The river that engulfed Yeonwoo seemed unsatisfied as it also swallowed Gun, who had jumped in to save her.

Byung, hastily leaving the formation, tied a rope around his waist and dove into the torrent.

In front of Yeonwoo’s peril, a trainer’s dignity was of no consequence.

“Hong Yeonwoo! Yeonwoo!”

Desperate to find even a trace of her, Byung frantically searched amid the raging waters.

But the river, as if mocking his desperation, swept away everything around him.

Then, Gun burst through the water with a splash.

“Phew!”

As the river spat out Gun, Yeonwoo’s head also emerged.

Gun, holding the unconscious Yeonwoo firmly with his right arm, had managed to save her.

“Yeonwoo!”

Byung swam with all his might and soon reached them.

Holding onto the rope tied around Byung, Gun managed to get out of the torrent.

On the riverbank, Gun laid Yeonwoo’s limp body down.

Her face, unconscious, was deathly pale.

Gun felt for her breath at her nose and mouth with the back of his hand, but there was no exhale. He also checked her carotid artery, but there was no pulse.

Byung, standing nearby, asked urgently.

“Is she breathing?”

“No.”

As Gun finished speaking, he quickly began removing Yeonwoo’s armor.

To perform CPR effectively, he first needed to remove her cumbersome clothing.

Once the armor was off, Yeonwoo’s wet training clothes were revealed.

Gun moved to take off her top for CPR when Byung suddenly pushed him aside.

“I’ll do it!”

If they undressed her there, Yeonwoo’s identity as a woman would be exposed to the soldiers.

It was safer for Byung to perform CPR than to risk revealing Yeonwoo’s secret.

Oblivious to the fact he was pushing aside his superior, Byung was solely focused on protecting Yeonwoo.

Meanwhile, an uncomfortable feeling stirred deep inside Gun.

Although part of it was due to his body being carelessly handled, it was more about Byung taking over Yeonwoo’s CPR.

Gun felt an unpleasant sensation, as if something of his was being taken away.

He also didn’t appreciate Byung’s wary attitude, although he set aside his personal feelings as Yeonwoo’s life was the priority.

CPR started with Byung.

He placed his palm in the center of Yeonwoo’s chest, stripped of armor, and compressed several times with his body weight.

Then, he pressed his lips over her cold ones and blew in several deep breaths.

After repeated compressions and breaths, Byung checked her pulse.

Thankfully, Yeonwoo’s heartbeat began to flutter weakly.

Color returned to her pale face, and a faint moan escaped her thin lips.

“Uh…”

“Yeonwoo!”

As Yeonwoo started to regain consciousness, relief washed over Byung’s worried face.

In contrast, Gun, watching Yeonwoo and Byung, frowned.

It was fortunate that Yeonwoo had awakened.

But when did they become so close as to call each other by first names?

Gun increasingly disliked Byung’s familiar manner with Yeonwoo.
Yeonwoo’s eyes fluttered open amidst the chaos.

“Byung oh…”

“That’s right, it’s me. Are you coming to your senses?”

As Yeonwoo almost unconsciously called Byung “brother,” he quickly interrupted her. With many soldiers watching, it was crucial to avoid any suspicion about Yeonwoo’s identity.

Regaining consciousness, Yeonwoo slowly sat up and asked Byung.

“What happened…?”

“You fell into the river.”

Yeonwoo tried to piece together her hazy memories. She recalled staggering before crossing the river and then being enveloped by a cold sensation, apparently being swept away by the water.

“Did the trainer… did you save me?”

“Yes. And Lord Gwangho was with me.”

“Ah…!”

Only then did Yeonwoo notice Gun standing beside Byung, her eyes widening in surprise. Seeing both men drenched, she realized they had jumped into the river to save her.

“Lord Gwangho, thank you for saving me.”

Yeonwoo bowed her head to Gun.

Gun, who had been watching Yeonwoo with his arms crossed, quickly scanned her to ensure she was alright.

Seeing her color return, Gun replied gruffly.

“Glad you’re safe.”

With that, as if his duty was done, Gun turned and walked away. Despite confirming Yeonwoo’s safety, he seemed displeased with the close proximity between her and Byung.

As Gun left, the surrounding soldiers began dispersing to their respective places.

Yeonwoo turned to Byung and bowed.

“Trainer, thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Just did what I had to.”

Then, Daebok ran over to Yeonwoo.

“Are you alright?!”

“Brother Daebok…”

Daebok, sitting down in front of her, looked at her with teary eyes.

“Why do you have to worry us like this? Thought we lost you!”

“I’m sorry, brother. I didn’t expect to lose consciousness like that.”

“Did you not sleep well last night? You were dozing off like a sick chicken.”

“I slept as usual, but I felt dizzy and lightheaded.”

“That sounds like the effects of alcohol.”

Hearing their conversation, Byung looked puzzled.

“Alcohol?”

When Yeonwoo explained, Byung appeared confused.

“I had a small amount of liquor during our break. I spat it out immediately, but some must have gone down my throat.”