Chapter 26

‘A little lord, aren’t you?’

Despite his internal grumbling, Huikyung moved forward with ease, pushing through the current as they headed deeper into the river. The water rose until it reached Huikyung’s shoulders, an impressive depth considering his towering height. The temperature dropped sharply, making Jaekani tighten his grip around Huikyung’s neck and let out a small gasp of amazement.

Through the crystal-clear water, rocks, pebbles, and fish were all visible. Staring wide-eyed, Jaekani murmured, “Wow… fish.”

“We’re heading back now,” Huikyung said.

“Wait, wait! Look at that huge one over there! Can we catch it?”

“You can’t even swim. How do you plan to catch anything?”

“It looks close enough to grab!”

Still clutching Huikyung with one arm, Jaekani reached out with the other toward the fish. He had no concept of how deep the water really was.

“Or you could catch it for me?”

“I’ll take you back to the shallow end first.”

Without hesitation, Huikyung turned to head back. But the abrupt movement threw Jaekani off balance.

“Huh? Huikyung! Huikyuuung—!”

The strong current surged between them. Jaekani’s arm, slick with water, slipped from Huikyung’s shoulder. Distracted by the fish, he had been holding on with just one hand, and the river wasted no time in pulling him away.

At the loss of Jaekani’s weight, Huikyung spun around immediately.

“Jaekani!”

“Hrgh—! Puha—!”

Flailing helplessly, Jaekani struggled to stay afloat. His feet found no purchase, and the flowing water pushed relentlessly against his light frame. Paralyzed with fear, his limbs stiffened, making it impossible to swim.

Huikyung dove in without a second thought, his legs kicking powerfully as he surged forward. His outstretched hand brushed Jaekani’s pale, trembling fingers for just a moment before the current wrenched them apart again.

‘Stay calm. I’ve got you.’

Jaekani’s eyes were locked on Huikyung as if praying for salvation.

And then—

Jaekani felt a sudden, explosive force from behind, as if something unseen had launched him toward the surface. Just as he was about to sink again, Huikyung’s arm shot out like a harpoon through the swirling water. He bypassed Jaekani’s flailing hands and grabbed his arm firmly, pulling him up before the current could drag him down further.

“Cough—!”

Shaking violently, Jaekani clung to Huikyung with every ounce of strength he had left.

“You’re okay,” Huikyung reassured him.

Though the water was deep, Huikyung’s feet could still touch the riverbed. Planting himself firmly, he lifted Jaekani high out of the water, brushing back the boy’s soaked hair.

Jaekani coughed harshly, spitting out water as Huikyung gently rubbed his back and began making his way to the bank.

“It was just a few seconds,” Huikyung said, his tone calm and steady. “You’re just startled. You’re fine now.”

Every time Huikyung patted his back, Jaekani coughed up more water. Though the separation had only lasted a moment, his inability to swim and the sudden shock had left him trembling in fear.

“Let’s get you down.”

Reaching the riverbank, Huikyung tried to set Jaekani down, but the boy scrambled back into his arms each time, refusing to let go.

“Huff—cough—huff.”

Jaekani’s shaky breaths came in shallow gasps, but Huikyung patiently patted his back until they evened out.

“Your nose is all red,” Huikyung teased, his tone softening.

Once Jaekani had expelled the last of the water, Huikyung tousled the boy’s damp hair, ensuring it wasn’t sticking to his face. He even tapped Jaekani’s pale lips lightly with a finger to check his color.

“You okay now?”

Sniffling, Jaekani nodded quickly.

“I told you to be careful, didn’t I?” Huikyung asked.

“…”

Jaekani hesitated, his small body still clinging to Huikyung’s. Slowly, he lifted his head, his expression thoughtful.

“…You didn’t say that.”

Huikyung paused, running the memory back in his mind.

‘Didn’t I?’

After a moment, he admitted, “You’re right. I didn’t.”

He wasn’t used to being a guardian. Protecting others—or warning them about simple dangers—wasn’t something that came naturally to him.

“Well, be more careful from now on,” he said.

The boy, still shaken from the ordeal, nodded quickly again.

