PASSION Chapter 3 part 10

HoshiMiya
Jul 30
14 min read

Jeong Tae-ui barely knew anything about Riegrow. All I knew was that the guy was incredibly dangerous and someone I should stay far away from. But then, did I know much about Ilay? Not much. I had only talked to him a few times on the phone. While I might have been a bit better than others at figuring out people after a few conversations, I can't really define someone just from a handful of calls without even seeing their face.

However, like most people who've had a few conversations with a stranger, I had a first impression of Ilay. It was a vague idea of the kind of person he might be: someone you could talk to, someone whose conversations sometimes made you feel heavy but also cheerful, yet who every now and then gave off a chilly, water-like shiver.

Come to think of it, some of that impression seemed to be right. But then, how much did I really know about either of them?

Jeong Tae-ui walked down the hallway, rubbing his neck, not caring that the security camera was already recording him, or that it might record him more. He clicked his tongue, a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Damn it. This is a fraud, a total scam. How can such a beautiful hand be attached to the wrist of a guy like that?"

It was a hand so beautiful that my eyes were naturally drawn to it. Even seeing his bare hands at the beach, after he’d taken off his gloves, the feeling hadn't changed. In fact, it was even prettier than when it moved on screen.

But Jeong Tae-ui knew. That man could casually swing that fist at him. And the fact that he'd cut Jeong Tae-ui's throat the moment he felt like it hadn't changed either.

I sensed it during the last call. No matter if we talked a few dozen or a few hundred times, that man would never see me as anything more or less than a pure stranger.

Yes, thinking about it like that, Ilay and Riegrow were definitely the same person.

“Seriously, this is a scam……. Even if they say it doesn’t suit me, maybe I should just cut off those hands and replace them with mine. They’re wasted on a guy like him.”

But considering his neat, well-defined, white face, his looks were certainly fitting for the owner of such a hand. The real problem, however, wasn't his hand or face; it was his personality.

Jeong Tae-ui suddenly slowed his pace. What had happened that morning came to mind.

That morning, the man who had targeted Ilay with a crossbow last night had died.

Ilay had told Jeong Tae-ui that he would take care of it after returning to Europe, and he had kept his word—until that man had approached again.

It was morning when they returned to the branch building after their march. After eating, they couldn't even rest and had to immediately start their morning duties. People grumbled and cursed as they carried their gear into the building.

Jeong Tae-ui was also complaining, muttering, "They're really overworking us," as he picked up the load he’d set down. Then, he suddenly saw someone and murmured, "Oh." A young man stood out among the rough, rugged men of the European branch, appearing somewhat small—though in reality, he wasn't that much different from an average-sized man. Jeong Tae-ui stared at him, wondering why he looked familiar, and then realized.

It was the man he had seen last night. He hadn't seen him clearly, but he had seen him giving blowjob to Ilay. His profile and jawline looked familiar, so he looked again and confirmed it was indeed that young man.

Jeong Tae-ui cleared his throat, feeling awkward for no reason. My eyes hadn't even met the young man's, and I hadn't directly encountered that embarrassing scene yesterday, yet I still felt awkward.

So, that’s him, huh. That's Ilay’s type: a smaller than average build, with relatively delicate and slender features.

Jeong Tae-ui felt a wave of gloom. His gaze, which had been fixed on Xinlu, returned to his mind, and he remembered the concern from earlier. I knew I should be careful, but I didn't know how I could be careful. I couldn't just fold Xinlu up and put him in my pocket, and frankly, if Xinlu decided to go, all I could do was stare helplessly.

That man, Ilay, was undoubtedly overwhelming, powerful enough to make one feel their life was in danger. Yet, on the other hand, he possessed an equally distinct and intense primal charm. Hadn't I felt it so desperately last night?

Jeong Tae-ui's chest suddenly tightened, and he grew even more depressed. I couldn't shake the unsettling thought of whether I could even stand a chance if that man seriously pursued Xinlu.

As Jeong Tae-ui was lost in this gloomy contemplation, it happened.

