Chapter 176
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 176
The battle that had just unfolded between Yi-rim and the Arbiter descended from the Heavenly Realm had sent shockwaves through the entire world.
The aftermath of that colossal collision caused the Veil of Time to flutter, and in that moment, Seol-yo touched a rift in time that had been exposed.
"Aaaaaagh!"
Sucked into the rift, Seol-yo squeezed his eyes shut in terror.
His body plummeted.
He kept his eyes tightly closed, paralyzed by the sensation of an endless fall.
[Oh dear, Seol-yo. You mustn't do that.]
Huh? That voice…
Seol-yo faltered at the familiar sound.
Is that So-ya’s voice…?
He cautiously pried his eyelids open. Various scenes were flickering past him at a dizzying speed. His head spun, and he felt a wave of nausea as if he were seasick.
Then, two familiar faces caught Seol-yo’s eye.
[It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness the Imperial Princess Consort. I am Sa-eon of the Baek Clan, the tutor to the Fifth Prince.]
[Ah, hello, Lord Sa-eon. Thank you for saving me.]
[Think nothing of it. By the way… has anyone ever told you that you resemble a cotton ball?]
[Pardon?]
It was So-ya and Sa-eon!
So-ya…!
Seol-yo tried to approach them with a delighted expression, but the scene shifted abruptly once more.
[Your Highness, I have a wish. This spring, I really want to go outside the palace… and watch the Falling Flower Fireworks.]
[I will. I promise you. I give you my word, and I will surely keep it.]
This time, the faces he saw were So-ya and Yi-rim.
However, something was wrong with So-ya. Her complexion was deathly pale, as if she might collapse at any moment, and there were red bloodstains on the front of her jeogori. It looked as though she had been coughing up blood.
[Let us get you healthy again soon. My consort…]
So-ya is hurting…?
Startled, Seol-yo reached out toward her.
Flash!
The world spun in an instant. With a dizzying sensation, his vision flickered and went white.
Seol-yo cautiously opened his eyes and looked around.
Where am I…?
The terrain was familiar. He knew exactly where he was.
It’s Mt. Horim.
It was the deep valley within Mt. Horim where he had lived in hiding before meeting So-ya.
Back then, unable to trust humans, Seol-yo had escaped the White Tiger Palace to live here alone, picking wild berries and splashing in the valley streams. However, he had never returned to this place after he began living with So-ya at the palace.
Coming here brought back the lonely memories of his time alone. Compared to the days when he was pelted with stones by humans and hunted by demonic beast hunters, it had been a much more comfortable life, yet he could never escape the sudden bouts of loneliness.
Having all the delicious mountain berries to himself, or swimming in the stream to startle the fish… it was only fun at first. It wasn't enjoyable alone.
That feeling had only intensified after he met So-ya and learned the joy of doing things "together."
Why did I end up here?
He had clearly been in the White Tiger Palace garden just moments ago. It was baffling.
Seol-yo began to walk aimlessly, intending to head down the mountain for now. Then, halfway down, he spotted So-ya picking flowers.
So-ya…!
Overjoyed, Seol-yo ran toward her, calling out her name.
"Grrr…"
Instead of his familiar voice, a sound like the growl of a demonic beast escaped his throat.
Wait, what…?
As a flustered Seol-yo faltered, Ga-yul jumped out and blocked So-ya’s path, shouting.
"Watch out, Cotton Ball! This isn't a wild animal—it's a demonic beast!"
I’m not a demonic beast, I’m Seol-yo…!
Seol-yo shook his head frantically, trying to cry out.
"Grrrr…!"
Startled by the demonic beast’s growl that erupted once more, Seol-yo froze in place.
"Oh no, it’s dangerous, Young Master! Look at how that demonic beast has its tail standing straight up—it’s definitely threatening you and the Young Lady!"
At Su-ri’s shout from the side, Seol-yo hurriedly tucked his tail down.
"Whimper…"
Seol-yo took a few hesitant steps back, only then realizing he had been walking on all fours.
