Book 21 Chapter 1

First, and then again first

At that time, I thought it was the first meeting. Until just before remembering that day, that incident, it was still the first time. However, on that day, which approached so casually, after awakening from oblivion, it was no longer the first time. We were bound by a connection much deeper than we knew.

She and I… it was so.

* * *

That day will never be forgotten.

The day she returned with me, carrying a brilliance the chaos of demons and devils could not steal, the moment I recognized that man's face among the surging crowds in the cauldron of fervor.

"Ooh! Yerim! This can't be a dream, can it?"

I saw an old man in white suddenly embrace Yerim tightly. I was in the midst of loosening my knuckles after reporting the results of my disciples' condolence money earnings to the Hongs.

Who would dare embrace Yerim without my permission? That was the very first thought that crossed my mind. While I was thinking that, the old man was already stroking Yerim's cheek.

"Yes! Father! I'm back."

Yerim, with a faint smile, nestled in the old man's embrace.

Ah, was he that father rumored to be besotted? Even if he was besotted, he was one of the people who brought Yerim into this world. In that case, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it an emotional father-daughter reunion.

"Ooh! God of Heaven and Earth! Thank you!"

Oh dear! Even tears of emotion… Although I couldn't see his face, I could tell from the slight tremors in his back and shoulders that the old man was crying. As if he had no intention of ever letting his daughter go, the old man hugged Yerim tightly again. It felt like a resolve to hold her for three days and nights without letting go. Even as her father, wasn't that a bit excessive?

Just as I thought I needed to take some action, the man fortunately let go of Yerim and turned his head to wipe away his tears with his sleeve. It was at that very moment.

*Bang!*

Something exploded in my head. An immense and intense shock, so powerful it shook my soul to its roots, washed over me like a tidal wave.

How could this be!

It was impossible.

How could that man…

The scattered fragments of my past began to converge into a single point at that moment.

How could I forget! That man's face!

Even after almost ten years, that face had changed very little.

"I'm glad you've returned safely, Master!"

As I heard the voices of people approaching to welcome me, I smoothed out the collapsing shock with a smile. What will I do from now on? I have plenty of time to think it through slowly.

That day was, in the truest sense, a day of successful return. Therefore, I thought it was a day enough to celebrate that alone.