The Snow Queen

“What’s your plan?”

Copperhead suddenly spoke.

I kept my head cool, adhering to my principle: trust no one.

“What do you mean?”

Leopard chuckled, “There he goes again.” Copperhead lightly waved his cigarette-holding hand.

“We’ve already discussed everything among ourselves. We’re just waiting for your approval, Chief.”

“Be specific.”

“Rilize.”

I shrugged. I was about to pour myself some vodka but paused, realizing I’d forgotten I broke my glass.

Leopard glanced at the shattered glass.

“Well, just looking at that, we can guess what our Chief’s approval will be. Why even ask?”

“I need to hear it directly.”

Copperhead spoke firmly. I grabbed a new glass from the bar, poured vodka, and asked, “Who’s ‘we’?”

“Everyone except the Chief.”

Leopard answered. It was the response I expected; the question was just a formality for confirmation.

Call it coincidence or luck, but it was strange how my subordinates and colleagues shared so much in common with me. They were cruel to enemies, yet generous to their comrades. They were also highly skilled. When they set their minds to something, they’d stop at nothing to achieve it. They hated being humiliated and would always retaliate tenfold when wronged. Once they were enraged, no one could stop them. And yet, seven years ago, eleven of such individuals gathered at Guiger HQ under my command.

I set down glasses in front of Leopard and Copperhead. As I poured them vodka, I smiled slightly. After sharing meals and battles for seven years, they understood the meaning behind my smile.

“Let’s wait and see.”

We clinked glasses with smiles on our faces.

Dressed in civilian clothes, I left the HQ with the other officers. As we dined at a restaurant, I pondered when I should deal with Stasoff. The sooner, the better. And I planned to handle it myself. I wasn’t about to let such a big fish fall into the hands of regular soldiers. I wanted to personally reel him in and cut him up. The thought alone thrilled me. After all, wasn’t he one of Lord Wolfscott’s favored noblemen? Just imagining it made me giddy.

No wonder Ray couldn’t stand me…

I smirked as I sliced my steak. Jaguar, who had been observing, chuckled, “You’ve been smiling a lot. Seems like you’re thinking about something fun?”

I raised my glass to my lips.

“Yes, it’s definitely something fun.”

Sturgeon quickly asked, “What is it?” Of course, the married men were the most eager about eliminating Rilize.

Wiping my mouth with a napkin, I replied, “There’s a miniseries I like on TV tonight. The last episode ended on such a cliffhanger. I’ve been wondering how things will unfold tonight.”

“Haha.”

The married men laughed. I threw a glance at Leopard.

There was no party duty for Lord Wolfscott tonight. I suspected that Stasoff would once again try to approach Ray tonight. If that was the case, I had to act fast.

“Leopard, you’re watching it with me, right?”

“Of course. I’m a fan of that series too. I’ve been looking forward to it.”

Leopard raised his glass. He was indeed a reliable comrade.

At 10:40 PM, Stasoff left his residence and headed towards 42nd Street. His destination was the Labyrinth. He entered through the back entrance, scanning the counter. He was undoubtedly looking for Ray. My guess that he’d harass Ray tonight was spot on.

“He’s really smitten with Redfox, isn’t he?”

Leopard muttered. For a moment, I regretted not bringing Copperhead along, but this job required only two actors, so it couldn’t be helped. Besides, Leopard was excellent at both brute strength and violence, matching me in skill.

I cooled my head and glared out the window. As Stasoff exited the back entrance, he bumped into a group of nobles. From the way they patted his shoulder and chatted, it seemed like they were acquaintances, though not particularly close. Stasoff kept trying to break away from them, but they dragged him back inside the Labyrinth, seemingly for a brief drinking session.

It’s his last toast, so I’ll let him have it.

I smiled, feeling a familiar excitement coursing through my body. It always happened when I was about to deal with a high-ranking noble.

“Isn’t he married? And newlywed at that? Yet he’s dabbling in this?”

Leopard lit a cigarette, “Who cares?”

“True, but judging from how Redfox looked yesterday, even a monk would’ve lost his resolve.”

“Oh, really?”

“Absolutely stunning. The way he dressed and tied his hair—seeing him all dolled up after always seeing him in shabby clothes, my jaw dropped. At first, I thought he worked at the Labyrinth as a host. I was even wondering when they started hiring gay men.”

I didn’t respond. Leopard’s comments about Ray always made me uncomfortable. Leopard didn’t know about Ray and me, and I couldn’t very well yell at him to shut up when he was unaware. I just hoped he’d stop there on his own.

Leopard exhaled smoke and continued…

“Copperhead mentioned it too. Even someone like him, who’s not into men, admitted he was tempted. I was surprised myself. Redfox always played so hard to get with Stasoff. That guy had a reputation back at Snow White for being quick on the draw.”

“Reputation?”

“You forgot about the American football game? As soon as those sharp-eyed guys saw that ominous coat walk into the bar, they’d rush for the goal. Redfox’s nickname at Snow White is ‘First Come, First Served.’ Didn’t you know?”

I smiled bitterly. According to Ray, all those sharp-eyed guys were perverts. And come to think of it, Stasoff was no small-time pervert either.

And I was part of that crowd.

“Sigh…”

Leopard took a long drag from his cigarette before crushing it out.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“That thing with Stasoff yesterday. You didn’t just do that because you were mad at Lord Wolfscott, did you?”

His tone was calm. Usually, he’d be chuckling, but this meant he’d figured something out. Good thing I’d trained myself to maintain a poker face.

“Was Redfox the one who rejected Lord Wolfscott?”

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I took out a cigarette, lit it, and inhaled.

