Book 22 Chapter 9

Yeonbi's Confession

―I need money!

"Yeonbi, are you alright? You haven't looked well since we got off the ship. Are you sick? Are you perhaps seasick?"

Yeonbi, her mind a whirlwind of a thousand thoughts, lifted her head and turned towards the source of the voice. Concerned eyes were there. It was Na Yerinn. Na Yerinn, who was usually so expressionless that she was called a block of ice, was now full of worry. The thought that all that worry was directed at her made her feel a little proud.

"It's quite a luxury to receive such deep concern from Rin."

Considering Na Yerinn's usual personality, this reaction could be called an extreme measure. It wasn't for nothing that she had the nickname 'Ice Peak'.

"I-is that so?"

It seemed she was unaware of it herself.

"Of course, of course. By the way, am I really that unwell-looking?"

"Yes, very much so."

"To worry Rin… it seems my training is still insufficient."

However, it was too late to regret it now that she had already been found out.

"It's because I experienced such a thing as emotional turmoil after a long time, so I'm not used to it yet, so don't worry. I'll be fine soon."

She had almost forgotten it, but today she had regained the feeling of emotional turmoil, yet she wasn't happy at all.

"Hoo…"

Yeonbi closed her eyes and began to take slow, deep breaths.

It was to calm her shaken mind. She was meticulously following the basic principle of controlling the body first, and then controlling the mind based on it. This was because while the mind is formless, the body has form. It is much easier to control tangible things than intangible ones.

Soon, as her breathing quieted, the trembling in her eyes stopped. Her gaze returned, like a calm lake.

"Are you alright now?"

"I feel a little more settled now."

"If you have any worries, I think sharing them with me is a good way to lighten your burden, isn't it?"

Her heart was grateful, but this was a karma she had to bear herself. She didn't want to involve Na Yerinn in this. It was a mistake to have formed such a cursed connection in the first place. However, looking at Na Yerinn's eyes, she seemed determined not to back down.

"Yeonbi, you reached out to me when I was in trouble. I would be very happy if I could repay even a fraction of the kindness I received from you. And if you were to deceive me to prevent me from giving you that opportunity, I would be very disappointed. To borrow the words of someone I know, this is it: Debt relations are certain! Don't miss the chance to repay a debt when it arises!"

Of course, Yeonbi knew those words too. Because they were words that she herself had said. Yeonbi gazed at Na Yerinn's jewel-like black eyes. Those eyes were saying that she had to hear about her troubles somehow.

'What should I do?'

Should she tell the truth? Or should she gloss over it?

A matter of fortune or misfortune…

Yeonbi found herself at a critical juncture.

"It's not something that requires Rin's help. So it would be better if you didn't hear about it."

Na Yerinn was not convinced.

"What on earth is going on? That judgment is mine to make. I don't think it's a problem for Yeonbi to judge. That person would surely say so."

"Would they?"

When the words one had said were returned to them, they seemed to lose objectivity and universality. Simply put, one felt a strong urge to be an exception to those words, and Yeonbi was no exception. However, if she did that, her heart would break.

'That would also be a form of self-deception…'

It was too difficult to lift a broken heart again. Once you start deceiving yourself, there's no end to it. The first step is always important. It's like creating something from nothing. Once it becomes something, you can never go back to a state of nothingness.

"I've lost, Rin. Alright. I'll tell you. And I'll await your judgment."

"Alright. I will listen intently."

"There's no need to listen so seriously. This is, in a way, a money problem."

"A money problem?"

"Yes, it's like needing a huge sum of money all of a sudden."

"……?"

It was an awkward problem to explain step by step.

"How much do you need? Is it around ten thousand yang?"

At that, Yeonbi smiled faintly.

"No? Then…"

Hmm, Yeonbi calculated for a moment and replied.

"Well, about thirty thousand yang?"

Yeonbi smiled as she said it, but Na Yerinn couldn't laugh at the words.

"Yeonbi, when did you incur such a large debt? Did you fall victim to a ruthless loan shark? Or a scam?"

Yeonbi gave a bitter smile at those words.

"Haa, I wish it were so. It wouldn't take half a day to resolve something like that. There would be no need to worry. I wouldn't even fall for something like that in the first place."

Yeonbi's words were close to a lament.

"Then what on earth…?"

"It's always difficult to monetize intangible things that cannot be quantified by money. Their weight cannot be measured by a few coins."

Na Yerinn had never seen such an expression on Yeonbi's face, neither in the past nor since they reunited. And she realized, this wasn't a simple money problem.

"I'll help you."

Na Yerinn said, stepping forward.

"Rin?"

That was a very unexpected statement from Yeonbi. She, who had always seemed passive, was volunteering for this? She thought that when it came to money, she wouldn't offer to help anymore.

"I owe you a debt of gratitude. I would be very fortunate if I could repay it on this occasion."

"Hmm…"

"Why? Do you not want me to?"

"No, of course not. I'd be struck by divine punishment if I said that. I'm not the type to refuse insincerely."

Such insincere and formal refusals would only hurt the other person's feelings. If you want to receive something, just receive it and be genuinely grateful.

"If you're going to help, I won't refuse. Can I ask for your thorough help?"

"Of course."

Now that she had offered to help, she was in Yeonbi's hands.

"Rin…"

"Yes?"

Then Yeonbi smiled brightly and said.

"You'll regret it soon."

Na Yerinn's eyes widened like a startled bird.

"And…"

Yeonbi clasped Na Yerinn's hand tightly.

"Thank you."

Na Yerinn smiled softly at the warm touch that gently enveloped her hand. It was the rare smile of the "Ice Peak," more precious than gold.