The Beloved Baby Deer of the Hwangryong Family - Chapter 141

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“Are you mocking me? How am I supposed to swallow this!”

Su-jeong finally burst into anger.

The black fragment, which gave off such a gloomy aura that it naturally made one frown, was disgusting even to hold still. She couldn’t believe she was being told to eat something so revolting.

“Nok Su-jeong, do you want to live in this filthy prison forever?”

“What? Of course not!”

“Then stop complaining and do as you’re told. That will become a body double to take your place and act as you.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. If you do it, you will be given freedom.”

Su-jeong looked down at the fragment. Rather than rotting away forever in this prison where not a ray of sunlight entered, it was a hundred times better to eat this thing, however unpleasant, and get out.

“Alright. I’ll do as Elder Brother says. If I can just get out of this place, I can do anything.”

As Su-jeong made up her mind and grasped it, Su-gyu’s lips curved upward.

“That’s right. You need to get out of here and take revenge on that child who made you like this, don’t you?”

“Revenge? If you’ll let me do it, of course I will.”

Su-jeong’s eyes gleamed ominously. It was something she had always wanted, so there was no reason to refuse.

Su-gyu nodded with satisfaction and stepped back.

“Then wait for the right time.”

“But whose funeral did you say…”

Su-jeong asked about the question that belatedly came to mind, but Nok Su-gyu no longer answered.

Clatter!

The tip of Nok Su-gyu’s shoe, as he walked away silently, struck the bowl placed on the floor.

The bowl flew away and cold porridge scattered across the floor. A sour smell vibrated through the prison.

Su-jeong, who had been staring blankly at the scene, ground her teeth.

‘I don’t care who it is. Just get me out of here.’

Do you think only I will suffer like this? Just wait and see.

That night, amid the sour smell, Su-jeong cursed Seo-yu all night long.

* * *

One afternoon after classes ended, Seo-yu visited the West Hall as usual.

Seo-yu looked around busily, glancing here and there, then drooped her shoulders dejectedly.

‘He’s not here today either.’

Yi-eon, who would normally welcome her, was nowhere to be seen in the West Hall.

It wasn’t just today. Yesterday too, and the day before that, Yi-eon was completely absent.

It meant that even though several days had passed since the semester started, she hadn’t seen his face even once.

‘Is he very busy?’

This had never happened before, but since the semester had just started, Yi-eon might have had a lot to do.

Seo-yu patiently read books while waiting for Yi-eon.

However, even until the West Hall closed that day, Yi-eon did not return.

‘I hope nothing happened to him?’

By then, Seo-yu was worried about Yi-eon.

She was curious about whether he had met people living in the north and whether he had properly delivered her letter, but more than that, she wanted to know if Yi-eon was doing well right now.

‘Come to think of it, I don’t really know much about Yi-eon.’

Which dormitory he used, which classes he attended.

Seo-yu realized that she didn’t know Yi-eon as well as she thought she did.

She hadn’t paid much attention to such things because she could always see Yi-eon whenever she came to the West Hall.

Though she called him a friend in words, it seemed she hadn’t really shown much interest in Yi-eon, which made Seo-yu feel very embarrassed and sorry.

After hesitating, Seo-yu finally approached a student who was organizing books.

“Hello. May I ask you something?”

“Yes. Are you looking for a particular book?”

He was another Library Keeper, a student who took charge of the West Hall when Yi-eon was away.

Seo-yu shook her head and asked carefully.

“No, that’s not it. I was wondering if you might know when Yi-eon will return.”

If he’s a fellow Library Keeper, he surely would have been told the schedule in advance, even if just for shift changes.

That was the thought behind her question, but.

“Yi-eon?”

The student blinked as if hearing the name for the first time. Then he asked Seo-yu back with a puzzled tone.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know who that is.”

“What? But Yi-eon is also a Library Keeper.”

Greatly flustered by the unexpected answer, Seo-yu quickly described Yi-eon.

“He has very black hair and eyes, and he’s this tall. He has a low voice and is really pretty.”

It was a very detailed description, but the Library Keeper didn’t seem to understand.

“Even with that description, I’m the only Library Keeper working here… Huh? Why am I the only one?”

It was then that he, who had been showing difficulty, suddenly tilted his head.

“That’s strange. I’m sure they said they were hiring one more person.”

The Library Keeper muttered to himself. His face looked somehow confused.

‘What’s going on here?’

Seo-yu was equally flustered. She couldn’t understand this situation at all. It felt as if she had been possessed by a ghost.

“Seo-yu!”

Just then, someone called Seo-yu loudly from behind. When she turned around at the piercing low voice, Yi-eon was approaching urgently.

“Oh, Yi-eon!”

“Yi-eon?”

Seo-yu and the Library Keeper’s gazes turned to the same place simultaneously. Seo-yu was the first to speak.

“Yi-eon, where have you been? I was worried because you weren’t around.”

“Sorry. It took longer than expected to get to the Northern Sea. I should have told you in advance, but I was delayed.”

“Don’t be sorry! You were trying to help me. I thought something had happened… I’m glad that’s not the case.”

Seo-yu, who had first asked about his well-being out of joy and surprise, soon turned her head. The Library Keeper was looking back and forth between Yi-eon and Seo-yu with narrowed eyes.

