Farewell (1)
"...For real?"
"Yeah. The doctor said this is truly a miracle. Hyun, can you believe it? He called it a miracle...!"
On the hillside behind the village. Seoyeon, lying next to me, poured out her words with a rare excitement in her voice.
Seoyeon received regular detailed examinations from her personal physician, and she would always share the supposedly confidential results with me as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Just last month, her body had been in such critical condition that not a single organ remained healthy. The doctor had said that if her symptoms worsened even a little more, she would end up bedridden on a ventilator, simply waiting for a death sentence. I still remembered those words clearly because of how dark her face had been when she told me.
A mage's body was supposed to be stronger than an ordinary person's in every way, yet Seoyeon's condition had been so severe that she was helplessly fading away. But according to yesterday's test results, her body had begun showing faint signs of natural recovery. Though it was still badly damaged, the fact that she had regained even a slight regenerative ability was something never before seen in patients with Particle Hypersensitivity Syndrome.
"You should have seen the doctor's shocked expression. It was so ridiculous. And you know... I think it's probably thanks to you."
After chattering for a while, Seoyeon suddenly turned her head to meet my eyes. Her gaze was filled with joy and certainty.
"What do you mean?"
"When I'm next to you, my condition seems to improve. My head feels clearer, and the pain lessens."
"Hmm..."
"I think it's because we're destined to be together. It has to be. We're overcoming the illness with the power of love...!"
"Seoyeon... what kind of nonsense is that..."
"It's true, I tell you! It's so frustrating... Why won't you believe me..."
Apparently dissatisfied with my response, Seoyeon pounded her chest with her fist. Then she puffed out her cheeks and abruptly turned her head away with a huff.
"Then don't believe me. I'll just think that way by myself."
"Sigh, there you go again."
"Hmph."
"I was just teasing. I'm sorry."
"Too late for that... Whatever."
"I'm serious. I think you're right too."
"..."
Seoyeon, who had been pretending to be sulky, fell silent for a moment after hearing my apology. Then she rolled over again and snuggled right into my arms.
"...I'll forgive you just this once. Hee..."
"Sigh..."
It was absurd how quickly she could change her expression. I often thought that if Seoyeon hadn't been a mage, she would have made an incredible actress. But the idea that her health improved just by being near me was truly ridiculous. The claim that love was curing her illness was even more so.
Of course I was overjoyed that she was regaining even a little of her health, but I believed it was simply because her body had always been that resilient. After all, she herself had said that mages were stronger than ordinary people. For someone with the qualities of an outstanding mage like Seoyeon, it went without saying. I figured she was just doing what she always did—making a small, cute demand to spend more time together.
"Hey. I want to take back what I said last time."
Seoyeon, who had been quietly nestled in my arms, suddenly sat up straight.
"What you said? Which part?"
"The part where I told you to meet another woman if I died. No matter how much I think about it, I can't stand the idea. I'm definitely not going to die. So you absolutely can't meet another woman either."
"I wondered what you were going to say. Weren't you the one who told me to meet a girl prettier than you and live happily?"
"I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. I absolutely hate it!"
Seoyeon shook her head violently at my words. Then she suddenly glared at me with fierce eyes.
"So you did want to meet another woman? Is there someone you like?"
"Sigh..."
Her shrill reaction reminded me of someone poking a beehive. I spread my arms toward her, trying to calm her down.
"That couldn't possibly be true. Come here."
"You're trying to brush it off again..."
"Hurry."
"Ugh..."
When I kept urging her, Seoyeon reluctantly shuffled over and hugged me. I stroked her hair a couple of times before speaking again.
"I'm not going to meet anyone."
"..."
"I like you the most."
"..."
"And you're the prettiest."
"...I know."
Seoyeon answered as if satisfied. After a long silence, she spoke again.
"...I love you."
"I love you too."
"...Yeah..."
We lay on the grassy hill, pressed tightly against each other, and enjoyed the pleasant breeze for a long while.
The miracle didn't stop at just once. Seoyeon slowly but steadily continued to regain her health. The girl who had been told she wouldn't live to see the New Year's sunrise was still alive even after half a year had passed. The obvious signs of illness that had once marked her face had completely vanished. Vitality had taken the place of gloom, and even I could see the change.
At first I had been afraid that harboring false hope would only lead to greater pain, but at this point I too naturally accepted the joy. However, it wasn't all good news. Seoyeon's absurd belief that love was overcoming her illness grew even stronger. Her obsession with me deepened in proportion. Now, except for when we were sleeping, we hardly ever left each other's sight. Seoyeon even genuinely regretted that we couldn't stay together at night as well.
