corners of Zhenya's lips to rise steadily.

“Uugh, ugh, uh, hngh, ugh, hngh, hngh, uugh!”

Even while his lips were sealed, the rhythm of Zhenya's cock thrusting in and out did not
slow down in the slightest. The pounding from tip to base, penetrating deep in a single thrust,
remained constant. Now, every time he pierced through that spot that became more sensitive
with the slightest friction, Kwon Taekjoo would exhale in despair.

“Stop! Haah, haah!”

Kwon Taekjoo unleashed his survival instinct and lifted Zhenya's chin. Only then could he
exhale the breath he had been holding back. His chest ached from the tension he had been
suppressing. Yet, Zhenya continued to explore below. His pupils, now dilated, showed that he
was no longer in his right mind. It seemed like he would have to pull him out of this state
first.

He buried his head into Zhenya's neck as, with effort, he squeezed his hole. Then he bit down
hard on his skin and pulled back as he sucked. Kwon Taekjoo didn’t know if it was his
imagination, but Zhenya’s Adam's apple seemed to throb visibly.

Right after that, Zhenya's two arms squeezed Kwon Taekjoo as if he wanted to crush him.
Then, his cock jerked explosively inside his hole. Kwon Taekjoo felt that he might tear
himself apart at any moment, but he was trapped, unable to move. He could only endure the
intense, clingy lust that Zhenya was pouring over him.

“Ha... Ugh... Ha, Ah... Ugh, Zhe... Zhenya... Ugh! Ha... Ugh...”

“Ha... Ugh... Taekjoo, Taek...”

Zhenya had been violently thrusting inside him when he suddenly slammed into Kwon
Taekjoo for the last time with a wet slap. At the same time, Zhenya's cock squirmed
uncontrollably inside Kwon Taekjoo, releasing another kind of heat. Zhenya pushed himself
against the floor, pressing Kwon Taekjoo even tighter against the corner, until their bodies,
now entwined, pressed even tighter together. With ragged breath, Zhenya growled against
Kwon Taekjoo's neck.

Zhenya let out a long, raspy exhale, as he momentarily stilled, before ramming into Kwon
Taekjoo one last time. His cock twitched before releasing a white stream of fluid. Kwon
Taekjoo's inner walls, warm from the constant friction, were coated with Zhenya's semen and
continued to tremble in the lingering agony of pleasure.

“Haa, haa... Taekjoo.”

“Ahhh....”
Zhenya continued to whisper Kwon Taekjoo's name while sinking his face into Taekjoo's
hair. Even though Kwon Taekjoo's whole body was slick with sweat, Zhenya showered him
with kisses, undeterred. Too exhausted to resist, Kwon Taekjoo remained in his embrace and
moaned, “Shit.... How come I get fucked harder by you than anything else on my missions?”.

“That's too much complaining for someone who just came so hard. Look, your cum is really
sticky. You must have been very restrained,”.

Zhenya collected Kwon Taekjoo's semen from between his clothes and held it up, stretching
the milky strands between his fingers. Kwon Taekjoo slapped his hand away.

“Stop it, you bastard.”

Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t understand what was so funny to Zhenya while he was clearly
disgusted. He clicked his tongue in disapproval, searching for something to drink in the
room. His throat had been dry when he entered the bathroom, but now it felt completely
parched. He could have sworn he had seen a bottle of water somewhere.

Finally, he spotted the bottle on the sink. Kwon Taekjoo reached desperately for it, but it was
useless since he was immobilized by Zhenya’s embrace. He gave Zhenya a light tap on the
shoulder.

“Hey, let me go. I’m thirsty and I need to shower.”

“Alright,” Zhenya replied, nodding obediently, but he made no move to release Kwon
Taekjoo. Instead, he intertwined his hands and raised them, pinning Kwon Taekjoo against
the wall.

“What now?” Kwon Taekjoo began to complain, but Zhenya silenced him with a kiss. His
tongue invaded Kwon Taekjoo’s mouth before he could even react. Was Zhenya trying to
quench Kwon Taekjoo’s thirst with a kiss? Surely he wasn’t jealous of the water bottle...
Maybe he just didn’t want to let go of Kwon Taekjoo for even a moment. Kwon Taekjoo
couldn’t understand Zhenya’s intentions, but if this was his way of getting back at Kwon
Taekjoo for going to work during their vacation, there was no reason to refuse. It was almost
endearing to see such a big man acting like a spoiled child, so he accepted Zhenya’s affection
and started to suck on his tongue. But instead of relieving his thirst, his throat only grew
drier.

Kwon Taekjoo jolted when his breathing became labored. He tried to tell Zhenya to stop, but
Zhenya quieted him by pressing his tongue firmly against his. Zhenya’s hands slid down
Kwon Taekjoo’s wrists, intertwining their fingers through Kwon Taekjoo’s clenched fists. As
Kwon Taekjoo’s right hand moved up, his fingertips brushed against something... a long
faucet shaped like a bar. The rush of water that began to flow confirmed its presence.

Kwon Taekjoo barely managed to pull his mouth away from Zhenya’s, gasping, “Nngh, aahh
aah, what are you...!” before he was left speechless. Zhenya stood there, soaked, droplets
forming on his nose and chin, dripping onto Kwon Taekjoo’s face. Each of Zhenya’s pale
eyelashes held drops that splashed against Kwon Taekjoo’s cheeks. The moment unfolded
slowly before him. The blue eyes watching him sparkled brighter than ever. Unable to hold
back, Kwon Taekjoo burst into laughter.

“Clever little bastard... You rely on your looks to save you, don’t you?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Zhenya said with a cheerful smile, feigning
innocence.

Kwon Taekjoo stood firm against Zhenya’s provocation, slowly opening his mouth and
sticking out his tongue. The sweet water made it slippery. He licked the curve of his lower lip
with his wet tongue, locking his gaze on Zhenya, who was intensely focused on him.
Zhenya’s lips hovered at the edge of his vision, and his eyelashes fluttered softly. Kwon
Taekjoo was still thirsty.

Subtly, Kwon Taekjoo tilted his head back to catch the droplets of water from Zhenya’s chin,
his tongue tracing a path upward from Zhenya’s throat to his ear, where he gave a gentle bite.
But it wasn’t enough to truly quench his dry throat. Although Kwon Taekjoo knew this would
only intensify his thirst, he couldn’t bring himself to stop.

The streams of water flowing through Zhenya’s ivory hair and slick face mingled and
separated around the protrusion of his throat. For some reason, Kwon Taekjoo thought it
would be a shame to just watch it happen. He gently bit Zhenya’s collarbone and sucked,
eliciting a low moan from Zhenya’s throat and causing his brow to furrow in response.

Kwon Taekjoo pulled away with a wet sound. In a hoarse voice, he commanded, “...Yevgeny.
Let go of my hands now.”

Amazingly, Zhenya released Kwon Taekjoo’s wrists. Kwon Taekjoo used his free arms to
pull Zhenya closer by the neck. As if anticipating the movement, Zhenya lifted him, and
Kwon Taekjoo’s legs wrapped tightly around him.

The two kissed each other with intensity, on the forehead, cheeks, lips and ears. Meanwhile,
Zhenya's cock pressed against Kwon Taekjoo's crotch, rubbing against his member. The
steady streams of water falling from above served as a lubricant, making their bodies slippery
and intensifying the arousal that had once again flared up between them.

Zhenya was quick to press his hard erection against Kwon Taekjoo's ass. But he made no
move to enter him. Instead, he licked Kwon Taekjoo's cheek and casually led him into a kiss,
waiting for him to melt in his arms.

Kwon Taekjoo, at first stiff due to his position, gradually began to relax. His tongue,
entangled with Zhenya's, became more and more slippery and soft. Although Zhenya's cock
had only brushed against his entrance before, Kwon Taekjoo now felt Zhenya's glans pushing
inside him.

Zhenya moaned, “Taekjoo,” before thrusting his cock into Kwon Taekjoo's softened hole.
Kwon Taekjoo, initially relaxed in Zhenya's embrace, suddenly let out a high-pitched moan,
instinctively clinging to Zhenya.
 “Agh...Nnn.... slowly...”

“Of course, whatever you want.”

Zhenya effortlessly lifted Kwon Taekjoo's body, tightening it against him, and began to fuck
into his inner walls. The shower continued to run for a long time, filling the bathroom with its
persistent sound.

Chapter End Notes

Support the author by purchasing the novel on Ridibooks.

 Restart
Chapter Notes

The characters will communicate in different languages.

•RUSSIAN DIALOGUES ARE IN ITALICS

•ENGLISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD
•KOREAN DIALOGUES ARE NOT FORMATTED
•SPANISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD ITALICS

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Once they had finished showering, Kwon Taekjoo collapsed onto the bed, his body
completely limp. It was hard to even move a finger. Kwon Taekjoo didn’t have the strength to
check the time or think about the situation in Cuba. His mind was foggy, teetering on the
edge of unconsciousness.

Zhenya approached the bed. Part of the mattress sank under his weight. With his eyes fixed
on Kwon Taekjoo, he gently lifted one of Kwon Taekjoo’s arms, placed a hand under his
head, and positioned him so his head rested against the headboard. Kwon Taekjoo wondered
if it was wise to let him move his body at will. A small part of his reasoning protested, but
Kwon Taekjoo thought, “What’s the point? He’s my boyfriend anyway.” It was strange to
think that his life had once been in Zhenya’s hands, but now, instead of feeling suspicious, he
found comfort and peace in his touch.

“…Mmm.”

The back of Kwon Taekjoo’s head sank into the soft pillow. Out of the corner of his eye, he
noticed a pale hand reaching for his face. Realizing Zhenya was trying to touch him, he
instinctively leaned his face toward the hand. As soon as they made contact, Kwon Taekjoo
shuddered at the unexpected sensation and opened his eyes to see whiskey sloshing inside a
glass in front of him.

Kwon Taekjoo opened his mouth but quickly closed it, realizing his voice was completely
gone. He coughed a few times to get it back before trying again.

“Hey. I told you I was thirsty. How could you…?”

“Taekjoo, I know you like pain, but there’s really no need to endure unnecessary discomfort.”

“What are you talking about?”

Kwon Taekjoo frowned and shifted his body before stopping. A quiet, sharp pain spread
throughout his body, which felt as heavy as a waterlogged piece of cotton. He suspected the
discomfort wasn’t just from having sex with Zhenya.

Lifting his head, Kwon Taekjoo looked down at himself. Thanks to the brief shower, his skin
seemed relatively clean, though it was covered with an array of large and small bandages.
Even the smallest cuts and scratches gleamed, probably covered with some kind of ointment.
Kwon Taekjoo knew he had several deep cuts that required stitches. He wondered if Zhenya
had stitched them all by hand.

Kwon Taekjoo carefully peeled back the bandage on his arm. The wound, as thin as a
fingernail, was perfectly sealed, with stitches so evenly sized that Kwon Taekjoo might have
believed Zhenya if he had claimed he had experience sewing. A small laugh escaped him at
the absurdity of the thought.

“Why did you bother stitching these up? You got off on touching my bare skin again, didn't
you?”.

Zhenya tilted his pale face and offered a ridiculous response.

“Of course not. It’s the small cuts that tend to leave the most lasting scars. Don’t you think
you already have enough marks on you, thanks to me?”

Kwon Taekjoo wondered if he had finally gone insane, because Zhenya’s ridiculous
statement sounded strangely romantic to his ears. Clearly, something was wrong with his
head after the explosion. Either that, or his emotions had spiraled completely out of control.

As Kwon Taekjoo struggled to sit up, he pondered the silly question of whether madness
could be contagious, letting out an involuntary groan from the effort. In response, Zhenya
gently waved a glass in front of him.

“Drink this. I gave you some painkillers, but they’ll wear off soon.”

Kwon Taekjoo gladly accepted the glass from Zhenya and quenched his thirst, feeling his
parched insides finally start to hydrate. A burning sensation spread from his esophagus to his
stomach, but Kwon Taekjoo ignored it and took another sip, finding the scent of the liquor
pleasant. By the way, how expensive was the drink? Considering Zhenya was the kind of
person who would casually drink wine worth as much as an entire house, anyone could guess
the price. He finished the drink quickly and handed the empty glass back to Zhenya.

“Do you want another glass?”

“…No, thanks.”

Kwon Taekjoo seemed to be relieved of any major pain, thanks to Zhenya’s attentive care. It
wasn’t surprising, given that he had taken painkillers, was utterly exhausted, and had drunk
alcohol. The problem was that the stiffness in his hips and the odd lingering sensation inside
his ass were still as clear as day.

Had Zhenya ruthlessly pounded him again last night? Kwon Taekjoo had blacked out halfway
through the encounter, so it was impossible to know how long they had gone at it. Of course,
there was no better indicator than the state of his own body. It was so typical of Zhenya to
push him to his limits every time he felt like having sex.

“Haaa… even though I try to overlook it all and adore you, I just can’t.”

“What are you saying? Speak in Russian.”

Or maybe you could learn Korean. Are you trying to stop me from talking to myself now?
Kwon Taekjoo thought.

Annoyed, Kwon Taekjoo snapped back, “Are you horny 365 days a year? I barely came back
alive. How could you do that to me all night?”

“What are you talking about? If you’re referring to our late-night session, you were the one
who started it. I distinctly remember telling you to go wash up,” Zhenya retorted stubbornly,
as if he wouldn’t have had sex if Kwon Taekjoo had just followed his request.

Realizing it was pointless to argue with him, Kwon Taekjoo shook his head and examined his
own body. His skin was a patchwork of wounds and kiss marks. Even the bruises he had
suffered earlier had been replaced by hickeys. Was this what Zhenya meant when he said
Kwon Taekjoo already had enough marks thanks to him? Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t help but let
out a sigh.

“You went overboard with the biting. People might mistake you for a zombie.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Cannibalism isn’t really my thing.”

“Well, good for you.”

“Ah, now that I think about it, I forgot this spot.”

Zhenya’s words made no sense to Kwon Taekjoo as Zhenya reached for the ointment on the
nearby desk. He unscrewed the lid, put some on his hand, and rubbed it all over Kwon
Taekjoo’s nipple. The poor lump of flesh had already been nibbled and sucked by Zhenya all
night and now trembled easily under his touch. Kwon Taekjoo flinched at the delicate
sensation.

“Ugh, stop it, you idiot.”

“What? Now you’re embarrassed?”

“No, I’m disgusted by your nonsense. When are you going to stop acting like a little kid?”

“I’m a little kid?”

“Well, how else would you explain your fixation on my chest?”

“Even if it’s true, it’s not like I need to fix it. You like it too.”

Zhenya grabbed Kwon Taekjoo’s left pec and gave it a squeeze. Leaning in close, he
whispered playfully, “Last night, you even came once just from me playing with your chest.”

The sharp edge of Zhenya’s nose brushed against Kwon Taekjoo’s ear and neck. But just as
Zhenya was about to bite Kwon Taekjoo’s neck, he was stopped by Kwon Taekjoo’s hand.

“Knock it off.”

“Knock what off?”

“I’m not falling for your tricks again.”

“What are you talking about?”

Zhenya gave him a confused look, as if he truly didn’t understand. Since he had gone through
the trouble of cleaning Kwon Taekjoo’s body and dressing him in fresh clothes after he’d
passed out, Kwon Taekjoo’s comment was more than a little irritating.

“You can use your pretty face all you want, but it won’t work on me. I’m immune.”

After a moment, Zhenya responded, “…Oh? You think I’m pretty?” he said, laughing.
Mockingly, he added, “Admit it. I was definitely your type from the start, wasn’t I?”

Kwon Taekjoo clenched his fists, resisting the urge to smack the cocky bastard in front of
him.

He forced himself to unclench his fists and extended a hand toward Zhenya.

“Stop with the nonsense and hand me your phone.”

Zhenya tilted his head at Kwon Taekjoo’s unheard-of request. The last remnants of his
playful attitude disappeared.

“My phone? Why?”

“My transmitter was destroyed, so I have no way of contacting headquarters. I also lost my
phone and my gun in the revolt.”

“So what?”

“What do you mean, ‘so what’? I still need to file my report, you know that.”

“Even now, all you can think about is work.”

“Yes, and I’m just trying to finish the aforementioned work. Come on,” Kwon Taekjoo
insisted, motioning with his hand.
Reluctantly, Zhenya handed over his phone, an unmistakable look of disapproval in his eyes.
It would’ve been helpful if Zhenya had unlocked it first, but of course, foresight wasn’t one
of his strong suits. With a sigh, Kwon Taekjoo held the phone up and brought the screen
close to Zhenya’s face. For a moment, Zhenya’s real face seemed more dreamlike than his
reflection on the screen. Kwon Taekjoo found himself staring at him long after the facial
recognition program had activated.

Maybe Zhenya noticed the intense look Kwon Taekjoo was giving him because suddenly, he
leaned in closer. Their noses brushed lightly before their lips met in a gentle kiss. Kwon
Taekjoo savored Zhenya’s face so close to his, watching as Zhenya narrowed his eyes at him.
When Kwon Taekjoo parted his lips slightly, Zhenya’s thick tongue slid across Kwon
Taekjoo’s dry lips and entered his mouth. Their breaths and saliva mingled, replacing the
bitter taste in Kwon Taekjoo’s mouth with something sweet and intoxicating. The cut in
Kwon Taekjoo’s mouth stung from the kiss, but Zhenya’s tongue was so soft and tender as it
sucked on his that Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t pull away.

Zhenya’s hands moved instinctively to grasp Kwon Taekjoo’s shoulders, but Kwon Taekjoo
gently guided them down. He knew Zhenya wouldn’t be satisfied with just one kiss, so he
gave him a series of short kisses, each one ending with a wet smack.

“Wait here. I won’t take long.”

Though Zhenya clung to him stubbornly, he didn’t try to stop Kwon Taekjoo outright. It
seemed he’d learned that his patience would eventually be rewarded with something far more
tempting. He had once been a wild and untamable beast, but now he resembled a dog who
only craved his owner’s affection.

Kwon Taekjoo ruffled his hair, and Zhenya nuzzled into his neck. At the same time, Kwon
Taekjoo’s other hand deftly typed on the phone. Just in case the device was tapped, he placed
a call to Yoon Jongwoo’s social media account. Kwon Taekjoo worried that the signal might
be weak since they were out at sea, but the dial tone sounded after only a brief wait.

However, no matter how long he waited, the call wasn’t picked up. It was possible that an
emergency had also been declared at the headquarters. He was about to send Yoon Jongwoo a
message when the phone in his hand suddenly buzzed with a text notification.
[Hello. Mr. Bogdanov. I’m sorry that I couldn’t answer your call. I’m in a meeting.]

Kwon Taekjoo let out a disbelieving laugh at the overly formal response. If Yoon Jongwoo
had been in a situation urgent enough to miss the call, he wouldn’t have had time to reply to a
text. So, he was clearly lying about being in a meeting. Kwon Taekjoo quickly shot back a
reply.

[If you don’t want to die, pick up the phone.]

As soon as he sent the message, he hit the call button. The familiar ringtone sounded, only to
abruptly stop before Kwon Taekjoo finally heard Yoon Jongwoo’s long-awaited voice.

["H-Hello? Mr. Ye-Yevgeny... Uh... It’s been a while. How are you?"]

“Yeah, the proper response should be, ‘I’m fine, thank you,’ kid. Why are you st-st-
stuttering like a fool?”

["...Huh?"]

“What do you mean, huh?”

["Is that you, Sunbae? Taekjoo sunbae? Sunbae!! What happened to you? Are you safe?"]
“You’re going to make my ears bleed, idiot. I’m calling because I’m safe, obviously.”

["Are you hurt? I heard there was a huge explosion at the site, so I was super worried! Our
transmissions were cut off, and you didn’t contact me for a whole day! Seriously, I was so
worried I thought I’d have to plan your funeral!"]

“Oh really? Are you sure you weren’t secretly hoping for it?”

["Hey, don’t even joke about that! Anyway, where are you? Are you okay? Have you eaten
anything yet?"]

“Calm down, will you? You’re going to run out of breath. Ask your questions one at a time.”

“That’s your colleague, isn’t it?” Zhenya interrupted disdainfully, overhearing their
conversation. Did Yoon Jongwoo hear him through the phone? Kwon Taekjoo heard a gulp
on the other end as Yoon Jongwoo swallowed hard.

["Are you with Mr. Yevgeny? Oh, right, this account is his too, isn’t it?"]

“Why are you so formal with him? I already told you, you two are friends.”

["Sunbae, don’t rush to call someone my friend. I have no intention of considering him as
such!"]

“Come on, use your head. It’d be smart to make him your friend so he at least thinks twice
before killing you.”

["Uh... really? Wait, that’s not the point right now. Why is Mr. Yevgeny there in the first
place?"]

“I ran into him by pure coincidence. He said he came to buy some cigars.”

["What?"]

Kwon Taekjoo laughed at Yoon Jongwoo’s incredulous reaction and glanced at Zhenya.

“See? Even he doesn’t buy your excuse.”

Not understanding their conversation, Zhenya raised an eyebrow in response. Likewise, Yoon
Jongwoo had no idea what was going on.

["Sunbae?"]

“Oh, nothing. For now, I lost my transmitter and all my personal belongings, so I had no
choice but to contact you this way. I’m out at sea.”

["What? ...Out at sea?"]

Kwon Taekjoo could hear Yoon Jongwoo typing on the other end of the line. It sounded like
he was tracking the device’s location. Anyway, Kwon Taekjoo had been wondering where the
yacht was, so he decided to wait for Yoon Jongwoo’s response while he caressed Zhenya’s
face.

["Sunbae. Are you in Mexico?"]

“Oh, are we in Mexico right now?”

["You didn’t know?"]

“How could I have known? I was dragged here.”

["You’re not kidnapped, are you? Should I demand a ransom?"]

“If I were, would I be talking to you on the phone right now? Don’t worry. I’m in the safest
place there is,” Kwon Taekjoo said, looking at Zhenya. Meanwhile, Zhenya listened carefully
to the conversation, though he didn’t understand a word. He seemed to be trying to grasp the
gist from Kwon Taekjoo’s tone.

“Anyway, I don’t know when I’ll be back, so Jongwoo, I need you to report to the director for
me. Tell him the ‘Electric Hammer’ hideout was destroyed, thanks to a couple of rats
throwing a literal bomb at it. I also managed to export the data from their computers...”

Kwon Taekjoo quickly whispered “USB” to Zhenya, who was still staring at him. It was the
only thing he had managed to protect while evading Cuban authorities, fighting off the U.S.
PMC, and surviving Zhenya’s attacks.

Zhenya nodded and left the room. Kwon Taekjoo fixed his eyes on the back of Zhenya’s head
and continued his conversation with Yoon Jongwoo.

“I’ll upload it to our group work system later, so check it out afterward.”

["Understood. You really did a great job."]

“No need to flatter me. It’s my usual work. Oh, by the way, what about the privately
contracted soldiers? Did you manage to trace who they’re affiliated with?”

["They’re a multinational group of mercenaries, and they recently worked with a U.S. PMC
called ‘Golden Bullet.’ They’re no longer exactly affiliated with anyone else, but... doesn’t it
all smell a bit fishy? All signs point to the U.S. making a move to pin the blame on us. After
all, that way they can close this cyberattack incident on their own terms. Of course, thanks to
you cornering them all, it looks like they’ll be the ones shouldering the blame. The higher-
ups might overlook your breach of protocol this time, don’t you think? Though you might
still have to write an incident report."]

“Haa... another incident report? I’m so sick of that crap.”

["Did you really think you’d get off scot-free? You should’ve escaped when you had the
chance. Consider yourself lucky that everything turned out well. If things had gone wrong,
this could’ve become a serious diplomatic issue."]
“How could I just stand by and watch our so-called ‘allies’ stab us in the back? Do you really
want our country to be seen as a fool by the whole world?”

["A fool? That’s going too far. Sunbae, you really need to tone down that temper of yours if
you want to live a little longer."]

“Thanks for the advice, but I have no doubt I’ll live a long life thanks to you.”

["Thanks to me? What did I do?"]

“You badmouth me all the time. Admit it, you did it just a moment ago, didn’t you?”

["Oh God, Sunbae, your grudges run deep. Aren’t you overthinking what happened in the
past?"]

“Well, can you blame me for having a good memory?”

["Haa... Considering you’re joking like this; you must really be fine. And here I was losing
sleep worrying about you."]

Kwon Taekjoo smirked at Yoon Jongwoo’s grumpy complaints. For some reason, teasing
Yoon Jongwoo was one of those things he had never grown tired of over the years.

They chatted for a while until, all of a sudden, Kwon Taekjoo turned his head, feeling
someone’s gaze on him. Zhenya had already returned and was giving him a strange look. Did
he not like Kwon Taekjoo happily chatting with someone else? Maybe it was because Zhenya
wanted all of Kwon Taekjoo’s attention for himself. Moments like these made Zhenya seem
like nothing more than a big baby.

Seeing Zhenya sulking like a child reminded him of two other kids from before. Kwon
Taekjoo decided to ask about them.

"There were some children at the scene."

["Children? Oh, I heard there were a few survivors. The Cuban authorities probably have
them in custody, questioning them as we speak. Why? Are you worried about them?"]

“Yeah, well, they were just innocent kids caught up in adult greed.”

They had lost their family and home before they even had time to process it, so Kwon
Taekjoo could only imagine that their daily lives were now a living hell. It wasn’t clear if the
Cuban government would provide them with proper medical care and support. Kwon Taekjoo
worried about things like that, only to chastise himself for going soft. After all, when had he
ever cared about anything beyond his own mission objectives?

Up until recently, Kwon Taekjoo had considered all casualties from his operations as
unfortunate but necessary. In his mind, he justified them as a small price to pay to eliminate a
bigger threat. He had seen so much misery that he’d even begun to question the innocence of
the weak, like those two children.
But this time, he couldn’t act or think as coldly as before. His mind told him not to hesitate,
but his heart stubbornly held him back. Strangely, Kwon Taekjoo had occasionally seen the
faces of his loved ones superimposed on his targets. He recalled the words of a veteran agent
who once told him that the more personal relationships you had, the more you’d hesitate to
pull the trigger. At the time, Kwon Taekjoo thought that didn’t apply to him, but now he
wondered if it did.

“...Anyway, tell the director I’ll return on my own.”

["Are you sure you don’t need any help getting back? The whole area will have its borders
shut down, and security will be tight for a while."]

“I’ll manage. It’s not like I’m seriously hurt, and luckily, I have the strongest ally right here
by my side.”

When Kwon Taekjoo mentioned his “strongest ally,” he looked at Zhenya and smiled.
Zhenya asked, "What does that mean?"

“The most reliable and powerful monster in the world.”

As Kwon Taekjoo explained in Russian, the hardness in Zhenya’s expression softened. Yoon
Jongwoo asked what he was talking about, but Kwon Taekjoo replied with a simple, “I’m
hanging up,” before handing the phone back to Zhenya. Zhenya leaned in to kiss him, but
Kwon Taekjoo blocked his lips with the phone screen, thus ending the call. Zhenya’s blue
eyes filled with confusion at the unexpected move, but Kwon Taekjoo reached a hand out to
him.

“I think I’ll retrieve my USB now.”

“Huh?”

Zhenya seemed to obediently hand over the USB at first. But when Kwon Taekjoo reached
out to grab it, Zhenya’s fist closed around it.

“What are you doing?”

"Now that I think about it, Taekjoo, this might’ve been yours before, but now it’s in my hands,
right? I don’t give up anything of mine that easily."

“Oh, is that so?”

Kwon Taekjoo smiled and tilted his head. Zhenya met his gaze with a similarly smug grin,
clearly anticipating Kwon Taekjoo’s next move.

Kwon Taekjoo picked up the glass he had set down earlier and swirled the golden-colored
whiskey inside. Zhenya briefly glanced at the glass before focusing on Kwon Taekjoo's face.
Their eyes met, and Kwon Taekjoo held Zhenya’s gaze as he slowly sipped the remaining
whiskey. As the rich taste spread across his palate, Zhenya’s smile gradually faded. He didn’t
blink once. His dark pupils, surrounded by a crystal-blue iris, narrowed with intensity,
focusing entirely on Kwon Taekjoo.
With a loud gulp, Kwon Taekjoo drank the whiskey, his Adam’s apple bobbing. When he
pulled his lips away from the empty glass, a single drop of whiskey, precariously hanging
between his mouth and the glass, followed the curve of his lip and trickled down. Kwon
Taekjoo carefully slid his tongue to catch the drop.

“The flavor is pretty good. Want to try it?”

“Ah, that performance of yours would leave most sex spies crying,” Zhenya murmured,
stunned, as he caressed Kwon Taekjoo's moist lips.

His thumb brushed over the thick curve of Kwon Taekjoo’s lower lip before pressing it down.
Kwon Taekjoo covered Zhenya's finger with his upper lip, drawing it into his mouth, and
then gently licked it with his slick, agile tongue. Zhenya’s body gave a small shudder at this
rare display of seduction from Kwon Taekjoo.

In the next instant, Zhenya lunged toward him. Kwon Taekjoo turned his head just in time for
Zhenya’s lips to graze his cheek. Then, he waved the shiny, empty glass in front of Zhenya,
who was breathing heavily. Zhenya shook his head, panting, and then dropped the USB into
the glass with a soft clink, making Kwon Taekjoo’s lips curl into a smile. As soon as he got
what he wanted, Kwon Taekjoo gently tangled his hand in Zhenya’s hair and pulled him
closer.

Zhenya desperately inhaled Kwon Taekjoo’s whiskey-laced breath and pressed himself
against him. As Kwon Taekjoo's fingers stroked Zhenya’s ivory-colored hair, Zhenya
breathed heavily, letting out a faint moan. His pale cheeks quickly flushed. Kwon Taekjoo
found it adorable how easily Zhenya responded to his touches and breath. He felt a sense of
satisfaction every time Zhenya acted so earnestly in search of his affection, especially since it
was such a contrast to his usual demeanor.

Their lips met and parted repeatedly with wet, sucking sounds, their tongues pushing against
one another in an obscene struggle. Meanwhile, Zhenya had climbed onto Kwon Taekjoo,
holding his face and kissing him relentlessly. He seemed like a man who had tasted
something sweet for the first time, desperate for more, yet his movements were still tender
and gentle. Kwon Taekjoo matched his pace, caressing his ear and cheek. They both enjoyed
the tiny sparks of static electricity that flickered from Kwon Taekjoo’s fingertips.

Kwon Taekjoo slid his finger beneath Zhenya’s heated eyes and kissed him repeatedly.
Perhaps due to the rough texture of his hardened skin, Zhenya’s long lashes fluttered against
Kwon Taekjoo’s touch, tickling the edges of his eyes and cheeks.

Kwon Taekjoo pulled his hand away, thinking his skin might be itchy, but Zhenya gently
grabbed it and kissed each of his fingers before guiding it back to his cheek. Then, he placed
light kisses on Kwon Taekjoo’s lips. Kwon Taekjoo tilted his head to catch both Zhenya’s
upper lip and tongue in his mouth at once, letting out a sweet moan. Zhenya’s breathing was
just as deep and heavy. Kwon Taekjoo softly rubbed his hand against the tiny hairs standing
up on Zhenya’s cheek, over and over. He thought he’d never been this gentle with anyone
before.
Drunk on their shared moment of tenderness, they continued caressing, kissing, and pressing
against each other. Compared to sex, this was child’s play, and yet Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t
help but cling to Zhenya, savoring the soft, tingling sensation it gave him.

Kwon Taekjoo’s enthusiasm began to fade quickly. The tongue that had been roughly
exploring Zhenya’s became still. Only then did Zhenya stop and look at him. Kwon Taekjoo
had been breathing heavily for a while, and now his eyes were half-closed. The fatigue he
had been accumulating seemed to catch up with him all at once, possibly intensified by the
strong painkiller from earlier.

“Are you going to sleep?” Zhenya asked him. Kwon Taekjoo slowly nodded, lazily
extending both arms toward Zhenya.

“Come here, Yevgeny.”

Zhenya approached, looking skeptical. Kwon Taekjoo flashed a faint smile and pulled him in
for a hug. Pressed tightly against Kwon Taekjoo’s chest, Zhenya asked, “Taekjoo?” He
squirmed uncomfortably, as if something strange had just happened to him.

With his eyes already closed, Kwon Taekjoo gently stroked Zhenya’s back while holding him
in his arms.

“Listen, your Hyung will play with you once he gets some rest.”

“What?”

“Mm, such a good boy.”

“Hey, Taekjoo...”

“You should sleep too. I know you didn’t get any rest, stitching up my wounds all night,” he
mumbled, coaxing Zhenya with sleepy, slurred words. Whenever Kwon Taekjoo was drunk
or half-conscious, he would switch languages like he had earlier, a clear sign he was on the
verge of passing out.

It didn’t take long for his eyelids to remain still. The arm cradling Zhenya weakened and
started to slip down. Zhenya lifted his head and stared at Kwon Taekjoo, who was now fast
asleep. He kept his eyes on Kwon Taekjoo’s sleeping figure for a while before leaning in
close enough to feel his breath and inhale the sweet air he exhaled. Normally, Kwon Taekjoo
would have woken up instantly, demanding he stop acting strange, but he was already in a
deep sleep.

Zhenya tilted his head to rest his ear against Kwon Taekjoo’s chest. The heartbeat that had
once made his own race now beat slowly but steadily, making its presence known. He
listened to the rhythmic thumps like a lullaby, his eyelids growing heavier. Their deep breaths
synchronized into one, and soon, the sweet pull of sleep enveloped him.

.
 .

Chapter End Notes

Support the author by purchasing the novel on Ridibooks.

