‘But if I didn’t do that, Danmokbi would have been so unhappy.’

However, is it right for Danmokchang to monopolize attention and expectations now?

‘No, that’s not right either. Originally, even when I was kind to Danmokchang, he wasn’t a good father.’

Is it right to be sad about the disappearance of his expectations, or can I take this opportunity to become independent from him?

‘Because Danmokbi also has a lot of emotional scars. Maybe we can live as affectionate brothers with Danmokbi.’
I asked Danmokchang with those feelings.

“It’s not just fathers who are precious in the world. If you’re going to be hurt and discouraged because of him like this…”

But my thoughts didn’t come out completely. It was because Danmokchang, who heard my rush, responded with a question.

“Who else do I have besides him?”

“Well…”

“I have no one else. No one wants me.”

That’s not true.

I couldn’t say that. Does Danmokbi have affection for Danmokchang? It was a problem I couldn’t speak recklessly about.

Am I thinking and speaking too easily? Frustrated, I couldn’t even ask a question, just fidgeting with my fingers.

“Or will you become mine, Soldier?”

Danmokchang looked straight at me and said.

“You don’t have to love me. I just need Soldier to be by my side. That’s all I’m asking.”

I couldn’t answer that either. With a stiffened me, avoiding eye contact, Danmokchang, who spoke harsh words, issued a cold dismissal.

“Please go back. I think I need to close my eyes because I’m tired.”

“…Yes. Rest.”

I eventually retreated from Danmokchang’s room as if escaping.

But even after turning around, my heart wasn’t at ease.

‘Did I speak so indifferently to someone who was hurt?’

Perhaps cooking for someone who looked hungry, as Baekho said, might be the problem.

‘Ah, my head hurts.’

Even with thoughts of Danmokbi, my head was pounding. Walking out while pressing my forehead with my palm, Namyung Ryeo’s voice echoed.

“Really? That’s a big problem?”

“What is it?”

“Oh, Jegal Soldier.”

With a bright smile, Namgung Ryeo threw a serious story like a bomb.

“He might not be able to use one leg permanently. According to the doctor.”

“What?”

“Living is a miracle. That’s what he said after seeing a patient with such a deep thigh injury for the first time.”

“…”

Unable to use the leg.

‘Then, as a martial artist, it’s practically over.’

I could only stand there blankly.

If Danmokchang ceases to be a martial artist, what would happen to him?

‘Even now, he doesn’t treat him like a person. There’s no way his father would leave Danmokchang alone.’

He might have to spend painful times being abused every day.

‘If I tell Danmokbi, he might provide a separate residence for Danmokchang.’

Can Danmokchang accept that life?

[Dash] Or will you become mine, Soldier?

The words Danmokchang said earlier echoed in my ears like a hallucination. I buried my face in my palms.

‘Did I do everything wrong?’

I didn’t want to think like this, but I couldn’t help but continue to have such thoughts.

‘Wasn’t there any other way? A way where no one is unhappy, and no one is sad.’

I bit my fingernails. No matter how much I thought about it, there was only one way.
‘I shouldn’t have created a character like Danmokso in the first place.’

There is no way for Danmokchang and Danmokbi not to hurt each other.

The solution is to remove the culprit, Danmokso, from the ‘original work.’

‘If I could go back to that world and fix the novel, it would be possible.’

It was the only way I, as the author, could do it. As I momentarily recalled the other world and strolled through the garden slowly, something caught my eye at the end of my gaze.

“Huh?”

It was a paper folded into the shape of a person. However, it wasn’t white but black, and there was a red thread tied around the neck.

‘It’s ominous.’

Who would throw something like this on the street? Already a place with patients, having such an ominous paper doll rolling around was creepy. When I picked it up to throw it away, there were words written on the back of the doll.

[I will send you back to the original world.]

The original world.

It felt like it was reading my mind. It was when I was staring at the doll as if I were possessed.

[Dash] Let go of my hand!

“Yes?”

With a fierce growl, Baekho, who rushed towards me, tore the paper doll apart with his claws. At that moment, the paper doll burned itself and disappeared.

It wasn’t set on fire, but it still caught fire. It was clear that it wasn’t an ordinary paper doll. Startled, I froze, and Baekho, who lightly landed on the ground, murmured.

[Dash] Using this kind of magic. That guy is not an ordinary guy either.

“Baekho-nim!”

I hugged Baekho, who was standing on four legs, protecting me. Baekho seemed quite surprised too, unable to insert his claws even though he was nestled in my arms. Baekho looked around with round eyes and grumbled.

[Dash] If you ever come across that thing again, be sure to call me.

“What is that?”

[Dash] I don’t know either. All I know is that it’s very malicious.

Baekho called it ‘that thing.’ It seemed like Baekho knew who ‘that thing’ was.

‘Probably Hyuljunghyuk.’

It was probably an amulet suitable for that person. I hugged Baekho tightly with both arms and said.

“He’s an amazing person. Running away like that and sending a letter like this.”

[Dash] Even if I look back, if I, who returned to my original self, swallow him in one gulp, there’s nothing he can do.

With a smug expression, Baekho, glancing at me, added slyly.

[Dash] But he doesn’t want to be swallowed. He says it feels like something bad will happen.

“Still, what is it?”

[Dash] I don’t know either. It’s just very evil.