episode_0142

The moment I recognized that fact. Metallic objects evoke vivid memories that can even be felt by touch.

The smell of blood, the magic formula that covered the vast sky, the poisonous fog spewing out, the beasts, the screams. The story of a day that felt like the center of hell.

“I’ve been having a bit of a hard time emotionally because my business hasn’t been doing well lately… However, no one would ever commit such a deviation… ”

Even while listening to the widow’s earnest plea, I could not take my eyes off the bracelet on her wrist.

No matter how you look at it, it is an object of exactly the same shape as the one on Yeonjeongmun.

For a moment, I found it fascinating that someone who was the head of a family of five had something that looked like a religious symbol, but since I had no knowledge or interest in that area, I didn’t pay much attention to it. After that, something really big happened.

At that time, it was only later that I realized that he was an insane person.

His abnormal affection for his relatives and his mental contamination dragged him into a quagmire from which he could not escape, and he ended up committing a crime of treason that would go down in the history of the republic.

However, he has an object of the same type as that person.

Even the widow of a person who died while engaging in perverted acts and was diagnosed with a mental mutation… ?

If it’s a coincidence, of course it could be a coincidence…

“… ”

In the end, it was difficult for me to open my mouth.

“Well, madam. Excuse me, but that thing you’re wearing on your arm… ?”

“Sniff… This one… ?”

The widow gives a puzzled look at the unexpected question. But I couldn’t help but ask.

“… My husband said he got it as a gift from a local when he went on a business trip to the first city.”

After a moment of silence. Finally, the widow answered while fiddling with her bracelet.

“Gift… You mean?”

“Yes. They say it’s a symbol that brings good luck… Maybe that’s why I feel a little more at ease when I wear this… Yesterday, he appeared in my dream… ”

“… Is that so? Is there any religion that your husband believed in when he was alive?”

“No. There’s nothing like that… ”

The widow shook her head in response to the question.

I was lost in worry again.

In fact, it may not be a big deal. Because we cannot conclude that it is completely impossible for a lower class person and a head of a five-family family to obtain the same item by chance.

But it felt like something was stuck in my throat and I couldn’t get over it.

The widow’s tearful appeal is also an appeal… This is especially true since I think it is also related to Yeon Myeong-ha.

It’s just a coincidence, but if there’s more to the unknown story behind the Japanese invasion…

“… ”

After much deliberation, I opened my mouth.

“… I will find out more about your husband’s affairs. I can’t give you a sure answer yet that there will be good results, but… ”

“Ah… thank you… thank you… ! Ugh… ”

I could barely stop the widow from lowering her head so that it touched the floor.

“There is one thing I would like to ask you instead.”

“Anything I can do… ”

“Perhaps… Can I borrow that bracelet for a moment?”

“Yes… ?”

I felt the need to look into it further.

The widow looked at me for a moment as if she hadn’t expected it, but eventually took the decorated bracelet off her wrist and handed it to me.

After talking and going outside, the sunset was already starting to set.

A few delinquent men from the slum try to pretend to block the way, but when they see the mask, they are startled and turn away. In times like this, it can be quite helpful.

As I walked, I recalled in detail the memories of the time I visited Jeokhwa’s mansion.

‘Now that I think about it, how is your father these days?’

‘Your complexion seemed to have improved a lot recently… Your face is gaining weight… Outside often… ‘

‘For two years now, a nun has been frequenting the mansion… I remember that when he came out from the interview, his expression was quite bright… ‘

Then, a conversation between Yeon Myeong-ha and the employees that occurred to me came to mind.

Yeon Jeong-moon was also suffering from mental pollution, a chronic disease of enemy politics, to the point where he went into seclusion.

However, Yeon Myeong-ha was quite surprised when the workers said that the symptoms of the incurable disease had improved significantly…

“Nun, nun… ”

The bracelet in my hand makes a rattling metallic sound.

I wonder if this item could have been passed down to me by that nun.

I wonder if he overcame his illness with faith…

Some speculated that the sympathetic nun might be an official of a poor organization supported by the family.

I think I need to visit there at least once.

I was busy walking before the sun went down.

As a thought came to mind, I stopped walking.

“Now that I think about it… ”

Surely even in that dream… Didn’t the word nun appear?

***

-visor!

-Kang!

The old training room in Building A of the cradle.

A blonde female student wearing a tight-fitting training uniform vigorously swung a practice blade.