“…So that’s how it is. You’re sharp. I always knew you were secretive, but I didn’t think you’d be that thorough. If Copperhead hadn’t pointed out your odd behavior earlier, I might’ve let it slide myself.”

Leopard grimaced. His face was a mixture of disbelief and amazement. He let out a hollow laugh, “Ha… ha ha ha.” Leopard had been the first to make a move on Ray. So of course, finding out I’d been pulling strings behind his back must’ve been frustrating.

Leopard lit another cigarette.

“I should’ve noticed something was off.”

“When?”

Was he referring to the time he got mad about ‘Slut, slut’?

“When I slept with Redfox for the second time.”

“And what about it?”

I shot him a side glance at the unexpected comment.

“I told you back then I wanted to do a fist fuck.”

“Yeah, I remember. So?”

“That’s the thing… you said no.”

“He’s too small for that.”

“Since when do you, of all people, care about size when it comes to that, Chief?”

“…”

I felt a heaviness in my chest. Leopard looked like he wanted to press further but held back. Before I knew it, my cigarette had burned down to the filter. I quickly stubbed it out and lit another.

Anyway, it was over now.

I glanced at the rearview mirror. Leopard and I were disguised as street thugs. Our beards were scruffy, and our clothes were ragged. The car, with its disguised plates, was one of the most common types in the kingdom. After the job was done, we planned to ditch it off Salix Bridge over the Dracil River.

The plan was simple. We needed witnesses. Originally, we were going to tail Stasoff until we found a suitable location, but since he went straight into the Labyrinth, we decided on the alley by the back entrance. It was a place full of bodyguards and passersby.

First, we’d approach him like street thugs trying to rob him. Stasoff was a trained warrior, so he wouldn’t give in easily. One of us would let him hit us. Then, the other would panic and pull out a pocket knife, threatening him. Stasoff would retaliate, of course, becoming even more aggressive. In the scuffle, the knife would ‘accidentally’ slash Stasoff’s abdomen. And coincidentally, the wound would be deep enough to spill his intestines onto the street. The panicked thugs would flee the scene…

That was today’s performance:

Leopard would take the beating, and I’d handle the knife. Leopard could take a hit, and I was an expert with guns and blades. It wasn’t easy to fake a gutting like that unless you knew what you were doing. As for any wannabe heroes jumping in to save the day, I wasn’t worried. This was 42nd Street.

It was fine. Once I’d made up my mind to take him out, I had to strike when he was at his most arrogant. If you don’t correct bad habits in childhood, they’ll carry into adulthood. Suspicion? Let them have it. It’s necessary—vital, even. Suspicion is the seed that fosters caution in the human heart.

And Rilize needed to learn caution. From their perspective, they wouldn’t expect us to strike so decisively the day after their arrogance. I planned to enjoy their stunned faces at Lord Wolfscott’s next party.

How dare they underestimate us…

A noble cut down by street thugs outside a brothel—what a headline that would make. Ha ha ha.

I leaned back in my seat. The cheap car was uncomfortable.

“Hey, Chief. Something’s off.”

Leopard remarked casually.

“Hmm? What?”

“A siren’s heading towards the back entrance.”

I quickly sat up. Leopard was right. An ambulance had pulled up, its lights flashing, while Labyrinth employees scrambled around the back entrance. A strange feeling washed over me. Tension built as I watched the back entrance. Someone was being helped out of the building, clutching their chest and foaming at the mouth.

It was Stasoff.

I smiled coldly.

It was Ryeong.

꙳•❅*ִ

As the fear subsided, a fiery rage surged through my entire body. It was all because of that birch tree. Normally, I would have tried to maintain my composure.

Clearly, something was wrong with me now. I hadn’t been outright raped by Stasoff. I’m the kind of person who overlooks the process as long as the outcome is somewhat acceptable. On a typical day, I would’ve just shrugged it off as a “bad day” and forgotten about it cleanly.

However, even after returning home, I spent two whole hours pacing around the room, gasping for breath. My whole body felt like it was on fire. I kept glaring at the birch branch in my hand over and over again. Instead of subsiding, my anger only became more distinct.

In the end, I lost my reason and called Lord Manen. I was determined to beg him, regardless of the reason, to take care of Stasoff. He would do it. He’d go above and beyond. The man would do anything at my word.

It was rare for me to call Lord Manen. And at such an early hour too. Lord Manen didn’t answer. He was a few days away from being discharged, so there was no way he would have his phone on this early in the morning.

Just as I was about to throw my phone in a fit of rising rage, there was a knock at the door. It was Mrs. Ellie.

“Mr. Messon suddenly called me, saying he wants to speak to Mr. Ray.”

Mrs. Ellie handed me her phone.

“What’s the occasion at this hour? Thank you for earlier, by the way.”

“No need for thanks. It wasn’t your fault, but I still feel bad about telling you not to come to the establishment anymore. Anyway, I didn’t have your phone number, so I had to contact you through Mrs. Ellie. I’ll get straight to the point and hang up quickly.”

“What’s this about?”

“Listen carefully. That noble who acted out with you? He’s been badgering me persistently to find out your home address. I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t speak for a moment.

“Now, don’t take this too personally, as it’s just how people in our line of work talk. But he’s a wealthy noble, isn’t he? If he fancies you, play along and try to get as much as you can. If that’s not your plan, you better hide for a while. From what I’ve seen, I’ve developed an eye for these things. That noble isn’t your average guy. He’d kill you if you don’t play by his rules.”

“I understand. Thanks for the warning.”

After hanging up, I looked out the window. The rain was pouring down, and the streets were deserted. Even though it was Stasoff, there was no way he’d come here so soon after the drinking session. I figured he was probably passed out from a hangover.

