Ahn Hyun seemed deeply conflicted by Park Dong-geol’s proposal. If anyone else had suggested forming a team, he wouldn’t have hesitated so much. But something about Park Dong-geol made Ahn Hyun uneasy. No matter how smooth his words were, there was an indescribable darkness about him.
Regardless, Park Dong-geol held the upper hand. He had already managed to win over two of the “Three Musketeers” (Ahn Sol, Lee Shin-woo, and Lee Bo-rim).
Ahn Hyun’s anxiety had grown to an unbearable level. He couldn’t abandon his sister, but the incident in the clearing had already shown the potential consequences of her actions. To make matters worse, Ahn Hyun had no choice left. Park Dong-geol had left him in a bind, unable to move forward or back.
If things continued to favor Park Dong-geol, Ahn Hyun, Ahn Sol, and Lee Yoo-jung might be left behind. Park Dong-geol seemed unaware that he was digging his own grave. My perspective, and that of others here, was different. I judged people based on their traits and abilities to determine who could survive. But Park Dong-geol neither had that ability nor desired it.
From the start, Park Dong-geol and I had different criteria for what we wanted in a team. I wanted allies who could help after entering the whole plane, while Park Dong-geol wanted a team he could control at will.
In a way, this situation could work in my favor.
Ultimately, the balance of power depended on the choices of me and Kim Han-byeol. Since I wasn’t present, all eyes naturally turned to Kim Han-byeol. After a moment of contemplation, she stood up, biting her lip as if still undecided.
“I think we should bring the lookout over.”
Her words, after a long pause, weren’t a decision. The tension in the room eased as everyone exhaled the breath they’d been holding, waiting for her choice.
Park Dong-geol, acting as if he were in charge, said, “Ah, right,” and then, in a tone of permission, added, “Sure, bring him over. Explain the situation and let him decide. We don’t have much time, so make sure you prepare him on the way. Oh, wait a moment.”
Just as Kim Han-byeol was about to leave, Park Dong-geol stopped her with a smile that was as pleasant as he could muster.
“You and he could be valuable. So, talk it over on the way. I won’t let you down. Anyway…”
He glanced at Ahn Hyun, letting his words trail off intentionally.
“You’re both welcome. Make the right choice.”
Park Dong-geol’s performance was at its peak. Lee Shin-woo, already feeling secure with Park Dong-geol, gave Kim Han-byeol a small gesture of encouragement. Whether I liked it or not, Park Dong-geol had already achieved his initial goal.
Though things started off rocky, it seemed age hadn’t dulled his instincts. Lee Shin-woo and Lee Bo-rim were unaware they might be used as pawns. Or perhaps they knew and had surrendered to the value of survival.
Watching Kim Han-byeol approach, I closed my eyes. My head throbbed, yet I felt oddly refreshed. I could have disrupted Park Dong-geol’s plans, but that would have defeated the purpose of stepping back. Besides, this situation might unintentionally lead to a win-win for both of us.
Park Dong-geol had removed the obstacles of Ahn Hyun and Lee Yoo-jung, while I could secure three of the four people I had in mind. It was frustrating to see talent swayed by smooth talk, but that was their problem, not mine. If I could bring in the last person, things might resolve faster than expected.
Rustle, rustle.
As I listened to the sound of grass being brushed aside, I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. I quickly stood up, attaching a crossbow to my left arm. Seeing Kim Han-byeol reminded me of someone from the past, stirring an inexplicable feeling within me. Pretending to scan the surroundings, I heard a soft voice call out.
“Hey…”
“Yes?”
Startled, I turned to find Kim Han-byeol watching me with calm eyes. I feigned a pained expression, rubbing my left arm, and spoke.
“I heard some cries, but it seems clear around here.”
“You’ve worked hard. The discussions are almost over, so you should come back.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
I was about to turn with a nonchalant expression when Kim Han-byeol stopped me.
“Wait a moment.”
Turning back, I saw her hesitating before speaking.
“Things have taken a strange turn.”
“A strange turn?”
“Yes. Here’s what happened…”
As she explained, I tried to gauge her true feelings, but Kim Han-byeol remained objective, summarizing the key points. In such situations, people usually lean one way or another, but I admired her neutrality.
“So, that’s where we stand. What will you do?”
Curious about my stance, she asked directly. Though I had already decided, I feigned indecision.
“I didn’t expect it to turn out like this. I’m not sure yet.”
“Neither am I.”
“What do you think of that guy’s words?”
At my question, Kim Han-byeol met my gaze and replied in a quieter voice.
“I don’t think he’s wrong. But…”
“Something doesn’t sit right with you?”
