Chapter 4 Part 39

While Jeong Tae-ui was consumed by countless regrets and anxieties in a matter of seconds, Ilay League-row’s response was instantaneous. He unhesitatingly pushed away the young man huddled between his legs, then picked up a stone that was rolling on the ground. He half-rose and hurled it at the head of the man clutching his wrist on the rock.

The stone flew accurately, without an inch of error, shattering the man’s head and causing blood to gush. Letting out a low, single groan, he seemed to faint and collapsed right there.

Ignoring the young man who was belatedly screaming in shock and frozen stiff, Ilay League-row picked up the crossbow that had rolled from the man’s hand. Then he looked at the arrow that had flown from the crossbow moments ago and was lodged in a rock crevice. Finally, his gaze turned to Jeong Tae-ui, who was standing beside him.

As their eyes met, Jeong Tae-ui, feeling unnecessarily stung as if he had been the one targeting Ilay League-row, raised both his hands. Ilay League-row’s gaze coldly dropped to Jeong Tae-ui’s hands.

“I didn’t do that. …No, in fact, if you think about it, I helped you. There’s no reason to glare so bleakly.”

Jeong Tae-ui muttered with a hint of injustice. Ilay League-row simply said, “I know.” Then, clicking his tongue in displeasure, he took a step forward. His approach towards Jeong Tae-ui was unhesitating.

Faced with his striding approach, Jeong Tae-ui instinctively wanted to back away, but with the ground entirely covered in rocks, his unstable footing made it impossible to step backwards.

“I told you I didn’t do it. Besides, I don’t even know who that guy is. I wasn’t conspiring with him.”

“I know, I said.”

Ilay League-row muttered, as if bewildered by Jeong Tae-ui’s insistent claims. Jeong Tae-ui glared at him with wary eyes.

Surely, he wouldn’t suddenly try to kill the person who helped him. But why is he walking towards me? No, never mind that, just put on some clothes.

Facing a man approaching him naked and unhesitatingly made Jeong Tae-ui feel extremely uncomfortable. However, Ilay League-row, with an unperturbed and calm expression, stopped only when he was about four or five steps in front of Jeong Tae-ui. He then bent down and pulled out the arrow lodged in the rock crevice. Examining the arrowhead and tapping it a couple of times with his fingertip, he chuckled faintly.

“If I’d been hit in the head with something like this, even I wouldn’t have been unscathed.”

Jeong Tae-ui muttered corrective remarks, frowning. Then, Ilay League-row’s gaze, which had been examining the arrow, fixed back on Jeong Tae-ui’s face. Jeong Tae-ui flinched, his lips twisting, and offered the same excuse for the third time.

“It has nothing to do with me. …Ah, really. Stop glaring like that. I’m going to have a heart attack after helping you.”

Jeong Tae-ui burst out in frustration, feeling a sudden surge of indignation at receiving such a sharp, knife-like gaze after helping. Ilay League-row raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly.

“I wasn’t glaring, but did it seem that way? I know who that man is. He’s one of our team members. I also know why he tried to kill me, and that you have nothing to do with it, so there’s no need to be on edge. —Besides, even if I were holding a grudge, would I really do anything to you in this situation, right after you helped me?”

He let out a derisive chuckle. Yet, the sturdy arrow twirling between his fingers like a pen still looked extremely dangerous, and Jeong Tae-ui couldn’t help but acknowledge that. Jeong Tae-ui clicked his tongue.

“For someone who almost died, you’re remarkably calm. This must not be the first time something like this has happened.”

“Well, I experience it once or twice a month.”

He spoke calmly, as if making small talk about everyday matters. He then tapped the arrowhead once more and muttered,

“If that guy got his head pierced with this, just like he tried to do to me, maybe he’d come to his senses.”

“Whatever, I’d appreciate it if you’d do it out of my sight. Preferably not where I am either. …If I could ask for more, it would be even better if you took care of it after you returned to Europe.”

Jeong Tae-ui muttered with a disgusted expression. He absolutely did not want to get involved in troublesome matters. He had no desire whatsoever to be a witness at a death scene.

Damn it. Why do I keep getting entangled with this guy? I should have just pretended not to see anything and left, I’m such an idiot.

Jeong Tae-ui felt a chill on his arm, whether from the cool sea breeze or the man in front of him, and rubbed it slowly with his palm. Then he felt a stinging sensation and rubbed his palm again. A little lower down, there was a long, single gash. Only after seeing his skin torn and bleeding did Jeong Tae-ui realize for the first time that he was injured.

He muttered, “Oh,” in confusion, then soon realized it was a wound from the arrow he had narrowly dodged when the crossbow bolt flew earlier.

“Wow… that’s incredible. Just a slight graze, and it’s like this; if it had hit properly, it would’ve been a complete spear wound. …That guy should also have to copy the UNHRDO Rules and Regulations ten times for weapon possession violation.”

Jeong Tae-ui clicked his tongue and muttered. The cut was quite deep, and the bleeding showed no sign of stopping.

Hearing that, Ilay League-row suddenly burst into laughter. His low but cheerful laughter didn’t stop for a while. When Jeong Tae-ui looked at him with a displeased expression, Ilay League-row gradually stopped laughing and spoke.

“Ahahaha, yes. As you say, even if I deal with him, I should make him copy the Rules and Regulations ten times first. Alright, while he’s here, I’ll make him copy the Rules, and then I’ll deal with him after returning to Europe. The person who saved my life tells me to, so of course, I must obey.”

Ilay League-row continued to chuckle softly for a while, then lifted Jeong Tae-ui’s arm and examined the wound.

“It’s a deep cut, but not severe. Once the bleeding stops, there’s nothing special to worry about. …Here, wipe it with this.”

Saying that, Ilay League-row took off the gloves he was wearing. Jeong Tae-ui grimaced with a disgusted “Ugh.” Surely, he didn’t mean to suggest wiping the wound with those gloves, soaked through with the blood of countless people? If he were to wipe it with that, it felt as though the grudges of all those people would somehow transfer onto him.