𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 | 정원

43

Eugene crouched down and flipped Ji-ah onto her back. Pain shot through her like lightning, ripping a cry from her lips. White spots danced in her vision. Something hard pressed against her hip, making her flinch.

Eugene leaned in, a cruel smile curving his lips.

"They'll never find you," he murmured, his voice soft yet laced with malice. "You're trapped by me again."

Ji-ah glared up at him, summoning every ounce of defiance she had left. With the taste of iron on her tongue, she spat blood at his face.

Eugene's expression darkened as he blocked it with his hand. Straightening, he cast a glance into the distance. The forest had fallen silent. Sunoo had stopped calling for her. Ji-ah's stomach twisted-he must have walked farther away.

Her mind raced to Jungwon. He would never have let Eugene escape. And yet, Eugene was here.

"What did you do to Jungwon?" she demanded, her voice unsteady.

Eugene tilted his head, amusement flickering in his gaze. "What do you think?" He let out a slow, mocking sigh. "I killed him, of course." Yet there was an edge of irritation in his tone.

Ji-ah scoffed. "Liar."

His smile vanished, replaced by a flash of anger. "He was foolish. I tricked him again, and he fell for it completely." His voice dropped, dark and dangerous. "In the end, I'll present your body to him."

Ji-ah gritted her teeth and pushed herself up, staggering to her feet despite the throbbing pain in her head. Eugene stood motionless, watching her with unreadable eyes.

"Go on, then," she hissed. "Kill me."

He didn't move. Instead, he studied her, hands clasped behind his back. The gun he had held earlier was gone.

"I'll spare you." he said, his voice eerily calm.

Ji-ah nearly laughed. He was toying with her.

"If you leave Jungwon behind," he continued, "I'll let you go. You were innocent, after all-dragged into this mess because of him."

Ji-ah exhaled sharply.

"Why would I ever do that?"

Eugene's expression softened, almost mournful. "You still don't understand, do you?"

"Understand what?" Her voice cracked, raw with emotion.

His gaze locked onto hers, and for a fleeting second, something unreadable flickered across his face.

"I never stopped caring, Ji-ah," he murmured. "Everything I've done was for you."

Ji-ah felt nothing. Not a flicker of sympathy, not a sliver of doubt. She met his eyes, searching them, but all she saw was deceit.

Clutching her cloak tightly, she slid a hand into her pocket and curled her fingers around the small dagger hidden inside. The cold metal pressed against her palm.

Ji-ah had realized the weapon was there when it poked into her when she fell. Jake must've have left it for her.

"Wrong," Ji-ah said, her grip tightening. "Everything you've done was for your own selfishness."

She stepped closer, eyes never leaving his. "You didn't care about me-you wanted to take something from Jungwon. That's all this has ever been about."

With a sharp breath, Ji-ah whipped out the dagger, aiming straight for his chest. But she wasn't fast enough.

Eugene's hand shot out, catching her wrist in a crushing grip. The blade barely grazed his shirt. His expression darkened, anger burning behind his mismatched eyes.