 Blue Shangri-La
Chapter Notes

The characters will communicate in different languages.

•RUSSIAN DIALOGUES ARE IN ITALICS

•ENGLISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD
•KOREAN DIALOGUES ARE NOT FORMATTED
•SPANISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD ITALICS

See the end of the chapter for more notes

"Taekjoo, wake up."

Kwon Taekjoo opened his eyes sluggishly at the sound of Zhenya's voice waking him. The
blinding sunlight threatened to pierce his vision, forcing him to squint and raise a hand to
block it. Before he could do so, Zhenya stepped in, saving him the effort.

“We’ve arrived.”

“Arrived? Where?”

Zhenya nodded towards the window, as if urging Kwon Taekjoo to take a look for himself.
Grumbling, Kwon Taekjoo pushed himself up. Despite having slept well, parts of his body
ached in protest. His sense of touch felt dull, as though his entire body was swollen.

As Kwon Taekjoo struggled to sit up, Zhenya handed him a bottle of water, unusually kind in
his demeanor. Kwon Taekjoo lightly patted Zhenya's cheek before quenching his thirst. He
had been parched all night, so he easily drained the bottle. Afterward, he crushed it, as he
always did, and made his way to the window.

According to Zhenya, the yacht was now docked at a port. Oddly enough, no other yachts
were in sight. Only a few motorboats and jet skis could be seen.

Kwon Taekjoo's attention was immediately drawn to the tranquil, emerald-colored sea. There
were no high-rise buildings, no residential houses… perhaps they had arrived at a remote
island. The well-preserved coast suggested some form of human maintenance, but the
absence of people made Kwon Taekjoo feel notably out of place.
At that moment, Zhenya approached from behind, pressing his body against Kwon Taekjoo
and wrapping his arms around his shoulders. As usual, he nuzzled his face into Kwon
Taekjoo’s hair. Kwon Taekjoo leaned back slightly, resting against him, and opened his
mouth to speak.

“Where are we?”

“I don’t know.”

“Jongwoo said we were in Mexico. Is that true?”

“I guess so.”

“He’s either right or he’s not. What are you trying to say?”

“I’m just saying it doesn’t matter where we are. It’s peaceful here, and no one will bother us.
Isn’t that all we need?”

Given that they were being hunted by the authorities, Zhenya wasn’t entirely wrong. But
Kwon Taekjoo needed to know their exact location to be prepared for whatever came next.
Zhenya was already a constant unpredictability—he didn’t need more uncertainties to add to
the list.

“No one will bother us? Are you telling me there’s another damned place like this?”

Kwon Taekjoo responded in disbelief, only to be interrupted by the rumbling of his stomach.
He realized he couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten properly, or how long it had been
since he’d lost consciousness. Zhenya slid his fingers over Kwon Taekjoo’s flat and noisy
stomach.

“Why don’t we eat first?”

Although Zhenya’s tone was clearly mocking, Kwon Taekjoo was far more excited at the
prospect of finally getting to eat. But Zhenya continued caressing him, pressing kisses along
his neck. His hand, which had initially been stroking Kwon Taekjoo's stomach, moved lower
and settled stubbornly on his crotch. Zhenya gently massaged the soft bulge of flesh and
dragged his tongue along Kwon Taekjoo’s ear. Kwon Taekjoo realized they could end up
having another round of sex if he didn’t stop it, so he slapped Zhenya’s hand away.

“You said we should go eat. Why are you touching my dick?”

“Mmm… I just wanted to check how its doing. It kept leaking all night. I couldn’t sleep
because of it.”

“You bastard, did you do it again while I was asleep?”

“Relax. You enjoy it too, don’t you? You need me to fuck you every now and then so you can
sleep well at night.”

Sleep well? More like pass out from exhaustion, he thought.

Even long before meeting Zhenya, Kwon Taekjoo used to rest for days after returning from
missions, to recover his strength and let his wounded body heal. But since getting involved
with Zhenya, they had spent time together in this way, with Zhenya showing up at his
mission points and whisking him away as if he were kidnapping him.

Zhenya would always watch Kwon Taekjoo closely while he slept, spoiling and excessively
doting on him, only to indulge in sex whenever he pleased. Sometimes, Kwon Taekjoo would
wake up in the middle of it, but Zhenya’s unwavering gaze, his elevated body temperature,
the way he repeatedly called his name, and even the act itself were so tender and sweet that
Kwon Taekjoo often pretended not to notice.

It wasn’t that Kwon Taekjoo particularly enjoyed it. He simply allowed Zhenya to do as he
pleased. It was a win-win situation: Kwon Taekjoo got the desperately needed rest, and
Zhenya got to satisfy his overwhelming sexual appetite. Deep down, Kwon Taekjoo
wondered if he had started to believe Zhenya’s insinuation that he enjoyed it too. It’s often
said that people who spend a lot of time together start to pick up each other’s habits.
Likewise, Zhenya’s strange tendencies and fetishes seemed to have rubbed off on Kwon
Taekjoo as well.

With a scowl of disapproval, Kwon Taekjoo pushed the grinning Zhenya away. Though he
wasn’t sure where they were, he decided to go out and explore now that they had finally
arrived on land. First, he needed to make himself presentable, but the military uniform he had
worn earlier was in tatters on the floor. He set about searching for some decent clothes.

Kwon Taekjoo first searched the closet. Inside, he found several bathrobes of different
materials, along with Zhenya's clothes neatly hung one after another. Zhenya had packed a
wide variety of outfits, as if he were preparing for a vacation. Kwon Taekjoo checked to see
if he had brought any of his own clothes, just in case, but as expected, there was nothing of
his. If Zhenya was going to fetch him, couldn’t he at least have packed some clothes for him?
Zhenya lacked even the most basic foresight.

Kwon Taekjoo opened a pack of new underwear, put it on, and then covered himself with a
bathrobe. He didn’t fuss much over his outfit choice. After all, the weather was hot, he was
only going out to eat, and the outside setting looked like a typical vacation scene. He was
about to close the closet when a stack of carefully arranged bags at the bottom caught his
attention. Already anticipating what was inside, he checked the contents. Just as he thought,
there was a large assortment of firearms. He picked up a pistol and tested the grip in his hand.
It didn’t fit as well as his own weapon, but it was still acceptable. Kwon Taekjoo was
debating where to store it when Zhenya chuckled behind him and walked over.

“You won’t need that.”

“Are you sure?”

“Have you been lied to all your life?” Zhenya retorted, walking past Kwon Taekjoo and
exiting the bedroom ahead of him.

“This way.”
An uneasy feeling still lingered in Kwon Taekjoo, but he decided to follow Zhenya for now.
As soon as he stepped off the yacht, he was greeted by a group of crew members and
attendants dressed in white uniforms, forming a small entourage. They warmly welcomed
Zhenya and Kwon Taekjoo, as if they had been expecting their arrival.

“Welcome, gentlemen.”

Kwon Taekjoo’s body stiffened at the grand reception, his skin prickling. Perhaps they had
mistaken him for a VIP instead of a wanted fugitive.

“We were informed that you hadn’t eaten on the yacht, so we’ve prepared a meal for
you. Please allow us to escort you.”

A man who appeared to be their manager stepped forward and led them along the dock. They
followed him down the wooden platform, where the shallow, clear water gently lapped on
either side of their path. The water was so transparent that the white sand, corals, sea urchins,
starfish, and small fish on the bottom were clearly visible. As they approached deeper waters,
a sea turtle glided peacefully beneath the dock, recreating a scene so vivid and surreal it felt
like something from a computer-generated animation.

Though Kwon Taekjoo wanted to relax and enjoy the scene, his eyes remained alert, scanning
his surroundings. Through the dense trees, a white building came into view. Given its size
and the appearance of the staff, it seemed to be some kind of tourist lodging.

“What is this place, a resort?”

“I heard it was a villa,” Zhenya responded indifferently.

Kwon Taekjoo laughed incredulously. A villa with nearly 100 rooms on such a huge plot of
land? What was wrong with Zhenya and the people he associated with? Did they have a habit
of building palace-like villas on remote islands? As an ordinary person, Kwon Taekjoo
struggled to understand the logic behind such a place.

“Rich kids,” he muttered, shaking his head.

They soon reached the end of the dock, where a large pergola provided shade from the sun. It
was open on all sides, with long, billowing fabrics fluttering endlessly in the sea breeze.
Below, a large table was laden with an extravagant spread of dishes. For a simple breakfast,
the sheer amount of food was excessive, both in size and variety.

“Sit.”

“A simple toast and coffee would’ve been enough for breakfast. What the hell is all this? My
stomach feels full just looking at it.”

It was clear they wouldn’t be able to finish all that food, and most of it would likely go to
waste. Kwon Taekjoo gave a disapproving look as he pulled out a random chair, which
happened to offer a perfect view of the sea. Every time the white curtains of the pergola
parted; a flood of blue hues filled Kwon Taekjoo’s sight. The distant waters were a deep
indigo, but those near the shore shimmered with light jade reflections. Kwon Taekjoo stared
at the breathtaking view, clicking his tongue.

“I don’t know who owns this place, but… whoever it is, they’ve got it all to themselves. I
don’t like it.”

“What’s wrong, Taekjoo? Do you want it?”

“Why do you keep asking if I want things? Both this place and your precious Ajinoki Island
are isolated and deserted. I’d feel suffocated living on either island and probably go insane if
I got stuck on one of them, even for just a year,” Kwon Taekjoo replied.

Zhenya’s gaze shifted immediately at Kwon Taekjoo’s response. His expression remained
unchanged, but the way he silently sipped his water seemed a little deflated. It seemed Kwon
Taekjoo had struck a nerve by criticizing the island that Zhenya had decorated himself and
considered his paradise.

“Hey, the mango is really sweet. Try it.”

Kwon Taekjoo slid the plate of mango slices toward Zhenya, who merely glanced at it from
the corner of his eye, refusing to move his hands. Of course, he didn’t want to. For a man his
size, he had the emotional maturity of a child. If Kwon Taekjoo intended to convince Zhenya
to return to Korea, he would have to coax him gently, but right now, Zhenya was being
difficult.

“I promise, it’s really sweet.”

Kwon Taekjoo took a bite of a piece and offered it to Zhenya. Zhenya gave him a critical
look but eventually gave in and took a bite.

“Well? It’s good, right?”

“Mh.”

Zhenya nodded with an unamused expression, then elegantly poured himself some black tea.
He took a sip, savoring the taste for a moment before frowning and setting the cup down as
he wiped his mouth. Perhaps the tea didn’t meet his standards.

Spoiled brat. Eat and drink whatever they give you.

Kwon Taekjoo shot him a reprimanding look before stuffing an entire piece of bread into his
mouth. Just then, he felt the presence of someone behind him. Turning around, he saw a man
walking across the deck toward them, surrounded by a bustling circle of security guards. Was
this the owner of this luxurious island?

“... How convenient,” Zhenya muttered, clearly irritated by the man’s sudden appearance.

Kwon Taekjoo kept his eyes on the approaching figure and asked, “Who is he?”

“I already told you, Taekjoo, you don’t need to know who he is.”
“Well, it looks like we’re about to meet him anyway. What’s the point in keeping it a secret?”

The man caught their inquisitive stares and responded with a broad smile, his lips curving
into a grin before his eyes followed suit. In Kwon Taekjoo’s experience, nine out of ten
people who smiled like that were dishonest. The way the man raised both arms in a gesture of
joy made him seem cheerful on one hand but like a fraud on the other.

Kwon Taekjoo studied the man closely. His hair, skin, eyes, and lashes were dark, typical of
Hispanics, and he appeared to be in his mid-thirties. His hair, almost reaching his neck, was
naturally combed to one side. He wore an open shirt over a sleeveless polo, paired with white
pants and sneakers. Although his appearance seemed casual at first glance, he was far from
ordinary.

“Friends, I see you arrived before me.”

The man approached them without hesitation, placing his hands on the table as a strong scent
of cologne filled the air. Zhenya remained indifferent, continuing his meal as usual. The man,
undeterred by Zhenya’s lack of interest, focused his attention on Kwon Taekjoo. His
flattering expression was already irritating, but suddenly, he winked at Kwon Taekjoo. Kwon
Taekjoo frowned.

“Who the hell is this guy?”

He tightened his grip on the knife in his hand. The man let out a booming laugh at Kwon
Taekjoo’s sudden, brash reaction.

“Friend, let’s not draw weapons at our first meeting. My family’s motto is to avoid
fighting in the mornings, you see, it only makes the day unnecessarily long,” he said,
extending a hand in greeting.

Kwon Taekjoo stared at the outstretched hand with displeasure. Undeterred, the man shook
his own hand enthusiastically, as if trying to break down Kwon Taekjoo’s guard.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Matías. Matías Pérez.”

“Matías Pérez?”

Kwon Taekjoo tilted his head at the man’s name. For some reason, the name sounded horribly
familiar, though he was certain they had never met before.

“Ah, I see my father’s reputation has reached even your little country. You’re Korean,
right?”

“Who’s your father?”

Kwon Taekjoo ignored the man’s question and gave him a suspicious look. Matías Pérez
noticed the sharp glint in Kwon Taekjoo’s eyes and smiled.

“Antonio Pérez.”
“Antonio Pérez… Matías…”

Kwon Taekjoo muttered the names under his breath, trying to recall where he had heard them
before. Suddenly, he sprang up from his seat, grabbing Zhenya by the collar. Zhenya looked
at him in surprise. Matías seemed equally startled.

“You bastard! Are you doing drugs?”

“Of course not. I have no interest in drugs. That’s for weak-minded fools.”

“Then why the hell do you know this guy?”

Zhenya raised an eyebrow at Kwon Taekjoo’s sudden outburst and glanced over at Matías
Pérez. Matías merely shrugged, as if clueless about what was going on. Zhenya took a
moment to recall their conversation, then smiled in satisfaction.

“Because they want our weapons. To protect their old cartel, they’ll need the most modern,
powerful arms.”

“... Is that really all?”

Zhenya shot Kwon Taekjoo a deliberately disappointed look. Reluctantly, Kwon Taekjoo
released his tight grip on Zhenya’s collar, still not fully convinced by his explanation. He
continued to breathe heavily, unable to calm down, and shot a skeptical glance at Zhenya.

In Kwon Taekjoo’s defense, ‘Antonio Pérez’ was the top drug lord in Mexico. His cartel had
amassed immense wealth through drug production and distribution over the years, leaving
behind a trail of influential groups, illegal commissions, kidnappings, and even murders. For
this reason, the Mexican government had made countless efforts to stop his growing threat.
But all their attempts were futile, as the cartel always stayed one step ahead by acquiring
more powerful weapons thanks to their enormous financial power.

Kwon Taekjoo could now also understand why the Cuban authorities and the Mexican
government had refrained from attacking Matías’s yacht. The moment they opened fire on
him, it would trigger an all-out war. The Mexican government had already made too many
sacrifices in its fight against Pérez’s cartel. There was no way they’d risk getting entangled in
another conflict with the cartel for the sake of another country.

Apparently, Zhenya had offered weapons to Pérez’s cartel in exchange for his and Kwon
Taekjoo’s safety. It was obvious how and where those weapons would be used, and Kwon
Taekjoo couldn’t rest easy knowing that.

“Damn it, you crazy bastard! What the hell did you do this time?”

“Why are you mad at me, Taekjoo? I just made a deal, like I always do.”

Kwon Taekjoo was left speechless by Zhenya’s carefree response. He had always known
Zhenya was an arms dealer and had never expected him to change his ways just because of
their close relationship. But the thought of Zhenya perpetuating injustice in his name was
unacceptable, even if, for Zhenya, it was just business as usual.
“Who asked you to make such a stupid deal? I made it clear I didn’t want your help or
interference in my affairs.”

“Who says I have to listen to every word you say?”

“What?”

“Don’t you know by now how I operate? I’ve made countless deals to get what I want. The
only difference this time is that I wanted you, Taekjoo.”

Kwon Taekjoo’s head throbbed, and he felt a heavy weight pressing against his chest. He had
set out to confront a cyber-terrorist threat only to end up fueling another international crime.
And to think, he had been happy to see Zhenya, completely oblivious to the negotiations that
had gone on behind the scenes.

Kwon Taekjoo downed his glass of water, hoping to calm his emotions, but the weight in his
chest refused to lift. Zhenya continued to justify his actions to an increasingly furious Kwon
Taekjoo.

“You use whatever means necessary to ensure your country’s safety too. Think about your
last mission: identity fraud, trespassing, violence, murder. You’ve committed countless
crimes.”

The truth was, what one country considered justice could be seen as injustice in another. That
was why Kwon Taekjoo could never fully claim that his work was entirely just or right.

After making his point, Zhenya added, “I’m the same, Taekjoo. All I did was use everything
at my disposal to guarantee your safety. And I’ll keep doing it.”

“Ah...”

Kwon Taekjoo was at a loss for words. Was he supposed to be grateful that Zhenya cared
about him so much?

It wasn’t that Kwon Taekjoo had suddenly been struck by a sense of righteousness. It simply
left a bitter taste in his mouth to know that Zhenya had decided to drag countless others into
injustice on his behalf. Of course, Zhenya had never been the type to think about where and
how each of his weapons would be used. But Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t shake the heavy feeling
in his chest, wondering if this deal could have been avoided had he never gotten involved.

“The items I offer are just chunks of metal. Whether they’re used to protect or harm others...
it all depends on who uses them.”

“Sure, as if they’ll ever be used for the common good.”

“Even if they aren’t, it’s not our concern. Would you condemn every private military company
as evil? What about your own country’s military? Are their ideas of justice any more valid?”

Zhenya’s words weren’t wrong. Any nation would want to invest in its military and acquire
new weapons to strengthen national defense. While that would bring prosperity to its citizens,
it would also pose a threat to neighboring countries. Was it even possible to distinguish
between right and wrong when it came to such actions? Just like dynamite wasn’t invented to
kill, there was no good reason to insist that the production and distribution of weapons were
inherently guilty. There wasn’t even an absolute sense of justice to begin with. On any given
day, a person’s sense of justice could shift depending on their personal circumstances and
beliefs.

Even so, Kwon Taekjoo hoped that one day Zhenya’s life would move from darkness toward
the light, that he might gravitate toward Kwon Taekjoo’s position. Was it too ambitious of
him to wish for such a thing?

“Alright, alright, that’s enough. Look, I don’t know why you two are suddenly arguing,
but can we focus on enjoying our food during meals, please?”

With a clap, Matías tried to diffuse the cold tension in the air. Then, he took the last empty
chair and began to study Kwon Taekjoo closely. When Kwon Taekjoo ignored his blatant
stare to keep looking at Zhenya, Matías tapped his plate to get Kwon Taekjoo’s attention.

“Look here, friend. You haven’t even told me your name yet.”

“Trust me, it’s better if you don’t know.”

“And why’s that?”

“I’m obligated to kill anyone who knows my identity.”

“Huh?”

Zhenya burst out laughing at the look of shock on Matías’s face. Spreading butter on his
bread with an overly casual, carefree motion, he seemed quite pleased.

Matías finally nodded, as if saying he understood. Despite Kwon Taekjoo’s coldness, Matías
didn’t waver and continued with his cheerful remarks.

“So, what should I call you?”

“No need to call me anything. I’ll be leaving soon anyway.”

“Ha! I think I’ve got your personality figured out, friend. But what are we supposed to
do? It’s going to be a challenge to leave this place right away.”

“If you get in our way, I’ll have no choice but to handle things my way.”

Kwon Taekjoo’s grip tightened around his knife. It wasn’t a bluff… he could easily take
down an opponent with just a fork or chopsticks. And depending on how the situation played
out, he was fully prepared to do so. His dark eyes flashed with a dangerous, sharp glint.

Matías Pérez raised both hands in a gesture of surrender, as if to say Kwon Taekjoo had
misunderstood him.
“That’s not what I meant, friend. Turns out the Cuban government requested help from
the Mexican government. Apparently, they want them to hand over the ‘terrorism
suspect’ our Pérez cartel took in. Those government rats have been waiting for a chance
to strike at us, and this gives them a good excuse to do it. Why make a move and expose
ourselves now? Better to lie low and enjoy our days without worry until the right
opportunity comes.”

“And here I thought we had grabbed hold of a rotten rope, but it turns out it was a
detonator instead,” Kwon Taekjoo muttered to himself. He nudged Zhenya’s foot with his
own.

“Hey, are you sure we can trust this guy?”

“No, he’s not trustworthy.”

“What?”

“Taekjoo, I’m the only one you should trust. Just because our buyer isn’t trustworthy doesn’t
mean you should doubt the value of my weapons.”

“I’m just questioning his sincerity. It’s always guys like him who end up stabbing us in the
back.”

Kwon Taekjoo glanced at Matías Pérez from head to toe with a wary look. Matías didn’t
seem to understand their conversation in Russian, as he merely responded with a bright smile.

“See, just look at him. His pretentious behavior reminds me of those thugs you run into in
some alley.”

“Well, you’re not entirely wrong,” Zhenya agreed with a mocking smile.

Kwon Taekjoo sighed at their pointless conversation. He had managed to break into a cyber
gang’s base and barely escape, only to end up in the territory of a drug lord. The absurdity of
it all made him burst into laughter.

“Well, I don’t know why you two are being chased by those Cubans, but I’ll make sure
you have a safe passage back home. In the meantime, enjoy your stay at my villa.
There’s no need to worry. This is the safest place in the world,” Matías said confidently,
guaranteeing their security.

Kwon Taekjoo found himself between a man wielding the world’s most powerful weapon and
another claiming to have the strongest shield. Was this island now supposed to be some sort
of impenetrable fortress? Kwon Taekjoo was completely baffled.

“To hell with security. Just make sure we can get home as soon as possible.”

“Don’t you think you’re being a bit reckless? You might want to heal from your wounds
first, right?”
 Matías nodded toward Kwon Taekjoo, motioning to his body. Kwon Taekjoo followed his
gaze to his bare chest and his bandaged shoulder peeking out from his loose robe. Although
Matías didn’t seem to have bad intentions, Kwon Taekjoo still felt uneasy with him peeking
under his clothes. He certainly belonged to the type of people Kwon Taekjoo disliked.
Gripping the edges of his robe, Kwon Taekjoo firmly shut him down.

“That’s none of your business.”

“Oh, no need to be so cautious. I’m only interested in women, you know.”

Matías seemed always ready to counter Kwon Taekjoo’s sharp glares with a broad smile.
With a snap of his fingers, he added, “Speaking of which, should I arrange for some girls to
join us? That way, it won’t be so boring.”

“No need.”

Kwon Taekjoo glanced at Zhenya, silently asking if he felt the same. Zhenya’s lips curved
into a smile.

“Are you serious? Wait, why not? Wouldn’t it be dull spending all day with just each
other? I can’t exactly stick around to entertain you two the whole time, you know?”

“That’s actually a relief to hear.”

“No need to keep up appearances, friend. It’s natural for a man to seek a woman. Isn’t
that right, Bogdanov?”

Matías turned to Zhenya for confirmation. But Zhenya’s gaze was fixed solely on Kwon
Taekjoo. Matías’s eyes widened in surprise as Zhenya burst out laughing.

“You heard him. He already said he doesn’t need it.”

Chapter End Notes

Support the author by purchasing the novel on Ridibooks.

 Blue Shangri-La
Chapter Notes

The characters will communicate in different languages.

•RUSSIAN DIALOGUES ARE IN ITALICS

•ENGLISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD
•KOREAN DIALOGUES ARE NOT FORMATTED
•SPANISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD ITALICS

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Matías Pérez’s villa consisted of 70 independent rooms with all sorts of luxurious amenities,
including a banquet hall, a meeting room, two swimming pools, four dining halls, a bar
stocked with a variety of drinks, a gym outfitted with modern exercise equipment, and a
meditation room with magnificent views of the sea. Additionally, it had a tennis court, a
shooting range, and a theater. For its size and opulence, it was comparable to a high-end
resort.

But what Kwon Taekjoo liked most was the absence of other people besides himself, Zhenya,
and Matías. Matías had assigned both Zhenya and Kwon Taekjoo individual rooms, but it
didn’t make much sense since they spent most of their time in Kwon Taekjoo’s room. The
rooms were spacious and well-equipped with all the essentials, so there was no discomfort in
sharing the space. In fact, Kwon Taekjoo felt increasingly uneasy and anxious whenever
Zhenya wasn’t around.

Inside the room, the panoramic windows offered breathtaking views of the emerald sea.
When Kwon Taekjoo opened the glass door leading to the terrace, a warm, salty breeze
gently brushed against him. Despite the scorching sun, the efficient air conditioning kept
them from being exposed to the intense heat. The air was perfectly balanced—not too humid,
not too dry. Since there was always plenty of food and water, there didn’t seem to be any
issues with supplies, despite being on an island. It was the perfect paradise—if only Kwon
Taekjoo could put aside his personal concerns.

However, the place wasn’t without its flaws. The island was completely isolated due to its
fortress-like nature, with no internet or mobile phone service available. The only way Kwon
Taekjoo could communicate with the outside world was through Zhenya, who wasn’t
particularly restricted by the island’s limitations because he used his own satellite network.
The only problem was that Zhenya didn’t allow Kwon Taekjoo to use his laptop or phone.
Despite Kwon Taekjoo’s protests, accusing him of being unreasonable, Zhenya stubbornly
held firm, insisting that he couldn’t compromise his strict business protocols. Every time
Kwon Taekjoo wanted to report back to headquarters, he had to be affectionate with Zhenya.

As part of his security protocol, Zhenya restricted his phone line to a few numbers, so Kwon
Taekjoo had to communicate through Yoon Jongwoo.

[“Cuba is still an issue, but Mexico has also been showing unusual activity lately. For the past
two days, they’ve closed their borders and increased their investigative procedures. The
director advises you to stay under the radar until their surveillance eases.”]

It was just as expected. Perhaps it was a small relief to have found a place to hide, despite the
methods used.

Before leaving the country, he had told his mother that he was going to Russia for official
government business. He also called her daily, letting her hear Zhenya’s voice, which seemed
to put her at ease. Even if his return was delayed by a few days, she probably wouldn’t worry
as much as before. And so, Kwon Taekjoo continued his days on the island, unable to clearly
tell if this was a vacation or a form of imprisonment.

During the first few days, he stayed in his room. Matías Pérez had promised him that the
island was the safest place in the world, but Kwon Taekjoo needed to verify that for himself.

He frequently checked for any signs of activity on or around the island. But aside from the
occasional helicopter that arrived every now and then, there were no other visitors, and no
one seemed to leave the island. Kwon Taekjoo had asked Matías Pérez about this once when
they were eating together.

“None of the staff here seem to ever leave the island. Don’t they go home after work?
Are they something like live-in employees? Or do they take long breaks, like on a
cruise?”

“Oh, the attendants? They’ve chosen to spend their entire lives here.”

“What?”

“I’m their family, and this is their home. If they need supplies, I can send them via
helicopter. I imagine you’ve noticed some deliveries during your stay.”

Matías had an annoyingly grand expression on his face. Until then, Kwon Taekjoo thought
only mafia bosses bragged about being part of the “Family,” but it seemed that cartel
organizations weren’t much different. It was hard to understand why anyone would
voluntarily give up their rights and freedom. Where did such loyalty come from? Even if they
received significant financial compensation, it wouldn’t do them any good if they were
confined to one place. Kwon Taekjoo figured the only incentive more valuable than money
was drugs. Maybe they were promised an endless supply of drugs in exchange for a lifetime
of servitude.
In any case, Kwon Taekjoo wanted no part in any of it. No matter how friendly or charming
his host seemed, he couldn’t trust someone with such a notorious criminal background. In
fact, that’s why Kwon Taekjoo had intercepted all communications within Matías Pérez’s
villa.

Kwon Taekjoo spent all day inside the residence, keeping a close watch on Matías and his
staff. He even snuck into Matías’s room when he wasn’t around. The room wasn’t much
different from Kwon Taekjoo’s, except for a locked safe hidden behind a desk.

Kwon Taekjoo thought it would be a good idea to inspect the contents of the safe while he
had the chance. The only question was how to open it without leaving a trace. As he was
leaving Matías Pérez’s room, lost in thought, he suddenly felt a presence behind him. Kwon
Taekjoo immediately drew his gun and aimed at the figure. The person standing calmly in
front of the barrel, arms crossed, was none other than Zhenya.

“Damn it! You scared me, you idiot!”

“Taekjoo. Is this how you entertain yourself when you’re bored? Or are you just too obsessed
with your work?”

“I’d say you’re the one being too careless. What exactly made you trust someone you just met
and put my fate in his hands?”

“I told you; you just have to trust me.”

“Who says I don’t trust you?”

Zhenya raised an eyebrow without saying a word, a silent reproach that seemed to say, “Just
look at yourself.”

Feeling a pang of guilt, Kwon Taekjoo muttered in disapproval, “You know, we have an old
Korean saying that goes: ‘Even a stone bridge should be tested with a tap before crossing it.’
It never hurts to be cautious.”

“So, you still don’t trust me.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just that…”

“You’re worried I might put you in danger.”

“I told you; you’ve got the wrong idea.”

It wasn’t Zhenya that Kwon Taekjoo didn’t trust; it was Matías Pérez. This was the first time
they had met, and he was supposedly the head of one of the most infamous criminal
organizations in the world. There was no valid reason to ignore that fact and place his trust in
him.

For now, as long as he was with Zhenya, Kwon Taekjoo believed he could navigate any
complicated situation, no matter how unexpected. But even so, he couldn’t fully relax. Did
that mean he didn’t trust Zhenya?
“I would never put you in danger,” Zhenya assured him firmly, with no trace of his usual
playful tone.

To Zhenya, Kwon Taekjoo’s constant worry about his safety seemed like a sign of distrust.
Since arriving at Matías Pérez’s villa, Kwon Taekjoo had been tense, which undoubtedly
unsettled Zhenya as well.

“… I told you I trust you.”

With a heavy sigh, Kwon Taekjoo lowered his gun. As he did, the clear seawater beyond the
glass wall caught his attention, glittering brightly. Dark green palm leaves swayed gently in
the pleasant breeze, and sunlight filtered through, casting a warm glow on Zhenya’s blonde
hair.

Maybe Zhenya thought Kwon Taekjoo was trying to change the subject subtly. Zhenya
narrowed his eyes and gave Kwon Taekjoo a cynical look.

“What’s up now, you bastard?”

“Fine. I’ll pretend I don’t know what you’re up to and play along.”

“What are you talking about? Come on, follow me.”

Kwon Taekjoo gave Zhenya a light push on the chest and motioned him forward. As they
walked, he discreetly checked the locations of the security cameras in each corridor. Zhenya
followed after a moment, shaking his head.

They exited through the back door, heading toward the sea. While the waters near the front
entrance, by the yacht dock, resembled those of a private beach at a luxury resort, this area
was more of a quiet, secluded beach adjacent to the villa.

Two sunbeds lay beneath a white sail-shaped canopy. Between two tall palm trees hung a
large hammock, big enough for both of them. A small bar, attached to the main house, caught
Kwon Taekjoo’s eye. It offered both drinks and food, allowing them to help themselves
whenever they wanted.

“Want to grab a drink first?”

“With this weather? As if one drink would be enough. Let’s hop on those things before we get
drunk.”

Kwon Taekjoo nodded toward the beach, where a few jet skis rocked gently on the water.
Matías Pérez had mentioned throwing parties from time to time, inviting friends, and it
seemed the jet skis were for that purpose. They each grabbed a key from the bar and settled
onto their jet skis.

Whenever the two spent time together, they often got into extreme sports. Whether it was
flying planes, skydiving, paragliding, mountain climbing, skiing, snowboarding, or free
diving, their outings were more like intense training sessions than regular dates. Even so,
both enjoyed the thrill, so there were no complaints.

When Kwon Taekjoo started the engine, a pleasant vibration coursed through his body. His
injuries had healed quickly after several days of rest, and since then, he had been eager to get
out and do something.

“When was the last time we rode one of these? Was it in Italy?”

“No, it was Hong Kong.”

“Right, those bastards. They were really persistent. I seriously thought I was done for that
day.”

Kwon Taekjoo slowly maneuvered the jet ski as he recalled a dangerous mission in which he
had been chased by a Chinese triad. He glided across the water at a leisurely pace, as if taking
a test run, then made a wide turn and circled back. His speeding jet ski came to a sudden stop
right in front of Zhenya, spraying him with a large splash of water. Zhenya let out a
disbelieving laugh and shot him a glare, but Kwon Taekjoo just grinned from ear to ear.

“Your hyung will lead the way first, kid.”

With that playful provocation, Kwon Taekjoo sped off, leaving Zhenya behind. The smooth
surface of the water quickly turned into white foam in his wake. The hot, sticky air clinging
to his skin transformed into a refreshing breeze that whipped through his hair. The waters,
about 15 meters deep, were so clear he could see beneath the surface as his jet ski carved a
long, fluid path. The sensation was invigorating, as if a weight had been lifted from him
instantly.

Shortly after, the roar of an engine thundered behind him. Kwon Taekjoo glanced back and
saw Zhenya right on his tail. They were so close that if he hesitated for even a second, they
could easily collide. The once-relaxed expression on Zhenya's face was now alight with the
thrill of the chase, much like when he hunted reindeer.

Seeing Zhenya’s expression, Kwon Taekjoo responded sarcastically, "Oh, I’m shaking with
fear. You’re chasing me like you want to kill me.”

“Well, isn’t this a daring rabbit showing off in front of a bear.”

“Excuse me, who’s showing off? Why don’t you catch me first, and then we’ll talk.”

