RHH | Chapter 4.4

If they were ordinary travelers and had eaten this bread without knowing, what would have happened? Leehwan felt like he understood why this village had survived for so long.

“So, should we just eat this and pretend to collapse?”

It was a half-joking remark. But Absalom’s reaction was unusual. He roughly snatched the bread from Leehwan.

“Are you that concerned about that girl?”

“Absalom?”

“That’s why I said I didn’t like her. It’s obvious you’re worried about her.”

Was it jealousy? Leehwan studied Absalom. His turquoise eyes were shaking. But before Leehwan could read anything in them, Absalom averted his gaze.

“What I mean is…”

His overly bright tone sounded strange. But Absalom continued without giving Leehwan a chance to speak.

“There’s no need to wait any longer. Leehwan, these people are trying to harm us. Do we still need to consider their circumstances? Or… does that girl have that much value to you?”

It was a loaded question. Leehwan closed his mouth, which he had opened to respond. The reason was too embarrassing to say out loud. Did Absalom know that? A wave of anger rose within him.

“If we’re talking about value, then no, she doesn’t. We’re not close, and I’m not going to save Gretel.”

Leehwan went to where their luggage was stored. Since they had only packed the essentials to leave at any moment, it didn’t take long to gather their things.

When he turned around with the luggage, he saw Absalom looking flustered. Leehwan gestured casually.

“What are you doing? Pack your things.”

Absalom, still hesitant, packed his belongings. Seeing his slumped shoulders, Leehwan’s anger dissipated like air from a deflating balloon.

‘It’s not that big of a deal.’

No, no matter how big the reason was, was it necessary to hide it to the point of making Absalom act like this? Maybe Leehwan’s attitude had made Absalom clam up. In the end, Leehwan slowly opened his mouth.

“I thought she was like me. Being used by the people around her, staying silent even when suspicions arose, only seeing what she wanted to see and rushing toward her death, and then finally trying to break free from the outside.”

Leehwan let out a small sigh. After saying it out loud, he felt more wretched than embarrassed. Still, he continued.

“I’m sorry for hiding it. It was a bit… no, very… embarrassing to talk about. It felt like I was pitying myself, and that was a bit… no, very… well, you know.”

Leehwan awkwardly finished and looked at Absalom. Absalom looked like he didn’t know what to do, stammering.

“I… I didn’t mean to make you say all that…”

“I know.”

Leehwan walked toward Absalom. The closer he got, the more Absalom lowered his head. Leehwan reached out and cupped Absalom’s cheek.

“You were about to get jealous, but then you thought better of it. You probably wondered if you were digging too deep into my feelings. But in the end, you couldn’t completely suppress your jealousy. Am I wrong?”

It must have been the right answer because Absalom bit his lip. Leehwan gently moved his finger to free Absalom’s lip. The wet lip looked as plump as a flower blooming after rain. Leehwan suppressed the urge to kiss him.

“But the reason I told you all this is…”

The important part was coming now. The kiss could wait.

“I thought you’d keep your mouth shut if I didn’t say something. Even if you were jealous, you’d pretend not to be. Even if you were curious, you’d act like you weren’t. Didn’t you tell me before that it’s okay to be greedy?”

Absalom’s turquoise eyes widened. Leehwan smirked deliberately.

“When are you going to indulge that greed?”

A bittersweet scent wafted over him. The next moment, Absalom pulled Leehwan into a fierce embrace. His trembling voice followed.

“I’m really going to be greedy.”

“That’s why you’re asking for my permission?”

Leehwan spoke indifferently, and Absalom’s arms tightened around him. His voice dropped to a whisper.

“Because you’ll have to handle all of it.”

“Last time you made it sound like you were going to cause a huge scene, but you didn’t do anything.”

Leehwan snorted. Absalom’s laughter followed. Leehwan grabbed Absalom’s head and pulled it down. Seeing his smiling face reminded Leehwan of what he had wanted to do for a while now.

“Close your eyes.”

Absalom obediently closed his eyes. His lips were still curved in a smile. Leehwan licked those lips, then gently bit them. The moment Absalom’s lips parted in silent urging, Leehwan pounced.

“I like you, Absalom.”

Absalom’s eyes flew open. Leehwan quickly covered his lips.

“Now…!”

Leehwan’s lips swallowed Absalom’s urgent voice. But Absalom, who had invaded Leehwan’s mouth first, soon pushed back.

Leehwan gently accepted Absalom’s eager tongue. The way their tongues tangled, the low moans from the back of Absalom’s throat—it all conveyed his emotions.

Suddenly, Leehwan remembered their first kiss. Even back then, when Absalom had been so reckless, he had felt the same desperate emotion.

Pushed back by Absalom, Leehwan reached the bed. He let himself fall onto it. Absalom collapsed on top of him, their lips parting. As Absalom adjusted his position, he couldn’t seem to wait, reaching out to pin Leehwan down. His lips licked and nibbled at whatever was closest.

“Leehwan.. Leehwan, Leehwan…”

Of all places, Absalom had latched onto Leehwan’s ear, and the low voice so close made him moan. Absalom’s hand, which had slipped under Leehwan’s shirt, groped his waist. The heat of his body and the urgency of his touch only fueled Leehwan’s arousal.

