Chapter 35: Persuasion

Monk Jamyeong’s face was more solemn than ever before.

Despite the temple lights illuminating the surroundings, the atmosphere felt gloomy, as if the night sky had descended upon them.

The Guild Master stood silently by the monk’s side.

Though he hadn’t known the girl for long, if someone were to try and adopt her…

‘It would be lonely.’

He might have even used his power to prevent the adoption.

That’s why he couldn’t easily guess how the monk felt, having decided to let the girl go.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from living alone at this age, it’s that being alone is truly lonely and desolate.”

Monk Jamyeong’s feelings weren’t far from the Guild Master’s assumptions.

The girl had wandered the mountains for over two months due to his negligence.

Despite her long suffering, all he’d done was provide food and shelter.

In contrast, the girl had not only accepted that but had also healed the wounds in the monks’ hearts.

“And I’m sure it’s the same for you.”

Having known the Guild Master for a long time, Jamyeong noticed a change in his demeanor in just one day.

Others might not have noticed, but his visibly relaxed expression was proof.

He wanted to keep the child close and do everything for her.

Buy her pretty clothes she’d never worn, feed her delicious food.

If she made friends, take them out to play together.

Eventually, he’d need to educate her properly so she wouldn’t be called a heretic.

But he was too old for that.

He had never raised a child, nor did he have money to spare for one.

Even though they’d lived together for a few weeks, it was the Guild Master who had done more for the girl.

So when asked the surprising question of sending the girl to the guild, he didn’t need to think long.

He’d already considered it many times.

He thought it was the right choice for the child’s sake.

“Do you have a plan?”

His only concern was that the girl, who had taken a while to adjust to the temple, might not easily follow the Guild Master.

They couldn’t hurt the child again while claiming to act in her best interest.

At Monk Jamyeong’s quiet question, the Guild Master immediately laid out his plan.

“The kid got along with people better than expected. It should be fine to leave her with the sisters, who are the same gender. After that, we’ll not only continue with online classes but also assign instructors for various subjects.”

The Guild Master had cleared hundreds of Gates so far.

He was sick of making plans like this.

Naturally, he had thoroughly prepared a plan for the girl as well.

Where she would live, who would be her guardian, education, diet, Awakened training?

It would take more than an hour or two to explain everything.

Monk Jamyeong nodded, chuckling at the smooth explanation.

As expected.

The Guild Master could be trusted with the child.

She would finally receive the treatment she should have had all along.

Only then could he truly feel at ease.

“Please take good care of the child.”

“…Monk.”

What an embarrassing display at eighty years old.

Feeling tears well up unexpectedly, he tilted his head back and closed his eyes.

But even Monk Jamyeong couldn’t have predicted what came next.

“What are you saying? You’ll be coming with us too, Monk.”

“…Huh?”

There was no way they could take the girl without bringing the monks along.

“As if that soft-hearted kid would leave you monks behind.”

At the Guild Master’s light tone, Monk Jamyeong stuttered like a broken machine.

The girl had thought of the monks even while playing in the city.

Of course, the Guild Master’s plan included relocating Wonhyo Temple and its monks.

Normally, Jamyeong would have refused to abandon the temple, but…

“…I’ll need to hear more about this.”

They couldn’t stubbornly stay put with the Gate threat looming, risking everyone’s lives.

Moreover, he couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing the girl again.

“It’s a long story. Are you alright with that?”

Monk Jamyeong glanced back briefly at the Guild Master’s words, then nodded readily.

“We can’t keep standing here to talk. Let’s go inside.”

Usually, the monks followed a strict routine.

But for today, he planned to let them enjoy the lively laughter.

So the two men headed inside to discuss the girl’s situation in earnest.

Meanwhile…

The girl, who had been happily watching the monks’ feast while alternately snuggling in the sisters’ arms, exclaiming “It’s fun just watching the monks eat!”…

“It’s past nine already. Time for bed now.”

She got kicked out!

“Oh my, you’re right. It’s gotten so late? Early to bed helps you grow tall and stay healthy. Come on, I’ll take you to your room.”

She didn’t even have time to protest.

“Huh? Waaah…!”

As if she’d been waiting for those words, Han Dayeon immediately reached out and lifted the girl by her armpits.

