Man: Sorry.
Woman: Sorry for what?
I stared blankly ahead, feeling a bit dazed. Without warning, and without even asking for permission, Yeon Hye-rim had slipped in and was now sitting in a chair, grinning at me like she’d just won the lottery.
“Oh no, oh no~ Kim Soo-hyun is in big trouble~. Big trouble, I tell you~.”
And she even started singing some weird little tune. I took a deep breath and tried to steady myself.
“So, what’s going on all of a sudden?”
“Hm? Not happy to see me?”
When I spoke quietly, Yeon Hye-rim’s eyes widened. She looked ridiculously confident.
“No, of course I’m glad. Just a little caught off guard.”
“See? That’s the spirit. I’ve got not one, but two important pieces of info for you.”
“Oh? Now you’ve got my attention.”
“Hehe~ Should I tell you? Or not?”
She tilted her head and teased me. I quickly settled in to listen, and she let out a little chuckle.
“Alright, I’ll tell you, but that means you owe me one.”
“No way… I don’t owe you anything.”
“One: about Han So-young’s attitude earlier. And two: you’ve got a new rival.”
“Deal.”
I accepted her offer immediately. Yeon Hye-rim burst into a carefree laugh, flashing a smile that didn’t quite match her usual prim demeanor.
“Stop laughing and spill it.”
“Okay, first thing first.”
“Go ahead.”
“Why haven’t you been answering So-young’s calls all this time?”
I couldn’t help but let out a small “Ah.” Had I really been forgetting something all this time? It was the contact from Sujeong-gu.
“So you weren’t completely in the dark? I thought Go Yeon-ju was blocking the calls.”
“Hmm, I guess I just forgot… Was she really mad?”
“More like, she started worrying after she confirmed you were okay. Before that, she was on edge every single day.”
“On edge?”
“Yeah. She tried to act cool on the outside, but I could see right through her. Especially when rumors spread that you’d been seriously injured in the last battle—that was the peak of her anxiety.”
“W-well…”
I stammered. It was true I’d been hurt, but not that badly. Just some magical exhaustion. But I couldn’t exactly say that out loud.
‘What do I do?’
Just as I was about to bury my head in my hands, Yeon Hye-rim’s eyes sparkled as she bounced over and plopped down beside me. The bed dipped under her weight.
“Hey, hey. And guess what? You’ve got a rival now.”
Her flushed face and twitching lips made it clear she was itching to spill the beans. At this point, I suspected she wasn’t here to share info so much as to talk for the sake of it.
‘She did love gossiping about others.’
Come to think of it, she used to badmouth Go Yeon-ju a lot back in the first round.
Anyway, it was a bit random, but memories from that first round suddenly came flooding back, so I decided to just listen quietly.
“A rival?”
“Han So-young, I mean! So-young!”
“Why her?”
“Jo Sung-ho’s been hitting on her! I saw it with my own eyes.”
At that moment, I felt like everything from the first round and beyond was crashing down around me.
‘That bastard?’
How dare Jo Sung-ho make a move on her?
My eyes narrowed instinctively.
“Tell me more.”
“Well… here’s what he did to So-young…”
Suddenly, Yeon Hye-rim lowered her voice. She stared at me intently, then unexpectedly draped her hand over my shoulder.
“Istantel Low Road.”
Then, deliberately deepening her voice, she leaned in closer, as if reenacting the scene. I tensed, waiting for what would come next.
After a moment, her lips parted.
“We were…”
“Yeon Hye-rim.”
Right then, just as I was bracing for the highlight, a cold yet familiar voice cut through the air. Both Yeon Hye-rim and I flinched and turned toward the entrance almost simultaneously.
“What exactly are you two doing?”
There stood a woman radiating an untouchable aura. Han So-young.
“H-Han So-young?”
Yeon Hye-rim scrambled to her feet, awkwardly scratching her head.
“When did you get here?”
“Just now.”
“E-early, huh?”
“My meeting ended early.”
Han So-young’s tone was flat but relentless, pressing Yeon Hye-rim without pause. They were just talking, but the atmosphere felt charged. Yeon Hye-rim’s reluctant nod confirmed it.
“I-I see.”
“So, what’s your answer?”
The moment Han So-young spoke, Yeon Hye-rim’s reaction was lightning fast.
“Ah, hahaha! Well then, I’m off!”
She jumped up abruptly and bolted without looking back. Watching her quickly disappear, I felt an inexplicable sting of betrayal.
But that feeling was soon replaced by a cold breeze. Han So-young didn’t chase after Yeon Hye-rim. She just stood there, staring at me with icy eyes. I swallowed hard.
‘I should apologize, right?’
Just as I thought that, Han So-young clicked her heels and walked into the tent. She carefully sat down in the chair Yeon Hye-rim had just vacated.
“…”
“…”
She said nothing, arms crossed, legs crossed, expression unreadable as she fixed her gaze on me. I instinctively knew.
‘She’s angry.’
