Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 106

Chapter 106

At that moment, blood trickled down Woo-hyun's neck—he had been cut while stopping him. But he seemed more pained by something else.

Arin pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it to his wound.

"Get up. Stop talking nonsense and let's get you treated."

As she tried to help him stand, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"Ah!"

Caught off guard, she gasped at his crushing grip.

"That hurts..."

His arms, holding her as if he might break her, trembled violently—as if terrified she would slip away.

"Why do you keep trying to save me? I'd be better off dead."

Her kindness was unbearable. It made him weak.

Today was no different. He'd tried to die after learning the truth, and she'd stopped him. The irony was that seeing her made him want to live—even though a worthless insect like him had no right to cling to life.

"Please, just leave me alone. I'm going crazy because of you, you poison."

He buried himself in her arms, shaking—his words contradicting his actions. She squirmed, unable to push him away or hold him.

"Let go..."

She gasped for air, but he showed no sign of releasing her. Instead, he instinctively pressed his forehead to her neck.

"Ah."

Her breath caught as she felt him against her skin, goosebumps rising.

"W-wait! Your lips are touching me!"

She tried to pull back, but he was too strong.

"Huff!"

The vivid sensation made her shudder, her face flushing. Deciding it was too dangerous, she made up her mind.

"...Get off, you idiot!"

Boom!

Her divine power flared, sending him flying. Caught off guard, he hit the ground hard. Startled, she kept her distance and demanded,

"A-are you okay? I told you to back off!"

She watched him warily, afraid he might act out again. Blood trickled from his lips. Guilt washed over her—she had been too harsh on someone already unstable.

"B-blood... I'm sorry, I just..."

As she panicked, Woo-hyun scoffed and wiped the blood away. Even now, she was worrying about him—how stupid.

"Sorry for what? You're so dumb."

"..."

"I told you to stay away. Why do you keep coming and turning my world upside down?"

He stood up and warned her, "Now you know—I'm dangerous. So next time, stay away and—"

Before he could finish, Arin grabbed a stone, infused it with divine power, and hurled it at him. He caught it by reflex—but the power burst, binding him to the ground.

"Ugh."

Pinned down, he groaned as Arin planted her hands on her hips and loomed over him. After catching her breath, she declared,

"Go where? You owe me!"

"...Huh?"

"I saved your life—remember? You said you'd repay me! You ungrateful bastard! You're not going anywhere. One more step and I won't go easy on you."

Her voice cracked as she shouted, her fist trembling.

Stunned, he blinked. Then she thumped his head.

"Ow!"

Her own hand hurt more, and she winced—so clumsy. The sight made his tension dissolve.

"...What are you doing?"

"I don't know. Just stay quiet—I'm figuring out what to do with you."

"You've tied me up—I can't run anyway."

She crouched in front of him and sighed.

"Both you and Muje keep your mouths shut and cause so much trouble—why?"

"Don't lump me in with him—"

Thwack.

This time, the hit carried divine power.

"Shut up. You're worse. If you don't want another thump, be quiet."

She raised her fist, glaring. It wasn't very intimidating, but it was enough to silence him.

They sat in silence for a moment. He had calmed down considerably.

Right. Even if I die, I should repay my debt first.

With reason returning, he recalled the man he had just met.

What the hell did he do to me?

The faint dream images had become vivid—and now he thought he knew who that man was. Black hair, red eyes, one arm and one leg—it matched Hyeokgwang, as Dogyeong had described.

Why did I see his memories?

Recalling the encounter, his mind grew complicated. When the man's hand touched his forehead, they had shared memories. Among the scattered puzzle pieces, Geum Dogyeong had appeared.

If he had read Hyeokgwang's memories, then his own might have been read too. The man had likely sought him out to retrieve those memories.

Damn it. Did I put her in danger because of this?

Fearing he had fallen into a trap, his face darkened—especially worried if he had given away information about Arin. Though he knew very little, his concern was immediate.

Arin, meanwhile, sensed something was wrong. A faint incense lingered in the air—washed away by the rain, making it hard to identify. The muddy ground showed traces of a formation, and the rain seemed artificially summoned.

Was Woo-hyun really colluding with the Black Demon clan? Or was he set up?

She didn't know what to do with him—leaving him felt cruel, but intervening without understanding was risky. In the end, she threatened him.

"Tell me the truth. What have you been doing?"

"..."

"Speak up, or I'll—"

"Untie me first. I'll tell you everything."

His unexpected compliance made her suspicious.

"Really?"

"Yes. What else can I do—get more thumps?"

He surrendered, and she released him. He stood, brushing off his mud-soaked clothes as if they didn't matter.

"Let's go to Master Geum. This isn't something we can talk about here."

---

In Dogyeong's study, four men sat across from Arin, waiting for judgment. When Woo-hyun had insisted on going there, she had realized her family was keeping secrets from her. After piecing together the situation, she was furious.

"Child, this was all to protect you..."

As Dogyeong tried to explain, she glared at him.

"You hid the most important operation from me and claim it was for my sake? Am I not part of this family?"

"..."

"I told you we should explain to her, Father."

Dohun's rebuke made Dogyeong look wronged.

"When did you say that?"

"You probably did."

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