”…Yes. There’s something unsettling about him. Yet, I couldn’t find fault in his words at the time.”
Lee Shin-woo and Lee Bo-rim had been swayed. Watching them, Kim Han-byeol must have felt conflicted.
And I finally understood why she had come to fetch me herself. Though I wanted to talk more, time was pressing, so I started walking, keeping silent for a moment. Having confirmed part of her feelings, I just needed to add a little seasoning on the way back.
Though we didn’t speak, I could tell Kim Han-byeol was following me. After a suitable pause, I spoke up.
“I don’t like what that guy said.”
”…….”
“He cleverly mixed the strengths and weaknesses of his logic. That’s why there were no outright lies. He wrapped his weaknesses in strengths to make his words seem advantageous.”
Though she didn’t respond, I felt her silent urge for more explanation. Park Dong-geol had been cunning, but I couldn’t let Kim Han-byeol slip away. I decided to address her concerns one by one.
“Not lying and being honest require one condition: Can he keep his promises? Does he seem like someone who keeps his word?”
“No.”
Kim Han-byeol answered immediately.
“From the first meeting until now, his impression hasn’t been great, and his actions disrupt team harmony. I’d rather stay with the current group than join him based on his uncertain words. So, I’ll stay with the others.”
Glancing back, I saw Kim Han-byeol deep in thought, mulling over my words. Less than a minute later, as we neared the group, I heard her whisper from behind.
“I’m worried about the two who went first.”
This meant she had made up her mind. I was glad I had chosen to speak indirectly rather than bluntly saying, “Park Dong-geol is just using Lee Bo-rim and Lee Shin-woo. Don’t go with him, or you’ll be used too.” If I had, she might have distrusted me as well. She seemed quick-witted enough to grasp the gist of my words with a little nudge.
As we reached the hill, the distance closed enough for me to clearly see the two divided groups. Nothing had changed since I last saw them.
On one side were Ahn Hyun, Ahn Sol, and Lee Yoo-jung. On the other, Park Dong-geol stood with Lee Shin-woo and Lee Bo-rim.
As we crested the hill, six pairs of eyes turned towards Kim Han-byeol and me.
“Here they come. Thanks for keeping watch.”
Suppressing the irritation rising at Park Dong-geol’s smug demeanor, I forced myself to remain calm. Ahn Hyun’s steady gaze, Ahn Sol’s anxious eyes, Lee Yoo-jung’s tense expression, Lee Shin-woo’s nervous glance, and Lee Bo-rim’s weary look—all these varied expressions stirred something within me. I stopped short of joining them, causing Kim Han-byeol to halt as well.
“I thought you’d be back sooner. Anyway, you heard the gist on the way, right?”
“I did.”
“It ended up like this. It’s tough, but try to understand. We’re all just trying to survive.”
As Park Dong-geol finished speaking, I heard Lee Yoo-jung mutter a curse under her breath. Ignoring it, Park Dong-geol strode over to me, extending a large hand.
“Join our team. We can be friends. You’re welcome, and so is the lady behind you.”
The tension in the air reached its peak as everyone awaited my response. Understanding the anxious anticipation of those around me, I turned away from his outstretched hand and replied in a cold voice.
“I can decide for myself who I want to be friends with. I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to decline.”
Park Dong-geol didn’t even blink. Still holding out his hand, he turned to Kim Han-byeol and asked, “And what about you?”
“I can’t trust you,” Han-byeol replied, also turning away from him. As we walked past, Park Dong-geol called after us with a sneer in his voice.
“Ah, so that’s how it’s going to be. Whatever that fox told you, you’ll regret it.”
“If you value your own life, you should learn to value others’ as well.”
“You’re talking nonsense. I was just trying to help… Fine, do as you please. Just don’t come begging to be let back into the team later.”
“That won’t happen.”
“Shin-woo, Bo-rim, let’s go! Staying with these hypocrites will only get us killed.”
It seemed they had already exchanged names. Watching him drag Lee Shin-woo and Lee Bo-rim away, I felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. I approached the remaining group with calm steps, sensing a mix of relief and unspoken goodwill in their eyes. Ahn Hyun let out a deep sigh and spoke to me.
“Thank you for handling that. As you saw… it turned out this way.”
“Well, it’s for the best, isn’t it? No need to feel down. They left because they wanted to, so let them do as they please. They’ll figure it out, live or die.”
Yoo Jung’s sharp words made me chuckle despite myself. As she said, they were the ones who left. We weren’t left behind; we were the ones who stayed.
And those two statements carried a world of difference.