The job Seo Dong-eun found was at a 24-hour convenience store quite far from his home. It paid minimum wage, so it wasn't exactly an ideal position for him.

However, according to his ID, Seo Dong-eun was thirty-one years old, and there were very few places that would readily hire a male beta of that age without special skills or academic credentials. If his body were in good shape, he would have taken up manual labor, but his circumstances made that impossible.

“Maybe I should try delivery work.”

Despite that, he found himself muttering out of lingering regret, and it was, as always, because of money. Six hours a day at minimum wage. For Seo Dong-eun, it was a woefully insufficient monthly salary.

Weekday afternoons at the convenience store were rarely crowded, so it wasn’t very busy. Consequently, Seo Dong-eun spent his time staring blankly into the distance. No matter how hard he racked his brain to find a way to make money, it only made his head more cluttered.

Buzz.

Just then, a message notification chimed. Seo Dong-eun quickly lowered his head to check his phone. According to the predecessor who had handed over the job, the owner was extremely meticulous and often monitored the store via CCTV. Having just started the job, he didn't want to get on the owner's bad side, so Seo Dong-eun moved cautiously.

[Hyung~ why are you so hard to reach?] (14:08) Park Jae-hoon

It was Park Jae-hoon, from whom he hadn't heard since the incident at ‘Down’. Seo Dong-eun felt a strange prickling sensation on the back of his neck and rubbed the back of his head as he quickly typed back.

Just as he had written [I'm busy—what about you], the door opened, and a gust of outdoor air rushed in. The wind chime above the entrance swayed, producing a clear, tinkling sound.

“Welcome.”

Startled, Seo Dong-eun immediately turned off his phone. He didn't know why he was so shaken, but his heart was pounding, prompting a small, awkward laugh.

Meanwhile, the customer who entered the store headed straight for the beverage cooler. The sound of the door opening was followed by the approach of heavy footsteps.

Various sports drinks and water bottles tumbled onto the counter. It's not even summer, but they're buying a lot of water, Seo Dong-eun thought idly as he scanned the items with the barcode reader.

“That will be 47,000 won. Would you like a bag?”

He asked and looked up. Until then, the other man had been silent, but upon seeing Seo Dong-eun look up, he abruptly pointed a finger at him.

“Huh?”

“Ah.”

A man with a round face and a build as large as a bear; his indistinct features were, paradoxically, memorable, and he looked somewhat familiar.

“I wasn't sure, but it really is you! You remember me, right? I'm Woo-kyung's manager, Han Ho-seok. I believe I gave you my business card back then. Hehe.”

“Ah... Yes, hello.”

As their eyes met, Seo Dong-eun finally realized why the face before him was familiar. If the man hadn't recognized him, he wouldn't have known, and Seo Dong-eun felt awkwardly self-conscious, avoiding the man's gaze. Despite this, Kwon Woo-kyung's manager, Han Ho-seok, was beaming, seemingly delighted.

“You're Dong-eun, right? Wow, I almost didn't recognize you in that outfit. But isn't this the time you should be at work?”

Han Ho-seok pointed to the uniform with the convenience store logo, his eyes widening with curiosity. Seo Dong-eun wondered why he was making such a fuss over a plain vest and why he was asking a question that was uncomfortable to answer. As expected, this was not someone he was glad to encounter in a place like this.

“...I had some things to take care of.”

As he glossed over the answer, his face began to flush. It was a classic case of a guilty conscience giving one away. The thought that this man might know about that ongoing relationship made it impossible for him to meet the other's eyes. On top of that, even if the manager didn't know about that specific matter, he had seen Seo Dong-eun meet Kwon Woo-kyung several times, and it was distressing to think about what he might think of him. Of course, the man might not think anything at all, but given his current part-time job and his relationship with Kwon Woo-kyung, running into this manager separately was incredibly embarrassing and awkward for Seo Dong-eun.

“Hmm... By any chance, does Woo-kyung know about this, too?”

