The graveyard lay silent, disrupted only by the rhythmic patter of raindrops on the gravestones. Amidst the shadows, Jae-Hoon, a phantom in a world of wet marble, stood before the resting place of his family. His gaze, colder than the chilled rain that saturated his darkened clothes, bore into the names etched in stone.
Clutching a bouquet of lilies, he exhaled a breath heavy with the burden of a lifetime spent detached. From his earliest memories, he had been molded by the merciless hands of his existence, emotions replaced with a calculated numbness—a skill honed in the ruthless realm of a assassination.
As the elder brother in a family of three after his father's death, he carried the weight of providing a suitable life for his family. With scant savings left, at the age of 17, Jae-Hoon decided to study abroad in Italy, the only affordable option at that time, ensuring a brighter future for his family. Despite his intelligence, he faced the harsh reality of needing money to survive in a foreign land. One year later, Jae-Hoon's journey took a dark turn as he abandoned his academic pursuits to fully immerse himself in the shadows of Skotía Sýndesmos, the secret organization specialize in contract killing. The promise of financial stability drew him into their malevolent grasp, where his training transcended conventional limits.
Skotía leader, recognizing his potential for cold and ruthlessness, sculpted him into a legendary hitman known as the "Ivano". His training became a descent into an abyss of darkness, where morality was sacrificed on the altar of his lethal prowess. Jae-Hoon's (a.k.a "Ivano") actions echoed in whispers among the underworld, and his name became synonymous with fear, blood, and respect.
The pursuit of money became an insatiable hunger. But it came with a price. He had to sever connections with his family to shield them from danger. No one knew how much he missed his family. After 12 years climbing the ranks within Skotía organization, his legendary status became synonymous with brutality and blood. Jae-Hoon, once a hopeful student seeking a brighter future, was now a spectral figure haunting the clandestine corridors of a world where only the merciless survived.
As if exhausted from living that life, Jae Hoon decided to return to his family for redemption. However, redemption for the lost time with them only came with the news that his beloved family had died two years ago.
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*Back to the present*
As he stood in the downpour, memories surfaced. The words from his family neighbor about his family echoed in his mind, a tragic revelation etched into his consciousness.
"They came with an air of malevolence, faces obscured by darkness. Your family, victims of a sinister vendetta. It started with your younger brother, Ji-Hoon, standing up to Tae-Hyun Kim, a bully at school whose parent, Seong-hoon Kim, wielded influence both in the country and a criminal organization in Korea. When your brother fought back, Tae-Hyun's parent unleashed hell on your family, making their lives unbearable. And then, in a final act of cruelty, they took everything away. I'm so sorry we cannot do anything to protect your family. We already reported to the police, but it seems like they won't do anything about it. We're so sorry, Jae Hoon."
Facing the grave, his jaw clenched, knuckles turning white as he gripped the lilies tighter, a frigid rage coursed through him. Within Jae-Hoon, the storm of emotion raged on, silent yet ferocious.
In a hushed whisper, he spoke, raindrops and sorrow intertwining in the air:
“Do you hear the rain, the echoes of our shared sorrows? You should have been 20 years old right now Ji. I’ve returned, but it’s a homecoming heavy with regret. Our collective laughter from those bygone days now drowned by the relentless downpour.”
His gaze shifted to the engraved names, including his mother’s. The rain seemed to weep alongside him as he continued,
“I should have been the fortress shielding you guys against life’s storms, but instead, I found you all swept away in a tempest not of our making. I’m sorry for the pain you endured.”
As he faced the grave, a solemn oath escaped his lips, carried away by the wind and rain:
“I swear on this ground, where your memory resides, I will exact vengeance upon those who brought this tragedy upon you. The world will shudder at the hell I unleash. Their malevolence will be met with the storm they ignited in your lives.”
In that moment, as raindrops mingled with the tears he could not shed, his journey for redemption took a new root, entwined with the haunting memories that would shape his relentless pursuit of retribution.
The cold wind whispered promises of revenge, and as Jae-Hoon left the graveyard, a dark determination settled over him like a shroud—a catastrophe awaited those who had taken everything from him. Little did they know, the ghost of the underworld had returned, and the world would soon tremble beneath the weight of his vengeance.
"Just you wait"