One Day, a Villain Fell into My Wardrobe

23

Set stared at the tent in front of him with an anxious expression. Finally, he caught Apophis as he emerged from inside, zipping the tent shut behind him.

“Ji-ho? How is he?”

“He has bruises on his neck, but his life is not in danger…”

“If you’re going to say it’s okay just because his life isn’t in danger, then shut up, Apophis. Do you still not realize that his body is different from the beasts of Gorgon?”

At Set’s cold reprimand, Apophis shut his mouth and lowered his head. Apophis had a conscience, after all, and he felt ashamed that Yeon Ji-ho, who had provided him with food and shelter, had collapsed at the hands of none other than one of Gorgon’s beasts.

Set soon tore his gaze away from Apophis and looked at the man lying abandoned in a corner of the cave. The man’s upper body was bare, wrapped in cheap cloth, from which blood was seeping and staining his lower garments.

“Do not give Isquis a healing potion.”

“…Yes. I will keep that in mind.”

Set then clenched his teeth and entered the tent where Yeon Ji-ho lay. As he disappeared, Apophis approached the man lying down.

“You foolish bastard. This is why you’re called a dimwit, Isquis.”

“Shut up! You treacherous snake. Did you cast some brainwashing magic on the lord? What is it about that man that the lord would…! Give me a sword!”

Isquis recalled the events that had just transpired with a still-shocked expression. He had come here looking for traces of Apophis and Set, but he had only caught a rat wandering nearby by chance.

From Isquis’s perspective, he had merely grabbed the nape of the rat’s neck. His hand had not even harbored the intent to kill. Yet, the one he had assumed was Hadad’s dog had simply collapsed after he had touched his neck.

At that moment, as Isquis hesitated in confusion, a sword flew and embedded itself in his chest. Fortunately, it had missed his heart and struck him near the armpit, allowing him to survive.

And the owner of the sword that had come flying was none other than their god, Set.

“I really don’t understand why you carry your head around. Don’t you feel anything with a sword stuck in your chest? Do you know what position that person holds in relation to the lord?”

“…!”

The Set that Isquis and Apophis knew was not someone who carelessly wielded a sword against his subordinates. Of course, he was not someone like the enemy commander Hadad, who warmly embraced his subordinates, but at the very least, he would not put those he accepted as his own in danger.

Yet, he had been struck by a sword without realizing it. At that moment, Isquis had forgotten that he was bleeding profusely and was merely gaping.

“Apophis, if you block my way again, I will cut off your head.”

“My lord! He is Isquis. He is the wing that will be your eyes, is he not? …He must have only threatened the lord upon seeing Ji-ho for the first time. He surely had no intention of killing him!”

If Apophis had not defended him while spitting blood, Set would have cut off Isquis’s head right then and there. At that moment, Set’s eyes viewed Isquis not as a bird he was raising, but solely as an enemy that needed to be killed.

“When Ji-ho wakes up, kneel and apologize. He will be the lord’s lover.”

“What? He’s a man!”

“What does it matter that he’s a man? Anyway, you dimwit. You’re the most closed-minded person in the world!”

“Why does it not matter that he’s a man?! The lord has always yearned for family. You know that well!”

As Isquis spat out his incredulous words, Apophis pressed his lips tightly together. He too knew that the lord had indeed wanted a family.

The reason Set Gorgon had tried to kill Hadad was precisely because of his only family. Despite being abused by the duke, he had lived his life to keep the promise he made with his stepmother.

All the beasts of Gorgon who had seen Set as a child understood. What he needed was the solid affection that only a true family could share.

“Isquis. Beasts do not need to think. We simply fulfill what the lord wishes to do.”

“…Damn it. Why would the lord want a man who can’t even get married…”

Isquis, who immediately understood what Apophis was saying, slammed his fist on the ground. Among the beasts of Gorgon, he was the one who cared most sincerely for Set, so it was understandable that he would not welcome Yeon Ji-ho’s presence.

Apophis spoke to Isquis in a soothing manner.

“The lord has held this person in his heart for the first time. Remember that it’s not your place to question it.”

With his eyes closed, Isquis silently nodded. Although he had some resentment towards the snake-like Apophis, he was, after all, the deputy chief and Set’s aide. He had to accept orders.