“Pardon? W-what do you mean?”

“No, I just wondered if Woo-kyung knows you work here.”

The manager seemed to have a very pleasant personality. True to his easygoing demeanor, he was already dropping the formal surname and calling him Dong-eun by his first name, repeatedly trying to strike up a conversation. In contrast, Seo Dong-eun, who was not particularly sociable, quickly shook his head and avoided the curious gaze.

“He doesn't know? Woo-kyung is nearby. Should I tell him?”

“W-why would you?”

Since it was natural for a manager to be near an actor, it wasn't surprising that Kwon Woo-kyung was in the vicinity. Even so, there was no reason to let him know about his current situation. At the sight of Seo Dong-eun asking back with wide eyes, Han Ho-seok's eyes narrowed for a moment. It was a keenness that didn't match his large frame, and since Seo Dong-eun didn't know him well, it was easy to miss.

“Just because. Hehe.”

Changing his demeanor in an instant, Han Ho-seok shook his head. Muttering something nonsensical, the manager smiled in a way that perfectly matched his appearance. Perhaps because of his large build and a naive smile, he didn't seem entirely intimidating. Seo Dong-eun gave a vague smile in return and quickly slid the paid-for beverage bottles toward him.

“Ah, how much did you say?”

“47,000 won.”

“One moment. Hmm...”

As he pulled a card from his wallet, the manager scanned the items under the counter as if looking for something else. He then picked up a chocolate bar and asked to have it added to the bill. After the barcode was scanned, the total came to exactly 50,000 won.

“I feel more at ease when the total ends in a clean number like this.”

Han Ho-seok nodded with genuine satisfaction and handed over the card. As he slid the card into the terminal, Seo Dong-eun nodded along. It wasn't a nod of agreement. If it were Seo Dong-eun, he would have bought one less item to reduce his spending, even by a small amount.

“This is for you.”

“Pardon?”

“And please put in a good word for me to Woo-kyung.”

Before he could refuse, Han Ho-seok—letting out that characteristic, easygoing laugh again—left the convenience store, heavy plastic bags in both hands. Seo Dong-eun looked back and forth between the chocolate left on the counter in front of him and the entrance, where the wind chime still swayed faintly from the man's departure.

“...What was that about?”

What on earth did that man take him for, and why would he mention the manager to Kwon Woo-kyung? What did he mean by "putting in a good word"? He gave it some thought but couldn't figure it out. Was it a joke, or perhaps some kind of prank common in that industry? Before he had time to dwell on it any further, customers began pouring in. As time passed, that chance encounter and the playful request faded, pushed deep into the back of his mind.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

After getting out of the car, Han Ho-seok walked briskly, carrying the bags of drinks he had bought at the convenience store. Since the filming was taking place on a mountain, it was a hassle to go back and forth, so he had bought a large quantity of drinks at once; even with the load split between both hands, the bags were quite heavy.

“Picky brat.”

Would it kill him to drink the water or other beverages provided at the filming site? Recalling how demanding the top star he served could be, Han Ho-seok shook his head.

“I wonder if he quit the company he was working at.”

Then, his thoughts naturally drifted back to the man he had met at the convenience store. The one person Kwon Woo-kyung had been meeting regularly lately. He said he was a beta. It had been slightly amusing to see the man's frightened face contort awkwardly the moment he saw him. Kwon Woo-kyung usually cycled through this omega and that omega, but his partner, Seo Dong-eun, didn't seem like that type. On the contrary, his discomfort with such a relationship was so evident even to a third party.

“What is it?”

Wondering if the two were in a serious relationship, Han Ho-seok had tried to probe a bit, but Seo Dong-eun hadn't reacted. Well, in truth, that was unlikely. The great Kwon Woo-kyung dating someone, and a civilian beta man at that? If a scandal broke, everyone would surely laugh it off as nonsense. Then what was it? He seemed to be Kwon Woo-kyung's type, though. If he had been an omega, it would have been the icing on the cake. Having known Kwon Woo-kyung for quite a long time, Han Ho-seok had never seen him in such a relationship with someone who wasn't an omega since he manifested as a dominant alpha.

