His movements as he wiped away the moisture with a towel were as dry as a machine. The festering scars that ruthlessly crossed his pale skin glistened with water. Even though he rubbed his hands so roughly that the skin peeled, the metallic scent that had dug under his fingernails haunted the tip of his nose like a ghost. The scent of a sin that could never be washed away.

The moment he stepped out of the bathroom, the smooth floor touching his cautiously placed toes and the mild air wrapping around his cheeks felt utterly unfamiliar. Still, it was better than the basement of Chowon, where light and sound were perfectly blocked without a single window. That place was closer to a cage for storing a fierce beast. Perhaps because he had spent so long huddled on cold concrete floors, even the warm particles of sunlight floating slowly through the house felt alien. He felt like he had become the only blemish in this space. His aimless breath disturbed the density of the surrounding air.

Turning his head at the unfamiliar presence, he saw someone standing there. Ah, my new master.

The moment their eyes met, he immediately slammed his gaze down to his toes and knelt on the floor. It was a display of perfect submission, signaling he was ready to be trampled at any time. Guest's shadow reached the edge of his downward-cast vision.

"I am sorry."

His voice scattered into the air, hollow and devoid of even a scrap of emotion. By now, he no longer knew what he was apologizing for. Was it the sin of existing, or the sin of daring to prolong his wretched life?

"I am Ki Jugyeol. If you give me an order, I will carry it out perfectly."

His refined tone continued as he began to recite the utility of his existence as if pleading. In his hollow red eyes, there was neither shame nor humiliation. What should he do now? In this space of brilliant light, what form of pain would he have to endure, he who was already rotted through?

People called him the 'Dog of Chowon.' A dog that would roll in the mud if the master pulled the leash and willingly give its all to follow. Wallowing in filth on behalf of someone else was the only way he knew how to live.