The rain had finally passed.
Only droplets continued to fall from the rooftops, dripping steadily onto the pavement below. Rainwater gathered along the roadside, reflecting the gray sky like scattered mirrors, while a cool breeze drifted gently through the city.
Rien walked along the sidewalk at an unhurried pace.
His umbrella was now closed, resting lightly in his hand.
His expression remained as calm as ever.
Suddenly—
A small boy came sprinting around the corner.
Before he could stop, he crashed straight into Rien.
The child lost his balance.
Just before he could hit the ground, Rien reached out, caught him by the shoulder, and gently pulled him back onto his feet.
"Are you alright, kid?"
Rien knelt to the boy's eye level, his voice calm and reassuring.
The boy blinked before giving a small nod.
"Thank you, Uncle. I'm okay."
A faint smile appeared on Rien's face.
He lightly patted the boy's shoulder.
"Try not to run so fast. The rain just stopped. The ground is still slippery."
The boy nodded obediently.
"I will."
He waved before running off—this time much more carefully—as he disappeared into a side street.
Rien stood and continued walking.
After crossing the road, his eyes settled on an ATM installed outside a small convenience store.
A woman stood anxiously in line behind another customer, constantly glancing around with trembling hands.
Rien quietly joined the line behind her.
The woman looked toward the man using the ATM.
"Please... hurry."
Her voice shook with anxiety.
The man glanced back apologetically.
"Just one moment, ma'am."
A few seconds later, he withdrew his cash, bowed politely, and walked away.
The woman hurried forward.
Her fingers trembled as she pressed the buttons on the screen.
After withdrawing some cash, she hesitated before attempting another transaction.
"I... I need to withdraw more..."
Her voice barely escaped her lips.
Rien offered a gentle smile.
"What happened?"
The woman froze.
She hesitated before speaking.
"My... my daughter..."
Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks.
"A kidnapper has her."
Her voice broke.
"He's waiting inside that black SUV."
She subtly glanced toward a vehicle parked some distance away.
"He said he'll let her go only after I bring him the money."
Rien calmly followed her gaze.
His eyes settled on the black SUV.
Then he asked quietly,
"Does your daughter know what's happening?"
The woman slowly shook her head.
"She's unconscious... in the back seat."
Rien gave a small nod.
He leaned his umbrella against the nearby wall.
"Don't turn around."
His voice remained calm.
"And don't leave this spot."
Without another word, he began walking toward the SUV.
His pace never changed.
Halfway there, an elderly man stepped in front of him.
"Would you like to buy some chocolates, sir?"
The old man held out a small box with a hopeful smile.
Rien looked down.
He picked up two chocolates and handed the old man some money.
"Thank you, sir."
The elderly man bowed gratefully before walking away.
Rien slipped the chocolates into his pocket.
Then continued toward the SUV.
Inside the vehicle, the kidnapper impatiently checked his watch.
"What's taking that woman so long?"
His voice carried growing irritation.
Then—
Someone appeared beside his window.
Before the kidnapper could react—
CRASH!
Rien's fist shattered the side window in a single strike.
Shards of glass exploded into the air.
His hand shot through the broken window and clamped around the man's throat.
"Ghk...!"
The kidnapper's eyes widened in terror as both hands desperately grabbed Rien's wrist.
The sound of breaking glass echoed across the street.
Pedestrians stopped.
Heads turned.
Within seconds, everyone's attention was fixed on the SUV.
Without changing his expression, Rien tightened his grip.
Then—
With one powerful pull—
The kidnapper was dragged violently through the shattered window and thrown onto the rain-soaked pavement.
He crashed to the ground, screaming in agony.
At that exact moment, the woman rushed toward the SUV.
She threw open the rear door.
Inside, her unconscious daughter lay across the back seat.
"My daughter!"
She carefully lifted the girl into her arms.
A few moments later...
The girl's eyelids slowly fluttered open.
"Mom..."
The weak voice was barely above a whisper.
Tears streamed down the woman's face as she embraced her daughter tightly.