She hung limp like a cat, dangling.

“Let, let me go…!”

“Tsk, at times like this, you’re supposed to say ‘Thank you, sister.'”

“Thank you, sister…?”

“That’s right, good girl.”

This was only possible because she was so small and light.

Even the monks, who normally would have stopped such behavior, burst out laughing.

Who could resist laughing at the girl’s adorable appearance?

Despite saying she disliked it and felt uncomfortable, she was being so obedient.

As expected of a good child.

“If you go to bed early, I’ll buy you more delicious things tomorrow, okay?”

“…Okay.”

And so, the girl was left alone in her room, pouting.

The smooth wooden floor.

The familiar scent of incense, reminiscent of Monk Jamyeong.

Though not a large room, it had become a familiar space.

Aww.

I wanted to stay with the monks too…

Not being able to eat wasn’t the issue.

She enjoyed the atmosphere of sharing happiness, something she’d never experienced underground.

So you can make people happy without granting wishes.

Happiness requires an abundance of things.

I’ll need to earn more money for that!

Money… is the best!

The naive girl still thought the gifts she’d given the monks were the fruits of her own efforts.

As she trudged back to her bed, deflated…

Who am I?

A happiness evangelist! Rich! Headed for heaven!

Her steps suddenly became light and bouncy, like a rabbit hopping. She dove onto the mattress!

The soft, enveloping feeling made her smile unconsciously.

Despite everything she’d been through, today’s events were still vivid in her mind.

The view of the temple from the sky.

The array of buildings packed like matchboxes.

The endless walls of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

And finally, the Chungseong Guild headquarters, shining brighter than anything, like the center of the world.

These were sights she could never have imagined in the cult’s underground.

The girl buried her face in her pillow to hide her twitching smile.

“Hehehe…”

Is it okay for me to be this happy?

Maybe I’m in heaven right now?

If so, where are Mom and Dad?

Would the Guild Master help me find my parents if I asked?

The problem was that the darkness in the girl’s heart hadn’t fully lifted.

As the happy memories slowly faded, darkness crept in like fog.

Her parents, dying and covered in blood.

Spilled organs, faces contorted in pain, screams.

And people whispering that it was all her fault.

The girl coughed and scratched her neck as despair followed her fleeting happiness.

“…It’s not your fault.”

At that moment.

“You always do this. Why do you keep dwelling on bad memories and blaming yourself?”

Mia’s voice, which she had been forcibly ignoring, rang out clearly.

It wasn’t the voice that had been teasing her or sharply scolding her to take care of her body.

This was…

Yeah, just like when we were underground.

The same gentle voice from when she urged her to make a wish and take over her body.

“Mia, you don’t understand. If I forget my sins, how can I atone?”

The girl responded grumpily without realizing it.

This never happened in the cult.

She’d had to swallow her screams and tears, let alone talk back to others.

The moment she heard Mia’s gentle voice, she couldn’t hold back anymore.

“I’m a sinner. So it’s only natural that I suffer. The fact that I’m still alive means my atonement isn’t enough.”

Mia couldn’t hold back her laughter.

It looked like the girl was talking to herself and laughing, but Mia’s image was as clear as if looking in a mirror.

Jet-black hair as if dipped in ink. And two red eyes.

Mia…?

Am I hallucinating right now…?

“Are you stupid? I’m the one who saved you. Does that make me the Almighty God?”

But there’s no way this annoying voice could be a hallucination!

“Hey! Don’t say such blasphemous things!”

The girl raised her voice angrily, meeting Mia’s eyes as she smiled mischievously.

But Mia didn’t care.

“Oh really? Then why do you think I gave this body to you in the first place?”

This damn girl was always like this.

If left alone, she’d dig herself into a hole like a mole.

She intended to straighten out her rotten mindset once and for all.

This was a deep conversation that could only happen between the girl and Mia, impossible with ‘outsiders.’

“To torment me? Or, um… because you were tired of living!”

Wow.

She’s really lost her mind.

Who in the world would give their body to someone else, let alone someone of a different gender, just because they were tired of living?

Mia answered in her most serious voice yet.

“…Correct, alchemist.”

“Huh? What’s an alchemist?”

Well, well.

It was their usual way of talking, no different from before.

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