As Seokga and Hwanin both came into early adulthood, they imprisoned their father beneath the Seocheongang River they now cruise on, having been left no choice. Mireuk had become the Mad God. Hwanin took the throne, and Mago—stricken with grief and regret, exhausted by the years and “all these testosterone-fueled battles”—went to sleep. She’d not awoken since.

Seokga has been determinedly trying not to think about how, leagues and leagues beneath the SRC Flatliner, his father lies trapped.

Until now, he’s been doing a rather decent job of it.

Dr. Jang is still speaking, but Seokga isn’t paying attention. Every day of his life, he regrets the flower-growing contest. A part of him—as disgusting as it is—still longs for his father to see him and love him as he once did Hwanin.

Fucking daddy issues.

“How much would you give to earn his pride?” the therapist asks, jerking Seokga out of his reverie. Jaw tense, he narrows his eyes at the therapist. This is a new question.

The truth is, honestly, that he would give any of his bodily organs to go back in time and prevent himself from cheating at the flower contest. But Seokga will never, ever admit that. It’s a dangerous line of questioning, and Dr. Jang knows that. If Seokga displays any hint of ideating upon treason, she’s instructed to report it to Okhwang immediately. “I don’t want anything to do with him,” Seokga answers stiffly.

“Good,” says Dr. Jang, pushing up her sunglasses. “And you’re still taking your medication?”

“At seven each evening,” he mutters back.

And that’s that.

Chapter Sixteen

Kisa

“Did you get it?” Korain asks. Kisa and Somi exchange wide-eyed glances behind the housekeeping cart as Chaeyeon shrugs, flicking a strand of hair away from her face.

“Are you gonna arrest me if I didn’t?” she asks with a wry smile.

Korain doesn’t look amused. “This is serious, Chaeyeon. Did you find anything or no?”

A long sigh escapes Chaeyeon’s lips, and she glances furtively around the empty hallway. As the vacuum starts up in one of the nearby rooms being cleaned, Kisa strains to hear what’s being said over the dull roar. “It’s basically barren in there. The bed is still made. I went through his suitcase, but it’s all pretty standard. I did, however, find out that he’s more of a briefs guy—”

Thoroughly bewildered by whatever this is, Kisa gapes as Chaeyeon pulls something out of her back pocket. Underwear. Hwanin’s underwear.

“I also found something else…” Her voice is drowned out by the vacuum.

The briefs. Whatever possible reason—?