‘Gukji’ looked at the dog that just rolled in. It literally ‘rolled’ inside. As dogfighting was also a form of business, the dogs would be pulled back if the fight looked like it was going to get bloody or if one side surrendered, but this time, an accident happened before they even got the chance to do anything. The dog that was tossed into the dog shed by the head manager kept gasping for air while sprawled on the ground.

“Have a look at it, and deal with it if it looks no good.”

The head manager left those words before leaving. Gukji sat down in front of the dog, crossed-legged. The dog, panting with difficulty with its tongue out on the ground, didn’t even flinch or move its eyes as though it didn’t have enough energy to stay on guard. It seemed to be wholeheartedly focusing on breathing. The blood that flowed out from the dog’s neck drenched the ground red. As the pool of blood became deeper, the lungs of the dog that quickly moved up and down started slowing down.

This was no good. Gukji stood up. He picked up the shovel, which rested against the wall. The puncture wound on the neck was one thing, but the...