The next morning, a visitor arrived at my door early. I thought the knocking was a simple signal that breakfast had been delivered, as usual. But when I opened the door, the bodyguard standing there was empty-handed. He looked at my disheveled appearance, having just woken up, and spoke indifferently.
"Follow me."
"Pardon? Where to…."
"You'll see."
His firm attitude made me quickly wash up and follow him.
I was filled with all sorts of worries as I walked down the prison-like corridor. It's not like we would play chess again, and I hoped they hadn't decided to interrogate me. Worst case scenario, maybe I'd be tortured… Anxiety made me break out in a cold sweat all over.
We arrived at a room at the end of the corridor. The bodyguard knocked briefly and then opened the door.
"Master Simeon, I've brought him."
The moment I followed him in, a heavy tension enveloped me.
The dark room was illuminated by only one blue light. Under the eerie glow, a man was kneeling facing the wall. His hands were tied behind his back, and a black blindfold completely blocked his vision. Even with half of his face covered, the fear emanating from his tightly shut lips was palpable.
The object of the man's fear must be him. When I glanced over, I saw Simeon sitting on a chair with two guards, his dark eyes gleaming in the shadows. He smiled quietly at me, a smile so cold that I couldn't even force a smile in return.
"Come here."
The bodyguard led me to the kneeling man. The man flinched at the sound of our footsteps and hunched his shoulders. When the bodyguard removed his blindfold, a surprisingly young face was revealed. The disheveled man immediately raised his voice upon seeing me.
"That's right. It's him!"
"…What?"
"This guy ordered it."
His bloodshot eyes rolled wildly. Suddenly, Simeon's words came to mind.
'We finally caught the rat who was tailing our people. He's unconscious now, but he'll spill everything when he wakes up.'
So this is the guy. That's why he's locked up here. But why is he suddenly dragging me into this? Is he trying to pin the crime on me, someone he's never seen before?
I glared at him, telling him to shut up, but the man ignored me and continued to accuse me as the ringleader.
"I-I was just following orders."
I couldn't stand his nonsense any longer and stepped forward.
"Excuse me. What are you talking about?"
When I tried to approach, the bodyguard immediately extended his arm to stop me. At that moment, Simeon, who'd been quietly observing, spoke up.
"Is it true?"
"Of course not! This is the first time I've ever seen this man."
When I turned around, I saw Simeon's calm expression. He smiled faintly, but I couldn't tell what he was thinking. Since he called me here, it seemed like he was trying to confirm if the man's words were true. If he believed him over me, I'd be in trouble.
"Surely… you don't believe him, do you?"
A heavy silence followed. Frustrated, I strode toward him. Another guard tried to block my way, but Simeon raised his hand to hold them back. For the first time, I looked down at him. Yet, the power dynamic was still in his favor.
Simeon, who'd been looking up at me silently for a while, gave a lazy smile.
"I believe you."
"What?"
"I believe what you're saying, Mr. Hajae."
Simeon mumbled and then closed his eyes gently. Suddenly, he started moving his hands in the air, like when he was fighting the salamander under Mapo Bridge. Feeling I shouldn't interrupt, I stepped back and quietly watched him.
I thought he was playing chess again, but his finger movements were clearly different. He turned his wrist as if inspecting something, then grasped it with his thumb and middle finger, moving only his index finger.
That's a Rubik's cube. The way his fingers moved was like notes dancing on a musical score. Soon, his hand stopped abruptly. It seemed he'd already solved the cube. The guard immediately approached the man. Despite his scream-like outcry, the guard put the blindfold back on, making him tremble.
"Wait. What are you doing!"
Ignoring his near-screams, the guard forcibly lifted the man and placed him in front of Simeon. Sensing something ominous, the man started speaking desperately with a pale face.
"It wasn't me. He threatened me. He told me to dig up information on you…!"
His desperate voice filled the bluish room. But Simeon remained calm with his eyes closed. The more the man trembled in fear, the deeper Simeon's smile grew.
"I'll say this only once."
