Gutter Chapter 6.1

The bone is broken.

That thought came to him first. The actual, spreading pain followed. When terror surpasses the limits of what a person can bear, even a scream doesn’t come out immediately.

Starting with the sensation of the muscles and flesh around his ankle tearing, the bone pain began to spread in earnest. It felt as if his whole body was shaking from the shock.

“Let’s not scream so loudly. It’s annoying to hear.”

“H… uuuh.”

Boss Gu threatened in a low voice. His tone was laced with a slight weariness. Even without the warning, his hand was clamped over Yeonjo’s mouth, making it impossible to even breathe.

The warm heat emanating from Boss Gu’s close body reached Yeonjo’s skin. In his large hand, Yeonjo felt an insurmountable difference in strength.

“If you make a sound one more time, I’ll break it completely.”

Yeonjo blinked, pondering his words. It wasn’t broken yet? He had heard the sound of bone twisting. It hurt like it was already fragmented.

“If it were really broken, it wouldn’t be attached like this. It would be dangling.”

Boss Gu added, as if reading Yeonjo’s thoughts. Half out of his mind, Yeonjo barely managed to nod. Boss Gu finally removed the hand that was covering his mouth.

“Gasp… gasp…”

Yeonjo took ragged breaths. As his breathing stabilized, the pain in his ankle became more vivid, but he couldn’t bring himself to make a sound.

A burning pain, as if someone had set his foot on fire, gnawed at him. Even the slightest attempt to exert force sent a throbbing ache all the way up to his thigh. Yeonjo cried silently. Tears streamed down his face, yet not even a whimper escaped him.

Boss Gu laid the compliant Yeonjo down and spread his legs. Even the slightest stimulation to his left ankle sent jolts of pain through him, causing his body to flinch repeatedly.

With a shackle on his right ankle and a fractured left ankle, Yeonjo was literally unable to move. Without someone to release him and help him up, he couldn’t take a single step out of this room without Boss Gu’s permission.

Of course, Boss Gu had no intention of releasing Yeonjo. He unzipped his pants and pulled out his cock. It was only half erect, still too hard to forcibly penetrate Yeonjo’s tight hole.

Boss Gu looked at his cock with an annoyed expression and then nudged the prone Yeonjo.

“Get it up while I have a cigarette.”

“…….”

Not understanding immediately, Yeonjo propped himself up on his elbows. Boss Gu, showing no inclination to explain further, took out a cigarette and a lighter from his pocket. He lit the cigarette and took a drag; the tip began to burn. He looked down at Yeonjo without blinking.

Only then did Yeonjo look down at Boss Gu’s groin. A cold, heavy silence. Within that void, they both inhaled and exhaled several times.

“Ah.”

Finally understanding, Yeonjo fumbled. He couldn’t put any weight on his left ankle, limiting his movement. It took him a long time just to sit up.

He imagined what would happen if he couldn’t get the cock erect by the time the cigarette was finished. The mere thought made his vision darken.

Yeonjo glanced at his ankle. If the bone were truly broken, as Boss Gu had said, it should be dangling, attached only by skin. Was it just a sprain? Then what was the cracking sound he had heard?

“Cough…! Uh.”

The cigarette smoke filling the room choked him. Boss Gu’s cigarette was already half-gone. Yeonjo pushed aside his distracting thoughts and hurriedly lowered his body. He had to adjust his position several times to avoid putting weight on his ankle, which took much longer than usual.

He took Boss Gu’s half-hard cock in his hand and looked up at him. Boss Gu’s face, as he leisurely smoked, was devoid of emotion.

Taking a deep breath, Yeonjo put the cock in his mouth. It tasted like nothing, but the feeling was horrible. The humiliation of his position, prostrated before this man, was unbearable.

If all the tragedies of the world were gathered and molded, wouldn’t this moment be born? Otherwise, how could…?

Yeonjo sobbed as he struggled to hold the man’s cock in his mouth.

“This habit of yours never goes away, does it?”

Slap.

“…Sob… ugh.”

“I’ve told you countless times that crying spoils the mood.”

Slap.

Boss Gu’s rough hand slapped Yeonjo’s white cheek twice in succession. Yeonjo covered his face and barely swallowed a scream.

Violence was this terrifying. Fear of further threats prevented him from even moaning freely. He bit his lower lip until it bled, enduring the pain, afraid that Boss Gu would truly break his ankle if he made a sound.

