“Cocoa scent….”
Vin had said it once before. That he thought I smelled like cocoa. I had assumed he just used that expression because he loved chocolate so much, but it turns out my pheromones actually carried a cocoa scent.
“Can ordinary people recognize pheromones?”
“There are some who can.”
Vin’s senses were more developed than most, so perhaps that was why he could detect pheromones. The Shining family excelled in all things, so it wasn’t surprising that their sense of smell would be exceptional as well.
“When did the manifestation pains start, child?”
“I’m not sure. To be honest, I only just found out that this was even called manifestation pain….”
At my vague response, the old woman’s eyes widened. I hesitated before adding an explanation. She listened in silence before finally nodding, as if she understood everything.
“What father in this world could easily accept that his son has become an omega?”
She murmured as she gazed into the distance. A faint moisture glistened in her gray eyes. Then, wiping at the corners of her eyes with her hand, she forced a smile and changed the subject.
“That child who was with you, dear.”
“You mean Vin?”
“Yes, him. How long has he been by your side?”
I had done my best to hide anything that might draw attention—wig, glasses, everything—but had it been noticeable anyway? I started to feel uneasy. As my wariness grew, the old woman, who had recognized it through my scent, reassured me by patting my shoulder.
“Relax. I’m not trying to ask anything strange.”
Was that really true? She continued to pat me comfortingly, and after a moment, I cautiously let my guard down. Her gray eyes held no malice.
“About five years.”
“Hm. Have you ever noticed a scent coming from that child?”
At her question, I recalled the floral fragrance that had lingered around Vin. I nodded honestly, and a small gleam flashed in the old woman’s gray eyes.
“Did you ever feel feverish when you caught his scent?”
“I think… maybe I did.”
Hearing my answer, her expression grew gravely serious. Was something wrong? Anxiety gripped me, and I clasped my hands together, waiting for her to speak again.
“Baby, listen to me carefully from now on.” The old woman finally broke the long silence and took my hand. Her wrinkled hand was warmer than the average person’s, almost like my own when I had a fever.
“The child next to you—”
Bang! A sharp gunshot rang through the small house, cutting off the old woman’s words. Sensing something had happened, I pushed her hand away and rushed to open the door.
“Fath—”
The moment I stepped outside, a cold gun barrel pressed against my forehead. The piercing gaze of an unfamiliar man, his face covered with a black cloth, swept over me.
I discreetly moved my eyes, scanning my surroundings. Han Jae-hoon, Vin, and the attendants who had come with us were all frozen, unable to move under the threat of the strangers’ guns.
Quickly assessing the situation, I stiffened my body and raised both hands to head level. I didn’t know who these people were, but it seemed best to stay still for now.
“Step aside.”
At the stranger’s command, I cautiously moved aside. Someone entered the house and dragged the old woman out. She stumbled before they practically threw her to the ground, pointing their guns at her just as they had at me.
“This seems to be all of them.”
“It appears so.”
A crisp voice responded to the report. Following the sound, my eyes landed on a man sitting near the entrance.
Unlike the others, who were dressed in black and had concealed their appearances with cloth, this man was adorned in an almost ostentatious fashion. He uncrossed his legs and stood up.
The darkened interior, shielded from the outside light by blackout curtains, was nearly pitch black. Yet, the flame-colored hair cascading over his shoulders was unmistakably vivid.
Even without an introduction, everyone present recognized him. In this world, only two people possessed such a brilliantly burning shade of red. One was Vin, and the other—
“Luis Shining.”
Han Jae-hoon called his name. As the man stepped forward from the shadows, his refined face lit up with a radiant smile. His crimson eyes scanned us lightly before settling on Han Jae-hoon.
“It’s been a while, Jae-hoon.”
At his greeting, Han Jae-hoon’s expression contorted with intense disgust.
Luis raised a hand, and the gun aimed at Han Jae-hoon’s head was lowered. With a layer of tension eased, Han Jae-hoon immediately turned to me.
“Baby, come here.”
As soon as he called me, the gun barrel pressing against my forehead also dropped. Watching for an opening, I cautiously shuffled toward Han Jae-hoon.
All eyes were on me.
Click.
