Episode 24
Piggy
‘He wants me to assist the Young Master?’
Does that mean he wants me to be the Young Master's aide?
But according to what I read in Dad's secret library, not just anyone can become the Young Master's aide.
"But aren't only elders who have contributed to the Demonic Cult appointed to the Young Master's aide position? You're also expected to be a skilled martial artist. I'm not qualified for this position."
And more than anything, I don't want to be near the Young Master.
He feeds me well, but it feels like he'll work me to the bone.
"Even as a new member of the Demonic Cult, your understanding of the aide position's requirements is excellent."
The Young Master looked at me with suspicious eyes.
‘Well, that’s because my dad is the Heavenly Demon.’
"I overheard it while staying in the Demonic Cult. I need to know it well now that I'm a member of the Demonic Cult."
I answered nonchalantly without panicking and dropped the subject.
Then, the Young Master seemed to drop his suspicion and continued speaking.
"You've already made a contribution. Didn't you find out the mastermind behind this Demonic Cult attack with your excellent foresight? And you'll continue to protect the future of the Demonic Cult with that ability."
The Young Master rattled off the reasons why I was suitable for the aide position.
‘He’s not wrong.’
No, wait, what if I get talked into this?
I just need to find a way to cure Dad's mental affliction in a position that attracts as little attention as possible.
"...It's true, but I don't think it's good for my abilities to be known too widely. My safety could be at risk."
"That's why I'm going to keep you by my side."
"Huh?"
‘What does my being in danger have to do with being next to the Young Master?’
Looking at the Young Master with a face that showed I didn't understand at all, he answered without hesitation.
"If you're by my side, you won't die."
‘How can you be so sure about that?’
Unlike my anxiety, the Young Master seemed confident, as if stating a very obvious truth.
"But how do you know when I'll be attacked? Surely, you can't follow me to the privy, sir?"
"If you're that worried, I could... to the entrance of the privy—"
"Enough!"
I said it to make him give up, but the Young Master was seriously considering and answering.
‘From the start, is it even right for the Young Master to escort a mere aide to the privy!’
"Then I'll take it that you have no further complaints."
"Young Master, please reconsider!"
In a hurry, I shouted urgently at the Young Master, who was trying to wrap up the conversation, and tapped the small table right in front of me.
"Even if I've contributed to the Demonic Cult, my martial arts skills are far too lacking to rise to the position of aide. I'm only fit to be a new disciple!"
I spoke with all my might, thinking this was my last chance to persuade the Young Master, but his expression looking at me was very puzzled.
"With that kind of strength, you could be in the Black Assassins!"
The Young Master's gaze turned to my hand that had tapped the table.
‘Suddenly, the Black Assassins?’
I naturally followed the Young Master's gaze and looked at the table.
‘No, why is this…!’
The table was split clean in two.
‘This can’t be happening?’
I really just tapped the table lightly as usual, but it split in two? How is that even possible?
Looking back at Geum Seon-yeonhwa, he smiled confidently and gave me a thumbs-up.
‘This is not the time to be smiling like that! At this rate, I’ll inevitably become the Young Master’s aide!’
"There's no need to worry too much. I have no intention of publicizing your abilities, and I've already made sure everyone will keep quiet. So, there's no risk of you becoming someone's target either."
"Then why did you say it as if you were going to publicize my abilities earlier?"
"Because it's fun."
"......"
"Of course, your reaction."
‘My heart was pounding out of my chest!’
The Young Master was nonchalant.
‘The Young Master is definitely a villain! Otherwise, he couldn’t enjoy tormenting people like that!’
While I was secretly grinding my teeth in anger, the Young Master continued to speak.
"In addition, I already have Oh-haeng as an aide. Thanks to that, you won't have much to do. Free time must be sufficiently guaranteed so you can also do the Sambidae activities."
‘Free time is guaranteed? This is a tempting offer.’
Honestly, if I'm the Young Master's aide, I'll be able to access most places in the Demonic Cult.
"And for your information...."
In the midst of my contemplation, the Young Master added with a knowing smile.