Yeonjo wiped his tears with the sleeve of the shirt he was still wearing. Then, using mostly his knees and upper body, he prostrated himself again before Boss Gu and swallowed his cock. Ignoring the throbbing pain in his ankle, he focused solely on the fellatio.

“Hhh… uh, ugh… mm.”

The large man’s cock hit the back of his throat. Each time he moved his head while deep throating, it seemed to grow bigger.

He smelled like other men, a familiar scent of flesh. The taut abs braced for conquest, the aroused penis, the thick bones and hot, humid breath, the scent of a dominant force crushing a helpless opponent and ruthlessly asserting superiority. And Yeonjo had been subjugated countless times by these things.

He hated himself. He hated having to suck a man’s cock in such an absurd situation, he hated that he was used to it, he hated that the man was Boss Gu.

Why did these things only happen to him? Why, even now, was he submitting to Boss Gu to survive, to lessen the pain, to avoid death? What would he do, surviving another day like this? What difference would one more tragedy make to his wretched life, so consumed by the immediate misfortune?

Yeonjo squeezed his lips shut, tears blinding him. As the glans touched the soft flesh inside his throat, he could feel the bulging veins in the shaft throbbing.

Suppressing his nausea, Yeonjo diligently sucked Boss Gu’s cock. When he briefly pulled away to breathe, he choked on the cigarette smoke. Even as he coughed, he quickly swallowed the glans again, fearing Boss Gu’s hand if he made a sound.

Unflicked cigarette ash fell onto Yeonjo’s hair and eyelashes. He blinked at the irritation, and then Boss Gu stubbed out his cigarette on Yeonjo’s shackle. His startled body flinched.

“Lie down.”

At the low command, Yeonjo fumbled and lay down. He turned his head to see the short cigarette butt rolling on the yellow linoleum floor.

Boss Gu, already naked below the waist, inserted his fingers into Yeonjo’s anus. It was tight and dry, making penetration difficult. Annoyed, he yanked the chain roughly. Yeonjo’s light body was pulled close to Boss Gu.

“Ah!”

He cried out in surprise. But Boss Gu, seemingly oblivious, rummaged in his pants pocket.

“No condom, fuck.”

The nearest convenience store was a 20-minute walk. It was too late to go now, and it was uncertain whether such a rural store would even have condoms.

Boss Gu positioned the head of his now-hard cock at Yeonjo’s entrance. Thanks to the thorough blowjob, the entire shaft was slick.

“Relax your ass. It’s hard to get in.”

“I’m… trying…”

Yeonjo answered, trembling. But his tense body wouldn’t relax easily. Boss Gu clicked his tongue and forced his cock into the closed opening.

“Hhh.”

Yeonjo barely stifled a moan. The fear that he might never be able to use his legs again if he made another sound, and the terror that Boss Gu would completely destroy him right there, forced him to endure the pain with all his might.

Boss Gu, who had been gripping the chain attached to the shackle and threatening him, relaxed his expression as Yeonjo’s entrance yielded, making it easier to penetrate. He dropped the chain to the floor.

As he forced his cock into the still-unprepared hole, it felt like a burning rod was being inserted. Tears blurred his vision. His head was dizzy, his ankle throbbed, and Boss Gu’s gaze was sharp and cold.

Tears flowed incessantly down Yeonjo’s temples and cheeks.

“I’m trying not to cry… I really don’t want to… sob.”

Boss Gu, who had momentarily paused, thrust his hips. With a thud of flesh against flesh, his large cock buried itself to the root inside Yeonjo.

As his body jolted, the remaining bills tucked into the shackle scattered across the floor.

It was hard enough for his dry inner walls to be forcibly opened and receive the cock, but every time his thin legs swung from the impact of the thrusts, Yeonjo had to clench his teeth. The jolt of pain in his injured ankle made his vision white.

No matter how hard he tried to endure, sobs escaped him. It was almost a physiological response.

Boss Gu, his dark eyes filled with lust, glared menacingly as he relentlessly pounded into Yeonjo. As if to train the still-unyielding entrance, he gripped Yeonjo’s hips and continued thrusting. Yeonjo’s inner walls gradually stretched to accommodate his cock, but it was still far from enough.

“Huu, huu.”

“Sob, uh. Ugh…”

Yeonjo’s torn shirt fluttered with each of Boss Gu’s thrusts. Annoyed by the tattered garment, Boss Gu yanked at it roughly, intending to remove it. But the movement caused agonizing pain in Yeonjo’s ankle.

