Chapter 338 – Hongyeon (3)

My father once said:

Human emotions are like flowers; they wither away after reaching full bloom.

His words were not wrong, but I couldn’t return to how things were before. Sadness evaporated under the weight of resignation, leaving behind an empty embankment of emotions.

I wanted to ask my father how to fill that void. But by the time I realized my emptiness, his eyes had already closed forever.

“Listen!”

The voice of Socheonma, strained with effort, reverberated as if to pierce the heavens. Warriors from every household in the rebuilding Dowon emerged and cheered enthusiastically, their voices hoarse with excitement.

“Waaaaaaaah!”

Cheondo spoke up:

“I, I—”

Adorned in the Black Dragon Robe inherited from my father, I straightened my shoulders with a mix of sorrow and determination.

“I shall inherit the power of the Demonic Cult and guide Dowon to paradise.”

His eyebrows furrowed in anger as he bellowed,

“Heavenly Demon!”

Cheondo, now a teenager, stood with a dignified poise.
It was as if she was gazing upon that person from the past.

‘She resembles him.’

The corner of her mouth slowly curled into a smile.

Although her father had passed away, an exceptional individual had risen in his stead. A surge of youthful vigor was also emerging in Dowon. Some confusion was anticipated, but they would undoubtedly overcome it. She would ensure it.

Cheondo was far from weak. Watching her deliver a speech with her back turned, a sudden urge to cry welled up within her.

“Sister, don’t cry. Hee-in.”
“…I’m not crying.”
“Liar! You did cry. Sob, sob. Hong-Yeon is a crybaby!”
“Wasn’t it you who cried? Come here and let me hold you.”
“Aww, sob, sob. I miss big brother…”

Huangdo wept, nestled comfortably in her embrace.

Indeed, how do children grow so quickly? In the blink of an eye, their height and weight had increased significantly.

Gently, she tidied the sobbing Hwangdo’s hair.

“Sister,”

Baekdo, who had been watching Cheondo from beside Hwangdo, spoke up.

“What is it?”

“Please teach me martial arts as well.”

Baekdo, too, had changed considerably. Her face was resolute as she bit her lip.

“Of course. If you wish to learn, I’ll teach you as much as you desire. Though, I must admit, I don’t possess any natural talent for martial arts.”

Upon learning of Do-won’s death, Baekdo’s face was stricken with shock for several days. The same was true for everyone else. The character of Socheonma, Heavenly Demon, had left a more profound impact on the minds of those still alive in Dowon than anyone had anticipated.

Baekdo clenched her fists and choked back tears.

“I will become the greatest in the world.”

It was a somewhat unexpected declaration.

Despite the birth of the Heavenly Demon of this era, being the world’s foremost… Yet, I still understand why.

“…I, too, want to protect others.”

Indeed.
Because you all have the power to do anything.

I will make it possible. I will allow you to do whatever you desire, whenever you please.
I knelt down and embraced White Peach.

“How admirable.”
“…”
“Whether you are the best in the world or the best of your time, White Peach and Zodiac. You both can accomplish anything.”

Having inherited the blood of the Heavenly Demon, each of you was born with unique talents. I can assure you of that.

“My sibling, after all.”

I am now the one leading Do-won.
I must work diligently until Heaven adapts to her new role.

“Go inside. I will explain everything to you slowly later.”
“Yes.”
“Mm… Sigh.”

Just as my father did, just as Do-won did.
Making way for the next person and ensuring their escape from any danger.

Even in the face of a crisis, these three had to be protected somehow.

Because they had managed it before.

“Master!”

After finishing her speech, Heaven, drenched in cold sweat, descended the platform. Her legs still trembled, unaccustomed to receiving such attention.

Long hair cascading down her shoulders, she had the face of a young girl, almost too innocent to be believed as the Heavenly Demon. However, the Black Dragon Robe draped over her shoulders was an unmistakable symbol of her identity.

“Please enter, Heavenly Demon.”

Hong-Yeon knelt down and greeted Heaven. Heaven seemed unsure of how to react, but now, even this uncertainty appeared endearing.

“Ask the leader.”

Heaven smiled awkwardly.

