TRHSOS 12

Chapter 12

I Became a Granddaughter

“Do you know my name?”

But no matter how I thought it over, this was the first time I had met him.
There was a sharpness to him, yes, but if anyone had seen this face—so perfectly formed, like fine porcelain—they could never forget it.
Not just because it was beautiful, but because it left such a strong impression on the mind.

Wait… can an ordinary person survive bleeding so heavily that the floor is soaked for over twenty minutes?

“Damn it!”

Just as I started to harbor reasonable doubts about the man, someone snapped a white fan decorated with plum blossoms and hit him on the head with a sharp thwack.

“Don’t you dare try any tricks on our little bloodball!”

The young man holding the fan, decorated with dazzling silver beads, wore round glasses with gold rims and threads over long white hair.
The familiar tone, full of experience, was…

“Grandfather?”

“You recognize me, huh.”

It really was him?

He looked at me with dark gray eyes, his gaze gentle.
It was surprising enough that the medicine jar had become a person, but how could this grandfather be so young-looking?
At first glance, he seemed roughly the same age as the man who had collapsed.

“Old man of the apothecary, why are you doing something you normally wouldn’t? You’re not the type to fuss over someone else.”

The man frowned, touching the spot where the fan had struck, and looked back at the grandfather.

“Could it be that it’s almost time to leave…?”

“Seems like the falcon isn’t enough yet!”

The grandfather snapped, raising the fan, but the man blocked it with one hand.

“No, it’s enough. I’m hurt, so ease up a little.”

“As the one who recognizes you as the apothecary’s owner, that child is no different from my granddaughter. So watch your behavior.”

The grandfather warned the whining man in a serious tone.

“Granddaughter…”

My grandparents had both passed away before I was born.
So deep down, I had always envied those who had received their care and love.
Maybe that’s why, when he called me his granddaughter, my chest felt both warm and heavy.

“Grandfather.”

At my call, the grandfather, who had been struggling with the man, turned to me.

“Do you really mean it—that I’m your granddaughter?”

I asked shyly. The man beside the grandfather clutched his chest.

“Old man of the apothecary, my heart feels strange right now. Like it got hit by a hammer—so heavy.”

“Well, a knife was stuck in your back and pulled out, so it’s bound to hurt!”

As expected, the apothecary grandfather’s fan struck the man’s back.

“That’s not the feeling I meant…”

The man protested, but the grandfather ignored him.

“Of course. You’re my granddaughter now. So you can treat me freely.”

For some reason, it felt comforting to have my first ally in this unfamiliar place.

“Granddaughter, my foot! You’re not even related—perverted old man!”

“Stop talking nonsense and go wash yourself!”

The grandfather raised his voice at the man’s blatant muttering.

Come to think of it, didn’t this man get stabbed in the back?
And he seems familiar with hot springs.

“You’re Sharenian, right?”

“Correct.”

Sharenian replied with a faint smile, his gaze dropping to my feet.

“Old man of the apothecary, let me borrow this for a moment.”

“That cloth? I was saving it to make decoctions!”

Sharenian took the white cloth from around the grandfather’s neck, lowered himself in front of me, and carefully wiped the blood off the soles of my feet.

“Sorry for getting it on you.”

He looked like a deflated wolf, and for some reason, that made me feel oddly protective.

Just as I was thinking he looked pitiful,

“Don’t sneakily fondle my granddaughter’s feet—get out of the bath!”

The grandfather shoved Sharenian with his foot, sending him sprawling to the floor.

“Tch, what a nuisance. I’ll go, I’ll go.”

Despite having collapsed and bled moments ago, Sharenian quickly got back on his feet with astonishing agility.

“Park Suon, thanks for the medicine.”

Sharenian turned and thanked me once more before leaving.

Had I even told Sharenian my name?
Well, I had learned his through the system window, so I could have known if I wanted.

After Sharenian left, the floor was soaked in blood.
Since I had become the hot spring’s owner, did that mean cleaning this up was my job now?

“Grandfather, how should I clean a floor soaked in blood? I’m not very good at housekeeping.”

“Normally, you wouldn’t know.”

Being a grandfather, he only spoke what was true.
Persuaded, I nodded.

“There’s no need to clean here separately. This hot spring is maintained by the power of the Sea Spirit. As long as you’re safe, cleanliness is preserved.”

That was reassuring.

“But why don’t these bloodstains disappear?”

“That’s strange. Could something be wrong with the Sea Spirit’s body?”

A minor problem had arisen.
Diarrhea, of all things…

“Can you make medicine to treat side effects from drinking the wrong tea?”