His whisper was hypnotic, like the Garden of Eden snake urging man to eat the forbidden fruit.
"If I move this finger, you will die."
"W-What?"
"So, tell the truth. If you confess everything you know, I promise not to kill you."
Faced with the fear of death, the man froze like a stone. In contrast, Simeon leisurely caressed the invisible cube. I felt a touch of regret as I was suddenly reminded of Sang in the distant past.
Since long ago, Sang would always leave the last side of a Rubik's Cube unsolved for a while, gently touching its edges as if savoring the lingering feeling. It made me think he genuinely enjoyed puzzles.
But the thing he holds now isn't an ordinary cube. If what Simeon says is true, the moment the ethereal cube is solved, the man dies. Yet, there wasn't the slightest hesitation in his movements as he worked on the cube.
No way… It can't be. Even though I knew he wouldn't kill a person easily, a sense of unease took hold in a corner of my mind.
"I already told you! It's that guy!"
The man screamed at the top of his lungs, struggling non-stop.
"I… I…"
The man, who seemed about to breathe his last, suddenly collapsed with a thud.
Maybe it was the blue light, but his face looked particularly pale. I immediately approached him and placed my fingers under his nose. I could feel a steady breath. He was just unconscious. Only then did I feel a sense of relief.
A long shadow fell over my head as I laid the man on his side to keep his airway open. Startled, I looked up to see Simeon's face, slightly grimacing. He looked down at me for a while, then gave a smile that could've been either a sneer or a smirk.
"How kind of you."
"Pardon…?"
"You're even worried about the person who tried to frame you."
His eyes narrowed, a cold gleam in them.
Sure, the man who tried to frame me was indeed detestable. But I couldn't ignore someone who'd collapsed right in front of me. Even if it made me seem like a hypocrite, I had no words to argue.
"I wasn't… worried. I knew you wouldn't kill him."
"On what grounds?"
"You're not someone who plays with other peoples' lives."
Simeon looked genuinely surprised as I met his gaze directly.
"You speak as if you know me very well."
"I have an eye for people."
Simeon gave a bland laugh, seemingly not expecting that answer.
"You're right. I didn't intend to kill him."
His gaze then moved past me to the unconscious man. There was not a hint of pity in his cold eyes. Only contempt, disgust, and a bit of boredom filled his expressionless face.
"Well, if he'd caused more trouble, I might have changed my mind."
"…Caused trouble?"
"Like if he continued to insist you were his accomplice…"
Would he kill someone for such a trivial reason? I wanted to ask but couldn't find my voice.
That was no joke. The murderous intent that had filled the room moments ago was real. The bound man probably passed out from the panic it'd caused him.
Swallowing hard, I muttered to myself.
"You're… serious, aren't you?"
"Always."
His smile, spreading across his face, was disturbingly beautiful. I stared blankly at him as he extended a hand to me. Unable to refuse his courteous gesture, I cautiously took his hand and stood up. He gently fixed my disheveled hair, smiling faintly.
"Thank you for thinking well of me, but I'm not as good a person as you think, Mr. Hajae."
"What do you…?"
"I have to get rid of the things I dislike right away,"
His eyes, filled with hostility, briefly glanced toward the man on the floor,
"And I must have what I want."
Then, in a soft tone, he looked at me.
"Anyway, you must be tired today, so rest well."
With that, Simeon turned away, his eyes smiling warmly.
"Please escort Mr. Hajae to his room."
He remembered to politely request that from the guard who'd brought me.
Just when I thought it was over, the man lying on the floor twitched. His chapped lips moved.
"Ugh…."
But Simeon didn't even glance at him.
"Take care of him."
He left only a cold command.
****
Simeon said he believed me. Does that mean he'll let me go soon?
Today marks the tenth day of my captivity. The sky, always clear, was unusually overcast. Even the usually calm sea was ferociously crashing against the island today as if the scenery was angry with me. Or maybe it was just depressed.
Just then, I heard a knock. When I opened the door, I saw an unexpected visitor.
