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**

I gave up a corner of my seat to Gwangyang, who arrived early in the evening.

From his story, Narin’s tale spilled forth. It seemed they shared quite a deep bond, as he spoke sincerely and without reservation.

“…Sister is someone who doesn’t belong anywhere. She can’t build her strength to become a martial artist, and her innate power is too strong for ordinary people, making it hard for anyone to connect with her deeply.”

“……”

“So, that’s why I’m asking. You’re different, aren’t you? You’ve developed your external power, so unlike the other martial artists she’s met, you must have a way. Please, I beg you. Take care of my sister… Narin.”

What on earth is he talking about?

I rubbed my face. Gwangyang looked startled and broke into a cold sweat.

“It’s not just a simple request! If it’s money, I’ll do whatever I can to bring it!”

“…What?”

“I-I won’t earn it through banditry! Whatever it takes… I’ll do it! Farming or whatever! Yes!”

“You expect me to trust you with that?”

“I’m not asking you to take me in! Just take care of her! Just her!”

“Why are you going this far?”

“B-Because she and I are different.”

Gwangyang trembled.

“The robbery idea was my suggestion. I insisted on it even though she said countless times not to. I pressured her into it.”

“Why would you do that?”

“…Because the place I lived was originally here.”

Gwangyang turned to look out the window.

“Cheonghae Castle. I grew up here. At first, I just did petty theft. I had no one to rely on. Eventually, as I got a bit older, I worked as a servant for a wealthy family. That at least helped me get by. But then, an accident happened. I got burned. It wasn’t my fault. The young master of that family spilled hot water on me while playing around; they blamed it all on me. The scar from that incident still remains on my back.”

Gwangyang threw off his clothes, revealing scars etched deeply on his broad back.

“I was thrown out unable to move. I had no money for support. Because of my lowly birth, I got kicked out after saying a single word. Unlike when I was a child, I couldn’t even beg properly as an adult. I needed work, but my injuries made it hard to find any. Asking for help from acquaintances lasted a day or two, and eventually, I couldn’t do that either.”

“…….”

“So, I started selling goods to survive. I didn’t want to starve, so I scraped together whatever little money I had and sold items at Cheonghae Castle. But damn, do you know how much tax the Gonryun sect collects for managing Cheonghae? Those guys don’t even hide behind the mask of martial artists; they are just thugs.”

“So you started robbing from others?”

“…Yes! That’s right! What was I supposed to do when selling goods was running at a loss?! Farming?! Only those with land can farm. I had nothing, and I couldn’t wait for seeds to bear fruit! Because of that damned burn, I got the reputation of a servant who defied their master… nobody wanted to employ me either… I just wanted to survive!”

Gwangyang’s face contorted in pain.

“So, I picked up a sword. To live! But damn… ha! I crashed and burned right from the start! The few kids I had gathered were plotting to rob passersby, and it seemed like heaven sent a tiger to discipline us! I thought I was going to die. And it was you who saved us.”

“…….”

“And then, as I said earlier, I asked you to join me in banditry, but you just decided to create a path and collect tolls instead. To be honest… I wasn’t keen on robbing others either. Who actually enjoys that? So, I followed you, but our numbers kept dwindling. Someone had to manage the roads. We had to sit there all day to earn any money, and if we didn’t have enough people, there were plenty of slugs who wouldn’t pay the tolls either!”

“…….”

“We could open multiple roads, but what’s the use if there’s no one to collect tolls? If there’s no one to manage it? So, I suggested to you that we could at least do one robbery to boost morale!”

“Do you think what you’re saying is right?”

“I know it’s not! I understand that it’s wrong! But… I’m just a loser! You’re not! Right?! You’re just someone caught up in my mess! You may lack the experience, but you have genuine strength! You can take down a tiger with your bare hands! If you just stay by her side and teach her, it would certainly help!”

Gwangyang gasped. His words seemed heavy, and he paused to catch his breath.

“…Sir… I, I can’t. I’ve been near her before, and I know I’m not good enough. Sister and I are not equals. Still… I think of her as family. I gave her my life, and we spent three years together… so it’s natural to think of her that way. Even though I call her sister, she’s like my little sister in reality. I know well what she mutters when she’s drunk.”

“…….”

“What she needs is someone equal to her. But I’m not. I’m just a subordinate. I can’t stand beside her as an equal. My strength is weak, and I have no talent. I’ve chosen the path of a bandit simply because I had no other means of survival. I took this foolish route, knowing nothing else, but she is not like that. She’s young and has many possibilities… so she could do anything!”

