Even in Death

The snowfall outside grew heavier, blanketing everything in white silence. Deep in the mountains, hidden behind thick trees and iron security gates, stood a grand, seemingly abandoned villa. But appearances were deceiving.

The man who had stabbed Ren — Kyungil — approached the heavily guarded villa. Without saying a word, he walked past armed guards who gave him a silent nod.

He entered a dark hallway and reached a nondescript wall. Pressing a hidden switch, a concealed panel slid open, revealing a steel elevator.

The doors shut behind him.

Inside, he scanned a coded wristband. The elevator beeped and began its descent — far below the surface.

No numbers.

No sounds.

Just silence and weight.

When the elevator doors finally opened, he stepped into an expansive underground facility bathed in sterile white light and quiet hums. Rows of labs lined the corridor, filled with people in white coats moving silently — as if no one dared speak above a whisper.

Kyungil walked straight to the farthest door.

Inside, a man stood alone, back turned, working on a complex test involving blood samples and glowing liquid in glass tubes. His coat was pristine, his movements calculated.

Kyungil waited in the doorway, hesitant.

Then finally, he spoke.

“The task is done.”

The man didn’t stop his work.

“Did you find it?”

The voice was low, emotionless, and unreadable.

Kyungil shifted.

“We discovered Ren’s hidden room. But… the file wasn’t there. Nothing of use.”

Silence.

Then, the man stopped. He placed his instrument down with surgical precision.

He didn’t turn.

Instead, he walked slowly to the side counter, washed his hands in perfect calm, and dried them without a word.

Then, he spoke — quiet, deadly:

“What did I tell you?”

“Do not show me your face again until that file is in your hands.”

The temperature seemed to drop. Kyungil’s throat went dry.

He fell to one knee, head bowed.

“I failed. Forgive me. I’ll disappear until I recover it… I swear.”

The man didn’t answer. He simply raised a gloved hand in a silent command to leave.

Kyungil backed out of the room like a soldier before a merciless general. As the door closed behind him, the man stood alone, facing the wall of glass beakers.

Suddenly, with cold fury, he slammed his palm down on the metal table. The glass clinked but didn’t break.

His voice was a quiet storm.

“Even in death… Ren dares to defy me.”

The fluorescent lights buzzed. At that moment, even the machines seemed to hold their breath.

Noa remained unconscious.

His face was pale, his breaths shallow but stable.

Evan, the quiet man tending to him, adjusted the IV drip with focus and care.

Yumi, her hands still trembling from the journey, stood near the window, watching the snowfall outside with tense eyes.

Evan spoke softly, breaking the silence.

“We can’t stay in this country. Whoever did this… they won’t stop until Noa is gone.”

Yumi’s voice was low but resolute.

“I know. I’ve already made preparations. We’re leaving soon — and we’ll make sure no one ever finds him.”