Chapter 158 – Heavenly Demon, Do-won (7)

There really isn’t much time left now.

I instinctively thought so. He revealed all the cards he had been hiding.

The last thing I have to do is go find White Peach and Zodiac.

-Step.

Breathing stops at the sound of footsteps.

-Step.

The sound of footsteps brings my breath back again.

Legs trembling like swaying lanterns. They resemble aspen trees, appearing almost comical.

The scent of Do-won filling the air today is the scent of blood. The scenery I once loved is burnt away—everything in the vast expanse of Do-won as seen from the desolate hill. It all vanished along with the warm air of early spring.

This week, peach blossoms would be in full bloom. Instead of petals, flames bless their place.

-Step.

The collapsed roof of a private house seemed to be speaking to me.

Everything you did turned to ashes. Feels futile, doesn’t it?

‘I know.’

You went to such lengths to return to the past, yet what have you truly changed? All that needless suffering.

‘But what?’

-Slump.

The feeble, sagging footsteps lead forward.
The flame that had burned on the ground now clung to my pants, but I had no strength left to extinguish it.

-Slump.

Thankfully, the flame soon smothered itself.
My body, persistently standing like a stubborn post.
The never-ending flow of blood, pouring out and pouring out, grows tiresome.
As I lost my balance and fell, Cheondo, who had rushed over without realizing, caught me.

“Why did you… Why?”

Even in this situation, Cheondo didn’t shed a single tear.
She caressed my cheek with her small hands, her eyes filled with worry.

“Your hands are covered in blood. Let go.”
“Chee. If you were going to get hurt like this, you could have just run away… Are you okay?”
“Of course. I won’t die anyway.”

A conviction without basis.

Despite my dwindling magic and weakened body, it seemed as though this would be the last time I laid eyes on Heaven.

“Heh heh heh.”

A low, sinister laugh escapes me after so long.

Ah, Hong-Yeon. I had hoped to greet her someday.

Feeling lightheaded, I embraced Heaven tightly with both arms.

“Heaven.”
“…Yes?”

Now, it seems there are things I can say.
And… there are things that seem unlikely for me to ever utter.

“Can you hear me clearly?”
“Why…why would you say that?”
“Answer me. It’s a matter of life and death. Just listen.”
“…Yes.”

Heaven’s voice trembled with anxiety, and the fingers stroking my cheeks gradually weakened.

“I’m going to rescue your siblings now.”
“No…for now, can’t we just lie down and rest?”
“I must save them. What if they’re still afraid?”
“…If you go on like this, I fear I may never see you again.”
“Heaven.”

I believe Eorikwang has been quite considerate so far.
Well, to a certain extent, I sought out Cheondo to find a sense of stability. But it seems I haven’t really taken any actions for Cheondo’s sake in the past few days.

We went out together and shared peaches.
Always by my side when it’s time to sleep.

“Now, you should be more composed.”
“…Yes.”

Cheondo’s voice still trembled, as if harboring lingering resentments.

“With more vigor.”
“Yes.”
“Loudly. Fulfilled.”
“Yes… Yes.”

I gently patted her back.
Gradually, realizing what was happening, she stopped her act and bit her lip.

“Now, let me go. I must be heavy.”

I extricated myself from Cheondo’s embrace and faced her directly.
Her cheeks were swollen as if she had been struck hard.
I brought my remaining power to Cheondo’s cheek.

– Ugh.

Green.
The power at my fingertips soothed the swelling in Cheondo’s cheeks.

“Look into my eyes.”
“Yes.”

“…If we part ways, go to where the leader resides. It will be safe there. You know where you’ve been working recently, right? You can go there.”

– Nod.

“If something major happens later on, focus on your own well-being. You are the most important person in Dowon…”
“Yes.”
“Good. Take care of our children as well. I’m not saying I’m going to die… but I might need to rest for a while. White Peach is skilled in combat. It seems we can teach her the same martial arts we currently use… Zodiac has a talent for magic…”

Heaven bravely opened her eyes and listened to my words.
No matter when, I always think she’s such a courageous individual.

