"Pain is consciousness, and the more conscious a person becomes, the more they suffer."
— Fyodor Dostoevsky
How many sorrows do we suppress?
How many wounds have yet to heal?
Until when will tears continue to flow like endless rivers?
How much more can we endure?
I know only this: my heart longs to rest from everything.
Inside that company where there was no room for pause, activity and unfamiliar enthusiasm filled the place.
In the president's office—where no light illuminated the room—he sat in his chair, rubbing his aching temples, contemplating his next steps. Moments later, he picked up the phone and searched for a number. As soon as he found it, he spoke in a serious tone laced with visible exhaustion.
Caller: "Has his rage begun? Have you completed what I asked of you?"
Namjoon's father: "I reviewed those documents carefully. Unfortunately, what you said is entirely correct—there is no path to that immense fortune except through this method."
Jane's father: "I analyzed the upcoming deals. I believe he will try to seize them by any means necessary, and I'm certain he will resort to the dirtiest tactics."
Caller: "Very well. Let us move on to the next step."
Dina's father: "But do you really think we should continue without telling our children the remaining truth?"
Linda's father: "That's true. I fear they may act recklessly and—"
Caller: "It's fine. Leave that aside for now. What matters is that you watch your children closely and warn them not to approach that monster. I'm hanging up now. Goodbye."
The call ended, and the fathers exchanged heavy, weary glances filled with unbearable guilt.
John's father: "We'll continue. There can be no leniency— that bastard will not retreat. We must stand firm."
Shawn's father: "I know how difficult this is. After all this investigation, we still don't know the full extent of what that criminal is hiding. He's dangerous. We must act with extreme caution."
While the parents discussed business matters, their children were also struggling to earn their daily bread and help their families with household expenses.
Shawn: "John, go get some rest. You look terribly pale."
John: "Don't worry about me, I—"
Jane: "Stop pretending. Do what Shawn said. Your condition is worrying. Go rest."
Jane spoke firmly, accompanied by Shawn's warning gaze, leaving John no choice but to surrender and rest.
Night fell, draping the world in darkness, and everyone sank into deep sleep from sheer exhaustion.
The sun rose once more, gently shining upon a body sleeping in utter fatigue. Within her lay emotions beyond words, as coldness slowly crept across her features. Each day was torment, and the place that once sheltered her had become her second hell.
Serene: "Ah… another day. I wonder what awaits me today… hehe. Maybe a new kind of torture."
She muttered brokenly before heading to the bathroom to perform her daily routine.
She arrived at the university—where those who raced time itself for revenge were already waiting.
Dina walked toward Serene, holding a cup filled with scalding oil. As soon as she reached her, she poured it over Serene's hand.
"AAAAH! Oh my God—what… how—?!"
Serene screamed as if her hand had burst into flames, her skin burning, her bones stabbed by unbearable pain. How could it not, when boiling oil had scorched her flesh?
Jane: "Did you enjoy this punishment? Stop screaming. You should be grateful I didn't throw it on your pretty face, you slut. Hahaha."
Days passed. Then weeks. Then months.
The suffering of that miserable girl intensified each time.
Shawn: "Have you noticed? She no longer reacts to what we do to her. I'm out of ideas… What should we do next?"
He asked, contemplating their final steps.
Meanwhile, silence and stillness had become Serene's armor as she planned how to end everything—how to save what remained.
On the other side, there were those working relentlessly, through deception and cunning, to reclaim what the youths had lost and overthrow that criminal.
Unknown Caller: "What's the situation, Mr. Lee? Tell me—are things proceeding according to plan?"
This was addressed to Mr. Lee, assistant to Serene's deceased uncle and now the man in charge of her uncle's company.
Flashback
As you remember, Serene's uncle was murdered by her father—his own brother. Before his death, he sent Serene a message revealing the full truth about her family. Along with it, he left a will naming Serene as his sole heir to everything he owned, including one of the most successful companies. He also told her about Mr. Lee and instructed her to trust him.
That same day, her father returned—despite having planned to travel—solely to eliminate his brother before he could save Serene from what awaited her. When he found the message, he destroyed the first copy but failed to notice the second. He ordered the head maid to stay away from Serene, then brutally beat and tortured her until she lost consciousness.
The next morning, Serene awoke completely drained and prepared herself to attend the funeral—only for the head maid to stop her, tears in her eyes.
