Chapter 136 – End of Vacation (2)

Abel, crouching, listened attentively to the old woman’s words.

“Let’s see… Around that boy… One, two, three, four… Hah, now this is surprising. The people clinging to him, especially the women, keep multiplying like cells. At this rate, he’s practically a walking pheromone, tch tch.”

She nodded.

“Hmm. But the problem is… that he’s incredibly clueless about these things. From the outside, it sounds like an enviable life, but he himself doesn’t even realize it. And it’s not like he sees women as mere stones, but…”

She nodded again.

The old woman’s words were scratching precisely where it itched. Abel nodded harder and harder.

“However, there seems to be a reason for this. It’s not just that he’s ignorant about relationships, but, how should I put it…?”

The old woman firmly closed her eyes and stroked the crystal ball. Inside the sphere, which was about the size of a soccer ball, a grayish mist swirled slowly.

She began to murmur a chant.

“Asurabalbalta… Asurabalbalta!”

Suddenly, she opened her eyes wide. Her gaze, glassy and shining like crystal, seemed possessed by something.

“…This boy is gradually losing his humanity.”

“What do you mean by ‘losing his humanity’?”

The old woman’s face turned unusually serious, and Abel swallowed nervously. Then, the old woman spoke in a low tone.

“For five thousand more, I’ll tell you—”

—Plop.

Before she could finish the sentence, another bill was placed in her hand.

Deal closed.

The old woman briefly smiled with satisfaction but quickly wiped the expression from her face.

She coughed a couple of times to clear her throat, then deliberately lowered her voice before speaking.

“It’s exactly as I said. This boy… His emotions, his empathy, his moral judgment… All those basic things that make a person human are slowly fading away.”

“What’s the reason?”

“Unfortunately, I can’t see it. I’d like to tell you now that you’ve paid, but if I speak of something that hasn’t been revealed to me, I’ll receive divine punishment. All I can say is that this young man is pitiful. At this rate, it won’t be long before he becomes something that only wears the skin of a human. What a tragic fate!”

The old woman clicked her tongue in pity.

“…….”

Abel’s face darkened. Just a few minutes ago, she didn’t believe in this kind of thing, but now she was completely engrossed in the fortune-teller’s reading.

Then, Shail placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Miss, let’s go. It was a mistake on my part to insist on coming here when I know these things don’t suit you. And besides…”

Shail looked at the old woman with cold hostility.

She was the one responsible for planting unease in her lady’s mind.

Annoyance was growing inside her.

If the old woman had been just another fraud, she would’ve laughed it off and left.

But honestly, the old woman had a real gift.

She had described Kang Geom-Ma with eerie precision, as if she had seen him in person.

His eroding humanity, his emotions dried up like barren land, his lifeless aura devoid of vitality.

If she put all the old woman’s words together, the result inevitably pointed to Kang Geom-Ma.

Shail shot a sharp glare at the old woman, but the woman merely shrugged with a smile.

In the midst of the tense atmosphere, Abel, who had remained huddled like a small totem, suddenly asked a question.

“If that’s true… Is there anything I can do?”

“Of course.”

The old woman looked at her calmly.

Despite her advanced age, her eyes radiated vitality.

“A human can only be healed by another human. Since ancient times, people have supported and upheld each other. That is how we live as true human beings.”

The old woman continued.

“But that’s not all. No matter how unfeeling he is, if there’s someone constantly by his side, eventually, he’ll be filled again. And if that happens, your relationship could evolve beyond simple friendship.”

“Beyond friendship?”

The old woman raised her pinky.

“A romantic relationship. And if you take it a step further, you could even become his lifelong partner. Isn’t that the place you want to have by his side?”

She shook her head vigorously.

Abel crossed her arms in an ‘X’ shape and repeatedly shook her head.

“No! What are you talking about? That has nothing to do with it! I… I just owe him too much. That’s all! Besides, I hate people who always have someone trailing behind them!”

Saying that, Abel suddenly stood up.

She grabbed Shail’s arm tightly and turned away hastily.

“Shail, let’s go.”

Shail nodded with a strange expression.

The sudden change in attitude had taken her by surprise.

As Abel walked away, the old woman murmured in a soft voice.

“Even so, if you really want to make the most of the money you gave me… There’s only one person you need to be wary of. Sky-blue hair. That girl is the most dangerous. As long as you keep an eye on her, everything will be fine.”

