ALL NOVEL Chapter 142
The moment I realized that fact. The metallic object evokes vivid memories that can even be felt.
Smell of blood, the magic circle that covered the vast sky, spewing poisonous mist, beasts, screams. It felt just like the day of Jeokhwa, which was like a scene from hell.
“I’ve been feeling a bit down lately due to the recent business failures, but… there’s no way someone would stray like that…”
Even while listening to the widow’s desperate plea, I couldn’t take my eyes off the bracelet on her wrist.
No matter how I looked at it, it was an object that perfectly resembled Yeonjeongmun’s.
I found it curious that someone of the head of five families would possess such a religious symbol, but since I had no knowledge or interest in that area, I didn’t pay much attention. Especially after such a big incident occurred.
At that moment, I belatedly realized he was not in his right mind.
His abnormal affection for relatives and mental corruption led him into an inescapable pit, and he ultimately committed treason that would be remembered in the history of the Republic.
Yet, someone like that now has an object of the same form.
Even the widow of someone deemed a mental mutant after dying from deviant behaviors…?
If it’s a coincidence, it could very well be just that…
“…”
Eventually, I found it hard to speak.
“Excuse me, ma’am. May I ask what that is on your arm…?”
“Sniffle… This…?”
The widow looked at me with a puzzled expression at my unexpected question. But I couldn’t help but ask.
“…My husband said he received it as a gift from a local when he went on a business trip to City No. 1.”
After a brief silence, the widow answered while fiddling with the bracelet.
“Gift… you say?”
“Yes. He said it was a symbol that brings good luck… Maybe that’s why I feel a bit more at ease wearing it… He even appeared in my dream yesterday…”
“…Is that so? Did your husband believe in any kind of religion when he was alive?”
“No, not particularly…”
The widow shook her head at my question.
I fell deep into thought again.
It might be nothing serious. One cannot rule out the possibility that a commoner and the head of five families could randomly come to possess the same item.
But somehow, it felt like something was stuck in my throat, impossible to swallow.
The widow’s tear-soaked plea was one thing, but… thinking of how this also relates to Yeon Minha made it worse.
What if, just maybe, there are secrets regarding the Jeokhwa incident that remain unknown…
“…”
After a prolonged deliberation, I finally spoke.
“I will look into your husband’s matter further. I can’t guarantee a good result yet…”
“Oh… Thank you… Thank you…! Sniffle…”
I barely managed to stop the widow, who bowed her head almost to the ground.
“However, there’s one favor I’d like to request.”
“If it’s something I can do…”
“Could I borrow that bracelet for a moment?”
“Yes…?”
I felt the need to examine it more closely.
The widow looked at me as if taken aback, but in the end, she untied the decorative bracelet from her wrist and handed it to me.
After our conversation, as I stepped outside, the sunset was already beginning.
A couple of delinquent young men from the slums tried to block my path but were startled and changed direction at the sight of the mask. Guess it helps in these situations.
While moving, I methodically recalled my memories of visiting the Jeokhwa mansion.
‘Speaking of which, how has my father been lately?’
‘He seems to be looking much better lately… His face seems to have filled out a bit… and he’s been going out more often…’
‘Since two years ago, there’s been a nun who frequently visits the mansion… I remember him looking quite bright after meeting with her…’
In the midst of this reminiscing, I recalled the conversation I had shared with Yeon Minha and the servants.
Yeonjeongmun had been suffering badly due to the mental toxicity that plagued Jeokhwa, to the point of seclusion.
Yet Yeon Minha had been quite surprised to hear from the servants that the symptoms of that incurable disease had reportedly improved significantly…
“Nun, nun…”
The bracelet in my hand clinked with a metallic sound.
This object might have been delivered by that nun as well.
Could faith have helped overcome the illness…?
I also speculated that Yeon Minha might be related to a charity organization supported by the family.
I thought it might be worthwhile to visit that side at least once.
In the midst of this busy walking before the sun set, I abruptly stopped at a thought that surged back into my mind.
“Now that I think about it…”
Surely, that term nun also came up in that dream, didn’t it?
*
Clang!
