Codename Vestia

Chapter 16: Joonie

Since no one was around, Doyeong stepped out of his pants by stepping on them, just like he would when going from his room to the bathroom, leaving them on the beach as if they were the shed skin of a snake, and walked into the sea.

He threw himself into the water as if being embraced by it. Then, he washed lightly and swam slowly. The sky was blue, and so was the sea.

Doyeong dipped his head underwater, then lifted himself and swept his hair back. Transparent droplets of water trickled down his body, dressed only in black drawers.

At that moment, something passed by next to him, and when he unconsciously turned to look, he saw Gamal gliding by like a water snake, completely naked.

Though submerged, his bare body rippled beneath the transparent surface. Doyeong, stunned, asked,

“What are you doing?”

Gamal looked at Doyeong.

“Swimming.”

“Can’t you see I’m wearing underwear? Why are you completely naked?”

Even in this situation, he was trying to show some restraint in front of a woman.

“The Major is also completely naked.”

With that, Gamal leaned back and moved his arms, floating on the water. The water was so clear that everything was visible, but he was so casual about it that it didn’t even seem indecent.

White and smooth, it was, yes, like looking at a boiled egg. Doyeong was in a state of complete detachment.

Turning his head, Doyeong watched the back of Gamal’s head as he swam doggy-style away and spoke.

“Sorry, but I’m a civilized person.”

“The Major keeps talking about being civilized. It doesn’t even seem like a good thing.”

“Where did you learn a word like ‘talking’? Are you sure you can’t really speak French? Why isn’t it good?”

Doyeong asked as he washed his face in the seawater, without looking at Gamal.

“There’s too much you need to know and do.”

Splash, splash, Gamal paddled backward, answering as he swam.

“But at least you’re not lonely.”

“So, I won’t be lonely either? If I become civilized?”

“At least better than living as a loner on this island.”

Doyeong lifted his head and looked out towards the ocean, placing a hand on his waist and sweeping his hair back. Standing almost bare, facing the vast open horizon, he felt a sense of liberation, as if freed from all the worldly troubles.

“But I’m not lonely anymore.”

Suddenly, the tone turned serious, and Doyeong looked back.

“Because the Major is here.”

Swimming backward, Gamal had now reached the shore and was sitting on the beach where the water barely touched his waist. Like a mermaid that had accidentally washed ashore, he revealed his white, dazzling upper body and looked at him.

His black hair, wet, clung to his skin, shining whiter than the sunlit sandy beach, and his eyes gleamed gracefully.

Perhaps he had been standing still for a while. A droplet of water trickled down Doyeong’s neck, reminding him of the passage of time.

Doyeong suddenly wore a frightening expression and strode over, creating a huge spray of water with each step. Even the muscles on his body seemed to ripple angrily.

“Why are you….”

Gamal, startled, was interrupted as a shadow fell over him.

In the next moment, Gamal was lying down, receiving a kiss from Doyeong. Doyeong was stretched out over her. Gentle waves rolled in and out between their entangled legs.

The weight pressing down on her felt pleasant. Guided by instinct, Gamal wrapped her arms around Doyeong’s neck. Doyeong pulled away from the kiss and spoke roughly.

“Did you say those cute things to all the men who came here?”

Gamal’s eyes shimmered.

“You’re the first, Major.”

Doyeong kissed her again.

Even Doyeong couldn’t define what he felt towards this mysterious vampire. It was a mix of emotions—resentment, pity, suspicion, affection—all tangled together, pushing him to act on impulse.

***

The campfire blazed. Doyeong stared intently at Gamal’s profile, illuminated by the light, as he thought.

‘It’s hard to believe she has some ulterior motive for keeping me here.’

There seemed to be a reason, but it felt more personal than something to do with him. Perhaps there was someone unsavory following Gamal around.

If that was the case, considering how long Gamal had been on this island, that person was probably a vampire too.

It seemed like this stalker was trying to prevent him from leaving the island, fearing what they might do to Gamal. Honestly, looking at her, it wasn’t surprising that someone like that would trail her. Despite how she looked, she was cute and lovable.

“My name is Doyeong.”

Doyeong spoke up suddenly, and Gamal turned to him, looking puzzled.

“Aren’t you the Major?”

“That’s a rank, you idiot.”

He had wanted to say this for so long, and it felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest.

“A rank?”

Gamal tilted her head.

“I’m a soldier.”

“A soldier? A warrior?”

“Close enough.”

Gamal nodded.

“That’s why you were able to fight me.”

Doyeong smiled bitterly.

“Even though I lost miserably. I guess that’s the inevitable difference between humans and Luas.”

“I tried.”

Doyeong scoffed.

“You think I didn’t?”

“Very hard. Every day.”

Gamal was earnest.

“Why? If you’re a vampire, physical strength comes naturally, so why did you go that far?”

Gamal hesitated, her expression betraying a moment of realization, then fell silent. It seemed to be connected to that subject—the one that kept him trapped on this island.

Gamal, trying to change the topic, asked,

“So, Major, your name is Doyeong?”

“That’s right. Doyeong Deper.”

“Doyeong Deper….”

“That’s cool.”

Doyeong felt as if he’d been suddenly stabbed in the chest. As he kept staring at her, Gamal tilted her head in curiosity.

“Doyeong?”

Doyeong abruptly stood up.

“Let’s go to bed.”

“Already?”