Yeonjo desperately grabbed Boss Gu’s arm.

“I’ll, I’ll take it off.”

He pleaded in a choked voice. Boss Gu released the fabric. Relieved, Yeonjo carefully removed his shirt with trembling hands. Boss Gu didn’t wait for him to finish undressing; he resumed thrusting his cock into Yeonjo.

“Haah…!”

It was degrading. Undressing himself before this man. The feeling of the slippery gloves around his waist, the cock forcing open his hole and digging into his abdomen…

“Ah, ah! Hhh. Ugh.”

As he tossed his shirt aside, the cock pistoned inside him faster, as if there were no more obstacles.

Clank, clank. The cold metallic sound of the shackle echoed with each swing of his calf. Boss Gu pressed down hard on Yeonjo’s closing legs. Unable to bear the pain of his muscles being crushed, Yeonjo spread his legs wider to make it easier for Boss Gu to thrust.

The pressure on his thighs disappeared, but the cock plunged deeper, doubling the pain. Not only that, but his back and tailbone ached from being rubbed against the hard floor.

When would this animalistic act end?

“Stop clenching, damn it.”

Boss Gu, annoyed by Yeonjo’s tight entrance, paused his movements. He stared at Yeonjo, whose body was marked red and purple from the injuries and tears.

Telling Yeonjo to move himself seemed impractical given his ankle. Resigned, Boss Gu gripped Yeonjo’s waist tightly and lifted him.

“Wh, what, what are you…!”

Yeonjo cried out in surprise as he was suddenly lifted. But then he squeezed his eyes shut at the pain spreading through his abdomen.

As Boss Gu stood up with Yeonjo still impaled, his cock reached a depth it had never reached before. The deep penetration made Yeonjo feel nauseous.

“Sob, uh…, ah.”

As his back hit the wall, Boss Gu resumed thrusting. Without lubricant, and with the slick from the blowjob now dried, this was the most painful sex he’d ever experienced.

The position, with his body lifted and impaled, bent his upper body uncomfortably. Despite this, he had to cling tightly to Boss Gu’s shoulders to avoid falling.

The thrusting continued, their stomachs pressed together. Each time Boss Gu pulled his cock out and slammed it back in, his hot breath grazed Yeonjo’s neck.

He was acutely aware of the firm hand supporting his thigh, and the abs that relentlessly slapped against his groin. Perhaps his senses were heightened because he was suspended in mid-air. Boss Gu’s shoulders and back, which he gripped like a lifeline, felt rough like grains of sand, almost burning. Yeonjo clung to him desperately.

“Haa, haa.”

“It… hurts, it hurts. Sob.”

His upper body swayed precariously. Moans of pain continued to escape his lips. Boss Gu, as if punishing him for disobeying the order to be quiet, bit Yeonjo’s neck and collarbone like a beast.

Then, apparently tired of Yeonjo clinging to him, he laid the pale body on a nearby wooden dresser. Their bodies, joined as one, separated.

“Stop squeezing.”

Boss Gu growled, criticizing Yeonjo’s tight entrance. Even if he complained, it wasn’t something Yeonjo could control. It was Boss Gu’s fault for penetrating without lubrication in the first place.

Thud. Boss Gu spat onto the point of connection. He thrust a few more times, and Yeonjo’s insides felt a little smoother.

“Ow!”

Whack. Boss Gu’s hard balls slapped against Yeonjo’s buttocks. The sharp impact made Yeonjo flinch. His entire lower body was numb. The stinging, tearing sensation made him check for blood.

The menacing cock was pistoning in and out of his tight hole at a frightening speed. Seeing it firsthand, he could hardly believe he had been taking something so huge inside him.

“Ha, ugh…!”

Boss Gu, after roughly thrusting his hips, pulled his cock out one last time and plunged it in to the root. He could feel the throbbing movements of the cock deep inside him. Immediately after, Boss Gu pulled out and came on Yeonjo’s stomach.

🚬

After a brief pause, Boss Gu turned away. Yeonjo, sprawled on the dresser, followed his movements with his eyes.

Boss Gu wiped his cock roughly with a blanket from the floor and adjusted his pants. He then walked out, leaving his disheveled suit unattended.

Suddenly left alone, Yeonjo froze, holding his breath. Only after a long while did he cautiously try to move.

“…….”

