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“He prided himself on never having been lazy in his life.
At birth, all he had were fingers twisted by his sick mother’s womb. His childhood was mostly impoverished, and even when he tried to console himself by reminiscing about it as a fleeting memory, it was miserable enough to cause nightmares that made him toss and turn in bed.
Even now, when he undressed, scars from injuries inflicted by evil people remained. These foul traces not only represented his noble life but also symbolized the long-hidden monstrosity beneath.
“None of that matters now.”
Hadad.
The man once hailed as the son of a god muttered self-deprecatingly.
He had given up everything. He left behind all he had stubbornly acquired over decades, all the spoils of his life, and followed just one person to this place.
“Right, Ji-ho?”
He gently reached out and caressed the man’s slender chin. Startled by Hadad’s soft touch, he shyly shuddered.
True to his nature of having lived a life opposite to Hadad’s, he always showed an introverted response to whatever Hadad did. Hadad decided to willingly wait for Ji-ho’s innocent and extremely cautious responses.
“…Why… are you…”
Hadad smoothly raised the corners of his mouth at Ji-ho’s predictable reaction. He had already anticipated this response from the Ji-ho he knew.
“Don’t worry, Ji-ho. Those who oppressed you are gone now.”
Ji-ho’s eyes widened at Hadad’s words meant to reassure him. Hadad experienced an ecstatic sensation at seeing his own face reflected in those expanded pupils. The fact that only he filled Ji-ho’s eyes, and no one else.
For Hadad, it was a fullness he had never felt in his life. The fact that now, at the end of his gaze that had always been directed towards [redacted], there was only himself, brought a joy that made his heart feel like it would burst.
“What… do you mean?”
Ah.
It seemed that Ji-ho also couldn’t believe the current reality. Of course, that was understandable.
Unlike Hadad who was alone, the villains formed a hasty group, and their individual abilities were not to be taken lightly. No matter how great a power Hadad had accumulated, it would have been impossible for him to deal with all of them alone.
Hadad, who had been lovingly gazing at Ji-ho standing there with his mouth agape in surprise, answered with a generous smile.
“I promised, didn’t I? That I would definitely come to save you.”
“…!”
Hadad brought up the previous promise. Given the circumstances, Hadad had been at a disadvantage and had to reluctantly flee, leaving Ji-ho in the hands of the villains. That incident was a painful memory for Hadad as well.
However, Hadad prided himself on never having forgotten that promise. Whenever he was apart from Ji-ho, Hadad always imagined rescuing him. Pitying Ji-ho who was captured by [redacted].
“Then, what about [redacted]…”
Oh, tender-hearted Ji-ho.
Hadad clicked his tongue briefly. Although a man, Ji-ho, who looked frail unlike himself, was gentle and kind-hearted. That was just his nature.
But there was no reason to worry about those who had now disappeared. Hadad, who was usually only gentle towards Ji-ho, deliberately adopted a firm and cold voice.
“You’ll never see them again.”
“…That… can’t be…”
“Ji-ho. You’re too soft-hearted… But it’s better for you to forget quickly.”
Hadad showed a cold reaction towards Ji-ho, who was willing to shed tears even for the villains. Although it was unavoidable for someone born with the same fate as himself to shed tears of sympathy, Hadad couldn’t just stand by and watch.
However, Hadad’s effort to maintain a cold response ended there. Softened by Ji-ho’s despairing face, Hadad eventually took a step towards him.
“…Don’t come closer.”
Hadad exhaled deeply at Ji-ho’s wary response.
It’s understandable. How much had he heard about Hadad’s bad reputation while constantly being by [redacted]’s side? Moreover, all those around that person were equally clueless fools.
That’s why Ji-ho was showing such a reaction towards him. Hadad felt frustrated by this fact, but at the same time, his heart raced with expectation for the new future.
“Ji-ho. There’s no need to be so wary. After all, I’m the one who saved you.”
“Saved me? Who are you to save me?”