I hurriedly got dressed. After sending a message to Lord Manen, I went to see Mrs. Ellie. I asked her for Sonia’s phone number. At this point, Sonia was the only person I could rely on. She agreed readily, and I was truly grateful.

Sonia’s house was a 30-minute walk from here. I walked along the road, lost in thought.

I felt like I needed to get rid of Stasoff as soon as possible. If my guess was right, Wolfscott was trying to oust the Guiger chiefs and instead align with Rilize. If that wasn’t his plan, there’s no way he would’ve brought his chiefs to such a trivial drinking session. Snake’s fierce reaction probably stemmed from that humiliation too.

Either way, Lord Manen had already been considering taking care of Stasoff. When I had hinted at Stasoff to Lord Manen, he had been quite pleased for that very reason. Removing Stasoff, a core member of Rilize, was practically a foregone conclusion.

My phone vibrated. It was Lord Manen.

“What’s going on, calling so early in the morning?”

I got straight to the point.

“Take care of Stasoff. As soon as possible.”

“Wait for tomorrow morning’s newspaper.”

Lord Manen hung up cleanly. He didn’t ask any questions. There had never been a downside to following my advice. It was a natural response. This is why Wolfscott could never catch up to Lord Manen.

After spending the night at Sonia’s house, I opened the morning paper. There was a small box article. It said that Stasoff, while drinking with tattooed nobles, had suffered a heart attack and, despite being rushed to the hospital, had fallen into a critical state and would be bedridden for months.

True to his nickname. Collapsed just like Socrates drinking poison.

I felt conflicted. The biggest reason I had decided to get rid of Stasoff was, after all, my personal anger. Just hours after finishing the call with Lord Manen, I had started to regret it.

I folded the newspaper and set it aside.

Forget about it.

Lord Manen really was a clever man. He had taken decisive action. Since it was going to be a warning, it was better to make it clear. Rilize wouldn’t be able to touch a drink for a while.

꙳•❅*ִ

Today marked the start of a three-day Foundation Day holiday. I was set to be incredibly busy for the next two days, serving Lord Wolfscott without a moment to rest. This was just the beginning. From the end of February to the end of March, holidays would pile up one after the other. It was what we called the “season of dance.”

Today was the first day. After eight long hours of speeches by dignitaries and watching the opera, the day had passed by in a flash. All that time, I stood motionless next to Lord Wolfscott. It was mind-numbingly boring. Since my promotion to Guiger Chief, Foundation Day had become something I loathed.

The real party had just begun. Under the dazzling chandelier lights, the nobles gathered in small groups to dance, drink, and chat. The thought of doing this all night made me sigh. The raucous street parties among commoners would’ve been far more enjoyable by now.

Over the two-day journey, the chiefs were to take turns serving. Today, I had Cooperhead accompany me.

Today was also the first time in over twenty days that Lord Manen would appear at an official event after his hospital stay. I had discreetly tipped off Cooperhead to keep a close eye on him.

From a distance, I saw Manen. He was chatting with the tattooed nobles, as usual, flanked by his three retainers. He seemed noticeably more relaxed, likely because of Stasoff, whom we had poisoned a few days ago. The tattooed nobles around him kept breaking out in laughter.

In contrast, Lord Wolfscott sat in a corner, drinking heavily. He looked distinctly uncomfortable. The positions of Lord Wolfscott and Manen had completely reversed at today’s party. I let out a bitter smile.

Indeed, that was a beautiful move.

The timing was impeccable. Just as Lord Wolfscott was about to abandon us and ally with Rilize, Manen took care of Stasoff. Thanks to that, I was able to completely dispel any lingering doubts. Ryeong existed. If it wasn’t Ryeong, it would have been impossible for Manen to hand Stasoff the poison cup at that moment.

For Lord Wolfscott and Rilize, it was like a bolt from the blue. But for us, it was a blessing in disguise. I was both pleased and a bit regretful. I regretted not being able to personally tear out Stasoff’s guts.

Well, there will be time for that later.

Manen’s poison earned Stasoff an eight-month recovery prognosis. Even after rehabilitation, it was clear he wouldn’t be able to show his face in public. His wife, having learned where Stasoff had been when the incident occurred, was constantly badgering him for a divorce while he lay bedridden. Her temper was no joke. It was almost enough to make me understand why Stasoff, despite being newly married, was clinging to Ray. Listening to the intercepted file my men had retrieved was rather amusing.

Most of the Rilize faction didn’t attend the party this time. Normally, a group of around forty would arrogantly take up one corner of the banquet hall, but today there were only about fifteen. Considering it was a royal party, it was clear how deeply shaken they were.

In the midst of the Rilize group, I spotted Sideburns. Yesterday, Cooperhead had said:

“Thanks to the Stasoff incident, our parachuted rookie captain has shot up to the top of Rilize.”

Just as he said, Rilize was now gathered around Sideburns, who was swinging his wine glass and talking animatedly. His arrogance was palpable. The very thought of that bottom-feeder coming to my office and stinking up the place again already annoyed me.

In a way, though, it was a good thing.

Sideburns was far less dangerous than Stasoff. Stasoff, in his mid-thirties, had the potential to secure a significant political position in the near future, while Sideburns was just a foolish kid in his mid-twenties who couldn’t even control his own basic instincts. Though there was Harry Altonen, the Altonen family lacked the power to make any significant moves.

Once I dealt with that bottom-feeder, Rilize would truly transform into nothing more than a rich boys’ club.

I looked at Sideburns with a cold smile. Sensing my gaze, he glanced over.

That bastard.

For a moment, my blood boiled. Sideburns gave me a smug smile and raised his wine glass in my direction.

