LS Chapter 5 (Part 3)

Naturally, the kitchen 4b639ac898 workers were expected 8f790b3ddd to accompany the abdef7e02b warriors for such 4883090f41 a large-scale battle. Many had db60ec47e9 assumed Yujin dc4212038d would be 1e1dca4d34 chosen. He was a man, ebacdb2278 knew his way around 297d483737 the kitchen, and, most c635489e60 importantly, was seen as b162dab2d3 someone easy to manage 422e3bd7d9 without causing trouble.5781294019974b1c

Yet, strangely, the youngest dbb8958ffb member, Nongpi, was selected 8c7af5d7b8 instead. When the 8c33763ba9 elder aunt 5e2c36fbb2 named Nongpi, 1f60c1f5fc despite her e7c51c7d5d lack of 0f7a2c9e52 cooking skills, 86c6015fe9 everyone was b662e89745 surprised. Still, relieved 39c6357eae they weren’t 09d5224ded the ones a73013bb36 chosen, they 0c62e334cb pretended not 555c49f521 to notice 35aa017b64 and carried 93b85ad2f8 on.d903a70a15c9814d

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As the Mounted 149f0b2696 Tribe bustled with 3a674dacde preparations for the 404d09554f upcoming battle, the 0367c085ac arrival of Damra, 182f9ee62a the trader, brought 15411c449c even more excitement. Damra often returned with 3d8bb9105b exotic and expensive goods, add24c7c08 and many eagerly awaited aa6d2e9450 his visits.752b39f333587f95

“This is 468ab26d8c something I 57e56b8410 brought back bff2160d0a all the da2b1dc63d way from a08d252d40 the north, 79fc37629a so handle 31557da188 it carefully,” ead276d94b Damra said 9475b7b914 with a 961b8b4e38 grin.f6dc1ca1441dcd7d

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“The north?”08fc1818de00a4e5

“Yes, the 0e9ddb849c place where da163efcbd it snows f7898b4224 all year 4c55d5845e round. I went there myself.”fa786b6972b2e653

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“You went all the 89cf6ea1e3 way north just to 41264aefc8 bring back this?”c8d10a5bccc831d3

“This isn’t just 9df25e2206 any wooden box. Hey! Careful! What if you e79662e7c3 break it?”f8a256c595a574a6

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“Such a c7d3cfc93a fuss over 6c9a688949 a wooden 36eed9cc9e box.”0761f5a276295a28

“Look closer. It might 0013c66ed0 look like 78990e6387 an ordinary 62311958f0 piece of 5780ded0b2 wood, but 620232c1c6 when you 21a26ad9e4 press here, 1c8bf0d98c it opens.”d70c23ce1dc5d843

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As Damra pressed df4c1b7176 a corner of 590569e0f2 the box, one 723dff2481 side popped open 7d49338755 like a lid, 5c10e0305e revealing its contents. While it was simply 85bfffc229 a small wooden box, 1c22a053b2 the peculiar mechanism fascinated 1793a54b1a everyone, causing a stir 26b17af1d9 among the crowd.6e7a260241c127c6

Ordinary people couldn’t 42115253fb afford Damra’s expensive 1ac8a25a86 goods, as his 7cf71f4d60 customers were mostly 270d76d9ed warriors. However, that didn’t stop ffa6cd40de the commoners from gathering af73034d7f to admire his collection, aec1571b5e making the village square 182316024b lively whenever he arrived.b915f38dced1c700

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Yujin, blending 4498fcba3f in with 829f76376a the crowd, bac05b604d also took 36d9623271 the opportunity dfbf09fc2c to browse. Many of 09e6caa1b3 the items dc5fc61372 were unlike 2a1935f079 anything he’d 353248b56d ever seen, 69853bcc18 and some 2157488950 were so 0fd4a0ad7f strange he e646141915 couldn’t even 8296960336 guess their a28e768775 purpose. As he gazed at 642b86636f a sparkling stone, someone 78e9c87dc6 suddenly snatched it up.40ef3a1e8f67f302

“Damra, I’ll 9f8f8b8b06 take this,” b2831be47c the woman 01f261b51a declared.e82f9cf1a9ea57f5

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“That’ll cost three daggers,” a3b0ba8da2 Damra replied.ae3e98e624caf4ce

“Got it. I’ll have Gude pay bbadf562c2 you later.”6aa1f55038d8dd0f

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‘Gude must be a ba9400f793 warrior,’ Yujin thought.6c7c997788a5dc5f

‘And this cd271a3434 woman must 2eccaddbe5 be his d86c993c3d wife.’d098ed0639b69153

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It was f03408594c a luxury 471223a2e2 reserved for 57ae6438bf the wives 82c8f96f9e of warriors—particularly 469d0ec002 the most b6377cbcef favored ones—to 7070bea72d casually claim 89bc69a128 valuable items, cab1b8c9c4 knowing their 309cfc23d6 husbands would bd1d89ffb8 cover the 17f9d5a695 cost. The woman a3acecac7e lifted her 73bf113732 chin, scanning f64bce70b0 the crowd b46d6d462a with a e90a6d63ed haughty gaze.066622b71135d9fe

Watching her, a dd489afb85 flicker of envy d4a758e573 passed through Yujin’s ebdb723b31 eyes. And, as 3b52705276 if on 7ddd290141 cue, thoughts 7f23bd0c51 of Bart 59462e824b resurfaced.1be9a537024d8af1

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Realizing his 53617d9b30 feelings for a944c1cd23 Bart had df5640a2a4 brought a 534fa7d8d9 painful truth 5612246c20 to light—he 092adf249d was more a29f90d4d0 foolish than 640c1c4387 he’d ever 97ae32d754 imagined. Even while b22fd04880 avoiding Bart, aea8894c74 he had 565036b38c unconsciously continued c7be6e1236 gathering herbs f1eadd5f34 during his 9c8cfde1d2 trips to 061d32c626 the mountains. Over time, he amassed 8ea73ee442 enough to craft herbal 1c9d2a953c pills.ac8949d848c132a4

The skill 76e1d6162c to make 8db0fb77aa these pills 754f98ec88 was a 52e226fe11 secret known b7ff5ccbfc only to b92c674428 the herbalists 7b26885a4a of the 0ccf8d37bc Red Tribe. They guarded the technique 2c38f87dbc fiercely, never allowing it 7c4ff5e84f to spread beyond their 09049a391e tribe. Not even a4810a0f73 the herbalists 2982e6af4b of the cf0f06c6d1 Mounted Tribe 73a68ca108 knew how f1e6399c55 to make 302f6e458f them. Perhaps that was why 2d52e59fe7 Yujin found himself thinking 697de1e190 of Bart every time f643323312 he stumbled upon valuable 98b632fcba herbs. Without realizing b41ffcdec2 it, he e15e3ed499 would gather db9766ab38 them and e881f09dfb later turn 40ec967429 them into 444204cdf0 pills.6064b4622a38ca47

