episode_0032

[032화] It was a sin for me not to know.

“You are such a considerate friend, Heesun.”

“My uncle hehe I can’t live without that person now.”

“You kind of figured it out roughly, right?”

“Well… yes. I sensed things like a ghost when it wasn’t my business.”

When the hunter made an excuse and left, the bent back of the old man suddenly straightened, and he spoke comfortably.

Although he was still an old man with a worn appearance, the lingering vigor in the air hinted at a different story, making his clear and clean demeanor refreshing.

“Yes, you’ve connected with a good person. That’s great! It’s wonderful….”

As tears welled up in the old man’s eyes as he spoke, his words became blurred.

Seeing Heesun smiling and happy like this, I felt liberated from the guilt that had been troubling my heart.

How could one not want to help this child, whom I cherished like a granddaughter?

However, the fate of the heavens, like a tightly woven net, is something even the gods cannot casually reveal or touch….

Trickle.

“I’m so relieved… truly relieved….”

Tears streamed down the old man’s face in a sense of relief.

Seeing this, Heesun, who was listening to her story quietly with a smile, also choked up as if her voice was soaked with tears.

“Uncle too! Why are you crying like that! This is such a good thing… just because of you, I’m crying again for no reason! Sniff..”

Both the old man, who listened quietly with a smile, and Heesun, who chattered happily…

They gazed at each other for a long time, shedding tears.

……

“By the way, is Heaven peaceful? What about Abamama? Have the sisters been scolded a lot?”

Heesun, trying to lighten the mood, asked the curious question.

“Heaven? Is there anything special about it… The Lord is always busy, and we fresh spirits wander around seeking connections and virtue… Ah, maybe your sisters have caused quite a stir….”

“Oh. My sisters? They’ve caused quite a stir?”

“…Heesun, you probably have some idea. The fact that your sisters would abandon you was something even the Lord anticipated. They were prepared for it. So was I…”

The despair of that time resurfaced, furrowing Dongbangsak’s brow.

“Even though they anticipated and were prepared for it… they couldn’t bear the anger. Even that gruff and cold elder was a father after all… When you, who should have ascended to Heaven, weren’t seen, he erupted in anger as if he would overturn Heaven…. Sigh….”

Dongbangsak remembered a Heaven that had lost its laughter and happiness, becoming chillingly cold.

The Lord’s mind showed no signs of easing, and everyone was cautious, even breathing carefully, watching his every move.

“But… that was your destiny…. That’s why I don’t resent your sisters….”

“However, your sisters were fairies. They were also the daughters of the Lord. Women who should plant good and kind influences in people’s hearts and spread happiness.”

Because they were fairies burdened with such responsibility, Dongbangsak also felt deeply sorry and resentful.

“As the fairies responsible for such duties, with one capricious choice, your destiny could have changed… The Lord hoped that they would realize their duties, overcome jealousy, and suppress their selfish desires a little to avoid your predetermined fate… That’s what he expected.”

“In the end, no one did that….”

Heesun murmured sadly.

“Still, Uncle. I forgive my sisters. Just as their selfishness and jealousy led me to a miserable fate, that miserable fate led me to my lifelong love. Because of them, I gained a happiness that I couldn’t have had otherwise. I am grateful to them.”

As Heesun spoke, Dongbangsak slowly closed his eyes, nodding his head as if in agreement, and murmured softly.

“Yes.. That’s why you were adored… That’s why you were pitied and loved even more….”

Her sisters did not realize this.

Simply because of her beauty, her exceptional dancing, and the beautiful silk she weaved, they thought she received favor just for being pretty.

The essence lies elsewhere… Will they ever know that they were saved because of her?

Having lost her status as a fairy and turned into an animal, she had to be caught and devoured, repeating the cycle of reincarnation…

The Lord only assigned them hard labor, nothing more, in the end.

It was never because of the Lord’s mercy.

While the choice was hers, forgiveness was not the Lord’s to give.

It must have been because of seeing my daughter Heesun. And what he saw must not have been the current Heesun.

My daughter Heesun, who will endure a tragic fate but will eventually return to the sky.

Even then, she would have forgiven her sisters.

Perhaps because she pitied those unfortunate women turned into animals.

Closing his eyes and pausing for a moment like in meditation, Dongbangsak solemnly spoke.

“Fate is singular, but human choices are infinite, so always be cautious. Do not blindly follow fate when it whispers jealousy and greed. Also, observe how a woman forced into a tragic fate eventually overcomes it with her choices. The truth lies there…”

“….”

Was it strange that Sukbu suddenly gained enlightenment and uttered these words? Heesun, wearing a puzzled expression, sarcastically retorted Dongbangsak.

“Are you trying to catch a floating cloud out of the blue? Anyway, when work is done later, go visit Abamama and tell her I’m doing well. Maybe I’ll even bring my husband soon. Hehe.”

“Haha okay okay… Oh! Heesun. Here, take this and give it to your husband. This is now his.”

“What is this? Oh, it’s heavy!”

Heesun casually took the bundle offered by Dongbangsak and staggered under its weight.

