IGWNI Ch 31

“Car. Ugh, you don’t even know what a car is! A car! Idiots!”

No matter how many times Yoon Jaewoo explained, the Dweords, unable to grasp the concept of a car, exchanged frowns.

「What the hell is Ramia blabbering about? What is that thing? A carriage that moves on its own?」

「Well, I don’t understand either.」

「The gods of that world must be damn idle. Driving carriages themselves every time.」

At Malik’s words, Yoon Jaewoo shook his head and pounded his chest.

“No, that’s not it! It just moves. Science, electricity, oil. Ugh, so frustrating. How do I even explain this?”

Trying to explain a concept that didn’t exist in this world was maddeningly difficult. Despite repeating the explanation of a car several times, not a single one of them readily understood.

“Listen carefully. There’s a car. It’s like a carriage, but a person drives it, and it doesn’t have horses. It moves with oil or gas, and there’s a machine inside, …it runs.”

Yoon Jaewoo drew the shape of a car on the paper. Everyone listened to his drawing and Eustace’s interpretation with serious expressions.

“I was a soccer player, …you play a game with a ball like this, eleven players on a team.”

Yoon Jaewoo drew a soccer ball and an incredibly cool version of himself on the paper.

「What’s that?」

「He says it’s a ‘jagi.’」

「That round, worm-like thing is supposed to be a jagi? Why does it have fingers? Ramia!」

Malik bellowed, pointing at the soccer ball. Yoon Jaewoo, making a tearful face, erased the soccer ball and his image from the paper, deciding to stick to explaining only the accident clearly.

“That day, I was riding in a car, I mean, a carriage that moves without horses.”

Yoon Jaewoo drew a person inside a car.

“The car gets stuck.”

He drew several more cars.

“So we decided to take the outer loop, …that kind of talk was going back and forth.”

He drew the car veering in another direction. The more he drew, the more vividly that moment came back to him.

“I was sleeping.”

Yoon Jaewoo mimed dozing off. He began to recall the faint hum of the engine and the breeze slipping through the open window. It was a gentle breeze, brushing past like it was stroking his hair.

“I was sleeping, and then… suddenly.”

Yoon Jaewoo took a deep breath. Eustace asked what was wrong.

“I just woke up suddenly.”

Yoon Jaewoo opened his eyes. Just like during the accident, in his dreams, he often woke up from dreaming.

「So Yellow was riding in a horse-less carriage, fell asleep, and woke up, that’s what he’s saying?」

Yatenbaum summed it up in one sentence. Eustace nodded.

「And then? Yellow?」

“And I just felt bad, cold sweat…”

It was such a short dream he couldn’t even remember what it was about. All he recalled was feeling terrible after waking.

「If it feels bad, you don’t have to continue.」

Eustace said with a displeased look.

“What? No, it’s fine.”

Yoon Jaewoo replied, forcing a cheerful tone. It was just a dream. What’s the big deal about a nightmare?

“So it starts moving again. The car.”

He drew a line behind the car and made a vroom sound. Then he marked a single dot in front of it.

It started with a dot. A small dot. It grew larger. With trembling hands, Yoon Jaewoo repeatedly traced over the dot.

「What’s he doing?」

Cox tilted his head.

「Be quiet, bird-brain.」

Malik gestured for him to shut up. Yoon Jaewoo, still rubbing the dot to enlarge it, suddenly spoke.

“And from the opposite lane… a car.”

The moment he spoke, it felt like a car was crashing into him. Yoon Jaewoo gasped and collapsed to the floor. Just recalling it made his legs feel paralyzed.

「Ramia.」

Eustace rushed over and lifted Yoon Jaewoo.

“…Sorry. That’s all.”

Yoon Jaewoo said, looking up.

「So he was riding in a horse-less carriage, fell asleep briefly, woke up, looked around, and saw a carriage coming from the opposite side?」

Yatenbaum clearly summarized Yoon Jaewoo’s account. Yoon Jaewoo nodded. Yatenbaum’s gaze landed on the scar running across Yoon Jaewoo’s right leg. He swung his palm and smacked the back of Cox’s head.

「What are you doing?」

Cox’s eyes blazed.

「Damn it, bird-brain. That filthy dream story you got by harassing Yellow, I heard it loud and clear.」

「What? How did I harass him?」

「You think everyone’s scheming behind your back like you? Look at him. Does that innocent face look like it’s plotting anything?」

Yatenbaum pointed at Yoon Jaewoo.

Hearing Yatenbaum take his side, Yoon Jaewoo’s eyes stung slightly. Pervert or not, maybe because of their time together, he was definitely the next kindest after Eustace.

「Our Yellow’s too dumb to scheme even if you told him to!」

“Wait, what’s that supposed to mean!”