"The aide's meals are as delicious as the Cult Leader's."
Ha, unbelievable!
To think that just because the meals are delicious, it would influence my decision to become the Young Master's aide.
"So!"
I narrowed my eyes and glared at the Young Master.
"When do I start?"
* * *
Day 6 since coming to the Demonic Cult.
As morning dawned, I put on the prepared aide's uniform, a harmonious blend of black and red, and came out into the hallway.
"Piggy."
Geum Seon-yeonhwa, who was waiting for me to come out in the hallway, approached me and whispered sullenly.
"Who are you calling Piggy?"
"So easily swayed by food."
"Ugh, seriously? It's not that I was swayed by food, but I accepted the Young Master's offer because of the beneficial aspects of the aide position, you know?"
"Piggy."
It seemed like nothing I said would work on Geum Seon-yeonhwa.
‘Well, it’s okay. Just like the Young Master said, breakfast this morning was incredibly delicious.’
"Finally, the day to go home has come."
‘Originally, I was planning to go home as soon as morning dawned, but….’
I recalled what Jeok-un had said last night.
"Tomorrow, there will be a memorial service for the assassins who were attacked. I plan to announce your appointment as aide at that ceremony. So, return after the ceremony is over."
‘I’m staying for that reason, but… there were a few things I needed to sort out before going home anyway.’
"Yeon-hwa."
"What? Piggy."
"How long are you going to call me Piggy?"
"Until Piggy becomes a proper human."
‘So, you’re saying I’m not human, but a pig?’
I wanted to argue back, but there was no time.
"Hey, handsome, can I ask you something?"
"Well, I'm pretty knowledgeable about everything, so ask away."
Yeon-hwa, who had been somewhat sulking, seemed to have cheered up with just one compliment of being handsome.
‘He's so simple, it's cute.’
"Is it possible to hide the power I gained through the flower seed?"
"Why would you bother hiding that great power?"
"Dad must not know completely about what happened in the Demonic Cult. If he finds out, he'll prevent me from ever setting foot in the Demonic Cult again. Then I won't be able to cure Dad's illness..."
Geum Seon-yeonhwa, who was watching me become gloomy, placed his long hand on my head.
"It's possible."
"Really? If it's possible, could you hide it for me before I go home?"
"Well, yeah."
"Thank you, and by the way, while I'm at home, are you planning to stay in the Demonic Cult?"
"Originally, I was going to follow you, but you said that would prevent you from going outside the house. So, I'll stay in the Demonic Cult until you return."
‘Why do I feel uneasy even though Geum Seon-yeonhwa is willingly saying he’ll stay in the Demonic Cult?’
"Until I come back, you have to stay quietly in the Demonic Cult without causing any trouble? And don't forget to call me by my name, not 'human,' and don't get caught being a spirit beast! Got it?"
"Enough already. Don't worry."
Geum Seon-yeonhwa, who covered his ears with his pinky finger as if my nagging was hurting his ears, stopped walking towards the outside of the building and turned back to me.
"I'm used to waiting."
Unlike his light tone, Geum Seon-yeonhwa's face looked lonely.
‘He was trapped in that cave for so long, he probably hates being alone.’
I stood on my tiptoes and patted his head.
Then, naturally, Geum Seon-yeonhwa's golden eyes turned to me.
"I'll be back soon, I promise."
At my words, Geum Seon-yeonhwa's gaze towards me wavered slightly.
"So, I hope you'll be a little less lonely."
"I'll try."
Geum Seon-yeonhwa lowered his body towards me so that my hand could easily reach his head.
His lonely expression faded into a faint smile.
‘A spirit beast can smile so beautifully too. Feeling lonely when alone, and sometimes knowing how to smile. Spirit beasts are no different from humans.’
I liked his innocent smile.
It was then.
"Seol."
A low voice called out from down the hall.
I turned and saw Jeok-un, looking sharp, staring right at me.
"Come."
Jeok-un's red lips parted, his brows furrowed as he looked at my hand on Geum Seon-yeonhwa's head.
"Come with me.”
