Ah-shin dismounted with ease, stepping forward on foot. He strode confidently toward the tiger, his presence exuding authority and fearlessness, as if he were a predator facing a lesser beast.

The tiger, probably driven to the mountain paths in a desperate search for food in the snow, was visibly hungry and angry. Its bared teeth gleamed as it fixed its fierce gaze on Ah-shin.

Noticing the tiger’s aggression, Ah-shin smacked his lips in anticipation. A proper hunt required a properly angry animal – anything less would be disappointing.

“It’s been a while since I’ve felt the thrill of a real fight.”

Since arriving in Gangseo, Ah-shin hadn’t spilled blood or even beaten anyone to death in days. Taking down this tiger with his bare hands would undoubtedly awaken the sense of vitality he craved.

“Shhh!”

One of the escorts, a newly assigned member of Ah-shin’s detail, nearly let out a startled cry. Before he could, the other guard, who had just sheathed his sword, silenced him with a sharp, warning glance.

The reaction was understandable. Right before their eyes, the massive tiger had lunged at Ah-shin, its jaws wide open, ready to tear into him.

“Eek!”

The young escort squeaked, quickly clamping both hands over his mouth, his eyes wide with terror.

In an instant, Ah-shin caught the tiger by its neck with both hands. With overwhelming strength, he slammed its enormous body to the ground, dust and snow scattering on impact. Then, climbing atop the writhing beast, he grabbed hold of its jaws and wrenched them apart with raw, brutal force, tearing them wide open.

Witnessing such an overwhelming display of raw power left everyone speechless. The young escort, still covering his mouth, let out muffled gasps as his knees buckled beneath him. Though his legs trembled violently, he managed not to wet himself—a marked improvement compared to previous rookies, some of whom had entirely lost control in similar situations.

“What should we do with the tiger, Governor?”

One of the escorts asked, quickly stepping forward as Ah-shin casually kicked the lifeless beast aside and began walking back toward his horse.

The question hung in the air, but Ah-shin didn’t even pause, his indifference making the escort hesitate nervously as he awaited orders.

Ah-shin’s hands were slick with blood. Without a second thought, he wiped them on his clothes before effortlessly mounting his horse.

“You stay behind and skin the tiger. Bring the skin back to Gangseo Province. I’ll only need one escort.”

“Yes, Governor.”

The escort responded promptly, bowing his head before turning to the task. The young rookie, now assigned as the lone escort, trailed after Ah-shin with pale, wide eyes. His trembling hands gripped the reins tightly, his fear evident as he struggled to process the brutal display he had just witnessed.

As Ah-shin and the rookie disappeared down the winding mountain path, the remaining companion unsheathed his blade and set to work skinning the tiger’s massive carcass. Soon, another tiger skin would be added to Ah-shin’s growing collection – a testament to his unmatched strength and fearlessness.

***

Ah-shin returned to the governor’s residence in Gangseo Province shortly after nightfall. The sky had grown dark, but his mood was unusually light. The thrill of taking down the tiger and the invigorating ride back had left him feeling more at ease than he had in days.

But the moment he opened the door to his chamber, his good mood vanished completely.

“Why is the woman not here?”

The room was empty, devoid of the woman who should have been waiting obediently as instructed. The sight of the empty room instantly soured his demeanour, his former satisfaction replaced by irritation.

Ah-shin’s sharp gaze snapped to Woo-gong, who had rushed over upon his arrival.

“That woman’s husband didn’t bring her.”

Woo-gong explained cautiously.

“Didn’t bring her?”

Ah-shin’s expression darkened, his face twisting into an ominous scowl.

Did that fool have a death wish?

“I gave clear orders for her to be brought here. And she wasn’t?”

“It seems… the woman has fled, Governor.”

“Fled?”

“Yes, Governor.”

Woo-gong confirmed carefully, bracing himself for the reaction.

The audacity of it was almost laughable. Someone dared to run away from him?

“Hahahaha.”

Ah-shin let out a sharp, humorless chuckle.

“Hah. Hah-hah.”

The laughter came again, low and unsettling, reverberating through the room.

“So, she fled.”

His voice dripping with menace as his piercing gaze swept across the empty quarters. Slowly licking his lips, his brief amusement faded into a predatory calm, a dangerous stillness settling over him.

Earlier in the day, Ah-shin had hunted a tiger. Now, it seemed, it was time to hunt something else.

“It seems that bold little thing is determined to entertain me.”

Ah-shin remarked with a sly grin, licking his lips as though savoring the thought.

Watching him, Woo-gong felt a shiver crawl down his spine. The room seemed to grow colder, the weight of Ah-shin’s presence suffocating.

Yul-hye had made a grave mistake—a fatal error born of ignorance. She didn’t understand the one unbreakable truth about Ah-shin, this monstrous man: there was one thing he could never forgive—being disregarded.

To disappear without his permission, to act as if his will carried no weight, was the ultimate insult to Ah-shin. And such defiance always demanded a reward.

Ah-shin was not the kind of man to forgive or forget such an affront. Once he marked someone, he wouldn’t stop until they were caught.

“Even if something originally belonged to someone else, once it’s in my hands, it’s mine until I decide otherwise. How dare she try to escape when I haven’t dismissed her yet?”

He laughed, the sound cold and menacing, sending a fresh wave of unease down Woo-gong’s spine.

“I caught a tiger earlier today,” Ah-shin continued, his grin widening into something unnervingly predatory. “Now, it seems it’s time to hunt a woman.”

The laughter faded as Ah-shin turned to Woo-gong, his gaze sharp and unyielding. His eyes carried the promise of retribution, a silent command for action that brooked no delay.

“Close every gate in Gangseo Province. Not even an ant should leave. Search every house, no matter who owns it. Announce that anyone caught hiding her will be executed along with her entire family and relatives.”

“Spread the word: if she doesn’t appear before me by sunset tomorrow, I will burn down every civilian house in Gangseo. Let everyone understand – nobles and commoners alike – all will lose their homes if this woman does not appear.”

The room seemed to tremble under the weight of his words, a terrifying ultimatum that left no doubt as to the consequences of defying him.

The intensity in Ah-shin’s gaze was chilling, a look that promised utter devastation.

“On the first day I will burn the houses. If she still does not appear, on the second day I will take the eldest sons from each household and execute them. And if she continues to hide, on the third day I’ll take the eldest daughters and do the same. This should force them to come forward.”

The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of his words sinking in like a death sentence.

The Yul-hye who had fled probably had no idea what she had unleashed. She had enraged Ah-shin who regarded human life as no more valuable than that of an ant – a merciless monster without compassion, driven only by his pride and revenge.