TCGAD 13

How was I supposed to return to the cave like this? My mind was filled with worry. But then, the black carriage I had left behind was waiting in front of the house.

“How did this get here?”

There was no answer. Bulkan flung open the carriage door and set me inside.

“Don’t move a single step from there.”

He issued a stern warning.

“Where are you going?”

I asked urgently, but b**g! The door slammed shut. I peered out through the small window. Bulkan was running into the forest.

“It’s raining! Where are you going!”

I anxiously watched the rainy outside. About twenty minutes passed, and I was considering stepping out when Bulkan reappeared.

“…!”

Something was tucked under his thick arm. It was yellowish and four-legged. If this were the countryside, I might’ve thought it was a stray dog, but…

“A… lion?”

I gasped in shock. Its mane soaked with rain, it was unmistakably a lion.

Bulkan put a harness on the lion. When it growled in defiance, Bulkan threw a punch without expression. Striking its nose repeatedly, the lion’s eyes rolled back as if it might faint. Bulkan snorted, hmph, and forcibly attached the reins to the lion.

“If you pass out on the way, I’ll turn you into meat.”

Then he yanked open the carriage door. I flinched and shrank back, but my body was quickly pulled toward him.

“Come to my side.”

N**ed as if returned to a primal state, he wrapped my body tightly and held me in his arms. When I squirmed from the suffocating hold, Bulkan snapped irritably.

“Don’t make me angrier!”

He shoved my arms back into his embrace. His breathing was rough and rapid. His unresolved urge for violence seemed to fuel his agitation.

“Grrr!”

Outside, the lion whimpered mournfully. Clunk, clunk! The ride was terribly bumpy.

“I’ll kill you!”

Bulkan shouted, slamming the carriage wall. It shook as if it might break. The lion finally shut its mouth.

My body gradually grew drowsy. Soaked from the rain, and with dusk settling heavily outside, the warm heat enveloping me seemed to ease my tension.

“But you…”

My eyes felt heavy, blinking slowly. Bulkan l**ked my eyes with his tongue, s**king my eyelids into his mouth with a slurp before releasing them.

“How did you know I was there?”

His eyes gleamed as if he’d heard an amusing question. His jaw muscles relaxed, and a slight smirk curled his lips.

“Because I’ve been following you all along.”

I silently asked myself… Why?

It was deeply ironic. Thieves who tried to steal my jewelry. A beast who could end my life with one bite. Which was truly dangerous?

Everyone would say the beast. So why was I dozing off in this beast’s arms?

“It looked like someone was trying to take you as a bride, so I kept watch.”

The situation hadn’t unfolded that way at all. Where had that suspicion even come from? Denying it would only amplify his distrust, so I let out a small sigh. My mind was a mess.

“At least you didn’t kill them.”

One thing was certain: I was relieved Bulkan hadn’t killed them. It was surprising he’d listened to me.

Even now, I was stunned. His jaw still trembled, his eyes fierce. By his temper, he could’ve torn them apart like paper and buried them, and it wouldn’t have been strange.

“But is your head okay?”

The beast blinked. He seemed unable to process my question.

“You broke through a glass window with your head. Why not use the door…”

“Why are you asking that?”

He stared at me as if trying to pierce through my face.

“My head doesn’t break that easily. So don’t get your hopes up.”

His high suspicion and wariness reminded me of a fighting dog. I felt a bitter amusement.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I was worried you might be hurt.”

In my sluggish vision, I noticed something. Blood was splattered on his chiseled jaw. I wriggled to free my hand.

“It’ll hurt until it heals, right?”

I gently rubbed his jaw with my thumb. The rugged jawbone, full of wild charm, shifted slightly. Gulp, his large Adam’s apple rose and fell dramatically. The motion stole my gaze.

Suddenly, my wrist was grabbed.

“Why?”

I looked up, puzzled, and our eyes met. His eyes were strange, as always—too black, like a swamp. Sticky, their depth unfathomable.

“…”

“…”

The silence around us was sharp and uncomfortable. Tension hung in the air.

When I was alone, the carriage felt spacious enough. But with Bulkan here, it was unbearably cramped. The rain poured outside, making me feel trapped. My breath tightened. I also felt like I needed to pee.

“Humans hide their lowly intentions behind weak exteriors. You’re no different.”

His hot breath poured over my face. While saying I was filthy, his hands roamed my waist, groping my sides.