Kwon Taekjoo’s lips curled into a grin as he increased his speed, leaning forward to cut
through the wind. His jet ski roared and shot off like a true projectile. He jerked the stiff
handlebars sharply, zigzagging in wide arcs. Zhenya followed with ease, and the two swerved
around each other, narrowly avoiding a collision.

No matter how hard they accelerated, the sea stretched endlessly ahead of them, with no other
islands or rocks in sight. As Kwon Taekjoo made a wide turn around the perimeter, Zhenya
stayed right behind him. No matter where or how Kwon Taekjoo tried to escape, Zhenya
chased relentlessly. Their movements were so synchronized, it was as if they had
choreographed the whole thing beforehand.

Kwon Taekjoo, keeping an eye on Zhenya’s position, broke into a wide smile. Zhenya’s face
also lit up with a grin of pure exhilaration.

They zigzagged through the water without pause. Kwon Taekjoo felt a surge of excitement as
Zhenya kept up with him, despite his efforts to shake him off. It was like reliving their
childhood days. They skimmed the water freely, unhindered by time or circumstance. Kwon
Taekjoo’s hair whipped wildly against the gusts of wind that pushed him with the same force
as he accelerated. His excitement soared as bursts of laughter erupted from him.

“Zhenya! When are you going to catch me? At this rate, you’ll be chasing me all day.”

“You’ve got some nerve provoking me. How do you plan to deal with the consequences?”

“Eh, not sure there will be any consequences for me.”

Kwon Taekjoo’s taunts seemed to spur Zhenya on, because as Kwon Taekjoo made a turn,
Zhenya shot past him, speeding off into the distance before abruptly circling back toward
him. The gap between them closed quickly as Zhenya’s jet ski surged forward, heading
straight for Kwon Taekjoo. Thinking Zhenya was just testing his nerves, Kwon Taekjoo
poked his head out past the windshield. But instead of swerving, Zhenya kept accelerating
recklessly, leaning forward with no intention of dodging Kwon Taekjoo. They looked like
they were going to crash at any moment.

“… Ahh, you psycho!”

Kwon Taekjoo yanked hard on his controls, barely dodging Zhenya’s jet ski at the last
second. Zhenya’s powerful wake crashed over him like a waterfall, drenching him from head
to toe and leaving him unable to even open his eyes. The roar of the water clogged his ears,
completely drowning him.

Zhenya maneuvered his jet ski closer to Kwon Taekjoo’s. The beating waves nudged the two
jet skis together, causing them to lightly brush against each other. Kwon Taekjoo rubbed his
irritated eyes while scolding Zhenya.

“What the hell, man! What if one of us got hurt?”

“That’s why I told you to think about the consequences.”

“Do you even know how to joke? Damn, I thought we’d be planning our funerals for a
second.”

“You’re so dramatic. Did you really think I was going to hurt you?”

“Well, it sure looked like you were about to.”

“Taekjoo, don’t you think you should have a little more faith in your partner?”
“Were you born without remorse? Ugh, damn it. This stings like hell.”

“Come here. I’ll lick it for you.”

Suddenly, Zhenya grabbed Kwon Taekjoo’s wrist. Kwon Taekjoo obediently followed,
climbing onto Zhenya’s jet ski. The jet ski rocked vigorously under the added weight, though
it wasn’t a problem. Kwon Taekjoo flopped onto Zhenya’s thighs, carelessly brushing the wet
hair off his forehead. Zhenya held his face and, slowly but steadily, slid his tongue from
Kwon Taekjoo’s eyes down to the area under his ears. Then, with delicate care, he gently
licked the skin below Kwon Taekjoo’s eyes and soothed his reddened eyelids.

Zhenya’s movements were careful and affectionate, but Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t help but
burst into laughter from the ticklish sensation. When Zhenya looked at him in confusion,
Kwon Taekjoo lightly stroked his cheek and gave him a quick kiss on his salty lips.

“I’m good now. After all that fun, I’m dying of thirst. Let’s get a drink.”

Kwon Taekjoo grabbed Zhenya’s shoulder and shifted to sit behind him, giving him a light
pat on the back as a signal to go. Zhenya complied, steering them back to the beach. Kwon
Taekjoo held tightly to Zhenya’s waist, trying not to fall off the jet ski.

As usual, Zhenya glanced at Kwon Taekjoo’s arms clinging to him. He always fixated on
moments like these. Kwon Taekjoo wondered why Zhenya was so fascinated by this gesture
when they were already lovers. For a man with so few redeemable human qualities, it was
both endearing and a bit pitiful to see Zhenya act like a boy captivated by his first love at
times. Kwon Taekjoo rested his head on Zhenya’s broad shoulder and looked back at his own
jet ski, now growing smaller in the distance.

“What are we going to do with the jet ski?”

“The waves will bring it back to shore eventually.”

“Are you being a little careless just because it’s not yours?”

“Would it matter much if it were mine?”

Zhenya shrugged, as if it didn’t concern him. Kwon Taekjoo was speechless. Just as
expected… rich bastards like Zhenya didn’t know how to value the things around them.

“So, did your little ‘exploration’ satisfy you?”

“Exploration? What do you mean?”

“You pretended to come out here to relax, but you really wanted to scout the island.”

Caught off guard, Kwon Taekjoo missed his chance to come up with a response. He couldn’t
even make up an excuse because Zhenya had nailed it. When he stayed silent, Zhenya gave
him a knowing look and snorted.
“So, what do you think? Swimming off the island would be impossible, right? And with a jet
ski that small, you wouldn’t get very far.”

“…”

“Paragliding also seems out of the question, given that the island doesn’t have a steep
enough slope to jump from, and the winds here are too calm. Am I right?”

Zhenya’s list of escape methods started to sound painfully familiar to Kwon Taekjoo, and he
suddenly realized Zhenya was reciting all the ways he had tried to escape him in the past.

Finally, he understood why Zhenya was grinning so cheerfully.

“Who do you think you’re mocking?”

He slapped Zhenya’s back in frustration. Zhenya kept smiling, completely unfazed.

“Taekjoo. You think too much.”

“And you don’t think enough, idiot.”

“Only the weak have to overthink everything because every moment feels like a risk.”

“Wow, must be nice for you,” Kwon Taekjoo retorted sarcastically, quickly giving up on
trying to reason with Zhenya. He knew it would take more than a round trip to hell for
Zhenya to learn some basic decency.

Finally, Zhenya’s jet ski reached the beach. Zhenya dismounted first and effortlessly lifted
Kwon Taekjoo to the ground. Then he comforted his lover, who, in his words, ‘thought too
much.’

“Don’t worry. You don’t need to think so hard about this. When the time comes, I’ll put you
right where you belong.”

Could he really trust those words? A seed of doubt sprouted in his heart, as it always did, but
he also felt an impulsive urge to simply trust Zhenya with everything.

Kwon Taekjoo looked up at Zhenya and smiled. “Wow, I’m honestly impressed you’d say
that, you bastard.”

“Well, turns out my lover is a man of few desires. I just wish he wanted more.”

“Oh, so you’ve finally decided to listen to me? Fantastic. In that case, why don’t you go grab
us a drink while you’re at it?”

“Huh? Taekjoo, do you really think you can just order me aro—?”

“Yes, yes, I’m the first person to ever treat you this way. Got it. Now go. Hurry up.”
Kwon Taekjoo waved him off and settled onto the nearest sunbed. As he stretched out under
the canopy, completely soaked, the breeze felt cool and refreshing against his skin. At the
same time, the sand, warmed by the sun, began to heat his back and hips. A cold beer to wash
away the salty taste in his mouth would have been the perfect touch to complete the
atmosphere.

Zhenya didn’t take long to return, settling into the empty sunbed next to Kwon Taekjoo. A
single bottle of beer dangled from his hand.

“And where’s mine?”

“You just said to bring something to drink, not specifically for you.”

“Aah... You’re a rude idiot. Did I really need to spell it out...?”

Zhenya took a sip from the bottle, seemingly indifferent, even as Kwon Taekjoo complained.
The sound of each gulp echoed in Kwon Taekjoo’s ears as he watched Zhenya’s throat bob up
and down with every swallow. Kwon Taekjoo swallowed dryly, mesmerized by the sight.

Once his thirst was quenched, Zhenya let out a satisfied exhale, the scent of alcohol hanging
in the air. Kwon Taekjoo’s patience finally wore thin. He reached for the half-empty bottle in
Zhenya’s hand, but Zhenya dodged effortlessly, taking another sip just to tease him. Kwon
Taekjoo’s throat tensed. Less than a third of the beer was left.

Kwon Taekjoo bit his dry lip, gesturing for Zhenya to hand over the remaining beer. But
Zhenya only looked at him with a distracted expression and brought the last bit of beer
straight to his lips.

Unable to wait any longer, Kwon Taekjoo grabbed Zhenya by the shoulders and pulled him
down. He pressed his lips urgently against Zhenya’s, savoring the bubbly, carbonated drink as
it fizzed on his tongue, filling his mouth with the rich taste of malt beer. Thirsty and eager,
Kwon Taekjoo’s tongue tangled with Zhenya’s slippery one, only heightening his craving. He
held Zhenya’s face and sucked on his tongue with a series of wet, slurping sounds.

The corners of Zhenya’s lips curled into a grin as his hand slid into Kwon Taekjoo’s shorts,
stroking his thighs and backside with insatiable intent.

How much time had passed?

Kwon Taekjoo froze as he sensed someone nearby. When he looked up, he saw an attendant
standing right in front of them. The attendant bowed before placing a beer and fries on the
table next to their sunbeds. Kwon Taekjoo remained still while the employee finished and
discreetly withdrew. His face was completely neutral, giving no indication he had seen
anything unusual. Of course, that didn’t mean he hadn’t witnessed Kwon Taekjoo and
Zhenya locked in an intimate embrace.

The tips of Kwon Taekjoo’s ears burned. He noticed Zhenya smirking beside him and
grabbed him by the collar.
“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re the one who attacked me, Taekjoo.”

Kwon Taekjoo’s anger simmered just below the surface, but he knew Zhenya was right, so he
stewed in his own frustration in silence.

“Get lost,” he muttered before breaking free from Zhenya’s hold and swatting away the hand
massaging his butt, as if it were a bothersome fly. Kwon Taekjoo quenched his thirst with the
beer on the table, drinking so fast that his head spun for a moment.

He returned to the sunbed with a second bottle in hand.

Kwon Taekjoo stared at the waves that ceaselessly rolled up to his feet and then retreated
back into the sea. When was the last time he had enjoyed such a luxury? After days in an
unfamiliar place without anything noteworthy happening, his sense of reality seemed to be
slipping away. If someone were to tell him that all this was a dream, he wouldn’t find it hard
to believe.

He lay there for a long time, dazed, when Zhenya suddenly moved toward him, grabbing his
exposed leg with both hands. Kwon Taekjoo glanced briefly at the hands on his leg before
looking back at the distant horizon. He didn’t react or give much thought as Zhenya lifted his
ankle and began massaging his thigh.

“You still have cramps in your muscles.”

“Yeah, thanks to a certain someone.”

“So, it’s my fault again?”

“Of course. What’s the point of you massaging me all day if I’m going to get cramps again at
night because of your lust?”

“Oh? So, you were looking forward to do it tonight?”

If twisting words were an art, Zhenya would be a master.

“Haa,” Kwon Taekjoo sighed, lifting his foot slightly.

Zhenya’s hand momentarily lost contact with his foot before grabbing Kwon Taekjoo again,
sliding his hand from his calf to his knee, then higher up his thigh, slipping under Kwon
Taekjoo’s shorts. With his other hand, Zhenya gripped the edge of the sunbed, climbing on
top of Kwon Taekjoo.

The bright sunlight in Kwon Taekjoo’s eyes indicated that the sun was beginning to set. The
rays started to dip lower in the sky, casting a blinding light on Zhenya’s back. The slight
orange glimmers reflecting on the ocean surface created the perfect backdrop for Zhenya, as
if the scene had been made just for him. The light made his ivory-colored hair and pale skin
glow more intensely than before. Even his blue eyes, now gazing at Kwon Taekjoo’s
reflection, took on a translucent quality.
Kwon Taekjoo reached out to brush his fingers through Zhenya’s fine hair. Zhenya tilted his
head to nuzzle into Kwon Taekjoo’s outstretched hand.

“...Damn bastard. I’ll admit, you really do have a pretty face,” Kwon Taekjoo muttered under
his breath. It was an unconscious thought that slipped out. He felt relieved that he had spoken
in Korean, because that meant Zhenya had no way of understanding what he had just said. Or
at least, that’s what he thought. For some reason, Zhenya, who had been watching him
intently, broke into a wide grin.

“Taekjoo. Do you really think I’m that pretty?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, pretending ignorance, huh? Unfortunately for you, I remember that little woman always
calling me with that Korean word. At first, I thought she was mispronouncing my name, but I
soon realized she wasn’t.”

Zhenya had an irritating smile on his face. It was obvious that he had figured out the meaning
of the word long ago. Now that Kwon Taekjoo thought about it, there had been a similar
situation with the word “Saekki.” Zhenya had made a mental note of the word to look it up
later, only for the unfortunate situation to arise where, due to the limitations of online
translators, Zhenya had come to believe that “saekki” meant ‘baby.’ Ever since then,
whenever Kwon Taekjoo called him “saekki,” Zhenya couldn’t help but wear a smug
expression.

Kwon Taekjoo had only recently realized this misunderstanding. One night, while out
drinking with Yoon Jongwoo after work, Zhenya had unexpectedly shown up in front of
them. With no other option, Kwon Taekjoo had to let him join and fooled Yoon Jongwoo into
thinking that he had invited Zhenya.

Kwon Taekjoo’s mother had called, reminding him not to stay out too late and to drink in
moderation. Yoon Jongwoo insisted on greeting her, so Kwon Taekjoo put the call on speaker
for the rest of the conversation.

“Ma’am! It’s Jongwoo. How are you?”

["Oh, Jongwoo. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. Are you busy these days?"]

“No, not exactly...”

["Really? Then you should come visit me one of these days. You can come with Taekjoo, or
just come alone when you’re free. I’ll make your favorite dishes. How about that?"]

“I’d be happy to visit anytime you invite me, ma’am.”

["Oh, dear Jongwoo, you’re such a sweetheart. It’s not an empty promise, so you have to
come, okay?"]

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll make sure to drop by soon. Don’t worry about us, you should go to bed—
it’s getting late. I’ll make sure to get Sunbae home before dark.”
Yoon Jongwoo chatted politely with Kwon Taekjoo’s mother, as he always did, before
finishing the call and picking up a lettuce wrap. Just as he was about to take a bite, he
hesitated, his eyes darting nervously under the weight of a piercing gaze from across the
table. When he looked up and met Zhenya’s eyes, he froze. Zhenya was glaring at him in
disapproval, arms crossed. His stare was so intense it looked like he might kill Yoon Jongwoo
on the spot. Kwon Taekjoo elbowed Zhenya.

“What’s your problem now?”

“Why does that idiot keep calling the little woman ‘mother’?”

“Oh, so now you know what ‘mother’ means in Korean? When did you learn that?”

“It’d be harder not to learn it, Taekjoo, since it’s the word you say the most gently.”

“Oh, well... Don’t worry about it. It’s just a common way of addressing someone. In Korea, a
friend’s mother is considered your mother, and their father is your father, and so on.”

“How does that even make sense?”

“In the past, we used to consider even our neighbors as cousins.”

“How ridiculous.”

“If it bothers you so much, then you can call her that too. Seriously, you always pick fights
over the most insignificant things.”

To a still-frozen Yoon Jongwoo, Kwon Taekjoo said, “Ignore him and keep eating.” Yoon
Jongwoo shoved the lettuce wrap into his mouth, chewing slowly while sneaking quick,
nervous glances at Zhenya.

“Stop glaring at him and finish eating. The meat’s burning.”

“Mm.”

Zhenya scooped some rice onto his spoon with a look of disdain, but that was all. He didn’t
touch the meat or even bring the spoon to his mouth. Instead, he just continued to watch
Kwon Taekjoo. When Taekjoo frowned and asked what was wrong, Zhenya slightly tilted his
head toward his spoon, clearly waiting for Kwon to add some side dishes to his rice. The
whole situation was embarrassing with Yoon Jongwoo watching.

“Damn it, you're acting like a kid again. Don’t you have your own hands? I even gave you a
fork, so use it, you bastard.”

“Taekjoo, your colleague is here. Show some decency.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Kwon Taekjoo frowned and looked across the table to see that Yoon Jongwoo was staring
intently into his bowl of noodles. The way Yoon was slowly picking at the noodles made it
obvious he felt guilty. Kwon Taekjoo crossed his arms and stared at him. Yoon’s eyes lifted
for a second but quickly averted when their gazes met. He was acting so suspiciously that
Kwon decided to press him for an explanation.

“Hey. You know what's going on, right? Why is he acting like this?”

“What? A-Acting like what?”

“Can't you see how puffed up his shoulders are? He looks so damn proud of himself, walking
around with his head held high.”

“I-I-I don’t know what you're talking about.”

“You look like you do.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do.”

“Ugh... this isn’t fair, Sunbae. If you think about it, it’s not even my fault!”

“I’ll be the judge of that. So, what's the story?”

“Well, here’s the thing... Do you remember the last time when you left the two of us together
to go to your university meeting? He mentioned how you kept calling him 'saekki,' and he
looked it up in an online translator, and it came up as ‘baby.’ He asked me if that was right,
and so I...”

“So, you what? Did you really tell him it was true?”

“Well, how was I supposed to tell him that it actually means ‘bastard’ when he was asking so
excitedly? It was just a little white lie. Besides, that’s what the translator told him, and
technically ‘saekki’ can mean ‘baby,’ so really, I didn’t lie at all.”

Yoon Jongwoo kept offering excuses with a pitiful expression, on the verge of tears. Kwon
Taekjoo was so bewildered that he leaned back, struggling to contain his frustration. Yoon
anxiously glanced at Taekjoo and continued to defend himself.

“Anyway, Mr. Yevgeny was super happy with that explanation, and I didn’t think he’d ever
find out the truth unless you told him. Plus, you don’t mean it in a bad way when you call
him that, right? Don’t you think it’ll be fine?”

“Yeah, yeah, you did great. It’s not even a big deal. All I have to do now is put up with this
bastard’s unbearable attitude every time I call him that.”

“Taekjoo, what are you whispering about over there?” Zhenya asked, his voice carrying a
clear note of irritation. At this rate, he was going to take out his frustration on poor, innocent
Yoon Jongwoo, so Kwon gave a vague answer and tried to change the subject.
 “I told him not to be so picky about the side dishes and just eat what’s given. You should eat
too.”

Meanwhile, Kwon Taekjoo placed a piece of well-cooked meat onto Zhenya’s rice. Only then
did Zhenya finally take a spoonful of rice and meat into his mouth. Feeling comforted by
Taekjoo, he shot another threatening look at Yoon Jongwoo.

Even recalling the whole experience made Kwon Taekjoo’s cheeks flush with
embarrassment. He often scolded Zhenya to learn some Korean if he wanted to stay in the
country. Ironically, the more Korean Zhenya learned, the more trouble he caused Kwon,
especially because Zhenya had a knack for interpreting words however he pleased.

Reluctantly, Kwon Taekjoo tried to pull his hand away, but Zhenya caught it, pulled it toward
him, and turned to place a kiss on his palm.

“If you think this face is so pretty, then look at it and touch it as much as you want. Taekjoo,
I’ll only allow you to.”

Kwon Taekjoo realized for sure that no one had ever touched Zhenya the way he was now. It
wasn’t just his face... Zhenya only let Taekjoo reach his vulnerable places, like his neck and
his penis. For a man with countless enemies who didn’t hesitate to punish those who crossed
him, Zhenya was utterly defenseless when it came to Kwon. The thought sent a helpless
tingle through him. The center of his palm throbbed with a heated energy.

“Damn it, you pretty little bastard,” Kwon Taekjoo muttered irritably, pulling Zhenya closer.
Zhenya willingly complied as Kwon Taekjoo peppered his face with kisses, letting out soft,
satisfied moans between breaths. They spent a long time stroking each other’s hair and ears,
exchanging tender kisses before pulling slightly apart.

The sun had already dipped lower in the sky, casting an orange glow over Zhenya’s pale
cheeks and Kwon Taekjoo’s dark eyes. They looked at each other for a moment before
leaning in for another deep kiss.

What had once been a clear sky now lit up with streaks of red and blue as the final rays of
sunlight shone. Zhenya’s broad shoulders and back were bathed in the glow of the setting
sun, taking on a warm, rosy hue. The two of them intertwined, rolling together as they went.
The hot breaths brushing against Kwon Taekjoo’s lips felt incredibly loving, and even the
salty air felt gentle as it touched his skin.

It was all like a sweet, sweet dream.

Chapter End Notes

Support the author by purchasing the novel on Ridibooks.
 Blue Shangri-La
Chapter Notes

The characters will communicate in different languages.

•RUSSIAN DIALOGUES ARE IN ITALICS

•ENGLISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD
•KOREAN DIALOGUES ARE NOT FORMATTED
•SPANISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD ITALICS

See the end of the chapter for more notes

His peaceful rest stretched on for some time. Kwon Taekjoo would sleep through the night
until he woke up naturally, then get up to eat and enjoy some time on the beach to help with
digestion. After a refreshing shower, he would feel drowsy and take a nap wherever he liked,
later waking up to read books or watch movies. In the evening, he would drink with Zhenya
and get lost in deep conversations that often led effortlessly to sex. Kwon Taekjoo would only
manage to pull himself together late in the afternoon.

He wondered if it was really right for him to spend his days so peacefully, especially on an
island that wasn’t Ajinoki and belonged to someone else. Anxious thoughts and worries
would sometimes take over his mind, but over time, they had lessened, largely because
Zhenya never left his side, not even for a moment. Kwon Taekjoo felt a strange sense of calm
knowing that, with Zhenya by his side, they could overcome any challenge, though things
would undoubtedly be more chaotic with him around. No, it wasn’t just that they could get
through anything... they definitely would.

Whenever he realized how he felt about Zhenya, it surprised him. He had always rejected the
idea of having a companion because he enjoyed traveling alone, and that hadn’t changed. But
what had led him to trust Zhenya so much? These days, it felt far stranger when Zhenya
wasn’t beside him.

Kwon Taekjoo was lost in thought, staring at the back of Zhenya’s head, when Zhenya
suddenly turned around. Their eyes met so unexpectedly that Kwon Taekjoo jumped without
realizing it. Zhenya tilted his head at Kwon Taekjoo’s unusual reaction.

“Taekjoo? What are you thinking so hard about?”

“Ah, nothing. Ready to head back in?”

Kwon Taekjoo quickly stood up and walked toward the water. The waves were at the perfect
temperature, so they had been surfing together since the morning. He grabbed the surfboard
he had carelessly left in the sand and dove back into the sea. Zhenya stared at him for a
moment in confusion before following him.

Kwon Taekjoo lay on his board and paddled forward with strong strokes. The warm water
flowed smoothly around him.

How much time had passed?

Suddenly, Kwon Taekjoo noticed a dark silhouette gliding beneath his board. As he pursued
it, he could make out the unmistakable shape of a stingray, almost two meters long. Kwon
Taekjoo had seen countless sea turtles and stingrays during his stay on the island, so he
wasn’t too surprised. Stingrays didn’t try to attack or approach humans.

The stingray, swimming gracefully, slowly approached the surface of the water. Without
warning, it flicked its tail, sending a powerful splash of water directly into Kwon Taekjoo’s
face. He turned his head to avoid it, but it was already too late.

“Agh.”

Kwon Taekjoo barely managed to stay steady on his board, which wobbled quickly,
threatening to tip over at any moment. He didn’t even have time to fix his hair, which now
completely covered his face. By the time he regained his composure, the stingray had already
swum far away. The smiling face of Zhenya soon appeared in his shaky field of vision.

“Taekjoo, of all the creatures, did a stingray almost drown you? Your hair looks like that
seaweed soup the little woman makes us.”

The genuine amusement on Zhenya’s face was obvious. Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t believe he
had accepted such a man as a lover. It was almost laughable to think he had ever felt
comforted or relied on him. Clearly, he had let himself get carried away with romantic
illusions because, in his eyes, Zhenya was still nothing more than a big child.

“Stop smiling and get ready.”

“What, you want to make another bet?”

“Do you really not feel motivated to do anything unless there’s a reward? We’re just here to
have fun, idiot. The wave’s coming!” shouted Kwon Taekjoo before quickly standing up on
his board.

Zhenya followed closely behind him. Soon, a wave that had formed in the distance lifted
them up. The strong buoyancy kept them steady, and they effortlessly maintained their
balance on the boards as they reached the crest of the wave. The wind blew pleasantly against
their backs, pushing them forward.
They both rode the wave with natural grace, taking turns in the lead. When they were about
to collide, they veered off course, exchanging glances and smiles with each other. Kwon
Taekjoo had once heard that a lasting relationship required sharing hobbies and interests, and
he and Zhenya certainly checked that box. In fact, Kwon Taekjoo wondered if anyone else
could keep up with his pace, besides Zhenya.

As they approached the shore, the waves began to weaken. Kwon Taekjoo casually jumped
off his board and dove back into the water. They repeated the same ride over and over until
the sun began to set.

Kwon Taekjoo had felt as light as a feather while surfing, but stepping out of the water, he
felt heavy and sluggish. He tossed his board aside and headed toward a hammock, wrapping
himself in a beach towel and stretching out his limbs. Zhenya soon joined him, settling under
the hammock and even pulling on the edge of Kwon Taekjoo’s towel to dry his face.

At that moment, Zhenya’s phone started ringing from the lounge chair. Zhenya simply
handed Kwon Taekjoo a bottle of beer as if he hadn’t heard it.

Kwon Taekjoo took the bottle in his hands and said, “It looks like someone’s calling you.”

“No need to answer it.”

“How can you be so sure without even checking who it is? It could be something important.”

“It’s because you’re here, Taekjoo.”

“…What?”

Kwon Taekjoo frowned in confusion. Was Zhenya implying that Kwon Taekjoo was the only
thing he considered important? Or was he suggesting that Kwon Taekjoo was the main source
of all his worries? Given Zhenya’s arrogant nature, the latter seemed more likely.

However, after spending so much time together on this island, the way Zhenya looked at him
and spoke felt unexpectedly romantic. Kwon Taekjoo was convinced his brain had turned to
mush from being in the water too long.

“But you never know. What if something’s wrong with your family?”

“A problem? What kind of problem? If the old man finally kicked the bucket, would that
count?”

Zhenya immediately answered his own question.

“No. That wouldn’t be a problem—it would be a solution, Taekjoo.”

Kwon Taekjoo was speechless for a moment. How could Zhenya consider his father’s death
not a problem? Did he really have no emotional connection to his family at all?

Then again, it wasn’t exactly hard to believe. After all, the Bogdanov family had once gone
as far as attempting to sacrifice a six-year-old child to preserve their dignity. Their obsession
with increasing their influence had led them to impose arranged marriages on their children,
even to this day. If Zhenya had been viewed his entire life as nothing more than a tool for
their ambitions, it made sense that he felt no affection for his own family.

In the heart of Kwon Taekjoo, it weighed heavily that Zhenya had put down his first roots in
such a harsh and inhumane land, growing up without the slightest protection or affection.
Kwon Taekjoo often criticized Zhenya for lacking basic human qualities, but when he
thought about it, Zhenya had been raised in an environment where even a semblance of a
normal upbringing was impossible.

He had practically been abandoned by his family, yet they still sought him out whenever they
needed something from him. How could his own blood treat him that way? Their behavior
was despicable.

It made Zhenya seem almost pitiable again. As Kwon Taekjoo silently ruffled Zhenya’s hair,
Zhenya gave him a confused look and asked, “Taekjoo?”

Kwon Taekjoo continued gently running his fingers through Zhenya’s tousled hair. Zhenya’s
throat seemed to tremble slightly as he calmly accepted the caress. His gaze, fixed on Kwon
Taekjoo, ignited with a fiery intensity.

“Hey. I heard that you lock yourself away on Ajinoki Island every time the anniversary of
your mother’s death comes around.”

“Who said that?”

“Does it matter?”

“Uh, I don’t know, I never really thought of it that way. I guess it could seem like that to
someone looking to confirm their own misguided ideas.”

“You don’t need to feel so embarrassed. Maybe you haven’t realized it, but you could
instinctively be driven to isolate yourself. No matter what kind of person your mother was, it’s
natural to think of her and miss her simply because she was your mother. How do you think
the concept of filial piety came about?”

“Embarrassed? Missing someone? Me?”

Zhenya repeated Kwon Taekjoo’s words as if he had heard something strange. Had he really
never experienced such emotions? Every time Kwon Taekjoo looked at him, he wondered
how many basic human feelings could be absent in a person.

Perhaps Zhenya struggled to define or give meaning to his emotions like others could, even if
he felt them the same way. There was no other way to explain the naive and innocent
devotion he had toward Kwon Taekjoo. Kwon Taekjoo felt a pang of bitterness thinking that
Zhenya was nearing 30 and still wrestling with emotions most people learned to name and
understand as they grew.
Kwon Taekjoo delicately traced a finger along Zhenya’s salt-crusted lashes and said,
“Anyway, next time, take me with you.”

“Are you seriously suggesting we go to my island together? That’s new. But, Taekjoo,
considering what you do, are you sure you can promise that?”

“I’ll do everything I can to make it happen.”

“Uh... alright, if you say so. Then, I hope the anniversaries of my relatives’ deaths happen
more often.”

“Do you even hear yourself, idiot?”

Hearing Zhenya’s childish remarks, Kwon Taekjoo pinched his cheek. He couldn’t believe
this was the man he had been pitying and worrying about. He was convinced he was the only
person in the world who would care about Zhenya. Kwon Taekjoo was far too soft-hearted
when it came to him.

As Kwon Taekjoo let go of Zhenya’s cheek, he noticed it had turned bright red... maybe he
had pinched too hard. Guilt washed over him as he gently rubbed Zhenya’s cheek. Despite
this, Zhenya continued to look at Kwon Taekjoo with quiet contentment. In moments like
this, when he kept his mouth shut and stayed still, Zhenya was an angel, just as Kwon
Taekjoo’s mother always called him. Kwon Taekjoo leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to
Zhenya’s forehead.

Kwon Taekjoo was about to get up from the hammock when Zhenya’s hand shot out and
grabbed his arm. His face was filled with suspicion.

“Taekjoo. What’s going on?”

“What?”

“You’re being strangely affectionate again. Don’t tell me they’ve assigned you another
mission early.”

“Who the hell do you take me for? I was just trying to be a good lover,” Kwon Taekjoo
grumbled, scolding the skeptical Zhenya while pulling his arm away. It was his way of
signaling Zhenya to get up too.

“I’m sweaty from playing all day. Let’s soak in some hot water.”

Zhenya chuckled and followed Kwon Taekjoo back to their room. Along the way, Zhenya’s
phone rang constantly, but he ignored it. Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t help but feel concerned.
After all, persistent calls usually indicated something more urgent.

Kwon Taekjoo woke from his sleep to the sound of a faint noise. However, he kept his eyes
closed because he could sense Zhenya’s gaze fixed on him from the side. He remained
perfectly still, staying calm. In the end, Zhenya gave him a soft kiss on the forehead before
getting out of bed. Kwon Taekjoo waited a few moments after Zhenya closed the bedroom
door before opening his eyes. Sitting up, he rubbed the spot on his forehead where Zhenya’s
lips had touched. After picking up the robe he had carelessly thrown on the floor, he made his
way to the door. He didn’t exactly suspect Zhenya of anything, but he still wanted to know
what he was doing at this hour of the night. The silence around allowed him to catch
fragments of Zhenya’s voice through the door.

Kwon Taekjoo silenced his breathing and focused intently on Zhenya’s voice. It was clear he
was talking to someone, and his tone, usually calm and even cold, was now laced with
tension.

“Why are you so curious about where I am? Since when have you been so interested in me?”

Who could be so insistent about Zhenya’s whereabouts? They were speaking in Russian,
which suggested it could be someone from the embassy. But it didn’t make sense for them to
call at this hour, as it was still only 5 a.m. in Korea.

Moreover, the way Zhenya had asked, “Since when have you been so interested in me?”
sounded almost like a complaint. It was a familiar retort he often used with Kwon Taekjoo
when being sarcastic. In any case, it was obvious from Zhenya’s tone that he was speaking
with someone who was curious about his recent activities, and that surely limited it to a select
group of people who knew him personally. Was it Olga?

“No matter, Bazim.”

But an unexpected name came from Zhenya’s mouth. Bazim was Zhenya’s second older
brother, Bazim Vissarionovich Bogdanov. He was one of President Lomonosov’s closest
advisors and an old friend. Had he been the one bombarding Zhenya’s phone with calls
during their stay on the island? There was no way his interest was solely out of concern for
his younger brother.

Bazim was a politician through and through. He likely prioritized the interests of his nation
above all else. More precisely, he would serve the president to secure his position and
authority. And to do that, he had to eliminate any threats to the current government—such as
factors that might disrupt Russia’s diplomatic relations with other countries.

Knowing all this, Kwon Taekjoo could easily discern the true reason behind Bazim’s
persistent calls. It seemed Bazim had found out about what had happened in Cuba.

Cuba had long been an ally of Russia. The recent terrorist attack had destroyed the Cuban
government’s main source of funding, and a Russian had stepped in to help a key suspect
escape. For Bazim, managing this disaster would have been a challenge in itself, but the fact
that the Russian in question was his own brother only made things worse. Kwon Taekjoo
could only imagine how awkward Bazim’s situation must be.

