By Zephyria 
A day’s work on the battlefield is simpler than you think. Why? Because the more complicated it is, the harder it is to follow the rules. Even a small mistake can determine life or death on the battlefield. Therefore, the order had to be arranged as simply and clearly as possible so that it could be carried out flawlessly.
That was the same for these people today.
They gathered around Ki Jae-eon and repeated the same actions every day. When they opened their eyes in the morning, they organized their minds and chanted scriptures. They shouted until their lips were blistered in order to weaken the evil energy of the Fatal Spirit as much as possible.
‘I wish, I wish!’
After that, they ate. Meals were always prepared simply.
It was a natural choice to save food because they didn’t know how long the task of dealing with the Fatal Spirit would take.
Of course, supplies came in from all over through volunteers, but they politely declined each time, saying that they should be sent first to those who needed nutrition right away, such as young children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
That was their rule, and it was the spirit of sacrifice and service that was the foundation of this work.
Above all, they regarded it as a pride.
Was that why? In the end, all that was placed in front of them was rice balls lightly seasoned with salt, miso soup, or scorched rice water and kimchi, but no one complained. Everyone thought it was enough, and it actually was.
Instead, they shared enough rest.
They took turns guarding for four hours each, as they didn’t know how the Fatal Spirit would move. Fortunately, with domestic support and even support from Japan, there was no shortage of manpower.
Most shocking of all was the fact that even Shin Yoon, who had been transferred as a Class A criminal, was contributing his strength after being put into the field. Kim Ju-won’s grumbling that “even a cat’s paw should be borrowed” came to mind, but Shin Yoon was too capable to be dismissed as a ‘cat’s paw’. That’s because he single-handedly filled the work of fifty people. Well, the person himself often made nonsense like, “Is this abuse of criminals? I have human rights too. Whether the world is destroyed or not, shiba. I need to know.” with a sullen face.
“Exorcist, please have a meal!”
Today was the same.
A young Exorcist approached, rubbing his white, frozen hands. The young man from Daejeon was a novice who had just entered the path of an Exorcist. Originally, he would have been assigned to rear support, but he volunteered for this dangerous battlefield with the single-minded desire to hear the fame of ‘Ki Jae-eon’ and fight by his side even once. It wasn’t just him.
[Ki Jae-eon]
Many people gathered, trusting the three letters of his name. Everyone raised their hands, saying that they would lend their strength. Ki Jae-eon couldn’t leave this place because he was grateful to those people. Once again, like in his previous life, even in this life.
“Ah, yes… Have you eaten?”
“Yes! I have. Don’t worry and go!”
Koreans get their strength from rice! To the young man who smiled brightly, Ki Jae-eon bowed his head and left only a short greeting to work hard, heading to the tent where snow was piled up. Crunch, crunch. Large footprints were imprinted on the snowfield.
Inside the tent, people were gathered closely around a single stove at the center.
Today’s menu was sweet potatoes, potatoes, and dongchimi. Ki Jae-eon also got in line and carefully moved forward. Then, a familiar face caught his eye. Someone laughing heartily and encouraging the people…… Aunt? He wasn’t seeing things. It was definitely someone he knew!
“……?!”
Then, the woman who had been in charge of meals at the main office smiled widely and acknowledged him.
“My son!”
“Why, why, why are you, you here…….”
Jae-eon’s eyes widened to the size of beans. He looked alternately outside and at her, breaking out in a cold sweat. His expression was as if he were dreaming. Perhaps finding his flustered state amusing, she laughed brightly and gently placed hot sweet potatoes and potatoes onto his meal tray.
“These are hearty, Jae-eon.”
She herself was completely at ease.
“Uh, uhhh, uh…….”
“Did you see a ghost? Ah, you do see them, don’t you.”
“I do see them, but… precisely Evil Spirits, ah, no. That’s not it. Why is Aunt here…….”
Jae-eon unconsciously muttered, ‘It’s dangerous here.’ But to her, who had endured harsh years and all sorts of storms, this level of danger was nothing more than a fear to be overcome and endured together.
“Is there anywhere in the world that isn’t dangerous? Except for your mother’s embrace, it’s all a thorny path. Aigoo~ Everyone is suffering, how could I just stand by? I don’t have a shred of the amazing abilities they do, but like this! At least I can cook food for them, so that’s a relief. Haha, even this simple labor, someone has to do it.”
Her hands, as she spoke, were smeared black with charcoal ash. The parts scorched by the charcoal fire were blackened, and in places, they were reddened to the point of blistering. It was because she had been roasting sweet potatoes and potatoes for hours on end, and had been scooping cold dongchimi without wearing a single glove, lest even a thread get into the food.
“Pathetic, right?”
She laughed, holding up her rough, cracked hands. Jae-eon was silent. But he didn’t agree. Even if it were ‘simple labor’ that anyone could do, as she said, it wasn’t without its hardships.
Acts done for the sake of others always held a sacred meaning. Cooking meals every time is never easy. Especially feeding the hunger of dozens, even hundreds of people, is even more so.
