Chapter 295

Pyo Wol stared at So Gyeoksan with an expressionless face.

So Gyeoksan found it difficult to meet Pyo Wol’s gaze.

He had thought there was a gap between them before, but now it felt like an unfathomable chasm, impossible to measure.

Even after becoming the Unit Leader of the acrobatic troupe, he had trained steadily and taken on simple requests, priding himself on the fact that his skills hadn’t rusted. But at that level, he couldn’t dare compare himself to Pyo Wol.

When he first heard the Alias, Reaper, So Gyeoksan had instinctively thought of Pyo Wol.

It was because the place where the Alias of Reaper was first heard was Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

Sichuan Province and Chengdu were places that had given So Gyeoksan a nightmare he could never forget. Because of that, even after leaving Sichuan, he always kept a close watch on its movements.

That was why as soon as he heard the Alias of Reaper, he immediately investigated Pyo Wol’s activities.

Seeing the beautiful face that could not be considered a man’s, the vicious methods and violent killings that didn’t match it, and the unconventional path he walked, So Gyeoksan became convinced that the Reaper was the Pyo Wol he knew.

He had already become a being on a different dimension from himself.

He could tell just by looking into Pyo Wol’s eyes as he stared back.

It was the nature of an Assassin to be adept at hiding their thoughts, but fellow Assassins could read each other’s minds to some extent.

Through a series of actions done without one’s own awareness, such as their gaze or gestures.

Assassins quickly grasp what is commonly called body language. But from Pyo Wol, no body language could be detected.

On the contrary, the anxiety and thoughts So Gyeoksan was feeling were all being read by Pyo Wol.

So Gyeoksan did his best to hide his thoughts, but he couldn’t deceive Pyo Wol’s eyes.

Right now, So Gyeoksan was in a state of extreme anxiety.

He didn’t know the reason why, but it was clear he was cornered.

“A request…”

“Yes! A request.”

“I refuse.”

“Without even hearing it?”

“I don’t think there’s a need to. It must be a request that’s tricky for you to handle, but one that will have repercussions if you don’t.”

“You devilish bastard.”

So Gyeoksan, without realizing it, wore a look of utter dismay.

He had indeed come to find Pyo Wol for that very reason.

He thought that if he used him well, he could solve the problem without getting blood on his own hands. But now that Pyo Wol had seen through him, his scheme was as good as gone.

“You really are a bastard without a shred of affection.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Forget it. Let’s just drink.”

Just then, Lee Ok-ran came with a tray of alcohol.

“The cook made this in a hurry, so the side dishes aren’t much. I’ll treat you properly next time.”

Lee Ok-ran placed the alcohol and side dishes on the table with an apologetic expression. Then she sat down, pressing close to So Gyeoksan’s side.

So Gyeoksan naturally wrapped his arm around Lee Ok-ran’s waist.

Lee Ok-ran filled So Gyeoksan’s cup to the brim.

“You said you don’t drink, right? Then I’ll drink alone?”

“Do as you please.”

“I’m telling you, there’s not a trace of humanity in him.”

So Gyeoksan tossed the cup of alcohol into his mouth in one go.

“Keuh! That’s good.”

“Drink slowly.”

“Drinking fast and getting drunk fast is what counts. If you drink a lot slowly, the bill just gets bigger.”

He downed three more cups in a row.

Like a man being chased by something.

The So Gyeoksan that Pyo Wol knew was not one to reveal his inner thoughts under any circumstances.

The very fact that such a person was unconsciously revealing his impatience was proof that he was cornered.

But Pyo Wol didn’t press for a reason.

He knew that if he crossed the line here, he would have no choice but to get deeply involved.

After breaking through the Celestial Net, they had lived their own separate lives without any contact.

Frankly, until their meeting today, Pyo Wol hadn’t paid much attention to whether So Gyeoksan and the others were alive or dead.

They weren’t close enough for that, nor had they promised to do anything together in the future.

Their relationship was worse than that of complete strangers who had never even seen each other’s faces. Because they knew each other’s rock bottom all too well, they were, paradoxically, even less trustworthy.

Thud!

So Gyeoksan put down his cup and asked.

“How long do you plan on staying in Runan?”

“Who knows. I won’t be here for long. I could leave as soon as tomorrow.”

“You’re damn busy. So where are you going next?”

“We’re not close enough to have to report our every move to each other, are we?”

“In short, you’re telling me to stop caring and get lost.”

“Precisely!”

“You unlucky bastard.”

“If you’re done talking, I’ll be going.”

“What? Already? We haven’t seen each other in ages, why are you being like this? Let’s talk a bit.”

“Since we haven’t seen each other in a long time, there’s even less to talk about. We were never interested in each other in the first place. There’s nothing to be curious about, and we have no common interests, so is there any reason to continue this conversation?”

At Pyo Wol’s cold words, So Gyeoksan’s expression hardened.

Usually, no matter how bad the relationship, it was the way of the world to hide one’s true feelings with a fake smile and maintain even the faintest thread of a connection.

Humans are creatures that cannot live alone, and they live by confirming their own existence through relationships with others.

Everyone So Gyeoksan had ever met was like that. And So Gyeoksan himself was no exception to that rule.

He needed a reason for his existence in the world, so he established the acrobatic troupe to create a reason for him to be needed. But Pyo Wol was different.

He had no interest in things like being acknowledged by others for his existence. What was important to him was not receiving others’ approval or forming relationships.

Even in the underground cavern, Pyo Wol had been like that.

The only thing he was interested in was his own survival; he didn’t care about anything else. That tendency hadn’t changed and had continued to this day.

“A selfish son of a bitch.”

Even at So Gyeoksan’s harsh words, Pyo Wol’s expression didn’t change as he left his seat.

