Vol 4 - 11

Vol 4 - 11

"You should have called two minutes earlier. Instructor Jeong Changin was talking to me here until then but Mao was in touch so he just left a while ago."

It was a quiet, indifferent, and a bit languid voice.

And hidden deep inside is a fang and scary claws.

"......."

"It won't take long. He'll probably be back in about 10 minutes."

Jeong Taeui was too familiar with this voice.

And I also know that the person who owns this voice will definitely recognize me with just those two hellos.

"In the meantime, let me talk to you. Or it would be better if you tell me what's going on, I'm listening."

A faint smile mixed in his voice.

After pondering over the voice that was still pouring into my ears word by word for a long time, I softly lowered my voice.

"....Ilay."

Ilay Riegrow.

I never thought that someone other than my uncle would pick up the phone at this hour. I knew he was probably sleeping or wouldn't answer the phone for some reason, but I never expected someone else to answer the call. And what's more, that other person was that man.

"It's been a while, Tay. The heartless one."

"From your voice, it sounds like you're still doing well, right? You must be worried because you never contacted me again, huh? Injured or not and where you are, you should also update the news a bit." Right?"

He whispered softly. Even though I've heard this voice many times, I still almost lost my reason by it.

He really paid attention and was looking for me.

How long has it been since I heard that person's voice?

Not that long. No, I think I just heard this voice yesterday. That was the voice and face that entered my dreams, every day.

Everything becomes strange. My restless heart constantly echoed with thumping....., thumping.....slowly.

"Where are you now?"

He asked briefly. That gentle voice felt like my heart was being strangled by someone.

Jeong Taeui was silent for a moment then smiled bitterly. I suddenly realized something while still shaking in fear when I heard this man's voice.

From the bottom of my heart, I felt an unknown excitement. I don't know what happiness is creeping into every cell of my body. Maybe it was the joy of avoiding this man so far, or maybe,.... okay. I can't even admit that it's simply a nameless joy.

Taeui's bitter smile seemed to have entered the receiver. Ilay was silent for a moment.

"You seem to be doing well. I'm happy that you're doing well. If there's anything good, please tell me. These past few days, I feel like I want to die."

The past few days seemed to appear with every word Ilay said as if he had really gone through such a gloomy and dark time.

Hearing that strange low voice, Jeong Taeui instinctively jumped.

"If I were next to this man right now, I'd be dead."

"Do you feel like dying..... But you have no reason to do that. Ilay. UNHRDO will always function well, and it's also a place where you can freely do what you want and do everything according to your will. So what is the reason for wanting to die? Have you experienced something unpleasant?"

I slowly opened my mouth. I originally wanted to add sarcasm to my words, but since I'm just an amateur, that's all I have. But anyway, it sounds good. He's not someone who can't understand my clumsy sarcasm.

"....You're so proud."

The smile disappeared from his voice. My heart was pounding.

Taeui thinks that the feeling of horror right now is more like pleasure. Maybe this is also how people feel when watching horror movies.

"Tay. You've suffered quite a bit while you've been here."

Suddenly, Ilay said something seemingly unrelated. I raised my eyebrows and listened to those words. He slowly spit out each word.

"Ah yes, I had such a miserable time working beside you. My colleagues also turned their backs on me for that miserable reason. In fact, I also had a hand in UNHRDO's shame. So how could I not have suffered too much while there?"

Jeong Taeui smirked.

Fragments of memories at that place appeared one after another through Ilay's short words. Each event flashed through my mind. Those things that can't be easily erased are never things that Taeui wants to remember.

".....You talk like you know everything. But do you think you really understand people's hearts?"

That's it. Jeong Taeui whispered bitterly with clenched teeth. He was someone who looked down on other people's minds and considered them insignificant, he couldn't understand anyone's feelings. But if he could feel those emotions and still do that, it would be a hundred times worse.

Ilay laughed. It seemed he felt more comfortable not having to hear Taeui's sarcastic laugh anymore.

"You're exaggerating, Tay. I mean right now, because you've been through a lot, I can only give you one piece of advice. It's very important for you."

Jeong Taeui was silent for a moment. Ilay's low voice seemed to be whispering right next to my ear.

"Oh, I'm looking forward to this, what is it?"

I asked reluctantly. After that, Ilay slowly gritted his teeth and whispered each word, each word in a voice that seemed to come from the dark night.

