Codename Anastasia Novel (End) - Chapter 48

After a long while, he reached the seashore. The waves washing at his feet were quite calm. Had Zhenya said it was 60 km from Murmansk? There were no small islands or similar reefs visible nearby. He felt helpless again.

But he hadn’t given up. Either way, dying here or there was the same. Whatever end he met, it would be better than being thoroughly toyed with in Zhenya’s hands.

Kwon Taekjoo retraced his steps. He couldn’t swim 60 km naked, so he had to find a vehicle. If there wasn’t one, he intended to cut down birch trees and build something.

Walking without rest, Kwon Taekjoo returned to the mansion and immediately lit a fire in the pechka. He thawed his frozen body in front of it, then descended to the basement. As expected, various tools were piled up in the underground storage. He boldly stepped inside. Dusty air billowed thickly.

“…Found it.”

A flush of relief spread across his dust-covered face. After a full half-day, he found a kayak. It was clearly a single-person kayak, but he was grateful for even that. If he hadn’t found it, he would have had to chop down frozen birch trees.

He shouldered the kayak and left the mansion. It was made of wood, so it was much heavier than he expected. He had prepared more thoroughly than before, considering the snow depth, but the kayak made his feet sink even deeper. Taking a single step was difficult. The sensation in his toes gradually grew numb.

He was willing to endure frostbite. Compared to the hardships he had faced so far, this much suffering was nothing. As if heaven were helping those who helped themselves, the weather also seemed to aid his escape. The violent winds that had raged until morning had subsided. The swirling snow had calmed, and the sea, which he had struggled to reach, was also tranquil.

“Good.”

He immediately launched the kayak into the water. Then, he pressed on various parts of the hull, checking for leaks. Contrary to his concerns, there were no worn or corroded spots. The weight balance was also quite good, so it didn’t easily tip over while he climbed in.

He held the paddle for a moment, waiting for the rocking of the hull to subside. The wildly swaying kayak slowly stabilized.

He took a short, deep breath, then powerfully pushed through the water. He had once paddled 20 km round trip in a rubber boat during his time in the special forces. He had to go about three times that distance to reach land, but if the weather cooperated, it wasn’t impossible. This wasn’t a mere drill; it was a real situation. Desperation often pushed human potential to its maximum.

He gritted his teeth and paddled larger strokes. The water splashing against the side of the boat was propelled by strong force, shattering into pieces. The kayak continued to cut through the water, moving forward and forward.

The wild card was the sea weather. Just because the coast was calm didn’t mean the open sea was too. After advancing with good momentum for a while, the kayak suddenly started drifting. The waves rapidly grew higher, repeatedly pushing the hull towards land. He couldn’t control it with the paddle. If he was swept away like this, he would be shipwrecked.

He paddled faster, stubbornly moving forward. As the waves grew higher, the wind also intensified. The kayak, having lost its momentum, tossed wildly. The bow couldn’t hold a steady course and spun around. Amidst it, strong waves repeatedly crashed against the hull. The kayak dangerously tilted, looking like it would capsize at any moment. He moved the opposite paddle, barely managing to maintain balance. But controlling a small boat against giant waves was nearly impossible.

The waves relentlessly crashed, as if cruel. The second wave, and the next, were larger and more ferocious than the first. The blue-black sea continually opened its maw and charged. His entire body was soaked by the violent currents. It felt as if ice crystals were growing on his wet skin. His heart, sensing a threat to survival, pounded violently.

“Damn it…!”

He threw pace and everything else aside and fought with all his might. Even paddling desperately, the hull remained sluggishly afloat. The deep seawater greedily swallowed the painstakingly generated propulsion. At least he was staying in place by paddling; if he stood still, he’d be swept away instantly.

“Hwaaah-aaaaah!”

He let out a sharp yell and renewed his resolve. As if acknowledging Kwon Taekjoo’s efforts, the struggling bow slowly, gradually, began to move forward.

