Chapter 217
But Reina didn't seem to have any intention of running away. She washed her hands clean and held them out again.
"I want to brush my teeth too. And I'd like to get my bag."
"Where's your bag?"
"In my cabin."
"In Forest 2?"
Was this bitch trying to lure him in? Han Yaseong was flooded with every suspicion imaginable. If he went to Forest 2, he might fall into a trap and die. He had to be careful.
Reina seemed to sense it and let out a sigh.
"You're so suspicious."
"You shot at me. Of course I am."
"It was a mistake, I told you. In America, that kind of mistake happens all the time."
Gun accidents were so common there that misfires were no big deal to her. She saw his reaction as overkill. But that was natural. No one in Korea ever came close to getting shot dead.
"I've got a new toothbrush, so use that for now. I still can't trust you."
"If I have sex with you, will you trust me then?"
It felt like she was saying she'd do it if it earned his trust. But Han Yaseong still didn't think he'd believe her.
"Even if we had sex, I wouldn't."
"Ugh, just one bad shot..."
Even so, since she'd nearly killed him, Reina blamed herself.
When they got back to the cabin together, Yadong-i was already asleep. He added more wood to the campfire, kept some distance, and lay down under the blanket with her. With nothing else to do, they just kept talking.
Forest 2 had lots of rare plants, so there were plenty of places she hadn't explored. She didn't have animal friends in the wild, so she didn't know much about the effects of fruits either.
They talked for so long that his mouth went dry, so he brewed some instant coffee.
"You seem to be doing fine here. I could never manage it."
"It was tough at first, but now I'm used to it. I know a lot of animals too."
"There aren't many in Forest 2, so I never stayed long. After a day or two, it got too boring, and I'd leave. If I'd come to a place like this, I might've stuck around longer. You've trained a lot, huh? I did some too."
Reina eyed his crossbow and machete enviously, then glanced at her cracked helmet.
"If I hadn't been wearing that, my head would've split open and I'd be dead. You went really hard."
"You had a gun. I had to risk it all."
"Anyway, we're both alive, so that's good. I would've regretted killing you. I get why the old natives and pioneers killed each other now."
It was out of fear. Because they didn't know each other. When communication failed, you killed first to avoid dying yourself. At least with Reina, they could talk in English and learn about each other, which brought some reassurance. If dialogue had been impossible, who knew what would've happened.
"I want to brush my teeth."
Like the pretty girl she was, Reina had a lot of wants. Prisoner or guest? Hard to say. He personally pulled out a new toothbrush, put toothpaste on it, and handed it over. Reina brushed her teeth with her bound hands and grinned.
"Prison life ain't so bad at this level."
Now she seemed to be enjoying it. Han Yaseong let out a long sigh. He had no idea what to do with her.
So that final night, he decided to test her one last time. With the campfire's soft glow filling the cabin, Han Yaseong, Reina, and Yadong-i were all asleep. Or rather, Han Yaseong wasn't. He'd eaten the red fruit. Its awakening effect sharpened his senses across his whole body. He was pretending to sleep to see what she'd do.
Sure enough, Reina quietly sat up at some point. Han Yaseong kept up the act, focusing all his senses. He could feel what she was doing.
Reina sat for a bit, staring at the fire, then froze. He sensed her scanning the surroundings. Maybe eyeing the machete and crossbow in the corner.
Don't touch them... Touch them and you're dead.
Han Yaseong prayed inwardly. Just do nothing. Any funny business, and he couldn't let her go. He'd have no choice but to rape and kill her, or torture her into a real slave.
Han Yaseong kept his senses locked on her. Reina looked around for a while, then lay back down. She did nothing.
Had she caught on? Her words confirmed it.
"This feels like a trap. If I do anything, it'll be bad. I'm just gonna sleep."
She wasn't stupid. She'd sensed something and lay back down. Han Yaseong relaxed but realized she was no pushover. A dumb bitch would've been easier to handle. Her smarts just made him tired.
He gave up pretending and turned to look at her.
"What're you planning?"
"Whoa, see? You weren't asleep. Knew it was a trap."
Reina looked relieved.
"What if I really had been asleep?"
"I'd have run."
"Without killing me?"
"Why kill you? You've been good to me."
"I have?"
"Yeah. Better than I expected. When you first caught me, I thought you'd do something really bad. I was braced for rape, but you didn't. You're not a bad guy."
"So I'm a good guy?"
"Nah. Good guys don't watch girls pee and wipe them after. Real good guys respect women and don't do that."
"Middle ground, then."
"Yeah. A guy with a mild fetish."
Spot-on analysis. Han Yaseong knew he had a bit of a sexual deviance himself.
Anyway, Reina wasn't evil or a murderer. He knew the shot was a mistake. He'd just been too wary at first since they were strangers. Now he could trust her somewhat.
"Go if you want. I'll let you."
"For real?"
"Yeah. Having a prisoner is a hassle. Promise not to come back from Forest 2, and you're free."
"Nah, that's boring. Can I visit sometimes? Yadong-i's cool too."
"Then come unarmed. Guns are dangerous."
"You grew up without them, huh. Guns are everyday for us."
"Doesn't seeing strangers walk around armed scare you?"
"Yeah, okay. If you don't know them, it feels risky."
Reina finally nodded in agreement.
"Got it. No gun when I visit. That work?"
"No, don't come."
"Why?"
"I like being alone here. You'll wear me out if you visit often."
Come to think of it, he needed to dig for treasure. But with her around, he couldn't. She'd pry into everything. Girlfriend? Maybe. But not some casual chick—he wasn't spilling secrets.
"Weren't we gonna be friends?"
"I came here to be alone."
"But you're friends with animals. That made me trust you more. No bad people are liked by animals."
"Animals don't talk like you. No hassle."
"You like being alone? Guess you suck at socializing too."
If he had social skills, he wouldn't come to a place with no one. Or he'd bring friends to explore together.
Reina thought it over, then suddenly said,
"If I become your girlfriend, can I come?"
"Why?"
"Figured you'd let me if we had sex."
"......"
Sharp read. Sex would mean visits anytime. He thought it over, and Reina added,
"But I don't wanna have sex with you yet. Not girlfriend material... Never thought of an Asian guy as boyfriend material."
White girl + Asian guy combos were rare. Asian guy + Latina was somewhat common. But mostly Asian girls + white guys.
Reina clearly had zero interest in him as boyfriend material.
"Anyway, don't come. You live your life, I'll live mine."
Senior Choi Yujin and Jang Euna were waiting anyway. Back in that world, he could get it anytime. No need here. Plus, once he sold gems and got rich, white girls would be easy. Flash cash at Itaewon clubs in a foreign whip—"I got money"—and hot white chicks would swarm. No need to chase style and big tits here with Reina.
Reina seemed to pick up on his lack of desire and looked a bit disappointed.
"I could do it if you want..."
She was backpedaling, compromising. A blonde white girl's pride wouldn't let her chase an Asian guy first.
But Han Yaseong wasn't horny. Before, he'd have fallen for the temptation. Now, with Choi Yujin and Jang Euna, he wasn't starving. Back there, anytime. No need for Reina here. And no need to beg low-status.
Unless she offered her pussy first. He wasn't asking.