LS Chapter 5 (Part 3)

Naturally, the kitchen workers were expected to accompany the warriors for such a large-scale battle. Many had assumed Yujin would be chosen. He was a man, knew his way around the kitchen, and, most importantly, was seen as someone easy to manage without causing trouble.

Yet, strangely, the youngest member, Nongpi, was selected instead. When the elder aunt named Nongpi, despite her lack of cooking skills, everyone was surprised. Still, relieved they weren’t the ones chosen, they pretended not to notice and carried on.

As the Mounted Tribe bustled with preparations for the upcoming battle, the arrival of Damra, the trader, brought even more excitement. Damra often returned with exotic and expensive goods, and many eagerly awaited his visits.

“This is something I brought back all the way from the north, so handle it carefully,” Damra said with a grin.

“The north?”

“Yes, the place where it snows all year round. I went there myself.”

“You went all the way north just to bring back this?”

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

“Such a fuss over a wooden box.”

“Look closer. It might look like an ordinary piece of wood, but when you press here, it opens.”

As Damra pressed a corner of the box, one side popped open like a lid, revealing its contents. While it was simply a small wooden box, the peculiar mechanism fascinated everyone, causing a stir among the crowd.

Ordinary people couldn’t afford Damra’s expensive goods, as his customers were mostly warriors. However, that didn’t stop the commoners from gathering to admire his collection, making the village square lively whenever he arrived.

Yujin, blending in with the crowd, also took the opportunity to browse. Many of the items were unlike anything he’d ever seen, and some were so strange he couldn’t even guess their purpose. As he gazed at a sparkling stone, someone suddenly snatched it up.

“Damra, I’ll take this,” the woman declared.

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

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

‘Gude must be a warrior,’ Yujin thought.

‘And this woman must be his wife.’

It was a luxury reserved for the wives of warriors—particularly the most favored ones—to casually claim valuable items, knowing their husbands would cover the cost. The woman lifted her chin, scanning the crowd with a haughty gaze.

Watching her, a flicker of envy passed through Yujin’s eyes. And, as if on cue, thoughts of Bart resurfaced.

Realizing his feelings for Bart had brought a painful truth to light—he was more foolish than he’d ever imagined. Even while avoiding Bart, he had unconsciously continued gathering herbs during his trips to the mountains. Over time, he amassed enough to craft herbal pills.

The skill to make these pills was a secret known only to the herbalists of the Red Tribe. They guarded the technique fiercely, never allowing it to spread beyond their tribe. Not even the herbalists of the Mounted Tribe knew how to make them. Perhaps that was why Yujin found himself thinking of Bart every time he stumbled upon valuable herbs. Without realizing it, he would gather them and later turn them into pills.

He knew it was pointless, yet he couldn’t bring himself to stop. He kept creating reasons and excuses, holding onto even the smallest hint of hope—no matter how fleeting or insignificant it was. Like dust catching light, even the faintest glimmer sustained him for days.

Even now, Yujin couldn’t stop mulling over Bart’s cryptic words from a few days ago. Using the excuse of trying to decipher their meaning, he spent the entire day thinking about Bart. It was pathetic, the kind of foolishness that left Yujin disgusted with himself.

After browsing Damra’s wares, Yujin returned to the kitchen and threw himself into work. With the warriors set to leave in three days, the elder aunt was harsher than usual, and the kitchen staff barely had a moment to straighten their backs.

When the long day finally ended, Yujin cleaned up the kitchen and returned to the communal hut. Instead of lying down to rest his weary body, he found himself fiddling with the pouch of herbal pills he had made.

Before hunts or battles, warriors held grand feasts and spent nights with women. With the battle only two days away, it was certain that every warrior’s hut would have a woman inside. Bart would likely be with Tati tonight.

‘Maybe I should’ve given it to him earlier, when our eyes briefly met while delivering dinner. But what if I see Tati again?’ Yujin thought.

‘Would he even want this?’

The elder aunt had said it would be a long battle.

Unable to shake his indecision, Yujin grabbed the pouch and headed to Bart’s hut. He hesitated outside, straining to hear any sound from within. The silence made him nervous.

