Chapter 103
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Hunger's Breaking Point
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Crunch crunch.
“…….”
Crisp crisp.
“…….”
Smack smack, crunch crunch.
His hands kept moving, and the food relentlessly flowed into his mouth.
Was that all?
The aromas wafting from the lavish spread of delicacies gradually spread like mist, filling the entire prison.
As the dishes on the massive table vanished like snowflakes in a gale, bloodshot veins began to creep into the Saboteur's eyes one by one.
That's right. Yu Hyun was eating right now.
He had already polished off an entire table by himself.
The quantity was one thing, but the way he devoured it was so expertly delicious that the word "veteran" came to mind naturally.
In front of the Saboteur, who had gone three days without food...
"Want some?"
“…….”
Yu Hyun casually asked as he reached for the second table, and the Saboteur savagely bit his lip.
"Ah, whatever. Just asking to be polite."
“…….”
The Saboteur's body trembled all over as he grinned and resumed his storm-like gorging, his eyes bulging wide.
Yu Hyun glanced sideways at his condition and sneered inwardly.
No doubt, by now the hunger fiends in his gut were thrashing wildly. The food scents burrowing into his nose, goading his brain.
But he asked nothing.
He just ate.
Look at that. Those bloodshot eyes staring piercingly at his own hand as it cleared the very last morsel.
"Gaaack!"
A sound and smell that would normally make him grimace in revulsion, but to the Saboteur now, it had to be the sweetest heavenly fragrance.
"Whew, all done. Thanks for your trouble. We're off."
“……What?”
"Why?"
"Weren't you here to interrogate me?"
"Interrogate? Told you, no. Just checking if you're doing okay. Got hungry on the way, so I ate, that's all."
The Saboteur's face twitched spasmodically at Yu Hyun's words emphasizing how utterly trivial it was.
"Well, see you."
With a bright smile and a wave, Yu Hyun strode out of the prison without even replacing the gag, leaving the Saboteur to exhale ragged breaths as he listened to the fading footsteps.
What? Checking if he was doing okay? After starving him for three days?
Hungry enough to wolf down two full tables for breakfast?
The Saboteur knew exactly what Yu Hyun was after.
Tormenting him. Breaking his will through starvation, no doubt.
But he would never yield.
Forcing his eyes to blaze fiercely as he steeled his resolve, the Saboteur's gaze drifted to the floor.
“…….”
What was that on the floor... a chicken leg?
And chunks of meat clinging to it...
Gulp.
A big mouthful of saliva went down his throat unbidden.
“…….”
Damn it...
* * *
"Truly incredible. Never seen anything like it. How on earth? Digesting with internal energy? Even then, no person could eat that much..."
Gae Dusin chattered on admiringly at Yu Hyun's back, whereupon Nangong Seong sidled up close and whispered.
"His usual portion."
"Usual... Huh?"
Gae Dusin's eyes flew wide in astonishment.
"Eats two tables per meal without breaking a sweat. Holds back to avoid gaining weight. Word is, he packs on pounds even drinking water."
“…….”
Gae Dusin blinked vacantly for a moment before staring at Yu Hyun like he was some kind of beast.
"Dusin, eyes."
“……Sorry."
"Anyway, every meal from here on out, right here."
"Yes?"
"Time for a reaction any moment now."
"You think the Saboteur will crack?"
"Well, he'll hold out a bit longer. But the rest? Must be losing their minds by now."
“……?”
"Don't worry. Head to Haenam Island and have them prepare the same portions for every meal."
“……Yes, got it."
True to his word, Yu Hyun took all three daily meals in the prison.
Asking nothing, just eating.
"You think this'll make me talk? Don't waste your breath—get out."
“…….”
Yu Hyun smirked at the Saboteur's fierce bellow, eyes narrowed sharply.
Kid, I saw it all.
Those wrists chained to the iron links—chafed raw. Skin peeled right off.
Must've thrown a fit like a madman, pretending it was an accident to snag that chicken leg.
Too fixated on the drumstick to even think of biting your tongue.
That's why he had the gag loosened on purpose. Though he did instruct close watch in case of suicide...
But you couldn't reach it.
Of course not. He tossed it exactly at the limit of your chain's reach from the wall.
Lunch had been the same: two full tables demolished, with a thick slab of pork deliberately left right in front of the Saboteur.
Stepping outside, Yu Hyun paused at the entrance and pressed his ear to the prison wall.
Clank, clank! Rattle, rattle!
"Uwaaaaaah!"
The ceaseless chain noises echoed throughout the cell, and soon beast-like wails erupted.
"Hmm, a bit cruel, isn't it?"
"Fearsome torture that shatters human nature. Forced to watch someone else eat after three days of starvation..."
"No normal person could endure it."
"Hmm, worthy of the young lord indeed. A fine lesson. The dawn of a new non-violent interrogation era?"
Gae Dusin nodded along to Nangong Seong's assessment.
Cruel? What nonsense.
For scum who treated lives like flies to get their way, it was fair game.
At any rate, things looked about wrapped up.
Three days was plenty of endurance already.
Into the next phase, and even without asking, they'd spill everything.
He'd been worried the guy might hold out longer.
With all the bingeing lately, his gut was already piling on fat again. Weight he'd worked hard to lose...
Couldn't let it go like this.
Plus, he'd been mulling ways to feed the guy starting tomorrow—just enough to keep his precious prisoner alive.
"Keep a sharp eye on him tonight too, Dusin. In case he tries biting his tongue."
"Yes."
* * *
Yu Hyun deliberately skipped a day, showing up on the fifth.
