Chapter 4: Shadows of the Past
Jae-Hwan studied Min-Soo across the table, his fingers wrapped around the cool ceramic cup of makgeolli. The tavern bustled with drunken laughter and the occasional clatter of dishes, but the noise seemed distant compared to the quiet tension hanging between them.
Min Soo
(Min-Soo tilted his head slightly, his sharp blue eyes glinting in the dim lantern light.)
You don’t remember me, do you?
Jae Hwan (MC)
(Jae-Hwan stiffened. The casual tone of Min-Soo’s voice didn’t match the intensity of his gaze.)
Jae Hwan (MC)
Should I?
( he asked cautiously.)
Min Soo
(Min-Soo’s lips curled into a knowing smirk.)
Perhaps not. But I remember you.
A flicker of unease stirred in Jae-Hwan’s chest. He had encountered many people in his line of work—some he spared, some he didn’t. But something about Min-Soo’s certainty unsettled him.
Before he could press for details, Yoon-Ah’s voice cut through the tension.
Yoon -ah
You two look like you’re plotting something.
Jae-Hwan glanced up as Yoon-Ah slid into the seat beside him, her sharp gaze darting between them. Her presence had a way of forcing people to drop their masks, yet Min-Soo only chuckled, clearly unfazed.
Min Soo
Just a friendly conversation.
( Min-Soo said, pouring himself another drink.)
Yoon -ah
(Yoon-Ah snorted.)
With you, there’s no such thing as ‘friendly.’
Min Soo
(Min-Soo raised his cup in mock offense.)
You wound me, Yoon-Ah. I’m simply a warrior enjoying good company.
Jae-Hwan exhaled slowly. Something was off. Min-Soo had approached him with an air of purpose, yet now he was pretending this was just a casual encounter. Was he testing Jae-Hwan? Luring him into something?
Yoon-Ah nudged him lightly with her elbow.
Yoon -ah
I hope you’re not falling for his tricks, traveler. Min-Soo has a habit of collecting interesting people.
Min Soo
(Min-Soo laughed, but there was something unreadable in his expression.)
And you, Yoon-Ah? What brings you here tonight?
Yoon -ah
(Yoon-Ah’s eyes flickered with something unreadable before she shrugged.)
Just making sure you don’t burn down the village.
Jae-Hwan could tell there was more to it, but before he could ask, a loud crash erupted from the far end of the tavern. A group of men stood from their seats, one of them holding a broken bottle, glaring at a hunched figure in the corner.
Someone
Thief!
(one of them shouted.)
Jae Hwan (MC)
(Jae-Hwan’s instincts kicked in immediately.)
His eyes darted to the accused—a scrawny young man with disheveled hair and bruised arms. He was barely more than a teenager, and the way he clutched his side suggested he had already taken a hit.
Yoon -ah
(Yoon-Ah frowned.)
That’s Jisoo. He’s a pickpocket, but he’s just a kid.
The group of men didn’t seem to care. One of them reached to grab Jisoo, but before his fingers could close around the boy’s collar, Min-Soo stood.
The tavern quieted instantly. Even the drunkest patrons sobered at the commanding authority in Min-Soo’s voice.
The man who had called Jisoo a thief hesitated.
Someone
Stay out of this, Min-Soo. This doesn’t concern you.
Min Soo
(Min-Soo’s expression remained calm, but the tension in his stance was unmistakable.)
It concerns me now.
Jae-Hwan had seen this kind of power before—not just the strength of a warrior but the authority of someone who was used to being obeyed. The way Min-Soo held himself, the way the villagers reacted to his presence… this wasn’t just some wandering fighter.
Jae-Hwan’s mind raced.
Jae Hwan (MC)
*Who is he , really?*
Yoon -ah
(Yoon-Ah leaned in, lowering her voice so only Jae-Hwan could hear.)
Now you see why I don’t trust him completely.
The men backed down, grumbling curses under their breath as they returned to their seats. Jisoo took the opportunity to scramble away, casting one last wary glance at Min-Soo before disappearing into the night.
Min Soo
(Min-Soo sat back down, unbothered.)
Well, that was entertaining.
Jae Hwan (MC)
(Jae-Hwan eyed him carefully.)
You didn’t do that just out of kindness.
Min Soo
(Min-Soo smirked.)
Maybe I have a soft spot for the underdogs.
Or maybe he wanted to send a message. That he wasn’t just some warrior passing through.
Jae-Hwan clenched his jaw. He didn’t like mysteries he couldn’t solve. And Min-Soo? He was quickly becoming the biggest mystery of them all.
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