Hospital Scene
The next day, Zack slowly opened his eyes in the hospital bed. His face was pale, sweat rolling down his temples. The first words he spoke were trembling with fear:
"...Mona… Eren is back, isn't he? This is the Master's doing… Master caused all of this… even our company's downfall… just to bring Eren back. But why, Mona? Why does he want Eren?"
Mona froze for a moment, her eyes shifting away. She bit her lip nervously before answering in a low, broken voice:
"Yes, Zack. I know. Last night… Master called me. He said we must follow the plan exactly. If we make one mistake… they will end everything."
Zack's heart skipped a beat. "So… you did what he wanted?"
Mona nodded reluctantly. "Yes. I told Eren my decision. He will not go abroad again. He will stay here and finish his studies… with Levi."
Zack clenched the bed sheet in his hands, his voice heavy with guilt. "Mona… is this right? Aren't we betraying Eren? I always thought of him as my own son. But now… I am deceiving him. This feels like a sin."
Mona suddenly snapped, her voice echoing in the hospital room.
"We have no choice, Zack! If we don't listen, the Master will destroy us! Not just you… not just me… but Levi… and even Eren! Everyone will be gone!"
Zack's chest tightened. His voice broke with sadness.
"How long… how long will we live like puppets in the Master's hands?"
Mona shivered, her face pale. "Until we discover what the Master truly wants… what his plan is… why Eren is so important… and what connection he has with him."
Levi & Eren – The Morning Clash
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Levi's voice thundered outside Eren's room.
"Eren! Are you awake? Get up already!"
Eren groaned from inside. "What's your problem, Levi? Why are you knocking like this so early?"
Levi snapped, "Problem? The problem is that you're still sleeping when it's your first day at university! Look at the time!"
Eren glanced at the clock. "It's just five forty. What's the big deal?"
Levi shouted louder, "Our university opens at six sharp! Those who come late… get bullied. Do you want to start your first day like that?"
Eren panicked and got ready in ten minutes.
Levi teased with a sly smile, "Ten minutes? That's too long for a slowpoke like you."
Eren slammed the door in Levi's face.
Levi muttered under his breath angrily, "What's his problem…"
At the University
Levi warned him, "See that teacher there? Sir Ji-An, the one with the big glasses? If anyone comes late, he crushes them. And today, he's extra angry because he fought with his wife. Don't test him."
Eren frowned in confusion. "Why are you even telling me this?"
Levi smirked. "Because I don't want you to suffer… you're with me now."
Eren blinked. "What do you mean by that?"
Levi's expression hardened. "You'll never understand."
Suddenly, Levi froze. "Oh no…"
Eren got nervous. "What happened?"
Levi grabbed his hand. "Eren, tell me honestly… did you take your medicine today?"
Eren hesitated. "I… I don't remember. Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't."
Levi's face twisted in rage. "Idiot! How can you forget something this important?"
He barked, "Stay here. Don't move. I'll go home and get your medicine myself. Do not go anywhere!"
Eren nodded quietly.
Levi rushed back home, grabbed the medicine, and raced back to the university… but his heart dropped.
Eren was gone.
Panic
Levi's hands shook as he dialed Mona.
"Mom! Eren is missing!"
Mona's scream pierced through the phone. "What do you mean missing? Where is he?!"
Levi gritted his teeth, his voice cracking. "I told him to wait, but he's not here. His phone is off!"
Mona's face turned pale. She whispered in fear, "Levi… find him. If he hasn't taken his medicine… his condition could worsen!"
Zack overheard. "What happened?"
Mona's voice trembled. "Eren… he's gone."
Zack immediately grabbed his phone and barked orders to his assistant.
"Lock down the city! Spread Eren's photo everywhere! Find him at any cost!"
Levi, meanwhile, searched the city like a madman. His fists were clenched, his jaw tight. Finally, he growled into his phone to his men:
"Find Eren in the next two hours. If you fail, you'll answer to me."
The Kidnapping
Hours later, Levi received the call.
"Sir… we found Eren. He's been kidnapped… by a local mafia. They're small-time… but dangerous. Rescuing him won't be easy."
An abandoned factory.
Eren sat tied to a chair, his eyes wide with fear.
Four men circled him. They called themselves Mafia One (Xu), Mafia Two (Nin), Mafia Three (Sun), Mafia Four (Moon).
Mafia One leaned forward, his eyes burning. "You're mine now. Such a pretty face… what's your name?"
Eren stuttered, trembling. "W-what do you want from me? Who are you people? I was at university just now…"
Mafia Three chuckled darkly. "We saw you collapse at university. You would've died without us. We saved your life."
Eren's voice cracked. "Then why bring me here? Why tie me up?"
Mafia Four smirked. "Because without your medicine, you'd already be dead. We saved you. Now… we want something in return."
Eren panicked. "Take money! There's cash in my bag—take it all! Just let me go!"
Mafia One slammed his fist against the bench. "We don't want your money! We brought you here for a purpose. You're special, kid. Too special."
Eren's lips trembled. "What… what purpose? Who sent you?"
Before anyone could answer—
BANG!
A gunshot exploded through the factory walls.
Police and guards stormed in, shouting: "Hands up! Drop your weapons!"
In the chaos, Levi ran straight to Eren, his eyes wet with tears. He pulled Eren into his arms, holding him tightly, kissing his forehead.
"Eren! Are you okay? What did they do to you?! If I had lost you… I would've died!"
Mona, Zack, and the officers froze in shock at Levi's desperate outburst.
The air grew heavy.
The Master's shadow loomed closer.
To Be Continued…