Chapter 16

“Wh-why the sudden mud pack?”

“It’s good for keeping your skin moist,” Rex said with an air of seriousness, his expression oddly reminiscent of a professional skincare specialist. Suji, who had been about to shout for him to stop, hesitated when she saw his resolute demeanor. Reluctantly, she let him smear mud on her exposed arms, legs, and face, leaving her staring at him in disbelief.

Rex put a finger to his lips, silently signaling her not to speak.

Moments later, there was a loud whirring sound. Suji thought it sounded like dozens of industrial fans running simultaneously. When their shelter began to shake, her face turned pale. Something was attacking them.

It was a swarm of bugs, each no larger than a beetle. Suji flinched as one of the insects burst through the wall. It didn’t seem particularly threatening—until it plunged its stinger into a wriggling larva. Suji froze in horror as the larva shriveled, drained of its fluids.

“What the—killer mosquitoes!?”

As Suji turned pale, the swarm grew thicker, their black forms blotting out the light. Rex used a flaming branch to burn the insects out of the air, but there were too many. Soon, his arms and torso were covered with the clinging mosquitoes.

“What do I do?”

He hadn’t even put mud on himself while ensuring Suji was coated. Gritting her teeth, she watched him with mounting dread, but Rex didn’t waver, focusing entirely on incinerating the mosquitoes.

Then, the rain started pouring, extinguishing the fire on his branch. Without hesitation, Rex began swatting the mosquitoes with his bare hands.

“Oh, my god,” Suji thought, her heart sinking.

Despite his incredible speed, the sheer number of mosquitoes was overwhelming. As Rex became completely engulfed by the swarm, Suji pulled out a lighter. However, the dampness made it nearly impossible to ignite the branch.

Panicking, Suji quickly removed her shirt, wrapping it tightly around the branch. When she set it alight, the fabric burst into flames. She swung the fiery torch, scattering the mosquitoes. The ones clinging to Rex fled, and those caught in the flames fell to the ground, smoldering. As Rex’s face finally reappeared from beneath the swarm, Suji let out a sigh of relief and hurried to support his staggering figure.

“Are you okay?”

His skin was blotchy and red from countless bites. Worried, Suji asked again, but Rex nodded firmly.

“Hide next to the bed. It’s too dangerous.”

“I-I can help!”

Suji was ready to strip down further if necessary to fight off the mosquitoes. However, Rex clearly didn’t want her involved. Knowing he’d feel worse if she got hurt, he pushed her back toward the safety of the bed.

“What? Is he planning to handle this alone?”

While Suji was still processing her shock, Rex noticed a new swarm approaching from the distance. It seemed the surviving mosquitoes had summoned reinforcements—an even larger horde, moving like a dark cloud. His gaze sharpened.

“Ouch.”

Suji slapped her shoulder, killing a mosquito that had bitten her where the mud didn’t cover. Frustrated, she began squashing others lurking nearby. She glanced toward Rex, who, without hesitation, walked out the door.

A black cloud. Suji recognized it as the new swarm and gasped in horror. She rushed to follow, but Rex slammed the door shut behind him.

“What—?”

She tried to open it, but it wouldn’t budge. Something heavy was blocking it. Panicked, Suji peered through a gap in the leaves. Rex stood by a puddle, his body still red and swollen, facing the incoming swarm.

“What is he planning to do…?”

She froze. Suddenly, Rex leapt high into the air, disappearing from view. Suji craned her neck upward, trying to locate him, but he was nowhere to be seen through the narrow gaps.

Moments later, as the mosquito swarm reached their shelter, a loud thud shook the ground like an earthquake.

Suji gaped, whispering, “Oh…”

When Rex landed, water and mud erupted around him in a dramatic wave. It was like watching an explosion. For a fleeting moment, even the rain seemed to pause, suspended in midair, before cascading back down in torrents.

The man, who had just annihilated the swarm of mosquitoes with a single explosive leap of water and mud, walked back through the door, his steps slow and heavy.

“…….”

Suji stared at him, astonished. As he peeled off the mud clinging to his body, he glanced at her. His gaze seemed to ask if she was all right, and Suji nodded silently. Relieved, Rex turned away, just as the rain began pouring harder now that the mosquitoes were gone.