"Don't get caught."

It seemed like this voice came from hell.

Those are things I've heard before. But that time it wasn't too terrible. That's because the person who said those words was my uncle, and he was simply giving me advice.

I instantly got goosebumps, my hands that no longer had any blood left unconsciously grabbed myself.

".... .... Thank you for the advice, I will keep it in mind. I also know how to value my precious life."

Jeong Taeui said bitterly, suddenly, a laugh rang out from inside the receiver. For a moment, I seemed to calm down before the familiar sound.

Ilay whispered with a cold smile.

"Valuing life... ..? A person who knows how to value his life would run away like that? I thought you had already decided to give up your life that day."

"No way. If this life wasn't precious, I wouldn't have to endure those rotten days in that place."

There were a few times I had to hold back the thought of wanting to wring his neck down just because I regretted the rest of my beautiful life.

When will he be defeated by someone else?

Is it because this is just a phone call, or is it because I think I can outwit him? I told Ilay all the words in my heart. After all, this was just a call and it couldn't be tracked, so I had to raise my voice loudly when a rare opportunity like this appeared.

"Jeong Tay. I'm actually starting to worry about you....What the hell are you going to do when you run into me later?"

Ilay sighed and muttered as if he was really worried. That makes me feel like a cat playing with a mouse. I responded with words from the bottom of my heart.

"Of course we'll never see each other again, idiot. I bet I'll die suddenly if I ever meet you. You must be crazy looking for me, right? But you're going to arrest me. Where ?"

Ilay was silent for a while.

*Tock, tock*

A familiar sound came from the stethoscope. The moment I heard those rhythms, I seemed to be able to picture in my head the whole appearance of Ilay right now. He will sit on the chair in front of the desk, holding the receiver in one hand, with the other hand slowly tapping the armrest of the chair or on the table.

Suddenly, my heart felt like it was rolling in waves. He still unconsciously does that familiar movement and sometimes doesn't even realize it. He was still there, just like before.

A feeling of longing and perhaps even bitterness crept into my heart, replacing the dark anger.

I still remember how angry I was when I left that place. Perhaps life at UNHRDO has not yet completely faded from my memory. Maybe I will remember him one day, when time passes and memory gradually fades and bad memories gradually disappear. But even then, I will probably still remember this man the same way as before. That's because he still appears in my dreams every day. He is always here, in Jeong Taeui's memories.

I let out a hazy breath that I couldn't even tell whether it was a laugh or a sigh. Ilay was silent for a moment at Taeui's words and then suddenly spoke.

"You said you didn't want your teeth broken, right?"

Jeong Taeui was momentarily confused by his sudden question. But without going back to my memories, I soon remembered that what he had just said was what I had told Ilay on the last night before I left UNHRDO. Although the meaning is a bit different. However, the general idea is the same.

But it would be great to see the sharp fangs of this monster that attacks people being worn away.

Jeong Taeui remained silent, not wanting to correct Ilay. And silence also seems to be an affirmation. Ilay smiled slightly. That silly smile was filled with anger as if the memories of that day were vividly recalled in his every word.

"Okay. Since it's so precious, I'll spare your life."

He said smiling. But it seemed like it was no longer just laughter. A gray color covered his voice. It seemed like he was angry. The anger was suppressed to the point of being unbearable and then seeping out like venom filling every word of Ilay.

"Do you think I will kill you so easily? Didn't you say that you hate being around me so much? If so then prepare to enjoy such a horrible life until you die. I want you to suffer like that every day."

The frost blurred Jeong Taeui's voice, word by word. And it also covers Jeong Taeui's heart.

"No matter where you hide, no matter how long it takes, don't you think I can find you? Don't worry, at any cost, I will definitely bring you back ."

The anger seeping into Ilay's heart also seemed to pierce straight through Jeong Taeui's cold chest.

I was silent for a moment. Taeui thought he would be angry. That's right, with Ilay's personality, he probably won't just get angry for a moment and then calm down immediately. Maybe he was even silently cursing and planning to tear me apart. A thought popped into my mind. For something like this, perhaps even I or anyone else would get mad.

But I completely did not expect Ilay's silent, silent rage at this moment. Ilay's persistent, gloomy, dark, even somewhat difficult feeling of discomfort seemed to penetrate through the receiver and envelope Jeong Taeui.

"....Just do what you want if you can."