“Strange.”

That wasn't all. How should he put it—there was a peculiar atmosphere between the two. While using a hotel for meetings with a partner wasn’t exactly unusual, Kwon Woo-kyung never, ever invited partners into his private space. That rule held firm even for the accommodations used during filming. In that regard, Kwon Woo-kyung's behavior in calling Seo Dong-eun to his lodging was subtle. Yes, it was suggestive.

He was deep in thought, muttering to himself. The phone in his inner pocket vibrated. As an experienced manager, Han Ho-seok quickly gathered the bags into one hand and reached into his pocket.

Upon seeing the caller’s name, Han Ho-seok felt relieved he had checked in time and pressed the call button. If top star Kwon Woo-kyung was difficult and intimidating, these people were the sort he wanted nothing to do with for long.

“Oh, Manager Yoon! I hope you've been well! It's been a while! I should have contacted you first, my apologies.”

Han Ho-seok had a strange habit of involuntarily smiling whenever he offered a professional greeting. To an outsider, it looked as if he were beaming with genuine delight at seeing the other person. Nothing could have been further from the truth. While Kwon Woo-kyung was certainly the scariest, everyone associated with his family was equally repulsive. Even the long-serving household staff were no exception.

-Ah, Manager Han. You answered quickly. You must be busy.

Manager Yoon Ha-ra, the butler and longtime personal secretary to Kwon Tae-seok. Coincidentally, their titles were the same, but Han Ho-seok knew all too well they were not on the same level. Would a mere celebrity manager like him dare to challenge the butler of the noble Cheon family? With narrowed eyes, Han Ho-seok smacked his lips and let smooth words flow effortlessly.

“Me? I'm just following the actor around. Hehe. But is something wrong?”

They weren't in a relationship where they exchanged pleasantries for no reason. Even as he waddled along, Han Ho-seok was preoccupied with figuring out why Manager Yoon had called him.

-The Assemblyman is asking to clear some of Woo-kyung's schedule. That should be fine, right?

Damn, I knew this would happen, Han Ho-seok muttered to himself as he stopped walking. Catching his breath after crossing the hill, he spotted a tent not far off. It was the place being used as Kwon Woo-kyung's temporary waiting room for outdoor shoots. Great. He probably called just to issue an order disguised as a request. He wondered whether he should have just not answered, but he knew full well that ignoring the call would only trigger a worse backlash. Han Ho-seok rolled his eyes and touched the corner of his mouth.

“I'll have to check the exact schedule myself. As you know, Manager, our Actor Kwon travels all over the country quite unpredictably, doesn't he? Haha. The movie he's filming now is incredibly demanding. Ha, I'm absolutely exhausted after being run ragged for days. If possible, could you let me know the desired dates? Since it's the Assemblyman's request, I'll certainly do my best to make it work. Haha.”

While his face looked as if it were about to rot and crumble, his mouth moved as fluidly as a mountain stream. There was a brief silence on the other end. Surely they didn't expect Kwon Woo-kyung to jump at the chance to help with his father's affairs immediately. After all, everyone who mattered already knew the nature of the relationship between National Assembly member Kwon Tae-seok and his son, the actor Kwon Woo-kyung. Whenever Kwon Woo-kyung caused an unflattering scandal, the name of Kwon Tae-seok—the chairman of a massive foundation overseeing prestigious private schools and a member of the National Assembly—was also mentioned, and not in a pleasant way. And yet Kwon Woo-kyung had never properly denied a scandal, knowing full well where the subsequent rumors would lead.

