Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Indestructible Diamond (7)
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...My thoughts were racing. What did she just say? She doesn't want to wake up?
Deep down, I'd considered the possibility that she might like me. It was entirely plausible. From Seo Yul-hye's perspective, I was the only person she could truly talk to, and after spending days glued to my side, she'd undoubtedly developed some affection.
I felt the same way, after all.
But I never expected her to say she didn't want to wake up. Even if our time together had been intense, it had only been a few days. Soon enough, she'd reclaim her life and, as a renowned young expert of the martial world, go on to have countless experiences.
At the very least, it would be far better than this place, where horrific memories replayed every moment.
Yet if she didn't wake up, it would all remain mere possibilities. The nightmares would keep looping just like now. She knew that too, surely.
The Demonic Cult's ritual would force her awake, though.
The fact that such words had come from her mouth was a massive shock to me.
Was I really that appealing?
Those were just flippant remarks, but the effect seemed too strong.
A wry smile escaped me in my embarrassment.
"How old are you, exactly?"
"...You said a year has passed, so I'm twenty this year."
"An age busy enough charging ahead without looking back. Right now, our connection might feel precious, but as you live on, you'll meet plenty of good people. Even without the Demonic Cult's ritual, you'll forget an old guy like me in no time."
"That's not true."
It was an icy, resolute voice utterly unlike the Seo Yul-hye I'd known until now.
"Hm..."
How did things get this awkward?
The actions I'd blocked thinking it was the end were coming back as karmic retribution.
In the end, since all memories would vanish, I could just ignore her words. But if I were the type to do that, we never would've reached this point to begin with.
I gently pushed back Seo Yul-hye, who had grabbed my shoulders and drawn close to my face.
"It's because you haven't seen the world in so long. Wander a bit, and you'll find heaps of kind, handsome young men."
"You keep saying that. I..."
I didn't catch the rest, but an ominous chill washed over me. Her suppressed tone sent shivers down my spine. Why did it feel like I'd poked a hornet's nest?
"Haa..."
Fortunately, she let out a long sigh and stepped back a little.
She perched on the rock across from me.
Her head tilted slightly, crimson eyes glaring upward. I could feel the heat of an imminent explosion. That was anything but fortunate.
"You alright?"
"I'm thinking. I know it's wrong, but I want to leave a mark in your memories, old man."
"...What on earth does that mean?"
Wait a second. The atmosphere was off.
Those eyes staring intently at me seemed different from before. Silently watching like a beast eyeing its prey. Her pale pink lips glistened with moisture.
Should I... back away? Was this heading where I thought it was?
I mentally calculated her age. Full twenty years old. An adult.
Damn it, that wasn't the point.
Did she really like me this much? Why?
To calm her down first, I extended my hand forward. I tried to play it cool, but my bewilderment seeped into my voice.
"Think it through carefully. Acting on impulse like this won't do you any good. When you're older, won't you regret getting involved with an old man like me? You definitely will. So calm down."
Thud. A chilling voice cut me off.
"Why regret it? You said all memories here vanish anyway."
"No."
"If you're going to forget everything, can't I do as I please? Do you hate me, old man? You said nothing sticks no matter what. Why dodge? You flirted first. You said you liked me."
Looking into those lightless eyes, I recalled: heart demon. She'd always had a wounded heart, so it wasn't strange for it to evolve this way. Cold sweat poured out in the dire situation.
It felt like a visual novel where I'd carefully chosen options, only for it all to go to hell and lock me into the bad route.
Shouldn't have played it off as a dream. Regret hit me now, but things were spiraling more extremely. I slowly rose from my seat. Matching me, Seo Yul-hye stood up languidly.
"Old man, you know what?"
This world was her inner realm.
The repeating horrors, the monsters swarming when we tried to leave—all because she wanted to punish herself.
But not now.
Long past the time for a scene shift, the world remained eerily quiet.
Seo Yul-hye, who had changed form with each shift, was fixed in an adult body.
No sign of Jeongam Satae, who used to chat like background noise. No birdsong you'd expect on a mountain, no wind—it was utterly still.
Her eyes, tinged with an ominous hue proving her deepened heart demon, told me:
"People have their tastes, you know. Even before, when my junior sisters fawned over handsome guys, I felt nothing."
"......"
"Couldn't figure it out. Felt unsafe, maybe? So I thought I just didn't like men much. But now I realize: from start to finish, the type I liked was men like Dad—like you, old man. Not surprising. They say tastes form from childhood experiences, right?"
