Passion (BL Novel)

"Die alone if you're going to die, you bastard..." Jeong Tae-ui, who had no loyalty to block Ligro's way, muttered a low curse and quickly stepped aside.
In a situation where someone with that much recoil was aiming a gun with bare hands, it would be a miracle if he didn't accidentally hit himself in the forehead, and the restaurant became a complete mess.

Quickly moving behind a thick pillar nearby, Jeong Tae-ui anxiously inspected it. With a pillar this big, if he shot at it even four or five times, it would probably break apart. But it was a six-shot gun, so he wouldn't waste that many shots just on the pillar. There was no reason to aim at me before that.
It wasn't completely safe, but for now, Jeong Tae-ui instinctively reached for his pockets. However, there was only dust in his pockets. "Damn it," he clicked his tongue and turned his head, but then he saw Moru crawling under the table a few meters away.
"Moru!" Jeong Tae-ui immediately rushed towards him. A loud explosion-like gunshot followed, shaking the air. Pieces of stone flew from behind him, hitting Jeong Tae-ui as he ducked. The gunshot made his ears ring painfully. "Damn it, you crazy bastard! If you're still alive later, you'll know what it feels like to be slapped by me!"

Jeong Tae-ui, flustered, crawled next to the panicking Moru and grabbed him by the collar. Whether Moru shouted or not, Jeong Tae-ui forced him down, reaching into his clothes. As expected, he found the cold metal he always carried. Turning his head, Jeong Tae-ui saw Ligro standing calmly in the chaos of the restaurant, as well as a man pointing a gun at him from a few meters away.
An unbelievable sight unfolded before his eyes. The six-person dining table, made from an entire cedar tree, a table that would require several strong men to move, was effortlessly knocked over by Ligro with a calm expression. He then casually kicked it like a shield, sending it flying.
Bang!!! Another ear-splitting gunshot rang out. The thick table that had been flying towards the man shattered into pieces when hit by a bullet, and the wooden fragments bounced off Ligro's body, falling to the ground as he slightly shifted.

"You have three shots left, right?" Ligro muttered calmly as he stepped behind a pillar, taking cover. He knocked over another table beside him and grabbed its leg, throwing it directly at the man.
With another deafening sound, the table shattered into pieces again. This time, even the fragments didn't reach Ligro, as they were blocked by the pillar.
"Three more shots, and if you can't hit me, you'll die," Ligro said, his voice filled with amusement. He smiled, a joyful laugh playing at the corner of his mouth.

"Give me the gun, my cute one, hurry and come over here," Jeong Tae-ui snapped as he pushed Moru, who was clinging to him, away. He lowered his body and started running. As he moved behind the man, two more explosive gunshots rang out.
"You crazy bastard, why are you starting a fight you can't win, risking your life for it?" Jeong Tae-ui muttered through clenched teeth.
There was only one shot left, and the area was already a horrific wasteland. The distance between the man and Ligro was no more than four or five meters. The man's neck was drenched in sweat, and right in front of him, Ligro stood with a calm expression, faintly smiling. He casually grabbed a chunk of wood the size of a forearm that had bounced off him, tossed it twice, and then threw it at the man, as if playing a game.

But it wasn't a game. The wood flew past the man's head with a whistling sound. If it had hit, he would have at least been knocked out.
It was at that moment.
Jeong Tae-ui instinctively knew it was the moment when someone's life hung by a thread. The moment a life was in danger—this was it.

Jeong Tae-ui felt it and moved immediately. As the man lowered his head, Ligro dashed forward, almost at the same time as the wood was thrown. The man, with a joyful smile on his face, must have seen the devil approaching him at high speed.
Bang!!!
The ground seemed to shake. Jeong Tae-ui, who was close by, flinched, his ears ringing with a deafening sound as he shut his eyes. A short groan escaped his lips.

And when he opened his eyes, he saw it.
Ligro had dug under the man, grabbed his wrist, twisted it, and broke it. From the ceiling, dust and stone fragments fell, scattering from the bullet holes. Ligro, with his other hand, leisurely grabbed the man's neck, pressing on his carotid artery.
"Shit... I missed."
Ligro's voice, laughing as he muttered, echoed through the eerily quiet space, ringing in the ears.

When those words spread, everyone in the room could realize what was happening.
Ligro had intended to grab the man's gun-wielding arm and twist the barrel of the gun toward the man's head. Casually, he was already deciding the man's death.
The man stared at Ligro with wide eyes. His hand, placed on his neck, gently stroked it.

