The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 11

“Hmm…”

 

Perhaps sensing my presence, the chief, half-asleep, shifted slightly and patted my back a couple of times.

 

‘It’s warm.’

 

Pressing my face against his firm chest, I squeezed my eyes shut.

 

For the first time in a long while, it seemed I could sleep without having a nightmare. 

 

* * *

 

After that, a fortnight passed.

 

“We will depart four days later.”

 

From what I had come to know, living deep in the mountains, it seemed the chief regularly went out to steal.

 

The chief had only a short time left before leaving the mountain hideout for his next raid.

 

As a result of being busy, I gradually spent more time with the other bandits rather than the chief.

 

The fortunate thing was that, under the chief’s systematic training, the bandits’ childcare skills had improved.

 

Not only had the way they held me become gentler than before,

 

“I finished feeding the baby!”

 

“I even changed her diaper!”

 

From preparing and feeding me baby food, burping me, changing my diapers, washing and drying my clothes, to making toys, playing with me, and putting me to sleep.

 

At some point, they had begun to divide the tasks and move in perfect coordination, so that the chief’s hands were no longer needed.

 

‘They don’t act harshly like before, and the more I see them, the more I feel some affection compared to before.’

 

Well, not that I’m overly excited!

 

Still, I was no longer afraid when they came around like before.

 

“Uncle’s hereeee!!!!”

 

Of course, that rough face with its loud voice, massive muscles, and thick beard was still intimidating.

 

The uncles who used to play with me held my hand and spoke, their eyes sparkling.

 

“Un-cle—try it.” 

 

“Awo.” 

 

“Dakddong Uncle, try it. Dakddoooong…” 

 

“Ah, you little rascal! Can you really do that?!”

 

“That’s right! Don’t you remember what the chief said? Huh? The, the, step-by-step training! Starting with the easy stuff, one by one—that’s what’s important! Dakddong, you can tell it’s hard just by looking. Now, Malddong, Uncle—try it!” 

 

“Whether it’s Malddong or Dakddong, both are difficult. Soddong is the best, isn’t it?”

 

“Do you know how good a dog really is?”

 

“Anyway, it’s all Ddong…”

 

It was when I was looking away, not wanting to get involved in their meaningless quarrel anymore.

 

Kiiiek—.

 

Just as I thought the door was opening, the chief and a woman I didn’t know came in.

 

“Bya!”

 

I raised my hand in delight. 

 

“You’re here! Chief! Second Commander, you’ve returned!”

 

The uncles also hurriedly bowed to the leader and the woman.

 

“Abu?”

 

Second Commander?

 

I’d just learned that.

 

Here, there was a hierarchy beneath the chief. 

 

The first was Deputy Chief Kim Dupil.

 

He was big and always wore an unreadable, expressionless face, but his loyalty and skill toward the chief seemed second to none.

 

In other words, he gave off the vibe of a steadfast high-ranking warrior from a traditional martial family.

 

The next person is First Commander Kim Gaon.

 

Although he looked to be only in his late teens, he ranked right after the chief and Dupil.

 

From what I’d gathered through the bandits’ chatter, he was said to have foreign language skills and a memory that never forgot anything he saw—in other words, a genius mind.

 

Perhaps thanks to that, he seemed to have earned the chief’s trust despite his young age.

 

And lastly, the woman I just came to know—the one right in front of me!

 

This woman, who was called the Second Commander, was clearly next in rank after Gaon within the bandit group. 

 

In other words, it meant she held an executive-level position within the bandit group.

 

‘Why haven’t I seen her until now?’

 

As I tilted my head in curiosity,

 

“Alright. Good work. You may all go back now.”

 

The chief, having quickly sent the Saddong uncles away, brought the woman over to me.

 

She had a large hammer strapped to her back and sharp, fierce eyes. Her hair was short, and though she was a woman, her muscular build made her look very strong.

 

‘She looks kind of cool.’

 

I stared at her with my mouth wide open.

 

Then she smiled softly and greeted me first.

 

“Hello? My name is Pilsuk.” 

 

It was the first time someone here had greeted me first. 

 

I looked at the chief with eyes asking for an explanation, and Pilsuk’s eyes sparkled with amusement at the sight of me.

 

“Oh my, just as you said, it really seems like she understands everything?”

 

“Yes. She’s a smart girl.”

 

“Are you curious? I went ahead to the place the chief will be heading this time, finished the investigation, and returned. Before any expedition, we send someone in advance to conduct preliminary investigations. And this time, I’ll be with you during the expedition.”

 

Pilsuk laughed heartily and explained everything to me in detail.