“What do I do? I want to clean myself off.”

With the danger gone, Suji’s attention turned to her filthy, mosquito-bitten body. She scratched her swollen shoulder and tried to brush off the mud on her arms and legs, but it was a futile effort. Seeing her struggle, Rex suddenly stood, opened the door, and stepped out into the rain. This time, he left the door open, as if inviting her to follow.

“Huh?”

The downpour was relentless, washing away the dirt and grime in streams. Rex stood motionless in the rain, his black hair soaked and clinging to his face. He looked like a grim reaper standing in the shadows. Suji, drawn by something she couldn’t explain, followed him out.

Her clothes clung to her skin as the rain soaked through instantly, and the mud on her body was quickly washed away. Pushing her wet hair back, she looked at Rex.

His gaze was desolate, as if it would remain unchanged no matter what happened. Somehow, Suji found comfort in that. He seemed like a man who would stay constant through any storm, whether his eyes were filled with darkness or the stoic resolve of a reaper. Calmed by the thought, Suji softened her gaze toward him. Sensing her shift, Rex looked at her, a curious expression crossing his face.

Standing in the rain, their eyes met, as if baring their souls to each other. Time seemed to stretch infinitely as Suji felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity and connection with him. Then she noticed his swollen cheek.

“They say putting spit on mosquito bites makes them heal faster,” she joked lightly, her tone playful despite her concern.

Rex blinked, his expression puzzled. Suji chuckled softly.

“It just looks painful. All red and swollen,” she explained, raising her hand cautiously. Rex didn’t pull away as her gentle fingers brushed his cheek. Her touch was warm, even in the rain, just as she was—full of life and warmth, feelings he lacked.

“I hope it heals soon. I don’t want it to hurt anymore.”

Her voice was tender as she withdrew her hand. But before she could pull away completely, Rex caught her wrist. His gaze locked onto hers, resolute and intense.

For a man who had lived his life discerning allies from enemies, Suji was undeniably an enigma, an unknown risk. Yet, when he asked himself if her presence made him feel good, the answer was yes. And when he wondered if it would upset him if she were hurt, the answer was also yes.

Even beyond these thoughts, whenever she touched him, he felt an uncontrollable heat coursing through him, pulling him toward her, consuming him with a desire he couldn’t rationalize.

So that’s it, he concluded.

Keeping her alive and by his side was the only logical choice. With this realization, Rex parted his lips.

“…Suji.”

Hearing her name, spoken by him for the first time, Suji froze in shock. He had never addressed her like this, never acknowledged her so directly. But what came next startled her even more.

“Rex.”

The man pointed to himself, mirroring the gesture Suji had used earlier to indicate him.

“Aldos Moor Rex.”

“……!”

Suji’s eyes widened, her gaze trembling with shock. She never expected to hear his name. Even after he had saved her multiple times, he had remained a mystery. He never explained who he was or what he did. It wasn’t a matter of a language barrier—Suji always sensed it was his deliberate caution, his way of keeping her at arm’s length.

No matter the reason, Suji couldn’t deny that his refusal to even share his name had left her feeling somewhat slighted.

‘I’d almost given up.’

But now, he had spoken his name aloud. The revelation filled Suji with an overwhelming sense of elation. If he was willing to share his name now, maybe one day he would tell her more—who he was, what kind of life he led. Suji looked at him with sparkling, hopeful eyes, her excitement radiating from her every feature.

“Of course.”

Rex murmured softly, his gaze fixed on her. The sight of her stirred something primal, uncontrollable within him. It was a deep, visceral reaction that surged through his veins like electricity, awakening every nerve in his body. The sensation was intoxicating, heating even the most unyielding and scarred parts of him.

Rex surrendered to the overwhelming urge that consumed him.

“When something looks delicious, you’re supposed to take a bite.”

Extending his arm, he gently wrapped his hand around her neck and pulled her closer. Suji was drawn toward him as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

His eyes never wavered from hers. She seemed frozen, as though she already knew what was about to happen.