Then suddenly, Isquis realized something and opened his eyes wide. He quickly turned his head towards Apophis.

“Wait a minute, you said he will ‘become’ the lord’s lover? So that means he isn’t yet?”

“….”

“Could it be, could it be?”

As the dimwit struck a nerve for the first time in a long while, Apophis fell silent. Isquis did not stop and pressed on.

“The lord is in unrequited love…?”

Apophis’s mouth was firmly shut and would not open again. However, as if he had already heard the answer, Isquis’s mouth dropped open.

***

“Ji-ho.”

Yeon Ji-ho opened his dim eyes at the voice calling him. His previously dark vision gradually began to focus. Then he spotted the odd eyes shining in blue and yellow.

“Ji-ho. Ji-ho, are you awake?”

“…Set?”

Seeing Yeon Ji-ho respond immediately, Set finally let out a breath of relief. Then he stretched out his arms and pulled Yeon Ji-ho into an embrace.

Due to the considerable difference in their sizes, Yeon Ji-ho almost disappeared into Set’s arms, making him invisible from the outside. Set repeatedly rubbed his back with trembling hands.

“I’m sorry, Ji-ho… I wasn’t there to protect you, that’s why.”

“Ah, um… um, yes. Wait a moment.”

As Set hugged him too affectionately, Yeon Ji-ho felt awkward instead. He even felt goosebumps as Set spoke directly into his ear. Yeon Ji-ho gently pushed against his chest to create some distance.

He had felt it before, but Set’s physical affection was too unreserved. Was it all because he did not think of him as an omega?

In the world where Yeon Ji-ho had lived, no one would dare to engage in such physical contact with an omega. After all, it could easily be misunderstood. Since there were no omegas in Set’s world, it made sense if he thought of him simply as a man.

“Where did you go this morning?”

“There were traces of monsters found nearby. …While I was briefly away with Apophis to tidy things up, Isquis came looking for me.”

He had wondered if Isquis was sleeping in the tent, but it seemed he had indeed left. Yeon Ji-ho cautiously asked Set, who was looking at him with a grim expression.

“Is his name Isquis?”

“You don’t need to know the name of that bastard. Ji-ho, if you want, I can dispose of him immediately.”

“No? No, he just has a bruise or two on his neck, that’s all.”

In truth, he did not know how badly he was bruised since there was no mirror, but he calmed Set down for now. Otherwise, it seemed he would draw his sword at any moment.

Isquis was a name Yeon Ji-ho recognized as well. He was one of the beasts of Gorgon.

“…Ji-ho. You are too soft.”

“Well, it doesn’t seem that way when you actually see it… Anyway, there was a misunderstanding, right? It’s okay. Just don’t do it again.”

“I will instruct Isquis to prioritize your safety.”

After that, Yeon Ji-ho repeatedly soothed Set, who kept asking if he should get rid of Isquis. Only then did he finally get up, open the tent door, and step outside.

As he stepped outside, the cool air brushed against his cheeks.

Bang!

At that moment, Yeon Ji-ho came to a halt in front of something blocking his way. It was Isquis, with his messy brown hair. He knelt down.

“Please kill me.”

Now, seeing the person himself asking to be killed, Yeon Ji-ho felt dizzy. Yes, he had come to a place like this. While Yeon Ji-ho remained silent, Isquis even began to bang his head against the ground.

“I dared not recognize the lord’s…”

“Excuse me? What did you say in the middle there?”

Isquis flinched at Yeon Ji-ho’s sudden question. Then, glancing at Set standing behind Yeon Ji-ho, he banged his head against the ground again.

“I will just die here.”

“No, why do you keep saying you want to die?”

Yeon Ji-ho scratched his head. With everyone, including the person involved, apologizing, what was there to scold, even as a joke?

In the end, to lighten the heavy atmosphere, Yeon Ji-ho placed his hand on Isquis’s shoulder and said,

“Then I have one request. If you fulfill it, I will forgive you.”

“What is it?!”

“Could you bring me some meat?”

Yeon Ji-ho pondered, stroking his chin. He seemed to be deep in thought.

“I’m planning to make a simple kimchi stew for lunch today.”