"I'll see you in the next world."
Ligro's eyes softened. His quiet voice whispered like a song. The large and terrifying grip that could easily snap a human neck with bare hands tightened with force.
At that moment.

"Let go of that hand."
A voice, cold and steady, rang out.
Behind Ligro, Jeong Tae-ui, standing with a Colt in his hand, had the barrel aimed at Ligro's cervical spine.

Ligro paused, still gripping the man's neck. He slightly leaned back and pressed his neck against the barrel, calmly smiling as he muttered.
"If you shoot so close, your wrist won’t stay intact either."
"Don’t move. I’d rather break your wrist than lose my life."

"...I must have misjudged. I can’t stand fools who throw their own lives away in some misguided attempt to be noble when it’s none of their business."
"Don't move," Jeong Tae-ui repeated, his grip tightening on the Colt. Without blinking, he focused on every slight movement from Ligro. Meanwhile, he cursed himself inwardly.
What does it matter if some dumb bastard dies? Why are you getting involved? You’re digging your own grave and lying in it.

Without thinking, Jeong Tae-ui followed his instincts, moving his body in accordance with the situation. However, now that it was happening, he felt like biting his tongue in frustration. But it was already too late. He was prepared to go as far as necessary. Despite the fear that this monstrous man might keep moving even if his skull was shattered, like some zombie, Jeong Tae-ui was still terrified.
A faint laugh from Ligro echoed. His shoulders moved slightly as he chuckled.
"Ha, what should I do...?"

Muttering as if in a dilemma, Ligro slowly loosened his grip on the man's neck. Perhaps due to excessive tension, when his hand moved, Jeong Tae-ui flinched instinctively.
What should I do? Even without someone telling me, I knew what Ligro meant. This new guy was wondering how to finish him off.
Jeong Tae-ui's grip tightened on his weapon.

For just a moment, if he let his guard down, that would be the moment he lost his life.
When Ligro finally released the man’s neck,
The man, who had almost passed out, suddenly opened his eyes wide and started screaming.

"Shoot! Just shoot him! Shoot him already!"
At that scream, Jeong Tae-ui, who had been holding his breath and staying focused on Ligro’s every small movement, almost pulled the trigger.
Feeling the ungrateful man shouting even as his life was being spared, Jeong Tae-ui was overwhelmed with anger.

"Two crazy bastards meeting like this. You want to die, and I’m the one stopping you, huh? You little shit, when I’m still alive, you’re gonna get a beating from me."
Just as Jeong Tae-ui gritted his teeth and spoke, Ligro, who seemed like he was about to release the man, smiled lightly and lifted his heel from the ground.
At that moment, a terrible premonition washed over Jeong Tae-ui.

At that moment,
"What are you all doing?"
A voice as sharp as ice cut through the air. The sound of footsteps approaching from the door echoed in rapid succession. Jeong Tae-ui, who had almost pulled the trigger on the Colt, stopped and turned to look in that direction.

His uncle was entering. Behind him, the former chauffeur, now his bodyguard, followed in. The moment Jeong Tae-ui saw his uncle’s face, he muttered under his breath, "Ugh."
His uncle, with a neutral expression, briefly surveyed the situation, then seemed to understand. Without a weapon in hand, he immediately walked toward them. Upon seeing Jeong Tae-ui holding the Colt, his uncle furrowed his brows.
"Personal weapon possession is prohibited within the division. Didn’t you know that, Jeong Tae-ui?"

"...I know."
"Whose is it?"
"...It's mine."

"Yours, huh? Alright, if you say it’s yours, I’ll let it slide. Now, come with me to the instructor's office."
Even though his uncle spoke, Jeong Tae-ui hesitated for a moment. Ligro was still standing in front of him, and the barrel of the gun was dangerously close to his cervical spine. Just a tiny movement of the gun, and this man might rip his throat out.
This man wouldn’t be the type to hold back just because others were watching.

His uncle glanced at the man still in Ligro’s grip.
"Louis Shin. Were you planning to kill him?"
"----Yes. This bastard deserves to die!"

"Alright, you’re going to the military police. Go there and cool your head for half a year."
After speaking briefly to the man, his uncle then turned his gaze toward Ligro. The expression on his uncle’s face darkened with a sigh. The annoyance was clearly visible.
"Ligro."

