“C- cough!”

Even though no more screams came from Gapdol’s mouth, Biyeong, consumed by anger, couldn’t stop his relentless assault.

“…Oraboni!”

At Yeonwoo’s call, Biyeong gradually regained his composure.

“Oraboni! He’s already dead…!”

…!

Only then did Biyeong, who had stopped his assault, drop the sword in his hand.

—Clang!

Approaching Yeonwoo, Biyeong, still in confusion, tightly embraced her.

Then, with rough breaths and a strained voice, he uttered.

“I thought I lost you…”

Biyeong’s hands around Yeonwoo’s shoulders trembled ever so slightly. The voice that had always been as calm as a serene lake now carried ripples.

“How much… how much I worried?”

“I’m fine. Oraboni saved me, didn’t he?”

Ironically, it was Yeonwoo, who had been kidnapped, comforting Biyeong.

“If I had lost you, I would’ve…!”

“…I’m sorry for causing you worry.”

As Biyeong, with Yeonwoo still in his arms, spoke through gritted teeth, the trembling in his hands gradually subsided.

After letting out a deep sigh, his heart also finally calmed down.

Checking Yeonwoo’s body for any injuries, Biyeong carefully examined her.

“Seems like you got hurt on the head. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just a little scratch. Are you okay, Oraboni?”

“I’m fine.”

Biyeong, still covered in dirt, gently wiped Yeonwoo’s soil-stained face with his sleeve.

“Let’s get out of here for now. Can you stand?”

“Yes, I can stand.”

Biyeong extended his hand to help Yeonwoo stand, but as she tried to rise, she hesitated and sat back down.

“Ouch…!”

“Where are you hurt?!”

“I think my leg got twisted a bit when I struggled earlier.”
When Yeonwoo lightly massaged one of her ankles as if it were numb, Biyeong swiftly lifted her up.

Yeonwoo, nestled against Biyeong’s chest, opened her mouth in surprise.

“Oh, Oraboni! It’s okay; you don’t have to do this!”

“In this state, how do you expect to walk?”

Biyeong scolded Yeonwoo gently and carried her outside the cave.

From a short distance away, Geon rushed forward, panting.

“Hong Yeonwoo!”

“Commander Gwangho!”

Discovering Yeonwoo’s disheveled appearance, Geon’s expression hardened.

To inspect Yeonwoo’s injuries, Geon reached out to her.

“Who did this to you?”

“Well, it was someone named Gapdol…”

At that moment, Biyeong, who was holding Yeonwoo, stopped Geon.

“Don’t touch Yeonwoo.”

Despite Geon’s sternness, Biyeong confronted him without a single step back.

“What are you doing right now?”

Despite Geon’s fierce demeanor, Biyeong did not back down. In a voice still filled with anger, he continued.

“The person closest to Yeonwoo, living with her day by day, how could you not properly sense such danger?”

“Commander Biyeong…?”

Shocked by Biyeong’s furious voice, Yeonwoo was taken aback.

Biyeong, with an angry voice, continued to speak in a rhythmic manner.

“I heard you came to take Yeonwoo back. In the meantime, where were you and what were you doing?”

Unable to anticipate Biyeong’s scrutiny, Yeonwoo answered as if making excuses.

“C-Commander! I, I came out first without waiting for Commander Gwangho…”

“Yeonwoo, stay quiet.”

At Biyeong’s strict order, Yeonwoo closed her mouth.

Geon, in response to Biyeong’s question, merely bit down on his lips without saying a word.

Knowing that only Kim Taeseok was targeting Yeonwoo, he had planned to warn him and return. However, he had not expected Gapdol, whom he had sent into exile months ago, to appear now.

Realizing that he had been of no help while Yeonwoo was in danger, Geon couldn’t offer any explanation.

Staring at Geon, Biyeong clearly expressed his opinion.

“Step back. You have no right to be by Yeonwoo’s side.”

The distance between the two men, which should have been narrowing, remained unyielding.

Around that gap, a chilly air lingered.