The Terminally-Ill Side-Character Inside of a Martial Arts Novel

After Hyuk Dojin left the room, Chief Ji approached Namgoong Baek, who was sitting alone, and set down some tea.

Namgoong Baek picked up the cup and brought the warm tea to his mouth. He looked at the beautiful flower buds about to bloom through the diagonally open window.

Chief Ji looked at Namgoong Baek and carefully said:

“…May I ask the reason?”

“Hmm?”

Namgoong Baek’s eyes slowly rolled to Chief Ji. Namgoong Baek lowered the cup onto the table and raised his chin.

“What?”

“Why did you call for the Young Madam directly? There shouldn’t have been a reason for the Alliance Leader to take time to see the Young Cult Leader’s wife, I’m curious if there’s a reason.”

“Chief Ji, as you’re getting older, you’re becoming quite curious about trivial things? I just called her because I wanted to see her. That’s all. And…”

He slowly opened his mouth while tilting the cup of tea again.

“Also, to cure that child’s lovesickness while I’m at it.”

“You mean Seol?”

“Yes, he’s truly a brilliant child. He’s quick to understand fading formations and battle arrays, and his wit is outstanding, not falling behind even the Jegal clan. Not only that, but his swordsmanship is also top-notch. I don’t know where such a child appeared from, but it’s truly amazing that he’s not my disciple.”

However.

Namgoong Baek’s eyes narrowed.

“…He lacks motivation.”

“When I look at Seol, it’s like seeing a dying old man.”

“Sometimes he seems closer to death than even me. No matter how much I scold and teach him, those dull eyes of his don’t change. But did you see? After returning from the Demon Cult, that child’s eyes have gained life. And the reason for that being Moyong Sowol is not an issue that needs much deep thought.”

“That’s the problem. Moyong Sowol is the Young Cult Leader’s wife. What if he harbors inappropriate thoughts?”

Unlike others, the obsession Namgoong Seolbyeok showed in his childhood was twice as strong as others.

Chief Ji had seen such a Namgoong Seolbyeok, so he couldn’t help but express concern.

“That won’t happen. That child has excellent judgment. He has never coveted anything to the point of harming the clan or the Murim Alliance.”

Chief Ji stared intently at the muttering Namgoong Baek, then turned his head.

“What if the Seol we’ve seen isn’t all there is to him?”

Namgoong Baek’s expression softened as he put down his cup. He looked up at the blue sky. Moyong Sowol, resembling a white cloud, was drawn in his mind.

“Haven’t they said, ‘A hero possesses a hundred jades, a flower possesses a hundred heroes’? Outstanding heroes may possess a hundred women, but an even more beautiful woman possesses a hundred heroes.”

“…”

“If Seol, who had lost his motivation, picks up his sword again after seeing that woman, that’s enough. We can think about what comes after later.”

A faint smile hung on his lips.

* * *

Before the flower scent carried by the wind could tickle my nose, I froze my face at the words that came out of Namgoong Seolbyeok’s mouth.

No matter how I heard it, it was a man’s earnest expression conveying his feelings.

I couldn’t help but be surprised. How long had it been since I met him and how much had we talked for him to say such things?

Moreover, does he know who the man behind me is when he’s doing this?

I hurriedly opened my mouth.

“W-what…”

But before that voice could even come out, Hyuk Dojin, who had approached, grabbed my wrist and pulled me behind him.

Just as I was about to lose balance, Hyuk Dojin’s arm wrapped around my shoulder and at the same time, he stepped forward.

Namgoong Seolbyeok closed his eyes and bowed his head at Hyuk Dojin’s appearance.

Hyuk Dojin glared at Namgoong Seolbyeok with a fierce face he had never shown before.

“May I ask what those words just now meant?”

His low, sunken voice was tinged with subtle anger.

Namgoong Seolbyeok quietly looked at Hyuk Dojin, then calmly opened his mouth.

“It’s exactly as you heard.”

“Exactly?”