Five days without a drop of water—hunger's torment had to be at its breaking point.
Not a soul stood properly inside the prison. All lay sprawled on the floor, chests heaving faintly from sheer starvation.
Yes, repent just like that.
Actually, no need to repent. Just pay for your crimes.
Eyes ice-cold, Yu Hyun headed inward and began his meal right in front of the Saboteur again.
"Hmm, truly impressive. Holding out five days."
“……You get it now, scum? You won't pry a thing from my lips."
“…….”
The Saboteur rasped through cracked, desiccated lips.
But shouldn't you say that while glaring like you want to kill me? Why are your eyes glued to the food?
Every time Yu Hyun's hand lifted a bite, it was like his eyeballs were rolling audibly in their sockets.
And that? The full rack of ribs left two days back, caked in dirt—must've rolled it desperately with what tongue he could reach.
At least got a taste of the marinade that way.
Alright, time to drive in the wedge.
The so-called "Me! Pick me!"
"Whew, that's my limit. Hats off to your willpower. But if you starve to death like this, it leaves me with nothing—quite the pickle."
“……!”
The Saboteur's eyes bulged at Yu Hyun's sigh-laced words.
The emotion swelling in those eyes—thrill of victory? Joy at finally getting food?
Just hold on a little longer, he figures.
If he thinks he's won this long war of attrition, he's dead wrong, you fool.
If it was meant to end here, it never would've started.
Yu Hyun finished exactly one table, exited the Saboteur's cell, and bellowed to everyone.
"Listen up, all of you!"
“……?”
"Whoever answers my questions from here on gets whatever food they want—no matter what!"
“……What?”
The Saboteur's eyes shot open wide at the resounding call.
"Why? Were you hoping it'd be for you?"
“……You think the Whirlwind Division will sell out?"
"That's on you."
“…….”
The instant Yu Hyun smirked, a shout rang out.
"Me! Me! I'll talk!"
After a momentary hush, Yu Hyun spoke.
"Seong! Feed the one who just yelled."
"Yes!"
Nangong Seong emerged bearing rice and soup thick with mouthwatering scents.
From there, it was inevitable.
Like a signal flare, the first cry set off the Whirlwind Division warriors—who'd lain like corpses—shouting desperately from every corner.
"Ask me! Just one sip of water—I'll tell you everything!"
"I'll spill it all! Please!"
"Me!"
"Me!"
This was phase two.
Truth be told, that initial shout came from Gae Dusin, who hadn't entered the prison.
How could starvation-addled minds distinguish the voice?
What mattered was that someone had broken—and escaped the agony of hunger.
Secrets only hold value when everyone's lips are sealed. Once the dam bursts, they're worthless.
"Good! Questioning in sequence from now! Seong, Dusin—prioritize feeding those who cough up the most intel!"
"Yes!"
Having issued orders to Gae Dusin and Nangong Seong, Yu Hyun subtly gauged the Saboteur's reaction.
Torment, deliberation, anguish.
His eyes quivered like reeds in the gale.
As the smacking sounds echoed from all directions, his face made for quite the spectacle.
That hellish stretch, relentlessly battering nose and ears...
It crumbled. Every ounce of endurance and grit.
In this instant, the Sage Realm meant nothing. Nothing left but a man undone by base desire.
“……Me too... give."
“…….”
At last, from the Saboteur's parched lips, Yu Hyun wore a devilish grin.
* * *
"No, stay longer."
"Can't. Already delayed far too much."
"I'm sorry it turned out this way. If Father were well, I'd have gone with you..."
Yu Hyun smiled faintly at Gok Jaheon's words, hands clasped tight.
"Thanks, even if it's just polite words."
"Polite? Hardly."
"Haha, isn't it? You're a fugitive now—no rank to rub elbows with the likes of us underlings."
"What... Ha ha!"
Gok Jaheon roared with open laughter at the wink and jest.
What an extraordinary man.
Skill immense enough to solo a Sage Realm warrior. A tiger in battle, now as mischievous and boyish as a seventeen-year-old youth.
And his martial prowess was just the start—his cunning shattered the enemy plot lurking in Haenam, pried open the Saboteur's mouth, and dragged every last scrap of intel from it.
Once he'd heard it all and stuffed them full, he executed everyone but Gok Jaseong without so much as a frown, or so the tale went.
His true nature remained elusive, but two truths stood firm.
He was Haenam's savior. And Gok Jaheon owed him his life.
It would never be forgotten, not while his line endured.
Perhaps passed down to his own son...
"Oh, and keep everything that happened here under wraps publicly."
"Hmm, so those pulling their strings learn as late as possible?"
"Part of it."
"Understood. My younger brother's tangled up in it too, after all..."
Gok Jaheon let the words trail off.
Yu Hyun nodded impassively.
Gok Jaseong's fate was theirs to decide anyway. Blood kin, crimes notwithstanding.
"Still, it's a shame you leave empty-handed—no gifts?"
"Gifts? Nonsense. Just did what anyone would."
"Even so..."
"Haha, truth is..."
Yu Hyun leaned in to whisper something in Gok Jaheon's ear, then promptly boarded the ship.
Soon, sails billowed vigorously behind his vigorous waves.
Whoosh!
As if the heavens blessed his path, a timely tailwind sent Yu Hyun's vessel swiftly receding into the distance.
Gok Jaheon watched wordlessly for a time, then chuckled.
His own house too rich for words—what nonsense...
After a long laugh, he and the clan chief standing behind bowed their heads slowly toward the departing Yu Hyun, resolve in their hearts.
Haenam would never forget the Righteous Alliance—no, Yu Hyun's grace...