Kwon Woo-kyung and Kwon Tae-seok, this exceptionally famous father and son, had a strained relationship. Even Kwon Tae-seok, who was skilled in public relations, consistently failed when it came to matters involving his son. Kwon Tae-seok was a man without flaw. Or at least, he had been until his only son became a wayward celebrity. While Kwon Woo-kyung was a successful actor, it was also true that the rumors surrounding him were far from respectable. Kwon Woo-kyung didn't care much about his own image. Rather, it was Kwon Tae-seok who cared about his son's image as it related to his own reputation.

As Kwon Woo-kyung's manager, Han Ho-seok could confidently assert that the primary reasons for Kwon Woo-kyung's immense popularity were his good looks and acting prowess. Of course, his status as a dominant alpha and the mystery surrounding his background, which was that of a conglomerate family, played a part—perhaps even a decisive one. The point remained, however, that he was by no means the sort of "celebrity" who simply made a living by selling a polished public image.

Regardless, those were family matters and not for Han Ho-seok to concern himself with. Manager Yoon, who must have been offended by Han Ho-seok's assertion, nonetheless hung up the phone without ever losing his characteristic haughty tone.

When was the first time he saw Manager Yoon? A faint, old memory surfaced, and Han Ho-seok let out a dry chuckle. Back then, when he didn’t know any better, he had thought of him as simply a meticulous and cold person. To think he would end up in a position where he had to make these kinds of calls about work with Manager Yoon Ha-ra. One truly never knows how life will turn out.

Han Ho-seok and Kwon Woo-kyung had known each other since childhood. Of course, it wasn't because Han Ho-seok was the child of an equally prestigious family. Han Ho-seok's grandparents had run a mill. They were certainly skilled in their craft. Han Ho-seok nodded as he reminisced about the past. Their products were so delicious that orders even came from that great conglomerate family.

A young, though certainly not small, recessive alpha, Han Ho-seok, had helped with the mill work since he learned to read. It was during those trips with his grandfather that he encountered Kwon Woo-kyung. When he was young, he found it fascinating to meet a child his own age in a mansion so large it made his head spin, so he had peeked at Kwon Woo-kyung a few times. For an alpha, he looked so soft. At first, he thought he'd be happy if he were just an omega—no, even a beta. But the doll-like, beautiful boy grew into a cold, handsome youth, and now he had become a dominant alpha who was daunting to deal with. Still, he hadn't been such a ruthless person when he was young. Han Ho-seok had unwittingly become one of the few people to witness both of those transformations.

If he's human, he should've just gone through puberty like everyone else, but he's not a butterfly, so why the metamorphosis...

Sigh, the past was just the past, and for now he had to deal with the immediate task at hand. Letting out a light sigh, Han Ho-seok stepped into the tent. He saw Kwon Woo-kyung's excessively handsome face, streaked with blood applied by the makeup staff. Beside him stood the errand boy who had been hovering around him quite frequently lately. Dressed entirely in black and sporting the kind of rough, unsavory look that screamed “back-alley tough guy”, he was known both internally and externally as Kwon Woo-kyung's road manager.

“Park Jeong-tae will likely be handled as you requested. A warrant for his arrest is expected to be requested. As for Wi Du-hong's whereabouts... since all his funding has been cut off... I’ve also received some materials regarding the accident investigation you ordered. I have the documents with me and have sent them via email as well, so please take a look.”

As he spoke, the errand boy held out an envelope and a USB drive to Kwon Woo-kyung. Kwon Woo-kyung simply nodded after glancing at what was offered. The errand boy, Gu Chang-hoon, finished speaking while glancing at Han Ho-seok as he approached. Lately, Kwon Woo-kyung had been acting strangely. He had always been unpredictable, but the dark, ominous aura that seemed to shroud him suggested something out of the ordinary was happening.

