Chapter 191: A Blade Does Not Choose the Hand That Holds It-3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 191: A Blade Does Not Choose the Hand That Holds It-3
Click-clack, click-clack.
The sound of the keyboard strikes my ears.
Actually, I like the sound of a keyboard.
I’m not sure if they’re blue or brown switches, but I’ve always found the rhythmic clack-clack of fingers pressing down on buttons quite pleasant.
But not today.
It’s not that the sound itself is making me feel bad. It’s that I’m already in a foul mood.
"Sigh..."
I stare blankly at the monitor.
The page is filled with dense text. My eyes fail to do their job, overwhelmed by the sudden deluge of information. My vision begins to blur.
I press against my eyelids and close my eyes for a moment, like restarting a crashed computer. I use just enough pressure to soothe them.
"Phew..."
I open my eyes again and look at the monitor. The situation hasn't changed.
Click-clack, click-clack.
The keyboard noise is still grating. Moreover, I can feel subtle gazes lingering on me from the surroundings.
I stretch and naturally scan the room, only to see everyone quickly turning their heads away.
"......"
Is this how animals in a zoo feel?
With that trivial thought, I leave the office. I head for the emergency stairs, thinking I need to clear my head.
As I push through the thick, heavy door, the cool air hits me—a sharp contrast to the stuffy atmosphere of the office.
— Thud.
The sound of the door closing echoes loudly.
I settle my weight onto a step and think for a moment. Actually, I don't want to think at all. I really, truly, don't want to think about anything.
I bury my face in my knees and simply let time waste away, hoping that doing this might make me feel a little better.
— Thud.
I hear the sound of a door closing from the floor above. Then comes the clack-clack of high heels descending. Judging by the staggered rhythm, it sounds like more than one person is coming down.
"Ugh, the elevator is taking forever."
"We're going down anyway, so the stairs are fine."
Their voices grow louder.
Clack, clack.
The footsteps draw nearer. If I run into them, word will spread everywhere that I was moping around in the emergency stairwell. I should head back to the office.
"Oh, right. Manager In-ho. Has something been up with him lately?"
Just as I place my hand on the door, I hear my name.
Clack, clack.
I head down one more flight and wait for them to pass.
"I heard he broke up with his girlfriend."
"I figured it was something like that. I've never seen the Manager look so slumped before."
"Tell me about it. I've known him for two years, and I've never seen him that quiet."
"Wasn't he incredibly devoted to her?"
"Devoted? It felt more like... he was being kept on a short leash. Didn't you see them that one time, Mi-hye?"
Clack, clack.
"Ah... you mean in front of the company? Yeah, that was a bit much."
"When it comes to work, he's sharp and capable, and sure, he's got a bit of a temper, but he's not a bad guy. It was just surprising to see him be such a total doormat in a relationship."
"Anyway, it's hard to get used to him being so quiet lately."
— Click, bang.
The door opens and their voices vanish.
"......"
Suddenly, I really didn't want to be at the office anymore.
*
A cozy room, a wide bed, and a note placed on the desk.
The sight of the room enters my blurred vision. As the scenery registers, my stalled mind begins to turn again. My head throbs.
"...Even my dreams are nightmares."
It was a dream. I must have dozed off for a moment. I suppose I overate because dinner was so delicious, and this was the aftermath.
The problem is that right now is supposed to be Scripture review time.
Reviewing the Scripture involves re-examining the notes I wrote based on what Maria taught me. It’s conducted in a format where I read my notes and ask Maria about anything I’m curious about.
When I first explained this review method to Maria, she was visibly delighted. I’m not sure why.
Regardless, I remember thinking I was a bit sleepy while reading the notes, but I didn't expect to fall fast asleep. I suppose my body has been fatigued lately due to the various events. Plus, this current body has less stamina than my previous one.
Since a Saint shouldn't be seen dozing off, I corrected my posture and wiped away the bit of drool that had escaped my mouth.
"...Sister Maria?"
Maria, who would usually be sitting in the chair across from me reading the Scripture, is silent.
"......"
Seeing her head slumped forward, it seems she fell asleep just like I did. In fact, I can even hear the faint sound of her snoring.
She must have been exhausted.
It was decided that the Inquisitors would participate in the tournament held during Saniso Week. Maria is among the applicants. I heard she’s been swinging her sword lately because of it.
When I asked what whim prompted her to apply, she simply said, "It is thanks to you, Saint," a statement I still don't quite understand.
Seeing her nodding off, likely from training hard the day before, makes me feel a bit sorry for her. She probably spends all day tense because of her duties; adding training on top of that must be grueling.
"Mmm...."
She lets out a faint groan, perhaps finding her posture uncomfortable.
I check the clock. It looks like I have about three hours of leeway.
"Sister Maria."
I call her name in a low voice. She’s so deep in sleep despite the awkward position that there’s no response.
I stand up and walk over to her side. I slide my arms under her legs and slowly lift her in a princess carry. Being careful not to let her neck strain, I move her gently and lay her down on the bed.
"......"
Fortunately, the disaster of her waking up during the move didn't happen.
I pulled the covers over her and returned to my seat.
The notebook is packed with the Word.
If I want to survive as a Saint, I have to hammer every bit of this into my brain.