Chapter 170.2

Chapter 170.2

At that moment, a fleeting memory of his father’s touch came to mind. It was a memory from long ago, but the moments of being loved were etched into his body…

Yuri gently patted the child’s thin back without causing pain.

“A snowstorm is coming soon.”

As he rhythmically patted and stroked the child’s back, the thrashing gradually subsided.

He recalled hearing somewhere that pressing a hyperactive opponent tightly could help calm them down. Sometimes, he had seen his grandfather embrace his grandmother from behind while giving her an injection when she was agitated.

“I really don’t understand, but if you’re lost here, I’ll help you find your parents.”

“…”

“Let’s go down together. I’ll take off this mask and give you some food. You must be hungry.”

“…”

“You can’t be out in the forest alone dressed like this.”

Holding the child inside his fur coat, he noticed the little belly protruding, almost as if it were pregnant.

Though he couldn’t catch such a beast, why was he in this position? Yuri relaxed and leaned his head back.

The child seemed fascinated by the soft, fluffy coat, wriggling around inside it. Looking down at the instinctively curled-up child sucking his thumb, he murmured softly.

“But, kid, you were trying to die earlier.”

“…!”

The small body stirred in his arms.

“If that’s not the case, then why were you up in the tree closest to the cliff?”

In an instant, the child shot his head up and glared at Yuri.

‘What? He understands Russian.’

Yuri raised his eyebrows nonchalantly. The child’s bead-like eyes silently poured out deep resentment. Recognizing that vivid emotion, Yuri laughed in disbelief.

“Sorry, but you can’t act like that in front of me.”

For now, he needed to take this child to Winter Castle. He would remove that grotesque mask, wash him up, and warm some milk for him… and then…

“――!”

At that moment, a clear whistle echoed from afar. It sounded like a bird’s call, continuous and elongated, as if someone were summoning someone else.

Suddenly, the child, who had been lazily sprawled out, sprang to attention.

In the blink of an eye, the little beast darted out of the fur coat, glancing back at Yuri with a hesitant look before taking off down the forest path at an incredible speed.

“Wait!”

Yuri shouted in confusion, but the child didn’t look back.

It was unclear whether he was returning to his original spot or fleeing, but he faded into the snowy landscape, disappearing into the storm.

A cold wind rushed into his empty stomach. It truly felt like he was possessed by a ghost.

‘Am I going crazy?’

If I say I saw a small child running on all fours without a face…

‘Would anyone believe me?’

“You must have seen it wrong.”

His grandfather shook his head firmly.

He could have brushed it off, but he had inadvertently made a slip of the tongue.

He could have simply said he had rolled down, but instead, he had confessed to seeing something strange in the forest.

In truth, he had been dazed since coming down empty-handed. Yuri returned looking thoroughly beaten, having failed at hunting, but today, he found his grandfather’s gaze didn’t bother him at all.

It felt as if he had been starving for a long time. Experiencing this feeling for the first time left Yuri feeling dazed, as if a screw had come loose.

Maxim, who was sharply scrutinizing his grandson’s appearance, finally clicked his tongue.

“They say that if your mind is weak, you can easily be haunted by illusions. Yuri, I understand that your body has grown quickly, but take it easy.”

“Excuse me?”

“Since your body has grown suddenly, there must be many things that seem new… and exciting. However, that awkward vigor can always lead to trouble. Especially for a minor like you, who still lacks self-control. If you abuse it, your mind will become dull, your actions impulsive, and you will lose your dignity.”

What is he talking about? Yuri frowned.

“Daria is worried that you’ve been in the bathroom for too long.”

His grandfather frowned, looking displeased.

“Moderation in m*sturbation, Yuri Solzhenitsyn.”