TCGAD 14

Feeling embarrassed, I bit my lips. I felt terribly guilty for eating it all without offering any.

“It’s okay. I’m so happy to see you eat well,” Lemon said, sniffling as if genuinely pleased.

“Where did it come from?”

“Oh, Mr. Bulkan went to the surface for you, Priest.”

It didn’t taste like store-bought kimchi, so it was likely stolen from someone’s home. Imagining Bulkan walking into a mart or convenience store to buy something fairly was hard to picture.

“There’s some left. Want more?” Lemon pointed at the kimchi plate.

I nodded quickly.

“Just wait a moment.”

Lemon smiled awkwardly. I wondered why she seemed uneasy, but I soon realized why. Bulkan was standing behind her.

He alternated between looking at the empty bowl and me, then gritted his teeth with a crunch. Turning away as if to leave, I thought he was exiting the room. But suddenly, he started pulling at the stone door.

“I won’t let you go! Never!” he shouted into the air, lifting and throwing the entire door. Boom! The cave shook as if hit by an earthquake.

Having tasted Korean food, I kept craving it. The savory, spicy flavors lingered in my mind.

“You’re eating this crap,” Bulkan said, looking at me with disgust, yet he kept stealing food relentlessly. I didn’t know where he got it, but the quantity was immense. At first, it was side dishes like rolled omelets, perilla leaves, braised beans, and stir-fried anchovies, but the variety grew. Recently, he’d gotten bolder, bringing whole packets. It seemed like he’d robbed a delivery.

I opened a sky-blue packet and peered inside. Seeing “Yeon’s Snack Bar” written on the white chopstick wrapper made my heart sink.

But the receipt note saying, “I’ll write a photo review, please include cola!” made my mouth water intensely.

“Cola?”

I couldn’t remember the last time I saw a carbonated drink. Thinking about sipping it after a meal already excited my taste buds.

I carefully peeled back the wrap on the pot. Soft tofu stew was nestled inside. Though slightly cooled, its color was perfect. I scooped a big spoonful of red broth over white rice and ate.

“It’s really delicious.”

The spicy, savory taste filled my mouth, making me sniffle. Pressing the spoon on an egg, the yolk burst with a pop, mingling richly with the broth.

“You look so happy eating, Priest,” Lemon clapped and laughed energetically.

Embarrassed for eating so greedily, I smiled awkwardly. “It’s really good. Like heaven.”

My mouth had been delighted lately. Eating heartily brought changes to my face. My sunken cheeks filled out, and my complexion visibly improved.

“Mr. Bulkan stole—oh!” Lemon quickly covered her mouth, correcting herself. “The great Mr. Bulkan personally gathered it for you.”

Slurping the broth, I cautiously glanced at Bulkan. His hawk-like eyes gleamed. His tanned eye corners were unusually red. Why was he blushing while watching me eat?

Maybe he wanted some? I hesitated. I could just offer, but the words wouldn’t come.

Bulkan and I were still in a cold war. He brought food, I opened it quietly and ate ravenously—that was it. No eye contact, no conversation. We were worse than strangers.

I s**ked the red seasoning off my fingers, swallowing hard with saliva on my lower lip.

“Hey.”

Sure, he chewed up the last keepsake from my grandmother and kidnapped me here, but… I might collapse and die without Korean food right now.

“Want to try? It’s really good.”

It was my way of saying thanks. Embarrassed, I trailed off, but he suddenly furrowed his brow.

“You’re offering me this stinking crap? Eat it yourself.”

If he didn’t want it, he could just say so. His words were like filthy rags.

“No… you were staring, so I thought you might want some.”

A sharp sound, like nails on a chalkboard, erupted.

“Me, want that?”

He looked as if I’d slapped him, his face twisted in humiliation. He stormed out. Stunned by the outburst, I gaped.

“Why…”

Watching his back through the now-open entrance, my mouth hung open. There was no context or reason. His temper was so volatile, like a spring— a very elastic one—nobody knew when it’d snap.

Shaking my head, I finished my meal heartily. For dessert, I grabbed the cola bottle. Twisting it open and gulping, the carbonation stung my throat, making me grimace.

“Ugh.”

The fizz electrified my throat.

“Kaek.”

Haengbok poked its curious face from under my arm, wondering what I was eating.

“Hungry, Haengbok?”

