Stone Heart | Woosan (reposted)

Thirty Five

San and Seonghwa left alone to a far away place where they can sit and talk freely without having to worry about anyone overhearing them.

It was a lake they liked to sit by ever since they were teenagers. They dressed in comfortable clothes and sat on the grass to enjoy the peace and quiet of the place.

After a few silent moments of admiring the view, San finally spoke. "So...the information you gave me..."

Seonghwa nodded. "I'm a hundred percent sure."

San looked at the other. "Hongjoong really is the anonymous owner of ρꪖ𝘳ꪖᦔ𝓲𝘴ꫀ (Paradise)?"

Seonghwa nodded confidently.

It made San wonder and have a million questions. "But...how can we use that against him? The government already knows about that institute."

Seonghwa smirked. "ρꪖ𝘳ꪖᦔ𝓲𝘴ꫀ (paradise) is a legal school on the outside, but what goes on inside is mostly illegal activities."

San furrowed his eyebrows to show interest. "What do you mean?"

"What the government thinks is that everyone voluntarily signs the contract to become a slave and help their families when Paradise sends them money, which is the case with Doll. But what really happens is that there are people who were sold into slavery, like Angel, or forced to sign under threat."

San hummed. "That's a huge point..."

Seonghwa nodded. "And they treat them horribly. They claim that they teach the slaves through peaceful daily lessons, but what they really do is dehumanize, degrade, humiliate, abuse and rape them on a daily basis. Angel even admitted that they tried brainwashing him and the other new slaves through a whole night of intense electrocution to erase their identity and create a new, much weaker and more submissive one. And what's worse is that the contract does not state any of that."

San's eyes widened. "Wait, really? I thought they would treat them well because they're supposed to sell them in good condition..."

"That's what I thought too, but no, it's completely the opposite...but we need to be careful with that information, because you also do illegal stuff when it comes to your slaves, don't forget that Kim Hongjoong saw you using the electrifying collar on Angel, and that's illegal, he could simply tell on you if we tell on him."

San ran his hand through his hair. "It's really going to be a war...and we don't know what information he gathered about us."

Seonghwa nodded. "Exactly, you need to be careful with every move you make."

San hummed. "How did you get all this information?"

Seonghwa chuckled. "I have my own sources inside Paradise, how do you think I always get you the best slaves?"

San looked at him confused. "Wait, what?"

"I've always picked your slaves with care. I chose the strongest ones mentally and the ones with the highest pain tolerance levels, because I know very well you could take it too far." He looked down. "That except for Angel..."

"What do you mean?" San asked.

"He's definitely not the strongest, actually he's been broken by them so badly and so early, and his self esteem lowered incredibly. He's also a beginner slave, something I would never consider getting you...but I chose him because of personal motives and emotions I felt when they brought him up to the stage..." Seonghwa smiled sadly.

San moved closer to his friend. "What do you mean..?"

"Angel looks so much like someone I lost...my first slave...and don't worry, I'm not talking about any romantic feelings."

San looked towards the lake again. "What about Doll?"

"Doll is a different story. I wanted one of the older slaves, who were hurt and abused more, so I can give them a break, Doll was just that, however, after I had bought him I was told he's one of the worst slaves when it comes to attitude. He has an uncontrollable mouth and does not learn no matter how many times they punish him. And that's actually why so many people wanted him. It brings them interest and excitement."

San stayed quiet at all the information Seonghwa had told him. He never knew his assistant had so much information and hidden intentions in everything he does.

"You need to understand something San, you are known as the devil master, which is why Hongjoong chose you to be his partner in business, he would have slowly told you about Paradise, knowing how cruel you are towards slaves, you could help him manage the place even better with your methods. But now this could be used against you while we work on our plan, you're included in the illegal actions against slaves. However, I know that you've settled on Angel now, but you need to treat him better, so at least we'd have him by our side as evidence that you don't treat your slaves so brutally as he would claim."

San glanced at his assistant then back at the lake, they both knew that was much easier said than done.

"Don't worry about him...right now I'm sure Doll has sneaked into your room to have a better chance to talk to Angel alone, and he'll know why he couldn't speak, it will make him hate you more, but at least he'll understand the situation better."

San looked down in shame. "I locked the room door on Angel..."

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A/N: Soooo Hongjoong own paradise