"…!"
He looked down to see thick, black paws. They were the paws of a demonic beast, hiding sharp, poisonous claws.
Ah.
Before meeting So-ya, Seol-yo used to intentionally transform into his most terrifying form to drive away the wild animals of Mt. Horim and protect himself. This appearance was undoubtedly a threat to them.
Poof!
Seol-yo quickly attempted to transform into the cute baby tiger form that So-ya loved.
"I-I-It transformed!"
"Gasp! It really is a demonic beast!"
Contrary to Seol-yo’s expectations, Ga-yul and Su-ri’s vigilance only increased.
"Whimper… yip…"
Terrified by the confusing situation, Seol-yo cowered.
"Wait a moment!"
So-ya, who had been peeking out from behind Ga-yul, hopped out and approached Seol-yo.
"C-Cotton Ball!"
"Young Lady!"
"It’s okay. I don’t think this little one is bad."
Ga-yul and Su-ri shouted simultaneously, but So-ya ignored them and leaned down toward Seol-yo.
"Hello."
She cautiously reached out her hand. Seol-yo, who had been whimpering while curled up, felt a surge of hope as he looked at the small hand offered to him.
Does So-ya recognize me?
His heart pounded at the thought that it was indeed her. But…
"Hello. My name is So-ya."
Hearing her next words, he realized she didn't recognize him, and his ears drooped low.
"Um, just a moment ago… you were trying to run to me, right?"
Seol-yo gave a timid nod.
"Were you trying to hurt me?"
"Whimper, yip…!"
How could she ask if he was trying to hurt her? He was her best friend and the warrior who protected her! Seol-yo felt wronged. He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head vigorously.
"Then… did you want to play with me?"
At So-ya’s subsequent gentle question, Seol-yo’s eyes widened.
"Mew! Mew!"
Seol-yo quickly and firmly nodded his head up and down. So-ya’s expression brightened instantly.
"Look! He says he wanted to play with me!"
Su-ri still looked displeased, but Ga-yul showed a hint of curiosity toward Seol-yo, who seemed to understand So-ya’s words.
And so, Seol-yo ended up being carried back to the White Tiger Palace in So-ya’s arms, in a manner slightly different from what he remembered.
But things were strange.
So-ya called the White Tiger Young Lords "Young Masters" instead of "Brothers," and she called Sa-eon "Lord Sa-eon" instead of "Father." Furthermore, when Seol-yo had first met So-ya on Mt. Horim, she had definitely been nine years old, but now she said she was ten.
He was puzzled by the situation, which was entirely different from his memories, but regardless, Seol-yo began to watch So-ya grow up from a close distance within the White Tiger Clan.
"I'm already ten, and I still can't even manage a beast transformation. I'm such a dummy, aren't I, Seol-yo?"
"Whimper, yip…!"
No, So-ya! You can do it! I’ve seen it—you soar more beautifully than anyone else!
On some days, he offered comfort and cheers that couldn't reach her when she looked gloomy about her inability to transform.
"Whimper…"
I want to comfort So-ya too…
He would also grow dejected because his feelings couldn't reach her, trapped as he was inside the shell of a demonic beast.
"Peep? Pee-eep!"
"Yip, yip! Yip! Rawr!"
See, So-ya! What did I tell you! I told you that you could do it!
Then, when he saw So-ya spread her tiny wings and take flight, he would bounce all over the White Tiger Palace in excitement.
And on another day… he would secretly watch Yi-rim observing So-ya from a distance.
Why does he just watch her like that instead of approaching her?
Seol-yo felt a strange sensation seeing Yi-rim unable to go near her.
That boy definitely likes So-ya, just like me.
Seol-yo was certain. Because Yi-rim couldn't take his eyes off her whenever he heard her laughter, and though he remained expressionless in front of others, he would break into a grin the moment he saw So-ya.
Since So-ya liked friends, it was surely a good thing for her to have many friends who liked her. However, Seol-yo didn't quite understand why he hated the idea of her having so many friends.
