38 Who is she to you? (1/2)

”Come out.”

After a moment, a man comes out of the shadows. He stops ten meters away from Choi Min Ho. He is about five feet and eight inches tall with dark hair and dark eyes. He is wearing a brown jacket, grey trousers, and a checkered shirt. He looks like an ordinary man who can easily blend in the crowd.

”Long time!” He grins at him.

”Do you want a smoke?” Choi Min Ho brings out a cigarette packet. ”Do you still prefer this brand?”

”I don't mind.” The man looks happy, but he doesn't take another step. Choi Min Ho pulls out a cigarette and throws at the man. The cigarette lands on the man's hand with uncanny precision.

”It's quite rude this way.” The man lights the cigarette. ”Are you afraid that I will attack her if you remove the barrier?”

The barrier between Choi Min Ho and the man flickers like the candlelight. The man is trying to get in, but Choi Min Ho is trying to keep him out.

”I don't trust the company.” Choi Min Ho lights another cigarette. ”We aren't precisely friends.”

”We have known each other for decades.” The man's eyes shine with laughter. ”Your brother was my mentor. He gave me a name.”

Choi Min Ho clicks his tongue. ”If you had a deep relationship with him, does it mean that we have to be close?”

Cain has been trying to take a step in, but the barrier has been repelling him. The more powers he used, the stronger the barrier becomes.

”It's no fun.” He flicks the cigarette. ”I didn't expect that you will become a council's dog.”

”Your attempts at making me lose my concentration is laughable.” Choi Min Ho chuckles. ”Get to the point.”

”She has an R graded gift.” Cain looks at the house. ”She belongs to the Monarch.”

”No, she doesn't.” Choi Min Ho takes a drag of the cigarette. ”The Monarch company can't force anyone. The gifted are not the Monarch's property.”

”Council has to poke its nose where it doesn't belong.” Cain's voice is dangerous. ”Do you think that you can stop her from coming to the Monarch? She belongs with us, Min Ho.”