"You…!"
There was no way I could forget her with her soft, latte-colored hair and the pretty dimples when she smiled—the florist, or more correctly, the Apostle with the silver prosthetic leg. I vividly remembered the innocent face that had offered me tea with sleeping pills.
"Long time no see. How have you been?"
She greeted me casually and handed me neatly folded clothes. It was the hoodie and pants I wore when I collapsed at the flower shop. I accepted them but couldn't shake off my suspicion. She laughed lightly and said,
"Congratulations."
"What?"
"The Guild Leader has decided to let you go."
Is this finally my escape? Even though the long-awaited day had arrived, it didn't feel real. As I wore a perplexed expression, she kindly added,
"The man who framed you as the mastermind has confessed everything."
"Confessed what?"
"He admitted he approached you to gather information about The Apostles as a reporter."
It turns out he was the man who'd asked me to take photos of Simeon. It was all part of his plan to frame me if he ever got caught. The absurdity of being used as insurance by a stranger made me laugh.
Anyway, this cleared me of all charges.
"Go on and change. We'll be waiting outside."
After she closed the door, I quietly changed my clothes. Is this how a prisoner feels before being released? I thought I'd feel relieved, but something felt off. Was I regretting that I wouldn't see Simeon again?
"…Ugh, please get a grip."
I took one last look at the sea filling the large window. For some reason, the sky filled with clouds looked even gloomier, and the waves seemed fiercer. It felt like the island was trapping outsiders from leaving.
Finally, when I stepped out, she was waiting and took a step ahead.
"This way."
Following her, a low voice echoed in my head.
'But if you're going to run away, can you tell me in advance? I hate it when people disappear without a word.'
Why did that come to mind now? Simeon was the one who ordered my release. I wasn't running away but leaving rightfully. Yet my heart felt heavy.
Why? Because his expression seemed lonely then? Or because it reminded me of my past mistakes? Whatever the reason, I felt I'd regret it forever if I didn't see his face one last time.
Suddenly stopping in the middle of the hallway, she looked at me, puzzled.
"What's wrong?"
"Can I… see him before I go?"
"Who?"
"Simeon."
I expected a refusal, but she nodded readily and turned around.
"Follow me."
The Apostle's headquarters was like a maze. An outsider could easily get lost. After passing through winding hallways and climbing stairs, I marveled at the lack of CCTV cameras despite the tight security.
As I followed her, a worry surfaced.
"Am I not bothering him?"
"It's fine. The Guild Master should be in front of
"What's that?"
"One of the spirit objects we've collected."
Spirit objects are classified from E-grade to S-grade based on their rarity and the risk of their abilities. Anything below A-grade can be freely traded and transferred, but only the state or associations can own S-grade spirit objects.
Wealthy collectors or hunters own most spirit items. Simeon, an S-grade hunter, must own many of these relics.
Lost in thought at the mind-boggling numbers, she asked suspiciously,
"Surely, you know what spirit objects are, right…?"
"Y-Yes, I do. I just don't know what that portrait you mentioned is."
"
"Yes, that."
She calmly began explaining, almost like a curator at a museum.
"A long time ago, there was a count named Saint Germain. He was known as the last alchemist of mankind."
"An alchemist?"
"Yes. It's said he turned lead into gold in front of the public."
Some called the man a fraud, while others praised him as a unique alchemist. Overnight, he became famous, with sightings reported all over the world.
But everyone described Saint Germain differently. Some said he was a gentleman in his forties; others said he was a white-haired old man. As testimonies varied, people grew suspicious.
"Several people probably impersonated him, right?"
"No one knows. It's a legend."
She shrugged lightly and continued.
"So
"The portrait… changes?"
"Yes, it reflects the face the owner imagines."
A count with no face, both a swindler and a seeker of truth. A fitting spirit item for such origins.
"It's fascinating."
"Right? Anyway, the Guild Leader gazes at that painting whenever he has time… like Pygmalion."