A sneer hung on Hyuk Dojin’s lips as if it were preposterous. He glared sharply at Namgoong Seolbyeok as if he would tear him apart right now.

“Do you realize you’re saying it’s true that you just told my wife in front of me that you’ve never forgotten her for a moment?”

“That’s right.”

“And you know that expression, no matter how it’s heard, sounds like you’re saying you’re in love with my wife?”

“I won’t deny it.”

No, what on earth is this person saying now? When did we ever meet for him to be like this?

Just as I was about to open my mouth to urgently clarify the situation, Namgoong Seolbyeok’s voice covered it first.

“But there’s no fault on Miss Moyong’s part. I just kept it in my heart alone.”

“…Are you calling that an excuse now?”

“When you see the magnificent scenery of the Five Sacred Mountains covered in snow, you’re overwhelmed by its grandeur and unknowingly hold it in your heart. When a mother gives birth to a child, she holds the bloody lump to her chest and keeps even the tiny toenails of the child who doesn’t yet resemble anyone in her heart. I’m the same.”

He glanced at me and bowed his head. I faced him with a complicated expression.

“I met someone I had never met before, was captivated by her beauty and mysteriousness, and before I knew it, I could feel her in my heart. My life that had been just boring became full of motivation just by longing for someone. For me, Miss Moyong is such a woman.”

“…You speak well. But you lack tact. Do you realize that the one hearing those words now is the man of the woman you hold in your heart?”

“I know. The Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, Hyuk Dojin. That she’s Hyuk Dojin’s wife, married for political reasons.”

“You knew that and still said those words… is that it?”

Namgoong Seolbyeok stared blankly at the stiffened Hyuk Dojin, then spoke softly.

“Then should I have lied? Should I have hidden these feelings and deceived you to stay by Miss Moyong’s side during the martial arts competition?”

“…”

He turned his head and looked at me again. Hyuk Dojin moved his feet unpleasantly, completely blocking me from his line of sight.

Namgoong Seolbyeok’s voice came from beyond the wall hidden by his back.

“I don’t hope for anything. I have no intention of breaking up your relationship either. If there’s anything regrettable, it’s just that I feel guilty for putting Miss Moyong in an awkward situation because of me. I’m clumsy at expressing emotions and dealing with people, so I didn’t quickly realize that Miss Moyong would be troubled. I’m sorry about that part.”

“Not to me who’s hearing those words?”

“Were you also displeased, Young Cult Leader? If so, I apologize.”

“This bastard, are you discriminating against people now…”

Finally, Hyuk Dojin’s arm rose in anger.

I couldn’t see what he was doing, but it was obvious what he was about to do. I hurriedly grabbed Hyuk Dojin’s arm.

“N-no, don’t!”

Hyuk Dojin’s eyes slowly rolled down to me. I looked up at him and hurriedly shook my head.

If he hits the Murim Alliance Leader’s disciple in the Murim Alliance, it would put him in a difficult position.

“Don’t do it.”

“…Are you saying this even after hearing what that guy just said?”

“I know, it’s surprising. I know Hyuk Dojin is displeased too. I’m surprised too as I listen. But there’s no relationship at all. So…”

“No relationship, but what’s this promise and ‘that day’ he’s referring to?”

“I’ll explain everything. I’ll tell you everything, so just let go for now.”

Hyuk Dojin looked at me and Namgoong Seolbyeok with eyes full of complexity, then bit his teeth hard. I gently covered his cheek with my palm and spoke quietly.

“Don’t you trust me? Are you worried that I might have formed some relationship while you weren’t around? You know that won’t happen. You know you’re the only one for me. So… calm down. Doing this here won’t be good for either me or you. So…”

I looked at him with desperation.

Hyuk Dojin’s eyes shook finely. He just stared at my eyes blankly like a helpless child, then loosened his hand gripping Namgoong Seolbyeok’s clothes.

I inwardly sighed in relief as I confirmed Hyuk Dojin’s arm falling down.

