The Scientist's Gift
“Ah, Master.” Rising from my seat, I looked in the direction Eunha had dashed off to. Standing there was someone I didn’t recognize. When I first heard the title “The Scientist,” the only two people who came to mind were Baek Seolah and Koshei. They were the only scientists who had ever been deeply entangled in my life. So I had an image in my head of what a typical scientist should look like—someone extraordinarily capable, intellectual, and obsessed with research. I’d pictured a woman so mature she bordered on seductive. Or perhaps someone who looked like a classic mage. But the reality was different. Tilia, the Scientist, gave off an entirely different impression. She looked rather young. She was shorter than Eunha; when Eunha hugged her, she let out a small “Eep!” and was pushed back a step. There was nothing about her that suggested a majestic archmage. Even so, her attire suited the title of Scientist. A girl with long, braided dark-green hair draped over one shoulder, wearing a white lab coat over a black shirt. Yet she was an archmage who had lived for two thousand years. One of only four Master-class adventurers, a veteran capable of fulfilling all three roles at once.
I studied her for a moment before standing up. The Scientist spoke casually with Eunha. “So, Eunha. I heard you got into a fight.”
“Ah, it wasn’t really a fight… just a normal sisterly argument.”
“Isn’t a sisterly argument still a fight?”
“I don’t think so! Right, unnie?”
Her smile was sweet, her tone dripping with honey. Yet I could still sense a faint undercurrent of hostility. “It is an honor to meet you. I am Maribella Mortifera Zorinnika Et-Noctavier Ro Malefis, head of the Blood Clan.”
Maribella ignored Eunha’s words as if it were the most natural thing in the world. When their eyes met, the corner of her eye twitched, but she held herself back. She didn’t lunge or hurl insults. Whether she thought it unnecessary or had simply regained her composure, I couldn’t tell.
“I came today to retrieve Father’s equipment. Anything that happened in the meantime… was merely an unforeseen incident.”
Maribella’s gaze was cold as she looked down at Tilia, while Eunha clung to her master with a squinting smile. The tension was suffocating. I wanted to escape. I’d rarely experienced anything like this in my long life. Still, I tried to reclaim control amid my daughters’ silent war.
“Ha Jinwoo. You probably already know. Eunha’s father, and Maribella’s father as well.”
When I extended my hand for a handshake, Tilia met my eyes with a blunt stare even as she accepted Eunha’s embrace. “You’re the Avatar of Darkness.”
I had no interest in playing mind games over something we both already knew. A flicker of interest appeared in Tilia’s otherwise indifferent gaze. “Straight to the point. Did Eunha tell you?”
I nodded. I still didn’t know how she had figured it out. When Lyshe had asked how I’d recognized her as the Avatar, she’d said that those who touched darkness would know. I wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, but I could guess. Perhaps it referred to receiving many blessings or being directly or indirectly influenced by darkness? At the very least, it seemed unlikely that a veteran adventurer like her wouldn’t have known I was the Avatar—especially since even the Church of Light had deduced that an Avatar of Darkness was sealed inside a hibernation pod.
Tilia’s disinterested eyes lingered on me. “Tilia. Scientist, mage, and owner of this museum.” She shook my hand while glancing at Maribella, me, and Vertea in turn. “You came for equipment.”
“Yes. There’s a price, of course.”
“…Follow me.”
Tilia slipped out of Eunha’s arms and began walking. Eunha stuck close to her master, leading the way ahead of us. I’d only known my daughter for about an hour, yet her behavior already gave me a glimpse of how she lived and what kind of life she led. That was a relief, at least. Unlike Maribella, who had to act mature and befitting of her position as clan head—so much so that she couldn’t even recognize her own lack of affection—Eunha understood clearly that she wanted love and to be loved. She seemed to have grown up well, cheerful and attentive. Maribella was more composed, though. I still couldn’t understand why they were so intent on fighting each other, but I supposed that was just how siblings were. They were destined to try to destroy one another. I’d have to accept that.
We left the library, took the elevator, and headed to the sixth floor. It was a place with offices, a theater, and displays visible to the east. “Perfect timing. I had something to give the Avatar.”
“Oh, right! I had something for Dad too.”
Something to give me? Tilia entered her office and rummaged through the cluttered space—whether from disarray or sheer volume of work, I couldn’t tell—before pulling something out. It was an object I never expected to see here.
“This must be yours, Avatar of Darkness?”
“How did you…? No, how do you even know it’s mine…?”
It was a rectangular device that fit snugly in my hand. After countless modifications, it no longer resembled the smartphone I’d originally received. Yet to me, it felt as though it had only left my hands a month ago. My smartphone. Holding it felt familiar. There were no scratches from my memories, but if Tilia had repaired it, that made sense. With a flutter of excitement, I took the phone and tried to charge it by channeling the bio-electric current in my body into my hand. Zap!
“…Figures it wouldn’t turn on.”
The smartphone stayed dead. No matter how much time had passed, expecting it to still function after an unimaginable span of years would be abnormal. Without compatible parts, there was no way to power it on. Even so, I couldn’t hide my disappointment. Tilia spoke up.
“If you want, I could fix it.”
“…You can?”
“As long as the price is right.”
Her tone was confident. Before I could even respond, Eunha, standing beside Tilia, chimed in. “It’s well known how much Dad treasured that thing. I tracked it down and kept it safe. If it’s Master, she should be able to fix it.”
