"Why didn’t you call just two minutes earlier? Instructor Jeong Chang-in was just talking with me until a moment ago, but then he got a message from Mao and stepped out for a bit."

Jeong Tae-ui’s face went blank.

The voice was low and indifferent. Slightly slow, but hidden within it were terrifying teeth and claws.

"……"

"It won’t take long. He’ll probably be back in about ten minutes."

Tae-ui knew this voice well. And he knew that this voice knew him.

"In the meantime, I’ll keep you company. Or you can tell me what you need. I’ll pass it along."

A faint laugh crept into the voice. Tae-ui mulled over that voice slowly in his ear for a long time before quietly muttering,

"……Ilay."

Ilay Riegrow.

He had never dreamed anyone else would answer at this hour. He expected his uncle to be asleep or otherwise unavailable, but never imagined the call would be picked up by someone else—especially not this man.

"Long time no see, Tae. Hearing your voice means you’re doing well. Honestly, I was worried since you never contacted me. I hoped you weren’t hurt anywhere. I should have heard some news by now."

He whispered kindly. Tae-ui had heard that voice many times but almost forgot himself and believed that this man genuinely cared enough to look for him.

How long had it been since he last heard that voice?

Not very long. Actually, it felt like just yesterday. It was the voice he heard every night in his dreams, the face he saw every night in his dreams. So it shouldn’t have felt unfamiliar—but it did. His heart pounded nervously… slowly pounding.

"Where are you?"

The man asked briefly. That low, soft voice carried a faint edge for the first time. An edge that could cut just by touching.

Clack. It felt like his heart was severed.

Tae-ui remained silent for a long moment, then smiled bitterly. As he shuddered at the chilling voice, he simultaneously realized something: listening to this man’s voice, somewhere deep inside, he felt a surge of exhilaration. He didn’t know what that exhilaration was. Maybe satisfaction for having left this man behind, or maybe… yes, simply gladness.

His bitter smile seemed to carry over the receiver. Ilay was silent for a moment.

"You sound happy. If I make you happy, I’m glad too. Let me know if anything good happens. Lately, my mood’s been absolutely dreadful."

Gradually, an edge crept into Ilay’s voice. A bluish, dark edge. Hearing that dark and eerie voice, Tae-ui instinctively thought: If I were beside this man now, I’d be dead without doubt.

"Dreadful mood… You have no reason for that, Ilay. UNHRDO must be running smoothly, and you’ve always done as you pleased there, acted as you wished. So why would you be miserable? Something not going well?"

Tae-ui slowly opened his mouth. He wanted to inject more sarcasm into his voice but, like a novice struggling to cook well, it was difficult. But it was fine. This man was not one who wouldn’t catch even Tae-ui’s clumsy sarcasm.

"……. Very arrogant of you."

Finally, the laughter vanished from Ilay’s voice. His heart thundered loudly. Tae-ui thought the chilling sensation was almost like pleasure—the thrill people get watching horror movies.

"Tae, you’ve had quite a hard time here."

Suddenly, Ilay said something that seemed out of context. Tae-ui raised an eyebrow and listened closely as he continued slowly,

"It must have been hard doing my assistant instructor duties and cleaning up after me, being scolded by colleagues because of it, and on top of that, with your personality, the dark side of UNHRDO you— or someone you love—were caught up in must have been unbearable."

Tae-ui stopped smiling.

The memories returned—times spent there. Each of Ilay’s short words triggered flashes of what happened. Those memories, untouched by time’s erosion, were not yet something to be nostalgically recalled.

"Speaking as if you understand well. Do you even understand a person’s heart?"

That was why. Tae-ui muttered bitterly through clenched teeth. You, who scoffed at others’ feelings as trivial, could not possibly understand. Or if you did and still acted that way, you were worse than Tae-ui thought.

Ilay laughed. He seemed very pleased that the smile had vanished from Tae-ui’s face.

"You’re too much, Tae. I’m just about to give you a piece of advice for all your hardships. Something very important, just for you."

Tae-ui closed his mouth. The lowering voice at “very important” felt as if it was really whispered in his ear.

"I’m curious. What is it?"

He asked reluctantly. Ilay then ground his teeth and whispered each word from the pitch-black darkness,

"Don’t get caught."

It sounded like it came from hell.

He had heard those words before—from his uncle. But back then, they hadn’t been so chilling. His uncle had meant it as straightforward advice.

Tae-ui shuddered instantly, as if white hands were reaching for him nearby. Although impossible, he felt as if those hands would grab him at any moment.

"… Thanks for the advice. I’ll keep it in mind. I value my life too."

Tae-ui said bitterly. Suddenly, a leaking laugh came through the receiver. Tae-ui briefly relaxed at the familiar sound, but Ilay muttered with a cold laugh,

"Valuing your life…? Does someone who values their life run away like that? That day, I thought you’d given up on your life."

"Not at all. If I didn’t value my life, I wouldn’t have endured so many months of torment there."

Tae-ui added, "I’ve wanted to cut your throat many times, but I held back because I valued my own life."

Hearing that, Ilay sighed and laughed. Maybe because it was a phone call, ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) or maybe because he’d already written Tae-ui off, Tae-ui spoke honestly to Ilay. When had that bastard ever been defeated by a human? Besides, since it was a phone call and he was already written off, it was time to speak plainly.

"Tae. I’m really starting to worry about you… What will you do when we meet later, acting all reckless like this?"

Ilay sighed as if worried. Thinking of a cat that cared for a mouse, Tae-ui answered sincerely again.