It wasn’t even the first time something like this had happened. Kwon Taekjoo himself was a
Korean NIS agent, and Russia was far from an ally to Korea. The things Zhenya had done for
Kwon Taekjoo’s sake had caused all kinds of problems for his own country. That’s why
Kwon Taekjoo had always insisted that Zhenya stay out of government affairs. Even if it
were true that his own country and family had abandoned him long ago, Zhenya’s track
record was anything but simple. Zhenya would receive a call from home like this every time
he acted against Russia’s interests. There was no doubt he had been monitored and
interrogated since he had come to live in Korea.

For the moment, Russia might have considered it safer to keep Zhenya out of the country, but
there was no telling when they might demand his return if he continued with his antics. And
even if Zhenya chose to ignore the summons, they could always force him back by charging
him with various crimes.

Kwon Taekjoo was fully aware of these risks, though he had tried to downplay them as mere
attempts to control Zhenya. Despite Zhenya’s apparent indifference to his situation, Kwon
Taekjoo could no longer ignore the troubling thoughts that weighed on him.

He couldn’t stand to see Zhenya continue to isolate himself further.

“There it comes,” Zhenya murmured, his gaze lost in the sky.

They had been having a late breakfast when Kwon Taekjoo followed Zhenya’s gaze and saw
a helicopter approaching in the distance. It was different from the usual supply helicopter. Its
peculiar bright yellow facade, resembling an alien’s face, was impossible to miss. It had to be
Matías Pérez’s personal helicopter. Even the last one, which he had taken on his final trip off
the island, was a deep purple, much like a beetle. It was clear that Matías had more money
than taste.

“Ew, there goes my appetite.”

As Kwon Taekjoo grimaced in disgust, Zhenya smiled unexpectedly.

“He’s really not your type, huh?”

“Is that even a question, bastard? I’ve never been interested in anyone with a dick, got it?”

“But now?”

“No, I still stand by that. Try going to an all-boys school, an engineering college, the
military, and working in a male-dominated field. You’ll get sick of seeing other men’s faces
all the time.”

Kwon Taekjoo shuddered in disgust. Zhenya rested his chin in his hands, seemingly amused.
The way his eyes curved with satisfaction was oddly attractive.

“Hello, friends! It’s been a while! Did you rest well?”

Matías Pérez’s characteristic laugh pierced through the roar of the helicopter blades, echoing
in the air. His grand entrance had completely disrupted the table where they were eating. The
powerful gusts of wind caused Kwon Taekjoo’s coffee to splash onto his hand. Both Zhenya
and Kwon Taekjoo glared at Matías Pérez with disdain as he headed towards the helipad,
promising to see them later.
“That bastard... Can we shoot his helicopter down?”

“All you have to do is ask.”

Zhenya’s eyes tracked the helicopter with an icy gaze, ready to take Matías down as soon as
Kwon Taekjoo gave the go-ahead. Kwon Taekjoo wondered how the two had even met if
Zhenya clearly despised the man.

“Seriously, how do you two know each other?”

“Why? Does it bother you?”

Zhenya’s tense expression immediately softened when his gaze shifted to Kwon Taekjoo.
Then he shook his head, dismissing his own ridiculous question.

“I swear, you’re obsessed with me.”

“That’s not what I meant!”

“And you’re much shyer than you seem. Taekjoo, you don’t need to hide your jealousy. I’ll
take it as an adorable gesture.”

Zhenya shrugged, keeping his head held high. Kwon Taekjoo clenched his fists at the sight of
Zhenya’s proud posture.

“Ah… It’s pointless trying to talk to you.”

Kwon Taekjoo gave up trying to argue with Zhenya and downed his now cold Americano in
one gulp, wiping his hand carelessly on the napkin on his lap.

Just then, Matías Pérez had disembarked from his helicopter and was heading toward the
deck. Seemingly unfazed by Zhenya and Kwon Taekjoo’s lack of reaction, he started
cheerfully throwing out a series of greetings.

“Friends! You must’ve had quite a wild night, huh? You don’t look so great. How’s the
hangover treating you?”

Zhenya stared at Matías with an indifferent expression as he spoke to Kwon Taekjoo.

“He’s just another one of my loyal clients. He’s been envious of my weapons for ages. Not to
brag, but my weapons are unmatched in both destructive power and precision. If I wanted, I
could even custom-make them or modify them to push physical limits. Sure, they’d be harder
to handle, but that’s part of their charm. That bastard’s visited Russia several times just to see
me.”

“What a complete freak.”

“The more dangerous something is, the more seductive it becomes. After all, if something is
hard to master, it only fuels your desire to conquer it.”
At some point, Zhenya’s gaze had shifted back to Kwon Taekjoo. When their eyes met,
Zhenya’s lips curved into a smile.

Kwon Taekjoo pointed his fork at Zhenya’s pretty face and grumbled, “Yeah, and that’s why I
say both you and him are freaks.”

Bragging about a weapon’s destructive power, calling it seductive, and saying it fueled the
desire to conquer... As a regular person, Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t understand the logic. Did
immense wealth drive people to seek more intense thrills until they lost their minds?

Kwon Taekjoo felt uneasy seeing someone like Matías Pérez pretend to approach them with
goodwill. Of course, that wasn’t the only reason he disapproved of the man. Matías raised his
eyebrows at the prickly looks aimed at him.

“Come on, not even a response? Did I do something to upset you, friends?”

“For people you keep calling ‘friends,’ you locked us up here and took your sweet time
coming back.”

“Locked you up? How can you say that? I was just protecting you.”

“Oh, is that how you protect people in Mexico? By spying on their private lives?”

“You mean the security cameras? We’ve been attacked so many times that it’s a
necessary precaution. You see, we’ve had too many guests with bad intentions. Since
you two are fugitives, I just wanted to keep a closer eye on you… to protect you better,
of course.”

“So you decided to spy on us in the bedroom?”

“What’s the big deal? At the time, you didn’t seem to mind. In fact, I’d say you even
enjoyed it, didn’t you?”

Matías Pérez had watched them in private and showed no sign of shame. Instead, excitement
and amusement danced in his eyes at the idea of revealing a side of Kwon Taekjoo he hadn’t
imagined before. Seeing Matías’ gleaming, almost intoxicated eyes made Kwon Taekjoo lose
his appetite. Matías had firmly landed in the category of people Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t
stand. Nothing good would come from continuing to associate with him.

“We need to head back home now.”

“What, so soon? Why not stay a bit longer?”

“I’d rather not be a plaything for a perverted host, and I’m not exactly in the mood for
any more nonsense.”

“I swear, it’s all just a misunderstanding, Taekjoo.”

At that moment, both Kwon Taekjoo and Zhenya’s eyes locked onto Matías at the same time.
Matías quickly caught on and nodded toward Kwon Taekjoo.
“That’s not your name? I heard Bogdanov calling you that several times last night.”

“Should we just kill him?” Zhenya asked coldly, revealing his anger.

“But then we’d be stuck here forever.”

“We could always escape using his helicopter.”

“And then what? The most important thing is getting back to Korea. We don’t need to kill him
yet.”

The two exchanged an unsettling conversation with just a few words. Their eyes remained
fixed on Matías the whole time. Unaware of their exchange, Matías commented slyly, “Are
you leaving me out again?”

Kwon Taekjoo shot a glance at Zhenya, silently urging him to handle the situation. Zhenya
complied and began to pressure Matías.

“… Keep your promise, Pérez. You don’t want our deal to turn into a disaster, do you?”

The words were straightforward, but coming from Zhenya, they carried the weight of a threat.
And Matías certainly heard it that way too.

“Hmm… I suppose I don’t have a choice, then. It’s been a while since I’ve had guests.
It’s a shame to send you off without even sharing a drink together.”

Matías Pérez raised his glass in front of him, then clinked it against Zhenya’s and Kwon
Taekjoo’s before letting the topic drop for now.

“I’ll visit Russia one of these days. I hope by then you’ll show me that infamous
‘Anastasia,’ my friend. I’ve been dying to know if she’s as ‘beautiful’ as the rumors
say.”

Zhenya flashed a knowing smile, locking eyes with Kwon Taekjoo as he replied, “If that’s
what you’re after, it’s already right in front of you.”

Though Matías didn’t understand Russian, Zhenya seemed perfectly comfortable saying
something so embarrassing in front of him. Kwon Taekjoo shook his head and stood up.
Zhenya followed shortly after.

All Matías Pérez could do was watch as the two left him behind once again, while he
repeatedly reminded them of their promise.

.
Chapter End Notes

Support the author by purchasing the novel on Ridibooks.

 Burden: Whether it's good or bad
Chapter Notes

The characters will communicate in different languages.

•RUSSIAN DIALOGUES ARE IN ITALICS

•ENGLISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD
•KOREAN DIALOGUES ARE NOT FORMATTED
•SPANISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD ITALICS

See the end of the chapter for more notes

"Taekjoo! Hey! Get up quickly. It's already 8."

A familiar voice broke through his deep sleep. Kwon Taekjoo shuddered and opened his eyes
with effort. A well-known ceiling appeared in his blurred vision. Then, his mother’s face
peeked around the corner.

Letting out a long sigh, he slowly sat up. A groan escaped his lips as he ran a hand through
his disheveled hair.

"Why didn’t you set the alarm? Aren’t you going to be late for work?"

His mother handed him a glass of water, her concern evident. He took it without a word and
sipped.

"No. I can go in later today."

"Really?"

"Yes. I just got back from a business trip."

"Oh! Is it because it’s a foreign embassy that the benefits and treatment are different? Is this
job more relaxed compared to the last one?"

"...Yes, something like that."

Saying he was going to wash up, Kwon Taekjoo slipped away to the bathroom. Lying so
blatantly to his mother made him feel guilty. He couldn’t look into her the eyes and lie with
ease. If his mother had seen the state Kwon Taekjoo was in when he returned from Cuba, all
his lies would have been exposed. But fortunately, his minor wounds had healed on the way
back to Korea. He had a higher resistance and faster recovery than most, which was a stroke
of luck.

It had already been four days since he returned home. Zhenya said he was going to Russia for
a while to finalize a deal with Matías. Thanks to that, he could sleep without interruptions.

Even so, his reflection in the bathroom mirror showed a tired face. He hadn’t rested properly
due to being with Zhenya until just before his return.

Before, he was so confident in his stamina that he could jump straight into the next mission
right after completing one. But now, after spending days and nights with his lover, he
wondered if this was what aging felt like—like an athlete hitting a curve.

Yawning deeply, he grabbed his toothbrush. As he brushed without much thought, memories
of the last few days flashed before him like a magic lantern.

During a late night, Kwon Taekjoo and Zhenya boarded a prepared helicopter and left Matías
Island. The helicopter landed on a large ship, which they were told was a cargo vessel that
had departed from Panama, passed through Mexico, and was headed to Busan. At the time of
landing, the ship had left the port city of Manzanillo on Mexico’s west coast and was
crossing the Pacific.

From there, a long 17-day journey to Busan began. The ship's captain and crew believed that
Kwon Taekjoo and Zhenya were security guards sent by an international logistics company.
Thanks to this, they didn’t have to participate in the ship's tedious tasks. Even when they
walked around armed, no one questioned them.

Their intimidating appearance also helped ward off interference or interest from others. The
crew, regardless of nationality or age, avoided Kwon Taekjoo and Zhenya. During meals, if
they appeared, the others quickly gave up their seats. Beyond their intimidating presence,
having security guards aboard made the crew uncomfortable.

The usual disputes that arise on long sea voyages weren’t their concern. The sailors would
argue and become noisy, but the situation never lasted long. When Kwon Taekjoo or Zhenya
appeared, everyone dispersed with uncomfortable expressions, as if nothing had happened.

Zhenya would bang on the wall in frustration whenever he heard loud noises outside.
Immediately, the entire ship fell silent. Most of the time, Zhenya and him were having sex, so
it was understandable. If it had been a disruption to his sleep, who knows what he might have
done in self-defense. It seemed like a miracle that they made it back to Korea without any
major incidents.

Thanks to prior notice to the National Intelligence Service, they didn’t have to go through
immigration procedures at the port of Busan. Although it caused a bit of a stir, they were
granted a few days of vacation as a reward for completing the mission. Everything went
surprisingly smooth, almost as if it was an illusion. Without Zhenya's intervention, none of
this would have been possible. The days spent on an unknown island in Mexico now felt like
a distant dream.

After gathering his thoughts and finishing his shower, he stepped out of the bathroom. His
mother had already prepared breakfast. He couldn’t refuse and sat down quietly. The table
was filled with more than ten different side dishes. A well-cooked red pepper paste stew
immediately awakened his appetite.

“Why did you prepare so much food this early in the morning?”

“How much must you have suffered, living abroad for almost a month without being able to
eat Korean food? Did you eat well? You’ve only been sleeping since you got home, and your
face is so pale I can hardly stand it.”

“Mother, please. Why does a man need a pretty face?”

“Your face, which isn’t much use anyway, looks even more gaunt, boy. Should I prepare
some medicine for you?”

“For what? The food you make is the best remedy.”

As always, he brushed off his mother’s concerns with a smile. She, with a reproachful look,
placed a well-cooked piece of fish on Kwon Taekjoo's rice. In silence, he took a big spoonful
of rice and brought it to his mouth. The freshly cooked rice and salty fish blended perfectly.
After taking a spoonful of the red pepper paste stew, his unsettled stomach immediately
calmed down.

“This is delicious. Mother, you should eat too.”

“I already had something earlier.”

“Come on, don’t just eat a little.”

“You’ll understand when you get older. Eating three meals a day isn’t as easy to digest.”

His mother replied while placing a piece of jangjorim on his plate. This time, the jangjorim
didn’t have the green peppers she usually included. Zhenya, who had once tried one of those
peppers on Kwon Taekjoo’s recommendation, had choked severely, leading to this change.
That had been over a year ago. Somehow, Zhenya had integrated too naturally into Kwon
Taekjoo's daily life.

“This jangjorim. The ambassador liked it a lot too.”

Lost in thought, he was startled by his mother’s words. He quickly covered his mouth with
the back of his hand to stifle a cough. His mother, unaware of the reason, offered him a glass
of water and told him to eat more slowly. Taking advantage of the moment, she asked about
Zhenya.

“I wonder if the ambassador is doing well after his long trip. When will he return?”
“I don’t know. When he finishes his business.”

“What? You don’t know your boss’s schedule as his assistant?”

“He said it was personal business. What can I do? Investigate his private life?”

“A subordinate should be able to understand things without being told.”

He pursed his lips at his mother’s scolding. Although he had always hated the military
mentality of his grandfather and father, his mother wasn’t much different. He wasn’t sure if it
was out of habit or because she had a special fondness for Zhenya and always defended him.

“By the way, will the ambassador spend his birthday in Russia?”

He paused at his mother’s comment. Then, he glanced at the desk calendar in the corner of
the table. The calendar had already turned to August. Exactly one week remained until
Zhenya’s birthday.

“Don’t you think he’ll be back before then? He said he’d come soon.”

“Really? Then, should I prepare a special meal for the ambassador’s birthday?”

“You, mother? Wouldn’t it be enough to just buy him a cake?”

“Oh no, that wouldn’t be proper. The ambassador is all alone in such a distant place; don’t
you think he’d feel very lonely on his birthday? We’ve shared so much until now; the right
thing to do is offer him a warm meal.”

“This is unbelievable. Even on regular days, without any reason, you’d call Zhenya to invite
him for lunch or tea. And now, just because it’s his birthday, it seems you need an excuse…
Well, I’ll ask him.”

“Yes, just make sure to tell him not to feel pressured.”

“That guy is not the type to feel pressured easily. Haven’t you noticed that by now?”

“What? You refer to him as ‘that’ and ‘that guy’ in front of the ambassador? Are you going to
keep being so disrespectful?”

“No, he’s not here right now…”

“If you speak that way when he’s not around, it will become a habit.”

As always, Kwon Taekjoo’s mother defended Zhenya. She claimed she was doing it for the
sake of her only son, but Kwon wondered if she would feel the same way if she knew how
Zhenya treated him. Ignorance truly was bliss. Kwon mumbled an apology and kept eating.

Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t heard from Zhenya in the past four days. He thought
he had made his point clear last time, but it seemed Zhenya had already forgotten. They say
no news is good news, but that didn’t apply to him. It looked like Kwon would have to reach
out first.

After finishing his meal, Kwon went to his room and grabbed his phone. Although he had
hoped for it, there were no missed calls from Zhenya. Could something have happened again
in Russia? Maybe his father had finally caught him to arrange an engagement, or perhaps
he’d been banned from leaving the country for helping Kwon in Cuba.

Zhenya always made him worry. Damn it, Kwon thought, as he pressed the call button. But
before it could ring, he changed his mind and decided to send him a message instead.

Surprisingly, the response arrived immediately. That meant Zhenya could still use all ten
fingers. Bastard.
He could clearly imagine that guy's smiling face. He was about to reply with “who” when an
incoming call window appeared above the message. It was a call from headquarters.

Kwon Taekjoo took a deep breath in front of the director's office door. Reporting to the
superiors was the final step in completing the operation. Although he almost always failed,
would he have to write another report this time? Foreseeing the obvious outcome, he knocked
on the door.

"Come in."

Director Kwak’s voice was no different than usual. Even so, Kwon let out a long sigh. After
clearing his throat, he opened the door and stepped inside. Director Kwak set aside the
documents he was reviewing and looked at him. It was hard to guess his thoughts just from
his expression.

If the previous boss, Mr. Lim, was a sly fox, Director Kwak was more like a mole. He would
reflect silently and respond sensitively. As a superior, he was a more difficult type to deal
with. Kwon bowed and stood in front of his desk.

“Did you call me?”

“Yes. Did you rest well?”

“Yes, thanks to your consideration.”

“Did you get hurt anywhere?”

“As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”

“You don’t know how to complain, do you?”

“I wouldn’t change anything, even if I could. I learned that while working at the National
Intelligence Agency.”

“Don’t you think that’s why you take on more work than others?”

“What can a public servant do? If the higher-ups order it, it must be done.”

Director Kwak laughed and praised Kwon Taekjoo’s accomplishments.

“Anyway, you’ve worked hard. Even though we considered the possibility of American
intervention, we didn’t expect them to be so stubborn. We almost lost a valuable talent. It
seems they have some sense of shame, as they haven’t filed any complaints regarding this
incident.”

“What basis would they have to complain? I merely responded to a preemptive attack to
protect my right to survive.”

“Yes, discussing justifications is endless. The United States is denying that the commotion
that night was planned. They claim it was the action of a PMC acting outside government
control, solely for its own interests. In Cuba, they are also trying to frame the attack as a
deviation by international mercenaries. It doesn’t suit them for it to be known that the target
of the attack wasn’t just innocent civilians. If ‘Electric Hammer’ comes to light, they will
only face criticism. They also don’t want a full-scale war with the United States.”

The sacrifice of an individual in the name of national interest was always easily concealed.
This time was no different. As a result, both the Cuban hackers and the American
mercenaries were used and then discarded. Perhaps Kwon Taekjoo’s fate wouldn’t be
different.

“Regardless, thanks to your covert operations, we were able to recover the data safely. The
damage from the leak wasn’t too severe, and all the institutions and companies that were
hacked have stopped receiving ransom demands from the crackers. Of course, the young
hackers also survived, so it’s possible that attacks from Cuba will resume once things calm
down.

But we’ve reinforced national security systems, so it won’t be as easy as before.”

“… ‘Young’ hackers?”

“Ah, you didn’t have time to hear the details. The hackers of ‘Electric Hammer’ were all their
children. From the eldest, who was believed to be dead, to the second, who was reported
missing, and the youngest, who suffers from a congenital lung disease.”

“All three?”

“Yes. Isn’t it surprising? How such ordinary parents had such genius children one after
another. I don’t know how the Cuban government discovered their usefulness, but it seems
they’ve kept the two brothers locked in a basement, exploiting the profits they made from
their hacking. They deceived them with promises to cure the younger one’s illness or
constantly pressured them with soldiers as guards.”

Kwon Taekjoo remembered the young hacker he had found in the basement and the girl with
the nasal tubes. He assumed the girl was not involved in any crimes. Therefore, when he
dispersed the sleeping gas, he made sure to avoid the nasal tubes, fearing it could endanger
her. Was it an unnecessary act? Now that he thought about it, an innocent girl shouldn’t have
to know about the existence of that underground room.

The enemies Kwon Taekjoo encountered in the field often exceeded his expectations. It was
not uncommon for the target to be a woman, an elderly person, or, as in this case, a minor. In
those moments, he always prioritized his mission and duty. For the good of the country and to
prevent greater harm, he had to rationalize it that way to maintain his composure.

Was this time any different? No, it wasn’t. Still, Kwon Taekjoo displayed unnecessary
compassion. Of course, the objective of this operation was to recover the leaked data safely.
Although an encounter with the hackers was unavoidable during the process, it wasn’t
necessary to eliminate them. In fact, the brothers Kwon Taekjoo saved from certain death
were not dangerous terrorists and did not offer fierce resistance. Keeping them alive posed no
significant threat to national security. So why did he still feel uncomfortable? Kwon Taekjoo
questioned himself repeatedly, trying to understand the source of his unease.

"In the data you recovered this time, we found some rather interesting information."

Director Kwak changed the subject.

"It seems that 'Electric Hammer' has been more active than we thought. Not just in our
country, but also in Thailand, Russia, China, North Korea, and Japan. When we decrypted the
secured data from the field, we found high-level information, even state secrets. We even
detected unusual movements in North Korea that not even the National Intelligence Agency
had identified."

Kwon Taekjoo looked at the tablet Director Kwak was showing him. The screen was filled
with the photo of a middle-aged man. Was he Korean? Or someone from the North Korean
side? He glanced back at Director Kwak, seeking an explanation.

"Park Jung-ho, a North Korean biologist. He has spent his entire life researching the ecology
and microorganisms of Mount Baekdu. It is said that he will travel to Vladivostok at the end
of this month as a visiting researcher."

"That's just a cover. What’s the real purpose?"

"Well, we’re not entirely sure yet. We can only speculate. It seems that when Park Jung-ho
arrives in Vladivostok, he will hold secret meetings with 'Rostec,' Russia's largest defense
company, and 'Pharmzashita,' a state-owned pharmaceutical company. 'Rostec' is dedicated to
the research and development of military technology, and 'Pharmzashita' operates under the
Russian Agency of Medical Biology. Doesn’t that sound suspicious? It’s said that agents
from North Korea’s State Security Ministry will accompany Park Jung-ho at all times,
particularly this man."

Director Kwak swiped the tablet screen. A photo appeared of a man in a North Korean
military uniform. From the insignias on his cap and the medals covering his chest, he seemed
to be a high-ranking officer.

"Who is he?"

"Shim Young-il. Head of Operations for North Korea’s General Staff. So, what do you think?
Starting to see the bigger picture?"

A North Korean biologist secretly meeting with a state-owned Russian pharmaceutical

company. The company in question, 'Pharmzashita,' has recently garnered international
attention for purchasing large quantities of potassium iodide, which helps reduce the body's
absorption of radiation. This suggests possible Russian nuclear tests. Like most state-owned
enterprises, 'Pharmzashita' follows government orders, so the meeting between them and the
North Korean biologist can be seen as a move by the Kremlin. Moreover, 'Rostec,' which
develops Russian military technology, and a high-ranking North Korean military officer will
also be present. Given that both countries have long been military allies, this is not a good
sign.

It seemed this was the reason Director Kwak had summoned Kwon Taekjoo. Taekjoo got
straight to the point to confirm his suspicions.

"So, you want me to go to Vladivostok and find out what they’re discussing?"

Director Kwak smiled without answering. It was a knowing smile.

"Before that, there’s something we need to clarify. The Russian ambassador to South Korea,
Yevgeny Vissarionovich Bogdanov."

The unexpected name from Director Kwak’s mouth made Kwon Taekjoo tense, though he
tried to maintain his composure.

"Yes, go on."

"As you know, the Bogdanov family is one of the most influential in Russia. It’s no
exaggeration to say they are involved in everything Russia does. The Russian ambassador’s
brother, Bazim Vissarionovich Bogdanov, who is one of the president’s closest advisors, is
also an advisor to 'Rostec.' Additionally, the hotel where the North Korean officials will be
staying during their visit to Russia is operated by his family."

Kwon Taekjoo kept his mouth shut. There wasn’t much to argue about when it came to that
family. His only concern was whether Zhenya knew anything about the secret meeting or if
he was somehow involved.

"They say the Russian ambassador also showed up during the operation in Cuba, didn’t he?"

Director Kwak asked suddenly. Although his tone was mild, it was still a reprimand. The
involvement of a foreign diplomat in a secret operation conducted by the National
Intelligence Agency was always a potential problem. In fact, Zhenya had gotten involved
more than once, and it seemed he had been under observation for some time.

"I don’t understand why he keeps helping you. I find it hard to accept your previous
explanation that he does it purely out of personal friendship or goodwill. Although his
involvement has aligned with our interests so far, I’m honestly not pleased at all. If things
escalate, they could spiral out of control, especially in diplomatic matters. Moreover, this
case cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence. He’s a direct participant. Do you understand?"

Kwon Taekjoo had never shared work-related information with Zhenya. It was always
Zhenya who found out and meddled on his own.

Still, it wasn’t something Taekjoo could simply resent. After all, it was true that he had
benefited from Zhenya's help, and not long ago, he had felt relieved to see Zhenya come to
his rescue. Kwon Taekjoo had grown used to Zhenya suddenly showing up during his
missions. No, he had become dependent on him, even though Zhenya wasn’t his partner. He
had let his guard down, relying on him, despite knowing that if he were accused of conspiring
with a Russian diplomat and leaking national secrets, there would be no way out. Not just for
him, but for Zhenya as well—they would both be in danger.

Kwon Taekjoo let out a long sigh and clenched his fists.

"I understand what you're saying. I’ll make sure he doesn’t interfere in official matters again.
Don’t worry."

"Can I trust that?"

"Yes."

"I’m sure you’ll handle it well, but make sure to always act within the limits we can manage.
The operation in Cuba was quite dangerous."

"Yes. I’m sorry."

"It’s fine. You can go for today. I’ll call you again when we have more details about the
operation."

"Alright, then."
 Kwon Taekjoo bowed and left. He kept a poker face the entire time, but as soon as he closed
the director’s office door, he let out a deep sigh. His chest felt unbearably tight.

Chapter End Notes

Support the author by purchasing the novel on Ridibooks.

 Burden: Whether it's good or bad
Chapter Notes

The characters will communicate in different languages.

•RUSSIAN DIALOGUES ARE IN ITALICS

•ENGLISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD
•KOREAN DIALOGUES ARE NOT FORMATTED
•SPANISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD ITALICS

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Kwon Taekjoo was well aware of Zhenya's family. He knew exactly how they had acquired
their current wealth and power. Zhenya had also contributed to expanding his family's
influence. Even so, Taekjoo accepted him. He didn’t believe that Zhenya had completely
changed.

Zhenya kept some distance from his family, and the wrongdoings of the Bogdanov family
didn’t directly affect Kwon Taekjoo’s interests, so he decided to ignore them. More clearly,
Taekjoo simply didn’t have time to dwell on such matters. In extreme situations, he was
swept up by emotions, as if caught in a storm. This was the first time he had made a decision
based on his heart rather than his head. Was it reckless?

Despite the current concerns, the secret meeting between North Korea and Russia might
amount to nothing. It could end with just an exchange of new information between the two
countries. If their agreement didn’t threaten South Korea’s security, Taekjoo would have no
reason to feel uneasy.

However, he couldn’t shake that discomfort. As long as he kept Zhenya close, similar issues
were bound to repeat themselves. While Kwon Taekjoo continued to work for South Korea
and Zhenya remained rooted in Russia, there was no escaping this cycle. It wasn’t as if he
hadn’t foreseen it. Knowing all this, he had accepted it, but why did he still feel so restless?

"Yevgeny Vissarionovich Bogdanov, the Russian ambassador to South Korea?"

From the beginning, Taekjoo should never have let headquarters find out about him. Nor
should he have allowed them to know that Zhenya was helping him. Even though Zhenya
always meddled in his own way, this was a covert operation. No one else should have been
exposed to it.

Still, Kwon Taekjoo got involved with him recklessly, excusing himself with the notion that
he couldn’t stop him. Fueled by the faint belief that Zhenya wouldn’t betray him, he certainly
deserved the reprimand from Director Kwak.

Thinking about Zhenya, Taekjoo knew he shouldn’t let him continue acting on his behalf.
The more involved Zhenya became in his affairs, the harder Zhenya’s situation would
become. He had to be aware of this.

"Come on, Kwon Taekjoo, get a grip. You can’t lose your mind over a romance."

He shook his head irritably, trying to calm his frustration. At that moment, he heard a voice
calling him from behind.

“Sunbae!”

Kwon Taekjoo turned and saw Yoon Jongwoo at the end of the hallway, waving his arm.
Taekjoo fully turned toward him as Yoon Jongwoo quickly ran over.

“What were you thinking about so deeply? I’ve been calling you, and you didn’t hear me.”

“Really? Sorry.”

“The director called for you, right? Did you just come from seeing him?”

“Yes.”

“Did he give you a hard time?”

“Do you think I’m always getting scolded?”

“Then why do you look so bad? You said you only slept during your break. Still haven’t
recovered? No one can beat time, not even you, Sunbae.”

“What do you mean I can’t beat time, idiot?”

Kwon Taekjoo made a motion as if he were going to kick Yoon Jongwoo in the rear. Jongwoo
exaggerated his movements, dodging and playing along. After dodging back and forth,
Jongwoo finally gave up and got caught in a headlock. After horsing around for a while,
Taekjoo forgot what he had been thinking so deeply about.

“Ah, Sunbae. Please be more careful. I think you twisted my neck.”

“A man whining.”

“And you, who can snap the neck of any big guy with a single blow, say that? Now, you
really sound like yourself, being so hard on others.”
“You sure talk a lot now that you’ve got more experience. Your tongue’s gotten pretty loose.”

“You always scold me when you’re feeling guilty. After all this time, were you going to leave
without seeing me?”

“Why should I see your face all the time?”

“Wow, that’s harsh. So, saying I’m the only one you can trust was just lip service? You only
come to me when you need something.”

“Why are you complaining so much today? Did the heat get to you?”

Faced with the constant teasing, Yoon Jongwoo expressed his discontent with a visibly hurt
expression.

“I was worried. Right after hearing the explosion, communication was cut, and I thought
something really bad had happened.”

“I’m not going down that easily.”

“But you were out of contact for two days. They said there were no Asians among the
mercenaries captured alive at the scene. How could I not be concerned?”

“That was for good reason…”

He tried to explain but stopped himself. The explosion had destroyed his communication
equipment, leaving him with no way to contact headquarters. The problem was that instead of
finding another way to communicate, he had spent those two days with Zhenya. Of course, if
Zhenya hadn’t shown up, he would have been arrested by Cuban police or killed on the spot,
and he never would have been able to contact anyone.

“…Never mind. It’s my karma, my fate.”

“Don’t do something so reckless again. You don’t have ten lives, so try to be more careful.”

Taekjoo nodded vaguely and patted Yoon Jongwoo on the shoulder. Jongwoo, who had been
scolding him fervently, quickly calmed down. It was amusing and kind of adorable how
quickly he flared up and then cooled down.

“You act like a wife.”

Taekjoo laughed and ruffled Jongwoo’s hair roughly. Jongwoo, who had been sighing openly,
suddenly stopped and began looking around. Taekjoo also looked around.

“What’s going on? Is something happening?”

“No, just in case.”

“Just in case what?”

“No matter how crazy that Russian is, he couldn’t be spying on the National Intelligence
Service, right?”

“Why’d you bring him up all of a sudden?”

“He looks at me like he wants to kill me just because I touch you. With those sharp eyes, it
seems like he could slice someone to pieces.”

"But he hasn't hurt you, has he? Don't be so dramatic."

"It's just that he's so gentle with you, so you don't know how terrifying he can be. Couldn't
you tell him not to contact me?"

"He reaches out to you? Seems like he wants to be your friend."

"No, no, I don't want that!"

"Then tell him yourself."

"Are you trying to get me killed?"

"If you can't, then just befriend him. You two seem to get along."

Yoon Jongwoo gritted his teeth and swallowed hard, his fists trembling visibly. Kwon
Taekjoo chuckled, unfazed. "You think that guy listens to me?"

"If it weren't for you, Sunbae, I..."

"I haven't said a word, right?"

"Can I read minds now?"

"Don't lie."

Yoon Jongwoo shot Kwon Taekjoo, who was laughing, a look of disdain. "Are you sure
nothing's wrong?"

"Why does something always have to be wrong? Anyway, let's grab a drink. It's been a
while."

"Now? I'm still on my shift."

"Just tell them you're going out for work. If there's any trouble, I'll cover for you."

"Cover for me? Sounds like we'll end up writing a report together."

"Don't you trust your Sunbae? I can protect you. Come on."

Kwon Taekjoo wrapped his arm around Yoon Jongwoo's neck and started walking down the
hallway. Yoon Jongwoo struggled for a moment, asking to be released, but quickly gave up
and asked what he was going to buy him. After all, they were close colleagues who got along
well.

"You know you're a terrible boss, right, Sunbae?" Yoon Jongwoo muttered as he stretched. It
had been a while since they'd caught up, and they'd likely discuss work, so instead of heading
to a restaurant, they went to Yoon Jongwoo's apartment.