“If someone intentionally put poison in it, maybe. But normally, tea doesn’t have side effects unless it’s extremely faulty. Don’t worry.”

I guess that makes me a very special “faulty hand.”

“I can make such an antidote lying down without breaking a sweat.”

“Then could I ask you to? And while you’re at it, two more bottles of ‘New Flesh’.”

“No problem, but here’s advice: don’t push yourself too hard making medicine. It requires considerable stamina.”

I spread my two fingers energetically, and the grandfather looked worried.

“It’s only three times, not a large batch. Don’t worry. I have a sturdy body—I don’t even catch the common cold.”

“Good. If you can get more ‘New Flesh,’ I’ll make the medicine.”

“Huh?”

I hadn’t expected to be told to gather herbs.

“You used the last of it earlier.”

“Where can I get more ‘New Flesh’?”

“Coincidentally, I know a place where it grows in abundance. The gatekeeper there is a friend of mine, but his personality is difficult—can you handle it?”

Still, if I wanted to continue making medicine, I’d need the herbs.
Might as well go now if I have to go eventually.

“If you plan to go, take this ticket. Bring it to the hot spring gate, and it will take you to the place I mentioned.”

Having made up my mind, the grandfather handed me the ticket.
It looked like a train ticket with the number “46” on it.

“Take these as well.”

[Acquired “Gathering Bag (A)” from “Medicine Jar (EX)”]
[Acquired “Apothecary’s Hoe (S)” from “Medicine Jar (EX)”]

All items were useful for harvesting herbs.

“Doesn’t harvesting with bare hands hurt?”

“Thank you, Grandfather!”

I took the bag and hoe he had given me.

“I’ll be back!”

Clutching the ticket, I opened the hot spring door.
Beyond it stood a white-bearded old man guarding a door carved with a giant dragon.
He had been leaning against the door, dozing, but woke at my approach.

“Haven’t I told you countless times? I’m too tired to move, so don’t bother me and just go back!”

He looked irritable, clearly used to visitors.

“I’m here to get some New Flesh. Can I just go in quickly, harvest it, and leave?”

“That ticket… did the apothecary grandfather send it?”

He hesitated, eyeing the ticket in my hand.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Even if it’s the apothecary grandfather’s request, I can’t let you! Only I can open this door. But I’m too stiff and sore to move, so just leave!”

It seemed the grandfather wasn’t very close to this white-beard.
And the old man really did look exhausted.

If his body is too stiff to move, I just need to loosen it…

A good idea came to mind.

“Grandfather, could you cover your ears for a moment?”

“Like this?”

The old man covered his ears with both hands.

“Damn it!”

[Matches the code for “Hot Spring Master Key (EX)”]
[Moving to hidden field: “Hot Spring (EX)”]

Back at the hot spring, I went straight to the multipurpose room.
The dark sky had brightened as the sun rose.

Here it is!

I grabbed the one-person sauna barrel—Park Siwoo’s cherished sauna barrel that a shower alone couldn’t satisfy.
Peeking through the glass door, I locked eyes with Siwoo, sleeping with his eyes open.

“Ah! Damn it!”

I nearly jumped out of my skin.
The saying “a thief gets nervous” suddenly made sense.

[Matches the code for “Hot Spring Master Key (EX)”]
[Moving to hidden field: “Hot Spring (EX)”]

Back at the hot spring, I took the ticket and went to the old man.

“Nuisance little kid. My answer hasn’t changed no matter how many times you come.”

“You might think differently if you see what I brought.”

I set down Park Siwoo’s sauna barrel in front of the old man, who snorted.

Sea Spirit, I know you’re weak… but could you fill this barrel with hot spring water?

[Constellation “Ruler of Hot Spring Water” moves the hot spring water, saying, “Easier than breathing exercises.”]

The tsundere Sea Spirit helped without showing any pain.
The barrel quickly filled with steaming hot water.

“Isn’t this the apothecary grandfather’s hot spring water?”

The old man’s eyes widened at the sight of it.

“Would you like to try it?”

At my invitation, he eagerly got into the barrel.

“Hehe, this warmth loosens the body nicely!”

As the old man smiled in satisfaction, the firmly closed door opened with a loud sound.

“Remember, I’ve done my part. You’re responsible for what happens next.”

He seemed worried I might take all the herbs.

“Don’t worry! I’ll just harvest a little and return.”

Inside, the herbs were abundant.
Blinded by them, I instinctively grabbed the hoe and bent down.
I didn’t even notice the message that had appeared on the Hunter system when the door opened:

[Floor 46 of the Tower has been unlocked.