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He knew it was 92062fc0f8 pointless, yet he couldn’t 03803a84f3 bring himself to stop. He kept creating 1f2e955617 reasons and excuses, 8b7871ddad holding onto even a962a8318d the smallest hint 5f86f8ac41 of hope—no matter 2bc3f318c2 how fleeting or 35485d7667 insignificant it was. Like dust catching b0a71791a0 light, even the 78cbf365e9 faintest glimmer sustained f47a6e93db him for days.4febbcc528dd8fa7

Even now, Yujin couldn’t 59d341755d stop mulling over Bart’s 8bf23b68a8 cryptic words from a 353afc3d1d few days ago. Using the excuse of 442a48a7ea trying to decipher their d6dfef8b09 meaning, he spent the 33375efd68 entire day thinking about e62ac1b8cb Bart. It was pathetic, the bf8ad19157 kind of foolishness that acc8c7baef left Yujin disgusted with f437e078b7 himself.678edb6b8f3dae3c

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After browsing Damra’s ec7947c84f wares, Yujin returned ca51676153 to the kitchen 39b69dd34f and threw himself 0a12c18096 into work. With the 28a6d29dcf warriors set 3bae80ab05 to leave 6e14d4335c in three d90d862f7b days, the 63459cbc2e elder aunt cbc038a752 was harsher cd163b7a6b than usual, 581de9cccc and the cabd0a6ce9 kitchen staff 4d7149a8a9 barely had 64b925f922 a moment f6303e4b16 to straighten 6c3cbfea08 their backs.4a8e283e55ab32f4

When the long 507af5bb90 day finally ended, 9deb999154 Yujin cleaned up d3090d286c the kitchen and 8e8011c638 returned to the 1531c52926 communal hut. Instead of lying b375d3e723 down to rest 564e4bad84 his weary body, e8041a135b he found himself ed7bb2a312 fiddling with the 0b9c3ab039 pouch of herbal aa37831c3d pills he had f6c341234d made.63cd48e3fc3a3e5e

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Before hunts 4efb201174 or battles, 37eb631433 warriors held fe7d45a9ea grand feasts 6bb16773f4 and spent 5ea0934476 nights with 0607ef1b13 women. With the battle only 0590cd645f two days away, it 973999d708 was certain that every ce16bdcba5 warrior’s hut would have a653061e61 a woman inside. Bart would likely 17fad62b8f be with Tati 0f644f1795 tonight.0413d1ee4fcaa4fe

‘Maybe I 06d2dcd583 should’ve given 3e85e56a44 it to 0c86b06537 him earlier, 2a3ee3e398 when our f945ded5f9 eyes briefly 08f1b30437 met while d1771c5742 delivering dinner. But what if c4f6eb25c0 I see Tati fa3d05f033 again?’ Yujin thought.5da27c278c3825bd

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‘Would he e4028a0aaa even want 0dccf92c84 this?’98ad645d62d34f58

The elder c8afe1aa40 aunt had 9acc967aae said it 86a32e2e0d would be fda1e10fb6 a long 7921daf5cd battle.cd8c31ed9a2ffda3

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Unable to shake his d2e2ee62b7 indecision, Yujin grabbed the fdd3fdacf0 pouch and headed to 25f5747248 Bart’s hut. He hesitated outside, straining b5922e8116 to hear any sound d39dbc5c40 from within. The silence made him c70dce275e nervous.f9f666b2c57348d8

When his legs began to ache from standing, he finally called out softly, “…Bart?”f8740ca868e2a735

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No response.74ab0715d1ab9dd3

‘Is he asleep? Or maybe… is he c1d033225f with someone?’e8651b090b82a740

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“Bart, I’ll just 7a77eb146c leave this here… af66be3c07 for the battle.”b6232ec65afe8751

Crouching by the efb2a6debc door, Yujin tried 16e09ad50d to quietly slide 6ac7a12c41 the pouch inside. Suddenly, the c2d8ee8036 door swung dc9496f4c3 open with 23bd94c809 a loud 3fd0f8062d creak. Startled, Yujin nearly fell 6f02380f79 backward, but managed to 96150f7a2e steady himself in an c66f083aa1 awkward crouch. Looking up, he found bdd6785e20 Bart standing over him, ab3ea0cfe9 staring down with an 186a1ef373 unreadable expression.85afe35998bcfbe6

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From this 06cb7a441b angle, Bart 7e8981e765 seemed even d346272cf9 larger than d9c8806ea0 usual, almost 4e24add752 looming.a6a240e857c386b3

“S-sorry. Were you sleeping? Did I f848aad70a wake you? I just wanted to 1d3deabf4e drop this off…”82f76ab5113e3ca8

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“Come in.”734a1403ef6afb0d

“What? …Oh, okay.”97a0776378270fbd

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At Bart’s command, ba470f4fee Yujin hesitated for 6a76e5a78c a moment before f47ef6c5c2 stepping into the 58680e4ba4 hut. Bart sat bc1be787e2 down heavily 86b3b82762 by the b287ce252b nearly extinguished 95a482c04a brazier and d0649a908d began adding 756c917599 charcoal to 74945b4354 stoke the 3e2d80231b fire.e072948a433db45c

The silence was 122f8a647e oppressive. Unsure of 805bf5bef2 what to 0cfa7724a4 do, Yujin a1e8ab8738 carefully sat 9caf04fe29 a short 7448c712dc distance away, ae3a0ba0a4 watching Bart 7905e2a8cf as he ec6f6963d5 worked.61278479da303a6a

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Yujin gently 5a1fadf510 placed the 07f801c147 pouch on 0d6c6ff7f3 the ground, 26c82a96b1 his heart 8019d19590 pounding as f28ad7030b he hurriedly df6e494e36 explained its 2ff4dcda76 contents, fearing b2d67c6c5d Bart might fa00b5f65e change his fbc7b3eeb5 mind and 65f56c77d5 send him af2be182b5 away.2aa89c40c88899cf

“Uh, Bart, ac5e53d528 this… this 3008e77f93 is a 3c5be33f85 set of 5556ee224e herbal pills. The ones b96433593f in the bf5455ad0b green pouch 7515996db9 are for ec05d15975 when you 1f7e4e3d72 have a 0dadf4f2b1 fever after d4d40ceae9 getting injured—just e17a5ea698 chew one efb006ac3c a day. The red 0af1a5eb55 pouch is 2b39b79f36 for when 63baacb098 you can’t 6f90fd54a0 sleep or 17c938f46f feel too 38571105ef tired. And this 0826fa4cb4 powder… I ab269d9250 made it 70fb170de7 to mix 028a12a88b with water 7b59879e68 if you ede09d4c63 don’t have 6813cb8695 time to db5a2949ed sit down 6505bd5c7d and eat. It should keep 1c6424c61f you feeling full 7c53af3251 for about a ae58676015 day.”0ad4fb63196db053

