Gyeol, who came out of Pyeonjeon, took a heavy step. He got appointed to a new job and he confronted his past. But still, a corner of his chest felt stuffy as if it was suffocating.

‘Who… Do I dare count on this time?’

His eyes of determination deepened even more. As a crown prince, Lee Seon followed and respected his father. He knew because of the precious gifts he had sent despite many rejections. He must have done the best he could in the midst of the chaos before. But tragedy did eventually happen, and it completely changed his life. So, how can he forget everything in one day? The misery, the tragedy.

“...”

Gyeol slowly closed his eyes and emptied his thoughts as his chest tightened again. All he could do now was to be patient, have patience and persevere.

‘It’s not time yet.’

Gyeol, who had taken a step and stopped for a while, took forward again. Right now, he just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible, and walk far away. 

Suddenly, he saw a group of people from afar. It seemed that the crowd of people in official uniforms were also startled, noticing his approaching presence. It was dark all around, the only light came from the torch and the cold moonlight. Even their blurry outlines became clear as if they were drawn. Making a fist full of determination, his low breathing became rough, as if the blood all over his body was flowing backwards. Step by step, the closer they got to each other, the tighter the cold air became. Gyeol would rather pretend not to see them and pass them by. However, it was none other than Yeonguijeong and Nam Junbaek who had no intention of leaving without even saying goodbye.

“It’s been a long time,” said an eerie voice, as if scratching iron. “You’re so grown up I almost couldn’t recognize you.” His thin lips curled up in a twist. “Still, your eyes are the same as when you were young.”

“...”

“You look just like your father.”

Gyeol turned around, exhaling a low breath, and stared at Nam Junbaek’s face. A face that he had never forgotten for a single day during those long years. Seeing that viper-like face felt like he was going to get nausea right away.

“The Chief is still here,” Gyeol exclaimed, his expression not revealing any emotion on the surface. He looked at Nam Junbaek and the crowd with an indifferent face. “It’s so reassuring.”

He cannot make a single mistake in front of them.

“It is said that a sudden change in a person causes a transformation.”

“What?” Nam Junbaek asked.

“It puts my heart at ease that you are so consistent.”

So they couldn’t prey on his wrath but instead mortify themselves with unseen fear, Gyeol, like a porcelain doll without emotions, even uttered in a monotonous tone, “Please enjoy the heavenly weather.”

Gyeol did not blink an eye. His face, with no change in expression, was like a painting by a skilled craftsman, making his viewers marvel and have goosebumps at the same time. Junbaek was the only one whose face looked like that of a cursed person. Gyeol who had been facing his displeasure, turned his gaze to the side. Chanseong Jwa and Han Jeong-hoe, who had been making strange expressions of unknown meaning, turned their heads away when their eyes met. Gyeol’s stomach twisted, more emotions than before becoming complicatedly entangled within him.

“...Then,” after looking at them for a while, Gyeol bowed his head and passed them. It was not the time yet. So, he had no choice but to lower his head and hold his breath.

...Until he can bite off the enemy’s neck in one breath.