The bright sunlight was blazing down on the courtyard in front of the Temple.
Jeong Yusin stood silently.
A scam?
How did they obtain the Magic Stone?
It was a treasure acquired through blood and sweat, and yet, the situation had suddenly taken a turn like this?
“Huh…explain in detail. Who says someone stole the Magic Stone? What exactly is going on… What nonsense is this?”
Jeong Yusin’s words faltered.
“Oh! No one stole the Magic Stone.”
Delnaco answered.
Not stolen?
The question became even more magnified.
Delnaco took the Magic Stone out of his backpack to show Jeong Yusin.
“The appraisal is correct; it’s a High-grade Magic Stone. However, since about half the mana has been used, the purity isn’t very high.”
What exactly does he mean by this?
There was an incomprehensible part in Delnaco’s words.
Jeong Yusin furrowed his brows.
“Someone has drained half the mana from the Magic Stone. I understand that, but why does this affect the purity of the mana?”
“It’s because some stray energy settled in the empty spots of the Magic Stone.”
Mion stepped forward to fill in the gaps.
“I see. Thank you, Official Mion.”
While expressing gratitude to Mion, Jeong Yusin clenched his teeth in frustration.
‘Oswald, this brat tricked me?’
Jeong Yusin had felt it was too easily given away.
Acting like the coolest person in the world, and yet, his deeds amounted to sharing second-hand goods.
Not an easy kid to deal with.
Jeong Yusin thought he had accumulated some experience in Labyrinth City, but it was a misapprehension. This was the first time he encountered someone confidently pulling cons with the Magic Stones.
He felt exceptionally embarrassed.
Cain cut in.
“It’s absurd. You were acting so grandly just a moment ago as if you were going to save the world, and now you’re this embarrassed? I’m feeling embarrassed myself.”
Jeong Yusin’s face reddened with shame and anger.
There was no way to retort. It was the truth.
He had confidently declared he would pay for it today, as if he were taking his favorite girlfriend out to a restaurant for a cozy dinner, only to realize when it came time to pay that he had forgotten his wallet.
He wished he could bury himself in a mousehole.
“Brother! Scath puts in so much effort to assist the weak. Why do you only criticize and not support? I’m disappointed.”
Mion stepped forward in defense of Jeong Yusin and spoke a word to Cain.
Cain stumbled back slightly.
“Little sister, I’m sorry. I’ve made a big mistake.”
Jeong Yusin shook his head and began to speak.
“Brother Cain, your words are correct. It’s all my fault.”
And, bowing his head, he added:
“You both have a nice day. I apologize for taking up your time.”
In an instant, Cain’s demeanor changed and he waved his hand dismissively.
“Hurry up and leave.”
At that moment, Mion intervened.
“Scath! There’s actually a way.”
A solution?
At this intriguing statement, Jeong Yusin lifted his head.
“What kind of a solution?”
“It can be done using high-purity mana. Of course, there’s something else we need to check, but…”
“Little sister, where do you plan to get high-purity mana?”
“Scath has it.”
“…”
An awkward silence ensued.
“Little sister, how do you know about that?”
Cain finally managed to speak.
Mion’s body stiffened momentarily. She began fidgeting her fingers before speaking.
“Uh…when the monster mutation incident happened last time in front of the Labyrinth, I treated you, Scath. That’s when I found out.”
“Hmm…is that so?”
Cain tilted his head.
“Ahem! I heard that Lady Edel used her assets for treatment. If that’s true, I believe a certain amount of high-purity mana still remains in Lady Edel’s body. The reason she’s still alive likely stems from this as well. It’s a doable task.”
Mion concluded.
“Official Mion!”
Jeong Yusin’s eyes filled with gratitude.
“Scath, let’s give it a try.”
Mion smiled softly and said:
“Sure!”
Jeong Yusin turned to Mion and responded resolutely.
If there were any holy maidens in the world, they would look like her, wouldn’t they?
Kind and well-endowed.
But.
There was one.
A minor question lingered.
How could such an angelic-hearted Mion have committed thievery, stealing someone’s underwear?
The question, however, didn’t continue. Cain urged:
“Hurry up. We have a lot to do today.”
“I understand. Delnaco, please guide us.”
“Understood, Scath!”
Jeong Yusin and the sibling pair of Mion followed Delnaco down the streets.
The group soon passed through an alleyway and arrived in front of a run-down house.
Knock, knock.
Delnaco tapped on the wooden door.
“…Who’s there?”
From the other side of the wooden door, a fox-youkai’s voice responded.
Luna’s voice.
It wasn’t the lively tone heard in the inn lobby while she played with the slime.
It carried a mixture of vigilance and fear.
“Luna, Scath and some close friends have come to see Lady Edel. Can you open the door for us?”
“…What?!”
Creeek!!!
The wooden door swung open violently.
Luna stood there.
Had she been crying? The corners of her eyes were red.
