Global Awakening: Only I Can Respawn

"I only serve the best food to my savior," Lysandra winked and continued stirring the pot.

Since Lysandra had a close relationship with nature, YuWon thought she would frown upon the idea of eating meat.

But to his surprise, she volunteered to cook for him, claiming that as his wife, it was her duty and wish to provide for him in every way she could.

YuWon wasn't sure before, but after tasting the food, he couldn't help but ask for more.

"I didn't think it was possible for me to love you more," YuWon said, gulping down another bowl. "But I certainly do now!"

"I'm glad you like it," Lysandra chuckled.

"I thought YuWon was exaggerating... but if anything, he's doing the opposite!" Yuna joined the praise train.

"Agreed! This is amazing," Yeji followed.

"It's really delicious, Lysandra... thank you."

Even Hojin, who had been sitting quietly on the edge, couldn't help but sing her praises. He shyly lifted his bowl, asking for more.

Lysandra beamed from the praises. Since they had become YuWon's family, their praises seemed even more important to her. But not everyone was happy with the praises.

Gina suddenly put the bowl down and got up. Before anyone could say anything, she marched towards the massive cooking pot.

"I could cook something just as good!" she announced.

Lysandra looked over her shoulder and smiled. She understood why Gina was acting up, but before she could say anything, Gina grabbed the cooking spoon and was about to churn the pot.

But the sudden motion of the spoon tilted the pot to one side. The bubbling stew splashed over and Gina instinctively raised her arms, closing her eyes and bracing for the pain.

But the pain never came.

When she slowly opened her eyes, she saw YuWon standing before her. The hot liquid had splashed on his back instead. It must have hurt. Even so, his eyes were focused on her.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, worried about her more than anything else.

Gina was speechless and covered her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. She understood even though he praised Lysandra for her cooking; it didn't mean he loved her any less.

"YuWon!"

By now, Lysandra had dropped what she was doing and rushed over. Yeji was quick on her feet as well. The two of them hurriedly tugged at his shirt, trying to get it off to check the damage.

"Let me see," Yeji said urgently.

As soon as his shirt came off, their eyes fell on his red back. The boiling stew had left its mark on his body. However, while everyone was looking at the injury, Yuna was busy staring at his ripped physique.

"Damn..." she mumbled.

Yeji shook her head, ignoring Yuna's comment. She pressed her hand against YuWon's back. Once she used her healing ability, the red mark slowly faded, and the skin returned to its normal color.

YuWon had winced once when the stew splashed on him. But now that he was being couldn't hold back and dug his fingers into the thing he was holding... Gina.

However, Gina didn't care about it and kept caressing YuWon's face, attempting to soothe his pain. Once done, YuWon let out the breath he was holding and turned back to Yeji.

"Thanks."

"It was nothing..." she said, before shyly pointing at the slave brand on her neck. "If brother wants to thank me... he can... I mean... it's been a while since you've... um...

praised me."

YuWon looked at her and rolled his eyes. It had been a while since he last used the slave brand. Honestly, he had forgotten about it after the mess with Anna.

"As you wish."

With a quick snap of his fingers, the brand on Yeji's neck glowed faintly, sending small, tingling shocks through her body. Yeji bit her lip, a soft gasp escaping her as the pleasant sensation washed over her.

But then she quickly composed herself as she realized he wasn't alone. She cleared her throat awkwardly and stepped back, her cheeks red.

But before anyone could comment on anything, a bunch of soldiers came running towards them. But they weren't the only ones. Some people were running ahead of them.

"You petty bastards!" a woman yelled. "How could you eat so leisurely while we suffer with empty stomachs?"

The soldiers grabbed the woman and were about to drag her, but YuWon stopped them.

"Let her go," he said. "Petty? How is eating what I hunt petty?"

"Y-You should share with the rest! Didn't your mother teach you anything!?" another guy chimed in.

Yeji gasped as soon as the man mentioned YuWon's mother. Her eyes shifted towards YuWon, who didn't say a thing but kept smiling.

"She did," he replied. "But life taught me something else. To take what you want and hell with everyone else."

"...then what if we take what we want?" the man spoke, eyeing the food pot.

"I don't know," YuWon shrugged and stepped back. "I guess you'll have to find out yourself."

Soon a crowd gathered at some distance, but no one dared to move. Most of them received the prepared rotten flesh and, despite its bitter taste, they ate their fill and didn't want to rock the boat.

Only those who got nothing were busy causing trouble. The man was one such person. Feeling bold, the man took a step towards the food. He thought YuWon wouldn't hurt him in front of so many people.

But the woman behind her wasn't so sure. As the man walked towards the pot, she felt a chill down her spine. She looked at YuWon and noticed him smiling. But it was a maniacal smile.

"No, don't!" she yelled, but it was too late.

Everything happened in a flash. One moment, the man was looking at the pot full of food, and the next he was on the ground. Pain caught up to him a moment later, and he screamed.

YuWon had severed both of the man's legs.