Yoon Jongwoo's place, which Taekjoo hadn’t visited in a long time, hadn’t changed at all. It
was a small two-bedroom apartment facing east, meaning it didn’t get much sunlight. The
blinds were closed, leaving the place dim even during the day. Clothes were scattered
haphazardly on chairs, coat racks, and workout equipment. The area around the computer
was cluttered with random stuff, except for the small space right in front of the chair. Taekjoo
wondered how he lived and ate in such a mess.

As Taekjoo tossed some clothes into the laundry basket, he remarked, "What a mess." Only
then did they manage to clear enough space to sit across from each other. As Yoon Jongwoo
prepared the grill, he began grumbling.

"'A mess', you say? Come on! I've told you a thousand times before. You always barge into
my personal space and time without any notice. You even take my stuff!"

"Hey, I may be many things, but I've never tried to take anything from you, right?"

"Did you forget the last time you used my game character without permission? And you treat
my car like a taxi. And now this. You said you'd treat me to something nice, so why are we
here? You don’t really think of your employee as your servant, do you?"

"Don't be so dramatic. Besides, didn’t I bring something nice?"

Kwon Taekjoo gestured toward the bags he’d set on the table. On the way, they had stopped
at the nearby market and bought sashimi and beef—foods Yoon Jongwoo enjoyed and perfect
for pairing with drinks. Even the sashimi and meat cuts had been handpicked by Yoon
Jongwoo, so his sudden complaints seemed to have another cause. The way his eyes drifted
off proved it.

"You’re just trying to avoid getting scolded," Taekjoo teased. "So, you little brat, how about
living a bit tidier? Is this a pigsty or a home? Air the place out morning and night. When was
the last time you did laundry? It's a miracle you haven’t gotten sick living and eating in here.
That’s why you're always weak, right?"

It wasn’t hard to see through Yoon Jongwoo's shallow excuses. Faced with the barrage of
scolding, Jongwoo whined, “Why are you lecturing me when I didn’t even invite you?”

"Don't you know intervention is a form of care? You should be grateful that a superior like
me is looking out for you."

"Unwanted attention is violence. Talking to you feels like I’m back in the military."

Yoon Jongwoo grumbled in a defeated tone, continuing his complaints as they set the table.
"They say having a boss favored by the higher-ups is a mistake. I think I messed up from the
start."

"You think I’m favored? I don’t think anyone in the office has written more disciplinary
reports than I have."

"Is that something to be proud of? That makes it even worse. If you’re loyal to the higher-
ups, then be fully loyal. But you always do things your own way. It’s not just about achieving
the goal. I’ve been scolded several times for helping you."

"I didn’t get scolded this time."

"Is that the face of someone who didn’t get scolded?"

"What’s wrong with my face?"

"You’re always worried, which isn’t like you."

Taekjoo instinctively rubbed his face. Could it be that even someone as oblivious as Yoon
Jongwoo had noticed his concern? He couldn’t deny that, after being warned by Director
Kwak about Zhenya’s involvement, he had been on edge. But it wasn’t just that weighing on
him.

Meanwhile, Jongwoo had divided the grill into two sections, grilling the meat and boiling
water for instant noodles. He quickly prepared the alcohol, sashimi, and a few side dishes.
And he hadn’t stopped talking the whole time. It seemed he had a lot to vent.

“Honestly, aren’t you feeling overwhelmed, Sunbae? Trying to do the work of multiple
people just leaves you with no time and in more danger. You're always running around—why
won’t you reinforce the team?”

“Because having more people wouldn’t change anything.”

“How wouldn’t it change anything? Your workload would lighten significantly. At least you'd
have someone to cover for you.”

“On the contrary, having to look after the team members and bail them out could make things
harder. Plus, who could keep up with my pace?”

“Ugh… That pace is the problem. If you were just a workaholic and a perfectionist, no one
would say anything. But you make everyone around you follow that same pace, and that’s
why they complain. You even break rules and act out of line. No one says it out loud, but no
one wants to have your back.”

“That’s fine. As long as I have you, I’m good.”

"I’m not good!"

"That hurts, kid. How many times have I bought you food? Who do you think stocks your
fridge with side dishes?"
Unable to find a proper response, Yoon Jongwoo clenched his fists. He bit his lower lip in
frustration, and his body trembled. Meanwhile, Kwon Taekjoo placed some grilled meat on
his plate. Yoon Jongwoo, still looking displeased, ate the meat diligently.

“What I’m saying is, take it easy, Sunbae. Your goal isn’t to die in the line of duty.”

Kwon Taekjoo nodded absentmindedly as he opened a bottle of soju. When he tilted the
bottle towards Yoon Jongwoo, Jongwoo quickly raised his glass. First, Taekjoo poured for
him, then for himself. After a brief pause, Yoon Jongwoo said, “Cheers,” and lightly clinked
their glasses. He smiled and drank his soju in one gulp. It didn’t hit him much. Maybe it was
because he had been drinking stronger stuff with Zhenya lately.

He poured himself another glass and downed it immediately. As he fiddled with his empty
glass, Yoon Jongwoo stared at him intently. From experience, he seemed to know that
Taekjoo did this when he had a lot on his mind.

"Jongwoo, you know, right? I've been running non-stop."

"Of course. You were like a moth, all work, no tears."

"When I worked, I never thought of anything else. I didn’t care if the enemy during a mission
was a man, woman, elderly, or child. Overcoming extreme, unexpected situations and finally
getting what I wanted gave me an incredible rush. It was a feeling I'd never experienced
before, and maybe that's why I became addicted to it so fast. Sometimes, doing nothing and
just resting felt like hell. That’s why I thought this job was my calling."

“Wow… If that’s the case, it really sounds like it is, right?”

"Maybe it’s because I'm getting older, as you said. More and more, random thoughts slip into
my work. Sometimes I hesitate to pull the trigger, and my mindset seems to have shifted a
bit."

Yoon Jongwoo, in the middle of preparing a large bite, paused. Processing the context, he
cautiously asked, “Sunbae, did something happen in Cuba?”

Kwon Taekjoo shook his head slightly and poured himself another drink. Then, he toyed with
the empty glass for quite a while, seemingly lost in thought.

"It's not just that it was a problem at the time, but when I think about it, it's been a long time
since I lost my initial motivation."

Yoon Jongwoo, tilting his head, popped a piece of meat into his mouth. It was hard for him to
understand what part of Kwon Taekjoo had changed. As far as he knew, Taekjoo had never
failed in his duties. His recent activities weren't any different from before. In fact, Jongwoo
thought it would be good if he took things a little slower.

As he glanced over at him, Kwon Taekjoo remained deep in thought, downing drink after
drink. Something was clearly troubling him, but he wasn’t sharing it openly, making it hard
for Jongwoo to ask directly. Instead, Jongwoo quietly served the instant noodles, which were
just right.

"You're going to mess up your stomach. Eat something too. Do you think your body is made
of iron forever?"

For some reason, Kwon Taekjoo's gaze was fixed on the noodles. He stared at them intensely
but didn’t seem inclined to eat them, which was strange.

Finally, Taekjoo broke the silence.

"What would you do if two things you care about deeply couldn’t coexist?"

"Is this about your mother?"

"Huh? My mother?"

"Your mother wants you to have stability, and you feel like this job is your calling. Isn’t that
what’s been bothering you?"

Suddenly, he felt caught off guard. It wasn’t that he didn’t know about his mother’s concerns.
He was aware of them, but he didn’t think about her while he was working.

In reality, the affection and sense of duty he felt toward his mother had never held him back
before. He justified it by thinking that what he did was for the good of the country and that it
benefited more people, so it had to take priority. Even when he lied to his mother to reassure
her, he didn’t feel guilty.

But now? Why was it different with Zhenya?

Though the situation wasn’t immediate, Taekjoo had a growing sense that, at some point, he
would have to choose between Zhenya and his work. Director Kwak's warning had stirred
that vague unease. If the time came to make that choice, what decision would Kwon Taekjoo
make? Just thinking about something that hadn’t even happened yet filled him with
increasing anxiety.

The reunion continued late into the night. Yoon Jongwoo, who had been venting about the
difficulties of work, began repeating himself before eventually passing out, clutching an
empty bottle. Taekjoo laid him down on the floor with a pillow and sat on the bed, trying to
calm his chaotic mind. Suddenly, he felt the urge to smoke, but he didn’t have any cigarettes.
Yoon Jongwoo didn’t smoke either. It seemed he had gotten used to smoking Zhenya’s cigars.

“Should I head home? I could stop by the convenience store and buy a pack of cigarettes.”
But Taekjoo only thought about it, without moving. With nothing else to do, he started
checking his phone.
Kwon Taekjoo looked at the last message he had exchanged with Zhenya. Their conversation
had abruptly ended due to a call from headquarters. "Will he come tomorrow? Will he come
before I get assigned a new mission?" There were things Taekjoo needed to discuss with him
sincerely before that. Perhaps that was why he felt so anxious.

It was 11 p.m. If Zhenya was in Moscow, it would be around 5 p.m. there. Without thinking
much, Kwon Taekjoo pressed the call button. The long ringtone kept going, almost about to
cut off but never quite doing so. He could have given up, but he waited stubbornly. The
sound of the ringing echoed in the silence, even beyond the phone.

How long had it been? Suddenly, the ringing stopped, and he heard the voice he had been
waiting for.

[Taekjoo?]

[You're late.]

Taekjoo threw Zhenya’s usual reprimand back at him. Catching the tone, Zhenya let out a low
laugh.

[You've been drinking.]

[What, can you smell the alcohol?]

[I told you. I can know anything about you.]

[You’re not very convincing. You claim to know everything, yet you haven't shown up.]

[Have you had a lot to drink? It's not like you to complain like this.]

He laughed, his throat vibrating, as if in a good mood. Zhenya always brightened up at a

word, a look, or a gesture from Kwon Taekjoo, but Taekjoo couldn’t understand why he was
so hard to reach. Suddenly, he realized how his exes must have felt when they broke up. The
breakups were always one-sided, and each time, they blamed him for his indifference. You
reap what you sow, and now it seemed he was reaping the same.

[Complaining? You always interpret things your way.]

Taekjoo muttered in discontent. Meanwhile, Zhenya’s laughter continued, as if watching a

cute animal or a child being mischievous. Taekjoo couldn’t understand how he could be so
carefree without knowing what was on his mind, and it only made him angrier.

[Did you break a finger? Why do I always have to be the one to contact you first, just for you
to respond reluctantly?]

[Hmm... I don't get it. You always disappear when you're working, and when we're together,
you tell me to keep my distance. But now that we're apart, you miss me? Can’t stand being
alone for even a moment?]

Taekjoo could imagine Zhenya’s nose held high with pride, his broad shoulders and arrogant
attitude. He couldn’t help but let out a sigh. Zhenya laughed openly, then added in a voice
still full of laughter.

[Yes, Taekjoo. Keep complaining like that.]

A sigh could be heard. Zhenya seemed to be somewhere outside.

[...Damn bastard. Stop laughing and come quickly. I have something to tell you.]

[Sounds like you do. You’re doing things you don’t usually do.]

Zhenya seemed to have leaned back comfortably.

[If I come, you’ll have to explain why you’ve been at that idiot’s house until this hour.]

[What? Where the hell are you...?]

Taekjoo shot upright and looked around. He now understood why Zhenya was so relaxed; it
seemed like he could see in real-time where he was and what he was doing. Always watching
every move, Zhenya had no curiosity or concern. Even when Taekjoo was on duty, Zhenya
watched him and would show up unexpectedly. Taekjoo didn’t know where to begin to
correct this, and it felt overwhelming.

[Ah, forget it. Arguing with a bastard like you is a waste of time. I’m hanging up.]

[See you soon.]

Zhenya hung up, smiling all the way to the end. The room returned to silence, and the sound
of Yoon Jongwoo’s breathing became more prominent.

With the phone still in hand, Kwon Taekjoo leaned his head back and let out a deep sigh. His
mind was as tangled as a ball of yarn.
“…That said, I should go. Seems like my Zainka is quite upset about being left alone.”

Zhenya smiled as he glanced at Bazim sitting across from him. Bazim had a look on his face
as if he had witnessed something strange. Hearing the unexpected call on speakerphone, he
wondered what was going on, and the content of the conversation was shocking. That
“psycho” was pretending to be in a relationship, which was surprising enough, but hearing
the deep male voice on the other end left him astonished. Though he had suspected, hearing it
firsthand was a shock.

Bazim paled and muttered in disbelief.

“That Korean spy...?”

“He’s not a spy anymore.”

Zhenya’s casual response made Bazim groan and hold his head.

Zhenya had returned to the country, and Bazim had dropped everything to come find him.
About two weeks ago, an unknown terrorist had attacked civilians in Cuba, and Zhenya had
appeared at the scene. Somehow, he had actively helped the terrorist escape.

Because of this, Cuba, an old ally, had filed an unofficial complaint, and the Kremlin was not
pleased. Before things affected his family, Bazim had to get Zhenya under control.

“Yevgeny, what the hell are you planning?”

“What did I do?”

“Why is an ambassador like you getting involved in things that benefit neither the country
nor yourself?”

“You’re mistaken, Bazim. It may not be in the national interest, but it’s very much related to
my personal interest. If my lover is in danger, I’ll do whatever it takes to save him. Ask the
Kremlin you revere so much—if Natasha were about to be devoured by Baba Yaga, would he
just stand by and watch?”

Bazim couldn’t answer and remained silent. Natasha, whom Zhenya had mentioned, was the
well-known mistress of the president. Backed by the president, she didn’t hesitate to engage
in all sorts of eccentric and illegal activities. Though the Kremlin always covered up her
misdeeds, earning public disapproval, the president dismissed all criticism with his authority.

For someone like that to criticize Zhenya’s actions was ironic. What was allowed for one
wasn’t for the other? It was absurd watching them undermine themselves.

“You look like a bird with its tail on fire, running around aimlessly. It seems like you’ve heard
something. Go and tell the Kremlin not to worry about such a small uproar and to keep their
composure as a great nation. After all, they don’t care what others think, right? Protests from
Cuba? They’ll take it as if the neighbor’s dog is barking. If they think they can catch me for
this, they’re sorely mistaken.”
“So, are you just going to keep doing whatever you want? Are you going to turn the Kremlin
into your enemy?”

“When have we ever been on the same side?”

Zhenya, who had been mocking him, suddenly stood up. Bazim tensed, going rigid. Even
though they were comrades-in-arms, he felt the same intimidation as from any other person.
Zhenya wasn’t swayed by hierarchy or recognition, responding only to his whims. His
threshold for excitement was so low that he was no different from a wild animal. Zhenya
looked down at Bazim and made a request.

“Bazim, mind your own business. If your dream is to be a simple servant to the Kremlin, keep
licking Lomonosov’s boots as you have been. I’ve told you many times—so long as you don’t
touch what’s mine, there’ll be no need for confrontation. Is that so hard to understand?”

Zhenya tilted his head theatrically as if he couldn’t grasp it. After holding Bazim’s gaze for a
moment, he abruptly turned away and began packing his things. He spoke sweetly on the
phone, saying he’d soon be with his lover, and it seemed he was leaving immediately. Faced
with his carefree attitude, Bazim raised his voice.

“How long are you going to keep acting so arrogant, Yevgeny? Do you know where all the
luxuries you’ve enjoyed so far come from?”

“Do you really think it’s thanks to the Kremlin? Or do you mean it’s due to the prestige of
your family?”

Zhenya slowly turned toward Bazim. The floating, playful expression disappeared, and the
atmosphere grew cold. His blue eyes were as sharp as ever.

“I think I’ve already paid all my debts. Even now, I’m showing more than enough restraint.”

“What?”

“Do you really believe Lomonosov hasn’t eliminated me just because of our family? No. That
man has wiped out anything that threatens him. It doesn’t matter if they’re family, a close
confidant, or a powerful source of funding. Bogdanov? To him, it’s neither a problem nor a
concern. It might be a bit inconvenient, but he’d simply kill everyone and take what’s left.
There are plenty who could replace ‘Bogdanov.’ But the reason he hasn’t done it is…”

Zhenya let his words hang in the air as he thumped his chest. Then he pointed at Bazim.
“It’s because this is engraved on my chest and on yours as well. They are afraid of stirring up
the hornet's nest without having unraveled the secret of ‘Anastasia.’”

“You underestimate that person too much. He believes that losing pride means losing
everything. If you keep challenging him, you’ll be punished as an example. It doesn’t matter
who you are; how are you going to face hundreds of thousands of troops?”

“I can’t defeat him with troops. But what about firepower?”

“Yevgeny!”
 “They still haven’t managed to complete a single hypersonic missile, right? They are
boasting about missiles that only exist in name.”

Suddenly, he mentioned the missiles and laughed. The development of hypersonic missiles
was one of Russia's most important national projects. These missiles could travel 480 km in
just five minutes, moving so fast that existing missile defense systems struggled to intercept
them. The Kremlin had boasted about successfully developing hypersonic missiles using
purely domestic technology and that they were already in practical use. However, in reality,
related research had been stalled for years.

“It’s not as if just one part can set an example, is it? If you act foolishly, I’ll show you that
missile you’re so eager to complete right in front of your eyes. Fireworks in the Kremlin... it
would be quite a spectacle, wouldn’t you agree?”

This implied that Zhenya had even managed to acquire a hypersonic missile. Bazim let out a
sigh. From what he knew, Zhenya wasn’t someone who boasted. The words coming out of
Zhenya’s mouth, no matter how absurd they seemed, always had the potential to become
reality.

“Haa... I don’t expect great loyalty from you. I only ask that you at least pretend to care for
the family. I’ve given you everything you wanted. Isn’t that enough? I just ask that you keep
calm and that your news doesn’t reach the Kremlin. Is that so difficult?”

“For the family, you say. Since you wish it, I’ll give you one last warning for the sake of our
great family and brotherhood.”

Zhenya approached Bazim with firm steps. The enormous shadow that swiftly closed in on
Bazim enveloped him immediately.

“Don’t return to my island without my permission. Stop sneaking around like a thief and
snooping everywhere. It’s useless. If you ignore me, the guardian will welcome you from now
on.”

For some reason, that guardian didn’t seem human. Unless it was a surface-to-air missile
capable of eliminating any intruder without leaving a trace.

Chapter End Notes

Support the author by purchasing the novel on Ridibooks.

 Burden: Whether it's good or bad
Chapter Notes

The characters will communicate in different languages.

•RUSSIAN DIALOGUES ARE IN ITALICS

•ENGLISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD
•KOREAN DIALOGUES ARE NOT FORMATTED
•SPANISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD ITALICS

See the end of the chapter for more notes

A vast field of snow stretched out around Kwon Taekjoo. Everything was completely white,
with not a single footprint visible in the deep, accumulated snow. Even the bare branches of
the scattered trees were covered in snow.

“Here we are again.”

Taekjoo muttered to himself while surveying the area, wondering if he was on Ajinoki Island.
Suddenly, he chuckled. He had been thinking about Zhenya all day, and it seemed his
subconscious had led him here.

He started walking in a random direction. The geography and the overall atmosphere felt
quite familiar. If Zhenya's mansion were near a cliff, this could really be Ajinoki.

But as he looked around, there was no mansion, not even a cabin. Nor were there any signs of
animals like reindeer or rabbits. Was it all just a dream?

He wandered aimlessly across the vast field. Eventually, he spotted small footprints. They
belonged to a child, not an adult. For some reason, he felt relieved. Smiling, he quickened his
pace, following the tiny tracks.

Soon, he saw a child crouched in the distance, wrapped in a fur shapka, boots, and a fur coat.
Still, he recognized him instantly.

“Zhenya.”
He called out excitedly, but the boy didn’t respond. He didn’t turn or react at all. Was it
because this was a dream, too, and he couldn’t communicate properly?

“Hey, why are you out here in the cold? Where’s your house?”

He took long strides toward the boy as he asked. But the child remained motionless, head
down, staring at something. Upon closer inspection, he noticed the boy's small body
trembling slightly. It wasn’t a good sign.

“Hey, little one. What’s wrong?”

He reached out and turned the child by the shoulder. Only then did he see the young Zhenya’s
face, soaked in tears. Shocked by the unexpected scene, he froze when he saw what the boy
was holding. It was a blood-soaked corpse. The face had been shattered by a bullet,
impossible to recognize. He could only guess who it was by the fingers, nails, and build.

The corpse Zhenya was clinging to was Kwon Taekjoo.

“Ugh… Zainka. My Zainka.”

With tears streaming down his face, Zhenya began to sob. He was so stunned that he couldn’t
think of how to comfort him. Meanwhile, the corpse grew redder and redder. Blood was
gushing from somewhere, forming a torrent. Both the body and young Zhenya were sinking
deeper into the crimson flood.

“Aaaaaang.”

The young Zhenya let out a piercing wail. Suddenly, the once calm sky lit up. Then, unknown
objects started to fall thickly, like rain. They were countless bombs. Instinctively, he reached
out to the young Zhenya.

“Zhenya!”

He screamed his name with all his strength. But it was in vain, as the bombs falling
everywhere exploded, shaking the earth and tearing the ground apart. Though he fought
desperately, the distance between him and Zhenya only grew larger.

“Aaaaang, Aaaaang!”

The young Zhenya’s crying grew sharper and sharper, until it became so loud it seemed like it
would tear his eardrums. Just then, the snow on the ground lifted in a white whirlwind, and
thousands of bombs buried in the ground shot up into the sky. The bombs collided
everywhere, igniting flames. The chain of explosions sent waves of pressure across the land,
devastating everything in an instant. Finally, even the child, sobbing uncontrollably, vanished
without a trace.

“Hah…!”

He woke up with a jolt. The familiar sight of his room suddenly filled his vision, causing a
slight dizziness. Even when he squeezed his eyes shut, the feeling didn’t subside easily. He
felt like he couldn’t breathe.

He groaned softly as he ran a hand over his face. His palm was instantly soaked with sweat.
His limbs ached from how much he had struggled in the nightmare. After covering his eyes
with his arm for a moment to catch his breath, he punched the bed in frustration.

“Damn it... what an absurd dream.”

He sat up abruptly. Cold sweat ran down his back and chest. The sensation was so
uncomfortable that he gritted his teeth. His neck, the insides of his elbows, even the backs of
his knees were sticky, making him feel utterly disgusting. He needed a cold shower.

He flung the door open and stepped out. From the kitchen, the sounds of dishes clinking
could be heard. It seemed his mother was preparing food.

He glanced at the clock and saw it was already 11 in the morning. He had been lost in thought
until late in the night, so he had slept in, which was unusual for him.

"Are you up?"

His mother called out loudly from the kitchen, noticing Kwon Taekjoo’s presence. He was
only wearing boxers, so he hurried to the bathroom across the hall.

"Yes. I'll wash up first."

"Alright."

After closing the bathroom door, he looked at himself in the mirror. Despite having rested, his
face still looked pale. He sighed and slowly walked to the shower.

He stood there for a while, letting the water cascade over him. Gradually, the warmth of his
body faded, and his scattered thoughts began to settle.

He didn’t attach much meaning to dreams. He just thought they were deep emotions or
subconscious feelings manifesting freely while reason slept. Everything was without context
and unfolded absurdly.

However, the dream about the boy who resembled Zhenya always left an odd impression in
his mind. Every time he encountered the child, he was left with a mix of complex emotions
and a sense of unease. Although the boy resembled a young Zhenya, there was no proof it
was really him. Only Kwon Taekjoo saw him that way. Even if it was him, it was nothing
more than an illusion that vanished upon waking.

Despite trying to convince himself it was nothing, he couldn’t forget the image of the boy
crying bitterly.

"It can't be anything important."

He shook his head. Then, he started scrubbing his wet hair vigorously, as if trying to wash
away all the confusing thoughts from his mind.
After a quick shower, he returned to his room. Before putting on his underwear, he checked
his phone. There was no message from Zhenya. Even though he had explained everything
clearly, nothing had changed. It was like talking to a wall.

"That son of a..."

He stared at the phone in frustration and pressed the call button. But before it could ring, an
automated voice informed him that the person he was trying to reach was unavailable. Did
Zhenya turn off his phone? Or maybe he didn’t even realize it was off.

He threw the phone onto the bed in irritation.

"Damn it! That big idiot just makes me worry. No, I’m the crazy one. Who the hell am I even
worried about?"

Running his hands through his hair in frustration, he headed toward the kitchen.

As expected, lunch was already set on the table. He took the ladle from his mother, who was
about to serve the soup.

"Let me do it."

He gently guided her to the chair, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Then, he served the
hot soup and brought it to the table. He also moved the rice and side dishes that his mother
had prepared, using his large hands to carry everything at once.

"It’s just the two of us, and you’ve made a ton of food. Honestly, Mom, you always go all
out."

"You always eat well when I cook for you."

"That’s true. Let’s dig in."

"Yes. Eat slowly and plenty."

Mother and son sat down together at the table and began eating. During the meal, he
cheerfully complimented his mother’s cooking, saying it was delicious and that her skills
were unmatched. He did this to keep her from worrying about how pale he looked.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, Kwon Taekjoo’s mother didn’t pay much attention to him. She
was absorbed in her own thoughts and barely touched her food. Worried that something
might be wrong, he observed her in silence. Suddenly, their eyes met, and his mother smiled
timidly.

“I’m going to the temple after lunch.”

“The temple? All of a sudden?”

His mother often visited a nearby temple when she felt unsettled or when she thought about
his father and brother. She did this to calm her mind through prayer.
“Is something wrong?”

“…No, I just want to make an offering after all this time.”

“What’s going on?”

When he pressed her gently, his mother hesitated a little longer before speaking.

“It’s about your aunt in Canada.”

The aunt in Canada was his mother’s older sister, ten years her senior. She had moved to
Canada right after getting married, so Kwon Taekjoo had barely seen her. However, his
mother and she were very close and talked almost every day. When his father and brother
died in service, she had traveled thousands of miles to stay with his mother for months.

“Yes. How’s Aunt doing? It’s been a while since I last saw her.”

“Do you remember she had surgery for a brain tumor some time ago? They said they
removed it completely, but lately, she’s been having vision problems and difficulty moving.
She went to the hospital, and they told her it’s come back... She’ll need another surgery, but
the location isn’t good, so she’s very worried. Even if the surgery goes well, the prognosis
might not be favorable this time.”

“Ah…”

“But there’s not much I can do from here. I can only pray that the surgery goes well and that
she recovers without any complications.”

It was natural to feel disturbed upon learning that a loved one, someone who had always been
reliable and supportive, was about to face a life-or-death situation in a foreign country. His
mother had always worried about the well-being of others, and Kwon Taekjoo had played a
big role in that. Always living on the edge of danger, he had deceived his mother with the
excuse that he was doing it for her, which was a great disservice to her.

“I’ll take you.”

“Oh, no need. I can go quickly on my own.”

“You get tired driving back and forth. I don’t have anything to do today, so let’s go together.”

“You know you don’t like going to the temple.”

“I also want to get some fresh air.”

His mother looked at Kwon Taekjoo with a surprised expression. He gazed back calmly and
said:

“Come with me today.”

His mother, unusually persistent, smiled and replied:

“Alright then…”

“But is it okay for you to miss work so often?”

His mother looked concerned. She seemed uneasy because her son, whom she rarely saw, had
been home for several days.

“Why? You used to complain that I was always working. Now you’re already tired of seeing
me?”

“No, I just thought maybe you got fired from the embassy.”

“Fired? No. It’s just that the ambassador hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Really? Don’t you have anything to do if he’s not here?”

“Well, more or less. My main job is to assist the ambassador.”

“So, when the ambassador returns to his country, what will you do? Will you have to look for
another job?”

“Well, that could happen.”

His casual response deepened his mother’s concern. It wasn’t uncommon for her to ask
occasionally how much longer Zhenya would stay in Korea. She already dreaded the fact that
his term would eventually end. She was also worried that her son might end up jobless.

“Don’t worry. It’s not like there’s nowhere else for me to work.”

“I’m just afraid you’ll end up in a dangerous place again, like before. Now I see you more
stable and happier, Taekjoo. That’s why I wish the ambassador would stay in Korea.”

His mother believed Kwon Taekjoo had left that line of work, but he never really had. Yet,
she saw him as more at peace now. The only real difference was that Zhenya was always by
his side. Zhenya not only filled the emptiness in Kwon Taekjoo, but also took part in his
operations, making his work much easier.

Before, even after successfully completing a mission, he never felt fully at ease. Taekjoo
couldn’t truly relax, not even at home. He had to act like everything was fine in front of his
mother. If he got hurt, he would hide it and suffer in silence.

The guilt and heavy burden of responsibility had gradually faded. Now, when Taekjoo
finishes work, all he thinks about is getting home as quickly as possible. In Zhenya’s arms, he
feels a calm he’s never known before, his body and mind fully at ease. Taekjoo has grown
accustomed to having him by his side.

“…Me too.”

Taekjoo murmured, lost in deep thought. In truth, he didn’t even realize what he was saying.
Kwon Taekjoo knew he couldn't expect Zhenya to stay in Korea forever, but he still wished
for it. Even though he couldn't do much for Zhenya as a partner and constantly put him in
danger, Taekjoo remained selfish.

"Son, is something bothering you?"

His mother's question pulled Kwon Taekjoo out of his thoughts. He glanced at the rearview
mirror and saw his serious face reflected. He quickly changed his expression.

"Me? No, why?"

"You seem to have a lot on your mind. Your expression looks so grim."

"I think it's because I didn't sleep well. Maybe I played too much?"

He tried to ease his mother's concern with a light excuse. As always, she scolded him.

"What? At your age, you're still staying up all night playing games? What good does that
do?"

"Come on, I haven't had a break in a while. I'm just playing for a bit to blow off some steam,
so please, let me enjoy it."

"What? How could playing video games relieve stress? They say it actually makes it worse.
Constant exposure to violence can make your brain waves unstable."

"It's not that serious. Oh, we're here."

They arrived just in time. Despite it being a weekday and the temple not being a famous one,
the parking lot was empty. He parked as close to the entrance as possible since they had to
walk uphill to reach it.

The shade from the thick trees made the summer heat more tolerable, and now and then, a
pine-scented breeze would pass, refreshing him. Though the place was peaceful and pleasant,
he rarely visited, always claiming to be too busy. In truth, he avoided coming because it was
hard to see his mother so sad each time. He knew all too well what her life would be like if he
followed in his father’s or brother’s footsteps.

"Are you going all the way to the top too?"

"Yes. Since we're here, let's go."

His mother looked at Taekjoo in surprise before saying, "Let's go," as she began to walk
ahead. He followed slowly; a few steps behind.

Breathing in the fresh, clean air, he relished the tranquility of the place. Suddenly, the loud
roar of an engine shattered the peace. He turned abruptly, thinking some maniac was
disturbing the temple's calm. His frown eased when he saw a familiar-colored Bugatti. His
mother also exclaimed in surprise.
"Isn't that the ambassador's car?"

"Looks like it."

"How did he know we were here? Did you tell him, Taekjoo?"

"No."

"Really? Well, go quickly."

"Yes. Mom, you go on ahead."

"Alright."

Taekjoo quickly retraced his steps uphill. The Bugatti, which had driven straight into the
parking lot, stopped without bothering to park properly. Finally, the driver's door opened, and
Zhenya stepped out. Though his appearance hadn’t changed at all, there was something
almost unreal about him.

Zhenya didn’t seem surprised to see Taekjoo approaching. It was as if he knew exactly where
Taekjoo was and what he was doing. He shot him a slightly annoyed look as he walked over,
but when Zhenya noticed the irritation on Taekjoo’s face, he smiled.

“I told you, Taekjoo. 'Soon' means 'soon.'”

“When did you get here?”

“Just now.”

Had he come straight from the airport? The phone had been silent the whole drive, so
Taekjoo hadn’t expected Zhenya to already be back in Korea. If he was going to show up, he
could’ve at least given him a heads-up. Zhenya always caught him off guard. When would he
ever start acting like a normal person?

“How did you know I was here?”

“Does it matter?”

“Of course it matters, you bastard! Did you put a tracker on my phone? Install some spy
app?”

“Taekjoo, this is your fault. You always get yourself into dangerous situations, and no one
ever knows where you'll be.”

Zhenya continued to blame others for his reckless, over-the-top behavior. Didn’t he
understand the word “self-reflection”? And yet, Taekjoo still chose to be in a relationship
with him.

Taekjoo eyed Zhenya with irritation, scanning his bright face and body. He didn’t seem to
have suffered any injuries.
“Did you finish your business?”

“It's rare for you to ask about my work, Taekjoo.”

“Well, it's because of me that you had to negotiate with that Mathiason guy or whatever his
name is.”

“True. It came at quite the cost. Do you know how much the maintenance fees are?”

Zhenya nodded and muttered mockingly. He kept grinning as if something amused him
greatly. Taekjoo studied his eyes carefully, one by one, and asked cautiously:

“...You only went to handle that?”

“What else?”

“I don't know, maybe you got called back home again.”

For a moment, Zhenya looked surprised, but then he smiled again. His chest puffed up
slightly. Clearly, he had misunderstood Taekjoo's words with enthusiasm.

"Taekjoo, are you still worried that I'll get engaged to someone else? Do you want to have me
all to yourself?"

His tone was so light, it sounded as if he were singing.

“That's not it...!”

Taekjoo clenched his fists in frustration but then relaxed them. It wasn’t worth the argument.
He scratched the back of his head irritably.

“Ah! You really give me a headache.”

“Does your head hurt because you’re thinking about me too much? That’s actually kind of
cute.”

Zhenya’s arrogant smile made him even more infuriating. He didn’t seem to have suffered
any emotional damage at all. Taekjoo figured he could check later if there were any hidden
injuries. It wasn’t clear who worried more about whom. Clicking his tongue, he shook his
head.