"Plenty of mature guys your age out there."
"Stop it. You said you liked me first. I'd given up on everything, but you barged in and turned me into this..."
Step.
As Seo Yul-hye advanced, the surrounding trees slithered roots toward me. They were slowly encircling like a noose. My transcendent senses warned that the entire natural surroundings had become a heavenly net trapping us.
Things were getting seriously dicey. I pressed down my bamboo hat firmly.
"...Why keep making this hard? Forget it and find someone better."
"I can't take it anymore."
Her expression snapped like something in her head broke. Muttering softly, she lunged in an instant. Incredibly fast for her level, she reached out for me. Honestly, I could've dodged.
But a split-second hesitation.
Should I slap her hand away? Would it hurt her?
Such thoughts flashed dozens of times, and by the time I decided to evade—
Grip—
My collar was already in her pale hand.
A strong pull dragged me in.
"Haa... Huh..."
I woke up drenched in sweat, like someone emerging from a nightmare. Terrifying. Good thing the talisman's duration ended right then—five more minutes, and disaster would've struck.
I'm no eunuch, but I didn't want to take advantage. Technically, she was a patient.
I washed up and changed clothes. Better restrain from entering her inner realm again. Ideally, I'd check daily, but after this, I'd wait for the Demonic Cult's ritual. Infiltrating the Emei Sect wasn't easy, but...
What choice did I have? Duty called.
I pulled stealth items from my pouch and wrapped myself thoroughly.
The talismans were one-use, so I'd been replacing them for days.
I swiftly ascended Mount Emei and sneaked inside. Better than my first try, but was this desensitizing my moral compass? Turning into a pro pervert, pro thief.
But my confident steps halted upon reaching Seo Yul-hye's quarters. Before the closed door, Jeongam Satae and Geumseon Grandmaster stood facing each other, talking—like something out of a game.
"So no need to worry. She'll wake when the time comes."
"Any guess when that time might be?"
"I'm no supreme deity; can't know that far. But for women her age, it's usually tied to a man."
"A man...? Hye-ah's shown no interest in the opposite sex so far. Hard to imagine now."
"My disciple was the same. Bragged she'd live alone forever, then fell for a merchant and left the order without a word. Be careful yourself. Raise them like your own, but love conquers all. Still, when she visits with her daughter, I can't help smiling. Even at my age, learning forgiveness."
What were they on about?
I listened intently but couldn't make sense of it. They soon returned to the main hall. I quietly slipped the door open and entered.
The room was lit, likely from their recent visit. Seo Yul-hye's body looked much healthier than before. Simultaneously, the her from moments ago flashed in my mind.
...Damn, these lingering thoughts tormenting me.
I'd refused, yet regrets lingered—guess I'm a man after all. Wishing to turn back time for nothing. Snap out of it.
I approached her bedside to replace the talisman.
This one would be used just once, when the Demonic Cult acted.
Then I'd tell her.
Sorry.
Sorry I couldn't accept.
Gazing at her fairy-like beauty, I murmured softly.
"When you wake, live a happier life than anyone."
As I placed the talisman under her pillow and turned to leave quietly—
Grip—
"...?!"
Someone's fingertips wove between mine with exquisite precision, like a master of golden clasps. Then her interlaced hand yanked hard. Too shocked to react, I toppled to the floor—or more like collapsed. Anyway.
As I reeled from the unbelievable event, the body connected to that hand rose smoothly.
Her night-sky black hair cascaded softly downward.
Unreal features stared straight at me. Long, dark fox-like eyes curved over crimson orbs brimming with emotions.
She clenched and unclenched her fist a few times, debating a punch, then shook her hand as if giving up. Her face said volumes. Mine too. Why now? How? But I held back. I waited silently for Seo Yul-hye's words.
She smiled. And spoke.
"Caught you."
I caught you.
...Her grip, clenched so tight my blood stopped flowing and my hand paled, didn't loosen until dawn. An unbreakable Indestructible Diamond technique, no matter what. As birds chirped and early-rising Jeongam Satae arrived on the morning breeze, her disciple was gone—only a single letter remained.
What had happened?
She tidied the rumpled bedding and cautiously opened the letter.
"Heh."
A chuckle escaped as she read.
"The Grandmaster was right."
Veins bulging on her forehead, Jeongam Satae closed her eyes and muttered emptily. Something bubbled up inside her. On the day her runaway disciple returned—someday—she too would learn forgiveness.