Crash!
In the old training room of Cradle A, a blonde female student in a form-fitting training outfit swung her practice blade energetically.
Clang!
Her opponent, the masked male student, skillfully countered her attacks.
But today, he seemed strangely distracted.
Jin Yeseo, not missing a split second, sharply targeted a vital point.
Thud!
The masked male student hastily crossed his blade, managing to block the strike at the last moment. While he avoided a hit to a vital spot, Jin Yeseo succeeded in landing a clear blow to his arm.
The skin struck by the wooden blade turned red.
“Ah…!”
Jin Yeseo exclaimed, reveling in the impact. Her green eyes sparkled with pure joy.
Since starting to train with him, this was the first time she’d managed to get a clear hit.
Kaang!
However, the joy was short-lived.
The masked male student swung his blade as if he felt no pain at all.
Jin Yeseo had to switch to defense, parrying his next attack.
But while she put all her strength into her arms, the masked male student pressed her back with one hand, then balled his fist and struck toward her unattended abdomen with the other.
Puff!
“Heh…”
Jin Yeseo involuntarily gasped.
Instantly, a sharp and stinging pain spread throughout her body from below her navel.
As her knees buckled, the masked male seized the opportunity and grabbed her neck.
Thud!
“Ugh… Ha… Hack…”
He then slammed her down to the floor with all his weight.
Crash!
“Ugh…!”
Jin Yeseo exhaled sharply. The moment she hit the ground, their spar ended. In her defeat.
The intensity of pain brought tears to her eyes. But oddly, her smile was still raised at the corners, giving her a strange expression.
His rough treatment was exactly what she had intensely requested. With every intense spar, she could feel herself growing stronger.
“Heh…”
Relaxing her tensed body, Jin Yeseo gently rubbed her aching abdomen with her fingers.
More than the pain, she felt a greater joy from the improvement in her skills.
Her growth was happening much faster than she’d initially anticipated. If things continued like this, she might achieve something truly meaningful before the semester ended.
“Huuh…”
Jin Yeseo lay on the floor in a vulnerable position, catching her breath.
She then swept her damp hair away and turned her head towards the masked male student.
He still looked deep in thought, lost in his own worries. As usual, he hadn’t offered her an energy drink or a dry towel.
“…”
Jin Yeseo had to acknowledge that her rapid improvement was largely thanks to him.
No one else could match him in the way he challenged her.
Though it didn’t feel particularly pleasurable… that was the truth.
His touch, which had once sent chills down her spine, and the heat of his skin were now things she accepted without much thought.
Of course, she knew well that his actions were not purely out of goodwill. Sooner or later, these secret lessons would turn into a noose that would force her into submission.
Despite being fully aware of this, there was nothing she could do.
Jin Yeseo had long been addicted to the sweetness that came only from sparring with him.
What kind of strategy should she use next time to land a solid hit?
As she pondered over the sparring yet to come,
“From now on, there will be no sparring. Today is the last for this week.”
The masked male student suddenly declared with startling news.
“Wha-What?”
Jin Yeseo felt her heart drop.
She sat up from her comfortably sprawled position.
Then she started demanding answers from the masked male student.
“Wh-What do you mean all of a sudden…?”
Flustered, she could barely get the words out. She was finally feeling the flow. All her thoughts were filled with wanting to continue this thrilling sensation.
However, unlike her anxiousness, the masked male student continued in a calm tone.
“It’s the period for external requests. I’m busy.”
“But to just suddenly stop like this…! It was going so well…”
“I clearly told you before, right? If I’m busy, I might not be able to help. Practice alone for a while. I’m leaving.”
“Wait…!”
Jin Yeseo, getting back on her feet, hurriedly grabbed his forearm just as he was about to exit the training room.
He shrugged off her grip without even looking.
But somehow, the force felt weaker than last time. He didn’t twist her wrist.
Turning around late, the masked male student snapped at Jin Yeseo in an irritated tone.
“I clearly said not to touch me unless we’re sparring…”
“I-I can help…!”
Jin Yeseo exclaimed without even realizing it, her eyes squeezed shut.