“Do you know how to navigate a dungeon? To succeed as a hunter is to clear the dungeon.”
“…I’ve been there with my teacher before.”
“Alright. If you go, make sure to bring enough food. And things like electricity and flashlights.”
“Yes.”
“Well done.”

I raised my hand and stroked her head. Her soft hair makes me laugh.

It truly was the last time I would see the young one.

I laughed.

“You’ll see them soon.”

Time flies.
It’s an irresponsible thing to say, but I don’t think my master can’t withstand that amount of time.

“It’s really amazing that you’re not crying even at this moment. Heh, I’ve lost, I’ve lost.”
“…Yes. I am amazing.”
“Come here. Let’s hug one more time.”

– Embraced.

From today on, they are the Little Heavenly Demon.
The crimson hair swayed gently as the hand moved roughly.

Cheondo, as gentle and adorable as a retriever, tightened their hold around the arm and fervently rubbed their cheek against the other’s.

“Really, I’ll be able to see it, right?”
“Of course. Is there anything you want to do when we meet later?”
“Let’s… watch Precure together. This time in a big theater. Cola and… big popcorn, like what lovers have.”
“Chuckle. When did you learn to say that?”
“Zodiac taught me… hehe.”

Cheondo tried their best to smile.

I lifted my face away and rose to my feet.
A significant difference in height. I still need to grow taller.
Had I not delayed Do-won’s downfall… I might not have been able to withstand the merciless storms of the world.

“…Alright. Let’s go now.”
“Yes.”

I turned my back and remained still until Heaven began to run.
Perhaps Heaven knew that lingering any longer would lead to regrets, for in less than a minute, I heard the sound of her running.

– Thump thump thump thump.

Gradually, the sound of footsteps grew distant.

I lowered my gaze and stared at one of my damaged arms.
Can this really be fixed?

‘Who knows.’

If I’m going to push myself, might as well go all the way.
That’s my nature.

I took a heavy step forward.

* * * * * * *

“Ugh, seriously… If I had known this would happen, I would have brought my ex-boyfriend George along.”

Jin Sa-hyang’s ludicrous monologue continued.

Delightful undertones laced her voice. Blood spilled from her mouth in succession. The daggers embedded throughout her body revealed Jin Sa-hyang’s predicament in a flash.

“Manor… manor…”
“Wow, the smell of blood… It’s driving me insane. Just shut up, will you? White Peach, gag her.”

Inside the building where White Peach and Zodiac were sheltered. The thought of being the only one responsible for protecting Heavenly Demon’s child made everything seem pitch-black.

Jin Sa-hyang, reminded of her place, feigned wiping away tears, but instead, she cleared the blood streaming down her face.

“Don’t move, not even a muscle. Don’t make a sound either. Keep hiding under the bed.”
“Please, don’t go… Don’t leave.”
“Zodiac, stop.”

White Peach cut off Zodiac’s anguished voice.

Baekdo, still clinging to her sanity, had a face filled with fear.

Jin Sa-hyang glanced under the bed and exhaled a bitter breath.

“That mad old woman. If she can’t even look after her own daughters… Has she aged in vain?”

Grinding her teeth, she sensed the tightening grasp of death.

*Thud!*

The sound of a door.

Jin Sa-hyang slowly gathered her mana. Hwangdo, who had been crying, also froze in place as her breath caught in her throat.

*Creak~*

As the door opened, Jin Sa-hyang’s hand shot out. The dagger she held aimed to plunge into the hunter’s forehead—

“Ugh! This little—”

Her wrist was caught and she was restrained.

Even a feeble resistance was short-lived; the sword the hunter held pierced into Jin Sa-hyang’s chest.

*Squish!*

As she relinquished her attack, she gasped for air as if her lungs had been punctured— a searing pain so intense that struggling was impossible.

Frowning, she crumpled to the floor and hung her head.
A foot shot towards her abdomen.

“This lunatic, trying to kill someone!”
“Kuh, cough.”

Please don’t come out. Stay still.
…I’d rather die myself.

Jin Sa-hyang’s eyes widened as she repeatedly envisioned her demise.
In pain, she strained to hold onto her fraying sanity.

It would be easier if I just died.

At the edge of her vision, a despicable child caught her eye.

‘…Pull yourself together.’

