The Bookworm’s Second Life
Jonathan
애독자의 갱생 라이프 Jun 16, 2026 16 views
chapter 3
Si-on Clausen spent nearly a month after that incident locked in his room like a shut-in.
He would panic at the slightest eye contact with anyone, because the gaze of that “monster” had burned itself into his mind, trapping him in the horrific memory of that day.
A scene from the novel came to him.
Kim Yuhyeon—who had performed Si-on’s “arm-cutting ceremony” not with a sword or blade, but with a simple knife-hand strike.
Because of that, Si-on had shut himself away for over a month, slowly becoming a broken shell… and eventually transforming into the worst kind of villain, fueled entirely by hatred and curses toward Kim Yuhyeon.
Especially the description that even being looked at by others reminded him of that terrifying gaze—
…I used to think Si-on Clausen was just a pathetic idiot who got scared by a glare.
But that wasn’t it.
Even he, a supposedly normal modern man, was trembling like prey before a predator.
Damn it! What am I supposed to do?!
Given Kim Yuhyeon’s nature, he would have reacted the same even if Trey had already been handed over.
A man who despised subordinates being surrendered under pressure.
Si-on clenched his teeth.
It was too late to take his words back.
It was also too late to say, “I changed my mind, please take him.”
Now there was only one option.
Even if his head got crushed or his arm cut off, he had to push through.
“I will say this again. I cannot hand over Sir Trey.”
“…So you’re saying you want to die instead?”
Srrrng.
A flash of steel.
Kim Yuhyeon’s sword had been partially drawn from its sheath, as if it could take Si-on’s head at any moment.
Si-on desperately fought the urge to run.
Instead, he straightened his posture as if making a noble declaration.
“I fully understand Sir Trey’s wrongdoing. Punishment is deserved. However, I cannot say I am without fault either for failing to properly lead him. I will return to my estate, report to my lord, and await punishment. No matter how grave his crime, I cannot simply hand over my subordinate to another. That is the minimum duty of a master.”
“……”
Kim Yuhyeon’s eye twitched upward sharply.
Any normal person would have been terrified by that expression alone, but Si-on knew better.
That eye twitch meant: “Oh?”
It worked! He looked at me!
Still, he couldn’t relax.
Even if he had gained some favorability, Kim Yuhyeon was not someone who backed down easily.
Just as Si-on was preparing to think of his next move—
“Hey, Yuhyeon.”
Lucia spoke.
She had quietly been observing the situation after being given a cloak by Kim Yuhyeon.
Si-on instantly went on alert, thinking she might ruin everything.
But Lucia spoke calmly.
“He is the young lord of the Clausen frontier territory. He already sincerely apologized, and I’ve accepted it. I think continuing to pressure him would be impolite.”
Ohhh! Ohhhhhh!
Si-on cheered internally.
Lucia—daughter of Raido, Kim Yuhyeon’s benefactor.
Naturally, Kim Yuhyeon had to listen.
She had accepted the apology, and the noble had already shown sincerity.
Forcing a knight to be handed over would indeed be a great insult.
Even if force was possible… Si-on was no longer looking bad.
“Hmph.”
Kim Yuhyeon finally stepped back slightly, as if releasing pressure.
As his killing intent faded, Si-on finally felt relief wash over him.
I survived! I survived!!
He wanted to kneel and thank every god he could think of.
But he was not Lee Jihoon right now.
He was Si-on Clausen.
As the heir of a marquis frontier house, he had to maintain dignity.
Barely restraining his excitement, he forced himself to remain composed.
“Lord Si-on Clausen, correct?”
Si-on smiled brightly, looking like a man ready to invest everything in “Lucia Coin.”
Lucia then spoke with a soft smile.
“If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask something? You said earlier you wished to ask me for advice. Could you elaborate on that?”
“…Huh?”
Si-on let out a blank sound instead of answering properly.
Because the truth was simple.
He had kidnapped Lucia to assault her—not to ask for advice.
But the situation had changed completely, and everything he had said was just an excuse to survive Kim Yuhyeon.
No, Lady Lucia! Don’t suddenly do this! This is going to crash my stock!!
Not exactly a full crash… but definitely a drop.
More importantly—this is not the time for advice!
One wrong word and he would lose his head.
Kim Yuhyeon hated lies.
The moment he sensed deception, he would draw his sword again without hesitation.
Think. Think. Damn it, full brain activation!
Something he could plausibly say.
Something a noble heir would secretly consult a noble lady about.
Something not personal, but official…
‘Nothing? Nothing at all? Please, someone help me—God, Buddha, author-nim… anyone!’
And then—
Something clicked.
“……”
Si-on glanced at Kim Yuhyeon.
Hesitation. A troubled expression.
As if saying: “I can explain, but it’s not something others should hear.”
Kim Yuhyeon, fortunately, was not completely clueless.
He stepped back, leaning against the wall.
But—
CRASH!
The already damaged wall collapsed under his weight.
“……”
He awkwardly coughed and looked away as if nothing had happened.
“Don’t worry about him. He’s my father’s disciple.”
Lucia nodded.
Still, Si-on was thinking:
That guy could kill me with his pinky if he wanted.
“Looks like this is something very secret.”
“It has to be. It concerns the Clausen frontier territory.”
“The frontier territory?”
Lucia tilted her head.
Si-on nodded.
He recalled the future events of the novel.
A war with a neighboring kingdom.
The frontier territory would be thrown into crisis.
And Kim Yuhyeon would appear, slaughtering enemy forces.
He would later meet the frontier lord—the father of Si-on Clausen.
Though Si-on had already disgraced his family, making reconciliation complicated.
Eventually, the lord would still acknowledge Kim Yuhyeon’s contribution.
But in the original story, Si-on would misinterpret this as betrayal.
And later… he would kill his own father in madness and resentment.
Yeah. That kind of garbage reasoning is exactly why readers hated him.
But this time—
I’ll fix it.
“I’ve heard rumors that the land is becoming dry and strange incidents are occurring. I came to consult Lord Raido, but…”
“I see. You wanted to ask me instead since I happened to be here.”
Lucia thought for a moment.
There are two water sources in the frontier.
One from the mountains, one from a neighboring kingdom.
No drought was reported, so the mountain source was fine.
That left only one possibility.
“…A hostile act from the neighboring kingdom.”
War.
Even she hesitated to say it aloud.
“Then it seems that’s the conclusion.”
Si-on sighed and stood.
Lucia looked at him with sympathy.
“You solved it quickly… my subordinate caused unnecessary trouble. I apologize again.”
“It’s alright. Still, you should prepare. Things may become serious.”
“Thank you.”
Polite, composed, intelligent.
Lucia was slightly surprised.
He was completely different from the rumors about Si-on Clausen.
‘And he’s also very handsome… cough!’
Just then—
Lucia gently reached out.
“Hmm?”
Her soft hands touched Si-on’s face.
“There’s a cut here. You might get a scar.”
Before he could react, her hand glowed faintly.
The wound on his cheek disappeared instantly.
“It’s simple healing magic. Don’t worry.”
Lucia blushed slightly, assuming Si-on was surprised by the magic.
But Si-on was frozen for a different reason.
…What is this?
In the original story, this exact scene happened—
Lucia gently healing Kim Yuhyeon’s wounds, blushing, saying he shouldn’t get hurt…
This feels… bad.
Her face was red.
The atmosphere suddenly turned strangely pink.
Si-on slowly turned his head.
Kim Yuhyeon was looking away, pretending not to care.
Yuhyeon… I’m sorry. This wasn’t intentional.
And then another thought struck him.
Wait… he’s not going to come after me later for “stealing his woman,” right?
