Chapter 2: the devil's Lair

Jiwon's head throbbed, the pounding pain enough to make him grit his teeth as he slowly regained consciousness. His hands were bound behind his back, and something rough and coarse pressed against his eyes—a blindfold. The chill of cold metal on his wrists made him shiver. His mouth was gagged, allowing only muffled, desperate sounds to escape.

"W-Where am I?" Jiwon mumbled, his voice slurred and barely audible. His entire body ached from whatever substance they'd used to knock him out.

"Awake already?" The voice came from the front seat. Low, smooth, and laced with amusement. But there was something cruel simmering just beneath the surface.

Jiwon tried to lift his head, his blurred vision catching only glimpses of broad shoulders and a powerful frame behind the steering wheel.

"Who... Who are you?" Jiwon managed to croak, his throat raw.

The man didn't answer, his focus seemingly fixed on the road ahead. Outside, darkness pressed against the windows, an endless sea of Russian wilderness. Wherever they were going, it was far from civilization.

Fear clawed its way up Jiwon's chest, squeezing his lungs. "....let me go."

A low chuckle filled the air. "Let you go?" The man's voice sounded almost entertained by the plea. "We haven't even begun yet."

Jiwon's stomach twisted. His breaths came faster, ragged and shallow. His mind screamed at him to fight, but his body was still sluggish, helpless from the effects of the drug.

They drove for hours, the silence only broken by the occasional hum of the engine and the crunch of tires over gravel. Jiwon's terror grew with every passing minute. No matter how hard he tried to loosen the bindings around his wrists, they held tight, biting into his skin.

Finally, the SUV rolled to a stop. The door creaked open, and rough hands grabbed Jiwon's arm, yanking him out of the vehicle. His legs buckled beneath him, and he hit the ground with a painful thud, cold earth pressing against his cheek.

"Pathetic." The man's voice was closer now, deep and taunting. Jiwon's eyes fluttered open, his gaze struggling to focus on the towering figure standing over him. The man's face was partially shrouded in shadow, but his presence was overwhelming.

Jiwon's voice cracked, his pride swallowed by pure, unfiltered terror. "I-I don't have anything. Whatever you want... money, connections... "

Another chuckle, this one darker, laced with contempt. "What makes you think this is about money?" The man's eyes gleamed with something Jiwon couldn't quite identify.

"I don't even know who you are!" Jiwon's desperation spilled out in firm words.

"That's the point," the man replied coldly before reaching down, his fingers digging into Jiwon's arm as he hauled him to his feet.

Jiwon stumbled forward, his legs barely cooperating. His eyes scanned his surroundings, taking in the sprawling mansion before him. It was an architectural beast of stone and steel, its design elegant but merciless. This was no ordinary home. This was a fortress.

The man shoved him toward the massive doors, his grip unyielding. The interior was just as intimidating as the outside. High ceilings, dim lighting, and luxury that felt as frigid as the air itself.

"Welcome to your new home," the man murmured mockingly.

Jiwon's heart slammed against his ribs. "Why are you doing this?!"

The man ignored the question and dragged Jiwon deeper into the mansion. Hallways twisted like a labyrinth until they reached a room far from the entrance. The door creaked open to reveal a sparsely furnished chamber. A bed, a chair, and nothing else.

The man released him with a shove, and Jiwon stumbled, his knees hitting the floor. His wrists were still bound, his entire body trembling.

"I'll be back later," the man said, his tone casual, as if he were discussing the weather. "Try not to lose your mind before then. It would be such a waste."

He turned and walked out, the door slamming shut behind him. The click of the lock echoed like a death sentence.

Jiwon was alone. Lost. And the nightmare had only just begun...