“Right, Yi-eon. Do you know this person by any chance? He’s also a Library Keeper, but he said he doesn’t know you.”

“Ah, that’s…”

Yi-eon’s gaze reached the Library Keeper as he trailed off.

‘Huh?’

Seo-yu, who had been following him with her eyes, unconsciously tilted her head.

The Library Keeper’s gaze seemed strange somehow.

He was staring blankly into the sky as if he had lost focus. No, more precisely, he was looking at Yi-eon, but his eyes lacked strength, making him seem like someone who had lost their soul.

‘Why is he suddenly acting like that?’

While Seo-yu looked at the Library Keeper with concern, Yi-eon quietly opened his mouth.

“It’s been a long time.”

“….”

The Library Keeper didn’t answer. The air became strangely heavy. Just as Seo-yu was about to move her lips due to some inexplicable discomfort.

“Ah, aah.”

The Library Keeper suddenly seemed to come to his senses and raised his head. He clapped his palms together and said.

“Yi-eon! Right, there was one more Library Keeper. There was a mistake.”

“A mistake?”

“Yes. I guess I’m scattered because I rested during the break. This is my friend who works with me at the West Hall, Yi-eon.”

Even if he had rested, to forget a person…

Seo-yu was quite bewildered, but it wasn’t really something worth questioning.

“I’ll take care of the remaining work. Please go in for today.”

“Understood. Then I’ll head in first.”

At Yi-eon’s words, the Library Keeper immediately left his spot. With a strange feeling, Seo-yu tilted her head.

“His memory must be quite poor. I think he should take some medicine…”

“…Maybe it’s because he has a lot of work.”

Yi-eon swallowed a sigh while watching the Library Keeper’s retreating figure.

‘That was almost completely exposed.’

Yi-eon’s ability to work as a Library Keeper despite not being a Medical Academy student was all thanks to his divine power.

However, because he hadn’t yet perfectly awakened his special abilities, Yi-eon’s divine power had limitations.

When changing someone’s thoughts like just now, the other person had to be in the same place, that is, within the range of his sight.

Until now, he had been able to come early and wait since he knew the time when Seo-yu would come to the West Hall, but today he was rushing back from the north and didn’t have time for that.

‘Did she think it was strange?’

Yi-eon glanced at Seo-yu and bit his lower lip. She probably did. Even now, she looked quite confused.

‘I’m so sorry.’

He felt bad about having to continue deceiving Seo-yu, but for now there was no other way.

Yi-eon forced a smile to soften his hardening expression and said.

“Sorry, Seo-yu. I left too hastily that day, didn’t I?”

“No! You left a letter saying you had circumstances. I read it all. Is everything okay now?”

“Mm-hmm. I even went to the north. I delivered the letter you asked me to as well.”

“Really?”

Seo-yu’s eyes filled with anticipation. Yi-eon subtly avoided her gaze and said as if reciting.

“But I couldn’t get a reply. They said they didn’t want it to remain as a record.”

“That’s understandable! I’m fine with that. Then could you possibly tell me what they said?”

Though she could have been disappointed, Seo-yu showed no such signs at all. She just looked at Yi-eon with eyes that hadn’t lost their sparkle.

Still unable to face Seo-yu directly, Yi-eon recalled his trip to the north.

* * *

After leaving the Golden Dragon Family, Yi-eon ran toward the north day and night.

To keep his promise with Seo-yu, he had to return as quickly as possible, even if it meant cutting the trip short by a day.

He slept only two hours a day, spending the rest of his time solely on traveling. After running like that for several days, Yi-eon finally arrived at the boundary of the Northern Lands.

“….”

Yi-eon stopped walking and gazed at the scene spread out before his eyes.

The northern sky was dark as always. It was a land where even when the sun was up, it was obscured by clouds, casting only dim, hazy light.

Trees without a single leaf stretched their bare branches toward the sky, and the damp earth was entirely tinged with black.

The north hadn’t always been like this. He had heard that in the past, it was a land where sunlight shone.

Then, as a result of Yeong-gwi withdrawing their merciful hand in anger at the descendants who betrayed the Four Spirits, it became what it is now—Yi-eon had learned this secret story only after leaving the north.

In any case, it was a scene that others would find desolate in many ways. Though to Yi-eon, it was an utterly familiar landscape.

It was only natural. This was Yi-eon’s hometown, after all.

‘…It’s been a long time.’

Yi-eon’s heart ached. This was a place he had always longed for but thought he could never return to.

Yi-eon slowly walked forward.

However, he stopped before the boundary line. Though invisible to the eye, Yi-eon knew there was a barrier set up there.

He also knew the fact that the barrier would react if someone who had left the north without permission tried to enter again.

‘I can’t enter, but….’

That didn’t mean there was no way.

Yi-eon took out a small pouch from his belongings.

It was his mother’s relic.

The last gift his mother had given Yi-eon on the day he left.

‘Yi-eon, you must never return to this land again. But if something happens that forces you to come back no matter what… then use this.’

His mother’s voice echoed in his ears.

Yi-eon opened the pouch. Inside was a single Spirit Turtle Shell Fragment.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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