Plop!

Kang Jin-Ho let go, and Lee Hyeon-Ju plopped down on the spot again. She wasn't quite sure what happened, but the relief of knowing that she had survived this ordeal still washed over her like a tsunami wave. She curled up into a ball and burst into loud wailing.

Click!

Jo Gyu-Min used his lighter to light up Kang Jin-Ho's cigarette.

“Fuu-woo…” Kang Jin-Ho took a deep puff before leisurely releasing the gray smoke back into the air.

Jo Gyu-Min grinned. “You know, that was properly scary.”

“My apologies. That wasn't my original intention, but I ended up getting a bit too excited,” said Kang Jin-Ho with a rueful shake of his head.

Jo Gyu-Min maintained his smile while listening to Kang Jin-Ho's explanation. The truth was, though... Even though he didn't look like it on the outside, Jo Gyu-Min was doing his utmost best to look composed right now. His legs were shaking so much he was having a hard time standing still. However, he believed letting things continue at this rate would lead to an even worse problem later on, so he forced his unwilling legs to step forward.

Jo Gyu-Min had no idea how this Kang Jin-Ho, who was not acting like his usual self, would respond to his interruption. The worst situation would be... for him to also get utterly crushed by Kang Jin-Ho. However, Jo Gyu-Min had to step up in moments like these. Otherwise, he would have no right to call himself Kang Jin-Ho's close aide.

Thankfully, his choice worked out, and Kang...