Main Story Prelude PART1

"Aren't we going to get shelled? And what's this, meat?" 

I picked up one of the pieces Seung-hwan was grilling and brought it to my mouth. I hadn't eaten meat in a long time, and my stomach was already fliping over with the joy of digestion. 

"But what kind of meat is this? It's the worst meat I've ever eaten."

However, the more I chewed, the more I realized that the texture was unlike any meat I had ever chewed before, and also that an unbearably disgusting aroma began to waft through my mouth, so I asked him, unable to hide my anxiety.

The moment I heard Seung-hwan's words, I froze like ice, and he held out another piece of meat to me, either oblivious to my mood or knowing it.

"Want some more? Here's some more."

I finally turned away as soon as I saw what he held out. 

"Ewww...!"

Unable to overcome the disgusting taste of meat I had never encountered in my life, I was forced to vomit until I felt dizzy, and every time I did, the air around me was filled with Seung-hwan's condescending laughter.

"Delicious?"

Those were my first words to Seung-hwan, who had barely regained his composure and had been eating them for a while.

"Do you want some?"He held it out to me again, shook it hard, and said 

"No, thank you, it's okay."

Seung-hwan said to me as I shook my head.

"I'm not eating it because I like it, I'm eating it because I have to, and you should eat it for your own health."

Eventually, I took what he offered, closed my eyes, and forced it into my mouth. I guess there's a reason people say the first time is the hardest.

After a few chews, I got used to it, and even the disgusting flavor that was starting to spread in my mouth was now tolerable.

"I'm getting used to this, it's okay. Anything else?"

When I asked for more rat meat, Seung-hwan seemed to think about it and said to me with a playful expression

"There are lots of rat holes around here, just use your skills to catch them. I'll grill you a nice crab. Just watch out for the mines."

As I sighed and wished him well, his face quickly darkened and he said.

"Are you going to keep wandering around like this?"

Seung-hwan threw some kindling into the dying bonfire, and it flickered to life. It began to flare up again, little by little, as if it had been given new life. I held my palms close to the flames. 

"Are you worried?"