Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Seris and the Village (8)
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It had been quite a while since Yuseong left the tree cave. Anxiety began to creep into the hearts of Kara and Seris.
"Sis, you don't think something happened to Yuseong oppa, do you?"
"No, he'll be fine. He'll come back soon."
But contrary to Seris's words, no matter how long they waited, there was no sign of Yuseong.
What do I do...
Seris pondered how to proceed.
Logically speaking, they should abandon Yuseong and flee with just the two of them...
"Kara, I'm going to go look for Mr. Yuseong. You wait here. If I don't come back no matter how long you wait, head to Bachran first."
Seris said as she stepped out of the tree cave. Kara gripped her wooden sword and followed her out.
"I'm coming too."
"Kara!"
"We abandoned the village to survive. But now you're telling me to go alone without you and oppa? You think I can do that?"
Kara's eyes were deadly serious. Once she got like that, no words would get through. Seris gave up on trying to stop her.
I'm sorry, Mr. Yuseong, but we have no choice but to shorten the search time...
There was nothing for it. Kara was Seris's top priority.
"Mr. Yuseong."
"Oppa~"
Seris and Kara wandered around the tree cave, searching for Yuseong.
Calling out carried some risk, but it seemed like the only way to find him. Since they were calling softly, it should be okay.
"Huh? Sis, you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"Someone's calling your name."
Could it be Mr. Yuseong? Seris focused her hearing. Sure enough, she heard a voice calling her name, just as Kara said.
But...
"Rian oppa? Isn't that Rian oppa's voice?"
"...You're right."
The voice belonged to Rian. Seris's expression soured. Why was Rian showing up instead of the Yuseong they were looking for?
Kara raised her voice to call Rian.
"Rian oppa! Over here! Here!"
"Kara? Is that you, Kara?"
"Yeah, it's me! Sis is here too! Come toward the sound of my voice!"
"Got it. Wait just a sec!"
Moments later, Rian appeared, following the sound of Kara's voice. When he spotted Seris, his face lit up.
"Seris, you're safe! Thank goodness."
"Yes, and you're... not exactly safe-looking, Rian. Are you okay?"
"Ugh... Rian oppa, does it hurt?"
Rian's body was covered in scratches. He glanced down at himself and laughed heartily.
"Haha, this much? It's nothing. But what are you two doing here?"
Before Seris could come up with a suitable answer, Kara spoke first.
"We decided to head to the city. Me, Sis, and Yuseong oppa."
"The city...?"
At the words "city" and "Yuseong," Rian's face briefly darkened. He quickly composed himself.
"I see. But where's Han Yuseong? I don't see him."
"Oh, right. Rian oppa, help us look for Yuseong oppa."
"Kara, what are you saying!"
"Why not, Sis? With Rian oppa's help, we can find him easier."
"Well..."
Kara was right. Seris was reluctant to accept Rian's help, but now wasn't the time to be picky.
"...You're right. Rian, if it's not too much trouble, could you help us out?"
"You want me to find Han Yuseong? First, explain what happened."
Seris recounted everything up to now—from sneaking out of the village at night to hiding in the tree cave.
"Rian, can you help us?"
"No."
"Oppa..."
"Fine. Be careful on your way, Rian. Kara, let's head that way."
Kara looked disappointed, but Seris was relieved. It was a bit of a shame, but she was glad not to have to deal with Rian.
Seris turned to search for Yuseong again with Kara. But Rian grabbed her arm.
"...Rian?"
"You're going to the city, right? Let's go together."
"So you'll help us?"
"No. You're giving up on finding Han Yuseong."
"...What?"
Seris couldn't make sense of the exchange from moments ago. Who was Rian to tell her to give up?
"Rian oppa, what do you mean give up on finding Yuseong oppa?"
"Just what I said. Forget that guy and let's go to the city—just us. I've been to Bachran a few times. I can guide you."
"That doesn't even make sen—!"
"Kara."
As Kara's voice rose in anger, Seris calmed her. Seris tried to shake off Rian's grip, but he wouldn't let go. Her brow furrowed.
"Rian, I understand if you won't help us. But you don't get to decide our actions. So could you let go?"
"Seris, I don't get it."
"Get what?"
"Why are you trying to find Han Yuseong? He's only been in the village for a week."
"What's that got to do with you? More importantly, let go."
Seris pointed to her captured arm. Rian ignored it.
"No, listen. You said he went to scout the area, but maybe he ditched you and ran off alone."
"No way, Yuseong oppa wouldn't do that."
"Wouldn't he? Why not?"
"Because Yuseong oppa is kind and caring."