Meanwhile, as if to compensate for all her past suffering, Seoyeon began to grow at an explosive rate. She matured and became more beautiful with each passing day. While it was true that girls generally developed faster than boys, I was still quite shocked the day the girl who used to fit perfectly in my arms grew a full handspan taller than me.
On the other hand, I was noticeably small not only compared to Seoyeon but also among my peers, including Jin-ho and Ina. On top of that, for some time now an inexplicable fatigue and stiffness had settled throughout my body. Even after visiting the hospital, they couldn't find any clear cause, which left me increasingly frustrated.
"The doctor said your growth spurt might just be coming a little late."
"But it's way too late."
"Just wait a little longer. And what does height matter? You're still plenty lovable as you are."
"I want to be tall though."
"It's fine, I tell you. Actually, I think I like you better this way."
"What?"
"...Hehe, never mind!"
Seoyeon hugged me tightly, saying I was cute. But in a corner of my heart, a feeling similar to impatience began to grow. Unlike Seoyeon, who was steadily regaining her true self, I was still falling behind with nothing to show for myself.
Perhaps because of that feeling, I began putting in even more effort than before to fulfill even the smallest wishes Seoyeon had. Of course, her demands were mostly emotional and stubborn; she had never once asked for anything material. Still, there had been a time when she watched Jin-ho and Ina exchange matching rings and couldn't hide her envy. She tried not to show it, but I could tell the atmosphere changed every time she looked at Ina's finger.
For her sake, I saved up my allowance for a very long time. I secretly measured her finger while she napped, learned the size, and headed to the jeweler in the neighboring village. But with the money I had, I could only afford a very low-grade ring. Even then, I barely managed to meet the budget after a long negotiation with the owner.
With considerable regret, I had it neatly wrapped and gave it to Seoyeon. Fortunately, when she saw the ring, she looked happier than anyone in the world.
"Oh my... It fits perfectly... Wow..."
"I'm sorry. I wanted to give you something better..."
"What are you talking about? This is my favorite ring in the whole world. It's so pretty..."
Seoyeon held up her finger, letting the ring catch the sunlight as she murmured. I had been feeling rather deflated, but seeing her like that eased some of my anxiety.
"...I want to wear it all the time. It's so annoying..."
After admiring the ring for a while, Seoyeon suddenly made a wistful face. We were now approaching seventeen, and Seoyeon, who should have died long ago, was miraculously recovering her health. Strange phenomena had begun occurring around her.
At some point, Seoyeon started emitting a thick, sweet floral scent strong enough to make one's head spin. We eventually realized it was the same as the forget-me-nots that grew by the village stream. Although we didn't see it ourselves, the maid Yeo-jin apparently witnessed small objects and clothes floating in the air around Seoyeon while she slept, along with bright golden light sparkling around her body.
These symptoms were precursors to her Awakening. A unique body scent or color manifesting in the body also meant that Seoyeon was an incredibly powerful mage. Once her family learned of her condition, the mansion—which had only had a single maid—began to see more and more adults who claimed to be retainers of Seoyeon's family.
I had no way of knowing what they were thinking, but even from a distance I could clearly read the greedy, arrogant expressions on their faces. Because of their constant visits, it became harder for Seoyeon to act as freely as before.
"...I'm sorry. If someone reports us, our relationship might reach the main family. Then you could be in danger..."
"It's fine. Don't worry about it."
It would be a lie to say I wasn't worried at all, but there wasn't much else I could say. Seoyeon deliberately changed the subject in a bright voice, as if shaking off her regret.
"...Still, if we put it on a string and make it into a necklace, it should be okay. Then it would be hidden under clothes. You can just wear it on your finger when you're with me. How about that...? Won't that make up for it...?"
"Sounds good. And I wasn't upset."
"Hmm...?"
I tried to deny the guilty feeling. Seoyeon gave me a sidelong glance and made a strange sound.
"...What?"
"...Nothing. But while we're at it, you have to wear it all the time too."
"Huh?"
"Isn't that obvious? This is perfect. We need to make it clear that you already belong to someone. This way, those cheap, filthy girls who keep approaching you will..."
Seoyeon suddenly covered her mouth and glanced at me. Although she had become much gentler than before, she still showed extreme displeasure whenever other girls approached me. And now I understood that feeling all too well.
"...There. Happy now?"
"...Yeah."
I immediately slipped the ring onto my left ring finger and held it out. Only then did Seoyeon break into a wide, satisfied smile.
