[Contest] Sentinel's Way of Love
Episode 1: The Most Regrettable Choice
이정환
It's getting faster and faster.
이여주
Or maybe you're just getting slower.
Lee Jeong-hwan approached me, putting down his long sword, and spoke to me. I gave him a curt response. He sat down next to me. Lee Jeong-hwan and I had been friends since birth. No, more accurately, thanks to our close parents, we were destined to be friends even before I was born.
Jeong-hwan, who was shaking his head like a puppy, slowly turned his neck and got up, perhaps because his hair kept sticking to him because it was soaked with sweat.
이정환
Why don't you learn how to make clothes like your brother and become a mercenary?
이여주
Haven't I told you this many times? I'm not good enough to make something like that. My brother was born with those hands.
이정환
No matter what, a mercenary is just a Sentinel's dog. He's a guy with strong pride.
이여주
Huh, you won't nag me if I beat you even once in a duel?
이정환
Yeah. I can't beat you.
At Jeong-hwan's words, I chuckled and started organizing my belongings. He followed me, as if he couldn't stand to be defeated, and began organizing his swords and bows. "Yes, I don't want to be a mercenary. I have no choice but to be one."
This world is ruled by Sentinels and Guides, and ordinary people live in such poverty that they struggle to make ends meet. My family and Jeong-hwan's family were no exception.
My father, who was in poor health, and my mother, who cared for him with utmost sincerity. And my kind younger brother. Because of the power outages at home, I often exploited my quick wits to steal. My younger brother, Lee Ji-eun, was our family's only hope.
He was born with beautiful hands, and his craftsmanship was so exceptional that everyone recognized him. For a non-Sentinel, finding a job is harder than reaching for a star in the sky.
In such circumstances, the author was able to create fine clothing and sell it to Sentinels and Guides, earning the highest income among ordinary people. He was the only ordinary person to enter a market originally reserved for Sentinels, solely for the purpose of selling goods.
The author's clothes were equally beautiful.
이여주
Jeonghwan, why do you want to become a mercenary?
Suddenly, Jeong-hwan's eyes widened in surprise at me being the first to ask a question, and I chuckled.
이정환
Did this woman have that kind of interest in me?
이여주
Well, he's my only friend.
이정환
It's an honor~
이여주
Don't beat around the bush.
이정환
Do you know that my family is poorer than yours?
이여주
Is there a household among the general public that is not poor?
이정환
That's true. But if we can't pay the rent this time, the house will be sold.
이여주
what?
이정환
I don't know how to steal like you. Since all I know is physical labor, wouldn't a mercenary be a better fit for me? Working under those great sentinels and being their guard dog?
이여주
...
이정환
If you become a mercenary, you may not make much money, but you will get a salary and a house.
이여주
...
이정환
For that bastard's money, I volunteer to be their dog. Well, you're the same.
Yes, Jeong-hwan was right. Ultimately, I'm trying to become a mercenary just to earn that pittance. I don't have the skills to do anything like Ji-eun.
The house I returned to was chilly, relying only on the moonlight coming through the window.
이지은
Sister!
이여주
what.
이지은
You went out and played with swords again?!
이여주
Swordplay? Save yourself some pride. It's strictly a duel.
이지은
joy!
What should I do with that arrogant, haughty woman? I know she was just worried, but I found her quite annoying. I shook my head and headed to my room. As I did, she tilted her head slightly, glancing at me as if observing my expression.
Even though she's 17, Ji-eun's face still retains a childish air, and her actions toward me are as childish and immature as her face. To others, she's a sibling who's upright and loved, yet arouses a little jealousy.
이지은
My parents are already asleep.
이여주
Why didn't you sleep?
이지은
I'm finishing up some of the clothes I ordered.
이여주
Hmm, what are you making with hands like bracken?
이지은
Huh! Sister. Everyone in the world recognizes my skills except for you?
이여주
Yeah, yeah, that's great.
My parents were already asleep, having been sparring with Jeong-hwan for quite some time, and I, too, headed to the bedroom, rubbing my muscles, which were clenched from sleep.
The old wooden floor creaked with every step, and I unconsciously lifted my heels as I walked. Ji-eun made a loud thump, like a gunshot, as she walked.
