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•~Character Guide
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Jiwon Schmidt (33yo) – South Korean-German, Former Lawyer, Now a Wanted Man
Once a hopeful and ambitious lawyer, Jiwon built a life based on control and reason—until one mistake shattered everything. Now, his past has caught up to him in the worst way possible. With sharp brown eyes, tousled black hair, and a lean but resilient build, he looks every bit the man who has fought to survive. But survival becomes much harder when he’s kidnapped by the ghost of his past.

Sergei Mikhailovich Valery Karpov "Smert" (22yo) – Russian, Ruthless Mafia Enforcer
At sixteen, he was abandoned. At twenty-two, he is a man shaped by cruelty and revenge. The underworld knows him as "Smert"—Death itself. With an imposing presence, silver-blond hair, and icy blue eyes, he hides his fury behind a cold, calculated mask. Raised under the iron fist of the Russian mafia, Sergei has become one of the most feared enforcers in his organization. And now, he has the man who betrayed him right where he wants him.
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Jiwon Schmidt never expected his past to come back in the form of a nightmare. Kidnapped and dragged into the mansion of Sergei [Smert] Mikhailovich Valery Karpov, a man feared for his ruthlessness, Jiwon soon realizes he’s at the mercy of someone who holds a deep, personal grudge against him. What he doesn’t know is that Sergei is the very boy he abandoned years ago—now a merciless beast, forged by betrayal and fueled by vengeance.

Trapped in a cruel game of power and retribution, Jiwon must figure out why he's been targeted before it's too late. But Sergei’s hatred is tangled with painful memories and twisted desire, making him an unpredictable captor. As their past collides with the brutal present, obsession, revenge, and long-buried emotions ignite a deadly dance—one that neither of them may survive.
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|Sergei’s rage is only beginning when the truth is revealed, will Jiwon survive?|

{Some wounds never heal… and in the final chapters, you’ll see just how deep they go.}

BENEATH THE COLD

Jiwon's eyes flickered closed with a soft "hnn", and though his breath was still uneven, it was no longer frantic. His body had stopped trembling. The panic had dissipated, replaced by the quiet warmth of the kiss, the steady reassurance in Sergei's touch.

Sergei exhaled slowly. His grip on Jiwon loosened as he finally noticed ,really noticed,how pale he looked. His soaked clothes clung to his body, making him shiver. His lips were trembling, his breath still uneven, but the hysteria had faded into exhaustion.

Sergei lifted his gaze to the window.

He should've been more careful. He let this go on too long.

Without another word, he moved. His arms slipped under Jiwon's limp body, and he lifted him effortlessly. Jiwon didn't resist—he was too weak to. His head lolled against Sergei's chest, barely conscious.

"...Ngh," Jiwon mumbled, his fingers twitching against Sergei's shirt.

Sergei didn't respond. He walked out of the bathroom, into the dimly lit bedroom, and placed Jiwon onto the bed. His body sank into the mattress, eyes half-lidded, barely able to keep himself awake.

Sergei sat on the edge of the bed, eyes locked on Jiwon's pale face. His breaths had evened out, but his body was still trembling, exhausted from the earlier breakdown. The dim light cast shadows over his damp skin, highlighting the gash on his forehead. The bleeding had slowed, but it wasn't stopping.

Sergei clicked his tongue in irritation.

"Come to the mansion. Now," Sergei ordered.

"I'll be there in twenty minutes."

Sergei exhaled, pocketing his phone. His gaze flickered back to Jiwon, who was barely conscious. His lips were slightly parted, breaths shallow. His damp hair stuck to his forehead, a mix of sweat, blood, and water.

Sergei ran a hand through his own hair before standing up.

He moved toward the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and let warm water fill the basin. Then he grabbed a fresh towel, soaking it before wringing it out.

When he returned, Jiwon hadn't moved.

Sergei crouched beside the bed, gripping Jiwon's chin.

Jiwon's eyelids fluttered. "...Unfortunately."

He pressed the warm towel against Jiwon's face, wiping away the remnants of blood and tears. Jiwon winced but didn't resist. His skin was ice cold, his fingers twitching slightly.

Sergei worked in silence, wiping his arms, his neck, his chest—everywhere except the wound.

The doctor, a man in his late forties with neatly combed hair, stepped inside. His eyes flicked to Jiwon, then back to Sergei.

"Move," he said simply, setting his bag down.

Sergei stepped aside, arms crossed, watching as the doctor examined the wound. He pulled out antiseptic, cleaning the gash before prepping a needle.

Jiwon's fingers clenched the sheets, but he remained still as the doctor stitched the wound. His breathing was unsteady, his body flinching slightly with each pull of the thread.

Then, finally, the doctor stepped back, packing up his supplies.

"He needs rest," the doctor said, glancing at Sergei. "No more stress."

The doctor sighed, closing his bag.

"I'll return tomorrow to check on him."

Chapter 18 : unexpected behavior