Esmi's Choice (2)
At long last, Esmi gave her answer.
"I... I don't have the resolve to kill."
Kang Jin-ho didn't frown at her words.
It was because her expression shone with such a vivid light of determination.
"I'm still scared. Hurting people, blood spilling from their bodies... it's all still so horrifying and terrifying."
She admitted it honestly.
She couldn't become cold-blooded.
She lacked the courage to commit murder.
She was still a coward.
"But."
Esmi stared straight at Kang Jin-ho.
The resolute light in her amethyst eyes.
"I won't run away."
Esmi placed her tightly clenched fist over her chest.
Her heart was already pounding as if it might burst.
"I can't kill... but I can stop it with my own power. That's... my choice."
Kang Jin-ho let out a scoff at her words.
It was mockery.
Her contradictory resolve struck him as ridiculous.
Even knowing the outcome, she marched toward her own destruction.
Some might call it noble.
But to Kang Jin-ho, it was laughable.
If he hadn't recognized the depth of her resolve.
Then he might have found it utterly repulsive.
"What a retard. You think you can protect without spilling blood? Does that mean you'll protect the villagers too?"
"Yes."
Esmi answered without hesitation.
"The villagers, my great-uncle too. I'll make sure no one dies."
Her eyes were already set in firm resolve.
She'd reached her conclusion and showed no sign of backing down.
It was a frustrating decision.
But that very fact sparked his interest.
Let's see you try.
He'd seen countless hypocrites who preached nobility with their words.
And he'd stripped away their pretensions every time.
There were endless fools intoxicated by their own self-righteousness.
But he wondered how long this cowardly black mage could hold to her stubbornness.
"Fine, do whatever you want."
"Y-yes... um..."
"What?"
"C-could I... ask your name...?"
Esmi's voice shrank back again.
She realized she hadn't even exchanged names with this intruder.
He'd burst through the barrier and threatened her—it had been terrifying.
But at the same time, he was her benefactor, the one who'd warned her of the looming threat.
Her face flushed as she fidgeted with her fingers.
"S-sorry. I was so flustered..."
Kang Jin-ho nodded.
Come to think of it, he hadn't given his name.
"No big deal. I'm Kang Jin-ho. Most know me as Kwonje Jin too."
"K-Kwonje Jin... you?"
Esmi's eyes widened round.
She stared at him, mouth slightly agape in shock.
"Heard of me?"
"Y-yes! I-I have."
Esmi nodded vigorously before speaking.
"Before I lived in this forest... I heard travelers and merchants talking. They said you defeated the Sword Emperor, the one called the continent's strongest..."
"He was nothing special."
Kang Jin-ho brushed it off.
"The ancient specter I fought before him was stronger."
"Thank you for telling me, Kwonje-nim."
Esmi bowed her head politely.
And with that, she turned to leave.
She headed straight for the door.
"Where you going?"
"Out... outside."
Esmi replied.
Her gaze fixed on the thick fog beyond the door.
"This forest has a barrier I set up. The existing fog spreads even wider... it blocks vision and disrupts senses. Ordinary people wouldn't dare enter. Even if they did, they'd get lost, wander until exhausted, and turn back."
Esmi spoke with a bitter edge.
This place was her sanctuary, a hideout she'd made to conceal herself.
A refuge from the world.
Here, she was safe.
"If you stay here, those villagers won't be able to reach you, right?"
"Yes. But... I can't protect the outside from here."
Strength entered Esmi's voice.
"If there really are Outer God followers... they'll just provoke the villagers more. And if they know about my great-uncle and me... they'll expose it for sure. Just like you said, Kwonje-nim..."
She couldn't finish the sentence.
Just thinking about it was horrifying.
"I have to go out. That's the only way to protect my great-uncle and the villagers."
A heroic resolve to protect even the villagers who sought her death.
Kang Jin-ho crossed his arms at her words.
He understood wanting to save her great-uncle.
But saving the villagers who wanted her dead? He couldn't relate.
"Yeah? Then get going."
"...P-pardon?"
Esmi blinked in confusion.
"Y-you're not... coming?"
"Why would I?"
Kang Jin-ho scoffed.
"I'm not on your payroll. No reason to take responsibility for you. I gave my advice, you made your choice. The consequences are on you."