It cried kaek in response. I glanced at its bowl, still piled with grass.

“You didn’t eat again.”

Setting down the spoon, I pulled Haengbok into my arms.

“Let’s eat, Haengbok.”

Offering soft grass, it nibbled. It seemed hungry but lately grew clingier, only eating well when I held it.

“Tasty?”

When I asked, it held grass in its mouth toward me, urging me to try.

“Thanks.”

I took the grass, watching Haengbok. When it wasn’t looking, I planned to toss it, but its eyes locked on me, urging me to eat the “delicious” grass. Hesitating, I chewed it.

“Tasty, Haengbok.”

I grinned, my mouth full of grassy flavor.

“Kaek.”

Haengbok’s ears fluttered joyfully, its tiny tail wagging. I sighed inwardly.

‘…Haa.’

I’d taken it on walks and played feeding games to foster its wildness and independence. But why did it keep burrowing into my arms? It was drifting further from the wild. I tried skipping a meal, but it wilted like limp kimchi, breaking my heart. I didn’t know what to do.

“Wild animals must regain their instincts to return to the forest.”

As a child, I loved an animal show on our old TV with limited channels. It was my favorite program.

The ending was always the same: wild animals faced tearful farewells with their families. Experts knew best, so for Haengbok to live happily, it should return to the forest.

It’d have friends and run freely. As a grown adult, it’d forget me quickly. But what about me? I already felt lonely, my heart sinking with worry.

“Kaek, kaek!”

Haengbok nudged a big ball with its nose, wanting to play. With Lemon’s help, I stood clumsily.

“Come here.”

Lemon and I played with Haengbok until it tired, lying on my lap. Its big eyes fluttered shut. Sip, sip. Its soft breathing was pleasant.

With Haengbok asleep on my lap, I flipped through a book. The next chapter’s subtitle caught my eye: How Dogs Express Affection.

Dogs locking eyes with each other is a challenge. But a dog meeting its guardian’s gaze is a sign of love.

The word “challenge” struck me. Was Bulkan’s sneaky, predatory staring a challenge? Calling me a female or nonsense like that wasn’t surprising. Pages flipped with a flutter. I was engrossed, chasing each word into my retina.

“Kaek.”

Waking from its nap, Haengbok looked up at the window. There was that crow again, perched on the sill.

“Kaaaw.”

Still young, Haengbok’s curiosity outweighed its caution. It toddled toward the window.

“Haengbok.”

The window was open. Too high for Haengbok, but not for the crow—it could easily fly in.

“Haengbok, come here.”

I doubted anything would happen, but unease crept in. I moved slowly to the window, careful not to startle the crow, and reached to close it.

“…Ah!”

Suddenly, the crow lunged, pecking my hand with its beak. I yelped in shock.

“Priest!”

Hearing the commotion, Lemon rushed over. Seeing blood gush from my hand, she swatted the crow with a broom. As it flew off, she shouted at its back.

“Come back, you pest! Lemon will tear you apart to fill Priest’s belly!”

Her cold fury subsided, and she snapped back to normal.

“Oh? What did I say?”

Grinning ear to ear, she approached me. “Priest, are you okay? You were startled, right?”

With Lemon’s help, I slowly lay on the bed.

“I’m fine, but my stomach feels… stabby.”

Startled, a sharp sensation shot through my lower abdomen. Lying on my side or front, my belly ached and pulled. An unpleasant feeling lingered.

“When childbirth nears, you can feel false contractions,” Lemon said.

I felt childbirth was close. Hoo, hoo. As I steadied my breathing, Haengbok sat beside me, l**king my now-clotted fingers.

By night, I forgot the crow’s peck. A bigger disaster erupted.

Thud, thud. Bulkan tossed something he’d carried on his shoulder into the cave. I covered my mouth in horror.

“W-where am I?”

If it were a four-legged lion or bear, I wouldn’t have been so shocked. Rolling on the floor was a middle-aged man, his apron reading “Yeon’s Snack Bar.”

“Where is this?” he cried, tears streaming as he looked around.

“Why did you bring me here…?”

Hearing Korean, my head throbbed. I pressed my temples.

“All I have is my shop, and it’s buried in loans. I’ll do anything, just spare my life.”

Ignoring his pleas, Bulkan grabbed his collar and growled.

“You’ll be my bride’s personal chef from now on.”

