My Strange Savior - Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Thud.

The dilated pupils of a man who failed to grasp the situation shook uncontrollably, and nearly half of the flesh around his neck was torn away.

“Ku…Kukk.”

In an expression of disbelief, the man grasped his neck to stop the bleeding, but even that was swallowed into Morrison’s mouth.

Drip, drip.

Before the man’s body hit the ground, Morrison, who had seized him before he fell, ruthlessly tore into the flesh, and the moans that were coming out abruptly ceased.

“Ku…kk.”

“Ah… haa…”

Blood sprayed like a fountain from Morrison’s head to toe. Morrison, who had turned the blood upside down, greedily swallowed the blood around his mouth, his snake-like tongue flickering.

“Sa… save…”

The last plea for mercy was extinguished inwardly with moans.

As red blood flowed, forming puddles, Morrison’s satisfying feast continued.

Squelch, squelch.

The sound of voraciously chewing on human bones echoed through the alley, but no one came out.

The chattering sound and Morrison devouring a man with blood-soaked hands seemed surreal, devoid of any realism.

Having consumed about half of the upper body, Morrison suddenly regained consciousness, lifting his head in terror like a frightened dog.

“What have I… what have I done… huh, huk.”

Morrison, belatedly regaining his senses, looked astonished at his hands stained red with blood and entrails.

“Huk, ugh.”

Unable to bear the sight of a person, Morrison lost his composure again. Gradually losing control, his appetite, urging him to eat, overwhelmed his reason and burst out.

“Ah, no… like this…”

Trembling hands and cloudy eyes that couldn’t bear to see people around him swayed in all directions. From Morrison’s trembling body, a beast-like howl emanated.

From Morrison’s open mouth, a sharp, bone-grinding sound echoed. Unable to endure any longer, Morrison buried his face in the lower half of the man he held, devouring him.

Squelch, squelch.

Feasting voraciously on the flesh, Morrison seemed to have lost his sanity.

Licking his fingers greedily, Morrison stood up from his seat. After finishing a hearty meal, Morrison’s eyes strangely sparkled.

“Damn it, damn it.”

Morrison, who clandestinely preyed on people in the alley, cursed his situation disdainfully. In a fit of displeasure, he kicked the scattered bones on the ground, wiping away the remnants of the bones.

“If it weren’t for that girl.”

Muttering to himself, Morrison, who had been spewing curses like a madman, gritted his teeth as if angered.

“I should kill her soon. It’s time to end this cursed fate. I can’t live like this forever.” 

Morrison, in an attempt to regain his composure, forcefully shook his head.

The more Morrison’s blood-soaked hands struck his head, the more disheveled his body became.

Wiping his mouth, Morrison, with a red-stained face, stood up. 

“I need to hide among the people for now. I have to figure out how things work here, what plans that woman, Gia, has, and why my body has weakened so much.”

Calculating his plans, Morrison wiped his mouth. The once powerful energy he felt when he first moved seemed to have been drained, leaving him feeling empty.

“Dragon, was it?” 

Morrison recalled the stories he’d heard from people coming in and out of the castle. A lord named Oscar and a knight commander had captured a dragon. Morrison, suspecting that what he used to call a dragon was indeed a dragon, leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.

Realizing vaguely that all of this was related to the dragon, Morrison scratched his head, rubbing it against the wall.

He needed to retrieve the dragon captured by Gia and her gang. Morrison, realizing that even confronting Gia alone with his current strength would be overwhelming, rubbed his forehead, causing blood to trickle down.

First, he needed to regain his strength. Morrison, who set his goal, kicked at the blood on the ground. Seeing that it wasn’t going to be easy to clean, Morrison hesitated for a moment and then began to gather the dirt beside him.

He couldn’t reveal his presence yet, especially the fact that he infiltrated the castle. People had to believe that he was still running wild in the mountains. That way, gathering information and hiding among the people would be easier. Having devised his plan, Morrison quickly cleaned up the crime scene.

The once silent alley, lit only by the moonlight, became clean again, and no one knew that someone had died there.

* * *

Hee-yahng.

With a powerful stride, Kalion’s horse, Lux, howled and twirled with enthusiasm.

“Do you know that we’re going back?”

Such a clever remark might be true. Kalion smiled and stroked Lux’s mane.

“Calm down.”

“Prung purung.”

As if understanding his owner’s command, Lux blew hot air through his nostrils and swirled his tail.

Having petted Lux, who had calmed down a bit, Kalion glanced at the members who had finished their preparations. He observed Oscar’s group, who seemed bustling and ready, and then subtly raised his eyes.

‘It’s time to leave.’

When he didn’t see Gia, who had gone to bring Rey, Kalion’s eyes subtly turned toward the building. Jacob, realizing who the commander was looking for, approached.

“Are you looking for Lady Gia?”

“Hmm….”

Unable to answer and just rolling his eyes, Kalion saw Jacob raise his hand quickly.

“Lady Gia! Over here!”

His loud voice echoed through the training ground like thunder.

“Are we late?”

“No, not at all. You arrived right on time.”

Smiling, Jacob greeted Gia. Kalion, standing beside her, also approached without hesitation and took the luggage from Gia’s hand.

