Occasionally, very occasionally, these memories surface.
It was when I had just passed my twentieth year.
Yes, around the same age as I am now.
Memories of the time when I barely survived by breathing in the Magyeong.
[Didn't I tell you? You're too slow to keep up.]
That was what the damn bastard said as he looked down at me, panting heavily.
Damn it.
[Huff... I can only keep up... huff... if I can, you crazy bastard.]
I could barely form words.
That was how completely drained I was.
Seeing me in that state, Woo Hyuk laughed and said,
[You just died three times to me.]
Once, my neck was cut during the first exchange.
The third time, I stumbled into a feint and died again.
The last was when I failed in a reckless charge, making it three.
It meant that every attempt I made had failed.
[Why not just kill me in one go? Why stretch it out to three, damn it.]
[I'm telling you, you need to think before you fight.]
[I did think, you bastard.]
[And do you not remember almost getting eaten alive because you rushed in last time?]
Not remembering? Bullshit. I remembered it all too clearly.
I had almost been chewed to bits and torn apart until the Sword Star and Woo Hyuk saved me.
[...Itâs so embarrassing, damn it. You shouldâve just let me die back there.]
I muttered in frustration, and Woo Hyuk flicked me hard on the head.
Thud-!
He hit me hard enough that my head spun.
[You crazy...!]
[Life isn't something you throw away so carelessly.]
I was about to snap back, but his words made me pause with a frown.
Because his eyes were unusually serious.
[I keep telling you, stop throwing yourself at things just because they donât work.]
I couldn't understand it.
If no method or approach worked, wasnât the only option to throw yourself into it at the end?
And beyond that,
âMy life isnât precious.â
Why would I cherish something like this life?n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Lives far more valuable than mine had already been lost in this land.
I hadnât lived an upright life to justify treating my life as something precious.
I couldnât understand his words.
Maybe that disbelief was written on my face.
Woo Hyuk sighed as he looked at me and said,
[Learn to control your temper.]
[Thatâs how Iâve been surviving so far.]
I meant it sincerely, but Woo Hyuk's expression soured in an instant.
Whatâs with this guy...?
[See? Look at yourself. You were about to get angry again just now.]
[Itâs because your face looks like shit.]
[So what if someone's expression looks a bit off? Does that mean you have to get mad first?]