Chapter 08
I didn’t want to see fire.
Even though the monster’s body hadn’t caught fire yet, Ren’s breathing was growing increasingly rapid.
In her mind, it wasn’t the monster in front of her that haunted her, but the memories of her past—colleagues and coaches screaming for their lives.
She had wanted desperately to save them, but she couldn’t. The guilt of being the sole survivor was something she could never forget.
Sensing something was wrong, Rix glanced at Ren and said,
“Step back a little. It’s dangerous.”
Ren immediately nodded. She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
Rix withdrew his hand and took out a match from his pocket.
When he struck it with a click and the tiny flame appeared, Ren felt as if every vein in her body had turned into molten lava, burning her from within.
That tiny sound transported her back to the shooting range, where gunpowder exploded and screams echoed endlessly.
The past swallowed her whole in flames.
Ren gripped her chest tightly.
At that moment, she heard a voice whispering in her ears: “Suji! Save us!”
She couldn’t remember if it was a colleague or someone else.
But since she had been the only one moving in that place, surely everyone had been screaming for her to save them.
She had struggled to save them, but she, too, had suffered burns.
She had been dragged out of the shooting range by firefighters.
It felt as if molten fire had filled her veins, squeezing her lungs.
Her head spun.
No matter how much she closed her eyes and whispered to herself that it was different now, the small flames had swelled into a massive wave, crashing over her.
The match fell onto the monster without hesitation.
When Rix struck two more match flames, the blood on the creature’s body burned like oil, and the fire grew stronger.
The heat from the flames was suffocating.
The smell of the fire resembled burning garbage.
Nausea surged.
She twisted her body, covering her nose and mouth.
Her stomach churned violently, but nothing came out, making it even more agonizing.
“Alright, then… hey, what’s wrong with you?”
Rix stepped closer and placed his hand on Ren’s shoulder.
Ren flinched and slapped it away, the sensation like a swarm of insects crawling over her.
Through Rix’s startled expression, she saw the monsters gather into a single massive flame.
Within their charred forms, she glimpsed the faces of the coaches and colleagues who hadn’t escaped the shooting range.
“…It’s okay—!”
Rix’s voice faded.
Ren collapsed, unable to withstand the scorching heat.
When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a ceiling so lavish it took her breath away.
Before she could even register the patterns, a throbbing headache hit her.
It felt as if she were wearing a crown made of thorns, the spikes tightening against her skull, embedding themselves in her skin.
No blood had been shed, but the pressure against her brain made her scream involuntarily.
“AAAH!”
She curled up like a child, clutching her head and rolling around.
No matter how much she tumbled on the enormous bed, she couldn’t fall off.
Then someone shouted:
“Saint! Saint Ren!”
The unfamiliar name echoed in her ears.
Right. This wasn’t Korea.
She wasn’t Minsuji anymore.
Finally, she came to her senses.
Ren stretched out on the bed, breathing heavily.
Her vision blurred white.
When she blinked, the tears pooled at the corners of her eyes streamed down.
Even she didn’t understand why she was crying.
“Saint, are you alright?”
It was Fernandez’s voice.
Turning her head toward it, she saw Fernandez trembling, hands clasped tightly, tears brimming.
This child genuinely cared about her.
Ren felt a warmth in her heart and nodded silently.
Fernandez exhaled deeply, bowing their head, letting thick tears fall freely.
Finally, Ren gathered her wits and sat up, still holding the headache tightly.
The room was a stark contrast to the one she had been staying in.
At the far end, a now-familiar red-haired man in a black uniform sat perched by the window, sun at his back, watching her.
Ren and Rix’s eyes met. His expression was serious, as if he had witnessed something displeasing.
Ren summoned the courage to speak words she hadn’t wanted to:
“Where… is this?”
“My imperial palace.”
She coughed a few times to loosen her tight throat. Fernandez hurried to bring her some water.
It wasn’t that she needed it, but she accepted a sip from the child’s innocent eyes.
The water tasted strange. Ren frowned, and Rix spoke before she could comment:
“I added something to it. It’ll give your body a little energy.”
“…Thank you.”
It was like a vitamin. She didn’t know what it was, but she appreciated the thought.
