Chapter 93

〈 Episode 93 〉OMAKE #013, A Snowy Night (3)

The new year had arrived.

The seven Dimensional Gates that opened worldwide had silently disappeared, and no more Monsters were pouring out.

Though countless people had already lost their lives and there were still lingering Monsters roaming the streets from the Dimensional Gates, Special Ability users began to appear one by one, taking them down.

It had been about a month since then. It was February 1st.

Korea was preparing for the grand holiday of Seollal.

* * *

<February 1st>

“Will this really work?”

“It’s sufficient.”

Heo Yoon-hwan bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle to the innkeeper.

On the morning after spending the night with Rusalka, they had repelled a Monster attack on the inn, so the innkeeper offered them free lodging.

Despite providing them with a shabby room, the innkeeper tried to offer them a better one out of guilt, but Yoon-hwan firmly declined the kindness.

During that time, roughly a month spent at the inn, Yoon-hwan made significant contributions to the defense force.

Every night, he would be squeezed dry by some lurking Monster waiting in his room, yet strangely, when he woke up every morning, his vitality would inexplicably recover.

After a month passed, Yoon-hwan finally decided to leave Gangwon-do and retire from his military uniform.

“How do you plan to get to Busan? The roads aren’t operational yet, right?”

“I intend to walk. Following the East Sea coastline should do it.”

“Hmm, yeah, makes sense. Since you’ve awakened that Special Ability of yours or whatever… But what about that young lady?”

The innkeeper wiggled his pinky finger. Yoon-hwan cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Hmph. She’ll be down soon.”

“Ready! …Auntie, thank you very much!”

The white-haired Maiden, Rusalka, bowed deeply to the innkeeper while carrying luggage larger than her own body.

“There you go. Be careful on your way down. Don’t get caught doing anything suspicious at night again.”

“I won’t. Hehe.”

Rusalka smiled meaningfully, and Yoon-hwan looked off into the distance. The innkeeper chuckled as he pulled something out from a drawer.

“Here, take it.”

“What is this?”

Rusalka tilted her head as she looked at the object in her hand. Yoon-hwan quickly snatched it away, his face turning red as he shouted.

“Elder!”

“Hmph, I asked Mr. Park to get it for me. You two will need this-”

“What is this thing?”

Rusalka snatched the item back from Yoon-hwan’s hand. The innkeeper’s expression grew increasingly stern.

“Young lady, don’t tell me you don’t know what this is?”

“Yes. Never seen it before… Oh, is it medicine?”

Rusalka tore open the plastic wrap. Yoon-hwan panicked and reached out, but instead caused the contents to fall to the floor.

Clunk. Rusalka immediately picked up the fallen object.

“…Rubber?”

Rusalka examined the coiled rubber ring, fiddled with it, then blew into it. The rubber inflated into a long cylindrical shape.

The innkeeper beckoned Yoon-hwan over.

“Young man, come here for a moment.”

While Yoon-hwan spent over an hour listening to the innkeeper’s lecture, Rusalka played with the object, slipping it onto her finger.

And thus, the two set off for Busan.

* * *

<February 4th. Busan Haeundae.>

“Is this where your master lives?”

“…Rusalka? What do you mean by ‘master’?”

“I understand. We won’t mention it in front of your parents.”

Rusalka placed a finger to her lips and grinned mischievously. Yoon-hwan sighed at her playful gaze.

“Hmph.”

After many twists and turns, thanks to Rusalka, they finally managed to safely reach Busan.

They froze broken roads to pass through, turned rampaging Monsters into ice statues with a single gesture, and even defeated a snake-like Imugi near Pohang with a single ice spear.

Of course, each time Rusalka used her Magic Power, Yoon-hwan was drained. Due to concerns about hindering Magic Power recovery, Rusalka refrained from using the rubber even once.

‘What if she gets pregnant?’

Yoon-hwan worried endlessly but couldn’t come up with any solutions.

For now, let’s just visit my parents and take our time to think. That was the thought crossing his mind as he descended with Rusalka.

Bangbangbang.

Yoon-hwan pounded hard on the blue iron gate. It was tightly shut.

“Mother, Father! Yoon-hwan has arrived!”

He hammered the iron gate forcefully enough for the sound to carry inside. However, no one came out, and instead, a middle-aged man from the neighboring house appeared.

“Who’s making all this noise… Yun-hwan!”

“Ahjussi!”

