As the noonday sun blazed, the sound of hard objects colliding rang periodically in the mountain. Chi-Woo was training ardently as usual. All his recent visitors had returned to their homes, including Hawa and the three people coming to him for help. Chi-Woo was in no position to do anything for them. Thus, he tried to focus on his training, telling himself he had no choice, but his heart felt heavy every time he thought of them.

Bam! Chi-Woo slammed the boulder and let out a deep sigh, his shoulders moving up and down in tandem with his breathing.

“…” In the end, he dropped his club; he had found it difficult to focus for the past few weeks.

—You’re troubled with trivial thoughts.

Philip reprimanded him as he watched from a distance.

—I told you before. You can’t just swing senselessly. You have to focus solely on each blow.

‘…Yes, you did.’ Chi-Woo was training to kill an opponent with one swing. Thus, every time he swung, his full intention must be on cracking the whole boulder. Even Chi-Woo knew his blow just now held no blood lust. His mind was elsewhere, and he had been striking meaninglessly. If Chi-Hyun had seen him just now, he would’ve scolded Chi-Woo right away. Instead of laying into Chi-Woo, though, Philip asked him a question.

—Why? Is it because of what happened recently?

Philip knew what Chi-Woo was thinking.

—Is it because of that pretty girl?

“There’s Ms. Hawa too…ah, thank you.” Bun handed Chi-Woo water once he stopped training. He patted it and took a swig. The sensation of cool water going down his throat seemed to clear his mind a bit.

“There’s also the matter with Lady Evelyn…” Chi-Woo wiped his mouth after finishing a bottle. “It’s just all…so complicated.”

—Then, why don’t...