He met his uncle's gaze and briefly frowned, looking awkward. Then, with an uncomfortable expression, he smiled awkwardly and shrugged his shoulders, appealing as if to justify himself.
"I didn’t do anything. He suddenly shoved a .50 caliber revolver in my face. What was I supposed to do? Just let myself get shot? I had no choice if I wanted to survive."
Ligro's excuse, mixed with informal speech, was, in principle, quite valid. The man's arm, which he was holding, was twisted at an unnatural angle and was swollen, blue from the pressure. Even if it was obvious that Ligro was overwhelmingly stronger, his actions still seemed justified.

His uncle clicked his tongue in annoyance a few times. Then, glancing at Jeong Tae-ui, who still had the gun barrel pointed at Ligro's neck, he spoke.
"Let Louis Shin go and take two steps forward. My poor subordinate is trembling behind you."
"The 'poor subordinate' who's pointing a gun at my neck, you mean?"

Ligro muttered as if protesting, but despite his complaints, he released Louis Shin. Before he let go, he gave the twisted forearm one last firm press. Then, he gave a light slap to the back of the man’s head. It wasn’t gentle—there was a loud crack as the slap landed, and the man's eyes nearly popped out.
Looking at the revolver that had fallen to the floor, Jeong Tae-ui’s uncle turned his head and gestured. The bodyguard, standing a step behind, stepped forward and picked it up. His uncle, after feeling its weight, clicked his tongue. The heavy weapon, more suited for destruction than killing a person, was slapped against the table with a few hard thuds. Suddenly, his uncle used the barrel to strike Louis Shin.
"Crazy bastard, who the hell aims at people with something like this? Once you get out of the military police, you’re going back to weaponry lectures."

After that, his uncle tossed the revolver back to the bodyguard. Then, without saying a word, he kicked the collapsed Louis Shin aside with his foot, rolling him out of the way.
With the path cleared, Ligro smiled subtly and straightened his posture. The pressure of the gun barrel against his neck seemed deliberate. Ligro grinned lightly and took a slow step forward. Then another step.
Jeong Tae-ui, watching him carefully, slowly lowered his weapon, not rushing. As his uncle approached, he extended his hand, and Jeong Tae-ui placed the Colt in his hand.

As his uncle had instructed, Ligro took two steps back and turned around. Jeong Tae-ui, who had been watching him blankly, locked eyes with Ligro. A faint smile lingered on Ligro's face as he looked at him. His hand, clenched into a fist and then relaxing, entered Jeong Tae-ui’s line of sight.
What would have happened if his uncle had arrived just a bit later? Jeong Tae-ui couldn’t know how this man would have reacted. But the overwhelming sense of unease that had rushed at him back then still lingered on his spine. He realized just how dangerous the situation had been. Or perhaps, the real danger might lie ahead. Only now did he understand why Ligro always wore gloves—he didn't want to get blood on his hands.
Jeong Tae-ui felt incredibly downhearted.

The military's emphasis on camaraderie was still embedded in his body. How could he stand by when someone unrelated was dying? He had moved reflexively, without thinking.
Suddenly, he felt a gaze on him and turned to look glumly. His uncle was staring at him, wearing a face that seemed to say, "You idiot," and he clicked his tongue in mock disapproval. Jeong Tae-ui couldn’t believe how things were unfolding, despite his uncle’s well-intended advice.
"Jeong Tae-ui. What were you planning to do with an empty gun and no ammo?"

His uncle spoke in a tone of disbelief. The Colt in his uncle’s hand swung lightly.
Jeong Tae-ui didn’t respond, his face still grim. He had already known the gun was empty when he had taken it from Moru. But if he was going to stop that man, he had no choice but to take the gamble.
Ligro, watching from a little distance, suddenly stopped. His expression shifted, becoming strange. Then, as if unable to contain his amusement, he started to laugh. The low, intermittent laugh didn’t stop for a while.

Then, suddenly, the laughter stopped.
Ligro, staring directly at Jeong Tae-ui, muttered as if engraving the name in his mind.
"Jeong Tae-ui, huh?"

The pronunciation was precise, something Jeong Tae-ui hadn’t heard in a long time. As he heard the whisper, he felt a wave of gloom wash over him. The uncertain future he had been dreading unfolded with that voice.
Uncle, would it be okay if I went to the military police instead of Louis Shin? I’d be fine being locked up for six months, just please isolate me.
Jeong Tae-ui thought to himself that when he got to the instructor’s office, he might beg his uncle, grabbing at his pant leg.

