Chapter 55: Let’s Learn Common Sense (4)

While the teachers followed at a distance to prevent stragglers…

“Now, the district office is a place that makes our neighborhood better to live in.”

The civil servant began their official explanation while following the planned route.

Even the adult teachers found it uninteresting and hard to understand, so who knew how long the children’s attention would last…

“Awakened Han Dayeon? Please speak freely.”

At least this was clearly the only free time for the teachers and Han Dayeon to talk.

At the teachers’ gazes, Han Dayeon moistened her dry lips.

Haah…

Is it really okay to tell them this?

Though she’d heard and agreed with the Guild Master’s plan to normalize Gyeonwoo’s life, it was still personal information.

If not for the recent villain misunderstanding.

If not for the teachers’ admirable determination to stand up to an A-class Awakened, she would have hesitated longer.

Maybe this could be considered a blessing in disguise.

“And the district office is currently running programs supporting students who dream of becoming creators…”

While half-listening to the civil servant’s perfunctory voice.

“Do you remember the Vatican collapse and terrorist incident from a few years ago?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Then, do you know that a certain cult was behind it?”

“Yes. But what does that have to do with anything…?”

Han Dayeon began explaining Gyeonwoo’s past in an uncharacteristically serious low voice.

“That child, Gyeonwoo… is a victim of brainwashing by the cult.”

“…What?!”

“She seems to have ended up in the cult after losing her parents to a Gate.”

She’d only heard parts of the story directly from Gyeonwoo.

However, they’d been able to investigate other cult victims through various guilds.

And confirmed that most met tragic ends.

Either hunted down by the cult.

Or shot while acting according to their brainwashing.

Or committing suicide even after escaping these dangers.

Gyeonwoo hadn’t completely escaped these risks either.

She still thought her wrong common sense was right and natural.

As Han Dayeon’s story continued, the teachers’ expressions changed moment by moment.

“That’s why I pushed for this field trip, wanting to teach the children common sense.”

“Ah… no wonder. We were so surprised when the Chungseong Guild Master suddenly contacted us.”

Some grew angry.

Though kids this age could be frustrating with their willfulness and being hard to control…

“Oh my, who’s this?”

“Teacher!”

They were innocent children who would draw their teacher’s face when asked to draw someone they liked.

To think they were oppressed and brainwashed at an age when they should be living freely and happily?

Such a sweet and well-behaved child, even after suffering like that?

Whoever those bastards were, they’d kill them if they ever showed their faces.

They’d mobilize every connection they had.

And if that wasn’t enough, they’d act personally.

Others felt sad.

“…So that’s why the child seems mature for her age.”

A child who chose words that anyone would misunderstand.

Yet remained calm and explained to help Han Dayeon.

To think such behavior was the result of brainwashing and oppression.

“…Haah.”

They couldn’t hide their tears.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“No. We’re grateful you care so much about our children…”

Even Han Dayeon, who thought she’d sorted out her feelings, choked up seeing a teacher covering their face while sniffling.

After this wave of emotions passed.

“Then, how can we help?”

Though they were just ordinary people, their eyes burned as fiercely as any battle-hardened Awakened.

They weren’t even regular students but just visiting outsiders.

“We can tolerate anything except hurting innocent children!”

“Right. There are lines you don’t cross. How could they do that to children?”

Han Dayeon quietly gripped her clothes at their eager responses, acting like it was their own problem.

They really were trustworthy people.

So this was why the Guild Master said to gradually spread Gyeonwoo’s story to people around them.

Han Dayeon realized that these people she’d thought were strangers.

Weren’t just greedy and selfish after all.

Even if cult followers were among them, what could they do in this atmosphere?

Public opinion was key, and having a cause to unite people.

“There will probably be… a public announcement led by the Guild Master in a few days. Please watch over us.”

The request itself wasn’t much.

Just to watch over them.

That was enough.

“…Is that enough for you, Awakened Han Dayeon?”

But that was just the Guild Master and Chungseong Guild’s opinion, not Han Dayeon’s own request.

The teachers quickly noticed this.

“What?”

“These days there are so many sensitive parents, right? We should quit if we can’t read your expression. Please speak freely.”