Cooperhead chuckled next to me, quick-witted as always. There was no way he’d miss the meaning behind Sideburns’ gesture. I felt disgusted.

Lord Wolfscott remained silent, sipping his drink. His only interaction the entire night was a brief conversation with the king. Even after that, he continued to drink for over an hour.

Looks like this will end without any results…

Suddenly, Lord Wolfscott stood up. There was still plenty of time left in the party, but it seemed like he was planning to shake hands with the nobles and leave early. I didn’t care. I had already instructed the royal attendants we’d recruited to capture photos of Manen from various angles. In fact, I wished Lord Wolfscott would leave the party as soon as possible. I had always hated noble parties.

Lord Wolfscott began shaking hands with the nobles, but unlike his usual self, he did so without any pretense, merely going through the motions. Finally, it was Manen’s turn.

The two giants stared at each other for a brief moment before Manen smiled and extended his hand. Lord Wolfscott bit his lip hard. It was almost embarrassing how easily he let his true feelings show.

Lord Wolfscott grasped Manen’s dry hand so tightly it seemed like it might break. The tattooed men standing behind Manen all shared smirks of derision.

“You’ve been through a lot,” Manen said, lightly patting Lord Wolfscott’s shoulder. It was complete mockery. Lord Wolfscott said nothing. His men, too, remained silent.

Manen glanced over at me. His eyes glinted strangely.

What are you looking at, old man?

For once, I appreciated Lord Wolfscott’s distasteful habit of making us wear masks. The meaning behind Manen’s gaze was clear. He was wondering who dared, in front of the noble Lotus, to say, “You better withdraw that damn hand immediately. If you don’t want to stop holding a pen from today, you can keep it out. I’ll make sure every muscle in your body is destroyed…”

It didn’t matter. The mask covered everything, even down to the hair. No matter how much Manen stared, he wouldn’t be able to figure anything out. Unless, of course, the eyes of Lotus could see through things.

The very thought made me shiver.

But no. That’s impossible.

If it were, the world would have already belonged to Manen.

Lord Wolfscott hurried out of the banquet hall, and I followed him, feeling a bit uneasy.

Back at headquarters, I changed clothes and stepped out into the street.

“Nothing much happened. He chatted with the tattooed group, drank, shook hands—same as always. But what’s with Ryeong?”

Cooperhead wasn’t aware of the failed newspaper incident. I hadn’t confided that to him.

“Hmm. Just something I’ve been thinking about lately.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for Lord Wolfscott’s tricks too?”

“Let’s just say that.”

“Seriously? I never expected that from you.”

Cooperhead was baffled, and I let out a small laugh. Fireworks burst in the dark sky, and people roamed the streets in masks and capes. The night was painted with festivities.

“You’re heading home already? How about a drink?”

My colleagues insisted I stay. Today’s team was just me, Cooperhead, Falcon, Lizard, and Gabriel. All of us were unmarried. As a courtesy, the married men had been assigned to the second day of duty, so they could spend the first day of the holiday with their families. Even Guiger’s much-criticized captains were still human.

In the end, I was dragged into Cooperhead’s car. It was obvious where a group of bachelors would head on a late night like this—42nd Street.

The entire ride to 42nd Street, I felt conflicted. At least Leopard wasn’t there; if he had been, he would have insisted we go to Snow White, no doubt. I had no intention of going there. It wasn’t that I wanted to avoid sex, I just didn’t want to get closer to Ray.

The square on 42nd Street was alive with chaos. It was a clear night after a long period of snow. Around the bronze statue of Perseus holding Medusa’s head high, people were dancing in a frenzy. It took us over 30 minutes just to find a parking spot. The streets were crowded with stalls selling capes and masks for the festival. It was tradition for this anniversary. Hilariously, there were even knock-off Guiger Division Chief masks being sold. The vendor claimed they were the “most popular product.”

We picked out capes and masks from the stalls. True to our Division Chief identity, we all wore grim reaper masks without fail, laughing uproariously at each other.

“Even on a holiday, do you really want to wear these damned masks again?”

“Snake, you’re one to talk.”

We laughed uncontrollably as we walked down the street. I planned to play along for a bit and then slip away unnoticed. With a mask and cape, they’d never catch me sneaking off, or so I thought… I was wrong.

Cooperhead stuck to my side, trailing me persistently. I managed to shake off Falcon, Lizard, and Gabriel, but today, Cooperhead was as clingy as crocodile skin.

“Have you developed a thing for guys recently?”

I finally said something. Cooperhead’s laughter seeped out from inside his mask.

“No. I have something to talk about.”

“Fine. Start by letting go of me.”

“After I finish what I have to say. Why are you interested in Ryeong? Is there some special reason I don’t know about?”

“Hmm…”

I trailed off. I couldn’t tell him about what happened with Manen. Besides, it seemed Cooperhead had a different agenda. His eyes were sharp as he looked at me.

After a brief pause, he spoke slowly.

“Alright, Snake. I’ll be honest. It’s not because of Ryeong.”

“I figured.”

“Really? How?”

“We’ve known each other for seven years.”

“Seven years… Well said. Hey, Chief. You’re great and all, but don’t you think you’re a bit too distrustful of us? It’s been seven years with you, but I’ve never felt like you actually trust us. Even Leopard, who’s the closest to you, says that sometimes your gaze is so cold it gives him the chills. He thinks that if it weren’t for your common indulgence in affairs, you wouldn’t even keep him around.”

“Get to the point.”

“It’s about Rilize and our future. Don’t you think it’s dangerous if you, the head of the Guiger Division, don’t trust us, your body? No matter how good the brain is, a quadriplegic can’t even move a finger.”

“I get it. I’ll keep that in mind.”

