It wasn’t hard to see that Utoya knew Ribe—she had already shown it when those people came.
But Eileen had never dared to ask.
Now, with Ribe possibly selling her out to the black market at any moment, Eileen had no choice but to reassess their relationship.
Did Utoya love her?
Between Ribe and her, who would Utoya choose?
It was all unknown…
“When we were young, we were good friends.
She’s very capable… We enlisted together, took part in the war on terror, and there I came into contact with geopolitics, the radiation zone, and all those opportunities.”
“I didn’t have many ambitions. I’d seen too much I shouldn’t have seen, so after I applied for discharge, I came here.
She, clearly, wanted to accomplish more.
The orphanage was just one part of her income.”
Utoya’s voice remained hoarse, as though those years were something she never wished to speak of.
Counter-terrorism?
The military?
Discharge?!
Eileen stared wide-eyed.
Could the hunter really be older than she looked?
She didn’t look it at all…
And Ribe, too… had been a soldier?!
“Wait, wait, wait… that old witch was a soldier?
And a soldier treats orphans like that?”
Eileen was gritting her teeth.
That exploitative hag had been a soldier?
No wonder she wasn’t sure she could beat her.
But neither Utoya nor Ribe showed any trace of their military past—both looked barely twenty.
“Not everyone has your strength, little cat.
The government is filled with oligarchs, terrorists, warlords, politicians, investors, coups, wars… everything except peace and happiness.
She gave those orphans legal identities.
I’ve seen what life was like here before she came.”
“She’s not a good person.
But at least she gave you rooms, shelter, food.
Of course, that doesn’t mean she can touch what’s mine.
If she dares to make a move on you, I won’t care about past friendship.”
Utoya spoke softly, as if she understood why Eileen was asking.
Her words carried sincerity, not falsehood.
“I… I want to know what kind of life the orphans lived before Ribe.”
After hesitating, Eileen decided to ask anyway.
If something really happened to her, and Rosakaya couldn’t pay, she might have to face that same life…
She needed to save up the five hundred thousand quickly.
“…It’s a tragic story.
And it’s why I came here.”
“But… it’s simple.
In modern war, people aren’t people anymore.
They’re playthings for those in power and those with armed men.
Their suffering, their struggles, their despair can be mass-produced as entertainment.
Their love, dignity, and lives can be toyed with.”
“That’s humanity.
From ancient times until now, it has never changed.
Once the mask of civilization is stripped away, it reveals either a nature more vile than beasts—or purer than gods.”
Utoya’s voice sank to the lowest depths.
She must have seen unspeakable things in those days.
But she refused to describe them.
That only made Eileen more determined.
She had to save money.
She could never let Rosakaya live in hell.
As for herself… she only wished to survive.
If she could die alone, without dragging others down, that would be best.
Five hundred thousand… how to get it?
Eileen fell into thought.
She would be starting school soon.
She would earn even less than now.
Studying properly wasn’t an option.
She was already doomed.
Her only hope… was to save more money and pull some strings.
Connections…
But she was already enemies for life with the border prosecutor.
How much money would an orphan like her need to climb that high?
Eileen sighed.
After one day of rest, school would begin in a few days.
By then, she would only be able to enter the radiation zone on holidays.
Her chances to earn would shrink.
And again… that wave of anxiety rose up…
As she rubbed her brow and sighed, the familiar overwhelming heat pressed against her back once more, wrapping around her completely.
Utoya seemed to sense her sudden unease.
She slipped behind her, holding her tight, guiding her toward the bed…
That sense of safety washed over Eileen again, leaving her utterly relaxed, head to toe.
Maybe… she could also become that kind of person?
“Don’t worry about anything.
I said I’d protect you… and I will.”
Will she, though?
Eileen closed her eyes, indulging in the rare warmth.
Honestly, by this point, she wasn’t sure if Utoya would really protect her until the end.
But she didn’t want to gamble.
Because… she didn’t want to be hurt.
If… just if… if Utoya ever learned about her being hunted, and abandoned her…
Then Eileen would rather die right now than endure that heart-wrenching pain and despair.
But right now…
“Hunter, are you getting impatient?”
Eileen laughed softly, her gaze almost provocative as she turned to meet Utoya’s eyes—eyes brimming with desire.
She felt Utoya’s arms around her, her head buried in her neck, her heavy breathing, her hands beginning to roam.
As expected, all her masks could be stripped away with time.
“Mm…”
Utoya groaned lowly, seemingly pleased that Eileen wasn’t resisting.
Though, such tricks probably wouldn’t work on any other girl.
Who would like such naked possessiveness and malice—such barely disguised intent to invade?
But for Eileen… it was exactly that…
That felt good.
She let out a soft sound of pleasure, her arms circling around Utoya’s neck, her voice tinged with delight:
“I heard that in normal relationships, people hold hands first and only later go to bed.
But in twisted relationships, it’s the opposite.
So tell me, Hunter—do you really prefer to make ours like this?”
Holding hands was a symbol of love, a silent confession.
Utoya had said she loved her many times, but of course, Eileen would never believe it.
And Utoya knew—she knew that Eileen, despite her brightness, had a heart long sealed shut.
She didn’t stop.
Her voice sank even lower:
“…If I say I love you, you definitely won’t believe me.
But you don’t need to believe.
Stay doubtful.
And stay with me.”
“No matter how many times.
No matter how far you run or how much you doubt…
I’ll always bring you back.”