episode_0095

Snow Woman Nivis Yuria

I was born to my parents like any other human. But I was born with the ability to control snow. Perhaps because of that, unlike my parents, I had white hair and blue eyes. But my parents loved me dearly. However, in the eyes of others…

“Oh my… Look at that child…. Both her mom and dad have black hair, but only that child….” “Goodness… Don’t you think there’s something about that child?” “….”

It seemed I was seen as a monster because I had a completely different hair color than my parents. At first, I didn’t know what people thought of me because I couldn’t speak, but once I learned to speak at five years old, I realized that all their words were contemptuous. Yet, my parents never abandoned me. Rather, they loved me even more as people scorned me.

“Yuria! Happy birthday!” “Wow…!! Thank you!”

Whenever my father had a busy day, he would finish work quickly and always give me a cake for my birthday, and my mother taught me what the heart was. She told me it was good to live by helping people.

“Yuria. Listen carefully. No matter how much people despise you, you must never forget that desire to help others.” “Huh…? Why…? People keep calling me a monster…. Even the kids…” “Well…. It’s clear they haven’t been properly educated, so don’t hate them because they’re pitiful!” “Huh…?”

Well…. Her method was a bit peculiar. Nevertheless, I deeply etched my mother’s words into my heart, and even when kids at school kept teasing me, I endured it patiently. Then, the children started to want to see my power.

“Yuria! You can make it snow, right!” “Uh… yeah… I can…” “Make it snow once! It’s winter, but it hasn’t snowed yet, so we’re bored.” “Uh…. But I learned that I shouldn’t use my power carelessly…..” “It’s fine! So hurry!!” “Uh… okay….”

Unable to resist the children’s persistent requests, I eventually used a bit of my power to make very small snowflakes fall. The children then started to play as if they were truly excited. That’s when I first heard from the kids…

“Wow!! It’s pretty!! Thank you, Yuria!!” “Oh…? Uh…”

I heard “thank you.” It was the first time I’d heard thanks from anyone other than my parents. So, I was truly happy then… But the adults who saw me use my power started to despise me even more. They called me a monster. A monster that makes it snow.

“Look at that… It’s a monster…” “Goodness…. How can such a monster be living in our village…?”

But I didn’t get angry. I cooled my rage by making my heart colder. This was because my parents had taught me not to get angry. I also didn’t want my parents to see me in a rage, so I kept enduring. One day, when I was 19 and had become independent from my parents, people suddenly came to find me. Of course, I couldn’t help but be surprised when people suddenly sought me out. For the very people who had despised me to come looking for me…

“Yuria! We have a favor to ask!” “A… a favor?” “Lately, the number of visitors coming here has been steadily decreasing. Could you possibly use your power to make it snow and create a beautiful scenic view in this village?!”

The reason they came was simple. The village I lived in was famous for creating a beautiful scenic view whenever it snowed in winter. Thanks to that, people from other villages in the Herloss region would often visit to see that scenery. But…

“Last year and this year too…. It hasn’t snowed much, so fewer and fewer people are visiting here… Could you possibly help us?”

Because it hadn’t snowed much last winter either, people worried about dwindling tourists came to ask me to make it snow—me, whom they had tormented and despised. Those very people who had called me a monster, claiming I possessed monstrous power to change the environment by making it snow. If it had been ordinary people, they would have naturally ignored such shameless requests. But… unfortunately, at that time, I….

“…. Yes. I understand. I can make it snow a little, just very small flakes.”

At that time, I had learned and inherited an altruistic nature from my parents, that one should help others, so I eventually granted their earnest request. As they wished, I made very small flakes fall. Thanks to that, many visitors returned to the village, and people expressed their gratitude to me. I was overwhelmed by the many thanks I was hearing for the first time.

“Thank you, Yuria! Thanks to you, visitors are starting to come back to our village!” “People’s reactions are good too! They say they can see the beautiful scenery now that it’s snowing!” “Thank you, Yuria!” “Oh…. No…. It’s nothing…”

People expressed their gratitude to me. And the following winter, when it hardly snowed again, people asked me again. So I made it snow again, and every winter, the village would be filled with visitors. Seeing the people rejoice made me feel proud. I wondered if this was the joyful feeling my parents had spoken of.

“Thank you for making it snow today too, Yuria. Thanks to you, our inn is completely full!” “It’s great to see the beautiful scenery outside the window. Thank you, Yuria.”

Whenever it didn’t snow much, I would unfailingly make it snow for them. Since it was just small flakes, it wasn’t a burden on my power, and people were satisfied with it, happy to receive visitors. It would have been great if the story had continued so pleasantly… but I guess I didn’t know anything about those people…. or the village I lived in. Their greed….