At that moment, Zhenya began looking around as if searching for someone.

"Does your head hurt from thinking about me so much? That’s pretty adorable."

Zhenya smiled arrogantly, which made him even more irritating. He didn't seem to have
suffered any psychological damage. Kwon Taekjoo thought he might check later for any
hidden wounds. It wasn’t clear who was more worried about whom. He clicked his tongue
and shook his head.
At that moment, Zhenya glanced around as if looking for someone.

"By the way, what happened to the little woman?"

"I told her to go ahead. But how did you know I was here with my mother?"

"I’ve been here a few times before."

"Here? Why?"

"It’s a place the little woman visits often."

Zhenya replied indifferently. Kwon Taekjoo’s mother had indeed brought him to the temple
several times, even though they were almost like friends. He thought that his mother would
feel very lonely when Zhenya returned to his country. While lost in these thoughts, Zhenya
took a step closer, almost pressing against him.

"What’s wrong? Why are you getting so close?"

"After being so anxious, aren’t you going to give me a reunion kiss?"

Zhenya pretended to be hurt, with a shameless expression. He slowly tilted his face toward
Taekjoo, making his scent even stronger. Was it because he hadn’t seen him in a while? Or
had he really missed him so much in those few days? Taekjoo’s fingers trembled, and his
throat tightened slightly.

"Idiot. Not in front of a sacred temple. It’s bad luck."

He grabbed Zhenya’s face, stopping him from getting any closer. Zhenya didn’t pull away.
Instead, he pressed his lips against Taekjoo’s palm while responding.

"I didn’t know you believed in gods, Taekjoo."

"That’s exactly why. Even a small offense could provoke their wrath. Plus, my mother could
see us from anywhere, and she knows you’re here."

"Let’s go," Taekjoo said, nodding toward the entrance above. He tried to remove his hand
from Zhenya’s face, but Zhenya suddenly grabbed his wrist. Before Taekjoo could react,
Zhenya licked his palm. As the line of his hand dampened, Taekjoo’s shoulders tensed
involuntarily.

"Ah, what are you doing?"

"I’m hungry. I need a taste before causing any trouble. Since I can’t bite your lips, I’ll have to
settle for this."

Zhenya bit down firmly on the lower part of Taekjoo’s palm before releasing his arm. Seeing
the clearly visible teeth marks, Taekjoo felt a wave of revulsion.

"Do you really think you’re a dog?"

"You should be proud I held back with just one bite."

"Proud of what? Just make sure you don’t mess up in front of my mother."

"You worry too much. It’s not the first time I’ve seen the little woman. Besides, she likes me."

"Well, I don’t know if my mother would like you as much if she knew you’re glued to her son
day and night."

Arguing, they made their way to the temple. His mother had already entered the sanctuary
and was out of sight. He had no intention of praying with her, so he quietly watched the
serene man beside him.

"Why does the little woman keep coming here?"

Zhenya, who had been following silently, asked with a bored expression. Although he
sometimes accompanied his mother, didn’t he know the purpose of these visits? Taekjoo
shrugged and gave an answer Zhenya could understand.

"It’s like a church or a cathedral. Sometimes people honor the souls of those who’ve passed,
and other times they pray to God for peace of mind."

"I don’t get it."

"Why not? If you had believed in God from the beginning, you wouldn’t have lived the way
you did. How are you going to clear that 'karma'?"

"Karma?"

"When you die and meet God or whatever, ask them to make you a ‘death angel.’ You can’t
reincarnate as a human anymore, and that suits you perfectly."

"Taekjoo, are you going to keep saying things I don’t understand?"

"I told you to learn Korean, idiot."

Zhenya squinted with suspicion. Surely, it would take a long time for a foreigner to master
words like ‘karma’ or ‘reincarnation.’

"And you?"

"What about me?"

“Do you believe in God?”

“No, I don’t believe either… But some people can only keep living if they do.”

Kwon Taekjoo’s smile slowly faded. Meanwhile, his gaze settled on the sanctuary where his
mother was praying.
 "They believe that if they sincerely remember and honor those who’ve passed, the soul of the
departed will find peace wherever it is. That belief seems to comfort the living too. But me,
when I die, I’d want the people who knew me to forget I ever existed as quickly as possible."

Maybe it was because he lived closer to death than life. Even though he was breathing, he
projected his feelings onto the dead more than the living. He often told Zhenya, as if it were a
habit, ‘What will you do without me?’ Kwon Taekjoo always had his own absence in mind.

"…….…"

Zhenya’s gaze pierced into Kwon Taekjoo. Just then, the wind made the branches of the trees
sway in unison. Kwon Taekjoo’s hair also began to drift softly.

In the next instant, Zhenya suddenly reached out and grabbed Kwon Taekjoo, who was
looking away. With a puzzled expression, Taekjoo asked why. Since it wasn’t a deliberate
action, Zhenya just shook his head.

Taekjoo smiled and scolded him.

"Arrogant bastard."

Then, he removed Zhenya's hand from his arm and gently took it in his own. Pretending to be
indifferent, he turned his gaze away. Zhenya tightened his grip on Kwon Taekjoo’s hand, as if
afraid he would disappear if he didn’t hold on tight.

Chapter End Notes

Support the author by purchasing the novel on Ridibooks.

I'm really glad you're enjoying this translation! Reading everyone's comments motivates
me to keep going. I just want to remind you all that I do this in my free time. I wish I
could update more often, but real life doesn't always allow it. Also, translating from
Korean to English takes time because I want to provide you with a translation that's easy
to understand and of good quality.

I don’t have a schedule for updates, so I truly appreciate everyone's patience.

 One or the Other
Chapter Notes

The characters will communicate in different languages.

•RUSSIAN DIALOGUES ARE IN ITALICS

•ENGLISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD
•KOREAN DIALOGUES ARE NOT FORMATTED
•SPANISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD ITALICS

See the end of the chapter for more notes

"Oh dear, if I had known the ambassador was coming today, I would have prepared a meal at
home," Kwon Taekjoo’s mother said, visibly regretful.

"You should’ve told me he was coming," she added, scolding Kwon Taekjoo. He wondered
how much longer his mother would continue treating Zhenya like royalty.

"Come on, it’s nice to eat out once in a while. The food here looks good," he replied.

"Is it the same as a homemade meal made with love and effort? Besides, the ambassador is
very particular about food."

"Nowadays, he eats just about anything."

Kwon Taekjoo kept reassuring his mother while discreetly kicking Zhenya under the table.
Forcing a smile, he asked, "Isn’t that right, Mr. Ambassador?" Despite his subtle cries for
help, Zhenya only gave him a confused look.

"Smile, you bastard."

"What? Out of nowhere?"

"And nod while you’re at it," Kwon Taekjoo muttered. Zhenya raised his eyebrows, clearly
disoriented, but then focused on Kwon Taekjoo's mother. He smiled and nodded slowly, just
as Kwon Taekjoo had instructed. That simple smile was enough to ease her concerns.

"Thank goodness. Now, eat up, Mr. Ambassador."

Zhenya nodded again. Even though he still didn’t understand Korean, he seemed to grasp the
general meaning of her words. He had always been quick to pick things up, and after
spending so much time with Kwon Taekjoo’s mother, it didn’t surprise him anymore.

Out of habit, Kwon Taekjoo began arranging the side dishes he knew Zhenya could eat,
placing them in front of him.

"Hurry up and start eating," he urged. Zhenya lifted his spoon and tasted the ginseng chicken
soup, then carefully picked up a piece of chicken with his fork and took a small bite. Kwon
Taekjoo watched him eat until he couldn’t stand it any longer and started handling Zhenya’s
stone pot with his chopsticks.

"Ugh, what the hell? You’re just picking at your food."

With practiced ease, Kwon Taekjoo separated the chicken thighs and placed them in a
separate bowl, shredding the meat into medium-sized pieces. Only then did Zhenya spear the
white meat with his fork and pop it into his mouth. He closed his eyes gracefully, savoring
the flavor. He didn’t seem the least bit uncomfortable being served by someone else.

Annoyed by the sight, Kwon Taekjoo muttered, "Spoiled prince." As usual, Zhenya took it as
a compliment, lifting his head with a satisfied smile. Kwon Taekjoo clicked his tongue and
was about to dive into his own meal when he caught his mother’s gaze. For some reason, she
gave him a knowing smile.

"Why aren’t you eating, mother?"

"You know, it would have been so nice if you’d done that for him from the start."

"Done what?"

"He may be younger, but he’s still your boss. You should treat him well, like you just did.
Who else can the ambassador rely on in this foreign country? I was worried you’d act
recklessly with him, but it’s so nice to see you two getting along so well."

"Getting along? He’s supposed to be my superior, but he can’t even take care of himself. I
had no choice but to help him."

"Oh, Taekjoo. Why are you being so shy about it?"

"I’m not. Now hurry up and eat; the food’s getting cold."

"Alright, let’s eat."

His mother neatly separated a chicken thigh from her own stone pot, placed it on a plate, and
handed it to Zhenya.

"Mr. Ambassador, we’re nearing the end of summer. In Korea, we replenish our strength by
eating healthy foods like this. I know you’re prone to heatstroke, so have some of this to
regain your energy."
Zhenya obediently accepted the plate with a smile, and Kwon Taekjoo’s mother responded
with one of her own. No matter how many times Kwon Taekjoo witnessed this kind of
exchange, it always caught him off guard.

"Taekjoo, would you like some too...?"

"No, I’m good. I have enough."

His mother tried to offer him the last chicken thigh, but Kwon Taekjoo firmly refused. She
complained that she couldn’t eat much due to her age and insisted on putting the thigh in his
bowl anyway. In response, Kwon Taekjoo pulled a thigh from his own chicken and placed it
on her plate.

Zhenya watched them argue with amusement and remarked with a chuckle, "Koreans are
funny."

Kwon Taekjoo’s mother turned to Zhenya and asked if he was enjoying the meal. Zhenya’s
eyes curved into a smile. For a man like him, the way he played along was almost too
charming.

"The ambassador’s birthday is coming up, isn’t it?"

"Yes."

"Did you tell him I want to make him a birthday meal?"

"Mother, any meal would be more than enough. Why go through the trouble of a special
birthday meal?"

"Well, you only have a birthday once a year. We could invite a few people to come celebrate
with him. We could invite Jongwoo, and maybe Olga if she’s free. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind
inviting all your embassy colleagues. I’d love to meet them and ask them to take good care of
my son."

"That would be so weird, he’s not even your own son. Besides, if I invited everyone, they’d
start rumors about me using my mother to suck up to my boss."

"Really? You think so?"

"Yeah. So let’s keep it simple. It’s already a lot of work for you, mother. The ambassador
should be grateful just to get some seaweed soup."

Zhenya’s gaze shifted between Kwon Taekjoo and his mother, apparently wondering what
they were arguing about as they both threw him subtle glances. Kwon Taekjoo looked at him
and said, "Isn’t that right?" dragging him back into the conversation as reinforcement.

"I have no idea what you just said."

"I told you before, just go along with me when we’re with my mother."
"Maybe I would if your translations weren’t a complete disaster."

"And how would you know if they’re a disaster or not?"

"Unfortunately for you, I’m not as dumb as you think."

"Ever heard of a white lie, you bastard?"

"A white lie? That’s rich, coming from you."

"Look who’s talking."

"Look at yourself."

Zhenya flatly refused to let Kwon Taekjoo have the last word. Kwon Taekjoo turned his gaze
back to his mother.

"Anyway, I think my mom’s going to be heartbroken when you go back to Russia."

"Taekjoo, as long as you’re here, that won’t happen."

"How do you know? Did your country say they’d let you stay here forever?"

"It’s safer for them if I stay here, and besides, it’s what I want."

"You told me you weren’t staying here because you liked Korea."

"I never said you were in that category."

"Really?"

"If I’m still here, despite not being thrilled, doesn’t that say enough?" Zhenya muttered to
himself, his eyes drifting toward Kwon Taekjoo’s mother, who was seated across from him.

As if she had been waiting, Kwon Taekjoo’s mother started bombarding Zhenya with
questions—whether anything had happened in Russia during his absence, if Olga was doing
well, how his parents were, if he planned to stay in the country for a while, and if he’d be
resuming his embassy duties soon. Although Zhenya couldn’t understand a single word, he
listened attentively, giving her a kind smile.

Kwon Taekjoo felt a curious sense of pride in Zhenya at moments like this. It was as if
Zhenya was genuinely trying to bring Kwon Taekjoo and the people around him into his
small, restricted world.

Kwon Taekjoo gave Zhenya a firm squeeze on his thigh under the table. Zhenya’s gaze
shifted from his lap to the side of Kwon Taekjoo's face. Kwon Taekjoo pretended to listen to
his mother’s words while whispering just loud enough for only Zhenya to hear.

"Let’s go grab a drink after this. I have something to tell you."

Zhenya’s lips curled into a soft smile.

"Sure, I was planning on doing the same anyway."

After dinner, Kwon Taekjoo drove his mother home and planned to leave his car there
overnight. Zhenya followed him obediently, but he drove so closely behind Kwon Taekjoo’s
car, from the restaurant to the parking garage beneath his apartment, that Kwon Taekjoo was
stressed the whole way. He parked quickly, helped his mother out of the car, and shot a
furious glare at Zhenya's Bugatti.

Zhenya, completely unfazed, got out of the car and nodded toward the elevator, where Kwon
Taekjoo's mother was heading. She paused to say goodbye to Zhenya.

"Have a safe trip home, Mr. Ambassador. Feel free to visit us anytime you’re free."

Zhenya didn’t respond, but he flashed a smile that even made the corners of his eyes crinkle.
Kwon Taekjoo’s mother was momentarily breathless at the sight. Kwon Taekjoo thought the
whole exchange reminded him of a seasoned celebrity effortlessly charming an innocent,
starstruck fan.

He knew she’d keep staring at Zhenya in awe if he let her, so he gently turned her by the
shoulder and guided her to the elevator, even pressing the button for her.

"You can go up now. I’m going for drinks with him."

"Alright."

"Mm… I might not come home tonight; we could end up drinking until late."

"I see, don’t worry about me, go enjoy yourself. Just don’t drink so much that you get sick
tomorrow."

For some strange reason, his mother was exceptionally lenient when it came to him spending
time with Zhenya. She didn’t mind if he spent the night ‘drinking’ with Zhenya or went on
‘business trips’ with him for several days. Even when she couldn’t contact him while he was
away, she wasn’t as worried as before. In fact, if he called her during work, she’d scold him
to hang up right away, saying the ambassador might be waiting. Did she really trust Zhenya
that much? Zhenya wasn’t someone worthy of such blind trust.

"Go on now. The ambassador’s waiting for you."

It was clear tonight was no exception. Once the elevator arrived, his mother stepped inside
and waved him off. Kwon Taekjoo nodded but waited for the doors to fully close before
turning around.

Zhenya was waiting, casually leaning against the passenger door of his Bugatti. When Kwon
Taekjoo approached, Zhenya nodded toward the driver’s seat.

"You drive."
Zhenya slid into the passenger seat, leaving Kwon Taekjoo to do as he was told. He’d been
driving fine until now, but it seemed the spoiled brat was back to his usual self. Kwon
Taekjoo clicked his tongue and reluctantly got behind the wheel.

As he buckled his seatbelt and released the brake, a pale hand suddenly reached toward his
face. Startled, Kwon Taekjoo flinched, his body tensing up. Zhenya smiled, satisfied with his
reaction, and his fingers brushed against the cold curve of Kwon Taekjoo’s ear, warming it.
Goosebumps rose on Kwon Taekjoo's skin, and the tiny hairs on his cheek stood on end. He
scrunched up, his shoulder instinctively lifting from the ticklish sensation. But Zhenya
persisted, leaning across the console to trail his tongue along Kwon Taekjoo's cheek and ear,
even nibbling on the outer edge of his ear with his dry lips.

Kwon Taekjoo was utterly stunned.

"Is this why you told me to drive?"

"What’s wrong? Would you prefer I drive?" Zhenya asked, pressing kisses along Kwon
Taekjoo’s cheek and neck.

Kwon Taekjoo was all too aware that if Zhenya were driving, they’d probably crash into
something before they even left the parking garage. He sighed as Zhenya nestled against his
neck, inhaling his scent with enthusiasm.

"Idiot, just give me ten minutes to get to your apartment."

"You should be proud I’ve been this patient already."

"Ugh… Could you stop, please? I can’t see a damn thing because your huge body’s blocking
my view."

"What’s with all the complaints? You used to drive just fine with your eyes covered," Zhenya
teased, his tone amused by the memory.

Kwon Taekjoo’s mind flashed back to the time he was sent to Syria on an international
mission. North Korea, having long been an ally of Syria in nuclear collaboration, had the NIS
on high alert for any diplomatic maneuvering from either country. Eventually, they
discovered that a North Korean trading company, Cheongang, had supplied a significant
amount of aluminum tubes to Syria. These tubes were a key component of centrifuges used to
enrich uranium, raising suspicions that North Korea was aiding Syria in developing nuclear
weapons. It was crucial to confirm whether this was true, and naturally, this mission had been
assigned to Kwon Taekjoo.

As usual, Zhenya had shown up for the mission too, apparently visiting the nuclear facilities
as an accredited guest. In any case, Kwon Taekjoo managed to successfully complete his
mission, whether thanks to Zhenya’s interference, his help, or a mix of both. However, just as
he was about to finish and escape, the facility’s guards caught him, sparking a massive brawl
before he managed to flee in the last available Jeep.
The only problem was that during the skirmish, the ammunition exploded, temporarily
blinding Kwon Taekjoo. With gunfire raining down on them, he had no choice but to get
behind the wheel and rely entirely on Zhenya to guide him. Zhenya directed him through the
chaos, calling out obstacles and giving instructions. When they finally escaped, all four tires
were shredded, the front and rear bumpers were barely hanging on, and the side mirrors had
long since been ripped off. It wasn’t exactly a laughable memory, but Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t
help but chuckle a little, thinking back to the absurd situation.

"I was risking my life back then because it was my job. I don’t need to do that now."

"Why not? You loved the adrenaline back then, and you still do. Don’t you get even more
aroused when it’s more dangerous?" Zhenya laughed.

Are you talking about yourself? Kwon Taekjoo thought.

As much as he wanted to, Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t find a comeback because Zhenya wasn’t
entirely wrong. But a sense of bitterness welled up inside him, realizing that most of his
memories with Zhenya were tied to moments of danger and risk.

Kwon Taekjoo reached out to play with Zhenya's light-colored hair. The unexpected gesture
of tenderness silenced Zhenya's teasing.

"By the way..." Kwon Taekjoo said. Zhenya leaned back, his gaze fixed on him.

"Your birthday is coming up. Is there anything you want?"

"Want something? As if I’m the kind of person who thinks like that."

Zhenya shrugged, not even taking a moment to consider the question. He had lived a life of
abundance from the moment he was born, so it was impossible for him to have any
materialistic desires. He had everything at his fingertips before he even had the chance to
want it. On the other hand, Kwon Taekjoo knew he couldn’t afford to buy a gift that matched
Zhenya’s lavish lifestyle.

Still, he wanted to give Zhenya something he might like, and in doing so, offer him a
birthday worth remembering—especially since last year, they hadn’t been able to celebrate
properly due to work. Plus, Zhenya had probably never heard a heartfelt "Happy Birthday"
from anyone in his life.

"Think about it carefully, idiot. Don’t let it pass and then complain later that I didn’t do
anything for you."

"Huh? So, are you going to give me whatever I wish for?"

"Depends on what it is."

"It’s not like you have many options anyway. Why are you so picky?"

"How am I supposed to know what ridiculous request you’ll come up with, you bastard?"
Kwon Taekjoo shot Zhenya a warning look as Zhenya pouted, acting as if he had been
wronged. He sulked and shrugged again.

"I’ll take my time to think about it. I don’t have birthdays very often, so I’ll choose something
only you can give me, Taekjoo."

He began nibbling on Kwon Taekjoo’s cheek again, murmuring, "What could it be?" Kwon
Taekjoo gave up trying to push him away—Zhenya was the type to ignore that anyway.
Besides, they were almost at Zhenya’s place.

They somehow made it to Zhenya’s house despite the excessive displays of affection. A sigh
of relief escaped Kwon Taekjoo when he finally managed to park. It was a miracle they
hadn’t crashed, and even more so that they hadn’t hit any red lights along the way. If they
had, they would have put on quite a show for anyone watching—two men clinging to each
other in full view. Just the thought of it made him lose his mind.

"We’re here."

Kwon Taekjoo watched Zhenya’s calm demeanor with frustration before suddenly grabbing
him by the nape of his neck and pulling him in for a hard kiss. His other hand gripped
Zhenya’s throat as he pressed their lips together, biting and rubbing them mercilessly, as if
punishing him for all his previous provocations. It was also a way to vent his frustration over
Zhenya’s indifference during his absence in Korea.

As their lips clashed, the delicate skin tore, causing a bleeding wound. Kwon Taekjoo slid his
tongue along Zhenya’s lips before tilting his head and pushing it into his mouth. Zhenya
remained still for a moment, surprised by the sudden intensity, but soon a smile tugged at the
corner of his lips. His eyes closed, and his eyelashes fluttered as he opened his mouth eagerly,
breathing out with a sweet, expectant sigh.

The heat between them soared as their tongues played. They gripped each other’s hair and
clothes, their tongues entwined with a primal ferocity, like two wild beasts tasting blood.
Their rough movements caused their elbows and knees to bump against the steering wheel,
but neither paid any attention. They were consumed by their desire for each other, pushing
and pulling with equal fervor. Their breaths were ragged, and their hearts pounded violently.
The sharp bursts of air escaping between their lips tickled Kwon Taekjoo’s throat and face,
fueling his lust even more.

Kwon Taekjoo panted, struggling to catch his breath, but the stifling heat persisted. He could
only quench his thirst by slipping his tongue across Zhenya’s soft lips, his slick tongue, and
the wet inner walls of his mouth. It wasn’t until he greedily sucked all the accumulated saliva
between them that he finally began to pull back.

They stared at each other with burning eyes, their faces just inches apart. The look in their
eyes was almost predatory, as if they were seconds away from tearing each other’s throats
out. Their heavy breathing sent chills through their bodies, while their lips hovered
tantalizingly close. Zhenya’s pupils contracted sharply in growing anticipation.
In a sudden surge of need, Zhenya shattered the tension between them and yanked Kwon
Taekjoo toward him violently. The back of Kwon Taekjoo’s head slammed into the car’s
ceiling, but Zhenya continued to grope him roughly, pressing their bodies together in the
cramped space between the dashboard and the seats. As Zhenya buried his face in Kwon
Taekjoo’s hair, Taekjoo struggled to push him away.

“Uugh... Bastard, not here.”

“Mm, but you're hard as a rock.”

Zhenya's hand dug into his crotch, grabbing the large bulge in front of his pants. Kwon
Taekjoo arched his back at the feeling, but was able to push Zhenya's hand away.

“I may be wanting it badly, but I don't want to end up bent in half.”

“Huh? Maybe I should buy another car.”

“You'd buy another car just to have sex?”

Kwon Taekjoo gave Zhenya a light tap on the chest as he stepped out of the car, motioning
for him to follow. He looked disheveled, his clothes wrinkled, and his hair sticking out in
every direction. He straightened his clothes and hair before heading to the front door of
Zhenya’s apartment. Just as he reached for the doorknob with ease, Zhenya suddenly pressed
against his back, trapping him in his arms and burying his face in Kwon Taekjoo’s neck.

“You’re not a wild animal. Can you wait a minute?”

“I’ve only been this patient because I’m not a wild animal,” Zhenya countered, inhaling
deeply to savor Kwon Taekjoo’s scent. A soft sigh escaped him before he began nibbling on
the back of Kwon Taekjoo’s neck.

At that very moment, the security lock beeped and unlocked the door, having recognized
Kwon Taekjoo’s biometric features.

“Ugh! Wait…”

But before Kwon Taekjoo could react, Zhenya pushed him through the door and into the
house. They both tumbled to the floor in a tangled mess, with Kwon Taekjoo landing heavily
and banging his knees. The impact sent a sharp pain through him.

“Ow! That hurt, you bastard! You’re going to break all my bones.”

“You wanted it so bad just a while ago, and now you’re acting like nothing happened? Isn’t
this what you wanted?”

Still pinning Kwon Taekjoo down with the full weight of his body, Zhenya began rubbing his
face against the back of Kwon Taekjoo’s neck. His nose buried into Kwon Taekjoo’s thick
hair, and he exhaled a warm, sweet breath.

“Just wait a second! Just wait!”

“Mnh... Taekjoo…”

“Ugh… is someone chasing you? Why are you in such a hurry?!”

Kwon Taekjoo managed to push Zhenya off his back with his elbow, but Zhenya took that
opportunity to grab Kwon Taekjoo's chin and kiss him urgently. He pressed his hard erection
against Kwon Taekjoo's ass, moaning softly. Kwon Taekjoo's chest slammed against the
floor, leaving him unable to breathe. His neck was stiff and sore from the awkward position.

In his desperation to escape, Kwon Taekjoo tried to turn his head, but to no avail. Zhenya,
undeterred, brought his lips close to Kwon Taekjoo's ear and slid his tongue into the orifice.
The inside of his ear became moist, the wet sound of Zhenya's tongue echoed in his ear
sharply.

Kwon Taekjoo ducked his head in disgust, but Zhenya merely bit the back of his neck again
as his hand slid down to Kwon Taekjoo's abdomen, unbuttoning the zipper and buckle of his
pants. Kwon Taekjoo reached down quickly to stop him, but Zhenya had already wrapped his
hand around Taekjoo's cock and began to stroke it gently.

"Weren't you the one asking me when I'd come back? Taekjoo, you were practically begging
me earlier, and now you're pretending you don't want it."

"Mn... I never said I don't want it. Just... go slower, you idiot. Ah, ngh... we have the whole
night."

"We do? Who knows if I'll be able to enjoy it to the fullest? If you get a work call right when
we're having fun, I'm the one who'll lose out," Zhenya replied, biting Kwon Taekjoo's neck,
which had gone numb from the repeated attacks.

Zhenya seemed to be carrying a lot of pent-up frustration, likely from all the times their
vacations had been interrupted by Kwon Taekjoo’s sudden work obligations. He treated their
time together like a rare treat that could be taken away at any moment, devouring it hungrily,
like a man starved for too long. Just thinking about it made Kwon Taekjoo’s heart ache.

At that moment, Zhenya felt Kwon Taekjoo's resistance fade and pulled back from his neck.
He lifted Kwon Taekjoo’s shirt from the hem, pushing it up over his head, exposing the broad
expanse of his back. Zhenya swallowed hard, a lump forming in his throat.

Every time Kwon Taekjoo let out a huff of frustration, Zhenya sank his teeth into his
trembling shoulder blade, causing Kwon Taekjoo’s waist to shudder uncontrollably.

"Ah... Ngh..."

"Taekjoo, Taekjoo..."

Zhenya repeated Kwon Taekjoo's name several times, his voice low and almost like a moan
as he traced the curve of Kwon Taekjoo’s back with the sharp edge of his nose. Along the
way, he pressed lingering kisses that sent tingles down Kwon Taekjoo’s spine. Zhenya
savored the warmth of Kwon Taekjoo’s skin and the scent that clung to him until he reached a
scar just above the curve of Kwon Taekjoo’s lower back. Where there had once been a tattoo,
there was now a thin layer of new skin. Gently, Zhenya slid the tip of his tongue over the
faded marks, as if trying to bring the tattoo back to life. The sensation, both ticklish and
strangely pleasant, made Kwon Taekjoo's body writhe in response. A trickle of semen gushed
from his cock.

Zhenya's large hand slid over Kwon Taekjoo's cock, rubbing it from base to tip in long,
leisurely strokes. With his other hand he caressed Taekjoo's abdomen before pulling down his
pants and underpants with a single tug. The elastic band on Kwon Taekjoo's underwear
stretched, tightening around his thighs and leaving his ass bouncing on top.

“Aaah...”

Letting out a deep sigh, Zhenya pulled Kwon Taekjoo's arms behind his back, imprisoning
them effortlessly with one hand. With the other hand, which had been stroking Kwon
Taekjoo's cock, he held Kwon Taekjoo's abdomen, lifting him onto his knees and forcing him
to lift his ass high. Kwon Taekjoo ended up unsteadily resting all his weight on his shoulder
and left cheek.

“...Aagh, what are you doing, you lunatic bastard?”

“Are you seriously asking because you don't know?”

Zhenya's eyes flashed with a provocative gleam as he looked at Kwon Taekjoo, whose cheeks
and ears had reddened, and not just because of the blood rushing to his face. Zhenya pulled
Kwon Taekjoo's plump ass apart, revealing the tight little opening in between. He stared at it
as he gave Kwon Taekjoo's cock another firm squeeze. Kwon Taekjoo's hole contracted in
response to the stimulation.

“So much fuss when you're this eager” Zhenya whispered quietly, completely fascinated,
before burying without warning his face in Kwon Taekjoo's asshole.

Zhenya's thick tongue pressed against the thin folds of Kwon Taekjoo's entrance. Taekjoo's
whole body jerked as his most private area was thoroughly drenched. His hands, still
imprisoned by Zhenya, clenched into tight fists as his erection remained in full effervescence,
reacting eagerly to the overwhelming feeling.

Zhenya's lips curved upward as he meticulously traced every inch and crevice, stimulating
with the tip of his tongue the opening while it twitched under the tingling sensation.

“Nngh... Wait... Zhenya... Mn...”

With every attack of Zhenya's tongue, Kwon Taekjoo's head tilted down and his body
trembled heavily. The sound of his gritted teeth echoed inside his clenched jaw. Zhenya
memorized his every move as he continued to suck on his delicate flesh. That's when, without
warning, he inserted the tip of his tongue inside Kwon Taekjoo's moistened hole.

“Aah, mmnnn, uughh.”

Kwon Taekjoo's limbs stiffened and his body shuddered. Unable to hold back his moans, he
slumped forward, his forehead resting against the bare floor. His fists shook, and his knuckles
turned white from the tension, as he was determined to push Zhenya away .

However, Zhenya paid no attention to his futile efforts and plunged his face even deeper,
opening his mouth wide as he devoured the soft skin surrounding Kwon Taekjoo's hole, and
the curvature of his ass. At the same time, his hand gripped Kwon Taekjoo's cock, pumping it
with an energy that was almost painful, as if he wanted to milk him.

“Aahhh... Aahh... Mmmn...”

Kwon Taekjoo's body writhed uncontrollably from the overwhelming sensations. Zhenya's
hand gave another tight squeeze before gently wrapping around the tip of Kwon Taekjoo's
cock, all while his tongue continued to penetrate deep inside his softening hole. Kwon
Taekjoo's asshole grew tighter and tighter in response, closing firmly around his tongue.
Gradually, his hand went from pushing Zhenya away to clinging desperately to his light-
colored hair.

“Ahgh... I don't... Mmgh like it-... Mngh, aahn...!”

Eventually, with a wet sound, Zhenya removed his lips and instantly pulled his deft hand
away from Kwon Taekjoo's cock. Taekjoo's body trembled involuntarily in consequence. His
dilated and distended hole, now brimming with saliva, twitched as it opened and closed.

“Aah... What do you think, Taekjoo, do you still think we have plenty of time, do you want me
to fuck you nice and slow?”

“Aah... ughh., you fucking... asshole.”

Kwon Taekjoo was breathing heavily as his body trembled in frustration. But Zhenya
tightened his grip on his arms, holding him firmly in place. Kwon Taekjoo tried desperately
to relieve the overwhelming sensation on his cock, that was about to explode, by rubbing his
glans against the floor, but Zhenya prevented his efforts by lifting his abdomen with his other
free hand.

“Don't waste your time trying to do it alone. Just ask for it and I'll gladly help you out.”

“Uugh... let go. Nngh, I told you to let go of my arm.”

“How long are you going to keep saying things you don't really mean? Hm?” Zhenya
muttered, unzipping his pants. His erection soon fell heavily on Kwon Taekjoo's ass, making
the latter's whole body shudder and tense up on the spot.

Zhenya nestled his cock along the curve of Kwon Taekjoo's ass so the thick length pressed
deliciously against the pliant flesh. Prominent veins bulged along Zhenya's erection due to his
overwhelming arousal as he rubbed it up and down against Kwon Taekjoo. A sensitive,
aching throb ran through Taekjoo as the ridges on Zhenya's cock grinded against his hole.

“Mmnn... Aaah...”
“Aaah, you don't need to be shy, Taekjoo. You want me, don't you?”

“Nngh... Mmn... Aah...”

“Just hurry up and ask me to fuck you. Ask me to shove my cock in and make a mess out of
you, do it.”, Zhenya insisted, pressing his crotch against Kwon Taekjoo's ass.

Zhenya's glans pressed against Kwon Taekjoo's hole insistently, its weight crushing the
sensitive flesh. However, Zhenya didn't stop there. He leaned down to nibble Taekjoo's
shoulder as his ear rubbed against Kwon Taekjoo's, folding it under his pressure. Irregular
breaths echoed near Kwon Taekjoo's ear, fanning the flame of his own arousal.

“Nngh.... Ahh. Zhenya yes nm..., Hurry...”

“That's it, my zainka.”

“Nngh.... Nnmm, mmm, stop wasting time uuugh and fuckin' put it in me at once...damn it.”

A laugh of disbelief burst from Zhenya. He stopped rubbing himself against Kwon Taekjoo
and, without warning, rammed into him until he bottomed out. Taekjoo's whole body
stiffened at the intensity of the thrusting as he swallowed a moan that threatened to escape.

