The white snowfields along the roadside disappeared, and yellow flowers blood over the exposed yellow earth.
In other words, spring had arrived.
Just like the change in seasons, the Heavenly Demon Church was slowly changing as well.
Byeongil had entered a secluded training phase, aiming to complete the Heavenly Demon’s Overlord Technique, and Gapjae had started showing off his power to others.
It was a sign that preparations for change were underway.
The ordinary person I had given power to was dragged sowhere within the Heavenly Demon Church and was dissected alive before dying. The sa happened to the ordinary person the head of the Heavenly Palace had been keeping.
From their perspective, they were suddenly kidnapped one day and subjected to cruel experints, making it hard to understand what was happening.
But I know.
I overheard a conversation between the head of the Heavenly Palace and his enforcer.
They ntioned that those I had influenced were being contacted by those trying to find out how they had changed. And this was happening in the mysterious place with the least external interaction in the Heavenly Demon Church: the Moonjeongdang.
It was a place for those who, if possible, wanted to lick the light.
Of course, this wasn’t directly ordered by the Heavenly Demon.
It was a strangely independent organization. The forr leader, Guseongyong, often visited Moonjeongdang, but he didn’t know much about it.
Ah, fascinating.
The power to easily make people from the Heavenly Demon Church disappear.
It’s so secretive that it doesn’t even reach the Heavenly Demon. Is it okay for such an independent organization to exist?
If that’s the case, maybe I can use this information.
It looks like I’ll have to visit the village more often. That would increase the chances of soone attacking, right? So if I can increase the harvesters, I’d be very happy.
I’ve deliberately avoided going to the village so far. Not only because I didn’t need anything, but also to avoid drawing attention from the Heavenly Demon.
But now, I think it’s okay to lower my guard.
At least the Heavenly Demon has grown fond of Soo.
That likely ans the Heavenly Demon has relaxed sowhat, even towards , who shares part of that bond.
Hehe.
It looks like the ti has co for to step out of my routine.
A few days later.
When the Heavenly Demon arrived, I grabbed her and asked,
“Can I go to the village?”
The Heavenly Demon gave a puzzled look, as if asking why I was asking her about this.
Huh? I thought the Heavenly Demon would have forbidden it, but I guess not?
If it had always been fine to go, then this question seems strange. To cover it up, I’d have to be a little bolder here.
“Give money. You know, exchange it for currency.”
My bold attitude seed to have worked, as the Heavenly Demon crossed her arms. People usually cross their arms when defensive. The Heavenly Demon said with a little pout,
“To get that money, you’ll have to work for it, you know?”
It was a question asking if I planned to get money with my bare mouth. My question instantly turned into a trivial greed. Excellent.
Now, let’s test the waters. How does the Heavenly Demon feel about creating harvesters?
“Well then, you can just bring so items when you go buy things.”
I said that and focused on reading the Heavenly Demon’s expression, trying to understand what she was thinking.
A little confusion and doubt appeared, followed by a look that showed she understood. After a mont, the Heavenly Demon waved her hand.
Waved her hand?
“Do as you wish.”
It ant I could make harvesters. The Heavenly Demon must have been cautious about them, but has she relaxed now that she’s beco one herself?
Has she decided to ignore the records left by the forr leader, Guseongyong?
Did she think I wasn’t dangerous after seeing my humanity?
If that’s the case...
“I’ll go.”
With my words, the Heavenly Demon waved off as if telling to go ahead, then approached Soo.
Since it’s training ti, they were both busy. And since I also exercise during this ti, Soo wouldn’t follow if I left on my own.
I headed toward the village.
Where there are people, there will be change. Of course, that’s not the only reason.
I don’t know much about the village, do I? I need to go check it out before Soo does. Even if it’s not a bad place, I should give a warning if I’m going to play the role of an adult.
Of course, this will be over in two years, but until then, I need to raise her with responsibility.
Unfortunately, it seems Soo doesn’t think she’s being cared for.
She’s about five years younger than . Plus, her physical strength is lacking, so she treats like a peer.
Well, that’s not too strange. When you’re raising soone, experience and ability matter more than age.
Like the martial arts that the faded man knew, power is the most important thing in this world. So, simply put, I should be the one learning from Soo.
I’m weaker, after all.
She’s at least two heads taller than , but losing to her in strength feels unfair. But what can you do? The world is inherently unfair.
While thinking that, I walked through a place where low grass grew and rocks were sparsely visible.
From the Heavenly Demon Church’s main building, I’m to the north, and the village is to the west of the main building. So, to get to the village, I need to walk in a counterclockwise direction, making a loop from the church.
It’s not a matter of going up or down hills, but walking along the side, so it doesn’t drain much energy.
I arrived at the village with light steps.
There was an old building that looked like it could be from a Chinese movie. When I ca last ti, it was filled with white cloth, but not anymore.
As soon as I entered, all eyes turned to .
Was it the effect of the harvesters’ publicity, or was it because an outsider had co?
