What is this ridiculous confession?
Before she left home, during dinner time, I had no inkling that I would receive such a confession.
In fact, lately, So-hee seemed to have something on her mind.
Her face has been shadowed for a while, and just yesterday, her chopstick skills seemed unusually heavy.
“Yoon Ho.”
During dinner, having finished my job with the merchant, So-hee put down her chopsticks and called out to me.
“Huh?”
Is she finally ready to spill what’s bothering her?
Since I’ve been having a blast with new stories for two days straight, I’m all ears for her consultation.
“About that new story. Is it true that the beautiful characters’ names change every time?”
“Haha! There’s actually a name. But who am I? I approach women who look like they have money and sell them names!”
“Women with money?”
“That’s right! Today, I even went on stage and, before I even started speaking, I scanned the crowd and thought, ‘Ah! That woman will spend some!’ and noted her for later. Thanks to that, I made some good money today!”
“…Oh, I see.”
So-hee smiled faintly and resumed her meal with light chopstick movements.
What’s going on? I thought she’d discuss something else.
After dinner, So-hee left her seat. Even then, I couldn’t imagine she’d come back with a shocking line.
“Hey So-hee? What do you mean by that?”
This isn’t some fantasy where she has delusions because she had lunch with a female classmate a few times and believes she’ll spend Christmas with her; this is way too abrupt.
“I want you to be my husband.”
So-hee asserted this again, as if to confirm I hadn’t misheard her.
What in the world is happening?
Is this a punishment game?
Hearing So-hee’s spontaneous confession, I quickly glanced around, looking for any assassins from Salmak who might be watching us with smirks.
No sign of them. If they were hiding, there’s no way I could find them.
This isn’t the first time I’ve received a random confession. Back in high school, it happened too.
“一 Yoon Ho, actually, I’ve liked you for a long time. Do you want to date me?”
“一 I can see you peeking over there!
“一 Haha! Sorry! Sorry!
The girl awkwardly laughed and returned to her friends, who were watching.
“一 Idiot! How could you get caught!
“一 What’s it to you? If you weren’t here, I would’ve totally been fooled! Let’s play the embarrassing game again!
As if I could ever be fooled by something like that. There’s no way some ideal scenario would happen to me. Sure, the moment took my breath away when a girl I liked confessed, but
I looked at the group of girls disappearing across the room with a ridiculous expression as my friends approached, observing the situation.
“一 Wow, Yoon Ho. That was a confession!
“一 You must’ve been nervous, huh? We should celebrate this moment with dinner.
“一 Stop talking nonsense; let’s go eat.
People say you find love in college. I was going to study hard and date when I got into a good university, staying cheerful to mask the feelings of my childhood romantic dreams getting crushed.
Of course, that never happened.
Not everyone who goes to a good college ends up dating in their freshman year.
I looked at So-hee’s face after her unexpected confession.
She wore a serious expression, but her eyes were trembling. I could definitely feel she was worried about being rejected.
‘Is she really proposing to me?’
To commit to marriage, you need a strong emotional connection. Proposing like this seems way too sudden.
You usually get to know each other, take walks together, make memories, share the past, build intense feelings, embrace each other… and then get physical as things deepen…
‘Oh wait, we’ve done all that.’
Seriously, how did I end up doing all that?
Did I unintentionally end up in a relationship without being aware?
No, that’s taking it too far.
“So-hee, are you asking me to marry you right now?”
If that’s the case, then So-hee, you’re talking about polygamy here.
If her mindset regarding marriage is like a small company looking for a new hire, then maybe it’s a good thing.
In a society where experienced workers are valued, isn’t that nice?
“Marriage?”
So-hee tilted her head slightly at my response.
“Huh? Isn’t this a proposal for marriage?”
“…”
Her expression froze for a moment.
Then, she hastily bowed her head.
“So-hee?”
“… It’s about infiltrating Daeheung County. Asking for your help.”
Well, that makes sense.
Was there a communication mishap?
While I couldn’t see her face, her usually pale neck seemed different, turning red.
“Can I get the details?”
Looks like I need to hear the whole story about what’s going on.
*
After finishing her meal with Yoon Ho, Cheon So-hee headed to the Salmak branch in Chilgok County.
“Here you are. Have a seat.”
Today, as usual, the middle-aged branch chief said while sipping tea in the secret room.
“What’s the matter?”
So-hee inquired while sitting down, unlike her usual self.
“What could be so urgent with Cheon Sal? It’s a new mission.”
“Where to?”
“To Daeheung County. A request to kill the head of the Seong Family.”
That name is familiar. I could easily predict who the requester is.
“I’ll decline.”
I only need to stay by Yoon Ho’s side. I don’t need to go out for an assassination anymore. With that thought, Cheon Sal declined the assassination mission.
“Are you going to do this again? I specifically brought an assignment close by. This time, please just go along with it. The higher-ups are worried that Cheon Sal has lost it after the last massacre incident.”
“Is it absolutely necessary?”
“Even if I tell them you’re fine, the higher-ups are still insisting on confirmations from the Salmak headquarters. Let’s just take this assignment and validate everything as normal. Think of it as an opportunity to ease your tension.”
Tension.
Cheon Sal was troubled by that term.
Staying next to Yoon Ho eases her tension. But stepping away from him will lose that connection entirely.