“I hate humans. They’re disgusting. Slow and foolish. They can’t even catch a bird with their bare hands. They stole your horses too.”

I felt something pressing against my hip—hot and large. His mouth kept saying I was dirty, but his body was steadily aroused. I couldn’t tell which was the truth.

“Dirty as mud on claws!”

Gripping my waist tightly, he s**ked my cheeks, l**king my earlobes and lips without restraint.

“I hate touching you. I hate the wind, the sun, the waves. I wish they’d all die.”

He seemed wildly unstable. Spilling chaotic thoughts without order, I felt my soul slipping away.

“You’re mine.”

Boom, crash! Thunder roared like a walnut splitting.

“What did you do to my body while pretending to care?”

His nose came close, growling, sharp canines bared.

“You’ve broken my insides, no doubt.”

Talking of insides, his large hand touched near my left chest. My heart sank too. The thick, smooth skin clearly covered his heart.

“You’re completely insane.”

He was never sane to begin with. I wanted to protest, but Bulkan clawed at his chest, trying to rip it open.

“Take this thing!”

“Don’t.”

I grabbed his wrist quickly. He stopped, glaring, but obeyed. His fiery eyes differed from the beast driven by instinct. Could my clumsy training from the book actually work?

Well… Maybe this was less about me and more about a change Bulkan sparked himself. What caused it? How should I interpret this? If he felt something like affection for me… My heart plummeted deep inside.

“No way.”

I shook my head softly.

“No, that can’t be.”

My reflection in the window showed a frightened face. My feelings for him grew more complex. Fear still dominated, tangled with everything else.

Even if I’d grown used to Bulkan and this situation, I was ordinary. No different from the couple begging for their lives before him.

“I want to shove my paw in your mouth.”

Iwanttoshovemy pawinyourmouth, he spat in one breath, no pause. Not just talk, he brought his fist to my mouth, then grimaced, realizing I had no snout.

“Your jaw’s small.”

He sounded annoyed. Then, as if struck by a thought, he moved his fist between my legs—more precisely, toward my hips.

“Then behind?”

Lost in thought, I felt him bite my nape.

“…It hurts.”

I cautiously turned my eyes. Bulkan chuckled, like a naughty dog nipping playfully.

He rubbed something hard against my hips. His movements were rough, following instinct, mounting impatiently. I was pushed by his force, my body bouncing upward.

“Hah…”

Panting with pleasure, he breathed heavily on my nape. He chased his l**t relentlessly. Sitting n**ed, rubbing himself on another’s thigh, he felt no shame.

It was so inhuman.

“…Hoo, hah.”

My chaotic mind calmed. An inexplicable relief washed over me. I pushed away the fleeting suspicion.

Or tried to.

Once rooted, suspicion didn’t fade easily. It clung like moss in my heart, popping up unexpectedly.

Doubt sprouted from possibility, countered by optimistic denial, and I ping-ponged between them. Both feelings took root—a near-syndrome.

Was Bulkan, a wild dog in human guise, trying to mimic human emotions? The eerie thought chilled me. A beast tearing through forests, biting prey’s napes, now speaking of love with those lips… Could such twisted, perverse obsession be called affection?

Sure, Bulkan had become oddly gentler. But it was like swapping a steel rod from concrete for a wooden plank—not the soft breeze swaying flowers or ripples on a lake. I was caught in a typhoon’s eye, overwhelmed by confusion.

Complete ruin.

I was always slow. Sudden news usually brought misfortune, problems beyond a child’s control.

“Myeongha, your grandmother collapsed again…”

Force majeure. Even a jagged stone, rolled in mud and battered, becomes round.

“They’re really coming back this time? Who’s stealing Mom’s money?! This d**ned house!”

I grew numb, reacting like a cotton doll. I learned it was easier to yield to waves than fight them.

Resignation, compliance, surrender… These were my only escapes.

“…”

But this aftermath was different. Returning to the cave, my legs trembled. My knees buckled, nearly collapsing.

“Priest.”

Lemon wrapped me in a blanket. No manic smile or high-pitched voice—just a flat question.

“Are you okay?”

Torn clothes, red handprints on my nape—marks of resistance remained. I looked like shredded tissue.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

I tried to act normal. Forcing a smile, my lips twitched.

“Shall I bring hot tea?”

I shook my head at Lemon’s question.

“No, I just want to rest.”

She didn’t press further, only picking up the fawn running toward me.