I answered curtly. Cooperhead’s opinion was essentially the opinion of the division chiefs, I understood that. It was obvious. They had conferred and sent Cooperhead as the representative. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have mentioned Leopard’s personal grievances.

Even if it were Cooperhead’s individual opinion, I couldn’t just dismiss it. Leaving aside that he came from a university background, Cooperhead was as clever as Manen. He was well-spoken, affable, and had earned respect. If it weren’t for his equal fascination with killing, he might have been the one sitting in the chief’s seat instead of me.

He was right. Until now, under Lord Wolfscott, we had been colleagues, rivals competing closely. But with the Rilize incident, unity had become more important than ever, and we needed to reassess how we saw each other.

A quadriplegic, huh? It was an apt analogy.

Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine. Moving forward, there could never be a situation where the division chiefs conspired behind my back. Our survival depended on it.

Cooperhead chuckled and threw his arm around my shoulder.

“As expected from our Chief. We’ll trust and rely on you completely, knowing you always keep your word. How about we have a meeting in three days?”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

It is what it is…

As we moved through the crowd, I realized we were nearing Ray’s house. A strange heaviness filled my chest. That old, rundown house still wore its ivy coat over its red brick walls. The only difference now was the festive crowd and fireworks lighting up the night sky.

I found myself staring at his window. The lights were off.

Was Ray out somewhere enjoying the night? It felt odd. Somehow, I imagined him being tucked away inside, sound asleep, even on a night like this. Maybe he had just turned off the lights to sleep.

“By the way, Snake. How’s it going?”

“What?”

“You know, dealing with the breakup.”

“…This bastard.”

There I was, standing in front of Ray’s window, no less. I couldn’t brush it off as a joke—I was in a terrible mood. Cooperhead flinched when he heard the hint of anger in my voice.

“Ah. Got it.”

He waved his hands frantically, signaling for me to calm down. I realized I was already poised to throw a punch without even knowing it.

Cooperhead laughed, draping his arm around my shoulder again.

“You never know, man. When coincidences pile up, they stop being coincidences. You’ve heard that before, right? If you ever run into him again, don’t hesitate to talk. You never know.”

I knew he was trying to be considerate, but all I could do was scoff.

Coincidence, huh…

I thought about the hallway of that filthy bar, stained with grime. It was like the heavens themselves were warning me not to even dream of such things.

“Well, still, I was really surprised. I mean, our Chief, in a relationship? That day, I thought, ‘No way,’ but I never imagined I’d be right. I always thought that, just like your nickname ‘Snake,’ the blood flowing through you was cold-blooded. To be honest, I used to think your only flaw was your sexual identity. Then again, it suits you. Sadism and a taste for men… isn’t that a fitting combination?”

“Not a great thing to say around a gay guy.”

“Heh, true, but—”

Cooperhead was laughing when his gaze suddenly fixed on something. I instinctively turned my head to follow his line of sight—and froze. A chill ran down my spine. Auburn hair.

He was standing loosely in a dark alley. Even in the shadows, his auburn hair glowed like a lamp. It was Ray. He was standing still, just a few steps away, as if beckoning me closer.

I couldn’t breathe. Unbelievably, Cooperhead’s words, the ones I had just scoffed at, echoed in my mind.

When coincidences pile up, it’s no longer a coincidence…

“Hey, are you okay?” Cooperhead called out to Ray, then gently nudged my side, guiding me toward the alley. He whispered as we moved.

“That’s the guy Stasoff was bothering, right?”

Ray was leaning against the alley wall, eyes closed. He wasn’t wearing a mask or a cape, just the same old musty coat, though his hood was down. His auburn hair fluttered in the wind, stark against his pale complexion. He was breathing heavily, gasping for air.

He was right in front of me now, fully revealed. My chest was so tight that I couldn’t speak.

It was Ray.

It really was Ray.

What do I say? Haven’t I imagined this scenario a hundred times? I’d joke, “What a coincidence!” then take him somewhere quiet, start a careful conversation about a fresh start…

But I couldn’t move. I just stared at him, utterly still. Trying to calm myself, I muttered under my breath.

Calm down, Four…

This was my chance. The opportunity I had so desperately longed for.

Cooperhead brushed his knuckles lightly against Ray’s cheek.

“Snake, look at this guy. He looks hurt.”

Ray slowly opened his eyes, and the darkness parted, revealing his piercing blue gaze. I sucked in my breath.

The next moment, Ray flinched at the sight of Cooperhead getting closer to him, his body trembling.

“H-Huh…”

A faint whimper escaped his pale lips. It was pure, unmistakable fear.

Only then did it hit me. I suddenly realized what we must look like. We were dressed exactly the same as that day, the only difference being that we weren’t in uniform. How could I have forgotten? We had just stood by while Ray was harassed by Stasoff in the Labyrinth. Of course, we wouldn’t leave a good impression on anyone. To make matters worse, Cooperhead had just called me “Snake” in front of him. Ray was sharp; there was no way he wouldn’t know that “Snake” was the traditional title for the Guiger Division Chief.

A sense of failure washed over me. In my mind, I heard the mocking laughter of someone jeering at me.

Dammit

Ray stumbled backward, almost collapsing. Cooperhead shrugged his shoulders.

“Why are you so scared? We’re just trying to help you… Whoa, careful there.”

Cooperhead quickly grabbed Ray’s right arm to steady him. Ray dropped his head, panting heavily. Cooperhead turned to me, raising his voice.

“Snake, stop just standing there. Come help me out.”

That was the final blow. This was a disaster.

Suddenly, a shout rang out from deeper in the alley.

“There you are!”

“Hey, you bastards! Get your hands off the blond! That guy’s ours!”