Boss Gu, who he thought had gone to get something, didn’t return after several minutes.

Yeonjo assessed his own condition. He was naked, his clothes torn and scattered on the floor. His upper body was covered in red and purple marks, as if he had been mauled by a dog.

He wanted to move his battered body and get down to the floor.

“Ah.”

But the chain connected to the shackle was caught between the legs of the dresser, pulled taut and immovable. He couldn’t move his right leg.

The more serious problem was that his free leg was fractured. He couldn’t get down from the dresser on his own.

“Fucking bastard…”

Yeonjo cursed Boss Gu. That son of a bitch. That damn brute.

Perhaps because he had dared to curse someone he wouldn’t normally dare to even criticize, his heart pounded, even though he was alone. He was afraid that Boss Gu or his men might have heard him from outside.

Trembling on the low dresser, Yeonjo anxiously stared at the door.

Did he really just leave? Leaving him naked like this? Coming on his stomach and then just cleaning himself up and leaving?

Yeonjo bit his lip, his face crumpled. Like this, he couldn’t even call for help. What was he going to do?

Staring at his sticky stomach, he worried about how he would get new clothes, clean Boss Gu’s semen, and get a clean blanket. Should he ask the old man for help?

Creak.

As he lay there in despair, the door suddenly opened.

“W, wait!”

Startled, Yeonjo curled up as much as possible and shouted.

“What.”

A gruff, unpleasant voice. It was Boss Gu.

Yeonjo peeked his head up. Boss Gu’s hair was wet, as if he had just showered. Seeing him wearing only loose pants, Yeonjo felt a wave of relief.

“Ah… I, I thought it was someone else…”

He realized how strange that sounded. As if someone else wasn’t okay, but Boss Gu was? It should be the opposite.

“You seem to like high places.”

“…….”

Boss Gu sneered, seeing Yeonjo still on the dresser. Yeonjo was speechless. Whose fault was it that he was up there?

“Because of my ankle… I can’t get down by myself.”

He mumbled, then spoke up. Only then did Boss Gu properly assess Yeonjo’s situation.

He threw the towel he was using to dry his hair onto the floor, walked over, and freed the chain caught between the dresser legs. Then he lifted Yeonjo and set him down on the floor.

Yeonjo’s face flushed crimson as he balanced precariously on his good leg.

He should have tried to manage on his own, even if it hurt. Being carried down by Boss Gu was embarrassing and bruised his pride.

“You said you had some laundry? Give it here.”

Suddenly, the old man who had brought the food earlier barged in without knocking, poking his head into the room.

Yeonjo, who had just managed to sit down, froze. The old man also froze, staring at the naked Yeonjo.

“…….”

“…….”

“Take it out.”

As if oblivious to the awkward atmosphere, Boss Gu scooped up the soiled blanket and tossed it to the old man.

“Sigh…”

The old man clicked his tongue and left with the blanket.

Yeonjo was ashamed that the old man had witnessed his humiliating state, the undeniable proof of his dehumanized position. He had been subjected to constant contempt since childhood because he was an orphan, but moments like these, when he was not treated with respect, always made him want to disappear.

It was ridiculous and pathetic that he still had any pride left to protect.

Yeonjo wiped the semen off his stomach with the towel Boss Gu had discarded. Then he gathered the scraps of his torn shirt and put it on. It was barely functional as clothing, but he felt more at ease wearing something.

He heard rustling sounds from outside.

“Can I bring in the meal now?”

“Come in.”

With Boss Gu’s permission, the old man entered with a tray of food.

Again, Yeonjo had no time to hide his shameful state. Fortunately, the old man didn’t even glance at him, just placed the tray at the entrance and quickly left.

There were two of everything: rice bowls, spoons, and soup bowls.

It was clearly a meal for two, not just for Boss Gu. The pressure of having to eat with someone he found so difficult to even face made Yeonjo swallow hard.

But the pressure was soon replaced by gnawing hunger. Pride or not, he was so empty he felt like he could eat dirt.

With his upper body bare, Boss Gu sat at the table, and Yeonjo, after observing him, cautiously sat opposite. Unlike Yeonjo, Boss Gu seemed perfectly comfortable, picking up his chopsticks and beginning his meal.

He took a spoonful of soup first, followed by rice and side dishes. Only after seeing him swallow without difficulty did Yeonjo cautiously pick up his own spoon.

Seeing that Boss Gu wasn’t saying anything, Yeonjo was certain that unlike the last horrific meal, this one was edible.