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

No response.

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

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

Crouching by the door, Yujin tried to quietly slide the pouch inside. Suddenly, the door swung open with a loud creak. Startled, Yujin nearly fell backward, but managed to steady himself in an awkward crouch. Looking up, he found Bart standing over him, staring down with an unreadable expression.

From this angle, Bart seemed even larger than usual, almost looming.

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

“Come in.”

“What? …Oh, okay.”

At Bart’s command, Yujin hesitated for a moment before stepping into the hut. Bart sat down heavily by the nearly extinguished brazier and began adding charcoal to stoke the fire.

The silence was oppressive. Unsure of what to do, Yujin carefully sat a short distance away, watching Bart as he worked.

Yujin gently placed the pouch on the ground, his heart pounding as he hurriedly explained its contents, fearing Bart might change his mind and send him away.

“Uh, Bart, this… this is a set of herbal pills. The ones in the green pouch are for when you have a fever after getting injured—just chew one a day. The red pouch is for when you can’t sleep or feel too tired. And this powder… I made it to mix with water if you don’t have time to sit down and eat. It should keep you feeling full for about a day.”

Bart remained silent, poking the brazier with a fire poker, his gaze fixed on Yujin. The intensity of Bart’s stare made Yujin glance nervously at him, though he avoided holding eye contact.

Bart, bare-chested with only pants on, seemed even more imposing in the dim light. The flickering flames from the brazier cast shadows over his well-defined chest and flat stomach. The sight made Yujin’s stomach tighten, and a wave of heat spread from his core to the top of his head. To quell his racing thoughts, he instinctively curled into himself, trying to make his body smaller.

Yujin had wanted to deliver the herbal pills earlier, but what he truly wanted was to ask Bart something. He couldn’t stop thinking about the words Bart had said a few days ago, telling him not to smile at others. Yujin couldn’t shake the foolish hope that Bart had been jealous, that he’d misunderstood Yujin’s relationship with Nongpi.

The silence in the hut grew heavy, so quiet that even the faint sounds of swallowing seemed loud. From neighboring huts came a woman’s laughter and a man’s low voice. Behind them, the faint cries of another woman carried through the night. The oppressive weight of Bart’s gaze, which seemed to scan every inch of Yujin’s face, made his cheeks flush, and his heartbeat quickened.

“Bart… there’s something I want to ask you,” Yujin began hesitantly.

“…”

“That day, why did you tell me not to smile at others?”

“Because I don’t like it.”

“Don’t like it? Don’t like what?”

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

“…Why?”

Yujin’s final question lingered in his throat, too heavy to voice. Yet, Bart seemed to catch its meaning, the corner of his lips curling into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. His large hand slapped his thick thigh twice, the sound breaking the tension in the air.

“Take off your clothes and lie down here,” Bart said, his tone neither commanding nor gentle—just matter-of-fact.

Even his detached voice sent shivers down Yujin’s spine.

Yujin stared at Bart, his eyes trembling with uncertainty. After a moment’s hesitation, his hands moved shakily to remove his clothes. As each piece of fabric fell away, Bart’s gaze shifted methodically from Yujin’s face to his chest, his stomach, and finally to his groin. His eyes lingered there before slowly retracing their path upward, locking with Yujin’s.

Their gazes met, and the brazier’s light reflected in Bart’s pupils, giving them an almost feral glow. It reminded Yujin of the first time they had met, when Bart’s intense presence had made Yujin feel as though he might be devoured.

“Lie down,” Bart said, his voice low and deliberate.

Yujin obeyed, draping himself across Bart’s muscular thighs.

A cool, slippery substance was suddenly spread over Yujin’s lower body, causing him to flinch in surprise.

“What is this…? What are you doing?”

Fear crept into his voice as Bart’s hand pressed firmly on his back, signaling him to stay still.

The slick liquid carried a faint floral scent, unfamiliar and unsettling. Bart’s fingers, coated in the substance, eased into Yujin’s narrow entrance, the sensation both foreign and disconcerting.

“Hnn…”

“Don’t move,” Bart murmured, his voice steady and unyielding.