He ended up getting nothing but a scolding.
His uncle grabbed his cheek roughly and pulled it with all his might, repeating, "Ugh, you idiot, ugh, you fool, how did you end up like this on the first day of joint training?"
And each time, Jeong Tae-ui dutifully replied, "I know, I know, I’m sorry."

When his cheek, which seemed to stretch a meter longer, was rubbed, a timely arrival saved him.
"Chung Chang-in, the prison warden. Are you busy? ...You look busy. Is it alright if I interrupt for a moment?"
The person who spoke calmly with a smile was his uncle's superior, Vice Minister Rudolf Jantil.

When his uncle saw him enter, he immediately shook his head as if nothing had happened and stepped away from Jeong Tae-ui.
"Interrupt? No, it’s over. ...You can go now."
Seeing his uncle speak with a stern face, pretending to be a strict instructor, Jeong Tae-ui felt a slight discomfort in his stomach, but wisely bowed his head slightly without saying a word and stepped back. As he turned around, he ran into the Vice Minister again and quickly lowered his head.

He was about to leave when the Vice Minister’s gaze fell upon him.
"Ah, so this young man is your subordinate?"
The question was directed at his uncle, but the Vice Minister’s eyes were still on Jeong Tae-ui. Jeong Tae-ui hesitated, unsure whether to pretend he hadn’t heard, as the conversation now seemed to be about him. His uncle smoothly nodded with a smile.

"Yes, that's correct."
"Hmm. So this young man is...?"
Jeong Tae-ui’s uncertainty lingered as the conversation turned back to him.

The Vice Minister's gaze shifted back to Jeong Tae-ui, almost as if seeing him for the first time. Although they had briefly exchanged greetings when Jeong Tae-ui first arrived, at that time, the man had been too busy to speak much. It was just one of those things when dealing with higher-ups, and Jeong Tae-ui had brushed it off easily.
Now, however, Jeong Tae-ui felt the Vice Minister's gaze scrutinizing him carefully, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
So, his brother really is famous, huh? It's something he's already used to, but being stared at so openly like this is rare since becoming an adult.

"By the way, if you're here, what about your brother?" the Vice Minister suddenly asked, interrupting Jeong Tae-ui's thoughts. It took a moment for Jeong Tae-ui to realize that the question was directed at him. After a few seconds, he sighed and mumbled in response.
"He'll be fine without me."
Offering the most neutral answer he could, Jeong Tae-ui glanced at his uncle. Siblings aren't like couples or caretakers and the ones they take care of, so it's not like being apart would cause any trouble. But here I am, being asked a question like this.

His uncle, who had been watching quietly, finally spoke when their eyes met.
"Twins don't always stick together. Well, even if we're apart, the bond of siblings remains, right?"
"Ah, right. That's true," the Vice Minister nodded in agreement, though his eyes were still focused on Jeong Tae-ui, carefully assessing him.

Jeong Tae-ui couldn’t help but sigh again, thinking that the Vice Minister was probably trying to find some difference between him and his brother, Jeong Jae-ui. Having a famous older brother was a burden, but it seemed his brother was particularly well-known in this institution. It was getting a bit tiring, hearing Jeong Jae-ui's name everywhere he went.
His uncle, noticing the shift in the conversation, gave a small gesture, signaling for them to move on.
"By the way, I received a call from the second military department at headquarters..."

The Vice Minister immediately turned his attention to his uncle’s words, his gaze shifting from Jeong Tae-ui.
Jeong Tae-ui took a deep breath, nodded respectfully, and exited the instructor’s office.
Having been called in right after the morning chaos, Jeong Tae-ui had already been scolded thoroughly by the instructor, and by the time he left the office, the regular morning schedule had already begun. Given how well-known the incident was within the division, his tardiness wouldn't earn him any further scolding from the instructor. However, if he completely skipped out, there would undoubtedly be consequences.

Ah... I don't want to go in. Thinking about it, the class I was supposed to attend was weapon engineering. The news about me carrying a firearm must have already spread, and no doubt the strict instructor for weapon engineering would have harsh words for me. I might even get hit with the Colt.
Jeong Tae-ui looked out the window with a heavy heart. The instructor’s office was on the ground floor, so he could see outside from the hallway. The weather was exceptionally nice, which only made him feel worse.
He walked slowly toward the elevator, but as he passed the office, he slowed his steps.