‘Will assassinations make the tension go away?’
Was thirty people back in the shantytown not enough? The tension lies hidden within, like an ember. Maybe if I carry out an assassination, that ember might intensify.
Even if it’s ineffective, attempting an assassination mission once in a while seems necessary.
‘If I’m going to assassinate, I must take Yoon Ho with me.’
To avoid losing that tension, I need him by my side. That thought weighed heavily on So-hee’s shoulders.
What if we received the mission just a few days earlier? What would he say if I asked him to leave this place after things got better?
Would he respond coldly, telling me to go alone? So-hee briefly imagined Yoon Ho saying to go alone, and her heart ached a little.
She needed Yoon Ho, but did he feel the same way?
Thinking that led Cheon So-hee to unknowingly let her shoulders droop.
“Have you noticed that your expression has become more interesting lately?”
The branch chief spoke to the lost in thought Cheon So-hee with a smile.
“Me?”
Interesting? I sure don’t feel interesting at all. Still, the branch chief laughed louder at the discontent expression on her face.
“Haha! You always had a blank face, so I never knew what you were thinking. But now you look more human.”
“I was always human.”
Does he want to imply he’s not viewing her as a person but as Cheon Sal?
“No, you’re not just a person; you’re an assassin of Salmak! Shouldered with a lot of burdens, always a lone wolf, haha! Just like those rookie assassins thinking they can carry all that!”
The branch chief shrugged as if imagining that ridiculous scene with resentment towards rookie assassins.
“Assassins are naturally solitary.”
“Tsk tsk, that’s the problem. Those headquarters brats. Do they really think it’s effective to raise assassins in an outdated, centuries-old way? The mindset of an assassin! Don’t shy away from killing! Be a cold and thorough killer! How long are they going to teach that nonsense?”
“Isn’t that what makes an assassin?”
“Only because you’re Cheon Sal can you endure with that mindset. Did you know that none of those with such answers survive long?”
“Not living long?”
“Being a lonesome assassin is great! But do rookie assassins always succeed? Those who say they never lose focus always find themselves on the brink of death at least once. And then they think, ‘I better take out one more before I go!’ Those crazy fools.”
It seems the chief has some resentment against rookie assassins. However, Cheon So-hee couldn’t resonate with his sentiment.
“If you’re in a death situation, taking down one more is…”
“Do you really think so? Then close your eyes for a moment.”
The chief said seriously, urging So-hee.
So-hee silently closed her eyes at his grave demeanor.
“Imagine being surrounded by enemies and unable to escape.”
“…I imagined it.”
Envisioning multiple enemies and a wounded body.
“Consider if there’s a reason to survive and return from such a hopeless situation.”
The chief’s words puzzled So-hee.
If she’s already dead, wouldn’t she be better off killing one more before she goes instead of dwelling on weak thoughts?
Is there any reason to survive in such dire circumstances?
‘So-hee.’
At that moment, the voice that echoed within her caused her face to distort in confusion.
“See? There is something, right?”
The chief spoke with a knowing look on his face.
“…”
She couldn’t bring herself to respond, but the chief read everything from her expression.
“Don’t let fears dictate that you should never have vulnerabilities. That’s just the gibberish from those at headquarters. Only an assassin with something precious in their heart will survive long. Just like me, ensure you have a place to return to if you wish to retire.”
The man nodded towards a woman outside the secret room.
The branch chief’s wife was working in a shop disguised as a tea seller. She was out there.
“Hey, you! Didn’t I tell you to tidy up quickly when the black tea arrives?”
“…There are times when I don’t want to go back.”
The branch chief smiled bitterly as he spoke.
“Understood. I’ll accept this mission.”
Cheon So-hee said with a small smile.
“Alright. The problem is your fake identity…”
The branch chief and So-hee began discussing missions and plans.
————
“Be my husband.”
So-hee gazed at Yoon Ho while recalling her recent conversation with the branch chief.
– You’ve been invited as the merchant’s companion? Fake identity or not, it’s simple; just play the role of the wife.
– I can’t put Yoon Ho in danger. And I could just go as a bodyguard, so there’s no need to act as a wife.
– My side doesn’t allow outside warriors. I at least need to be a guest’s wife. You’ll be right beside me, what danger could there be? You’re not worried about getting caught after the assassination, are you?
– This time it’s not an assassination during the festivities, but after. I won’t make the same mistake again.
– Then go tell him you need him as a husband. Look at how much money he put into this; there’s no way he’ll refuse.
Will Yoon Ho really give up his livelihood to follow me?
I need him, but does Yoon Ho think he needs me?
So-hee trembled as she spoke to Yoon Ho.
“Was that the case? Then let’s go, So-hee.”
After hearing the full details, he approved.
“Really?”
So-hee’s eyes widened, looking up at me with anticipation.
“Yeah. Daeheung County. With So-hee guarding me, I have no worries. Let’s go.”
After the previous incident, I took a shower with the scent So-hee provided.
As long as she doesn’t abandon me, there’s no way I can escape.
Since she’s protecting me, I have no concerns.
Sure, giving up my income feels disappointing, but a debt of gratitude needs paying off.
“Okay! Let’s go together!”
Her response lacked the shadow that had haunted her face over the last few days.
Was she perhaps worried about wanting to go on this mission together?
Daeheung County.
What kind of adventure awaits us?