“F-foreign language… Was I kidnapped abroad?”

The man wailed, waaah. They couldn’t communicate, speaking different languages. My chest tightened at the scene. I wanted to claw at it. I approached cautiously.

“Excuse me, mister.”

Hearing Korean, his tearful face turned to me.

“A Korean? Where is this?”

I stiffened awkwardly. How could I tell him it was h**l? The shock would be unimaginable.

“Please save me. I have nothing. Food kept disappearing from my fridge, so I staked out my shop, and this guy grabbed me, sob.”

I patted the sobbing man clinging to me.

“Don’t worry. You’ll go home soon.”

It felt too familiar. It reminded me of my first day here. How terrified he must be. Guilt overwhelmed me for eating the food from his shop.

“It’s a mistake. Don’t be scared, just wait a bit.”

I kept soothing him.

“Please let me go. My youngest just got out of diapers.”

I felt a gleaming gaze. Sure enough, the dog’s eyes watched me, proud as if showing off a trophy.

“Bulkan.”

Calling his name, he chuckled, looking elated, as if daring me to praise him.

“Hey, listen.”

I bit my lower lip. Honestly, his abnormal brain and tank-like actions terrified me. I didn’t want to talk.

But it was obvious why he’d kidnapped this man. It was for me.

I couldn’t get angry. To send the man home, I couldn’t bruise Bulkan’s pride. He hated that more than death. It’d backfire.

“Let’s send him back.”

Bulkan’s fierce face crumpled. A thunderous shout followed.

“Why? Nothing is beyond the great Bulkan.”

I forced a smile, likely looking odd with teary eyes and a grinning mouth. I was desperate.

“Thank you for bringing him for me. You saw how much I loved the shop’s food, so you brought him here.”

“Kidnapped” was more accurate, but I softened my words to avoid upsetting him. Praising his effort, his scowl eased briefly. His broad chest puffed up. He was absurdly simple.

“He has a family waiting at home.”

Bulkan, narrowing his eyes, tilted his head.

“You want me to bring them too?”

I shook my head frantically.

“No, I mean, think how worried his family must be.”

I paused, then continued.

“I know what it’s like to wait all night. I can’t sleep when you’re not back, worrying.”

What trouble was he causing? Was he picking fights or beating someone? Defying a god and getting beaten? My worries piled into a mountain.

Of course, I kept that silent. Bulkan’s eyes narrowed further.

“You were upset because I ate your thing, right?”

This suspicious dog was gauging my intentions.

“That’s a separate issue.”

I shook my head. Bulkan growled, uncomprehending.

“Humans are so d**n complicated.”

He chewed my hair with his canines, even pretending to tear it. My hair got w**. Resigned, I exchanged a look with Lemon.

“Yes, I’ll escort him.”

The man gasped, hic. He was startled by Lemon’s appearance.

“M-monster…”

Lemon smiled brightly, hoisting him over her shoulder.

“This kind, diligent Lemon will take you back, so don’t worry!”

The sturdy Lemon strode out. Aaaah! Save me! The man’s cries faded.

It was utter chaos. My mind was blank, my soul drained. I stared blankly at a cheap brand sneaker. He’d struggled so much, one shoe came off.

Thankfully, I heard he returned safely, but knowing he’d never forget being kidnapped here, I secretly swallowed my guilt.

☀️

Sweat soaked my armpits and creases. I wanted to wash, but moving was hard. It felt like I had a tube around my waist, making movement awkward.

I sat on the bathtub’s edge. Splash, splash. Hot water lapped over my feet. I wiggled my toes aimlessly.

I just needed to lift my legs into the tub, but my condition made it difficult. It was only knee-high, but it felt like a towering wall.

“…”

I glanced into the tub. Bulkan was there, looking relaxed. His w** hair clung to his nape like black snakes or moss on a cliff.

‘Hoo.’

Every time I saw him, his massive body struck me. Thinking all those muscles came from crushing prey’s skulls and strangling them… it unsettled me. I groaned inwardly.

“…Tch.”

A scoff broke the silence. Looking up, our eyes met.

“You must be scared of me.”

His gaze was predatory. Yet, he didn’t reach for me. That was odd. Normally, he’d have pulled me into his arms, treating me like a doll.

But now, he just watched. His glowing eyes in the water made him seem like a swamp predator, hunting and sleeping in water—an alligator.

