STWW 07

Chapter 7

There is no child who grows up exactly the way their parents want. Experiences differ, the situations they face differ, and their thoughts differ.

Even if two people witness the same scene, their conclusions differ, and so do their actions.

Over time, these accumulate into a set of values.

It might be an adult’s responsibility to plant the small seeds so a child can think correctly.

But it is the child’s responsibility to make them sprout—or not.

“Don’t be so greedy.”

Dane smiled gently, as if looking at a clumsy child. I could sense that she had already experienced something like this herself.

“Did you have a younger sibling?”

“No. I didn’t.”

Remarkably, she had no siblings in any life.

“But I did meet and send off countless children.”

She smiled beautifully, tinged with longing. Many had told Dane that it would be best if she grew up big, but Soo had never thought that way.

Perhaps it was because of a teacher she hadn’t seen for a long time.

But now, for the first time, she agreed with them. Truly a very lovely child.

“Well, if you’re so adamant, I won’t force it. Mr. Soo.”

“And you?”

“You can just call me by my name.”

Dane muttered lightly, as if wondering why I asked.

“You mean you have a childhood name, don’t you?”

“Oh, I do, but it’s fine.”

It’s not mine anyway. After living all this time being called by others’ names, it seems silly to care now.

“I like my name.”

Still, I’m a person who already struggles just to carry myself alone. What can you do, right, Dana?

When was it?

Once, I had asked Haro about it. What happens to the soul of a body when it becomes possessed?

Haro had answered, asking why I had to ask something like that. After all, I was the owner of that name.

After some back-and-forth, he said a few more words. Even through writing, I could feel him sigh.

[Underworld Messenger Haro: No matter how much the worlds are based on salvaging measures, there are still lost souls there. Possession selects from bodies in which such souls have fallen asleep.]

He never explained what a lost soul was exactly, but one could guess—it was probably a soul that “should not exist” in that world.

He said these souls were used for retrieval and as a means of salvation. He added that I needn’t worry.

[Underworld Messenger Haro: Shouldn’t we guide the lost to the right path?]

“Phew.”

Dane exhaled roughly. Gripping her sword, she moved quickly down the mountain.

Guibong had many cliffs. She jumped from them, creating footholds as she descended.

She used him like stepping stones to reach the ground.

With more stamina, even cliffs must be climbed.

China, known for its mountains and cliffs, left a strong impression. One had to be capable of climbing them.

When we returned home, a sweet smell filled the air.

Looking at the open door, it seemed someone had been grocery shopping; the bags weren’t even unpacked. I thought I’d deal with them later and moved toward the kitchen, which smelled of food.

“What are you doing?”

“Some syrup and malt candy. They had good malt at the market.”

“Already?”

Malt, or malted barley, was of the highest quality when harvested in late autumn, during the cold season.

Feeling that hovering around would just get in the way, I left the kitchen.

“Winter will come soon.”

“Yes, indeed.”

Dane, intending to unpack the groceries, noticed a piece of clothing draped over a chair. It was Soo’s martial uniform—but that wasn’t what caught her eye.

sigh

What good is being a good cook if everything else is a mess?

The sleeves, torn by the sword energy, had been patched poorly.

Dane retrieved a sewing kit and first cut the messy threads. Threading a needle, she carefully repaired the uniform and hung it neatly back on the chair.

sigh

“You don’t need such fine clothes.”

I knew she had bought the clothes before it got cold, but… I don’t know. It felt good, I guess.

Soon, she regretted not speaking properly.

“….”

Dane exhaled sharply and turned her head.

She examined Soo’s attire. Over the dark martial uniform, he wore a robe of pale jade. His loosely braided hair looked styled more for subtle elegance than neatness.

Soo clearly cared about his appearance. To be frank, he liked dressing up.

While his martial uniform was neat and dark, his casual clothing followed a completely different style.

She knew he liked to dress up, but ugh, she muttered softly.

“Sir.”

Soo turned around. His bright, innocent voice clearly showed he didn’t understand why she called him. Dane exhaled lightly.

“You know you don’t need these clothes, right?”

“But…”

“You’ll grow soon anyway. The fabric can always be sold if necessary.”

The flowing texture was soft, even glossy. Clearly, top-grade silk.

The shop probably didn’t carry the very best, but this was still a fine item. How much had it cost to make this garment?

“It’s fine. I have plenty of money.”

Hearing that, one naturally wonders how much, but that wasn’t the point.

“I’ll grow fast. Since I mainly wear my martial uniform, the uniforms and the winter clothes you bought before are enough.”

Her guardian looked puzzled, as if asking what the problem was.

“I bought it because I thought it would suit you.”

Finally, he smiled awkwardly.

Dane looked down at the clothes. She understood the sentiment—there was some gratitude—but still:

“It’s excessive.”

Some things are just too much.

If this were modern times, she would’ve accepted the clothes silently. Even if she were born into a wealthy family, or in a place like Mata, awash with money.

This wasn’t about wealth.

Perhaps it was because, once, a single outfit had been her entire fortune, and she had paid with fabric instead of money.

Things without value cannot replace money. Even buying a small amount of grain requires something of equivalent value in return.

“You don’t like it?”

Her gaze returned.

“No, it’s pretty. But it’s not about taking it or not.”

“You don’t have to wear it. I just saw it and thought of you, so I bought it.”

“….”

It’s still hard. Rejecting someone’s goodwill, giving honest criticism—it’s difficult.

“I’ll wear it gratefully. But let me see the money first.”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been spending a lot. We need to manage living expenses carefully.”

If she didn’t intend to spend, she could make sure the money wasn’t even in reach.

Upon checking, there was indeed a substantial amount—enough for the two of them to live comfortably. She briefly regretted speaking sharply, but then shook her head.

Still, it was excessive. Buying a new outfit every time they went shopping?

Besides, at eight years old, she would soon outgrow clothes. If she were a teenager, such purchases would be fine. By then, growth would mostly stop.

“Leg width, this much.”

Swish swish. The sound of feet scraping the ground.

“Speed will come naturally. Right now, focus on posture.”

Soo was fundamentally good at teaching.

He had patience and didn’t mind repeating instructions dozens of times.

“Now, that’s fine. Just hold the sword with your arm.”

Straightening the arm. Soo held Dane’s arm and slowly demonstrated the posture.

After repeating it several times, he nodded and told her to try alone.

“You have a talent for teaching.”

Soo, reading his secret manual, chuckled at her comment.

His gaze gradually rose to the sky. The full moon that night was unusually bright.

“Still, teaching is all I can do.”

He returned his gaze to the manual.

“I can embody what I’ve learned intellectually, but I can’t hope for more.”

“Isn’t that enough?”

He looked at her with a wry smile, then turned his gaze away.

“I once thought I was talented. But I wasn’t.”

His muttered voice, saying “I wasn’t,” sounded both heavy and empty.

“Watching my disciple train seriously, I realized how mistaken I had been.”