“What happened to me?”
“You suddenly passed out in the forest, and the prince carried you out!”
Ren had asked Rix, but Fernandez answered, shivering at the memory.
Rix approached slowly.
“You just fainted.”
Of course.
Her last memory was the raging flames. Seeing her coaches and colleagues among the melting monsters, she must have lost consciousness instantly.
Just recalling it sent chills down her spine.
Even though she had felt heat from the fire, a cold shiver ran through her bones.
“I caused trouble… I’m sorry.”
Rix didn’t respond. She took his silence as affirmation.
Ren reached for Fernandez’s hand, and the child clutched it tightly. Ren held the small hands firmly and climbed off the bed.
The bed was large enough for four people.
Her skirt was still tattered, but her shoes were gone.
To be precise, “Ren’s” shoes were missing.
In their place were elegant, silver sparkling shoes.
Not the ruined pair she had worn through the forest yesterday.
She looked at Rix.
“It’s my mother’s,” he said casually.
That made her hesitate even more.
Rix stepped forward, kneeled, and helped her into the shoes.
“Afraid of fire?”
“…Yes.”
He helped her with the other shoe as well. With Fernandez’s support, she stood.
The shoes, belonging to his mother, fit her perfectly.
“I’ve prepared a carriage for your return. And mine too.”
Unsure how to properly show gratitude, she bowed in the Korean manner.
“Thank you.”
Rix’s expression shifted subtly.
“…I’ll send someone to instruct you in etiquette soon, so learn well.”
She realized she had misjudged the situation. Pressing her lips together, she nodded slightly.
Before following Fernandez out the door, Rix called her back.
“Ren?”
The unfamiliar name made her pause mid-step.
She turned her head, and Rix cleared his throat, looking out the window.
“I’m sorry about the fire.”
Ren was a bit surprised. A proud prince apologizing.
She chuckled quietly, nodding despite him not watching.
“It’s alright.”
She left Rix’s room.
Fernandez tilted their head curiously.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Nothing.”
Ren shook her head.
“Wow… it’s really big.”
She couldn’t close her mouth.
Before returning to the temple, Ren insisted on bringing Rix’s horse. Mable had raised both hands in protest, but Ren was adamant.
The horse was so large its back was taller than her head.
Mable, who held the reins, worried:
“Are you sure? You don’t even know how to ride.”
Mable was already exhausted from handling the horse. Her hair was messy, sides clutched, hay stuck to her pants—it was clear something had happened.
The horse’s presence in the middle of the night seemed to infuriate Mable even more. She shook her head violently.
Her arms flailed weakly, like a jointed doll.
Ren, unfazed, said:
“Can’t I just learn?”
“That’s not going to work quickly, uh!”
“You’ll be able to ride quickly, Saint.”
Mable clutched her side. Scarlet, hair tied high in a single braid, smiled softly.
“What’s the horse’s name?”
“Well…”
Mable and Scarlet exchanged embarrassed glances, searching for words.
Ren asked with a hint of disbelief:
“It… doesn’t have a name?”
“Haha…”
Mable laughed awkwardly.
“It grew up very precious. We couldn’t just name it recklessly… so we avoided it.”
Ren was bewildered by the cautious explanation.
The horse seemed to agree, letting out a soft prrrr.
“Hmm… what should I name you?”
Ren stroked the horse’s face and, almost instinctively, touched its forehead.
The horse’s fur was soft beneath her hand.
The horse, which had been difficult to tame even for Rix, became completely docile under Ren’s touch.
Mable and Scarlet couldn’t believe it.
The horse blinked at Ren with pure eyes, as if saying, I know nothing.
Ren couldn’t resist the cuteness and pressed her forehead against the horse’s.
The horse stayed calm.
Mable and Scarlet were speechless at the gentle demeanor, contrasting the horse’s usual mischievousness.
“How can it be this cute?”
Ren rubbed her cheek against the horse’s. The horse purred softly and tapped its front hooves in delight.
Mable and Scarlet blinked, astonished.
So this… is the power of the Saint.
How far could a Saint’s purification reach?
A sense of awe welled up within them.