“You did well… Really. And…”

I turned my head and glared at Namgoong Seolbyeok who was still wearing an expressionless face.

“You, don’t come looking for me wherever I am for the time being. Don’t contact me either. I know it’s difficult and hard to convey such feelings to someone. But the situation was wrong and the method was wrong too. As long as you don’t understand that, I can’t continue even a relationship of just acquaintances with you.”

As my words ended, as if a crack had formed on dry land, his expressionless face slowly crumbled.

I quietly looked at him, then took Hyuk Dojin’s hand and turned my body. As we left the building, I let out a deep sigh.

What on earth is all this about? My head started to ache.

* * *

“You’ve returned…”

Man Do opened his mouth hoping the Young Cult Leader couple, who had left early in the morning saying they were going to meet the Murim Alliance Leader, would return reconciled, but what he faced were two people frozen coldly.

Even when they left, although Moyong Sowol was grumpy, Hyuk Dojin’s expression wasn’t bad.

But now it was worse than then. As Man Do watched the two people go up to their room and close the door, Yoo Doha spoke subtly.

“…Isn’t this a disaster?”

“Hmm, don’t worry too much.”

Man Do rubbed his chin, then chuckled and shook his head.

Yoo Doha looked at the room where the two had disappeared with worried eyes, then nodded slightly.

* * *

As soon as the door closed with a thud, Moyong Sowol bit her lips finely.

Her face was full of worry about where to start explaining. She turned her body with a complicated expression after pondering.

“Doji…”

But before her voice could come out of her mouth, Hyuk Dojin’s hand pulled her.

Moyong Sowol’s body leaned towards the closed door. She raised her head as soon as her back touched the door.

Bang!

Hyuk Dojin’s hand pressed strongly beside her head. Surprised by his sudden action, Moyong Sowol raised her head in confusion and faced Hyuk Dojin.

His eyes looking down at her with his neck bent were staring at her intently.

It was an expression she had never seen before. It wasn’t angry, nor was it a look of disappointment in something. It was a look of incomprehension.

“I’ve never… doubted you.”

“…”

“It’s just…”

His head slowly fell down. Slowly, his head sinking onto Moyong Sowol’s shoulder and his voice flowed out quietly as if sobbing.

“The moment I heard those words, I couldn’t control my anger. Even though I knew you weren’t at fault, I couldn’t suppress my anger.”

Hyuk Dojin’s hand slid down from the door and grasped Moyong Sowol’s wrist.

Although it had gained muscle and flesh and was thicker than before, it was still thin enough to wrap around his palm with room to spare.

He felt angry at his own roughness for violently pulling that wrist, at his foolishness that could only express the surging anger…

At himself for causing a red bruise on the wrist being led by his hand.

Moyong Sowol wasn’t completely healed yet. She had to take medicine every day, and if she stopped taking it, she could return to her previous state at any time.

It was a precariousness like walking on thin ice. Moyong Sowol who followed him nonchalantly and smiled. He had forgotten because of that appearance.

That even though she had become stronger, she was still a woman he needed to protect.

That she was someone who could fall like a flower at any moment if he turned his eyes away.

He was scared and angry the moment he thought she might have feelings for someone else because he had thought carelessly for a moment.

“…I didn’t mean to, make you uncomfortable, hurt you.”

His hand lifted Moyong Sowol’s wrist and brought his lips to it.

Moyong Sowol quietly looked at Hyuk Dojin’s back bent below her, then let out a small breath and gently stroked his head with her other arm.

“I’m sorry for causing a misunderstanding. I should have told you everything.”

“…”

“I didn’t mean to make Hyuk Dojin misunderstand either. And if you have any resentment towards me, you can be angry. Who else would accept those feelings of yours?”

Hyuk Dojin flinched, then straightened his back and looked at Moyong Sowol.

She held a faint smile.

Hyuk Dojin quietly looked at her, then raised his hand to hold her chin and slowly kissed her.

In the quiet room, it was a conversation of forgiveness and understanding that only the two of them could have, reconciling with each other.