[Chapter 44] One's End, Another's Beginning

[Somewhere Under the Rainbow, Frame] 

[Early Morning 7:30 am]

...

Earthquake: "It's true they're weak and all, but their current #1 awakener is Seongik Han who is in the ranks of the Top 50's, more than capable enough to deal with a Top 100."

Catching on to what his disciple meant, he questioned, though if anything, it sounded more like a statement than a question. "So why not let South Korea take the fall? The blame for Ben's death?" 

Supri: "I don't know, that sounds troublesome." 

Andrei: "But it'll work!"

He shouted, much to her dismay. 

Supri: "You do not need to shout when I am right here." 

Andrei: "Well I wouldn't be shouting if you let me have my revenge." 

Supri: "Directing your anger on some country that has nothing to do with you is by all means, having your revenge." 

Andrei: "Yes! Because if they had just let Ben take one of their awakeners a couple of weeks earlier, then he'll still be here! Alive at that!" 

Schnauder snorted. 

Supri: "You can't forcefully take one of their awakeners and expect no retaliation in return." 

Andrei: "I can, and I will!" 

She sighed, knowing she will get nowhere in this conversation. There's no point in fighting a losing battle so she gave up midway through and decided it's whatever. Whether South Korea gets wipe off the face of Earth is of none of her concern. 

She will have no part or say in the downfall of South Korea. This is Andrei's revenge for Ben. It's better they take the fall than EAO as there's less to lose. 

Making up her mind she looked Andrei in the eyes, "fine." Finally agreeing with his statement, "you can take revenge on South Korea, but I will play no part in it." 

He grins, "that can be arranged." Before looking over to Schnauder, "I'm assuming it is the same for you as well?" 

Schnauder grunts in response, "no sh*t sherlock, I have no time to play a stupid role in your petty revenge plan." He states, before walking out with Supri and their apprentices following. 

Andrei ignored Schnauder's usual insults, his body brimming with excitement like a little child who got handed a giant lollipop, as he's too excited to plan Ben's revenge. It certainly won't be as satisfying as doing it to the actual culprits, but they will have to do just fine.

Even if they are just mere substitutes, they are the perfect target of Andrei's current rage. That is until he can attack Eminence without needing to worry about his actions offending anyone. 

With those thoughts occupying his head of the future, he informed Earthquake to accompany him to South Korea. His disciple didn't need to be told twice and stood up, following right behind his master. 

...

{~𝕊𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕖 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖~} 

...

[South Korea, Shinhwa's Headquarters] 

[Early Morning 11:37 am] 

...

Alone in a dark room, Mr. Yoo had his projector on, projecting all the current organization's chairman or chairwoman as they discuss certain matters. 

"As much as I would like to congratulate you on having your daughter return back safely, we have much more pressing matters to discuss." Seongik Han low soft voice started the meeting. 

"I know saving my daughter comes at a cost." Mr. Yoo replied. 

"Do you?!" The chairman from Baekdu screeched, causing many to lower his volume to the lowest settings. 

"Yes, I do." 

He scoffs, "yeah right." Rolling his eyes, "at the cost of our entire country's safety being held at risk." 

"I understand that. Which is why I intend to settle this matter myself." He responded coldly. 

His words left everyone speechless. All but Seongik Han who was quick to recover, "Mr. Yoo! You can't possibly be thinking-" 

He dreads the very words that were coming out of his very good friend's mouth as he harshly interrupted, "of taking on Frame by myself. But I do." 

"But you can't." Seongik persisted but to no anvil, "but I have to." 

Seognik: "No! You can't face them alone! You'll-" 

Mr. Yoo: "Die. I'm well aware." 

Seongik: "Then why?! You have a family." 

Mr. Yoo: "A family I must protect." 

Seongik: "Not at the cost of your life." 

Mr. Yoo: "A worthy sacrifice if you ask me." 

Seongik: "I would beg to differ." 

Shinhwa's current chairman sighed, "enough Seognik. There's no need to fuss over something as meaningless as my death. It has to be like this in order for South Korea to even dream of having a bright future ahead of themselves."

