PROLOGUE -
The Day the Past Returned
Rain lashed against the towering windows of the Cha Mansion's grand hall.
A flash of lightning split the night sky, illuminating the vast marble floor before darkness swallowed it once again.
At the center of the hall stood a young man.
His back faced the entrance as he silently stared at a massive oil painting framed in gold.
The portrait overlooked the entire hall.
In it, a man and a woman smiled warmly.
Between them stood a little boy, no older than five, holding both of their hands.
A family frozen in a happier time.
The young man's gaze never left the portrait.
His fists slowly clenched at his sides.
The only sound filling the silence was the relentless rain.
Knock.
The heavy wooden doors opened.
An older man in a black suit stepped inside.
He stopped a respectful distance behind the young man.
"...Young Master."
No response.
The man lowered his head before speaking again.
"...He's been released."
Silence.
Another flash of lightning illuminated the portrait.
The smiling faces seemed almost alive for a brief moment.
"...After eighteen years?"
"Yes."
"The sentence ended this morning."
The young man lowered his eyes.
For a long moment...
Only the rain spoke.
Then he looked up at the portrait once more.
A faint smile touched his lips.
It held no warmth.
Only resolve.
"If the law has finished with him..."
He turned toward the rain-soaked windows.
"...then I'll begin."
Lightning flashed.
The hall fell silent once again.
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