Rachel.
Sungjin held her in his arms; he could see she was in unbearable pain. As soon as he touched her, the agony spread to his body.
Ugh!
He almost screamed, but he stopped himself. He couldn’t let Rachel hear his torment.
Sungjin Oppa…leave me…alone…ugh…you too…
Despite her pain, Rachel still tried to push him away.
That’s why I tried to stop you,
Kuga sighed as he stood next to the pair. He knew if he even so much as hugged her, the curse would be transmitted to him as well.
And that’s why she wanted to keep it a secret.
While Kuga spoke, Sungjin heard another voice in his head.
This sacrifice belongs to God.
It was the Holy Pope, and Sungjin saw his apparition.
You, unholy one, obey in front of the rage of God! You shall not covet what belongs to God.
That was a warning. The brand on the child said Rachel’s innocent body belonged to God and only the agent of God, the Holy Pope, could have her. If Sungjin was a normal human being, he would have stepped back and asked forgiveness, but Sungjin was not; he didn’t let Rachel go and held her even tighter in his arms.
I’m sorry that I didn’t know your pain until now.
He didn’t scream, but tried to soothe Rachel, telling her that no matter what pain he had to feel, he wouldn’t leave her.
God or the Holy Pope didn’t matter. Whatever force they use, I will never let you go. I will save you.
Without a word, his hug told Rachel what he was thinking.
Sungjin…Oppa…
Rachel tried to cry.
Her soft skin cracked and her veins kept breaking and mending. Sungin was able to see that every nerve in her body was screaming. The tattoo on her back wriggled and ate into her skin. Sungjin had to feel the same pain.
This child…had to feel this pain…
Sungjin clenched his teeth so hard he almost bled in his mouth. Had he been alone in this pain, he would have been rolling around on the ground, but he couldn’t let Rachel believe she had to bear this alone.
Why did I only find out about this now? How can I save her?
One victory against Rupellion was not enough.
The saint who had saved everyone from the epidemic was suffering from the curse of the evil God. She was just a child and seeking refuge in his country was not enough to get away from the Holy Pope. The child was still abandoned in the darkness.
I’ll save you. I won’t let you be alone anymore. I will defeat the Holy Pope and the evil God to finally free you.
Ugh. Ahhhh!
Rachel started to cry. Through her anguish, Sungjin’s presence was a relief to her. Where she could feel his body, she felt less pain.
Ahhh!
The tears and screams she had tried to suppress erupted and Sungjin held her tightly in his arms.
Although unable to stop the pain, he was able to promise her that he wouldn’t leave her. He offered her the hope that she could be saved. Kuga looked at the two silently feeling both empathy and pity.
Rachel…
Ugh…ugh…
Rachel’s pain quieted down, but she was so exhausted that she fainted.
She could have been more like a child and cried…
To think, she had tried to hide such excruciating pain. She was not just an innocent and lovely girl, she was beyond lovely; she was like a lotus that had bloomed from the deep darkness of the world. She tried to bury her pain to protect others.
Has she been carrying this misery all along?
Sungjin asked Kuga as he continued holding Rachel in his arms.
Yes, every time the curse engraves deeper on her heart, it activates the pain.
The Holy Nation…what did they do to this child?
Sungjin’s voice was ice cold.
He was not angry but in a cold in rage.
Her tattoo is not a tattoo; it’s an embodiment of the curse. The real curse has been engraved on her heart.
What’s the curse?
She gets the pains every day, and it further chains her heart and body. Eventually, the time will come when the evil God will take away her life.
When is that?
Kuga paused before answering the question.
Her next birthday; we have six more months.
Sungjin now understood why Rachel said she hoped the day would come when she would be grown up. It was not because of the fear that the fanatics of Rupellions may come after her. It was the fear of death she was fighting every day. It was through her pain that she realized her death was near.
She had kept it to herself to prevent others from worrying about her. Sungjin would have preferred that she had been crying out for help. She thought she had no future; she thought she would never become an adult or fall in love with someone. But now, it was going to be different.
I will give her that future.
Tell me how to lift this curse.
You need to get the fruit of God.
The fruit of God?
With Sungjin’s question, Kuga looked at him with his glowing rainbow-colored fur. It looked like a star had come down from the sky and was shining before him. Kuga’s voice didn’t come from his mouth; the air around him vibrated and made the sound.
Through a thousand years, the sentiment of the world has flowed underground to make an ocean of sentiments and to bloom one flower of a dream.
Sungjin couldn’t figure out if it was Kuga talking or the goddess.