Angry. One hundred percent angry. Comparing this to the pattern from the first round, Han So-young’s behavior matched her anger perfectly. And since it was mostly my fault for not answering, I had no excuse.
I decided to apologize before things got worse and spoke quietly.
“Istantel Low Road.”
“…”
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
Finally, Han So-young spoke. But her voice sounded challenging, as if she’d come prepared for a fight.
“Well… about not answering your calls…”
“No, it’s okay. If you were busy, I understand. Honestly, I don’t get why you’d be busy after the mission’s over, but still.”
“Y-yeah.”
“I was a little worried when I heard you were hurt, but seeing you joking around with Yeon Hye-rim, I guess I didn’t have to.”
Her words came at lightning speed. This wasn’t the Han So-young I knew. The calm, sultry woman was gone, replaced by a fierce lioness glaring at me.
‘Soo-hyun, fighting with your wife never ends well. Just give in.’
I recalled my father’s old saying from over ten years ago and tried to calm myself. Forcing a smile, I spoke.
“I was a bit overwhelmed after the last battle. I heard you tried to contact me, but I must have forgotten.”
“I said it was fine.”
“…Anyway, I’m really sorry, Istantel Low Road. If I upset you…”
“Then why keep apologizing? You keep saying sorry like I’m the bad guy here.”
Why is she like this today? I’m not a mind reader. If you don’t tell me why you’re mad, how can I apologize properly?
“Honestly, aren’t you angry? That’s why you’re acting like this.”
“Are you saying I’m angry now?”
“No, I mean, I don’t know why you’re angry…”
“So, Mercenary Road, you’re saying you don’t even know why I’m mad but just keep apologizing?”
Hearing that, something inside me snapped.
‘…I can’t take this anymore.’
Every time I spoke, she’d latch onto my words and the conversation went in circles. And that bit about a rival was bugging me more than I expected. Now with Han So-young acting like this, I felt overwhelmed with frustration and hurt.
I’d really tried to hold it in, but the breaking point came sooner than I thought.
Alright. Let’s do this. I’m not one to back down in an argument. …Except with my brother.
I pretended to think for a moment, then looked Han So-young straight in the eye and spoke softly.
“I think I know why you’re so angry.”
She looked surprised—no, caught off guard.
“W-what is it?”
“I know, but I won’t say.”
“…What?”
“I know why you’re angry, but I’m not going to say it.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“What do you mean what do I mean?”
I’d been waiting for this moment, so I fired back immediately.
“So, Istantel Low Road, are you saying you don’t know why I don’t want to say it?”
Then, with a boldness bordering on cheek, I continued, enunciating every word carefully. It was a pointed remark about the whole situation.
The moment I said that, Han So-young stiffened. I saw a flash of embarrassment cross her face, and I felt a rush of satisfaction. She must have understood exactly what I meant.
‘Yeah, she’s got nothing to say now. That’s exactly how I felt a moment ago.’
I smiled inwardly, then tried to look as casual as possible, shrugging my shoulders.
Just as I was about to bask in the glory of victory, I suddenly sensed that something was off.
“…….”
“……?”
Han So-young was clearly at a loss for words. Yet, for some reason, she was trembling all over, shooting me a sharp glare. Her long, beautiful eyebrows were slowly arching upward. (From my first encounter with her, I knew this was a sign she was seriously sulking or pouting.)
Then, without warning—
Thwack!
She slammed her hand down on the table and abruptly stood up.
“I’m leaving now.”
She spun around so forcefully that her silky hair fanned out behind her.
‘That’s cheating,’ I thought for a moment.
But before I could stop myself, I jumped up and hurried after her.
“W-wait a minute.”
“I’m done. Let go.”
Meanwhile, as Kim Soo-hyun and Han So-young were locked in a fierce battle of pride and nerves…
“I-I’m really sorry, Estantel Low Road. Please, just…”
“Hmph.”
…Or rather, as they were having a typical lovers’ quarrel.
Watching the whole scene from a short distance away, a man stood with his fists clenched. It was none other than Jo Sung-ho, the Eastern Supreme Commander.
“A-are you hungry? Want to eat something?”
“I don’t know. I’m not usually one to care about food…”
Stomach growls.
“…Do as you please.”
Jo Sung-ho’s expression was inscrutable as he observed the little drama unfolding inside the tent. Kim Soo-hyun’s attitude was surprising enough, but Han So-young’s behavior now made Jo smirk wryly.
Suddenly, a memory from a few days ago flashed through his mind—when Han So-young had rejected him outright.
“Estantel Low Road, haven’t the East and South maintained an alliance for a long time?”
“Huh?”
“Ha ha ha. What I mean is, we should get a little closer.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about all of a sudden.”
“Soon, we’ll discover a new continent, and we’ll divide it between us. Don’t you think?”
“Don’t touch me. That’s really unpleasant.”
Back then, Jo had tried to casually touch her shoulder, only to be immediately rebuffed.
“Tch. Sensitive, aren’t you?”