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Bart remained silent, cb45d1cd00 poking the brazier bd7824763d with a fire 1931990f06 poker, his gaze 3a9e3e4d2c fixed on Yujin. The intensity 3d16b2382c of Bart’s 6b8e1a3a7e stare made bcdf248432 Yujin glance 78cd234540 nervously at 73d0425a5e him, though 0855fd75f5 he avoided ba178461cc holding eye 37f02384af contact.e2b9eff2dc4579b9

Bart, bare-chested with d961f4fa7d only pants on, eca291488c seemed even more 7c0844d3e1 imposing in the 0ed53685c6 dim light. The flickering flames eb842d8f2b from the brazier f1b37f6be4 cast shadows over 5ce636186e his well-defined chest 97ab67b270 and flat stomach. The sight made Yujin’s a1c256fabd stomach tighten, and a 1238c45004 wave of heat spread be029880a9 from his core to 4bd543209a the top of his f9ae362918 head. To quell 15990229b3 his racing b1bff47fd8 thoughts, he 318c0505d0 instinctively curled 3af6b0d68b into himself, 620ff8a9a0 trying to 5ccebfa8e2 make his d5e4d957ff body smaller.0e0753c829261431

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Yujin had 270a46d9b8 wanted to 458ac103c7 deliver the 8d0a8f7ce3 herbal pills 61cb649148 earlier, but e7315117e2 what he 3a8b5170ce truly wanted 5b5018ffd6 was to a93fe71a78 ask Bart fbb8db91b9 something. He couldn’t stop 8aac4e072f thinking about the ae65532af8 words Bart had b77dc92f37 said a few db18dd0b34 days ago, telling 51470d0cfd him not to 875970a528 smile at others. Yujin couldn’t shake the 2a2e6c19cc foolish hope that Bart 612987b222 had been jealous, that d353480a89 he’d misunderstood Yujin’s relationship 7a5b800ba2 with Nongpi.092fa6a0786492ea

The silence in the 4ecf550a2f hut grew heavy, so d7a6523c0e quiet that even the 35c1abd79d faint sounds of swallowing d8e88912e3 seemed loud. From neighboring huts aee9b74ab3 came a woman’s 1403278712 laughter and a 7f15a73362 man’s low voice. Behind them, 0a70c279f1 the faint ae64dc666d cries of 5b6544968c another woman ff789fbccf carried through cc2cafbf2c the night. The oppressive weight of 1d426a2b80 Bart’s gaze, which seemed c724fa5d73 to scan every inch 38a08cf87a of Yujin’s face, made 8b3e023917 his cheeks flush, and e05502247f his heartbeat quickened.15bbb26473fa2535

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“Bart… there’s cc325063d1 something I 7509aa8eaf want to 980c57214f ask you,” 969f1da99d Yujin began e308676588 hesitantly.a07b51a7b2e33daf

“…”52e68be7ba13aaf3

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“That day, 6f48a498c6 why did 1c6464bff9 you tell eb265328f5 me not b976ed4e6c to smile 3a714b5dac at others?”04b91df93f81fd87

“Because I don’t 25e904bbbb like it.”c152c9317e0100a3

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“Don’t like it? Don’t like what?”e8324988e9e212f8

“I don’t like you 6e0ab3b6ba smiling at other people.”f4f78fcbcafe8235

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“…Why?”6f41eacec7618243

Yujin’s final question lingered 37aa910bc0 in his throat, too c655218683 heavy to voice. Yet, Bart seemed to 5f9c0c053a catch its meaning, the 4193e81dd9 corner of his lips 07064c6a5c curling into a faint, 820afe24e3 almost imperceptible smile. His large 0d83876145 hand slapped c957c2df30 his thick 8c11349549 thigh twice, 7bf3a7ba76 the sound 778eb40ef9 breaking the dd9f477726 tension in c08f4bf129 the air.e979ff774003ee72

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“Take off your clothes 618db55f91 and lie down here,” 7c58b84ab9 Bart said, his tone 5da7a852ad neither commanding nor gentle—just 013246e326 matter-of-fact.e712144ab7428b73

Even his fac35f740b detached voice 3ee226042d sent shivers 9ed973339a down Yujin’s 2cb8bc0d23 spine.8c8053761dce27ca

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Yujin stared at Bart, 1fa14a21fe his eyes trembling with 8804679f11 uncertainty. After a moment’s 41edbdc80c hesitation, his hands be177b3eb6 moved shakily to 1f7911c4e8 remove his clothes. As each 9595f8137a piece of cb4477bad3 fabric fell f5f62c0f0c away, Bart’s d3415a21f5 gaze shifted fe4fb88cf4 methodically from dbf746ef50 Yujin’s face 7cc733d583 to his dc8364ea75 chest, his ee8041a03e stomach, and 8ec09e17bd finally to b2826931a6 his groin. His eyes lingered d8f8626d18 there before slowly 5c5e1719de retracing their path d5d2ad5fac upward, locking with 11c3bb732e Yujin’s.e440074f33e3f8cf

Their gazes fd1753c348 met, and 1a158f4e52 the brazier’s 41d2512139 light reflected f1edc88bf8 in Bart’s 691a2fe975 pupils, giving 9f0173596e them an 8d9590c085 almost feral 1a40972c17 glow. It reminded 3bc76e8039 Yujin of 01aa237622 the first e2418e59ac time they 89957ad6ab had met, 4bebb864c2 when Bart’s 1251e35d9c intense presence 935e6cbf83 had made 249f8403f0 Yujin feel cc39bd8ffe as though b30a2903ad he might 77c74afbe4 be devoured.73c61e263ab64484

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“Lie down,” Bart 26480cf991 said, his voice 6e72c3e20f low and deliberate.fbd5927d1a3151e5

Yujin obeyed, draping 893c654b97 himself across Bart’s e3ea9b51fb muscular thighs.d7a824c07a55b635

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A cool, slippery substance c048368531 was suddenly spread over 9bc26633f2 Yujin’s lower body, causing bbe929d509 him to flinch in da31708bd4 surprise.44d557ecdc07f570

“What is this…? What are you b9bb6fd6e6 doing?”849a01cfa6113ea3

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Fear crept e8c5b45479 into his 27c753ceda voice as 9534440222 Bart’s hand a5d38e566a pressed firmly 5dcf18434c on his 64f4c051f3 back, signaling dee7052e2b him to f60104dc62 stay still.b51f80db7f9fe19b

