Flashback.
The blue sky looked bright. The spring sun felt warm on the skin. The scent of white flowers and sweet cakes filled the air.
Today was the wedding day.
Fyar stood stiffly in a neat black suit. His hair was slicked back. In his hand was a glass of dewy champagne.
He smiled gently looking around.
"After an eternal drama, he finally retiring..." he muttered softly.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Someone’s footsteps were heard from behind.
A black-haired man wearing glasses approached him. The man wore an anime hoodie with expensive-looking jeans, gold earrings in his ears looked conspicuous.
"Fyar fyar fyarrkunmn!" he greeted cheerfully.
Fyar turned around, smiled broadly, and hugged the man briefly while patting his back.
"Arbert? Is that you?!"
"How, how are you?" Fyar asked, releasing the hug.
Arbert smiled widely, giving a thumbs up.
"Uhh, good, good, good!"
"You’re still single, it seems?!" Arbert said, nudging Fyar’s arm gently.
"Well, I’m busy working," Fyar answered, shrugging and chuckling.
"How about you?!"
Arbert chuckled. He opened his phone and showed a photo of a beautiful girl with short hair wearing a white shirt and pink cardigan.
"Look at this, look at this!!!"
"This is my fiancée, Fyar!!"
"Ohh congrats man!" Fyar answered enthusiastically, his eyes widening at the photo. "When, when? Where is she now?"
"She’s finishing her college now." Arbert sighed, putting his phone back. "Well, I’m going to Japan next week to celebrate her graduation."
"Ooh, a Japanese person?" Fyar slapped Arbert’s shoulder hard. "Crazy, crazy!"
"Btw Fyar."
Arbert stared at Fyar with a serious look for a moment, then glanced toward the altar.
"You Fyar and Ryan..."
"What do you actually do for work?"
Arbert looked at Ryan, who was shaking hands with guests congratulating him.
"You guys work at the same place, right?"
"When I asked on WA, he or you guys didn’t want to answer."
Fyar smiled. He patted Arbert’s shoulder again.
"That’s not important now, Arbert."
"Let’s enjoy this moment."
"And btw Ryan has already retired, that’s why he can get married."
"Oh yeah?" Arbert was surprised, his eyebrows raised. "Rich then?"
"Of course, retired at a young age, bro," Fyar said enthusiastically.
Classical music played softly from a string quartet in the corner of the garden. People laughed crisply. The sound of clinking glasses and small talk sounded harmonious.
In front of the flower altar, Ryan’s face was flushed red with happiness.
Beside him stood Elena. Her wedding dress was pure white and billowed beautifully. A small tiara sparkled in her brown hair.
The event continued until they entered the photo session.
Ryan looked around.
He saw Fyar and Arbert.
"Arbert! Fyar, come here for a photo!" Ryan called out, waving his hand enthusiastically.
Fyar smiled thinly. He stepped forward approaching the wedding stage.
"Congrats!!" Fyar said. He hugged Ryan tightly.
After hugging Ryan, he hugged Arbert.
"Brutal first night, brutal!" Arbert said, nudging Ryan’s arm.
Fyar laughed.
"Don’t ask him that."
Ryan joined in the laughter.
"You bastards."
Ryan turned to Arbert.
"How are you? News, news?"
Arbert chuckled.
"I’m better now, just living it."
"Oh," Ryan looked at the cameraman. "Photo, photo!"
"Don’t be so stiff," Ryan punched Fyar’s shoulder lightly. "When is your turn to follow?"
Fyar smiled bitterly.
"Well... I hope I meet my soulmate soon."
Fyar punched Ryan’s shoulder back lightly.
"Five more years and I’ll retire."
Ryan nodded.
"Good luck, friend."
"Yay retirement yaaay!" Arbert said while clapping lightly.
Elena giggled covering her mouth.
"Oh my, you guys-"
Psst!
The sound was very quiet. Like the sound of a bottle cap opening.
The smile on Ryan’s face was still there.
But Elena’s head jerked violently backward.
Thick red blood spurted heavily from her forehead. Staining Ryan’s still-smiling face.
The red liquid fell onto Elena’s white dress. Spreading fast on the silk fabric. Turning holy white into gruesome red.
Elena’s body collapsed onto the wooden floor.
Thud.
The music stopped.
One second of silence.
Screams erupted.
"GET DOWN!!" Fyar shouted.
Fyar kicked the buffet table in front of him until it overturned. Plates and glasses shattered messily.
"Arbert take cover Arbert!! Behind me!"
Arbert froze, his eyes wide staring at Elena’s body. His mouth opened but no sound came out.
Fyar lunged forward and pulled Ryan’s collar down behind the protection of the wooden table. Arbert jolted and threw himself behind Fyar, his hands trembling violently.
"Fyar what is this Fyar?! You have a pistol?!" Arbert asked in panic when he saw Fyar pulling out a weapon.
Pfft. Pfft.
Bullets whizzed. Flower vases shattered. Wood splinters flew.
Guests ran in panic. Some fell, shot.
Fyar pulled a pistol from under his suit.
He peeked slightly from the gap in the table.
"I’ll explain later," Fyar growled.
Bastards, savage bastards!! Even after retiring, they are still bastards! Which organization is this, damn it, I will hunt you down bastards! Fyar muttered inwardly, his jaw hardening.
On the roof of the opposite building, a lens flash was seen.
Bang. Bang.
Fyar shot twice. Two black figures on the roof fell down.
"Fyar what is happening Fyar?! What is wrong with you, what is actually happening bastard!" Arbert gripped Fyar’s arm, his face pale.
"Now it should be okay," Fyar looked at Arbert. "Go to a safe place, run away from here quickly, I’ll cover."
Fyar regulated his breathing.
"Don’t ask too many questions for now, please!"
"For now take cover in a safe place until the situation improves. Other backup should arrive in four minutes."
"Tch, short on people!"
How many of you exactly, bastards? Fyar gritted his teeth, his eyes scanning the surroundings sharply.
Fyar looked back at Arbert.
"There is a possibility this place will become a full battlefield in the next few hours."
Fyar looked around. He gave his phone to Arbert.
"Go, contact the contact named N and write message 113!"
Fyar stared at Arbert intently.
"Understand?"
"They will come quickly and take you to a safe place!"
Arbert nodded quickly, his hands trembling as he took Fyar’s phone.
He crawled backward and ran with all his might.
Fyar turned, looked around, and aimed his pistol. He shot precisely at the attackers appearing from behind the trees. Blood splattered everywhere. Panicked guests ran chaotically, some trampled. Fyar kept shooting, providing cover for those trying to escape.
Fyar turned to look at Ryan.
Ryan crawled out from cover. He ignored the shots around him. He hugged Elena’s stiff body.
The white dress was now completely wet red.
"Ryan, idiot!! Get inside, damn it!!" Fyar forcefully pulled Ryan’s shoulder.
Fyar’s hand was wet.
He saw Ryan’s white shirt. There was a large hole in his stomach. Blood poured out heavily.
"Ryan.. damn what’s wrong with you Ryan!?... shit!" Fyar pressed the wound on Ryan’s stomach with both hands. Hot blood covered Fyar’s fingers. The smell was stinging metallic.
"Oh shit..no..no no"