“Kaek!”

The fawn’s eyes glistened. Its bowl was full of milk, and its favorite soft clover was piled beside it. It hadn’t eaten, waiting for me.

“It kept crying kaek to see you.”

I wanted to hug it, but my state was too disheveled. Torn to pieces, this wasn’t good for its upbringing. It’d be lucky if it wasn’t shocked.

Burying its nose in my hand would calm it, but I couldn’t indulge. I deliberately ignored Haengbok, pretending not to see.

“Aaek…”

Unhugged, the fawn grew sad, stretching out its leg for affection, as usual. It was adorable, but its blind trust pained me. It was pitiful that it followed a fool like me.

“Lemon, please make sure Haengbok gets its milk. Thank you.”

“Don’t worry.”

Lemon left. Aek, aek, the fawn’s plaintive cries echoed down the hall. Soon, silence fell over the cave.

“Hnng.”

In the quiet, I let out the tears I’d held back, covering my mouth to stifle sobs. The door was thankfully closed.

“…Hic.”

Once started, the tears wouldn’t stop.

I didn’t want to cry. I didn’t want to drown in sentiment. Emotions are like dominos—one falls, and the rest collapse.

Crying wouldn’t fix anything. It only clouds judgment, worsening things.

But knowing this, I couldn’t stop sobbing. Tears flowed as if draining all the water in my body. I was more terrified than I’d realized. The chaotic events had overwhelmed me, and relief that the ordeal was over swept me away.

Thinking of the couple approaching with knives while I slept exhausted, my spine still chilled.

I thought I was dead, but Bulkan appeared, turning everything into chaos. Only in the cave did my heart ease. It pounded anxiously. My wrist’s pulse thumped.

“…Hic… sob.”

As usual, his persistent gaze lingered—on my ears, nape, even my nostrils, sticky and heavy.

A normal person would react. Ask why I’m crying, if I’m okay, or pretend not to notice to spare my embarrassment.

This beast just stared. Hrrng, he growled with interest. I wanted to hide my face in a corner.

“I’m just startled.”

I mumbled an excuse. My torn clothes kept exposing my chest and belly. Feeling humiliated, I tried to cover them.

“I thought I was fine earlier.”

Bulkan didn’t care. Swinging his thick arms, he approached and peeled off my clothes. As the fabric fell from my shoulders, I was n**ed. My sensitive n**ples stood e**ct in the air.

Shhh, shhh… Bulkan’s excited breathing was rough. Even though I was just a skinny body, he always acted like this. Truly insane.

“I’m not in the mood.”

Tears streamed down. Through w** lashes, I saw his sharp face. Ignoring me, he tore my clothes further. I was soon fully n**ed, overwhelmed by shame.

“I don’t want to, please…”

I recalled the couple’s shock at my swollen belly.

“Bulkan.”

He lifted me onto the bed. A massive shadow loomed over me. He was going to do it. I shut my eyes in fear, but—

To my surprise, Bulkan only held me like a doll. Despite feeling his aroused hardness against my thigh, he didn’t push further.

Sniffling, I couldn’t sleep that night.

☀️

The aftermath hit hard.

My body was already weak. My face grew paler daily, my limbs thinner. The lives in my belly diligently sapped my nutrients, as if draining my marrow.

I’d wandered unfamiliar paths and got soaked. The immense stress tightened my belly painfully. Poor circulation brought chills to my body.

“Cold…”

I shivered, teeth chattering. My pelvis ached like it might break. My swollen calves and feet were hard to move, and waves of sadness brought tears even in sleep.

“Grandmother, I had a bad dream.”

Dreams and reality blurred. I mumbled in my sleep, talking to myself. Drool dripped from my open mouth.

“A dog said I was pregnant…”

A hot body wrapped around my belly. Who was it? Before I could think, a thigh slid between my legs—thick and solid as a tire.

Drool ran down my chin, and a large, hot tongue l**ked it up.

“Stop, d**gy…”

Thinking it was a stray I was fostering, I waved it off, but it was futile. It l**ked persistently, even my fuzz, chillingly obsessive.

Half-awake, something kept nearing my lips. A savory smell hit me. My stomach churned, bile rising.

“Grandmother, I can’t eat.”

“You need to eat for the medicine.”

Forcing food down, I vomited on the bed. A shout rang out beside me.

“Get lost, you horned thing!”

“…Ah, okay!”