“Yuria. Would you be able to make a bit larger snow instead of just small flakes?” “Huh?” “It seems our guests want to see soft, fluffy snow rather than just powder snow. Since last year, they’ve only seen powder snow, so they don’t seem satisfied with it anymore.” “Hmm…. Yes. If it’s just a little…”

People couldn’t be satisfied with snow at the level of small particles. Snow at the powder level would never accumulate much on the ground. People wanted to see a beautiful landscape with a harmonious balance of both falling snow and accumulated snow on the ground. At that time, I felt a slight, very slight strain on my power, but I made it snow for them. Because then they would thank me again.

“Wow!! The snow is a bit thicker now, so it’s accumulating! Thank you so much, Yuria!” “Oh… No. This much is…”

Both the villagers and visitors were satisfied with the beautiful scenery created by the soft, fluffy snow I made fall. Seeing their satisfaction, even though I was a bit tired, I felt good. But… that wasn’t the end. The next winter, after I had made the fluffy snow fall, people asked me again.

“Yuria! Can you make it snow today too?” “Huh…? But it’s already snowing today. You won’t need my power….”

Even though it was clearly snowing, people asked me to make it snow. Naturally, I couldn’t help but be bewildered. There was no need to use my power, as it was already snowing, and visitors would come back to see the scenery anyway… So why specifically ask me to make it snow? It was strange. As I asked, bewildered, the village elder chuckled and pointed out the window, speaking.

“Look at that snow! It’s just powder snow. Isn’t it too small compared to the fluffy snow you made fall before? That’s why we need your power, Yuria.” “Huh…? But….” “Then we’ll count on you!!”

The elder and the others said what they wanted to say and then left. Though bewildered, I made it snow again for them. Even though people had suddenly come to ask, I couldn’t help but grant their request, as I wanted to hear their thanks. So, snow began to accumulate in the village again, and visitors were satisfied once more. And the very next day, they asked me again.

“Yuria! We’re asking again today! Make it snow!” “B-but I’m tired…. Couldn’t you be satisfied with small flakes today….?” “But…. the visitors said they want to see that snow again… I’m sorry, but could you please just do it for today…?”

Yielding to the people’s earnest pleas, I eventually made it snow again. Though it was a bit tough, seeing the people satisfied still made me happy. But… I should have realized then that they would never be truly satisfied with that.

“Yuria! Could you make even thicker snow fall?! You can do it!” “Huh…? N-no! I’m already struggling, but… if I make any thicker snow fall, I might not be able to control my power! No!”

As I made it snow, I realized. This was a power I couldn’t even control. But they didn’t know. No… they didn’t even try to understand. They spoke to me with cold expressions.

“Oh, really? Then all the gifts we’ve given you so far… would you like to return them?” “Huh…?” “Or you can leave.”

They threatened me to return the gifts I had received so far. I was then engulfed in fear. And they continued to force me to choose between leaving or making it snow. In the end, I couldn’t overcome my fear and made it snow. But… what I had predicted happened. As I used more power, the snow began to rage out of control. The snow, which had been falling like large flakes, soon turned into a blizzard.

“Yuria! Stop this snow right now! Visitors are starting to leave, and all the crops are freezing to death!” “I… I want to… But… the s-snow won’t stop… I… I don’t know how to stop it…! That’s why I said it would be impossible to make even thicker snow fall!” “Wh-what?! Don’t talk nonsense, just stop the snow immediately!!” “I told you I can’t!!”

I shouted with all my might that I couldn’t stop it. The villagers’ expressions instantly turned cold. Then, someone aimed a farming tool at me from a distance and shouted.

“Th-this Snow Woman!! You’re finally showing your true colors!! You’re not stopping this snow to freeze us all to death, are you?!” “I… I knew it! That Snow Woman…. Ugh… instead of showing us grace, she’s trying to kill us?! Th-this ungrateful wretch!!” “Let’s drive out the Snow Woman!! Hurry!!”

They called me a Snow Woman, pulled out farming tools and knives, and rushed at me, intent on killing me. At that sight, I gasped in horror and hid myself within the blizzard. Then, the people could no longer find me.

“Was it… was it my fault…? Ah… that’s right… If I had… had not made it snow back then…. This wouldn’t have happened….”

But I didn’t hate them. Rather, I thought it was my fault. Because ultimately, I was the one who made it snow. I should never have given in to that threat…. I should have just left the village…. I blamed myself, trying to stop the snow over and over. But the snow wouldn’t stop.

“Why…. why won’t it stop?! Why won’t it stop, for goodness sake?! It’s my power!! Why won’t it stop!!!”

I kept trying to stop the snow, but even with my wailing, the ceaseless falling snow filled me with despair. So, I walked again into the blizzard. This was because there were people I worried about even in that situation.

“Mom…. Dad…. Help me…. The snow won’t stop….”

It was my parents. At that time, I regretted that I should have listened carefully to my parents’ words. Because it was my parents who had warned me not to make it snow. So I went to look for them. Unconsciously, there was no one else I could ask for help besides my parents. But…

“Huh…? The… house….”