“Sniff…”
Luna wiped away the remaining tears and carefully spoke.
“Who is the person behind?”
“Hello, Luna? This is Mion. I’m a priest of Dejimoseon. This gentleman next to me is Cain, a Knight of Labyrinth City.”
“But…but why did you come?”
Jeong Yusin interrupted.
“Luna, we’ve come to treat your mother. Will you take us to her?”
Luna’s eyes widened momentarily, then quickly settled.
“R-really? But…all the doctors said it couldn’t be cured. And…mother is asleep now. She finally fell asleep after coughing all night…sniff…”
With hesitation, Luna replied. A faint trace of distrust lingered in her voice.
“Luna.”
Jeong Yusin knelt and made eye contact with Luna.
“Please trust me, just this once.”
At Jeong Yusin’s words, Luna gripped her skirt tightly.
“N-now you ask me to trust you? When mom was sick, people came and lied! They said it was a high-grade Magic Stone! Expensive goods! Mom sold her shop to buy it! Huh! And everyone pretended they didn’t know!”
As the end of Luna’s sentence approached, her voice rose.
That’s how it is.
“Adults are all liars!”
Jeong Yusin quietly looked at Luna’s face. Luna avoided eye contact, keeping her eyes fixed on the ground.
There was no logic in Luna’s words but a deep, raw emotion.
The figure of someone who called out “dad” yet couldn’t trust the help offered.
There was a reason.
It was a picture of someone wanting to trust but not fully believing, wavering and suffering.
“Luna, do we have visitors?”
Edel’s voice filtered out from the other side of the door.
Luna’s body stiffened momentarily.
“Please follow me.”
Shoulders slumped, Luna pushed open the door where Edel was.
Creeeek.
The interior of the room was the same as last time. The only difference was Edel’s complexion.
It was paler than yesterday.
“Ahem. We have quite a number of visitors today. A knightmaster and priestess, how surprising.”
Edel, with a faint smile, spoke.
Jeong Yusin approached Edel’s bedside and knelt on one knee.
“Edel, I regret to inform you that it will be difficult to grant the major favor you’ve requested.”
“Sniff…”
An exclamation came from behind Luna.
“Is that so? I apologize for making such a difficult request. Cough.”
A voice filled with disappointment.
Edel’s complexion darkened rapidly.
Jeong Yusin took out the Magic Stone.
“In exchange, we’ve come to treat her. Though we’re uncertain if it will fully succeed. That’s why I’ve gathered some acquaintances. Would you let us conduct a preliminary test?”
“Scath…”
Jeong Yusin and Edel met eyes briefly.
Edel seemed to have something to say but finally nodded without uttering a word.
Mion approached and gently grasped Edel’s hand.
“In that case, I will begin the examination.”
Ten minutes later, Mion spoke.
“It looks possible. As expected, the remaining mana in your body is of high purity. Its wave signature doesn’t deviate significantly from Scath’s either.”
“Then what should I do?”
“First, hand me the Magic Stone. After extracting the latent mana from the Magic Stone, we need to incorporate it into Edel’s body and circulate it.”
Jeong Yusin handed over the Magic Stone.
Mion carefully stepped close to Jeong Yusin’s side.
Her plump backside lightly bumped Jeong Yusin’s buttocks.
“Mion, aren’t you getting too close?”
“Edel, I will lift the blanket for treatment. This might take a while—about six hours or so. Everyone except Scath, please leave to give us some focus.”
Though Cain pointed this out, Mion ignored him and proceeded to explain the treatment process.
“Understood.”
“Hmph.”
Delnaco and Cain agreed but Luna hesitated.
Does she wish to stay by her mother’s side?
Mion glanced at Luna.
“Luna, can you promise to stay quiet?”
“Yes.”
Creeeek.
Delnaco and Cain left the room.
Preparations for the treatment were complete.
Mion took a deep breath, held the Magic Stone in one hand, and grasped Edel’s with the other.
The mana started flowing into Edel’s body gradually.
“Nggh!”
Edel’s body quaked with pain.
Luna covered her mouth and silently watched her mother.
*
Five hours passed.
Edel clenched her lips and slightly writhed her body.
Mion’s expression slightly twisted.
“As expected, mana is insufficient.”
Mion placed the Magic Stone down and extended her hand towards Jeong Yusin.
“Scath, please hold my hand and try to relax.”
“Yes.”
Jeong Yusin reached out and took Mion’s hand.
Soft fingers.
He felt a gentle warmth.
Mion’s mana approached him slowly, inch by inch.
It was a peculiar sensation.
How should it be described?
It was familiar.
Hard to articulate.
If summed up simply, it was characteristic of Mion.
Jeong Yusin followed Mion’s advice, calmed his mind, and entrusted his body to her mana.
Jeong Yusin’s mana, guided by Mion, flowed into Edel’s body.
At that moment.
An unforeseen event occurred.
