Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Part 21. Revelation (3)
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Winter's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Why on earth does she like it so much? Yoo Ji-tae wondered, puzzled.
Anyway, Yoo Ji-tae decided to serve her some ramen. He lifted a generous portion of the well-cooked yellow noodles, steam rising in gentle wisps. He scooped out the noodles and poured a bit of the hot broth over them.
Winter picked them up with her fork-spoon and blew on them, hoo-hoo. They weren't even that hot, but she was imitating her big sisters.
She stuffed her mouth full of noodles and started slurping them up with gusto. But the strands were long, and her sucking power was pathetic. It took forever to get them all in, leaving her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk.
But... delicious...!
Winter began inhaling the ramen with fervor. Salty, hot, and steamy. She didn't know exactly why, but it was incredibly tasty.
Around then, Yoo Ji-tae was sipping the broth. Watching his every move, Winter carefully lifted her bowl and took a sip of her own.
"......"
It felt like something was seeping into her. Her belly warmed up, and even her chest felt cozy. Hoo, hoo. She blew out extra breaths from her heated insides, marveling at the sensation.
He'd boiled three packs, but the ramen vanished in no time.
Winter looked wistfully at her empty little bowl, then at the empty pot, and felt even more regret.
"All done?"
"......"
"Let's clean up."
She hesitated. When Yoo Ji-tae reached for her bowl, her tiny hands gripped it tight. It was feeble strength, so she lost hold quickly.
But seeing her still linger, Yoo Ji-tae stared right at her face.
"What."
"......"
"Need something?"
"...More."
"More?"
She held out both hands.
"...Please."
He had no choice but to boil more. There were plenty of extra packs, so he could make a generous amount.
But he never imagined she'd eat 25 packs.
She kept asking for more with each serving—this was a first. So Yoo Ji-tae obliged every time. He boiled six rounds, and 25 packs disappeared. Dragons eat a lot, he figured, but not this much.
With her belly bulging, Winter flopped onto the floor. The delighted grin that said it was yummy was gone. She looked a bit miserable now.
"You okay?"
Shake, shake...
Overeating.
"Burp." Winter let out an unintended belch and gave an awkward smile, glancing at Yoo Ji-tae. He pretended not to notice.
Night fell soon after.
The tent was dark. A thin crescent moon hung in the sky, its light faint enough for countless stars to shine.
Tonight, it was just him and Winter.
"......"
Digestion complete, Winter wore a peaceful expression. Lying beside Yoo Ji-tae, she fiddled with his hair. Lately, she'd been doing that often. For some reason, she took interest in his belongings—like socks, neckties, wallet, hair, and such.
He had no idea why. Especially, why try to remove perfectly good socks...
"......"
Today was no different. Winter gently grasped a strand of his hair, fiddling with it before slyly trying to pluck it out.
But it wouldn't come. Her strength couldn't overcome the blessing enveloping a regressor's body.
"Why again."
"......"
"I gave you one last time."
A while back, she'd done the same, so he'd pulled one out for her. That day, she'd been thrilled, carrying it around all day.
"......"
She hesitated.
"Lost it, huh."
"...!"
Shake, shake.
She shook her head in panic, but her face had already given it away.
Looked like she had.
Yoo Ji-tae plucked another strand and handed it over. Winter's eyes lit up as she took it like treasure.
"If you lose this one in a few days, no more."
"...!"
"Got it?"
Nod, nod.
Panicked, Winter clutched the hair tightly in her fist.
And even in sleep, she didn't let go.
She fell asleep before he knew it. Exhausted from the day, a soft snore—do-rong...—came from her tiny nose. Small head, small nose; it was a very quiet snore.
The regressor silently watched the sleeping child.
His thoughts were complicated.
If all went as planned, it would be tonight.
「Revelation」
The event guiding the Blue Dragon's life was about to begin.
Dragons find life's value in their own amusements. Green kin become artists or craftsmen in their rooms. Gold kin venture to continents to live as guardian gods. Red kin revel in fights and wars... But the Blue Dragon clan has no set path.
At exactly 80 days old, they receive a "revelation" from their ancestral "Lord." More precisely, the will of blood-linked ancestors assigns a task to the clan's hatchling.
And that task permeates their entire life.
It's crucial. Unavoidable.
So the regressor felt uneasy.
In the 5th and 6th rounds, the baby Blue Dragon grew unhappy right after receiving it. Until then, she'd only gazed at him from beyond the labyrinth. But post-revelation, she kept demanding to leave the underground maze.
— ...Let me out.
Back then, Yoo Ji-tae refused.
— ...I'll be needed.
He ignored her.
Each time, the Blue Dragon wept quietly. And at the end of the 6th round, she took her own life.
The problem? Yoo Ji-tae didn't know what that damned "revelation" was.
Blue Dragons can't divulge its contents.
— This child can no longer fulfill her given revelation.
— She can't get close to anyone anymore.
— Forever...
All he knew was that one spiteful mutter from the teary Green Dragon near the end.
Get close? To whom?
What could make fulfilling it impossible forever?
Yoo Ji-tae awaited the child's revelation with a heavy heart.
The new moon crossed the sky.
Beasts' cries echoed sporadically over barren lands.
Whoosh...!
