13: Split in two

Ahn Hyun looked deeply conflicted by Park Dong-gul's proposal. If anyone else had suggested forming a team, he likely wouldn't have hesitated this much. But something about Park Dong-gul made him instinctively uneasy. No matter how smooth his words were, there was a darkness in him that couldn't be ignored.

Still, Park Dong-gul had the advantage. Regardless of how he phrased it, he had successfully pulled two of the three so-called stragglers—Ahn Sol, Lee Shin-woo, and Lee Bo-rim—onto his side.

Ahn Hyun's unease had already reached a boiling point. He couldn't abandon his sister, but he also knew from the incident at the clearing what her actions could lead to. To make matters worse, his options were running out. Park Dong-gul had left just enough ambiguity to trap him in a stalemate.

If things tipped any further in Park Dong-gul's favor, Ahn Hyun, Ahn Sol, and Lee Yoo-jung would likely be the ones left behind. And Park Dong-gul didn't even realize that this path could be his downfall. From my perspective—and likely others'—this wasn't just about who stuck together. I had judged each person by their traits and stats, focusing on who could survive in Hall Plain. But Park Dong-gul wasn't capable of such judgment, nor did he care for it.

He and I had completely different standards for what a team should be. I was looking for comrades who would be helpful in Hall Plain. He was looking for a group he could control.

In that sense, this situation was actually a golden opportunity for me.

At this point, the balance of power came down to me and Kim Han-byeol. I wasn't present, so naturally, all eyes fell on her. After quietly thinking things over, she looked around and stood up. But I saw her biting her lip slightly—she hadn't made a decision yet.

"We should bring the guy keeping watch too," she finally said after a long pause.

Rather than a choice, it was a suggestion. Those waiting anxiously for her answer let out a collective sigh of relief.

Park Dong-gul, acting like he'd already won, nodded as if he were giving his blessing.

"Yeah. Bring him. Let him know the gist of what's happening and tell him to choose. We don't have all day, so get a move on. Oh, wait."

Just as Kim Han-byeol turned to leave, Park Dong-gul stopped her with a saccharine smile.

"You and that guy can be real assets. Talk to him on the way. I won't be upset—promise. Anyway…"

He glanced briefly at Ahn Hyun, then trailed off.

"…You're both welcome. Choose wisely."

His performance was hitting its peak now. Lee Shin-woo, clearly emboldened by having Park Dong-gul on his side, gave Kim Han-byeol a small fighting gesture. Like it or not, Park Dong-gul had achieved his goal. The beginning may have been clumsy, but age and experience had seen him through.

Lee Shin-woo and Lee Bo-rim had no idea they were just bait and pawns. Or maybe they did—and simply surrendered to the price of survival.

As Kim Han-byeol approached, I quietly closed my eyes. My head throbbed, but there was a strange clarity. I could've easily stepped in to sabotage Park Dong-gul, but that would've defeated the purpose of removing myself earlier. Besides, this could end in a win-win. He got rid of Ahn Hyun and Lee Yoo-jung, while I secured three of the four people I had my eye on. If I interfered now, I'd only be a fool getting in the way of someone walking into their own trap.

Rustle, rustle.

I heard the grass shift behind me. No need to turn around—I knew who it was. I stood up and strapped the crossbow to my left arm. For some reason, whenever I saw Kim Han-byeol, she reminded me of "her." A strange feeling I couldn't quite describe. Pretending to scan the area, I kept my crossbow pointed forward.

"Excuse me…"

"Hm?"

Feigning surprise, I turned toward her. Kim Han-byeol met my gaze with calm eyes. I rubbed my left arm and spoke in a pained tone.

"I heard a few cries, but nothing close."

"Thank you for keeping watch. We're almost done here. It's time for you to come back."

"Then let's go now."

I turned as if to head back immediately, but as expected, she stopped me.

"Wait."

I turned again. Her face was hesitant.

"It… kind of went in a weird direction."

"Weird?"

