I was young, just six years old, was playfully being dragged by my older friend Won-Guk, who's eight years old. We enters a beautiful forest, both of us brimming with curiosity and excitement.
Won-Guk plucks a rose and, with a smile, places it gently in my ear. I was looking up at my older friend with big eyes, asks shyly, "Am I special to you, hyung?"
Won-Guk's smile widens as he responds sincerely, "You are special to me..."
Won-Guk's voice is resolute as he speaks, "I will protect you at all costs. I'd burn down this entire forest if it meant finding you. Promise me one thing - learn how to protect yourself from harm, become strong, and learn how to fight. Be proud and protect yourself."
I giggles softly, a hint of sibling banter in my tone. "You sound like an overprotective older brother, hyung." Won-Guk chuckles in response.
Suddenly, the ground started to quiver, and Won-Guk and I saw the nearby volcano preparing to erupt. Won-Guk immediately enveloped me in a protective embrace before they both sprinted back to the village.
As we arrived, we witnessed the horrifying scene - every villager had been slain, including my parents. Enraged, Dae-seong exclaimed, "Why are you stopping me?! They have killed our parents. Are you not going to do anything about it?!"
Won-Guk steered me towards a nearby river, a determination in his voice as he replied, "You should go. I'll handle them."
I was refusing to be left behind, protested vehemently, "No! I'm coming with you!"
Won-Guk's gaze softened as he looked at me, the words I had said before echoing in my mind. "You are special to me..." In that moment, Won-Guk forcefully pushed me into the river.
———••End of flashback••———
I opened my eyes, a sense of disorientation washing over me as I touched my wet cheeks. "Why the hell are my eyes watery?" I muttered to myself, puzzled by my unexpected emotional state.
Chul-ki entered the room, his tone calm yet stern. "So, you're finally awake?" he said, looking at Dae-seong. "Why did you do that earlier? Why did you smack me and kick me? You're well aware of the consequences."
My heart raced with fear as I heard Chul-ki's words. I knew I didn't have the powers to match up to Chul-ki, and if I dared to fight, I would inevitably be overpowered.
I knelt in submission, my back exposed. Chul-ki held a whip, the weapon whistling through the air before landing on my skin, eliciting a mix of shudders and pained screams from me. Each lash of the whip left behind a red, raw mark, causing to bleed.
Jang-Geum, carrying a towel and bowl, entered the room after Chul-ki had left. The sight of the bloodstains on the floor made her heart ache in sympathy.
Kneeling down beside me, Jang-Geum gently dabbed the wounds with the towel, speaking softly. "Why don't you leave him? Why not go with Won-Guk?"
I was wincing in pain, replied defiantly, "What would be the point? They would just accuse me of being a traitor to the hero. No, thank you."
Jang-Geum set the towel down, sighing before stating a truth. "You know, Dae-seong, even if you're on the side of the villain, no one will look at you the same."
Jang-Geum continued, her voice filled with genuine concern. "If you continue to stay with Chul-ki, no one will thank you for it. You'll only be seen as the person who enabled his cruel actions."
I met her gaze, my words holding a hint of resignation. "They never knew Chul-ki's true nature..."
Jang-Geum nodded sadly, her voice heavy. "You're right. They're blissfully ignorant. But that won't change the way they see you once they find out about your association with him."
Jang-Geum tenderly caressed my cheek, her touch a mixture of affection and sisterly protectiveness. She gently spoke, her words laced with wisdom. "Dae-seong, listen to me for a moment. I want you to think carefully about this."
Jang-Geum paused, her eyes locking onto mine. "You have a chance to escape Chul-ki's grasp and find a different path. Consider the fact that people's perceptions change, and they may not always see the full picture. If you stay with Chul-ki, you'll be associated with his darkness."
My voice filled with a mix of frustration and resignation, countered, "And how am I supposed to escape?"
Jang-Geum's response was resolute, her eyes filled with determination. "I can help you with that."
TO. BE. CONTINUED.