In front of everyone, the man with his head wrapped in a blood-soaked bandage lunged at Ilay. A gleaming blue blade, aimed directly at Ilay's side, swiftly closed in on him.

Jeong Tae-ui was about ten paces away from Ilay, adjusting his pack, lost in thought. Then he saw it.

The blade, about a span long, was sharp enough to cut through flesh and bone. Just as it was about to touch Ilay's side.

Ilay turned. He gave the man a fleeting glance, then his eyes met Jeong Tae-ui's. It was a very brief moment, too short to even tell if his eyes truly met, but he smiled slightly.

You understand, don't you? It's not my will that breaks the promise. This is out of my hands.

That smile seemed to say just that. And then, Ilay slashed the reckless and foolish man who had probably charged at him in despair. Without hesitation, he slit the man's throat in one swift motion with the very knife the man had brought.

A fountain of blood erupted from the deep, half-severed gash in his neck. Drenched in the spray, Ilay tossed the knife onto the ground like garbage. He then wiped the blood from his eyelids with the back of his hand, leaving only his eyes stark white against his blood-smeared face.

Jeong Tae-ui stood frozen, staring blankly at the scene. It had happened mere meters away. A few drops of blood even splattered onto Jeong Tae-ui's cheek and collar.

No one uttered a word. They simply watched the man slowly collapse, gushing blood, and Ilay standing expressionlessly before him, looking down indifferently.

Ilay lifted his gaze from the fallen man. His eyes briefly met Jeong Tae-ui's again. Jeong Tae-ui, looking at the now-dead man, murmured quietly.

‘Another instance of self-defense.’

Ilay was not a man who would miss the sarcasm hidden in those words, and although he must have heard the murmur, he merely curled the corners of his lips in a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

Jeong Tae-ui wiped the blood from his cheek with his thumb and began to walk.

As Jeong Tae-ui passed Illy and entered the building, a short while later, the instructors rushed over. With a troubled and exasperated expression, they sternly warned Illy.

The warning was that while they couldn't hold him accountable under regulations, if this continued, they wouldn't overlook it, and that further incidents would result in measures being taken. It was the kind of warning that neither Ilay nor even Jeong Tae-ui would scoff at.

Jeong Tae-ui rubbed his arms again, feeling a chill. Even inside the perfectly air-conditioned building, recalling the morning's spectacle made his stomach churn and a cold shiver run down his spine.

He was Ilay, and at the same time, he was Riegrow. A man who, even in such a situation, didn't bat an eyelid and showed not an ounce of difference from his usual self. That very point was what Jeong Tae-ui found most unbearable.

"He actually came here because he could kill people without being punished, didn't he?"

Jeong Tae-ui muttered grumpily to himself. I didn't want to think that way, but what if he was someone with a strange liking to kill people from the start?

"Who, Tay hyung?"

Leaning against the wall and staring blankly at his feet, Jeong Tae-ui suddenly looked up in surprise at the unexpected voice. A few steps ahead, Xinlu stood still, gazing at him. When their eyes met, his wide smile was as sweet as cotton candy today.

"Oh, Xinlu. How long have you been standing there?"

"Since you said 'those beautiful hands are wasted on him.’ Whose hands are that nice?"

Xinlu asked, tilting his head slightly. At the subtle question, Jeong Tae-ui quickly waved his hand.

"No, no one. That’s someone you don't need to worry about. Someone you really shouldn't get to know."

"Hmm……."

Xinlu stared at Jeong Tae-ui for a moment, and then nodded with a full smile.

"Yes. Whatever it is, Hyung, don't worry too much about it. It’s only been a few days, but you look really stressed. ……Are you on your way back from seeing Instructor Jeong? I hope you didn’t get caught."

Xinlu spoke with concern. The floor they were currently on was somewhere I shouldn't have been. However, I, who was already prepared to transcribe ten volumes of the disciplinary code, had nothing much left to fear. I figured that once I was caught in the records, it didn't matter if it was once or ten times.

Jeong Tae-ui quietly looked down at Xinlu. Just looking at him would make me smile.

