Russia: Moscow
January 16, 2025
A massive, imposing palace stands tall... the residence of Zachariah Dowe.
Zachariah Dowe, the King of Russia... a man who could make even Death itself taste its own medicine. He was so dangerous that people feared even uttering his name, believing that speaking it might summon him instantly.
That was the introduction the world gave him. But within Zachariah Dowe lived a human—an ordinary man who existed only for his family. Despite coming from generations of mafia royalty and being a mobster himself, his family was his strength, not his weakness.
He had a friend who was no less than a brother, and a female friend who was now his sister-in-law (his best friend's wife). Monika and Freed remained his closest allies to this day. Both of them affectionately called him "Zack." Zack never considered his friends as anything less than blood family.
Then there was Crystal Marco, an ordinary 18-year-old girl who had traveled from Italy to Russia to fulfill her dreams. She had left her father without telling anyone, only for her life to take a drastic turn.
Zack had kidnapped her.
Inside a dark room, illuminated only by a small ventilator, Crystal was held captive. Her eyes were blindfolded. Zack approached and tilted her face upward.
Crystal: "W-who... who are you?"
Zack: "Are you lost, my Lady Python?"
He touched her face. His touch was so cold and intimidating it could make anyone shiver. She, however, was completely unaware of his identity. She didn't even know him. Why had he kidnapped her?
(The reason: Crystal's father was Zack's old enemy.)
Crystal: "Who are you? Why have you kidnapped me? Please, let me go... what did I ever do to you?"
Zack: "Shhh... Quiet, my Lady Python. You will know soon enough, baby."
His voice was terrifying enough to freeze someone's blood, yet he spoke with a haunting calmness.
Zack: "How old are you?"
Crystal: "Please let me go... I..." (She began to cry).
Zack: "Shut up!"
In a fit of rage, he kicked his chair aside and grabbed her jaw firmly.
Crystal: "Please, don't do anything! I figured out why you brought me here. You are my father's enemy..."
Zack: "Nice I.Q. level. Now that you know I am your father's enemy, you will stay here until the day your father dies."
Crystal: "If your grudge is with my father, then kill him. Why kidnap me?"
Zack looked at her, stunned.
(The backstory: Crystal’s father had killed her mother and married someone else.)
Zack, who had kept Crystal captive in that dark, desolate room, was surprised by her fearless response.
Zack: "What did you say? It’s true your father is my enemy, but why do you want him dead?"
Crystal: "Just tell me this—do you want to kill my father or not?"
Zack gripped her jaw again in response to her defiance. She gasped in pain.
Zack: "Shhh... shhh... I’m the one asking questions. You don't get to question me."
Crystal: "Aaa... ahh... L-let... let go of me! Fine, I’ll tell you."
He released his grip on her face.
Crystal: "My father killed my mother through treachery. I want you to kill him the same way. Do as I say, please. Trust me blindly. I won’t go anywhere until it's done."
Zack: "What do you want me to do?"
Crystal: "Call my father."
Zack: "And what will that achieve?"
Crystal: "You’ll see. But I guarantee you... my father will be dead by tomorrow."
Italy
20:55 (January 18, 2025)
A security guard handed a phone to a middle-aged man.
Crystal: "Hello... Dad? Dad... it’s Crystal. Dad, I don't know who these people are. Dad, I’m scared! Please save me... I’ll never run away again!"
When the man heard her voice, he gasped in shock. "Crystal? Where are you? Who kidnapped you?"
Crystal: "I don’t know, Dad... I came to Russia and suddenly these people grabbed me. Dad—"
Before she could finish, Zack took the phone.
Zack: "Marco... come save your daughter. If you don't, her body will be delivered to your doorstep tonight—no autopsy needed. Understand?"
He cut the call.
Crystal: "Okay... now please, untie my blindfold."
Zack: "Not yet. Tomorrow morning."
Crystal: "What? That’s not fair! I helped you, and you—"
Zack: "Keep quiet. You are so innocent... trusting anyone so easily. Anyway... bye. Goodnight."
With that, he walked out of the room