Escape from an Ancient Civilization Ch 199

Chapter 199 Side Story 2

 

 Episode 1

Modern Person – Year One

Awoken at the call of the grandmother next door, who had asked him to stop by early in the morning, Nataek had no choice but to rise in a hurry. He roughly put on a cap, threw on some clothes, and went next door. Just as he was about to head home after helping her with chores, a loud voice rang out behind him the moment he pushed open the front gate.

“Nataek! Take this too!”

The grandmother shouted. Tugging his cap more firmly down, Nataek turned toward her. The basket she handed him was brimming with potatoes.

“You really don’t need to give me so much.”

“Well, doesn’t Myeong-su eat this well! Even my household’s Myeong-su goes crazy for the potatoes I dig up from the garden.”

Just then the sliding door rattled open, and out came a man with messy bed hair.

“Ah, Grandma! Why do you keep calling me Maeng-su*?”

“I call a beast a beast. What else should I say?”

“It’s Myeong-su! Not Maeng-su!”

“Beast!” (maengsu, literally “fierce beast” in Korean, sounds similar to the personal name Myeong-su).

The morning quarrel between grandson and grandmother pulled a soft smile from the corners of Nataek’s lips. Hastily, he took the basket from her arms.

“Thank you, Grandma. Medeus really likes your potatoes. We’ll enjoy them.”

“Good. When you finish them, tell me. I’ll dig and send more.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You’re heading back up to Seoul tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“Aigo. It makes me so sad.”

Ever since hearing Nataek was moving, the grandmother had been asking the same question again and again. Knowing this time would be the last filled her words with more melancholy than annoyance. Perhaps she had grown fond of him, as her eyes betrayed her regret. Nataek smiled warmly and kindly.

“I’ll come down often.”

“Yes. Come down often, won’t you?”

“Yes. Then I’ll be off.”

He waved lightly to the grandson as well and left.

Because he had stepped out at dawn, the morning cool still clung to the air. Though his hands were heavy, his steps home felt light.

“It’s already been a year…”

By some coincidence, when Medeus had worked as a photo model once, the pictures spread through social media and brought him sudden fame. They say humans cannot see even one step ahead of themselves, and true enough, that event led to Medeus signing formally with an agency. It had been entirely his own decision.

At first, his schedule had been leisurely, but recently it had grown tight enough that they had to travel to Seoul nearly every day. The busier he became, the better adapted Medeus grew to his modern life. Though he still struggled with food a little, he almost fully looked the part of someone born and raised in this world.

And so, Nataek had to make the decision to move for both their sakes.

Walking the dirt road between rice fields, Nataek laid out tomorrow’s plans in his head.

The moving company would arrive at 8 a.m., valuables already packed in the car… what else was there? Once unpacking was done, he needed to think of the company talk, too…

“Hey, Lee Nataek!”

A relaxed voice called behind him. Falling into step beside him came Jungyeom.

“Why are you walking so fast?”

“I’m not. I was walking slowly. What’s up so early?”

Jungyeom thrust a plastic bag into his hand.

“I went jogging. Grandma of Myeong-su’s place said to give you these sweet potatoes.”

Nataek blinked at the potatoes in his basket, then chuckled when he saw the sweet potatoes in his hand.

“Ah, thanks.”

He placed the bag atop the potatoes.

“How did that job interview go?”

Jungyeom kept pace with him, asking.

“I got in.”

“What? Hey! That’s huge news, why didn’t you call me immediately?”

Jungyeom’s eyes went wide with surprise.

“I only got the call yesterday.”

When he had decided to move, Nataek also realized it was time he lived independently. So he had begun job-hunting and, luckily, got accepted rather quickly. Until now it had been his little secret. Now it became something only he and Jungyeom knew.

“Where’d you get in?”

“GO Soft.”

“That company? Where Kyung-chul senior kept bragging about the great benefits? Damn, man…!”

Jungyeom slapped him hard on the back two, three times, making Nataek stumble before regaining balance.

“Nice work, Lee Nataek! I’m jealous, so jealous!”

Nataek only smiled, steadying the tilting basket.

Before they knew it, they had arrived in front of his home.

“I’ll be heading in.”

As he said goodbye, Jungyeom slipped in behind him past the gate.

“Weren’t you off exercising?”

“Just a glass of water first. I’m thirsty.”