“…I’ll swim more carefully next time.”

‘Next time? At least he’s not saying he won’t try it again.’

Smirking, Huikyung reached out and pinched Jaekani’s cheek. The boy’s face, recovering its usual warmth, squished easily under his fingers. Though Jaekani frowned and wrinkled his nose in protest, he didn’t pull away.

‘That quick recovery of his. Definitely like a kid.’

* * *

Walk, walk, and walk some more.

Though they occasionally stopped by rivers to bathe or catch fish, most of their time was spent walking. Aside from eating, sleeping, and resting, their days were consumed by endless trudging, leaving Jaekani’s mouth and ears craving some form of stimulation.

For a thirteen-year-old pretending to be ten, Jaekani was patient—but he was still a kid.

“When are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

Jaekani leapt over a deep pothole in the center of the cracked road as he asked. After walking for hours on end, he’d given up keeping track of the time.

The day after his near-drowning incident, Huikyung had agreed to camp by the river for the night, but since then, it had been three—or was it four?—straight days of relentless walking. Jaekani had lost count.

“If I told you the name, would you even know where it is?”

Huikyung didn’t even glance back as he answered, his tone as nonchalant as ever.

Jaekani bristled. ‘There he goes again. Why does he always have to be so evasive? Is it just a thing with Espers?’

Narrowing his eyes suspiciously, Jaekani let his frustration show.

“Do you have some kind of disease that stops you from giving straight answers?”

“Yeah, terminal stage,” Huikyung quipped.

Even his retorts were infuriating. ‘Terminal, huh? Too bad it’s not incurable,’ Jaekani grumbled inwardly, lips twitching in suppressed irritation.

Finally, Huikyung glanced back. “If I said I was going somewhere you wouldn’t like, would you go somewhere else?”

“…Do I look like I have a choice?”

“Exactly. You’re coming with me either way, so why ask?”

“Because I’m curious! You look like you have a destination, that’s why!”

Jaekani’s voice rose, his patience wearing thin.

“What’s so hard about answering? Do you realize how annoying it is when you dodge every question? Saying *why ask if you’re following me anyway*—well, why live if you’re going to die anyway, Huikyung?”

“Whoa, okay, that’s—”

“What do you think I’m asking for? The fate of the world? I just want to know where we’re going! Do you think I’m asking for something huge? Really?”

“….”

For once, Huikyung was at a loss for words.

His eyes darted away awkwardly, Jaekani’s exasperated outburst leaving him momentarily flustered.

The truth was, Huikyung deliberately filtered what he told Jaekani. Maybe it was because Jaekani’s reactions were hard to predict, or maybe it was because Huikyung thought it was better to reveal the truth later, sparing Jaekani the worry and overthinking for as long as possible.

“…I have a group I travel with.”

Jaekani didn’t seem surprised by the admission. He had already deduced that Huikyung must be a scavenger, judging by how naturally he navigated abandoned areas and his skill at rummaging through ruins.

“They move around a lot. To meet up with them, I’ve got to put in the legwork.”

“…See? You could’ve just said that earlier.”

Jaekani’s tone softened as the answer defused his irritation.

“Sorry for snapping at you.”

He regretted his outburst immediately. ‘If I keep this up, he’s going to tell me to leave again.’

“…I was wrong,” Jaekani muttered under his breath, the apology barely audible.

Huikyung, with his sharp ears, caught every word.

‘What did this kid live on to grow up so cute? Did those barbaric villagers ever realize how endearing he is?’

They probably didn’t—that’s why they treated him so poorly.

Huikyung glanced over his shoulder.

Jaekani looked deflated, as if he were already blaming himself for being a burden. Huikyung didn’t need to ask to know that the boy was quietly berating himself: ‘I’m no help at all. I’m just a nuisance, complaining all the time. I can’t even be useful…’

“Jaekani.”

The sharpness in Huikyung’s voice startled even himself. He wasn’t used to softening his tone when addressing others—too many years spent giving orders in group dynamics had made his voice naturally firm.

Hearing the sternness, Jaekani stiffened. Swallowing nervously, he shuffled closer to Huikyung.