A group of men approached swiftly. Cooperhead casually asked, “Are these your friends?” His expression remained relaxed as he glanced at the men, who all had rough, menacing looks. One of them even had blood trickling down his forehead.

“Friends? Yeah, sure, something like that.”

“Hurry up and let go of him. We’ve got business with that guy.”

Without a word, Cooperhead stared at them, as if assessing them.

“You don’t seem like his friends…”

At his amused tone, the men flared up in anger.

“See this blood? That blond bastard smashed a fluorescent light into my head!”

“Quit playing hero and back off. Or do you want a piece of us too? With that size of yours, even a one-meter vibrator wouldn’t be enough for you!”

“Let him go, or things are gonna get ugly. We’ve got history with that blond.”

“Hahaha!”

The men burst into crude laughter, making obscene gestures as they taunted us.

I immediately recognized them. They were the perverts from Snow White who had spent the night with Ray. They must have spotted Ray at the festival and followed him. Cooperhead hummed for a moment, then slyly asked Ray, “Need a hand?”

Ray sharply lifted his head.

“No need.”

He brushed off Cooperhead’s hand and, clutching his abdomen as if he’d been hit, started to run. As he rushed past, he bumped into my shoulder. His fluttering auburn hair brushed past my face.

And then he disappeared. In an instant, he vanished. The opportunity I had longed for ended so suddenly, leaving me in dismay.

It was over.

It happened in a flash, too quickly. It ended so abruptly, I was left in a daze, like I’d been dreaming. It felt like someone had mocked me thoroughly.

I slowly raised my head. Before me was the stinking, decaying alley, with the men yelling as they chased after Ray, and Cooperhead looking at me as if to ask, “So, what now?” The men were about to rush past me.

“Uwah!”

One of them let out a high-pitched squeal and fell face down. He jerked his head up and glared at me.

“Why the hell did you trip me, you lanky bastard?”

His group hesitated. There were five of them.

Cooperhead waved a hand lazily as he walked toward me.

“Snake, what are you trying to do?”

I didn’t respond. Instead, I grabbed the guy who’d fallen and lifted him with one hand. Without hesitation, I drove my fist into his face. His scream split the air. I didn’t stop, repeatedly striking him until his teeth flew out. Before long, his face was unrecognizable. I threw him to the ground, twisted one of his arms, and kicked his back. I heard a crack as his spine snapped.

Startled by their companion’s misfortune, the others rushed in. Cooperhead, of course, wasn’t just going to watch. Even though they outnumbered us, they were no match for our honed skills. The street was soon soaked with their blood.

It felt good. I had resolved to track these bastards down and crush them ever since Ray told me about them. I was already in a foul mood, and the opportunity had vanished so quickly. The setting was perfect. We were on 42nd Street, where nobody cared if someone lived or died in an alley. And it was festival night. To top it off, we were wearing masks and cloaks. As the street vendor had said, “the hottest product” was the Guiger Director imitation mask, and there were hundreds of people on this street wearing the same one. Even if a hundred witnesses saw us, the police wouldn’t have a clue to go on.

So I let loose, mercilessly stomping them. Soon enough, their manhoods were reduced to smashed strawberry pies. If I’d had a knife or a whip, I would’ve gladly showcased my well-practiced torture skills.

Now, Cooperhead just stood by, watching me go wild. He efficiently warded off anyone approaching the alley, keeping watch. Thanks to him, I was able to break not only their genitals but their arms and legs as well. After twisting the final one’s fingers until they were thoroughly mangled, I loosened my cloak and muttered, “Let’s go.”

Leaving behind their pitiful groans, we swiftly left the alley. Cooperhead cracked his neck and threw out a single comment.

“Feel better now?”

He didn’t ask why I’d done it. Smart guy. If he weren’t such a woodpecker, I might have kept him closer than Leopard. I was already dreading the meeting with the Directors.

꙳•❅*ִ

Snake—he was definitely called ‘Snake.’ My chest tightened.

The tall man who had stared at me motionlessly kept flashing before my eyes. Wrapped in a black cloak from head to toe, wearing a grim reaper mask, he had been glaring at me. I was certain. The atmosphere was the same. The chills that had risen all over my body confirmed it.

It couldn’t be anyone else. It was Guiger Director Snake. The man who had spoken to me was likely one of the Guiger Directors as well. His voice had been incredibly composed and intellectual.

It felt unreal. In the Labyrinth, they had stood like statues, silent and unmoving. The fact that they even had voices—let alone human traits—was shocking. And to see them at a festival, dressed like that…

A shudder ran through me. Their casual approach, feigning concern and asking if I was okay—it was terrifyingly audacious. For a moment, even I had almost fallen for their friendly demeanor. If they hadn’t called me ‘Snake,’ I might have been fooled and asked them for help.

It all started because the fluorescent light went out unexpectedly. I had only stepped out for a moment to get a replacement, and the 24-hour market was near Snow White. On my way back with the lightbulb, I ran into the perverts, and the fight broke out.

Amidst the chaos, I smashed one of their foreheads with the lightbulb. I got hit a few times too, but I used all my strength to run away. And then I ran into the Grim Reapers again. It was absurd and terrifying. Those were the only words that could describe it.

I returned home. It was past 4 a.m. Sitting in the dark room, I let out a long sigh. I checked my phone. No missed calls. Lord Manen was probably still at the party.

Fireworks burst outside the window.

I felt miserable. I hated festivals.

I really hated them.

To clear my head, I took a bath and started thinking. Time was running out. I revisited my promise to Lord Manen to deliver something big. Honestly, I just wanted to quit.

