This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 235

Dogun’s Perspective

In a moment of panic, I unconsciously raised my voice, but I really had no intention of getting angry.

“I-I’m sorry…”

The girl who had just been grinning from ear to ear suddenly looked gloomy, and it felt like something sharp was poking my heart.

“No, what I mean is… it’s just fur, but it could be dangerous if we’re not careful…”

It was awkward.

So awkward that I couldn’t even finish what I had planned to say, as I felt like I was choking.

As a result, the only sound echoing from the kitchen was the boiling of the soup I had put on the stove earlier, bubbling away.

How did it even come to this?

I couldn’t help but sigh, but I still had to take action.

“Um… by the way, I think I need to get Miya some food?”

“Huh?”

“It seems she sees me as her feeder, since she only comes to poke me when she’s hungry.”

After saying that, and adding that it had just happened, Yoonseo glanced over at Miya, who was sprawled out on her back, and chuckled.

“Really? Were you hungry? Did you beg Dad for food?”

“Miyaow—!”

“Let’s hope Dad doesn’t see you as some food dispenser!”

Could it be that Miya sees me as that being who, if she paws at me, food would just rain down?

While mulling over that thought, I heard the sound of the front door opening.

Then, I heard the tired, almost whining voice of Chae-rim on the other side.

What can I say?

Recently, Chae-rim had slowly started to re-engage with the world.

That doesn’t mean she was running out at all hours or anything.

Rather, she had participated in a few events, which she had previously avoided under the guise of recuperation, gradually showing her face.

Of course, now that she had tasted the sweet life of a Countess, she found that irritating, but she felt it was essential to get moving just in case something came up.

The only drawback was that some people were naturally suited for attending events while others were not.

As a result, my sister, who leaned toward the latter, nearly collapsed from fatigue every time she stepped outside—just like now.

So, what to do in a situation like this?

It was time to deploy the cuteness that could tackle fatigue head-on.

Given how much she splurged on Miya, surely Miya should do her part too, right?

“Looks like she’s back.”

That was my reason for dragging Yoonseo, who had a slightly disappointed expression, along with me to greet Chae-rim at the front door.

“Huh…?”

But guess what?

When I arrived to greet her, there was already someone waiting at the front door ahead of us.

Even more surprising was the identity of that guest.

Standing in front of the entrance, as if there to welcome Chae-rim, was none other than Baeksulhwa.

It was easy to see that, given Chae-rim’s status in the industry, Baeksulhwa often showed a level of respect, but I didn’t recall them being close enough for Baeksulhwa to wait for her.

Could it be that some unexpected bonding occurred between those two without me knowing?

Or had they teamed up because Yoonseo had usurped Miya’s position?

And that wasn’t the only question swirling in my mind.

What about the mysterious envelope in Baeksulhwa’s hand that she had just received?

What on earth could be in that envelope that made Baeksulhwa behave as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have while looking at me and Yoonseo?

Baeksulhwa’s presence, along with her reaction to us, was a continuous series of unexpected surprises.

As a result, both I and Yoonseo, who had been pulled out to the front door, felt a chunk of confusion settle in.

Then, the flustered Baeksulhwa quickly hid the envelope behind her back.

Then, in one swift motion, she turned and headed upstairs.

“W-what was that…?”

In that moment, Yoonseo’s murmured words perfectly conveyed my feelings.

What on earth was that?

What could possibly be in that envelope that would make someone like Baeksulhwa, a paragon of righteousness, look like she was caught drug dealing?

I was intensely curious, but I didn’t have the courage to chase after her up the stairs.

There must have been a good reason for her to leave in such a hurry.

Plus, Chae-rim, who had likely handed her the mysterious envelope, seemed to want me to just let it go.

Even though nothing was happening right now, I had a feeling that if I tried to follow Baeksulhwa, Chae-rim would stop me, wanting me to just let things be.

I couldn’t explain why, but I had an instinct that was pretty strong.

So, I had to give up on chasing after Baeksulhwa.

“Ugh… Miya… I feel like I’m going to die from exhaustion… hurry and heal me…”

I thought to myself, looking at my sister, who was propped up on Yuonseo’s hands, with an exhausted face making moaning sounds.

So what could that possibly have been?

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Baeksulhwa’s Perspective

Just when Dogun was lost in his thoughts, I arrived at my room on the second floor and slid against the door.

I couldn’t help it.

I hadn’t expected those two to barge in at that exact moment.

In truth, I was in such a hurry to escape that it felt like I had committed some terrible crime.

The reality was that I didn’t want Dogun, especially, to find out what was inside that envelope.

Of course, I knew full well that if I showed any hesitation, Dogun wouldn’t push too hard to uncover the truth given his personality.

I was aware of that, but… there was nothing I could do.

I wanted to remain someone who could honestly stand in front of Dogun, someone worthy of his admiration, and if anything in that envelope was revealed, I wouldn’t be able to maintain that image anymore.

What else can I say?

What I held in my hands was the price of a deal.

And while I could see from the fact that it was delivered through Chae-rim that this deal had essentially become meaningless, the original agreement started off that way.

In exchange for accepting the roles of bodyguards and overseers for Dogun and Bora, the Association Chairman’s side had promised me information.

Due to the Association Chairman suddenly leaving for America, I ended up receiving it through Chae-rim, who initiated the entire arrangement in the first place.

Was that why I just avoided Dogun earlier?

Not really.

To begin with, that was a plan Dogun had agreed to, so how could that be a valid reason?

So the real reason was something else.

To be precise… it was what was packed inside this damn envelope.

To be honest, when I first received the envelope from Chae-rim, I couldn’t believe it.

How could such a small stack of papers contain information about those who had destroyed my life, our family that had once been so harmonious?

With all the loneliness, sorrow, and pain I had ever experienced, I could’ve filled countless books, yet here reality was, distilled into a mere few sheets of paper.

That’s why I bit my lip so hard earlier… and just as I was mulling over my anger and heartbreak, Dogun burst in, dragging Yoonseo along.

And in that split second when our eyes met, I suddenly realized.

I understood exactly what thought and intention had driven me to request this material.

‘…Revenge.’

Yes, ultimately, it was all for revenge.

I became a hero for that reason; while Dogun had agreed to it, I still willingly accepted the terms presented by the Association Chairman—all for that purpose.

Despite this, I had been operating under the guise of being a righteous person in front of Dogun—acting just like a “Hero of Justice.”

And yet, here I was, hiding such a motive.

How ironic is that?

Even more ironic was that I desperately wanted to hide this fact from Dogun.

So… I ran away.

That was why I had no other choice but to flee.