Kara had once shared her dreams and ambitions with Yuseong. He had listened earnestly and cheered her on—completely unlike the others who sneered or mocked her.
"You can judge that after just a week? He might not be what he seems."
"Let go."
"Yeah, thinking he's two-faced makes sense. Why else would a guy living well in the city come to our village? Must be something keeping him from the city, right?"
"I said let go?"
"What could that be? I think he's a criminal. Committed some crime, so he can't stay in the city anymore. That's why..."
"LET GO!!"
Seris violently shook off Rian's arm. Stunned by her uncharacteristic outburst, both Rian and Kara froze.
"Rian! We don't have any more time to waste on you. So go your own way! Kara, let's go."
"Y-yeah."
Kara glanced back at Rian once before following Seris.
Rian stared blankly at Seris's retreating back, then chased after her and grabbed her arm again. Seris's beautiful face twisted in anger.
"Let g—"
Before Seris could wrench free, Rian released her. Her arm swung through empty air.
"Let's talk, Seris."
Seris sighed at Rian's words. This was the last thing she needed right now. Irritation bubbled up at the time being wasted.
"Sigh... What is it?"
"Why do you hate me so much?"
"...What?"
"Come on. I visited you every day, talked to you, even tried to ask you out. But you always treated me coldly."
"No..."
"Don't deny it. I know. Your face when talking to me is different from when you're with Han Yuseong. So tell me—why do you hate me?"
"..."
Seris swallowed the habitual response: No, I don't hate you. It's a misunderstanding.
Normally, she'd say that to placate him, but did she need to now?
Really?
This wasn't the village anymore. Rian was someone she'd never have to deal with again.
Seris had no reason left to hold back.
"Yes, I hate you, Rian."
"Don't say no... What?"
Rian stared at Seris in disbelief. Ignoring him, she continued.
"You asked why I hate you? Fine, I'll ask you one thing. Are you really clueless?"
"Uh...?"
"You really don't know? When I was little, right after Mom and Dad died? You and your gang mocked me as the orphan girl?"
It was a tough time emotionally after losing her parents. Rian and his crew tormented her relentlessly while she worked, calling her an orphan, saying she stank.
"I apologized for that! And you beat me up pretty bad."
"Yeah, I did. But you know? I got slapped by the village chief for hitting you. After that, no one in the village gave me work for a while. I had to forage grass from the mountains for ten days straight!"
She'd been so wronged back then. She'd even considered following her parents. If not for Kara, she might have.
"If that happened, you should've told me!"
"Why would I?"
"What?"
"Why tell you? Why?"
"If you'd told me, I could've done something..."
"Done something? What could you do? Bring back my dead parents? Give me work? You couldn't. Telling you changes nothing."
"Then!"
Rian bellowed, glaring at Seris.
"Han Yuseong is different? Telling him changes things? Does it?!"
"No, it doesn't change anything. But Yuseong considers my feelings and tries to comfort me. Unlike you, who just wants to use me."
"I don't just want to use you..."
"My body is your goal. Isn't it?"
Rian gawked at Seris. She wore an expression that could have been crying or laughing.
"You thought I didn't know? With eyes like that?"
"No, that's not..."
"I don't want to talk to you anymore. Don't ever show up in front of me again."
"Where do you think you're going!"
Rian grabbed Seris again as she tried to leave. Seris was about to snap when...
"Hey, you jerk!"
Kara kicked Rian. He was big, but the surprise attack from athletic Kara sent him tumbling to the ground.
"Don't touch my sister!"
"Kara..."
"Sis, let's go. Ugh, I didn't know he was like that."
Kara pulled Seris along. She wanted to beat Rian more, but they didn't have time. They needed to find Yuseong quickly.
"You little..."
The fallen Rian picked up a stone and hurled it at them. Thunk! A dull sound rang out as Kara collapsed. The stone had hit her head.
"Kara!"
Seris shook the fallen Kara in panic.
"Kara, Kara! Are you okay?!"
"Ugh... Y-yeah... But the back of my head hurts so much..."
"Kara... Rian, have you gone mad?!"
"I... I was so nice to you. What? Han Yuseong is better? Fuck this!"
Rian, now close by, raised another stone. Seris shielded Kara and braced for the impact, gritting her teeth.
But this time, a dull thud was followed by Rian's groan. Seris looked up. Rian clutched his bleeding head.
"Which bastard threw that stone?!"
Rian bellowed. Seris turned to where he was glaring.
"Shut up."
It was a familiar face. Seris's face brightened.
"Mr. Yuseong!"
It was Yuseong, the very one they'd been searching for.