The cottage where I was born and raised…. The cottage where my parents lived was heavily damaged. At the horrific state of the cottage, I nearly lost my mind. Then, I hastily inspected the cottage. And then…

“Th-this is…”

There were traces of splashed blood in the living room. Seeing blood splattered in the empty cottage, I realized. The villagers had beaten my parents and dragged them somewhere. Realizing that, I immediately headed to the village. And then, at the sight before me…

“Ah… Ahh….” “The Snow Woman’s father and mother are dead!” “These wretched humans!! How dare they birth and raise a monster in this village!!” “Why would they give birth to a monster like the Snow Woman!!”

In the village square… on two large stakes… someone was tied to each one… And they were burned alive…. Until only bones remained…. And even those turned to ash… ash…. ash…. At the sight of the two large stakes and the villagers’ shouts, I realized….

“Mom…. Dad…. No…!!! No!!!”

That my parents had been brutally killed by the villagers. Then, tears, like jewels, flowed from my eyes, and I continued to wail amidst the blizzard. Then I realized. A part of how to use my power. Realizing that, I slowly flew towards the village square, riding the blizzard. The people, seeing me floating in the air, were greatly startled.

“….!! Th-that’s the Snow Woman!! The Snow Woman has appeared!!!” “I can’t forgive them…!! I can’t forgive them!!!”

Ultimately, having decided to kill the people, I simultaneously realized. That the villagers had not seen me as a human. That even when they asked me for help, they treated me not as a human but as a monster… and a tool. And that the gifts they gave me served as shackles, and they were even willing to kill my parents if necessary. Realizing that, I didn’t hesitate.

“What are you doing! Hurry, st-…” “Heeek?!”

I used any method to kill people using snow and ice: trapping them entirely in ice and shattering them, freezing them to death in a blizzard, or freezing the streets to make them slip and die. I pierced heads and hearts with icicles and froze them to death with snow. What was created by those who were lucky enough to escape…

“The… legend of the Snow Woman…” “…. That’s right. That’s why I hate warm atmospheres… They had a warm atmosphere thanks to me… but it was all just an illusion for me… How about it? The woman in front of you is a monster….”

“What the f***!!!!” “….?”

As I suddenly let out a loud curse, Yuria, who had been speaking seriously, was greatly startled, and Aria nodded as if she had expected such a reaction from me. But… who wouldn’t get angry hearing this?!

“No, these f***ing bastards got what they deserved because of their own greed, and then what?! They say it’s all because of the Snow Woman?! Good grief, have you ever seen such insane motherf***ers?! They made up such bullsh*t legends and didn’t even apologize, all to blame all their wicked deeds on Yuria?! Damn it, f***ing b*****ds from hell!!!” “…..”

As I condemned the villagers Yuria had lived with, unleashing a torrent of curses, Yuria was greatly bewildered, seemingly unprepared for such a reaction. Then, when I stopped cursing and gasped for breath, Yuria asked me.

“…. Aren’t you afraid of me? I’m… the Snow Woman who killed many people, you know…?” “Snow Woman, my foot!!!” “…!!”

At her question of whether I was afraid of her, the Snow Woman, I shouted loudly. Yuria, greatly shocked, stared at me with a bewildered expression, and I, with a furious face, pointed my finger at Yuria.

“A woman like you, who thinks of others, who wants to see people satisfied, you’re a monster called the Snow Woman?! That’s ridiculous!!! They’re the monsters themselves, these idiotic humans who can’t even recognize their own true nature, who are they to judge anyone!!! Do you think you’re a monster?! Didn’t you warn them! That it might be dangerous to use it!! But they ignored that and even threatened you, wasn’t that them!!” “Uh…. Uh….”

“And didn’t your parents die because of their greed!! Isn’t that all karma?! And because those greedy monsters self-destructed, you called yourself a monster?!”

Stunned by my continuous questions, Yuria couldn’t say a word. Then, she slowly crawled towards me, looked at me with trembling eyes, and asked.

“Are you…. are you not afraid of me…?” “…. Not at all. Hearing your story, I only realized that you are a person who can think of others. And…” “!!!” “That you’ve carried such immense pain in your heart for so long.”

I squatted down and hugged Yuria, comforting her. Then, Yuria’s bewildered face began to tremble, and she started shedding tears, one by one. And then, cradled in my embrace, Yuria wept uncontrollably right there.

“Ahhh…. Ahhh!!! Ahhhhhhh!!!”

Just because someone is called a Snow Woman or controls snow doesn’t mean their heart is cold. Such prejudice had disappeared from my mind ever since Cecilia revealed the truth about demons. So, I never thought Yuria had truly changed into a cold person. Rather, she must have pretended to be cold to freeze that warm heart that believed in others. Because she could no longer trust anyone. No… because she wanted to be unable to trust anyone.

“Waaahhh….. Waaaaaahhh…..”

‘…. Well, then….’ “Zeke-nim…..?”

What do I do now… I hadn’t thought about the aftermath…. Feeling Aria’s sharp glare from behind, disdainfully watching me hug and comfort Yuria, I pondered what to do next.