ALL NOVEL “Ugh— I thought my heart would drop.”
The negotiation with the old man was successful.
Thanks to that, it seemed I would be able to switch to a much better job than the one I currently had.
I feel sorry to say this to Elder Baekhyun who took me in, but honestly, the money I earned doing odd jobs and running errands at the pharmacy was pocket change that disappeared after buying a snack or two, making it incomparable to the amount the old man offered.
Moreover, he said he would employ me for life in his own home unless something special happened, so it was clear which option I would choose.
“Guess I was lucky.”
Saving Dokgorin yesterday in my town wasn’t something I expected a reward for, but I also wasn’t foolish enough to refuse a reward given for such a kind act.
I wasn’t in a position to be picky about things right now.
Separately from the job offer, the monk packed a few goodies for me to enjoy, and on my way home after buying rice and meat, I indulged in a feast for the first time in ages.
It’d been a long while since I tasted such high-quality fat and premium protein.
It was so delicious that I couldn’t help but shed a tear.
In any case, after gorging myself to my heart’s content, the next day, after explaining my situation to Elder Baekhyun, I once again made my way to the Dokgo Family in hopes of getting a new job, realizing one thing late.
Since this job was arranged by the Dokgo Family, it would naturally be related to them, and in such a case, the chance of meeting the world’s main character, Dokgorin, again was extremely high.
“Ah, hello. Miss.”
As I cautiously greeted, having started my job as a servant of the Dokgo Family today, Dokgorin standing in front of me smiled and said,
“I told you, didn’t I? We would meet again.”
…I wondered if I would be welcomed back at the pharmacy again if I went now.
I briefly entertained the thought of such regret, but it was already spilled water.
*
Dokgojin.
As the 8th head of the prestigious Dokgo Family, he was one of the top ten martial artists in the world, known by the alias ‘Zet Sword.’
He had three children, and unlike his two sons who had already grown up and started families, his only concern was Dokgorin, the daughter he had in his old age, who was at an age where it wouldn’t be surprising if she passed away at any time.
“If only she looked a bit less beautiful.”
Dokgorin’s mother, Tang Miryeong, was so exceptionally beautiful in her youth that she was known as the number one beauty of Sichuan.
However, now just twelve years old, Dokgorin not only inherited her mother’s youthful beauty but surpassed it, captivating countless renowned families with just her face.
Even at her young age, countless matchmakers had already begun to show interest, making it almost pointless to describe her extraordinary beauty.
She was truly someone who could easily be called the ‘most beautiful in the martial world’ in the future.
That was Dokgojin’s daughter, Dokgorin.
“I wish she were just a little less pretty.”
Thinking this, Dokgojin quietly watched his daughter, who was smiling brightly all day.
“Rin, what’s making you so happy that you keep smiling?”
To which Dokgorin answered with an excited voice, not hiding her beaming smile.
“Hehe, I’m happy because Father said Chilbok will make that child my personal attendant.”
“Is that really that exciting?”
“Of course! My life savior and future husband will now be by my side; how could I not be excited?”
“…What?”
Upon hearing those words, Dokgojin momentarily wore a dazed expression before snapping back to reality and bursting with anger.
“What! What nonsense are you spouting! Just because he saved your life, you’re calling that street rat your future husband?”
But instead of being cowed by her father’s furious reprimand, Dokgorin’s eyes, which were sparkly just moments ago, turned dark as if in an abyss.
“Father, could you take back what you just said?”
The moment Dokgojin saw his daughter’s eyes, he inexplicably felt a chill run down his spine.
“What! How could I, a master of the Flames, be so frightened in an instant?!”
Surprised, he glanced at his trembling hands, still questioning the uncanny pressure that had vanished like a mirage and asked.
“What do you mean?”
“My future husband is not a street rat.”
Seeing a side of his daughter he had never witnessed, Dokgojin’s expression slightly turned gloomy.
“…I indeed spoke too harshly when I called him a street rat. Even still, he’s the one who saved your life.”
“Correct, isn’t it?”