As Bart’s fingers worked him open, Yujin clenched his eyes shut, the unfamiliar sensations flooding him. Bart eventually coated his already rigid member with the slick substance, lifting Yujin to position him on his thighs. His low voice whispered against Yujin’s ear.

“I’m going to put it in now. If it hurts, say something. Don’t just endure it like last time.”

“…Okay.”

“I heard you were sick for a while after that.”

“…”

“You’re stubborn.”

“It wasn’t for that long.”

“Sure, it wasn’t,” Bart replied dryly. “Relax your body as much as you can.”

The thick, rounded head of Bart’s length pressed against Yujin’s entrance, slowly parting him. It felt different than the first time—easier somehow. Bart entered more smoothly now, his movements steady and careful.

When resistance caused things to tighten uncomfortably, Yujin whimpered, and Bart paused, withdrawing slightly to apply more of the slick liquid before pushing back in. He repeated this process, his fingers spreading more of the substance around Yujin’s entrance as he moved.

The first time Yujin had taken Bart, he’d been on his stomach, staring blankly at the fabric beneath him. But now, Bart’s face was right in front of him, making everything feel more intimate and exposing. The proximity made Yujin’s face flush with heat. He didn’t know where to look or what to do with his hands, and his awkwardness left him overwhelmed.

Yujin finally settled on clasping his hands over his chest and staring at the floor, his breaths shallow and uneven. Bart’s sharp eyes caught every movement, and his lips quirked into a faint, almost teasing smile.

‘Does my face look funny? Is it that obvious that I’m uncomfortable with how full I feel?’

“No, it’s nothing… sorry,” Bart murmured with a soft chuckle.

He stopped moving and reached for Yujin’s arms, gently guiding them to wrap around his neck. Bart’s broad arms circled Yujin’s back, pulling him into a firm embrace.

‘Warm. This feels… nice.’

With Yujin in his arms, Bart began to move again. The discomfort faded as Yujin adjusted to the rhythm, his body yielding completely to Bart’s thrusts. But the wet, squelching sounds coming from below grew louder with each motion, echoing embarrassingly in the quiet hut.

The sounds made Yujin’s face burn with embarrassment, and he couldn’t ignore them no matter how hard he tried.

‘It wasn’t this loud before… Why now?’

“Yujin,” Bart’s deep voice rumbled, “do you like it better when I hold you like this while we do it?”

“…No.”

“No?”

“It’s not that…”

Yujin hesitated, his voice soft.

“It’s just… it feels like you’re treating me as if I’m important… and I like that.”

He hadn’t meant to say something so revealing. He’d wanted to simply say it felt good, but the atmosphere and his vulnerable emotions spilled out in a raw confession.

Pain didn’t matter to Yujin. His life had been full of it—physical and emotional. Scorn and neglect were things he had grown accustomed to, even from Bart. But when Bart gave him attention, even fleetingly, it felt like the most precious thing in the world.

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

Bart paused briefly before responding with a chuckle, then pulled Yujin into an even tighter embrace. Yujin’s body rocked uncontrollably, and the ache in his lower half grew intense. Occasionally, the sensation of being torn apart made him cry out, but he couldn’t deny the strange pleasure coursing through him. Each time Bart thrust deeply, a wave of satisfaction that words couldn’t capture spread through Yujin.

Bart’s hands roamed over Yujin’s back, soothing him before planting a kiss on his flushed cheek. The kiss seemed to signal Bart to move with renewed vigor, his pace becoming almost chaotic.

“Ah, ahh, Bart!” Yujin gasped.

At some point, Yujin found himself lying flat on his back, his legs spread wide. Embarrassment made him turn his head to the side, but the sensations coursing through his body made him tremble, soft cries spilling from his lips. When the intensity became too overwhelming, Yujin would bite back his moans, only for Bart to slow down and wait for him to catch his breath.

Time became meaningless. The relentless movements left Yujin’s inner thighs stiff and sore from being stretched apart for so long. Bart’s powerful thrusts showed no sign of stopping until, with a sharp inhale and a furrowed brow, Bart shuddered, his release spilling deeply within Yujin.