“When he opens it, your husband will figure it out on his own. Yes, did you lose all your clothes?”

“No need since I’ll hide them again anyway. Hehe.”

She laughed playfully.

“Yes, even if they’re gone, they can be recreated.”

“What? Did you hear a celestial butterfly fluttering around here?”

“Something even more precious. Originally something lost helping a kind farmer and now reaching that young man. You may ascend to heaven through that. Your husband may need to find another way.”

“Anyway, I’ll pass on the message. But are you leaving already? Why not stay with us for a few days…”

As Dongbangsak rose to leave, Heesun subtly tried to stop him.

It seemed she was quite upset about his departure.

“Did you treat me so well because I’m from heaven? Am I supposed to fit in that cramped room? Haha, I won’t bother tiptoeing around newlyweds. I came like the wind, and I’ll disappear like the wind. Seeing you unharmed is enough.”

“But at least say goodbye to my husband…”

“Haha Heesun. Mysteries should vanish suddenly to maintain their allure… How would a fairy know this virtue? Slowly making clothes and ascending alone, finding another way to ascend to the heavens, let’s meet then.”

“…I understand. Sir. See you then.”

“Haha haha haha haha haha”

Squeak~

As if hearing a crow’s cry, Dongbangsak’s laughter quickly faded away.

Turning his head, the old man was nowhere to be seen.

“Has the inspiration left?”

After spending some time away, Heesun was alone tidying up the table.

Approaching her, he took the table from her hands, hugged her tightly, and asked.

Nodding her head in agreement within his embrace, she cutely exhaled, breathed deeply, and released her emotions.

“You enjoyed your meal, right? They said sorry for leaving without saying goodbye.”

“Well, if it’s meant to be, we’ll meet someday.”

“Yes! Oh, by the way, that grandfather gave me a bundle to give to you.”

“A bundle?”

“It was quite heavy, right? They said it’s for you, so I didn’t check.”

“Oh really? Let’s put it in the room for now and unpack it after finishing everything else.”

“Okay!”

Hm! It’s heavy, but there’s some weight to it.

After placing a bulky and round object in the room, Heesun and I tidied up.

There’s a lot to tidy up.

Now that I think about it, both Heesun and I have really big hands.

I thought they didn’t bring anything special, but it seems like a pile of lies! A mountain of lies.

“Uncle! Sir! Have you finished cleaning the usual place?”

“Yes, all done. I just need to wash this cloth before I go.”

“Hurry up! I’m so curious about what’s inside the bundle!”

“Got it. I’ll be right there!”

He quickly fetched water from the jar, washed the cloth, and hung it on the clothesline made from twisted straw in the yard.

Our grandmother is curious, so I should hurry.

Actually, I’m curious about what’s inside the bundle too.

Since Heesun and I seem to be trustworthy people, it doesn’t seem like it’s something bad…

Could it be that Grandpa Spirit gave us a gold nugget or something heavy like that? Not that we need it.

Still, like with any gift, curiosity tingled within me.

“Hurry, hurry! Let’s open this quickly! Hehe, I’m so curious.”

“Alright, alright. It’s like dealing with a child at times, haha.”

At Heesun’s cute urging, he went into the room quickly to untie the bundle.

It’s tightly bound.

Slowly, as the bundle unraveled, its contents began to reveal themselves…

“Oh, what’s this! We have this at home too. Grandfa… No, Grandfather, really! Is this supposed to be special?”

Heesun’s disappointed voice.

What emerged from the bundle was… a large millstone.

More precisely, an item used for grinding something, which we call a millstone.

“Oh no… Still, since it’s a gift, let’s make good use of it, sir… I must have disappointed you with my excessive excitement… I’m sorry…”

She apologized to me, but I couldn’t focus on her words due to a strange sensation that had captivated me.

“Uncle?”

Was it strange that I was just staring at the millstone? Heesun approached me, looking concerned.

“Just a moment, Heesun! I have something to try.”

I quickly went outside and brought out the old millstone I used to use.

“Can you turn this? Should I bring some beans?”

“Hmm… Well… What do we not have at home? Is there something we need?”

“What? All of a sudden? Hmm… Well, we did use up all the salt during lunch with the guests earlier and while making the beef soup….”

“Salt?”

Perhaps this was also inevitable.

I inserted the millstone into the old man’s hand and turned it to the right while shouting.

“Bring forth the salt.”

Grind, grind, grind, grind.

Salt poured out from the millstone.

“Oh my! Sir! Salt, salt is coming out!”

Ha!

Feeling disappointed, a laugh escaped me.

So, this kind of world exists… So that’s how it is….

When I turned the millstone back to the left, the flow of salt stopped.

Excited by the miraculous millstone that produced salt, Heesun came over enthusiastically, but…

As I looked at the salt, my mood gradually sank instead.

Suddenly,

I deeply regretted not properly remembering the knowledge about this world when I arrived here….

I tried to create it somehow, but with my limited knowledge, I simply couldn’t….

I cursed my past self who knew nothing and only enjoyed the 21st century….

I casually shouted out the name.

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“Penicillin, come forth.”