Seongik: "There's must be another way. Some way to resolve the mess regarding your daughter's kidnapping without the price of your life." 

Mr. Yoo: "But there isn't. And we don't have the time in the world to find those very answers we're looking for. This is the only way, whether you like it or not. I am going to face Frame, alone." 

"That-," he paused, and for once in his life, he couldn't find the speech in his body to counter his fellow white head's logical response. With everything that's been said and done, there's no going back. All that is left is lingering regrets. 

Solemnly, he slowly nodded in agreement, "I understand." 

With that, every chairwoman and chairman left the virtual meeting, leaving only Mr. Yoo and Seongik Han. "Is this truly the end?" He asked, though Mr. Yoo's silence and eventual response left him heartbroken. 

"I see," he mindlessly spoke, before opening a drawer and taking out a bottle of whisky and 2 glass cups. "Then I shall pour you a drink before sending you off." 

Without thinking much of it, Mr. Yoo agreed, taking out a wine glass himself, as he poured alcohol into it before raising it up to cheer to him, to his last day on Earth, to Shinhwa, to his friends, to South Korea, to his loving family, to- 

Everyone who's been there for him for as long as he can remember. It is because of them, that he got to where he is today and for that, he couldn't be anymore thankful. Even as he leaves the world today, he can die happily knowing the people he loves will be safe and sound. 

So cheers to them.

After toasting and drinking the alcoholic drink, feeling the burning sensation running down his throat, knowing full well it will probably be the last thing he feels before dying an honorable death. 

And at that, he couldn't help but chuckle at his absurd situation. Who would have thought he'd sip a cup full of alcohol as if it were his last, literally, before diving headfirst into a dire predicament.

Truly unfortunate if you ask him. 

He says his last goodbye to his dear old friend before leaving the meeting to survey the entirety of his organization, reminiscing the goods and the bads he had with Shinhwa.

From the slight creak in the wall near the meeting room that his son made on accident when he let his emotion get the betterment of him, to the coffee cup stains left on this one specific desk due to his wife placing the same black coffee cup with a couple of sugar cubes in it at the same place every morning. 

Everything was coming back to him.

And it will be his last time seeing it all.

Feeling it all.

Just living through it all. 

As he circles around for a couple of hours, he ended up back to his office. Upon entering, he must've seen it a thousand times, the view he never could get sick of, his plain old office that's been passed down from generation to generation of the Yoo's family. 

But behind it, is the view of the entire city lighting up the entire night sky beautifully. Observing the peaceful and calming scenery, he knows full well what he has to do in order to keep this peace. 

Taking a seat, he prepared letters for each of his family and friends before secretly visiting their sleeping figures, a small smile taking its place as his sight lay eyes upon his drooling son hugging his pillow very tightly.

Next to him was his wife sleeping gracefully like an angel. She is just so beautiful. Breathtaking even. From the first day they met, till now, she is everything to him. And it saddens him that he will no longer witness such a beauty or spend the remainder of his life span loving her. 

Chuckling sadly, he approached their figure, lightly kissing Jisuk's forehead before doing the same to his wife. Looking at their frame once more, imbedding this precious image forever into his head, he left quietly.

His next destination being his daughter, Jiyoung. 

Doing the same to her, a look of concern flashed across his face. After all, he's fully aware of how power-hungry people are and that after his death, people will pressure her to take over Shinhwa. Moreover, they will do everything in their best interest to manipulate her. Not just her, but Jisuk and his wife. 

The thought of it angers him, but he's reminded that they are not weak. So, he has full faith that whatever is to occur after his passing, as long as they have one another, they'll be just fine. At least that is what he thinks. 

Unaware of his children being the only ones remaining, left to fend for themselves in this cruel harsh awakened world at such a young age. 

Taking a deep breath in, he glances to his daughter once more before swiftly whirling away as if he was never there in the first place. His next and last destination being, somewhere outside of South Korea where he is to meet up face to face with Andrei and his lackey. 

...