He didn't know the full details, but coincidentally, the timing aligned with when he had come down here. Han Ho-seok tilted his head, recalling the pale, thin beta he had encountered a moment ago. That was precisely what made it so odd. According to Han Ho-seok's intuition, that man, Seo Dong-eun, had definitely triggered something in Kwon Woo-kyung. The problem was that it was unclear what that something was. Han Ho-seok had once witnessed Kwon Woo-kyung lose all control and go berserk around the time he had manifested as a dominant alpha. That was why he was so afraid. Terrified that such a thing might happen again. Of course, it wouldn't be that extreme now. Because back then, that recessive omega...

“...Ugh.”

As he glanced around to gauge the mood, Kwon Woo-kyung let out a faint, mocking chuckle. Han Ho-seok instinctively recoiled in distaste, then quickly shut his mouth. The smile Woo-kyung wore as he gave instructions to Gu Chang-hoon was chillingly ruthless. Of course, to the fans, it would likely look so dashing and handsome that they’d clutch their hearts and swoon, but to Han Ho-seok, it looked like nothing more than a devil's sinister malice.

“Here. Have some water.”

Han Ho-seok, who had been huddled to one side, offering drinks to the staff, dashed to Kwon Woo-kyung's side the moment Gu Chang-hoon left. He pulled out the bottled water Woo-kyung usually preferred and held it out.

Kwon Woo-kyung glanced at the water bottle before him, then closed his eyes. As he always did before a shoot, he clearly intended to wait like that. Han Ho-seok mentally calculated how long the upcoming scene would take. Since it involved running down a mountain after a fight sequence, it wouldn't end quickly. It was best to deliver the news now.

“Um, Woo-kyung.”

Kwon Woo-kyung didn't answer. Ho-seok hadn't expected an answer in the first place, but given what he had to say, he couldn't help but feel nervous.

“Ah, I went to the convenience store to buy water and ran into Dong-eun.”

He had planned to start there and naturally lead into the phone call from Manager Yoon. But at the mention of Dong-eun's name, Kwon Woo-kyung opened his eyes. For someone who had been indifferent to everything until a moment ago, his gaze upward was dreadfully cold. Han Ho-seok, who became timid only in front of Kwon Woo-kyung despite his large frame, swallowed hard and shrank back.

“What?”

“Huh? Oh, no. I mean, I went to the convenience store down the street to buy water. And Dong-eun was there. Haha, it's a small world.”

“Why was he there at this hour?”

Contrary to appearances, Seo Dong-eun was three years older than Kwon Woo-kyung and Han Ho-seok. Han Ho-seok had been surprised when he first learned that fact and, in his heart, treated him as an older brother. However, Kwon Woo-kyung, who had no sense of hierarchy or respect for elders, always referred to Seo Dong-eun as "that guy." The words he's not even your friend rose to Ho-seok's throat, but it wasn't something he dared say out loud.

“He seemed to be working part-time. I think he quit the company.”

“Part-time?”

With bloodstains still on his face, the way he frowned made him look merciless, as if he had just stepped out of the role of a human butcher. See, it's natural to be suspicious when he makes it this obvious. Han Ho-seok swallowed the unspoken question about why he reacted to that beta and gauged the atmosphere. Kwon Woo-kyung's thick eyebrows twitched sharply. In that brief moment, Han Ho-seok decided it wouldn't hurt to maintain a good relationship with Seo Dong-eun, and he quickly continued.

“That's just what I thought. He looked a bit pitiful, packing drinks with arms that looked like they'd snap at the slightest touch. So I gave him a piece of chocolate.”

He needed to wrap up this topic and get to the main point. However, Kwon Woo-kyung's interest focused even more on the latter part of the sentence.

“...Chocolate? You did?”

“Huh? Yeah.”

It felt as though the very atmosphere had shifted. With a face now devoid of any expression, Kwon Woo-kyung simply stared at his manager. Ah, I messed up. Han Ho-seok realized his mistake with a jolt of regret. He fidgeted, roughly wiping away the cold sweat beginning to bead on his forehead.

“Did he take it?”

“What? The chocolate? Yeah. He did take it...”

“...”