"Of course, I won’t meet you, you crazy bastard. If I met you, I’d probably be dead. Do you think I’m insane enough to meet you? If you can catch me, try and catch me."

Tae-ui spat carelessly. Ilay was silent for a moment. Then faint, familiar tapping came through the receiver. Hearing that, Tae-ui pictured him sitting at his desk, holding the receiver, tapping the chair’s armrest—or maybe the desk—slowly with one hand. Just like before.

Suddenly, the heavy darkness in his heart blurred. That familiar gesture was still there. Perhaps without realizing it, Ilay was still there, like that. The feeling was somehow nostalgic, or bitter—not the rage that once filled him but a lingering presence inside. Memories of how exhausted he had been when leaving that place came along with it.

Tae-ui suddenly thought that someday he might even miss life at UNHRDO. When time passed and memories faded, sharpening edges rounded off. But even then, he probably wouldn’t miss this man. Not just because he saw him every day in his dreams. Because Ilay always existed in Tae-ui’s memory, just like that.

Tae-ui exhaled an ambiguous breath—half a laugh, half a sigh.

Ilay, silent for a moment, suddenly spoke.

"Did you say you hated me enough to grind your teeth?"

Tae-ui was momentarily puzzled by the sudden remark. But without searching memory, he recalled it was something Ilay said the night before Tae-ui left UNHRDO.

His words were a little different, but the teeth-grinding was certain. Who wouldn’t grind their teeth facing forced capture and assault? Tae-ui had no desire to correct Ilay and remained silent. Silence was a kind of agreement. Ilay gave a short laugh, sounding amused. After saying that, he seemed to vividly recall the memory and slowly his anger rose.

"Yeah, you say your life is precious, so I’ll spare it. But you said you hated being with me so much. Then live that hate until you die. Live each day in dreadful hatred and torment."

Each chilling word seeped into Tae-ui’s heart.

"Wherever you are, no matter how long it takes, do you think I won’t find you? No way. I’ll drag you back before my eyes no matter what."

His rage soaked into Tae-ui’s heart like it did into his own.

Tae-ui shut his mouth. He expected Ilay to get angry. With Ilay’s personality, he never imagined the anger would pass quickly. He imagined Ilay might go crazy yelling curses and trying to tear him apart. That thought came easily. Anyone would be that angry.

But he hadn’t thought about anger like this—low, quiet, and deep. That persistent resentment, bluish, dark, almost sticky, coursed through the receiver and gripped Tae-ui.

"……Do as you wish. If you can."

Tae-ui said quietly. Meanwhile, Ilay’s breath, his rage, his gestures flowed through the receiver.

Suddenly, fear came over him. It was an inexplicable fear—not fear of the pain or suffering that would come if caught. It was different. Tae-ui felt he didn’t understand that blue, dark, persistent anger. He wondered what lurked in that darkness. That thought frightened him.

"Say hello to my uncle. Just tell him I’m fine."

Tae-ui said shortly. He didn’t want to hold the receiver any longer, trembling with fear. He wanted to cut off that voice. The breathing leaking into his ear was chilling. This man was dangerous. He had known it from the start. He’d felt it from the moment he saw his image. This man was dangerous. He’d been too close for too long and lost clarity. He’d become too accustomed to that dangerous atmosphere, dulling to how dangerous it really was. Foolishly so.

"―――Wait."

Just as Tae-ui tried to hang up, a somewhat urgent voice came from the receiver, anxiously calling him back. Tae-ui grabbed the phone again and waited for whatever he had to say.

But Ilay remained silent, as if unsure why he called, and said nothing. Tae-ui waited quietly.

A long silence stretched. Only low breathing traveled through the phone line. That was the only sound indicating someone was on the other end. No words came first; they just listened to each other’s silence.

How long had it been?

Tae-ui faintly heard footsteps below. They weren’t going up the study stairs. The footsteps moved closer along the hallway, brushed past, and faded away.

Hearing that, Tae-ui awoke from his silence like from a dream. This wasn’t a place where he could stay forever. He glanced at the clock. Kyle had probably finished his tea long ago.

"……Goodbye."

Tae-ui said briefly and hung up.

Click. The call ended.

After hanging up, Tae-ui stared at the phone for a moment, tilting his head slowly. It was a strange feeling. Even after talking to Ilay, it wasn’t as terrible as the horror he had imagined.

"Maybe the memories have weathered… worn away the sharp edges, polished the shine."

Tae-ui muttered to himself. He knew it would take far longer than he thought to weather and polish memories but mumbled so anyway.

He scratched his head and tried to put a name to the vague feeling, saying aloud,

"Do I want to meet that guy?"

But as soon as the words came out, an immediate answer followed. Tae-ui shook his head vigorously. Ilay’s warning that he wouldn’t kill him but would make his life miserable was no joke. The moment they met, his life would become hell. No, he didn’t want to meet him after all. Tae-ui shook his head many times, then sighed and turned away.

Kyle, who had said he’d go get some tea, still hadn’t come back. Probably he was considerate enough to wait while Tae-ui was still on the phone. If so, Tae-ui should leave first and call to tell him the call was over.

Yes, thank him, then leave. Leave this place—where to go? Where could he meet his brother? There was no clue anywhere.

Tae-ui sighed lightly. Suddenly, he felt at ease. Wherever he went, what would it matter?

"By the way, he really is someone who likes people..."

Tae-ui muttered as he quietly closed the heavy wooden door of the study and turned away. When he said he would leave earlier, Kyle had looked genuinely sorry. Though welcoming and seeing guests off was part of life here, saying goodbye to friends was always hard.