A large tongue entered my mouth. As I shook my head, struggling to breathe, a hand firmly held my jaw. Herbs were forced down my throat.

When I opened my eyes again, I was surrounded by cave walls. Perhaps Lemon had been considerate, as I was alone in the room, but the solitude felt heavier than ever.

It was all a dream. Overwhelmed by a sense of emptiness, I clutched the blanket. It wasn’t even a particularly good dream.

It was payday. I shared fried chicken from the market with my grandmother. The dog we were fostering made a fuss, begging for some. Since chicken bones could choke it, I gave it only the meat.

Warm sunlight streamed onto the porch. Small fruits were forming on the trees in the yard. It was just an ordinary, unremarkable dream.

“I want to go back.”

Startled by my own words slipping out, I quickly looked around. Thankfully, the room was empty.

But then, my eyes met those of a crow perched by the window. How did it get here? I stared, feeling uneasy.

Step. Footsteps sounded outside. The startled crow flew off with a flap. The door opened, and Bulkan appeared, covered in blood. My eyes widened in shock.

“Why are you covered in blood?”

“I went hunting.”

Bulkan opened his clenched fist. Surprisingly, it held jewelry. He began putting new bracelets and anklets on my wrists and ankles. While he found clothes bothersome, he always dressed me up like a doll. His hobby was downright perverse.

Finally, he lifted my hand and slipped something onto my ring finger. It was a ring, a red gem sparkling at the top. It looked expensive at a glance.

“Married couples wear rings.”

“Who told you that?”

Bulkan spoke flatly.

“Some peddler b**t**d.”

His bloodied hands smeared blood onto mine as he put on the ring. I grimaced at the stickiness.

“Bulkan.”

He pulled me into his arms. Because of my protruding belly, he held me sideways, like cradling a child, and s**ked on my nape.

“I’m sweaty… I probably smell.”

I blocked him with the back of my hand. But this lunatic pretended to bite my palm, nipping at it.

“Ah…”

A sharp sensation flashed through me. I could tell Bulkan was holding back. Though he looked human, if he’d used real force, he’d have torn me apart. Just watching him rip into meat showed how strong his canines were.

“You smell like this when I’m inside you.”

He l**ked my ringed finger as if it were amusing, his eyes burning as usual. What emotions were in that fervent gaze? What did the ring on my finger mean?

“I’m smelly and dirty, right? A stupid, weak, disgusting human?”

Bulkan didn’t answer for a moment. His gaze was too deep, like a coin tossed in would sink endlessly. No one would know if it landed heads or tails.

I asked if he loved me or not, but no answer came.

“You need to give birth to a white-furred, red-mouthed pup.”

He just spouted nonsense again. I sighed weakly.

“Ah.”

Right, Bulkan was a dog at heart. Even in human guise, he was a beast. He couldn’t grasp the hidden meaning in my words. He couldn’t feel complex human emotions. I shook my head, telling myself to stop these strange thoughts.

“Hey.”

I looked out the window. The rain fell as if it would never stop, relentlessly pounding the earth. But it would stop eventually. The final drop would mark its end—that was the fate of this downpour.

What I really wondered about was my own fate. What would happen to me after bearing his heirs? How long would I remain captive?

“How many kids do I have to have? You said ten…”

I trailed off, realizing I’d used the human counting unit.

“I think you said something like that. But it doesn’t seem like it’ll be that many.”

The rain continued relentlessly. No sunlight reached the cave. The dark window overlapped with scenes from my dream.

I lowered my eyes. In this darkness, my longing grew stronger.

☀️

The cave was steadily being prepared. Chew toys, dolls, yarn balls, and even an inexplicable duck bone—toys were added one by one. Two more cribs were brought in.

The once gloomy cradles were now somewhat cozy.

“…”

Meanwhile, I was noticeably losing weight.

Every bite of food tasted revolting. Even water had a fishy taste now, like holding a rotten fish in my mouth.

Bracelets and anklets slipped off my thinning limbs, spinning like hula hoops. Ironically, my belly swelled like a balloon. The complex realization hit me that something had indeed taken root inside.

“Priest!”

Lemon’s voice rang out. The next moment, a sharp smell hit my nose. I opened my eyes wide. It was a spicy scent—definitely spicy food.

“It’s the spicy food you were desperately craving!”

I sat up in bed, entranced.

“Spicy food?”