Mr. Yang ran over and hugged Yoon-hwan tightly. Yoon-hwan was at a loss under the intense embrace.

“Did you finally come?! Did you not see your father along the way?!”

“…Huh?”

Yoon-hwan’s face stiffened. Naturally, Rusalka beside him also sensed Yoon-hwan’s emotions and her expression hardened.

Yang released the hug and pointed toward Yoon-hwan’s house.

“…Just wait a moment. Let’s talk inside your house.”

Yang momentarily went inside his own home and returned with a key. It was the key to Yoon-hwan’s house.

“……”

Yoon-hwan felt dizzy.

* * *

<February 5th. Heo Yoon-hwan's House.>

An eerie wind blew. Cold drafts seeped into the freezing attic where the coal heating system wasn’t functioning properly.

“Are you alright?”

Rusalka lay atop Yoon-hwan, caressing his face. Yoon-hwan covered her hand with his own and smiled.

“I’m fine. They’re probably alive.”

“……Shall I try something?”

Rusalka’s eyes gleamed with a white light. Yoon-hwan shook his head and pulled her into an embrace.

“No. You might faint again like last time. Don’t do it.”

The A-Rank Imugi they killed in Pohang was slain by Rusalka, but she collapsed due to excessive use of Magic Power.

“…If they’re alive, they’ll contact us. I’ve already informed Gangwon-do too. If they arrive, we can go pick them up.”

Letters and phone lines were cut off, but they were gradually being restored. Miraculously, Yoon-hwan succeeded in briefly contacting the owner of the Sokcho inn, who promised to inform him immediately if his parents arrived.

“I’m not the only one dealing with this; the whole world is going through it. What can we do? The Yang ajussi next door said all his children were eaten by Monsters. Compared to that…”

Rusalka’s expression darkened, and Yoon-hwan immediately kissed her forehead apologetically.

“No, sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“……Sorry.”

“What are you apologizing for? Eh?”

Yoon-hwan flipped positions with Rusalka. Her small frame was easily overturned.

“While traveling, you used Magic Power, didn’t you? You must be tired, so I’ll move.”

“…M-Master?”

Rusalka spoke shyly.

“Tonight… Do whatever Master wishes.”

“Rusalka?”

Her arms wrapped around his neck, her smile betraying the sympathy and sorrow in her eyes.

“The only thing I can give you right now is this, so I’m sorry.”

“…It’s okay.”

Yoon-hwan’s body overlapped with Rusalka’s.

* * *

“Back then, how did I…”

Seok Harang nervously twirled her hair. Her snow-white hair had grown down to her waist, resembling Rusalka’s.

“No, it was a month ago. The day of our first union. With overwhelming passion, conception occurred immediately.”

Beside Seok Harang, a girl with turquoise hair appeared. Though Harang had never seen her before, the Spirit power within her instantly identified the girl.

“Ni… Is that Phoenix?”

“It could be, or it might not be. All I can say is…”

Chang-yeom pointed at the image before them.

“Consider me a storyteller sent to correct your misunderstanding. That should suffice.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

Chang-yeom stared blankly at the image as she spoke.

“The truth behind why Rusalka took her own life.”

The images flowed one by one, revealing the couple’s daily life: strolling along Haeundae beach, repelling Monster attacks, waiting for news from family, rescuing others, and sharing love.

As time passed, Rusalka’s belly began to swell.

* * *

<September 9th. Heo Yoon-hwan's House.>

By now, Rusalka’s belly had reached full term. It was becoming difficult for her to walk, so she relied on Magic Power to move, though she no longer absorbed energy through intercourse.

“Pffft, Hufff. Whew.”

Rusalka breathed heavily, swallowing the last remaining essence with her mouth. Yoon-hwan, still seated, stroked her hair.

“Are you okay?”

“Naturally. …I’m the one who feels sorry. I can only resolve things this way.”

Yoon-hwan’s erection showed no signs of subsiding. Despite having already used her mouth and hands three times to extract his seed, his member remained firm.

“Master.”

Rusalka peeked from beside the shaft.

“…”

But she quickly swallowed her words and shook her head. Yoon-hwan lifted her body like a doll and embraced her.

“Why? Is there something you want to say?”

“……No. I feel like you’ll be disappointed if I say it.”

Fear filled Rusalka’s eyes. Yoon-hwan smiled and shook his head.

“You can say it. Anything.”

“…Then, Master.”

Rusalka bit her lip before barely managing to speak.