Hadad shook his head at Ji-ho’s enraged response. At this rate, it seemed that proper communication would be impossible.
Finally, Hadad quickly approached Ji-ho, who kept backing away from him, to prevent him from escaping any further. Surprised by this, Ji-ho visibly held his breath.
Even the sight of him holding his breath was lovably sweet. Hadad, standing right in front of Ji-ho, looked down to meet his gaze and spoke.
“Ji-ho, don’t worry. Even if you hate me now…”
Hadad’s fingers lightly brushed Yeon Ji-ho’s hand, eventually intertwining with his fingers. Feeling the perfect fit of their hands, Hadad showed a satisfied smile.
“I will love you.”
At that moment, Hadad thought. That he seemed to love him. No, that he already loved him.
When, how, or why he came to love him wasn’t particularly important. Perhaps fate had led him here. To Ji-ho standing before him, the goddess of fate had [redacted].
“Ugh!”
Hadad’s face, which had been wearing a neat smile, shattered. It was right after [redacted] Ji-ho retched, bringing up nothing but gastric juices upon facing him.
“Get, ugh, get away!”
“Tsk.”
Hadad clicked his tongue briefly. Undisguised annoyance showed on his face. However, before [redacted] Ji-ho could see it, Hadad composed his expression and whispered to him.
“Ji-ho, please calm down. There’s nothing threatening you anymore.”
“The only thing threatening me right now is you!”
Hadad firmly grasped [redacted] Ji-ho’s hand, which kept struggling to shake him off. Soon, the strength left [redacted] Ji-ho’s hand. No matter how much of a man he was, [redacted] Ji-ho couldn’t possibly overpower Hadad, a Sword Master.
Although it wasn’t what he wanted, Ji-ho acted as if he wouldn’t communicate with him at all, leaving Hadad with no choice. Hadad, not hiding his apologetic feelings, showed them on his face and spoke again.
“Have you calmed down a bit now, Ji-ho?”
“…”
“Good. I’m glad. Now please listen to what I have to say.”
In Hadad’s opinion, Ji-ho was reacting this way because he truly didn’t know anything. Once he learned the truth about those people, he wouldn’t look at him with accusing eyes, at least.
He didn’t know how they had brainwashed Ji-ho, but his eyes were filled with wariness and displeasure when looking at Hadad. This fact deeply pained Hadad.
“Ji-ho… Why do you keep looking at me with those eyes?”
“…”
“You were just terribly unlucky to have met that guy first. If only you had seen me first…”
You would have fallen in love with me.
Hadad didn’t bother to say this obvious thing out loud. Just as it had been for him, if [redacted] Ji-ho had seen him first, he would surely have fallen for him.
But faced with Ji-ho’s still defiant gaze, Hadad let out a long sigh. He finally reached out to grab Ji-ho’s hand and pulled him towards himself. Just as he was about to embrace him, it happened.
“Didn’t you hear me tell you to get lost?”
[Redacted] Ji-ho spat at Hadad. Without hiding any of his anger, he glared at Hadad and said,
“If you want to do this kind of role-play, do it by yourself.”
[Redacted] Ji-ho’s low voice rang in Hadad’s ears. Nowhere in his appearance, speaking in a warning tone, could any emotion of pity or sympathy towards Hadad be found.
It was then that Hadad’s expression changed. His lips curled up as if twisting.
“Why, do you still want to see [redacted]?”
“…”
“Oh dear. What to do, that story has already ended.”
This is why not just anyone can be the main character. The story isn’t progressing properly. Hm? I should delete this scene and rewrite it…
Reviews
★☆☆☆☆ apol*** : Characters are unappealing, especially Hadad. Is he really the main character?
★★★★☆ venu*** : The plot feels a bit forced, but it’s readable enough. Good for killing time.
★☆☆☆☆ shiv*** : Give Set back while I’m asking nicely.
★☆☆☆☆ odin*** : zzzz The author stopped writing midway, what are they doing?
