Sounds of gunshots echoed through the air, shattering the suffocating silence. A loud thud followed as someone collapsed to the ground, gasping for his final breaths.

"Finished saying everything, Mr. Shin? Or is there something left?" A man, seemingly in his 40s, asked, stepping into the dimly lit room. He smirked, tilting his head slightly, "Oops, I guess you can't answer anymore. But maybe the kid can. What do you think, kid?" His sharp gaze turned towards Taesan, who stood frozen like a statue.

No one spoke. The tension was unbearable.

Another gunshot pierced through the air.

The bullet hit Shin square in the chest. His body slumped lifelessly. Blood spread quickly across the floor, staining it in crimson.

"Look what you made me do, Shin," the man sighed dramatically, his tone dripping with mock regret.

Taesan’s wide eyes fixated on the scene before him, his body paralyzed with shock. Just moments ago, Shin had been alive, talking to him. Now, he lay in a pool of his own blood right infront of him.

The man chuckled darkly, breaking through Taesan’s daze. Slowly, he began walking toward him.

“Oh my, I’m so sorry, kid. You shouldn’t have seen that,” the man said with a feigned look of concern. “But trust me, I’m not a bad person. I helped him. Now he can reunite with his dear wife in heaven.” He smiled, his expression unnervingly cheerful.

Taesan couldn’t speak. He wanted to say something, anything, but the words were trapped in his throat.

The man’s eyes flicked to Shin’s body. He spat on the floor near it. “He deserved it, you know. But his wife? She was innocent. I kind of feel bad about that. She got caught up in his mess, and for what?”

“Why did you do it?” Taesan whispered, his voice barely audible.

“Didn’t you hear me, kid? He betrayed me. He told you everything,” the man replied nonchalantly, his tone disturbingly casual.

“You killed him...” Taesan’s voice wavered as his mind struggled to process the horror of what he had just witnessed.

“Well, yes,” the man said with a shrug. “He’s dead, and I was the one who shot him. So, technically, yeah—I’m the killer.”

“Who are you?” Taesan’s senses were failing him, fear gripping every inch of his being.

The man smirked. “I’m the one he was just telling you about.”

Taesan’s breath caught in his throat. His mind reeled as realization dawned on him.

It was him.

The man’s smirk widened, taking pleasure in Taesan’s visible horror. “Don’t be scared, kid. Oh, wait—I almost forgot. I brought you a surprise! But it’s unfortunate, isn’t it? You keep avoiding me,” he said, his voice mocking and playful.

“W-what do you want from me?” Taesan stuttered, recoiling as the man raised the gun, pointing it towards him.

“Kids these days are so impatient,” the man said, shaking his head in mock disappointment. “I’m talking about a surprise, and you’re interrupting me. Never mind.”

“Please... just let me go,” Taesan pleaded, his voice cracking.

The man tilted his head, feigning thought. “We’ll talk about that later. First, let me get your surprise.” He giggled softly, then turned and left the room, his laughter echoing in the corridor.

As soon as the man was gone, Taesan moved. His legs trembled as he approached Shin’s lifeless body. Kneeling down, he whispered, “I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I’m so sorry…” Tears streamed down his cheeks as guilt consumed him.

He didn’t know Shin well, but in the short time they’d spoken, he had felt a strange sense of safety. Shin had been the one to tell him the truth, to shed light on the darkness surrounding him. And now, he was gone.

Taesan felt the weight of loss press against his chest.

“Look who’s here,” the man’s voice rang out again, pulling Taesan out of his thoughts.

Startled, he jumped to his feet and turned towards the door.

The man stood there, grinning, with someone by his side.

“Hyung…” Taesan’s voice cracked as he barely managed to whisper the word. His legs moved instinctively, rushing towards the door in disbelief...