Winter's body began floating into the air.
Ancestral mana linked by blood drew a cubic magic circle in the space, embroidering the air. Bathed in the rotating circle's glow, Winter slowly opened her eyes. Staring into the distance with sea-blue eyes, she began receiving the "revelation" from someone.
— My daughter.
At the voice, Winter opened her eyes.
Familiar, yet somehow distant.
Still groggy from sleep, she looked around with blurry vision. It felt like underwater. Clear blue waters. Beautiful seascapes.
Then, a bright light stretched from the surface toward her.
— My little girl. Just as you know me, I know you.
Eh? Grandpa...?
Winter blinked. She'd never seen him, but he felt like a lofty grandfather.
— You're living happily, aren't you?
Winter nodded.
For some reason, "Grandpa" had been watching over her.
— You've had many happy moments.
Winter nodded brightly again.
— What was the most fun time in your life?
...Sledding.
A hearty "Heh heh" laugh followed.
— You're enjoying more fun than anyone. And there's someone who truly wishes for your happiness. Even I, in your heart, rejoice at your joy.
Really?
Winter's eyes sparkled. A faint smile played on her lips.
— Do you wish for that person's happiness too?
Winter nodded. She hadn't really thought about it, but it was reflexive.
Then.
Uneasy waves rippled around her. Vortices rose, clashing and bursting in all directions.
From there came "Grandpa's" voice.
A bit sterner now.
— To do that, you have a task.
Winter was startled but nodded.
— From now on, protect what's precious with your own hands.
Protect? Me?
— You're young. Powerless. You won't know what or how.
Beyond the raging waves, the light flickered more intensely.
— Still, prepare. Realize what's precious. Ponder how to guard it.
— Soon, a long night will come.
— Utterly dark. Invisible ahead, some will stumble. If even standing on wounded legs is hard, they may not rise.
Winter's eyes widened round.
— When it does, my child, do what you can.
— And protect what you must.
In the swirling vortex.
— If you do, far in the future, ask to sled together again. Amid flying snow. Share warm soup.
"Grandpa" urged once more.
— If you protect it, that day will surely come.
The words echoed cavernously in her ears.
The light on the surface began fading.
Left alone, Winter closed her eyes.
Too young to grasp it all—what night? What falling? The baby dragon didn't know.
But one thing stuck.
Protect.
The single clear word etched in her mind.
Winter repeated it to herself.
Morning broke the next day.
Unlike his fears, Winter woke without gloom or tears.
But her state was a bit off.
"...!"
Her eyes brimmed with determination, glaring at Yoo Ji-tae.
What the—kid.
"...!"
Why's she so intense?
Bulging eyes. She looked like a rookie soldier messing up drill.
Fortunately, it wasn't negative. Recalling past rounds, she'd wailed day and night right after waking.
But seeing her tug at socks with that face, he wondered what was up.
Yoo Ji-tae pulled his foot away. Winter chased with wistful, bulging eyes.
"What's with you."
"......"
"Something to say?"
Shake, shake.
"Then why."
"......"
"Your eyes look like an eagle's."
"...?"
Yoo Ji-tae pulled out a mirror from his fishing backpack. Winter glanced normally at first, fascinated by her reflection, then at him—and bulged her eyes again.
'...The revelation to glare at me?' The regressor patted her head, bemused.
After that, Winter acted strangely.
On the way down the mountain, a large deer bounded out. Normally, it'd scatter like a chicken seeing a cow, but Winter blocked Yoo Ji-tae and glared.
The deer glared back. Like, "What're you, tiny?"
Staring contest.
— Grooo...
The deer growled threateningly.
"...Grr."
Winter countered with a weird noise.
Baby or not, a dragon. Rumble...! Sensing inexplicable dread, the deer fled beyond the ridge. Only then did Winter nod at Yoo Ji-tae, relieved.
What. Why nod.
Afterward, she walked ahead everywhere, scanning surroundings like a bodyguard.
The regressor was a bit dumbfounded.
But her odd behavior didn't last. Just when he thought she was acting up, days later she reached for his hand like usual. Come to think, even bodyguard-walking, she'd glance back wistfully.
Still, she seemed a tad more mature. Back at the dorm, she'd seek her bear doll and lake water bottle, but from then on, less often.
— She can't get close to anyone anymore.
— Forever...
Recalling Green Dragon's words, someone she must get close to existed.
If so, don't over-guard. Help her connect.
Whoever it was.
He didn't know revelation details yet, but it seemed positive. So he decided to relax.
At least, she didn't cry this round.
"......"
She smiled at him.
"Why the dumb grin?"
Then Yeoreum spoke, and Winter's eyes bulged.
"What's with her. Anyway, got time now?"
"Yeah."
"Wanna hang, just you and me?"
Emphasizing for Winter. She panicked, blocking Yoo Ji-tae. Yeoreum smirked slyly.
"Scram, kiddo. Adult time now."
Saying so, she hooked arms with Yoo Ji-tae naturally.
"Right, oppa♥"
Nasal aegyo.
Winter recoiled in horror, and Yeoreum cackled like a witch.
But once inside the room, her face turned serious.
In a hesitant voice, Yeoreum spoke.
"...Hey, I have something to say."