Creak—

As Nataek opened the door, it gave a grinding sound. At the same time, his voice lowered. The quiet house seemed to prove Medeus was still soundly asleep.

“Medeus is sleeping, keep your voice down.”

“Got it, man.”

Even in something like this, the changes showed. Once, the moment Nataek stepped out, Medeus would have immediately leapt awake to pace the yard like a specter. Now, he seemed steady, as if confident Nataek would always return to his side.

“Water’s in the fridge, right?”

“Yeah. Help yourself.”

As Jungyeom walked to the fridge, Nataek set the basket of potatoes lightly on the table.

But Medeus wasn’t the only one who had changed. Nataek had, too. The fact that he didn’t feel restless anxiety when apart from Medeus was proof. Still, that didn’t mean he felt no concern at all.

“Is he sleeping well…?”

Just as Nataek turned toward the bedroom, Jungyeom’s arm looped suddenly around his neck.

“Hey, send me the new address for after you move.”

“What for?”

“What do you think? To come by with tissue rolls.”

“Don’t.”

“Fine, then I’ll bring something else. Just give me the address.”

They had just begun a silly scuffle pressed close when—

“You better take your hands off.”

The low, growling voice was edged with irritation. Both men turned sharply toward the bedroom. Leaning against the doorframe, Medeus glared at Jungyeom with storm-dark eyes.

“M-Medeus. Hey there.”

Jungyeom greeted awkwardly, to which he hastily relaxed his grip and placed his hand on Nataek’s shoulder instead. Medeus approached and gestured at Nataek with his chin.

“Move your hand.”

“What the— You think you can talk to me that way?”

Jungyeom laughed incredulously. But Medeus didn’t flinch.

“He’s a foreigner,” Nataek intervened.

“I know he’s got Korean citizenship. And he speaks Korean better than most Koreans!”

“Outside, everyone still treats me like a foreigner.”

In the end, Jungyeom lowered his hand from Nataek. Instantly, Medeus pulled Nataek towards himself. Clicking his tongue, Jungyeom muttered:

“You’re more bad-tempered ever since you adjusted to life here, aren’t you?”

At that, Nataek gave an awkward smile. Bad-tempered? If only he knew Medeus’s real temper. In the old days, he’d have already thrown a knife by now…

“I’ll get going, then. I’ll stop by tomorrow. Good luck packing.”

Waving loosely, Jungyeom headed out. From the moment Medeus had appeared, he seemed eager to leave. Nataek tried to follow him to the door, but—

Thud.

His body was locked tight in a powerful embrace. He could only stand still and see Jungyeom off. Medeus held him deep and buried his face into Nataek’s shoulder. Nataek raised a hand, smoothing through his soft, messy hair.

“Did you sleep well, Medeus?”

“Where were you this morning?”

“The grandmother next door called me over with food. She was so sad, saying she won’t see me much anymore.”

“Will you miss this place?”

“Hmm… Maybe? It might come to mind now and then.”

Medeus hugged Nataek tighter.

“Come whenever you want. Don’t worry too much.”

Nataek tapped his hand gently.

“Yeah. Let’s do that.”

“Teresi.”

“Yeah?”

“…Nataek.”

Startled at hearing his actual name, Nataek turned slightly to look back.

“If I call you that, won’t it keep people from growing suspicious?”

Understanding, Nataek smiled softly and stroked the back of his hand.

“Call me however feels best. It won’t make trouble. Even if it did, if it’s what you want, do you think I wouldn’t do that much for you?”

At those words, Medeus suddenly slipped one hand inside Nataek’s T-shirt. His rough, heated palm caressed slowly over firm abs.

“So you mean you’ll let me have whatever I want?”

The hand, creeping upward, moved toward his chest. Nataek hesitated, eyes falling to the shirt fabric slowly dragged up.

“I… suppose…”

“You? Suppose?”

Medeus pinched a nipple gently. Nataek winced on one side, only for Medeus’s other hand to lift his jaw and turn his face. Forcing his gaze, Medeus pressed their lips. Nataek settled his hand on Medeus’s forearm. That soft rubbing kiss made Nataek stiffen with a sudden jolt of concern.

When Medeus drew back a little to deepen it, Nataek quickly pushed his palm between their faces.

“Wait, Medeus.”

“…Why?”