Yeonjo hurriedly scooped a spoonful of rice into his mouth. Then, he took some soup and a piece of the meat.

“Ugh… ack! Cough, cough, cough… haa.”

He almost spat the food back onto the table. A sour smell filled his mouth, bringing on a wave of nausea. The meat was incredibly tough, and the soup was salty. He forced the concoction, which tasted like it had been stewing in a sewer for days, down his throat and then glanced at Boss Gu. He was swallowing the bizarre-tasting soup without any reaction.

How could anyone eat this? It’s impossible.

He surreptitiously compared his soup to Boss Gu’s, but the color and ingredients appeared identical.

Yeonjo, emboldened, carefully reached for the rolled omelet that Boss Gu had just eaten. He hesitated, then put it in his mouth. The omelet had a dry, spongy texture and a rancid smell. He spat it back onto his rice bowl and gulped down some water.

Once again, he had to put down his spoon, unable to eat. Boss Gu glanced at Yeonjo, but showed no further interest.

Yeonjo was confused. Was he the one with the problem? Or had Boss Gu suffered some kind of damage to his sense of taste? How could he swallow that food without even flinching?

Unable to comprehend it, Yeonjo found himself stealing glances at Boss Gu eating. No matter how much he watched, Boss Gu seemed completely oblivious to any problem with the food.

When Boss Gu looked up and their eyes met, Yeonjo almost screamed in surprise. Noticing Boss Gu’s gaze linger on his disheveled shirt, he quickly tried to cover himself. It was useless, the torn fabric still fluttering, but Yeonjo was desperate. He was afraid that if Boss Gu made another advance, he might actually die this time.

Boss Gu, having quickly finished his meal, rose from the table without hesitation. Yeonjo, facing the fishy-smelling food, was almost grateful that he had finished so quickly. Being near it was torture.

“Hey, old man. Bring a new shirt. And clear the table.”

Boss Gu called out. While waiting, he started gathering the documents he had brought in. Watching him read the papers, Yeonjo gently touched his ankle.

The swelling skin was bruised purple. It wasn’t as painful as he’d expected, so perhaps it wasn’t as serious as he’d feared. Yeonjo took a deep breath and tried to put weight on his ankle.

Ugh. A moan escaped his lips. A tearing pain shot through him before he could even move the muscle properly.

The door opened, and the old man entered. He placed a new shirt down and quickly picked up the table.

“Isn’t that boy eating?”

“Mind your own business and get out.”

The old man looked quizzically at Yeonjo’s almost-full bowl before leaving.

Boss Gu, having finished reviewing the documents, put them back in the envelope. Judging by his actions, he wasn’t planning on taking Yeonjo to the hospital. Fear gripped Yeonjo.

What if his ankle didn’t heal? What if he couldn’t walk anymore? Or what if, even if he could walk, he developed a permanent limp?

It would probably be the latter. Even if he cried and complained, a man like Boss Gu wouldn’t bother taking him to a hospital.

It was a truly desperate situation. However, perhaps because he was so weak, his mind felt numb, unable to fully grasp the seriousness of it. Ironically, he was more concerned about his primitive appearance than his injury.

“Um… clothes.”

At Yeonjo’s mumbled question, Boss Gu raised an eyebrow as if he didn’t understand.

“I don’t have anything to wear…”

He looked around. All he could see were tattered rags and a semen-stained towel. The wardrobe he had checked earlier was empty. He couldn’t stay in the room naked like this, so Yeonjo mustered the courage to ask for clothes.

“Why do you need clothes?”

“Huh?”

“I’m the only one who’s going to see you anyway.”

Yeonjo was horrified. It seemed like Boss Gu had no intention of giving him anything to wear.

“But still… I, I won’t run away. Please, just give me something to wear… please?”

He dragged his injured leg and crawled towards Boss Gu. After a moment of contemplation, Boss Gu tossed him the new shirt he had just picked up.

“Wear that or something.”

Afraid that Boss Gu might change his mind, Yeonjo quickly put the shirt on.

“A wet towel too… if you could.”

This time, Boss Gu didn’t complain. He called out to the old man to bring another shirt and a wet towel.

The old man quickly returned with the requested items. The damp towel smelled of detergent, as if it had been taken straight from the clothesline. Grateful, Yeonjo folded it and wiped his face. He wiped the sweat off the back of his neck, finally feeling a little better.

