episode_0152

I stared at the woman’s face covered with a black veil, but I couldn’t even guess its outline.

Well, it’s not like you have clairvoyance, so that’s only natural… but can you see ahead of you?

Maybe that’s why it feels even more uncomfortable.

Of course I don’t know the face. I also don’t remember the voice at all, which sounded like a young woman’s.

But I feel this strange sense of familiarity. Even to a stranger who isn’t my older sister.

… Is that the criminal I saw on the wanted poster? A warlock? A spy from the Demon Tribe?

“… ”

There’s no way you could know someone is a wanted person if you don’t even know their face. It’s even more ridiculous to feel friendly towards those scumbags.

“Uh, Uh… If you look at it that way… ”

The woman felt my gaze and opened her mouth slightly, letting out a shy voice.

“Even so, I am a body that serves God… That kind of approach… is a bit… ”

“… Ah.”

I felt like there was a particularly solemn atmosphere in the building. Was it really that kind of place?

“That… Excuse me.”

“Ahaha, no… My outfit is a bit… weird, right?”

The woman raised her head again and let out an awkward voice.

“I don’t really like sunlight… The kids were a little scared at first too… They’re okay now though… ”

The woman ran her hands down her round, white-gloved hands.

Something I don’t want to reveal…

Did you get burned? I’ve seen a lot of people with various injuries since coming to this city…

“… ”

I glanced inside my arms and checked the magic meter I had brought with me.

It’s not very useful in the city because it malfunctions often, but it’s quite useful for one-on-one encounters like this.

And the needle on the dial doesn’t move at all.

That means, no magic is felt in this nearby area right now.

If the woman had been an evil being, the needle would have moved even a little bit due to the magic energy flowing out without being controlled.

Well then, at least you’re not a demon or a warlock…

“… ”

For now, we need to continue the conversation.

“… Is that so? That’s too bad. It’s such nice weather.”

“Haha, it’s okay. You can’t find peace and comfort only under the bright sun. Sometimes, you can find the truth in such dark places.”

The woman shook her head with a light laugh. Now that I look at it, her speech really does seem religious.

“Come to think of it, how can the weather be this sunny here? The other parts of the city I saw had terrible smog all day long.”

“It only clears up for a moment when the east wind blows. When the wind stops, this place is no different from other areas. It’s better than other areas, so I settled here too… ”

The woman shook her head.

Then he lifted his finger slightly and pointed to the west.

“Would you like to look over there?”

I looked in the direction the finger was pointing.

As the gentle breeze stopped blowing, the toxic fog that had been pushed away began to seep back into its place once again.

Huge, dull, grey waves billowing from all sides, taller than factory chimneys.

It feels like I’m seeing the shadow of death looming over me.

“It always breaks my heart to see the city covered in gray. It’s such a shame… ”

The woman muttered in a lonely voice.

“Who can survive this terrible pollution? This disaster is no one’s fault. It is the fault of humans themselves. How can such greedy creatures be?”

Then he turned his gaze towards the children who were laughing and playing tag.

“That’s also why I like children. They are sinless. They are pure, innocent beings who are simply lovable. Unlike adults who have defiled their bodies and minds… ”

“Um, so I have a question… ”

I forgot while we were having a conversation.

Speaking of children, there was one question I had always wondered about.

“Is there…a person called Sister Without Eyes…?”

“Ahh.”

The bewildered woman lowered her head to the floor as soon as she heard my question.

I was right.

“That, that nickname… ”

Then he opened his mouth in a crawling voice.

“Kids are innocent, but… sometimes they seem more mischievous because of that… Even if you give them nicknames… well… ”

“I happened to hear that when I went to Area A yesterday, there was someone who sometimes took care of the children.”

“… Parents in this city are all just tired and worn out from life. They are busy worrying about their daily meals, so they can’t possibly care about their children. I just help them a little.”

The woman shook her head quickly to shake off her embarrassment.

“I see you have a lot of questions, so I guess you are a guest from out of town?”

“That’s right. I came up from the south to find a job.”

“There are more than a few customers like you. As the days go by, instead of decreasing, they are increasing.”

The woman nodded.

“Fighting for a small ration can, drinking poison instead of breathing to survive… How can life be this hard? Is this the hell that descended upon humanity? ”

Before she knew it, a hint of moisture was appearing in the woman’s voice.

