As True as a Dream Chapter 138

Hae-Joo’s fists trembled violently at the Governor-General’s insulting treatment of Koreans.

This couldn’t go on.

She couldn’t bear it anymore.

To pretend nothing happened – she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t forget.

 

“…I can’t take this anymore…”

Her lips quivered as she whispered.

Yi-Ho’s silent gaze weighed on her.

 

“I can’t… I can’t just go on like this.”

“Like what?”

“Pretending nothing’s wrong… living without doing anything. No – I could survive that way. But I’d go mad! This suffocating feeling… I feel like I’ll explode with rage!”

 

Clutching her chest, she glared at Yi-Ho with bloodshot eyes.

“I won’t stay silent anymore. For Eun-sil… For all those who died for no reason, I have to do something!”

 

Tears fell freely now.

Her mother, who’d dragged her around fleeing independence activities, had died miserably.

Her adoptive father, the counterfeiter, consumed by guilt over the Sogok Village massacre, had sickened and died young.

Now she’d lost Eun-sil’s family – the closest thing she had to family – to Man Insa.

Behind it all stood Man Insa, Governor Saito, and Japan itself.

They’d taken everything precious from her.

 

“I won’t forgive them. Never. I won’t let them be! I’ll drive them from this land – from my Joseon!”

White-hot fury surged through her veins, her head pounding with injustice.

 

She’d never wanted to walk her mother’s path or Eun-sil’s dreamed-of road of resistance.

With Japan’s power, that fight would be endless, its hardships obvious.

She’d just wanted to live happily, safely – to survive.

But she couldn’t be cowardly anymore.

Not without unleashing this black rage festering in her chest.

 

Gazing down Bukhansan at the darkened land, she wondered – how many here had died unjust, miserable deaths?

 

“Boss… I want Governor Saito and Man Insa dead. Gone from this land, from my Joseon. I can’t pretend anymore. If I keep ignoring this… this sickness will consume me first…”

 

She wanted to live.

Yet like those who sacrificed themselves for their country, she now felt compelled to risk everything – precisely because she wanted to live.
Only this path promised survival.

 

And hadn’t Miyeon warned her?

That Saito planned to slaughter all Koreans in Gyeongseong…

And Man Insa clearly had that capability.

Knowing this, how could she turn away?

How could she allow more Eun-sils, more Sunginjeong alley massacres?

That would make her worse than garbage!

 

Then Yi-Ho’s hand settled gently on her head.

“So what now? Joining the independence movement?”

His tone was half-teasing, but Hae-Joo grew solemn.

 

The independence movement?

She didn’t know.

She lacked such grand ambitions.

She respected those devotees who sacrificed everything for their country, but she was selfish – her own life mattered more.

 

Yet now she understood.

Why they charged like moths into flame, knowing it meant death.

Because of the injustice.

The misery.

 

The rage.

Because acting felt like the only way to live.

 

If she could make those who took her loved ones pay – even just costing them an arm or leg – she’d do anything!

She’d stop Saito and Man Insa, to honor the dead.

And she’d save Yi-Ho from that vile creature too.

 

Finally seeing her path, Hae-Joo nodded at Yi-Ho with a tearful smile.

“Yes. The independence movement.”

“Do it. I’ll help.”

 

His casual tone made her chest ache. Misreading her reaction, Yi-Ho added:

“Even a crippled half-fox is better than a human.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what? If you’re wronged, fight back. Don’t fret over that precious life of yours. I’ll protect it.”

“Boss…”

“I remember your dream – to live long and thin.”

He flashed a rare smile.

“Now live thick and long, Yeon Hae-Joo.”

 

As his hand cupped her cheek, an absurd laugh escaped her.

‘Thick and long?’

Coming from him, it almost seemed possible.

 

“You don’t understand, sir.”

“Hmm?”

“My dream isn’t living long and thin… It’s living with you. Happily, for as long as possible.”

 

Cracks appeared in Yi-Ho’s composed expression. Watching him purse his lips, Hae-Joo continued:

“But first, I’ll drive those bastards from this land. This comes first. Otherwise I…”

“Do it. Whatever. I’ll support you.”

 

Yi-Ho pulled her close. She buried her face in his chest – this man who steadied her in life’s hardest moments.

 

No more covering her eyes and ears.

No more cowardice.

 

In the end, it had come to this.

A furious blue flame had ignited in her heart.

 

 

* * *

 

“[The reactions in Gyeongseong are concerning. No outright protests, but disbelief is evident.]”

“[Only livestock would believe such obvious lies.]”

 

Governor Saito sneered at the arms inventory report on his desk. His subordinate nervously reported public skepticism about the “epidemic” cover-up.

 

“[But if they don’t believe our explanation…]”

“[What can they possibly do?]”

 

Saito’s lifted eyebrow silenced the man. Returning to the report, Saito tapped a section decisively:

“[Commence operations at midnight tomorrow.]”

 

The soldier stiffened.

“[We’ve located the epidemic’s source threatening our Korean subjects. The explosives depot will prevent further tragedy.]”

“[E-explosives?]”

“[As promised – eradicating the problem at its root.]”

 

‘Eradication.’

 

The ancient solution to plague – sealing off and destroying its origin.

 

Saito’s gaze turned glacial.

“[Song Yue Pavilion.]”

 

 

* * *

 

The next day, outside the Bogyeong Daily News:

 

“Do we really need the independence movement’s help?”

Yi-Ho studied the prominent newspaper building skeptically.

 

“Yes. If we can get support – cooperation at least – we should.”

“I’m enough, alone.”

 

Hae-Joo examined Yi-Ho. His color had improved markedly in two days, and she’d witnessed his power at Saito’s residence.

 

Yet she shook her head.

“Against Man Insa, yes. But not against Governor Saito.”

 

Yi-Ho’s eyes narrowed sharply at her words.