MTLNOVEL chapter 68
Unable to endure the atmosphere, I hurriedly looked around for something that might divert Gang Jaegyung’s attention and spotted the cookie pouch I had brought earlier. Rustling it open, I pulled out a blueberry cookie shaped like a mana potion and offered it to him. It was my clumsy attempt at an apology.
Gang Jaegyung stared blankly at the blue ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) jam-glazed cookie handed to him, then let out a soft scoff before grabbing the cookie and popping it into his mouth. Then, he opened his own cookie pouch, pulled out a health potion cookie, and shoved it straight into my mouth.
…Why?
Figuring that since I felt guilty, I should just quietly accept it, I let him feed me. But for some reason, Gang Jaegyung seemed to get hooked on it; he kept picking out the red-jam cookies and stuffing them into my mouth. Once he had cleaned out all the health potion cookies from his pouch, he dug around a bit and then started pulling cookies from mine, shoving them into my mouth as well.
His expression stayed the same, but somehow, the wrinkle between his brows smoothed out a little, like his mood had improved. When even the red cookies ran out, he started pushing mana potion cookies into my mouth too.
Without even a chance to tell him to stop, I ended up having to chew and swallow every single cookie left, thanks to the relentless stream being shoved at me. Only after he had fed me all the cookies and watched me struggle did Gang Jaegyung finally seem satisfied; he grinned, as if his mood had finally lightened. It made me seriously wonder if he’d dropped a screw somewhere and it was rolling around on the floor.
The cookies Gang Jaegyung force-fed me were soft and moist in texture, but after chewing through more than a dozen of them, my mouth felt dry and parched. And we hadn't even brought any water… Grumbling silently to myself, I brushed my lips with my fingers to check for any crumbs and smacked my lips.
Seemingly having said everything he wanted, Gang Jaegyung finally shifted his attention back to the arena, pointing at the screen and starting to talk. I responded dutifully, and while facing forward and trying to focus on the match, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
Moon Seonhwa? Maybe she had already gotten caught by her parents for not being home and wanted me to cover for her, saying she was staying at a friend’s house. As Gang Jaegyung nudged me again, I asked for a moment’s understanding and pulled out my phone to check the screen.
Contrary to my expectations, the message was from Uncle.
[It might be better to leave the stuff you bought in the car. Would it be okay if I went and came back? It’s not a problem, but if you can't handle being alone, I can stay.]
It was a simple question asking if it would be alright for him to make a quick trip to the parking lot. It might not seem like a big deal to others, but for me, who falls into a state of extreme tension without a bodyguard nearby, it was a very serious matter. I could already feel my mouth, dry from the cookies, getting even drier as I darted my eyes around.
The space was enclosed, there were lots of people, and aside from the chatter coming through the microphones, it was mostly quiet… Maybe it would be alright. But that was only because Uncle was still somewhere watching over me. Without him, could I really hold out?
For an ordinary person, this would’ve been an easy question to answer without a second thought. Rationally, I knew—who would dare try to abduct someone in a place like this? But fear was another matter. The parking lot wasn’t that far; I wanted to tell him to go ahead quickly… but if the anxiety over his absence triggered a panic attack...
"Got a message?"
I hadn’t even noticed Gang Jaegyung looking at me, so focused was I on the text. I quickly and as naturally as possible turned off the phone screen. His gaze brushed lightly over the darkened phone.
"You’re already bored with me here and texting someone else?"
While I hesitated over what to say, he teased me first with a tone full of playful mischief. Thanks to that, the heavy, suffocating tension I’d been feeling eased up a bit.
"It’s an important message. I wasn't distracted by anyone else, so don’t worry."
"Then make sure I don’t have to worry."
"Isn't it your job as my bodyguard to make sure I don’t have to worry?"
"Nope, my job is to protect the person who's worried so that they can go on worrying in peace."
"Oh... That actually makes sense."
"Are you worried about something too, Go Yeong-ssi?"
He threw the question at me casually, like it was nothing, but for me, who really was worried, it hit harder than it should have, and I got flustered.
If I let it show, he’d surely realize I was anxious, so I forced myself to play it off, answering with an exaggerated joking tone.
"I guess I’m a little worried that if the plushie I gave you gets worn out or damaged, you’ll be sad. Maybe I should buy a few spares just in case…"
"Ugh, seriously. Please stop giving me stuff."