“I want to wash too.”

I tested the waters, but Bulkan only bit his thumb, crunch. He spat something out—a thumbnail.

I quietly noted the nail rolling on the floor. Not just his thumb, but all his nails were crushed and bloodied, looking painful. I bit my lower lip.

Since stealing delivery food, his nails often looked like that. For a moment, I wondered if he’d fought delivery workers, but that was absurd. Unless he fought a motorcycle itself, no human could challenge Bulkan.

“Why are your nails…”

It was a casual remark, but his retort was sharp.

“…”

“D**n it, that’s annoying.”

It was a threat. A brutal warning not to dare speak to him.

“To get to the surface, you have to climb cliffs. A clawless thing like you could never make it up there! So don’t even dream of escaping, or your head will split, and your brains will soak the forest.”

His roar made the green water in the bathtub ripple. Who’d want to talk to him anyway? His nails would regenerate soon enough, but since he got like this fetching my food, I couldn’t help but feel concerned. I only said one thing, but he acted as if I’d stabbed him in the back, making it terrifyingly intense.

Why was he like this? I started retracing recent events. A moment later, a scene flashed in my mind. Could it be because of that?

‘No… you were staring, so I thought you might want some.’

It was a casual remark, no deeper meaning. I never imagined Bulkan would take it so sensitively. He bared his teeth, snarling like a fox with its tail stepped on.

Was it that offensive? I couldn’t understand. I thought he was predictable, but lately, he kept doing unexpected things.

It was exhausting. Unpredictable events brought endless stress.

“Maybe you—”

I started to ask if he could help but stopped. My nape felt hot for no reason.

“What did you say?”

Bulkan raised an eyebrow sharply, rubbing his nail-less thumb in front of me. Blood dripped.

“Don’t.”

It looked painful, and I grimaced. But he just chuckled, amused. If my grandmother saw this, she’d call him a lunatic and whack him with a broom.

“Can you help?”

Normally, I’d call Lemon. If only I weren’t completely n**ed.

“I’m too sweaty.”

I mumbled an excuse. With my belly swollen to its limit, I was scared to show my body.

‘What… what is this? You’re actually pregnant?’

‘How can a man carry a child? Even beasts can’t do that!’

It was all because of those thieves in the village. They’d torn my clothes, saw my round belly, and called me a monster. That trauma haunted me often.

“You know I’ve got no one else to ask.”

I steeled myself and asked. Immediately, a hand reached out. Bulkan lifted me and placed me on his lap.

“Sssp…!”

The hot water stung the wound from the crow’s peck. I quickly pulled my hand out.

“I smell blood on you.”

Bulkan’s thick eyebrows furrowed. He grabbed my hand and glared at it.

“Crow…”

I almost said I was pecked by a crow but stopped myself. He saw me as his possession. Fearing he’d lose it, I changed my words.

“I got cut by a book page.”

Water dripped down his sharp nose. He looked at me with disdain.

“Humans don’t regenerate, do they? Pathetic.”

He rubbed his thumb, where a new nail was already growing. His gaze was closer to contempt.

“You wouldn’t get it, being near immortal.”

Bulkan despised weakness, especially humans. The only thing setting me apart was the heir in my belly. Otherwise, I’d be treated worse than a roadside pebble.

“Most creatures get hurt easily and die absurdly.”

That’s true for most things born on earth.

“My frail body will probably ache constantly by the time I’m a grandfather. I just want to pass without chronic illness.”

It was a self-deprecating mutter, almost to myself.

“When’s that?”

I replied, “Huh?” Bulkan’s gaze was darkly intense, unusually serious, making me ponder.

“The average human lifespan is about 80, right?”

“Liar.”

Why was he calling me out? One corner of his mouth twisted up.

“Living that short? No different from a bug’s life.”

Wasn’t he the one treating human lives like bugs? My lips trembled in disbelief. He smirked, as if he expected this.

“You’re spouting lies to ditch the heir and run.”

A spark of malice flickered in his dark eyes. His sneering mouth kept mocking me. He seized every chance to accuse me.

“I said I’m not running. It’s not like that…”

I tried to explain, biting my lower lip. It was starting again. A bad contraction gripped my belly. Thump, thump! The sensation made my body clench.

“See?”

As I struggled to speak through the pain, a cold voice fell from above. But that wasn’t my concern now.