“But I can’t let you disregard the title of ‘husband’. No matter what, there’s a disparity in status between you two!”
Even if it was his precious daughter, there were things he couldn’t concede, so Dokgojin spoke sternly.
“Before I meet my demise, that shall never be!”
In that instant, Dokgorin flinched her hands slightly, then, after deep thought, nodded.
“I understand. Let’s talk about this later.”
“Later?”
“I meant we could discuss marriage after I have my coming-of-age ceremony.”
“Ah…”
It felt somewhat uneasy, but it appeared she was willing to comply with his words for now, so Dokgojin was relieved.
“She’s still young and doesn’t know better—she’ll change her mind after meeting even better-looking ones at the academy.”
At the same time, it was a bit disheartening how his youngest daughter, who used to sweetly call him ‘Daddy’ just a few days ago, suddenly turned so cold.
“They say girls hit puberty early; I guess that’s true.”
Of course, only the reincarnated Dokgorin knew the truth about that.
*
After switching to my new job, on my first day of work.
As I was now working as a servant of the Dokgo Family, I entered a room for my first task of cleaning, only to come face to face with the person I least wanted to see.
Dokgorin.
In the past, during my enthusiastic high school years, I had read the renowned martial arts novel ‘The Healing Witch’ ten times, and she was the main character.
According to the original story, as the youngest daughter of the prestigious Dokgo Family, Dokgorin was a charming girl who received abundant love from her family, with a flawless complexion and adorable demeanor.
However, such happiness shattered on the day of her fourteenth birthday when the Martial Alliance’s leader, Weijichun, who came to meet her father, lusted after her stunning beauty and, in collaboration with the second son of the house, Dokgoseok, literally brought ruin to her family.
Since the storyline begins right after the family’s destruction, there are hardly any descriptions of her childhood, but the Dokgorin before me didn’t seem to resemble the charming girl from the novel at all.
“Um… Miss?”
“Yes? What is it?”
“If there’s nothing special you need, may I go elsewhere? I feel like I’ve been slacking off for over an hour now.”
“There’s nothing special you need? Aren’t you currently serving as my pillow?”
Lying on my knee, Dokgorin said this while playfully tapping my calf with her palm.
“It’s also a servant’s job to give my head a comfortable resting place.”
“R-right.”
I nodded with a slightly reluctant smile, thinking.
Honestly, while I did it because she asked, it felt odd.
The Dokgorin I knew from the original story didn’t have this personality.
“Could it be that my existence, which wasn’t in the original, has changed her character?”
Having been a fan of web novels in my past life, I knew very well about such clichés.
It was fairly common for characters not present in the original to affect the personalities and circumstances of the original characters.
As I was analyzing the possible changes in Dokgorin’s character, she suddenly sat up straight.
“Whoa!”
“But more importantly, Chilbok.”
“Yes?”
“I distinctly remember asking you to call me Rin with a friendly tone, right?”
“Oh, um, I think it might be inappropriate for an employee to address the employer’s daughter in such a manner…”
But Dokgorin ignored my remarks and firmly stated.
“Try calling me Rin, okay?”
“…Rin.”
“Good, you’re doing well.”
Like a teacher coaxing a cute young child, Dokgorin patted my head with a smile.
“I like being called Rin by you. Do you dislike it?”
“No, it’s not that I dislike it. It’s just that our relationship…”
“Shh.”
With narrowed eyes, Dokgorin placed her finger over my lips as she said this.
“A man who talks too much isn’t attractive.”
“……”
What am I supposed to do with that?
Staring incredulously at Dokgorin, who seemed like she was trying to look like a deadly woman despite being barely of school age, I asked.
“Miss Rin, can I ask you just one thing?”
“It seems you’re curious about me? Feel free to ask anything.”
Once again, looking to see if she could act maturely, I gazed at her as she placed her hand on her chest and asked.
“Why do you speak like such an old person?”
“…Huh?”
In an instant, perhaps not understanding my question, Dokgorin blinked at me, and then, realizing the situation, her face flushed bright red.