“God did not want this unfair world. He did not give us the power of magic so that someone could monopolize all the wealth and fame. The power that should have been used for the benefit of all has become like this because of the greed and selfishness of individuals. In this case… maybe it would be better to return to the original form… ”

“What was the original appearance?”

“Before men and women were separated, before people and monkeys were separated. I’m talking about when we were all one. And one means complete equality. It’s not like now, when some people suffer and others enjoy wealth, honor, and power. From that perspective… ”

“… ”

Before we knew it, the conversation had turned into a place to listen to the woman’s long sermon.

“Oh my, time goes by so fast already… ”

The woman came to her senses only after hearing the heavy chime of the grandfather clock.

And the curtain of fog that had been visible in the distance was getting closer than before.

“I feel like I’ve been holding you back for too long, you’re so busy. Sorry… ”

“… It’s okay. It was a meaningful time for me too.”

“Haha, thank you for understanding.”

Then the woman who came forward and stood said.

“Instead, I’ll give you a gift in return.”

“A gift…?”

“Yes. Could you please hold out your palm? Just one side… ”

The woman urges me again in a kind voice.

What are you trying to do?

“… ”

A voice filled with pure goodwill, without any hint of malice.

After thinking about it for a moment, I quietly held out my palm.

First of all, it doesn’t seem like an opponent that can’t be dealt with… and if it tries to do something suspicious, that itself can be used as evidence.

The woman carefully places her hand over mine and holds it.

A faint warmth felt beyond the gloves, and a still tingling discomfort.

“Just leave it like this for a moment… ”

The woman spoke in a whisper.

I was tense the whole time, just in case.

But after a few seconds.

The woman gently separates her palms, which had been clasped together.

Then he took a few steps back and clasped his hands together again as if nothing had happened.

“Okay, that’s it.”

“… ?”

The woman who saw me clenching my fist with a puzzled expression and bleeding added in an embarrassed voice.

“It’s nothing. I just wanted to give you some good energy.”

“Good…mood?”

Not only was there no magic, but I couldn’t even feel the flow of particles?

“I know. It sounds weird. But I believe that after just one night… you will understand my heart.”

As I kept my mouth shut, the woman added something as if making an excuse.

“And… Can I ask you one thing?”

“What is it?”

“If you have a good dream today… please come see me again.”

“A dream…?”

“Yes.”

The woman nodded with confidence.

“Because I will always be here. Tomorrow, and the day after, and in the future… ”

“… I will do that.”

“Haha, thank you. It feels good to talk to such a kind guest after such a long time. How can a conversation with an intellectual be so enjoyable… ”

The woman turned her head and looked west.

“Go back quickly. The fog will soon roll in again. It’s time for me to say my afternoon prayers soon… ”

“Okay. Then… ”

I was just turning around after exchanging greetings with the woman.

Before I could even take a few steps, I heard a voice from behind grabbing me again.

“… Excuse me, just a moment.”

“… Why are you like that?”

When I turn around again, the woman opens her mouth in a hesitant tone.

“Have we seen you before?”

“… ”

Yeah, I’m curious too.

I feel like my blood is running cold.

I wasn’t the only one who felt this sense of discomfort… was I?

The woman tilted her head slightly and waited for my answer.

I took a moment to calm my mind and then answered again.

“… Well, I don’t know because your face is covered. If you take off that veil, I think I’ll know. ”

“Haha, contrary to his looks, he has a mischievous side… ”

The woman covered her mouth and smiled shyly.

A soft but stubborn rejection.

It looks like there’s nothing left to dig up today.

“… Let’s go.”

I said hello again and went out the front door.

As I turn around while walking, I see a woman still standing there, looking at me as if seeing me off.

Hiding in the shade, as if in protective coloration.

And the next moment.

With the waves of fog rushing in, the blindfolded woman is completely hidden.

***

I was lost in thought the whole way back.

My meeting with that woman earlier fills my head.

He was a kind person. He sympathized with the suffering of the poor, and he didn’t just talk about it, but he went out into the streets and did what he could.

Even I, who had no particular knowledge of the subject, thought that if there was a truly religious person, it would be someone like that.

but…

“… ”

I opened the palm of my hand and looked at it, which I had given to the woman earlier.

“… Suspicious.”

Maybe I feel this way because I met him while chasing after heretics. Of course, his strange appearance also plays a part.

I thought back to what the woman had said earlier.

