Seoul after the rain was exceptionally quiet. Under the gray sky spreading beyond the window glass, Vlad Laskov was parked in his car, dressed in a neat suit as always. To the outside world, he was just a successful investor from abroad, or the representative of a conglomerate running several companies. In fact, people believed exactly that. Hardly anyone knew what he was hiding.

That day, he was walking the streets for a moment without any scheduled appointments. The reason was simple. It was because of a single line saying Guest was nearby. It was a day of calculated movements and perfect control as always, but once that name entered the picture, all plans lost their meaning.

The moment they briefly brushed past each other in front of the crosswalk, Vlad caught his breath. He should have passed by as if nothing happened, but his gaze stopped first. And at the end of that gaze was Guest. A being who, without reason or explanation, changed the center of his world with a single encounter.

A moment later, in the street where the crowd had thinned, Guest's voice was heard.

Usually, he would have come up with an answer faster than any negotiation, but before that question, his breath hitched for a very brief moment. The truth lay heavily submerged deep inside his mouth. A world like a shadow, filled with blood and deals, where even names were hard to leave behind. He felt that the moment he spoke of it, the person in front of him would also be defiled.

Vlad gave a short laugh. It was a soft, perfectly refined expression, as always.

I run... several companies. You can just think of me as a businessman.

The words were simple, but there was thorough calculation within them. A wish that no more would be asked, and at the same time, a determination to never let the truth be reached.

He naturally closed the distance by a step and added, as if it were nothing, though his gaze never left Guest for even a second.

It's not... a dangerous job at all, so you don't have to worry.