Being interrogated at a police station is always a grueling ordeal, especially from the perspective of a kidnapping victim.

  However, because Jihyeon was with her, Min-ah was able to wrap everything up and leave much sooner than expected. Thanks to him, the process of filing her statement went smoothly.

  As she stepped outside, her parents were waiting. The moment they saw Min-ah, they burst into tears and pulled her into a tight embrace.

  "Oh, goodness... I never imagined having that person as a neighbor would lead to this..."

  "I'm just so glad you're safe. Truly."

  Min-ah’s parents were overwhelmed with relief. Still, experiencing their daughter being kidnapped multiple times was agonizing. The fact that they had broken directly into their home this time made it feel even more harrowing.

  Jihyeon stood by silently, watching Min-ah and her parents weep in each other's arms. With a faint smile, his gaze toward Min-ah remained gentle.

  "Thank you. Because of you... I don't know how many times you've saved our daughter's life now. You are truly our savior."

  Once he had calmed down a bit, Min-ah’s father expressed his gratitude. Indeed, Jihyeon had saved her time and time again. No amount of thanks felt like enough.

  Jihyeon, however, merely looked embarrassed by their praise. Perhaps it was because he wasn't used to being thanked in such a way—or perhaps it was because he had grown accustomed to the criticism that had followed him recently.

  "N-no, sir. I only did what had to be done."

  Min-ah’s father laughed as he watched Jihyeon’s bashful reaction.

  "You must visit our restaurant sometime soon. I’ll prepare a proper meal for you. I couldn't face myself if I didn't do at least that for our benefactor."

  Jihyeon offered an awkward smile, and Min-ah chuckled softly at the sight. Her eyes sparkled as if she were looking at a partner she was immensely proud of.

  They couldn't stay at the station forever. Once their emotions had settled, Min-ah headed home with her parents. Jihyeon had other matters to attend to, so they parted ways there.

  "I really don't know how to thank him enough. So many times... Sigh... Come to think of it..."

  In the car, Min-ah’s mother spoke while glancing at her daughter. Knowing exactly what that look implied, Min-ah pointedly turned her gaze away.

  Their mutual feelings, and her family's expectations.

  It was all still a bit overwhelming for her. They weren't even officially dating yet, so seeing her parents already view him as a potential son-in-law felt surreal.

  Still, it wasn't a bad feeling.

  Someday, yes, someday I want to grasp that happiness, Min-ah thought. Jihyeon always protected her. It was only natural to want to be with him.

  Of course, Jihyeon would likely continue to reject her advances for the sake of her own safety. That would probably go on for a while. But it didn't matter. Min-ah firmly believed they would end up together. She couldn't imagine any other fate.

  Meanwhile, the car arrived at the house. Min-ah stepped out and looked up at her room. Since the traces of that day still remained, it didn't look like a place she could sleep in just yet. She would have to use a different room tonight.

  Fortunately, she wouldn't have to sleep alone. There was someone to stay with her.

  "Unnie!"

  The moment Min-ah entered, Lee Young burst into tears and threw her arms around her.

  "Shh, it's okay. It's okay."

  Min-ah stroked Lee Young's hair. It was clear the girl had been worrying about her constantly since the kidnapping. The trembling of her body told the story better than any words could.

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  "I'm fine. I made it back safely."

  Lee Young only wept harder at Min-ah’s words.

  "I... if I had the power, I would have protected you..."

  Lee Young continued to sob. For a moment, those words sent a chill down Min-ah’s spine. Because Lee Young had been forcibly implanted with a Tool, she had no hesitation in using one. Just as she was finally nearing a normal daily life, if she sought that power again, everything would shatter.

  "Don't worry too much. And don't have any strange thoughts. Just having you by my side like this is enough."

  Min-ah stroked her hair repeatedly. She was grateful for Lee Young's concern, but she feared the girl might cross a line. However, there was no need to bring that up now. For the moment, Lee Young's warmth comforted Min-ah’s heart.

  "I’m going to wash up first. Let’s sleep together tonight."

  Min-ah stood up. Now that she was home, the tension was fading, and she wanted nothing more than to sleep.

  "Okay," Lee Young replied, wiping her tears. Watching them, Min-ah’s parents still wore expressions of deep complexity.

  But regardless of what her family thought, Min-ah was here now. And she intended to keep walking forward on her own two feet. She just wanted to rest for a little while. With that thought, Min-ah turned on the shower.