As Bart tried to pull away, raising his upper body, Yujin clung to him tightly, shaking his head.

“Why?” Bart asked, his voice even.

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

Bart didn’t answer but didn’t push Yujin away either. They remained entwined, Yujin clinging to Bart for what felt like an eternity. Eventually, Yujin found himself lying against Bart’s chest, his head pillowed on Bart’s strong arm. Bart absentmindedly tapped Yujin’s forehead as he spoke in a calm tone.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“…What?”

Yujin’s eyes widened as he lifted his head to look at Bart.

“Wait for me. I’ll be back soon.”

For reasons Yujin couldn’t explain, his eyes grew hot, and his vision blurred. The lump in his throat made it impossible to respond, so he nodded vigorously instead.

Two days later, the Mounted Tribe’s bravest warriors departed. They looked serene, as if heading for a hunt rather than a battle, their composure masking the danger that lay ahead.

Yujin stood among the villagers, watching them disappear into the horizon. A sense of unease settled in his chest, though he forced himself to hold on to Bart’s promise.

‘Wait for me.’

* * *

“Bayu.”

Yujin didn’t need to keep calling Bayu’s name anymore; the wolf-like creature now responded instantly to his voice. Wagging its tail, Bayu emerged from behind a rock, flipping onto its back as it approached Yujin with its tail swaying excitedly.

“You’ve been good, right? I brought some meat for you today—your favorite.”

Yujin offered the portion of meat he had received for himself. Bayu eagerly licked its lips and accepted the food, showing no hesitation or mistrust. At first, Yujin had to leave the meat at a distance for Bayu to eat, but now the tame creature readily took food from his hand.

As Bayu sniffed around for more meat, Yujin stroked its head and noticed a long scar along its side. Concerned, he gently lifted Bayu’s head for a closer look.

“What’s this? How did you get hurt?”

Yujin knew he couldn’t watch over Bayu all day. The creature roamed the mountains and creeks, hunting for its own food and inevitably getting injured. This time, the wound seemed to be from a sharp edge, perhaps from brushing against something jagged. Fortunately, it was already healing, though Yujin carefully examined it to ensure there was no infection.

“Looks like it’s healing well. You need to be more careful,” he said, knowing full well that Bayu couldn’t understand his words.

Still, Bayu was the only presence that had stayed by his side through his loneliness and hardships. As Yujin met the creature’s clear, dark eyes, he smiled and pulled out another small portion of meat he had hidden in his clothing.

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

Giving away his portion left Yujin hungry, but it didn’t bother him too much. If he were still working in the commoner quarters, he would have had to go without food until the next day. But now, as part of the kitchen team, he would receive another meal later in the evening. Skipping half a day was manageable.

As Yujin stroked Bayu’s fur, he gazed at the calm creek, his thoughts wandering. Suddenly, Bayu’s fur bristled, and the creature let out a low growl, staring intently into the trees.

“Bayu, what’s wrong?”

Yujin followed Bayu’s gaze, but he couldn’t see anything unusual. Still, Bayu’s unease was clear, and Yujin gently pushed the creature toward the opposite direction.

“Go. Get out of here,” Yujin urged.

Bayu hesitated but eventually obeyed, retreating into the woods. Yujin waited until Bayu had disappeared before standing up.

‘It might be a wild animal,’ he thought. If it was enough to make Bayu uneasy, it was likely dangerous for him too.

Just as he turned to leave, a sound stopped him—a faint crunch of footsteps.

“You’re Yujin, right?”

The voice was familiar. Yujin turned to see Kappa, a warrior candidate who had been spending time with Chi-chi recently. Yujin bowed his head politely, and Kappa waved a finger dismissively.

“What are you doing here?”

“Just resting. I was about to head back.”

“Hm.”

Kappa’s eyes gleamed mischievously as he tilted his head, his lips curving into a sly smile.

“You’re friends with Chi-chi, right?”

“Yeah,” Yujin replied simply.

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

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

“You can make it happen.”