Unfortunately, the hopeful situation didn’t last long. Suddenly, he heard a sound like a giant throb. He dazedly focused his gaze forward. Then he saw a dark blue wall approaching from afar. It was, quite literally, a house-sized wave.

If he confronted it head-on, he wouldn’t survive. His limbs moved on their own before his mind could even issue a command. However, ripples kept clinging to his ankles.

While he was immobile, the wave reached him. Its jet-black maw opened wide. He was going to be swallowed. That conviction-like intuition pierced his mind right before. The wave instantly engulfed the kayak. After that, it was inevitable. He was instantly sucked deep underwater. He hadn’t even fully registered falling into the sea. He was helpless against the force pushing his entire body deep into the abyss. He couldn’t breathe.

Eventually, the endlessly receding current burst out in reverse, turning white. Kwon Taekjoo was also swept up by the pressure. He kicked his legs to rise to the surface, avoiding being sucked back into the ocean. The underwater was terrifyingly calm, but above, it was still a battlefield. Waves crashed from all sides, giving him no time to breathe the air he had held.

“I won’t give up!”

He screamed as if in defiance. He couldn’t yield to this hardship. He stretched his aching arms and pushed through the current. His legs constantly kicked. Each time he twisted his head to breathe, salty seawater surged into his mouth. His lungs suddenly tightened, and his breath became ragged. He couldn’t put strength into his body as he wanted. He was pushed back as much as he advanced through the water.

His strength visibly drained. His entire body stiffened. In that state, he stubbornly moved forward only to be pushed back, then forward again, only to be pushed back once more. He couldn’t tell where he was drifting, or how much further he had to go. It was even uncertain if he could return to Azhinokiy Island. His arms, feeling like a thousand pounds, no longer obeyed him. Was this how he would die?

“…”

Just as he was about to give up, something caught his eye. It was the wreckage of his shattered kayak, tossed by the waves and floating on the surface. His fading survival instinct reignited. He squeezed out his remaining strength and quickly chased after it.

He snatched the plank, which seemed about to disappear, and clutched it to his chest. His body, which had been on the verge of collapsing into oblivion, was firmly supported. He leaned on it for a moment, gasping for ragged breaths. His entire body abruptly felt like waterlogged cotton. For a while, he drifted aimlessly on the sea. The sun was setting behind him.

The gentle sound of waves echoed in his ears. His body was still supported by something. He thought it was the kayak wreckage, but it was much firmer. It didn’t budge at all, despite the repeatedly crashing waves. A rough sensation was felt against his cheek. He twitched his fingers. Water-laden sand came into his hand.

He faintly lifted his eyelids. The surroundings were completely dark; he couldn’t see anything. He remained lying face down for a while after waking up. He didn’t dare to get up.

Waves washed over his wet body. All his senses awoke, and his limbs trembled. He tried to move somehow, but his frozen body wouldn’t budge. Could he even say he was still alive like this? At least he was relieved that he was no longer floating aimlessly in the open sea. He didn’t know where he was, but he had fortunately reached land.

He exerted himself, struggling to lift his upper body. Seawater streamed down his hair and clothes. His lungs, which had been compressed, loosened, and he let out a deep breath. He must have swallowed too much cold, salty water, as both his stomach and head felt strange. He slowly looked around. In the complete darkness where he couldn’t see an inch ahead, he suddenly sensed a presence.

It was the sound of someone approaching, crunching on sand. He tried to call for help, but only a gasp escaped him. His vocal cords seemed to have gone bad. He squeezed his throat with all his might.

“Here…!”

His voice was terribly hoarse. The footsteps that had been slowly approaching stopped right next to him. Kwon Taekjoo’s arm, which he had raised in welcome, faltered. The savior who had appeared from the darkness was none other than Zhenya.

“Swimming in the ocean in the middle of the night. You have a peculiar hobby.”

