After finishing the martial arts tournament registration, we went back out onto the streets. Only after getting lost among the people did I manage to catch my breath.

“Phew, that really surprised me earlier.”

At my words, Danmokbi squinted his eyes and smiled.

“I was more surprised. Calling me a child earlier, then suddenly stepping forward like that. What was that about?”

“Ugh.”

It was as Danmokbi said. I turned my eyes away from his sharp point and tried to act innocent. Then Danmokbi also hardened his face and began to nag.

“There are good people in the martial arts world who uphold righteousness and cooperation, but there are also many arrogant fellows who just trust their own strength. It’s dangerous to step forward like that.”

Since Danmokbi said that much, I couldn’t evade any longer. I fiddled with my hands and bowed my head deeply. Then I confessed the truth.

“I was so angry that I lost my reason for a moment. I’m sorry.”

Even I thought it was reckless. I doubted that someone who doesn’t even know the taste of martial arts would try to overpower me with strength, but then again, there are also scumbags in the world who wield violence without hesitation against those weaker than them.

‘In the martial arts world, if you make a slight mistake, people think that if you have strength, you can do anything.’

In the end, Danmokbi was right that I was careless. I resolved to cultivate more patience. Most of all, I had to correct getting angry every time I heard Danmokbi’s complaints, even though I’m not an overbearing parent.

‘Danmokbi is old enough to handle things himself!’

Seeing me show sincere regret, Danmokbi again smiled gently and pulled the hand he was holding toward himself. Suddenly being led by his hand and drawn into his arms, Danmokbi whispered to me.

“I’m still happy that Yeona took my side. And don’t worry, I’ll protect you when you’re by my side.”

How could I believe this! I nodded my head.

“I guess I’ll have to follow you around like goldfish poop.”

“What are you talking about?”

At the absurd analogy, Danmokbi burst into laughter.

What’s there to say? I will never be away from Danmokbi’s side. I loosely gripped Danmokbi’s hand again and followed beside him. As my mind settled, the phenomenon from earlier came to mind.

“But why did it suddenly get quiet earlier?”

Danmokbi explained in a cool tone to my question.

“I told you. If you’re accumulating inner strength, it’s no different from an ordinary person. Earlier, I thought Yeona might be in danger, so I just slightly opened my inner strength.”

“Ah, so that thump sound was your inner strength.”

Now everything made sense. As I nodded my head, Danmokbi stopped and looked back at me.

“You heard the sound?”

“Yes. It felt like a gentle step, but it resonated like thunder, so it was amazing.”

I nodded my head. Danmokbi stared at my face for a moment and then muttered as if sighing.

“Yeona is peculiar.”

That was a truly unjust assessment! I pouted my lips.

“That’s a review I only hear from you.”

At my words, Danmokbi shrugged his shoulders.

“That’s not true. The steward also tells Yeona that she’s strange.”

“Eek! You heard that?”

“I wasn’t intentionally listening. It’s just that he says that wherever he goes, so naturally, it came to my ears.”

“Ugh! The steward is just too sensitive.”

Why does the steward judge me like that? Where would you find a sincere, kind, and ordinary child like me?

Danmokbi pulled my arm closer to him again. Then, grinning, he said,

“Anyway, there are two days left until the preliminaries. Shall we explore Habook during that time?”

“Don’t you have to be training?”

“I have enough time to spend with Yeona. No, even if I don’t, I want to make it.”

At that statement, I realized the strange sense of unease I had felt since coming to Habook.

Danmokbi was not a person who smiled so often. Even in the estate, he openly favored me, but he didn’t treat me this warmly.

But in Habook, especially since we started spending time alone, he’s been laughing and talking unusually often. What could be the reason?

‘Danmokbi is excited too.’

Thinking about it, this was Danmokbi’s first time outside the estate as well.

‘So his usual sincerity flowed out more.’

He had been holding back in the estate. He knew exactly what I was worried about, too.
“Danmokbi might react sensitively, you know.”

Once I knew the reason for his behavior, the warmth of the hand I was holding now felt more meaningful in a different way. It was when I stared at the large hand that was completely wrapped around my hand.

Danmokbi suddenly asked.

“So, how long are you planning to call me master? We decided to call each other by our names here, didn’t we?”

Ah, I answered vaguely with a red face like an apple, realizing that he was being serious.

“It, it’s a habit. It just sticks in my mouth.”

Was I a fool in my previous life? Why is serving others so suited to me? It was when I was sweating profusely. Danmokbi’s beautiful eyes narrowed.

“Hmm, is the outfit the problem? Let’s go to the clothes shop first.”