 

Only then did I understand why I hadn’t seen her before.

 

When I nodded as if I understood, Pilsuk smiled in surprise and nodded back at me. 

 

“Wow, you really understand? You?”

 

“Bu!”

 

I smiled softly. 

 

I didn’t dislike the way she spoke to me so warmly.

 

It had always been full of rough men, but now with a kind woman around, I felt a strangely soft and warm feeling.

 

“We’ll leave those four bandits behind. However, they still have many shortcomings, so I want you to take full responsibility for looking after this child. After all, aren’t you the only one with experience caring for a child?”

 

At the chief’s instruction, Pilsuk smiled and nodded in agreement.

 

“Of course, Chief. What a delightful order! You want me to take care of such an adorable baby?”

 

“Oh, wait.”

 

The chief frowned, looking uneasy, then lifted me up and handed me over to Pilsuk.

 

“Go ahead and hold her.”

 

As if testing her, he handed me over, and Pilsuk awkwardly lifted me, supporting my hips and letting my head rest against her chest. The way she held me was surprisingly steady.

 

“You passed.”

 

“What…?”

 

“A lot has happened while you were away.”

 

“Ah, I heard. Everyone received childcare training from the chief? Hahaha! If that’s the case, don’t worry. I’ve raised children myself—two of them, in fact.”

 

“Alright. Then it’s done. I’ll leave the child in your care while I’m away. The child needs to get used to you, so from today, take her to your quarters and spend time together.”

 

“Understood, Chief! I’ll take care of her!”

 

Pilsuk made a show of bowing deeply at a 90-degree angle, and the chief nodded as if satisfied. 

 

“Stay with Pilsuk for the time being. Understand?”

 

I nodded at the chief as he spoke, gently patting my head.

 

“Wow!”

 

Pilsuk, who was holding me, let out a low sigh of admiration. She smiled brightly and hugged me tightly.

 

“You’re so cute.”

 

For some reason, there was a warm scent coming from her. Feeling a bit shy, I smiled sheepishly and buried my head against Pilsuk’s chest.

 

…At that moment, I had no idea what meeting her would mean for me.

 

* * *

 

“Hello, baby. Did you sleep well?”

 

At Pilsuk’s words, I let out a big yawn and rubbed my eyes as I got up.

 

Having eaten my fill the day before and slept under a warm blanket, I had a deep, blissful sleep for the first time in a long while.

 

‘Experienced people really are different, huh?’

 

Enjoying the comfort, I gladly stretched out my short arms and hugged Pilsuk.

 

The problem arose afterward.

 

“What’s this mark?!”

 

She, who was washing my body, had discovered the mark on the top of my foot.

 

Her expression turned cold, and it didn’t seem like a good sign. 

 

‘Could it be… she knew about the royal mark?’

 

Startled by her reaction, I instinctively tried to pull my foot away, but she opened her eyes wide in anger and roughly grabbed my ankle again.

 

“W, wang…” 

 

“Shh! Be quiet!”

 

Slap-!

 

When I cried softly, she urgently raised her hand and slapped my buttocks.

 

It was my first time experiencing violence since I came here, so I was so shocked that I even started crying.

 

“H, how, how… this mark… how.”

 

She panted heavily, staring again and again at the top of my foot. 

 

As if she didn’t want to believe it.

 

Swoosh–!

 

Pilsuk suddenly lifted my body up!

 

“Abu?!”

 

Suddenly dangling from Pilsuk’s shoulder, I was utterly flustered and grabbed her shoulder with my tiny fingers

 

Click—!

She rushed out of the barracks carrying me.

 

‘What? Where are you taking me?!’

 

In my panic, I flailed my hands, but she easily restrained me by gripping my body.

 

Pilsuk carried me on one arm, cutting diagonally across the middle of the mountain hideout, heading toward the chief’s quarters

 

As Pilsuk tried to open the door, the bandits guarding the entrance quickly blocked her path.

 

“Second Commander, the chief is in a meeting right now…” 

 

“Should I fight you or just get out of the way?”

 

“T, that…” 

 

Thud!

 

Pilsuk, as if she wouldn’t tolerate it any longer, twirled the hammer in her right hand and gripped it firmly.

 

Then, in an instant, she struck his shoulder with the handle.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Although it was a very simple movement, the bandits were pushed back.

 

Click–!

 

The wooden door was flung open effortlessly by her hand.

 

Dangling from Pilsuk’s shoulder, I opened my eyes wide and scanned the inside of the chief’s quarters.

 

Dupil and Gaon were sitting around a large rock, and at the end..

 

‘Chief.’

 

There was a man exuding a heavy, commanding charisma.