Chapter 7: The Chairmans Son

I decided to wait outside, finding solace on a worn wooden bench. As I swung my feet back and forth, the gentle breeze whispered through my hair. It was my first official day away from the underground mansion, and the world felt both exhilarating and overwhelming. Here I was, tangled up with these strangers, although everyone who wasn't isolated with me was essentially a stranger.

Escaping without a plan had been my only choice, the adrenaline pumping through my veins leaving no room for second-guessing. As I contemplated my impulsive decisions so far, I couldn't help but wonder how I had managed to end up in this situation. Was it sheer luck that had brought me here?

Yet, amidst my thoughts, a nagging question lingered in the back of my mind. Who had orchestrated my escape? It had to be someone with more authority than the rest of us, someone who had the necessary access. Suddenly, a fast flashback of the boy I had bumped into during my frantic run crossed my mind. What was his name again? "Sky...?" No, that wasn't it. "Seungm-"

"They're talking about you, you know."

A direct and cunning voice shattered my chain of thoughts, causing me to jolt in surprise. I looked up to see I.N, the enigmatic psychopath, leaning casually against the doorframe. My heart no longer raced at the sight of him, perhaps because I had experienced far worse than meeting a psychopath. After all, I had taken a life. But without the context, did that make me just as bad?

"Beautiful garden, isn't it?" I.N snickered as he hopped off the two steps leading into the bar, drawing closer.

Though I wasn't scared of him, I knew I had to remain cautious. I sat up straight, fixing my gaze on the vibrant garden of blooming flowers before me. The sun bathed everything in a warm glow, and the melodious chirping of birds filled the air. It was a picturesque day, a stark contrast to the darkness I had been trapped in for so long. Nature's beauty, once a distant dream, now unfolded right in front of me.

"What are you dozing off about?"

He suddenly sits next to me, relaxed. In response to my gaze, he grins.

Feeling his body next to mine, I regain my senses. "Shouldn't you be in there?" My eyes are drawn to the doors of the bar.

While staring at the garden in front of him, he slightly slouches down in his seat. "Eh. It's a little boring."

A grin appears on his face when he looks over at me. "I would prefer to follow through with the plan than take part in a long and boring discussion leading up to it."

Plan...?

Based on my observations of I.N, I am confident he would not be caught enjoying a conversation. There is no doubt that he is a person who is all action. Considering that he is a psychopath, this is somewhat concerning.

"What plan?" my curiosity prompts me to ask.

Clearly unwilling to provide me with much information, he chuckles lightly. "You'll find out soon enough."

Seriously. Why is it that everyone gives me half-baked answers?

"What is that suppose to mean?"

A glare appears on his face as he runs his fingers through his hair. "Don't worry about it, princess."

Taking aback by that last word, my eyes widen. This was the first time I heard it directed at me outside of my novels. There is a scowl on my face. "Princess?" I exclaim.

The idea of being called that appealed to me, but not in the way that people might think. It was only because I wanted to escape that place of isolation that I daydreamed about being in fairytales.

"Yeah, princess." I.N snickers.

There is something about the manner in which he says it that sounds evil. However, I decide to ignore it despite the fact that it sends shivers down my spine.

"Since when did you decide to refer to me as a princess?"

"Since I decided I wanted to."

It is evident that I am bewildered as I lean back. The bluntness of his approach has been very apparent to me. Psycopath must be the most perfect occupation for him. It is as if he just says and does whatever he pleases, without giving it a second thought.

Looking away, I feel irritated.

He seems to be staring at me intently. "If you'd prefer...I can call you prince charming..."

There is no doubt that he is playing games with me at this point. I can tell from his humorous tone.

"No. Princess is fine." I replied bluntly, feeling deafened as I remained turned around.

However, I realize that he is not as frightening as his appearance would suggest. Initially, I was intimidated by the knife he wielded, but I suppose Seo Changbin was correct. Unless I provoke I.N, he will not take action against me...so I suppose I am in the clear.

The only condition is that no one finds out I killed my best friend. There will definitely be a different perception of me, even though I appear to be incapable of such a feat. They simply will not understand. They will not understand the reasons for my actions.

