Biyeong’s younger sister, Makgeumi, whom he parted with at a very young age.

If Makgeumi were alive, she would be around the same age as Yeonwoo.

Perhaps because of this, every time Biyeong saw Yeonwoo, who reminded him of Makgeumi, he cherished and cared for her like a dear younger sister he had lost.

Then, like getting caught in a drizzle, Yeonwoo gradually soaked into Biyeong’s life.

Having shed her youthful quirks and matured, Yeonwoo had become a woman.

At first, blinded by familiarity, Biyeong didn’t realize his feelings for Yeonwoo. So, whenever he saw Yeonwoo, he would feel a perplexing mixture of excitement and confusion.

When he finally acknowledged his affection for Yeonwoo, there was already another man by her side. Even Yeonwoo’s gaze at the man was not ordinary.

Initially, Biyeong didn’t pay much attention to the meaning behind Yeonwoo’s gaze. If Yeonwoo were 20 years old, he thought it was the right time to show interest in a man. It was just a casual curiosity that developed during their prolonged time together as a superior and subordinate. So, he dismissed it as a fleeting sentiment that would naturally fade away with time.

For Biyeong, Yeonwoo was someone who allowed him to live without harboring hatred towards anyone, the first person he wanted to protect. Because Yeonwoo was essential for Biyeong’s life to be complete, he couldn’t easily let go of her, the pillar of his life. Hence, he gradually tried to make Yeonwoo his woman, thinking that he could win her heart by approaching slowly.

However, as time passed, Biyeong had to accept the harsh reality he didn’t want to acknowledge. After learning about Yeonwoo and Geon living together, it seemed that there was no place for Biyeong in the deepening relationship between the two.

Above all, Yeonwoo’s gaze at Geon was distinctly different from the look she gave Biyeong. Yeonwoo’s emotions towards Geon didn’t seem to diminish; instead, they appeared to deepen. In such a situation, if Biyeong expressed his sincerity to Yeonwoo, it would only cause confusion in her heart.

Now was the time when he wondered if he should acknowledge the man who had entered Yeonwoo’s heart. Geon had failed to protect Yeonwoo in situations like today. Yeonwoo was not only the woman Biyeong admired but also a cherished younger sister. If the man who took Yeonwoo away couldn’t protect her, there was no reason for Biyeong to step back.

In front of the cave where the battle with Gapdol took place, the hand of Biyeong, who held Yeonwoo, tightened. Looking at Geon in front of him, Biyeong let out a hoarse voice, “Step back. You have no right to be by Yeonwoo’s side.” Geon responded to Biyeong’s attitude with a cold expression. Nonetheless, Geon, too, was on edge, being alert for Yeonwoo’s safety. He had warned her not to wander around alone in case she might be exposed to danger. He had also given a warning to Kim Taeseok, who had made Yeonwoo’s life dangerous.
Geon couldn’t protect Yeonwoo in today’s dangerous situation.

Yeonwoo was not only the woman Biyeong admired but also a cherished younger sister.

If he was the man who took Yeonwoo, he should have protected her.

There was no reason for Biyeong to step back if the man couldn’t ensure Yeonwoo’s safety.

In front of the cave where the battle with Gapdol took place, strength tightened in Biyeong’s hand, holding Yeonwoo.

Looking at Geon in front of him, Biyeong uttered a hoarse voice, “Step back. You have no right to be by Yeonwoo’s side.”

Geon responded to Biyeong’s attitude with a cold expression. Nevertheless, Geon, too, was on edge, being alert for Yeonwoo’s safety. He had warned her not to wander around alone in case she might be exposed to danger. He had also given a warning to Kim Taeseok, who had made Yeonwoo’s life dangerous.

However, considering the results, it was a fact that he hadn’t provided any help while Yeonwoo was in danger. If it weren’t for Biyeong, things could have gone terribly wrong, so Geon couldn’t argue.

“Ky-Kyoryeong-gwan-nim?”

In the chilly atmosphere between the two men, when Yeonwoo seemed unsure of what to do, a soldier who had been left behind in the camp with Dae-bok came running with a few soldiers.

“Oh!”

Dae-bok, seeing Yeonwoo and Biyeong’s appearance, widened his eyes in surprise.

Dae-bok opened his mouth, looking at Biyeong, who had turned Gapdol’s bloodied body.

“W-What on earth happened here? What is this blood?”

“It’s Gapdol’s.”

“Wasn’t he already taken to the prison? How did he end up here…”

Seeing Dae-bok struggling to continue speaking, Yeonwoo answered.

“He escaped on the way to exile. It seemed like he held a deep grudge against me.”

“Is that so…”

Dae-bok, who knew what Gapdol had done to Yeonwoo before, understood the situation unfolding before his eyes and shuddered.

Letting out a big sigh, Dae-bok spoke.

“It could have been a big problem. I’m glad Kyoryeong-gwan-nim noticed it quickly.”

“We should treat the wounds on the head first.”

Following Biyeong’s words, Yeonwoo and the others headed to the medical office barracks.