Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Pig Human
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‘Me, assisting the Young Cult Leader?’
That meant becoming his aide, right?
But according to what I'd read in Daddy's secret library, not just anyone could become the Young Cult Leader's aide.
"But isn't the position of aide to the Young Cult Leader reserved only for elders who've made great contributions to the Heavenly Demon Cult? They need exceptional martial arts as a basic qualification too. It's far too much for someone like me."
And above all, I didn't want to be close to the Young Cult Leader.
He fed me well, but he'd probably work me to the bone.
"Even a new recruit to the Cult understands the qualifications for aide so well."
The Young Cult Leader eyed me suspiciously.
‘That's because Daddy's the Heavenly Demon.’
"I just overheard it while living in the Cult. Now that I'm a Cult member, I need to know these things."
I answered nonchalantly without missing a beat, smoothly changing the subject.
The Young Cult Leader seemed to drop his suspicion and continued.
"As for contributions, you've already made them. Didn't you use your outstanding foresight to uncover the mastermind behind the recent Cult attack? You'll continue protecting the Cult's future with that ability."
He rattled off reasons why I was perfect for the aide position as if he'd prepared them in advance.
‘He's not wrong.’
No, what if I got convinced here?
I just needed to find a way to cure Daddy's condition from a low-profile position.
"...That's true, but I don't think it's good for my abilities to become too widely known. It could put me in danger."
"That's why I want you by my side."
"Pardon?"
‘What's that got to do with me being in danger?’
I stared at him, utterly baffled, and he answered without hesitation.
"If you're by my side, you won't die."
‘How can you guarantee that?’
Unlike my anxiety, he spoke with the confidence of an obvious truth.
"But how do you know when I'll be attacked? You can't follow me even to the outhouse."
"If you're that worried, I could go right up to the outhouse door..."
"No thanks!"
I'd said it to make him give up, but he seriously pondered and replied.
‘The Young Cult Leader personally escorting a mere aide to the outhouse? Ridiculous!’
"Then I'll take that as no objections."
"Young Cult Leader, please reconsider!"
In my panic, I shouted at him as he tried to wrap things up and lightly smacked the desk in front of me.
"Even if I've contributed to the Cult, my martial arts are woefully inadequate for an aide position. Something like a new disciple suits my level!"
I poured all my effort into this last chance to persuade him, but his expression looking at me was strangely ambiguous.
"At that level, you could even join the Black Killer Squad."
His gaze shifted to my hand that had struck the desk.
‘Suddenly the Black Killer Squad?’
I naturally followed his gaze to the desk.
‘No way...!’
The spot where my hand had touched was cleanly split in half.
‘This can't be!’
I'd only tapped it lightly like usual—how could it break in two?
Unable to believe the strength even after seeing it, I glanced at Golden Immortal Lotus. He grinned confidently and gave me a thumbs-up.
‘This isn't the time to smile! At this rate, I'll be stuck as the Young Cult Leader's aide!’
"No need to worry. I have no intention of spreading word of your abilities, and I've already silenced everyone involved. So there's no risk of you becoming a target."
"Then why did you talk earlier like you were going to reveal my abilities?"
"It was fun."
"......"
"Your reaction, that is."
‘Do you know how much that made my heart race!’
The Young Cult Leader, meanwhile, was utterly relaxed.
‘The Young Cult Leader really is the villain! How else could he enjoy tormenting people like that!’
Fuming, I ground my teeth secretly, but he kept talking.
"Also, I already have Five Elements as my aide. Thanks to that, you won't have much to do. You'll have plenty of free time, which you'll need for Three Secret Squad activities anyway."
‘Free time guaranteed? That's tempting.’
Honestly, as the Young Cult Leader's aide, I could access most places in the Cult.
"By the way..."
As I hesitated, he smiled triumphantly and added,
"Aides eat at the Cult Leader level. Delicious."
Ha, unbelievable!
To think good food could sway me into becoming his aide.
"Fine!"
I glared at him aggressively, narrowing my brows as if to say "bring it."
"When do I start?"
It was the sixth day since arriving at the Heavenly Demon Cult.
As morning broke, I donned the aide's uniform—black and red harmoniously blended—and stepped into the corridor.
"Pig human."
Golden Immortal Lotus, who'd been waiting for me, approached and whispered indifferently.
"Who's a pig human?"
"Falling for food hook, line, and sinker."
"This is tricky. It wasn't the food—I accepted the Young Cult Leader's offer for the benefits of the aide position."
"Pig human."
No matter what I said, it didn't get through to Golden Immortal Lotus.
‘Whatever. Like the Young Cult Leader said, breakfast was amazing.’
"Finally, the day we head home."
‘Normally, I'd leave at dawn, but...’
I recalled Red Cloud's words from last night.
"Tomorrow's the memorial for the assassins who attacked. I'll announce your aide position there. Go home after the ceremony."
‘That's why I'm staying... but I had some things to wrap up before heading home anyway.’
"Lotus."
"What, pig human?"
"How long are you planning to call me pig human?"
"Until the pig human becomes a proper human."
‘So I'm not human, but a pig?’
I wanted to argue, but there wasn't time.
"Handsome Lotus, I've got a question—can you answer it?"
"Well, this handsome body of mine is knowledgeable in many ways, so no problem."
He'd seemed sulky, but one compliment about his looks cheered him up.
‘So simple and cute.’
"Can I hide the power I got from the flower seed?"
"Why hide that great power?"
"Daddy must never fully know what happened here in the Cult. If he finds out, he'll make sure I never set foot here again. Then I couldn't cure his illness..."
Golden Immortal Lotus placed his long hand on my head as I gloomily explained.
"It's possible."
"Really? If so, can you hide it before I go home?"
"Sure."
"Thanks! Oh, and while I'm home, are you staying in the Cult?"
"I was going to follow you, but you said that'd keep you from leaving the house. So I'll stay here until you return."
‘Why does it still feel uneasy even though Golden Immortal Lotus is willingly staying?’
"Be good in the Cult until I get back—no trouble. Don't forget to respond when called by name, not 'spirit being,' or let anyone find out you're a spirit! Got it?"
"My ears are bleeding from all this nagging. Don't worry."
He plugged his ear with his pinky like it hurt, then paused on his way out and turned back.
"I'm used to waiting for someone, after all."
Despite his light tone, his face looked lonely.
‘Well, he spent so long trapped in that cave—he might hate being alone again.’
I stood on tiptoes and placed my hand on his head.
His golden eyes naturally turned to me.
"I'll be back soon, promise."
His gaze shook faintly at my words.
"So I hope you're a little less lonely."
"I'll try."
He lowered his body so my hand could reach easily.
A faint smile now graced his once-lonely face.
‘Even a spirit can smile so prettily. He feels loneliness alone, but knows how to smile too. Spirits aren't so different from people.’
I liked that innocent smile of his.
That was when it happened.
"Star."
A low voice came from not far down the corridor where Golden Immortal Lotus and I stood.
Turning, I saw Red Cloud in neat attire staring straight at me.
"Come here."
His red lips moved as he narrowed his brows at my hand on Golden Immortal Lotus's head.
"To the place where you belong."