Chapter 13

00013 Split into two. =========================================================================

At Park Donggeol's suggestion, Ahn Hyun seemed to be in deep conflict. If someone other than Park Donggeol had proposed forming a team, he probably wouldn't have hesitated so much. Ahn Hyun instinctively didn't trust Park Donggeol. No matter how smooth his words were, he sensed an indescribable darkness.

Nonetheless, Park Donggeol had the moral high ground. Regardless of how he spoke, the result was that he had two out of the three Cheri trio (Ahn Sol, Lee Shinwoo, and Lee Borim) on his side.

Ahn Hyun's anxiety had already grown to its maximum. He couldn't abandon his sister, but the consequences of her actions were already clear from the incident in the open field. To make matters worse, Ahn Hyun's choice was now gone. Park Donggeol had left him no room to maneuver, putting him in a difficult position.

If things went a bit more in Park Donggeol's favor, the possibility of Ahn Hyun, Ahn Sol, and Yi Yoojeong being left behind was high. And Park Donggeol didn't realize that this would be digging his own grave. My perspective and that of the others here are completely different. I judged who could survive based on people's tendencies and abilities. But Park Donggeol neither had this ability nor wanted it.

From the beginning, Park Donggeol and I had different criteria for the team we wanted. I wanted teammates who would be helpful after entering the Hol Plain, while Park Donggeol wanted a team he could control as he pleased.

In other words, this situation was almost a boon to me.

Anyway, which side would gain more strength depended on the choices of Kim Hanbyeol and me. Since I wasn't there, people's gazes naturally turned to Kim Hanbyeol. After thinking calmly for a while, she glanced around and stood up. However, the way she bit her lip slightly suggested she still hadn't made a decision.

"We should also bring the person who is watching the perimeter."

After a long while, the words that came out were not a choice. The people who had been waiting tensely for Kim Hanbyeol's decision let out a deep breath.

Park Donggeol, acting as if he were someone important, said, "Ah, right," and then continued in a tone that suggested he was granting permission.

"Bring him. Tell him the gist of it on the way and let him make his choice. We don't have much time, so you should also make up your mind on the way. Ah, wait a moment."

Just as Kim Hanbyeol was about to turn, Park Donggeol's words stopped her. He smiled as charmingly as he could and continued.

"You and he can be helpful. So talk to each other on the way. I won't be unfair. Anyway…."

He glanced at Ahn Hyun during his speech and deliberately left the rest unsaid.

"Anyway, you two are welcome. I hope you make the right choice."

Park Donggeol's performance was at its peak, reaching a climax. Lee Shinwoo, already feeling secure with Park Donggeol, gave Kim Hanbyeol a small fighting signal. Park Donggeol was already the winner of this game, whether we liked it or not. He had already achieved his goal.

Even if the start was messy, it seemed that age wasn't just for show. Lee Shinwoo and Lee Borim didn't realize they could be used as bait or sperm donors. Or perhaps they had realized but submitted to the value of their lives.

As Kim Hanbyeol approached, I slowly closed my eyes. My head hurt, but I also felt a sense of relief. I could have interfered with Park Donggeol, but that would have made my purpose for leaving the group meaningless. Most importantly, this situation, though unintended, could be a win-win for me.

Park Donggeol had eliminated Ahn Hyun and Yi Yoojeong, who were obstacles to his control, and I could secure three out of the four people I had in mind. If they disappeared on their own, it would be foolish to interfere. It was frustrating that talented people were swayed by his smooth talk, but that was a personal issue I didn't need to concern myself with. I had a feeling that if I could bring in the remaining one, things would resolve more quickly than expected.

Crunch, crunch.

While my eyes were closed, I heard the sound of grass being brushed from behind. I didn't need to turn to know who it was. I quickly got up and equipped the crossbow on my left arm. Seeing Kim Hanbyeol always reminded me of the 'her' from the past, making me feel strangely. I aimed the crossbow forward and pretended to be looking around, and soon her low voice reached my ears.

"Um…."

"Yes?"

Turning around with a surprised look, I saw Kim Hanbyeol looking at me with calm eyes. I rubbed my left arm and made a pained expression before speaking.

"I heard some crying, but there's no one around yet."

"You've worked hard. The discussion is almost over, so we should head back now."

"Then let's go now."

Just as I was about to turn, as expected, Kim Hanbyeol stopped me.

"Wait a moment."

Turning back, Kim Hanbyeol hesitated before speaking.

"The discussion took an unusual turn."

"An unusual turn?"

"Yes. To explain…."

Kim Hanbyeol nodded and began to summarize the events. Honestly, I wanted to guess her true thoughts while listening, but she provided a very objective summary of the key points. In such situations, the discussion usually leans one way or the other, but I was genuinely impressed by her.

"So, that's how it is now. What will you do?"

After she finished, Kim Hanbyeol immediately asked which side I would take, clearly curious. Although I had already made up my mind, I pretended to be in deep thought.