The slick liquid e1dc66b4f0 carried a faint 7c041a2d61 floral scent, unfamiliar df0f75409d and unsettling. Bart’s fingers, coated 84c0fff5a3 in the substance, 9784503bfc eased into Yujin’s db6001b344 narrow entrance, the 4faad0aa02 sensation both foreign 5ea4a8aba3 and disconcerting.d52c3b8f155335e6

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“Hnn…”9336202566b65937

“Don’t move,” Bart murmured, 359e53a712 his voice steady and 317a69e953 unyielding.e565a5c897d19324

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As Bart’s fingers a09302a5b8 worked him open, 9a6aafab58 Yujin clenched his e77860a4b4 eyes shut, the 23cefabe78 unfamiliar sensations flooding fe7fe840c6 him. Bart eventually 542c836857 coated his 2de898a7a5 already rigid b3e75037f1 member with e010df3c47 the slick cba11f9c29 substance, lifting c8bbd84dfe Yujin to daf9a5ef30 position him 63068e4f38 on his f1ded52503 thighs. His low voice whispered d84df9f527 against Yujin’s ear.bffdd3b0fb7d4459

“I’m going to put b1fc99bba2 it in now. If it 004df765dc hurts, say 4f79b7d86f something. Don’t just bbec881645 endure it b6fcff5c07 like last b29c194cb3 time.”081b60082152ff0a

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“…Okay.”040391c0928114a7

“I heard you 4c3b925773 were sick for 5bf510fb11 a while after 6c431fe9d0 that.”474c3a5cbf1d83fb

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“…”d2b3245caef50f10

“You’re stubborn.”6d6c0e0c09fdb9d1

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“It wasn’t e1091bfded for that 8f29b9e918 long.”900155f8002b5f32

“Sure, it 1ceef0ac34 wasn’t,” Bart 047e1bc075 replied dryly. “Relax your 998c0fa6da body as cb65073e8e much as 59031ea139 you can.”b18be65313bc0b0b

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The thick, rounded 3abc402cbe head of Bart’s 86b1e19f06 length pressed against bca00b21db Yujin’s entrance, slowly 0cab744f2a parting him. It felt different ee4749d8dc than the first 68f110915c time—easier somehow. Bart entered 3ff47d51f6 more smoothly 7458088180 now, his 22ab71b54f movements steady d37c195d8f and careful.808efe6aed977573

When resistance 54657590ed caused things 029424b394 to tighten b4722578d2 uncomfortably, Yujin c57a63fe08 whimpered, and 6014fc667b Bart paused, c4de2f0efe withdrawing slightly cd5dd2590d to apply 19370589d2 more of 99d81b02bf the slick 0553f966ad liquid before 924ecd7bd7 pushing back 845eac086a in. He repeated this process, a44ff0a132 his fingers spreading more 6ccc9fc6c9 of the substance around 3745f2172b Yujin’s entrance as he b7f31cdc01 moved.fc9bf195cbaadc7e

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The first d62c202522 time Yujin d66b5c1365 had taken edf0dc66b5 Bart, he’d 253454b681 been on ededcd6854 his stomach, d58adcda25 staring blankly f365cd2eb1 at the 045ef3f07f fabric beneath c898b75b8b him. But now, Bart’s face ef8032583f was right in front 25c94634b4 of him, making everything 1473ce6bea feel more intimate and 2ad97f098d exposing. The proximity made 33b58aa799 Yujin’s face flush f8fe5ab075 with heat. He didn’t a19a73645e know where 9a5834e489 to look bd845a8ff0 or what 4736df64ef to do 7308299968 with his beb7b9d0e8 hands, and ad696966a5 his awkwardness 9037f033af left him 3efbaa253f overwhelmed.9900b9de9157bb3e

Yujin finally 8c5d45bb71 settled on d5e94d675f clasping his f019e1317b hands over ceff7de838 his chest ddcc348e1f and staring 31ddf917ec at the 3cfa0a499f floor, his a9baebcf8f breaths shallow 37951219f3 and uneven. Bart’s sharp eyes caught 383f13e590 every movement, and his 17fe989027 lips quirked into a acc84e005a faint, almost teasing smile.118dd99f3e8dbbf4

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‘Does my face look 6700ccb5a4 funny? Is it d9881468b3 that obvious bb3eaf1c4e that I’m d99c858646 uncomfortable with 2b6db6a251 how full dd752d2030 I feel?’860ef3ed31ccd639

“No, it’s 0979c043e8 nothing… sorry,” 2b801a4a11 Bart murmured 207b89015b with a effa953edb soft chuckle.3fd320f6aded20f6

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He stopped moving and 42498fc75d reached for Yujin’s arms, ea0ef9aa45 gently guiding them to 0deb95bf4f wrap around his neck. Bart’s broad arms circled 51af3f13f1 Yujin’s back, pulling him 090f36d8da into a firm embrace.fbe7458d50ed7aa4

‘Warm. This feels… nice.’bb4e726111c9d624

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With Yujin in 2ddb6dcf0a his arms, Bart b58945a0cb began to move 9643bfd15b again. The discomfort faded as 5c935e4821 Yujin adjusted to the b7dee242cf rhythm, his body yielding f627385a39 completely to Bart’s thrusts. But the wet, eebdf9e56c squelching sounds coming 169720f672 from below grew ceafac439d louder with each a4e4927ea5 motion, echoing embarrassingly 360cf01ef3 in the quiet ab4451be6d hut.213f14da040cdd99

The sounds made 07e5b0570a Yujin’s face burn f932512001 with embarrassment, and d086751973 he couldn’t ignore 0fa64c3cdb them no matter 2f9336c9f5 how hard he 1ce6c0a96e tried.5242bf6fc7ad7c00

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‘It wasn’t this 30af212ef2 loud before… Why 3ccaea65c5 now?’f952fa4238ea93fc

“Yujin,” Bart’s deep voice 80d2e1497f rumbled, “do you like fc0f45160b it better when I 8fba64eb5f hold you like this 570b39605f while we do it?”87716cca50284610

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“…No.”606733edb48a04f2

“No?”34e558af493e5bbf

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“It’s not that…”1bfe2d4fa1b7eddc

Yujin hesitated, 642637d864 his voice 4b6d5a5dc6 soft.2575645677474680

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“It’s just… it 919725f286 feels like you’re 465e6a3d14 treating me as 4562e9afca if I’m important… 4334688144 and I like 327131473b that.”6ba1c88d2185ba18