“After eating and brushing our teeth, what else is there to do? It’s not like there’s anything else to keep us occupied.”

Regrettable as that might be.

***

Doyeong woke up slightly and realized that Gamal was sitting beside him, watching him. He was truly baffled.

‘What is she doing, really?’

Lately, Gamal wasn’t even trying to hide the fact that she had a crush on him. Even a five-year-old would be better at concealing their feelings.

It didn’t seem like morning yet. In fact, it felt like he had only just fallen asleep. That meant Gamal hadn’t slept and had been watching over him. He didn’t know whether to find that cute or creepy, like something out of *Misery*.

Just then—

Thud.

From outside, something like a stone hit the wall of the log cabin. Gamal flinched and looked back. She quickly stood up and left the room without making a sound.

Creak.

The door closed softly behind her. Doyeong opened his eyes and glanced back, puzzled. There was a brief rustling sound outside, and then it went silent.

Doyeong furrowed his brow. He thought about going out to check but decided to wait. Soon after, Gamal returned. Doyeong pretended to wake up, groggily turning to look at her.

“Where did you go?”

“You’re awake? Just to the bathroom.”

Gamal answered naturally as she lay back down in her spot. Doyeong turned over again, still thinking with his eyes wide open.

Now he was sure.

‘Someone else is on this island.’

***

The next morning, while they were eating breakfast, he asked,

“Come to think of it, what’s on the other side of this island?”

Gamal, who had been eating, widened her eyes, swallowed her food, and replied,

“There’s nothing there.”

“Really?”

Doyeong didn’t ask anything more. After finishing breakfast and tidying up, he spoke, as if it had just occurred to him,

“I’m bored. Why don’t we go take a look?”

“Huh?”

Gamal blinked. Doyeong got up and said,

“Let’s head to the other side.”

Gamal jumped up immediately.

“No. Uh, there’s a scary beast there.”

“Just a moment ago, you said there was nothing.”

“I said that because I didn’t want you to be scared. It’s huge and ferocious.”

She was trying to frighten him like a child who refuses to go to bed. Doyeong’s expression grew more doubtful.

“I’ve never heard any animal cries.”

“Really? Well, that’s because you have human ears.”

If there was a beast so “huge and ferocious,” it would have been impossible not to hear its sounds, even with human ears.

Doyeong shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s boring to just wander around the same area every day. Let’s check it out for once. Besides….”

He glanced Gamal up and down.

“The most dangerous animal on this island seems to be right here.”

Gamal felt troubled. But if she tried to stop him further, it would only look suspicious. Doyeong was already getting ready to go further afield.

“I’m borrowing this bag.”

He began putting various items into Gamal’s crossbody bag.

“Let’s go.”

While she was still trying to figure out what to do, Doyeong had already finished preparing and was heading out.

“Doyeong, wait for me.”

Gamal quickly followed.

***

As expected, the forest hadn’t changed since the last time they’d been there. Even with a careful search, there were no signs of anything other than animals.

“Doyeong, let’s go back.”

Gamal spoke cautiously. Doyeong glanced back at her.

“There’s still plenty of time.”

‘Should I break his leg again?’

The thought crossed Gamal’s mind, but she quickly pushed it aside. Even if it had been an accident last time, she didn’t want to deliberately hurt Doyeong. Besides, he was sharp; if he found out she did it on purpose, there was no telling how angry he’d get.

She didn’t want to make Doyeong angry.

Up ahead, Doyeong parted the leaves and moved forward. He moved with confidence, as if he knew the way. Growing anxious, Gamal spoke up.

“Doyeong, the sun is setting.”

Doyeong looked at the sky, now tinged with orange.

With a vampire as a guide, there was no risk of getting lost in the dark, but the problem was that if something appeared, he wouldn’t be able to see it. Regrettably, it seemed they couldn’t go any further today.

“Let’s head back.”

Doyeong said this as he walked past Gamal. She sighed in relief, quickly catching up and asking,

“What do you want to eat for dinner?”

“Meat.”

“Doyeong likes meat.”

“Not as much as you do.”

Rustle.

The bushes behind them shook as they disappeared into the distance. Then, a foot emerged from the brush, a man’s bare foot, caked with mud.

***

“Goodnight.”

“You too.”

Doyeong and Gamal exchanged goodnight wishes and lay down. The surroundings fell silent.

For a while, Gamal listened to Doyeong’s breathing as he lay turned away from her. Gradually, his breaths became steady and rhythmic. Once she was sure, Gamal quietly got up and moved towards the door.

Lying on his side, Doyeong quietly opened his eyes. His eyes showed no trace of sleepiness. He remained still, ensuring that his breathing didn’t change. If it did, she would notice.

Creak.

Gamal could be heard leaving the log cabin. Doyeong waited for a while. Then, he suddenly got up, opened the door, and called out to her.

“Gamal.”

He thought he sensed a slight flinch from somewhere nearby. After a rustling in the bushes, Gamal emerged.

“Doyeong? You’re not asleep?”

Doyeong gestured with his chin in the direction Gamal had come from.

“What were you doing?”

“I went to the bathroom.”

When Doyeong started heading in that direction, Gamal subtly stepped in his way and asked,

“Where are you going?”

“Where else? I’m going to the bathroom.”

With that, Doyeong pushed through the bushes. Gamal followed behind, asking,

“Isn’t it too dark?”

“I know the way.”

Suddenly, Gamal took a step back.