  The iron door opened with a heavy, grinding sound. They were descending to the place where bodies were kept—specifically, the victims of crime.

  Only those with authorization could enter this level. Seok-yeong was one of the few who held such permission. He never enjoyed coming here. No matter how seasoned an investigator was, it was natural to want to keep a distance from homicide cases.

  But this time, he had no choice. This was a matter involving Tools.

  Murder by Tool. That was Seok-yeong's jurisdiction. This time, it was an assassination attempt on those held in a detention center, and not a single target had survived.

  The weight of it pressed down on Seok-yeong's chest. Ordinary people had no way to stop crimes committed by those wielding Tools. A sense of resignation, bordering on despair, made his footsteps feel heavier than usual.

  However, he didn't have to carry that weight alone today. He was enduring it alongside a companion.

  "Haaa... I still can't believe it."

  Ha-hyeon, unable to bear the silence of the descent, finally spoke. Seok-yeong didn't reprimand him. It was understandable. Though they had fought like mortal enemies, the body Ha-hyeon was here to identify belonged to none other than his own brother.

  Unlike Seok-yeong, to Ha-hyeon, this was family. It was only natural that unspeakable emotions were dominating him.

  Ha-eun. He had been an Apostle of the Cult, a man who boasted incredible strength and speed, committing numerous illegal acts. Without Jihyeon, perhaps no one could have stopped him. His defense was strong enough to withstand Jihyeon's electricity and even bullets.

  But once the Tool was removed, he was just an ordinary human. Though he had remained silent out of loyalty to the Cult, Jihyeon had already secured all necessary information. He was being interrogated for more formal reasons, but no one knew how long that charade would have lasted.

  Now, there would be no more interrogations. Even if he were to pay for his crimes, Ha-eun should have done so beside his family. But the dead do not speak. All that remained were the autopsy and the funeral. Ha-hyeon was brought here to confirm the identity before those procedures.

  "I suppose so. Death for someone whose time hasn't come is always like that," Seok-yeong replied simply as he opened the door.

  Dozens of bodies were stored in refrigerators. In this space with minimal lighting, the two fell silent once more. The dry, cold air—likely for humidity control—weighed heavily upon them.

  Seok-yeong pushed aside the heaviness, followed the protocol, opened the refrigerator door, and showed Ha-hyeon his brother's body.

  "Confirmed. This damn brother of mine is a problem until the very end."

  Ha-hyeon let out a long sigh as he spoke. His eyes were welling with tears. Seok-yeong said nothing. Instead, he finished the formalities and led him back outside.

  After handing Ha-hyeon a warm drink from a vending machine, Seok-yeong sat on a bench. As always, these matters left one shrouded in a gloomy mood long after they were finished.

  "My brother... that bastard was always trouble. I never thought he'd end up like this because he got caught up in a cult, but he still ruined the whole family..."

  Ha-hyeon’s words were disjointed as he sighed. His last memory of his brother was nearly being killed during a one-sided beating. If Jihyeon hadn't intervened, Ha-hyeon would surely have died.

  "I told you before..." Seok-yeong said, listening quietly as Ha-hyeon poured his heart out. Ha-hyeon continued to talk about the history between him and his brother, as if performing a rite of exorcism for his grief.

  "Damn it. If he weren't dead, I would have beaten him within an inch of his life. To think he suddenly got strong on his own and then died like this... it's too much."

  Ha-hyeon sighed and began to sniffle. Now that it was finally sinking in, he started to sob. No matter if the only emotion left at the end was hatred, they were still brothers. Unspeakable feelings erupted into tears. Seok-yeong remained silent, letting him cry.

  "Damn it... now all that's left is revenge. I don't know if I can do it, but the ones who killed my family... ah... I shouldn't be saying things like this."

  Ha-hyeon wiped his tears, his words still shifting back and forth in his confusion. Seok-yeong let out another sigh. But in his eyes, it seemed he was already preparing for what came next. Thanks to Jihyeon, they had secured plenty of information.

  Unless something extraordinary happened, their next target was clear.

  "For now, just do what you can. You don't have to force yourself to hold it back," Seok-yeong said, taking a sip of his drink. The warm liquid seemed to soften his body, which had stiffened under the weight of the day.

  Ha-hyeon continued to cry. Seok-yeong stayed by his side in silence until he could compose himself.