BW C209

Chapter 209

“That’s right. I’ve never seen anything like that before. No matter how much they’re beasts, they never ate each other.”

“It doesn’t seem like the Shikgoe were lying in ambush there to hunt humans. That place has long since been abandoned by people, and even if they stayed hidden there for a long time, they wouldn’t have been able to fill their stomachs. There’s no way something that intelligent wouldn’t know that. In fact, when it came to our Jeokudae soldiers…”

As Hoeun continued speaking, he suddenly fell silent. Then, with a grim expression, he lowered his gaze. At that, Taemuk spoke shortly.

“Continue.”

“Ah, yes. Rather than eating… it seemed like they were focused on killing. If that’s the case, it means they were lying in ambush there for another reason… In my opinion, it’s possible they were stationed there to block us.”

“To block us?”

“To be precise, to protect their base from anyone trying to find it. Like gatekeepers.”

At those words, Taemuk tilted his head slightly.

“If that’s true, then their base might be nearby.”

“Yes. That’s what I believe.”

After finishing, Hoeun looked at Byeonguk. Byeonguk gave a short nod and continued the meeting.

“At this point, it’s practically the same as having identified the location of their base. The issue now is whether we can actually reach it. We knew the fan-type was intelligent, but its level exceeds our expectations.”

“……”

“It made no sound to avoid detection, and even as it climbed trees, it left no claw marks. It’s extremely intelligent.”

At that moment, Hoeun raised his hand slightly so only Byeonguk could see. Byeonguk glanced at him, signaling him to speak.

“It was also surprising that the ones hanging in the trees first took out the archers, who posed the greatest threat. And when I fired my gun, they even used other Shikgoe as shields.”

At that, Byeonguk’s brows rose in surprise before settling again. Then he looked at Taemuk and said,

“It seems we’ll need to find a countermeasure. Wouldn’t their base be filled with creatures just as intelligent as the fan-type?”

“…Or perhaps even smarter ones.”

Hoeun added in a subdued voice. There might be types beyond the antenna forms they had identified so far. They had no idea how intelligent those could be.

What was certain was that the battles ahead would only grow more difficult.

“……”

“……”

The soldiers’ expressions darkened. Some let out heavy sighs as if the ground might collapse beneath them, while others rubbed their faces dryly. They were all likely feeling the same thing—fear that they might lose, and the dread that they might die.

For a long while, no one spoke. Then Taemuk, arms crossed, spoke in his usual indifferent tone.

“There’s no need to be scared already. We’ve learned where their base is, and that fan-types are lying in ambush nearby. We just need to be more careful and more thorough. We got hit this time because it was a surprise attack. Next time won’t be the same.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Byeonguk quickly agreed. Hoeun nodded as well.

It was true. They hadn’t been defeated because Jeokudae was weak—they were caught off guard.

Shikgoe were still Shikgoe—the same enemies they had fought all this time. There was no need to fear them prematurely.

After that, the meeting shifted into a discussion on how to fight the Shikgoe going forward—what they needed, what to watch out for, how to reach the base, and how to deal with it.

But no viable strategy emerged.

The meeting dragged on. Orange afternoon light filtered through the paper windows. By then, no one was speaking anymore.

As the discussion reached a deadlock, Taemuk, who had been rolling an unlit cigarette in his hand, spoke.

“That’s enough for today.”

“But we haven’t come up with anything.”

“You think sitting here longer will magically give us an answer? We’ll continue tomorrow.”

“…Shall we?”

“If anyone thinks of something later, tell Byeonguk or Hoeun.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Good. Everyone leave. Byeonguk, stay.”

Taemuk waved his hand. The soldiers stood, bowed to him, and left the room. Hoeun remained seated. Byeonguk, having received a separate signal, also stayed.

When only Taemuk, Hoeun, and Byeonguk remained, Taemuk beckoned Byeonguk closer. Byeonguk approached with neat steps and stood before him.