Head Maid: "Where are you going, my young lady?"
Serene: "I'm getting ready for the funeral, Auntie."
Head Maid: "I'm sorry… there will be no funeral. Anyone your father kills is buried secretly."
Serene: "What…? How is that possible…?"
Head Maid: "Your uncle was buried immediately in the Palace of Doom. Please lower your voice before he hears you and hurts you more."
She changed her clothes and headed toward the university. On her way out, she overheard her father speaking:
Serene's Father:
"So… her friends' families are wealthy and own companies. Interesting. I want them. Invite them to a partnership meeting."
Assistant:
"What? A partnership? This is unlike you, sir."
Serene's Father:
"Hahahaha! Have you lost your mind? We'll do what we always do. Prepare the asset transfer papers and include them in the contract. Let's see how things go.
What's wrong—enjoying listening to my plans, girl?"
Serene:
"I didn't expect you to be this despicable, you deceiver."
Serene's Father:
"And the best is yet to come, you cursed face. Make sure they don't notice the paper. I want everything they own. Do you understand?"
Serene:
"And what if I refuse? Do you really think I'll obey you?"
Serene's Father:
"Then don't. But when you return, enjoy bathing in the blood of those idiots—along with their children and families. What's your answer now? Hahaha."
Terror froze her veins.
Serene:
"I won't let you harm them. If you do—"
Serene's Father:
"Do as I say, and they'll remain safe."
With that victorious, cruel smile, he ended the conversation.
She did as he ordered—slipping a blank paper between the contract pages. When the documents were signed, no one noticed, as her father rushed them relentlessly.
The world tightened around her.
After the oil burned her hand, she decided to move forward despite the shocked gazes of the students. Had hatred truly driven them this far?
Yes—she had betrayed them mercilessly.
But the pain was not only in her hand; it tore through her heart.
She froze her expressions and pressed on toward a greater goal.
"What does not destroy us makes us more ruthless."
— Friedrich Nietzsche
Classes ended. With a lost expression and a mind drowning in decisions, she returned home. She sat on a brown sofa in the dark house, holding her phone in her uninjured hand, her heart trembling at what might follow.
She dialed the police—planning to report everything anonymously. Her voice shook as fear and consequences strangled her words.
Head Maid: "Are you sure about this? It's extremely dangerous, my child."
Serene: "The time for patience and forgiveness is over. It's time to act."
Mr. Lee: "She won't back down, Madam Ji. Serene, your friends' families are waiting for you for the meeting. Shall we go now?"
Serene: "Yes. And by the way—did you check what I asked?"
Mr. Lee: "So far, nothing significant. We haven't found anything yet."
Serene: "Then continue searching."
She left the house with Mr. Lee, heading toward the company she inherited. Her seriousness and resolve were unprecedented.
When they arrived, Serene stepped out with dignity and authority—the demeanor of someone who had survived countless battles despite her young age.
She entered the meeting room.
"Welcome, Ms. Serene. How are you today?"
"No need for titles. Didn't you ask me to abandon them? You should do the same."
Shawn's father spoke firmly, and everyone greeted her with polite smiles.
Serene: "What's the latest? How are things progressing?"
Jane's father: "Everything is proceeding as you instructed. We're handling each deal with caution."
Dina's father: "He's still trying to reach you—doing everything he can to secure a meeting."
Mr. Lee: "He's likely planning to seize the company somehow. We must be vigilant."
She stared at the ceiling, deeply calculating her next move—until John's father interrupted.
John's Father:
"We received new information regarding what you asked for. We discovered the reason behind his recent disappearance…
Do you wish to hear it? You may not like what you're about to hear."
Serene:
"Say it. Don't hesitate."
John's Father:
"Your father married three women. He visited them occasionally. All three became pregnant—two disappeared immediately after giving birth. One remains, still in early pregnancy."
Linda's father lowered his head before continuing:
"He is also kidnapping homeless and poor people—no one hears from them again. In addition to arms trafficking and drug dealing. We discovered the location and date of the next operation…"
Serene:
"Where and when? Quickly."
Shawn's Father:
"One week from now. In Blaisin District—Lorence Café."
She took out her phone. With grave words, darkened features, and a heart overflowing with pain and sorrow, she passed all the information to the police—right there, in front of everyone.
And just as she was about to stand up…
—To be continued.