“Ahh! Aaah... shit...”.

“What's the matter, don't you like it? I gave it to you just the way you wanted it.”

“Uughh, yes nngh, nnm...”

“Mmh. Are you whining because I'm not fucking you the way you want? You're desperate,
aren't you?” Zhenya asked in a teasing tone, his voice heavy with amusement.

He wrapped an arm around Kwon Taekjoo’s neck, squeezing tightly enough to make Kwon
Taekjoo’s already unsteady breathing even more labored. Taekjoo’s hands, now free from
Zhenya’s grip, rose to grasp his arm, but the hold around his neck didn’t loosen. He was
completely at Zhenya’s mercy.

"...Alright, Taekjoo. Mommy [1] will take care of you."

Zhenya desperately nibbled on Kwon Taekjoo's ear before he began pounding him with
overwhelming intensity. Each powerful thrust stretched Kwon Taekjoo's inner walls to the
limit, only for Zhenya to withdraw in one swift motion, dragging his cock along Kwon
Taekjoo's sensitive insides. The overwhelming but arousing sensations made it almost
impossible for Kwon Taekjoo to stay upright, even so, Zhenya's firm grip on his abdomen
refused to lessen, holding him pinned in place.

Kwon Taekjoo had no choice but to helplessly take every inch of Zhenya's cock, which was
thrusting hard into him again and again. Zhenya's rock-hard thighs vigorously slapped against
Kwon Taekjoo's behind. The wet sound of their sweat-covered skins flooded the room as they
crashed repeatedly. Kwon Taekjoo's skin reddened, swelling from the relentless friction.
“Aaah, ahh! Nnnnm… Aah! Mmm, ahh.... No no- no-...!”

“What was that, still not enough for you?” Zhenya whispered, while licking Kwon Taekjoo's
hot cheek slowly and vigorously.

Kwon Taekjoo gritted his teeth, turning his head away, but Zhenya seized the opportunity and
plunged his tongue inside Kwon Taekjoo's ear. The invasion caused Taekjoo's shoulders to
tense. His moans turned into halting sobs as Zhenya moved his hand from Kwon Taekjoo's
abs to encircle his neglected erection.

Zhenya watched each subtle change in Kwon Taekjoo with rapt attention as his hips swayed
wildly with each thrust. With a deft flick of his wrist, he began to slide his hand up and down
Kwon Taekjoo's cock, intensifying the overwhelming pleasure that quickly drove Kwon
Taekjoo to the edge of his sanity.

“Aah, aah, uuugh, nngh, aaah...”

“Aahh, that's it, you're finally making adorable sounds.”

Zhenya, also consumed by his own arousal, was spreading countless kisses along Kwon
Taekjoo's neck, nape and shoulders. He had managed to tame Kwon Taekjoo's hardened
flesh, making it soft and pliant, but his lust kept growing with every thrust. The way
Taekjoo's quivering walls clung to his cock, pulling it deeper and deeper, gave him a mind-
numbing surge of pleasure. The wet, slippery heat of Kwon Taekjoo's inner walls constricted
around him, pulling him into an ever-deepening precipice.

Driven by irresistible temptation, Zhenya buried himself inside Kwon Taekjoo before
reluctantly pulling back. The tight grip exerted by Kwon Taekjoo's inner walls was so intense
that it threatened to swallow his cock whole inside again. He thrust all the way in, pulling out
just enough to leave the glans of his shaft wedged inside, then thrust in again with ruthless
force, as if he wanted to punish Kwon Taekjoo's tight hole.

Every thrust caused a bulge to rise and fall inside Kwon Taekjoo's abdomen. The continuous
friction left Taekjoo's ass and perineal area noticeably reddened from the pounding of
Zhenya's cock and balls.

“Aahh, Ah, Zhenya.... Nnghh... Mmm, aaahh, right there ...Mmn yes, more.... uugh...”

“Mmn, that's it, my zainka. It's so good to hear you being honest. Mmn, makes me want to
fuck you right where you like it.”

Before Zhenya could even stop talking, he adjusted his position, his cock shifting to hit a
completely different spot inside Kwon Taekjoo.

“Aahh...!”

A loud, uncontrollable moan erupted from Kwon Taekjoo; his back arched upward against
Zhenya's chest. The relentless grinding of Zhenya's cock against his most sensitive spot
caused his rigid limbs to jerk, as if shocks of electricity were coursing through them. His
mouth, open in pleasure, slammed shut as a thick string of saliva slid across his lips. His
inner walls convulsed, hungrily devouring every inch of Zhenya's cock.

“Ahh, nngh, ahh...”

“Taekjoo, Taekjoo...”

An irrepressible desire invaded Kwon Taekjoo; the need to melt completely with Zhenya, to
intertwine in such a way that not even the slightest space of distance remained between them.

Zhenya rubbed his forehead against Kwon Taekjoo before lifting him off the floor, grabbing
him by the waist and thighs. With Kwon Taekjoo clinging to him like a doll, Zhenya stood
up, holding him close. Instinctively, Kwon Taekjoo wrapped his arms around Zhenya’s neck,
his legs spreading and locking around the man’s waist, pressing their chests together. Kwon
Taekjoo quickly regained his senses, realizing his precarious position. The feeling of nearly
slipping sent him into a panic.

“Hey! What the hell is this position?... Ugh, I’m going to fall. I’m telling you, I’m going to
fall!”

“You won’t slip,” Zhenya assured him, moving in to plant a slow, soft kiss on Kwon
Taekjoo’s cheek. The sweet kiss sent a shiver down Kwon Taekjoo’s spine.

“Let me go! It’s uncomfortable, so—ah!”

Kwon Taekjoo's complaints came to an abrupt halt as he let out a muffled cry. Zhenya's cock,
which had withdrawn halfway as they switched positions, suddenly thrust back inside him
with a force that struck directly into his most sensitive spot. Kwon Taekjoo's head tilted back,
his eyes widened in shock as he crossed his gaze with Zhenya's. A small smile tugged at
Zhenya's lips as he leaned in and kissed the corner of Kwon Taekjoo's lips. Then, he began to
ram into him again with force.

Zhenya's relentless thrusts continued to hit Kwon Taekjoo's sweet spot, causing intense
shocks of pleasure to ripple through his body at even the slightest friction. Each upward
thrust pulled Kwon Taekjoo off Zhenya's cock, only for gravity to pull him back down and
force them closer together. Kwon Taekjoo's own erection, freed from Zhenya's grip, swayed
between their bodies, slapping Zhenya's abdomen with every move. Desperately, Kwon
Taekjoo tightened his arms around Zhenya's neck, trying to steady himself and thus soften the
impact of falling on top of Zhenya's shaft.

However, Kwon Taekjoo’s desperate grip only seemed to spur Zhenya on. Zhenya
breathlessly whispered Kwon Taekjoo's name over and over as he fucked him even harder.

“Nnngh aahh aahh mmnnn aah! Nnghh, it hurts... aaahh, mmm, aahh...!”

“Aaah, mmnn, Taekjoo, ahh Taekjoo...”

It felt as if Zhenya was about to pierce through his stomach. A wave of ticklish pleasure
surged up to Kwon Taekjoo’s head, gripping every fiber of his body.
“Aaah, nnngh, uuugh, mmmph! Slow down... ahh! Aaah! Why, mmn, do you keep, ahh,
hitting... the same spot... ahh! Ugh! Damn it!”

“Ngh, Taekjoo...

“Do you like it like this? Hmm? Haa, Taekjoo...”

Zhenya's relentless thrusts hammered deep into Kwon Taekjoo as he sank his nose into
Taekjoo's neck, inhaling his scent. The moans that echoed against his skin were a mixture of
pain and passionate longing, as if begging for more. Kwon Taekjoo's head was spinning in
overwhelming euphoria. He didn't know if the dizzy feeling was caused by his field of vision
moving erratically or the intense heat soaking his body. He was bathed in sweat, his thighs
and belly numb as a result of Zhenya's incessant movements. No matter how hard he tried to
breathe, he felt breathless.

Gritting his teeth, Zhenya slammed Kwon Taekjoo against the wall. The power of the impact
tore a slight whimper from Kwon Taekjoo's mouth. But he barely had time to process the
pain... Zhenya's body squeezed him, pinning him down as he continued his powerful thrusts.
Kwon Taekjoo couldn't do anything but moan, helplessly caught in the inescapable tide of
pleasure as he reached the brink of his own orgasm.

Kwon Taekjoo's head slammed against the wall. Distorted echoes of his own moans bounced
through the air, amplified as they crashed against the walls. He struggled to push Zhenya
away with his head and back, but his resistance only seemed to stimulate Zhenya's
overbearing thirst. Zhenya's thrusts became even more violent and vicious as he deepened the
penetration, ravaging Kwon Taekjoo's insides with each powerful plunge.

“Aaah! aaah! Mmnph... nnnggh aaah!!!”

“Mmm, nngnh.... Taekjoo.”

"Stop Ahh, stop! mmn, mmph, nng, nng, shit ugghh! ... Shit, nngh!”

“Aahh, hhaa, mmn, zainka, zainka.... Nng!”

Zhenya's fucking became more desperate, more passionate, until his body finally stiffened.
He buried himself deep into Kwon Taekjoo one last time, his cock twitching uncontrollably
before releasing a hot spurt of semen. Taekjoo's internal walls squeezed around Zhenya's
shaft, amplyfing the pleasure that coursed through his body. Taekjoo squeezed his eyes shut,
trying hard to endure the almost unbearable shocks of pleasure that continued to rack his
body.

His throat was sore from the sobs and moans he hadn't been able to hold back, to the point
where he could almost taste blood on his tongue. When he finally let out the labored breaths
he'd been stifling, the burning in his throat was so sharp that he could barely speak.

“Ahh, aah... Mm... Crazy bastard...”

“...Taekjoo.”
 Zhenya rained kisses down on Kwon Taekjoo’s neck and shoulders, holding him in his arms,
even murmuring Kwon Taekjoo’s name tenderly. Kwon Taekjoo was so exhausted that
everything felt unreal, like a dream. He struggled to open his heavy eyelids, but everything
around him remained blurry as deep drowsiness and a shivering chill overtook him.

“Mmn... I want to bathe.”

“Okay.”

Surprisingly, Zhenya agreed without hesitation. However, despite his words, he didn't release
Kwon Taekjoo or pull out his cock. Instead, he stood there, holding Kwon Taekjoo against
the wall, his gaze drifting to the evidence of Kwon Taekjoo's release on the wall. He let out a
chuckle.

“You came on the wall? It's a masterpiece.”

“Who do you think made me do--...? Ouch.”

Kwon Taekjoo's protest was interrupted as Zhenya's supple member pressed against his
sensitive hole, before sliding out. The sensation was followed by a slow trickle of cum
dripping down to the floor, forming a white stain on the surface. Kwon Taekjoo stared at it
for a moment before grabbing Zhenya by the ear, pulling him in for a kiss. Zhenya's ragged
breathing finally steadied.

Slowly, Kwon Taekjoo pulled away and looked into Zhenya’s blue eyes, whose pupils were
still as dilated as they had been from the start.

"Let’s go to the bathroom first," Kwon Taekjoo murmured, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

Zhenya smiled with satisfaction, simply replying, "Alright." Then, he lifted Kwon Taekjoo
into his arms and carried him toward the bathroom with light, unhurried steps.

Chapter End Notes

Support the author by purchasing the novel on Ridibooks.

[1]: The original sentence was, "하아… 알았어, 택주. 엄마는지 쑤셔 주지," where
"엄마" means "Mom" and "쑤셔 주지" translates to "massage" or "poke" in a way that
suggests offering some relief. For a moment, I considered changing ‘mommy’ to
‘daddy’ to give the conversation a more playful, kinky vibe. I even thought about
completely altering the line to something like, "Yes, I'll give you whatever you want."
But in the end, I decided to leave it as it was!

Yeah, it sounds a little odd, but I think it suits Zhenya’s character to tease Taekjoo for
being a “mama’s boy” by using a phrase only a mother would say, lol. Gotta love his
weird ass.
 One or the Other
Chapter Notes

The characters will communicate in different languages.

•RUSSIAN DIALOGUES ARE IN ITALICS

•ENGLISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD
•KOREAN DIALOGUES ARE NOT FORMATTED
•SPANISH DIALOGUES ARE IN BOLD ITALICS

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Kwon Taekjoo sprawled out on the bed, his body slick and sticky with sweat, undoing all the
effort he had put into his shower. Despite the air conditioner humming in the background, he
couldn't seem to cool down. As he stepped out of the bathroom, his legs were so weak and
shaky that they could barely hold him up. He had already lost track of how many times he
had had sex with Zhenya. Not even animals in heat could withstand the kind of frenzy they
had just shared. And it wasn’t as if they’d been apart for years... it had only been a week
since they last met.

Almost two years had passed since he and Zhenya had started seeing each other. It was
enough time for most couples to crave some alone time, but, strangely enough, Kwon
Taekjoo’s impatience seemed to grow stronger with each passing day. Maybe Zhenya’s
insatiable sexual drive was rubbing off on him.

A groan escaped his lips as he rolled over onto his stomach, his hips sore from the relentless
pressure they had endured. But worse than the pain was the feeling of the sheets sticking to
his clammy skin. All he could do was frown because he was too exhausted to do anything but
catch his breath. His mind was hazy, his vision blurry, and dizziness swirled around in his
head.

Blindly, he reached for the other side of the bed, but found it empty. The sound of running
water came from the bathroom. The bastard had screwed him until he was nearly
unconscious, and now he was enjoying a nice shower by himself.

Unable to resist the overwhelming fatigue, his eyelids drooped. Sleep began to take over as
his consciousness faded little by little. By the time he lost track of time, the steady sound of
the water stopped. Moments later, he sensed Zhenya’s presence as he opened the bathroom
door and stepped out.

For a moment, Zhenya’s gaze lingered on Kwon Taekjoo’s figure before quietly leaving the
room. From outside, the faint clatter of dishes could be heard. For some reason, though it
disturbed Kwon Taekjoo’s rest, it didn’t irritate him as much as he thought it would.

A few minutes later, Zhenya returned, casting a large shadow over Kwon Taekjoo’s face. The
bed dipped under the weight, and the cold touch of a glass pressed against Kwon Taekjoo’s
cheek. In his drowsiness, Kwon Taekjoo let out a chuckle, realizing this had become part of
their little routine.

“... Now you won’t even let me sleep?” Kwon Taekjoo murmured as he opened his eyes. His
voice was hoarse and rough from fatigue. He cleared his throat a few times, but it didn’t help
much.

“I thought you said you wanted a drink earlier.”

“Yeah, but... calmly.”

“Could it be any calmer than this?”

Kwon Taekjoo let out a soft sigh and grabbed the glass of whiskey swirling in front of him.
Groaning, he struggled to sit up.

Zhenya grabbed Kwon Taekjoo by the shoulder and turned him around, pressing his lips to
his in a kiss. The strong taste of cigar smoke entered Kwon Taekjoo’s mouth, making his
already sore throat worse. Instinctively, he pushed Zhenya’s arm away in disapproval, but
Zhenya just laughed and took another drag from his cigar. In the past, the mere smell of the
smoke would have gotten on his nerves and given him a headache. But now, the familiar
aroma seemed to calm him, perhaps because of his connection to Zhenya.

Kwon Taekjoo watched Zhenya intently over the rim of his whiskey glass, taking a slow sip.
Zhenya’s skin seemed to glow more than usual, probably because he had just come out of the
shower. He showed no signs of exhaustion, but there was an unusual calmness in his
demeanor.

Between the two of them, Kwon Taekjoo was undoubtedly the more active one in bed. But
lately, the gap in their stamina was becoming more and more noticeable. It wasn’t just
because Zhenya was younger—after all, it wasn’t like Kwon Taekjoo was ten years older—
but it seemed as if Zhenya had been blessed with a greater endurance.

“What are you thinking, Taekjoo?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re looking at me like you want to bore a hole in my skull. Am I that pretty?”

Zhenya tilted his head with a mischievous smile. His pale blonde hair slipped across his
smooth forehead, still damp with droplets of water. Kwon Taekjoo clicked his tongue in
reproach as he watched him.

“You always say that. Don’t you get embarrassed?”

“Seems like a lot embarrasses you when we know each other inside and out.”

Zhenya’s hand caressed his warm, flushed cheek. Kwon Taekjoo flinched at the unexpected
coolness of his touch. Maybe Zhenya had taken a cold shower. His hand slowly slid down to
Kwon Taekjoo’s neck, drawing a low moan from him. The hairs on his back and neck stood
on end.

“Even if you don’t say it, I already know what you like and what you want me to do,” Zhenya
murmured, his hand continuing downward.

His fingers grazed beyond Kwon Taekjoo’s collarbone, tracing the curve of his chest. Then,
without warning, Zhenya squeezed one side of his chest, digging his fingers in firmly. At the
same time, Zhenya’s lips gently pressed against Kwon Taekjoo’s forehead in a tender kiss,
completely at odds with the roughness happening below. It was as if the two movements were
entirely disconnected—his face soft and affectionate, while the rest of him remained ruthless
and powerful. Even Zhenya’s appearance reflected this contrast, as a face so delicate didn’t
quite match the hard, muscular body beneath.

For a brief moment, Kwon Taekjoo decided to let Zhenya do whatever he wanted with him.
Zhenya’s fingers found Kwon Taekjoo’s swollen nipple and began to rub it. Kwon Taekjoo’s
shoulders tensed at the sensation. It was hard to tell whether it was pain or pleasure he was
feeling. Zhenya’s gaze locked onto the bite marks he had left on Kwon Taekjoo’s skin. His
tongue unconsciously ran over his lower lip as his throat quivered. Sensing the shift in
Zhenya’s mood, Kwon Taekjoo quickly pushed his hand away before things could escalate
further.

“Stop groping me. It hurts, you bastard.”

“What? Your tits hurt just because I touched them a little?”

“Tits...? What?”

That filthy mouth of Zhenya’s seemed more in sync with the lower half of his body than with
his pretty face. Kwon Taekjoo gave his cheek a light pinch as if to scold him.

“You’d look so much more damn pretty to me if you cleaned up that mouth of yours.”

“What did you say?”

“You still don’t understand what I’m saying in Korean? If you’re that curious, then learn the
damn language,” Kwon Taekjoo teased, flashing a smile.

He then held out a hand in front of Zhenya’s face. Zhenya immediately understood the hint
and handed him the cigar he had been smoking. Kwon Taekjoo took it without hesitation,
inhaling deeply. The thick smoke traveled down his throat and settled heavily in his lungs.
In the past, Kwon Taekjoo would’ve taken just a couple of puffs before setting it aside. But
now, he calmly enjoyed his whiskey with the cigar nestled between his fingers. Zhenya
flashed him a sweet smile as he lit another cigar.

“You’ve turned it into a habit, haven’t you?”

“It’s been on my mind for a while, since I haven’t smoked in a long time.”

Kwon Taekjoo twirled the cigar between his fingers, examining it closely before bringing it
back to his lips.

“Although, of course, the cigar isn’t the only thing on my mind.”

As Kwon Taekjoo spoke, his dark eyes locked on Zhenya through the hazy smoke of the
cigarette. Zhenya carefully savored his words before a smile curved his lips. Holding his own
cigar between his teeth, he climbed onto the bed, spread Kwon Taekjoo's legs, and positioned
himself between them.

“You’re getting all soft on me again. What happened? Did you get some praise at work for
completing your mission successfully?”

“Well, something like that.”

“That’s good.”

“Good for me. But I’m not sure if it is for you.”

Zhenya tilted his head at Kwon Taekjoo’s cryptic comment. Kwon Taekjoo stared at him,
then swallowed the rest of the whiskey in his glass. He toyed with the empty glass for a
moment before speaking.

“Hey…”

Kwon Taekjoo paused, a rare moment of insecurity crossing his face, something unusual for
him.

Zhenya’s blue eyes swept over Kwon Taekjoo's face, observing him closely with a serious
expression. After a while, his features softened into a curious smile.

“What’s going on this time?”

“This time?”

“You always give me that look when you're about to break bad news. And you’ve been hinting
that you have something to say. Did they assign you another mission?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“Oh no? Then what is it?”

Zhenya’s confusion was evident in his gaze. Even his playful smile faded as he analyzed
Kwon Taekjoo's face. His eyes lingered on Kwon Taekjoo's lips, eager to uncover the source
of his anxiety. Kwon Taekjoo opened and closed his mouth a few times before letting out a
sigh.

“I need this to stop.”

Zhenya’s face twisted in shock, clearly taken aback by such an unexpected response.

“What do you mean, Taekjoo?”

“I need you to stop interfering with my work.”

Zhenya’s tense expression relaxed slightly as he processed Kwon Taekjoo’s explanation.

Then, he let out a soft sigh, tinged with what seemed like relief.

“When have I ever interfered with your work?”

“Don’t play innocent, you idiot.”

Zhenya slowly leaned back from Kwon Taekjoo, still looking perplexed, as if it was hard for
him to understand.

“Regardless of whether you think I’m interfering or helping, why are you so against me being
involved? All I do is make things easier for you. None of it could ever hurt you.”

“That’s true if we’re only thinking about me. But that’s not the whole problem.”

“It’s not the whole problem?”

Did he really not know? Ever since he moved to Korea, Zhenya had meddled in Kwon
Taekjoo’s missions countless times. Sometimes, Zhenya would even arrive at the mission site
before Kwon Taekjoo, intercepting key documents or crucial information that Kwon
needed… all so he could spend more time with Kwon. With Zhenya’s help, Kwon Taekjoo’s
missions had become child's play, allowing him a break from his once frantic life.

But all of this was a blatant violation of NIS regulations. Moreover, as a foreign diplomat,
Zhenya was even more vulnerable to scrutiny and external controversy. That’s why Kwon
Taekjoo had always been bothered by Zhenya’s interference, regardless of how successful the
missions turned out.

There had been several times when Kwon Taekjoo was furious with Zhenya for treating his
missions like a joke. After many arguments, Zhenya had opted to help Kwon more indirectly,
as he had done in Cuba. Zhenya seemed annoyed now by Kwon’s insistence on denying him
even this discreet support.

“So, you’re saying you just want me to sit back and do nothing while my lover is in danger?”

“I took on this job fully aware of the risks it involves. Besides, before we met, I managed just
fine on my own.”
Zhenya let out a laugh of disbelief. He seemed angry, as if Kwon Taekjoo had unilaterally
decided that Zhenya was no longer allowed to play a game he had already committed to and
had told him to leave.

“So, you’re saying I’m just getting in your way?”

“Don’t twist my words. What I’m saying is that you shouldn’t put yourself in danger because
of me.”

“Put myself in danger? Me?”

Zhenya once again looked at Kwon Taekjoo, as if he had just said something completely
illogical. He seemed convinced that nothing like that could ever happen to him.

With a long sigh, Kwon Taekjoo fixed his gaze on Zhenya, whose expression remained cold
and unyielding. The icy look in his eyes and the tight set of his lips reminded Kwon of a
sulking child. He couldn’t help but wonder how long he would have to console this 30-year-
old man as if he were a small child. Kwon Taekjoo started to explain again, even as he let out
another sigh.

“Do you think I don’t know about your relationship with your family? Look, I’m not going to
tell you how to deal with them or pressure you to make amends. That’s your business, not
mine. But I can’t keep watching you create more conflicts with them just for my sake.”

“Taekjoo, you’re misunderstanding something. Even if you weren’t in the picture, my

relationship with them is beyond repair. They’re insignificant people who wouldn’t dare to
interfere with my life.”

“Regardless of that, your roots are with them,” Kwon Taekjoo said calmly, leaving Zhenya
momentarily speechless.

Zhenya’s lips parted, almost as if he were about to smile, but only one corner of his mouth
twitched. He seemed utterly furious at the undeniable fact that he belonged to Russia and the
Bogdanov family.

Fearing that Zhenya might misunderstand him, Kwon Taekjoo quickly added, “And I chose
to accept you as you are, fully aware of all that.”

“What are you trying to say? Why are you making an issue out of something I can’t even
change?”

“I’m not making it an issue, you idiot. I just wanted to address it because it’s something that
will weigh on my mind for as long as I keep working for the NIS. The root of the problem will
never go away, but I can’t stand by and do nothing about it. Like my mother, I want you to
stay by my side longer, without having to worry about anything.”

Kwon Taekjoo felt like he had just confessed something embarrassing, but Zhenya’s face
remained cold. He simply frowned, focusing on trying to grasp the true meaning behind
Kwon’s words.
"What are you hiding from me, Taekjoo?"

"I'm not hiding anything."

"No, something definitely happened, didn’t it?"

"I'm telling you, nothing happened. I've been thinking about this for a while, but I never
brought it up. I’ve been too comfortable for too long, but now I think I’m finally coming to my
senses."

"Ha... Taekjoo. Do you really think I wouldn’t notice if you were hiding so-...?"

"Don’t start looking for excuses to come after me. Don’t try to figure out what I’m doing
when I’m not around. This is how it’s supposed to be."

Zhenya furrowed his brow once again. He understandably seemed confused by the sudden
distance Kwon Taekjoo was putting between them, especially when they had just been
passionately making love. Kwon Taekjoo reached out and tousled Zhenya's fringe in a small
gesture to ease the tension in the air.

"All I need from you is to be a loving partner, you bastard."

Suddenly, Zhenya grabbed Kwon Taekjoo's arms, his intense blue eyes locking onto him
without blinking. He seemed anxious at the serious and determined tone of Kwon Taekjoo's
words. For Zhenya, it was hard to accept what Kwon Taekjoo was saying when he still didn’t
understand why.

"Don’t tell me you’re actually worried about my wretched excuse for siblings. You’re being
too self-absorbed, Taekjoo. Even if you weren’t around, nothing between them and me would
have changed. What exactly are you saying you did to make things worse?"

“I won’t die,” Kwon Taekjoo suddenly declared to Zhenya, who still seemed reluctant to
easily accept his resolve. Despite the blush that had risen to his cheeks, Kwon remained
steadfast, continuing to reassure him.

“Just trust me, will you? I won’t recklessly throw myself into danger again. If you just wait
for me, I’ll come back to you, alright?” he insisted, demanding a response from Zhenya.

Zhenya gave him a reproachful look, clearly pained. It was as though he struggled to decide
how to react, too angry to agree, yet unable to unleash his fury on Kwon Taekjoo.

"I’m not saying we have to do this forever, so calm down, idiot. I’ll keep thinking about a
solution. Worst case, I’ll accept fewer missions."

"Fewer missions? As if you’d ever do that."

"Ugh, you bastard, you're so damn skeptical about everything. I always keep my promises, no
matter what."
Despite Kwon Taekjoo’s repeated efforts to placate him, Zhenya shook his head in defiance.
Kwon responded with a mischievous smile, trying to lighten the mood.

"What? You still think I’m not trustworthy?"

Zhenya’s hardened expression softened, and a smile spread across his lips, easing the tension
between them.

"I always knew you were a cynic, but this is going too far."

Kwon Taekjoo reached out, gently cupping Zhenya’s chin, and leaned in to give him a soft,
tender kiss on the lips. Their mouths met without force, in a calm, sweet kiss that brought a
pleasant warmth to their skin. Zhenya looked at him in confusion, as if surprised by the
unexpected turn of events.

"Consider it a down payment for now," Kwon Taekjoo joked with a grin.

In the next instant, Zhenya lunged at him. They rolled together, their limbs intertwining in a
heated rush. The glass in Kwon Taekjoo’s hand slipped, and the whiskey bottle and ashtray
on the table rattled with the force of their movements. The amber liquid splashed onto their
bodies, soaking the sheets and their skin, but neither of them seemed to care. All that
mattered was their overwhelming desire to touch and overpower each other. Their worries
and conflicts were completely forgotten in the intense heat of the moment.

Kwon Taekjoo drifted in and out of consciousness repeatedly. Throughout his heated
confrontation, his body fluctuated between dampness and brief moments of clarity, only to
become sticky again. Every time he opened his eyes, he could feel the heavy breathing and
desperate movements of a man starving for him. Each nerve in his body twisted under the
intense sensations overwhelming him. Rapid breaths, mixed with uncontrollable moans,
escaped his open mouth. He tried to maintain composure, but the overwhelming pleasure
pushed him beyond his limits, causing him to completely collapse. It felt like his brain would
boil over and melt into a puddle if he didn’t pass out soon.

It was impossible to know how much time had passed after all that. He couldn’t even tell if it
was day or night. For some reason, it felt like days had gone by, though it also seemed like
only a couple of hours. In the haze clouding his mind, Kwon Taekjoo occasionally caught
snippets of Zhenya’s voice. He seemed to be talking on the phone with someone.

“If you’re asking about Taekjoo, there’s no need to worry. He’s sleeping like a log. Mmh, I’ll
call you back later.”

Kwon Taekjoo could have misheard, but he would swear it was his mother’s voice on the
other end of the line. Zhenya quickly ended the call and tossed the phone aside. His silhouette
moved in the dim light, lingering at the edge of Kwon Taekjoo’s vision. With great effort,
Kwon Taekjoo forced his eyes open.

An incomprehensible sight greeted him as his vision cleared. Zhenya was firmly seated
between his legs, his hands covered in surgical latex gloves. His gaze was blatantly fixed on
the space between Kwon Taekjoo’s thighs.

“What are you doing?”

“Oh, you’re awake?”

Zhenya’s eyes met Kwon Taekjoo’s with the same casual tone as always. Kwon Taekjoo tried
to sit up, but he remained still. His arms were tied behind his back, and a leather belt was
cinched tightly around his waist. He squirmed in place, trying to process what was
happening, but even that was difficult as his limbs were completely immobilized. The leather
cuffs securing his wrists to the belt made any further movement impossible.

Kwon Taekjoo shot Zhenya a confused look.

“What the hell is all this?”

“You said you’d give me a birthday present. I thought long and hard about what I wanted,
something I’d never forget for the rest of my life,” Zhenya responded indifferently, spreading
Kwon Taekjoo’s legs even wider. He stroked the inside of Kwon Taekjoo’s thigh with his
thumb.

“You told me not to interfere with your work in any way. No phone tapping, no GPS tracking.
So, what else could I do?”

Suddenly, Zhenya tugged at the skin he had been caressing and looked up to meet Kwon
Taekjoo’s eyes.

“My only option is to leave my mark.”

“What the hell are you...?”

Stunned, Kwon Taekjoo struggled to look down at his thighs. His arms were tied behind him,
forcing his chest up and making it hard to see, but he could just make out something in
Zhenya’s hands. There was a faint, familiar mechanical buzzing sound. Was it a tattoo
machine?

Kwon Taekjoo looked up at Zhenya with a sharp, anxious glare. Zhenya simply smiled in
satisfaction and gave him a blunt reminder.

“Taekjoo, this is something only you can give me, and I want it too. Don’t you think it’s the
perfect birthday gift?”

“No. Absolutely not. If you tattoo me, it could cause problems later.”

“You’re still worried about work, even now?”

“It’s not just about work, you idiot. You want to put something permanent on my body without
my consent? Do you even know what I went through to get the last one removed?!”
“Yes... there wasn’t a trace left,” Zhenya snapped, lowering his gaze. His smiling lips thinned
into a tight line, just as they always did when something upset him.

He had no right to be angry about Kwon Taekjoo removing the previous tattoo without telling
him, especially since Zhenya had forced it on him in the first place. And yet, there he was,
clearly resentful.

“Stop playing around and untie me.”

“Who’s playing?”

Zhenya’s lips twisted into a grin as he firmly pinned Kwon Taekjoo’s legs with his knees.

“This won’t cause you any problems. In fact, it might even serve as a protective charm.”

“A protective charm? Stop with the nonsense, you bastard.”

“You said you wouldn’t die.”

“...What? Why are you bringing that up now?”

“If you want me to believe your fragile promise, don’t you think it’s only fair that I have a
symbol, something to reaffirm your vow to me?”

The idea of calling a simple tattoo a “symbol” or “charm” didn’t make much sense to Kwon
Taekjoo. Still, it was hard to outright reject Zhenya’s request when he claimed it was his
birthday wish, something only Kwon Taekjoo could give him. On the other hand, Zhenya had
promised not to interfere with Kwon Taekjoo’s missions anymore if he just got a tattoo. It
was an unspoken rule for NIS agents to avoid visible tattoos, but maybe something small
would be acceptable. Conflicting thoughts swirled in Kwon Taekjoo’s head.

After a long pause, he finally spoke.

“...Don’t complain about this later.”

“Ah, Taekjoo, as if I complain as much as you.”

“Don’t put it anywhere visible.”

As if it were ridiculous, Zhenya ignored his concern. Then, he lifted Kwon Taekjoo’s legs
and slowly, deliberately drew a line over the muscle on the inner part of his thigh, a spot
intimately close to his groin.

“Why would I put it somewhere visible? No one but me should ever be able to see it. Unless
you’re showing off, Taekjoo.”

“Showing off? Do you even have the right to say that?”

“Who has more right than me? I’m in the prime of my youth, dating a partner I can’t even get
pregnant. Doesn’t that make me the most loyal, the most faithful lover? I’ve never been this
patient in my life.”

Kwon Taekjoo was left speechless. Patient? Zhenya was anything but patient. Once he set his
mind to it, he’d always go at Kwon Taekjoo until he was practically dead. Yet, as far as Kwon
Taekjoo knew, Zhenya hadn’t looked at anyone else since being allowed into his life. For a
man used to switching sexual partners on a whim, Kwon Taekjoo had to admit that Zhenya
had been pretty faithful to him. Of course, he couldn’t know if Zhenya had been with
someone else while Kwon Taekjoo wasn’t watching, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that
Zhenya had never actually cheated on him, even if it was just blind trust.