Jeong Taeui spoke softly. His breathing, his anger, and his every gesture seemed to be lingering right in my ears.

Taeui suddenly panicked. It was a vague fear. It wasn't fear of the pain and suffering I would face if caught. But it's a little different that can't be put into words.

I can't imagine what the anger is in him now, it is a persistent anger covered by gloom. I suddenly realized that I didn't even know what was in that darkness. That is indeed very scary.

"Say hello to uncle for me. And tell him that everything is going well."

Jeong Taeui spoke briefly. I don't want to continue this conversation any longer because my heart feels like it's exploding in my chest right now. I also wanted to block out the responses of the man on the other side of the receiver, because the vague breathing sounds in my ear were terrifying.

This man is dangerous. I felt it from the first time I watched his video.

Because I've been close to him for a long time, I think I've become blind. I got so used to the dangerous atmosphere when I was with him that I became numb and indifferent to that danger.

So stupid.

"........ Wait."

When Jeong Taeui was about to hang up, a voice suddenly came from inside the receiver, even a bit urgent and vague. He seemed very anxious to call Jeong Taeui.

I turned back the receiver that had just left my ear and waited for his next words.

But Ilay just remained silent without saying anything else. He was just silent like that, like he didn't know why he called me so urgently. Jeong Taeui waited patiently without saying a word.

Those quiet moments passed slowly. Only the sound of low breathing remained through the stethoscope. Those seem to be the only sounds that let me determine that the person on the other side of the phone is still there.

Quiet. Neither of us spoke first. The two remained silent, listening to each other's breathing.

How long has it been?

Jeong Taeui vaguely heard footsteps coming from downstairs to the office room. In the quiet space, the sound of footsteps grew closer and then farther away. Only after hearing those shoes did I startle myself out of the silence as if I had just woken up from a dream.

This is not a place where I can stay for long, a clock caught my eye. By now, Kyle should have finished drinking his tea.

"......Goodbye."

Jeong Taeui spoke briefly and put down the receiver. The clicking sound also means the call is disconnected.

But even after I put the phone down, I still looked at it silently for a moment.

I slowly tilted my head.

Strange.

I actually just talked to Ilay, but it wasn't as scary as I imagined.

"Is it true that the memories are gradually fading?.....The parts that need to be forgotten are forgotten, but there are some things that don't want to be remembered and remembered clearly."

I muttered to myself with a sigh. Although I know those memories take a long time to fade.

I scratched my head. Trying to understand what's going on with my heart right now.

"Would I like to meet him?"

As soon as I asked myself, I already knew the answer. I shook my head vigorously. Maybe he wouldn't kill me, but he probably wasn't kidding when he said he'd make me live the rest of my life in misery.

The moment Ilay and I met, my life would definitely get worse.

No. I don't want to meet him either.

I shook my head a few times then sighed and turned away.

Kyle said he would come back after a cup of tea but he hasn't arrived yet. Maybe it's because when he came back I was still on the phone. So it would be better if I went out now and told him that my call ended well.

That's right. After thanking him I will leave.

Leaving here..... Where am I going? Where would I go to find my brother? I don't even have a clue.

I sighed softly, suddenly, I felt relieved. What's it like to just go somewhere?

"But, I also really like everyone...."

Jeong Taeui silently closed the heavy wooden door of the office.

When I said I was still leaving, Kyle's face visibly drooled. He always seemed sad when he had to say goodbye to his beloved friends even though he was used to seeing people come and go as if it were a part of his life.

I scratched my head and walked down the stairs, then laughed.

Perhaps because of the feeling of regret when someone leaves like this, there must always be other guests coming to him now and then. Even for myself. I think I will visit this place again when time passes favorably and circumstances permit me to do so.

"Actually, if it weren't for that bastard, I'd still want to stay here a little longer... what an unjust family."

Jeong Taeui grumbled dissatisfied and strode up the stairs.

At that moment.

".... ....!"

When there were only five or six steps left on the narrow, shiny wooden staircase, I accidentally slipped on the stairs, probably because I accidentally took a slightly wider stride.

My feet slipped in the air. By the time I tried to lower my foot on the next step, my body had lost its center of gravity.

"Uh"

I don't know if I screamed or not, I wasn't conscious enough to realize it clearly. A loud noise echoed throughout the house.

Jeong Taeui fell down the stairs.

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