I searched for you everywhere—every hour, every corner. When I finally found you like this, I couldn't help but laugh. I had planned to take everything from you: your name, your face, your identity. But I heard you gave up your own identity willingly. Why would you do that, Master Jin-wo?
A boy stood there, his face wrapped in black cloth, gloved hands at his sides, a long black coat swallowing the light. In front of him lay a man on the ground, unconscious—someone had knocked him out. The boy spoke to a guard, voice low. "Bring Master jin_wo to me."
"Make sure Master isn't hurt," he added after a pause, as if no one else had the right to cause him pain. "Only I can hurt him." He watched in silence for a moment, then slid into the waiting car. The guards hauled their captive into the other vehicle.
They stopped in front of a large house. The driver and the guards jumped out and yanked open the doors. The boy smirked and stepped out, umbrella held over him by the hurried guards as they shielded him from the rain. He walked up to the house while two men carried the still-unconscious master jin_wo behind him.
Inside, he led them to a private room. "You all wait outside," he ordered. "Stand at the door. No one comes in, no matter what, until I say so." The guards fell into line and posted themselves dutifully in the corridor.
Hours passed. Then, slowly, Master Jin-wo's eyes fluttered open. He lay dazed on the bed, the room blurring around him. When his vision cleared, the black-clad boy was already there—standing, watching—his expression unreadable as he looked down at Jin-wo.
Jin-wo's eyes fluttered open. He blinked, disoriented. "Where am I? What—" he began.
The black-clad boy smirked. "Master, you're awake huh! ."
Jin-wo tried to focus and saw a figure standing over him, face still mostly covered. "Who are you?" he croaked.
The boy's smile widened. "I'm the one you saved… then left to die."
Jin-wo lunged, fury sudden and sharp. "Who are you?" he shouted, then the boy pushed the cloth away from his face and tossed his cap aside. A long, slim face emerged—messy brown hair, brown eyes that gleamed like a dare. He tilted his head. "Recognize me now, Master Jin-wo?"
Jin-wo stared. "you.... I don't—" His voice cracked. Before he could finish, the boy slapped Jin-wo hard. Jin-wo's collar jerked as the boy grabbed it, voice low and furious. "You don't remember me? You forgot me? Me huh!?"
He released Jin-wo with a shove. Jin-wo stumbled back, blinking, tasting iron. "C..CaelLittle boy?" he managed.
Cael's voice tore out of him, raw and hungry. "Do you even know what I went through? Do you know how long I searched? I looked for you everywhere—everywhere you ever were. People said you'd left everything behind, vanished like a ghost. But I waited. I waited two years… and now I've found you."
Jin-wo watched Cael quietly, chest heaving. After a beat, Cael's tone shifted, colder, dangerous. "Jin-wo voice low,but concern softening his voice how are you, little kid?"
Cael's laugh was bitter. "I'm fine. I'm not the scared child you remember. I'm not the one who couldn't stand alone. I'm a hungry hunter now—one who wants to scare you to death." Jin-wo stared at him, pain flickering in his eyes, concern softening his voice. "Little boy… you've grown up so much. I can't believe you're standing in front of me right now."
Cael glared at him, his lips curling into a dark smile. Without warning, he grabbed Jin-wo by the throat. "Tell me, Master Jin-wo—did you miss me?"
Jin-wo could only look back silently, his breath uneven. Cael's voice rose, sharp and bitter. "No? Of course not. But you know what? I missed you. Every single day. Every second of every damned moment."
Jin-wo's eyes filled with tears, but Cael's eyes burned with hate pain and rage. "Do you know why I remembered you every day, every night?" Cael snarled. "Because I *hated* you. That's why you're here now."
Cael grip on Jin-wo's neck tightened. "I searched for you everywhere, Master Jin-wo. And now that I've finally found you… I want to kill you. But not yet. Death would be too easy for you. I'll make you feel the pain I went through—the kind of pain that breaks you slowly, piece by piece."
Jin-wo's face turned red; his breath began to hitch. Cael laughed, low and cruel. "You know, seeing you like this… it feels *so good.* You saved me once, but you also sent me somewhere worse than death itself. So now it's your turn. I'll make every day of your life miserable."
With a harsh shove, Cael threw him backward. Jin-wo hit the bed hard, the corner of the frame cutting into his arm—blood streaked down his hand. Cael glanced at it with a smirk but in pain. "That's what you deserve."
Cael turned to leave, then paused at the doorway. Without looking back, he said coldly, "Do you know why I brought you to *this* house, Master Jin-wo? Because it's filled with our worst memories."
Cael stopped again, half-turning, his tone turning almost mocking. "Oh!, by the way… I heard you helped another kid recently. Poor boy's in the hospital, right? If his operation doesn't happen soon, he might die."
Cael's smirk deepened, his eyes glinting cruelly. "If that happens… I wonder how badly it'll hurt you, Master." Jin-wo's voice trembled with anger. "Little boy, what have you become?"
Cael smirked, his tone dripping with mockery. "Thanks to you, Master Jin-wo, I became this. Everything I am now… is your gift."
With that, he turned and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The lock clicked sharply.
Jin-wo banged his fists on the door. "Open it! Cael, open the door!"
But there was only silence.
Jin-wo slid down to the floor, his voice breaking softly. "What happened to you, little boy… You used to be so gentle, so innocent. The day I met you, you didn't even want to live…"
---
**[Past – Ten Years Ago]**
Jin-wo's messy black hair fell over his forehead as he adjusted his long dark coat. His phone buzzed.
**Message:** *Target confirmed. Name: Yog. Age: 56. Height: 5'1."*
A photo appeared — the man laughing with girls in a dimly lit bar.
Jin-wo's eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, he walked straight toward the man.
"Hey, are you Yog?"
The man frowned, uneasy. "Who are you?"
Jin-wo's voice dropped to a low whisper. "Black money."
At those two words, the man's face turned pale. He stammered, "C-come with me…" and led Jin-wo into a private room.
Moments later, the door opened again—only Jin-wo came out, calm and silent.
When the guards entered, Yog was already dead.
They ran out to chase Jin-wo, but he was gone—vanished into the night on his black bike, engine roaring across the bridge.
His phone rang.
"Boss, the target's done," he said, glancing at the notification of money received. A faint smile touched his lips. "Not bad."
The night wind brushed past him as he sped down the bridge—until he saw a boy standing dangerously close to the edge.
He braked hard. "Hey! Kid! What are you doing?"
The boy turned around—messy brown hair, sharp eyes filled with pain. *Cael.*
Before Jin-wo could say another word, Cael's foot slipped.
"Hey!" Jin-wo shouted, running forward and catching Cael hand just in time. Their bodies collided as he pulled him back, both falling hard onto the ground.
Their lips brushed for a brief second—accidental, yet enough to make both their hearts race wildly.
Before either could speak, headlights flashed across the bridge. A car was speeding straight toward them.
Jin-wo screamed no..., grabbing Cael's hand. "Jump!"
And in the next heartbeat, they both leapt into the cold, dark water below.
---
**[Present Time]**
The grand hall was filled with music and laughter. Jin-wo, dressed in his signature black coat, stepped into the party, his expression unreadable.
From across the room, Cael stood watching him—no longer the fragile boy from the bridge, but a man radiating danger and charm.
Cael walked closer, a sly smirk curling his lips.
"Master Jin-wo," he said softly, leaning near his ear. "You remember, right?"
His eyes darkened, voice turning cold.
"From this day… you're my personal slave."