For a moment, Abel stopped.

“…….”

She remained motionless for a few seconds, but then continued walking.

However, her fists were clenched tightly.

“Keh keh.”

The old woman let out a chuckle.

* * *

…The old woman remained seated on the carpet, staring in the direction where Abel had disappeared.

It was at that moment.

“Hah… Hah… Here you are!”

A pale-faced young man, looking as if he suffered from anemia, hurried toward the old woman. He wiped the sweat from his chin and spoke reproachfully.

“Couldn’t you stay still for even a moment? I’ve been looking everywhere for you! Haven’t I told you a thousand times to stop doing these kinds of things? And what’s with that appearance again? Every one of these antics is blasphemy! You should know that better than anyone…!”

The young man, still out of breath, kept scolding her. The old woman, however, showed a clear sign of boredom.

‘Yeah, yeah, I get it.’

With a disinterested wave of her hand, she then grabbed the skin of her own face firmly.

Rip.

The sound of flesh tearing echoed as her skin peeled off like a mask.

When the loose skin fell to the ground, the old woman’s true appearance was revealed.

She was a young woman with silver hair and dark eyes.

Her beauty had a sacred, almost ethereal quality.

She shook her head to get rid of the accumulated sweat, and the young man stared at her in absolute horror.

“Can you stop using that thing called a human skin mask?”

“And why would I?”

“Because when you run off wearing it, you’re almost impossible to find!”

“That’s the point, isn’t it? Hmm, you took ten minutes longer to find me compared to last time. If I keep improving my technique, I’ll be able to hide for over thirty minutes.”

“Why…? Why do you do this specifically to me?”

“Oh, stop whining~! Besides, I made 100,000 won while you were busy looking for me!”

The woman chuckled shamelessly, while the young man, exasperated, held his forehead and let out a deep sigh.

“…Ha. Please, if you’re going to do whatever you want, fine. But at least stop pretending to be a fortune-teller. Seriously. You could be prosecuted for blasphemy, Lady Saint.”

“The Saint, a sacred woman. Isn’t that literally me? According to your logic, I’m blaspheming myself, right? But that’s easy to fix. I just have to absolve myself. ‘I forgive myself for all my sins~.’ See? Problem solved.”

“Oh, God! Why have you sent me this cruel trial?”

Welter, the guardian priest, was on the verge of despair.

That someone like her was a Saint…

Even in this age where myths had come to an end, it was a complete mockery of the divine.

Welter closed his eyes tightly and crossed himself several times, trying to calm himself.

‘Huff.’

Thanks to his well-cultivated devotion, he managed to suppress his frustration.

Little by little, the impure thoughts in his mind faded, and his spirit returned to a state of immaculate purity.

Good.

Welter opened his eyes.

“Hehehe.”

“…….”

Ignoring him completely, the Saint continued rubbing the two 50,000 won bills in her hand with her saliva.

The vein in Welter’s temple throbbed.

“Lady Saint!”

“What now?! Don’t suddenly yell like that, you scared me!”

“How can you waste your sacred gifts for a couple of insignificant coins?!”

“Have you ever tried digging in the dirt to find 100,000 won? No, right? And besides, the leaders of the Outer Church scrape every last cent of dirty money, but when I earn money through my own effort, suddenly it’s a problem!”

Welter’s face went blank for a moment.

His faith nearly crumbled.

‘It doesn’t matter if she’s seventeen. How can a Saint be this vulgar?’

Even so, he couldn’t argue too much.

Yu Sein, the Saint.

The only person in humanity capable of communicating with the gods beyond, the Outer Gods.

But her way of speaking was casual, her hobbies included mobile games and genre novels, and she spent most of her free time lazing around.

Whenever she had to go out for official matters, she would somehow slip past her group of five guardian priests to sneak away and earn money in one way or another.

Then, she would spend it on mobile games and novels, since the funds of the Outer Church couldn’t be used for such things.

Just imagine the outrage of the believers if they found out their offerings were being spent on video games and light novels.

Even so, Yu Sein performed all her responsibilities as a Saint perfectly.

Prayers, meditations, masses, administration of the Outer Church—she never failed in any of them.

But the problem was what she did with her remaining free time… like crafting those unsettling human skin masks.