「He can’t. Too dumb.」

「Yeah, he can’t even greet properly, the idiot.」

Malik chimed in, supporting Yatenbaum.

「Well, I suppose you’re right.」

Cox nodded too readily at Yatenbaum’s words.

“What? What did I do! I can scheme or plan or… whatever. I can do it too!”

Yoon Jaewoo looked at Eustace, seeking help. Eustace nodded, hmm, and spoke.

「He can’t.」

“…!”

It felt like a nail was driven into his head.

「No way, impossible.」

Yatenbaum hammered another nail into Yoon Jaewoo’s head. Yoon Jaewoo, tearful, shouted, cut it out, and swept the paper away.

“Ugh, damn it. What am I, chasing fame and fortune? Ugh.”

Muttering to himself and tearing the paper, Yoon Jaewoo caught a glint of amusement in Eustace’s eyes. As the discussion was nearing its end, Eustace was about to suggest wrapping up.

The castle’s floor shook and stopped moving. The Dweords’ expressions turned serious instantly.

Malik spun the longbow in his hand and asked.

「Where are we now?」

Yatenbaum closed his eyes, sensing the earth’s energy. He pointed to a spot on the large map spread across the table.

「Around here. To get to Kalit’s Forest, we need to pass through this point now.」

The spot Yatenbaum indicated was heavily warded by previous Dweords. The reason two or more Dweords had to travel to Kalit’s Forest was because of these barriers along the way.

「Then we’ll need to break this one first. Not that I knew, but I’ve got some books on barriers as a hobby. If I recall, this is Topro’s barrier. Topro, Topro. Aha, Topro.」

「Damn it, stop that singing! It’s hurting my ears!」

Despite Malik’s irritation, Cox kept humming. Yoon Jaewoo stared at Cox, whose hair was neatly tied to the side, looking like a completely different person from before.

When their eyes met, Cox gave a questioning look. Yoon Jaewoo quickly turned away.

「Does our tasty one want to be eaten by me? Why the hot stare? If you want, I’ll eat you up. Bones and all. Crunch, crunch.」

Each crunch made Yoon Jaewoo feel like a finger was vanishing, and he quickly hid his hands in his sleeves.

Cox burst into laughter at the sight.

「Tasty one’s fun to tease. Lucky you, Rau.」

「Yeah, lucky.」

“…!”

Yoon Jaewoo’s neck flushed red. Heat rose to his face, making it impossible to sit still.

“Uh, I need some fresh air.”

「Where are you going?」

Eustace grabbed Yoon Jaewoo, sat him back down, and turned to Cox.

「If it’s Topro’s barrier, it’ll be tricky.」

「Right. That horse-head drove the castle here. If we’d gone northwest, there was an easy Bintz barrier. I could’ve undone that in my sleep.」

「This is the fastest route.」

Yatenbaum snapped back, and Cox replied, yeah, yeah, dismissively.

「Fast and complicated. I’ll grab the books, so decide who’s going.」

Cox hummed as he went to the library. Eustace stroked Yoon Jaewoo’s cheek and asked.

「You okay?」

“Yes.”

「Want me to put you to sleep?」

“…Here?”

Eustace often patted Yoon Jaewoo’s back to soothe him to sleep after nightmares. But doing it here felt wrong, and Yoon Jaewoo shook his head vigorously.

“No thanks. I’m not a kid. Just a nap and sleep paralysis, no big deal.”

But Eustace pulled Yoon Jaewoo and forced him to lie on his lap.

「Close your eyes.」

“…….”

「Sleep.」

Malik, seeing this, clicked his tongue as if witnessing something vile and turned away. Yatenbaum ground his teeth and turned his back completely.

Yoon Jaewoo looked up at Eustace, embarrassed. Eustace, patting his chest, raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

“I’m fine. I’ll sleep at night.”

「We’ve got other things to do at night.」

“…!”

「Ugh, damn it. My ears! My ears are rotting! Damn it, so annoying!」

Malik clutched his ears, freaking out. Yatenbaum ignored him, staring out the window.

“Don’t say stuff like that. Are you crazy?”

Yoon Jaewoo muttered seriously, and Eustace swallowed a laugh. Cox wasn’t entirely wrong. Teasing the young Ramia was indeed fun. But he didn’t want to share that fun with everyone.

「Ta-da! I brought a great book… what, they’re at it again. Hey, Rau. Skip the barrier-breaking. We three will handle it.」

Cox placed a dusty book on the table.

「If three are needed, …is Topro crazy?」

Malik calculated with his fingers, then got annoyed.

「All Dweord Topro did was study barriers. Over half the existing barriers are based on his work.」

Cox quickly explained, scanning the office.

「Alright, Rau’s out, we three will go.」

「I’m going too.」

Eustace spoke up.

