Chapter 354 – Changing Times (4)

“Are you curious about why I’m here?”

As if to emphasize the weight of her words, Champi patted her lower lip with her hand and leaned her back against the surrounding wall.

“Do you want to know?”

Champi, the woman I know, is deeply entrenched in reality.

Depending on her own situation, she can change her attitude as easily as flipping her palm. Her first priority is her own safety—pliant and resilient.
That’s how I felt about Champi when I first met her.

“Isn’t it related to Cornus? I’m also searching, so please share some information.”

Even so, one cannot judge a person solely based on a few encounters.

Champi’s eyebrows rise at my reaction.

“Yeah.”
“Yes.”
“Do you smoke?”
“I quit a long time ago.”

Because my daughter scolded me.

If Si-heon dared to bring a cigarette to his lips, Azalea would ensure he wouldn’t have a back left to speak of.

“Kid, you think you can smoke in front of me? Not a chance. Just you wait.”

Champie peeled his back off the wall and pulled a pack of cigarettes from his hood pocket, opening the case.

“Huh!?”

Her face scrunched up.

“Damn, you’re a cheeky one. You’ve got nothing to offer me.”
“…Fine, just enjoy it. And what’s this about Hallasan? You’re not an old man.”
“Yeah, it’s so sweet. It’s not popular, so only I can smoke it~ Alright, light it up.”

As he subtly leaned his head forward, Si-heon obliged, igniting the cigarette with a flick of magic. Champie clenched the cigarette between his lips and sauntered over to the window, sitting down and exhaling a cloud of smoke.

Despite his youthful appearance, he smoked with an air of experienced delight.

*Whooosh*

He savored every puff, even blowing smoke rings with ease. Si-heon stared at Champie, dumbfounded, from behind his back.

“Si-heon is gay.”
“Yes.”

“Times are changing. And incredibly fast at that.

As the conflict between Flower and the World Tree intensifies, the anxiety among civilians reaches its peak. It’s been a while since all powerful hunters were sent to the frontlines or dispatched to locations like the Foundation to protect the World Tree.

Of course, this is only true when focusing solely on hunters and heroes; other areas are faring even worse. The volatile stock markets and crumbling economies are prime examples. Faith and religion have been completely discredited as the number of Flower-friendly governments grows.

“The new generation, like you all, is still growing up. In a war zone, no less… Damn. Seems even the children are destined to be sacrificed.”

Wasn’t that supposed to be about Sansuyu?

Everyone who needs to know understands that the world is collapsing. It’s only when I raise my eyebrows that Champi finally gets to the main point.

“Are you curious about Sansuyu? The heir to the Cornus family.”

The Cornus family that has hidden itself away, vanishing from sight.

“So just three hours ago, not even yesterday, the World Tree branded the entire Cornus family as heretics.”
“Heretics?”

Champi nodded once.

“Damn. Do you realize how serious that is?”
“….”
“From now on, if any bastard beats or rapes a member of the Cornus family on the street, or commits any unimaginable, vile act! Neither the World Tree nor the government will hold them accountable. Do you understand?”

Sansuyu was also included among them.

“But do you think it will end there?”

Champi clicked his tongue bitterly and put the cigarette back in his mouth.
The cigarette shortened in an instant. Burnt ashes and sparks fell on the hallway floor.

“I knew this would happen.”

Champi, Seong Jiho, Sansuyu, and I—all of us who had even a vague understanding of the situation—expected this.
It was only a matter of time before being branded as heretics.

And that day had finally come.

“So, from today onward, Sansuyu has been branded a heretic?”
“Do you want me to say it twice?”

I had merely checked the facts.

I continued to think, licking my dry lips.

If what Champi said is true, then why is this woman here? As soon as my gaze turned to her, a word struck me.

“Hey.”

Fierce eyes look down at me.

“If you cooperate with Cornus even a little, you’ll be treated as a heretic as well.”

– Tak, tadak.

The burning cigarette falls past the window. A faint scent of tobacco lingers in the air, an intoxicating aroma.

“This doesn’t happen very often. The only time it did was with the Peach Tree family.”

It’s Do-won’s responsibility. The surface of his face hardens. Champi looks at me while twirling the dagger taken out of his pocket.

