Chapter 41: Our 'Definition'-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 41: Our 'Definition'-2
The chirping of morning sparrows, the faint but insistent presence of today’s sunlight filtering through the window.
The Heavenly Demon opened her eyes, feeling more refreshed than she had in a long time.
The first thing she saw was In-ho’s face. Then, she felt the firm warmth of his chest.
She remembered falling asleep with her head on his arm, but she must have migrated toward his chest in her sleep.
"You sleep like a child," she whispered.
A faint smile played on her lips at the sound of his soft, rhythmic snoring.
As if struck by a sudden whim, she reached out and playfully pinched his nose.
When In-ho stopped snoring and began to mumble in his sleep, she pressed her index finger against his lips.
His lips were slightly dry. She watched, mesmerized, as her finger moved in sync with the twitching of his mouth.
It was a pointless thing to do, but for the first time in a long while, she wanted to indulge in such trivialities.
"Mmm..."
Perhaps because she was holding his nose, In-ho stirred as if waking.
Wanting to prolong this pleasant tranquility, the Heavenly Demon froze. She didn't want him to open his eyes just yet.
"...na."
What was he seeing in his dreams? Her disciple was mumbling something in his sleep.
"Hehe, what are you dreaming about?"
From the bridge of his nose to his philtrum, his lips, and down to his chin—she traced the lines of his face, giggling softly.
She was happy.
Just a few days ago, this was an emotion she couldn't have even imagined feeling.
She had doubted her own eyes when she saw the drawing of his face.
During the journey to bring him to Hanam, she had worried she was trapped in some foul illusion.
Even after they had shared a bed and fallen asleep, she had questioned whether this was all a dream.
But those worries were meaningless now. Here he was, right by her side.
That simple fact filled her with immense joy.
"To think I would feel this warmth again."
On a whim, she pressed a loud kiss against his chest.
A faint pink mark remained—a brand of her kiss.
It felt like a seal proving he belonged to her, and it made her feel wonderful.
"Mmm... Mi..."
As she continued to play with his face and body, her disciple’s sleep-talking became clearer.
She leaned her ear closer, curious to know what he was dreaming about so she could tease him when he woke up.
"Lee Mina..."
At the mention of a woman’s name she had never heard before, her eyes sharpened into a glare directed straight at In-ho.
*
"Who is Lee Mina? What kind of woman is she to appear in your dreams?"
I couldn't bring myself to look her in the eye.
The atmosphere right now was dangerously similar to yesterday, when she had threatened to gouge out the cook's eyes.
"Uh... well, you see, if I were to explain..."
"Keep it short and concise. I despise rambling."
Where was I even supposed to start?
"Uh... someone I worked with? Something... like that?"
Grip. The hand resting on my chest tightened.
It hurt.
"Someone you worked with? You told me yourself—you are a farmer’s son. The sole survivor of that village. What kind of 'work' could you have possibly done together?"
"Ah... well... in the very distant past, before Master knew me... someone I worked the fields with? Something like that?"
"You are lying."
An ominous energy began to radiate from her crimson eyes. Wait, weren't we doing so well yesterday?
"It's... it's a private matter. Could you let it slide just this once?"
"Are you saying there are secrets between us?"
"What exactly is 'between us'?"
"Master and disciple. Woman and man. Lovers who shared their bodies yesterday and love one another."
That was a direct answer.
But were we really 'lovers who love one another' yet?
As I stared blankly at her face—she who had just dropped such a bombshell with a straight face—the Heavenly Demon’s expression darkened in real-time.
"In-ho."
"Yes?"
"Do you not love me?"
"Pardon?"
"Do you love that woman, Lee Mina?"
"No... I..."
I had intended to try and make things work with Lee Mina.
But could that be called love?
What does it even mean to love someone?
Sure, back in my original world, there were people I’d had feelings for.
Back in school, or during a few blind dates.
But should I call that love?
Since I began this cycle of possession, I hadn't really thought about it. This was the first time I’d been asked.
I had only focused on adapting to the worlds I was thrust into and surviving.
I hadn't had the luxury to feel or think about anything else.
"Speak, In-ho."
"What is love, anyway?"
When I threw the question back at her in response to her prodding, the Heavenly Demon’s mouth hung open slightly.
It seemed to be an unexpected question.
Silence followed. She did nothing but occasionally stroke my body with her hand.
Looking like she’d been caught off guard, her eyes darted around as if she were deep in thought. I simply watched her.
Along with the sound of a bird taking flight from the windowsill, she finally broke the long silence.
"Now that I think about it... I haven't taught you about love yet."
She spoke while interlacing her fingers with mine.
"This is your first lesson since your return to life. Listen well."
She took a breath before continuing.
"Love is when the other person is more precious to you than yourself."
"That’s a bit cliché."
When I retorted because it sounded like something I’d heard a thousand times before, she grabbed my nose and shook it.
She gripped it quite hard, and tears actually welled up in my eyes.
"Agh! That hurts!"
When I protested with a nasal voice, she shook it a few more times as if I were being impudent before finally letting go.
"How dare you talk back to your Master’s teachings."
"Still... if it's cliché, it's cliché. What else am I supposed to call it?"
"The fact that it is cliché means it is that much closer to the truth."
She countered with a triumphant look.
"Remember this well, In-ho. Love is when the other person is more precious than yourself. It is giving your everything to the other."
"...Yes."
I wanted to say something back, but I figured she’d just grab my nose again, so I gave in.
"Good. I shall give my everything to you, so you must give your everything to me as well."
"Huh?"
As I looked at her with a face that said, 'What are you talking about?' she let out a snort.
"Hmph! In any case, I am the only woman you will ever see in this world. There is only one choice to begin with, so why that look on your face?"
Well... she wasn't wrong.
Trying to see another woman while being with the Heavenly Demon was practically impossible. Not that I had any intention of doing so, anyway.
If I were to continue living here in the Black Sky Cult, I would likely keep living like this with her.
Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, I wasn't sure yet.
Wouldn't I need to learn more about her and this Cult before I could decide?
As I was lost in thought, she slapped my stomach with a loud thwack.
"Now, it is about time. Let us go eat breakfast."
The blanket fell away, revealing her elegant, naked form.
Mmm... she really is beautiful, my Master.