Saying things like, “You’ll have good dreams,” “I’ll give you energy,” or “You’ll definitely come back” might be considered enthusiastic evangelism.

But the sermon before that.

Is it my imagination that it somehow sounded too sweet?

It feels like it’s literally scratching at the sorrow of those who couldn’t become magicians.

Even I, who was halfway through the wizarding world, felt that way.

If that’s the case, then there’s no need to talk about the insensitive lower class people who have to live their whole lives bowing down to them.

Above all, somehow that woman seemed to share the same strange affinity with me…

“… ”

First of all, it is something that needs to be looked into further.

The woman maintained a shy yet confident attitude throughout. She even told him to come back to her.

If you were planning to hide your identity, there would be no need to say such a thing.

If they are really suspicious… it is not a good idea to rashly reveal their identity or continue talking in a questioning manner. They will disappear as soon as they notice something.

Fortunately, the start wasn’t too bad. I guess I’ll have to approach it like this, little by little.

As I walk back down the foggy street, lost in thought, the cheap neon signs of motels begin to come into view.

I climbed the familiar stairs and headed to my room.

“Why are you so late?”

As soon as you step in, you hear someone’s voice that sounds a little rude.

Jin Ye-seo was sitting in front of the dressing table without even looking at me.

The sight of her wiping the soot off her face and combing her tangled hair neatly.

“… ”

The sight now feels quite natural.

“As I was wandering around here and there, I realized that District B was bigger than I thought.”

“Really? Did you find something?”

“No.”

I shook my head.

“Still, I met that person.”

“Who?”

“I told you yesterday. Sister without eyes.”

“Ah, that… ”

Jin Ye-seo, who was about to answer, remembers something and smiles mischievously.

“Now you’re telling your wife that you cheated on her?”

“Oh, okay. Why don’t you tell me what happened today?”

“Phehehe… I see. I heard earlier, today there are five headless corpses you mentioned… ”

Jinyeseo and I exchanged information that we each had obtained.

And after a quick wash, I was about to go back to the window and lie down.

Jin Ye-seo said as she looked at me as I was about to sit down on the chair.

“Hey, wait a minute.”

“Why?”

“Are you going to sleep there again?”

“But?”

“Isn’t that… too uncomfortable?”

“Of course it’s uncomfortable. That’s a question too… ”

Then Jin Ye-seo glares at me with a poisonous gaze.

“But why are you sleeping there again?”

“Then? I can’t sleep in bed with you.”

“Hey! Do that now… ! Ugh, that’s enough… ”

Jin Ye-seo, who was about to shout out in anger, sighed deeply and opened her mouth again.

“… You sleep in bed today.”

“Suddenly? Why?”

“How can I make you sleep in a chair after walking around all day?”

“… ”

I asked for an explanation with a slightly annoyed look in my eyes.

Only then did Jin Ye-seo flinch slightly and express her intention to surrender.

“… Okay. You don’t have to do it. Really… ”

Don’t you ever get sick of it? It’s obvious that he knows I don’t like it and he does it more on purpose.

“… Okay. We can take turns using the bed. I don’t want to owe you that much. You sleep in the bed today. ”

“Then what… ”

There is no need to refuse further since you are saying it like that.

I got up again and headed to the bed.

As I close my eyes, Jin Ye-seo’s voice becomes blurry and dreamy.

“And you still don’t take that off…? That’s really poisonous… ”

***

-… Ugh, ugh…

dawn.

Jin Ye-seo, who was leaning back on her chair, opened her eyes slightly.

An unidentified sound coming from between the walls was faintly echoing in the room.

-Ha, ha… more, more…

“Ha, really… ”

It was coming from the room right next door. There was no way soundproofing could be done in a cheap motel.

The voices of men and women in passion.

Even though she didn’t care, she could guess the general meaning of that beastly panting.

Jin Ye-seo muttered in a slightly heated voice.

“Vulgar… Dirty… ”

Covering my ears didn’t seem to have much effect.

If only my back hadn’t slumped in the chair, I could have fallen asleep a long time ago. Then I wouldn’t have had to hear that vulgar talk.

She later regretted her foolish decision.

The sound soon disappeared, but I was already long awake.

Jin Ye-seo, who had been tossing and turning, finally got up from her chair.

Then he turned his gaze towards the bed.

The man was still asleep, in the same position he had been lying in.