Despite the chilling expression, the question was ordinary, and there was no reaction to the instinctive answer. No, maybe I misread it. Because he could never pin down that mood or temperament, Ho-seok felt as if his lifespan were being shortened by a month every moment. Clasping his sweaty palms together, Han Ho-seok cautiously added the next part.

“And Woo-kyung. Manager Yoon called a moment ago.”

“What does he want now? Does the old man need attention?”

“Uh? Well, haha. He says the Assemblyman wants you to clear some time on your schedule. It seems there's something urgent.”

At any rate, the message was delivered. He would have been at a loss for how to refuse the request if Woo-kyung had ignored it entirely, so it was a relief that he acknowledged it. Once Kwon Woo-kyung said he wouldn't do something, it didn't matter whether it was his father or the President. Arrogant and willful, Kwon Woo-kyung truly lived as if those words were carved into his bones.

“Then, for now, I'll tell him it'll be difficult to—”

“Sounds interesting. Find out what it’s about, and if there's nothing urgent on the schedule, push it back. It's been a while since I've seen my father's face.”

Han Ho-seok, who had intended to wrap up the conversation, widened his eyes at the casual response. Is he serious? Ho-seok swallowed hard, clamping his mouth shut to keep it from gaping. Forcing himself to ignore the handsome face of Kwon Woo-kyung, who was lost in thought, his expression blank and devoid of emotion, Han Ho-seok stepped back out of the tent to contact Manager Yoon.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The running scenes, which began in the early afternoon, ended just before sunset. He wondered why they were ending so early, only to learn that the director had stubbornly insisted on maintaining realism because the character was supposed to have facial injuries. Consequently, by the time the subsequent scenes were finished, it was well past midnight. In the early hours, the roads were wide open and free of traffic. Checking the rearview mirror, Han Ho-seok timidly spoke to Kwon Woo-kyung, who was checking something on a tablet.

“Woo-kyung, I heard there's an after-party today. Shouldn't you at least show your face before leaving?”

Kwon Woo-kyung did not answer Ho-seok's cautious question. He simply stared at the tablet in his hand, as if he intended to burn a hole through it.

“Well... the director seemed quite disappointed that you haven't shown up at any of those gatherings since you came down here.”

“So what if he's disappointed? You go instead.”

Kwon Woo-kyung remained in such a foul mood throughout the shoot that it was a wonder they had managed to finish it without a hitch. Ho-seok flinched again at the voice, which seemed to drip with icy chill

It wasn’t as if he was doing this for his own personal gain. The director of the movie they were currently working on was a renowned figure, even in Hollywood. There was a joke that the actors lining up to be chosen by him could circle Chungmuro twice and still have people left over. Even if he couldn't become close with such a director, he shouldn't do something as foolish as making an enemy of him. It wasn't empty talk; the director made his disappointment very obvious, which was incredibly stressful for Ho-seok as his manager. Normally, he would at least go to the team dinner and say hello; even the great Kwon Woo-kyung had done that much in the past. But lately, he headed straight for the lodging the moment filming ended, to the point that other actors were starting to talk.

Kwon Woo-kyung wouldn't care about such things, but since managing an actor's standing was the manager's job, Ho-seok brought it up. Ho-seok himself didn't particularly want to exchange words with Kwon Woo-kyung if he could avoid it.

“M-me?”

When he asked back innocently, mixing in his characteristic foolish laugh, a frigid gaze pierced through the rearview mirror. Han Ho-seok quickly looked back at the road.

“Just send the card. Go straight to the hotel.”

“Okay,” Ho-seok replied timidly, picking up speed. He didn't forget to grumble inwardly about whether Woo-kyung had a honey pot hidden at the hotel.

Regardless of the rumors circulating about him, Kwon Woo-kyung kept his gaze fixed on the tablet. His expression as he reviewed the materials Gu Chang-hoon had sent several times was ambiguous—it was impossible to tell whether he was smiling or grimacing. Ten years of history had been distilled into a mere set of documents. The ten years of Choi Hyun-seo, who had become Seo Dong-eun, which he did not know. From the accidents that served as the starting point to everything that followed. As expected, Wi Du-hong had been behind it all those years. The son of a bitch who was his father's hound and betrayed his own master for personal gain.