"Yeah. What happened was…"

She began to explain. I tried to read her thoughts while she spoke, but she remained detached and objective, summarizing only the essentials. Most people in her situation would skew the story, but I found myself genuinely impressed.

"So that's how things stand now. What do you plan to do?"

She looked curious about where I stood. I already knew my answer but feigned uncertainty.

"I didn't expect things to go that way. I'm not sure yet."

"Same."

"What do you think of what that guy said?"

She looked at me for a moment, then answered in a quiet voice.

"He's not exactly wrong. But…"

"But you don't like it?"

"…Yeah. I just get a bad feeling from him. And yet, at the time, I couldn't really refute what he said."

Lee Shin-woo and Lee Bo-rim had already gone over. Watching them probably stirred doubt in her.

And now I understood why she had insisted on coming to get me herself. I wanted to say more, but time was ticking, so I held my tongue and started walking. She followed without a word, but I could feel her presence behind me.

After giving her some time to think, I spoke again.

"I don't like what he said."

"..."

"He mixed truths and weaknesses too well. That's why nothing sounded wrong. But just because someone's not lying doesn't mean they're honest. Can he really back up what he says?"

"No."

She replied without hesitation.

"From the start, he's been bad news. I don't think he can be trusted to lead a team. I'd rather stick with the group we already have."

I glanced behind me. She was deep in thought, mulling over my words. Less than a minute later, as the others came into view, I heard her whisper from behind.

"I'm worried about the two who went ahead…"

That meant she'd made her choice. I was glad I hadn't gone with a blunt approach like, "That bastard's going to use Lee Bo-rim and Lee Shin-woo. Don't go, or you'll be next." She was smart enough to get the message on her own.

As we climbed the hill, the split between the two factions became clear.

On one side: Ahn Hyun, Ahn Sol, and Lee Yoo-jung.On the other: Park Dong-gul with Lee Shin-woo and Lee Bo-rim.

As soon as we reached the top, six pairs of eyes turned toward us.

"There they are. Good work keeping watch."

Park Dong-gul was already acting like a leader. I suppressed the irritation bubbling inside me.

Ahn Hyun's eyes were calm but heavy. Ahn Sol's were anxious. Lee Yoo-jung's were tense. Lee Shin-woo's, nervous. Lee Bo-rim's, resigned. A whirlwind of emotions stared back at me.

I didn't approach either group. I stopped halfway. Kim Han-byeol followed suit and halted beside me.

"Thought you'd be quicker. Anyway, you heard what's going on, right?"

"I did."

"It is what it is. Not ideal, but we're just trying to survive."

I heard Lee Yoo-jung mutter a curse under her breath. Park Dong-gul ignored it and stepped forward, holding out his hand with a warm smile.

"Join our team. You and that lady too. You're both welcome."

The air tensed. Everyone was waiting on my response. Knowing how much hinged on this, I gave him a cold reply.

"I'll decide who I can be friends with, thank you. I'll have to decline."

He didn't flinch. Still holding out his hand, he turned to Kim Han-byeol.

"…What about you?"

"I don't trust you."

She rejected him too.

As we walked past him, he sneered.

"Hmph. So that's how it is. I don't know what that fox told you, but you'll regret this."

"If you value your life, you should learn to value others' too."

"Spare me the lecture. I tried to be nice… Whatever. Don't come begging to join us later."

"That won't be necessary."

"Shin-woo, Bo-rim. Let's go! If we stay with those sanctimonious fools, we're dead."

Did they even exchange names already? Watching him drag them away felt like shedding dead weight. I turned calmly to face the remaining group. I could feel relief and unspoken goodwill in their eyes.

Ahn Hyun sighed and spoke.

"You've been through a lot. As you can see… this is how it turned out."

"Hmph. Better this way. No need to feel bad. They wanted to leave. Let them go. Live or die—it's on them now."

I couldn't help but smile at Lee Yoo-jung's sharp tongue. She was right.

They weren't the ones left behind.We were the ones who remained.

And there's a very big difference between the two.