“So, do you know what those branded individuals suffered before they were cursed?”

“…Is this about my Master?”
“We should exclude them. I don’t know what they did, but their bodies were certainly violated.”

– Thud!

A dagger embedded in the tile as it was hurled to the floor. Cracks spread across the broken tiles, reaching me.

“They became nourishment for slaves, sex tools, and a few plants. Every single one of them, except for your Master.”
“…”
“The one you know, your close friend. There’s no guarantee that they won’t suffer the same fate.”
“Such filthy words.”
“The world is what’s fucking filthy. I didn’t become a Hunter because I wanted to do this kind of shitty thing.”

Champi furrowed his brow, his face contorted in disgust. His hands were shaking.

“It’s a subjugation order.”
“What?”
“It’s a subjugation order… A subjugation order! Subjugation! All of those bastards. Either I kill them, or someone else does. The operation is already underway.”

His eyes narrowed, and a strained voice escaped through gritted teeth.

“So, you should just back off.”

A clear warning sign.

“It’s already over. I’m the one who wants to ask why you’re here. You haven’t seen that kid in just a few months. What reason could you have for coming all this way to investigate?”

“You mean, to kill Cornus?”

“…”

The corners of her mouth lift. It feels more like she’s mocking herself than being mocked.

“So, you’re going to kill me?”

She growls.

“If you want to kill, do it cleanly. Without causing pain.”

Her voice is barely audible, as though she’s scratching her throat, emotions suppressed. Still, it’s an empty voice.

“Or, considering the mess we’re in, do you plan on helping her?”

“Is that what someone who became Cornus’ teacher should say?”

“Teacher? Screw that. It’s just playing teacher.”

Her gaze remains unchanged. If she really wanted to, she might swing a knife at me right here and now. I lightly organize the magic circuit so that I can move my body at any moment.

“…”

“……”

The silence stretches on.
Sansuyu is branded a heretic, and subjugation is imminent.
Just as it happened that day in Dowon. Naturally, Flower has no intention of intervening.
If this continues, the downfall of the Cornus family is inevitable.

In such tumultuous circumstances, how many people would willingly sacrifice their lives to protect a bond that has lasted mere months?

Only someone who has developed an unusual attachment to that brief period would do so.
Anyone else would abandon it.

Not a single thought of blame crossed their mind.

It’s simply a matter of differing approaches.

“I’m sorry. I got a bit worked up. I have so much on my mind lately that life feels rather miserable.”
“It seems like it might be better to stop living.”
“Heh.”

Champi raises his middle finger, exhaling a hot breath.
Sweat beads on his furrowed brow.

“Your sister…”

Do they intend to stand against Sansuyu?

“It seems so.”

The question was barely asked before the answer came back.

I furrowed my brow and let out a sigh.

What sin had Sansuyu committed in life to deserve this fate? My incredulity elicited laughter from Champi.

“When have we ever targeted only the guilty?” she asked.

Although she’s known for her old-fashioned tendencies, she had a point. We were no different from others.

“What are you going to do?” she inquired.

I met her gaze with a dry expression, understanding her line of thought.

If I had been someone other than Sansuyu, I might have abandoned hope in a situation like this.

I had told her numerous times during the Forest Keeper trials, “Shouldn’t you live? I can help you. Help me.” If she had just uttered that single phrase, I would have assisted her, just as I had done for others and just as my master had done for me. I had every intention of repaying the kindness I had received.

Yet, despite all this, Sansuyu left without so much as a word.

I’m not sure if it’s because they don’t want to bother me, or maybe I was the one who felt annoyed and tried to push it away.

‘What is that scoundrel’s hidden desire?’

It’s so absurd that I can’t help but laugh.

I run my hand through my hair and face Champi.

“I’ll handle it my way.”

I decide to help Cornus, who bears the stigma.

No matter what happens, or how the World Tree targets us, I’ll do it my way. Even if it means losing my identity and being targeted.

“I see.”

Champi nods her head with a relieved expression, as if she won’t argue any further.

– Flick.

In an instant, a dagger springs from her bosom.

– Clang!