I slipped out of Bulkan’s arms, where he’d been holding me like a trophy. Sweat clung to where our skin had touched, and a cool breeze brushed past.

“Where did you get it?”

I shuffled to the table, my movements slow from my condition.

“This Lemon scoured the village for you. I boiled it with tons of spicy stuff, just like your recipe!”

Lemon panted, huff, huff, her lips bright red as if she’d tasted it—or eaten a rat.

“It smells amazing.”

My mouth watered warmly. I sat at the table. A white plate held a red soup-like dish. It was distinctly different, reddish enough to numb my tongue with one bite. My chest swelled with anticipation.

I wanted to eat it immediately, but Lemon kept talking.

“Do people where you’re from really eat this? There must be masochists who enjoy pain. Lemon thought her stomach would tear tasting it!”

I smiled awkwardly.

The food here came in two types: greasy or greasier. It was like eating steak or burgers daily. My stomach churned, dizzying me.

“Yeah, when I’m stressed, I seek out spicy food.”

Crack, crack. Bulkan tilted his head side to side. Yawning widely, he approached slowly. As usual, his torso was bare. He carelessly swept back his rough hair, scratching his abs like a sated predator.

He sat with his knees wide apart. Creak! The chair screamed for mercy. I thought he’d eat with me, but he just stared.

“You enjoy pain?”

His eyes gleamed with interest. He l**ked his lower lip. My breath caught, like a fork stuck in my throat. I knew those eyes—he was about to say something l**d.

“I just meant spicy food helps with stress. Why?”

I tried to ask casually, but my voice trembled. A clear failure.

“If I give you pain, will you cry? Or m**n with joy?”

His usual one-dimensional behavior made him seem like a beast in human skin, but with those sticky eyes, a thousand thoughts raced through my mind.

“I only like spicy food. I don’t like physical pain.”

I glanced at Lemon. She was still grinning despite hearing this trashy talk. Surely he wouldn’t try anything with someone else here?

…No, why wouldn’t he? It’s Bulkan. He did it outdoors, didn’t he? And planted another in my belly without asking.

“No.”

I said firmly. Bulkan snorted, hmph, as if amused. I quickly scooped a spoonful to avoid him.

“How is it?”

All eyes turned to me expectantly. The taste pricking my tongue was… subtle.

“Delici…”

I smiled awkwardly, trying to say it was good, but nausea surged, and I stood quickly.

“I need the bathroom…”

For Lemon’s effort, I didn’t want to vomit here. I rushed toward the bathroom, but a large shadow loomed over me.

“Ugh!”

I threw up everything. I pushed him away with my palm.

“Why’d you hug me?”

Vomit had already splattered between his chiseled abs.

“You got it all over me.”

I clenched my jaw.

My body was weak, needing absolute rest. Since I was carrying the heirs Bulkan wanted, he wasn’t as violent as before.

But sometimes, his cold eyes or sharp words struck me. He loved raw meat and fish but found excretions like vomit utterly disgusting. His chaotic temperament matched his stark likes and dislikes.

“…”

I expected him to get angry. Though I snapped back, deep down, I feared him, and tension rose.

“You’re making yourself sick for nothing.”

He grabbed my clothes and wiped his abs. I tried to clean the mess, but he grabbed my hand and lifted me.

“Eek!”

Heading to the bath, he stripped off my clothes. Warm water soon enveloped both our n**ed bodies.

“I’ll uproot Hera’s golden apple tree.”

He’d mentioned Hera before—a high goddess. Was he planning to provoke a goddess and get beaten? I shook my head, scared.

“Not that.”

I’d just vomit it up anyway. I didn’t need delicacies. I craved MSG-laden Korean food with heaps of red pepper to settle my stomach.

“There’s something I really want to eat…”

Bulkan’s eyes sharpened. His arms tightened around me. I felt the heat radiating from his skin.

“I’ll hunt anything. I’ll strangle Poseidon’s seahorse and drag it here.”

Violent words poured out. Why was he planning to beat up innocent seahorses?

I shook my head silently. What I craved was instant ramen in a red packet. In Korea, it’s everywhere—much easier to get.

But Bulkan wouldn’t like it…

“Tell me what it is, now.”

His humid breath hit my face. He seemed ready to uproot a mountain.

“I want ramen, with kimchi…”

Bulkan’s face crumpled. His fierce expression deflated. He didn’t know what ramen or kimchi were, but he seemed to realize they were from my old home.