Rien quietly watched the reunion.
A faint smile crossed his face.
He reached into his pocket, took out one of the chocolates, and gently placed it into the little girl's hand.
Then he looked at her mother.
"Call the police."
His tone remained calm.
Without waiting for a reply, he turned around.
People rushed toward the scene, surrounding the SUV and the injured kidnapper as others hurriedly dialed the emergency services.
Rien simply walked away.
He retrieved his umbrella from where he had left it.
Only then did he glance down at his right hand.
Small cuts from the shattered glass bled steadily across his fingers.
He studied the wounds for a brief moment.
Then released a quiet sigh.
"This flesh..."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"...is surprisingly fragile."
Closing his umbrella loosely in one hand, Rien disappeared into the quiet city streets, leaving the chaos behind him as the cool breeze drifted gently through the rain-washed afternoon.
Night had quietly settled over the city.
Beyond the apartment window, neon lights shimmered across the streets while the distant hum of traffic blended with the cool evening breeze.
The apartment door clicked open.
Jin-Ah stepped inside, letting out a tired sigh before kicking off her shoes.
Her eyes immediately landed on Rien, who was sitting quietly at the dining table, reading a small book beneath the warm light.
A playful grin spread across her face.
"Hey, Priest."
She tossed her bag onto the bed before walking to the table.
From a paper bag, she pulled out a neatly packed meal and placed it in front of him.
"I brought you dinner."
Rien slowly closed the book and looked up at her.
A calm smile appeared on his face.
"Welcome back."
His voice was as gentle as ever.
Jin-Ah opened the food container before sliding it toward him.
"Eat."
She folded her arms proudly.
"It's abalone. Not everyone gets treated to something this expensive."
Rien looked at the meal before meeting her eyes.
"Thank you."
He bowed his head politely.
"I appreciate it."
After a brief pause, he added,
"And... next time, you don't have to spend your money on me."
"I managed to recover both my smartphone and the money that was stolen."
Jin-Ah raised an eyebrow.
"So you actually got them back."
Rien simply nodded before quietly beginning his meal.
For a few moments, the room became silent.
Then Jin-Ah noticed something.
Her gaze settled on the bandage wrapped around his right hand.
The playful expression disappeared.
"What happened to your hand?"
There was genuine concern in her voice.
Rien glanced down at the bandage before looking back at her.
"This morning..."
He calmly took another bite before continuing.
"It was raining."
"I slipped while walking and scraped my hand on the road."
His tone remained perfectly natural.
Jin-Ah narrowed her eyes.
She leaned across the table, studying his face as though trying to read every tiny expression.
"Really?"
A suspicious smile slowly appeared.
"You don't exactly look like someone who slips in the middle of the road."
Rien met her gaze without the slightest change in expression.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Well..."
He shrugged lightly.
"Things happen."
Jin-Ah stared at him for another second.
Then she sighed.
"...You're terrible at lying."
She stood from the chair and walked toward the refrigerator.
Opening the door, she looked inside.
Vegetables.
Chicken.
Eggs.
A few bottles of water.
She blinked.
"You actually went grocery shopping."
There was clear surprise in her voice.
Then something caught her attention.
A packet of chocolates.
Her eyes instantly lit up.
"Ooh... chocolate."
She happily took the packet out with a smile.
From the dining table, Rien glanced toward her.
"Please close the refrigerator."
His voice remained calm.
"You're wasting electricity."
Jin-Ah looked back at him.
"...Seriously?"
She laughed softly before closing the refrigerator.
Walking over to the couch, she switched on the television.
A comedy show immediately filled the apartment with loud laughter.
She opened the chocolate packet, unwrapped one piece, and popped it into her mouth.
While watching the television, she casually glanced toward Rien.
"You should eat more."
She pointed a chocolate at him.
"You're way too skinny."
Rien quietly continued eating before giving a small nod.
"I'll keep that in mind."
His respectful reply earned an amused smile from Jin-Ah.
She shook her head and laughed.
Somehow...
The apartment, once silent and empty, felt a little warmer than before.