"Hey..." My head lifts up as I look at him once more. "Why do you view yourself as a psycopath?"

His eyes are fixed on me for a moment, as if that was the first time he has ever been asked that question. It is evident in his eyes, but he has a half smile on his face while he takes a shallow breath. Looking upwards, he gazes at the sky.

"Well, I kill people without remorse, I torture them, I love dismembering them, I enjoy-"

"I would like to rephrase that." As soon as he began rambling, I immediately cut him off, not wanting to listen any longer to his horrid words. As a result, I almost vomited. There is no denying that this man is blunt.

My eyes narrow as I sigh deeply before continuing. What made you decide to become a psycopath?"

When I ask him this question, I can feel my own heartbeat pounding so rapidly. Why am I suddenly more curious about people in this outside world? In spite of the fact that I never once questioned master, I just kind of let things happen...so why is that?

"Curious about me, princess?" He asks with a sense of amusement.

"I'm not curious, it is just-"

"I'm messing with you." He cuts me off.

While he is taking something out of his pocket, I stare at him intently. In response, he glares back at me, pulling out his knife. The fact that I know he will not harm me keeps me calm. He has no reason to do so. In the course of examining the knife carefully, he pointed his eyes upward at me. The look on his face almost causes me to jump. He has such bold, evil-looking eyes.

"I'm a psycopath because I love to sense fear."

A small gasp escaped my lips. Is he able to sense my little bit of fear? Unnoticed, I slip back an inch away from him.

He maintains the same smirk on his lips. "Imagine the scene." His gaze drifts back to the garden. "Some cocky bastards think they have you just where they want you...and then..."

Taking in my expression, he glares back at me, holding his words. "They are dead before they are even able to think."

My eyes nearly pop out of my sockets. For him, this is a great thrill. He enjoys inflicting pain on those who have wronged him. The man is a maniac, a true monster.

It does seem as if I am safe around him...however, I am not so sure...

It is true that I have killed one person...but there is no doubt that he has killed thousands, if not more.

"D-do you...ever get caught?" My voice falters.

In contrast, he has a lot of blood on his hands, while I did not even get a scratch when I pushed my best friend off the building. His bravery is greater than mine. To be able to kill someone so easily...to know the combat skills in order to murder that individual...but that also implies that he sheds a great deal of blood in the process.

"What are they gonna do once I get caught?" he asks, pointing to me with his knife. "Arrest me?"

The gang members, Felix, and Chris are aware of I.N's vicious ways...but is everyone else too frightened to turn him in? Imagine yourself acting as a standby, witnessing a murder, but being compelled to remain silent.

"My usual tactic is to cover my lips with my finger and give the witnesses a glare that will never be forgotten." Laughter erupts from his lips. "The majority of the time, they are too petrified to even move."

The feeling I have is...a bit uneasy...

This is not because he is telling me something so frightening...but because his voice is tinged with sadness. He tries to hide it with the glare in his eyes, but I am able to detect it so readily. There must be so many challenges in his life...but this is not something a psycopath is likely to admit.

Slowly, I lean in. Upon hearing the bar doors open loudly, I begin to ask, "Are you-" but am immediately interrupted.

The first person to step out is Changbin, followed by everyone else. "Let's go. We have somewhere to be."

Have they already completed their meeting?...

It appears that he is focusing specifically on me. In what way is this relevant to me?

"W-where...are we going?" My voice trembles, awkwardly, and I am clearly surprised by the situation.

Changbin glances around us and smirks before turning his gaze back towards me. "Let's just say there's someone we want you to meet."

There is a pounding in my heart. Was it really about me that they were talking about? Is what I.N said earlier true? Due to the fact that I was immersed in my own little world, I paid no attention to his words.

"A man who may be able to assist you." Without breaking eye contact, he continues to speak. "A man with so much authority. One rarely sees him unless they are VIP acquainted."

My hand is placed on my chest as I attempt to calm myself. In some ways, this description sounds terrifying, as if the world is obligated to kneel before him...

As Changbin narrows his eyes, he becomes serious. "The man who is..."

A sigh is heard from him after he pauses for a moment. So far, I have met a number of people...what can I expect from this individual?

"The Chairmans son, Lee Min-ho."

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