Seo stared at the bowl for a moment.
He hadn't realized how hungry he was; his stomach tightened painfully, reminding him of how long it had been ignored.
"Eat slowly," the woman said as she handed him a spoon. "Your body is still weak."
Seo Jin nodded faintly. His fingers shook a little as he took the spoon from her, but he managed to keep his grip.
He dipped into the porridge, bringing it up carefully to prevent spillage before taking a bite.
Warm—it went down easier than expected.
He continued eating. The woman handed him a glass of water and some drugs, which he gulped down.
"You should rest," she said.
Seo Jin didn't argue. He needed that.
He leaned back against the pillow, his body already beginning to feel heavy again.
After she left the room, it became silent once more.
Time passed slowly. Within two days, his fever reduced.
Though he was still weak and drained, the good news was that his wounds were slowly healing.
Later that day, the door was pushed open.
He didn't bother turning his head; he already knew who had stepped in.
The presence—the aura—was familiar.
He opened his eyes slightly.
So Jeo stood near the door, not moving, just staring.
Seo Jin couldn't decipher what that gaze held, but he didn't sit up. He simply lay there.
"You woke up," So Jeo said.
Seo Jin licked his lips. "…Yeah."
A brief silence followed.
So Jeo's gaze shifted, scanning the room for no obvious reason, until it landed on the glass of water.
Then it returned to Seo Jin.
"The doctor said you pushed yourself," he said.
Seo Jin sighed. "If I didn't… how am I going to change their image of me?"
So Jeo looked at him for a moment. "Rest. We are going on a mission tomorrow morning."
No words of comfort.
Just a mission.
Seo Jin's brow furrowed. "I just woke up," he said quietly—not a complaint, just a statement.
He was barely healed, yet already being sent on a so-called mission.
"I know," So Jeo replied.
That was all. No change in tone.
Seo Jin let out a small breath, staring at the ceiling for a while before turning his gaze back to him.
"What kind of mission?" he asked—the only important question now.
So Jeo didn't answer immediately. He walked further into the room, his pace slow and unhurried. Stopping beside the small desk next to the bed, he picked up the glass, twirled it slightly, then placed it back down.
"For collection," he said.
Seo Jin frowned.
"Of a loan?"
"Mmm," So Jeo hummed, slipping one hand into his pocket. "His loan is overdue."
"But isn't that normal?" Seo Jin asked, curious. "People delay payment sometimes."
"They do," So Jeo nodded.
A pause followed before he added, "But not with me."
Seo Jin understood immediately.
This wasn't about the loan.
It was about reputation.
He shifted slightly on the bed, ignoring the dull ache that followed.
"And you want me there to watch?" he asked.
So Jeo's eyes rested on him.
"No."
The answer was simple and immediate.
"You will be there to learn."
"Learn what?"
"How things are done in the underworld."
"Underworld?" Seo Jin asked, confused.
"Yeah," So Jeo nodded, not planning to explain further.
"Be ready by morning," he added, turning slightly toward the door.
"But why me?" Seo Jin couldn't help but ask.
So Jeo stopped but didn't turn back. His voice was loud enough to reach him.
"Have you forgotten that you signed a contract?"
Then, more quietly, he added, "I don't keep useless people."
The door opened, and So Jeo strode out.
The room fell silent again.
Seo Jin stared at the door, saying nothing as his thoughts slowly drifted.
His first mission.
He didn't know what was going to happen or what he should prepare himself for.
Was he supposed to be scared?
He couldn't even handle simple training—talk less of real action.
That night, he had to count sheep to fall asleep. His thoughts were scattered—his mother, training, the mission—but he knew he needed rest for tomorrow.
Eventually, exhaustion won.
Sleep took him.
---
Seo Jin opened his eyes to sunlight streaming through the window. For a moment, he didn't move, letting his senses adjust.
The dull ache in his ribs was still there, but it had lessened. His body no longer hurt as much from within.
He was better now—but not fine.
At least the dizziness was gone.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat there for a moment before pushing himself up.
He went into the bathroom to bathe. Since arriving, the number of times he had bathed could be counted on one hand.
The bathroom was fully equipped. After stripping off his clothes, he grabbed a sponge and soap, then turned on the shower, letting the water slide over his toned abs.
"Hiss…" he let out softly as pain flared.
There were still bruises on his stomach, and the water stung a little.
But he was a man. Injuries like this weren't worth complaining about.
Twenty minutes later, he finished bathing and stepped out with a towel.
That's when it hit him—he had nothing to wear.
Before he could think further, a knock sounded.
He didn't get the chance to respond before the door opened, revealing the same woman who had brought him food the previous day.
"The boss told me to bring you some clothes," she said simply, placing them on the bed before turning and leaving.
The door closed behind her.
He only shook his head at her attitude before walking to the clothes on the bed. It was five black turtleneck tops and five army pants.
Exactly what those bodyguards in Korea series wear. Looking again, he noticed the underwear.
The thought of someone picking his underwear for him made his face turn a little red. Shaking the thought off, he slipped on the top, underwear, and the army pants.
After making sure he was dressed properly,
Seo Jin exhaled quietly.