He wondered if it was a nightmare. Otherwise, he couldn’t understand how that guy was here. He was still in the same clothes he had left in. Surely not. Had he returned to Azinokki Island? He quickly scanned his surroundings, but the pervasive darkness made it impossible to discern the terrain.

“Get up if you don’t want to freeze to death.”

Indeed, his teeth chattered, making clacking sounds. If he stayed like that, he’d be on his way to the afterlife from hypothermia. He staggered for a long time, trying to get up, but then collapsed back down. He tried to get up again, but this time, even the arm that had been supporting his upper body buckled, and he tumbled weakly.

Zhenya, who had been watching, clicked his tongue openly. Then, with an unwilling expression, he grabbed Kwon Taekjoo’s elbow. Only his arm was dragged along, his body, limp as waterlogged cotton, didn’t budge. Zhenya shook his head and sighed, then suddenly bent down. The scent of him, which had been hidden by the sea breeze, grew much stronger. Kwon Taekjoo’s arm, which reflexively tried to pull away, was caught and he was swung onto his back in one swift motion.

“More troublesome than most beasts.”

He didn’t forget to scold. With every step, Kwon Taekjoo’s body swayed. The seawater that had collected on him streamed down, soaking his clothes. Zhenya didn’t care. He simply walked silently towards his mansion.

Kwon Taekjoo instinctively pressed his body close to the soft fur coat of the man. He buried his face, which had lost all sensation, deep into it. Behind the two men, who were moving further away, black waves coiled repeatedly.

A large quantity of hot water poured out. Kwon Taekjoo was thrown into the bathtub, still in his wet clothes. The warm sensation quickly spread throughout his body. Even though he curled up tightly, his jaw trembled. His lips had turned pale blue in the meantime.

Zhenya sat on the edge of the bathtub and roughly pulled at Kwon Taekjoo’s clothes. The clothes, which had stuck unpleasantly, tore away. He was utterly nonchalant even when taking off his pants. He tore open the buckle and flipped them inside out, holding the cuffs. His lower body lifted momentarily, and his upper body plunged into the bathtub. A large amount of water rushed into his nose and ears without warning. He struggled and finally righted his upper body. A cough erupted without fail.

“…Cough, cough.”

His nose and the back of his throat quickly became sore. As if that wasn’t enough, Zhenya took the showerhead hanging on the wall and sprayed water indiscriminately. He couldn’t open his eyes. He wouldn’t even wash an animal like that.

“I wonder if he’s stupid or brave.”

Zhenya muttered in an incredulous tone.

“Unfortunately, you can’t leave this island by manpower alone. A coastal current flows near here that pushes everything towards the island.”

Was that why? Why Zhenya had freely gone out, leaving him alone. Often, strong, belt-like ocean currents form around islands. If you couldn’t break through that current, you would inevitably be swept away by the waves and pushed back to the coast. He had swum for his life without knowing that, and a hollow laugh escaped him.

“This is to tell you not to bother trying in the future. Because it would be troublesome to pick you up every time like today.”

He advised with disdain, then stood up. The showerhead he was holding clattered into the bathtub. Kwon Taekjoo turned his head away from the splashing water. In the meantime, the bathroom door slammed shut.

Kwon Taekjoo, left alone, slowly ran his hand over his face. His still trembling fingertips and toes tingled. It felt as if blood was circulating rapidly, bathing his entire body in a sharp sensation. His head was also dizzy from the rapid change in body temperature.

His whole body quickly felt weary. His mind and body were so exhausted that all his will had flown away. He just wanted to lounge in front of a warm fire.

He laboriously pulled himself up. Even that was too much, and he staggered for a moment. His limbs, attached to his body, moved sluggishly as if they weren’t his own. He barely managed to put on his gown, and without even tying the belt, he stumbled out.

Only the thought of the fireplace was in his mind. He was about to head to the living room when Zhenya suddenly blocked his path. Even looking up at him was difficult.

“…What now?”

His weak voice was clearly tired. Yet, the other man spoke nonchalantly.

“Are you skipping dinner?”