Boss Gu stood up and began to put on his shirt. Yeonjo, sitting quietly on the floor, naturally glanced at his back. The large burn scar covering his entire back. The strange dragon tattoo superimposed on it.

Yeonjo swallowed hard. Just looking at the scar brought back the searing pain he had felt in the flames 14 years ago.

Yeonjo’s gaze shifted from Boss Gu’s back to his hands. Unlike usual, when he wore matte black gloves, his hands were bare after washing. As Yeonjo had expected, his hands also bore burn scars, though much fainter than the ones on his back.

“Did it hurt?”

Yeonjo gasped at his own impulsive question. He belatedly covered his mouth, but the words were already out.

“What?”

Boss Gu asked casually, buttoning his cuffs. After a moment of hesitation, Yeonjo continued.

“The burns… when you got them.”

Boss Gu, who had been calm until then, turned and glared at Yeonjo, his face filled with loathing.

Yeonjo felt as if he were being pierced by Boss Gu’s hostile gaze. His heart pounded in his chest.

“Did it hurt?”

His deep voice resonated coldly.

“No. When you’re on the verge of death, you don’t feel anything.”

“…….”

“Someone like you, raised with a silver spoon in your mouth, wouldn’t understand.”

“Ah.”

No.

Yeonjo wanted to argue. But he couldn’t make a sound, as if something was stuck in his throat. He bit his lip hard.

As if he hadn’t expected a response in the first place, Boss Gu walked out.

The room was empty. Now that Boss Gu was gone, his tense body should have relaxed, but Boss Gu’s parting words made his stomach churn. Yeonjo glared at the closed, shabby door.

Raised with a silver spoon? He had lived comfortably only until he was six. After that, it had been a constant struggle. He had fought desperately to survive each day.

He had survived the valley, witnessing his family’s death as the price for his own survival. At the tender age of six.

He had been ostracized and bullied for being an orphan, he had scavenged for money, he had endured assaults and harassment as a matter of course, he had sold his body, he had run into burning buildings. And now, his body was useless, his ankle broken.

What did Boss Gu know about him? He spoke as if he knew everything, without having any idea how Yeonjo had endured each day.

Yeonjo clutched his chest, struggling to breathe as his anger intensified. A coughing fit seized him, his lungs burning.

“Gasp, gasp…”

He was surprised by the sharp anger directed at Boss Gu. Countless people had judged him throughout his life. Boss Gu was just one of them. So why did he feel so enraged by his contempt?

Yeonjo grabbed a discarded water bottle and drank desperately. The coughing gradually subsided. He lay still for several minutes to calm down, his vision clearing to take in the messy room.

A wet towel, torn clothes, an empty water bottle, scattered bills. It was as squalid as some nameless alleyway. Yeonjo dragged his aching body and began to clean the room, picking up the discarded items.

A lump formed in his throat as he picked up the crumpled bills one by one. He hated himself for being so pathetic and desperate, for not being able to leave the money there. But this time, he decided to direct his anger at Boss Gu. It was all his fault, Gu Muncheon’s fault, that Yeonjo had become so wretched and degraded.

After collecting the money and putting it in the empty wardrobe, Yeonjo collapsed onto the floor. The cold metallic sound of the shackle grated on his nerves every time he moved. The pain in his ankle was getting worse.

He didn’t have the strength to move a finger. Perhaps because he hadn’t eaten properly, he started to develop a fever. His vision swam, as if melting, and he felt delirious.

The thought of asking for help crossed his mind, but it was fleeting. Even with a fever and a broken ankle, there was no one here who would care for him.

Sweating profusely, he drifted in and out of consciousness. Even in his sleep, the throbbing pain in his leg filled him with anxiety that he might never be able to use it again.

Yeonjo spent the entire day in agony. He wasn’t sure if he had slept for one day or two. He woke up once in the middle of the day and again in the dead of night.

In his hazy state, he heard screams. People shouting, dogs barking, police sirens, flashing lights. These sensations intertwined and infiltrated the gaps in his fevered memories.

He thought he heard the villagers crying. Probably because of Boss Gu and his men. He didn’t know exactly what had happened, but he vaguely understood that they were trying to take over the village by force.

Amidst the commotion, orange light flickered through the window, as if there was a fire somewhere. Even in his semi-conscious state, Yeonjo curled up and covered his ears.

No matter how tightly he closed his eyes, he could see the flickering orange flames. They seemed to be consuming everything around him, threatening to burn the room black, just like that day.