He is so beautiful and lovable every time I see him. Simply looking at his pure and innocent demeanor calmed my mind. What's more, was that sweet smile.

"Xinlu."

"Yes?"

"…….Just."

Jeong Tae-ui called his name and chuckled aimlessly. Xinlu tilted his head with a strange expression, but soon showed that lovely smile. Seeing that smile, Jeong Tae-ui's heart ached. This joy I have never felt before— perhaps this must be the happiness of romance everyone talks about.

I wasn't sure if I can call this dating, but I liked Xinlu, and Xinlu also knew my feelings and feels something for me as well, so it wouldn't be wrong to call it dating. Jeong Tae-ui even remembered that they had kissed, even if it was on the cheek, and he smiled happily to himself.

"Where are you going?"

"Oh. I'm on my way back to my room. I've just finished my work right now. I had a lot to do today, so I finished a bit late."

"I see. ……Alright, then go get some rest. I'll see you later."

Jeong Tae-ui suppressed his regret and patted Xinlu's shoulder. Xinlu, also seemingly regretful, was silent for a moment before speaking.

"Okay, then take care of yourself. Don't forget, we're going somewhere after your training ends."

That slightly playful, whining tone made Jeong Tae-ui's heart ache once more. This really must be the happiness of romance.

"Yea, see you later then……."

A smile, unwilling to be suppressed, slowly crept onto his face, and Jeong Tae-ui rubbed his mouth with his hand, muttering shyly. The next moment, he fell silent. The smile instantly vanished from his expression.

This was because he saw a man rounding the stairwell behind Xinlu, directly in front of Jeong Tae-ui.

Ilay Riegrow.

Perhaps realizing Jeong Tae-ui's expression had instantly hardened, Xinlu looked back with a puzzled face. Ilay, who had turned from the stairwell and was walking towards them, also stopped his gaze on Jeong Tae-ui's face before looking at Xinlu as he turned around.

"……."

A subtle silence fell. Ilay looked at Xinlu. Xinlu also looked at Ilay. Jeong Tae-ui nervously alternated his gaze between the two.

Whenever I thought of Xinlu in front of this man, I felt a faint sense of unease. It was an instinctive anxiety, a fear of something precious being taken away. Just like now.

"……Tay hyung. I'll get going now. Please be careful on your way back,"

Breaking the short, heavy silence, Xinlu spoke quietly. His back was facing Jeong Tae-ui, so his expression wasn't visible, but a faint wariness was in his voice. Jeong Tae-ui felt relieved by that voice. At least at this moment, what Xinlu felt for that man was not interest or curiosity. He was guarding against him with a defensive heart.

Even if Xinlu was wary, a monster like man would have no hesitation in taking what he wanted by force. Still, Jeong Tae-ui felt a slight ease in Xinlu's reaction. There had been a worry lingering at the bottom of his heart that Xinlu might somehow be drawn to that man's threatening charm.

"Unn. See you later then."

"Yes. I'll contact you."

Xinlu turned back to Jeong Tae-ui and smiled sweetly. It was a slightly stiff yet still lovely smile. The thought that Ilay was also watching this smile from over there didn't entirely put Jeong Tae-ui at ease, but he leaned back, observing them as if enjoying a show. His eyes held a hint of amusement.

Xinlu bid Jeong Tae-ui goodbye and turned to walk towards his room. Ilay was standing in his path. As he drew closer to him, his steps became stiffer, like a young animal facing a predator, with its fur bristling in fear.

One step, then another. The distance between Xinlu and Ilay gradually closed. Ilay stood leaning against the door, arms crossed, silently watching him with a smile. At one moment, Jeong Tae-ui's heart suddenly warmed.

"Xin—"

Just as Jeong Tae-ui was about to open his mouth.

Xinlu, who was a couple of steps away from Ilay, heard the call and turned to Jeong Tae-ui. At the same time, Ilay straightened up and reached out an arm, snatching Xinlu by the waist.

Without a chance to react, Ilay pulled Xinlu into an embrace, pushing him against the wall and pressing his body close. Ilay's long fingers gripped Xinlu's chin, tilting it up. Then he bit into Xinlu's lips as if to devour them. Ilay's thick tongue delved into Xinlu's parted mouth. Xinlu's eyes widened.