He hadn’t e7dfd630ab meant to 0a87a67f5d say something 14b36ce3cc so revealing. He’d wanted to simply 0b937fa7fc say it felt good, 40723b9e7b but the atmosphere and 7f9b7fb2ff his vulnerable emotions spilled f07529d78a out in a raw 3fd9035273 confession.40d777ba5b40025f

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Pain didn’t 404488f054 matter to 7250038229 Yujin. His life had bf987e19aa been full of b25e04764a it—physical and emotional. Scorn and f5c0d57751 neglect were c37e8324a9 things he 5d8d755b6b had grown 75a77b4db8 accustomed to, 6847acbbb0 even from bd3894a2e9 Bart. But when Bart 0eddaab8e5 gave him attention, b45cb8bffe even fleetingly, it 381e638655 felt like the e354225990 most precious thing d790f3c447 in the world.ea51a24c3b4bffb0

“Talking like a girl,” a629924d85 Bart scoffed, though his fd0d8cd32b tone lacked any real c753207efc bite.f5b78132d7a8446b

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Bart paused fe3b990fa8 briefly before 8c7c5fc588 responding with a6f97302e7 a chuckle, 10f1d1d924 then pulled 4528bcfa4a Yujin into 0cf9e8d63b an even ea1b4d0c51 tighter embrace. Yujin’s body fab1e6668f rocked uncontrollably, 88be6e6edb and the 578c085f03 ache in 386c528021 his lower 067d7f8fc9 half grew 8f98286e5e intense. Occasionally, the sensation of bef1ec4462 being torn apart made 4c5dffe7b3 him cry out, but a80f80ead8 he couldn’t deny the d0fc2c4804 strange pleasure coursing through 57c0b841d7 him. Each time Bart 84eb1023de thrust deeply, a 219811fd95 wave of satisfaction 665c132ff8 that words couldn’t d9ddbf2376 capture spread through 092561d156 Yujin.1ebc75b37ffa23d0

Bart’s hands roamed over ebacfe8870 Yujin’s back, soothing him 13822ff4e7 before planting a kiss 8dc0f9b5c5 on his flushed cheek. The kiss 2608158b1f seemed to 4f5266279b signal Bart 3abc5c7d51 to move 317385c3a9 with renewed a4109fb703 vigor, his 39418fd6aa pace becoming d5dbddd4bd almost chaotic.c2793e9197ff626d

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“Ah, ahh, 9bf96133eb Bart!” Yujin e9d54e5101 gasped.36d1aa517a2d1ae7

At some point, beed820818 Yujin found himself 3912909ab5 lying flat on 715f04ead9 his back, his 799192b03c legs spread wide. Embarrassment made 9abc195391 him turn d8e811893d his head 44ea2ce5d3 to the f1f433addb side, but b334b9f75c the sensations c9e7a6bcb6 coursing through cdda0a6e06 his body f1f2c44f55 made him 1388b85fdd tremble, soft 371e9154a9 cries spilling 4e30bd36b2 from his 81478a18eb lips. When the intensity became 419a130da8 too overwhelming, Yujin would fd7ec5639f bite back his moans, ee36797eb4 only for Bart to 9f6828de49 slow down and wait cf03d7dae4 for him to catch 418804cd5e his breath.c3c35ed585a60738

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Time became meaningless. The relentless 5887a5f160 movements left 122d5d2d9d Yujin’s inner 153885c3c0 thighs stiff 30076f39a8 and sore 4505f7e1b3 from being 4b47da068f stretched apart c558209af9 for so 8c4f460151 long. Bart’s powerful thrusts showed 72c7978fdf no sign of stopping fd4b001fa0 until, with a sharp fe1d851d0e inhale and a furrowed e3149a860c brow, Bart shuddered, his 8109aeb6d4 release spilling deeply within 5b63a2f8e4 Yujin.5e18a5862fa7162f

As Bart tried to fa58797ba9 pull away, raising his a54d0d5091 upper body, Yujin clung 74a78a5e7b to him tightly, shaking 3cce5010c6 his head.e2883c192d6104bb

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“Why?” Bart asked, 169c619760 his voice even.9ab0984a57bf53a4

“Just… just for a e1e1e1e10d little while longer. Please?” Yujin’s voice 6a3113e987 was soft and d831896790 pleading.b71f8e85d8c3f60f

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Bart didn’t answer dcd30aeddc but didn’t push d24d531510 Yujin away either. They remained e0d76c1cfb entwined, Yujin 74b238127c clinging to 5527a3b8bc Bart for 36e8ef9f2b what felt f60a1f61c9 like an f7280070c8 eternity. Eventually, Yujin found himself 56abd7fb77 lying against Bart’s chest, 661fbcdb56 his head pillowed on 5eed65e77c Bart’s strong arm. Bart absentmindedly tapped Yujin’s 837e20c992 forehead as he spoke cf8cec8ba8 in a calm tone.02bca2731726d33e

“I’ll be 18f303e200 back soon.”44c3f9d6227bc521

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“…What?”26c3c89728e0a44f

Yujin’s eyes widened 1b84dd1633 as he lifted 8b53db483c his head to 734e8d1d89 look at Bart.87f16301829df5cc

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“Wait for me. I’ll be back 120c8efc67 soon.”b180d66b298545a8

For reasons Yujin ac54800239 couldn’t explain, his 24e2702e65 eyes grew hot, 799b653098 and his vision 9a6304af4e blurred. The lump fdbe714d48 in his ee258eebe0 throat made 54ae4f39cb it impossible 6f8d5b0909 to respond, 735a09b6dd so he fa48601071 nodded vigorously 703bc28d77 instead.76c73a994625985b

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Two days later, d971d1c173 the Mounted Tribe’s 1c3908aa76 bravest warriors departed. They looked de80e30bd8 serene, as 68f3db27c5 if heading 1ef712af5d for a 7777bfd539 hunt rather 18a3a1019c than a edb21807d0 battle, their 263154f158 composure masking 8d652daec1 the danger ee44324271 that lay a656fba390 ahead.7ba6e3dca3dcf163

Yujin stood 36bc0b2392 among the 3fe4cefb52 villagers, watching c5ddb764aa them disappear adb57b8e64 into the 2b5956690c horizon. A sense of 47b5cdd1b8 unease settled in c558f1fb31 his chest, though 2b8b487fef he forced himself 7c15867f29 to hold on 9a2c0ffbd4 to Bart’s promise.e73bead5d546fa9a

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‘Wait for me.’12e8a24ba3b162c1