「Stay here and fondle your Ramia. We’ll be quick. You can’t take your Ramia there.」

Ordinary people could be crushed by the barrier’s power. Yoon Jaewoo had to stay with at least one Dweord.

「I’m going. Barriers require understanding the bigger picture. Breaking one doesn’t end it.」

Cox and Eustace were the most knowledgeable about barriers. Together, they could halve the time. Plus, Eustace had to monitor the other Dweords’ movements.

「What about your Ramia? Should tasty one stay with me?」

Cox smacked his lips.

“…Absolutely not.”

Eustace heard Yoon Jaewoo’s soft whisper.

「I’ll stay! I’ll stay!」

Yatenbaum raised his hand, eyes gleaming. He lacked finesse with barriers. If one had to stay, it was obviously him.

Eustace’s face showed deep concern. Yoon Jaewoo looked up at him, slightly scared. Leaving this young one even briefly didn’t sit well, especially with Ibnu appearing unpredictably.

「What should our Yellow and I do for fun? Hm? I’ll teach you some fun games. Don’t worry.」

Yatenbaum, already planning, grinned. Yoon Jaewoo alternated glances between the lip-smacking Yatenbaum and the conflicted Eustace, unable to beg him not to leave.

「Rau, don’t worry, leave your Yellow to me.」

Yatenbaum thumped his chest. Eustace’s heart was heavy. The young one’s moist, anxious eyes, still carrying yesterday’s heat, looked at him.

He steeled himself and spoke.

「Hey!」

Malik, standing by the window, called out, making Yoon Jaewoo flinch.

「Hey, filthy Ramia.」

“…Why, you damn bastard.”

Yoon Jaewoo replied timidly.

Malik, reading by the window, closed his book and strode toward Yoon Jaewoo.

Yoon Jaewoo wanted to cry.

Why! How! Why did Eustace leave me with this jerk! I’d rather be with that crazy bird-brain… no, not the horny horse-head either.

…Eustace, come back quick. Hurry.

Malik approached. Yoon Jaewoo, unable to do anything, bit his lip, eyes down. Malik’s large hand reached out. Yoon Jaewoo gasped, closing his eyes, expecting a hit. But the hand stayed extended.

「Eat.」

“…What?”

「Eat it, you filthy thing.」

In Malik’s palm was a tiny fruit. Yoon Jaewoo looked between the fruit and Malik’s face, wondering what was happening.

「When the noble Dweord Malik gives you something, you should grovel and take it, insolent Ramia!」

Yoon Jaewoo hesitantly stood, preparing to bow. Malik, annoyed, kicked his foot.

「Idiot, it’s just a figure of speech. Who said to grovel? A filthy thing like you groveling in front of me just makes me feel dirty. Damn it, what are you looking at?」

Yoon Jaewoo glanced up, then quickly turned away.

What’s with this guy? Did he eat something bad and come pick a fight with me?

「Eat it!」

Malik thrust the fruit at Yoon Jaewoo again. After hesitating, Yoon Jaewoo said thanks and took it, with no intention of eating it.

「Not eating?」

“…….”

「Why aren’t you eating? Do I have to pry your mouth open and shove it in? You think I’d touch your filthy mouth with my hand?」

“…….”

「No choice then. With my precious, delicate hand, I’ll open your mouth…」

Before Malik’s hand could touch him, Yoon Jaewoo quickly popped the fruit into his mouth. A flicker of disappointment crossed Malik’s face, but he soon raised his chin arrogantly and asked.

「How’s it taste?」

“What?”

「It’s a Muming. A very rare fruit. Filthy, lowly things like you couldn’t buy even a rotten half with a lifetime’s earnings. Got it?」

Yoon Jaewoo, hiding the fruit under his tongue without chewing, nodded silently. He wasn’t careless enough to swallow something Malik gave him.

「One bite of a Muming makes all worldly pleasures feel meaningless. As the most noble and beautiful Dweord, I’m always offered such things. It’s only possible because it’s me. Understand?」

“…Yeah.”

Yoon Jaewoo nodded. Malik’s eyebrow twitched.

「Then why no reaction after eating the Muming?」

“…!”

「Don’t tell me you’re just holding it in your mouth without chewing!」

“…….”

「This damn Ramia, daring to spit out the Muming given by Dweord Malik! Spit it out right now! Spit it out!」

Without hesitation, Yoon Jaewoo spat the Muming back out and handed it to Malik. Seeing this, Malik bared his teeth with a scoff, visibly annoyed. Noticing his pupils narrow like a cat’s under light, Yoon Jaewoo flinched and stepped back.

「Eat it!」

Damn it, when did he tell me to spit it out?

With a dejected expression, Yoon Jaewoo put the fruit back in his mouth.