-visor!

Her opponent, a masked male student, skillfully counters the attack.

However, today he looks somewhat distracted.

Jin Ye-seo, who did not miss the split-second opportunity, sharply dug into the vital point.

-Ting!

The masked male student belatedly blocks the blade by crossing it. Jin Ye-seo prevented him from being hit at a vital point, but instead left a good hit on his arm.

Skin that has been hit by a wooden blade turns red.

“Ah… !”

Jin Ye-seo, who enjoyed the feeling of the blow, let out an exclamation. Her green eyes were colored with blissful joy.

It was the first time since I started sparring with him that I received a significant hit on his body.

-Kaang!

But the joy was short-lived.

The masked male student swings the blade as if he doesn’t feel any pain.

Jin Ye-seo switches to defensive mode again and blocks it.

However, Jin Ye-seo exerts all her strength with both arms.

The masked boy pushed her with only one hand, then made a fist with the other hand and thrust it towards her empty stomach.

-Pow!

“Hey… ”

Jin Ye-seo let out a groan.

Immediately, a thrilling, sharp pain spreads throughout the body from below the navel.

When Jin Ye-seo’s knees gave way, the masked male student did not miss the opportunity and immediately grabbed her by the neck.

-Quwadeuk

“Eugh… Hehe… Ugh… ”

Then he put his weight on her and slammed her down on the floor.

-Quaang!

“Heo Eok… !”

Jin Ye-seo sighed. The sparring ended the moment they hit the floor. With her defeat.

Because of the severe pain, small teardrops naturally formed at the corners of her eyes. However, the corners of the mouth are raised upward, giving a bizarre impression.

His rough treatment was actually something he had strongly requested. I was able to see that the more difficult the sparring, the faster my skills improved.

“Hey… ”

Jin Ye-seo, who had relaxed her body, gently touched the area below her navel with her fingers.

She was feeling more joy from the increase in her skills than pain.

It is growing much faster than initially expected. If this continues, we may be able to achieve something truly meaningful even before the first semester ends.

“Huh… ”

Jin Ye-seo took a deep breath as she lay in the defenseless position on the floor.

Then, he lightly brushed away his sweaty hair and turned his head towards the masked male student.

He still seemed to be preoccupied with some thought or concern. As always, neither energy drinks nor dry towels were handed out.

“… ”

Jin Ye-seo had no choice but to admit that his contribution to her growth was overwhelmingly large.

There is no one anywhere who can deal with her like this.

I didn’t feel very good, but… Facts are facts.

The warmth of the man’s touch and skin gave her goosebumps, but Jin Ye-seo was already accepting it without even realizing it.

Of course, I am well aware that his actions now are not gratuitous favors. Someday, these secret lessons would come back as a noose that could suffocate and control her.

I was clearly aware of him, but that didn’t mean there was anything I could do about it.

Jin Ye-seo had long since become addicted to the sweetness that could only come from sparring with him.

How should I deal with him next time to give him an effective hit?

While Jin Ye-seo was thinking about tomorrow’s sparring that hasn’t even arrived yet.

“There will be no sparring for the time being. Today is the last day of this week.”

The masked male student suddenly made a sudden declaration.

“What, what?”

Jin Ye-seo felt her heart sink.

She, who had been lying in a very comfortable position, suddenly raised her upper body.

And then he started to argue with the masked male student.

“Gap, what do you mean by that all of a sudden… ?”

I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t even speak properly. The water was just rising. Jin Ye-seo’s head was filled with thoughts of wanting to continue this sense of upward mobility.

However, unlike her nervousness, the masked male student continued speaking in a calm tone.

“It’s the external request period. I’m busy.”

“But why can’t they just suddenly stop like this? ! It was great… ”

“Didn’t you say it clearly back then? If you’re busy, you might not be able to do it. Practice alone for the time being. I’m going.”

“Sleep… for a moment… !”

Jin Ye-seo, who was looking disheveled, hurriedly grabbed his wrist as he was about to leave the training room.

He threw away his arm first without even looking.

But somehow, the intensity feels weaker than last time. I didn’t even turn my wrist to break it.

The masked male student turned around late and lashed out at Jin Ye-seo in a nervous tone.

“I told you not to mess with me unless I was clearly sparring… ”

“I’ll help you… !”

Jin Ye-seo closed her eyes tightly and shouted without realizing it.