A Suspicious Encounter

‘That was way too confident for a final move…’

Yet despite his triumphant proposal, the four Alphas accepted it without hesitation.

– “If it’s labor, you mean physical work, right? I’m confident in that.”

– “I’ve done plenty of volunteer work. I’m fine with it.”

– “Hmm, this kind of payment is new. Sounds interesting. Let’s try it.”

– “Heh. If those guys are doing it, I can’t not do it! I—I’ll do it too!”

Starting with Joo Taegang and ending with Chae Yunchan, they all accepted his offer lightly.

Maybe it was because they were Alphas—none of them seemed bothered by the idea of physical labor.

“…Damn it.”

He had at least hoped they’d hesitate or refuse.

Except for Yunchan, the blond brat, even Baek Dojun and Yoo Iseo agreed without pause.

His face turned pale, but strangely, Seo Eunsu remained calm.

– “That’s good, Chanyeong-ssi. Now you have wor— I mean, workers.”

– “Were you about to say slaves just now?”

– “Must be your imagination. Haha.”

At that moment, Iseo wasn’t looking at Chanyeong—but at Eunsu.

His lips smiled, but his eyes were sharp, predatory.

Like a snake ready to strike.

Chanyeong’s peaceful utopia was slowly turning into the eye of a storm.

‘He told me to take revenge earlier too… what is he planning?’

Compared to the gentle, bright Seo Eunsu from the original story, the current Eunsu felt different.

Was it because he became an Alpha?

He used to be like a pure lily fed on dew—now, there was something sly about him.

Almost like Iseo.

“Ugh, whatever.”

“I’ll just make them suffer until they leave on their own.”

“Right, Janggun?”

“Woof!”

With that conclusion, Chanyeong went back to running along the peaceful trail with Janggun.

With five different Alpha pheromones lingering earlier, he felt like he was going insane.

But now, breathing in the scent of soil and grass, he finally relaxed.

‘Being able to run freely in a healthy body… it feels this good?’

Feeling his legs move endlessly gave him a strange thrill.

Something his sick former self could never even dream of.

So he got a little greedy.

“Janggun, should we run a bit faster today?”

“Woof!”

Janggun’s tail spun like a propeller—clearly a yes.

“Alright.”

“Let’s drink some water, have a snack, and push a bit more!”

“Woof woof!”

After feeding him jerky and dried sweet potato, they ran again.

His breath grew heavy, but he didn’t want to stop.

Then suddenly—

Janggun froze.

“Janggun? Why did you sto—ugh!”

Before he could stop, someone rushed out from the side—

And they collided.

“Ah…!”

He fell onto the rocky path, scraping his knees, palms, and calves.

It stung sharply.

“I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

The man who bumped into him extended a hand with an apologetic expression.

Tanned skin.

Large hands.

Long fingers.

Chanyeong grabbed it and stood up.

“I’m sorry too. I wasn’t looking properly.”

“No, it happens.”

Brushing off dirt, Chanyeong studied him.

Tall—over 180 cm.

A faint Alpha pheromone.

A young, handsome man—rare for this village.

‘What…?’

According to Secretary Choi’s research, no such person lived here.

And an Alpha, at that?

Suspicious.

“Do you live nearby?”

“Yes.”

“I moved here recently. What about you?”

“I haven’t been here long either.”

“Then we came around the same time. That’s interesting.”

“If we met earlier, I would’ve brought rice cakes.”

“Really? That’s a shame.”

The conversation was normal—

But Chanyeong couldn’t shake the suspicion.

‘Why would a young man come here?’

This place was remote.

Young people avoided it.

And yet—

This man looked wealthy.

Well-maintained body.

Expensive clothes.

‘And he’s an unbonded Alpha.’

That made it worse.

‘Let’s test him.’

“I still have rice cakes at home.”

“Do you have a partner or girlfriend?”

“I can prepare enough for two.”

The rice cakes were just an excuse.

He was probing.

The man laughed.

“Are you hitting on me?”

“No.”

“I just thought most Alphas have partners.”

“Ah.”

“I came alone.”

“I moved here to care for my grandfather with dementia and fulfill his last wishes.”

That explained it.

Chanyeong relaxed slightly.

There was indeed an old man like that in the village.

“I see. Sorry for being rude.”

He picked up Janggun, who was still barking.

“My dog is sensitive. He barks at people he thinks are dangerous.”

“Woof! Grrr!”

Even while chewing snacks, Janggun wouldn’t stop growling.

“Why are you like this, Janggun?”

“I’m fine.”

“He’s very lively.”

That earned the man a few points.

But still—

Janggun showed his teeth, trying to bite him.

Chanyeong quickly stepped back, holding him tight.

“Sorry.”

“I’ll get going.”

“It’s okay. Living alone in the countryside can make you cautious.”

…Wait.

Had he said he lived alone?

That felt off.

“What’s your name?”

The man smiled.

“Moon Kyungshik.”

“Let’s meet again if we get the chance.”

“I see.”

Chanyeong replied politely and walked away.

But even after leaving—

Janggun kept barking at him from behind.

‘He really doesn’t like him.’

Trusting his dog’s instincts, Chanyeong decided to stay away from Moon Kyungshik.

But living in the same village—

Avoiding him completely would prove difficult.

And as expected, they crossed paths again… more than once.