He glared at Pyo Wol’s back as he went up the stairs. But that wouldn’t change the situation.

Just then, a hand as white as a silverfish wrapped around So Gyeoksan’s neck.

“Aww! Calm down.”

“I’m not angry.”

“What do you mean you’re not? You’re furious. You look like a child who had his toy taken away.”

“What did you say?”

“Huhu! How cute.”

Lee Ok-ran laughed and kissed So Gyeoksan on the cheek.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“It’s a prize for being cute.”

“Do that one more time and I might kill you first.”

“Huhu! I always welcome being killed in bed.”

“You nympho.”

“You’re the one who made me this way.”

“Kch!”

“Don’t be so sulky. It’s not like your feelings are actually hurt.”

Lee Ok-ran went so far as to sit on So Gyeoksan’s thigh.

So Gyeoksan, without realizing it, groped Lee Ok-ran’s buttocks. As Lee Ok-ran enjoyed his touch, she said.

“Just because you really want something, you shouldn’t just pull it towards you.”

“Then what should I do?”

“You have to know how to push it away, too. And you have to know how to subtly provoke your opponent.”

“How do I provoke them?”

“I’ll teach you from now on.”

Lee Ok-ran pressed her lips against So Gyeoksan’s.

“Hmm!”

＊＊＊

The morning at the Heavenly Flower Acrobatic Troupe was incredibly busy.

They woke up early at dawn and had their meal.

Breakfast was just as noisy as dinner had been the night before.

“Pass that over here.”

“What, the flower cake?”

“Yeah!”

“Give me your bowl. I’ll serve you.”

“Thanks!”

They served each other food and shared it in their bowls while chatting. As if they still had so much to say after chattering all night, the conversation didn’t stop in the morning either.

Just then, the troupe’s Unit Leader, So Gyeoksan, and the Vice Unit Leader, Lee Ok-ran, came down the stairs.

“Did you sleep well?”

“You’re looking good. I wonder what happened last night?”

“Something good?”

“What kind of good thing?”

“A very good thing.”

“Hehe! Something that makes you sweat and is good for your health?”

“Hohoho!”

The members teased the two of them.

The bawdy jokes continued, enough to make an ordinary woman blush, but Lee Ok-ran answered calmly without batting an eye.

“That’s right! I feel great after putting in some effort for the first time in a while.”

“Wahahaha!”

The members burst into laughter all at once.

The women nudged each other in the ribs with their elbows, delighted.

Lee Ok-ran smirked and continued.

“Alright, the performance is tomorrow, but we have a lot to do starting today. You all know what to do first, right?”

“Yes!”

“It’s not like we’ve only been doing this for a day or two, is it? Don’t worry.”

The members answered energetically.

Usually, acrobatic troupes were invited to places that wanted to liven up a festive mood or reverse a stagnant atmosphere.

The Jin Clan, who had invited them this time, was no different.

They wanted to soothe the hearts of the people of Runan, who had been devastated by the fight with Snow Blade Sword Manor. That was why they had gone to the trouble of inviting the Heavenly Flower Acrobatic Troupe. They were hoping the troupe would revive the stagnant atmosphere of Runan.

The Heavenly Flower Acrobatic Troupe had a duty to meet their expectations.

Once breakfast was over, they would all pour out into the streets. They would play instruments and sing to attract people’s attention.

They were only given one day.

Within a day, they had to capture the interest of the people of Runan and direct their attention toward the Jin Clan.

So Gyeoksan said.

“Everyone, eat up. We’ll have to be on the move all day today.”

“Yes!”

“Don’t worry, Unit Leader!”

So Gyeoksan nodded at the members’ replies.

The members didn’t know So Gyeoksan’s true nature. To them, So Gyeoksan was a leader they could trust and rely on.

If it weren’t for him, the performers of the Heavenly Flower Acrobatic Troupe would have scattered and been living different lives.

To them, So Gyeoksan was more than just a Unit Leader.

“Alright, let’s eat quickly and get to work.”

“Work, work.”

It was when the members started chattering noisily again.

A man came down the stairs.

The first to react were the female members.

“Woah!”

“What kind of man has a face like that?”

The person coming down the stairs was none other than Pyo Wol.

The faces of the female members who saw his face turned as red as ripe persimmons.

So Gyeoksan’s face crumpled.

“That bastard always has to show up at moments like this and ruin the mood.”

So Gyeoksan was someone who lacked confidence in his own appearance.

Being compared to Pyo Wol in looks, his self-esteem couldn’t help but plummet.

Grit!

So Gyeoksan ground his teeth.

If he had his way, he wanted to carve a gash into Pyo Wol’s pretty face right now. But since Pyo Wol wasn’t one to just stand there and take it, he had no choice but to clench his teeth and endure.

So Gyeoksan approached Pyo Wol.

“You came down to eat? Not sleeping in?”

“It was too noisy to sleep because of some people.”

“My kids are a bit loud, aren’t they? Please understand! They’re all excited because of the upcoming performance.”

Pyo Wol nodded at So Gyeoksan’s words.

Just then, the female members shouted loudly.

“Unit Leader! Do you know him?”

“Wow!”

“Please introduce us.”

“To be friends with someone that handsome? Our Unit Leader is a man of many talents.”

At the female members’ words, So Gyeoksan’s face crumpled even more.

He shouted.

“Quiet, you lot! Hurry up and get to work.”

“Heek! The Unit Leader is angry.”

“Let’s get out of here quickly.”

“Let’s work, work.”

The members poured out of the Inn in an instant, like an ebbing tide.

Pyo Wol asked So Gyeoksan.

“Aren’t you going out?”

“I’m the Unit Leader. And I have something else to do.”