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Chapter 8: The Daughter’s Secret

“What exactly did I just witness?”

A woman gracefully tiptoed toward Yarang, her white toes barely touching the ground.

As she approached, the fragrant scent of flowers enveloped the room more intensely.

With her head bowed deeply, Yarang tried to move her hands as if to write something on the floor.

“Stay still,” the woman commanded, and Yarang froze in place, her body obeying the order.

The woman stepped closer and gently ruffled Yarang’s hair.

“My daughter.”

“…”

“I think it’s better if you see it for yourself now.”

As she smiled brightly, Yarang lowered her head even further, as if positioning herself to be more easily patted.

Once Yarang was settled, the woman’s hand stopped stroking and rested atop Yarang’s head.

Suddenly—

Suuuuuuu—!!!

A surge of energy flowed from Yarang’s head up through the woman’s arm.

It was a dazzling crimson energy.

This energy slowly seeped into the woman, who let out a soft, “Hmm.”

After a brief moment passed, her eyes opened wide.

“How strange…”

The woman stared at Yarang, her expression puzzled.

“Truly strange.”

Even then, Yarang kept her head down, avoiding eye contact.

Seeing Yarang like this, the woman whispered, “Why can’t I see?”

Her brow furrowed slightly, clearly showing her discomfort.

The reason was simple.

What she had done was attempt to absorb Yarang’s memories of what she had seen and heard directly.

‘There’s nothing visible.’

Surprisingly, things that should have been easily visible in the norm were completely unseen.

Well, not completely.

Yarang moving, the sounds she heard, the scents and sensations she perceived—all were mostly acquired.

Yet—

‘Hmm.’

It felt strangely as if some parts were missing.

Especially the last segment seemed almost empty.

Yarang heading somewhere. The gaze she directed.

That gaze had been directed toward a place.

As if she had found someone, but all her memories were shrouded in black fog.

When the fog finally lifted just a bit, it revealed Yarang, drenched in rain, walking alone.

“Hmm…”

After confirming this, the woman’s head tilted in bewilderment. This was an unprecedented occurrence for her.

To have memories obscured! Memories that had never been hidden even within the Divine Tree.

‘What could this mean?’

What kind of situation was this? It didn’t make any sense to her.

She moved her finger to lift Yarang’s chin.

As the masked face looked up, the woman reached out with her other hand to grasp the mask.

Swoosh.

The mask slid off, revealing a stunning face underneath.

Thud. The woman dropped the mask to the floor and caressed Yarang’s cheek.

“My daughter.”

“…”

“What happened here?”

Even without an answer, the woman remained unfazed.

She knew Yarang probably couldn’t answer.

“You wouldn’t deceive me, would you?”

There was a slight possibility she could be self-deceiving, but the woman deemed that scenario unlikely.

If that were the case, she should have figured it out long ago.

“Hmm…”

What could possibly have happened? Did this child see something?

Those questions began to sprout.

Suddenly, the woman withdrew her hand from Yarang and turned her back.

As she moved, her enormous tail that had embraced the surroundings quivered.

Yet.

The ancient tail that filled the room began to contract.

It shrank little by little until it became so small it was no longer visible.

The woman, now seated comfortably with her tail gone, turned her gaze back to Yarang.

“My daughter.”

“…”

“It seems something is definitely wrong here, right?”

Once again, no answer came, but the woman sensed something strange.

Yarang’s silence was typical, but normally, she would at least respond with some action.

But now, Yarang simply stared silently at the woman.

As the woman confirmed this, her eyes narrowed slightly.

Something was definitely up.

“Hmm…”

Should I press on?

Or was there a reason she could not respond?

Normally, it would be proper not to press her master for answers, but—

That was not the case with Yarang.

– Cherish her like a daughter, no matter what happens.

That recognition was etched into her very soul.

Why she held such a belief didn’t matter to the woman.

It was only natural; it was something she inherently felt. No questions needed.

Swoosh.

The woman, who had been seated, stood once more and began walking.

Moving casually, she approached Yarang’s side.

“My daughter.”

In a softer tone than before, she called out to Yarang.

“Please, rise.”

Upon hearing the words, Yarang lifted her body.

In that moment, something suddenly draped over Yarang.

A cloth covered her, hiding her hair.

And, likewise, the same cloth enveloped the woman.

What on earth was happening? As Yarang quietly watched her, the woman said,

“It’s been a while, and I think it’s time for an outing. Let’s prepare.”

“…!”

At the woman’s words, Yarang’s eyes widened.

The mistress hovering above the sky declared she would descend to the earth herself.

 

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