As Kwon Taekjoo cursed himself for being so lenient, he added another strict condition. “The
tattoo can’t be anything that reveals my identity.”

“I know.”

“And it can’t be too big, either.”

“Sure,” Zhenya replied without much enthusiasm, quickly getting to work on the
preparations.

Ignoring Kwon Taekjoo’s growing excitement, he rubbed disinfectant over his skin with a
swab. The cold sensation made Kwon Taekjoo’s body tense up. The leather cuffs around his
wrists rattled with the slightest movement.

“Hey. If you’re going to do this, at least untie me.”

“It’s better if you stay tied up. If you move even a little, my hand might slip. Then I’d have to
tattoo something much bigger to cover the mistake.”

Zhenya shot him a warning glance, silently asking if that’s what he wanted. It was an absurd
threat, but Kwon Taekjoo had no reason to refuse.

Kwon Taekjoo stiffly lifted his head and glanced down at his lap. All he could see was
Zhenya’s face, unusually focused for once, and his hand holding the tattoo machine.

“Anyway, what are you tattooing on me?”

“Who knows? Just lie down and wait.”

Zhenya tugged Kwon Taekjoo’s legs, laying him flat on the bed. He stretched the skin with
his fingers. Kwon Taekjoo stared helplessly at the ceiling, bracing himself for the impending
pain.

Moments later, a sharp sting spread across his thigh. His cock twitched in response to the
sharp, searing pain. He gritted his teeth, trying to endure it, but despite his efforts, a few soft
whimpers escaped him.

“Uugh... aah... damn, this burns.”

“There’s no way you’re already moaning.”

“Agh, stop talking and just finish already! Uugh...”

“Hurrying me won’t do you any good, Zainka. You should learn to be more patient,” Zhenya
teased, his voice filled with satisfaction. What a pervert, taking pleasure in causing someone
else pain.

Kwon Taekjoo squeezed his eyes shut. He’d endured torture before during his missions,
returning with countless wounds, both large and small. Compared to that, getting a tattoo
should have been nothing more than a tickle. But maybe because of the current
circumstances, or because Zhenya was stimulating a part of him that wasn’t trained to handle
pain, his body kept flinching on its own.

Every now and then, Zhenya would look up to observe his reactions as he meticulously drew
the tattoo. Then, he let out a small laugh. Kwon Taekjoo’s eyes shot open at the sound. He
hadn’t misheard Zhenya because he could clearly see his shoulders shaking with laughter.

“What? Why the hell are you laughing like that? You bastard, did you tattoo something weird
on me?”

A wave of panic surged through Kwon Taekjoo, and he shot up, but with his arms restrained,
he could only lift his chest halfway. He tightened his torso to keep himself upright and looked
down at his groin. Through his blurry, shaky vision, he caught a glimpse of the tattoo Zhenya
had engraved on him.

This time, it wasn’t an image but text. Since it was handwritten in Russian and Kwon
Taekjoo’s view was limited, it was hard for him to make out the word exactly.

And if that wasn't enough, a sharp pain in his crotch prevented him from concentrating, his
cock was erect and twitching from the persistent poking and prodding.

Zhenya looked at his erection and smiled in pleasure.

"Taekjoo, don’t you think you enjoy pain a little too much?"

"Enjoy pain? I’m just overly sensitive to the slightest touch thanks to someone who pushed
me to my limit."

“Mmh? How naughty of you.”

“Yeah, whatever, you have no right to say that, bastard.”

“Why are you so angry? It’s much better for you now that you're sensitive to my touch.”

Suddenly, Zhenya stroked his erection, causing a throbbing pain to ignite at the point of
contact and spread through his crotch. A drop of pre-seminal fluid pooled on his glans before
dripping onto his stomach.

"Oww... damn bastard..."

"There you go insulting me again. Admit it, deep down you’re craving it."
"Aaah, just stop talking and let’s finish this already."

"Hold on a little longer. I’m almost done."

After calming Kwon Taekjoo, Zhenya’s hand returned to his task. He focused all his
concentration and effort on meticulously engraving each letter onto Kwon Taekjoo’s skin.
Watching Zhenya’s intense dedication, his face transformed into a mask of focus, stirred an
unusual sensitivity within Kwon Taekjoo. He was certain Zhenya had never concentrated so
hard on anything, not even his duties as an official. To Zhenya, everything in the world was
boring and tiresome. But whenever it came to anything related to Kwon Taekjoo, he gave it
his all. Should Kwon Taekjoo feel happy about that?

“Isn’t it fascinating?”

“Mnn... what is?”

“I’m giving you another tattoo, just like before. But instead of resisting or begging me to kill
you, you’re voluntarily and obediently opening your legs for me.”

“Ha. Voluntary and obedient? Where are you getting that from?”

“Isn’t that how it is? That’s how it seems to me.”

What kind of ridiculous logic was he going to present now? Kwon Taekjoo shot Zhenya a
disapproving look. Zhenya glanced up after stroking his warm skin, meeting Kwon Taekjoo’s
gaze. His blue eyes were in a trance, filled with euphoria.

“If I untie you, will you try to stop me again?”

Zhenya’s voice was laced with amusement, but it didn’t feel like he was mocking Kwon
Taekjoo. It was more like he was completely enchanted by him. Kwon Taekjoo’s vision
blurred at Zhenya’s ecstatic smile, even though he saw Zhenya’s face nearly every day. He
didn’t even dare respond to his smug comment.

Zhenya flashed another smug grin, as if the situation proved his point, and finally declared,
"It’s done." The unbearable mechanical hum of the tattoo machine stopped entirely, though
the pain Kwon Taekjoo felt lingered. The tender skin where the new tattoo lay still burned
and throbbed.

“Uugh... what a strange fetish you have. Now untie my arms too.”

“We’ll see.”

“What the hell are you planning to do now?”

Kwon Taekjoo grew uneasy, his body on high alert. Letting Zhenya get away with one thing
would only lead to him demanding countless more. Kwon Taekjoo wondered if he’d been
spoiling him too much lately.

“No.”
Kwon Taekjoo’s rejection was instant and firm, even though he had no idea what Zhenya
might ask for.

“No?” Zhenya repeated with a smug smile. Slowly, he leaned forward over the bed, hands on
either side, his gaze drifting over Kwon Taekjoo’s body until it finally settled on his face.

The reddened glans of Kwon Taekjoo's quivering cock rubbed against Zhenya's abs. Zhenya
smiled wickedly as his gaze finally settled on his crotch. His eyes wandered deliberately over
every inch of Kwon Taekjoo's body. Perhaps it was due to the growing arousal spreading
through his body, but Kwon Taekjoo's already bulky chest was rising and falling with rapid
breaths.

“Someone once told me that the time, place and circumstances of a shared memory could
make someone feel fond of you.”

Suddenly, Zhenya repeated the words Kwon Taekjoo had once said to him a long time ago,
while smiling contentedly. He was the incarnation of a demon wearing the face of an angel.
Kwon Taekjoo watched him anxiously as Zhenya ducked his head and slowly stretched out
his tongue, the sharp tip coming menacingly close to his swollen nipple. Kwon Taekjoo's fists
clenched against his will as he bit his lower lip.

It looked like Zhenya was going to engulf his nipple at any moment, but instead he pressed
his lips against the curve of his chest. The slight brush of his lips was enough to make Kwon
Taekjoo's nipple twitch.

Zhenya let out a provocative chuckle and began placing wet, smacking kisses around Kwon
Taekjoo's nipple, his tongue running along the opposite side of his chest. Each gentle caress
left Kwon Taekjoo's nipple throbbing impatiently.

Once again, however, Zhenya's lips toyed around the untouched area where Kwon Taekjoo
desired, turning Kwon Taekjoo's anxiety into frustration.

“Shit, let go of me.”

Zhenya interrupted his attentions to reply with absolute nonsense. “I heard there's a Korean
saying 'if you give someone a disease, then you should give them medicine'.” He raised his
head to meet Kwon Taekjoo's glare.

“I branded pain into your skin with fire, so why don't I give you some sweet pleasure as
well?” he whispered to him in a mocking tone, opening his mouth wide.

For some reason, the inside of his mouth looked redder and slicker than usual. Kwon Taekjoo
couldn't help but swallow hard, as his throat trembled. Just before Zhenya's mouth landed on
Kwon Taekjoo's expectant nipple, another kind of feeling engulfed his crotch. Zhenya's hand
had encircled his cock, causing Kwon Taekjoo's abdomen to convulse on the spot.

Zhenya lowered his gaze and laughed, then took Kwon Taekjoo's nipple into his mouth
without hesitation, sucking it eagerly. At the same time, his hand began to slowly stroke
Kwon Taekjoo's erection. The combined sensations overwhelmed Taekjoo, causing him to
throw his head back, his body jerking in response to the intense attack from above and below.

“Aaah, nngh... Aahhh...”

“Ngh, Taekjoo...”

Zhenya let out a moan next to Kwon Taekjoo, as he savored his flesh. Slowly he began to rub
his thick, stiff cock against Kwon Taekjoo's thigh, which was already sensitive from the
recent tattoo. Kwon Taekjoo struggled to maintain his concentration, torn between the
continuous, unmistakable pleasure and the sharp, nagging pain.

“Aaah, nngh, mmn.... Taekjoo...”

“Mmnh, mmnn, uugh...”

Zhenya began to thrust against Kwon Taekjoo harder and harder, his mouth pulling and
nibbling Kwon Taekjoo's nipple with increasing intensity. The mattress supporting their
bodies bounced with Zhenya's movements, and the bed frame creaked in unison. Kwon
Taekjoo's head was spinning from the incessant shaking.

Immersed in their shared arousal, they pressed against one another before fully intertwining
again. They clung to each other desperately, trying to feel every bit of their hot temperature,
their intermingled scents, and their ragged breathing.

“Mmnn, uughh.... Yevgeny, aaahh Yevgeny...mnnn aah Zhenya!”.

Zhenya stopped his relentless movements as Kwon Taekjoo moaned over and over for his
name; his mouth opened, releasing Kwon Taekjoo's breast. He stared intently at Kwon
Taekjoo. The head of his cock stopped rubbing eagerly against Kwon Taekjoo's inner thigh
and twitched, as if it too was confused.

Kwon Taekjoo, bleary-eyed and dazed, rested his gaze on Zhenya. Looking completely
exhausted, he begged in quick gasps.

“Let go of my arms.”

The rough and hoarse tone of Kwon Taekjoo's voice, his calm eyes now devoid of anger, the
soft and almost pleading tone of his request, seduced Zhenya. Possessed, Zhenya looked at
Kwon Taekjoo and obediently removed the handcuffs.

With his hands now free, Kwon Taekjoo’s fingers went straight for Zhenya’s face. It wouldn’t
have been surprising if Zhenya had flinched, but he only stared unblinkingly at Kwon
Taekjoo, who pulled him in for a desperate, eager kiss.

One of their lips must have cracked because the faint taste of blood mixed with the sweetness
of their saliva. But it only heightened their greed. They hungrily inhaled each other’s breath,
as if trying to completely consume it, their tongues and lips intertwining with frantic passion.
As they continued kissing, with an intensity enough to numb their lips, Zhenya guided his
cock into Kwon Taekjoo's hole. As soon as his erect cock came in contact with the moistened
opening, it was eagerly sucked in. The next moment, Kwon Taekjoo's whole body was jolted.

“Aaahh, mmngg... Aaah...”

A high-pitched, restrained moan escaped Kwon Taekjoo's tight lips. He had reached orgasm
the instant Zhenya thrust inside him. Zhenya smirked as Kwon Taekjoo's sticky cum coated
his hand. Kwon Taekjoo's inner walls tightened around Zhenya's cock, slowly pulling it
deeper inside, as if he was reveling in the sensation. Zhenya's abdominal muscles contracted
in response to the intense pleasure, and his mind began to spin.

“Nghh, Taekjoo, Taekjoo....”.

Zhenya hid his face in the back of Kwon Taekjoo's neck as he exhaled a deep sigh. An
inexplicable ecstasy came over Kwon Taekjoo as he felt the tingling of Zhenya's warm
breath. Zhenya's sharp nose brushed against his neck and ear, savoring the aftertaste of the
pleasurable sensation, before pulling away.

Next, he began to fuck him slowly, basking in the sensuality of Kwon Taekjoo's body. Kwon
Taekjoo reciprocated with tender kisses on Zhenya's forehead and hair, accepting Zhenya's
torrent of unbridled passion feebly, as the air filled with their ragged breaths.

After showering, Kwon Taekjoo grabbed his own clothes from Zhenya’s wardrobe and
started putting them on. He had stocked up on spare clothes at Zhenya’s place, knowing that
his rarely survived a night with him. It wasn’t just clothes he had brought over. The fridge
was full of dishes his mother had prepared for Zhenya, and the bathroom was equipped with
his toothbrush and razor. Several household items, from kitchen utensils to slippers, were
perfectly paired in twos. By now, it was fair to say they practically lived together.

Kwon Taekjoo was about to leave when he glanced at the bed where Zhenya slept peacefully,
for once. After being awake for nearly a day and a half, it wasn’t surprising that even a
monster like Zhenya was exhausted. Kwon Taekjoo was sure that if he kept up Zhenya’s
relentless pace, he wouldn’t last much longer. If he hadn’t passed out multiple times during
their intense sexual encounter last night, he might have ended up in the hospital.

Lost in thoughts as absurd as they were oddly believable, Kwon Taekjoo approached the bed
and sat silently at its edge. Zhenya turned toward him, wrapping an arm around his waist.

“Huh? You’re not asleep?”

“I woke up to your sounds. And your scent.”

Zhenya smiled with his eyes still closed, rubbing his forehead against Kwon Taekjoo’s side
like a puppy. Kwon Taekjoo found the gesture endearing and affectionate, gently stroking
Zhenya’s warm ears.

Zhenya let out a soft moan, submitting obediently to Kwon Taekjoo’s caresses, and then
asked in a rough voice, “Taekjoo, did they call you in for work again?”
“Not yet. I woke up by chance. Maybe because I had nightmares.”

Kwon Taekjoo looked at the well-behaved Zhenya and ran his fingers over his furrowed
brow. Feeling his touch, Zhenya’s face relaxed, his massive body softened, and his breathing
grew deeper and more content. Zhenya kept his eyes closed as if afraid to ruin the sweet and
tender moment, holding Kwon Taekjoo even tighter.

“That boy showed up in my dreams again last night. The one with light blond hair and blue
eyes.”

“Didn’t you say you had nightmares?”

Zhenya chuckled softly. He seemed to know exactly who the boy intruding on Kwon
Taekjoo’s dreams was, even with such a brief description.

“They say that when a child appears in your dreams, it’s often a sign of impending
misfortune or trouble.”

“I didn’t know you believed in superstitions.”

“It stuck with me because my mother used to warn me about it all the time. Anyway, tell that
kid to stop haunting my dreams. That face always stirs up my emotions.”

“They say dreams are a mirror of your subconscious. You’re the one who can’t let go of that
boy. What could I possibly do to stop it?” Suddenly, Zhenya’s eyes opened, and he
murmured, “Taekjoo…”

The same blue eyes from his dream appeared, curved into a smile. “I must be a very loving
partner,” he remarked cheekily. Kwon Taekjoo gave up on arguing with Zhenya and covered
his eyes with his hand.

“Go back to sleep.”

Kwon Taekjoo tried to stand and pull away from Zhenya, but the arms wrapped around his
waist refused to loosen, pulling him closer. In the blink of an eye, Kwon Taekjoo was
dragged back to the center of the bed.

“You said they didn’t call you in for work. Where are you going?”

“I have to go home now. If I stay away too long, my mother will start to worry.”

“You can go back with me later.”

“Don’t you think it would be weird for her son to come back after two days looking exhausted
and smelling exactly like his boss? Even my mom would get suspicious.”

“That little woman seemed quite oblivious to those kinds of things.”

“Oblivious? It’s more like she can’t even imagine it.”

“Oh.”

“Anyway, be careful. The day my mom finds out about us, she’s going to disown me.” Kwon
Taekjoo sternly warned Zhenya, who still didn’t seem entirely convinced.

“Mmh, I don’t know. She seems to like me a lot more than you think.”

“Yeah, let’s see how much she likes you when she finds out you’re fucking her son.”

“No matter how you look at it, isn’t it beneficial for you? That little woman wants you to have
a stable life, Taekjoo. And I’m the only one in the world who can offer you the stability and
security you need,” Zhenya replied with a confidence that left no room for doubt. Kwon
Taekjoo knew Zhenya wasn’t harboring romantic illusions; it was true, there was no more
powerful ally than Zhenya himself.

Kwon Taekjoo let out a small chuckle and ruffled Zhenya’s delicate hair.

“Is that why you tattooed that crap on me? And here I was wondering what you were
drawing so carefully.”

“Did you see it?”

“Wouldn’t you have done the same?”

Zhenya lifted his head, nuzzling against Kwon Taekjoo’s hand that stroked his hair. He kissed
the back of Kwon Taekjoo’s hand softly.

“But it’s true. You’re my life, my weakness, and my greatest weapon, which makes me the
most powerful man in the world.”

Zhenya repeated his usual absurd phrase, one he always reminded Kwon Taekjoo of just
when he was about to forget it. He was the owner of ‘Anastasia’… the fact that such an
imposing person, someone no one would dare challenge, was now behaving like Kwon
Taekjoo’s most loyal dog was both endearing and strangely unsettling.

Kwon Taekjoo shifted his body and gently placed his hand on the pillow beneath Zhenya.
When the pillow sank under Kwon Taekjoo’s weight, Zhenya turned his face toward him.
Kwon Taekjoo cupped his chin in his hands and gave him a delicate kiss on the lips. Soft,
warm breaths mingled between their joined lips. Slowly, Kwon Taekjoo pulled away, leaving
Zhenya with a content smile on his face.

“Taekjoo, you’re being unusually affectionate again.”

“I could say the same about you.”

“Is there something you want from me?”

“Besides hoping you’ll stay still? Not really.”

“All your attempts to hold me back only make me more curious. What are you plotting now?”
Kwon Taekjoo gazed carefully into Zhenya’s pale eyes. Did he really not know what his
family or Russia had planned? It wasn’t surprising if he didn’t. From what Kwon Taekjoo had
observed of him and what Olga had told him, Zhenya was treated as an outcast by his own
family.

But Kwon Taekjoo couldn’t bear the thought of Zhenya isolating himself even further
because of him. He simply didn’t want that to happen.

“Anyway, your hyung will leave first.”

Kwon Taekjoo ruffled Zhenya’s hair one last time before getting out of bed. As he headed for
the door, he gave Zhenya his usual warning.

“Ah, don’t skip meals. Make sure you eat properly.”

Zhenya rested his head on his arm and nodded, replying, “I will.”

Kwon Taekjoo stopped in his tracks, throwing him a sarcastic look.

“Don’t think that’ll work on me.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Your pretty face. It won’t work on me, so don’t try to charm me with it. I’ve had enough.”

Shaking his head, Kwon Taekjoo finally left the room. Zhenya let out a disbelieving laugh
behind him.

A few moments later, the front door closed with a soft click. The faint sounds of Kwon
Taekjoo disappeared, leaving the house in deep silence. The previously warm and lively
atmosphere now seemed quiet and somber.

Zhenya’s expression went blank. He smoothed out his tousled hair and tilted his head.

“Hyung?”

Remembering the Korean word Kwon Taekjoo sometimes used, he grabbed his phone. After
checking its meaning with an online translator, he smiled, satisfied. A gleam of amusement
danced in his blue eyes.

As soon as Kwon Taekjoo walked through the front door of his apartment, he heard bits of
someone’s voice coming from inside. His mother seemed to be on the phone with someone.

Feeling the need for water, he headed to the kitchen and poured himself a glass from the tap.
While drinking it, his mother peeked in. Instead of greeting her, he acknowledged her with a
small nod. She gave him a brief disapproving glance before returning to her room.

As he gulped down the water, fragments of her conversation floated into the kitchen. She was
talking to his aunt in Canada.
Kwon Taekjoo sat at the dining table, waiting for his mother. She soon noticed. Wrapping up
the call, she told the other person they would continue the conversation later and then joined
him at the table, sitting across from him.

“You’re late.”

“I had to stop by a few places on my way back.”

"You look completely exhausted from working all night. Didn't you say that most of the
heavy work was already done?"

“Yes, but Russia has been restless lately, so they’ve increased my workload. There’s not
much I can do when the higher-ups tell me to go; I go.”

Kwon Taekjoo had told his mother he’d be working extra hours late into the night. He’d
gotten too used to lying to her like this. After telling himself for years that it was for her own
good, the guilt barely lingered anymore.

“The ambassador must be tired too, after such a long trip.”

“Bah, it seemed like he was having the time of his life.”

“Huh? Taekjoo, you’re speaking so rudely about the ambassador again...” His mother gasped,
horrified.

She was ready to start lecturing him when Kwon Taekjoo slid something across the table. Her
eyes widened in surprise.

“What is this?”

“A plane ticket. I left the return flight open so you can change it whenever you want.”

“I’m not asking why you gave me this all of a sudden.”

“Instead of worrying on the phone every day, go visit my aunt.”

“What?”

“You told me she’s undergoing major surgery. I’m sure the operation will go smoothly, but
considering her age, the recovery will be tougher than the surgery itself. She’s done a lot for
us over the years. You should go support her in person. It’ll also put your mind at ease.”

Kwon Taekjoo had prepared this small gift, seeing how worried his mother was about her
sister. She wasn’t tied down by work or household chores, so he hoped she wouldn’t hesitate
to go. In reality, he was encouraging her to leave because he knew she was staying only for
him. More precisely, she always felt an urgent need to keep an eye on the house in case any
family member came home.

As expected, she didn’t accept the offer easily, despite probably having considered it for
some time.
“But…”

“You don’t need to worry about the ambassador’s birthday. He doesn’t seem to care much,
and I’ll make sure to prepare something nice.”

“Even aside from that, what about you, Taekjoo?”

“What about me? Am I a seven-year-old?”

“I’m not treating you like a child. You’ll have to handle household chores, your work, and all
those extra hours… how will you even find time to eat properly? I’m worried you’ll get sick
from eating instant ramen every day and staying up too late playing video games.”

“Ah... that’s not something you need to worry about. Besides my healthy body and soul, I’m
practically a zombie.”

“You didn’t have to put it like that... Are you sure you’ll be okay without me?”

“Of course. Have you forgotten how old I am? People will start talking if they see you
treating me like an abandoned child.” Kwon Taekjoo chuckled lightly, joking.

But his mother continued to look at him with concerned eyes. Carefully, Kwon Taekjoo
placed the plane ticket into her hesitant hands.

“Whatever you’re worried about isn’t going to happen. Let’s just try to live a normal life like
everyone else. We’ll each do our part and support each other without worrying so much.
Agreed?”

Kwon Taekjoo’s mother had made great efforts to control her anxiety and overprotective
instincts. She regularly attended therapy and even went to the hospital for treatment when
needed. The only reason she was as calm as she was now was thanks to Zhenya. Because of
him, Kwon Taekjoo had managed to avoid danger and return home safely on many occasions.
Zhenya had also stayed by her side and filled in for his absence when he wasn’t around.

Kwon Taekjoo took her hand in his and gently squeezed it, trying to reassure her.

“Mom, instead of being just someone’s daughter, someone’s wife, or someone’s mother... you
need to find a name for yourself. Do the things you want to do, meet the people you’ve been
putting off seeing.”

Kwon Taekjoo had always wanted her to have a life for herself, not just for him. He wanted
her to prioritize her own desires.

He wondered if he had managed to express his sincerity. Finally, his mother relaxed her
shoulders and let out a small laugh. She even tightened her grip on the plane ticket in her
hands.

“You’re sure I can leave and that I can trust you, right?”

“Of course. Who else would you trust but me?”

Kwon Taekjoo gave her a confident smile. She returned it with a contented smile of her own
and began looking over the ticket. Like an excited child, she started mumbling to herself
about where she had put her passport, whether it had expired, and whether she was ready for
her first trip abroad. Kwon Taekjoo watched her, pleased.

However, the moment of peace was interrupted by a loud buzzing from his pocket. He
checked the caller ID. As usual, his instincts had been right.

It was another call from NIS headquarters.

As soon as Kwon Taekjoo arrived at headquarters, he headed straight for the director’s office.
Even after letting Kwon Taekjoo in, Director Kwak’s eyes remained fixed on the screen in
front of him, his expression severe.

“Sir.”

“Ah, you’re here.”

He looked up upon hearing Kwon Taekjoo’s voice, and his tense expression softened.

“Did you get some rest?”

“Yes.”

Director Kwak nodded and immediately launched into the matter at hand—an unusual
occurrence that indicated the gravity of the situation.

“The mission has been authorized.”

“When should I leave?”

“Before that, there’s something you should know.”

“What is it?”

“We’ll be coordinating with the United States and Japan for this operation in Vladivostok.”

Upon hearing this unexpected news, Kwon Taekjoo immediately asked, “Coordination? Does
that mean it won’t be a solo mission?”

“Considering how difficult it was to gather the information, it’s in our best interest to confirm
its validity and handle things quietly on our end. And this way, it’s much cleaner. If it turns
out to be a false lead, we avoid criticism for raising an unnecessary alarm.”

Director Kwak continued explaining in a tone that indicated he fully understood Kwon
Taekjoo’s concerns.

“But here’s the thing... the goal of this mission isn’t just to track North Korea’s movements.
Secret talks between North Korea and Russia could pose a threat to global peace. If that’s the
case, we’ll be forced to share whatever we find. It’s better to involve allied nations now and
receive their support than to be accused later of withholding critical information. Especially
considering the location—Vladivostok.”

It wasn’t that Kwon Taekjoo didn’t understand what he was saying. Vladivostok was a
hotspot for international diplomacy. Ideologically, it was a battlefield between democracy and
socialism, and geographically, it served as a link between Europe and Asia. Additionally, it
was a hub of high activity for diplomats and agents from various countries. This meant that
any espionage operation in that location could easily be discovered by either side. Instead of
risking unforeseen interference, the smartest course of action was to cooperate with other
allied nations.

However, Kwon Taekjoo preferred working alone—that was the problem. Although Zhenya
often helped him, Kwon Taekjoo liked to analyze and resolve situations his way, even if that
meant bending the rules. It was because he trusted his instincts more than any pre-planned
strategy. It was already irritating enough to be forced to team up with another NIS agent or a
specialist from time to time, but now he had to collaborate with foreign intelligence agencies.
He didn’t like it at all.

“Sir, to be honest, it might look like ‘cooperation’ on the surface, but it’ll quickly turn into an
‘every man for himself’ situation, with everyone protecting their own national interests.”

“I’m aware of that. We’re bound to face irregularities and inconveniences. But what choice
do we have? The fate of the country is at stake. We can’t afford to act on personal whims.”

“Aah...”

“However, I’ll promise you this: you won’t have to interact directly with the foreign agents.
We’ve reached an agreement to keep them on standby, only stepping in if you fail. In the
meantime, we can make use of their information. We still don’t know what North Korea
plans to bring to the table in Vladivostok or what tactics they’ll use. Plus, you’re only one
person. Think of it as having more clones of yourself out there. Besides, doesn’t the idea of
giving orders to agents from other countries sound a little fun?”

“How could I even trust them in the first place? The moment things get tough, they’ll only
look out for themselves. I guarantee they’ll intervene in whatever way they see fit and end up
causing problems. It’s happened to me too many times.”

“You know, they asked the same question... how was it possible to trust everything to you?”

A sly smile appeared on Director Kwak’s lips. Just as Kwon Taekjoo didn’t trust them, it
seemed they had their own doubts about him. Of course, it was amusing coming from them,
considering they were likely aiming for a higher position after stealing information from
others. Frustration welled up inside Kwon Taekjoo, but he kept it in check, clenching his
fists.

“We’ll be handling this mission from start to finish, so don’t worry too much. The NIS will
fully support your autonomy. But there are a lot of people counting on this operation, so
failure is not an option. Understood?”
“...Yes, sir,” Kwon Taekjoo replied reluctantly.

Kwon Taekjoo’s hesitation was evident, but orders were orders. He was blunt, stubborn, and
sometimes bent the rules, but he never crossed the line. His sharp survival instincts, honed by
the unfortunate circumstances of his family life, also increased his chances of completing the
mission successfully. That’s why Kwon Taekjoo had become one of the top agents in the NIS
over the past ten years.

Director Kwak turned his tablet toward Kwon Taekjoo, who still seemed wary.

“Let me give you the details of the operation. A few days ago, Kim Gil-ha, a member of
North Korea’s General Staff Department, visited the North Korean consulate in Vladivostok.
Kim Gil-ha is the secretary of Sim Young-il, the head of operations. It’s likely that he went
ahead of Sim Young-il to inspect the area before their upcoming secret conference with the
Russians. We’ve also had reports of other strange activity. For one, the Vladivostok Hotel,
owned by the Bogdanov family, has stopped accepting reservations for two weeks. The hotel
usually hosts government events or banquets, not ordinary guests, but since yesterday,
they’ve completely restricted access to visitors and cut off any communication with the
outside world. Additionally, we’ve learned that some areas of Russky Island in Vladivostok
have been restricted. Apparently, it’s for underground water system maintenance and road
repairs, but the timing couldn’t be more convenient, don’t you think?”

“If it’s Russky Island, then...”

“Exactly. That’s where the Far Eastern Federal University is located. They held a North
Korea-Russia summit there a few years ago.”

“Would they really meet in a place that’s already been in the spotlight?”

“That might be exactly what they’re going for. If high-ranking officials from both countries
meet in total secrecy, it’ll only lead to more speculation about their intentions. But if they
claim it’s for technological cooperation, what better cover than a university? We need to keep
all possibilities open. That’s why we’re coordinating with foreign intelligence agencies.
There are three possible meeting points for the North Korea-Russia talks... Russky Island’s
university, the Vladivostok Hotel where the North Korean delegation is staying, and Khasan
train station.”

“Khasan?”

“Traveling by plane isn’t the only way to get from North Korea to Russia, you know.”

Khasan was a small town in Russia’s port province, located at the intersection of Russia,
North Korea, and China. With a population of just over three thousand, it had gained
notoriety after a North Korean leader transferred trains there during a visit to Russia. Russian
railways were built with a track gauge of 1520 mm, while North Korea used the standard
1435 mm, meaning passengers had to change trains at Khasan station if they wanted to
continue their journey by train. The same went for cargo transport. The constant flow of
freight trains passing through the town was evidence of the enduring alliance between North
Korea and Russia.
“A field agent reported some suspicious activity in the area. Despite being a military zone,
there’s an unusually high number of units stationed there. The surveillance is also tighter than
usual.”

The three potential locations for the North Korea-Russia conference were all suspicious.
Kwon Taekjoo knew that not even he could cover Khasan, Vladivostok, and Russky Island
on his own. It was also highly likely that the support he could receive from the NIS would be
limited. He had no choice but to admit that cooperation with foreign intelligence was
essential.

In a dejected tone, Kwon Taekjoo asked, “So, should I head to Khasan first?”

“No. There’s already an American agent there, working as a train engineer. He’ll alert us if
anything suspicious happens. Our job is to wait at the airport in case the North Korean
delegation decides to travel by plane. We’ll also monitor the Vladivostok Hotel, where the
delegation will be staying, around the clock.”

“And the Far Eastern Federal University?”

“Japan will take responsibility for that location. Our goal is to track all the delegation’s
movements and be prepared to meet the others if they head to the university or any other
potential meeting sites.”

“Hmmm... One wrong move, and all our efforts will go down the drain.”

“I trust you won’t let that happen. We’re heading straight into enemy territory, so be
prepared.”

“Understood.”

“If you fail, we’ll have no choice but to resort to Plan B. It would be disheartening to see all
our hard work fall into someone else’s hands,” Director Kwak added with a bitter laugh.

At first glance, his words seemed straightforward. As if sharing the high-level information
the NIS had to disclose to other countries wasn’t enough, they would also end up sharing all
their successes and failures. But to Kwon Taekjoo, it sounded more like a veiled warning not
to let his relationship with Zhenya ruin the operation. The fact that he was assigned to the
hotel owned by the Bogdanov family was probably a kind of test to gauge his loyalty.

Considering past events, Kwon Taekjoo wasn’t at all surprised they suspected him. He had
already decided that this time he would keep business and his personal life completely
separate. Silently, he clenched his fist.

“I’ll be expecting your results.”

“Thank you. I’ll head out now.”

Kwon Taekjoo picked up the passport they had provided him and quietly left the office. As
soon as the door closed, a heavy sigh escaped his lips. His mind was swirling with various
thoughts.
 He couldn’t let his personal feelings interfere with such a critical operation. If he faltered for
even a moment, many people would be hurt.

Was Zhenya really not involved in any of this? If, during the mission, Kwon Taekjoo
encountered one of Zhenya’s relatives, he would have to draw his weapon. If Kwon Taekjoo
pulled the trigger and harmed one of his family members, would Zhenya really not care?
What if Zhenya himself showed up? What if he had been lying about not knowing anything?
And if... As Kwon Taekjoo considered more and more possibilities, his mind became flooded
with conflicting thoughts.

He shook his head, pushing aside the endless thoughts crowding his mind, inhaling and
exhaling slowly to calm his tormented feelings. His expression hardened with determination
as he looked up again. If he hesitated, and tightening his lips into a thin line, he strode down
the hallway, his shadow flickering under the lights.

At this moment, he could only trust in Zhenya and his own resolve.

END OF VOLUME 6

Chapter End Notes

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