I calculated dates in my head. The doctor said I had days left… Another false contraction?

Amid my confusion, a commotion came from outside.

“You can’t come in.”

It was Lemon’s voice, unusually stiff. Who was here?

“Who’s that?”

I looked up at Bulkan, his jaw set in a hard line.

“Is it a problem for me to visit my friend?”

My heart sank at the following voice. It was familiar—the Priest’s voice, no doubt.

“Bulkan.”

Anxiety surged. Fearing trouble, I grabbed his arm. Unlike my alarm, Bulkan spoke calmly.

“Looks like we have a guest.”

Splash. Bulkan stood, holding me, water parting around him. Wrapping me in a nearby cloth, he strode down the hall.

“Don’t talk, don’t make eye contact, just send them away.”

I clutched my belly, muttering desperately. Ignoring me, Bulkan chewed my hair, s**king water from it.

“Bulkan…”

I called again, urging a response. Ptui! He spat on my head, then s**ked again. He was utterly impossible. Meanwhile, Lemon’s voice grew closer.

“You absolutely can’t come in.”

Reaching the room, I saw the Priest I’d met before. Swallowing hard, I stared at his sleek back.

“Been a while, my dear friend. Since we’re meeting, how about a feast?”

I’d thought him strikingly beautiful before, but now his smirk seemed sly. And… I swallowed again. One eye was hollow, and the wrist Bulkan had torn off was gone.

“I hunted something myself. Want to share?”

I expected a refusal, but Bulkan’s words were unexpected. What? I looked up, shocked.

“Sounds great.”

The Priest smiled, his upturned lips like a slithering snake’s tail, unsettling. I couldn’t grasp what was happening.

Bulkan strode to the table and set me down.

“I’ll go check on the meat.”

“Do it.”

The Priest sat across from me. Bulkan said flatly, “I’m not patient. Touch my bride, and I’ll snap your neck this time.”

The Priest’s bright smile twitched. Step, step. Bulkan walked out. As his footsteps faded, the Priest’s face went blank. Lemon stood by, guarding me with fierce eyes.

“You’ll give birth soon.”

The Priest’s eyes fixed on my belly. I wrapped my arms around it, my swollen stomach filling them.

“Three?”

He kept glancing at the entrance. Within a minute, Bulkan’s footsteps returned. Step, step.

“One’s half-crippled.”

Step, step, step. Bulkan approached fiercely.

“Here’s the meat.”

He slammed a plate down with a clatter and sat beside me with a thud. My body was wrapped in cloth, but he remained n**ed, unashamed, as if it were natural.

“My friend’s about to have an heir, yet I haven’t visited in ages.”

Lemon set forks and knives around the table, but none of us moved. The Priest’s soft voice cut through the tense air.

“Your bride’s carrying three pups. Did you know one’s half-crippled?”

I stiffened. His silky voice, snake-like, unsettled me. Though I knew he was taunting, I couldn’t help but worry. Was something wrong? Anxiety gripped me.

“Her bride’s a half-wit human, so yeah.”

Bulkan’s gaze was fixed solely on me.

“Empusa’s eyeing her. Says she’ll unleash all of h**l’s monsters to r**e your bride…”

At the word “r**e,” Bulkan’s eyes shifted to the Priest. Moving only his eyes, not his head, it was chilling.

“What?”

A deathly silence followed. Even the Priest’s eyes widened. He tried to hide it, but his hand trembled.

“Didn’t you say we’d enjoy a feast?”

Bulkan’s grim voice pierced the silence. Gulp. The Priest swallowed dryly.

“Y-yeah!”

Trying to shift the mood, he raised his voice, but it cracked, and he cleared his throat.

“Been ages, right? Let’s have a grand feast.”

He quickly lifted the silver tray’s lid.

“…Gasp!”

I nearly fell off my chair in shock. The “meat” Bulkan hunted was the Priest’s wrist.

“This… this…!”

The Priest’s face hardened. He trembled with rage.

“You dare humiliate me like this!”

He leaped from his chair. Red wine spilled, plates clattered. Anxiety surged within me.

The Priest lunged at Bulkan. Naturally, their strength was incomparable. But the Priest could stop time. Terrified, I clung to Bulkan.

“Bulkan!”

The next moment, the Priest shoved me, and I tumbled to the floor.