"Ilay! Stop it!"

Jeong Tae-ui roared in a surge of fury, rushing towards them.

Even as Jeong Tae-ui yelled, Ilay seemed not to hear him. He lowered one hand and brazenly seized Xinlu's crotch. A short gasp escaped Xinlu's lips. Ilay's large hand held Xinlu's crotch, slowly and forcefully rubbing and kneading. The hand, having burrowed between his legs, sensuously traced the path from his buttocks to his groin. Over a single layer of clothing, that hand, pressed against Xinlu's genitals, took on an utterly lewd and dark gleam.

"Ilay!!"

Jeong Tae-ui grabbed Ilay's shoulder and yanked him back. Ilay, as if he had intended to comply from the start, readily pulled away. Jeong Tae-ui seized him by the collar and slammed him against the wall.

"Don't! Leave him alone!"

Jeong Tae-ui cried out, eyes blazing with fury. His mind felt scorched black. Recalling the moment Ilay grabbed Xinlu and bit his lips, the moment he pushed his hand between Xinlu's legs, Jeong Tae-ui felt suffocated.

Ilay looked down at Jeong Tae-ui as if amused, but then shifted his gaze to Xinlu. Jeong Tae-ui, who was infuriated by the attitude that conveyed he didn't care about the likes of him, tightened his grip on Ilay's collar.

"Ilay……!!"

"Hyung……! I'm fine. Don't."

However, the person who stopped Jeong Tae-ui was Xinlu, who was frantically tugging at his collar beside him, looking flustered.

Jeong Tae-ui held Ilay by the collar and looked at Xinlu. With clear signs of bewilderment, Xinlu's unsteady gaze shifted between Ilay and Jeong Tae-ui. Xinlu's voice, repeatedly whispering "Hyung, don't, don't fight," sounded incredibly anxious and uneasy.

Hearing that voice, Jeong Tae-ui's heart ached again. He glared at Ilay for a moment before slowly releasing his grip. Ilay chuckled faintly and smoothed his collar.

"Quite excellent. Much more delectable than he looks……, Unn?"

"……!!"

Jeong Tae-ui's anger flared up once more at Ilay's low, laughter-laced murmuring. But as he clenched his fist, Xinlu grabbed him from the side. Jeong Tae-ui looked at Xinlu with a face hardened white with fury, but Xinlu, who was too anxious and looking as if he might burst into tears at any moment, shook his head.

Jeong Tae-ui barely managed to steady his ragged breath and stepped back from Ilay. Then he spoke to Xinlu in a low voice.

"Go inside. ……It's okay. Go on."

Xinlu, who still looked uneasy, looked at Jeong Tae-ui. Then he looked at Ilay—with eyes that were far from kind, which was Jeong Tae-ui's only faint relief. Not wanting Xinlu to remain in that spot, within Ilay's sight, Jeong Tae-ui urged him to go again. Xinlu, as if understanding his true feelings, nodded. And slowly, he began to walk away.

Jeong Tae-ui didn't move until Xinlu, who had turned back several times to check, finally entered his room and closed the door. Ilay, who was standing right beside him, also remained still.

Jeong Tae-ui continued to stare in the direction Xinlu had disappeared, as if chasing an afterimage, before slowly turning his gaze to Ilay. Ilay was standing with his arms crossed, looking at the opposite wall, seemingly lost in thought. Feeling Jeong Tae-ui's glare, he only dropped his eyes lazily.

Jeong Tae-ui slowly unclenched the fist he had still been holding tight. With a sigh, the intensely burning anger that had flared up momentarily began to fade away. I was rarely one to get violently angry, nor was I the type to contain such emotions for long.

Jeong Tae-ui felt a little pathetic, and stepped back. He asked, unpleasantly and gloomily.

"What are you playing at? Are you trying to pick him up or something?"

A small light of curiosity flickered in Ilay's eyes. That interest was only the desire for something.

"He's not yours yet, is he?"