How long had it been since I fell asleep? It was dawn, and a bluish sky covered the window.
이지은
Sister! Sister!
As I slowly opened my eyes to the sound of the author whispering while shaking my body, the author's face, unable to hide its look of bewilderment, was right in front of my nose.
이여주
what
As I pushed the author away with my brow furrowed, he completely woke me up with his sharp words.
이지은
Sister, Jeong-Hwan is here!
이여주
At this time?
이지은
Yeah. But you're crying. Get out quickly.
I left the house without hesitation, leaving behind Ji-eun, who was urgently pushing my back as if he was worried. Why the fuck is this guy crying? I'm worried unnecessarily.
"We're being sold." I walked quickly, desperately hoping that what I'd heard from Jeong-hwan earlier wouldn't become reality.
Ha, Jeong-hwan's eyes were bloodshot as he looked at the ground and sighed, wondering if it wasn't a lie that he cried.
이여주
Lee Jeong-hwan.
이정환
Lady...
이여주
What is it? What's going on?
이정환
Hah...fuck...
When Jeong-hwan saw my face, his voice was wet with tears as he wiped his face and swore.
이여주
What's going on!!
Only after I raised my voice did Jeong-hwan, who was catching his breath and looking at me, open his mouth.
이정환
If you don't pay by tomorrow, it'll be sold.
이여주
...
이정환
Me too. My brother too.
이여주
...
A silence fell between Jeong-hwan and me for a long time. It wasn't that we had nothing to say. Jeong-hwan, in his own way, wanted to curse this shitty world and vent his frustrations, but the world wasn't going to change just because we talked about it.
Knowing this, both Jeong-hwan and I were speechless. Even if we spoke, nothing would change, only the same despair.
But what hope do I have? Why am I doing this dangerous thing? Is Jeong-hwan a friend worth risking my life for, or is this a challenge to the world?
이여주
How much do you need?
이정환
Five hundred.
이여주
...
이정환
What are you thinking, Yeoju?
이여주
Five hundred. It's money I couldn't earn even if I worked for years, even if I spent years stealing in this neighborhood. It's money I could earn by stealing just one of the jewels worn by the Sentinels and Guides.
이정환
Don't get me wrong. Sentinels don't even come to this neighborhood in the first place. I'm fine, Yeoju. I just came to see your face one last time.
이여주
Author. Author can enter the market of those Sentinels.
이정환
This woman!
이여주
Trust me, I've been stealing for 10 years, since I was 10.
이정환
You really think you're stealing from those kids?! If you get caught, you'll be sold too!
이여주
It's okay if you don't get caught.
이정환
This woman!!!
I shook off Jeong-hwan's grip on my arm and went into the house. You see, Jeong-hwan. I hate that this world, worse than a dog, separates us.
이여주
Ji Eun-ah
이지은
Huh? Did Jeong-hwan go?
이여주
Can you help me?
이지은
of course.
Ji-eun glanced at my serious expression, then straightened up and answered nonchalantly. Feeling as if she was actually encouraging me, I followed her, the corners of my mouth curling up.
이지은
Sister, you can pretend to be my assistant. Just hold these cloths, bow your head, and follow me. Once you enter the market, you have to be out within exactly ten minutes. I'll just tell you I'm bringing the ingredients to the store and then leaving.
이지은
I'm going to put my stuff down at the store and walk out the door, so take care of it properly and come next to me. Then you can leave and it'll be perfect.
After finishing her words, Ji-eun placed a hat on my head and continued walking. With each step, we moved further away from the village, and the market, which was getting closer, began to glow with light.
We were trembling, unable to even turn on that one light, and I gritted my teeth at the sight of them wasting electricity with their flashy lights. Head bowed, I followed the author's footsteps for some time before stopping and hearing a voice from in front of me.
용병1
what's the matter.
이지은
Long time no see. I came to bring some items for tomorrow's sale.
용병1
Behind
이지은
Oh, this is my porter. Can I come in with you?
The man, seemingly dispelling his doubts at the author's calm demeanor, opened the way. And so, he stepped into the Sentinels' market.