Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Pipi the Transparent Messenger Bird
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Rumble! Boom!
"Pip pip. Piik? (Why that expression? First time seeing a talking bird?)"
'Isn't it normal to be seeing one for the first time?'
The transparent messenger pigeon spoke so boldly that I almost started doubting myself.
But I didn't rush to argue back.
'I've only seen it briefly, but this bird's personality doesn't seem all that great. If I upset it, it wouldn't be weird for it to drop me from here.'
There was no harm in being cautious.
"Piik! Pip. Piik! (Down! Oof, you're heavy! My back's gonna give out.)"
'How heavy can I possibly be?'
"My daddy says I'm as light as a feather!"
'Even though his hands were shaking... but now I know it's not because I'm heavy anymore!'
I couldn't stand the transparent messenger pigeon's nagging anymore and hopped down to the ground to retort, at which it let out a deflating whistle from its beak as if laughing.
"Piikpip. (Your daddy must be quite the exaggerator.)"
"Nuh-uh! My daddy doesn't exaggerate!"
"Pipiiiik, piik! (Yeah, yeah, sure, let's go with that.)"
I wanted to smack this cheeky bird, but I couldn't.
'Hitting it would count as animal abuse.'
With my generous heart, I decided to let it slide.
'Just give it the red fruit and send it on its way.'
"Here, red fruit."
I handed over the red fruit as it wanted, but instead of eating it, the transparent messenger pigeon just stared at it like it was in a bind.
'I risked my life picking this for it, so why won't it eat?'
"Why aren't you eating?"
"Pip. (Can't eat it like this.)"
"Why not?"
'Does it need the peel removed too? What a picky bird.'
I was seriously pondering peeling the red fruit when the pigeon continued.
"Piikpiik. (I can only eat food given to me with sincere prayer.)"
'It can't eat unless it's offered with prayer? Sounds like a ritual sacrifice.'
"Then you can't just eat whatever you want."
'That's why it was just staring at the red fruit.'
"Is it related to why your body is transparent?"
"Piikpip. (Better if you don't know.)"
"Why?"
The transparent messenger pigeon's expression darkened at my question.
"Piikpipip. Pip. (If you knew everything, you'd fear and avoid me. Just like everyone who's ever learned the truth about me.)"
'Must be because it's transparent. Looks like it's faced a lot of discrimination.'
I knew that feeling all too well.
'I was always alone because I was an orphanage kid. Even adults shunned me.'
Those memories from my past life were over and done with, but thinking back still left a bitter taste.
"Don't worry. Even if you were a ghost, I wouldn't be scared."
"Piikpip? (How can you be so sure?)"
"Oh, you already know, right? You came right after I regained my memories. This is my second life already. I've died once, and now I'm seeing a talking bird right in front of me—what could surprise me more?"
"……."
The nonstop-chattering pigeon suddenly fell silent with an unreadable expression.
'It's not about to cry, is it?'
I'd never comforted a crying bird before, so I quickly changed the subject before it could start sobbing.
"Anyway, to pray, I need your name. What's it?"
"Pip? (Bird?)"
"That's your species, not a name."
It seemed the transparent messenger pigeon didn't have a name yet.
"Alright, you saved me, so I'll repay you by naming you. Hmm... what should it be?"
I pondered while staring at it, then came up with a good one.
"Right, you make pip sounds when you cry. How about Pipi?"
"Pip? (Are you kidding?)"
Pipi seemed to love the name I'd given it.
"You like Pipi too! Alright, shall we pray now?"
"Pip! (Have you ever seen such a shameless human?)"
"I've never seen a bird that talks this well either."
"Pi... piik! (I, well, I am pretty good at talking.)"
'Why'd it take that seriously? And is it blushing right now?'
I hadn't meant it that way, but my casual compliment shut up the fuming Pipi.
'Now we can pray.'
I placed the red fruit in front of Pipi and clasped my hands neatly.
"Please let Pipi eat this red fruit deliciously."
Just like that, my prayer worked—the red fruit turned transparent.
'Amazing.'
"Piiiip! (Red fruit!)"
Pipi happily pecked away at it.
"Glad you like it."
"Star, what are you doing over there?"
I was smiling warmly at Pipi devouring the fruit when Daddy's voice rang out.
"Ah, Daddy!"
I instinctively blocked Pipi with my body.
"Seemed like you were talking to someone, but you're alone?"
"Yeah, I was looking at the red fruit tree. The fruits look so yummy."
