Jinwoo awoke to the dull hum of the mansion, his mind still reeling from the discovery the night before. The photograph of his biological father had shaken him in ways he couldn't quite explain. How had Mr. Lee known him? Was his adoption part of some grand plan, or was there something deeper at play?
As he dressed for the day, Jinwoo couldn't shake the nagging feeling in his chest. His training had pushed him beyond his limits, and he was starting to feel more like the man he had always wanted to be—strong, capable, in control. But with that strength came questions he didn't know how to answer.
Downstairs, the mansion was as silent as ever. Jinwoo moved through the halls, every step feeling heavier than the last. When he reached the training room, he wasn't surprised to see Mr. Lee waiting for him. His adoptive father's presence was always looming, a constant reminder of the choices Jinwoo had made.
"You're early," Mr. Lee observed, his voice as calm and implacable as ever.
"I couldn't sleep," Jinwoo admitted, his tone low. "I need to talk to you."
Mr. Lee raised an eyebrow but nodded for him to proceed. "About what?"
Jinwoo took a deep breath, his fists clenching at his sides. "About the photo I found. The one with my father. Why do you have it?"
For a moment, Mr. Lee didn't answer. His expression remained inscrutable, as if weighing whether or not to respond. Finally, he spoke, his voice cold yet tinged with something else—regret, maybe, or guilt.
"You've been asking a lot of questions lately," Mr. Lee said. "And you deserve answers."
Jinwoo's pulse quickened. "What's going on, Mr. Lee? Why did you adopt me? Why do you have ties to my father?"
Mr. Lee didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned to the wall, his back to Jinwoo. "Your father and I… we were once allies. In the world you've chosen to enter, there's no room for loyalty, only power. He was someone I trusted, but he betrayed me."
Jinwoo's mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of information he had. "Betrayed you? How?"
Mr. Lee's eyes darkened as he faced Jinwoo again. "He was involved in illegal activities, things that went against the organization. I was tasked with eliminating him, but before I could, he disappeared. I found out years later that you had been placed in an orphanage, but I wasn't in a position to take you in at that time."
Jinwoo's thoughts spun. "So, you knew all along? You knew who I was?"
"I did," Mr. Lee said quietly. "And when the opportunity came, I decided to bring you into the family. It wasn't just about helping you—it was about ensuring that your father's legacy didn't fall into the wrong hands."
Jinwoo's breath caught in his throat. "What do you mean by that? What legacy?"
Mr. Lee's gaze was sharp, his voice low. "Your father wasn't just any man. He was part of a much larger operation. And you… you've inherited his skills. His ability. I've seen it in you. I brought you here not only because of what you could become—but because of what you already are."
The words hung heavy in the air, and Jinwoo felt his stomach churn. The realization was dawning on him. His connection to this world—his role in it—was far more intricate than he had imagined.
"I didn't want you to be burdened with this knowledge until you were ready," Mr. Lee continued. "But now you are. And I won't hold anything back."
Jinwoo's mind was a whirl of confusion and anger. He had spent his whole life trying to escape the ghosts of his past, but now it seemed like they had come back to haunt him, pulling him deeper into a world he hadn't asked to be a part of.
"I didn't ask for this," Jinwoo muttered, his voice low, almost a whisper.
"No one does," Mr. Lee replied, his gaze unwavering. "But we don't always get to choose our paths. You'll have to decide, Jinwoo—whether you want to keep walking the path of your father, or whether you'll forge your own."
Jinwoo stood in the silence that followed, his heart heavy with the weight of the truth. He had come here to find power, to be strong—but now, the cost of that strength was beginning to make itself known.
Later that day, as Jinwoo continued his training with Mira, his mind couldn't fully focus. The constant questions swirled in his thoughts, clouding his every move. But when Mira noticed his distracted behavior, she pushed him harder, testing his limits with a new round of drills and scenarios.
"Focus, Jinwoo," she snapped, her eyes sharp. "If you don't, you'll fail. You're playing with fire, and it's burning you from the inside out."
Jinwoo gritted his teeth, trying to force the distractions from his mind. But the truth was—he didn't know what to believe anymore. He didn't know if he could trust Mr. Lee, or if his past would forever haunt him. All he knew was that he had no choice but to keep going, no matter the cost.
The world of assassination, of power and betrayal, was inescapable now. But somewhere deep inside, Jinwoo knew one thing for sure: he wasn't going to be a pawn in anyone's game. He would find his own way—and he would take control of his destiny.