“I’m scared…”

At first, Yeonjo tried to unfasten the chain and escape. But with his injured leg, it was impossible to escape with the shackle on. It wouldn’t budge no matter how hard he pulled.

After struggling for a while, Yeonjo gave up and curled up again. His body burned. Every breath felt like someone was scraping sandpaper against his esophagus and stomach.

The demonic flames he had seen 14 years ago were rising up, threatening to consume him on the border between reality and dream. No, perhaps they had already consumed him. That was the only explanation for the burning heat.

Clang.

The closed door opened. A dark figure entered. He didn’t need to see to know who it was.

“…….”

“…….”

Along with the dry outside air, the intruder brought with him a faint smell of blood. Was it his own, or someone else’s? Whatever it was, the dark figure seemed ominous, like a messenger of death emerging from the raging inferno of that day.

Yeonjo’s throat tightened with fear, making it difficult to breathe. The heat made everything shimmer before his eyes. He couldn’t make a sound. Perhaps this was all a dream.

The figure didn’t enter further. He looked down at Yeonjo, moaning on the floor, then closed the door and left.

🚬

The next day. The tumultuous night passed, and the village fell silent. Yeonjo, his nerves frayed, trembled until dawn before finally falling into a deep sleep. Only his soft, regular breathing filled the small room.

The quiet was shattered by an unexpected intruder. Boss Gu, having worked through the night, burst through the door. He loosened his crooked tie as he entered, then spotted Yeonjo sleeping on the floor in the same position as he had seen him the night before.

It was hard to tell if he was sleeping or unconscious.

“Wake up.”

He walked in, his shiny black shoes still on, and nudged Yeonjo’s shoulder with his toe. Blood from his shoes stained Yeonjo’s shirt.

The pale face remained motionless. Boss Gu frowned.

“Fuck, hey.”

This time, he kicked Yeonjo’s side harder. Yeonjo’s eyelids fluttered.

“Ugh…”

Reacting reflexively to the harsh voice, Yeonjo opened his eyes blearily. For a few seconds, his unfocused eyes registered nothing.

He rubbed his eyes and lifted his head to see Boss Gu’s menacing face staring down at him.

“Ah.”

Startled, Yeonjo quickly tried to sit up. But he put weight on his injured ankle and collapsed back down. His head felt heavy and ached, perhaps from the lingering fever.

“Old man, bring the food.”

Boss Gu, seeing that Yeonjo was awake, sat down heavily on the floor and called out to the courtyard. He kicked his shoes off and tossed them outside the door.

With the door open, the cool midday air flowed into the room. Yeonjo stared at the chain of his shackle, connected to the pillar of the porch, and swallowed a moan.

Food again. He didn’t want to face that horrible meal unless he was starving. Thankfully, the old man, perhaps concerned about Yeonjo starving the previous night, had slipped him a cream bun and some milk from the village store. That was probably why he was still alive.

He didn’t remember the details clearly, having received them through the crack in the door while delirious with fever. He vaguely recalled devouring the bun and milk and then falling back into unconsciousness.

He had been ravenous, his hands trembling, but after eating and sleeping, his condition had improved somewhat.

Huddled in the corner, Yeonjo racked his brains, conscious of Boss Gu sitting in the middle of the room. Was he planning on doing that after the meal? The thought of the pain Boss Gu had inflicted on him sent a chill down his spine.

He couldn’t escape, and his movements were severely restricted. Boss Gu hated him and wouldn’t release him even if he begged. Was sex the only thing he could do here?

The thought completely extinguished his already meager appetite. Why was Boss Gu so insistent on keeping him captive and tormenting him? He could have made Yeonjo’s life much more difficult using his power and influence, even without keeping him by his side and having sex with him.

Hadn’t he said that both Phoenix and the second establishment were under his control? If it were Yeonjo, he would rather use his position to push someone he hated into a deeper abyss than have to face them every day.

Why was Boss Gu keeping Cha Yeonjo, someone he clearly loathed, under his watch? No matter how hard he tried, Yeonjo couldn’t understand his motives.

Was it simply to punish Cha Yeonjo for failing to perform his duties at the establishment? By paying him regularly for sex? By sharing meals with him? Or was it… that he simply enjoyed having sex with him?

No matter how he thought about it, none of it justified Boss Gu’s actions.

“I’m coming in now.”