「Chew!」

“…I don’t want to.”

「If you don’t chew, I’ll crush your jaw. Think I can’t do it?」

Malik reached out. Yoon Jaewoo, giving up, bit into the fruit. In that moment, his face went blank, and he lost his words.

「How is it! The taste of Muming. Nothing like that Ibnu you ate yesterday! Hahaha. Of course. A fruit given by me, the noble me, is twice as delicious.」

Malik’s words were true. It was a fruit so delicious it made all worldly troubles fade away. With each bite, abundant flesh burst forth, as if hidden within the tiny peel, and a fragrant aroma resonated in his mouth. The sensation of his mouth’s cells coming alive and dancing made Yoon Jaewoo’s face brighten as he chewed the Muming.

Looking down at Ramia’s flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, Malik felt an inexplicable thirst and licked his lips.

「For a filthy Ramia, you sure eat it well.」

“It is pretty good.”

Yoon Jaewoo nodded readily.

「Hmph. Right. In the castle of agreement, rare things like this pile up and rot. Piles and piles of them.」

“…….”

「They rot!」

Unable to catch the meaning behind Malik’s words, Yoon Jaewoo just nodded. Crazy guy, if they’re rotting, just share them.

A smile crept onto Malik’s lips.

「You.」

Malik’s suddenly serious tone made Yoon Jaewoo freeze, his shoulders stiffening. A thick-jointed hand grabbed Yoon Jaewoo’s hair.

Malik often made comments about Yoon Jaewoo’s hair. Threatening to skin his scalp alive and burn it, drag him by his hair tied to a horse until his limbs tore off, slice him up except for his hair, and other such “bastard” series remarks.

In his mind, Yoon Jaewoo began resenting Eustace for leaving him alone with Malik. Yatenbaum would’ve been better! Yatenbaum wouldn’t kill me!

Malik, holding Yoon Jaewoo’s hair, muttered.

「Soft.」

“…….”

Yoon Jaewoo, frozen, didn’t hear Malik’s voice.

「Damn it, soft. It looked soft, but it’s even softer than I imagined… hah.」

He quickly let go. Then, in his characteristic arrogant, cold tone, he continued.

「Don’t mind what Cox said.」

“What?”

「That nonsense about you being Asir’s minion, don’t pay it any mind.」

“…….”

「Asir is a filthy black Ramia. There’s no way you’d be connected to something so vile and black, right?」

At Malik’s words, Yoon Jaewoo couldn’t respond and lowered his head hesitantly.

「Obviously. Hmph. A Ramia with pretty blond hair like you, hah, I’m not saying you’re not filthy. You’re a filthy Ramia too! Of course, so dirty and reeking…」

Malik, narrowing his eyes sharply, glared at Yoon Jaewoo. Yoon Jaewoo, mentally cursing Eustace for not returning, bit his lip.

「That foul smell, …that disgusting stench …should be there.」

His face inched closer. Yoon Jaewoo shut his eyes tightly.

What do I do? Am I going to die like this? …Damn it. If I’d known, I should’ve just done it when Eustace asked for one more this morning. A ghost who dies after doing it would at least look good… Eustace, come back quick.

「That’s enough.」

A gentle voice from above made Yoon Jaewoo’s eyes snap open. Eustace grabbed Malik’s face with his palm and pushed him back.

「Argh, you filthy dog bastard. How dare you touch Malik sunbae’s face with that paw. What’s this? Pfft, pfft.」

Malik, noticing blood on his face, spat. Eustace, Cox, and Yatenbaum were all covered in black blood.

“Are you okay?!”

Yoon Jaewoo jumped up and asked. Eustace nodded.

“No injuries? Whose blood is this? Your arm’s okay, right?”

Still uneasy, Yoon Jaewoo circled Eustace, checking for injuries. Cox, watching, grinned and shook his head.

“Not hurt?”

Yoon Jaewoo repeated the question. Eustace, about to pat his head, pulled back, not wanting to smear Ramia with the blood of dead spirits.

「I have to watch this scene until we reach Asir’s barrier, …and even after that.」

Yatenbaum muttered through gritted teeth, turning away. Cox, smirking, urged Eustace to touch him.

「Later.」

Before Eustace finished, cold water poured over them.

「Argh, damn it! Who’s pouring cold water now! You crazy bird-brain, I’ll twist your neck!」

「What are you doing! Philippte. Are you insane?」

Yatenbaum, soaked alongside them, scowled and snapped. Eustace also turned to Cox with a cold expression.

Cox, shaking water from the flower in his hair, laughed.

「How’s that? Grateful?」

Eustace gave a faint smile. As he raised his arm, Yoon Jaewoo was certain that if he hadn’t clung to him, another chaos would’ve erupted.

In the end, that day’s discussion ended there.