“Can I… Oh! No… Can I do well?”

-Giggle.

“Of course.”

I prayed. May this young child live safely in this world, unharmed and unscathed.

It was now my responsibility to raise this girl, protected by my father and Dowon.

After the succession of the Heavenly Demon and a grand festival,

I couldn’t enter my sleeping quarters after paying homage to the Heavenly Demon.
It had been quite a while since I’d been inside the house.

Now that Dowon had vanished and most of the officials were dead, it was impossible for me, the leader of the Demonic Cult, to rest my eyes.

– Drip, drip.

In my usual office, I sat right in front of the spot where Dowon and I used to exchange drinks.
I locked eyes with the uniform he had worn and embraced it tightly.

“…Dowon.”

Honestly,
I still can’t quite grasp it.

The fact that he had come and gone so quickly yet found a place in my heart.

– Can I do well?

Heaven asked me. I believe I can do well.
I might not know, but there’s a sense of anticipation if it’s that child.

I buried my face in the uniform, which no longer bore the scent of blood.

I can sense a hint of that man’s scent. Tears streamed down my face.

“Dowon… Can I do well?”

My shoulders feel heavy.

“Can I lead this place well? I want to ask. Who should I ask now?”

My damp uniform clings to me. My neck hangs low. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been like this. Nevertheless, when times are tough, when I doubt myself, tears continue to flow.

I can’t show this side of me to others. But maybe you. At least you, who understood and supported me the best, would know.

“Heaven is doing well. But I… I can’t be sure. Is it right for me to be in this position…? How will I protect Dowon from collapsing in the future?”

I’m just like him –

“…Dowon. What would you have done? How did you manage so well?”

I’m not perfect. I’m not as strong as my father.

Half-hearted. He is just a person barely past the required terms, woefully insufficient in ability to protect Dowon.

“…Sometimes. I often dream that you’re alive.”

It’s truly just imagination.
The sudden appearance of Dowon, living with me and overcoming various trials together, is merely a simple fantasy. It’s not something I could share with others.

“If only you were here…”

My father’s absence wouldn’t have felt so immense.
I would have spilled out the emotions that lingered as residue.

Just in case, if you ever had the slightest intention to accept me.

“Compared to now, I think I could have done a little better.”

I clutch at my throbbing chest as if tearing it apart. It hurts there. My head feels hazy from the continuous pounding.

“You’re no longer in my world, Dowon.”

Resignation follows sorrow. The empty space left on the withered embankment.

No one would enter any longer.

. . .

– Choking up.

Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth. Waking from the dream, I frantically glanced around.

“Khak… Cough, ugh, ack. Uwaaah!”

I heaved out blood and vomit. What in the world had happened? Red light had fallen from the sky, and hunters had invaded. Attempting to forcibly obstruct them, I was struck by a sword.

“Ah… Eugh.”

The pain emanated from my abdomen. A long sword penetrated my body.

“Shit. Shit!”

Curses spilled from my lips. One of my legs was mangled, unable to move.

– Limping.

I crawled forward, crossing the puddle of my own blood.

My memories of the events before and after were hazy. The immense shock left me unable to recall how the situation had deteriorated to this point and how I had crumbled.

“Please. Please… Damn it. Father, please.”

He crawled, begging.

He grasped at the wet weeds, pulling his body forward until the weeds were uprooted. Every time the embedded sword shifted, he felt excruciating pain in his stomach.

“Ah, ugh!”

His consciousness threatened to slip away once more. If he were to faint this time, he would truly die. He clenched his jaw and continued to crawl up the hill.

“Please…”

Just a bit further.

Move faster.

As his consciousness waned, his memories grew clearer. The assault from the Hunter’s Association and the Order— they had invaded Do-won to annihilate the lineage of the Plum Tree family and sever its roots.

He had known and had prepared for it. Yet, this was the outcome.

It felt like he had done everything within his power. But would it end like this, again?

“Please… move.”

A trail of blood stretched out like a carpet behind him. His cold arm could no longer move.

Of all things, the last dream I had was of that child becoming the Heavenly Demon. My vision wavers as the nerves in my entire body vanish.

– Clench.

“…I can’t die. How can I…?”

