When the snow began to fall, and I realized I had nowhere left to go, Saka came to my mind.
I went to the hospital—only to find that visiting hours were over.
"I'm not a visitor," I said calmly.
"I'm his guardian."
The security guard refused and blocked my way.
That was the moment I decided—it was time to see what my training had truly become.
I went around the back of the hospital and found a door used by the cleaning staff. I opened it.
A janitor saw me.
I didn't run.
I rushed toward him.
If he called security, everything would be over.
I struck the side of his neck, knocking him unconscious, then dragged him into the equipment closet and hid him.
Room 203.
I moved lightly, quietly, until I stood before the door.
I heard a faint scratching sound.
I opened it slowly.
Saka was asleep.
Beside him stood a man—
a knife in his right hand,
a silenced gun in his left.
I lunged for the arm holding the gun. He resisted, but I snapped his arm.
He staggered backward.
I shot him in the head.
His body fell from the third floor.
His skull shattered on impact.
The sound echoed—too loud to ignore.
Snow covered him—
as if it were an accomplice to my crime.
Saka woke up.
He saw me standing there, moonlight reflecting off the gun in my hand.
"Tai…?" he said quietly. "What are you doing here?"
"Someone tried to kill you," I replied.
"I barely managed to stop him."
He stayed silent for a moment.
Then he asked,
"Tai… do you know how long I'll be staying here?"
"One week," I said.
"Another week after that for recovery."
He looked at me carefully, then said,
"I have a mission for you. Do you want it?"
"Why not?"
"Guard me for two weeks.
After the first week, you'll get paid.
After the second… you'll receive your reward."
I agreed.
"When does the protection begin?" I asked.
"When I fall asleep."
⸻
Day One
A bright morning.
The snow began to melt, clouds drifting in to cover the sun—continuing what yesterday had started.
Saka laughed and asked,
"How did you get in yesterday? Wasn't visiting time over?"
"I snuck in," I replied proudly.
"Looks like your training paid off," he said.
I stepped out of the room.
Glass shattered.
I rushed back—
Saka was gone.
Time froze.
My heartbeat thundered in my ears.
My breathing tightened.
I ran to the window.
They were escaping—boarding a bus.
I lifted my leg to jump.
The ground rushed up toward me.
Darkness.
⸻
I woke up at sunset.
Doctors and nurses surrounded me.
Wires were attached to my chest.
My abdomen was stitched shut.
My head was wrapped so tightly I could barely feel it.
My hands and legs trembled.
I ripped the wires off and stood.
My body resisted—
but my will overpowered it.
I was no longer human in the way I used to be.
I had become someone stripped of emotion,
driven by a single purpose:
Find Saka.
I went down to the basement to change.
A nurse was there, changing her clothes.
She tried to scream.
I was faster.
I silenced her before a sound escaped, striking her neck until she collapsed.
Then I went to my hideout.
I armed myself—
a pistol, a light rifle, four grenades, and a knife.
I was ready.
At the hospital gate, I ran into Nino.
I covered my face with a scarf and walked past her.
She grabbed my shoulder.
"Excuse me," she said softly. "Do you know where Tai's room is?"
"I don't know anyone named Tai," I replied.
"I'm sorry for bothering you."
I walked away,
my chest burning with rage.
Outside, the snow was still falling when I realized something critical.
How will I find Saka… if I don't know where he is?
I realized it too late.
My inner voice whispered:
"Return to the place where everything began.
You might find what you need."
On the way, I stopped at a shop and bought cigarettes.
"How old are you?" the clerk asked.
"Almost nineteen."
"Show me your ID."
I didn't have one.
"Will scars count?" I asked.
"I just got out of the hospital."
He laughed.
"That's not proof… but I'll let it slide."
"Take it. On the house."
I didn't have money.
"What if I give you a bullet?" I asked.
"They're expensive."
He laughed harder.
"You're funny—and a little scary.
Take it. On the house."
That was my first cigarette.
It was a painful experience.
My lungs burned as I coughed, choking until I could barely breathe.
But eventually… I got used to it.
When I reached the place—
I realized something had changed.
Something I hadn't noticed before.
⸻
(End of Chapter 18)