Whenever the leader and most of the warriors left for battle, the remaining warriors or warrior candidates were tasked with managing the settlement. Perhaps it was the temporary nature of their authority, but they often acted more ruthlessly than the leader’s trusted direct warriors. Kappa, a warrior candidate, was no exception.

“…”

“Go on.”

At Kappa’s dismissive command, Yujin quickly returned to the settlement.

As he passed by, sorting dried herbs and heading back to the kitchen, he noticed Chi-chi gathering laundry. He decided to approach her.

“Chi-chi.”

“Yujin? What’s up?”

“Um… just wondering about something.”

“What is it?”

Yujin and Chi-chi were close enough to talk casually, but he hesitated, unsure if he should bring it up. Still, he couldn’t follow through with Kappa’s request without understanding the situation better. Ignoring Kappa wasn’t an option, but neither was disregarding Chi-chi’s possible involvement.

After a moment of hesitation, Yujin finally spoke.

“Are you and Kappa… doing well together?”

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

“Just curious.”

Chi-chi, caught off guard by Yujin’s unexpected question, paused in folding the laundry. Then she broke into a wide grin, her excitement barely contained.

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

“Really?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chi-chi’s face lit up with happiness, her confidence in Kappa evident. Yujin, though unsure of Kappa’s intentions, nodded, offering his support for her dream. However, Kappa’s earlier request lingered uneasily in his mind.

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.

“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?”

Yujin clutched the empty serving tray tightly, lowering his gaze to avoid Namta’s piercing eyes.

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

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?”

Yujin bit his lip, his mind racing. He knew better than to argue, but he couldn’t bring more food without the elder’s approval. Even if he wanted to, the punishment for breaking her strict rules would fall solely on him.

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?”

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.”

Yujin swallowed hard, his humiliation thick in the air. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay calm.

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

Yujin bowed his head quickly and turned to leave, the weight of their laughter pressing against his back. As he stepped outside, the cool night air felt like a reprieve, soothing the heat on his stinging cheek.

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

Yujin glanced at the sky, taking a deep breath to steady himself before heading back to the kitchen. He couldn’t afford to falter, not now. The elder would be expecting him to return promptly, and any delay could lead to more trouble.

‘I just have to endure it. Like always.’

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

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

“…” 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.

Slap!

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

“I’m sorry,” Yujin muttered.

Slap!

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

“I’ll speak with the elder and—”

Slap!

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.

Namta, visibly agitated, stood abruptly, his body language tense. Yujin, bracing for a kick, curled himself into a tight ball. Yet, the anticipated pain never came. A sudden, eerie silence fell over the hut.

Yujin cautiously lifted his head and saw everyone’s attention directed toward the entrance.

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

“Shall I bring more meat?”

Namta hesitated, his confident gaze faltering.

“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.

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

“As you wish,” the elder replied curtly.

The prospect of receiving extra food through her, only for it to be documented and reported to the leader—Namta’s own father—was clearly unappealing. It seemed he preferred to take out his frustrations on others rather than risk scrutiny.

Yujin, his cheek swollen and throbbing, rose to his feet. He stood silently, awaiting further orders. Namta waved him away dismissively, unwilling to meet his gaze.

Back in the kitchen, Yujin retrieved his allotted portion of food and made his way to Kappa’s hut. For reasons unclear, Kappa—a mere warrior candidate—possessed his own private space.

As Yujin entered, a sour smell assaulted his senses.

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

Yujin offered her a faint smile and set the food beside the brazier.

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

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

“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.”

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

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

Yujin’s quiet, matter-of-fact tone only seemed to rile Kappa further. Chi-chi, caught in the middle, watched uneasily as Kappa’s frustration simmered.

The scene draws to a grim conclusion, leaving Yujin battered, physically and emotionally. As he pulls himself together and gazes back at Kappa’s hut, his thoughts linger on Chi-chi and her precarious situation.

“Chi-chi will be okay, won’t she?” he murmurs to himself, a faint hope in his voice.

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.

With a sigh, he turns back toward the common quarters, his bruised body a testament to the hardships endured by those at the bottom.

<To be continued in Volume 2.>