The time when he believed Choi Hyun-seo was dead had ended in his naive, eighteen-year-old days. The blow to the back of his head still stung. Kwon Woo-kyung had no intention of forgiving Choi Hyun-seo, who had betrayed him and had eventually fled, still alive.

What should I do with you?

Watching anxiously and walking on eggshells wasn't bad. But suddenly, a surge of emotion made the jaw muscles bulge and then subside.

Kwon Woo-kyung pushed the tablet aside and looked out the window. The stark white lights, illuminating the road like daylight, flickered palely, embroidering the night.

Meanwhile, the van pulled up in front of the hotel. Han Ho-seok stopped at the main entrance so Woo-kyung could get out immediately, then checked the back. Without a sound, Kwon Woo-kyung sat with his eyes closed. The darkness partially veiled his features, creating an atmosphere that was, in its own way, stunning. Ruminating on the world's unfairness, Han Ho-seok spoke.

“We're here.”

As expected, Kwon Woo-kyung opened his eyes, looking nothing like someone who had just been asleep. After blinking a few times, he rubbed his face and swept his hair back.

“Ah, right. You got a call from Dong-a during filming. He asked if you were coming to the group training camp?”

“Why would I go there? Do I look like I've lost my mind?”

Right, why would the great Kwon Woo-kyung voluntarily go to some remote mountain village where extras and supporting actors train together? Kwon Woo-kyung had his own action school for separate training, so he could just go there as usual. Still, the reason Ho-seok mentioned it was...

“Well, I heard you were the one who first suggested it to Dong-a. You asked whether the actors playing gang members needed separate training, given the number of action scenes. Since you brought it up, Dong-a probably figured you’d be interested in joining too.”

It was because Kwon Woo-kyung had uncharacteristically offered ideas for the movie. Kwon Woo-kyung hated interfering in film production and hated having his acting criticized. However, because he strictly adhered to principles within his own domain—specifically his acting and contractual obligations—some directors found him easier to work with than other demanding actors. Even coordinating with co-stars was merely a matter of basic safety; it wasn't something he particularly needed. Kwon Woo-kyung's instincts were abnormally sharp, but he didn't bother using them for the sake of others.

Kwon Woo-kyung requested the addition of action scenes to Untitled, a project that hadn't even begun filming yet. The director, Kim Dong-a, readily agreed, and Kwon Woo-kyung wanted separate action training not only for his own scenes but also for the actors playing gang members in the film. While such decisions typically rested with the director and the production team, Kwon Woo-kyung’s proposal was accepted without issue. It was only possible because it was Kwon Woo-kyung, but it was still an unusual occurrence. It was very unlike him. He really is different when it comes to Kim Dong-a, showing that kind of passion. He simply brushed the matter aside as an oddity and moved on; if Kim Dong-a hadn't contacted him about it, Han Ho-seok would have completely forgotten.

“Forget it. So, is the camp confirmed?”

“Yeah. It’s going to be a tight schedule if they want to wrap it up in pre-production. I think the action team and those actors will be arriving at the camp soon.”

Kwon Woo-kyung nodded half-heartedly and stood up abruptly. Han Ho-seok hurriedly followed his decisive movements toward the exit. However, by the time Ho-seok waddled into the hotel lobby, Kwon Woo-kyung was already stepping into the elevator. He saw onlookers gather as if mesmerized by that expressionless face—a face that, to Han Ho-seok, felt completely devoid of humanity.

“...Ha, seriously.”

Fast bastard. Grumbling words he could never say to his face, Han Ho-seok ran. But the elevator doors closed before he could reach them, and Kwon Woo-kyung vanished upward. Left alone, Han Ho-seok had to check the photos taken of his actor, ensuring nothing strange had been captured.