“…….”

“I just… don’t want her to become like me. She carries so many possibilities, so please, I beg you.”

—*Bang!*

Ilma slammed his forehead against the ground.

After the repeated sounds, red blood soaked the floor.

“Unlike other martial artists, you look at my sister without pity. So… please… can’t you help her?”

“…Tsk.”

My tongue clicked involuntarily. Sighs escaped me and fell to the ground.

I looked down at the man who couldn’t lift his head, pressed against the floor.

Honestly, I didn’t know if what he said was true.

But I could tell that his feelings were sincere.

Above all, there was no ‘them’ in Gwangyang’s story. Only Narin existed.

My heart felt conflicted. I stared out the window.

What kind of answer should I give?

I sunk deeper into thought. The stories within were not something that could be spoken lightly.

“Go.”

“…Sir?”

“I told you to go.”

I needed to think a bit more.

The burden of his words felt too heavy to accept outright.

Gwangyang clenched his teeth. Without thinking about wiping the blood from his forehead, he slightly bent forward.

He picked up his things and stepped back. I silently observed the burn scar on his back.

Not knowing how to walk a different path.

…It might not be just his story.

…

“Hey, Gwangyang? What happened to your forehead?”

“I fell while drinking.”

“Drink responsibly.”

In an old inn, Narin poured herself another drink, leaning against the window.

Gwangyang sighed. Wasn’t he drinking even more than she was?

But well, he couldn’t say anything about that.

After all, he knew she had a peculiar constitution.

“What are you going to do?”

“I guess we have to return to the mountain stronghold. I didn’t want to work, but… it can’t be helped. I’ll help you out particularly.”

“Are you planning to continue being a bandit?”

“I promised, didn’t I? Even if the person who made the promise disappears, a promise is still a promise. I’m not a bandit anymore. But I’ll still collect tolls… um… landscape designer? I think I can actually use that name now.”

Narin laughed. Gwangyang, noticing a bitter smile in her laughter, lowered his head.

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for? I’m not the one who did anything right. We were both caught up in it.”

“…But.”

“It’s fine. It’s fine. It’s the past now. We can just live like before. If nothing changes, it’s actually a sign of stability. Right? To be honest, I kinda like it. I was getting anxious about not working… more than anything, I was pretending to be a cool bandit— but really, I was embarrassed.”

“…….”

“When we go back, I won’t live ashamed! Just finding out about that was enough. I don’t want to force it… so yeah. Let’s go, Gwangyang.”

Her tone was lively, filled with words that wouldn’t normally come out.

Each one carried meaning that Gwangyang understood.

“Thank you for helping me. Just let me stay the night. I’ve spent all my savings.”

He’s been looking at her ever since that day. Although he called her sister with his mouth, he saw her as a clumsy little sister too.

Therefore, he understood.

The disappointed looks and the overwhelming regrets.

“…….”

He received help. From her.

What he received was not just life. He saw what lay beyond that too.

…Honestly, he hated it.

Living off the scraps of others.

He worked so hard to avoid it, yet life wouldn’t let him go that way.

A fool with no education had limited options, and even farming was something he couldn’t do freely.

At least, that’s how it was in his world of Cheonghae.

That’s also why the poor starved to death in the Gonryun region.

He couldn’t even seek help from the government, for Gonryun and the government were practically one and the same.

That’s why he picked up a sword. To survive.

Yet the one who helped him avoid wielding that sword was her.

Who was it that first established the path? Who sought ways to stabilize that path?

Though he had grown somewhat lazy now, it was her effort that created the initial venture. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he lived without blood on his hands because of her.

A little sister and a benefactor.

At least, that was how she was to him.

So he just wanted to repay her. By any means necessary.

He wanted to make sure she wasn’t wasting what she had.

… Tomorrow.

He promised himself to visit her one more time tomorrow.

Gwangyang watched her, backlit by the moonlight, pouring her drink and made a vow.

As long as the door didn’t break.

—*Crash!*

“W-what?!”

Suddenly, from behind the broken door, a group of goons appeared. One clad in martial attire casually nodded.

“Are these the ones?!”

“Y-yes! That’s right! They are definitely the ones with that guy!”

“You scoundrels! Did you think you could oppress innocent people and sleep soundly?!”

Behind the furious shout, familiar faces emerged. The goons who had attacked the mountain stronghold. They wore flashy clothes, but their true nature was that of bandits.

Narin stood up. A fallen wine bottle rolled on the floor.