Ignoring the gazes pouring in from everywhere, I entered the village.
I headed toward the market. It’s common sense that if you want to buy sothing, you should go to the market.
Of course, in a developed world, you could buy things from ho.
But this isn’t such a world.
However, there’s a problem. I don’t know where the market is. So, I thought about grabbing anyone passing by to ask.
But I failed.
It wasn’t that I failed to speak to soone. Before I knew it, people had surrounded .
They were looking at with strange, unfamiliar gazes. But there was an odd feeling mixed in.
Where have I seen this before? I’ve seen it often.
“What is this?”
But no one answered.
Gradually closing in, they began approaching .
For a mont, I thought about running away, but then I stopped.
I don’t have the strength to escape in the midst of so many people. Besides, I want to know how they’ll react if I can.
If it turns into group violence, all the better.
Those who attacked with intent can be devoured.
So, I waited quietly.
The people closed in and grabbed . But oddly, their movents were smooth and practiced.
What’s going on?
A few of them took off their clothes to cover , as if trying to hide my appearance.
Walking with the group, who had rged into one mass, I followed them, trying to morize the path.
After walking for a while, we turned into an alley, passed a few buildings, and moved from one alley to another.
By the ti I thought they might be trying to evade pursuit, I arrived at the western edge.
Here, the buildings were old and dilapidated.
The closer you are to the main building, the more sophisticated the buildings are; to the east, they beco more polished.
This place was close to a shantytown.
The first man who led stopped in front of and bowed.
Not just lowering his head, but he actually knelt.
“Lady Celestial. You must escape from here.”
Ah.
Right. That expression.
It was well-intentioned.
“What’s going on?”
In response to my question, the people who had been bowing began stuttering and explaining the situation.
The harvesters who had spoken about suddenly disappeared one day.
And the people who talked about were either beaten to near death or killed.
Those who had been trying to find also disappeared.
“This is a dangerous place. You must leave and never co back. It’s really, really dangerous.”
So.
They warned .
Yes. Unfortunately, they were risking their lives to protect .
Or, they might have been guiding out of here.
I had a question for them.
“You’re putting yourselves in danger. Why are you doing this?”
I asked, looking at their faces, trying to understand what they were hiding. But all I could see was innocent smiles.
“Isn’t it our duty to treat the one who ca from the heavens well?”
That’s just what they said.
Unfortunately, I didn’t co from the heavens; I ca from the bottom, and these people will have to be punished.
Good intentions don’t always return as good. Ignorance is a cri. The stories where good things happen to good people exist because the real world isn’t like that.
See?
That’s why we t, right?
I’ll give them credit for their execution skills. If they have the heart to resist injustice, I believe they’ve got the cruelty to do whatever it takes for that.
Good intentions can sotis be more vicious than evil.
“I live at the northern part of the Heavenly Demon Church, in a house by the cliff. If sothing bad happens, co find . I know the Heavenly Demon.”
Yes.
If sothing happening in the village is cut off from the Heavenly Demon, I’ll connect them.
If irrational violence oppresses you, I’ll give you strength.
Just one thing.
I only need warmth.
So, if possible, I hope to et Moonjeongdang as enemies, fight, kill, and finally obtain their mories.
After walking around the village, I expressed my deep gratitude for their good intentions, then returned ho, following the boundary of the forest.
While walking closely along the forest, I was attacked by an animal that looked like a leopard, jumping down from a tree. I got bitten in the neck, but it wasn’t a big problem.
Since I was attacked, I took the warmth from the beast.
Its left side sprouted tentacles, its right side grew into armor, and its tail turned into tal fragnts as it transford into a grotesque monster.
The monster scread and fled into the forest.
Looking into its mory, no one had attacked with intent, so there was nothing to worry about.
But to think such dangerous creatures are in the forest.
I’ll have to tell Soo to avoid going into the forest.
“Choseol, where have you been by yourself, coming back at this hour?”
When I got ho, the Heavenly Demon was already gone, and Soo was sitting alone under the eaves, crossing her arms, glaring at before speaking.
The sky had turned almost black, just past deep blue. It was still early spring, so the day was short. I looked at Soo and answered honestly.
“I went to the village, but it was dangerous, so I ca back.”
“Dangerous?”
Soo looked surprised and rushed toward , checking all over.
“You’re fine, though.”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
I was about to explain everything I had encountered but then stopped myself. Instead, I said this.
“That’s not sothing you need to know yet. At least you have to grow as tall as first.”
“I don’t think I’ll grow taller than you, Choseol!”
Soo is indeed taller than average for a girl.
“Well, I guess you’ll never know then.”
“Don’t avoid it! Tell !”
I pushed Soo, who was clinging to , away and headed for the kitchen.
“Let’s eat.”
Soo resisted but eventually gave in, and when the food was set, she ca over, grumbling and grabbing a spoon.
It’s hard to let soone in their growth stage skip als.
As I wiped the rice grains off Soo’s mouth, I glanced toward the village.
I hope sothing happens.
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