Bok Taejin let out a confused "Huh?" and looked around the house.
He was still inside, and although Im Beomhyeon's house was slightly larger than the others in the village, it wasn't so big that someone could hide easily.
If Im Beomhyeon was inside, he would have been visible at a glance.
It wasn't as if Im Beomhyeon would deliberately hide in a cabinet to play hide-and-seek with him.
Bok Taejin stepped outside, searching the storage room, the kitchen, and other separate areas of the house, even taking a quick look around the front yard—still, no sign of Im Beomhyeon.
Just as he was about to check the back of the house, he spotted someone approaching from the village path.
Who else could it be but Im Beomhyeon?
There was no need for Aunt Seo to deliver breakfast today.
Im Beomhyeon carried a basket in one hand while biting into a meat bun with the other.
Bok Taejin immediately relaxed, though confusion followed shortly after.
Im Beomhyeon was up this early?
Im Beomhyeon, unaware of his thoughts, had already devoured three meat buns in succession as he walked back.
When he stepped into the courtyard and spoke to Bok Taejin, his mouth was still busy chewing.
"Later, we're heading up the mountain—the one behind the house. I'll find some materials for you to make a bow."
Bok Taejin followed him inside and asked, "A bow? Why the sudden idea to make one?"
Im Beomhyeon rolled his eyes. "We need to prepare for winter! I figure you're training in martial arts, but unless you practice for three or so years, you won't see much improvement. When winter comes, there might be some starving wild beasts wandering into the village for food. They could attack people, so we need to get you a weapon first."
"Even if you have a weapon, you're not suited for close combat with them. Long-range attacks are the way to go, and that means using a bow and arrows."
"Besides, we're mountain folk. Every household has a few bows hanging on the wall. Even kids play with small bows and arrows!"
As Im Beomhyeon spoke, he suddenly widened his eyes. "You bastard! Slow down while you eat! You—mmph…"
Bok Taejin had no idea what else Im Beomhyeon was about to say.
All he saw was Im Beomhyeon stuffing an entire large bun into his mouth with one hand while swiftly grabbing another with the other.
The buns were big.
Im Beomhyeon stretched his mouth wide to take a bite, barely managing to get a quarter of it in.
Bok Taejin watched as Im Beomhyeon's cheeks puffed up while he chewed, then gradually deflated as he swallowed.
Before long, without even using his hands, another portion of the bun was pulled into his mouth.
Bok Taejin gave Im Beomhyeon a thumbs-up. "Impressive, impressive!"
Im Beomhyeon glared at him and refused to respond.
It wasn't until the two of them had finished all the buns in the basket that he smugly declared, "Of course! Your Big Brother Im had been perfected the art of eating back when I was on the run! If it weren't for you sneaking bites while I was talking, I would've put on a proper performance for you!"