She hadn’t wanted to say unnecessary things and throw cold water on the Guild Master’s plans.

“That’s…”

“We’re neighbors in the same area anyway, right?”

Just a little more, just a little more.

If we push just a little more here, couldn’t Gyeonwoo live like normal children?

It was a chance to get help with unfamiliar childcare from not just Monk Jamyeong but the Guild Master and sisters too.

And only fools pass up opportunities.

“…Could the children sometimes visit the kindergarten?”

“Of course. What’s hard about visiting friends? And?”

Finally unable to resist the teachers’ urging, Han Dayeon squeezed her eyes shut and blurted out.

“And, um, I’d like advice about raising children.”

At the flowering age of 25.

Never having dated, she felt embarrassed acting like a mother.

Her cheeks burned hot.

“Oh my, how cute. We thought you were quite stern.”

“Right. Gyeonwoo, was it? I can see why the child trusts and follows you.”

The teachers burst out laughing at her innocent behavior.

They unconsciously patted Han Dayeon’s arm, looking at her fondly like a little sister.

For a brief moment, the distance between ordinary people and Awakened narrowed, so different from her usual news appearances as Chungseong’s composed and intellectual A-class Awakened.

Whether the Guild Master had predicted this too was unclear…

But what was certain was that her life had started changing since Gyeonwoo arrived.

A home that had lost its warmth after losing her parents.

Children who filled the emptiness that even constant bickering with Han Yuyeon couldn’t fill.

Since they brought us happiness, I have to do better for them.

I have to work hard until the children can be as happy as me.

Then…

Suddenly, she imagined Gyeonwoo as a stormy middle schooler saying:

“I’m going to marry sister when I grow up!”

Hnng!

What an innocent and adorable declaration!

When she becomes an adult staying just as pretty, freed from brainwashing and living like normal people.

“You’re mine, sister. You promised to marry me when I was little!”

Saying that while grabbing her wrist and pulling her into an alley! Then wall-slamming her and pulling out a marriage registration form prepared who knows when, pressuring her to sign with those eyes…!

“…Awakened Han Dayeon?”

“Ah, yes!”

Reading a few yuri manga made me think like this.

Han Dayeon casually tucked her fallen hair behind her ear, pretending she hadn’t been lost in imagination.

Anyway, until Gyeonwoo and Pureumi become adults…

Until they declare they’re getting married and moving out, we’re family living under one roof, eating from the same pot.

The teachers, unaware of Han Dayeon’s thoughts, watched Gyeonwoo walking with tiny steps and asked.

“About this brainwashing. Could you tell us how much common sense they lack? We need to know the exact situation to help.”

Their wariness of Awakened seemingly faded, as other teachers added:

“Right. Children this age are surprisingly sensitive to their environment. Like thinking games are real. Or trying to solve things with violence in homes with frequent marital fights.”

“Ah, of course I should tell you.”

She was about to answer their earnest questions, but.

Wait.

…Children easily assimilate to their environment?

Anxiety slowly crept in.

The original goal was to have Gyeonwoo and Pureumi learn common sense by spending time with normal children.

But like with the tanghulu incident, these weren’t ordinary children in terms of impact.

Even among monks, Gyeonwoo was stubborn enough to keep calling Buddha “that pervert-looking fat uncle with the weird eyes.”

If…

Just if.

What if instead of Gyeonwoo assimilating to the children, the children assimilate to Gyeonwoo?

What if they start accepting Gyeonwoo’s nonsensical thoughts as common sense…?

Rumble-

She imagined children dressed like chicks gathering in front of churches, pointing and shouting “Heretics!”

Fearlessly chasing villains yelling “Die demon!”

Going home and starting to troll and cause chaos online.

“Ah.”

This is making me dizzy.

If we’re not careful, this could end with Chungseong Guild being stoned for brainwashing children.

The guild will face a witch hunt before we can take down the cult!

“Awakened Han Dayeon?”

Distracted from her conversation with the teachers.

Anxious about the possibility, Han Dayeon quickly turned to look at Gyeonwoo-

“The Guild Master isn’t someone who kills people so easily.”

“Oh dear…”

Sure enough, she heard something chilling.