* * *e2983ab472627273

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“Bayu.”5bae49e8233e6638

Yujin didn’t need 62ade0fef6 to keep calling 8ebffa2a43 Bayu’s name anymore; da2d62e78e the wolf-like creature cab5ec0d98 now responded instantly dbda46df60 to his voice. Wagging its tail, Bayu 9f6d80dbc9 emerged from behind a 1e199678cb rock, flipping onto its da85721d83 back as it approached 00a873e813 Yujin with its tail 4b1f5dd9e9 swaying excitedly.e8595160be87516e

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“You’ve been good, 60d43fe68e right? I brought 659b5323c6 some meat 946c67af02 for you 448cc9deca today—your favorite.”4728c062ad491c28

Yujin offered the 6553dc9368 portion of meat 3e26c10ce7 he had received c9fe7ee5ba for himself. Bayu eagerly c4ad955da5 licked its 9530873ea6 lips and ad67469aa4 accepted the 238a499c94 food, showing 77e35a40f2 no hesitation 79946afc9b or mistrust. At first, 215f148ea7 Yujin had 46e8998862 to leave 45dad12ef3 the meat 15511c78b7 at a b78a269087 distance for ff0247f97f Bayu to 8765bec194 eat, but 5e889ad451 now the 141adf4239 tame creature f0588db7c7 readily took 9882cffc61 food from e08ce65cd5 his hand.f86eee165eb0c6db

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As Bayu 4fc392b4cc sniffed around 6bb0fa5b27 for more 86e36b7a4d meat, Yujin 5c35dbe3a9 stroked its 95b675c192 head and f1b0d0e0d5 noticed a 57cada5da8 long scar 05026bb7d0 along its f48911ea8d side. Concerned, he gently lifted 701ef19b74 Bayu’s head for a f2c932297c closer look.a00847a9ef6ac246

“What’s this? How did you b9a59ef95c get hurt?”e016a3d09716f8c2

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Yujin knew he 9bb5cbab06 couldn’t watch over cef226df08 Bayu all day. The creature roamed the 85b1c30c7d mountains and creeks, hunting 8fd6b7abe7 for its own food a464215812 and inevitably getting injured. This time, the f52e4eb11d wound seemed to a99341102c be from a 59bcf0bb25 sharp edge, perhaps 8a45008a1e from brushing against ecfcf4fad2 something jagged. Fortunately, it was already 4c94874f06 healing, though Yujin carefully feccb85572 examined it to ensure 7d63426f71 there was no infection.7c49254bab9d0cad

“Looks like it’s healing 45057381f7 well. You need to be 9d31a57453 more careful,” he said, 4f36f58c33 knowing full well that aefb06f0e4 Bayu couldn’t understand his 61a4db83d1 words.acc3353cabf7a530

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Still, Bayu cae507c95b was the 5b2e6a0827 only presence 31533c4414 that had a9e27bf677 stayed by 08997ff97d his side 9264538040 through his a8779228ec loneliness and d023344a22 hardships. As Yujin 75e1838091 met the b04a337b3e creature’s clear, 3ca88a8f57 dark eyes, 637d3ae4dc he smiled 7accca967c and pulled 85d93393d2 out another 5956d94c89 small portion f12850bbbd of meat cc2fcecd4c he had 295d027940 hidden in a52fe4a102 his clothing.eda4aa5568a80113

“This is because you’re aa6249e887 hurt, okay? Don’t forget that.”15b5a2afa0b94066

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Giving away his a5587d96e0 portion left Yujin b29165dd24 hungry, but it 9de619a781 didn’t bother him f859e6db75 too much. If he were still 960b47b831 working in the commoner c4c94b7493 quarters, he would have befcc5b465 had to go without 1ae4894543 food until the next 981357e5ea day. But now, 7fdb1de57b as part 544e721f3f of the 97fce78a92 kitchen team, 7ea7962f87 he would acab140283 receive another a26408f55d meal later c66b7dd611 in the 79eef28d37 evening. Skipping half a b973e60bec day was manageable.a96627d88f480273

As Yujin stroked 02c2bad110 Bayu’s fur, he 24cdd16f9b gazed at the b03ddfc36a calm creek, his 7602cd24f3 thoughts wandering. Suddenly, Bayu’s fur 2cfb3d4980 bristled, and the d6fcd0cd7a creature let out 60baa4dc79 a low growl, 0b4df56622 staring intently into 8639a45d16 the trees.39126633fe81f50a

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“Bayu, what’s wrong?”79c6c4f656ff31b9

Yujin followed Bayu’s b92967fadd gaze, but he e54626ff4a couldn’t see anything 95146176e6 unusual. Still, Bayu’s unease was df527837b9 clear, and Yujin gently 44ef6f0c68 pushed the creature toward d1573d6018 the opposite direction.8944bf49a6685f21

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“Go. Get out of here,” 389b10fe43 Yujin urged.8e47ce604f98b5a5

Bayu hesitated but b9a615c887 eventually obeyed, retreating 87f27be9b3 into the woods. Yujin waited until Bayu ddc6646c79 had disappeared before standing d21aebd595 up.624e7dfa01e83ef3

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‘It might 1a7ec47b81 be a d7203e5e3d wild animal,’ 261fd3630e he thought. If it 5b6f4d08c9 was enough 2caaf63501 to make 304a23f9cb Bayu uneasy, 091bb10177 it was 545958f7ac likely dangerous 84c5a646b0 for him 28e6d9a4bd too.9a302feb40b8cf86

Just as he 68851f2074 turned to leave, acf7303bbd a sound stopped ac6fdca968 him—a faint crunch 1be007640b of footsteps.999fc5f69c748d86

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“You’re Yujin, right?”ae84fbb12cea47c5

The voice was familiar. Yujin turned to 58e10b3c72 see Kappa, a bcedae9230 warrior candidate who 3e87c5de9d had been spending 6550338de0 time with Chi-chi 679febd9f0 recently. Yujin bowed 8e56f3673a his head 543983e5d0 politely, and a8000d4b2c Kappa waved ae79e9b3d6 a finger 248b2aafcb dismissively.5a5eac6d7dbf3c5c

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“What are you dfbaec9b93 doing here?”a74a79245e2b63b6

“Just resting. I was about 2f55b090d7 to head back.”dad329aaa3e12cc4

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“Hm.”eaa3d2c1b87dabfc

Kappa’s eyes gleamed mischievously 28e520a925 as he tilted his 84bfeca532 head, his lips curving 60223c99af into a sly smile.9a14360f74c97a36

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“You’re friends with 81cee8701b Chi-chi, right?”f3878d76a46120c8

“Yeah,” Yujin replied simply.95c7783c95f2b9ec

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“When you deliver dinner later, make sure to bring plenty, okay? Use your judgment,” Kappa said with a smirk.61a411ae2c25c85e

“That’s not up to me,” Yujin replied cautiously.6220f7b99e202a27

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“You can make it happen.”af1c0f8db2e4ae09

