Jihoon soon discovered that being under Mr. Jang meant his lessons would be very different from anything he'd known.
For the first few weeks, the child was taught about the human body, organs, tissues, systems. He absorbed every lesson quickly, earning occasional nods of approval from the older man.
But eventually, the lessons changed.
Mr. Jang twirled a small knife between his fingers. "Do you know what this is?"
Jihoon nodded quietly.
"And do you know what it does?"
"It… hurts people. It kills—"
"No." Mr. Jang cut him off, a strange gleam entering his eyes. "It's a weapon that gives power."
He placed the knife in Jihoon's hand, curling the smaller fingers around the handle. "It makes you stronger. Untouchable."
Jihoon stared at it, feeling its weight. "Untouchable? So… no one will hurt me again?"
"Yes," the older man replied smoothly. "It will keep you safe."