"N-no, that's not... um..."
Esmi's voice dropped timidly as she ventured carefully.
"This is... my house..."
"Oh, right, that."
Kang Jin-ho stood up immediately.
"Guess I should go then. Here, take this."
Kang Jin-ho flicked something toward Esmi.
"Kyaa?!"
Of course, Esmi failed to catch it properly.
Her physical reflexes weren't up to the task.
Instead, she instinctively cast a defensive spell.
Something bounced off the barrier and clattered to the floor.
Cling— roll roll roll—
It was a gold coin.
One single gold coin.
"W-what's this?"
"Can't you tell? It's a gold coin. Should cover the house call, right?"
One gold coin was a fortune to commoners.
But the golden gleam didn't quite register in Esmi's eyes.
"C-couldn't you... help instead?"
"Nah, can't do that."
Kang Jin-ho shot back instantly.
Esmi nodded as if she'd expected it.
But her face fell visibly.
"I understand... Th-thank you. For telling me all this..."
"Yeah. Don't mention my name. I don't want the hassle."
"...Yes, got it. Thank you so much."
Esmi clasped her hands neatly and bowed.
Kang Jin-ho watched her silently as she expressed her gratitude.
Esmi, now dressed in her black robe, hood up, took a deep breath and stepped outside.
Anyway, if I show up openly, they'll all scatter.
Kang Jin-ho watched her back and rose from his seat.
If his name as Kwonje spread, the Outer God followers would flee on the spot.
And they'd slink back after he left the village.
Need to draw them out for sure.
Kang Jin-ho genuinely looked forward to it.
I'm curious, huh.
This wasn't butterfly effects from his actions.
In the original story, Esmi's great-uncle was never mentioned.
Meaning she'd lost her blood kin.
And this incident must have sparked bad blood with black mages like Alexia who served Outer Gods.
Yet she didn't fall to corruption.
Even after all this, she hadn't succumbed to the Outer Gods' temptations.
In the main story, she still retained this same clumsiness, foolishness, and purity.
He wondered how that was possible.
How far could this fragile-looking woman hold to her stubbornness?
"The end awaiting a fool who rejects becoming the strong in a world of the weak devouring the strong."
At least it was worth watching.
Could Esmi uphold her beliefs?
Or would her reckless stubbornness lead to ruin?
Kang Jin-ho concealed his presence.
Then he slowly exited the cabin.
He decided to tail Esmi secretly and watch it all unfold.
* * *
The path out of the forest wasn't far.
But to Esmi, those tens of minutes felt like tens of hours.
Today, the forest depths felt especially alien and frightening.
I can do it. I have to.
Esmi steeled herself.
She was afraid.
Facing people was terror itself for her.
Their scornful gazes, voices thick with disgust—she feared them all.
And now they wanted her dead.
She had to endure it all.
She had to save her great-uncle.
I have to do it.
No one else could help.
It was her burden alone.
With that thought, she finally reached the forest's edge.
Beyond the fog, the village came into distant view.
Murmur murmur.
The sounds reached her.
The clamor of dozens, nearing a hundred people gathered.
Their roars, filled with rage and murderous intent, filled the forest entrance.
"You witch! Come out!"
"Stop hiding and show yourself!"
"Should we burn the forest down?!"
"We know you cast the curse!"
"You damn witch! Come out now!"
Sheer malice oozed from them.
"Hic."
Esmi froze, goosebumps rising.
Facing the villagers' madness head-on was even more horrific.
I have to go out.
Esmi gathered her resolve and slowly put strength into her legs.
Swish.
At last, she emerged from the fog.
The beautiful figure in black robes revealed itself.
The noisy village entrance fell into sudden silence.
"...Gasp."
Esmi covered her mouth with her hand.
The scene before her was nothing short of hellish.
"She's out!"
"It's the witch!"
"The witch! The witch is here!"
Villagers clutching torches swarmed like a black tide.
In their hands: sickles, pickaxes, clubs.
Their eyes gleamed with madness.
Foam flecked their lips.
They looked less like humans and more like beasts.
Kang Jin-ho had been right.
They were monsters, blindly seeking an outlet for their rage.
She could feel their horrific malice crashing over her.