Then, after Yi-rim’s visit that day.
Late in the evening, So-ya, who had gone to see Sa-eon at his request, returned with her eyes bright red.
"Yip!"
Seol-yo, who had been dozing off by So-ya’s bedside in his baby tiger form, jumped up in surprise.
What happened, So-ya? Did you get into a fight with a big tiger?
Worried, Seol-yo circled around her.
"Seol-yo, I…"
So-ya spoke with a meaningful expression.
"Whimper, yip!"
"I… I’ve become real family with Lord Sa-eon!"
So-ya said with a wide smile.
"…!"
Seol-yo felt as happy as if it were his own news.
"I’m going to be a real help to Lord Sa-eon! And to the people of the White Tiger Palace too!"
So-ya said, clenching her small fists.
Perhaps she was more excited than usual. She couldn't fall asleep until late, sitting huddled with Seol-yo under the bed, chattering away.
"They say His Majesty is facing his final battle soon. So, once he returns from this battle, I’m going to the Imperial Palace too. Lord Sa-eon said he would go with me!"
So-ya spoke with an incredibly happy expression.
"But… I think it’s still a bit hard for me to call Lord Sa-eon 'Father.' I really want to call him 'Father' before His Majesty returns… If I practice more, will I be able to do it well?"
Yes, of course, So-ya! You can do it! I’ve seen it all!
Seol-yo rubbed his head against So-ya’s palm and let out a little whimper.
"Oh, are you cheering for me?"
So-ya let out a small laugh and hugged Seol-yo tightly.
"Thank you, Seol-yo."
"Whimper…"
It was a bit disappointing that he couldn't become human while trapped in the shell of a demonic beast, but still… he didn't hate moments like this.
Nestled in So-ya’s arms, Seol-yo glanced up at her face. These past few days, she had been smiling more often than ever. Seeing So-ya happy made Seol-yo feel good too.
But what does it mean to go to the Imperial Palace?
He wasn't sure, but it was undoubtedly a good thing.
They say a true friend should congratulate you when something good happens!
Seol-yo climbed Mt. Horim, picked a bunch of the flowers So-ya liked, and came back down with a beaming face and the flowers in his mouth.
As he was hopping down the mountain, he suddenly spotted a black puddle ahead. It had rained this morning, so it must have formed then.
Seol-yo glanced down at his reflection in the puddle. A handsome baby tiger was holding flowers. A stray tuft of black fur sticking out near his head bothered him, so he raised a paw to smooth it down.
Drop.
One of the flowers he was holding fell.
"Yip!"
No!
Seol-yo quickly raised a paw to step into the puddle and catch it.
And in that moment.
Thump—!
His heart shook violently, and at the same time, a strange voice echoed.
—Why… is such a strong body… trapped… inside the shell of a demonic beast…
Startled, Seol-yo tried to back away, but his body wouldn't move.
—This is perfect… This body… is now mine!
In an instant, a black energy surged out from the puddle and clung to Seol-yo.
W-What is this? No!
Seol-yo tried to shake off the strange energy clinging to him, but it was no use. The demonic beast shell covering his body accepted the strange energy of its own accord.
Seol-yo knew this unpleasant sensation. Not long ago… on the day he had searched for So-ya’s light bead in the Imperial Palace pond. On that day, too, he had felt this unpleasant and strange—
Snap!
With that, Seol-yo’s memory went dark.
Having lost control of his body in an instant, Seol-yo went on a rampage and attacked the White Tiger Palace.
Every time his consciousness flickered back for a brief moment, he saw the shocked faces of the White Tiger Palace people. He saw Sa-eon’s face as he tried to block him…
"Lord Sa-eon…!"
He saw the fallen Sa-eon, and behind him, So-ya’s face, paralyzed with terror.
So-ya remained frozen with that face full of fear.
Because she was dead.
Because he had killed her.
Thud…!
Seol-yo’s heart plummeted.