Since running into the Guiger Directors in the Labyrinth, I’d been reflecting on my recent days. I was filled with all sorts of thoughts and regrets, and I came to a single conclusion—it had to end.

The reason I had chosen Lord Manen as a contract partner in the first place was largely personal. I wanted to understand the political game and had been driven by a misguided sense of revenge. After all, what harm could there be in making a deal with vampires who sucked the blood of the people? At some point, I realized I’d become Lord Manen’s poodle—a lackey of the vampires.

Guiger Directors…

I was in no position to oppose them. They were beings who possessed both strength and intellect, and there were eleven of them. Every time I faced them, I felt chills run down my spine. It was a clear warning, a primal fear flashing red signals in my mind.

And now, I had crossed paths with the Guiger Directors again today. Perhaps it was another sign from above, telling me to quit while I still could.

Yes, I need to quit.

Even if I were to disappear now, Lord Manen wouldn’t be able to blame me. It would be fine. After all, I had spent ten years wallowing in the muck as a lackey for a vampire, so I deserved to spend the little time I had left in peace.

I briefly submerged my face in the hot bathwater, then raised it again. My head throbbed intensely. The illness had been messing with my mind recently, which was disheartening. Despite all my efforts—signing a permanent contract, enduring life as a destitute soul to prolong my life even slightly—it had all been for nothing.

Would I have been better off if I had lived without making a contract, as Marata suggested?

I shook my head. Not a chance. It would have been impossible. Hadn’t I already collapsed once from a heart attack? At that time, it was Marata who took care of me, which was the only reason I survived. Looking back on that period was terrifying. And now, even more terrifying ordeals awaited me.

What should I do? Should I go to the hospital?

But right now, I was too poor to afford medical bills. There was no way the secondhand bookstore would sell.

My phone rang. I quickly threw on a robe and entered the room.

“Yes.”

“You’ve just returned now, huh? Oh, dear.”

“How did it go?”

“I shook so many hands my palms hurt. Took over three hours.”

“You’ve done well. Shall we take a look, then?”

My emotions were complicated, but now wasn’t the time to show that face to Lord Manen. He must have made contact with almost all the nobles at the party today, so I judged that the spoils from today’s gathering would last a few months. I resolved to tell Lord Manen I wanted to stop our consultations soon.

I started gathering from Wolfscott. I was determined to uncover Snake’s true intentions. I concentrated with all my might. Snake’s aura was a bit off. It used to be sharp and sinister, but now it felt more melancholic.

A dark cloud began to form and words started to leak out. Still, it was proof that Snake was deeply immersed in something. What scheme could it be? L… It was starting to come into focus. As expected, Snake wasn’t the type to stay idle. Just a little more. Just a little more. My whole body was drenched in sweat. L… A…

Suddenly, I flinched.

Ray Arisa.

“Ray Arisa?”

How did Snake know my name? Instinctively, a scream welled up inside me. Fear ran coldly down my spine.

“It’s Ray Arisa, isn’t it?” Lord Manen murmured. I hurriedly pulled myself together.

“Yes?”

“A young war aristocrat who’s been rising rapidly as of late. He’s only recently returned from living abroad, but he’s already secured a position in Rilize. There are even rumors that Wolfscott favors him. His family is esteemed. I shook hands with the guy too, so let’s read him.”

I replied absentmindedly, “Is that so…” and wiped my forehead. So, it was just a namesake. And one of a well-to-do young war aristocrat, no less.

“Let’s take a look at Arisa, then.”

I decided to refer to him as Arisa. The results of the reading were surprisingly revealing.

“This man… has connections to Guiger’s executives.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Let me read further.”

Arisa wasn’t just an ordinary person. He was ambitious and quick-witted. He went to Wolfscott, pleading to be given a key role, and Wolfscott, impressed by his attitude, gladly accepted. But what was more shocking was that Arisa wasn’t just connected to Guiger’s executives—he was one himself. Wolfscott had appointed Arisa as a Guiger executive, a truly unprecedented move.

When I revealed the result, Lord Manen was shocked.

“Based on your reading, he’s more dangerous than Stasoff.”

“Thanks to this, we’re getting closer to uncovering the true nature of Guiger. The executives seem wary of Arisa. They avoid showing him their operations and treat him with disdain. Yet despite that, Arisa has realized that Guiger is a formidable organization. Not just a gang of thugs, but the best intelligence organization.”

“Well, well. This is something.”

“Also… this man is gay.”

“What?”

Lord Manen’s voice slipped into bewilderment.

I stifled a laugh. The more I read Arisa, the more I found myself flustered. Not only was his name the same, but in many ways, he was strikingly similar to me.

“What does he look like?”

“Hmm… He’s the typical warrior type. Nearly six foot three, solid build, not someone you’d call unattractive. He’s also drawing a lot of attention from noblewomen. He’s well-spoken and has great manners, thanks to his education abroad. Hmm. It seems even I paid some attention to Ray Arisa.”

“He’s quite the character. But about this Arisa…”

I hesitated for a moment.

“It seems he’s in a… same-sex relationship with Snake. They’re quite close.”

“What?”

Arisa’s inner thoughts revealed memories of a night with Snake, brimming with explicit and lewd details. It made sense now why Snake’s name had surfaced in his mind so clearly. It was from a night of rather fiery intimacy. I felt embarrassed just peering into it.

“Even though they’re lovers, Arisa knows nothing about Snake’s personal life. It’s said that Snake didn’t take off his mask during their time together.”

“This is a disaster. Arisa is a rising star in Rilize. Not just an acquaintance with Snake but in a relationship with him?”

