Chapter 12: 12. 6:4

The target of my resentment and vengeance had finally appeared.

I even discovered where they were and what they were doing.

But they were far beyond my reach in terms of strength, and more importantly, my mind was in turmoil.

My resentment until now had been nothing more than displaced anger.

I knew that.

Because I had no way to reach the true target of my fury.

So I’d redirected that rage toward someone tangible living in this world.

But.

Now that they’ve been specifically identified, I don’t know what to do.

It’s not that I’ve given up on revenge or that my anger has cooled, but something feels strange.

While this world being a game is only true from a player’s perspective, for those living here, this world is real.

In such a world, doubts arose – perhaps that saint being controlled by players is also a victim, just like me.

After all, I never wanted to end up like this either.

It occurred to me that maybe the saint also became something they never wanted to be, just like me.

Though they have everything in abundance and outstanding talent.

Even so, willingly becoming like this versus being forced into it against your will are completely different stories.

“First, I need to investigate.”

Meeting recklessly seemed dangerous.

I needed information.

If I approached carelessly, the player might switch to controlling me and do who-knows-what.

“Saint-nim…”

To gather more information, I headed to the Adventurer’s Guild.

Van would likely know more details, so I reluctantly decided to owe him another favor.

As I brushed dirt off my clothes and approached the guild, an unusual scene unfolded.

Van was cornered by someone.

The man looked bulkier than Van.

Van being completely blocked in the corner made me fail to notice him at first.

The nearly 2m-tall man kept tapping Van’s cheek with his knuckles – not hard enough to hurt, but clearly humiliating.

Should I intervene?

But if that man kicked me, I’d go flying across the room.

I decided to quietly observe the situation.

“Van, when are you paying back the money? The money.”

“…Ahaha, well, brother? You know I’ve been working hard lately. Just a little more time, please.”

“You borrowed a Gold Coin and haven’t paid back a single Copper for over half a year! Haven’t I been patient enough?”

No wonder.

I thought Van was a decent person, but he’s rotten to the core.

How much is a Gold Coin anyway?

Counting on my fingers, simple math showed he’d borrowed nearly ten million won worth.

“Why hasn’t he been killed yet?”

Genuine curiosity bloomed.

Borrowing that much was one thing, but going over half a year without repayment plans was unforgivable.

When I sighed loudly behind the two men in their standoff, Van pretended to recognize me.

“…Oh! Ellie!”

“What? You know this kid?”

Van called out to me familiarly, and the man harassing him turned to look at me.

My response was already decided – I shrugged since we weren’t close.

“I don’t know him. Please continue what you were doing.”

“Right.”

Fortunately, despite his rough appearance, the man had work ethic. He immediately kicked Van’s shin after dismissing me.

Thud! The sound echoed through the guild, but no one tried to stop it.

Instead, they laughed among themselves, mocking Van’s usual behavior.

They said he blew all his earnings on gambling despite constantly chasing big scores, so his death wouldn’t be surprising.

“Hey, hey.”

“Yes?”

Keeping my eyes on the floor at the female voice, I saw slender feet approaching.

A woman’s voice, a woman’s feet.

“You’re the one with cursed eyes, right?”

“…Maybe?”

“What’s with ‘maybe’? Yesterday that guy looked like he’d eaten bugs while worrying about something unusual.”

“Worrying?”

“I sparred with him yesterday and asked because he seemed distracted.”

The woman smiled sweetly, scratching my cheek with her nails as she continued.

“He admitted having a bad temper but said he’s not trash enough to hit children. Yet seeing your eyes made him so disgusted his hand moved first?”

“Ah, that story.”

Van had come to the inn this morning to tell me that.

He even apologized, which had touched me.

Though people often reacted to my eyes, this was the first time someone apologized afterward.

“If you pick a fight with Van over there, that mister will take care of your share too?”

Her provoking words made me frown.

“No thanks.”

“But it’s your rightful share?”

“Whether it’s rightful or not is for him to decide.”