It would be weird to peek into the office when there was no reason to, but if he could just see Shin Ru for a moment, he could at least shake off his gloomy feelings. Still, without a reason to go in, he didn’t have anything to say.
But today, it seemed that someone was compassionate enough to ease his heavy heart.
As Jeong Tae-ui walked slowly in front of the office, he suddenly saw a familiar face coming around the corner. Shin Ru, who must have just washed his hands on his way back from the restroom, saw Jeong Tae-ui and widened his eyes. He smiled warmly and greeted him.

"Hyung Tae, what are you doing here at this hour? Aren't you supposed to be in class?"
"Uh? Oh, I'm about to head there. I had to stop by the instructor's office for a moment. ...The weather’s really nice today."
It would be nice to spend time together, but the conversation always felt lacking. Since they didn't know much about each other, there was nothing in common to talk about. So, all Jeong Tae-ui could mention was the weather.

"Yeah. I checked the forecast, though. It looks like it'll get cloudy starting in the evening, and it’s supposed to rain tomorrow and the day after. But the day after that, it should clear up."
"Yeah. If it clears up, we could take a walk by the beach again."
"Sounds good."

Jeong Tae-ui smiled inwardly, feeling a bit better as Shin Ru eagerly agreed with him. Since that moment, he couldn’t help but eagerly await the day when the sky would clear up.
As they talked, Shin Ru glanced at the instructor’s office and tilted his head slightly.
"By the way, what happened in the instructor's office...?"

Suddenly, Shin Ru's expression shifted to one of concern.
"Come to think of it, I heard there was a huge commotion this morning. Hyung, are you okay? Is that why you were called in?"
The incident had already become gossip throughout the entire division, so there was no way Shin Ru didn't know about it.

Jeong Tae-ui was taken aback by the concern in Shin Ru's voice. His caring and gentle demeanor made Jeong Tae-ui's heart swell with warmth. His chest felt lighter just looking at that pure, gentle face.
"Mm, it was just a little thing. Nothing major. Are you okay, though?"
As he thought about it, the instructor was separated from the subordinates in terms of where they lived, but the one place they shared was the cafeteria. Jeong Tae-ui didn’t usually run into the instructor except when he was there for business, but during mealtime, it wasn’t uncommon for him to cross paths with him.

Suddenly, his heart dropped.
What if Shin Ru had been there in the cafeteria? What if he had been caught in the middle of that violent fight? What if he had been hit by the flying pieces of stone or wooden debris?
Without thinking, Jeong Tae-ui reached out and grabbed both of Shin Ru’s shoulders. Shin Ru, looking up at Jeong Tae-ui with a confused expression, tilted his head.

"Hyung...?"
"Hey, you’re not supposed to be around anyone from the subordinates unless it’s necessary, right? You never run into them except in the cafeteria?"
"Yeah? Well, yeah. I usually finish my meals early, so I go when it’s not crowded. For lunch or dinner, I go before the subordinates are done with their official duties, so I don’t usually run into them."

Hearing that, Jeong Tae-ui realized he had never seen Shin Ru in the cafeteria before.
As Shin Ru answered willingly, without knowing what was going on, Jeong Tae-ui let out a quiet sigh of relief. He spoke more seriously now.
"Listen, the European division members are here right now. Some of them are... well, not people you should associate with. They're very dangerous. So—"

Jeong Tae-ui explained in a low, careful voice, making sure not to give too much detail but enough for Shin Ru to understand. Shin Ru nodded as if he had figured out what Jeong Tae-ui was trying to say.
"Even though I don’t think I’ll run into any of the European division members, I’ll still be careful. Thanks for worrying about me, Hyung."
Shin Ru smiled brightly, and at that moment, Jeong Tae-ui felt a sudden sense of bashfulness. He quickly let go of Shin Ru’s shoulders, though the soft feeling lingered, making him feel slightly regretful.

"It’s nothing. Of course I’m worried about you. You..."
Jeong Tae-ui stopped mid-sentence, unable to finish his thought. No matter what he said next, it would just make him feel embarrassed.
A brief silence followed. It was awkward, yet strangely not unpleasant. Jeong Tae-ui realized he didn’t mind this silence as much as he expected.

Shin Ru, who had been looking down at the floor, suddenly glanced up at Jeong Tae-ui and, sensing his discomfort, subtly reached out and grabbed his hand. Jeong Tae-ui, startled, instinctively withdrew his hand, but Shin Ru’s slender fingers were already in his palm.
"...Eh, heh heh..."