“Rey has a lot of baggage?”

“Does he?”

“Yes.”

Rey, who seemed not fully awake yet, rubbed his eyes and tightly clutched the teddy bear to his chest as he took Gia’s hand.

“Do you want me to carry him?”

“No, it’s okay.”

Despite her brave response, Rey’s still-sleepy body wobbled as she spoke.

“I’ll carry him.”

Worried that Gia might refuse, Kalion preemptively moved forward.

His actions were quicker than her permission. In a flash, Kalion picked up Rey in his arms, and he pulled the teddy bear with all his might.

The way Kalion held both the teddy bear and Rey at once was surprisingly stable.

“Oh…”

“Why are you doing this?”

Being held by the larger Kalion made Rey look smaller, and the teddy bear inside was a perfect fit. It was as if Rey were a child being embraced by his father. Seeing the pleasing sight, Gia laughed and lightly tapped Kalion’s arm to not strain himself.

“It looks quite nice.”

“Really?”

Gia smiled prettily at how stable he looked. Whereas before, both the hugger and the hugged looked uncomfortable. Where did that Kalion go? Both Rey, nestled in his arms, and Kalion holding him looked peacefully content.

Supporting Rey’s sleepy bottom as he murmured, Kalion soothed the child and headed towards the carriage. Even with a full load in one arm, Kalion’s steps seemed remarkably light.

“Our commander will make a wonderful father.”

Jacob, who was nearby, blurted out his commander’s praise as if his life depended on it. Gia nodded with a tender smile.

‘Yes… he will be a great father.’

In her mind, Gia painted a picture of Kalion’s future, living in a peaceful home that anyone would envy. It seemed not easy for someone with his temperament to become a bad father. The image of Kalion, diligent in everything, extended to his future family. 

She had not dared to insert herself into that future.

Don’t dare say anything. It would be delicate even to cast her shadow over that future. Unless she becomes inconsiderate. Taking a sip of the bitter medicine, Gia’s mouth twisted.

If Morrison were caught, her body would have to quietly disappear. Being a small support in Kalion’s future was satisfying enough.

Heart pounding.

Looking at Kalion’s slender back, Gia suppressed the pounding in her chest. What should she do with these growing emotions? Loving someone too much was a problem. So, she refrained from harboring feelings of affection for Kalion.

Turning her gaze to the ground, Jacob nervously bit his lip, wondering if he had made a mistake. Seeing Jacob like that, the members of the knight order cast glances at him.

‘Why is someone who doesn’t even know about women stepping forward!’

The jeers of the members seemed to reach Jacob’s ears. Sweat trickled down his back as he couldn’t figure out how to handle the situation. The perpetual single, Jacob, felt like he was on the brink of death.

‘What, what did I say wrong? Did I make a mistake?’

Gia’s shoulders, which were getting darker, seemed to slump as if they were going to touch the ground.

“Oh, no, it’s just… the commander is so… kind?”

“That’s right… kind and gentle.”

Though he had never been affectionate. Jacob looked at Gia’s forehead, where a bead of sweat rolled down, with a puzzled expression.

While there might be some awkwardness in describing the commander as kind, he was undeniably compassionate towards the weak. Different from other nobles who used their status to oppress others, he was different.

“He only has rank to boast of, unlike those incompetent nobles who have nothing else. Ah, that’s not right. Is he kind? Hmm… Not really. Was our commander affectionate?”

Jacob furrowed his thick eyebrows as he recalled Kalion’s face, which turned stern while he spun around.

When the word “affectionate” was attached, a shiver ran down his spine. Jacob shook off the uneasy feeling, and by the time he came to his senses, Gia had disappeared towards where the carriage was waiting.

“Uh-oh.”

Thunk.

After being tapped on the back of the head, Jacob glared at the rugged-looking Bill who had hit him.

“You idiot.”

“Ah…”

Not knowing what mistake he made, Jacob was sure that something was wrong. Without confronting Jacob and unable to point out his mistake, Bill, who hit him on the back of the head, looked menacingly at him.

“So, why did you step forward? You’ve never even held a woman’s hand.”

“No! I was trying to help the commander in my own way…”

“Just staying still would be helping.”

Each one of them passed by Jacob, saying something. 

“Oh, really.”

Whether Jacob was muttering or not, everyone raised their heads, sticking out their tongues, and shook their heads in disapproval.

“And so, you haven’t even talked to the flower shop girl and just watched her like a pervert?”

“Why bring that up here!”

“Ugh, tsk tsk.”

Feeling unjustly accused, Jacob pursed his lips and followed them.

Everyone mounted their horses and waited for the departure order.

Kalion, who had placed Rey comfortably in the carriage, waited for Gia.

“We’ll be sleeping outdoors for about three days.”

Kalion explained the plan and gestured for Gia to sit in the chair he had prepared.

“Well… I’m used to it.”

“So, you say.”

Kalion, recalling Gia who had slept well even in the harsh mountains, pulled up the corners of his mouth.

“I’m fine, but Rey might be a problem. I don’t know if he can endure it well.”

“He’ll endure it well. With you by his side, Gia.”

“Oh, please.”

Blushing at Kalion’s abrupt praise, Gia deliberately sat roughly in the carriage.