Chapter 24: A Village, a Dog, and Gravity

As someone who grew up faithfully watching Animal Farm, scenes like this always make my eyes sting and my chest ache.

I may lack a bit of love for humanity, but I truly love animals.

“Jun, cut that leash. No—wait, we should feed it first.”

I went to the car and grabbed something edible.

Salty food isn’t good for dogs, but starving is worse, so I approached with a can of Spam.

The dog twisted its body, wagging both tail and hips wildly as we approached with food.

The moment I set it down, it devoured it like it hadn’t eaten in days.

“You poor thing. You must’ve been so hungry.”

I clutched my chest, eyes misting up.

Meanwhile, Han Jun stood there with his arms crossed, watching indifferently.

He’s full of love for humanity, but animals don’t seem to move him much.

“Do you know this dog?”

“I’ll get to know it from now on.”

You terrible owner!

I cursed whoever abandoned it.

After finishing the food, the fluffy dog rolled over and showed its belly to us.

Its mouth hung open in a happy grin.

It looked nothing like the fierce creature that had barked at us moments ago.

Would it survive on its own if we cut the leash?

It had to be better than being tied up.

Just as I was about to free it—

“You thieving bastards! Don’t you touch my Soondeok!”

An elderly man with a head full of white hair came charging toward us, swinging a wooden stick.

I froze in shock.

“Huh?”

“Hyung, I guess the dog has an owner.”

It wasn’t Ppoppi…?

I hurriedly explained that I thought Soondeok had been abandoned.

In a world like this, the old man naturally suspected us and grilled us with questions.

“I’m really sorry.”

“Why were you trying to untie my dog? You rotten punks.”

“It just looked pitiful being tied up. And what if a monster shows up?”

“I walk her every day and take good care of her, so mind your own business!”

He shoved me away from the dog.

I nearly stumbled back, but Han Jun caught me.

“You old man… your temper…”

“What did you say?!”

Seeing things about to escalate, Han Jun stepped in.

“Grandfather, why are you still here? The village seems empty.”

“I’m not leaving.”

The man who’d been yelling at me softened when speaking to Han Jun.

What’s that about? Discrimination?

I was loved by my mother too, you know.

Even so, it felt dangerous for him to stay alone.

We offered to drive him somewhere safer if he had no car.

He shook his head.

“My wife’s up in that mountain. I can’t leave her. If I die, I’ll die where she is.”

He’d just come back from visiting her grave.

Cleared the weeds, poured her some makgeolli, told her he’d join her soon.

“Dangerous? Hah. I’ve lived long enough. I’ve got nothing to lose. Might as well go see her sooner. She must be bored up there. I’ll have plenty of stories to tell.”

“Still, isn’t it risky to stay alone?”

“Risky? Let those monsters try! If I die, I’ll take at least one with me!”

He barked bravely, pretending fear didn’t exist.

Han Jun and I exchanged looks.

The story was touching.

But we can’t get entangled again.

Jun needs to level up.

I quickly changed my expression.

“Grandfather, then please stay safe.”

“Hyung…”

“You seem strong enough to beat monsters just fine. That’s a relief. We’ll be on our way.”

“…You might be the last young people I see in my lifetime. No one else will come to this village. It was good talking to you. I should’ve treated you better instead of yelling. Sorry about that.”

Don’t pull at my heartstrings, old man.

I’m wavering.

“We’ll stay a few more days.”

We’re doomed.

Jun decided we’d stay in this quiet mountain village for a while.

I swore again that I’d fix this soft-hearted personality of his someday.

That night, the call of a horned owl echoed loudly.

The old man grinned as he offered us a room.

Living alone in an empty village must’ve been lonely and frightening.

He seemed relieved and pleased we’d stay.

“There’s plenty of rooms. Use whichever you like.”

“Thank you.”

The cozy country house was surprisingly tidy.

It was hard to believe only one person lived there.

An old television.

A cuckoo clock straight out of a vintage cartoon.

A cushion with acupressure bumps.

A glossy mother-of-pearl wardrobe that his wife might’ve brought as part of her dowry.

Everything carried the weight of time.

It felt comforting.

“Grandfather, we’ll stay in that room.”

Han Jun pointed to a small guest room.

“Why would two grown men squeeze into that? Use the house comfortably.”

“Exactly. I’ll take that room.”

I quickly tried to intervene.

But—

“Hyung can’t sleep alone. We have to sleep together.”

You bastard.

The air turned awkward.

The old man looked at me as if I were pitiful.

“…Is that so? That’s unusual.”

“No, I sleep just fine alone.”

I waved my hands frantically, but he didn’t look convinced.

And Han Jun patted my back comfortingly.

“Hyung, it’s okay.”

“…You really…”

This isn’t give-and-take.

This is just giving me trouble twice.

For the first time in a while, I showered in a proper enclosed bathroom.

The boiler and electricity were out, but the house still had a wood-burning stove.

We heated water with firewood.

The hot water melted my tired body.

As I stepped out, I overheard the old man grumbling about how hard it was to manage without modern utilities.

“Before winter comes, I need to gather firewood and food… but my body doesn’t keep up anymore…”

“We’ll help as much as we can before we leave.”

Of course, that was Han Jun speaking.

“Then you do it all.”

Maybe being indoors again made me drowsy.

I was about to flop onto the floor when—

“Hyung, dry your hair properly.”

Han Jun approached and began drying it for me.

“I’m fine. D-don’t.”

“Stay still.”

“Ah!”

As I tried to squirm away, he pinned me down.

A crushing weight pressed over my body.

I couldn’t even move a finger.

Again?

Is “stay still” the trigger?

He looked completely normal, unaware he was using power.

An accidental crime, huh.

Maybe that phrase is the key.

Congratulations on discovering a new ability.

But I had zero intention of being his test subject.

I lay there, unable to cry or laugh, completely immobilized.

Even if I’m sad, don’t cry.

I clenched my teeth, holding back any sound.

“Your little brother sure takes good care of you. Nothing’s better than strong brotherly love.”

The old man praised our “bond.”

Grandfather, I am being overpowered by his ability.

This is coercion.

“Woof! Woof!”

The old man went outside to calm Soondeok.

The moment he left, Han Jun reached down and began poking my cheek.

As if my face were rice cake.

He must enjoy fiddling with things when his hands are idle.

And apparently, I’m the object now.

“Hyung, your cheeks are pink. Is it from the hot water? Cute.”

Fine.

Touch my hip, touch my face.

It’s all yours anyway.

Just don’t use powers on me.

I won’t live long at this rate.

“J-Jun?”

“Yeah?”

“Could you… ease up the pressure…?”

I barely managed to speak.

The gravity crushing me was suffocating.

If he used it properly, it would be terrifying.