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Chapter 8: The Forge Encounter

After meeting the Heavenly Demon, I strolled down the street.

It wasn’t like I decided to walk and dragged her along.

It was more like I was walking and she was just following me.

We still hadn’t exchanged a word.

I didn’t feel like engaging in conversation with the Heavenly Demon.

What on earth would we even talk about?

Most likely just airing grievances or throwing insults.

But not doing even that meant I was exercising some self-control.

At least, that’s what I thought. And I had to.

I walked for a while.

The distance wasn’t long, but it felt like time stretched out forever.

I was keeping my steps short while gazing around me.

As always, the streets here eerily mirrored those of the Hwasan Sect.

“It really feels just like it was carried over.”

Likely, it wasn’t just a guess; it was a reality.

It looked calm yet vibrant.

The current street buzzed with voices, along with laughter from people.

Every time I saw that, I pondered.

“How much did Shin Noya long for this?”

How dearly had he missed this scenery?

How much longing did it take for him to create a street like this?

Those thoughts often crept into my mind.

It felt pathetic to think that way. Words just wouldn’t come to mind.

It’s just a bit frustrating.

I couldn’t tell if I was frustrated with myself or with someone else.

If I had to point fingers, I’d likely say it was myself.

“…”

The fact that Shin Noya found himself in this situation was probably due to me.

“Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue and surveyed the street further.

Today was supposed to be a check, but I also had to confirm what I missed last time.

“I think it was around here somewhere.”

When I looked around last time, it was definitely in this vicinity.

Considering the Hwasan Sect wasn’t that vast, it shouldn’t be too hard to find. Yet, oddly, it wasn’t showing up.

“Hmm.”

I squinted and turned around.

“Hey. You…”

Just as I was about to ask the Heavenly Demon, I found myself frowning at her.

“…What’s that?”

“Hmm?”

The Heavenly Demon looked at what was in her hand— skewers.

After staring at it for a moment, she stretched the end of the skewer out toward me.

“Want one?”

“…”

Did she really think someone asked for that?

I couldn’t find words out of sheer disbelief.

“When the heck did you pick that up?”

I clearly saw her empty-handed moments ago! Had she snagged a skewer while I wasn’t looking?

“…Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Did you at least pay for that?”

I asked if she had properly paid for the skewer, and she tilted her head in confusion.

“Money?”

“…”

Her reaction made it clear she hadn’t paid. My head started throbbing.

“I just told you to take it and go.”

“…Yeah, I guess that’s what you said.”

It was fairly well known that Shin Noya brought me and the Heavenly Demon here.

Going by how it looked, Shin Noya seemed quite respected here.

That probably explained why food was just handed out.

“Go give it back right now.”

I didn’t want to accept it that way.

I pulled some money from my pocket and shoved it into her hands.

Just to note, this money was snatched from Gu Bong.

Honestly, if it were Mt. Shan, I’d just accept it without a second thought, but this was Shin Noya’s territory.

I didn’t want to cause any trouble.

The Heavenly Demon took the money without a word, nodding her head, and then dashed off.

A short while later, I caught sight of her approaching a roadside vendor.

It seemed she bought it from there.

“…Hah.”

Watching her, I let out a sigh for some reason.

And it was simple.

‘…Is this really the Heavenly Demon?’

Could that dimwit actually be the Heavenly Demon? Such doubts emerged in my mind.

From her face, it was undeniably her.

Her body too belonged to the Heavenly Demon.

But what was with those actions?

‘Seriously… something feels off?’

There was no air of authority, and her voice and behavior lacked any seriousness.

It felt almost like when I was with Wi Seol-Ah back in the day; was this really the Heavenly Demon I once knew?

The more I looked, the more baffled I became.

‘Did something change her?’

Initially, I thought it was because she had just shown up.

Perhaps once she experienced something, she’d reappear as the Heavenly Demon I knew.

I used to think that.

Yet.

‘There are only a few years left now.’

No more than two at the very most.

With that amount of time passed, it would align with when the original Heavenly Demon was supposed to appear.

But.

‘If she’s still like this…’

Would time really make her the Heavenly Demon I remember?

It was uncertain.

‘Or is this a good thing.’

If anything, it’d be a relief for me if she stayed this way.

With the Blood Demon causing me headaches, the Heavenly Demon acting up might not be so bad, right?

Thinking about that seemed good, of course.

‘But if she’s crumbled, then why?’

If the Heavenly Demon from my previous life and the current one were different,

What could be the reason for that? Contemplating that answer was simple.

‘It’s probably because of me.’

What’s there to say? Most disturbances seem to originate from my actions.

‘So, where did the problem begin?’

There’s no shortage of issues to predict, but identifying the root within this chaos was no easy task.

I’ve made too many mistakes.

“…”

Because of that, as I reflected quietly, I shook my head.

‘Thinking about it now won’t make much sense.’

Even knowing what would bring the Heavenly Demon back to her former self…

“…Huh?”

While lost in thought, my eyes widened.

“Wait, what?”

What was I just thinking?

“Bring her back? To what?”

Am I out of my mind?

Isn’t it good if the Heavenly Demon isn’t around? Why would I want to revert that?

“Seriously, what’s wrong with me?”

Did I actually hit my head when Noya smacked me last time? What kind of nonsense am I thinking?

It couldn’t be anything but insanity.

“…Am I really caught up in reincarnation thoughts?”

That might be it. No, I wanted to believe it.

With the Turtle’s words stuck in my head, I was yearning to know why the Heavenly Demon had me reincarnated.

That must’ve led to my earlier thoughts.

If it weren’t for that, it wouldn’t make sense at all.

Why would I treasure the past version of her?

‘She’s partly to blame for dragging my life into hell.’

The biggest cause was me.

And the Heavenly Demon was probably the next to have the largest influence.

“…Huh.”

Right as I let out another sigh while trying to organize my thoughts.

“I’m back!”

The Heavenly Demon, who had gone to settle her skewer bill, returned.

I turned to look at her upon hearing her words.

She was staring at me with bright, inquisitive eyes.

Those purple eyes and pale skin made me frown involuntarily. I reached out and pinched her nose.

“…???”

Caught off guard, the Heavenly Demon widened her big eyes.

What’s funny is that she didn’t even try to resist.

Why is she just standing there?

“What on earth is your deal?”

With all this confusion swirling around, I asked her.

“…”

Hearing that, the Heavenly Demon didn’t reply, just gazed at me with her usual stare.

Frustrated, I clicked my tongue and pulled my hand back.

“Enough. What’s going on here?”

This wasn’t the time for this nonsense.

I ran my fingers through my messy hair.

Meanwhile, my trembling fingertips kept moving.

Ignoring that, I resumed walking.

At that moment.

“Exalted one?”

A strange yet familiar voice rang from behind.

I turned around to see a silver-haired woman with cat ears.

It was Seol-Young, the number one disciple.

“Just wanted to check, and it really is you! But, what brings you here…?”

“Why are you here?”

“Oh, I…”

At my question, Seol-Young showed what she was carrying.

A basket filled with clean cloth and needles.

“I need to buy fallen cloth and do some needle repair before heading to the forge.”

“Aah. Oh?”

As I processed her words, I reacted belatedly.

“Why’s that?”

“Ah, yes.”

Seol-Young nodded in response, her expression slightly reluctant.

Well, good for me.

I was headed there too.

“Perfect timing. Mind taking me with you?”

“Really? Ah… Sure.”

Seol-Young accepted with a somewhat reluctant expression.

 

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