“It’s super easy to get. Cheap, plentiful—I ate it all the time when I was broke. I got sick of it, but now I crave it.”

Bulkan’s face turned blank. His cheeks sank inward. He seemed to be chewing on that part.

“Just that crap?”

Blood seeped from his muttering lips. His voice was grim, his expression devoid of emotion. My lower lip trembled.

“You said your life was a dump. Why do you want to go back?”

He hated me dwelling on the past. I didn’t know why he disliked it so much…

“I have piles of jewels. I could give you everything buried in this land. You’re my bride. Yet you still wear this trash.”

He opened his mouth wide and swallowed the prayer beads on my wrist.

“What are you doing!”

I heard the beads rolling. Fearing he’d bite down, I trembled. No way he’d do it—but then, crunch, crunch, something broke.

“Stop, you b**t**d!”

I shoved him roughly. Bulkan spat, ptui! Blood stained his canines. I trembled, seeing it.

“It was the last thing… the only thing I had!”

The keepsake from my grandmother was bitten and gone. The clothes I wore when kidnapped here were discarded, leaving me with nothing from that world.

“Should I tear out your memories too?”

Bulkan panted heavily.

“I gave you treasures, hunted endlessly for food! Why do you keep longing for the past? It makes me want to kill everything!”

His body radiated unbelievable heat. I wanted to pull away, but I’d fall into the water.

“I don’t know why the gods gave me you.”

The cave echoed. Bulkan roared at the ceiling. I stared at his razor-sharp jaw.

“Are they testing me?”

His skin was eerily hot. It wasn’t my imagination—hiss, steam rose around him.

“You’re slipping through my hands!”

His rage startled me into hiccups. Hic, hic. My spine jolted. The hiccups wouldn’t stop, leading to dry heaves.

“Ugh…”

Fearing I’d vomit on him again, I struggled to be released. He held me firmly. Struggling in the heat made me dizzy.

“I’m dizzy…”

I collapsed onto his chest. His cold eyes pierced my belly.

“…D**n these b**t**ds.”

☀️

Bulkan and I were in a cold war.

I sat with my back to him, perched on the bed’s edge, touching my now-empty wrist. Tears welled, and I secretly wiped them away.

“Come here.”

He tried to pull me roughly, but I shook him off.

“D**n it!”

Unable to stand rejection, he grabbed my shoulders and turned me. I dropped my head, hiding my swollen eyes.

“What, you b**t**d. I’m pissed, so don’t talk to me.”

I acted tough, throwing in curses I rarely used, but my shaky voice betrayed my fear. Bulkan suddenly spat.

“S**t!”

His broad chest heaved as he paced the cave frantically.

“Pups cry when they’re hungry or sleepy. You’re a pregnant adult dog, so stop crying!”

Yelling at me not to cry, he kicked the floor. Then, opening his mouth wide, he tried to shove his fist down his throat.

“Why are you doing crazy s**t now!”

I stopped him, startled. My body was sluggish, but he froze. His wild movements calmed when I approached.

“If I take it out, you’ll stop crying, right?”

I’d already stopped crying from shock, and now I hiccuped, hic.

“Stop, you’ll tear your mouth…”

He tried shoving his hand in several times, cursing, s**t, d**n! Finally, he stormed out of the cave.

“Haa…”

Left alone, I was exhausted. Leaning against a pillow on the bed, this position was the most comfortable with my swollen belly.

Where had he gone? Worried he’d hurt himself in anger, my anxiety grew.

Being with him drained my energy daily. My tired body soon fell back asleep.

I woke suddenly.

“This smell…”

Lemon stood by the bed. I looked at the tray in her hands. It was exactly what I’d imagined.

In the soup bowl was unmistakably ramen. I felt dizzy with joy. There was kimchi too, its sourness making my mouth water just looking at it.

“Mr. Bulkan brought it.”

I grabbed a fork, slurping the noodles. The curly strands slid between my lips. The MSG taste coated my tongue perfectly.

I quickly ate some kimchi, clumsily chopped into small pieces. I shoved it down my throat. It was salty, likely seasoned with Jeolla-do fish sauce, and delicious. I couldn’t remember the last time I enjoyed food this much.

“Are you okay?”

Lemon asked. I couldn’t answer, too busy slurping the broth like a madman. Only after l**king the bowl clean did I notice my surroundings.

“Sorry, it’s been so long…”