As if he could eat a meal after barely surviving. It wasn’t an exaggeration; he truly didn’t have the strength to even hold a fork. He waved his hand with an expression that screamed annoyance.

“Fine, then.”

Surprisingly, Zhenya let Kwon Taekjoo go obediently. He disappeared into the kitchen alone, leaving Kwon Taekjoo behind. He was about to take another step when a certain smell suddenly stopped him. Was it his imagination?

His legs moved on their own. As he got closer to the kitchen, the previous smell grew stronger. An appetite he hadn’t had surged, and both his jaw muscles ached. Kwon Taekjoo’s gaze immediately flew to the pot Zhenya was holding. From it wafted a spicy aroma that would stir the soul of any Korean. Seeing the discarded packaging next to the counter, there was no doubt.

Zhenya took the pot off the fire and carried it to the sink. Then, he tilted it casually, as if to pour its contents out. It was just as a dribble of ramen broth fell into the sink. Kwon Taekjoo darted forward and grabbed his hand.

“Eat it.”

“…”

“I said, I’ll eat it.”

He reiterated his intention and snatched the pot. He grabbed any fork within reach and hastily scooped up the ramen. A few strands of noodles precariously hung. But before they could even reach his tongue, they slipped off. He tried several times, but it was the same. His patience worn thin, Kwon Taekjoo cut the noodles into small pieces with scissors. Then, he put his mouth to the pot and slurped the broth and noodles all at once.

He was like a living corpse just a moment ago. Zhenya, who had been watching with his arms crossed, shifted his gaze to the ramen package. He picked it up, looked at it for a long time, then tilted his head.

“…Is it laced with drugs or something?”

He lay on his stomach on the fur, basking in the fireplace’s warmth. The flickering warmth slowly warmed his entire body from his back. His queasy stomach settled, his belly was full, and his body felt languid. He even yawned leisurely. Who was the person who had risked his life to escape the island just moments ago?

He didn’t force open his heavy eyelids. Using his arm as a pillow, he succumbed to the overwhelming drowsiness. His back slowly inflated and deflated, and steady breathing escaped him unconsciously. His hazy consciousness seemed to hover between falling into the world of the unconscious and remaining awake.

Soon, Zhenya appeared. He couldn’t help but recognize him by his unique scent. His shadow flickered in front of the fireplace. Then, his naked gaze fell upon Kwon Taekjoo’s face. He wondered if he had something to say, but his closed eyelids didn’t lift again. He just wanted to remain immersed in the sweet sensation of his whole body melting.

He feigned ignorance and continued to sprawl, when suddenly, the area below him felt empty. It was because the hem of his gown had been pulled up above his waist. It felt as if his buttocks were completely exposed.

“…Go away, you bastard.”

He mumbled without opening his eyes. He casually waved his hand as if annoyed. But Zhenya paid no attention and fumbled at the lumbar region just above his buttocks. No, the rubbing sensation felt thicker and softer than fingers. Before he could grasp its identity, Zhenya leaned over his back.

“I told you I’m tired.”

He pushed Zhenya away with an irritated gesture. As if understanding, Zhenya’s weight lifted off him. Along with it, Kwon Taekjoo’s greatly contorted face relaxed. Now, he would be able to sleep soundly without any disturbances. A pleased smile even spread across his face in anticipation.

Just as he was about to fall asleep, his shoulder twitched. A hard object was firmly pressed between his completely unguarded buttocks. Its subtle heat was quite unpleasant. Kwon Taekjoo, with his eyes closed, simply squirmed. Then it persistently followed, pressing its head firmly between his cheeks.

“Sleep well. It’s not bad to do it while you’re sleeping.”

Zhenya’s voice brushed against his ear. Meanwhile, his body was completely beyond the control of his mind. His whole body felt heavy, as if sinking deep into sleep.

Soon, something plunged deeply into him as his buttocks parted. Even in his sleep, the distinct sensation of penetration made his whole body thrash.