I barely heard the faint sound of a gun being cocked, ready to fire at any moment. A chilling sensation crawled down my spine. This was the terror of death.
“You’re still refusing to return my greeting?”
“……”
“That’s disappointing, Jae-hoon. I didn’t think we were on such awkward terms.”
There wasn’t a shred of seriousness in Luis’s voice—only a playful, teasing tone. However, Han Jae-hoon showed no reaction. When those crimson eyes attempted to peer past him to see me, his broad back shielded me completely.
His hands, faintly trembling, betrayed just how tense he was. This situation was undoubtedly troublesome for him. Our visit here was entirely unofficial—an illegal entry.
‘How did he find us so quickly?’
It had only been a few hours since we arrived in District 1. Even if someone had reported our presence at record speed, pinpointing this exact location, tucked away in a secluded part of the town, should not have been easy.
Yet, Luis Shining had come straight here, as if he had already known we would be in this place.
“The stench here is unbearable.”
Luis scrunched his nose and muttered in a low voice. The smile lingering on his face disappeared for a brief moment, turning into an expression of cold disgust—only to return as if nothing had happened, once again curving into a gentle grin.
His ever-smiling crimson eyes shifted downward—to the old woman lying on the floor. A man brushed past Jae-hoon and nudged the old woman’s face up with the tip of his shoe.
“I thought we drove out all the Omegas from our district, but it looks like some have been hiding here.”
The old woman visibly paled, as if he had struck a nerve. Avoiding the shoe pressing against her chin, she abruptly prostrated herself on the floor in an exaggerated bow.
“I humbly greet the esteemed master of District 1!”
“Spare me. I don’t need your greetings.”
Luis waved his hand dismissively, quickly losing interest in her. As he turned back toward Jae-hoon, his gaze briefly settled on Vin.
‘No.’
If Luis recognized Vin, we would be in serious trouble. Anxiety made my hands tremble. But to my relief, Luis’s eyes soon moved elsewhere. He hadn’t recognized him.
“Aren’t you uncomfortable standing? Have a seat.”
Luis settled himself into a chair, nodding toward the seat opposite him. Jae-hoon didn’t respond, standing firm in place. Luis let out a dramatic sigh.
“It’s like I’m talking to a brick wall. And here I thought we had plenty to discuss. For instance, your illegal entry into my territory…”
Luis deliberately trailed off, pressuring Jae-hoon. Eventually, Jae-hoon sat down, just as Luis had wanted. The crimson eyes curved in satisfaction, his lips curling into a pleased smile.
“There you go. It’s good to be cooperative. Who knows? If I’m feeling generous, I might just turn a blind eye to your little trespassing issue.”
“Let’s not waste time with empty words. Just state what it is you want.”
Jae-hoon cut him off firmly. The smile on Luis’s lips stiffened.
The atmosphere shifted. The air trembled slightly before thickening, becoming unbearably heavy. A scent—so dense it was suffocating—began to spread through the room.
“Ugh.”
“Baby!”
“Sit down, Jae-hoon.”
Jae-hoon had jumped to his feet, but Luis’s command froze him in place. The man’s tone had changed completely, exuding a dangerous edge. Left with no choice, Jae-hoon slowly lowered himself back into his seat.
‘What is this?’
It felt as if something was squeezing my heart. The scent that weighed down the air carried an overwhelming fury. Every breath I took felt like invisible hands were gripping my lungs, suffocating me. The only way to escape this unbearable pressure was to leave this place.
But that wasn’t an option. Luis Shining’s men had blocked every exit. Right now, the only thing I could do was raise my trembling hand to pinch my nose and suppress my breathing as much as possible.
“Seo-yul hyung.”
Because the intruders had started rounding up the hostages into one place, Vin was able to come to my side. Supporting me as I struggled to stay upright, he leaned in and asked in a quiet voice, “Are you okay?”
I shook my head.
As the suffocating silence dragged on, the oppressive scent gradually began to fade. In its place, Vin’s faint fragrance filled my senses, bringing me a much-needed sense of stability.
“Well then! Let’s hear why the esteemed Lord of District 5 has graced us with his presence!”
Luis Shining’s voice rang throughout the cramped space, echoing against the walls. His excited tone was that of a child about to play a new game.