At the mention of plushies, Gang Jaegyung shuddered. Which was rich, considering how proud he was when he bragged about getting a gift from 'Haksal-nim', and now he’s reacting like this to me.
After nagging at me like he was scolding a child, he sternly warned that he wasn’t going to accept anything else from me, then turned his head toward the screen as if sulking. Only half-listening to his grumbling, I quietly found satisfaction in the fact that he was still clinging to the plushie I had given him, and I picked up my phone again.
Even while exchanging banter with Gang Jaegyung, I kept turning the question over and over in my mind. Could I really endure alone while Uncle was gone? No matter how many times I thought about it, the answer kept tipping in one direction.
I glanced briefly at Gang Jaegyung. He had gotten completely absorbed in the arena match now, his eyes darting quickly as he followed the action.
If I had to put it into words, I guess you could say he was technically a bodyguard too. I remembered the way he had practically wagged his invisible tail earlier while claiming there were two bodyguards today. Maybe, surprisingly, I could manage to hang in there with Gang Jaegyung around. With how much he talked, maybe I’d even forget Uncle wasn’t there for a while.
— “Jintanker seonsu has seized the opportunity! A perfect stun combo buys time, and they’re going for another full combo! The shield’s down and the HP is dropping fast!”
— “Kwakma seonsu couldn’t hold out and gets knocked down! Kwakma seonsu respawns while Jintanker charges at Churo nearby! Just five points left—if he secures that, he wins no matter what!”
The arena buzzed with a strange mix of noise and quiet as the match built toward its climax.
I brought my fingers to my lips, then, catching myself, gripped my phone again. I turned the screen back on and sent a message to Uncle.
[I don’t think I can.]
Only after receiving his short reply—[Got it]—did I finally lower my phone.
Gang Jaegyung might be a bodyguard, but he wasn’t my person.
***
Chat Log:
[Haksal/27]
Wow, about to head into the Arena.
nervous nervous 16:21
[Jihwi/26]
It’s Haksal-nim! 16:21
[No-News-is-hesosick/4]
Oh
Hi hi Haksal-nim 16:21
[Haksal/27]
Hi hi~~ 16:21
[Gopchang (Guild Master)/27]
Oh it’s Haksal-nim!
Good luck and win!!
(emoticons) (emoticons) 16:21
[Makchang (Vice Guild Master)/29]
If you lose you’re getting kicked from the guild LOL 16:21
[Gopchang (Guild Master)/27]
Why would we kick our breadwinner 😂
(emoticon) 16:22
[Haksal/27]
😭 Will you take me back later then?
(emoticon) 16:22
[No-News-is-hesosick/4]
Yeah but you’ll have to reinterview lol 16:22
[Haksal/27]
Hm
Which guild should I join then lol 16:22
[Makchang (Vice Guild Master)/29]
You should be thinking about winning, dumbass 16:22
[Tongdaechang/21]
Is Retaking with you, Haksal-nim??? 16:22
[Jihwi/26]
Oh right, I was curious too! Is Sugang-nim there? 16:22
[Gopchang (Guild Master)/27]
Is it okay if we ask what he looks like...?
(emoticon) 16:22
[Haksal/27]
You’ll be floored when you see him on stream LMAO 😂😂😂 16:22
[Munshin/24]
I’M SO CURIOUS 16:22
[Tongdaechang/21]
I’M DYING OF CURIOSITY
I wanna pop your eyeballs out, see it, and put them back in 16:22
[Haksal/27]
scary 😅 16:22
[Tongdaechang/21]
Is Kkulppang-nim there too??? 16:22
[Haksal/27]
Yeah, both of them are here.
Total pink vibes...
😂😂😂
I wanted to chat with Kkulppang-nim but
I couldn’t butt in
They’re basically dating at this point;; 16:22
[Tongdaechang/21]
??? 16:22
[Makchang (Vice Guild Master)/29]
That one’s on the road to ruin too 16:22
[Haksal/27]
No seriously
They’re all over each other
I was dying of secondhand embarrassment sitting next to them
Wish I could show you IRL
Especially Retaking—
if he had a tail it’d be wagging so hard it’d break his spine 16:23
[Jihwi/27]
Let’s soul-swap, please
(emoticon) 16:23
[Gopchang (Guild Master)/27]
Just let me see his face and I’ll return the body... haha
(emoticon) 16:23
[Haksal/27]
;;; 16:23
[Tongdaechang/21]
Don’t hog that soul alone 16:23
[Haksal/27]
It’s mine tho 😭 16:23