“Go on and eat. You need a full stomach to do great things.”
As she urged him, Jae-eon rummaged in his pocket, pulled out a small ointment, and handed it to her.
“Put this on.”
“Eii, if someone handling food puts this on their hands, what do we do~.”
“Then…….”
Jae-eon set his meal tray down for a moment and gently enveloped her two hands in his.
“The seasoning will be just right, and it’ll taste even better.”
He answered in a soft, playful voice.
“Oh my.”
Surprised by his uncharacteristic slickness, her eyes widened. Then, she soon accepted the ointment, her eyes crinkling at the corners. Her wrinkled eye corners were more beautiful and lovely than any flower.
“Our Jae-eon has grown up, all grown up.”
She patted Jae-eon’s shoulder a couple of times. Affection seeped through her sturdy hand movements.
“Eat it all up~ We’re doing inspections!”
“Yes, I’ll eat well.”
Bowing his head one last time, Jae-eon stepped away to find a quiet spot. He preferred to eat quietly. He was a slow eater to begin with, and whenever he ate, people would crowd around asking this and that, making it hard to finish his meal. The attention was appreciated, but right now, he needed to replenish his calories.
Then his gaze stopped at one corner.
Unlike the tightly packed groups, a man sat alone at one end, listlessly eating a sweet potato. His expression was indifferent, as if the world tasted bad, and only his jaw moved mechanically. It was a sight that automatically brought to mind the phrase ‘eating to live.’
Jae-eon quietly sat down opposite him. Clack, the sound of the bowl being set down rang out briefly. A gaze immediately met his. Black pupils quickly scanned Jae-eon.
“What is it.”
It was Shin Yoon.
He hadn’t changed since the last time they met.
Still big, still handsome, with a face that said he was bored with the world.
“…….”
Shin Yoon gently set the sweet potato he was eating down on the plate. Just looking at his movements, he was elegant, like someone faced with a gourmet dish.
“Hmm…….”
He leisurely looked around once, then stared at Jae-eon again with a listless gaze. Then one eyebrow twitched slightly.
“There are plenty of seats.”
His tone implied, ‘Why here of all places?’
Jae-eon, instead of answering, picked up a sweet potato.
Hot steam rose, stinging his fingertips. He blew on it briefly, hoo hoo-, to cool it down, and took a bite. Seeing it was sweet, it must be a pumpkin sweet potato.
“Do I look pitiful?”
“Why? Is someone bothering you?”
Jae-eon’s voice was nonchalant. At his calmness, the corner of Shin Yoon’s mouth twisted ever so slightly.
“No. Everyone treats me well.”
As soon as his answer fell, a voice came from the table behind, “Shin Yoon-ssi, if you’re hungry, just say so,” and someone else passing by greeted him, “Enjoy your meal.”
Meaningless, yet familiar considerations.
Jae-eon didn’t bother turning his head to check. There was no need. Instead, he silently took another bite of the sweet potato. It was so hot his eyes were half-closed, but he still chewed thoroughly without smacking his lips. That attitude itself said a lot. That there was no one here ostracizing or harassing Shin Yoon. So the question ‘is someone bothering you’ was merely a lightly prodding joke.
‘How difficult he makes it sound.’
Shin Yoon let out a breath that was almost a sneer.
It was annoying how Jae-eon, knowing full well, still used such words to subtly boast ‘our people wouldn’t do that.’
All the more because there was no room for rebuttal.
Good people are irritating like that.
Shin Yoon muttered and picked up the sweet potato again. He didn’t seem to have any affection for the food, but he looked strangely at ease. As if he had put down all his burdens.
Jae-eon gave Shin Yoon a sidelong glance and silently ate his sweet potato.
Quiet flowed between them.
The only sounds heard were those of daily life.
The sound of the stove fire burning down.
The sound of someone stepping on snow.
The sound of water boiling in a cauldron.
The jumbled sound of voices.
The reason the silence didn’t feel strange was probably because both were accustomed to these everyday noises.
“Still.”
Breaking the long silence, Jae-eon spoke quietly.
“If you need anything, just say so. Anywhere, anyone, there are exceptions.”
A concern disguised as nonchalance, like asking about today’s weather.
Shin Yoon narrowed his eyes and looked at him, then shrugged his shoulders up and down very slightly.
“Probably won’t need it.”
“…….”
“Everyone here is a bunch of pathetic losers, they probably don’t even know how to bully anyone, right?”
“…….”
“……Ah, Kim Ju-won, that bastard, acts a bit strict, but, well, whatever. Doesn’t matter. That’s why he was assigned as a watchdog, isn’t he.”
At the characteristically Shin Yoon-like, sarcastic answer, Jae-eon curved the corners of his mouth slightly.
“Heh.”
“What, are you laughing?”
The light laugh attached to the end of his words disappeared into the cafeteria’s noise. Jae-eon nodded and took another bite. Shin Yoon also took a bite.
They were sitting in the same spot, chewing at different speeds. It seemed to indirectly represent their relationship.
Somewhat annoying, and therefore amusing.