5
Ep 5
“…Gulp.”
Cheon Hyerin swallowed quietly, unable to take her eyes off the scene.
He had taken off his upper garment to show his wounds, checking how much they had healed.
Though his body was still recovering, his physique clearly showed the marks of a life trained through battle.
She ran a hand along the back of her neck, while the other unconsciously tightened her grip on her clothes.
Her usually cold eyes wavered.
“…”
She told herself she was only checking his condition.
Yet her gaze kept drifting toward him.
A quick glance.
Then another.
Scars from countless battles covered his upper body.
Some were deep and jagged, but she knew—
They were proof of the life he had lived.
And the wounds he had taken for her.
The deepest ones…
were from shielding her.
The pierced wound where he had taken a blade in her place was already beginning to heal.
She tried to look away, but her eyes kept returning.
“…I’m just checking his injuries.”
She repeated it to herself.
But her heart beat faster.
A strange tension rose within her.
Every subtle movement of his body made his muscles shift slightly.
She couldn’t look away.
She covered her face briefly and lowered her head.
“…What am I even doing…”
Her breath grew uneven.
This feeling—
It wasn’t like anything she had felt on the battlefield.
When he glanced her way, she quickly looked away and sat beside him as if nothing had happened.
“…Is something wrong?”
He asked quietly.
She tried to look elsewhere.
But when he began putting his clothes back on—
She hesitated.
And felt… a trace of regret.
“…Why am I like this…?”
She steadied herself again.
But when Yujin looked at her with suspicion,
She grew even more anxious, worried he might hear her racing heartbeat.
She forced a smile.
But it trembled.
“…This is more dangerous than I thought.”
“…Is there something wrong with my body?”
“…No. It was… a bit too much.”
“…?”
“…No, nothing. I misspoke. It’s just… a very… impressive… physique. If there’s another chance, show me again. No—perhaps
it would be best to check regularly.”
“…???”
She coughed awkwardly after speaking without thinking.
Then, in a serious tone—
“…Do not show it to anyone else. Absolutely not.”
“….”
///
The dining hall.
After that, I was invited to a gathering with all the elders and powerful figures.
“…Well, no going back now.”
I had to take responsibility.
Each of them bore at least one scar.
Some faces were familiar.
Figures who had stood in the protagonist’s path in the game.
And among them—
Notorious powerhouses.
They all looked at me.
Some with curiosity.
Some with suspicion.
“…At least Cheol Musan might be on my side.”
An elder who was like a father figure to Cheon Hyerin.
Since I had saved her life, he wouldn’t hate me.
If I was lucky, I might even get training opportunities.
…Though later he might end up splitting my head open.
Still—
There was no way she’d actually fall for me.
Right now, she was just shaken because I saved her.
With time, she’d go back to normal.
“…But…”
Something felt off.
Sitting beside her,
I noticed—
Her breathing was slightly uneven.
Something only I could notice at this distance.
“…What is it?”
Do I need to be careful…?
“…”
“The reward—what shall it be?”
“An elixir would be best.”
“Yes… his body is strong. The question is whether he can absorb it.”
“How about the elixir from the Five Great Families?”
“There’s also the oil we obtained…”
They were discussing my reward.
But honestly—
Leaving now seemed like the best option.
I had made a good impression.
But I couldn’t stay long.
I wasn’t strong enough to handle their pressure yet.
“…Time matters.”
I stood up carefully.
“…My body hasn’t fully recovered yet. I don’t think I can eat. May I be excused?”
“You even used innate energy. That’s understandable.”
Innate energy.
In this world, it was the perfect excuse.
With that, I could avoid suspicion for months.
But—
Why was Cheon Hyerin staring at me?
Just as I tried to look away—
Ma Noe appeared before me.
“May I have a word with you?”
///
A large figure in black robes.
White hair.
Sharp eyes like a freshly forged blade.
“…You seem interested in the Sword Empress.”
Interested?
What interest?
“…I don’t know how you figured it out, but I knew her condition wasn’t good.”
“….”
“You even left the gathering early for her sake.”
“….”
“I didn’t expect you to refuse such a rare elixir for her.”
…That’s because my life was in danger.
“…And you hid your strength well.”
“…?”
“Hiding your skills, training every night…”
“….”
“Most people wouldn’t give up everything so easily.”
“….”
“At first, I was suspicious.”
“….”
“But now, I’m certain.”
“….”
“You used everything for her. Even your last resort.”
“….”
“You love the Sword Empress, don’t you?”
What kind of nonsense is this?
“…You don’t need to answer. I already know.”
“…Are you going to stop me?”
My head hurt.
But I had to respond.
If he misunderstood further, things could get worse.
Ma Noe was dangerous.
But—
“…Ha… hahaha!”
He suddenly burst out laughing.
“I never expected you to think of me as a rival.”
“…What?”
“I have no such feelings for her.”
“….”
“But your ambition… impressive.”
“….”
“You’re saying she’s yours, aren’t you?”
…Great.
Now it looks like I just declared that.
“…The misunderstanding is irreversible.”
I sighed.
“…Yes. I have feelings for her. She is… more important than my life.”
“I knew it.”
“…Please keep it a secret. It would trouble her.”
“Even now, you worry about her.”
“…Of course.”
“…Foolish, but admirable.”
With that, he stepped aside.
“…That worked?”
Then—
I remembered something.
She had been watching me earlier.
Light slipped through the door.
A shadow.
A familiar figure.
“…No way.”
I rushed outside.
In the distance—
Cheon Hyerin stood frozen.
Eyes wide.
Then—
Bang!
The door slammed shut.
She had heard everything.
“…I’m screwed.”