“Leehwan, say it one more time. Please? I didn’t hear it properly.”

“Where are you lying…”

Leehwan let out a hollow laugh and pressed a hand against Absalom’s forehead. When Absalom’s lips, which had been moving toward his neck, were stopped, he whimpered. Even as he panted, Leehwan shook his head.

“You’re so mean, Leehwan. Really cruel.”

“I’ve heard that before.”

“Just you wait, really.”

“Heard that too.”

Leehwan raised his knee, pressing it against Absalom’s crotch. A moan escaped Absalom’s lips as his beautiful face flushed. Leehwan had meant to calm him down, but seeing Absalom so aroused, as if it proved just how much he wanted him, sent a thrill through him. He was about to do it again when Absalom caught his knee, stopping him.

“If you keep provoking me, I’ll forget about the relic and just take you right now.”

Leehwan felt the sincerity in his voice and eyes and obediently lowered his knee. Absalom collapsed on top of him.

“Leehwan.”

Absalom called out to Leehwan, his breath still warm. Leehwan turned his head toward him.

“I still haven’t said it yet.”

Absalom’s voice was tinged with sorrow. Instead of answering, Leehwan gently stroked his head.

“If I say it, I feel like I’ll lose all control and do whatever I want…”

Just as Leehwan was about to say it was okay, Absalom whispered.

“I might lock you up so you can’t go anywhere.”

Leehwan realized where Absalom’s hesitation stemmed from. When he stopped stroking Absalom’s head, Absalom smiled bitterly.

“It’s okay. I won’t do anything that stupid anymore.”

Absalom stood up and offered his hand to Leehwan. Leehwan took it and got to his feet.

Leehwan strode through the village. The villagers’ eyes were fixed on him as he walked, glancing around.

Several presences slowly approached. Leehwan deliberately looked into the distance. At that moment, a large axe came down on him. Leehwan drew his sword and cut through the axe handle. The heavy metal head fell to the ground, and Leehwan kicked it back toward its owner.

Thud!

The man struck by the flat side of the axe crashed loudly into the wall. Leehwan watched coldly as he coughed up blood before turning away. Several villagers approached, weapons in hand. Among them was the chief, his face still wearing a kind expression, though surprise flickered in his eyes.

It was Absalom who had slain the first Manticore and taken up hunting during their stay in the village. To the villagers, Leehwan must have seemed like nothing more than a lazy noble, idly strolling around while his companion did all the work. He had deliberately separated from Absalom, anticipating they might fall for the deception—and it seemed they had.

“Is this how you treat someone who wants to leave?”

Leehwan asked casually. The chief countered.

“Where’s your companion?”

“Hmm? He was at the house when I left.”

“Did you eat the bread I gave you earlier?”

“The one with vegetables? Of course…”

The chief’s eyes darted around. Leehwan stabbed his sword in the opposite direction of where the chief was looking. The blade pierced through the torso of a man sneaking up from behind.

“I didn’t eat it. What made you think I would?”

The sword slid out as quickly as it had gone in. The man’s body collapsed heavily. From a distance, a voice that seemed to be calling the man’s name rang out like a scream.

Leehwan mercilessly stomped on the wound, causing blood to spurt out. Accusations flew from all directions.

“Let go of Mark!”

“How could you do that to an injured person!”

“Not exactly words you’d expect from a village-wide scam group that’s been killing people for their own safety.”

The best way to keep a secret is to silence those who know it forever. The speed at which rumors spread could be understood in the same context.

If you knew how your actions were being monitored and by whom, betrayal would be unthinkable. In other words, they were sharing secrets while also keeping an eye on each other.

“A scam group? That’s too harsh.”

“Then what should I call it? Kidnapping girls, deliberately isolating them, and then pretending to be kind, making them sacrifice themselves willingly. Isn’t that it?”

The list of numbers that didn’t quite fit as birth and death years. The steady stream of young women of the right age, despite the small population. The village’s strange unity. If the sacrifices had come from within the village, such tight cohesion would have been impossible. That’s why Leehwan guessed the victims had come from outside.

“That thing, the relic, doesn’t work like that. It must have used something as a medium. Like the lives of young girls, for example?”

Leehwan spoke meaningfully and turned his head. The villagers’ gazes followed his.

Stiff red hair swayed in the winter wind. The freckled face was much paler than usual. The chief called her name.

“Gretel…”

“Is it a lie?”

Gretel’s trembling voice floated on the wind. In it, Leehwan saw a reflection of his past self and frowned. A warm hand gripped his.

“I’m here. Did I do well?” Lips whispered close to his ear.

“You did well.” Leehwan tightened his grip around Absalom’s hand as he answered.

Meanwhile, Gretel and the chief were locked in a heated argument. The chief pointed at Leehwan and Absalom.

“It’s a lie. They’re deceiving you to get their hands on that treasure. Gretel, how could you trust the words of outsiders over the man who raised you?”

Gretel’s gaze shifted to Leehwan, uncertainty flickering in her wavering eyes.

“I already have two relics. I have no reason to obsess over something so weak. Besides, a relic that feeds on lives? Just thinking about it gives me chills.”