That is the crystalized miracle of god. When someone deserving holds the flower, the person’s wish will come true.
The light made ripples, disappeared, and Kuga took a deep breath.
Those were the words of the goddess. The fruit of God is produced once every thousand years in secret.
The fruit of God…when is the next fruit due?
Sungjin eyes shone sharply. Believed to be a myth, if Kuga said the cure was the fruit of God, it had to be more than a myth.
Yes, we should be able to catch the timing.
The child of God and the fruit of God…
The timing is not a coincidence.
Of course; where can we get the fruit of God?
On illusion island.
Where is illusion island?
Sungjin knew it was possibly in Valhalla. It was a place where they had the power of gods, both mystery and magic together. A place with an invincible shield and a cursed blood sword that could destroy a mountain. The fruit of God was real.
It’s in the middle of Aselan Ocean on the east side from here. We can locate it on the marine chart, but the problem is it’s in the middle of the ocean between Rupellion and the four kingdoms.
So, we should be the first ones there. Let’s talk more about that later.
Hmm…there’s one more thing.
What’s that?
Hmm…
Kuga hesitated before speaking.
I should tell you the whole truth. With the fruit, we can lift more than just the curse of Rachel.
What else?
We could probably solve your issue with the level.
What?
The legend says everything is possible with the miracle of God, and a thousand years ago… the fruit was used to give the level.
Really?
Yes, well, the story is from a thousand years ago, so we can’t be 100 percent sure, but it’s most likely true.
Should he save Rachel or should he use the fruit to achieve his dreams?
Got it,
Sungjin answered without hesitation.
What will you do?
Save Rachel; that was the whole point from the beginning.
When he answered without delay, Kuga didn’t know what to say.
But don’t you want to get your level? Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?
Wanted? I would say it’s a necessity.
Sungjin knew to get to the center and then the sacred territory, he wouldn’t be able to keep up with only his intelligence and physical power as a human. His enemies were getting stronger and at some point he wouldn’t be able to fight them without a new kind of power.
But that’s why…
I will find a way myself. The fruit that can save the child has to be used for the child.
When Sungjin declared this confidently, Kuga bowed down.
I apologize for thinking you needed time to make your decision.
It’s okay. Let’s tell Rachel the good news.
Before he finished his sentence, Rachel woke up.
Oh…Sungjin Oppa?
The next time you’re in such horrible pain, tell me.
Sorry, I didn’t want to make you worry about me.
Yes. I know sometimes I can’t really help you, but…
Sungjin held Rachel’s hands.
I know, but I want to at least try to find a solution. Not knowing the pain of your team members is a sad thing.
Is…it?
It is. Let me worry about you and try to help you.
Rachel blushed.
Oh…your arms are so warm and sweet.
Sungjin’s every word touched her heart. She was so happy that there was someone worrying about her and wishing she wouldn’t feel pain. When he held her in his arms feeling the same pain…she felt bad but relieved.
Before, when experiencing the pain, she sometimes doubted if the goddess would really save her; but when he hugged her, she felt like she was able to see a brighter future.
Rachel, there’s good news.
What’s that?
I know how to lift the curse; Kuga had a divine revelation.
Rachel’s body was shivering with surprise.
Re…really my curse can be lifted?
Kuga nodded with a smile.
Yes, the goddess revealed how.
The goddess…
Rachel didn’t know what to say or do.
Thank you…thank you…really thank you…
She started to cry again.
Thank you for saving me…I will try…harder…from now on…
Sungjin had cheered her up.
Now you don’t have to hide your pain anymore.
So I can…be cured? I won’t need to feel the pain anymore?
Yes, soon you will be,
Sungjin promised.
…I’m so happy…so happy…but I can’t stop crying…
Because you’re so happy,
Sungjin held her tight.
Her body was so small and thin.
She was a child of God who could hear the voice of nature, and she was the saint who had saved everyone from the epidemic. She was a supporter of level seven and, at the same time, just a little fragile child. A child hidden away from the sunlight until recently, one who religious fanatics had made a sacrifice, forced to feel pain tearing her body apart every day, the whole time waiting for the goddess to save her. That was Rachel.
I will find the fruit of God to lift her curse.
Sungjin promised himself again.
There must be more than just a child of God or the fruit of God. Rupellion and Eldorado were hiding something, but it doesn’t matter. Whatever conspiracy they were hiding, whatever plan was waiting for me, I will keep going forward and save her. There must be people trying to use this, but I will save this little girl.
I will save you.
Sungjin promised.
Sungjin Oppa…thank you…
