episode_0176

***

Lee Mi-na had to stay in a dormitory against her will for a week.

It was a decision based on power, but Lee Mi-na had no other options.

This was because a certain amount of time was needed to determine the level that In-ho had passed through.

While the shadow was diligently analyzing the traces left behind by In-ho, she lived in the small log cabin made by Cheonma.

“I lived for about a year.”

When Mina asked how long she had been waiting here, Cheonma frowned and answered.

The slightly absurd fact was that the reason he attacked indiscriminately was not because he was chasing In-ho, but because

He said it was because he was angry that he had been forced to live in this mountain for a year.

“There is a world called dimension, and there are countless dimensions in this universe…”

“And when In-ho dies, he goes back and forth between dimensions, right? Changing your appearance?”

It took some time to explain gods, dimensions, and possession to a Heavenly Demon who knew nothing.

She kept asking the same question, and Mina answered patiently.

Of course, even if Mina got annoyed, nothing would change.

Rather, if a fist had come flying, it would have come flying.

Mina and Cheonma were killing time, staring blankly at the burning bonfire.

– crackle crackle

The Heavenly Demon’s indifferent voice fell next to Mina, who was thinking about the future while listening to the sound of tree branches splashing in flames.

“So, what is your relationship with Inho?”

It was a voice filled with strange questions and doubts.

“He was a coworker. Even though I was higher in rank.”

“I guess it wasn’t a very special relationship. What was Inho like in your world?”

The Heavenly Demon asked as if he was curious.

“I think he’s the kind of person who has a sense of fun and says something isn’t right, but doesn’t like big disputes.”

Mina said, thinking about Inho for a moment.

“Being a person doesn’t change much. So what were the dimensions you found on your way here? How did Inho die there?”

Is it because I met someone with whom I could share a story about my disciple? Cheonma asked questions without stopping.

“Most of them were murdered… Being drugged or stabbed with a knife.”

As soon as Mina finished speaking, the Heavenly Demon’s unrestrained murder spread throughout the mountain.

As Mina made a painful expression at the death that was constricting her heart, the Heavenly Demon quickly withdrew her energy.

“In most cases, it seems like there were slightly different deaths.”

The Heavenly Demon’s eyes shone sharply.

“That’s right. In my world, it was an accidental death. Train… So, by the standards here, it was an accident while riding a carriage.”

Mina’s brows furrowed slightly, as if she didn’t want to think about it.

“It was a dog’s death.”

The Heavenly Demon clearly decided.

“…I won’t deny it.”

“Again?”

“Death due to old age. Since he was a nobleman, I stayed by his side as a maid until he died… So, a servant took care of him.”

“Old age? Ha ha ha ha ha! They said his appearance changed, and he seems to have become an old man.”

The Heavenly Demon laughed loudly as he thought about his disciple becoming an old man.

“Anyway, I would like to meet the servant who took care of Inho.”

“Why?”

“I thought I would at least give him a reward for taking good care of my student.”

Mina thought for a moment of Emma, who was smiling weakly.

The two talked about Inho like that.

As they each shared what In-ho had done in their own world, they began to pull out, little by little, the nail called loss that was so strongly embedded in their hearts.

Just like that, I wondered if all the nails had been removed.

“But….”

The Heavenly Demon, who was silent for a moment, slowly opened his mouth.

All the trees swaying in the wind began to make no sound, as if they had frozen.

“Except for your promise to the Absolute, you have no reason to chase Inho.”

The Cheonma who had been talking about Inho with a calm smile just now was not there.

A week ago, the face of the tyrant who had pinned her to the ground and subdued her had returned.

“Why?”

Mina tilted her head at Cheonma’s words.

“Isn’t it not Inho that you first gave your heart to, but someone before that?”

– Boom

It felt like a big weight had fallen on my chest.

Mina felt nauseous.

“I was in a relationship with a person named ‘Kang In-ho’ from beginning to end.”

Despite Mina’s uncomfortable face, the Cheonma continued speaking.

The Cheonma had a triumphant look on her face, as if she had won the battle.

“But, aren’t you like that? The person you first opened your heart to was clearly not Inho. Isn’t that right?”

Cheonma laughed bitterly and teased Mina.

Mina got angry at the clearly mocking face.

“No! I love Inho.”

Before leaving for a dimensional trip, I spoke to the goddess Nivir, who had said something similar.

Before and after the change, Inho was Inho to her.

I still love you.

That’s what I said.

“You said it was a possession that overwrites existence.”

However, as if shaking her heart, the Heavenly Demon continued to roar.

“Then, have you ever thought that maybe your heart is fake?”

Before I knew it, the Heavenly Demon came closer and poked my chest with a finger.

It hurt.

The heart, not the heart.

“Oh, no. I love Inho… I love Inho.”

My heart doesn’t change.

I don’t hate Inho.

I will meet In-ho and tell him that I did something wrong.

And I will say that I love you and that I will continue to love you.

“No, no, no… no, no!!”

Mina’s pupils spun around.

“Give it to me. That ability.”

The Heavenly Demon whispered to Mina in a soft voice.

“What, what?”

“It seems like you don’t have enough confidence in your heart to be swayed by just a few words.”

Tsk tsk, the Heavenly Demon clicked his tongue.

“Would you be able to chase Inho with that kind of mentality? Soon, your heart will break.”

Cheonma spoke as if she had seen the future.

“So, hand it over. The ability to cross dimensions.”

The Heavenly Demon’s finger pointed at her pitch black shadow.

“……”

Lee Mi-na remained silent.

It meant rejection.

“Ha!”

The Heavenly Demon laughed as if he was shocked.

She grabbed Mina’s collar with her right hand.

“This is the last time I ask you politely.”

The Heavenly Demon’s red eyes flashed.