“Look at this bold kid!”

I sighed as she ruffled my hair like I was cute.

Why would someone like this approach me? Soon after, Van’s matter concluded with him promising full repayment within three months, so I cautiously approached.

“Van.”

“Uh, what? Don’t look at me – you stare at the floor, I’ll stare at the ceiling.”

“…How pathetic.”

“What can I do? A big gambling opportunity came but I was broke, so I had to borrow.”

Though baffled by his reasoning, I sighed and accepted it as his way of life.

Who am I to judge, being neither family nor lover?

“Anyway, I came to ask something.”

“You’re okay with me hurting you?”

Well, if he puts it that way, not really.

His rough grip left bruises on my neck.

Being thrown down made my whole body ache.

But since he came to apologize this morning, that should suffice.

“You apologized. That’s enough.”

“Normal people would demand compensation when hurt like this.”

“What exactly is ‘normal’ to you, Van?”

Not just rotten, but severely twisted. At my words, Van burst into loud laughter before staggering to find a chair and sit.

“Not sure what you’ll ask, but quick stuff? Or something needing time?”

“Probably lots of questions.”

“Then order food. We’ll split 8:2 since I’ll pay more anyway.”

“Can’t you repay debts with that?”

“I’ll multiply this to repay everything at once!”

Growing dizzy from his logic, I shook my head.

“Just the cheapest food, please.”

“Cheap? How about roasted chicken? Smells gamey and tastes mediocre but plenty of meat.”

“That then.”

Van ordered and returned.

“So, what did you want to ask?”

“About the Saint-nim.”

“Oh, interested? But like I said, I only know rumors, no details.”

“Just tell me what you know.”

Van started his story after taking a swig of beer, explaining about the saint who suddenly appeared.

Half a year ago, the youngest son of a mid-sized merchant guild took interest in swords.

Impressed by his talent, the guild leader poured resources into him, believing he’d become great.

Good teachers, fine swords, rare elixirs.

Receiving noble-level support, his exceptional talent absorbed everything.

Within two months, he could spar with his swordmaster. In three, he gained the upper hand.

By the fourth month, seeking divine blessing through the temple, he received the baptismal name “Rie.”

“Rie…?”

“Yeah, sounds feminine, right?”

That wasn’t what surprised me.

So that’s when the name was given.

Meaning that’s when the character was created.

Just like how my traits mention past events I don’t remember.

The saint too had such a past before character creation.

The timing difference between when I lost the name Rie and when the saint received it? Just as I became Ellie, perhaps the saint’s original name was overwritten by the stolen “Rie,” altering their past too.

“Since then, they say he helps the poor, hunts monsters alone, exposes corrupt nobles – typical hero stuff.”

Van finished indifferently, downing his beer as food arrived.

The unprocessed roasted chicken looked grotesque but was edible.

“Unfair, right? We struggle at the bottom while someone gets pressed into that position with money and talent.”

“…True.”

I’d be lying if I said I felt no inferiority.

But thoughts swirled – is the saint truly acting of their own will? – preventing me from cursing them outright.

“Where can I meet the saint?”

“Currently on a pilgrimage… Next destination is expected to be a small village called Trakna.”

“How long to get there?”

“Travel costs alone are 30 Silver Coins. Got that?”

“…No.”

“Then we both need money. Want to work together?”

“…What job and what split?”

“Similar to last time. 8:2 split.”

“7:3.”

“Take it or leave it.”

“Then I’ll leave it.”

I hadn’t planned to meet immediately anyway – just wanted to confirm locations.

When I refused lightly, Van panicked and grabbed my wrist.

“No, wait! Fine, 7:3! Just work with me!”

He’s clearly desperate. What choice do I have?

“How about 6:4?”

“What?!”

“I’m in no hurry, but you clearly are. The desperate one should yield.”

“…I’ve raised a monster.”

“You didn’t raise me – I grew well on my own.”

I shrugged.

Whatever this job was, I had nothing to lose.