She smiled bashfully. It was an unexpected kindness. For a moment, I was at a loss for words. My daughter took a step closer.
“Did I do well?”
“…You did. Thank you.”
She beamed. She tried to hug me. Maribella, wearing a displeased expression, stepped forward and gently pushed her aside. That was when I noticed something else. In Eunha’s half-lidded eyes was a strange thrill, a competitive spark. Her muscles were faintly tense. She trusted the archmage behind her more than she trusted me, and her posture carried a quiet confidence that she could handle anything that came her way. Her alluring gaze provoked Maribella. It was something neither Baek Seolah nor I possessed. It was something only my daughter Eunha had. I blinked slowly. It felt unfamiliar. Was this what it was like to watch your child grow? Even though I’d never raised her, it felt strange.
“Father, please don’t indulge her too much.”
“No, but still…”
“This inferior creature is an information broker. A famous one, at that.”
Maribella’s brow furrowed slightly as she watched Eunha step back with a smile. “Don’t assume everything that comes out of her mouth is true. If she’s not being paid to sell it, you can assume most of it is a lie.”
Her tone was sharp. At that moment, I felt a sense of déjà vu. It didn’t seem like this was their first meeting.
“You two know each other?”
Red and white eyes both turned toward me.
“We’re like a customer and a merchant!”
“More like a swindler and her victim.”
Maribella shot Eunha a cold glare. Eunha covered her mouth and laughed. “Why? I gave her proper information for the price.”
“It was all lies.”
“Then why did you think you could get the location of the hibernation pod containing the Avatar for free? How cunning. This is why I hate vampires.”
Unlike the giggling Eunha, Maribella’s fists were clenched. The difference in physical ability was obvious. Even I was weaker than Maribella. Despite the blessings I’d received, that hadn’t changed. Yet Eunha provoked her anyway. It meant she was confident in her own skills. Realizing there were things my daughter hadn’t told me yet, I spoke up.
“Maribella.”
“Father.”
“You found what you came for. And… it seems you both thought the other was fake.”
Eunha and Maribella looked at each other. Side by side, they shared some resemblance, but at a glance, you wouldn’t think they looked alike. Their eye shapes were similar, their expressions were similar, and even their builds and body types were subtly alike if you looked closely. But if you didn’t pay attention, you wouldn’t notice. Still, perhaps because half of their base genes were mine, I could see it as their father. “If each of you thinks you’re the real one, it’s only natural to see the other as a fraud or an imposter. I think that’s understandable.”
“…You have a way with words.”
Maribella turned her head away uncomfortably, arms crossed, while Eunha continued to stare at me intently. Once I knew she was an information broker, certain things became clear. Eunha’s cheerful, kind, and even sweet demeanor was an act. It had become so natural that it might as well have been her true personality, but her real nature was more… cunning. As a father, I supposed it was better for her to be cunning than gullible. At the same time, I could feel her observing me, trying to gauge my reactions and personality.
“That’s right. Dad really is amazing.”
She was different from Maribella. Maribella was straightforward, not entirely honest but valuing honor, knightly. Unlike Maribella, who openly displayed her need for affection, Eunha was cunning and socially adept. She knew how to choose her words depending on the person. I spoke to both of my daughters.
“So stop fighting. I don’t like it when family members fight.”
“…As long as that swindler doesn’t provoke me, I’ll do as you say.”
“Provoke? I have no idea what you’re talking about, unnie.”
Maribella’s eyes twitched at Eunha’s smug expression, but she didn’t resort to violence again. Though I was a little worried—her slaps could probably crush someone’s skull.
“I believe family should get along.”
The atmosphere eased slightly. Maribella’s gaze toward me was a mix of irritation and understanding, but Eunha still looked at me with interest. At the very least, it meant these sisters weren’t about to fight to the death. Relieved, I turned my eyes to Tilia. She’d been left out for quite a while, and I’d been worried about how she’d react.
“…It’s already over? That was entertaining.”
Apparently, there had been no need to worry.
“You can keep going if you want. It’s fun. So this is what a drama feels like.”
“…Enough. I’m not the type to cause trouble just to entertain others.”
“Really? Boring.”
The Scientist was an odd person. Someone strong and strange enough to treat this complicated family drama as entertainment. Fittingly, she spoke again.
“Anyway, you said you needed equipment. As long as I get paid, I’ll give you whatever you want. Including repairing your terminal.”
The Scientist rose from her seat. “The price will be the materials needed to make your equipment and any technology that catches my interest… but I’ve already received payment.”
“…When?”
“Your servant gave it to me.”
When I looked over, Vertea was giving a thumbs-up. Her once-bulging backpack had noticeably shrunk.
“This unit arbitrarily handed over Fake Master’s armor fragments and rifle.”
“The Metalstorm Supergun, exoskeleton, and composite carbon structures… all fields I’ve been interested in. There were also a few things I wanted to test. I’ll give you a good deal.”
“This unit hopes to receive praise for doing well.”
After the Scientist spoke, Vertea wore a slightly smug, expressionless face. I blinked and said, “…Ah, you did well. Really. As expected of Belle.”
“This unit is quite pleased.”
While I absentmindedly praised Vertea, Tilia extended her hand. I placed my smartphone on it.
“Follow me.”
Tucking the phone away, Tilia continued. “I’ll also explain the power of the Avatar, the blessings, and the truth behind them while we’re at it.”
Her tone was utterly confident.