Chapter 66
Despite successfully catching the culprit, everyone except Sehun looked unhappy.
“In situations like this, children and women are always the first to be sacrificed.”
Baek Yi-heon was seemingly devastated by the selfishness of humanity he had witnessed here.
I looked at him silently, feeling his pain. How can there be people like Baek Yi-heon who empathize with all the world’s misfortunes, while others like Kim Seo-min commit evil without remorse, despite being human?
‘Where does human nature truly lie…?’
As I was lost in thought, a majestic voice rang in my head.
[(Messenger) The voice of a celestial god echoes from the heavens to you on earth.]
[Whether humans are good or evil.
Whether you hate or love humans.
Until you reach enlightenment someday, ponder this thoroughly, my avatar, my beloved human child.]
…Do I hate or love humans?
Of course, I…
“Hey!”
I flinched at the sudden voice.
Turning my head, I saw Choi Kkang-kang looking at me with an unusually stern face.
What’s wrong?
Suddenly, I felt uneasy.
I had explained everything to them in the basement.
Including my father’s identity and that he seemed to be causing unknown trouble as an evil god’s avatar.
…So they probably don’t want to travel with me anymore, right?
That’s understandable. It’s natural.
“Why did you alone…”
“Should we part ways here?”
I spoke up first to bid farewell.
Choi Yu, who seemed about to get angry, looked bewildered.
“…What?”
“You know everything now. Yeah, you probably find it unpleasant and don’t want to stay with me.”
I quickly added, trying to ensure he didn’t feel uneasy about leaving, because he is a good person.
“It’s okay. I’m used to this. I won’t be hurt, so you can leave comfortably.”
At this, everyone’s expressions became a bit strange.
‘What is it?’
Pondering their unexpected reactions, I exclaimed, “Ah!” and quickly added,
“Right. You need to go to Ganghwa Island. Then I’ll be the one to leave…”
Suddenly, a large hand landed on my head.
“…?”
Looking up puzzled, Baek Yi-heon murmured softly.
“That’s not what he meant.”
Huh?
Turning back, I saw Choi Yu looking at me bewilderedly, as if unsure what to say.
After moving his lips silently for a moment, he suddenly burst out angrily.
“Next time something like this happens! Don’t go alone! Got it?”
He turned abruptly and entered the camper we had just reached.
What? Why is he suddenly getting angry…?
“He’s not angry, he was worried.”
Yu, who was beside me, calmly explained, as if reading my expression.
“Worried…?”
About what? Surely not me?
Seeing my completely uncomprehending face, Yuga’s expression softened a bit more.
“There’s probably some hurt mixed in too. I felt a little hurt as well.”
“Hurt…?”
Not disgust, or even pity?
Even knowing I’m Yoo Hyun-min’s daughter?
“……”
I silently stroked my hair where Baek Yi-heon’s hand had touched.
Again.
This feeling of my heart fluttering and my throat tightening.
This inexplicable emotion I’ve been feeling unnecessarily often lately.
Watching me, Yu smiled warmly and said softly.
“Noah will also understand someday.”
“Until you reach enlightenment someday, ponder this thoroughly.”
Looking at that gentle face, I murmured quietly.
“…You sound a lot like someone I know.”
“Really? Who?”
A celestial god. The highest god in the heavens, at that.
Unable to answer like that, I just swallowed my words.
“What are you doing out there? Get in already!”
At that moment, Choi Kkang-kang stuck his head out the window and yelled, as I hadn’t entered the camping car yet.
“Stop saying weird things about leaving and just get in the car!”
“I’m coming, I’m coming! Geez, what a temper…”
Returning to my usual self, I grumbled as I flung open the car door.
Seeing the familiar living room scene of the camping car Choi Kkang-kang had modified, I somehow felt like I was coming home.
💎
Three days later.
We reached the vicinity of Ganghwa Island.
Paju was right near here.
I stopped the car for a moment and tapped my fingers on the steering wheel, lost in thought.
It wouldn’t take long to drive to Paju from here.
But taking the whole camping car seemed a bit much.
Even if I am a psychopath.
Then I’ll leave the camping car with the group and just take one barrier stone made with high-grade magic stones.
‘That should be enough to keep monsters away.’
Can I steal a functioning car in these times? Or will I have to walk…
“…don’t you think?”
How long would it take to walk from here to Paju?
A day if I walk without resting. Two days if I take breaks…
“Hey! Yoo Noah!”
“Huh, what?”
I jerked my head up at the sudden shout.
Choi Kkang-kang was glaring at me with narrowed eyes.
“What are you thinking about so hard?”
“Um… Why, why? What were you talking about?”
Hurriedly trying to change the subject, Baek Yi-heon, sitting next to him, quickly answered.
“We were discussing how to get into Ganghwa Island. The bridges are likely collapsed.”
Ah, right. That’s what we were doing.
I finally came to my senses.
We had stopped the car near Ganghwa Island to discuss our plan.
Baek Yi-heon’s guess was correct.
In reality, both bridges leading to Ganghwa Island would be destroyed.
It was written that way in the original story too.
But I had a solution for everything.
“Ah, both Choji Bridge and Ganghwa Bridge will have their middle sections collapsed.”
I answered casually.
“I can connect them with my power. If I use a proper mix of plant-based and metal-based magic stones.”
Both bridges were less than 1 km long, so building a bridge sturdy enough for the camping car to pass should be easy.
“…Is that so? But something’s strange?”
“Huh? What is?”
Choi Kkang-kang eyed me suspiciously and asked.
“How are you so sure the bridges will be collapsed?”
Completely absorbed in thoughts about the shelter in Paju, I finally realized my mistake and stammered.
“W-well, isn’t it obvious? There must be sea monsters swarming around there too.”
“True. We thought so too, but… ‘The middle section will be collapsed’? You talk as if you’ve seen it yourself.”
“Haha. Don’t you know the technological prowess of Korean construction companies?”
I waved my hand, adopting an unnecessarily boastful tone.
“You think those sturdy bridges would completely crumble? Of course, some parts would remain. Haha!”
Then Choi Kkang-kang, who had been eyeing me closely, suddenly said.
“…You’ve been acting weird lately.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“You zone out lost in thought. You examine abandoned cars closely.”
Gulp.
When did he observe me so carefully?
“Suddenly asking to make inventory items that can store food for a long time.”
Gulp gulp.
As I rolled my eyes around, avoiding his sharp observations that hit the mark, Choi Kkang-kang delivered a combo.
“You’re not thinking of something strange again, are you? …Like leaving us?”
“L-leaving…”
As I trailed off, unable to completely deny it, everyone’s eyes widened in unison.
💎
Thank you for reading! ♡