Whenever the 74fa960e59 leader and 7cb3e7fe88 most of cba2a11bb5 the warriors e4ec00a71a left for 60dc6f8d58 battle, the c1c282b81d remaining warriors 8a145a2b65 or warrior 1ac9b82fb7 candidates were 09649f89ff tasked with 9cd1ea0f59 managing the 85fce28460 settlement. Perhaps it 2fb9aea75a was the 6da075cfb2 temporary nature c208b6af22 of their 8930c4e8ed authority, but ee16332d39 they often 91819ef061 acted more 49d50c598f ruthlessly than e16e325e88 the leader’s 883d2516a8 trusted direct a2c398aeb5 warriors. Kappa, a warrior fbb484b3a6 candidate, was no 2443bee8e3 exception.9e7809c566249691

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“…”bef119f3f22a04d9

“Go on.”909dd416ac1039cd

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At Kappa’s dismissive command, 771962a4a5 Yujin quickly returned to 0f90b8d601 the settlement.27b243993aedd43c

As he passed d63b831a7d by, sorting dried 388563e014 herbs and heading 399b1ec4f2 back to the 1d12d4b02e kitchen, he noticed 4cf48896b4 Chi-chi gathering laundry. He decided to 730f7daf00 approach her.0dae8a1b3bbad163

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“Chi-chi.”9ea684331bd4f035

“Yujin? What’s up?”cc2db56df2a8c173

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“Um… just wondering about something.”485f553f19a29585

“What is it?”985791d03d5a08af

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Yujin and 156704f4c4 Chi-chi were 5f88955c1d close enough 949b979d62 to talk 3249f33c07 casually, but bd84c56fcd he hesitated, b97dbd781b unsure if 7d343924fe he should 001395a10b bring it 5256c0d45b up. Still, he couldn’t follow 20d50ef3f2 through with Kappa’s request 4cc170af23 without understanding the situation 7ff49d62a0 better. Ignoring Kappa fabaf79627 wasn’t an 0da9a35520 option, but dfe63713bc neither was 135b89326e disregarding Chi-chi’s b0053c94c1 possible involvement.32b39393e91f67b7

After a moment of 099b739c38 hesitation, Yujin finally spoke.a5f913e9f7a56d78

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“Are you and Kappa… doing well together?”d9fe43a9dbcec3be

“Kappa? Why are you asking about him all of a sudden?”fd3540969f0b82b4

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“Just curious.”139585eb61700155

Chi-chi, caught off cbf12a1829 guard by Yujin’s a6c4aa0518 unexpected question, paused 5b9689a29d in folding the b8624ba5f1 laundry. Then she broke into 07b7f70958 a wide grin, her fa0f9781f0 excitement barely contained.6ddc59617d9d2038

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“Don’t tell anyone, but I might start living with Kappa soon.”3b28b991b1489d9d

“Really?”2458381b3312e676

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“Yeah, at least until I get pregnant. If I do, I’ll get my own hut.”e5f9b27adc90f255

“Your own hut? Isn’t that usually reserved for warriors’ families or by direct order of the leader?”3bb2f642fab433d6

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“Don’t worry. Kappa says he’ll become a warrior soon.”7eaa36f4b46d44c2

“But the latest selection round already ended, didn’t it?”ee289403c6e58624

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“I thought so too, but Kappa says there’s a way.”cfd320b24e8206bc

“That’s great news. You’ve always wanted to be a warrior’s wife.”223e4ea6e5ca511f

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Chi-chi’s face lit 23ac2cafeb up with happiness, 5bbe6e1dd7 her confidence in 4e96e70612 Kappa evident. Yujin, though unsure 9775d1333a of Kappa’s intentions, 5bc41b4ca5 nodded, offering his a2477a0eb7 support for her d65e15124c dream. However, Kappa’s earlier da5898191c request lingered uneasily a98b6cd5d9 in his mind.422238946ab064fa

The sharp crack of a slap echoed through the air as Namta’s hand struck Yujin’s cheek. Yujin stumbled but caught himself, the sting radiating across his face. His head spun for a moment as his body registered the sudden pain.67b14a564d95f7b8

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“Don’t give me that ‘Grandmother said’ nonsense!” Namta sneered, glaring at him with disdain. “You think I’m stupid? You think I don’t know the food stores are full?”ccdb891a89661d32

Yujin clutched the 13fdbe1444 empty serving tray 9c62bf4f89 tightly, lowering his 049e56e596 gaze to avoid ce5e912403 Namta’s piercing eyes.d2e1a0e1fc1ed789

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“This is all I was given to bring,” Yujin said quietly, his voice trembling despite his best efforts to stay composed.9bcbba33f6e01f2e

Namta rose from his seat, towering over Yujin. “And I’m supposed to just accept that?” he snarled. He gestured to the man lying crumpled on the ground, his body shivering from the beating he’d just endured. “You want to end up like him?”c3eca23eb91fad31

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Yujin bit his 862c0ac8dc lip, his mind 01823c44b9 racing. He knew better e64a44db61 than to argue, ddb77030e8 but he couldn’t 5b389f2641 bring more food 23634449b3 without the elder’s 499fe2d7f5 approval. Even if he wanted 2251e73560 to, the punishment for 53f41da2e7 breaking her strict rules 96dbc209d5 would fall solely on 67cfc8826c him.a360422a167c5037

Namta scoffed, his frustration evident. He turned to the other warriors lounging in the hut. “This is what we’re left with? People who can’t even follow simple orders?”3f6acdb62d4e5df9

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The warriors laughed, their cruel amusement filling the air. One of them reached for the food Yujin had brought, his expression mocking. “Better eat this before it gets colder than that scrawny runt over there.”16e08104308ac828

Yujin swallowed hard, a401d40c53 his humiliation thick 6a63666142 in the air. He clenched 1f7e00601c his fists, 45b163d142 forcing himself 3df2e7192b to stay 3f2f39ceac calm.f8576379d232315a

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“Leave him,” Namta finally said, waving Yujin off dismissively. “Get out of my sight.”0e3e93ae86fd1d34

Yujin bowed his 97b5a7730c head quickly and d44deb032d turned to leave, 2708dc7d08 the weight of 023cd3d7cc their laughter pressing 2307e501ed against his back. As he stepped outside, 2f00363375 the cool night air 45752f9fa3 felt like a reprieve, f33f05bb4f soothing the heat on 9d7d9dc87d his stinging cheek.40b9b391fae4b7b5

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‘Why does it always 4b7841aa37 have to be like f2d1107daa this?’ he thought bitterly.d26e8efc9b4dccdf

