Then, What About Me?!
Then, what about me?!
Even in this modern era, where the Tower connected to the dungeons allowed real gods to influence Earth, the Cheonma Shin-gyo boasted an enormous scale, spreading its influence worldwide. Just a short drive from the city led to a vast plot of land the size of an entire neighborhood suburb—all owned by the Cheonma Shin-gyo. Officially designated as the Cheonma Shin-gyo Autonomous District on administrative maps.
The sedan passed through massive concrete walls into the heart of the district. It was a place outsiders couldn't enter freely, so I gazed out the window in awe at the scenery unfolding before me. I'd imagined something straight out of a wuxia novel, but instead, it was far more sophisticated—a modern cityscape.
Yet for some reason, there were an unusual number of children along the streets. Aside from a few adults herding them, grown-ups were strangely scarce. Even accounting for the fact that it was 3 p.m. and most adults were at work, their numbers seemed far too low.
Just then, Cheonma Han Se-ah spoke up. "From your expression, it seems you have some questions. Ask away."
"There are no adults in sight, but tons of kids."
At my question, Cheonma Han Se-ah smiled as if she'd expected it. "I figured you'd ask that first."
She gazed fondly at the children playing outside. "All those kids are orphans who lost their parents to monsters."
"Ah."
Her words instantly explained why she'd said no monsters could enter this place. Even if Brina was a summon, to outsiders, she was just another monster. There was no way I could bring her here, where children who'd lost their parents to such creatures gathered.
"The reason you don't see adults is simple. They all leave the district to work and support these children."
The Cheonma Shin-gyo Autonomous District was essentially a massive orphanage.
"Even now, new orphans are being created every moment as parents die. We take them in and raise them."
"That's commendable."
As someone who'd lost his own parents, I meant it sincerely. The Cheonma Shin-gyo's good deeds were already well-known, but I hadn't realized the scale. Respect for Han Se-ah welled up in me once more.
Sensing my gaze, she blushed slightly and cleared her throat. "Ahem, no need to look at me like that. It's just following the teachings of the Cheonma Shin-gyo."
Han Se-ah felt an unexpected warmth from the praise of Han Yeoul, a young man far her junior, and inwardly panicked. 'Get a grip. Why is my heart pounding from praise from someone so much younger?'
Even by her apparent age in her mid-thirties as Cheonma, it was embarrassing how a single compliment made her heart race.
'This is strange. So strange.'
Once aware of it, she couldn't stop her gaze from drifting to him or her heart from fluttering, no matter how she tried. At first, she thought it was sentimentality, but soon realized it was something else.
'Talking to this young man builds an inexplicable fondness.'
He had a handsome face rare even in her long life, but she was the Cheonma—no way a mere face would make her fall at first sight.
She focused her mind to peer into his essence. Beyond the status window, using the Heart's Eye—the mind's eye that saw true natures.
In her opened Heart's Eye, she saw an aura-like energy enveloping Han Yeoul, seeping from his body. The closer one stayed to him, the more it fostered inexplicable fondness.
'An aura that draws fondness the closer you get. Easy to shake off if you're aware, but so natural most wouldn't notice. Doesn't seem intentional... Does he not even know?'
If it had been a deliberate ploy to charm the Cheonma, she'd have judged him regardless of his benevolence. Fortunately, it wasn't. The aura wasn't overwhelmingly strong; without prior fondness, it might not have affected her.
'With same-sex, it'd end in friendship. But prolonged exposure for the opposite sex... one might fall in love unknowingly. And those sensitive to mana, like high-affinity hunters, would succumb faster.'
What if a mana-sensitive female hunter unknowingly spent time with him? 'She'd likely become a stalker or develop twisted desires. Luckily, he awakened recently, served in the military right after, and hasn't been a hunter long, so no issues yet... But I should warn him. Leaving it unchecked could bring him endless troubles.'
Unaware of Jeon So-young's existence, Han Se-ah decided to tell him to prevent potential victims.
Having grasped the aura's effect, she now probed its source. 'A skill? Blessing? No, it's not external. Coming from within him... deeper... Gah?!'
As she deepened her Heart's Eye to glimpse the core, a colossal force tried to flood in through it. She slammed it shut in panic.
Even in that instant, the sheer disparity in might sent cold sweat down her spine.
'...I nearly submitted without realizing.'
The fondness aura was merely a leak from that overwhelming power's fringes. The true force slumbered deep within, unawakened.
'He doesn't even recognize his own power.'
Seeing him gaze casually at her despite harboring such might, Han Se-ah sensed destiny.
'Perhaps this young man is...'
Her initial plan—to show him around lightly, compensate for his destroyed house, and add some money—changed. She coveted his potential. He might fulfill her long-cherished wish. She couldn't let him go.
'Maybe I've been unconsciously ensnared by his aura too.' With that thought, Han Se-ah spoke. "Have you ever considered joining the Cheonma Shin-gyo?"
"Pardon?"
"Ah, that could be misunderstood. Let me clarify. I mean joining the Cheonma Sword Corps. I promise elixirs to boost your mana, martial arts training, access to all Cheonma Shin-gyo intel on dungeons, and more."
Among the many guilds run by the Cheonma Shin-gyo, the Cheonma Sword Corps—composed of sword-wielding hunters—was the elite among elites, symbolizing the sect's military might. Registered under Cheonma Han Se-ah herself as guild master.
Even allowing entry (impossible without being a follower) plus full support was an outrageously generous offer.
But Han Yeoul shook his head. "Sorry, but I have no plans to join anywhere."
Unprepared for rejection, Han Se-ah pressed. "Why? My support should be ample... Is it because of me?"
Worried he'd refuse over the house destruction and summon harm, she fidgeted. Then snapped to. 'Damn, his aura slipped in again amid my fluster.'
She refocused. The aura only worked because she already felt fondness; true rejection nullified it.
'Get a grip. Emotions derail the greater cause.'
Blissfully insensitive, Han Yeoul answered honestly, unperturbed. "No, that's not it. Your offer is overly generous for someone like me... But you know my ability, right? It's incompatible with living alongside Cheonma Shin-gyo members. Plus, I have a party I've just started—members too. I want to grow my own."
Han Se-ah realized her haste. 'I should've built more rapport, learned more about him first. Too impulsive.'
She'd overlooked his ability too. Blaming her inexperience, she made another offer—pure benefit, no strings. He couldn't refuse.
"Then how about this? I'll be your guardian."
"My guardian?"
Even Han Yeoul was stunned. Joining the Sword Corps was bold, but this was on another level. Cheonma as guardian meant Cheonma Shin-gyo protection.
"Uh..."
Frozen by the enormity, Han Se-ah misinterpreted again. 'Even this doesn't appeal?'
She couldn't promise more without overstepping. The sect was hers but also the followers'. She could only offer her name and personal wealth.
'A pure youth who saved devotees without seeking reward—money won't sway him.'
Of course, he hadn't known they were devotees then and had inherited house/wealth from parents—hence his actions. When actually damaged, he'd demanded compensation naturally.
But having crossed an irreversible line glimpsing his essence, Han Se-ah believed her judgment rational and pondered on.
'What now? What to do?'
Sword Corps, elixirs, arts, guardianship—even unoffered money, surely rejected. Nothing left to entice him.
Shocked by his essence, fond of him, desperate to recruit—the turmoil made her blurt it out unwittingly.
"Th-then, what about me?!"