"So, what have you got?" The chairman calmed down, rolling his chair to face the wall behind him.
After taking a deep breath, Secretary Jung reported. "His name is Park Hyun-So, age is not confirmed yet, but he looks like he's around the same age as Kim Do-Jin, so 27-30. But we couldn't detect any pheromones, and he doesn't react to any either."
"So you want to tell me he doesn't have a second gender?" Chairman Seo was calm about this information.
"Yes, sir, there is no information about his origin or existence in this country." He put down the file he had in his hands until now.
Chairman Seo rolled back to look at the pictures of Hyun-So, some alone, some with Do-Jin beside him.
"But he looks like an Aeroken." Secretary Jung finished.
"Any other information about Do-Jin or the lab?" The chairman said he was still focused on the file.
"Just that he brought him fake pheromones to hide the fact, and he hasn't spent much time in the lab since Hyun-So arrived and they adopted this kitten together."
"Kitten?" The chairman almost laughed at that.
"Yes, sir, Han Byung-Chul was the one who sent it to clinic one random morning, and it was taken from the inside of the lab. As there is no way for a cat to get inside such a place, it has yet to be cleared where it got from, just like Park Hyun-So." Jung cleared his throat.
"A human and now a cat, it's getting interesting." The chairman waved him to leave as he smiled to himself. Secretary Jung bowed his head before he walked out of the room.
Seo Jin-woo was there standing in the lobby, arms crossed. As Seo Da-Eun walked out of the elevator, it was not normal for her to find her younger brother out here in the company, especially standing outside their chairman's office. But she ignored it, walking to the other side.
- - -
A woman with long black hair and a fully tailored suit entered the warehouse.
The place was filled with disgusting pheromones.
All the men looked back to see, their gazes finally leaving Hyun-So alone. Their eyes followed her furiously as she stopped in front of the entrance.
"And who the fuck are you?" The boss got up from his chair to look back.
"Let that guy leave with me, and you will be good." With no emotions on her face, she crossed her arms.
"Hah, haha, you think I'm scared of you?" Everyone laughed with their boss.
Without any words she walked closer to Hyun-So, in the center of everyone.
The boss didn't move an inch; no one did.
They couldn't move.
Suddenly the disgusting mix of pheromones was replaced with the one bearable.
Hyun-So's face was hanging as she held his chin to take a closer look.
Still unconscious.
The boss tried to move, only to get pushed down with more pheromones.
He fell on his knees.
Everyone was bleeding, blood rushing out from every hole on their face.
Her pheromones were too strong for them.
She freed him from the ropes, throwing him over her shoulder.
Walking out with ease, she got her phone out to call Do-Jin.
"H...hello?" Do-Jin didn't sound like he knew who was calling him.
He picked up without looking at the name or number.
"I think I got someone you are looking for." She laid him gently in her black Vireon LX, its open roof gleaming under the flickering warehouse lights—a quiet beast of a car that matched her energy perfectly.
"You still had my number? Wait, what? You have Hyun-So?" Do-Jin panicked, barely forming the words right.
"Oh, so that's what his name is." She was too calm despite the situation, like she got to deal with this on a regular basis.
"Where are you? Is he okay?"
"Old warehouse in the south end. You'll recognize the stench."
It didn't take long to get there; he was close.
Do-Jin stopped the car after getting there.
Running for the warehouse but was stopped by a voice instead.
"Over here."
Hyun-So was lying inside the car with her blazer resting over him.
"He is alive for now, so hurry up." She threw her keys, which Do-Jin caught after realizing. "I need to take care of this mess."
Do-Jin got in without a second thought, turning the engine on. He was about to speed up to the nearest hospital, but Seo Da-Eun stopped him one last time.
"Hey Kim Do, I'm sorry for what my brother did today." Do-Jin moved without any further words.
Seo Da-Eun got inside the warehouse again.
- - -
"Byung, you are not getting it; it was my fault. I ignored what he told me, but it was true. I left him alone when he isn't even aware of where he is." Do-Jin walked around the empty corridor of the hospital, restless.
"But blaming yourself now won't change anything." Han almost yelled at his friend, sitting on one of the benches.
"I know I just can't stop doing it." Finally, Do-Jin stopped talking and stood motionless in front of Han, his hands still outstretched. "He could've died. No, he can still die."
"Do-Jin, stop!" Han snapped at him; he could feel how dangerous this situation was for Hyun-So, but Do-Jin was losing it at this point. "Sit down; we're gonna wait until the doctors are done. No need to guess anything before that, alright?"
"I… alright." He did as he was told. He sat down, putting his elbows over his knees, supporting his chin. His foot was still tapping on the ground. Han noticed it but let him be.
The doctors came out after hours.
Han and Do-Jin stood up at once, eyes locked on the lead physician.
"He's stable," the doctor said, voice low. "But don't get too comfortable. If it happens again, we may not be able to stop the breakdown."
Do-Jin let out a shaky breath and leaned against the wall, eyes closing for just a second.
As the doctor was about to leave, he looked back again. "And Mr. Han, was it? Come meet me in an hour."
Han gave the doctor a short nod. "Thanks, I will."
They watched him disappear around the corner.
Do-Jin sat back down, rubbing his eyes.
Han's phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
He almost ignored it—but something in his gut twisted.
He answered. "Yeah?"
A cold voice crackled through the line.
"I assume Kim Do-Jin hasn't told you what he's been hiding… but I know now. And I don't tolerate secrets."
Han's blood went cold. He stepped away from Do-Jin without saying a word.
"Who is this?" he asked sharply.
The voice ignored the question.
"Tell your friend… His father's on the way."
The line went dead.