“Arisa originally intended to manipulate Snake, but after Stasoff’s assassination, he changed his mind. He realized he lacked the power to control Guiger, so he shifted his strategy. Now, his goal is to deepen his relationship with Snake and become Wolfscott’s successor. He plans to seize both Guiger and Wolfscott in his grasp… though it’s still in the early stages.”

“That filthy gay! Ugh!”

It was a reaction typical of strict Catholics. I gave a bitter smile.

There was no need to say it out loud. I hesitated, about to stop reading Arisa’s thoughts.

“But… does Arisa’s family have ties to the construction industry?”

“Not that I know of. I’ve never heard of them being involved in construction, though they do invest heavily in real estate.”

“Then why do I see so many words about construction? It’s full of references to building a power plant.”

“Ah, I get it now. The government has been working on a large-scale nuclear power plant project recently. The bidding is so massive that both domestic and international construction companies are fiercely lobbying for it. It seems a lobbyist has approached Sir Arkaile Arisa, hmm. Though it’s strange that they’ve also contacted Ray Arisa… Still, with his close ties to Wolfscott, it makes sense they wouldn’t ignore him.”

“As expected. Arisa has already received a ‘cookie’—and a substantial sum at that. By the way, lobbyists have also contacted you?”

“Of course. Even while I was in the hospital, I was pestered. Given that Wolfscott and I are key figures, securing just one of us would guarantee them immense profits. However, since our faction holds more seats in parliament, it’s only natural I’m their primary target. What else can I do?”

I stifled a sarcastic laugh. Information about Lord Manen’s dealings with lobbyists spilled out, but I didn’t feel the need to rub salt in the wound by mentioning his corruption.

“Let’s wrap it up for today. We need to keep a close eye on Arisa. When can we meet him again?”

“We’ll have to check the party schedule. It could be soon, given the upcoming seasonal festival.”

“Make sure to contact me.”

I hung up and placed my phone on the charger. It was already morning, with faint daylight creeping in. The time had passed seven, and my body was drenched in sweat from intense concentration.

I soaked in the bath, reflecting. The more I thought about Arisa, the more a bitter smile spread across my face.

Despite having the same name, we couldn’t be more different. Apart from a few shared traits, the contrast between us was almost laughable.

A same-sex relationship with Snake…

The image of the grim reaper mask, staring at me without a flinch, resurfaced in my mind. The idea of Arisa and Snake being lovers was a real surprise.

Arisa was extremely confident in his charm, mocking how easily Snake fell for his seduction. Now that Snake was in his grasp, Arisa was certain that Guiger would soon be his as well.

But is Arisa right?

Snake wasn’t someone to be taken lightly. Just from the few incidents I read through from Wolfscott’s thoughts, it was clear Snake was calculating, cold-blooded, and ruthless. There had to be some motive behind Snake’s physical relationship with Arisa.

It all felt ominous. I was beginning to regret getting involved with Stasoff. If I had left things alone, Wolfscott would have eventually driven out the Guiger directors, allowing Rilize to grow stronger. But now, Arisa had taken Stasoff’s place and was actively pushing for an alliance between Guiger and Rilize. Neither Guiger nor Rilize could be left unchecked. If I couldn’t eliminate both, I had to at least bring one of them down to save Lord Manen.

What should I do?

Should I cut ties with Lord Manen and walk away?

I wanted to leave. After our ‘bond,’ I discovered the horrifying truth about Lord Manen’s past and was appalled. He may have paraded around in a dignified blue robe, but beneath it all, he was a bloodthirsty vampire obsessed with the golden war. That was his true nature.

The scholar nobility had always been a powerful group, outnumbering the warrior nobility. With titles being handed out like candy, as long as you were half-decent at studying, you could become a lower-ranking scholar noble, just like joining the civil service. Even wealthy people who bought their titles preferred the scholar nobility.

That’s why Wolfscott gathered common thugs to form Guiger—to keep the scholar nobles in check. But even after 25 years of Guiger’s existence, the scholar nobility’s influence hadn’t diminished. However, thanks to Guiger, the warrior nobles experienced a sort of second Renaissance after the founding of the kingdom. In the end, both sides were cut from the same cloth.

The scholar nobility, who held the majority of parliamentary seats, had been involved in countless scandals in national projects. Lord Manen was among the worst. He intended to profit greatly from this nuclear power plant deal. Early on, I tried to discourage Lord Manen from his corrupt ways, but it was no use. He only ever responded with, ‘That’s just how it is,’ and refused to acknowledge his misdeeds. In that sense, I felt relieved I never truly repaid Lord Manen.

I leaned my head against the edge of the tub, lost in thought. My mouth tasted bitter, but I decided to keep observing for now. As I traced the edge of the tub with my fingers, I slipped into another vision.

It was a dazzling festival night. I only had bad memories of festivals, but today, my mind wandered to an unexpected fantasy. On my way to buy lightbulbs at the supermarket, I suddenly imagined what it would be like to have Messara by my side tonight, walking with me through the festival.

I remembered a time when we walked together, heading to a restaurant. That night, for the first time, Messara gently wrapped his arm around my waist and playfully kissed me over and over.

Did Messara know? His habit when he kissed…

As he kissed me, he would softly touch my ear. It was almost an unconscious gesture. I missed Messara’s kisses. But tonight, Messara was probably holding someone else, kissing them just as tenderly. Maybe he was even touching their earlobe the way he used to with me.

It was a painful thought, bitter enough to sting. My lingering attachment to him was pathetic. I wasn’t in any position to blame that fool.

After all, I was the one who closed the door first. Why should I care what Messara does or with whom?

I remembered a conversation we had at the restaurant. Messara had many happy memories from childhood. He said he was a mischievous rascal who loved to box in the streets. He often laughed, marveling at how he turned out so differently from his kind and ordinary parents.