At that moment, with a flap of wings, Pipi flew right up to Daddy.
'That damn bird...!'
I glared daggers at Pipi, but Daddy showed no particular reaction.
"Piikpip! (What a face! No one else can see or hear me anyway.)"
'Tell me that sooner.'
"Pipippipipip! (Hehehehe!)"
Pipi laughed mockingly and vanished into the sky.
"Did our Star think the red fruits looked tasty? Then Daddy will pick some for you."
I stared vacantly after the departing Pipi when Daddy knelt down to meet my eyes.
'Feels kinda bad lying to Daddy.'
But if I told him the truth, he'd never let me step outside, let alone go to the Heavenly Demon Cult.
"Daddy, you're so cool!"
"...Should I uproot the whole red fruit tree for you?"
I'd said it because I was grateful he always thought of me first, but it seemed to delight him immensely.
'He could probably uproot the tree. No, he actually might.'
"No, then the tree would hurt. I don't want that."
"Right, Daddy was wrong. I won't do anything Star hates."
'Phew, good.'
"You must be tired from reading books. Go rest inside. Daddy will pick some red fruits and join you."
"Okay!"
My body was already exhausted from climbing the tree, so I obediently headed to the bedroom.
"Wait a sec..."
But one thing bothered me.
"Didn't Daddy just say I must be tired from reading books?"
Hwi approached the red fruit tree while scanning the surroundings.
'Better finish quick while no one's watching. Star might notice, so keep the power low.'
"Light Momentum Aid Exhibition."
As Hwi spread his hand, countless purple needles appeared from nowhere and instantly enveloped the tree.
Rumble rumble boom!
With a thunderous roar, the red fruits hanging from the branches rained down, piling into a mountain below.
"Daddy, didn't I hear thunder in the yard just now?"
'Was it too loud?'
Cheon-seong's footsteps approached rapidly, startled by the noise.
Hwi quickly withdrew the needles embedded in the ground.
"Daddy, did lightning strike our yard? You okay?"
By the tiniest margin, Cheon-seong emerged into the yard.
"Looks like lightning hit the red fruit tree. All the fruits fell off."
"Huh? But don't fruits burn up if struck by lightning?"
Cheon-seong tilted her head at the pristine red fruits.
'Being too smart can be a problem sometimes.'
"Heaven must've heard our Star wanting red fruits. You're scared of lightning, so tonight eat some while snuggling with Daddy."
Hwi handed her a few fruits and scooped her up, heading back to the bedroom.
"Yay!"
Thankfully, he'd succeeded in distracting her.
'Phew, she bought it. Gotta be more careful next time.'
But someone was eyeing the relieved Hwi with an ominous glint.
Cheon-seong.
'How has he not been caught doing something this sloppy? I'm shocked he hasn't been found out.'
In the same situation, father and daughter harbored utterly different thoughts.
'In the end, I didn't get to ask Daddy about the books.'
But if he'd caught on, he'd overprotect me even more—yet nothing seemed different from usual.
'He's even buying me tough books from the market. No idea why he's suddenly into books, but... is this what they call early education?'
Of course, the books Daddy bought were serving their purposes as pillows or soup bowl stands.
Then came the now-familiar crying sound.
"Pipip! (You look troubled?)"
It was the transparent messenger pigeon. Ever since I picked the red fruits, it had been visiting whenever Daddy was away.
'Probably for more red fruits, huh?'
Thanks to Daddy picking plenty, Pipi could feast to its heart's content each time.
"No idea how to sneak out to the Heavenly Demon Cult without Daddy spotting me."
"Pipip. Piii. (Don't rush. Everything has its time. How about building stamina instead?)"
"Even if I train now, it won't get me into the Heavenly Demon Cult."
"Piikpip. Pip. (Not for getting in— for the trek to their headquarters. You'll need stamina to run if you meet a mountain beast on the way, right?)"
"...Mountain beasts?"
"Pipippip. (Of course there are—where else would mountain beasts live but the mountains?)"
'Didn't think about mountain beasts...'
The path to the Heavenly Demon Cult was rougher than I'd imagined.
'Can't die as beast food before even reaching it. And Daddy's at the market right now.'
"So, is there a good place to build stamina?"
The transparent messenger pigeon replied confidently.
"Pipip. (I know just the spot.)"
A moment later, I was lost.
"You didn't say the path was this maze-like! You stupid bird!"
Somewhere midway up a labyrinthine mountain.