After the darkness…
with the reflection of sunlight…
I felt alive once again.
I slowly got up, leaned my back against the corner of a pillar, and looked at my body.
I had scratched myself everywhere last night…
my fingernails were stained with dried blood.
I washed my face with water…
and waited for the men to come.
At the sound of the door, I tilted my head toward it…
and looked at who entered.
That man had come in.
He walked toward me with heavy steps.
He crouched right in front of me.
"Holy shit… putting everything else aside, I thought this drug would knock you out and drive you insane all night.
But you look sharp as hell."
He was grinning as he spoke, the bastard.
"Are you fucking insane or what?"
I glared at him angrily.
"Nope. I'm perfectly fine, as you can see."
He looked around, nodded at his men, and stood up.
They grabbed me by the arms and pulled me to my feet.
What were they going to do this time…?
The man turned his back.
"Come on. Let's take you to Mr. Ender."
Like this??!!
You can't be serious…
"N-Now…?"
He turned back to me.
"Of course not. If he saw you like this, you'd probably be thrown out the door."
Thrown out…?
What does that even mean…?
"Mr. Ender hates dirty, unkempt people.
Let's make you look human first—so your suffering doesn't go to waste."
Ah… really…
I'm finally going.
…
They took me to a clean changing room.
A nurse entered, took out a syringe, and injected it into my arm.
"W-What was that… what the hell did you give me?"
The nurse looked at me.
"A sedative… and some painkillers."
Ah…
"O-Okay…"
That lunatic of a supervisor smirked.
"What, scared?"
Scared?
Who wouldn't be scared with drugs in their veins?
"Do I really look like it?"
While the nurse was dressing my wounds, I tried to endure his constant nonsense.
"Let me tell you a few things about Mr. Ender…"
I immediately looked at him, eager to learn every detail.
"Damn, you really lost your mind that badly?"
I nodded without hesitation.
"Yes, please. Go on."
He was checking the suits in the closet, probably trying to find one that fit me.
"Keep these in mind:
One—he hates physical contact. Absolutely. Dirt and dust too.
Two—don't comment on or interfere with his personal life.
Three—no matter what he does, play the three wise monkeys. 🙈🙉🙊
Four—any secret you learn dies with you. If it leaks, you're responsible—and you die.
Five—don't pity yourself."
Huh…
He didn't seem like that kind of person…
I want to see him up close.
"Ah—found one for you. Come on, put this on."
I stood up and took the suit from his hands, stepping into the booth.
Buttoning up the shirt made my wounds sting…
I was enduring everything just for him.
"Come on, get out. Time won't wait for you."
I stepped out of the booth.
The nurse was staring at me, frozen.
"Hey, nurse… you can go now."
I felt completely ready.
The man pulled out his gun and slid it into the holster inside my pants.
"There. Now it looks right."
He looked at me and touched my neck approvingly.
"After all that torment… I never thought I'd be dressing you like this.
You endured well."
He pulled his hand back and straightened his own jacket.
"What comes next depends on your power of persuasion."
"W-What persuasion are you talking about?"
He grinned.
"Getting my approval doesn't mean it's over.
The real test is next—catching Mr. Ender's eye.
And trust me… that's not easy."
No matter how hard it is…
I can't leave without achieving that.
"I'm ready."
He shrugged, looking at me.
"We'll see.
I'm going to enjoy watching you suffer…
because you'll regret this."
You'll regret it… give up…
Did this man ever do anything useful for me?
All he brought was trouble.
…
We were standing in front of Mr. Ender's office.
Five others were there too—probably for approval.
I had to outdo them.
While we waited silently, someone broke the silence.
"Sir… when will Mr. Ender arrive?"
Just as the man was about to answer—
Footsteps echoed, followed by a deep, pleasant voice.
"What, are you impatient?"
At last… I could see you.
Your aura was so sharp and powerful…
I could watch you endlessly.
"Hey you—say hello. Lower your head."
I ignored the supervisor's voice and focused only on his eyes.
He narrowed his eyes and quickly turned his head away.
"No need to bow.
Go inside."
As we entered, I saw the supervisor mouth the words—
Good luck.
Some people really were surprising.
…
Mr. Ender walked to his desk and put on his gloves.
I thought it was because he disliked physical contact.
He leaned against the desk and asked,
"Why do you want to be my head bodyguard?"
One man stiffened.
"B-Because I'm strong… and I think I can protect you."
Yes, he was physically strong—
but mentally, he wasn't.
Some answered while stuttering, clearly nervous.
That was normal.
Anyone standing in front of him would tremble.
A pregnant woman would probably give birth from stress—
you can imagine the rest.
He asked us all the same question.
I planned to keep my answer short.
He stood right in front of me now, his expression unreadable.
"Why do you want to be my head bodyguard?"
I straightened my posture, met his gaze.
"There's no specific reason."
His eyes scanned me, then returned to my face.
"Why would I choose someone without a reason to protect me?"
Good question.
"I believe people with reasons only endure up to a point."
I hoped it impressed him.
If I were him… I wouldn't be impressed.
"Hm."
He continued asking meaningless questions, adjusting the books on his shelf, one ear always on us.
A figurine on the shelf didn't look very stable.
…
---
Character Profiles
Name: Ender Doğan
Age: 27
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Hair: Straight / Black
Eyes: Black
Height: 1.85 m
Name: Ulaş Atay
Age: 27
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Hair: Light brown / Wavy
Eyes: Blue
Height: 1.96 m