My molars shatter. My vision turns crimson. It feels as if my body has been possessed by a ghost. Desperately, I find the broken pill-type potion, gather it in one hand, fill my mouth with it, and chew.

– Crunch, crunch.

Pieces of the pill fall from my mouth. I pick them up with my hand. Somehow, I chew and swallow them along with the dirt. I scan my surroundings, exhaling ragged breaths several times.

“Heugh… Heugh.”

I force my body upright and pull out the knife lodged in my stomach. I approach without even letting out a scream.

Climbing up the longed-for hill, I lay my eyes on Do-won. As expected, the place before me could no longer be called a village.

“……”

Thud.

Something snaps.

The arsenal, barely rebuilt and conserving its strength. The nursery, once a haven for orphaned children. Markets and tile-roofed houses.

All were shattered, manipulated in every conceivable manner by those garbed in the vestments of the church.

“…Ah.”

In the nearest corner of his vision, two lifeless bodies sprawled on the floor.

Drenched in blood, they lay motionless. One with pure white hair, the other with orange hair. Familiar uniforms—no, not that. It couldn’t be. Why? No. That…

Huh?

“Aaaaaaagh!”

A scream erupted.

With trembling hands, he crawled over and embraced the two figures. Their limp, cold corpses made it impossible to breathe.

“My, my brother… Please, Father, please… Why? No, it can’t be. Ugh… Sob. Choke. Choke.”

Those he cherished, who were like extensions of himself, now gone.

“…What did I do? Why is this happening to me…? Why only me… Only me.”

Everyone abandons me.

Enduring the unwanted malice, I somehow managed to hold on.
All I wanted was to cherish this space.

Yet, they snatched even that away. Did they hate me that much?

“…Please. Guys. Pull yourselves together, please…! Sob, sniffle…”

Their pale eyes remain terror-stricken. They don’t even realize they’re dead. They’re just weeping in death.
How excruciating it must have been.

“Would you rather… just kill me…”

I can’t think of anything.
I couldn’t accept reality. My face remained expressionless, silently gazing at the two lifeless bodies.

Then I cried again.

“…What is it all for?”

Born and raised, only to lose.

I had a reason to live, but now, I’ve lost even the reason to die.
Nothing was left.
I covered my face with the blood on my hands.

– Trudge, trudge.

A member of the clergy approaches with a sword in hand.
I didn’t even think to evade due to my disoriented state of mind.

*Clank.*

A man unsheathes the sword and brandishes it.
A stranger, unknown in name and origin, seeks to claim the lives of my sibling and me.

Perhaps in death…
It might be easier.

“…Why. Such a, deed.”

My voice was barely a whisper, hoarse and exhausted. My throat cracked, and blood spewed forth.
The man looked at me nonchalantly and smirked.

“I don’t know.”
“…”

Yes, well.
That must be the answer.

“It is the will of the World Tree. We follow its will, and so, you shall be sent to a fertile place. You will merely return to the soil. So, please, do not harbor too much resentment.”

I don’t know.
The will of the World Tree.

“…I…”

Is this all I wanted to hear after losing my dear ones, time and time again?

“…Why. Because of your will.”

*Squelch.*

Summoning magical power, I reached out.

The sword that had been embedded in the distant floor flew through the air and embedded itself in the back of the disciple’s head.

“Ugh!?”

Without sparing a glance at the face of the cleric who had become a corpse in an instant, I embraced my siblings again. The increasingly cold body seemed beyond saving.

No more tears came forth.

I simply sat there, numbly, surrounded by corpses, gazing at the rainy night sky. The protective canopy of my umbrella was nowhere to be seen, and the pouring rain soaked my hair.

*Drip, drip.*

*Whooooosh!*

The downpour was icy cold.

“…”

Raindrops fell into my eyes. Despite the needle-like droplets piercing my eyeballs, my eyelids remained open.

It was as if I had truly become a lifeless corpse. My body’s nerves failed to respond, and no words came to mind.

What was unexpected was whether the tears had yet to dry.
All I could do was sigh, weary of the salty taste that filled my mouth.

The moment Do-won meets his end.

– *Knock*.

I was unable to do anything.