“Is there something you’d like me to do?”

“We need to increase the guards.”

Taemuk said, tossing the cigarette—softened from his fidgeting—onto the desk.

At those words, not only Byeonguk but Hoeun’s eyes widened as well. It was an unusual order.

Jeokudae never neglected vigilance, but they didn’t overdo it either—because of Taemuk. If anything approached, he would sense it. He was someone who could even tell how many birds had flown over the camp that day.

“…Guards?”

Byeonguk asked with a tense expression. Taemuk nodded briefly.

“Yes. Just as we’ve learned about them, they may have learned about us. I’ll hear most things, but… there may be times I won’t.”

“…Is your hearing not as sharp as before—”

Byeonguk cautiously voiced his concern.

“It’s not that.”

Taemuk cut him off firmly. Then he glanced briefly at Hoeun before turning back to Byeonguk.

“Hoeun is here. I’m still strong. No—stronger than before.”

“Then why—”

“It’s just precaution. It might rain. There might be thunder.”

“…Understood. I’ll see to it.”

With that short exchange, Byeonguk bowed and left the room.

Now only Taemuk and Hoeun remained.

Hoeun silently closed his notebook, filled with dense writing, and looked at Taemuk. Meeting his gaze with a blank expression, Taemuk asked bluntly,

“What. Got something to say?”

“No… nothing to say, but…”

“Then?”

“Just… um…”

“What is it.”

“I was wondering… if it’d be okay if I hugged you for a bit.”

At that, Taemuk’s brow lifted slightly. Then he let out a soft, breathy laugh.

“Sure.”

He pushed his chair back with his heel, then tapped his thigh.

Hoeun immediately stood and walked over. Taemuk grabbed his waist and lifted him onto his lap. Their bodies aligned—Taemuk’s chest against Hoeun’s back—as they faced the same direction, overlapping.

Leaning forward slightly, Taemuk pressed his cheek against Hoeun’s.

“Your fever’s gone down a lot.”

There was still a faint warmth, but not the burning heat from before. Holding him close every night for the past few days had paid off.

“What about your cough?”

“I haven’t coughed at all today.”

“Your throat doesn’t hurt?”

“No.”

Hoeun answered diligently, fidgeting with the hand wrapped around his waist. Each time he spoke, the small movements of his cheek transmitted directly to Taemuk. Finding it endearing, Taemuk smiled faintly and pressed soft kisses to the back of his neck.

Then Hoeun tilted his head and asked,

“Are you going out today as well?”

“Yeah. I’ll take a round and come back.”

“Come back early. Let’s have dinner together.”

“Okay.”

After that, the two sat quietly, without speaking or moving.

At some point, Hoeun shifted and tried to turn around to face Taemuk. So Taemuk lifted and turned him—and as if waiting for it, Hoeun immediately wrapped his arms around Taemuk’s neck.

“What’s gotten into you today…?”

Taemuk laughed as he embraced him in return. Hoeun didn’t answer, only tightened his hold. Not to be outdone, Taemuk wrapped his arms firmly around Hoeun’s small back.

Since the day Taemuk had told Hoeun about his past, Hoeun had been like this—frequently trying to hug him. Day or night, whenever no one was around, he would throw himself into Taemuk’s arms, reach for him, or climb onto his lap.

And it was unbearably adorable.

Taemuk hadn’t shared his blood-soaked past just to receive sympathy or affection… but it wasn’t bad either.

Breathing in Hoeun’s scent, stroking his soft ribbon-tied hair, Taemuk felt him.

Hoeun was small… yet also incredibly large.

Only someone who had held him—and been held by him—could understand that.

After savoring him for a while, Taemuk called him in his low voice.

“Hoeun.”

“Yes?”

“I like having you.”

At those words, Hoeun froze for a moment. Then he buried his face in Taemuk’s neck and replied in a muffled voice,

“…Me too. I like you, General.”

At that, Taemuk’s arms tightened slightly around him.