While Seoyeon grew more dazzlingly beautiful with each day, the news coming from across the country was nothing but grim. Traces believed to belong to the demon race kept being discovered near the northern barrier. Several Special Class Monsters had appeared in the east, but interception attempts failed and many pioneer villages suffered irreparable damage. Forces rebelling against the nation were growing stronger everywhere, and they were strongly suspected to be black mages with connections to the demon race.
Then one day, even the truck merchant who had been delivering such news stopped coming. We only received word that he had been attacked by a horde of monsters on the trade route and lost his life. Our village could no longer be considered a safe zone like before.
Among the retainers, there was talk of moving Seoyeon to a safer location, but since they still couldn't be certain she would survive until her Awakening and she herself fiercely refused, the idea was ultimately put on hold.
In the midst of that chaos, my sixteenth birthday arrived. Since Seoyeon wanted to celebrate with me alone first, I asked my mother, Jin-ho, and Ina for their understanding. They readily yielded their turns, and the three of them decided to prepare the celebration at our house while Seoyeon and I spent time together.
As I put on my shoes, my mother even added a mischievous comment.
"Son~ Are you actually planning to come home tonight? When did you grow up so much..."
"...What kind of mother says something like that to her own son?"
I deliberately ignored her words and left the house. I secretly met up with Seoyeon on the trail and headed toward a gap in the village barrier. The place we were going was an empty mountain keeper's cabin on the back mountain. Thanks to our frequent visits, it had completely become our little sanctuary.
"...What's this..."
"...Why?"
"...Why did this thing follow us here?"
Seoyeon pointed to a corner of the cabin with a thoroughly annoyed expression. Following her finger, I saw Ttangkong sitting on a cushion, diligently licking her fur.
-Waeng!
When Seoyeon pointed at her, Ttangkong let out a small cry as if protesting the injustice.
Seoyeon continued to complain.
"I locked her in the room. How on earth did she get out..."
"...The window must have been open. Let's just let Ttangkong stay. She's not a person, she's an animal..."
"...I don't know. I don't think she's an animal. Lately she understands everything I say way too well."
"That can happen. Cats are smart animals..."
"It's not normal. Listen, the other day..."
Seoyeon grumbled about Ttangkong for quite a while before finally seeming satisfied and beginning the birthday preparations. Today wasn't a day when the retainers visited, and I had sent the maid away to the upper city on an errand, so we could enjoy a relaxed time without anyone watching.
I barely held back my laughter at the clumsy cake Seoyeon claimed she had made herself, then blew out the sixteen candles after listening to her sing. We ate the cake and food while chatting about all sorts of trivial things. Happy times always passed unusually quickly. Before we knew it, small stars were twinkling across the darkened sky.
We left the cabin to return to the village before it got too late. After walking in silence for a while, Seoyeon suddenly spoke.
"Hyun, we'll be seventeen next year."
"That's true. Already..."
We had reached the very end of our childhood. Hearing her words brought back old memories one after another. A faint sense of pride also rose in my chest. Our first meeting had certainly been terrible, but we had overcome everything and reached this point.
-Poof.
"Seoyeon?"
Suddenly a warm sensation enveloped me, along with the thick, sweet scent of forget-me-nots.
"...I'm sorry."
"Out of nowhere?"
"I know you've been struggling lately."
"..."
I tried to pretend I didn't understand, but Seoyeon already seemed to see right through my heart. The anxiety I felt watching her steadily regain her true brilliance—the frustration of being left behind with nothing to show for myself—must have reached her as well. I desperately searched for an excuse out of embarrassment, but no suitable words came to mind.
Seoyeon simply continued speaking in a calm voice.
"The retainers said last time that if my condition stays like this, I should be able to Awaken around seventeen. It's really not long now."
Seoyeon hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"And... you know? In our country, seventeen is the age of adulthood. Once that happens, I'll have much more freedom than I do now."
"...And?"
"If I Awaken as a mage, and once I become an adult, then..."
"...Then?"
"Then... um... at that time...!"
-Kwaaang!
After much hesitation, the words Seoyeon was finally about to say were cut off. A vibration that seemed to shake both heaven and earth suddenly came from below the mountain. At the impact, we both turned our heads at the same time. Even though it was a dark night, we could see the scene clearly.
Fierce flames and rising black smoke above the barrier surrounding our village.
"What is this..."
-Kwaaang!
-Boom!
Before we could even grasp the situation, explosions and flames erupted from various places throughout the village. Echoes that sounded like many people screaming, along with the sound of firearms being discharged, tangled together and filled all directions. Soon we could smell the scent of death mixed with the acrid smoke.