"I didn't expect it to go that way. I'm still not sure."

"Me too."

"What do you think of what that man said?"

At my question, Kim Hanbyeol looked at me for a moment and then answered in a softer voice than usual.

"I don't think he's wrong. But…."

"Something doesn't sit right with you?"

"…Yes. I feel uneasy around him. But strangely, I couldn't find any flaws in what he said at the time."

Lee Shinwoo and Lee Borim had been swayed. Seeing them, Kim Hanbyeol must have been conflicted.

And I finally understood why she had come to get me herself. I wanted to talk more, but a considerable amount of time had already passed, so I moved my feet and fell silent for a moment. Having confirmed part of her thoughts, I just needed to add a little seasoning on the way back.

We didn't speak, but I knew Kim Hanbyeol was following me. When I felt the right moment, I spoke.

"I don't like what that man said."

"……"

"Initially, he cleverly mixed the strengths and weaknesses of his argument. So, it couldn't be wrong. He packaged the weaknesses well with the strengths, making his words very favorable."

Although she didn't respond, I felt her silent gaze urging me to explain more. Park Donggeol had used some tricks, but I couldn't afford to lose Kim Hanbyeol. So, I decided to explain the reasons for her dilemma.

"Being honest and not lying are two different things. It depends on whether you can keep your word. Does that man seem like someone who keeps his word?"

"No."

Kim Hanbyeol answered immediately.

"From our first meeting to now, his impression has been bad, and his actions are disrupting team harmony. I think it's better to stay with the existing people than to join the team based on his uncertain words. So, I will stay with the existing people."

Glancing back, I saw Kim Hanbyeol deep in thought. And before a minute had passed, as we saw people in the distance, I heard her whisper behind me.

"I'm worried about the two who went in first."

This statement was as good as her making up her mind. I thought it was a good idea to speak indirectly rather than directly. If I had said, "Park Donggeol is trying to use Lee Borim and Lee Shinwoo. Don't go. If you go, you'll be used too," she would have distrusted me. She seemed to be quick-witted, so a little nudge would be enough for her to understand the gist of my words.

As we approached the hill, the distance between us and the two groups became clear. The situation hadn't changed from the last time I saw it.

On one side were Ahn Hyun, Ahn Sol, and Yi Yoojeong. On the other side were Park Donggeol, Lee Shinwoo, and Lee Borim.

As we reached the top of the hill, six pairs of eyes focused on me and Kim Hanbyeol.

*

"You're here. Anyway, thanks for watching the perimeter."

Seeing Park Donggeol act as if he had already won, a feeling of resentment rose in me, but I suppressed it. Ahn Hyun's silent eyes. Ahn Sol's anxious eyes. Yi Yoojeong's tense eyes. Lee Shinwoo's trembling eyes. Lee Borim's weak eyes. The various gazes made me feel strange. I stopped walking and didn't immediately join them. Kim Hanbyeol, who had been following me, also stopped.

"I thought you'd be here soon. Anyway, did you hear the gist of it on the way?"

"I did."

"It ended up like this. It's tough, but I hope you understand. We're all doing this to survive."

As Park Donggeol finished speaking, I heard Yi Yoojeong mutter a curse. Ignoring it, Park Donggeol approached me and extended his large hand.

"Join our team. We can be friends. I welcome you and the lady behind you."

The tension in the air reached its peak, and everyone waited for my answer. Knowing the others' anxious feelings, I turned down his hand and replied coldly.

"I can decide who to be friends with. I appreciate the offer, but I'll decline."

Park Donggeol didn't blink. He kept his hand outstretched and asked Kim Hanbyeol.

"…What about you?"

"I can't trust you."

Kim Hanbyeol also turned him down. Seeing us pass by, Park Donggeol sneered.

"Fine. Whatever you heard on the way, you'll regret it."

"Respect others' lives as you respect your own."

"You're talking nonsense. I thought about it, but… do as you please. I don't want to force anyone who doesn't want to join. Just don't beg to join later."

"That won't happen."

"Shinwoo, Borim, let's go! If we stay with such hypocrites, we won't survive."

They had already introduced themselves. Seeing Park Donggeol forcefully taking Lee Shinwoo and Lee Borim away, I felt a sense of relief. I calmly walked to the remaining people. Their eyes conveyed a mix of relief and an incomprehensible goodwill. Ahn Hyun sighed deeply and spoke to me.

"Thank you for your hard work. As you can see… it ended up like this."

"Hmph. It's for the best. No need to be discouraged. They left because they wanted to, so let them do as they please. They'll figure it out on their own, whether they live or die."

Hearing Yi Yoojeong's sharp words, I couldn't help but chuckle. She was right; they were the ones who left. And we weren't the ones left behind, but the ones who remained.

These two statements had a significant difference.

============================ Author's Note ============================

1. Typos and context corrections.