The Outer God Needs Warmth

Chapter 108

I brought the drink into the room and sat down in the perfect spot.

As winter approaches, the best place to sit seems to be against the wall in the kitchen.

Now that I think about it, there's no smoke rising...

It’s strange that there’s no fuel to begin with, but I suppose it makes sense.

"What brings you here?"

When I asked, Goomilmil gave a wry smile.

"Isn’t that a bit too direct?"

"There’s a culture of that in humanity."

Of course, I know that, but now there’s no reason to impress on a place I’ve almost lost interest in.

"That’s a strange thing to say."

"Choseol's body is human, but what’s inside isn’t human."

I decided to spill all the known facts.

The fact that I’m not human is unexpectedly an important point.

While I’m at it, I’ll leave behind what else needs to be known.

Since I’ve been steadily emptied out since I was very young, I don’t have a self, so it’s hard to say it’s what I truly desired.

"Do you know the name Eunjae?"

At my words, Goomilmil nodded readily.

"Anyone who doesn’t know the name of the Martial God isn’t a true martial artist."

"Choseol is Eunjae’s granddaughter."

From behind, Sooga stared at me in surprise. Ah, she must think I’m someone important in the Heavenly Demon Church.

"Granddaughter? But... as far as I know, Eunjae’s descendants were cut off, right?"

She looks genuinely surprised. She must have thought it was just some unfortunate incident, that they disappeared.

That’s because Guseongyong didn’t explain Eunjae to Goomilmil.

"When Guseongyong came, there were eleven of us. Choseol’s parents, siblings, and even uncles and cousins."

When her father’s name came up, Goomilmil’s eyes widened.

She must have never heard of this through any other channel. Since the opportunity had come, I decided to tell her directly through Choseol’s own words before it was too late.

"He killed all of Choseol’s family, took her, and made her an experimental subject to uncover Eunjae’s secret."

That’s exactly how it went. With the help of places like Woljedang and Jigwandang, she was being processed with elixirs.

"Afterward, the position of the Heavenly Demon passed from Guseongyong to the current Heavenly Demon, and the Heavenly Demon decided to use Choseol for Jeonyang."

And I guess Goomilmil sensed this was going to be a rather disgusting story, as her expression twisted.

"From Eunjae’s documents, the Heavenly Demon found out that he made a contract with something. He brought that something, and to bring it, he prepared Choseol, who had the closest connection, and placed it within her."

Ta-da.

I pointed to myself.

"It’s me."

I guess you understand what I mean now?

At my words, Goomilmil’s pupils trembled.

"Why are you telling me this?"

Right. It’s a bit out of nowhere, isn’t it?

Goomilmil still doesn’t know.

Right now, outside the Heavenly Demon Church, the Murim Alliance is trying to invade.

They will undoubtedly try to eliminate me and my Harvesters no matter what.

Even if the Heavenly Demon Church wins, there will be casualties.

The people who die in a war aren’t predetermined.

So, I said it when I could.

Now, let me ask the second question.

"What brings you here?"

Goomilmil blinked several times, seemingly trying to understand my words.

"You don’t like that I came, do you?"

"I don’t feel anything. I just thought you’d be like Omyoungseong, but don’t you think you should know Choseol’s story? After all, I’m using Choseol’s body, and there’s some loyalty in that."

Perhaps after I disappear, I might move like Rebecca. I’m just building rapport in advance.

Rebecca seemed to have explored my memories, but will this one do the same?

Will she be swept away by cold memories she doesn’t understand?

Or, perhaps, before I leave and wake again, my body may disappear completely.

If the ones coming now, they’ll likely burn everything, leaving no bodies behind.

Still, I have to prepare in advance.

Kindness...

"Goomilmil, should I be kinder?"

I asked, genuinely curious.

At my question, Goomilmil stared at me, then quickly averted her gaze.

"I’ll pass. I feel like I’m standing in front of a gate to hell that shouldn’t be opened right now."

Well, even if she’s a monster, isn’t that a bit too much of an expression? I guess it’s because I spoke about Choseol earlier.

But eventually, this story had to be told.

I hadn’t thought about it in the first world, but I learned from Rebecca. If possible, it would be better for Choseol to do what she’s supposed to.

It seems like we’re mixing things up.

A moment of silence followed.

Then suddenly, Goomilmil called me.

"Choseol. Sooga is here."

She finally decided to follow.

I nodded, acknowledging, and continued walking forward. Anyway, Sooga was faster than me. A lot faster.

Soon after, Sooga joined us. I thought she was following, but then she suddenly grabbed my arm and stopped me.

"I just want to ask one thing. Was Choseol always Choseol?"

Using formal speech is strange, but I thought it might be a little awkward for her, so I nodded.

"Yes. The owner of this body originally had no self. I was raised not to think, so though I was alive, I was like a walking corpse."

When I explained in detail, Sooga frowned, then nodded.

"Okay, that’s fine."

Back to casual speech.

I can’t tell what she’s thinking, but Sooga urged me to keep going, so I resumed my steps.

After we arrived in the village, we immediately headed to the place Goomilmil guided us to.

Before long, Inshimwon joined us after we entered. Goomilmil grimaced when she saw Inshimwon, but Inshimwon said just one thing.

"I have no intention of interfering with Choseol's actions."

Seeing Inshimwon’s hair, Goomilmil understood and led us further.

And then, on the western outskirts.

We arrived at a place where the houses grew run-down, and the sound of groaning echoed. The air was thick with the smell of medicine, and people were lying around.

Most had rashes or scratched wounds, but one person was different.

A man without a leg, soaked in sweat, was lying down, and a woman of a similar age was tending to him with a pained expression.

She was the first to spot me, her face filled with surprise. After noticing Goomilmil next to me, she quickly stood up, only to stagger and collapse.

"Ch-cho... Heavenly Maiden? And the Saint!"

I moved to the man’s side and helped him up.

"What are you doing to the patient? Sitting him like this will make his blood spill!"

A person who seemed to be a doctor rushed over. His leg had been severed, and the wound hadn’t healed properly, so it would burst if left like this.

I spoke to the man.

"I’ll offer myself to you. In return, when you’re done with everything, I’ll take everything you have. What do you say?"

I know that the dying, who still hear and can answer, will surely respond.

He agreed, and I poured myself into him.

The man swelled up, then hardened like porcelain before gradually crumbling, and the man emerged from inside.

His hair had turned purple, and his skin was pale, but it was still him.

The man, who was startled and checked his body several times, then tried to bow his head toward me, but I stopped him by grabbing his shoulder.

"You showed kindness to me back then, so there’s no need for greetings."

He was one of the villagers who took me out before.

Kindness turned to malice, but...

Well, what can I do?

He was just unlucky.