Chapter 108

I walked into the room with a drink and found the perfect spot.

This is the best seat as winter approaches, right next to the kitchen wall.

But then I thought… there’s no smoke coming out…

Well, it was weird from the start since there’s no fuel to begin with. Let’s just roll with it.

“What brings you here?”

When I asked, Gu Milmil gave a wry smile.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“There are cultures like that among humanity.”

Of course, I know this too, but there’s really no need to show off in a place where my interest has almost faded.

“That’s strange talk.”

“Choseol’s body may be human, but what’s inside isn’t human.”

I decided to spill everything I knew.

The fact that she’s not human is surprisingly important.

While I’m at it, I’ll leave behind things worth knowing. Though because her self-awareness was erased from such a young age, it’s hard to say if this is truly what she desires.

“Do you know the name Eunjai?”

At my question, Gu Milmil nodded calmly.

“Who in the martial world doesn’t know the name of the godless one?”

“Choseol is Eunjai’s granddaughter.”

Behind me, Soo-oh looked utterly shocked, probably thinking I’m someone important in the Cheonmasin religion.

“Granddaughter? But… wasn’t Eunjai’s lineage supposed to have ended?”

She really didn’t know. She only knew it disappeared due to some unfortunate events.

That’s because Goo Seong-yong never told Gu Milmil about Eunjai.

“When Goo Seong-yong came, there were 11 people—Choseol’s parents, siblings, uncles, and cousins.”

At the mention of her father, Gu Milmil’s eyes widened.

Seems like she hadn’t heard through other channels either.

Since the opportunity presented itself, I had Choseol explain what needed to be said before it was too late.

“He killed all of Choseol’s family and took her to use as a test subject for uncovering Eunjai’s secrets.”

It actually happened like that. With the help of Woljedang and Jigwandang, they were manufacturing elixirs.

“Later, when the position of Cheonma passed from Goo Seong-yong to the current Cheonma, they decided to use Choseol for Jeonyang’s purposes.”

Gu Milmil’s expression twisted, realizing how grotesque the story was.

“From the data left by Eunjai, Cheonma discovered he had made a contract with something… and brought that ‘something’ here. To bring it, they prepared Choseol, who had the deepest connection to it, and placed that ‘something’ inside her.”

*Ta-da!*

I pointed to myself.

“It’s me.”

Do you get it now?

Her pupils wavered at my words.

“And why are you telling me this?”

Yeah, it does seem random when you think about it.

Gu Milmil still doesn’t get it.

Right now, outside the Cheonmasin organization, the Murim Alliance is planning an invasion.

They will surely try to eliminate me and my Harvesting System no matter what happens.

Even if Cheonmasin wins, there will be casualties.

In war, death doesn’t follow a set pattern.

So I spoke while I still could.

Now, let me ask again:

“What business do you have here?”

Gu Milmil blinked several times, trying to understand.

“You don’t seem to like that I’ve come.”

“I feel nothing. It’s just that I’d prefer you become someone like O Myeong-seong. But Choseol’s story needs to be known, right? Since I’m using her body, I owe her that much respect.”

You could also say I’m prepping goodwill in case I turn into someone like Rebecca later.

Did Rebecca explore my memories? Will this kid do the same?

Or maybe after I leave, her body will completely disappear before she wakes up again.

These people coming now might burn everything to ashes without leaving a single corpse.

Still, preparation is key.

“So, what exactly are you?”

“No need for a name. When I manifest in reality, I just borrow the name of this body.”

There are many names, but none of them fit quite right.

And in response to your question about my identity, I deliberately answered with a name because there’s nothing concrete I can reveal.

Even I am still searching for who I truly am.

“Ah, I see. You’re refusing to answer, aren’t you?”

Gu Milmil sighed softly.

“I came because I heard you grant blessings to people.”

After pausing briefly, she revealed her reason for coming.

In other words, she was sent by someone.

“A villager, huh?”

“Yes. They couldn’t find you, so they sought help from someone like me.”

Huh?

“I haven’t stopped anyone from coming here, though?”

“Since last year, this place has become a forbidden zone where no one can enter. Didn’t you know?”

Shock.

Finally, we’ve uncovered why people stopped coming.

Why?

When did this start?

Even after checking Cheonma’s memories or reviewing past scenes, I found no evidence of imposing such restrictions.

Could it be the work of the Inseonwon monitoring me? But upon checking, they merely agreed with the Cheongung leader’s request to keep people away.

Oh!

Was it the Cheongung leader?

Ah, yes. Though Chungjae-woo was indeed an important law enforcer as the Cheongung leader’s protector, he was still just one among many enforcers.

He doesn’t have access to everything the Cheongung leader does.

If something capable of creating another Cheonma-like entity appeared, limiting its influence wouldn’t be unusual.

Since the Cheonmasin headquarters are managed by the Cheongung leader, declaring it a restricted area, especially around where Cheonma has close acquaintances, would make sense to the other leaders.