“I just don’t like people touching me. Especially men.”
“Oh? Is that so? But I heard rumors you’re quite close with the Mercenary Lord.”
“He’s not the Mercenary Lord, is he?”
Jo couldn’t forget the look in Han So-young’s eyes then—seemingly expressionless but cold and mocking, like she was looking at a bug with disgust.
‘After saying that…’
His gaze drifted back to the tent.
Inside, Kim Soo-hyun was gently trying to calm Han So-young, who was pretending to be cold and indifferent but was ultimately being led away by him.
Seeing the two of them, Jo turned his back without hesitation.
‘I thought she was at least a smart woman… but whatever.’
A wave of humiliation surged in his chest but quickly faded.
‘The conquest is over anyway. Once we reach the new city…’
A deeper smile spread across Jo Sung-ho’s lips.
Meanwhile, at the same time—
In the field hospital.
Flash.
A man lying on a makeshift bed opened his eyes. He was the one who had been working on the concealment operation at Hachar’s camp. He blinked several times, his vision still blurry from unconsciousness.
“Ah, you’re awake? You’re really awake?”
A voice came from nearby. The man turned his head with effort. A woman leaned against the tent wall, looking at him with a startled expression.
“Hey, Lee Jung-pil. Are you okay? Are you conscious?”
“…What happened?”
As the woman approached slowly, Lee Jung-pil asked hoarsely.
The woman perched on the edge of the bed and looked down at him quietly.
“I’m the one who should be asking. What happened to you?”
“Me?”
“You really don’t remember anything? Do you recall tidying up the base?”
“I do.”
“Then what about passing out during the operation?”
“…That’s where it cuts off.”
Lee Jung-pil answered after a moment’s hesitation. He sensed from her tone that she already knew everything. Or rather, since she said ‘during the operation,’ it was clear. But since they were both from similar backgrounds, they spoke frankly.
“How long have I been lying here? A day? Two?”
“Quite a long time. Over a week, I think.”
Trying to change the subject, Lee Jung-pil smirked slightly. The woman smiled back.
“What?”
Startled, he opened his eyes wide and sat up. She shrugged.
“I’m not lying. The priests say they don’t know the cause, and you’ve been sleeping like the dead.”
“Over a week…?”
“Yeah. …Could it be because of this?”
“……?”
Muttering to herself, the woman reached inside her chest. She pulled out an object—a necklace adorned with bones. Seeing it, Lee Jung-pil’s eyes narrowed sharply.
He remembered the necklace had a jewel that glowed a deep crimson. But now, only the bone decoration remained.
He instinctively wanted to glare at her but stopped himself. Even if she had taken the jewel, he wasn’t in a position to complain. For now, he should be grateful she covered up the concealment.
“I’ll give this back. It doesn’t look like it’s worth much anyway.”
Whether she noticed his thoughts or not, the woman calmly placed the necklace on the bed. Reading the fatigue shadowing his face, she added,
“Anyway, get some rest now. You’ll need to get up early tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yeah. The end of the Steel Mountains is near. They were going to leave you here, but the Clan Lord insisted on taking you along. Don’t forget to thank them later.”
“W-wait a minute.”
Lee Jung-pil tilted his head, still unsure of the news. The woman patted his shoulder and turned away. She left the tent, and Lee Jung-pil stared blankly at the bone necklace lying on the bed.
“Oh, right.”
Suddenly, a sharp realization crossed his eyes. As if recalling something forgotten, he frantically searched his pockets.
He hadn’t only taken the necklace from Hachar’s tent. There was another item from the small earthen grave. Though he hadn’t checked carefully in the rush.
“I’m sure I put it here…”
But it wasn’t there. Frowning deeply, he took off his jacket.
Then—
Thump!
Just as he was about to remove it, his heart suddenly pounded wildly. His movements froze as if by magic.
Thump thump!
His heart raced again, his eyes widening until they glowed a fierce red.
“Grrrgh!”
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
Round 1.
Her: …………………….
Him: …I’m sorry.
Her: What are you sorry for?
Him: Because of this and that, I’m sorry…
Her: No, that’s not why I’m mad.
Him: Really? Then won’t you tell me why you’re mad?
Her: So you’re saying you apologized without even knowing why I was mad?
Him: …………………….
Round 2.
Her: You really don’t know why I’m mad?
Him: No. Actually, I think I do.
Her: Oh? What is it?
Him: I know, but I don’t want to say.
Her: What’s that supposed to mean? Why won’t you say?
Him: Don’t you know why I don’t want to say?
Round 3.
Her: I’m leaving! (Try leaving and see if I don’t stop you!)
Him: W-wait! (That’s unfair!)
Her: Fine! Let go! (Try letting go and see if I don’t pull you back harder!)
Him: I-I’m sorry. Okay? (Damn it… ㅜ.ㅠ)
…If you’ve been through this, you’ll understand. :)
Anyway, I think Kim Soo-hyun has had enough rest now(?). Let’s wrap this up and move on.
Move, move, move!