Welter lamented in silence. If only Sein dedicated her exceptional talent to religion, the faithful would shed tears of joy.

Although, of course, she wouldn’t have time to listen to their confessions.

While Welter sighed to himself, Sein discreetly slipped the two yellowish bills into her pocket.

“How’s that going? My transfer for the second semester at Joaquin Academy.”

“Oh, about that, I just finished creating your fake identity. You’re now registered as the third daughter of a minor noble from a remote region. Given that your identity is… well, what it is, it took us half a year to complete the process.”

“In games, changing your name is easy, but in reality, there’s too much bureaucracy.”

“And that’s only because you insisted non-stop for a year and a half. His Holiness barely agreed… though I still don’t understand the reason…”

Riiing~

Sein’s pocket vibrated slightly. She took out her phone and checked it.

Welter frowned.

“…Is that the friend you play with?”

“Yes, I just got a notification that he leveled up. I have to respond.”

The dark strands of Sein’s hair slid over her face as she looked intently at the screen. Her fingers tapped the glass surface with precision.

Moments later, a smile appeared on her lips.

“I suddenly feel like eating sushi.”

“…Huh? Out of nowhere?”

“Yeah, every time I hear something about this friend, I get a craving for sashimi or sushi.”

“…Who the hell is this person? Not only is she transferring to Joaquin Academy because of him… I don’t get it at all…”

“Welter, what is the role of the Saint in this world?”

“Yes, I’m here, your guardian, Welter.”

Hearing a question about doctrine, Welter immediately straightened up.

“In the present age, where the era of myths has ended, the Saint is the one who communicates the will of the Outer Gods and conveys their doctrine. That is her sacred duty and mission.”

“Very good. That’s why I’m leaving. To fulfill my duty and mission.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Well, that’s part of it, but more than anything… this friend levels up too slowly, so I have to help him grind. Otherwise, his future might look a little grim.”

“‘Grim’ in what sense? Are you talking about that mobile game?”

Instead of answering, Sein simply smiled. An angelic smile, completely at odds with her attitude.

“You wouldn’t understand even if I explained, Welter. Anyway, I found a good sushi restaurant in Geneva.”

“Ah, ah. Yes, understood.”

With a radiant expression, Sein walked ahead energetically.

“‘His future will be grim’…”

Welter stood still for a few seconds, repeating her words in his mind before finally moving to follow her.

* * *

Time continued flowing.

Just when I was getting used to life at Castle Sigurd, the day came to leave Switzerland.

Before departing, I held the door handle and took a final look at the room where I had spent the past month. The atmosphere I had lived in seemed to have seeped into the furniture and the very walls of the room.

“……”

Creeeak—

I closed the door in silence.

As I stepped out of the fortress, the Swordmaster and the butler, Karon, stood side by side.

They were there to see Abel and me off before our return to the academy.

Originally, the Swordmaster was supposed to travel with us, but he said he still had unfinished business and would arrive a little later.

So, for now, only Abel and I were heading back to the academy. Until we reached the airport, Shail would be driving us.

The Swordmaster spoke to me.

“It feels like just yesterday that you arrived in Switzerland, yet a month has already passed. And now that I think about it, a lot of important things have happened in that time. Well done, Cadet Kang Geom-Ma.”

“It was nothing. In reality, I’m the one who should be grateful. I’ve learned a lot.”

The Swordmaster gave me a couple of pats on the back.

Then, I turned my gaze toward the butler.

“I owe you a lot, Mr. Karon. Thanks to you, I had a comfortable and pleasant stay here.”

“The next time you visit, I’ll make sure you’re even more at ease. Please come back anytime.”

Karon bowed his head in respect.

I returned the gesture with the same reverence.

Once the farewell was over, Shail opened the car door.

“I’ll take you safely to your destination.”

I looked at her for a moment before nodding.

“With Miss Shail at the wheel, I can rest easy.”

She responded with a radiant smile.

“Grandfather, Karon, we’re off!”

From the window, Abel stuck out her hand and waved her fingers in farewell.

In the next instant, the car sped off like an arrow.

The mountains of the Alps passed by quickly through the window. In a way, that turbulent month of vacation reminded me of those rugged peaks.

After engraving the beautiful scenery behind the glass into my memory, I leaned back against the seat.

Now, back home.