“Ugh…! Let… go…”

He gripped my throat tightly. I scratched and clawed his hand. It was just one hand, but I couldn’t breathe. My eyes darted around.

“Kuh, gasp.”

It was over. Everything was frozen—spilling wine, breaking plates, Lemon running toward me. No air reached my lungs. His weight on my belly made it agonizing.

“B-Bulkan… save… me… can’t… breathe.”

I reached for Bulkan, sitting with his back to me, but it was futile. My strength faded, and my hand fell.

“You’re just unlucky to be stuck with that wretched dog, so I’ll read your future.”

The Priest’s gleaming eyes rambled on, inches from my face.

“That dog will kill me.”

His grim voice foretold his own death.

“And furious Hecate will demand you as a sacrifice.”

“Kuh, gasp…”

Tears poured from my eyes. The pressure felt like my eyes would burst.

“How’s that? Curious what’ll happen to that dog without you? Living in h**l, neither dead nor alive…”

My vision blurred. I thought I’d die. Then, in my hazy sight, something unbelievable appeared. Bulkan’s back twitched slightly.

“B-Bulkan…”

A strange sensation swept through me. My muscles tensed, my skin felt pushed. Time and space warped. Bulkan began moving, slowly, as if underwater, then grabbed and threw the Priest.

“Argh!”

Crash! The Priest tumbled loudly onto the table. I flailed like a fish on land, coughing violently. Cough, cough, cough!

“How… my power…”

The Priest looked up, incredulous. Bulkan regained his full speed, lunging at him, grabbing his temple, and yanking upward.

“I told you not to touch her.”

Arghhh! A horrific scream shook the cave walls. I reached desperately toward the table. I wanted to shout louder, but my throat burned.

“Bul…”

“I said don’t touch her…”

Bulkan’s eyes rolled wildly. Like a bull fixated on red, he was consumed by his task.

“Aaaah!”

The scream cut off abruptly. Bulkan panted, huff, huff.

“Bulka… n.”

Tears streamed as I called him. He snapped his head toward me, as if coming to his senses.

“Between my legs…”

My thighs felt w**. Bulkan’s eyes widened. As he rushed to me like a four-legged dog, I blacked out.

☀️

Labor was long and grueling. Intense pain came in waves. I writhed like a dragonfly with torn wings. It felt like a giant was ripping my pelvis apart.

“Arghhh!”

My body felt like it was breaking. It was as if an axe was chopping my lower half. I screamed wildly.

“Sob, ugh…!”

I might go mad. I bit my cheek hard, trying to mask the pain with another. Blood filled my mouth. Lemon’s scream echoed.

“Priest…! Don’t bite your tongue!”

Something was shoved into my mouth.

“Ugh.”

It was soft—bedding. It hurts, it hurts so much. I bit the cloth to dull the pain. Saliva dripped from my jaw.

“Breathe, you have to breathe.”

Someone grabbed my arm. Lifting my eyelids with effort, I saw the village doctor’s face.

“Exhale, inhale. Hoo, hoo.”

My breath was at its limit. I can’t, I can’t do this. I shook my head wildly. Banging my head on the bed felt like my skull was splitting.

“…Sob.”

Stone waves kept crashing over me. Crash, crash. They pounded me to death. My brain felt like mushy dough.

“Breathe, or you’re all in danger!”

The doctor shouted urgently. But my only thought was: I’m going to die. I’ll really die like this.

“Danger?”

A grim voice came from beside me. I knew it—Bulkan. He grabbed the doctor’s collar.

“Who dares say that in front of me!”

The surroundings buzzed. My mind was too foggy for anything to register.

“I’ll rip out your tongue and chew your brain whole. Save my bride, now!”

He roared, scratching his throat savagely. Was he causing trouble again? I mumbled, unable to grasp the situation. Bulkan, no… don’t, please.

“Ugh…”

I tried to speak, calling for Bulkan, but my voice leaked pathetically. I had bedding stuffed in my mouth. Yet, Bulkan understood, snapping his head toward me. His eyes gleamed. He lunged at me.

“Why’d you shove this crap in my bride’s mouth!”

The bedding was pulled out. My lips were soaked. The metallic smell suggested my cheek was bleeding.

“B-Bulkan…”

My voice cracked terribly. My jaw trembled, strength gone. I’d never screamed so much in my life.

“I… I’m going to die.”