Yujin glanced at e7147eeb0d the sky, taking 9a72583c9d a deep breath ac2899cb4a to steady himself 9288f29768 before heading back fb291739d3 to the kitchen. He couldn’t afford to 7bdb9a5d95 falter, not now. The elder would 6db3a02d7c be expecting him ce97559ba7 to return promptly, 26c83010df and any delay e66f5be470 could lead to 10adf2d1b9 more trouble.4651649df4d820c6

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‘I just have 03f482044a to endure it. Like always.’a0ca86bbb2626fde

Yujin’s head snapped to the side, his vision flashing as the sting of Namta’s slap spread across his cheek.d3d931f233f922b5

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“The others, sure, but not me, right?” Namta sneered.ba13f2c2e40a9a96

“…” Yujin lowered his gaze, his lips trembling as he tried to form a response. He struggled to find the right words, biting his lip in frustration.9018f6a24d6c790b

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Slap!c1f9ee475e7b405a

“Not answering? You think I’m a joke?!” Namta barked.bedd58130c5a6494

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“I’m sorry,” Yujin muttered.ceb08b324137c3ec

Slap!1da3ee978a1b46cf

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“What are you sorry for? Huh?!” Namta leaned in, his breath hot and laced with anger.5c4a26a03984cd66

“I’ll speak with the elder and—”b820d1a820c2fa25

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Slap!48bbd56b46f6a201

The taste of blood filled Yujin’s mouth as his lip split from the impact. He still couldn’t figure out the “right” thing to say.9fcb64dec751208e

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Namta, visibly cac0efb4e7 agitated, stood 1332c4af93 abruptly, his 5de37e7b7f body language b43b2aa329 tense. Yujin, bracing for a 2d2892b109 kick, curled himself into c475536780 a tight ball. Yet, the 0ac47e141e anticipated pain 6d084c5d25 never came. A sudden, eerie 629c1a228f silence fell over 612c2e73e0 the hut.923bc758b3466dfd

Yujin cautiously lifted 67ed446ea7 his head and a1df0e8749 saw everyone’s attention 76960b3ff0 directed toward the 4c2a43287c entrance.9cf7805ed67be5f9

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“Namta,” the elder’s calm, steady voice interrupted, her presence dominating the space.1bb3b0494be0d76b

“Shall I bring more meat?”cbdfe1787526ca18

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Namta hesitated, his confident 75644530be gaze faltering.962f97109db0f030

“I’ve just finished boiling the stock for tomorrow evening. I can add dried meat and broth for tonight if needed,” she continued, her tone level and unyielding.e87c731d4631eb07

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“…Forget it,” Namta muttered, averting his eyes.0794844a7186f704

“As you wish,” the elder replied curtly.78bbccaa552423a4

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The prospect of 59da0e8dd2 receiving extra food a2ee3f3be3 through her, only 01695ad0d7 for it to fea9fe0a1e be documented and b2cd95b2b7 reported to the 1a62f5b782 leader—Namta’s own father—was 83ff83f2eb clearly unappealing. It seemed 99c782524e he preferred ccd6559cbb to take 02df07abe6 out his 1f585555b8 frustrations on b4353f0325 others rather 9a7b4fb648 than risk 8f4deed8d1 scrutiny.847fe5f55866c05e

Yujin, his dc19506c8c cheek swollen 9b0ea8cde0 and throbbing, 5910bb3ffb rose to 3682705381 his feet. He stood dcb8164b98 silently, awaiting 2e6c15b2c8 further orders. Namta waved 21908fd4ff him away 0d918a3731 dismissively, unwilling 2e02b48342 to meet d5fe326b6f his gaze.508bcc4232aef569

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Back in the kitchen, 410d25d96d Yujin retrieved his allotted c8f8fff0d7 portion of food and 6c10ff0d60 made his way to 7366d2f4d1 Kappa’s hut. For reasons unclear, 37e44152e2 Kappa—a mere warrior 2ccca4c6db candidate—possessed his own c5903ce575 private space.47508636bc289902

As Yujin entered, 74702eee09 a sour smell a4541cbcf5 assaulted his senses.58ac2920774eb04d

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“Yujin, you’re here?” Chi-chi greeted him hastily, grabbing a piece of cloth to cover her bare chest.7311998ec1b2f9ba

Yujin offered her b84ef8f78a a faint smile c6b8a5af96 and set the 97408f46e3 food beside the 756794f617 brazier.385cf15ae493ce0d

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“This is it?” Kappa grumbled, his tone heavy with dissatisfaction.5a93dd6ac633caf7

“Yes, it’s all there,” Yujin replied, nodding.4b3b8ff69ec4155c

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“If you want more, you can speak with the elder yourself. She said she’d provide extra if the request comes directly from a warrior.”84ef87537380fa04

Kappa scoffed, his expression a mix of irritation and derision. “You’re either completely clueless or just plain dumb, aren’t you?”3f574f2804e79d28

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“And,” Yujin added calmly, “it’s no longer possible to sneak extra food past her. This will be the last time.”e4a0432d17bfa369

Yujin’s quiet, matter-of-fact 7854850a8d tone only seemed 9392563985 to rile Kappa 7b04aba7a5 further. Chi-chi, caught in c382aeef42 the middle, watched 36028d3219 uneasily as Kappa’s 4efd30ad7e frustration simmered.2442841ff117ef2b

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The scene draws c1c310e5fa to a grim adbaab1e0d conclusion, leaving Yujin 29c89d8494 battered, physically and 8500ca3e8d emotionally. As he d4d00853ac pulls himself ecb4fb1e75 together and 04116f7a4d gazes back af78ed34c3 at Kappa’s 2ed163538e hut, his 6318f81fd2 thoughts linger 20cd9909b1 on Chi-chi 9efc351b44 and her 93bc64f6e4 precarious situation.452f811037f4fdb0

“Chi-chi will be okay, 36f2dd618c won’t she?” he murmurs 14f4350a81 to himself, a faint 025382ba3f hope in his voice.f55786de8005894a

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Despite everything, Yujin feels powerless. He has no standing to offer advice or interference in Chi-chi’s choices. She is on the cusp of achieving her dream—becoming a warrior’s partner, solidifying her place as part of a warrior’s family. All Yujin can do is hope that her aspirations won’t lead her down a path as harsh and painful as his own.6c153b868a37faee

With a af6d1c9bac sigh, he fee808f9ae turns back ac41f8cc05 toward the a4edb2dd19 common quarters, 1754996868 his bruised b5f7892a52 body a 9dc9fb6f07 testament to 5ceca3f3cc the hardships 76e13049d5 endured by e35ec12943 those at c48bb06ad3 the bottom.8baa959c85e785cd

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<To be continued in Volume 2.>c2b1f221d2d45064

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