“Can we… not keep the baby in my belly?”

“…”

Yoon-hwan’s expression stiffened. His grip on her loosened. Rusalka lowered her head, seeing the shocked look on Yoon-hwan’s face.

“……Why?”

Yoon-hwan finally managed to speak.

“Why are you saying this? Rusalka, did you not want this? Is that why? Or maybe you think I-”

“No, it’s absolutely not that. Just… ”

Rusalka’s face was filled with confusion.

“After giving birth to this child, I fear I won’t be myself anymore. That scares me.”

Rusalka was trembling. Yoon-hwan gently pulled her into an embrace and patted her back.

“My father once told me a story about my mother. Before giving birth to me, she had endless thoughts like these. She also felt tired and wanted to give up sometimes.”

“…”

Rusalka buried her face in Yoon-hwan’s chest. Yoon-hwan tenderly stroked her hair.

“But my father said that was all part of becoming a mother.”

“Mother? Me?”

At Rusalka’s question, Yoon-hwan nodded.

“To be honest, I’d like you to bear my child. I may have nothing and less Magic Power than you, but I’ll work hard from now on. Let me make you my first and last woman.

“…What about Yang’s second child?”

“That person meant nothing to me. I only have you, Rusalka.”

Yoon-hwan’s expression hardened. Rusalka subtly scanned his emotions with Magic Power.

It was sincere. Rusalka tried hard to suppress the corners of her mouth from curling up as she asked.

“If something happens during childbirth, what will we do? Last time I checked at the library, it’s supposed to be incredibly painful.”

“You’re on the smaller side, but I believe you can handle it. …Didn’t you manage to encompass all of mine earlier?”

“……You’re bringing that up now?”

Rusalka gave Yoon-hwan a haughty look before jumping at the sudden warmth against her bottom. Yoon-hwan turned his head, embarrassed by the physiological reaction.

“……Sorry.”

“……Mother. Hehe.”

Rusalka softly smiled and slightly raised her body.

“Master. Did you know?”

“…What?”

Rusalka looked up at Yoon-hwan with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“We haven’t done THAT yet, right?”

“……Wait a minute. What about the baby-”

“It’s fine. I’ll cushion the impact with Magic Power.”

* * *

“…Did Mother worry about these things too?”

Seok Harang clenched her fists tightly. Chang-yeom glanced her up and down beside her and questioned.

“Aren’t you similar?”

“……Damn.”

Harang crossed her arms in front of her stomach and fidgeted.

“I was scared I’d abandon my child like my father. I feared I might become someone like that… But Mother was ridiculous. She considered killing me before I was even born.”

“Rusalka loved you more than anyone else.”

Seok Harang twisted her lips.

“Didn’t you see that just now? She suggested aborting me, and now you’re saying that?”

“As a mother, it was the worst choice, but as a former Dark Legion officer, she foresaw what would happen when you were born.”

“…What does that mean?”

Chang-yeom gestured toward the image. In the image, Rusalka was writhing in agony during childbirth.

A hint of sadness flickered across Chang-yeom’s otherwise emotionless face.

“When you were born, you took away all of Rusalka’s Spirit power. All that remained was Tera’s corrupted Magic Power.”

“So leaving her with only corrupted Magic Power makes her no different from a brainwashed Spirit.”

Seok Harang’s face turned pale. Chang-yeom nodded.

“She became a monster.”

The image of Rusalka’s body began to distort.

* * *

“Rusalka?!”

Yoon-hwan, who had just received the baby and cut the umbilical cord, was horrified by Rusalka’s transformation.

Her right side transformed like a butterfly. Between the black Armor, foul liquid began to pool. At least her left side remained intact. Rusalka weakly turned her head.

“…This is who I truly am. A commander of the Dark Legion. …Are you disgusted?”

“Rusalka!”

Yoon-hwan rushed to her with the baby in his arms.

“The baby’s name.”

“What are you saying now!”

“The baby’s name is Harang. The maiden of the river. I studied some Chinese characters… isn’t it pretty?”

“Now isn’t the time to talk about names! What’s happening to you?”

Rusalka looked at Yoon-hwan with a slightly surprised expression.

“Surprised by this form? Aren’t you?”

“……It’s still you!”

“…Hehe, that’s true. Then, one last favor, Master?”

“Hey!”

Rusalka raised her left hand and pointed to her heart.

“Kill me. With your own hands, before I lose control and harm you both.”