“…What are you doing here?”

“You little wench! Can’t you keep your mouth shut?! I’ve heard everything! Not only have you robbed innocent people, but you’re also the culprit behind their injuries! Did you think you could cause havoc in Gonryun’s territory and just get away with it?!”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Those guys are bandits…”

“Don’t feed me bullshit! I’ve confirmed their identities! With those shameless faces whispering lies, you turn out to be more vicious than expected!”

The Gonryun martial artist drew his sword. Gwangyang recognized the faces of those who had been smiling slyly behind him.

Innocent people?

That couldn’t be true. They were bandits who’d left Cheonghae Castle to commit robbery. Their faces were widely known; anyone from Cheonghae would recognize them.

Yet, if Gonryun was saying this…

“…In cahoots?”

That was the only explanation.

“There must be another one among you! Where’s their location?! Speak the truth and I might show mercy!”

“…It doesn’t seem like we can talk it out, Gwangyang. Get out.”

“What?! Sister?!”

“Go. You’d just be a hindrance.”

Narin smashed her fist against the wall. The entire building crumbled as she whispered.

“Go tell them. Leave this place immediately. And you should follow too.”

“Y-You, sister!”

“Gwangyang.”

A strong grip caught him by the nape. He was lifted off the ground and dropped on the other side.

“Thanks for listening to my pleas.”

—*Crash!*

He hit the ground hard. Gasping, Gwangyang turned back.

He heard the noises. Yet they were mixed with the clashing of steel. Just as he was about to change direction, he quickly turned his head back.

No, he couldn’t take on a real martial artist.

He had to save his sister. There was only one path forward.

I-I have to go…!

“Sir…!”

“…What is it again?”

After sprinting a distance away, Gwangyang hesitated as he called for him again.

He had to tell him everything. He needed to ask for his help.

…B-but… if I do that…

He’d also be dragged into Gonryun…

“Sir…!”

“If you have something to say, then say it.”

“U-um… it’s just…”

…A person.

Should a person not at least have some dignity?

He sought help. He shoved his head down and pressed on.

He owed his life and even had him fend off the attacking bandits.

To the person he tried to take his life, he had given as much in return.

“…So, it’s just…”

Damn. Gwangyang.

Gwangyang, please.

If he could just say one word, he might find another solution for the problem. His sister was in danger.

Seeking help is the right thing to do. It’s what should be done.

“So… therefore…”

…He knew that was the right thing to do, but why…

“That’s…”

The words wouldn’t come out.

Stuck in his throat.

He knew deep down… that it was not the right path.

Despite wanting to live differently, he realized he had done nothing different— and he knew that speaking it would ruin everything.

If he spoke, he might bring the one who helped him into conflict with Gonryun, leading to his downfall.

No matter how strong he was, an individual martial artist.

There was no way he could win against an entire faction.

If he were a person. If the other was a benefactor…

Shouldn’t he try not to cause them trouble?

“…Gwangyang?”

“No… it’s nothing.”

Damn.

This damned world.

Why is it treating me like this! Damn it!

Because I couldn’t even eat a proper meal, I’m hanging by a thread.

There’s a scar on my back I can’t wash off, and rumors spread like trash.

They’ve drained me of so much money that I’ve lost even the capital to trade.

Why are they trying to take everything away from me? Why?!

Is it because I’ve lived wrongly? Huh?

But I didn’t do anything wrong… I’ve never actually robbed someone.

I may have thought about it, but I never did anything. I was just a bandit in name.

Those who made me this way… it was all you… you’re the ones who turned me into a beast!

You made it so I couldn’t live any other way.

…

…But…

Damn it, you bastards…

“Nothing… at all.”

No matter how hard you push me into a corner…

What’s right is still right… this is truly… not it…

“Sir.”

Gwangyang stood up. He withdrew the cloth tied around his arm and covered the bloodied wound on his forehead.

He turned away. Feeling the sensation of the old axe, he gritted his teeth.

“Leave early tomorrow morning.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Just… remember that.”

He stepped forward. Facing the road he’d left behind.

Let’s find a solution. By any means. By my own effort.

“Take care, Sir.”

Let’s risk our lives to save at least one sister. Even if caught, let’s keep our mouths shut and say nothing.

The one behind him…

Must move in a way that avoids entanglement.

Gwangyang trembled as he stepped forward.

If he were a man… if he were a man…

Then surely there is a line he must uphold.

So this time, he wouldn’t break.

He wanted to choose the option he wanted at least once.

 

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