Comparing him to Pygmalion, who fell in love with the statue he created, made me realize just how often Simeon must be looking at that portrait. More than anything, I was curious about whose face
Soon, she stopped in front of a door. The black wooden door was intricately engraved with curved patterns, exuding luxury at first glance. She stepped back after knocking on my behalf, signaling me to enter. Bowing slightly in thanks, I quietly opened the door and stepped inside.
Thud—.
Even though I closed the door carefully, the sound echoed loudly; the room inside was that quiet.
In the middle of the completely white room, a black figure stood, his hands clasped behind his back, staring blankly. In front of him, a painting that appeared to be
His brown hair was glowing red, dyed by the sunset's light, and his gently curved eyes had a mischievous glint. His face was so innocent and lifelike as if he might start talking to me at any moment, that I unconsciously covered my mouth and stepped back.
The young man in the painting was me. No, it was my face from when I was 'Johan'.
"What's the matter?"
A low voice startled me, making my shoulders twitch. Simeon was still facing away from me, staring at the painting.
I hadn't expected him to miss me—no, Johan—this much. What kind of expression was he wearing as he looked at the painting now? Was it longing? Resentment? Or perhaps the look of someone who had fallen in love, as the female Apostle from earlier mentioned?
Suppressing my unsettling curiosity, I forced myself to answer as if nothing was wrong.
"Well, I was told I could leave now."
"That's right. So why haven't you left yet?"
"You said so yourself."
Taking a deep breath to steady my trembling voice, I continued.
"You said you hate it when people disappear without a word."
Finally, Simeon turned to face me. His indifferent gaze made me feel strangely tense.
"And… I wanted to apologize."
"Apologize?"
"For taking your picture without permission and selling it. I'm sorry. I won't do it again. I won't even take similar jobs anymore."
After this, I was considering quitting the errand business. Even if it meant earning less money, having a more ordinary job would improve my well-being.
In any case, it was my fault for causing trouble, so I silently bowed my head. Soon, the quiet room was filled with the sound of footsteps. The slow, deliberate steps stopped as our shadows overlapped.
"How much did you get for it?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm asking how much you were paid for that photo."
Glancing up, I saw that Simeon was standing within arm's reach.
"Three hundred… thousand."
"Less than I expected."
"It's a lot for a photo."
"Was the job just for the money?"
"Isn't everyone working to make money?"
Even if he told me to give back the money I obtained illicitly, I wouldn't be able to argue. But then Simeon made an unexpected suggestion.
"Then, if I give you more than that, will you stay here?"
For a moment, his enigmatic smile captivated me. The deep smile on his lips made it impossible to tell if he was joking or being serious. It seemed as sincere as ever. That's why, even as a joke, I couldn't bring myself to say 'okay.'
"No. I wouldn't do that."
"…You're firm on that."
Simeon looked somewhat disappointed. A fleeting image of his younger self pleading with me to stay just one more night flashed through my mind, and for a moment, I nearly softened.
"Well, I should go now."
Staying any longer would only bring back memories of the past. I hurried to leave the room but suddenly stopped in my tracks. Out of familiarity, I almost forgot something important.
"Oh, right. Can you take this off?"
I pointed to the collar around my neck, and Simeon immediately responded with a soft smile.
"Nope. I can't do that."
"Why? Are you worried I'll talk?"
"Well, there's that… but…."
For once, Simeon trailed off. Did he have a reason he couldn't explain, even as the guild leader? He seemed momentarily lost in thought before suddenly reaching out to me. I braced myself, thinking he would touch the collar, but his large hand moved toward my face instead of my neck.
"It'll come off on its own when the time comes."
"What do you…?"
As his hand blocked my view, everything before me began to blur. It felt just like when I had taken the sleeping pill, my consciousness slipping away suddenly. As my legs gave out and I started to stumble, he easily supported me with one arm. Forcing my heavy eyelids to stay open, the last thing I saw was his beautifully blossoming smile.
"It was nice meeting you, Mr. Hajae."
His voice whispered lowly as I lost consciousness.