Oblivious to what was happening in the lobby, Kwon Woo-kyung rode the elevator up to his suite. Reaching the top floor without incident, Kwon Woo-kyung immediately strode down the hallway. The lock clicked as it recognized the key card, and he entered the residence.

Despite the quick movement, his face remained expressionless and his breathing steady. He stood motionless. He didn't move a muscle until the lock engaged behind him and the sensor lights went out.

No matter how keenly he strained his senses, he sensed no presence in the room.

In the darkness, the blue light of the emergency lamp—the only source of light—cast a bleak glow across his prominent brow bone and the bridge of his nose. He listened intently, but the interior remained silent. It was no different from usual. Veins bulged on the back of his clenched fist, and tendons strained beneath his tight jaw. There was no more reason to hesitate. Kwon Woo-kyung moved inside instantly. He opened every closed door. The bedroom, the bathroom, the dressing room—he checked them all one by one. Yet what should have been there was missing.

“...”

His pitch-black pupils, realizing the absence, flashed dangerously. His nails dug into his palms as he clenched his fists, but Kwon Woo-kyung didn't feel it. The last remnants of his reason evaporated. The mere thought that Seo Dong-eun might be trying to play a trick on him, or that he might have actually lost him, made his head feel as if it were boiling. As always when he thought of him, his heart began to race more violently than necessary.

He thought he had told him to stay put; had Seo Dong-eun ignored him? A near-certain hunch sent a surge of rage rising, unbearable to contain. He had systematically cut off the people around him, caused him to lose his job, and ensured he was the only one left in his world. And yet he found a new job and formed relationships with new people.

“...Damn it.”

Choi Hyun-seo. He had no intention of letting him slip away as he had back then. Not until he had returned at least as much as he had received. He hadn't even begun to deal with him yet. He took out his phone and first tracked Seo Dong-eun's location. His eyes blazed as he calculated where Seo Dong-eun would be.

There was no time to waste. It was just as he was about to leave the living room. A sharp thud echoed through the empty space, as if something had fallen somewhere. Kwon Woo-kyung turned around abruptly. His narrowed field of vision expanded all at once, leaving him wondering why he hadn't noticed sooner. Then he finally saw it. Slender legs dangling precariously beneath the sofa. There lay Choi Hyun-seo—now Seo Dong-eun—asleep, his frail body curled tightly into the couch.

And beneath him, the TV remote he had likely dropped.

“...”

Kwon Woo-kyung approached him without hesitation. No emotion stirred on his face as he looked down at the pitiful young beast, fast asleep and unaware of whose clutches he had fallen into.

Kwon Woo-kyung lowered himself. He knelt, bringing his eyes level with Seo Dong-eun's, a movement that looked almost reverent. He stroked his cheek and brushed back the disheveled hair, revealing a clear, unguarded face. To think he had lived like this, passing himself off as a beta three years his senior. Kwon Woo-kyung found it hard to believe that a real person existed beneath that exterior.

His slow movements eventually reached those pleasantly full lips. He shoved his finger between them, and they barely parted even with just a thumb. The inside of the mouth, which quickly tightened around him, was hotter than expected and as soft as he remembered.

“...!”

As his finger rubbed against that smooth tongue, he could no longer hold back. Kwon Woo-kyung didn't try to restrain himself. He pulled his finger out in one motion and shoved his tongue in its place. As he pinned the shuddering body with both arms, the trembling eyelids opened, revealing clouded pupils. The pupils dilated in surprise, reflecting the alpha who was about to devour him. Yet, a look of unmistakable relief soon washed over Seo Dong-eun’s face.

He tasted like chocolate. Finding the sensation deeply unpleasant, Kwon Woo-kyung did not let go of Seo Dong-eun until that strange, sweet-and-bitter taste vanished. Only after sinking his teeth into the white, slender neck that gasped for breath did the unyielding passion seem to subside, even slightly.