Chapter 15
“That smells good.”
Waking up, Suji inhaled the rich aroma wafting through the room. It was comforting, especially after the unsettling dream she had. Memories of a long-lost boy and the girl who waited for him weighed on her mind. The dream had brought back the heavy stone of despair she carried deep within her heart, a reminder of helplessness from long ago.
But toward the end of the dream, someone had gently stroked her head as if to say, “You did your best.” It felt as though that stone had lightened just a little, and as she awoke to the scent of cooking, she found herself drawn back into the present.
Slowly, she opened her eyes to see a ceiling patched with fresh green leaves. The comforting sizzle of food cooking reached her ears. Sitting up, she spotted a pot with something delicious browning inside. The smell made her stomach growl, and she glanced around sheepishly.
Where is he?
Her eyes darted around, but there was no sign of him. Anxiety clawed at her chest, her heart pounding uncomfortably as she rose to her feet. The door creaked open just as she moved to search for him.
“You’re awake,” Rex said, stepping inside with his hair slick and dripping with water. He ran a hand through his wet locks, and Suji found herself staring, mesmerized. Droplets trailed down his face, over his shoulders, and across his bare chest, accentuating his sharp features and muscular frame. The sight was… overwhelmingly striking.
Caught in her reverie, Suji’s face burned with embarrassment when Rex’s neutral gaze met hers, as if to ask, What are you staring at? She quickly looked away, trying to calm her thundering heart.
Rex, unfazed, walked over to the pot and pulled out the cooked meat with a deliberate motion. “It’s ready to eat,” he announced, expertly slicing it into portions. He handed her a tender, well-cooked piece.
Suji hesitated for a moment before accepting it. She brought it to her lips and took a small bite. The flavor was mild but comforting, the texture soft and easy to swallow. She kept eating as Rex handed her more. The question of what kind of meat is this? crossed her mind, but an ominous intuition warned her not to ask. Instead, she focused on the pleasant warmth filling her belly.
Her gaze drifted to the items beside Rex: the familiar leather pouch with the mysterious powder, a metal lighter, and a bundle of unfamiliar blue fruits. Sensing her curiosity, Rex gestured toward the items with a tilt of his head.
“They’re yours,” he said. “That lighter is surprisingly useful in bad weather.”
He handed her the lighter. As Suji accepted it, she noticed something unusual—thin, leafy bandages were wrapped around her fingers. She hadn’t realized it before, likely too distracted by her earlier anxiety. Staring at the makeshift bandages in surprise, she glanced at Rex. He gestured to a crushed bug nearby, as if to say, That’s what I used to make it.
No gray powder this time, Suji thought, puzzled. Her eyes drifted to the leather pouch, but Rex seemed to anticipate her question.
“There’s not much left,” he explained, his tone firm. “It needs to be saved for something more important.”
Though she didn’t understand his words, Suji picked up on the gravity of his expression and tone. She smiled softly in gratitude. Rex, receiving her smile, silently handed her another piece of meat.
Suji obediently opened her mouth to eat, her demeanor almost childlike in its innocence. The way she ate—small bites, calm and steady—reminded Rex of a tiny bird. It was endearing in a way that caught him off guard. He wondered idly if this was what it felt like to care for a pet. But unlike the dirty, noisy animals used for transportation, Suji’s presence was… comforting.
“Full?” he asked when she shook her head and waved her hand. Suji patted her belly to indicate she’d had enough. Standing, she began tidying the room.
Rex watched silently, recognizing her restlessness. She couldn’t seem to sit still, much like some of the knights under his command who always sought work to occupy their hands. Suji dusted her makeshift leaf mattress, shooed out crawling insects, organized dusty utensils, and gathered fallen leaves for firewood.
While cleaning, she discovered a wooden container left behind by the natives. Opening it, she sniffed curiously and pulled out dried leaves with a faint, pleasant scent. Rex recognized it immediately: maehokcho, a rare herb that was highly prized in the kingdom for its aphrodisiac properties and fertility benefits.
The herb was expensive and often traded among nobles for its potent effects. Even unprocessed, it was valuable. The native man had likely offered it to Rex in desperation, hoping to buy his life.
Suji, however, seemed unaware of its significance. After a moment’s hesitation, she brought it over to Rex, who raised an amused brow and teased, “You eat it.”
“The bedchamber smelled earthy, its damp air clinging to Suji as she tried to settle into the humid, suffocating environment. The relentless rain outside amplified the oppressive moisture, drumming against the roof like an endless symphony. She sighed, longing for relief as her clothes clung uncomfortably to her skin.
‘How long will I stay here?’ Suji thought, glancing at Rex, who was deeply engrossed in peeling the tough skin off blue fruits. His focus was unwavering, his muscular frame taut as he worked with methodical precision. Suji bit her lip, not wanting to disturb him. Instead, she busied herself by prodding the fire with a branch, hoping to burn away some of the oppressive dampness. The effort only made the air hotter, and she wiped the sweat off her brow in frustration.
‘I can’t stand this anymore,’ Suji decided, standing abruptly. She moved toward the door, hoping that letting in the fresh, rainy breeze would bring some relief. Before opening it, she glanced back at Rex. His sharp gaze flicked to her briefly before returning to his task, a silent acknowledgment that she took as permission.
‘Good, no objections,’ Suji thought, mustering her courage. She swung the door open, and a rush of cool, rain-laden air filled the room. She closed her eyes, relishing the sensation of the stifling heat being carried away on the breeze.
She stood at the threshold, gazing out at the transformed landscape. The marshlands were now a vast, muddy waterlogged expanse. Pools of water reflected the gray sky, while drenched birds croaked and flew low over the ground. Occasionally, strange creatures like crabs or mudworms emerged from the muck, writhing before disappearing again.
The scene was mesmerizing, in a bleak and unsettling way. The greenish-black hues of the landscape exuded a strange allure, a mixture of mystery and unease. Suji’s gaze lingered, her thoughts swirling as murky as the marsh’s waters.
‘How do I escape this place?’ she wondered, turning to look at Rex. His strong figure, silhouetted by the dim light, gave her a flicker of hope. If anyone could guide her out of this surreal world, it would be him. His movements, precise and deliberate, exuded confidence and capability.
‘Maybe he’s hiding from something,’ Suji speculated, her imagination taking flight. Perhaps he was the heir of a powerful syndicate, forced to flee a bloody feud, seeking refuge in the unreachable depths of the marsh. Yet, she quickly shook her head. His abilities were far beyond anything she could attribute to mere human skill, let alone gang warfare.
He wasn’t just a human. He was something more—someone who could fight monsters, traverse the swamp like the wind, and survive in ways no ordinary person could.
‘Am I in another world?’ The thought struck her like a thunderclap, leaving her heart heavy with unease. Was this a dimension-hopping tale brought to life? The kind she had only read about in books? If so, what brought her here, and how could she return?
Before she could spiral further into questions, an eerie silence fell over the area. It was Rex who noticed it first. He stood abruptly, his sharp senses attuned to something in the distance. Suji followed his gaze, but all she could hear was the faint, unnatural flapping of thin, membranous wings, growing louder with each passing second.
“What’s happening?”
She asked, alarmed by Rex’s sudden intensity. Without answering, he slammed the door shut and grabbed her arm. His expression was grim, his movements quick and deliberate.
“What’s wrong?” Suji asked again, her voice tinged with panic.
Rex didn’t reply. Instead, he crouched down and began smearing sticky, wet mud from the ground onto her arms and face. The cold, clammy sensation made her shiver, but his grave expression silenced any protests. Something dangerous was coming, and whatever it was, she trusted him to protect her.”
