You're Mine From Now On
"Leader, we've arrived."
The voice of a devotee reached us just as we finished dressing. When I stepped outside, the devotees near the carriage were trying to act nonchalant, but their faces were already flushed red. With Shim Seong screaming like that, perfect soundproofing was probably impossible...
"Ahem... Leader. Then I'll go confirm where those people you mentioned live."
"Let's head in first."
The carriage couldn't enter the village proper, so two devotees stayed behind to guard it. Shim Seong and the other three followed me.
Thud, thud. The poorly maintained road was rough. Better than a beggar village, but still not a great environment. For a place called a village, it looked surprisingly spacious. No wonder the authorities can't manage it easily. Just hide, and you're good.
Passersby glanced at our flashy attire. A few stared openly. But assuming we were high-status folk, no one picked a fight.
Can you tell me exactly where they live? Like navigation?
> Impossible. Can't check detailed location coordinates.
Just roughly which area? Not completely omnipotent, huh? Well, there's always a way.
I bent down to speak to a girl sitting on the roadside, staring at us with empty eyes.
"Hey, kid. Do you know where Geum Hwa-bin and Eun Mirang live? The blacksmith and the seamstress."
The girl stared blankly. But she didn't open her mouth.
Gurgle. Her stomach answered instead.
Looking closely, she was in rough shape. Starved for a while?
"Left Protector. Got any food?"
I straightened up and glanced at her. She reached into her bosom and pulled out a pouch.
"I brought jerky just in case, but..."
Her trailing off said it all. Dry jerky would be too tough for this frail girl.
"Alright. We'll get something proper from a nearby inn. Hop on my back."
The girl looked puzzled at my words. I didn't really need her to get info at the inn anyway. But seeing her pitiful state, I couldn't just walk by.
One of the devotees spoke up.
"Leader, you don't need to bring the child..."
I smiled at her.
"Our doctrine is to prepare for that day and save even one soul. Ignoring the person right in front of us now would go against the teachings, wouldn't it?"
Me spouting that without Chat XPT's help? I'm a natural.
While I basked in self-admiration, the devotee blushed and bowed her head. I patted her head, then turned my back to the sitting girl.
"Come on, hop on. I'll buy you something tasty."
"Then let me..."
Shim Seong and the devotees stepped forward, but I raised a hand to stop them.
"No. This is my duty. Stay back."
Soon, the girl was on my back. "Light as a feather" really applies here. Feeling her, she's skin and bones.
"Let's make a deal. Pay you fairly, and you'll tell me what you know later?"
A small voice from behind.
"...Okay..."
I headed to the inn I'd spotted on the way. Hey, we're doing this to eat and live anyway.
"Welcome! What'll it be?"
The waiter greeted us warmly. In this drab neighborhood, someone like me in fine clothes probably meant a windfall for him.
"Simple meals for the group, and for this girl... something like porridge if you have it."
Greasy food would upset her stomach in this state.
"...And dumplings..."
Geum Cheong-a, who'd been quiet, mumbled.
She wants dumplings too?
"Fine. Add dumplings."
"Yes, sir. But we require payment upfront here..."
Makes sense.
"How much?"
"Let me see... Five adults, one child. Porridge for her, light bites for the rest... 25 wen should cover it."
Not ripping us off? Fair price. I handed over 30 wen. The waiter bowed gratefully and dashed to the kitchen. Tips like that are rare here.
I looked back at the girl.
"What's your name?"
"..."
"Oh, right—deal not sealed yet? Eat first, then talk."
She stared at me with those dazed eyes.
Tell me about this girl.
> Name:Geum Cheong-a.
> Lives with her older sister.
> Traits: Knows the neighborhood well.
Nothing special. But she knows the area—feed her, and she'll guide us well.
"Here you go! Call if you need anything~"
I placed the steaming porridge in front of the girl.
"Eat up."
She eyed me warily, took a spoonful, then shoveled it in once it was okay.
Ptooey... Spat it right out. Of course—too hot.
Watching her, I thought of my own daughter if I had one. Up close, she's kinda cute.
After finishing the porridge, she wrapped the dumplings in cloth and tucked them away. For home, probably.
Once we ate, she looked at me and bowed.
"Thank you."
Polite kid.
"Good. Remember our deal?"
"...Yes... Hwa-bin unnie's probably home. Not sure about Mirang unnie."
Calling them unnie means she knows them.
"Great. Can you show us?"
She nodded.
"Oppa seems nice..."
Buy her food, and she's sold? Dangerous mindset.
"People like me are who you gotta watch out for most. Didn't your parents teach you?"
"No mom or dad..."
...Should've caught that from "lives with sister."
"Sorry..."
"It's okay."
"...Really sorry..."
We followed her lead into a rickety shack village. The deeper in, the more the grim reality of Ghost Fall Village hit. Way more rundown than the entrance.
"Here."
She pointed to a shack.
"Cheong-a, right? Thanks. Take this."
I tried handing her some money.
"You already got me dumplings. But..."
"?? Go on."
She glanced at the devotees behind me, then whispered in my ear.
"I never told you my name..."
...Ah...
"I know everything."
"But how'd you not know unnie's house..."
Savage burns nonstop. Sharp kid.
"Heh... Happens sometimes."
I brushed it off, and Cheong-a headed inside without pressing.
"I'm home."
?? Your house...?
This cheated feeling...
Following her in, a woman who looked just like her—must be the sister—lay on a sickbed.
"Unnie, here."
She pulled out the dumplings. Saved 'em for her.
"This guy's looking for you."
Bingo. Geum Hwa-bin the blacksmith... this woman.
"Cough... cough... Who might you be?"
Frail for a blacksmith. Looks sickly too. Woman smith is odd, and no macho muscles. But Chat XPT says she can make what I need, so fine.
"You Geum Hwa-bin?"
"...Yes... but I have no money right now."
Straight to cash—money troubles, huh.
"Not that type. Hold on."
Current status of Geum Hwa-bin.
> Geum Hwa-bin. 29 years old.
> Early-stage fever.
> Accumulated stress and fatigue.
Sick as expected.
Can it be treated?
> Easy cure at a physician.
> Needs rest and stability.
"You in there~?"
A voice from outside made Hwa-bin and Cheong-a flinch.
"Hey~ Gotta pay back what you borrow~ What're you doing~~?"
"No money? Pay with your body then, no choice."
Classic sleazy thug lines. Never thought I'd hear 'em in this world. Predictable extras incoming.
"How much?"
They finally noticed us.
"Who're you?"
"How much debt? I'll cover it."
They flinched. My clothes. The vibe. Drop-dead gorgeous Left Protector. Devotees behind.
They sized us up, then got polite.
"Yes, sir. With interest, 3 nyang and 42 wen."
"I only borrowed 2 nyang;;"
Geum Hwa-bin's cry from the bed. Usury gonna usury.
"Left Protector."
She pulled money from her bosom and handed it over.
"Here. Receipt."
Thugs surprised but checked the cash and gave the note.
"Thank you, customer. Come again."
Even the exit line... Sigh.
"Why to me..."
Stunned Hwa-bin asked.
"You're mine from now on."
?? Service cut ??