The old man, now carrying the food tray, stood at the door. Boss Gu responded with an arrogant nod. Yeonjo snapped out of his thoughts and stared nervously at the steaming food.

I don’t want to eat.

Despite his strong aversion, his body moved involuntarily towards the table as soon as Boss Gu sat down. But the sight of the food, even though it looked decent, didn’t stimulate his appetite.

“You’re even picky with your food now. You’re living the life.”

Boss Gu said, his voice laced with sarcasm, watching Yeonjo fidget with his chopsticks.

Picky? He had no such intention. If the food was just moderately bad, he would have eaten it gratefully. But this was too much…

“Eat.”

He ordered Yeonjo, who showed no signs of eating. Intimidated by his sharp gaze, Yeonjo quickly scooped some rice. At least the rice was okay. The side dishes were always the problem.

After forcing the rice down, Yeonjo looked around for a side dish to try. But nothing looked remotely appetizing.

“It’s okay if I don’t…”

“If you don’t eat, I’ll pry your mouth open and shove it in.”

Boss Gu raised his voice, his eyes blazing. Yeonjo cowered, his shoulders hunching.

“Eat all the rice and soup in your bowl. You’re getting so skinny it’s not even fun to fuck anymore.”

He threatened, as if he were about to shove Yeonjo’s face into the soup bowl. Yeonjo hurriedly picked up a random side dish and put it in his mouth. His esophagus constricted. He forced himself to chew and swallow a few times, a sour taste rising in his throat.

He tried a few more bites, compelled by Boss Gu’s coercion, but his weakened body, starved for days, rejected the unpalatable food.

“Ugh…!”

He gagged and spat the food back onto the table.

“You little shit.”

Boss Gu grabbed Yeonjo’s hair roughly. The table and dishes clattered to the floor, pushed by his violent movement.

“Ugh! Wait…”

“Why aren’t you eating? Are you protesting?”

Yeonjo grimaced at the remnants of the side dish clinging to his tongue. His neck ached from being forced back.

“It’s not, not that… I can’t eat it.”

Yeonjo confessed, tears welling up. His heart pounded, startled by the menacing look in the man’s eyes. Afraid that Boss Gu might hit him, Yeonjo quickly added,

“It, it tastes bad… it tastes so bad…”

“What?”

Every time Boss Gu tightened his grip on Yeonjo’s hair, the pain made his eyes water. Yeonjo clenched his teeth, trying to hold back the tears.

“Oh dear, why did you have to spill the food…”

The old man, alerted by the commotion, peeked into the room and muttered in surprise. Boss Gu finally released Yeonjo.

“He says the food tastes like shit, old man.”

“The food? What’s wrong with it? I made it the same as always.”

The old man shook his head, perplexed, and examined the spilled food.

Yeonjo quickly rinsed his mouth with water and swallowed the remaining food, finally feeling some relief. He wiped his tears with the back of his hand and looked up to meet Boss Gu’s eyes.

He was scowling.

“This is going to take forever to clean…”

“Shut up. What’s that in your hand?”

Boss Gu ran a hand through his hair irritably and gestured towards the clothes the old man was holding.

“Ah, there’s a doctor volunteering at the village hall.”

“So?”

The old man cautiously approached Boss Gu and offered him the clothes.

“Shouldn’t he get that leg looked at before it becomes crippled?”

He added in a low voice, as if talking to himself, that Yeonjo should wear something before going out. As he pushed the clothes into the room, Yeonjo’s heart pounded. Despite his terrible cooking, Yeonjo felt an immense gratitude towards the old man.

“Crippled, my ass. It’s not even broken.”

“I think it is broken.”

Yeonjo said desperately before Boss Gu could close the door. He saw Boss Gu’s eyebrows twitch slightly, but he wanted to see a doctor, even if it meant getting hit a few times.

“It keeps swelling and I can’t, can’t put any weight on it… I can’t even move it. I need a… cast.”

Yeonjo’s voice trailed off, afraid of angering Boss Gu further.

Boss Gu’s gaze briefly landed on Yeonjo’s ankle. Unlike the other leg, which looked thin and weak, the injured one was clearly swollen and abnormal. The bruising was so dark that it obscured his naturally pale skin.

“Bullshit. It’s not healing because you’re not eating.”

Boss Gu glared at Yeonjo. Yeonjo bit his lip, embarrassed, and looked away.

“Get dressed. Let’s go.”

He finally relented, his tone grudging.