"Isn’t he? I think Xinlu likes me too."

When Jeong Tae-ui said that, Ilay chuckled softly. It was a laughter with slight disappointment.

"Listen, Tay. You have the wrong idea again. I'm not talking about emotions like 'liking' or whatever. You can have those feelings as much as you want. I don't want it. I’m only interested in brief and intense pleasure."

"—So."

Anxiety, nervousness, and an overwhelming sense of displeasure spread across his chest.

Jeong Tae-ui stared straight at Ilay. Ilay met his gaze with cool, deep black eyes that revealed none of his thoughts.

This was a man who would get what he wanted, no matter what. He was not a person to give up or abandon a desire. That's why I can't back down. I couldn't just stand by if Ilay intended to claw at and cut down Xinlu, or anything else I held dear. No matter what. Even if I’m not strong enough to try to stop him.

Suddenly, Ilay chuckled, almost a sigh. He shook his head, looking as if he'd thrown up his hands.

"Alright, fine. I don’t want to fight you right now, anyway. Even if we were to fight, now isn't the time. So, let’s make a compromise. Let’s both take a step back."

Jeong Tae-ui frowned slightly at Ilay's low, suggestive words. I couldn't guess what this man, so openly displaying his desire for Xinlu, would say something like that.

He looked at Ilay, then quietly clicked his tongue.

Damn it. I finally understood what uncle was trying to say to me. It was best to simply not be noticed or involved, regardless of whether it's good or bad.

Jeong Tae-ui said bitterly.

"I'll hear your 'compromise' first. Though I doubt I even have much of a choice."

Ilay smiled at Jeong Tae-ui's grumbling, dissatisfied words. Then he spoke as if making a grand concession.

"He's the one you’re interested in, isn't he? To me, he certainly looks appetizing and gets me hard-on. It's my rule of mine to get what I want, but as I said, I don’t want to fight you right now. So— no matter what I do to him, don’t get in my way. In return, I won't force myself on him."

"What?"

"Didn’t you get it? As long as he's not entirely yours yet, you're to have no say if I approach him, seduce him, or drag him to bed. In return, I won't use threats or force him to do something he doesn’t want to do."

Jeong Tae-ui stared blankly at Ilay for a moment, speechless. He felt as if he'd been lightly struck on the back of the head.

"No……, that's……."

"If you're not even officially in a relationship with him, you don't really have the right to tell me what to do, do you?"

Jeong Tae-ui fell silent.

Ilay was right. In truth, I don’t know for sure if Xinlu wanted to be in a relationship with me. If I had to, I would say I was trying to win him over, and Xinlu was receptive to his efforts. I wasn't in a position to demand that Ilay stay away from Xinlu.

However, even though he couldn't bring himself to readily say, "Then do as you please," Ilay turned away, as if he had finished saying all he wanted to say.

"Ilay!"

Jeong Tae-ui half-involuntarily called out to him as he was about to turn away. Ilay raised an eyebrow slightly, turning only his head to look back. Jeong Tae-ui glared at him for a moment with a heavy heart, then said gloomily,

"If you use any forceful methods, …… I absolutely won't stand still."

Ilay then chuckled pleasantly. "Sure thing," he said, leaving only that brief, ambiguous reply, before he resumed walking.

Jeong Tae-ui stood stiffly in that spot until Ilay turned around the corner and was no longer visible. The moment he disappeared from sight, Jeong Tae-ui slumped against the wall and slowly slid to the ground. It suddenly felt as if decades of fatigue had descended upon him.

Things had taken the worst turn possible. I couldn't have refused Ilay's offer anyway— there was no knowing what Ilay might do if I stubbornly refused till the end— and I had no grounds to refuse, yet this was definitely not the situation I had wanted.

"I won't stand still…… Only someone with the power to back that up can say something like that and expect it to matter."

Jeong Tae-ui let out a groan, muttering to himself with self-deprecating humor.

Since coming here, not only had my life taken an unlucky turn, but I also felt like I was making every foolish mistake possible, all by myself.

[Continued in Volume 2]

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