She suppressed the desire to die. Jin Sa-hyang’s legs wrapped around the Hunter’s lower body, disrupting his balance and sending him toppling.

“Ugh!”

Climbing onto the Hunter’s body and spitting blood, she yanked the dagger lodged in her shoulder, causing his face to contort.

“Uh, w-wait-“
“Shut the fuck up!”

A sharp blade pierced the Hunter’s throat.
A man convulsing violently.

The quivering of the body slowly subsides. It’s a desperate situation.

“Whew… Huh. Ha. Haha. I’m losing it. I can’t even breathe properly.”
“…Sister. Sister, sister!! Sob, ahh.”
“…Really. This is just awful.”

They say you can’t speak when your lungs are punctured.
Is it a lie… or did it barely miss?

Jin Sa-hyang collapsed to the ground, lifelessly, as if her energy had been drained.
Unable to hold back, Hwangdo burst out and buried her face in Sa-hyang’s embrace.

-Swish, swish.

Air escaped from Sa-hyang’s mouth.

‘…If I had known it would end like this, I would have just fought to the death with rice cakes.’

Perhaps it’s her naturally cheerful disposition. She didn’t think much even as she was dying.
It was just… heartbreaking to leave someone like a younger sister behind.

Sa-hyang, with her lifeless eyes, patted Hwangdo’s shoulder.

“Kid… hey. Get ready to run. White Peach.”
“…Yes.”
“Please, take care of her.”

White Peach crawled out of bed, her hand wrapped tightly around the wound, and gazed at Zodiac. Blood oozed from her hand in rivulets. The injury was a consequence of Jin Sa-hyang’s assault by the Hunter before she could aid White Peach.

‘That… will leave a scar.’

In the face of death, one’s concern tends to shift from oneself to others. With few companions in her life, Zodiac and White Peach were truly like family to her.

Although Zodiac was of a different age, they both shared deep interests, and their friendship was as strong as any. White Peach, the mischievous one, had grown close to her as well.

“Ah, ahhhhhhhh… ugh.”

Could it possibly be a blessing to have saved these children at the cost of one’s own life?

She had lost her parents long ago. Her friends had drifted away over time, partly due to her own lack of proactivity. But that was of secondary importance.

She had once told Zodiac that no one would cry at her funeral.

‘There was one, after all.’

Had she not lived her life on the edge?

With a bitter smile, Zodiac laughed.

My eyelids feel heavy.

“Zodiac… wake up.”
“*Sob*, *sob*, *sob*.”

She sobs with a doll-like face, yet still looks beautiful. A chosen vessel.
I have nothing to say. There are no profound quotes or words of wisdom for these children, who are still growing and finding their paths in life.

Just this one sentence is enough.

“…Find good men. Both of you.”

*Thud*!

The voices of men storming into the house.
…I want to help, but my body refuses to move any further.

Jin Sa-hyang turns her head to look at Zodiac and White Peach.
Zodiac continues to cry, remaining a crybaby until the very end.
White Peach, wary and alert, grabs the dagger discarded on the floor, as if she intends to protect Zodiac.

They must not die.
As Sa-hyang tries to close her eyes, a hunter at the edge of her vision has his neck violently severed.

‘…Heh.’

Sa-hyang smiles at the blood-soaked man who appears in the hallway.

Come a bit sooner. I had that thought, but now I yearned for rest.
Socheonma… Did they say he was Zodiac’s brother?

Seeing him in such a state, it’s quite something. It seems he truly protected Do-won with all his might.
He’s just like our Zodiac’s groom-to-be.
If he were to be revived, he would know how to stir things up again.

I wanted to say that one last time, but my vocal cords no longer quivered.

‘…I can’t speak.’

Jin Sa-hyang took one last look at his face and surrendered herself to the sinking consciousness.

Suddenly, I remembered the song I sang with Zodiac.

-Hook your pinky finger~ Promise me, promise me. Did you promise not to tell anyone that I showed you this?
-Then, sister~ Can I look at this now? Heart of the neck!

This is a kaleidoscope.
Samcheok Dongja would also weep.

-Snicker.

‘…….’

Jin Sa-hyang’s cold, hardened eyelids.

A man approached and gently closed them.