A scream erupted from Edel’s lips, who had been silently enduring the discomfort.
“Wha…!”
Edel’s body convulsed violently.
It was a voice startled by an unfamiliar sensation.
“Mistress Edel! Please endure just a little longer. We’re almost done!”
Mion urgently called out.
“Wha…what’s suddenly…?”
Edel’s jumbled voice escaped.
Edel’s trembling body.
The soft, yellow fox ears twitched.
“Just…just a moment, Official Mion! Something’s strange…!”
Edel urgently cried out.
Jeong Yusin felt a twinge of unease.
Could it be that his mana wasn’t compatible with Edel’s?
“Please endure!”
Mion replied firmly.
“Mom!”
Unable to hold back longer, Luna rushed to Edel and grabbed her other hand.
“Mom! Don’t go!”
Big tears streamed down Luna’s face.
“Whoa!”
Edel’s frail body slightly lifted off the bed.
Her lower body thrashed violently back and forth, as if craving something.
“Jem…Jemcan?!”
Edel paused her speech, lips pursed as she panted.
A wet sheen covered Edel’s eyes.
Her pale face had turned bright red.
Her twisted tongue struggled to articulate properly.
Her nightgown was thrown into disarray from the thrashing movements.
Jeong Yusin’s eyes met Edel’s.
“Edel, endure.”
“Scath…! This isn’t…! Hooo?!?”
Edel’s eyes rolled back.
“Mom!”
“Not like this! Luna’s watching! Uh…No way!”
Despite biting her lips with all her remaining strength, Edel was unable to resist.
Jeong Yusin’s gentle mana was stirring within Edel’s body, targeting her tender spots.
Clunk.
When Jeong Yusin’s pure mana pierced through the hardened mana dam,
Everything collapsed.
“Whooaaaaa!!!”
Edel threw her hips high into the air and let out a scream.
“Mom!!!”
Luna also screamed.
Ploof.
Exhausted, Edel fell back onto the bed.
“Hoo…Hoo…”
Her red face, her tongue lolling, breathing heavily.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, evidence of how much pain she endured.
Jeong Yusin watched Edel, his heart uneasy.
Was the treatment complete?
“The process has concluded. The mana-hardening syndrome has been completely eradicated.”
Mion wiped the sweat off her forehead and announced.
“Then what?!”
“Yes. Miss Luna, your mother’s illness has been cured.”
“Thank you so much!”
Luna rushed forward, hugging both Mion and Jeong Yusin.
Jeong Yusin looked at Mion.
“Official Mion, thank you. I don’t know how I could ever repay you.”
“No need. I’m just glad to be of service to Scath.”
Mion smiled benevolently.
Jeong Yusin glanced down and met Luna’s eyes.
“Luna, you can call me uncle from now on. There’s no need to call me father. If you need help anytime, I’ll assist you.”
Luna looked up at Jeong Yusin, then silently buried her face in his chest and rubbed against him.
Jeong Yusin gently patted her head after observing her behavior.
Creeeek.
Delnaco and Cain, who had been waiting outside, entered the room.
“Is everything done?”
“Yes. Brother.”
Cain intended to speak but closed his mouth and extended a wooden cup instead.
Inside was strawberry juice, which he seemed to have bought during a quick trip downtown.
“You’ve worked hard. Young one, take this too. And blow your nose.”
From his arms, Cain retrieved a handkerchief, wiped Luna’s face, and handed over the drink.
“Thank you kindly.”
Luna bowed deeply to Cain.
Cain scratched his cheek, slightly flustered, and handed the handkerchief to Mion.
Jeong Yusin stood up to tidy up the room and drew the blanket back over Edel.
Edel appeared to have lost consciousness and was now quietly asleep.
“Delnaco, can you stay here and look after Edel and Luna?”
“On the contrary, I would like to request the same.”
Delnaco’s eyes had become red.
Jeong Yusin patted Delnaco’s shoulder and left the room.
As evening approached,
the three walked down the streets.
Cain spoke.
“Mion, good work today.”
“Thank you, Brother.”
“I think we need a rest today. Aren’t you very tired?”
“Yes. I apologize for making you come here on your vacation…”
“No worry. These kinds of days happen.”
Cain chuckled, tapping his chest.
Jeong Yusin stopped, deciding it was time to head back to Darmong’s inn as evening fell.
“Both of you, thank you for your help today. Thanks to you, we managed to save Edel and Luna.”
Mion simply smiled.
Cain cleared his throat once, then tapped Jeong Yusin’s shoulder.
“You’ve worked hard too.”
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
“Go ahead.”
Mion and Cain watched Jeong Yusin’s departing back for a moment.
“What do you think? Scath is a good person, isn’t he?”
“Kuh! He’s not a bad person. Just a bit unpredictable.”
Cain cleared his throat again, revising his evaluation of Jeong Yusin.
The siblings smiled faintly as they resumed strolling down the evening streets.