I thought only Woljedang was causing trouble, but it seems others were involved too.

“Let’s go immediately. Is someone injured?”

I stood up.

Looking at me strangely, surely they realize I wouldn’t miss an opportunity to create my Harvesting System.

“Their legs were completely crushed when stacked cargo fell on them. Can you heal that?”

Are you asking me this?

“Didn’t you see how Cheonma recovered?”

“Yeah. Honestly, I still don’t get how a man became a woman or even if it’s really you.”

Is that so?

Recalling the intertwined memories of Goo Seong-yong and O Myeong-seong…

Ah, I see. Eun-soo used Cheonmasin Art to temporarily block them but died due to O Myeong-seong’s Heupsung Grand Law.

Then they kept watch outside for the next attacker.

Out of their sight, Goo Seong-yong descended.

Shortly after, people rushed toward a collapsed building. Perhaps I sensed energy invisible to me.

I saw a massive violet beam erase Goo Seong-yong.

Meaning, Cheonma had already resurrected by then.

“It’s really me. You’ll see if you come along.”

Gu Milmil’s contemplation was brief, and her decision swift.

“Let’s go.”

Thus, Gu Milmil and I headed out. Before leaving, I glanced back.

“Soo-oh.”

“Eh, yeah?”

“Don’t hold back; just do what you want.”

She still looks confused, probably having never considered the idea of a body-swapping monster.

Half her expression is filled with fear.

So, whether she follows or not, I left her be and continued walking with Gu Milmil.

“You’re raising her pretty harshly, huh.”

As soon as we stepped outside, Gu Milmil spoke.

“Am I?”

“I’m an outsider, but didn’t that kid already hear you’re not the original Choseol? Couldn’t you have been a bit kinder?”

Kindness…

“Should I treat her kindly, Miss Gu Milmil?”

I genuinely questioned.

At my words, Gu Milmil stared at me intently before averting her gaze.

“I’ll stop. Right now, it feels like we’re standing before a door to hell that shouldn’t be opened.”

Hey, even if I am a monster, isn’t that exaggerating a bit? Maybe it’s because of the story about Choseol earlier.

But this conversation was necessary someday.

Something I didn’t consider in the first world, but learned from Rebecca: it’s better to let Choseol handle what she should.

Things are blending together somehow.

A moment of silence fell.

Then suddenly, Gu Milmil called out to me.

“Choseol. Soo-oh is coming.”

She finally decided to follow.

I nodded in acknowledgment and moved forward. Of course, Soo-oh is faster than me—by far.

Soon enough, Soo-oh caught up. Just as I thought she was joining, she suddenly grabbed my arm and stopped me.

“I’ve got one question. Was Choseol ever truly herself until now?”

Using honorifics feels odd, but if she feels uneasy, it makes sense. I nodded.

“That’s correct. This body’s owner lacked self-awareness from the start. Raised to avoid thinking, it was essentially dead while alive.”

After explaining, Soo-oh furrowed her brows but eventually nodded.

“Alright, that’s good enough.”

Back to casual speech.

Though I don’t know what she’s thinking, Soo-oh urged me to continue, so I moved forward again.

Once we arrived at the village, we were quickly guided to the designated location by Gu Milmil.

Of course, Insimwon joined us shortly after entering. Gu Milmil scowled upon seeing him, but Insimwon simply stated:

“I have no intention of interfering with Choseol’s actions.”

Gu Milmil glanced at Insimwon’s hair, seemingly understanding, and continued guiding us.

We reached a deteriorating house on the southwestern outskirts. Groans echoed from within. The air was thick with medicine, and people lay scattered everywhere.

Most had minor ailments like rashes or scratches, but one person stood out.

Drenched in sweat, a legless man lay there, while a similarly aged woman beside him watched over him with a worried expression.

The first to notice me, she gasped in shock before spotting Gu Milmil and hastily tried to stand, only to stumble.

“Che-Cheonnyeo-sama? And Seong-go-sama!”

I approached the man to steady him.

“What are you doing to the patient?! Sitting him up like that will cause more bleeding!”

A doctor rushed from behind. His leg had been amputated, and the wound hadn’t healed properly, so it could burst open like this.

“I offer myself to you. In return, once you complete your recovery, you can take everything I possess. Deal?”

I know he’s unconscious, dying, but he will definitely hear these words and respond accordingly.

He agreed, and I poured myself into him.

His body swelled, then hardened like porcelain before gradually breaking apart, revealing the man inside.

His hair turned purple, his skin snow-white, but it was still him.

Stunned, he examined himself repeatedly before noticing me and bowing deeply to the ground. I stopped him by grabbing his shoulder.

“You showed me kindness once, so formalities aren’t necessary.”

He was one of the villagers who took me outside long ago.

That kindness turned sour eventually, but…

What can you do?

Bad luck, I guess.

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