Chapter 22: Blood for a Way Out

After barely calming the enraged crowd, the ringmaster strode up to the newly awakened Gyesa and struck his cheek with a thud.

Normally, Gyesa would have fought back, but this time he quietly took the punch without resistance.

“Stop it!”

I rushed in front of him and wrapped my arms around Gyesa.

A fist flew toward me—

but in that instant, Gyesa’s eyes went cold as he shoved me away.

“Ugh!”

As I tumbled aside, the ringmaster’s fist slammed straight into Gyesa’s cheek, snapping his head to the side.

“Boss, please restrain yourself.

If you damage the merchandise, you won’t even be able to sell that pretty face.”

The assistant manager tried to stop him.

Grinding his teeth, the ringmaster panted harshly.

“Do you know how much money I lost today because of you?

I’ll add that cost to your debt and squeeze it all back out of you, so be prepared.”

No matter what the ringmaster said, Gyesa only stared blankly into the distance.

“You’re excluded from performances from now on.”

At the announcement of Gyesa’s removal—the circus’s star—the troupe stirred.

The ringmaster sneered cruelly.

“No, you’re permanently expelled from this circus.

I’m selling you.”

My heart dropped.

But the ringmaster continued, grinning filthily.

“There just happens to be an old man willing to pay a high price for you.

He collects pretty things.

You’re perfect for him.

Sure, he’ll ruin you in the end, but until then you’ll be cherished—how nice for you!”

With that, the ringmaster turned away.

“As I said, if you can’t pay the interest by the end of this week, I’ll sell you immediately.

Keep that in mind.”

It wasn’t even a threat that made sense.

He just wanted to sell Gyesa before his value dropped any further.

“No.”

Panic surged through me.

I couldn’t let Gyesa go like this.

I looked at him desperately, but he staggered to his feet and returned to the tent.

There was no will left in his retreating figure.

“Gyesa.”

Even if he was trying to abandon himself, I couldn’t abandon him.

I couldn’t let go of his hand.

To protect Gyesa, I would have to do anything.

The next day, at dawn, I headed straight for the city.

The ringmaster would cause a scene when he realized I was gone, but I didn’t care.

I wandered aimlessly through the streets, stopping strangers to ask.

“Ma’am, do you know anywhere that lends large sums of money?”

“How would I know that?”

“Is there anywhere I could work?”

“Well… if your body’s not well, that would be difficult.”

I entered shop after shop, begging for work.

They all hesitated when they saw my lame leg and shabby clothes.

But I had no time to be hurt or give up.

Not knowing anything, I could only throw myself against the world.

Just as I was beginning to curse my own naivety and ignorance, someone called out to me.

“You there, miss.”

It was the beggar who had once told me where Obaltan was.

He beckoned me closer.

“Yes?”

When I approached, the old man asked in a weak, trembling voice.

“From the look of it, you need money.”

“Yes.

I urgently need a large sum.

Do you know anywhere I could work?”

I asked, clinging to him like a lifeline.

The old man smacked his lips uncertainly.

“It’s… not exactly a good kind of work.

Would that be alright?”

“Yes.

Anything is fine, as long as I can get money right away.”

He gestured for me to come closer.

When I leaned in, he whispered.

“Go to the small wooden building in the alley behind the pawnshop street.”

“Thank you.”

The way he spoke in secret made it clear it wasn’t honest work.

It might even be dangerous.

I’d tried so hard to avoid such things all this time.

But I had no choice.

Following his directions, I entered a dark, isolated alley.

I knocked on the door of the small wooden building, and a bearded middle-aged man answered.

“Who is it?”

“Well… um… I heard I could earn money here….”

As I stammered, the man looked me up and down.

Fearing he’d reject me because of my leg, I fidgeted nervously—

then he stepped aside.

“Come in.”

I let out a foolish sigh of relief and entered.

He handed me a glass of water and sat down.

“You need quick cash?”

“Yes.

I’ll do anything.”

Scratching the back of his head, he asked.

“Any illnesses?”

“I limp a little, but other than that I’m healthy.

I’ve never really been sick.”

He glanced at the bruises on my face and muttered.

“Well… if you’re still standing after getting beaten like that….”

Watching him anxiously, I waited as he cleared his throat.

“You do know what kind of place this is, right?”

“Well… no.

An old man on the street told me to come here.

I’m sorry.”

“No, no.

Nothing to apologize for.”

He scratched his head again, hesitated, then spoke.

“Miss, have you ever heard of selling blood?”

“Selling blood… you mean, selling my blood?”

“Right.

I’ll be honest.

Blood transfusions are supposed to go through hospitals, legally speaking.

A transfusion means giving your blood to someone else.

Anyway, people in a hurry can’t wait for hospitals, and it’s expensive.

So they buy blood from people like us.”

It was the first time I’d ever heard of transfusions.

Of buying and selling blood.

Seeing my face go pale, he hurried to explain.

“Taking a little blood won’t kill you.

Your body makes more.

So for people desperate for money, it’s perfect.”

“There’s work that easy?”

“Well… not exactly easy.

You’ll feel tired and dizzy for a while after.

But it won’t seriously harm you.”

Then there was nothing to consider.

Even if it didn’t regenerate, I would still sell it.

I’d give Gyesa all my blood if he asked—so what was there to fear.

“Well, I’ll think about it—”

“I’ll do it.

I’ll sell my blood.”

“Really?

Then let’s set a time—”

“Could I sell it right now?

It’s really urgent.”

“Hah… you’re quite impatient.

Alright.

Follow me.”

He led me into a side room.

Inside were a simple bed and unfamiliar tools, including a syringe.

“Lie down here.”

I carefully lay down as he rolled up my sleeve.

“It might sting a bit, but it’s bearable.

Don’t worry too much.

You might feel dizzy—

just tell me if it’s too much.”

“I’m fine.”

He busied himself preparing.

I closed my eyes, my dry lips twitching—

watching would only make me afraid.

“This will sting.”

As warned, a sharp pain pierced my arm.

Opening my eyes slightly, I saw the needle embedded in my flesh.

Red blood flowed through the tube into a clear container.

So that’s my blood.

Seeing my vividly red blood—

not spilled by injury or monthly bleeding, but drawn out for money—

felt strangely unreal.

After about fifteen minutes, my head began to spin faintly.

Then he pulled the needle out.

“All done.”

“Already?”

“See?

Nothing to it.”

He chuckled, packing away the container of my blood.

When I stood up, my vision swam.

“Careful.

Don’t stand up so fast.”

“Ah… yes.”

“First time, right?

Rest a bit.

I’ll clean up.”

He labeled the container and left the room.

I lay back down, dizzy as he’d said.

After a while, it eased, and I carefully stepped outside.

“Here.

Your pay.”

He handed me an envelope.

Even holding it felt unreal.

“I’ll send it to a hospital I know for blood typing.

Do you know what a blood type is?”

I shook my head.

He continued.

“Everyone’s blood has its own type.

If yours is rare, it’s worth more.

I’ll pay you extra next time.”

“Thank you.”

“Right.

And of course, what happened today—”

“I’ll keep it secret.”

“Good.

People selling blood and buying it are all struggling.

Take care.”

I left the building, clutching the envelope.

I opened it with trembling hands.

Twenty-five won.

Enough to buy a sack of rice.

That my blood was worth that much—

I could hardly believe it.

At least I could pay the interest for now.

‘When can I sell blood again?’

Twice a week at most, he’d said.

I swallowed.

‘If it’s this… maybe someday.’

As long as Gyesa could hold on.

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