Reflexively, I move my hand and shatter the blade of the dagger. Magical energy courses through me, swirling like a whirlwind around Champi’s arm.

Champi steps back, gripping another dagger drawn from her back in a reverse grip. An ominous surge of magical power emanates from the weapon.

I clenched my fist and thrust it forward.

– Bang!!

Blood spattered in a long, straight line across the hallway.

Just a single exchange. Neither I nor Champi intended to kill the other.

“Kuh… Tough one,” Champi chuckled weakly, lying on the floor beneath my fist. It was clear I hadn’t used my full strength.

For some unknown reason, Champi’s dagger, which was meant to stab me, had instead pierced her own thigh. Blood spurted from the severed veins, pooling around her leg.

“I still don’t understand… What’s the big deal about one kid? Is it her breasts? Did you fall for her just because they’re big?”

“I owe her my life.”

“Did something happen between the two of you?”

“Perhaps. It’s something only I know.”

“Right, I see… Hey… Can I get a few weeks off to recover from this?”

Considering her self-inflicted wound and the shattered magical circuit, Champi had brought upon herself a potentially fatal injury.

“About two weeks.”
“Ah, damn it.”

Champi winced as if bearing the pain, covering her forehead with her arm.

“…Hey.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t get caught clumsily.”

Champi, who drew a sword from her thigh, stabbed her side this time.

– Kwaaak!

Her eyes were bloodshot. After choking for a while, she finally calmed down and spoke to me.

“I’ll handle the cleanup, so get lost. I was attacked by Flower.”
“What? You’re hostile toward Cornus?”
“Hehehe. Damn it. It’s an order. If I disobey, I’ll be the traitor, right?”

Champi wiped the blood flowing from the corner of her mouth.

“I’m not as impressive as you, and I’m a coward, so can you do me a favor and take care of Do-won, okay?”
“…”
“That guy… he’s slow-witted and too kind-hearted. Also, his appearance isn’t even half-bad. Who knows what might happen if he gets caught.”

Her pain was so intense that her face paled and her voice trembled. Champi is someone who had personally witnessed the destruction of Do-won.

What transpired there, he knew better than I did.

“At the worst moment, just… call me. I’ll take on the resentment. Understood?”
“Let me think about it.”
“Heh, you bastard.”

Blood was flowing more profusely than expected from the gash in the abdomen.
It seemed intentional. He must have committed this act knowing there was a way to survive.

I left the mansion without looking back.
A small voice emanated from behind me.

“Ah, no more cigarettes.”

Me too.

* * * * * * * *

Sansuyu became a heretic.
It was information I had discovered only yesterday morning, and it hadn’t been announced to the world yet.

It would take a few days to several weeks to begin taking action in earnest. Until then, I too had to prepare.

No, rather than preparation, it would be more accurate to call it diving straight into the action.

The one I’m assisting is Cornus, not the Cornus family.

Even that wasn’t easy, so I needed someone to help me.

Someone who knows all about my identity and past, someone who would be on my side. Instead of feeling like a comrade, Tae-yang, a subordinate, was seated around the worn-out desk, watching me.

“Are you listening to me?”

“…Yes. What?”

A run-down studio, even worse than where I used to live. There was no proper place to live. I hadn’t cleaned thoroughly, so clumps of tissue were scattered about, and earlier, when I went to the bathroom, the drain was on the verge of being clogged.

Did he truly live in such poverty? Should I relocate him to a more suitable house?

Well, that’s not the main issue.

“But, brother.”

Tae-yang cautiously asked.

“Ah.”
“Isn’t personal privacy something to protect? This is also a way to earn a living.”

There is no Aori in this room, but there is a woman.
A rather young woman lies naked on the bed.

Massage. It’s hard to argue with Tae-yang’s means of making money.
From the very beginning, performing massages in his own room is filled with an air of seediness.

“Aren’t you the one who said I could come anytime?”
“But I didn’t know it would coincide like this.”
“…”

The woman lies in bed, wrapped in a blanket, her eyes wide open, alternately looking at me and Tae-yang.
As her gaze crossed with a hint of discomfort, I let out a sigh.

“…I’ll be back in 30 minutes, so finish up.”