Tears blurred my vision, and the pressure made my head throb. My brain felt like it was boiling. Was this punishment for defying nature? A man giving birth— to a dog’s pups, no less. No matter how I thought, it made no sense.

“Who’s dying?”

Bulkan’s eyes blazed fiercely.

“I’ll never let you die.”

He growled through clenched teeth.

“Bite me.”

His solid wrist entered my mouth. The taut, elastic skin was packed with muscle. I bit down hard, filling my mouth with his flesh.

“Ugh, argh…!!”

I dug my nails into his chest. Like a climber scaling a cliff, I scratched desperately at his skin.

“Sob, ah!”

Red welts bloomed across his chest. It looked painful, but my crazed mind didn’t care about that now.

It was like my sanity was toggled on and off by a button. I wanted to let go completely, but I couldn’t. It was truly h**l.

“Huff, huff…, huff.”

I was exhausted, as if I’d finished a marathon. My ears, muffled as if stuffed with cotton, faintly caught a bii, bii, woongya…! sound. It was the distinct, mushy cry of newborns, yet surprisingly robust.

I opened my eyes with effort. Was it finally over?

“Priest, look at this.”

In Lemon’s arms were bloodied bundles. My first feeling upon seeing the babies wasn’t joy or the miracle of life—just bewilderment. How had I carried these in my belly? Not one, but two.

“Bii, biii.”

And no wonder. The pups were unbelievably sturdy for just being born. Their black fur was already fluffy, and though their eyes weren’t open, they held their heads up. Their paws were thick and solid.

Since they were premature, not reaching full term, I worried they might have health issues. Plus, the Priest’s words lingered—one was supposedly half-crippled.

Thankfully, they seemed fine. As I sighed in relief, I noticed something odd.

“Huh…”

There were clearly two pups in Lemon’s arms. Where was the third? No way—still in my belly?

I thought it was over. The idea of enduring that pain again made my vision spin. Dizziness hit, and my head dropped onto the bed. My sight blurred. A warm sensation spread between my legs. A fishy smell stung my nose.

“…Oh no!”

Bulkan rushed to me. About to pull me into his arms, he looked at his hands. They were covered in bright red blood, like he’d donned red gloves.

“The bleeding’s too heavy. The mother’s life is in danger like this.”

The doctor’s face hardened rapidly. He hurriedly stuffed cloth between my legs. Watching him move frantically, I calmly thought: I’m in real danger.

They say many died in childbirth before medicine advanced—not even that long ago, just my parents’ generation.

“Get more cloth, as much as you can.”

My eyes kept fluttering shut. My fingers lost strength. I was slipping away. Maybe it was okay to sleep like this.

I’d suffered enough. Dragged to this unwanted place, I bore Bulkan’s children to send my grandmother to a better place.

Being trapped in a sunless cave was torment. Surrounded by incomprehensible psychopaths, I couldn’t even eat what I wanted. What sin did I commit in a past life?

But I’d done my part. I just wanted to rest. I was utterly exhausted. If I died, would I go where my grandmother was? I missed her so much.

“Don’t close your eyes.”

As if sensing my desire to rest, a voice called over my eyelids. I wanted to shake it off, but… I clung to consciousness because the voice sounded so desolate.

“How many years have you lived?”

Trance-like, I moved my lips.

“Twen… twenty…”

“…ty.”

What? I moved my tongue slowly. Bulkan’s bloodshot eyes glared at me. His wide pupils overflowed with emotion—fear. Strange thought: Bulkan, afraid? Of what?

“Don’t die.”

As if that were up to me. I sent a silent reply. At the end of resignation, only emptiness remained.

As I resolved to let go, a loud cry pierced my ears. Bii, bii, woongya, woong! A forgotten fact snapped back. Bik, bik. The pups kept crying, likely hungry for milk. I gripped the bedding tightly. Right, I gave birth. A heavy emotion, like shackles, grabbed my ankle—responsibility, or perhaps guilt.

Bulkan’s broad arms lunged toward me. Holding me tightly, he muttered like a madman.

“I won’t kill you, never, you can’t die, no one can take you from me, I’ll kill them all…”

He stuffed my hair into his mouth, l**king and s**king. Despite my sweaty smell, he acted like an anxious dog. It looked violent, but also like a scared child puffing up with bravado.

“You can’t ever die…!”

He kept muttering similar words until I lost consciousness.